bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SOLBET: An example of an eco‐friendly company
Authors: Walczak Paweł
Published: September 2023

Ecology and “eco‐friendly” have been a trend for quite some time now. In all sectors of our lives, we would like to leave the lowest footprint possible and introduce sustainable raw materials and energy policies. Increasing energy prices and problems with the availability of natural resources are a challenge for manufacturers of construction materials. This paper presents very interesting solutions implemented by SOLBET as part of its green policy. It shows what the production process of autoclaved aerated concrete may look like under sustainable management of raw materials and electricity: from a wind farm to green hydrogen, the flow of raw materials with in‐house recycling and production optimization with eco‐friendly solutions have been discussed. The solutions presented in the paper prove that going green means not only a reduction of CO2 emissions but also delivering durable and eco‐friendly AAC with top‐level characteristics.
Investigation of the influence of bed joint steel reinforcement on the load‐bearing capacity and deformability of walls made of AAC (subjected to vertical compression). Part 1 zone around the window opening
Authors: Drobiec Łukasz , Mazur Wojciech
Published: September 2023

Reinforcement in masonry structures is usually used to control cracks and increase the load‐bearing capacity of walls. This paper presents results from testing full‐scale walls made of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC). A new type of reinforcement—steel mesh reinforcement protected against corrosion, was used in these tests. The effect of reinforcement on the zone around a window opening is presented in the first part of this paper. The presented tests are a continuation of previous similar analyses published in the papers. The effect of reinforcement on load‐carrying capacity and crack resistance of walls was found in the described tests. The obtained results were compared with results published in the papers.
Analysis of the impact of horizontal reinforcement on the compression and diagonal compression strength of walls made of AAC
Authors: Drobiec Łukasz , Jasiński Radosław , Mazur Wojciech , Rybarczyk Tomasz , Połubiński Tomasz
Published: September 2023

This article presents the results of tests on walls made of AAC (autoclaved aerated concrete) strengthened with horizontal reinforcement in the form of strips of mesh rolled out from a roll, consisting of steel cords with an interwoven fiberglass roving was used. The effect of the applied strengthening was determined based on the results of tests on masonry models subjected to compression, and diagonal compression. Specimens were tested according to guidelines of PN‐EN 1052‐1:2000 and ASTM ES519‐81 code in case of compression and shear test respectively. The results of the tests were also compared with the results of tests of AAC masonry walls without reinforcement, reinforced with truss‐type reinforcement.
Carbonation resistance of different types of calcium silicate hydrates
Authors: Walczak Paweł
Published: September 2023

Carbonation is a natural process and occurs in all building materials based on cement or lime. Re‐carbonation of cement‐based materials is an eco‐friendly process, but this process cannot proceed too fast. Autoclaved aerated concrete is a type of concrete produced using the autoclaving process. Due to the fact that other C‐S‐H phases can be formed under hydrothermal conditions in comparison to the standard hydration process in natural conditions, the durability of those phases, mainly tobermorite, should be higher, which was a subject of many studies. Different raw materials and different Cao/SiO2 ratio of the fresh concrete mix is used to produce different densities. Using different CaO/SiO2 may result not only in different amounts of tobermorite in AAC phase composition but also in different morphology of those crystals. This research program concerns the correlation between CaO/SiO2 and the source of the raw materials used on tobermorite formation under hydrothermal conditions and its resistance to re‐carbonation. The different CaO/SiO2 molar ratios used are reflected in the formulas of different class densities of AAC with different cement‐to‐burnt lime ratios. The impact of CO2 in a climate chamber on the phase composition were tested for all samples. The phase composition test was conducted using the XRD method and a SEM analysis with EDS system.
Effect of alternative fibre‐like secondary raw materials utilization by the preparation of the aerated autoclaved concrete
Authors: Mészárosová Lenka , Černý Vít , Melichar Jindřich , Drochytka Rostislav
Published: September 2023

This article is dedicated to the possibilities of using new alternative raw materials in the structure of aerated autoclaved concrete. Primary sources of raw materials are exhaustible and their price is increasing. According to the ecological requirements of the European Union, it is necessary to find many more ecological ways how to produce building materials. Production of aerated autoclaved concrete is for such utilization potentially suitable. It is well known, that the partial replacement of siliceous constituents is possible. This article is focused on the use of dispersed siliceous waste material with fiber‐like grains (e.g., waste fibers from the production of reinforcement fabrics and glass). The input raw materials are standard aerated autoclaved concrete based (cement, lime, silica sand). As an aerating agent was the aluminum powder. This article is dedicated to the determination of basic physical‐mechanical properties and a suitable amount of filler determination. The amount was determined on the basis of the constructive quality coefficient. It seems that partial replacement of the siliceous constituent by fiber‐like materials leads to improvement of properties.
AAC life cycle: How long can autoclaved aerated concrete buildings be used
Authors: Walczak Paweł
Published: September 2023

