bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nurse educators' suggestions for a digital educational resource suitable for undergraduate student nurses' placement studies: Qualitative empirical research
Authors: Ravik Monika , Aase Ingunn , Akerjordet Kristin , Laugaland Kristin , Gonzalez Marianne Thorsen
Published: May 2023

Aims

To explore and describe nurse educators' suggestions regarding a digital educational resource addressing quality in placement studies for first‐year student nurses in nursing homes.

Design

A qualitative, explorative, and descriptive research design.

Methods

Focus group interviews with eight nurse educators and individual interviews with six nurse educators. The interviews were audio‐recorded and transcribed verbatim; subsequently, data were analysed in lines with content analysis as described by Graneheim and Lundman.

Results

The analysis revealed three main categories: ‘Suggestions for a digital educational resource to strengthen and support nurse educators’ role in follow‐up students', ‘Suggestions for a digital educational resource to complement and support interaction between stakeholders in placement’, and ‘Suggestions for a digital educational resource to facilitate student nurses' learning processes’. The categories were captured by the overarching theme, ‘A digital educational resource facilitating interaction between stakeholders and students' learning processes.

Conclusion

This study revealed nurse educators' suggestions regarding design elements, content, and use of a digital educational resource addressing placement studies for first‐year student nurses' in nursing homes. Implications for the profession and/or patient care: Nurse educators should be involved in designing, developing, and implementing digital educational resources aiming to support student learning in nursing education placement studies.

Impact

This study explored nurse educators' suggestions for a digital educational resource. They suggested a digital educational resource to strengthen and support their role, support interaction between stakeholders, and facilitate student nurses' learning processes. Further, they suggested a digital educational resource to be used as a supplement rather than as a replacement for nurse educators' physical presence in placements.

Reporting method

The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research reporting guidelines were used.

No Patient or Public Contribution.
Multidimensional interpretation of radiomagnetotellurics and controlled‐source radiomagnetotellurics data: A validation study
Authors: Fadavi Asghari Shiva , Shlykov Arseny , Smirnova Maria , Saraev Alexander , Yogeshwar Pritam , Tezkan Bülent
Published: May 2023

Radiomagnetotellurics (RMT) is an electromagnetic method that uses signals from radio transmitters broadcasting in the 10 kHz to 1 MHz frequency range. Due to its limited frequency range, RMT is commonly used as a shallow‐depth investigation tool. However, in remote areas, there is a lack of radio transmitters and only signals from very low frequency (VLF) antennas (10–30 kHz frequency range) can be measured. This can give rise to low signal‐to‐noise ratio. To overcome this disadvantage of RMT, a controlled‐source RMT (CSRMT) can be applied to measure signals of the low‐frequency (LF) and mid‐frequency ranges (30–1000 kHz). Moreover, the wider frequency range of the CSRMT method (down to 1 kHz) leads to a deeper sounding depth. We present the first RMT and CSRMT validation studies using two perpendicularly located horizontal electric dipoles to realize a 3D inversion of CSRMT data. The survey area in Alexandrova village in Kaluga region, Russia, a previously investigated area, was selected for a validation study. We acquired the data along 8 profiles with 175 stations. Transmitter lines for the CSRMT case were about 900 m long, and the minimum and maximum distances of the stations from transmitters were 450–1000 m, respectively. We applied 2D and 3D inversions over the far‐field data and compared with the previous results. The available geophysical information as well as the borehole data indicate a high agreement between the obtained models and the geological structure. We can confirm that the CSRMT method is a reliable approach for near‐surface explorations and that, the existing advanced and tested inversion tools for magnetotellurics, can be used to invert the RMT and far‐field zone CSRMT data leading to comparable results.
Cleaning archaeological bones: Influence of water, ethanol, and acetone on microhardness
Authors: Valtierra Noé , Courtenay Lloyd A. , Fabregat‐Sanjuan Albert , López‐Polín Lucía
Published: May 2023

The application of conservation treatments on archaeological bone is, in many cases, a necessary step for its study. Cleaning interventions can generate modifications on the surface of the material or even modify elements of the study. The variables involved in this process have been scarcely characterized. The present study reports on the characterization of how different liquids commonly used in cleaning processes can contribute to the onset of modifications by influencing microhardness. Three media were experimented with water, ethanol, and acetone. The Knoop microhardness test was used to measure the hardness of bone samples from two archaeological sites: Gran Dolina and two localities at Barranc de la Boella, before and during exposure to the liquids. Results note that all the solvents produce a decrease in sample microhardness. These variations in hardness should be considered when cleaning because they make it simpler to damage the bone surface with cleaning tools.
The value and limitations of using predetermined criteria in decision making for maternal‐fetal interventions
Authors: Premkumar Ashish , Fry Jessica T. , Bolden Janelle R. , Grobman William A. , Michelson Kelly N.
Published: May 2023

