bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mapping amorphous SiO2 in Devonian shales and the possible link to marine productivity during incipient forest diversification
Authors: Corlett H. , Feng J. , Playter T. , Rivard B.
Published: January 2023

Silica cycling in the world’s oceans is not straightforward to evaluate on a geological time scale. With the rise of radiolarians and sponges from the early Cambrian onward, silica can have two depositional origins, continental weathering, and biogenic silica. It is critical to have a reliable method of differentiating amorphous silica and crystalline silica to truly understand biogeochemical and inorganic silica cycling. In this study, opal-A is mapped across the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin in the Late Devonian Duvernay Formation shales using longwave hyperspectral imaging alongside geochemical proxies that differentiate between crystalline and amorphous SiO2, during the expansion of the world’s early forests. Signaled by several carbon isotope excursions in the Frasnian, the punctata Event corresponds to the expansion of forests when vascular land plants develop seeds and deeper root networks, likely resulting in increased pedogenesis. Nutrients from thicker soil horizons entering the marine realm are linked to higher levels of primary productivity in oceans and subsequent oxygen starvation in deeper waters at this time. The results of this study reveal, for the first time, the spatial distribution of amorphous SiO2 across a sedimentary basin during this major shift in the terrestrial realm when forests expand and develop deeper root networks.
MHCII expression on gut macrophages supports T cell homeostasis and is regulated by microbiota and ontogeny
Authors: Guillaume Joël , Leufgen Andrea , Hager Fabian T. , Pabst Oliver , Cerovic Vuk
Published: January 2023

Macrophages are traditionally considered antigen-presenting cells. However, their ability to present antigen and the factors regulating macrophage MHCII expression are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that MHCII expression on murine intestinal macrophages is differentially controlled by their residence in the small intestine (SI) or the colon, their ontogeny and the gut microbiota. Monocyte-derived macrophages are uniformly MHCIIhi, independently of the tissue of residence, microbial status or the age of the mouse, suggesting a common monocyte differentiation pathway. In contrast, MHCII expression on long-lived, prenatally-derived Tim4+ macrophages is low after birth but significantly increases at weaning in both SI and colon. Furthermore, MHCII expression on colonic Tim4+, but not monocyte-derived macrophages, is dependent on recognition of microbial stimuli, as MHCII expression is significantly downregulated in germ-free, antibiotic-treated and MyD88 deficient mice. To address the function of MHCII presentation by intestinal macrophages we established two models of macrophage-specific MHCII deficiency. We observed a significant reduction in the overall frequency and number of tissue-resident, but not newly arrived, SI CD4+ T cells in the absence of macrophage-expressed MHCII. Our data suggest that macrophage MHCII provides signals regulating gut CD4+ T cell maintenance with different requirements in the SI and colon.
Monocarboxylate transporter 4 involves in energy metabolism and drug sensitivity in hypoxia
Authors: Yamaguchi Atsushi , Mukai Yuto , Sakuma Tomoya , Narumi Katsuya , Furugen Ayako , Yamada Yuma , Kobayashi Masaki
Published: January 2023

Metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells is a potential target for cancer therapy. It is also known that a hypoxic environment, one of the tumor microenvironments, can alter the energy metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis. However, the relationship between hypoxia and drug sensitivity, which targets energy metabolism, is not well known. In this study, A549 cells, a cell line derived from lung adenocarcinoma, were evaluated under normoxia and hypoxia for the sensitivity of reagents targeting oxidative phosphorylation (metformin) and glycolysis (α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid [CHC]). The results showed that a hypoxic environment increased the expression levels of monocarboxylate transporter (MCT) 4 and hypoxia-induced factor-1α (HIF-1α), whereas MCT1 and MCT2 expression did not vary between normoxia and hypoxia. Furthermore, the evaluation of the ATP production ratio indicated that glycolysis was enhanced under hypoxic conditions. It was then found that the sensitivity to metformin decreased while that to CHC increased under hypoxia. To elucidate this mechanism, MCT4 and HIF-1α were knocked down and the expression level of MCT4 was significantly decreased under both conditions. In contrast, the expression of HIF-1α was decreased by HIF-1α knockdown and increased by MCT4 knockdown. In addition, changes in metformin and CHC sensitivity under hypoxia were eliminated by the knockdown of MCT4 and HIF-1α, suggesting that MCT4 is involved in the phenomenon described above. In conclusion, it was shown that the sensitivity of reagents targeting energy metabolism is dependent on their microenvironment. As MCT4 is involved in some of these mechanisms, we hypothesized that MCT4 could be an important target molecule for cancer therapy.
An innovative transactive energy architecture for community microgrids in modern multi-carrier energy networks: a Chicago case study
Authors: Daneshvar Mohammadreza , Mohammadi-Ivatloo Behnam , Zare Kazem
Published: January 2023