Due to its very good properties, autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) is a very popular construction material which is a first choice as a masonry unit in a number of countries. Aerated concrete has been mass‐produced for almost 100 years. Experience and dozens of research programs prove it is a good and durable material, eco‐friendly on top of that. Unfortunately, in many countries, the history of AAC production is shorter. This research program tested different AAC blocks in various density classes, which were stored for many years in natural conditions and regularly tested for all properties. Furthermore, the research program included tests of AAC blocks from demolished buildings and blocks tested in climate chambers with CO2 in the lab. The age of those buildings ranged from 25 to 60 years. The analysis of phase composition and microstructure in all samples allowed the research team to determine the moment when the C‐S‐H phase, mainly tobermorite, will become nearly 100% re‐carbonated. Those calculations can be used to determine the life span of buildings erected using autoclaved aerated concrete.
Synthesis, structural characterization, and thermodynamic properties of 11Å Al‐tobermorite
Authors: Jansen Daniel , Lothenbach Barbara , Yan Yiru , Schreiner Jürgen
Published: September 2023

In the present paper, the structure as well as the solubility and thermodynamic data of synthesized Al‐tobermorite is discussed. 29Si NMR and XRD prove the successful synthesis of an Al‐tobermorite with a ratio of Al/(Al + Si) = 0.1. The aluminum is incorporated in the branching (Q3) sites of the silicate chains. Solubility of the synthesized Al‐tobermorite can be calculated from the measured ionic concentrations from storage in aqueous solution, which show little variation over time. The tobermorite remains stable in aqueous solution. Consequently, an equilibrium between aqueous solution and the synthesized Al‐tobermorite can be assumed. On the basis of the experiments, thermodynamic data for Al‐tobermorite can be estimated and presented in the present paper.
Specific solutions for reducing energy consumption in existing and new AAC plants
Authors: Pottin Frank
Published: September 2023

The life cycle analysis of AAC has shown that the majority of CO2 emissions is caused by the binding agents: cement and quicklime. Only 16% are generated during the production process. However, the warning of gas shortages, power black‐out scenarios and the enormous increase in energy costs are now drawing attention to implement more energy‐saving measures into the production process. Considering renewable energy sources, e.g. photovoltaic or wind power, there are legitimate concerns regarding high consumers, like the sand mill or slurry agitators and their load peak, especially when starting the machines. Before installing renewable electrical energy producers, it is essential to minimise the basic load, avoid load peaks and use existing electrical “energy producers”. Although large energy savings like autoclave steam transfer, heat recovery systems, energy saving motors, LED‐lights are already standard in most plants, a lot of energy is still wasted in the industry. This seminar will demonstrate with specific examples additional new energy saving measures like: intelligent start/stop automatic energy recovery or storage energy efficient machine design smart lighting control predictive maintenance algorithms. Each individual measure does not seem to have a big influence but it may come as a surprise how much energy saving potential there is in the sum of these individual measures. Specifically, tested and implemented energy‐saving measures in WEHRHAHN AAC plants will be explained, giving answers to: How can existing AAC plants be even more updated in an energy‐efficient manner? What does a modern, energy‐efficient AAC plant look like?
Transformation pathway to a green lime offer
Authors: Cnop Tom , Verhelst Frederik , Pavlík Jaroslav , Lempertz Ulrich
Published: September 2023

The Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) industry has announced an ambitious decarbonization roadmap to 2050 to keep its place as a reference product in the future market of building materials. AAC raw materials are contributing to a large share of the CO2 footprint of AAC and need to be carefully assessed. Lime is today an essential raw material in the production of AAC and will remain so in the future as, unlike some other raw materials, it cannot be interchanged by a less carbon‐intensive alternative. Lime is essential in the formation of Tobermorite and provides the alkaline conditions required for the formation of the hydrogen bubbles structuring the mineral foam. Lime is produced by the calcination of limestone (CaCO3) releasing carbon dioxide (CO2). The CO2 footprint of lime is considerable, and the production process is considered hard‐to‐abate. Today roughly two‐thirds of the CO2 is inherent to the production process while only one‐third of the CO2 is due to the required fuel. Lhoist has developed a Carbon Action 2030 plan with a range of low‐carbon and carbon‐neutral lime solutions. The approach is based on the principle of three pillars: Avoiding, Reducing, and Compensating with a pipeline of effective carbon reduction initiatives behind each pillar. The paper will provide a status update on the key projects in Belgium, France, and Germany. The transformation to low‐carbon lime has triggered projects in energy improvement, sustainable fuels, the usage of hydrogen, kiln electrification, oxyfuel kilns, carbon capture, and storage as well as CO2 utilization. Once the CO2 is captured during the production of lime, the carbonation of the AAC will lead to a carbon‐negative building material. Our roadmap will position Lhoist as a preferred partner for the AAC industry in the future. Our lime product portfolio ranging from Level|Blue™ to Level|Green™ will support the AAC industry to consolidate and develop its referential position in the building materials industry.
Future ready limes for the AAC industry
Authors: Peter Ulrike , Walter Diethelm , Crinière Guillaume , Pust Christopher , Leszczynski Marcin , Verhelst Frederik
Published: September 2023

