bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental ingredients that lead to tornado outbreak and tornado failure: A comparison between two similar recurving tropical cyclones
Authors: Li Zhaoming , Bai Lanqiang , Chu Hongxing , Huang Xianxiang
Published: February 2024

Recurving tropical cyclones (TCs) can sometimes produce tornado outbreaks, while some TCs with similar tracks and intensities may produce none of tornado, which makes it challenging to assess tornado risk within recurving TCs. This study investigates two recurving TCs, Typhoon Yagi (2018) and Typhoon In‐Fa (2021), that made landfall in eastern China. Despite the similar recurving tracks and intensities, Yagi produced 11 tornadoes while In‐Fa produced none. Results show that both TCs were characterized by similar large‐scale conditions that were dynamically favourable for tornadoes during the recurvature process. The non‐tornadic In‐Fa even featured a higher shear and helicity environment in its northeast sector than did the tornado‐productive Yagi. The greatest difference between Yagi and In‐Fa is the thermodynamic instability owing to the different lower–middle‐tropospheric lapse rates that are attributable to the differences in air trajectories at low levels. In‐Fa featured marginal instability due to the cooler air at low levels because almost all of the air parcels came from the Pacific Ocean while most air parcels for Yagi came from the warm land. The cooler low‐level air tends to create higher relative humidity in In‐Fa's interior and thus leads to widespread precipitation which in turn also contributes to the low‐level cooling. The different air trajectories are demonstrated related to the TC's translation speed, size and synoptic characteristics days before TC's landfall. Numerical simulations suggest that the upward motions within the widespread precipitation regions of In‐Fa are overall weaker than those of Yagi due to the limited instability in the former. These findings suggest that even though two TCs were characterized by similar tracks, intensities and large‐scale forcings, their different low‐level air pathways may have significant influence on priming the mesoscale environment for supercell or tornado formation.
Influence of Dietary Triacylglycerol Structure on the Accumulation of Docosahexaenoic Acid [22:6(n‐3)] in Organs in a Short‐Term Feeding Trial with Mildly Omega‐3 Deficient Rats
Authors: Kulkarni Amruta , Linderborg Kaisa M. , Zhao Ai , Kallio Heikki , Haraldsson Gudmundur G. , Zhang Yumei , Yang Baoru
Published: February 2024

Scope

To study the effect of positional distribution of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in dietary triacylglycerols (TAG) on the tissue fatty acid content and composition of mildly (n‐3) deficient rats.

Methods and results

In a 5‐day feeding trial, mildly (n‐3) deficient rats received 360 mg daily structured TAGs: sn‐22:6(n‐3)‐18:0‐18:0, sn‐18:0‐18:0‐22:6(n‐3), sn‐18:0‐22:6(n‐3)‐18:0, or tristearin. A fifth group receives standard (n‐3) adequate feed AIN‐93G from birth till the end of the trial. The DHA‐fed groups show significantly higher DHA levels in the liver and visceral fat compared to the tristearin or normal feed groups showing that the dose and the short feeding period of DHA were sufficient to restore the DHA content in the organs of (n‐3) deficient rats. Feeding sn‐1 DHA resulted in higher levels of DHA in the liver TAG compared to sn‐3 DHA feeding, although the difference did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusion

These findings indicated a possible difference in the tissue accumulation and/or metabolic fate of DHA from the sn‐1 and sn‐3 positions of TAG.
An analytical approach to designing millimeter‐wave LNAs with transformer‐based matching networks
Authors: Yu Meng , Wen Jincai
Published: February 2024

In this article, an analytical method for designing transformer matching network of millimeter‐wave (mm‐wave) low noise amplifier (LNA) is presented. In the circuit design, neutralizing capacitors (NCs) structure is used to mitigate the intrinsic gate‐drain feedback capacitance in the transistor for increasing the reverse isolation and available gain, thus allowing the common source (CS) structure can be regarded as an unilateralized active amplification part. The equivalent circuit of the active amplification part and the matching transformer network is modeled, then the analytical matching equations can be established, and the required matching transformer parameter can be determined quickly. As a proof of concept, a Ka‐band LNA operating at 37–43 GHz is designed and implemented in 65 nm complementary metal oxide semiconductor. The measured results show that the small signal gain of the circuit is 19.2–20.5 dB at 37–43 GHz. The noise figure (NF) in the operating band is 3.2–4.2 dB, and the minimum NF is 3.2 dB at 40.2 GHz. The chip area is only 0.08 mm2 excluding pads.
Hypoxia‐informed RBE‐weighted beam orientation optimization for intensity modulated proton therapy
Authors: Ramesh Pavitra , Ruan Dan , Liu S. John , Seo Youngho , Braunstein Steve , Sheng Ke
Published: February 2024

Background

Variable relative biological effectiveness (RBE) models in treatment planning have been proposed to optimize the therapeutic ratio of proton therapy. It has been reported that proton RBE decreases with increasing tumor oxygen level, offering an opportunity to address hypoxia‐related radioresistance with RBE‐weighted optimization.

Purpose

Here, we obtain a voxel‐level estimation of partial oxygen pressure to weigh RBE values in a single biologically informed beam orientation optimization (BOO) algorithm.