As the technology of multi-energy carbon-free systems is strikingly developed, renewable-based multi-vector energy integration has become a prevalent trend in the decarbonization procedure of multi-carrier energy networks (MCENs). This paper proposes a fair transactive energy model for structuring an innovative local multi-energy trading market to allow multi-carrier multi-microgrids (MCMGs) with 100% renewable energy sources (RESs) in Chicago for free energy exchange aiming to balance energy in the renewable-dominant environment. Indeed, the main goal of the proposed model is to facilitate the modernization of future MCENs that are targeted to be equipped with 100% RESs and require a holistic model engaged with innovative technologies for the realization. To this end, the transactive energy architecture is designed for techno-environmental-economic assessing hybrid MCMGs to increase their flexibility in unbroken energy serving, decreasing their dependency on the main grid, and improving their economic benefits by considering their contribution level in energy interactions. To effectively model uncertainties of MCENs with 100% RESs, the novel hybrid technique is proposed that considers various stochastic changes of uncertain parameters to achieve confident results. The results highlighted the capability of the proposed model in effectively utilizing fully produced clean energy as well as continuously multi-energy serving of MCMGs in the presence of 100% RESs. Moreover, MCMGs reached techno-environmental-economic benefits by operating under the proposed transactive energy-based model, in which the technical, environmental, and economic goals are respectively realized by considering all constraints of MCENs, producing 100% clean energy by RESs, and reducing the total energy cost from $1,274,742.55 in the based model to $1,159,235.89 in the proposed one.
On Markovianity and classicality in multilevel spin–boson models
Authors: Chruściński Dariusz , Hesabi Samaneh , Lonigro Davide
Published: January 2023

We provide a detailed discussion about the unitary and reduced evolution induced by family of Hamiltonian models describing a multilevel system, with a ground state and a possibly multilevel excited sector, coupled to a multimode boson field via a rotating-wave interaction. We prove explicitly that the system, in the limit in which the coupling is flat with respect to the boson frequencies, is Markovian under sharp measurements in arbitrary bases; we also find necessary and sufficient conditions under which the process is classical, i.e. its family of multitime joint probability distributions satisfies the Kolmogorov consistency condition, and may thus be equivalently obtained by a classical stochastic process.
In vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg (seedless breadfruit) fruit pulp protein hydrolysates
Authors: Dada Sodiq Oluwaseun , Ehie Great Chimsom , Osukoya Olukemi Adetutu , Anadozie Scholastica Onyebuchi , Adewale Olusola Bolaji , Kuku Adenike
Published: January 2023

Protein hydrolysates from dietary sources possess many physiological and biological properties. Artocarpus altilis is an evergreen multipurpose plant with many benefits. Therefore, this study evaluates in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of A. altilis protein hydrolysates. Protein was isolated from A. altilis and hydrolysed with pepsin and trypsin separately using different enzyme: substrate ratios (1:8, 1:16, 1:32). Antioxidant properties investigated included Fe2+-chelating, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging activities. Anti-inflammatory activities were determined using effects on hypotonic solution-induced cell lysis on red blood cell membrane stabilisation and heat-induced protein denaturation. The degree of hydrolysis of trypsin hydrolysate increased with increasing enzyme–substrate ratio, while pepsin hydrolysate decreased as the enzyme–substrate ratio increased. The dominant amino acids in A. altilis protein and hydrolysates were glutamate, aspartate and leucine. Protein hydrolysates obtained from pepsin and trypsin digestion had DPPH scavenging abilities of 43.0 ± 0.01% and 22.2 ± 0.01%, respectively. However, trypsin-hydrolysed protein had a high Fe2+-chelating ability, while pepsin-hydrolysed protein had high hydrogen peroxide scavenging ability. Trypsin-hydrolysed protein showed good membrane stability and inhibition of protein denaturation. The results indicated that A. altilis protein hydrolysates possess significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and can further lend support to food industries as functional foods.
A regressive machine-learning approach to the non-linear complex FAST model for hybrid floating offshore wind turbines with integrated oscillating water columns
Authors: Ahmad Irfan , M’zoughi Fares , Aboutalebi Payam , Garrido Izaskun , Garrido Aitor J.
Published: January 2023