Lime is an essential raw material for the production of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC). Its functionality is triple in this application: The mineral phase giving rise to the mechanical strength of AAC (tobermorite) is formed by the reaction of quicklime (calcium oxide, CaO) with silica (silicon dioxide, SiO2) under hydrothermal curing. Lime is also providing the alkaline conditions required for the formation of the hydrogen bubbles structuring the mineral foam. Finally, the exothermic hydration (“slaking”) reaction with water is providing the required energy input in the system. Lime is produced by the calcination of limestone (CaCO3) releasing carbon dioxide (CO2). Today's limes appreciated for the production of AAC are showing slow reactivity, with t60 values typically higher than 8 and up to 16 min and more. Those limes are obtained by severe calcination, so‐called “hardburning,” which requires a higher amount of energy compared to standard high reactive limes, releasing more CO2 accordingly. Seeking for improving the carbon footprint of its product portfolio, Lhoist investigates different pathways to produce limes suitable for the production of AAC. This paper presents new lime qualities under development, their slaking behavior, and impact on the typical AAC process steps. The new limes show smooth while modified slaking profiles. The use of such lime qualities will allow for a progressive shift from today's formulation technologies towards formulations with highly improved environmental profile.
Experimental characterization of AAC masonry in shear: Effect of block density, mortar, and test setup
Authors: Michelini Elena , Cerioni Roberto , Riva Andrea , Boretti Giovanbattista , Casillo Alfredo , Ferretti Daniele
Published: September 2023

The paper discusses the results of an experimental program devoted to the characterization of AAC masonry in shear, by studying the effect of different key parameters: test setup, block density, and mortar type. As for ordinary masonry assemblages, shear parameters of AAC masonry can be determined from either shear tests on triplets or diagonal compression tests. However, the extension of these methodologies to AAC blocks with low densities is not so straightforward and highlights some critical issues. To evaluate the influence of block density (and block strength) on the shear parameters and on the observed modes of failure, masonry triplet and diagonal compression tests were performed for AAC blocks characterized by two different densities (300 and 480 kg/m3). Moreover, for the higher density class, tests were repeated by also varying the mortar type. Although most of Standard codes mainly relates the shear resistance of thin‐layer masonry to the block material, the obtained results highlight that also the mortar type and the surface treatment before mortar application may have a not negligible influence on the final behavior.
Application of binders with lower carbon footprint in the AAC production
Authors: Straube Berit
Published: September 2023

Autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) is a building material that mainly contains calcium silicate hydrate phases, especially 11 Å tobermorite. For forming these mineral phases, calcium ions from the binders and silicon ions from the milled sand are necessary. Currently, hard‐burnt lime and Portland cement are used as binders for AAC production. Both raw materials contribute significantly to the carbon footprint of AAC products. On the way to climate neutrality of AAC production, it is thus necessary to replace hard‐burnt lime and Portland cement with binders with a lower CO2 impact. Therefore, tests with middle‐burnt lime in combination with different Portland limestone cement were carried out to investigate their influence on processing, material properties, and the mineral phase composition. It can be concluded that both these lower CO2 impact raw materials can be used for AAC production, as there are no changes in material properties and mineral phase composition.
Elements subject to control during construction with AAC
Authors: Rybarczyk Tomasz
Published: September 2023

Autoclaved aerated concrete has a 100‐year tradition. As a structural masonry material, it has been known and used for years. It goes without saying that when constructing energy‐efficient and sustainable buildings, everything should be done correctly and in line with the best construction practice, with all weak spots addressed. Building using an aerated concrete system opens such possibilities, as AAC is the easiest masonry material to build, offering exceptional properties. It allows dozens of experienced contractors to deliver development projects to the highest standard, error‐free. The material also offers opportunities for new and inexperienced contractors. In either case, construction supervision performed by a site manager and the investor's supervision inspector will be helpful. Manufacturers, too, can help by creating a checklist for aerated concrete masonry work and thus achieving a quality advantage over other materials. This paper highlights elements to be inspected during the construction of AAC masonry walls, a process in which the work is constantly being covered up and thus must be inspected. The author provides clearly formulated guidelines on how to erect masonry walls and what to pay special attention to when erecting and inspecting AAC masonry. This is the knowledge that must be available and reminded to contractors and site supervisors all the time.
Circular construction with AAC—recycling of an industrial hall made of Hebel elements in Munich‐Puchheim
Authors: Kreft Oliver , Pfanz Andreas , Franke Joachim , Osterried Johannes
Published: September 2023