Maternal‐fetal interventions—such as prenatal fetal myelomeningocele (MMC) repair—are at the forefront of clinical innovation within maternal‐fetal medicine, pediatric surgery, and neonatology. Many centers determine eligibility for innovative procedures using pre‐determined inclusion and exclusion criteria based on seminal studies, for example, the “Management of Myelomeningocele Study” for prenatal MMC repair. What if a person's clinical presentation does not conform to predetermined criteria for maternal‐fetal intervention? Does changing criteria on a case‐by‐case basis (i.e., ad hoc) constitute an innovation in practice and flexible personalized care or transgression of commonly held standards with potential negative consequences? We outline principle‐based, bioethically justified answers to these questions using fetal MMC repair as an example. We pay special attention to the historical origins of inclusion and exclusion criteria, risks and benefits to the pregnant person and the fetus, and team dynamics. We include recommendations for maternal‐fetal centers facing these questions.
In‐depth discovery of protein lactylation in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wu Xiaofeng
Published: May 2023

As a prevalent cancer type, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for a number of tumor‐related deaths worldwide. Substantial efforts from various aspects, including RNA and proteins, have been devoted to understanding the mechanisms of HCC and proposing therapeutic schemes correspondingly. Within one of the important fields in cancer research – protein post‐translational modifications (PTMs), recent discoveries revealed much broader landscapes of lysine lactylation (Kla) distributed in whole human proteome. Upon realizing the relation between Kla and cancers, Hong et al. (Proteomics 2023, 23, 2200432) comprehensively profiled lactylproteome in HCC tissues for the first time. All collected and processed samples were categorized into normal liver tissues, HCC without metastasis or HCC with lung metastasis tissues. As a result, 2045 Kla modification sites from 960 proteins were identified and 1438 sites from 772 proteins were quantifiably measured. Many differentially expressed Kla‐proteins emerged and meant to contribute HCC formation and metastatsis. Among them, specific Kla sites from ubiquitin specific peptidase 14 (USP14) and ATP‐binding cassette family 1 (ABCF1) were respectively verified as diagnostic indicators to characterize HCC and its metastasis. This work was of great significance, and made impacts in terms of further discovery of HCC rationale, as well as diagnosis of HCC status and targeted therapies.
What would you like to ask your audience? Enhancing feedback value in PM&R grand rounds through customizable evaluation forms with presenter‐generated questions
Authors: Hearn Sandra L. , Yang Jun , Chapman Chris , DiPonio Lisa A.
Published: May 2023

Background

Feedback and evaluation are important in the professional development of academic physiatrists. Yet, physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) learners giving academic presentations receive limited narrative feedback through generic evaluation forms.

Objective

To assess whether customizable evaluation forms that integrate a presenter's specific questions would be associated with an increase in quantity and quality of narrative feedback received from the audience.

Design

Separate samples pre‐post intervention study.

Setting

A large academic PM&R department's grand rounds.

Participants

PM&R faculty and trainees attending grand rounds (10–50 attendees with one presenter per session). The study included 20 presentations pre intervention (across 1 year) and 38 presentations post intervention (across about 3 years).

Intervention

A customizable evaluation form that integrates a presenter's own questions into a tailored evaluation form comprising both standardized and presenter‐built questions.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Narrative feedback quantity was defined as the mean percentage and number of evaluation forms per presentation with at least one comment. Narrative feedback quality included three metrics: mean percentage and number of evaluation forms per presentation with comments that (1) contained ≥8 words, (2) referenced something specific, and (3) offered an actionable suggestion.

Results

Compared to preintervention, presentations in the postintervention period had a greater mean percentage of evaluation forms containing at least one comment (pre = 33.4%, post =74.7%, p < .001), a comment that contained ≥8 words (pre = 20.2%, post = 44.2%, p < .001), a comment that referenced something specific (pre = 19.6%, post = 55.1%, p < .001), and a comment that offered an actionable suggestion (pre = 10.2%, post = 22.2%, p < .001).

Conclusions

Use of a customizable evaluation form in PM&R grand rounds that integrates a presenter's own questions was associated with a greater mean percentage of evaluation forms containing comments as well as comments meeting quality metrics related to length, specificity, and actionability.
Constraint‐induced movement therapy versus bimanual intensive therapy in children with hemiplegia showing low/very low bimanual functional performance: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Palomo‐Carrión Rocío , Ferri‐Morales Asunción , Ando‐LaFuente Sara , Fernández Rubén Arroyo , Arenillas Jose Ignacio Calvo , Antón‐Antón Virgilia , Esteban Elisabeth Bravo
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Children with infantile hemiplegia with low or very low bimanual functional performance have great impediments to spontaneously use their affected upper limb, which affects their performance of day‐to‐day activities and their quality of life.

Objective

To determine whether the order of application and the dose of modified constraint‐induced movement therapy within a combined (hybrid) protocol influences the results of bimanual functional performance of the affected upper limb and the quality of life of children with congenital hemiplegia (5 to 8 years old) with low/very low bimanual functional performance.

Design

Single‐blinded randomized controlled trial.

Participants

Twenty‐one children with congenital hemiplegia (5 to 8 years old) were recruited from two public hospitals and an infantile hemiplegia association in Spain.

Interventions

The experimental group (n = 11) received 100 hours of intensive therapies for the affected upper limb: 80 hours of modified constraint‐induced movement therapy and 20 hours of bimanual intensive therapy. The control group (n = 10) received the same dose with 80 hours of bimanual intensive therapy and 20 hours of modified constraint‐induced movement therapy. The protocol was provided 2 hours per day, 5 days per week, for 10 weeks.