Offshore wind energy is getting increasing attention as a clean alternative to the currently scarce fossil fuels mainly used in Europe’s electricity supply. The further development and implementation of this kind of technology will help fighting global warming, allowing a more sustainable and decarbonized power generation. In this sense, the integration of Floating Offshore Wind Turbines (FOWTs) with Oscillating Water Columns (OWCs) devices arise as a promising solution for hybrid renewable energy production. In these systems, OWC modules are employed not only for wave energy generation but also for FOWTs stabilization and cost-efficiency. Nevertheless, analyzing and understanding the aero-hydro-servo-elastic floating structure control performance composes an intricate and challenging task. Even more, given the dynamical complexity increase that involves the incorporation of OWCs within the FOWT platform. In this regard, although some time and frequency domain models have been developed, they are complex, computationally inefficient and not suitable for neither real-time nor feedback control. In this context, this work presents a novel control-oriented regressive model for hybrid FOWT-OWCs platforms. The main objective is to take advantage of the predictive and forecasting capabilities of the deep-layered artificial neural networks (ANNs), jointly with their computational simplicity, to develop a feasible control-oriented and lightweight model compared to the aforementioned complex dynamical models. In order to achieve this objective, a deep-layered ANN model has been designed and trained to match the hybrid platform’s structural performance. Then, the obtained scheme has been benchmarked against standard Multisurf-Wamit-FAST 5MW FOWT output data for different challenging scenarios in order to validate the model. The results demonstrate the adequate performance and accuracy of the proposed ANN control-oriented model, providing a great alternative for complex non-linear models traditionally used and allowing the implementation of advanced control schemes in a computationally convenient, straightforward, and easy way.
Hunting behavior of a solitary sailfish Istiophorus platypterus and estimated energy gain after prey capture
Authors: Logan Ryan K. , Luongo Sarah M. , Vaudo Jeremy J. , Wetherbee Bradley M. , Shivji Mahmood S.
Published: January 2023

Foraging behavior and interaction with prey is an integral component of the ecological niche of predators but is inherently difficult to observe for highly mobile animals in the marine environment. Billfishes have been described as energy speculators, expending a large amount of energy foraging, expecting to offset high costs with periodic high energetic gain. Surface-based group feeding of sailfish,Istiophorus platypterus,is commonly observed, yet sailfish are believed to be largely solitary roaming predators with high metabolic requirements, suggesting that individual foraging also represents a major component of predator–prey interactions. Here, we use biologging data and video to examine daily activity levels and foraging behavior, estimate metabolic costs, and document a solitary predation event for a 40 kg sailfish. We estimate a median active metabolic rate of 218.9 ± 70.5 mgO2kg−1 h−1which increased to 518.8 ± 586.3 mgO2kg−1 h−1during prey pursuit. Assuming a successful predation, we estimate a daily net energy gain of 2.4 MJ (5.1 MJ acquired, 2.7 MJ expended), supporting the energy speculator model. While group hunting may be a common activity used by sailfish to acquire energy, our calculations indicate that opportunistic individual foraging events offer a net energy return that contributes to the fitness of these highly mobile predators.
African coastal camera network efforts at monitoring ocean, climate, and human impacts
Authors: Abessolo G. O. , Almar R. , Angnuureng D. B. , Bonou F. , Sohou Z. , Camara I. , Diouf A. , Alory G. , Onguéné R. , Mama A. C. , Cissé C. O. T. , Sy B. A. , Sakho I. , Djakouré S. , Yao S. , Tano A. R. , Bergsma E. W. J. , Dada O. A.
Published: January 2023

Regular and long-term monitoring of coastal areas is a prerequisite to avoiding or mitigating the impacts of climate and human-driven hazards. In Africa, where populations and infrastructures are particularly exposed to risk, there is an urgent need to establish coastal monitoring, as observations are generally scarce. Measurement campaigns and very high-resolution satellite imagery are costly, while freely available satellite observations have temporal and spatial resolutions that are not suited to capture the event scale. To address the gap, a network of low-cost, multi-variable, shore-based video camera systems has been installed along the African coasts. Here, we present this network and its principle of sharing data, methods, and results obtained, building toward the implementation of a common integrated coastal management policy between countries. Further, we list new contributions to the understanding of still poorly documented African beaches’ evolution, waves, and sea level impacts. This network is a solid platform for the development of inter-disciplinary observations for resources and ecology (such as fisheries, and sargassum landing), erosion and flooding, early warning systems during extreme events, and science-based coastal infrastructure management for sustainable future coasts.
Clinical relevance of timing of assessment of ICU mortality in patients with moderate-to-severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: Villar Jesús , González-Martin Jesús M. , Añón José M. , Ferrando Carlos , Soler Juan A. , Mosteiro Fernando , Mora-Ordoñez Juan M. , Ambrós Alfonso , Fernández Lorena , Montiel Raquel , Vidal Anxela , Muñoz Tomás , Pérez-Méndez Lina , Rodríguez-Suárez Pedro , Fernández Cristina , Fernández Rosa L. , Szakmany Tamas , Burns Karen E. A. , Steyerberg Ewout W. , Slutsky Arthur S.
Published: January 2023