Methods

Three glioblastoma patients with [18F]‐fluoromisonidazole (FMISO)‐PET/CT images were selected from the institutional database. Oxygen values were derived from tracer uptake using a nonlinear least squares curve fitting. McNamara RBE, calculated from proton dose, was then weighed using oxygen enhancement ratios (OER) for each voxel and incorporated into the dose fidelity term of the BOO algorithm. The nonlinear optimization problem was solved using a split‐Bregman approach, with FISTA as the solver. The proposed hypoxia informed RBE‐weighted method (HypRBE) was compared to dose fidelity terms using the constant RBE of 1.1 (cRBE) and the normoxic McNamara RBE model (RegRBE). Tumor homogeneity index (HI), maximum biological dose (Dmax), and D95%, as well as OAR therapeutic index (TI = gEUDCTV/gEUDOAR) were evaluated along with worst‐case statistics after normalization to normal tissue isotoxicity.

Results

Compared to [cRBE, RegRBE], HypRBE increased tumor HI, Dmax, and D95% across all plans by on average [31.3%, 31.8%], [48.6%, 27.1%], and [50.4%, 23.8%], respectively. In the worst‐case scenario, the parameters increase on average by [12.5%, 14.7%], [7.3%,−8.9%], and [22.3%, 2.1%]. Despite increased OAR Dmean and Dmax by [8.0%, 3.0%] and [13.1%, −0.1%], HypRBE increased average TI by [22.0%, 21.1%]. Worst‐case OAR Dmean, Dmax, and TI worsened by [17.9%, 4.3%], [24.5%, −1.2%], and [9.6%, 10.5%], but in the best cases, HypRBE escalates tumor coverage significantly without compromising OAR dose, increasing the therapeutic ratio.

Conclusions

We have developed an optimization algorithm whose dose fidelity term accounts for hypoxia‐informed RBE values. We have shown that HypRBE selects bE:\Alok\aaeams better suited to deliver high physical dose to low RBE, hypoxic tumor regions while sparing the radiosensitive normal tissue.
JUST‐Net: Jointly unrolled cross‐domain optimization based spatio‐temporal reconstruction network for accelerated 3D myelin water imaging
Authors: Lee Jae‐Hun , Kim Jae‐Yoon , Ryu Kanghyun , Al‐masni Mohammed A. , Kim Tae Hyung , Han Dongyeob , Kim Hyun Gi , Kim Dong‐Hyun
Published: February 2024

Purpose

We introduced a novel reconstruction network, jointly unrolled cross‐domain optimization‐based spatio‐temporal reconstruction network (JUST‐Net), aimed at accelerating 3D multi‐echo gradient‐echo (mGRE) data acquisition and improving the quality of resulting myelin water imaging (MWI) maps.

Method

An unrolled cross‐domain spatio‐temporal reconstruction network was designed. The main idea is to combine frequency and spatio‐temporal image feature representations and to sequentially implement convolution layers in both domains. The k‐space subnetwork utilizes shared information from adjacent frames, whereas the image subnetwork applies separate convolutions in both spatial and temporal dimensions. The proposed reconstruction network was evaluated for both retrospectively and prospectively accelerated acquisition. Furthermore, it was assessed in simulation studies and real‐world cases with k‐space corruptions to evaluate its potential for motion artifact reduction.

Results

The proposed JUST‐Net enabled highly reproducible and accelerated 3D mGRE acquisition for whole‐brain MWI, reducing the acquisition time from fully sampled 15:23 to 2:22 min within a 3‐min reconstruction time. The normalized root mean squared error of the reconstructed mGRE images increased by less than 4.0%, and the correlation coefficients for MWI showed a value of over 0.68 when compared to the fully sampled reference. Additionally, the proposed method demonstrated a mitigating effect on both simulated and clinical motion‐corrupted cases.

Conclusion

The proposed JUST‐Net has demonstrated the capability to achieve high acceleration factors for 3D mGRE‐based MWI, which is expected to facilitate widespread clinical applications of MWI.
Identification of geotechnical units in soil exploration through principal component analysis and clustering
Authors: San Roman Iturbide Oscar , Botero Jaramillo Eduardo
Published: February 2024

Obtaining accurate information on soil characteristics is essential for large‐scale construction projects. Geotechnical exploration methods are commonly used to obtain information on soil characteristics. However, integrating the characteristics obtained through different exploration methods can be challenging. To address this problem, this study proposes the use of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to combine geotechnical variables obtained from cone penetration tests (CPT), standard penetration tests (SPT) with soil sampling, and Suspension PS Logging tests. PCA and clustering analysis were applied to the data collected from a study area, and the results were highly effective in identifying the stratigraphy and soil type, leading to the definition of geotechnical units. This approach provides valuable information for geotechnical engineering projects, enhancing the accuracy of stratigraphic investigations and improving our understanding of soil characteristics and their influence on construction projects. Moreover, the proposed technique can be applied in other areas and different types of soils, making it a valuable tool for evaluating soil characteristics.
Both frequency and diversity of childhood nature experiences are associated with self‐reported pro‐biodiversity behaviours in adulthood
Authors: Aota Yutaro , Soga Masashi
Published: February 2024

The ongoing degradation of Earth's ecosystems through human activities poses a severe threat to biodiversity. To mitigate this crisis, substantial changes in human behaviour are required.