Outcome Measures

The primary outcome was bimanual functional performance, measured with the Assisting Hand Assessment, and the second outcome was quality of life, measured with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Cerebral‐Palsy module (PedsQL v. 3.0, CP module). Four assessments were performed: Weeks 0, 4, 8, and 10.

Results

The experimental group obtained an increase of 22 assisting hand assessment (AHA) units at week 8 with the application of modified constraint‐induced movement, in contrast with the control group, which obtained an increase of 3.7 AHA units after bimanual intensive therapy. At week 10, the control group showed its greatest increase in bimanual functional performance, with 10.6 AHA units after modified constraint‐induced movement therapy. Regarding quality of life, the greatest improvement occurred after modified constraint‐induced movement, with 13.1 points in the experimental group (80 hours) and 6.3 points in the control group (20 hours). The protocol interaction was statistically significant for bimanual functional performance (p = .018) and quality of life (p = .09).

Conclusions

Modified constraint‐induced movement therapy is more beneficial than bimanual intensive therapy for improving upper limb functioning and quality of life in children with congenital hemiplegia showing low/very low bimanual performance.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier

NCT03465046.
Hair and urine lead, cadmium, nickel, and arsenic levels in children with attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder: A case–control study in a tertiary care hospital in eastern India
Authors: Nayak Saurav , Sahu Suchanda , John Joseph , Patra Suravi
Published: May 2023

Attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention and/or hyperactivity–impulsivity. It is one of the most widespread neurodevelopmental conditions and has compound etiopathogenesis involving both environmental and genetic factors. Though the role of heavy metals on ADHD has been implicated but is less studied. Hair and urine are two non‐invasive methods which can substitute blood as a method of monitoring and assessing heavy metal levels. Twenty‐four cases of ADHD and their age matched healthy children (24) were taken as controls. Hair and urine samples were analyzed for lead, cadmium, nickel, and arsenic using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES) after acid digestion and extraction. The levels of heavy metals were significantly higher in cases; lead (p = .004, .003), cadmium (p = .020, <.001), and nickel (p = .016, <.001) of the hair and urine samples, respectively. Arsenic was below the limit of detection for all the samples. Hence, in conclusion, the heavy metal levels in hair and urine were significantly higher in ADHD cases as compared to their healthy counterparts.
Evolution of large Aβ16–22 aggregates at atomic details and potential of mean force associated to peptide unbinding and fragmentation events
Authors: Iorio Antonio , Timr Štěpán , Chiodo Letizia , Derreumaux Philippe , Sterpone Fabio
Published: May 2023

Atomic characterization of large nonfibrillar aggregates of amyloid polypeptides cannot be determined by experimental means. Starting from β‐rich aggregates of Y and elongated topologies predicted by coarse‐grained simulations and consisting of more than 100 Aβ16–22 peptides, we performed atomistic molecular dynamics (MD), replica exchange with solute scaling (REST2), and umbrella sampling simulations using the CHARMM36m force field in explicit solvent. Here, we explored the dynamics within 3 μs, the free energy landscape, and the potential of mean force associated with either the unbinding of one single peptide in different configurations within the aggregate or fragmentation events of a large number of peptides. Within the time scale of MD and REST2, we find that the aggregates experience slow global conformational plasticity, and remain essentially random coil though we observe slow beta‐strand structuring with a dominance of antiparallel beta‐sheets over parallel beta‐sheets. Enhanced REST2 simulation is able to capture fragmentation events, and the free energy of fragmentation of a large block of peptides is found to be similar to the free energy associated with fibril depolymerization by one chain for longer Aβ sequences.
Safety instrumented system design with credible failure rates: The key to achieving plant safety
Authors: Limaye Rajeev
Published: May 2023

The influence of the dangerous undetected failure rate, ƛdu, on safety instrumented system (SIS) design has evolved over last 30 years. Now, ƛdu has a significant impact on the SIS design. Using unrealistically low ƛdu can lead to an unsafe SIS design and thus compromise the plant safety. This paper explains some of the reasons why some published ƛdu could be unrealistically low. To address this challenge, ISA TR84 committee Working Group 02 has undertaken an effort to develop a failure rate credibility assessment tool. In this tool, the user will answer a series of questions, and the weighted score of answers will provide a credibility rank for the published device failure rate. This paper will explain the approach of this tool, its target users, and its benefits.
A microbial bioherbicide for Striga hermonthica control: production, development, and effectiveness of a seed coating agent
Authors: Lüth Peter , Nzioki Henry Sila , Sands Baker Claire , Sands David Chandler
Published: May 2023