In Germany, construction, and demolition waste accounts for more than half of the waste generated, which means that valuable raw materials are lost for high‐quality recycling. But there is a solution: switching to a closed material cycle in which discarded products are reprocessed so that they can be used to manufacture the original or at least an equivalent product. A pilot project near Munich in Germany is demonstrating how discarded Xella products can be recycled into new products of equal value—with pioneering results. An old industrial hall made of prefabricated Hebel AAC‐wall elements was demolished, the material collected and processed into AAC powder, which was subjected to the production of new AAC. In the meantime, a new hall made of AAC has been built on the same site.
Short‐term test method for durability of AAC
Authors: Straube Berit , Walczak Pawel , Sargeant Graham , Menzel Yvonne , Laskawiec Katarzyna
Published: September 2023

Autoclaved aerated concrete is a building material with a high compressive strength at a low bulk density and an excellent thermal insulation. AAC with a bulk density <400 kg/m3 was investigated for their long‐term stability of masonry in 2002 at the Leipnitz University Hannover. During the outdoor storage of the AAC blocks the material from one German producer developed cracks and losses in compressive strength after 18 months. Subsequently AAC manufactures, organized in the European Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Association (EAACA), started a research program for identification of AAC with insufficient long‐term behavior. In the first step numerous AAC products with bulk densities between 260 kg/m3 and 750 kg/m3 were stored in ambient air, rain‐protected for 18 months. No losses in compressive strength for all examined AAC products were measured. That means that the AAC of this one German producer is not representative of building material AAC. Parallel to the outdoor storage a short‐term method was developed, which has a good correlation to the results of the outdoor storage. In a round robin for the new test method, it was shown that the method is applicable.
Lightweight blocks made of coarse AAC‐granules ‐ Recycled again!
Authors: Hlawatsch Frank , Peters Maike , Ufermann‐Wallmeier Daniel
Published: September 2023

The MPA Bremen has been dealing with the development of recycling methods for autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) rubble for many years. The aim is to enable the highest possible reuse of AAC as a secondary raw material.

In addition to a functional coating for the reduction of methane emissions from landfill bodies, the results so far have been dry premixed mortars for masonry, masonry blocks and lightweight blocks, which contain only AAC rubble of all fractions occurring during processing instead of natural aggregates.

The aim in the development of these recycling methods was always the technical/physical use of the existing characteristic AAC‐structure with continuing to use the gray energies associated with the granules.

The technique of the “Lightweight Blocks made of coarse AAC‐Granules” enables the production of recycling products that are particularly similar to the primary building material AAC. The principle of the “Lightweight Blocks” is based on the fact that coarse AAC granules are filled into a formwork with the desired component geometry and the remaining pore space is filled with an artificially porous matrix using an injection process.

This approach was optimized and extended in a recently completed research project: The particle size range was expanded, the share of AAC Granules was increased and the required use of binder was reduced. In addition, the working hypothesis not only allows the use of granules from the primary building material AAC, but also granules from the recycling product “Lightweight Blocks”. This new approach has been successfully tested for different binder systems. Autoclaved Aerated concrete becomes consequently a real circular building material for two recycling cycles.
Evolution of EC 6—Influence on masonry constructions made from AAC
Authors: Loderer Franz
Published: September 2023

Within the scope of developing a new generation of Eurocodes also the European masonry standards are subjected to an evolution. Thereby new drafts for all four parts of EN 1996 have been elaborated and the final versions are available. Aim of the evolution was to implement the application experiences of the actual version, improving the ease of use and reducing the number of National determined parameters. The most severe changes of the new versions of the standards are the modifications of the calculation methods in EN 1996 parts 1‐1 and 3. Especially for masonry walls with a compressive strength and for constructions with partly supported ceilings the new simplified calculation methods showed a significant difference in the maximum capacities. Basing on this finding the conditions and rules for the design of AAC masonry according to EN 1996‐3 were adapted and thus improved for the final draft. This was a result of a big number of comparing calculations which took into account the special properties and behaviour of AAC masonry especially the ratio between compressive strength and modulus of elasticity. Regarding fire resistance of masonry walls several new test results have been implemented in EN 1996‐1‐2 for revising the tabulated values. The new tables also provide clearer allocations in terms of minimum thicknesses of walls for fulfilling the conditions regarding the different periods of fire resistance.
Determination of the initial shear strength of AAC masonry with and without pre‐compression according to EN 1052‐3
Authors: Miccoli Lorenzo , Ferretti Daniele , Michelini Elena , Loderer Franz
Published: September 2023

Aim: In this paper, a comparative study on the initial shear strength of aerated autoclaved concrete (AAC) masonry is presented. Shear tests were carried out according to EN 1052–3 to characterize the shear‐bond behavior of masonry assemblages constructed with AAC blocks with different compressive strengths.

Method: To assess the influence of the axial pre‐compression on shear strength, the two different testing procedures suggested in EN 1052–3 were followed and compared. The first procedure (called A) imposes three levels of axial pre‐compression, in the second procedure (called B) shear tests are carried out without axial pre‐compression.