The frequency of nature experiences, particularly during childhood, has been established as a key predictor of actions that support biodiversity (hereafter, pro‐biodiversity behaviours). However, the significance of the quality of these experiences remains poorly understood.

In this study, we analysed a large sample of Japanese adults and observed positive associations between both the frequency and diversity of nature experiences during childhood and increased pro‐biodiversity behaviours. These associations held true across a range of behaviours, including the purchase of eco‐friendly products, reduced use of pesticides in domestic gardens and contributions to conservation organisations.

Our findings indicate that the association between pro‐biodiversity behaviours and the diversity of childhood nature experiences is comparable to that of the frequency of such experiences.

These findings suggest that expanding people's access to diverse and frequent nature experiences can play a crucial role in promoting positive behavioural changes to prevent biodiversity loss.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Study on the resistance of UHMWPE laminates against oblique penetration of projectiles
Authors: Guo Hui , Song Fuchen , Sun Minqian , Chen Yu
Published: February 2024

To solve the problem of the wall panel of high‐performance shelters protecting against the oblique penetration of projectiles, ballistic experiments were carried out with ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) laminates subjected to normal penetration by high‐velocity projectiles, and the deformation and failure characteristics of UHMWPE laminates were analyzed. The numerical model of the resistance of UHMWPE laminates against penetration of projectiles was established by using the finite element program LS‐DYNA. The validity of the numerical model was verified by the experimental results of damage morphology and the depth of depression of the target plate and the deformation of the warhead. On this basis, the ricochet angle and failure mode of the UHMWPE target plate against projectile penetration were studied numerically, and the impact of the angle of incidence on the residual kinetic energy and normal penetration displacement of the bullet, as well as the damage morphology of the UHMWPE target plate, was revealed by using simulation. The results showed that the ricochet angle of the bullet obliquely penetrating into the UHMWPE target plate was in the range of 45° to 50°; at the initial stage of projectile penetration, the shear fracture failure of the fiber layer mainly occurred at the striking face of the UHMWPE target plate. Under the impact of the warhead deformation, with the reduction of the residual velocity of the bullet, the failure mode gradually changed to the tensile and interlaminar cohesion failure of the fiber layer near the back face; When the angle of incidence was greater than the ricochet angle, the residual kinetic energy of the projectile increased slowly with the increase of the angle of incidence of the bullet and then went up approximately linearly; the normal displacement of the bullet obliquely penetrating into the UHMWPE target plate decreased slowly after reaching the peak, and the peak value of the normal penetration displacement decreased gradually with the increase of the angle of incidence, and the time to peak of the displacement shortened gradually. The damage area of the bulge on the back surface of the UHMWPE target plate after penetration decreased gradually with the increase of the angle of incidence. The research results can provide a theoretical reference for the application of UHMWPE laminates in the design of military bulletproof shelters and armor.
Oligopeptides analysis in spiderhawk's venom (Pepsis decorata Perty, 1833, Hymenoptera: Pompilidae)
Authors: Nolasco Matheus , Mariano Douglas O. C. , Pimenta Daniel C. , de Freitas Humberto Fonseca , da Rocha Pita Samuel Silva , Branco Alexsandro
Published: February 2024

Wasps have been neglected in toxinological studies, even with their diversity of species, when compared to other groups of venomous animals such as snakes, scorpions, and spiders. Solitary wasps, such as Pepsis decorata, are known for their mechanism of total or temporary paralysis of the host. In addition, their venoms are considered sources for studies of small peptides, bioactive peptides with neural and antimicrobial activities. In this work, some oligopeptides were analyzed by de novo sequencing identifying 39 oligopeptide sequences. Some sequences were similar to proctolin, a bradykinin‐potentiating peptide, and poneritoxin, one bradykinin‐related peptide. As proctolin‐like peptides were the major constituent in distinct experimental conditions, it was selected for further in silico studies in order to understand its possible importance as a constituent of wasp venom and whether these peptides could be of biotechnological importance. We investigate its binding mode comparing with proctolin and we further analyzed the importance of the tyrosine‐leucine‐glutamic acid (YLE) tripeptide‐motif conservation. This experimental, an in silico approach, increased the range of compounds identified in peptide analyses proving good characterization of little‐known peptidic compounds.
The effects of increasing filler loading on the contact resistivity of interconnects based on silver–epoxied conductive adhesives and silver metallization pastes
Authors: Devoto Acevedo Maria Ignacia , Wells Rich , Großer Stephan , Wienands Karl , Rudolph Dominik , Halm Andreas , Gottschalg Ralph , Tune Daniel
Published: February 2024

Our previous work highlighted how microscopic structural effects influence the sheet and contact resistance of electrically conductive adhesives (ECAs). Herein, we delve further by investigating how the contact and bulk resistivity of several ECAs that are based on the same formulation, but with different filler content, are correlated with the filler content. Additionally, two different filler geometries — high and low surface area (HSA and LSA) fillers — are combined in different ratios to maintain a similar viscosity and therefore processability. Hence, contact and bulk resistivities are also correlated with the different geometry ratios of these two fillers. As expected, it was found that the contact and bulk resistivities decreased when the filler content was increased. However, the magnitude of the decrease was found to depend strongly on the filler geometry ratio. At extreme filler geometry ratios, when the bulk is either mostly loaded with HSA‐fillers or mostly with LSA‐fillers, the impact of changes in the filler content on the bulk and contact resistivities is markedly different. The measured data is interpreted within the context of percolation theory and it is determined that the optimum ratio of the LSA and HSA Ag‐fillers investigated in this study is approximately 60:40 (for an epoxy‐based adhesive). This work has important ramifications for the design of ECAs, where cost considerations and the need to reduce silver resource usage demand the lowest (silver) filler content, but the demands of product performance point to higher filler content.
Pea leaf weevil, Sitona lineatus (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), adult feeding preference and larval development on pulse crop varieties in Montana
Authors: Kiju Pragya , Wanner Kevin W. , Ivie Michael , McPhee Kevin , Reddy Gadi V. P.
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND

Montana accounts for approximately 45% of US dry pea production and the pea leaf weevil (PLW; Sitona lineatus (L.)) is the most common insect pest in this region. After crop emergence adult PLW feed on the foliage to mature and subsequently mate, and the soil‐dwelling larvae feed and develop on the nitrogen‐fixing root nodules. Producers commonly apply prophylactic insecticide treatments to the seed at planting as well as one or two post‐emergent insecticide sprays to control PLW damage. To develop alternative management strategies based on integrated pest management (IPM), this field study evaluated pulse crops grown in Montana for adult feeding preference and larval development. Ten different field pea varieties, along with two faba bean, lentil and chickpea varieties, were evaluated during the 2020 and 2021 field seasons at the Montana State University Arthur H. Post Agronomy Farm.

RESULTS

Significant PLW pest pressure was observed within the research plots during both experimental years. Field pea and faba bean were preferred by the foliage feeding adult stage, with all but one variety averaging 39.2 to 86.3 average notches per plant. The pea variety Lifter was significantly preferred over all other comparisons, averaging 142.4 and 95.0 notches per plant in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Adult PLW feeding on lentil and chickpea was minimal, averaging 3.3 to 8.2 and 0.5 to 1.6 notches per plant, respectively. Numbers of larvae were highest on the roots of pea varieties, a known reproductive host, and almost nil on lentil and chickpea roots. Faba bean is also known as reproductive host, but, unexpectedly, larval populations were also low on the two faba bean varieties.

CONCLUSIONS

The results from this study provide some limited evidence for alternative IPM strategies for field peas based on host plant tolerance or resistance within the range of varieties tested. Adult preference and larval development of PLW varied between the different pulse crops with field peas and faba beans being the most susceptible and lentils and chickpeas being the least susceptible. Host plant resistance against PLW could provide more sustainable IPM approaches in the future. © 2024 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Development of novel compact wind tunnel for testing efficacy of insecticide formulated products in mosquitoes
Authors: Richards Stephanie L , Sousan Sinan , Murray Will , White Avian , Peyton Kaya , Slade Raven
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND

Ultra‐low volume (ULV) space sprays aerosolize insecticide formulated products (FP) to contact flying mosquitoes, while barrier sprays expose mosquitoes to FP residue on vegetation and other surfaces. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention bottle bioassays used to assess insecticide resistance are based on residual active ingredient (AI) exposure and do not directly relate to FP efficacy. The current pilot study developed a novel compact wind tunnel for mosquito exposure to FP. Caged Aedes albopictus and Culex pipiens/quinquefasciatus were exposed to undiluted Biomist®3 + 15 FP (permethrin AI) or air (control) within the wind tunnel, transferred to new cages, and held in a 28 °C incubator. Separate mosquitoes were exposed to residual permethrin AI (8 μg mL−1) in bottle bioassays. Mortality was monitored 15, 30, 60, and 120 min post‐exposure.

RESULTS

Chi‐square tests (P < 0.05) showed significantly higher mortality in Aedes compared to Culex populations for most time points in both bioassay and wind tunnel exposure groups. As expected, mosquitoes exposed to Biomist®3 + 15 showed higher mortality rates than bottle bioassay exposure to permethrin. Two Culex colonies resistant to permethrin in bottle bioassays were susceptible to Biomist®3 + 15 in the wind tunnel.

CONCLUSION

The novel compact wind tunnel developed here may be an alternative to field trials for testing FP efficacy, avoiding factors such as weather, logistical planning, and extended personnel hours. The wind tunnel could allow programs to conveniently test efficacy of multiple FP. Comparisons of different insecticide exposure methods provide practical information to inform operational decisions. © 2024 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Expansion of apple cultivation increases the abundance of codling moth (Cydia pomonella) in agricultural landscapes of China
Authors: Song Bowen , Yang Long , Pan Yunfei , Feng Hongzu , Lu Yanhui
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND

Agricultural land‐use change is an important driver of pest population dynamics, and can alter source–sink dynamics and the concentration‐dilution effects of the landscape. Understanding the effects of land use on pests at both landscape and regional levels is essential for the development of sustainable pest management strategies given the large changes occurring in cropping systems in China. At the landscape level, we investigated the impacts of landscape composition and edge density on pheromone trap catch of codling moth (Cydia pomonella) in apple orchards, in Aksu, Xinjiang, China. At the regional scale, we conducted a meta‐analysis using data from studies performed across the Aksu area in recent decades, to assess the relationship between trends in codling moth abundance and the area of apple cultivation.