Mortality is a frequently reported outcome in clinical studies of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, timing of mortality assessment has not been well characterized. We aimed to identify a crossing-point between cumulative survival and death in the intensive care unit (ICU) of patients with moderate-to-severe ARDS, beyond which the number of survivors would exceed the number of deaths. We hypothesized that this intersection would occur earlier in a successful clinical trial vs. observational studies of moderate/severe ARDS and predict treatment response. We conducted an ancillary study of 1580 patients with moderate-to-severe ARDS managed with lung-protective ventilation to assess the relevance and timing of measuring ICU mortality rates at different time-points during ICU stay. First, we analyzed 1303 patients from four multicenter, observational cohorts enrolling consecutive patients with moderate/severe ARDS. We assessed cumulative ICU survival from the time of moderate/severe ARDS diagnosis to ventilatory support discontinuation within 7-days, 28-days, 60-days, and at ICU discharge. Then, we compared these findings to those of a successful randomized trial of 277 moderate/severe ARDS patients. In the observational cohorts, ICU mortality (487/1303, 37.4%) and 28-day mortality (425/1102, 38.6%) were similar (p = 0.549). Cumulative proportion of ICU survivors and non-survivors crossed at day-7; after day-7, the number of ICU survivors was progressively higher compared to non-survivors. Measures of oxygenation, lung mechanics, and severity scores were different between survivors and non-survivors at each point-in-time (p < 0.001). In the trial cohort, the cumulative proportion of survivors and non-survivors in the treatment group crossed before day-3 after diagnosis of moderate/severe ARDS. In clinical ARDS studies, 28-day mortality closely approximates and may be used as a surrogate for ICU mortality. For patients with moderate-to-severe ARDS, ICU mortality assessment within the first week of a trial might be an early predictor of treatment response.
Foundations of human spatial problem solving
Authors: Zarr Noah , Brown Joshua W.
Published: January 2023

Despite great strides in both machine learning and neuroscience, we do not know how the human brain solves problems in the general sense. We approach this question by drawing on the framework of engineering control theory. We demonstrate a computational neural model with only localist learning laws that is able to find solutions to arbitrary problems. The model and humans perform a multi-step task with arbitrary and changing starting and desired ending states. Using a combination of computational neural modeling, human fMRI, and representational similarity analysis, we show here that the roles of a number of brain regions can be reinterpreted as interacting mechanisms of a control theoretic system. The results suggest a new set of functional perspectives on the orbitofrontal cortex, hippocampus, basal ganglia, anterior temporal lobe, lateral prefrontal cortex, and visual cortex, as well as a new path toward artificial general intelligence.
Atomically-thin single-photon sources for quantum communication
Authors: Gao Timm , von Helversen Martin , Antón-Solanas Carlos , Schneider Christian , Heindel Tobias
Published: January 2023

To date, quantum communication widely relies on attenuated lasers for secret key generation. In future quantum networks, fundamental limitations resulting from their probabilistic photon distribution must be overcome by using deterministic quantum light sources. Confined excitons in monolayers of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) constitute an emerging type of emitter for quantum light generation. These atomically thin solid-state sources show appealing prospects for large-scale and low-cost device integration, meeting the demands of quantum information technologies. Here, we pioneer the practical suitability of TMDC devices in quantum communication. We employ a WSe2monolayer single-photon source to emulate the BB84 protocol in a quantum key distribution (QKD) setup and achieve click rates of up to 66.95 kHz and antibunching values down to 0.034—a performance competitive with QKD experiments using semiconductor quantum dots or color centers in diamond. Our work opens the route towards wider applications of quantum information technologies using TMDC single-photon sources.
Exploration driven by a medial preoptic circuit facilitates fear extinction in mice
Authors: Shin Anna , Ryoo Jia , Shin Kwanhoo , Lee Junesu , Bae Seohui , Kim Dae‐Gun , Park Sae-Geun , Kim Daesoo
Published: January 2023

Repetitive exposure to fear-associated targets is a typical treatment for patients with panic or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The success of exposure therapy depends on the active exploration of a fear-eliciting target despite an innate drive to avoid it. Here, we found that a circuit running from CaMKIIα-positive neurons of the medial preoptic area to the ventral periaqueductal gray (MPA-vPAG) facilitates the exploration of a fear-conditioned zone and subsequent fear extinction in mice. Activation or inhibition of this circuit did not induce preference/avoidance of a specific zone. Repeated entries into the fear-conditioned zone, induced by the motivation to chase a head-mounted object due to MPA-vPAG circuit photostimulation, facilitated fear extinction. Our results show how the brain forms extinction memory against avoidance of a fearful target and suggest a circuit-based mechanism of exposure therapy.
Downregulation of hepatic lncRNA Gm19619 improves gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis following vertical sleeve gastrectomy in mice
Authors: Fang Zhipeng , Fan Mingjie , Yuan Dongqiang , Jin Lihua , Wang Yangmeng , Ding Lili , Xu Senlin , Tu Jui , Zhang Eryun , Wu Xiwei , Chen Zhen Bouman , Huang Wendong
Published: January 2023