Results: For tests performed according to the procedure A, the dispersion of values of the shear strength increases as the pre‐compression level decreases. The so obtained mean values of the initial shear strength are close to the characteristic value suggested by Eurocode 6 (EN 1996–1–1). For tests performed according to the procedure B. often the mean value of the initial shear strength is higher than the value obtained for the procedure A. However, in this case most of the specimens were characterized by crushing or by a splitting failure in the units.

Conclusions: According to the authors' opinion, the higher values of initial shear strength obtained with the procedure B can be justified in view of some criticisms probably caused by the rotation of the blocks in the test setup.
Influence of material properties on the modulus of elasticity of AAC masonry
Authors: Miccoli Lorenzo , Loderer Franz
Published: September 2023

Aim

The goal of the presented study is to evaluate the influence of material properties on the modulus of elasticity of autoclaved aerated concrete masonry. In addition, it was assessed the reliability of the KE value included in the Eurocode 6 to calculate the modulus of elasticity of AAC masonry in relation to its characteristic compressive strength.

Method

An experimental campaign for the determination of modulus of elasticity of AAC masonry with a characteristic compressive strength in the range of 1.3‐2.0 MPa, was carried out. AAC units from different plants in Europe have been tested as well as the thin layer mortar used for the samples. The values of bulk density range between 270 and 350 kg/m3. Moreover, the testing comprised the determination of compressive strength as well as modulus of elasticity of masonry erected by using these blocks. Basis for testing of the compressive strength and modulus of elasticity was EN 1052‐1.

Results

The experimental results were compared with the values of modulus of elasticity E calculated according to EN 1996‐1‐1. The comparison shows how the current range of values of KE reported by the German annex DIN EN 1996‐1‐1/NA fits well to the experimental results obtained.
An Artificial Liposome Compartment with Size Exclusion Molecular Transport
Authors: Zhang Shiwei , Nakata Eiji , Lin Peng , Morii Takashi
Published: September 2023

The cellular compartment plays an essential role in organizing the complex and diverse biochemical reactions within the cell. By mimicking the function of such cellular compartments, the challenge of constructing artificial compartments has been taken up to develop new biochemical tools for efficient material production and diagnostics. The important features required for the artificial compartment are that it isolates the interior from the external environment and is further functionalized to control the transport of target chemicals to regulate the interior concentration of both substrate and reaction products. In this study, an artificial compartment with size‐selective molecular transport function was constructed by using a DNA origami‐guided liposome prepared by modifying the method reported by Perrault et al. This completely isolates the liposome interior, including the DNA origami skeleton, from the external environment and allows the assembly of a defined number of molecules of interest inside and/or outside the compartment. By incorporating a bacterial membrane protein, OmpF, into the liposome, the resulting artificial compartment was shown to transport only the molecule of interest with a molecular weight below 600 Da from the external environment into the interior of the compartment.
Enabling Stereochemical Communication and Stimuli‐Responsive Chiroptical Properties in Biphenyl‐Capped Cyclodextrins
Authors: Preda Giovanni , Jung Sebastian , Pescitelli Gennaro , Cupellini Lorenzo , Armspach Dominique , Pasini Dario
Published: September 2023

Chiroptical materials are gaining increasing interest due to their innovative character and their applications in optoelectronics and data encryption technologies. Fully harnessing the potential of building blocks from the “chiral pool”, such as native cyclodextrins (CDs), as they often lack chromophores suitable for the construction of materials with significant chiroptical properties. Here, we present the synthesis and characterization of a two‐level molecular stack consisting of a point‐chiral element (CD) and an axially chiral element (biphenyl), capable of effectively translating the overall stereochemical information contained in CDs into stimuli‐responsive chiroptical properties. α‐ and β‐permethylated CDs were efficiently capped with two different 2,2’‐difunctionalized 1,1′‐biphenyl units. In CD derivatives containing the rigid 2,2′‐dihydroxy‐1,1′‐biphenyl cap, two intramolecular hydrogen bonds act synergistically as stereoselective actuators, enabling effective communication between the two levels and the transfer of nonchromophoric stereochemical information from the cyclic‐oligosaccharide to the atropoisomeric cap. The chiroptical properties can be finely tuned by external stimuli such as temperature and solvent. The way chirality is transferred from the CD platform to the biphenyl cap was revealed thanks to crystallographic and computational analyses, together with electronic circular dichroism (ECD) studies.
Drug‐eluting stent and drug‐coated balloon for the treatment of de novo diffuse coronary artery disease lesions: A retrospective case series study
Authors: Xu Haobo , Qiao Shubin , Cui Jingang , Yuan Jiansong , Yang Weixian , Liu Rong , Wang Tianjie , Guan Hao , Tian Tao , Zhu Fasheng , Wang Juan , Chang Yue , Yang Zhuoxuan , Liu Shengwen
Published: September 2023

Background

The hybrid strategy of a combination of drug‐eluting stent (DES) and drug‐coated balloon (DCB) is promising for the treatment of de novo diffuse coronary artery disease (CAD).