RESULTS

Both extensive planting of apple and large areas of annual crops in the landscape increased the abundance of codling moth, whereas the presence of secondary host plants (peach, pear, walnut, plum, and apricot) had a negative effect. Seminatural habitats and landscape edge density did not significantly affect codling moth abundance. The responses of different generations of codling moth to landscape factors were varied. At the regional level, codling moth occurrence was positively correlated with the expansion of apple production areas.

CONCLUSION

Expansion of apple cultivation increases the abundance of codling moth in agricultural landscapes. We recommend decreasing the area devoted to monocultures of apple when designing agricultural landscapes and increasing plantings of secondary host crops to dilute and reduce the abundance of codling moth. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
The role of interspecific variability and herbicide pre‐adaptation in the cinmethylin response of Alopecurus myosuroides
Authors: Comont David , Crook Laura , Hull Richard , Sievernich Bernd , Kevis Stuart , Neve Paul
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND

Cinmethylin is an inhibitor of plant fatty acid biosynthesis, with in‐plant activity caused by its binding to fatty acid thioesterases (FATs). The recent registration of cinmethylin for pre‐emergence herbicidal use in the UK represents a new mode‐of‐action (MOA) for control of the grassweed blackgrass (Alopecurus myosuroides). To date there is little published information on the extent of blackgrass' inter‐population variability in sensitivity to cinmethylin, nor on any potential effect of existing non‐target‐site resistance (NTSR) mechanisms on cinmethylin efficacy.

RESULTS

Here we present a study of variability in cinmethylin sensitivity amongst 97 UK blackgrass populations. We demonstrate that under controlled conditions, a UK field‐rate dose of 500 g ha−1 provides effective control of the tested populations. Nevertheless, we reveal significant inter‐population variability at doses below this rate, with populations previously characterised as strongly NTSR displaying the lowest sensitivity to cinmethylin. Assessment of paired resistant ‘R’ and sensitive ‘S’ lines from standardised genetic backgrounds confirms that selection for NTSR to the acetyl‐CoA‐carboxylase inhibitor fenoxaprop, and the microtubule assembly inhibitor pendimethalin, simultaneously results in reduced sensitivity to cinmethylin at doses below 500 g ha−1. Whilst we find no resistance to the field‐rate dose, we reveal that cinmethylin sensitivity can be further reduced through experimental selection with cinmethylin.

CONCLUSION

Cinmethylin therefore represents a much‐needed further MOA for blackgrass control, but needs to be carefully managed within a resistance monitoring and integrated weed management (IWM) framework to maximise the effective longevity of this compound. © 2024 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Application of multistate modeling to clinical data analysis
Authors: Grevel Joachim , Veasy Joshua , Chacko Blesson
Published: February 2024

Multistate models have been used for decades to analyze the economics of expensive and long‐lasting treatments. More recently they also served to address questions in clinical drug development. It seems timely to introduce the broader pharmacometrics community to the technical aspects and the problem‐solving capabilities of these models. A minimal model is introduced that can answer questions of interest to drug developers, regulatory agencies, and patients (with their carers and payers). A clinical study is simulated where 1000 patients are randomly allocated (1:1) to placebo and active treatment. After a recruitment phase, deaths are counted, and an administrative data cutoff occurs 858 days after the first patient is randomized. The minimal model has one initial state, two transient states, and two absorbing states. Fully parameterized semi‐Markov processes govern the unidirectional transitions between states. Simulations explore the influence of parameter uncertainty and sample size on the validity of statistical inferences. The questions of interest to stakeholders are addressed predominantly with graphic displays. All programming codes are made available. Both drug developers and regulators are invited to re‐evaluate the methods currently in use to assess the benefits and risks of new treatments.
Simulation‐based evaluation of personalized dosing approaches for anti‐FGFR/KLB bispecific antibody fazpilodemab
Authors: Yoshida Kenta , Poon Victor , Dash Ajit , Kunder Rebecca , Chinn Leslie , Kågedal Matts
Published: February 2024

Personalized dosing approaches play important roles in clinical practices to improve benefit: risk profiles. Whereas this is also important for drug development, especially in the context of drugs with narrow therapeutic windows, such approaches have not been fully evaluated during clinical development. Fazpilodemab (BFKB8488A) is an agonistic bispecific antibody which was being developed for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. The objective of this study was to characterize the exposure‐response relationships of fazpilodemab with the purpose of guiding dose selection for a phase II study, as well as to evaluate various personalized dosing strategies to optimize the treatment benefit. Fazpilodemab exhibited clear exposure‐response relationships for a pharmacodynamic (PD) biomarker and gastrointestinal adverse events (GIAEs), such as nausea and vomiting. Static exposure‐response analysis, as well as longitudinal adverse event (AE) analysis using discrete‐time Markov model, were performed to characterize the observations. Clinical trial simulations were performed based on the developed exposure‐response models to evaluate probability of achieving target PD response and the frequency of GIAEs to inform phase II dose selection. Dynamic simulation of personalized dosing strategies demonstrated that the AE‐based personalized dosing is the most effective approach for optimizing the benefit–risk profiles. The approach presented here can be a useful framework for quantifying the benefit of personalized dosing for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows.
Iterated Perturbation Theory for Mott Insulators in a Static Electric Field with Optical Phonons
Authors: Mazzocchi Tommaso Maria , Arrigoni Enrico
Published: February 2024