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging important epigenetic regulators in metabolic processes. Whether they contribute to the metabolic effects of vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), one of the most effective treatments for sustainable weight loss and metabolic improvement, is unknown. Herein, we identify a hepatic lncRNA Gm19619, which is strongly repressed by VSG but highly up-regulated by diet-induced obesity and overnight-fasting in mice. Forced transcription of Gm19619 in the mouse liver significantly promotes hepatic gluconeogenesis with the elevated expression of G6pc and Pck1. In contrast, AAV-CasRx mediated knockdown of Gm19619 in high-fat diet-fed mice significantly improves hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism. Mechanistically, Gm19619 is enriched along genomic regions encoding leptin receptor (Lepr) and transcription factor Foxo1, as revealed in chromatin isolation by RNA purification (ChIRP) assay and is confirmed to modulate their transcription in the mouse liver. In conclusion, Gm19619 may enhance gluconeogenesis and lipid accumulation in the liver.
p53 and HuR combinatorially control the biphasic dynamics of microRNA-125b in response to genotoxic stress
Authors: Goswami Binita , Ahuja Deepika , Pastré David , Ray Partho Sarothi
Published: January 2023

Post-transcriptional regulation of p53, by the microRNA miR-125b and the RNA-binding protein HuR, controls p53 expression under genotoxic stress. p53 mRNA translation is repressed by miR-125b, tightly regulating its basal level of expression. The repression is relieved upon DNA damage by a decrease in miR-125b level, contributing to pulsatile expression of p53. The pulse of p53, as also of HuR, in response to UV irradiation coincides with a time-dependent biphasic change in miR-125b level. We show that the cause for the decrease in miR-125b level immediately post DNA-damage is enhanced exosomal export mediated by HuR. The subsequent increase in miR-125b level is due to p53-mediated transcriptional upregulation and enhanced processing, demonstrating miR-125b as a transcriptional and processing target of p53. p53 activates the transcription of primary miR-125b RNA from a cryptic promoter in response to UV irradiation. Together, these regulatory processes constitute reciprocal feedback loops that determine the biphasic change in miR-125b level, ultimately contributing to the fine-tuned temporal regulation of p53 expression in response to genotoxic stress.
Evolution of anisotropic magnetic properties through helix-to-fan transition in helical antiferromagnetic EuCo2As2
Authors: Kim Jong Hyuk , Kim Mi Kyung , Hong Jae Min , Shin Hyun Jun , Jeong Ki Won , Kim Jin Seok , Moon Kyungsun , Lee Nara , Choi Young Jai
Published: January 2023

A helimagnet comprises a noncollinear spin structure formed by competing exchange interactions. Recent advances in antiferromagnet-based functionalities have broadened the scope of target materials to include noncollinear antiferromagnets. However, a microscopic understanding of the magnetic anisotropy associated with the intricate evolution of noncollinear spin states has not yet been accomplished. Here, we have explored the anisotropic magnetic aspects in a layered helimagnet of EuCo2As2 by measuring the magnetic field and angle dependence of the magnetic torque. By adopting an easy-plane anisotropic spin model, we can visualize the detailed spin configurations that evolve in the presence of rotating magnetic fields. This is directly related to the two distinctive magnetic phases characterized by the reversal of the magnetic torque variation across the helix-to-fan transition. Our advanced approach provides an in-depth understanding of the anisotropic properties of noncollinear-type antiferromagnets and a useful guidance for potential applications in spin-processing functionalities.
TMG History
Authors: Charsley Edward L. , Haines Peter J. , Wilburn Fred W.
Published: January 2023

In 2015, the Thermal Methods Group (TMG), an interest group of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), entered its 50th year. This chapter provides a look back at its origins and reviews briefly its activities since its formation and its current role in the field of thermal analysis and calorimetry.
Thermal Analysis Nomenclature
Authors: Lever Trevor
Published: January 2023

In the early years of thermal analysis, when no commercial equipment was readily available, scientists built their own equipment to support their research. These ‘lab-built’ instruments allowed the pioneers of the technique to make measurements and publish, but often led to problems when others attempted to repeat their work, as each instrument was different in construction and operation. A andard nomenclature was needed. Development of the nomenclature has been an extraordinarily long and convoluted process, which has led to the recent publication of an International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry standard. This chapter reviews the history leading up to the IUPAC publication and includes the publication itself.
Modulated Temperature Differential Scanning Calorimetry
Authors: Kett Vicky
Published: January 2023

Modulated temperature differential scanning calorimetry (MT-DSC) is a modification of differential scanning calorimetry. In this thermal method, the sample is heated with an underlying linear heating rate with an oscillation superimposed onto it. Separation of the sample response to the linear heating rate from the response to the modulation allows additional information to be obtained. Most usefully, the heat capacity information can be separated from other transitions occurring over the same temperature range allowing straightforward and fast determination of glass transition temperatures that are the hallmark of amorphous materials. It can also be used to investigate other processes where it is useful to separate the heat capacity changes from overlying kinetic events such as during curing. The technique has found application to a range of materials including foods, pharmaceuticals and polymers.
Isothermal Reaction Calorimetry and Adiabatic Calorimetry
Authors: Priestley Ian
Published: January 2023