Hypothesis

To investigate the efficacy and functional results of hybrid strategy.

Methods

This case series study included patients treated with a hybrid approach for de novo diffuse CAD between February 2017 and November 2021. Postprocedural quantitative flow ratio (QFR) was used to evaluate the functional results. The primary endpoint was procedural success rate. The secondary endpoints were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI) (including peri‐procedural MI), and target vessel revascularization.

Results

A total of 109 patients with 114 lesions were treated. DES and DCB were commonly used in larger proximal segments and smaller distal segments, respectively. The mean QFR value was 0.9 ± 0.1 and 105 patients (96.3%) had values >0.8 in all the treated vessels. Procedural success was achieved in 106 (97.2%) patients. No cases of cardiac death were reported at a median follow‐up of 19 months. Spontaneous MI occurred in three (2.8%) patients and target vessel revascularization in six (5.5%) patients. Estimated 2‐year rate of MACE excluding peri‐procedural MI was higher in the group with lower QFR value (12.1 ± 5.7% vs. 5.6 ± 4.4%, log‐rank p = .035) (cut‐off value 0.9).

Conclusion

Hybrid strategy is a promising approach for the treatment of de novo diffuse CAD. Postprocedural QFR has some implications for prognosis and may be helpful in guiding this approach.
New chances and challenges for preventing HPV‐associated throat cancer
Authors: Nelson Bryn , Faquin William
Published: September 2023

This news section is written by a medical journalist and offers Cancer Cytopathology readers timely information on events, issues, and personalities of interest to the subspecialty. In this issue, the recent surge of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma has been blamed almost entirely on the human papillomavirus (HPV). Otolaryngologists are now sensing an opening for increasing vaccination rates and decreasing the incidence of HPV‐associated oropharyngeal cancer.
Free boundary partial regularity in the thin obstacle problem
Authors: Franceschini Federico , Serra Joaquim
Published: September 2023

For the thin obstacle problem in , , we prove that at all free boundary points, with the exception of a ‐dimensional set, the solution differs from its blow‐up by higher order corrections. This expansion entails a C1, 1‐type free boundary regularity result, up to a codimension 3 set.
Flexible Composites for Piezocatalysis
Authors: Li Fujing , Guo Sufang , Shi Jing , An Qi
Published: September 2023

Despite piezoelectric materials have a long history of application, piezoelectric catalysis has continued to be a hot topic in recent years. Flexible piezoelectric materials have just emerged in recent years due to their versatility and designability. In this paper, we review the recent advances in flexible piezoelectric materials for catalysis, discuss the fundamentals of the catalytic properties of composite materials, and detail the typical structures of these materials. We pay special attention to the types of filler in flexible piezoelectric composites, their role and the interaction between the particles and the flexible substrate. Notable examples of flexible piezoelectric materials for organic pollutants degradation, enhanced piezo‐photocatalysis and antibacterial applications are also presented. Finally, we present key issues and future prospects for the development of flexible piezoelectric catalysts.
Single‐Atom and Dual‐Atom Electrocatalysts: Synthesis and Applications
Authors: Yang Jianjian , Liu Qiang , Chen Shian , Ding Xiangnong , Chen Yuqi , Cai Dongsong , Wang Xi
Published: September 2023

Distinguishing themselves from nanostructured catalysts, single‐atom catalysts (SACs) typically consist of positively charged single metal and coordination atoms without any metal‐metal bonds. Dual‐atom catalysts (DACs) have emerged as extended family members of SACs in recent years. Both SACs and DACs possess characteristics that combine both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, offering advantages such as uniform active sites and adjustable interactions with ligands, while also inheriting the high stability and recyclability associated with heterogeneous catalyst systems. They offer numerous advantages and are extensively utilized in the field of electrocatalysis, so they have emerged as one of the most prominent material research platforms in the direction of electrocatalysis. This review provides a comprehensive review of SACs and DACs in the field of electrocatalysis: encompassing economic production, elucidating electrocatalytic reaction pathways and associated mechanisms, uncovering structure‐performance relationships, and addressing major challenges and opportunities within this domain. Our objective is to present novel ideas for developing advanced synthesis strategies, precisely controlling the microstructure of catalytic active sites, establishing accurate structure‐activity relationships, unraveling potential mechanisms underlying electrocatalytic reactions, identifying more efficient reaction paths, and enhancing overall performance in electrocatalytic reactions.
Evidence Based Optimal Dosing of Intravenous Artesunate in Children with Severe Falciparum Malaria
Authors: Haghiri Ali , Price David J. , Fitzpatrick Phoebe , Dini Saber , Rajasekhar Megha , Fanello Caterina , Tarning Joel , Watson James , White Nicholas J. , Simpson Julie A.
Published: September 2023