This article aims to compare the so‐called iterated perturbation theory (IPT) and auxiliary master equation approach (AMEA) impurity solvers for a Mott insulating system driven out of equilibrium by a static electric field. Electronic heat bath and optical phonons are employed as dissipation mechanism of the current‐induced Joule heat that the excited electrons of the lattice experience as the result of the field's driving. Despite its simplicity, the IPT approach yields results that qualitatively are in good agreement with those obtained within the AMEA impurity solver, although fails to reproduce some correlation effects.
Closing the gap from nominal to robust asymptotic stabilization of time delay systems
Authors: Gomez Marco A. , Cruz‐Ancona Christopher D.
Published: February 2024

The control problem of a general class of perturbed linear invariant time‐delay systems within the Sliding Mode Control framework is addressed. We introduce a novel class of sliding manifolds with a structure not previously reported in the literature, which constructively emerges from complete type functionals of the corresponding nominal time‐delay systems and depends on the whole state of the system. A fundamental conclusion derived from this proposal is that every time‐delay system with matched perturbations, whose associated nominal system is exponentially stabilizable, is robustly asymptotically stabilizable. In fact, the introduced sliding manifold enables to construct discontinuous and continuous sliding mode control‐based algorithms that mitigate different classes of perturbations.
Distribution–free hyperrectangular tolerance regions for setting multivariate reference regions in laboratory medicine
Authors: Liu Wei , Bretz Frank , Cortina–Borja Mario
Published: February 2024

Reference regions are important in laboratory medicine to interpret the test results of patients, and usually given by tolerance regions. Tolerance regions of dimensions are highly desirable when the test results contains outcome measures. Nonparametric hyperrectangular tolerance regions are attractive in real problems due to their robustness with respect to the underlying distribution of the measurements and ease of intepretation, and methods to construct them have been recently provided by Young and Mathew [Stat Methods Med Res. 2020;29:3569‐3585]. However, their validity is supported by a simulation study only. In this paper, nonparametric hyperrectangular tolerance regions are constructed by using Tukey's [Ann Math Stat. 1947;18:529‐539; Ann Math Stat. 1948;19:30‐39] elegant results of equivalence blocks. The validity of these new tolerance regions is proven mathematically in [Ann Math Stat. 1947;18:529‐539; Ann Math Stat. 1948;19:30‐39] under the only assumption that the underlying distribution of the measurements is continuous. The methodology is applied to analyze the kidney function problem considered in Young and Mathew [Stat Methods Med Res. 2020;29:3569‐3585].
A scaled kernel density estimation prior for dynamic borrowing of historical information with application to clinical trial design
Authors: Warren Joshua L. , Wang Qi , Ciarleglio Maria M.
Published: February 2024

Incorporating historical data into a current data analysis can improve estimation of parameters shared across both datasets and increase the power to detect associations of interest while reducing the time and cost of new data collection. Several methods for prior distribution elicitation have been introduced to allow for the data‐driven borrowing of historical information within a Bayesian analysis of the current data. We propose scaled Gaussian kernel density estimation (SGKDE) prior distributions as potentially more flexible alternatives. SGKDE priors directly use posterior samples collected from a historical data analysis to approximate probability density functions, whose variances depend on the degree of similarity between the historical and current datasets, which are used as prior distributions in the current data analysis. We compare the performances of the SGKDE priors with some existing approaches using a simulation study. Data from a recently completed phase III clinical trial of a maternal vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus are used to further explore the properties of SGKDE priors when designing a new clinical trial while incorporating historical data. Overall, both studies suggest that the new approach results in improved parameter estimation and power in the current data analysis compared to the considered existing methods.
Emerging Doped Metal–Organic Frameworks: Recent Progress in Synthesis, Applications, and First‐Principles Calculations
Authors: Bai Jie , Wu Mengcheng , He Qingqing , Wang Huayu , Liao Yanxin , Chen Lingyun , Chen Shaowei
Published: February 2024

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are crystalline porous materials with a long‐range ordered structure and excellent specific surface area and have found a wide range of applications in diverse fields, such as catalysis, energy storage, sensing, and biomedicine. However, their poor electrical conductivity and chemical stability, low capacity, and weak adhesion to substrates have greatly limited their performance. Doping has emerged as a unique strategy to mitigate the issues. In this review, the concept, classification, and characterization methods of doped MOFs are first introduced, and recent progress in the synthesis and applications of doped MOFs, as well as the rapid advancements and applications of first‐principles calculations based on the density functional theory (DFT) in unraveling the mechanistic origin of the enhanced performance are summarized. Finally, a perspective is included to highlight the key challenges in doping MOF materials and an outlook is provided on future research directions.
Switchable Power Generation in Triboelectric Nanogenerator Toward Chip‐Less Wearable Power Module Applications
Authors: Zhou Jiaming , Ma Xiaoting , Gao Jingyi , Kim Eunjong , Deng Zihao , Rao Qing , Li Wen‐Di , Ki Dong‐Keun , Shin Dong‐Myeong
Published: February 2024