Isothermal reaction calorimetry (IRC) and adiabatic calorimetry (AC) are techniques that are commonly used within the chemical process industry for the development and safe scale-up of reactions. In order to operate any chemical process safely and economically, it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the effect that heat has on the reaction. This understanding can be split into two parts: what is intended to happen (the normal reaction) and what happens unintentionally (the abnormal, or thermal runaway). Although there are some overlaps, the normal reaction is typically characterised using isothermal reaction calorimetry and the abnormal reaction using adiabatic calorimetry. This chapter considers both IRC and AC and their application to process safety.
Simultaneous Thermal Techniques
Authors: Scowen Ian J. , Telford Richard
Published: January 2023

Thermal analysis is well established as a powerful suite of techniques for analysis of materials but single technique analyses inherently limit the interrogation of materials. Application of additional analytical probes in the experiment offers alternative, and often complimentary, information. In particular, thermal analysis cannot directly provide access to molecular and/or morphological information and so addition of techniques able to provide this is highly attractive. Thermal analytical techniques have been successfully combined with a diverse range of analytical probes, several of which have become available as ‘hyphenated’ techniques with manufacturers supplying fully integrated instrumental platforms. This chapter will consider the increasing diversity of analytical methods deployed alongside thermal analysis methods and evaluate the complementarity of information available in current instrumentation.
Khat – Chewing it Over: Continuing “Cultural Cement”, Cardiac Challenge or Catalyst for Change?
Authors: Corkery John Martin
Published: January 2023

Khat is a shrub that grows in eastern Africa and southern Arabia. Its leaves and twigs are chewed to release natural amphetamines, which provide stimulating effects. In the past the use of this plant was geographically limited to these areas because it loses its efficacy after a few days. However, with developments in communications and transportation, especially by air, and the migration of khat-using communities to other continents, its use has spread over the last three decades. The study of khat and its use is not simply an exploration of its history, chemistry or cultural context. In order to understand its effects – cultural, economic, pharmacological, physiological, psychological, etc. – it is necessary to examine a range of different facets. Its toxicological effects, morbidity (physical and psychological) and mortality, particularly the latter, are factors that have been present for many years in the literature but either appear to have been unrecognised and/or unreported and/or down-played. However, they have a significant impact on the well-being and health of khat users, their families and communities. These consequences need to be understood so that appropriate education and interventions can be provided to these groups.
Role of Analytical Screening in the Management and Assessment of Acute Recreational Drug Toxicity
Authors: Wood David M. , Dargan Paul I.
Published: January 2023

There is an increasing range of new psychoactive substances. In 2014 there were 101 new substances detected in Europe and reported to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) through their Early Warning System (EWS). For clinicians who treat individuals who present to healthcare facilities with acute toxicity related to the suspected use of a NPS or classical recreational drug, they may not be aware of the substance(s) reported to have been used. In this chapter, we discuss how clinicians make a diagnosis of acute toxicity related to the use of recreational drugs and NPS, and the role of analytical screening in managing acute recreational drug and NPS related toxicity.
New Psychoactive Substances and the Criminal Law
Authors: Fortson Rudi
Published: January 2023

Following domestic and international concern over the prevalence and ‘recreational use’ of new psychoactive substances (NPS) – being substances that typically do not fall within the three main UN drug conventions or under bespoke legislation – the UK has attempted to use an array of legislative measures to control such substances, but with limited success. In 2015, the UK introduced the Psychoactive Substances Act (PSA 2015) by which civil and criminal measures have been enacted to impose and enforce a ‘blanket ban’ on NPS with prescribed exceptions. This chapter summaries the law as it has been applied to NPS, discusses the PSA 2015, and considers its strengths and shortcomings.
Drug Legislation in New Zealand
Authors: Bedford Keith
Published: January 2023

In this chapter the development of the legislative framework used in New Zealand to control and regulate the availability of medicines, drugs and other substances that may be abused or misused is described. Topics covered include the approach taken historically to the scheduling of substances, the challenge to that framework represented by the proliferation of ‘party drugs’ and the appearance of synthetic cannabinoid products and a succession of legislative responses culminating in the introduction of the controversial Psychoactive Substances regime. These developments have challenged the New Zealand regulatory framework for drug control and raised fundamental issues, including the effectiveness of prohibition compared to regulation as a harm reduction strategy. Complex issues around the interaction between chemistry, drug policy, assessment of risk and individual responsibility are involved in developing an effective framework for drug legislation.
Hair Testing in Forensic Toxicology
Authors: Cave Donna M. , Kingston Robert
Published: January 2023

Hair testing has been successfully used worldwide and continues to show great promise and potential to demonstrate usefulness for many years to come. This chapter discusses the importance of applying correct cut-off levels as well as the need for accreditation and participation in proficiency testing to obtain accurate and robust results. The challenges the hair testing industry face, especially in relation to cannabis, as well as commonly asked queries on issued results, are looked at in depth, including patterns and trends of results obtained in the past few years. The ever changing drug culture means that hair testing cannot stand still and must adapt and change on demand to ensure that the clients who use hair testing are getting the most information they can.
Smart Drugs
Authors: Gar Kwan Angela Wing
Published: January 2023