Witchweed (Striga hermonthica), also called striga, is a parasitic weed that causes high yield losses in maize on more than 200 000 ha in Kenya alone. A new commercial, biological herbicide developed in Kenya is able to control striga effectively. The product was approved for use by the Pest Control Products Board in Kenya in September, 2021. It is self‐produced in villages using a secondary inoculum provided by a commercial company. The formulated product has some disadvantages, which are a complicated production process, a very short shelf life and high application rate. Additionally, the product has to be applied manually and therefore can only be used in manual production, leaving out the opportunity for farmers using mechanization. For this reason, efforts have been made to formulate the active ingredient Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. strigae strain DSM 33471, as a powder and to use it as a seed coating agent. This article deals with the production of the Fusarium spore powder, its properties, its application to the seed, and its herbicidal effect demonstrated in the first two field trials. The F. oxysporum strain was originally isolated from a wilting striga plant in Kenya. The strain was virulence enhanced to over produce the amino acids leucine, methionine and tyrosine. These amino acids are responsible for a second mode of action apart from the wilting causing effect of the fungus on striga. Whereas leucine and tyrosine have a herbicidal effect, ethylene from methionine triggers the germination of striga seeds in the soil. Additionally, the strain has been improved to be resistant to the fungicide captan, which is commonly used to treat maize seed in Kenya. Seed coating tests conducted on 25 striga‐infested small holder farms spread out in six counties of western Kenya reported yield increases of up to 88%. A second trial carried out by the Kenyan Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization showed a 93% reduction of emerged striga plants. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Electrothermal Performance of AlGaN/GaN Lateral Transistors with >10 μm Thick GaN Buffer on 200 mm Diameter‐Engineered Substrates
Authors: Lundh James Spencer , Waltereit Patrick , Müller Stefan , Kirste Lutz , Czap Heiko , Tadjer Marko J. , Hobart Karl D. , Anderson Travis J. , Odnoblyudov Vladimir
Published: May 2023

Herein, the electrical and thermal performance of lateral AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) and metal‐insulator‐semiconductor field effect transistors (MISFETs) fabricated with 11 μm thick GaN buffer layers on 200 mm diameter Qromis Substrate Technology (QST) substrates are investigated. The QST substrate has a polycrystalline core engineered to be coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE)‐matched to GaN to minimize wafer bow and residual stress in the GaN film as a result of epitaxial growth. Raman spectroscopy is used to determine the biaxial residual stress in the GaN buffer of the as‐fabricated devices. Electrical characterization is demonstrated on the HEMTs including DC and pulsed output characteristics, DC transfer characteristics, Hall mobility, carrier concentration, sheet resistance, median transition frequency, and maximum stable gain. Finally, the thermal performance of the AlGaN/GaN MISFET is assessed via thermoreflectance thermal imaging at DC power densities up to 19 W mm−1. The thermal resistance of the MISFET, calculated using the peak temperature rises on the gate electrode for DC power densities <10 W mm−1, is measured to be 15.4 mm K W−1, which is comparable with state‐of‐the‐art GaN‐on‐Si lateral transistors.
Interfacial Interaction of Monolayer Black Phosphorus/g‐C3N4 Van Der Waals Heterojunction for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Liu Jianjun , Dou Dezhao
Published: May 2023

The 2D/2D van der Waals heterojunctions have promising photocatalytic applications. However, their interfacial interaction and photocatalytic mechanism are still unclear. Herein, monolayer black phosphorus (BP)/graphitic carbon nitride (GCN) heterojunction photocatalytic hydrogen evolution is systematically investigated using the density‐functional theory method. It is indicated in the results that BP/GCN heterojunction structure distortion and interface interaction change its electronic structure and photocatalytic performance. The hydrogen‐adsorption free energy of BP/GCN heterojunction is −0.28 eV, indicating that the BP/GCN heterojunction has a high catalytic activity for hydrogen production. Calculated Bader charge and Fermi energy level show that a built‐in electric field from BP to GCN forms in its interface. The energy barrier and built‐in electric field promote the recombination of photogenerated electrons in GCN conduction band and photogenerated holes in BP valence band; electrons on the BP conduction band and holes on the GCN valence band are effectively separated in space; and more electrons and holes can participate in redox reactions on the surface. The BP/GCN heterojunction is a type Z heterojunction. Significant improvement in photocatalytic reaction efficiency is attributed to the type Z photocatalytic mechanism and small free energy of hydrogen adsorption. Herein, it is aimed to offer insights into the photocatalytic mechanism of 2D/2D heterojunctions.
Insulin‐like growth factor binding Protein‐4: A novel indicator of pulmonary arterial hypertension severity and survival
Authors: Torres Guillermo , Yang Jun , Griffiths Megan , Brandal Stephanie , Damico Rachel , Vaidya Dhananjay , Simpson Catherine E. , Pauciulo Michael W. , Nichols William C. , Ivy David D. , Austin Eric D. , Hassoun Paul M. , Everett Allen D.
Published: May 2023

Proteomic analysis of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has demonstrated significant abnormalities in the insulin‐like growth factor axis (IGF). This study proposed to establish associations between a specific binding protein, insulin‐like growth factor binding protein 4 (IGFBP4), and PAH severity as well as survival across varying study cohorts. In all cohorts studied, serum IGFBP4 levels were significantly elevated in PAH compared to controls (p < 0.0001). IGFBP4 concentration was also highest in the connective tissue‐associated PAH (CTD‐PAH) and idiopathic PAH subtypes (876 and 784 ng/mL, median, respectively). After adjustment for age and sex, IGFBP4 was significantly associated with worse PAH severity as defined by a decreased 6‐min walk distance (6MWD), New York heart association functional class (NYHA‐FC), REVEAL 2.0 score and higher right atrial pressures. In longitudinal analysis provided by one of the study cohorts, IGFBP4 was prospectively significantly associated with a shorter 6MWD, worse NYHA‐FC classification, and decreased survival. Cox multivariable analysis demonstrated higher serum IGFBP4 as an independent predictor of survival in the overall PAHB cohort. Therefore, this study established that higher circulating IGFBP4 levels were significantly associated with worse PAH severity, decreased survival and disease progression. Dysregulation of IGF metabolism/growth axis may play a significant role in PAH cardio‐pulmonary pathobiology.
Observer‐based adaptive backstepping control and the application for a class of multi‐input multi‐output nonlinear systems with structural uncertainties and perturbations
Authors: Su Bowen , Zhang Fan , Huang Panfeng
Published: May 2023