A conceptual shift toward next‐generation wearable electronics is driving research into self‐powered electronics technologies that can be independently operated without plugging into the grid for external power feeding. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are emerging as a key component of self‐powered electronics, but a power type mismatch between supply and demand limits their direct implementation into wearable self‐powered electronics. Here, a TENG with switchable power mode capability is reported where the charge flow direction is modulated over the course of slow and random mechanical stimuli, with exceptional rectification capabilities as high as ≈133, stable outputs over the cycles, and design flexibility in different platforms. Importantly, the remarkable switchable power generation with fabric counter materials illuminates a new path for the smooth integration of flexible TENGs into wearable self‐powered electronics.
Halide Anions Tuning of Lead‐Free Perovskite‐Type Ferroelectric Semiconductors with Inverse High‐Temperature Symmetry Breaking
Authors: Jiao Shulin , Sun Xiaofan , Zhao Min , Chen Peng , Tang Zheng , Li Dong , Zhou Zilong , Li Tingfeng , Zhang Wentao , Lu Yanzhou , Wu Yizhang , Ye Kongmeng , Xu Libo , You Qi , Cai Hong‐Ling , Wu Xiaoshan
Published: February 2024

There is a noticeable gap in the literature regarding research on halogen‐substitution‐regulated ferroelectric semiconductors featuring multiple phase transitions. Here, a new category of 1D perovskite ferroelectrics (DFP)2SbX5 (DFP+ = 3,3‐difluoropyrrolidium, X− = I−, Br−, abbreviated as I‐1 and Br‐2) with twophase transitions (PTs) is reported. The first low‐temperature PT is a mmmFmm2 ferroelectric PT, while the high‐temperature PT is a counterintuitive inverse temperature symmetry‐breaking PT. By the substitution of iodine with bromine, the Curie temperature (Tc) significantly increases from 348 K of I‐1 to 374 K of Br‐2. Their ferroelectricity and pyroelectricity are improved (Ps value from 1.3 to 4.0 µC cm−2, pe value from 0.2 to 0.48 µC cm−2 K−1 for I‐1 and Br‐2), while their optical bandgaps increased from 2.1 to 2.7 eV. A critical slowing down phenomenon is observed in the dielectric measurement of I‐1 while Br‐2 exhibits the ferroelastic domain. Structural and computational analyses elucidate that the order‐disorder movement of cations and the distortion of the chain perovskite [SbX5]2− anions skeleton lead to PT. The semiconductor properties are determined by [SbX5]2− anions. The findings contribute to the development of ferroelectric semiconductors and materials with multiple PTs and provide materials for potential applications in the optoelectronic field.
A Self‐Sensing and Self‐Powered Wearable System Based on Multi‐Source Human Motion Energy Harvesting
Authors: Hao Daning , Gong Yuchen , Wu Jiaoyi , Shen Qianhui , Zhang Zutao , Zhi Jinyi , Zou Rui , Kong Weihua , Kong Lingji
Published: February 2024

Wearable devices play an indispensable role in modern life, and the human body contains multiple wasted energies available for wearable devices. This study proposes a self‐sensing and self‐powered wearable system (SS‐WS) based on scavenging waist motion energy and knee negative energy. The proposed SS‐WS consists of a three‐degree‐of‐freedom triboelectric nanogenerator (TDF‐TENG) and a negative energy harvester (NEH). The TDF‐TENG is driven by waist motion energy and the generated triboelectric signals are processed by deep learning for recognizing the human motion. The triboelectric signals generated by TDF‐TENG can accurately recognize the motion state after processing based on Gate Recurrent Unit deep learning model. With double frequency up‐conversion, the NEH recovers knee negative energy generation for powering wearable devices. A model wearing the single energy harvester can generate the power of 27.01 mW when the movement speed is 8 km h−1, and the power density of NEH reaches 0.3 W kg−1 at an external excitation condition of 3 Hz. Experiments and analysis prove that the proposed SS‐WS can realize self‐sensing and effectively power wearable devices.
Limits of Non‐invasive Enzymatic Activation by Local Temperature Control
Authors: Vyas Anisha , Petrášek Zdeněk , Nidetzky Bernd
Published: February 2024

Enzymatic activity depends on and can therefore be regulated by temperature. Selective modulation of the activity of different enzymes in one reaction pot would require temperature control local to each type of enzyme. It has been suggested previously that immobilization of enzyme on magnetic nanoparticles and exposing them to alternating magnetic field can enhance the reaction rate. This enhancement has been explained as being mediated by temperature increase caused by dissipation of the absorbed field energy in the form of heat. However, the possibility of spatially limiting this temperature increase on the microscale has been questioned. Here, it is investigated whether an activity enhancement of the enzyme sucrose phosphorylase immobilized on magnetic beads can be achieved, how this effect is related to the increase in temperature, and whether temperature differences within one reaction pot could be generated in this way. It is found that alternating magnetic field stimulation leads to increased enzymatic activity fully attributable to the increase of bulk temperature. Both theoretical analysis and experimental data indicate that no local heating near the particle surface takes place. It is further concluded that relevant increase of surface temperature can be obtained only with macroscopic, millimeter‐sized, magnetic particles.
Facile Preparation of Polysarcosine‐Tethered Inorganic Nanospheres by Using Unimolecular Polypept(o)ides as Template
Authors: Yao Xikuang , Hao Linhui , Wang Ting , Xiong Fei , Shen Qian , Huang Wei
Published: February 2024