The majority of deaths from malaria are in young African children. Parenteral artesunate (ARS) is the first‐line treatment for severe falciparum malaria. Since 2015, the World Health Organization has recommended individual doses of 3 mg/kg for children weighing < 20 kg. Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has challenged this recommendation, based on a simulated pediatric population, and argued for a lower dose in younger children (2.4 mg/kg). In this study, we performed population pharmacokinetic (PK) modeling of plasma concentration data from 80 children with severe falciparum malaria in the Democratic Republic of Congo who were given 2.4 mg/kg of ARS intravenously. Bayesian hierarchical modeling and a two‐compartment parent drug‐metabolite PK model for ARS were used to describe the population PKs of ARS and its main biologically active metabolite dihydroartemisinin. We then generated a virtual population representative of the target population in which the drug is used and simulated the total first‐dose exposures. Our study shows that the majority of younger children given the lower 2.4 mg/kg dose of intravenous ARS do not reach the same drug exposures as older children above 20 kg. This finding supports withdrawal of the FDA's recent lower ARS dose recommendation as parenteral ARS is an extremely safe and well‐tolerated drug and there is potential for harm from underdosing in this rapidly lethal infection.
Plasma‐Promoted Ammonia Decomposition over Supported Ruthenium Catalysts for COx‐Free H2 Production
Authors: Wang Zhijun , He Ge , Zhang Huazhou , Liao Che , Yang Chi , Zhao Feng , Lei Guangjiu , Zheng Guoyao , Mao Xinchun , Zhang Kun
Published: September 2023

The efficient decomposition of ammonia to produce COx‐free hydrogen at low temperatures has been extensively investigated as a potential method for supplying hydrogen to mobile devices based on fuel cells. In this study, we employed dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma, a non‐thermal plasma, to enhance the catalytic ammonia decomposition over supported Ru catalysts (Ru/Y2O3, Ru/La2O3, Ru/CeO2 and Ru/SiO2). The plasma‐catalytic reactivity of Ru/La2O3 was found to be superior to that of the other three catalysts. It was observed that both the physicochemical properties of the catalyst (such as support acidity) and the plasma discharge behaviours exerted significant influence on plasma‐catalytic reactivity. Combining plasma with a Ru catalyst significantly enhanced ammonia conversion at low temperatures, achieving near complete NH3 conversion over the 1.5 %‐Ru/La2O3 catalyst at temperatures as low as 380 °C. Under a weight gas hourly space velocity of 2400 mL gcat−1 h−1 and an AC supply power of 20 W, the H2 formation rate and energy efficiency achieved were 10.7 mol gRu−1 h−1 and 535 mol gRu−1 (kWh)−1, respectively, using a 1.5 %‐Ru/La2O3 catalyst.
Intercarrier interference analysis for massive MIMO fractional Fourier transform‐OFDM systems over time‐varying channels
Authors: Chawla Tanvi , Kansal Ankush
Published: September 2023

Massive multiple‐input multiple‐output orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO‐OFDM) system is an approach to increase data rate and spectral efficiency of 5G wireless communication systems. It's easy to analyze the performance of any system with the assumption of immobile users, but if the user is moving with varying velocity, then the communication between user and base station (BS) is very difficult to maintain. Under high mobility, rapidly fading, doubly dispersive, and nonstationary environment, the conventional system fails to respond and leads to the problem of intercarrier interference (ICI). To overcome these problems, fractional Fourier transform (FrFT) has been used in place of Fourier transform (FT) to increase the correlation coefficient, to mitigate effect of ICI, and to improve bit error rate. In this paper, novel formulae for correlation coefficient, average power of ICI, and closed form bit error expression have been derived for the proposed system by considering fast‐fading model and imperfect channel state information. Finally, the comparison of both the systems conventional and proposed proved that the proposed system has improved bit error rate by 40% and intercarrier interference cancelation by 70%.
Production and engineering of nanobody‐based quenchbody sensors for detecting recombinant human growth hormone and its isoforms
Authors: Jung Jaehoon , Jeong Yujin , Xu Yinglan , Yi Joonyeop , Kim Minyoung , Jeong Hee‐Jin , Shin Sang Hoon , Yang Yung‐Hun , Son Junghyun , Sung Changmin
Published: September 2023