In this study, the adaptive backstepping control of a class of multi‐input multi‐output nonlinear systems with immeasurable states, structural uncertainties and periodic perturbations is researched using neural network (NN) based nonlinear observer. Firstly, a series of harmonic components obtained from Fourier series expansion (FSE) are employed to estimate the unknown periodic perturbations. Then treating the estimated perturbations as inputs, a radial basis function‐based neural network (RBFNN) is constructed as a component of the observer, and the observer is proved to be uniformly ultimately bounded (UUB) in estimating the immeasurable system states with the negative‐gradient adaptive laws of NN parameters. Subsequently, the adaptive backstepping control is designed to track reference signals at the outputs of system based on the FSE‐RBFNN observer, and the stability of the closed‐loop system is proved on a finite set of system states. Finally, the proposed methods are applied to a triangular tethered satellite formation model to test the stability of the observer and control, and the effect of FSE in estimating perturbations is comparatively tested as well.
Design of a Flexible Enzyme‐less Glucose Sensor Based on Non‐woven Fabric and Fe‐Doped CuO Nanocomposite
Authors: Mashhadizadeh Mohammad Hossein , Abdollahi Ghasem
Published: May 2023

Among various enzyme‐free sensors, transition metals and their oxides have been used as suitable modifiers for the design of glucose electrochemical sensors due to their availability and low cost. In the present study, a flexible, enzyme‐less, nonwoven fabric‐based glucose sensor was developed. We synthesized the Fe‐doped CuO (Fe/CuO) chemically and used it as a modifier to the carbon paste to achieve this. A working electrode was created by stabilizing the paste on a nonwoven fabric. The fabric used did not require any pre‐preparation except cleaning. The synthesized Fe/CuO was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The electrochemical properties of the Fe/CuO nanocomposite on the textile electrode were investigated using cyclic voltammetry, amperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. In the proposed enzyme‐free sensor, Fe/CuO catalyzed the oxidation of glucose on the electrode surface. The sensor has high sensitivity, a wide linear range (2.5×10−3–6.57 mM), a low detection limit (8.0×10−4 mM), long‐term stability, and good selectivity. Finally, the sensor was used to determine the amount of glucose in a human sweat sample.
Synthesis and Application of Fe3O4@RHA@MEL‐SO3H Nanocatalyst in the Synthesis of 1‐amidoalkyl‐2‐naphthols through a Statistical Approach to Optimize the Reaction Conditions
Authors: Shahbazarab Zeinab , Nasr‐Esfahani Masoud
Published: May 2023

The future age of sustainable development in organic synthesis requires natural sources with properties such as cost‐effectiveness, biodegradability, availability, durability, and environmentally friendly resources. An instance of material that has these favorable properties is the rice husk ash (RHA) covered the Fe3O4 nanoparticles, followed by melamine sulfonic acid immobilization. In this study, rice husk ash was obtained, and then by adding Fe3O4, melamine, and ClSO3H in different stages and with different solvents, Fe3O4@RHA@MEL‐SO3H nanocatalyst was prepared as a solid acid and characterized using TGA, FT‐IR, EDX, VSM, Fe‐SEM, and XRD methods. Then, the use of Fe3O4@RHA@MEL‐SO3H catalyst as a green nanocatalyst for 1‐amidoalkyl‐2‐naphthols preparation via multi‐component condensation of benzamide, aromatic aldehydes, and 2‐naphthol in solvent‐free conditions was investigated. Considering the important parameters (temperature, reaction time, and catalyst amount) in the reaction since experimental design increase process efficiency, and decrease cost and experimental time, this is the successful technique for the effects of their variables and their interactions. The experimental design was performed to optimize the reaction conditions, and the effect of the three parameters, namely, temperature, reaction time, and catalyst amount were investigated by the response surface methodology (RSM). This study showed that the heterogeneous nanocatalyst has the advantage of being recyclable, which is no trouble separated from the reaction mixture by an external magnet and can be reused up to 9 times; it also has a high product yield, short reaction time, and environmentally and economically good performance.
Polymer‐Grafted, Gold Nanoparticle‐Based Nano‐Capsules as Reversible Colorimetric Tensile Strain Sensors
Authors: Kim Jae‐Hyun , Rosenfeld Joseph , Kim Ye Chan , Choe Sean , Composto Russell J. , Lee Daeyeon , Dreyfus Rémi
Published: May 2023