Smart drugs have been increasingly taken by healthy people with the aim of improving cognitive functioning. These are prescription drugs that users are primarily consuming for neuroenhancing purposes, contrary to its licensed use. The range of drugs used in this manner were initially used in the therapeutic environment as treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, depression and Alzheimer's disease. Currently, the more commonly used smart drugs are modafinil and methylphenidate and it appears that they have differing properties and side effects, leading to a comprehensive review suggesting that modafinil is the “world's first safe smart drug”. The non-medical use of prescription drugs to enhance cognitive functioning seems to predominantly appear in the context of students at colleges and universities. However, they are becoming increasingly popular beyond the student population, in business, academia and professions in which workers require long periods of concentration and focus such as pilots and doctors. The side effects of smart drugs in healthy individuals are important to be noted, yet the lack of literature indicates there should be a safety concern to those taking it for non-therapeutic use as the risk–benefit ratio cannot be determined clearly. The ethical dilemma associated with smart drugs and views upon this subject range widely. Concerns about the unfair advantage, distributive fairness and indirect coercion exist and these ethical issues are likely to remain, regardless of future scientific research. If smart drugs are to be introduced into a more mainstream audience, this must be analysed further to give a well examined answer. The expanding interest of smart drugs within different groups of individuals emphasises the importance of not only further research into its use in the healthy population, but also the development, assessment and regulation of these drugs. One day smart drugs could, no doubt, have an enormous impact on the lives of both users and third parties.
Detection of Drugs and Drug Metabolites from Fingerprints
Authors: Calavia Paula García , Russell David A.
Published: January 2023

Fingerprints are composed of a set of friction ridge skin unique to each individual. Their unique characteristics, together with the fact that fingerprints stay unchanged during an individual's lifetime, has made them the most common tool for identification in forensic investigations. The ridge skin contains pores that are directly linked to the sweat glands in the dermis. Sweat excreted in fingerprints, together with external contamination, is transferred to the surfaces that fingerprints touch in the form of latent fingermarks, invisible to the naked eye. Chemical analysis of these residues can provide important information about the individual's characteristics and lifestyle. The handling of drugs of abuse by an individual can be determined by the presence of drugs in their fingerprints. Furthermore, drugs ingested by an individual are metabolised in the body, after which the drug metabolites are excreted and are found in sweat. Importantly, the detection of drug metabolites in fingerprints can prove consumption of drugs by an individual. This chapter reviews the current advances on the detection of drugs, drug metabolites and other chemicals from latent fingerprints.
Investigating Drug Metabolism of New Psychoactive Substances Using Human Liver Preparations and Animal Studies
Authors: Meyer Markus R. , Maurer Hans H.
Published: January 2023

Knowing the chemical identity and properties of the main metabolites of a compound is of great importance for assessing pharmacokinetics, toxic risks, and for developing toxicological and doping control screening procedures. Unfortunately, such studies are usually not done with drugs of abuse or new psychoactive substances. As it is not possible to perform controlled studies on the in vivo metabolism of new psychoactive substance in humans for ethical reasons, in vitro approaches or in vivo animal experiments are the methods of choice. This chapter therefore summarizes in vitro and in vivo strategies on such metabolism studies for developing toxicological and doping control screening procedures.
Introduction to Chemical Reaction Engineering
Authors: Manos George
Published: January 2023

This chapter provides an introduction to the subject of chemical reaction engineering. Basic definitions and concepts are explained, including chemical kinetics, the importance of mass and heat transfer and chemical reactor design. Worked examples are provided to demonstrate these concepts.
Scale-up in Chemical Engineering
Authors: Elson Tim
Published: January 2023

Engineering data are often presented in dimensionless form. Applying this data to a particular problem in hand is a form of scale-up. The dimensionless form is obtained by dimensional analysis. This chapter will show how dimensionless variables (groups) are obtained from primary variables, demonstrates the advantages and limitations of dimensional analysis and shows how to obtain and use engineering data in dimensionless form.
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
Authors: Millington Jo
Published: January 2023

Bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) is a discipline within forensic science that deals with the examination, identification, interpretation and evaluation of bloodstains. Because there is a direct requirement for blood, BPA is inextricably linked to violent crime. The development of bloodstain patterns is based on blood dynamics, and by understanding how blood behaves in different scenarios, it becomes possible to not only establish the activities that may have caused them, but also to evaluate who may have been involved at the time. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the different bloodstain pattern types and the mechanisms by which they are generated, and introduces a framework that supports the robust evaluation of BPA evidence.
Forensic Examination of Documents
Authors: Giles Audrey
Published: January 2023

The forensic examination of documents includes the examination of handwriting to identify authorship, and the examination of signatures to establish authenticity. In addition, forensic document examiners utilise a broad range of non-destructive techniques to study inks, paper, impressions and a host of other features to determine the origin and history of documents.
Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology
Authors: Harrison Karl , Simmons Tal
Published: January 2023