Polymer‐inorganic nanocomposites that integrate the advantages of both polymers and inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) are broadly exploited for versatile applications. Especially, emerging polymer‐templated preparation of inorganic NPs has drawn extensive attention, which is ascribed to simplified synthesis and feasible tunability. However, how to precisely fabricate biocompatible polymer‐inorganic NPs remains unsolved. In this article, by mild ring opening polymerization (ROP) of β‐benzyl L‐aspartate N‐carboxyanhydrides (BLA‐NCAs) and sarcosine N‐carboxyanhydrides (Sar‐NCAs) and subsequent debenzylation, a series of poly(amino acid)‐based unimolecular micelles (PAMAM‐g‐(PLA‐b‐PSar)) are facilely synthesized. Afterward, by utilization of these star‐like polymers as template, the controllable preparation of various PSar‐tethered inorganic NPs is investigated and characterized meticulously. This general strategy for the preparation of PSar‐tethered inorganic NPs can bring a great chance for future fabrication of biomedical nanoplatforms.
Safe Induction of Acute Inflammation with Enhanced Antitumor Immunity by Hydrogel‐Mediated Outer Membrane Vesicle Delivery
Authors: Xu Wenjie , Hao Xinyan , Li Yongjiang , Tang Yucheng , Qiu Xiaohan , Zhou Min , Liu Jihua , Huang Si , Liao Dehua , Hu Xiongbin , Tang Tiantian , Wu Junyong , Xiang Daxiong
Published: February 2024

Acute inflammation has the potential for the recruitment of immune cells, inhibiting tumor angiogenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance thereby overcoming the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment caused by chronic inflammation. Here, an acute inflammation inducer using bacteria outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) loaded in thermal‐sensitive hydrogel (named OMVs‐gel) for localized and controlled release of OMVs in tumor sites is proposed. OMVs trigger neutrophil recruitment and amplify acute inflammation inside tumor tissues. The hydrogel ensures drastic inflammation is confined within the tumor, addressing biosafety concerns that the direct administration of free OMVs may cause fatal effects. This strategy eradicated solid tumors safely and rapidly. The study further elucidates one of the possible immune mechanisms of OMVs‐gel therapy, which involves the assembly of antitumor neutrophils and elastase release for selective tumor killing. Additionally, tumor vascular destruction induced by OMVs‐gel results in tumor darkening, allowing for combinational photothermal therapy. The findings suggest that the use of OMVs‐gel can safely induce acute inflammation and enhance antitumor immunity, representing a promising strategy to promote acute inflammation application in tumor immunotherapy.
Simulation of Ladle Refining Reactions in Si–Mn‐Killed Steel
Authors: Podder Angshuman , Coley Kenneth. S. , Phillion André B.
Published: February 2024

Steel quality, to a large extent, is controlled by ladle refining reactions. The understanding of such reactions can help to prevent the formation of unwanted phases and improve the overall high‐temperature process control. A new approach, namely, the multioxide inclusion kinetic model has been recently developed to simulate steel–inclusion reactions in liquid steel. The coupling of this kinetic model with a multicomponent, multiphase steel–slag reaction interface model leads to an overall model framework to predict the evolution of steel, slag, and inclusion composition. The current work shows the application of the model to simultaneous deoxidation and desulphurization during ladle refining of Si–Mn‐killed steel. The model shows good performance with industrial data. It is demonstrated that for ladle refining practices, silica‐rich slags should be strictly used with basicity (CaO/SiO2) between 1 and 1.2 and with Al2O3 content less than 5 wt%. Additional simulations are also carried out to reveal the capability of the model to aid in online process control. Finally, certain limitations of the current model are discussed.
Synthesis of NbSe2/Bilayer Nb‐Doped WSe2 Heterostructure from Exfoliated WSe2 Flakes
Authors: Vu Van Tu , Nguyen Minh Chien , Kim Whan Kyun , Do Van Dam , Dat Vu Khac , Yu Woo Jong
Published: February 2024

Forming heterostructures of 2D metals and semiconductors using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) has significant potential to effectively reduce contact resistance in electronic devices. However, semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) layers in metal–semiconductor heterostructures are currently restricted to monolayers despite the superior mobility and density of states in bilayer TMDs. Herein, NbSe2/bilayer Nb‐doped WSe2 metal/semiconductor heterostructure from exfoliated WSe2 flakes are synthesized first. The exfoliated WSe2 bulk crystals on an Nb‐coated substrate are heated to 950 °C under a flow of selenium vapor, and then the NbSe2/bilayer Nb‐doped WSe2 heterostructures are formed. Statistics on the number of Nb‐doped WSe2 layers grown on a 1 cm × 1 cm CVD substrate shows that 65% of the Nb‐doped WSe2 layers are grown as bilayers. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, optical microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy clearly clarify the number of Nb‐doped WSe2 layers and heterostructure of NbSe2/bilayer Nb‐doped WSe2. Electrical measurements using Cr contacts show that bilayer Nb‐doped WSe2 displays 7‐ and 10‐times higher mobility and on/off ratio than monolayer Nb‐doped WSe2. The mobility and on/off ratio are further doubled in NbSe2/bilayer Nb‐doped WSe2 contact compared to Cr/bilayer Nb‐doped WSe2 contact, attributed to a clean interface in vertical stack heterostructure, enhancing electrical performance.