Colloidal colorimetric microsensors enable the in‐situ detection of mechanical strains within materials. Enhancing the sensitivity of these sensors to small scale deformation while enabling reversibility of the sensing capability would expand their utility in applications including biosensing and chemical sensing. In this study, we introduce the synthesis of colloidal colorimetric nano‐sensors using a simple and readily scalable fabrication method. Colloidal nano sensors are prepared by emulsion‐templated assembly of polymer‐grafted gold nanoparticles (AuNP). To direct the adsorption of AuNP to the oil‐water interface of emulsion droplets, AuNP (≈11nm) are functionalized with thiol‐terminated polystyrene (PS, Mn = 11k). These PS‐grafted gold nanoparticles are suspended in toluene and subsequently emulsified to form droplets with a diameter of ≈30µm. By evaporating the solvent of the oil‐inwater emulsion, we form nanocapsules (AuNC) (diameter < 1µm) decorated by PS‐grafted AuNP. To test mechanical sensing, the AuNC are embedded in an elastomer matrix. The addition of a plasticizer reduces the glass transition temperature of the PS brushes, and in turn imparts reversible deformability to the AuNC. The plasmonic peak of the AuNC shifts towards lower wavelengths upon application of uniaxial tensile tension, indicating increased inter‐nanoparticle distance, and reverts back as the tension is released.
Molybdenum Atom Engineered Vanadium Disulfide for Boosted High‐Capacity Li‐Ion Storage
Authors: Zhao Jie , Xiao Dongdong , Wan Qi , Wei Xijun , Tao Gang , Liu Yu , Xiang Yuefei , Davey Kenneth , Liu Zhiwei , Guo Zaiping , Song Yingze
Published: May 2023

A drawback with lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) lies in the unstable lithium storage which results in poor electrochemical performance. Therefore, it's of importance to improve the electrochemical functionality and Li‐ion transport kinetics of electrode materials for high‐performance lithium storage. Here, a subtle atom engineering via injecting molybdenum (Mo) atoms into vanadium disulfide (VS2) to boost high capacity Li‐ion storage is reported. By combining operando, ex situ monitoring and theoretical simulation, it is confirmed that the 5.0%Mo atoms impart flower‐like VS2 with expanded interplanar spacing, lowered Li‐ion diffusion energy barrier, and increased Li‐ion adsorption property, together with enhanced e− conductivity, to boost Li‐ion migration. A “speculatively” optimized 5.0% Mo‐VS2 cathode that exhibits a specific capacity of 260.8 mA h g−1 at 1.0 A g−1 together with a low decay of 0.009% per cycle over 500 cycles is demonstrated. It is shown that this value is ≈1.5 times compared with that for bare VS2 cathode. This investigation has substantiated the Mo atom doping can effectively guide the Li‐ion storage and open new frontiers for exploiting high‐performance transition metal dichalcogenides for LIBs.
One Droplet toward Efficient Alcohol Detection Using Femtosecond Laser Textured Micro/Nanostructured Surface with Superwettability
Authors: Deng Qinwen , Yin Kai , Wang Lingxiao , Zhang Hao , Huang Qiaoqiao , Luo Zhi , He Jun , Duan Ji‐An
Published: May 2023

Alcohol with different concentrations is commonly used in food, industry, and medicine fields all over the world. However, current methods for detecting alcohol concentration are restricted to large sample consumption, additional senergy consuming, or complex operations. Here, inspired by superwettability of lotus leaves, a superhydrophobic and superorganophilic surface is designed on the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) for one droplet efficient alcohol detection, which is prepared via femtosecond laser direct writing technology. Meanwhile, the contact angles of droplets with various alcohol concentrations on the laser‐treated PDMS (LTP) surface are different. Based on the above characteristic, alcohol concentration through contact angle measurement without any external energy is directly detected, which is simple and efficient. Furthermore, it is worth noting that the LTP surface remains stable wettability after 1000 water–ethanol cycles and 300 days tests in air, indicating strong surface repeatability and stability. Significantly, the LTP surface has a broad potential application in one droplet detecting alcohol concentration, fake or genuine wine, and alcohol molecules. This work provides a new strategy to fabricate a superwetting surface for efficient one droplet alcohol detection.
Ti3C2 MXene Nanosheets–Modified TiO2 Electron‐Transport Layers Enables Efficient Solar Cells with Outstanding Device Consistency
Authors: Yang Yingguo , Wang Kaili , Niu Yingchun , Li Meng , Xu Quan , Wang Jiaou , Li Xiao-Xi , Wang Ying , Ding Chuan-Fan , Ju Huanxin , Yang Lifeng , Feng Shanglei , Li Lina
Published: May 2023

The electron‐transport layer (ETL) of n–i–p‐structured perovskite solar cells (PSCs) plays vital important roles determining their photovoltaic performance. It is known that the ETL lying underneath can affect the crystallization process of the upper perovskite layer. Furthermore, the buried interface between ETL and perovskite is usually the place where severe non‐radiative recombination happens. Herein, MXene (Ti3C2)‐modified TiO2 (TiO2:MXene) is demonstrated as an excellent ETL for high‐performance PSCs. The FAPbI3‐based and MAPbI3‐based cells with TiO2:MXene achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of up to 24.63% and 20.1%, respectively. Importantly, the target cell shows superior stability and device consistency. The target devices keep ≈98% of their initial PCE after 7 weeks stored in an ambient environment with 40%–60% relative humidity at 25 °C, whereas the PCE of the reference cell declined to ≈90% of its initial value under the same test conditions. It is found that the perovskite film on TiO2:MXene ETL has excellent crystallinity and structural uniformity. For the first time, grazing‐incidence small‐angle X‐ray scattering technique is employed to probe the structural information of complete PSC devices on a large scale, providing new possibilities of characterizing large‐size PSC modules.
Indoor Single‐Component Organic Solar Cells Based on Double‐Cable Conjugated Polymers with Pendant A‐π‐D‐π‐A Electron Acceptors
Authors: Li Xin , Xiao Chengyi , Yang Zhaofan , Wang Hao , Liu Baiqiao , Tan Wen Liang , Chen Qiaomei , Wang Chao , McNeill Christopher R. , Li Weiwei
Published: May 2023