This chapter discusses the historical development and current methodology of the two closely related and complementary disciplines, forensic archaeology and forensic anthropology, as well as the educational requirements and certification processes for practitioners of both. Forensic archaeology involves search, location, excavation and body recovery. Forensic anthropology encompasses identification of remains as human, estimation of the minimum number of individuals, the biological profile, time since death and trauma interpretation. Practitioners of both disciplines may be asked to assist investigators of homicides, suicides, accidental deaths and, in the case of forensic archaeology, no-body murders. In an international setting, both forensic archaeologists and anthropologists work to locate, recover and analyse human remains in mass killings (in post-conflict zones and/or concerning acts of terrorism), political disappearances, natural disasters and transportation disasters. As for disciplines within forensic science, forensic archaeologists and anthropologists must be prepared to present and defend their evidence in a court of law.
Review of Piezoresistive Materials as Smart Sensors
Authors: Shahinpoor Mohsen
Published: January 2023

Chapter 3 reviews piezoresistive materials as smart sensors. Piezoresistivity is defined as a property of certain materials, such as metals and semiconductors, for which the materials electrical resistance changes purely due to mechanical pressure, stress, force, acceleration, strain, and stress. It is the physical property of certain materials which has been widely used to convert a mechanical signal into an electrical signal in smart sensors, accelerometers, tactile sensors, strain gauges, and flow meters and similar devices and microdevices. Metals do not exhibit piezoresistivity as they do not have a bandgap. The resistance of strained metal samples changes due to dimensional changes – this may not be considered as piezo-resistivity. The unit of piezoresistivity is ohm-meter or symbolically Ω–m. Metals and semiconducting materials exhibit such a property. The piezoresistive effect in semiconductors is generally several orders of magnitudes larger than the geometrical effect. This effect is present in semiconductors such as germanium, amorphous silicon, polycrystalline silicon, and silicon carbide, among others. Hence, semiconductor strain gauges with a very high coefficient of sensitivity can be designed, built and operated and utilized in various smart sensor applications and as microelectromechanical (MEMs) or nanoelectromechanical (NEMs) devices and systems.
Review of Magnetic Gels as Smart Materials
Authors: Shahinpoor Mohsen
Published: January 2023

Chapter 8 reviews magnetic gels. Zrinyi and co-workers were the first to develop magnetically active gels, the responses of which could be vastly accelerated by an imposed magnetic field. This chapter is a compact review of magnetic gels based on related research and development performed by Zrinyi and co-workers. Note that magnetic gels are considered a member of the smart materials family and in ways are similar to soft silicon rubber magnetic composites used in our daily life as soft magnetic stickers. However, magnetic gels are softer and more stretchable and maneuverable in the magnetic field and can sustain soft actuation at the micro and nano levels. A prelude to the development of ferrogels was a classic paper on ferrohydrodynamics by Rosenzweig published in 1985. Ferrogels are chemically cross-linked polymer networks swollen by a colloidal ferrofluid. A colloidal ferrofluid, or a magnetic fluid, is a colloidal dispersion of monodomain magnetic particles. Typically the monodomain magnetic particles have typical sizes of about 10–15 nm, and they are superparamagnetic, in which magnetization can randomly flip direction under the influence of temperature. Magnetic gels or ferrogels belong to the general family of magnetostrictive materials, which produce strain when exposed to a magnetic field. One may also embed magnetic coils within these materials to be able to also electrically control the deformation of ferrogels. Magnetic gels belong to the family of hydrogels, polymeric gels and general polyelectrolyte gels. They are highly swollen molecular networks that are cross-linked and create a hydrophilic solid.
Review of Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) as Smart Materials
Authors: Shahinpoor Mohsen
Published: January 2023

Chapter 12 reviews shape memory alloys (SMAs). The shape memory effect (SME) is a property of materials that are capable of solid phase transformation from a body-centered tetragonal form called thermoelastic martensite to a face-centered cubic superelastic called austenite. These materials are named shape memory materials (SMM) and their thermal versions are called shape memory alloys (SMAs). This solid phase transformation from the body-centered tetragonal martensite crystalline structures to a thermoelastic face-centered cubic austenite crystalline phase by either temperature, stress or strain, is called the SME. These martensitic crystalline structures are capable of returning to their original shape in the austenite phase, after a large plastic deformation in the martensitic phase and return to their original shape when heated towards austenitic transformation. These novel effects are called thermal shape memory and superelasticity (elastic shape memory), respectively. SMAs belong to the large class of smart materials because of their ability to undergo large deformations and to regain their original shape, either during unloading (superelastic effect, SE) or via thermoelastic cycling (SME). As mentioned before this is due to a solid crystalline phase (FCC to BCC) transformation (solid-to-solid) (martensitic transformation). This transformation also enables the SMAs to transform from a higher state symmetry crystal lattice (austenite) to a phase with a less symmetric lattice (martensite).