Due to athletes' misuse of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) for performance improvement, the World Anti‐Doping Agency has designated rhGH as a prohibited substance. This study focuses on the development and improvement of a simple and fast rhGH detection method using a fluorescence‐incorporated antibody sensor “Quenchbody (Q‐body)” that activates upon antigen binding. Camelid‐derived nanobodies were used to produce stable Q‐bodies that withstand high temperatures and pH levels. Notably, pituitary human growth hormone (phGH) comprises two major isoforms, namely 22 and 20 kDa GH, which exist in a specific ratio, and the rhGH variant shares the same sequence as the 22 kDa GH isoform. Therefore, we aimed to discriminate rhGH abuse by analyzing its specific isoform ratio. Two nanobodies, NbPit (recognizing phGH) and NbRec (preferentially recognizing 22 kDa rhGH), were used to develop the Q‐bodies. Nanobody production in Escherichia coli involved the utilization of a vector containing 6xHis‐tag, and Q‐bodies were obtained using a maleimide‐thiol reaction between the N‐terminal of the cysteine tag and a fluorescent dye. The addition of tryptophan residue through antibody engineering resulted in increased fluorescence intensity (FI) (from 2.58‐fold to 3.04‐fold). The limit of detection (LOD) was determined using a fluorescence response, with TAMRA‐labeled NbRec successfully detecting 6.38 ng/ml of 22 kDa rhGH while unable to detect 20 kDa GH. However, ATTO520‐labeled NbPit detected 7.00 ng/ml of 20 kDa GH and 2.20 ng/ml 22 kDa rhGH. Q‐bodies successfully detected changes in the GH concentration ratio from 10 to 40 ng/ml in human serum within 10 min without requiring specialized equipment and kits. Overall, these findings have potential applications in the field of anti‐doping measures and can contribute to improved monitoring and enforcement of rhGH misuse, ultimately enhancing fairness and integrity in competitive sports.
Abundance and population growth estimates for bare‐nosed wombats
Authors: Knoblauch Wiebke , Carver Scott , Driessen Michael M. , Gales Rosemary , Richards Shane A.
Published: September 2023

Wildlife managers often rely on population estimates, but estimates can be challenging to obtain for geographically widespread species. Spotlight surveys provide abundance data for many species and, when conducted over wide spatial scales, have potential to provide population estimates of geographically widespread species. The bare‐nosed wombat (Vombatus ursinus) has a broad geographical range and is subject to spotlight surveys. We used 19 years (2002–2020) of annual spotlight surveys to provide the first estimates of population abundance for two of the three extant bare‐nosed wombat subspecies: V. u. ursinus on Flinders Island; and V. u. tasmaniensis on the Tasmanian mainland. Using distance sampling methods, we estimated annual rates of change and 2020 population sizes for both subspecies. Tasmanian mainland surveys included habitat data, which allowed us to also look for evidence of habitat associations for V. u. tasmaniensis. The average wombat density estimate was higher on Flinders Island (0.42 ha−1, 95% CI = 0.25–0.79) than on the Tasmanian mainland (0.11 ha−1, CI = 0.07–0.19) and both wombat subspecies increased over the 19‐year survey period with an estimated annual growth rate of 2.90% (CI = −1.7 to 7.3) on Flinders Island and 1.20% (CI = −1.1 to 2.9) on mainland Tasmania. Habitat associations for V. u. tasmaniensis were weak, possibly owing to survey design; however, we detected regional variation in density for this subspecies. We estimated the population size of V. u. ursinus to be 71,826 (CI = 43,913–136,761) on Flinders Island, which when combined with a previously published estimate of 2599 (CI = 2254–2858) from Maria Island, where the subspecies was introduced, provides a total population estimate. We also estimated 840,665 (CI = 531,104–1,201,547) V. u. tasmaniensis on mainland Tasmania. These estimates may be conservative, owing to individual heterogeneity in when wombats emerge from burrows. Although these two subspecies are not currently threatened, our population estimates provide an important reference when assessing their population status in the future, and demonstrate how spotlight surveys can be valuable to inform management of geographically widespread species.
Assessing critical population thresholds under periodic disturbances
Authors: Ackleh Azmy S. , Veprauskas Amy , Banks John , Stark John
Published: September 2023

Population responses to repeated environmental or anthropogenic disturbances depend on complicated interactions between the disturbance regime, population structure, and differential stage susceptibility. Using a matrix modeling approach, we develop a methodological framework to explore how the interplay of these factors impacts critical population thresholds. To illustrate the wide applicability of this approach, we present two case studies pertaining to agroecosystems and conservation science. We apply sensitivity analysis to the two case studies to examine how population and disturbance properties affect these thresholds. Contrasting outcomes between these two applications, including differences in how factors such as disturbance intensity and pre‐disturbance population distributions impact population responses, highlight the importance of accounting for demographic features when performing ecological risk assessments.
Metal‐Free and Visible Light‐Induced Difunctionalizations of α‐CF3 Styrenes with Aryl Diazonium Salts and Hetero Nucleophiles
Authors: Zhang Lu , Liu Shuai , Ma Mingming , Shen Yuncheng , Gao Pin , Guo Li‐Na , Duan Xin‐Hua
Published: September 2023

Metal‐free, visible light‐induced difunctionalizations of α‐CF3 styrenes with aryl diazonium salts and various hetero nucleophiles (ROH, H2O, N3− and F−) are described. This concise protocol provided easy access to the α‐CF3 tertiary alkyl ethers, alcohol and fluorides with good yields and excellent functional group tolerance. In addition, the four‐component “SO2” insertion reaction also worked efficiently to produce the α‐CF3, β‐sulfonyl ethers in moderate to good yields. A radical‐polar crossover coupling pathway was proposed for the C−O bond formation.