Herein, three double‐cable conjugated polymers are developed for indoor single‐component organic solar cells (SCOSCs). The new double‐cable conjugated polymers contain pendent nonfused electron acceptors with A‐π‐D‐π‐A configuration, in which group A uses 1H‐indene‐1,3(2H)‐dione (ID) as an electron‐withdrawing end group. The innovative design enables the double‐cable polymer to show absorption spectra in the range of 400–700 nm, which is matched with the spectra of indoor light‐emitting diode lights. In addition, the ID units at the acceptor side units and the introduction of halogen atoms make the double‐cable polymers show high photovoltage (>1.0 V) in SCOSCs. As a result, SCOSCs based on the new double‐cable polymers exhibit a high efficiency of 18% under indoor light illumination. The findings present a novel modular design approach for wide‐bandgap double‐cable conjugated polymers that can be utilized for indoor photovoltaics.
Electrochemical Reconstruction Engineering: Metal–Organic Gels as Pre‐Catalysts for NiOOH/FeOOH Heterostructure to Boost Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Luo Jia-Yang , Yuan Yi , Ruan Heng-Yu , Wu Xue-Qian , Wu Ya-Pan , Li Shuang , Zhang Gaixia , Sun Shuhui , Li Dong-Sheng
Published: May 2023

Metal–organic gels (MOG) as new types of soft materials have shown promising applications in various fields such as chemosensors, environmental remediation, and gas adsorption/separation, owing to their high porosity, low density, and high surface area. However, the application of MOG materials in energy electrocatalysis and the active components made from them are rarely perceived. Herein, a new electrochemistry‐driven reconstruction strategy to synthesize the NiOOH/FeOOH heterostructure from MOG materials is reported. The reconstructed NiOOH/FeOOH exhibits superior oxygen evolution reaction activity and excellent stability, owing to the synergistic effect of bimetallic centers, the abundant interface between NiOOH and FeOOH, and the plentiful defects. Impressively, the activated Re–FeNi–MOG‐4 electrocatalyst displays remarkable catalytic activity with a low overpotential of 220 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 and a small Tafel slope of 48 mV dec−1 in alkaline electrolyte, outperforming most recently reported electrocatalysts. Herein, a facile and effective electrochemical reconstruction engineering of pre‐catalysts is provided and the evolution of self‐reconstruction of MOG materials for accelerating the kinetics of the electrocatalytic process is highlighted.
Revised taxonomy of the tribe Leptospermeae (Myrtaceae) based on morphological and DNA data
Authors: Wilson Peter G. , Heslewood Margaret M.
Published: May 2023

New insights into relationships in the tribe Leptospermeae (Myrtaceae) are presented based on phylogenetic analyses of a 6‐locus, 109‐taxon dataset comprising 98 taxa sampled from all nine genera currently recognised in tribe Leptospermeae, including 76 accessions of Leptospermum s.l., and 11 outgroups representing five related tribes. Maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference analyses of separate plastid and nuclear datasets resolved five major lineages within Leptospermum, which was found to be polyphyletic with respect to other genera in the tribe, including Homalospermum, Kunzea and Neofabricia. These results concur with relationships identified in the companion phylogenomic study of the tribe by Binks & al. We also tested congruence of ovule/seed characters with the clades and the possible synapomorphy of hemitropous ovules for Asteromyrtus + Agonis s.l. To better reflect the wide variation seen in Leptospermum s.l., the genus is here restricted to members of the clade of woody‐fruited taxa found in eastern Australia, New Zealand, the Cook Islands and Malesia. To accommodate the four distinct clades of non‐woody‐fruited taxa, Leptospermopsis is reinstated for one western Australian lineage, and three new genera Apectospermum, Aggreflorum, and Gaudium are created for the other western and two largely eastern lineages, respectively, and 45 new combinations made. A key to Leptospermum and the newly segregated genera is presented. Additionally, eight names are lectotypified.
Diversity of fatty acid biosynthesis genes across the soybean pangenome
Authors: Derbyshire Mark C. , Marsh Jacob , Tirnaz Soodeh , Nguyen Henry T. , Batley Jacqueline , Bayer Philipp E. , Edwards David
Published: May 2023

Soybean (Glycine max) is a major crop that contributes more than half of global oilseed production. Much research has been directed towards improvement of the fatty acid profile of soybean seeds through marker assisted breeding. Recently published soybean pangenomes, based on thousands of soybean lines, provide an opportunity to identify new alleles that may be involved in fatty acid biosynthesis. In this study, we identify fatty acid biosynthesis genes in soybean pangenomes based on sequence identity with known genes and examine their sequence diversity across diverse soybean collections. We find three possible instances of a gene missing in wild soybean, including FAD8 and FAD2‐2D, which may be involved in oleic and linoleic acid desaturation, respectively, although we recommend follow‐up research to verify the absence of these genes. More than half of the 53 fatty acid biosynthesis genes identified contained missense variants, including one linked with a previously identified QTL for oil quality. These variants were present in multiple studies based on either short read mappings or alignment of reference grade genomes. Missense variants were found in previously characterized genes including FAD2‐1A and FAD2‐1B, both of which are involved in desaturation of oleic acid, as well as uncharacterized candidate fatty acid biosynthesis genes. We find that the frequency of missense alleles in fatty acid biosynthesis genes has been reduced significantly more than the global average frequency of missense mutations during domestication, and missense variation in some genes is near absent in modern cultivars. This could be due to the selection for fatty acid profiles in seed, though future work should be conducted towards understanding the phenotypic impacts of these variants.
A fast‐integrated x‐ray emission spectrometer dedicated to the investigation of Pt presence in gold Celtic coins (3rd–1st century BCE)
Authors: Zymaková Anna , Kantarelou Vasiliki , Stanček Stanislav , Bursak Daniel , Danielisová Alžběta , Anagnostopoulos Dimitrios F. , Greplová Žáková Martina , Błachucki Wojciech , Andreasson Jakob , Margarone Daniele
Published: May 2023

With this study, we present the development of a transportable x‐ray emission spectrometer (XES) that was realized in a net time of 20 h, in order to verify the presence of Platinum (Pt) in gold Celtic coins belonging to 3rd–1st century BCE. Prior to the XES study, measurements using Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS) revealed that the coins were made of highly concentrated gold (Au) alloy with trace amounts of bismuth (Bi) and, in one case, osmium (Os) and iridium (Ir). Os and Ir together with Pt and other components belong to the Platinum Group Elements (PGE). They form inclusions in ancient gold alloys and their presence is significant in provenance studies since they indicate the use of alluvial gold. Detection of platinum trace elements in a golden matrix is not possible using energy dispersive x‐ray emission techniques (SEM‐EDS, ED‐XRF, or PIXE) because of the limited energy resolution of the Si detectors. A way to overcome this problem is by using a high‐resolution wavelength dispersive x‐ray emission technique. For this purpose, we built a crystal spectrometer in Von‐Hamos geometry. In the framework of this study three samples/coins have been measured, and the presence of Pt was verified in one of them. The limitations of our spectrometer are critically evaluated and ways to optimize the performance of the spectrometer are discussed.
Turing‐Turing and Turing‐Hopf bifurcations in a general diffusive Brusselator model
Authors: Chen Mengxin , Wu Ranchao , Liu Biao , Chen Liping
Published: May 2023

A general reaction‐diffusion Brusselator model subject to homogeneous Neumann boundary conditions is investigated in this paper. First, the stability of the unique positive equilibrium is studied, and we identify the existence of the Hopf bifurcation. Then, occurrence conditions of the Turing instability, the Turing‐Turing, and the Turing‐Hopf bifurcations are established. To explore the spatiotemporal solutions resulting from the bifurcation, the amplitude equations of the Turing‐Turing and the Turing‐Hopf bifurcations are established via the method of multiple time scale. It is found that the model admits the nonconstant steady state, the mixed nonconstant steady state, the spatially homogeneous periodic solution, and the spatially nonhomogeneous periodic solution. As such, the nonhomogeneous spatiotemporal solutions appear in the model. In the end, numerical simulations verify the validity of the theoretical results.
The Internet of Production: Interdisciplinary Visions and Concepts for the Production of Tomorrow
Authors: Brecher Christian , Padberg Melanie , Jarke Matthias , Aalst Wil van der , Schuh Günther
Published: May 2023

Changes in society require changes in our industrial production. In order to remain competitive in the future, the masses of data available in production must be used urgently. This is still a challenge because data are often not accessible or understandable. Therefore, we developed the Internet of Production (IoP) concept which aims to collect, unify, and exploit different data sources and improve production. To this end, the various research domains of production technology, the need for a common infrastructure, and the concept of the Digital Shadow are presented. The vision can only be achieved through interdisciplinary cooperation between different disciplines. Therefore, the joint approach is explained and common research topics are presented. Interdisciplinary cooperation is the key for further steps to achieve the common vision.
Concepts in Water Security, Natural Assurance Schemes and Nature-Based Solutions
Authors: van der Keur Peter , Van Cauwenbergh Nora , López Gunn Elena , Godinez Madrigal Jonatan , Le Coent Philippe , Giordano Raffaele
Published: May 2023

This chapter provides the context of water security for ecosystem-based approaches, notably nature-based solutions (NBS) operationalized in natural assurance schemes (NAS). The huge potential and value of nature-based solutions to both mitigate the effect of water while providing large and important co-benefits is addressed in this book and for this a deeper understanding is needed on how this contributes to water security and how barriers to implementation of NBS and NAS can be overcome. Firstly, relevant concepts and approaches of water security are introduced and reviewed; secondly, the assurance and insurance value is elaborated upon as distinct properties of ecosystem-based approaches; thirdly, the concepts of readiness levels for technology and knowledge, socio-institutionality and investment are introduced to address barriers for the operationalization of the value of ecosystem-based schemes to develop and harvest the full potential of climate resilient investments while addressing EU policies, including the Green Deal, Climate Adaptation Strategy and Strategy for Biodiversity. Finally, based on this chapter, overarching questions are posed which are addressed and discussed in the course of this book.