bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrabroadband Photodetector Based on Ferromagnetic van der Waals Heterodiode
Authors: Hu Xin , Hou Jie , Dong Qingsong , Liu Zhiyi , Wang Suofu , Wang Fang , Tu Yubing , Han Tao , Li Feng , Zhang Zongyuan , Hou Xingyuan , Wang Shaoliang , Zhao Dongxu , Shan Lei , Long Mingsheng
Published: June 2022

The discovery of 2D ferromagnetic (FM) van der Waals (vdW) semiconductors with narrow bandgap and p‐type transport behavior makes them promising for infrared photodetection. Here, a 2D vdW heterodiode uncooled long‐wave infrared (LWIR) photodetector by stacking a p‐type 2D FM material CrSiTe3 on top of an n‐type transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) MoS2 is reported. A good rectification ratio >102 and an ultra‐broadband photoresponse from 0.52 to 10.6 μm are demonstrated. The photoresponsivity of up to 20.7 A W−1 and the external quantum efficiency (EQE) of up to 4031.7% are obtained under a 1310 nm laser at a −1 V bias in ambient, which indicates that these CrSiTe3–MoS2 p–n junction devices have a good photovoltaic response. Meanwhile, the photovoltaic responsivity up to 0.15 A W−1, EQE up to 29.7%, and fast response with a decay time of 2.8 μs at 637 nm are demonstrated. In addition, the room temperature mid‐wave infrared (MWIR) specific detectivity and LWIR specific detectivity of CrSiTe3–MoS2 is 6.1 × 109 cm Hz1/2 W−1 and 1.93 × 109 cm Hz1/2 W−1, respectively. These observations open up possibilities for developing high‐sensitive infrared detection based on the valley optical selection rule and LWIR image technology.
Functional significance of novel variants of the MEF2C gene promoter in congenital ventricular septal defects
Authors: Zeng Zhi‐Hua , Chen Huan‐Xin , Liu Xiao‐Cheng , Yang Qin , He Guo‐Wei
Published: June 2022

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the most common congenital heart disease. Although the coding region of MEF2C is highly relevant to cardiac malformations, the role of MEF2C gene promoter variants in VSD patients has not been genetically investigated. We investigated the role of MEF2C gene promoter variants in 400 Han Chinese subjects (200 patients with isolated and sporadic VSD and 200 healthy controls). The promoter region of the MEF2C gene was sequenced that identified 10 variants. Expression vectors encompassing the variants and the firefly luciferase reporter gene plasmid (pGL3‐basic) were constructed and subsequently transfected into HEK‐293 cells. The luciferase activities were measured by Dual‐luciferase reporter assay system. MEF2C gene promoter transcriptional activity was significantly reduced in 4 of the 10 variants in HEK‐293 cells (P < 0.05). In addition, the JASPAR database was used to perform bioinformatics analysis, which showed that these variants disrupt the putative binding sites of transcription factors and affected the expression of MEF2C protein. This study for the first time identified the variants in the promoter of the MEF2C gene in Han Chinese population and revealed the role of these variants in the formation of VSD.
New frontiers in imaging, anatomy, and mechanics of crocodylian jaw muscles
Authors: Holliday Casey M. , Sellers Kaleb C. , Lessner Emily J. , Middleton Kevin M. , Cranor Corrine , Verhulst Conner D. , Lautenschlager Stephan , Bader Kenneth , Brown Matthew A. , Colbert Matthew W.
Published: June 2022

New imaging and biomechanical approaches have heralded a renaissance in our understanding of crocodylian anatomy. Here, we review a series of approaches in the preparation, imaging, and functional analysis of the jaw muscles of crocodylians. Iodine‐contrast microCT approaches are enabling new insights into the anatomy of muscles, nerves, and other soft tissues of embryonic as well as adult specimens of alligators. These imaging data and other muscle modeling methods offer increased accuracy of muscle sizes and attachments without destructive methods like dissection. 3D modeling approaches and imaging data together now enable us to see and reconstruct 3D muscle architecture which then allows us to estimate 3D muscle resultants, but also measurements of pennation in ways not seen before. These methods have already revealed new information on the ontogeny, diversity, and function of jaw muscles and the heads of alligators and other crocodylians. Such approaches will lead to enhanced and accurate analyses of form, function, and evolution of crocodylians, their fossil ancestors and vertebrates in general.
Decorated magnetic nanoparticles with polyvinyl alcohol brushes modified with metal chelate affinity groups for purification of proteins
Authors: Faraji Maedeh , Asnaashariisfahani Manzarbanou , Baharvand Habibollah , Fard Hassan Kabiri
Published: June 2022

Refining is a serious challenge in the production of recombinant proteins, and this study proposes a new and easy strategy for the synthesis of magnetic affinity nanoparticles. First, the nanoparticles attached to polyvinyl alcohol brushes were synthesized, and then the hydroxyl groups of this polymer were converted to chelate groups. The nanoparticles were examined by (SEM) scanning electron microscopy, (TEM) transmission electron microscopy, (DLS) dynamic light scattering, (FT‐IR) Fourier transform infrared, (XRD) X‐ray powder diffraction, (VSM) vibrating sample magnetometry, and (TGA) thermal gravimetric analysis. The results confirm that uniform and spherical magnetic polymer nanoparticles with high magnetization and superparamagnetic properties were successfully synthesized. The S100A9 protein, a His‐tagged recombinant protein, was expressed and purified using the synthesized nanoparticles. According to the (SDS‐PAGE) sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis results, there is a high degree of resolution in protein separation. The synthesized nanoparticles have a high protein binding capacity of about 208 mg of protein per gram of nanoparticles.
An Investigation into the Charge Storage Mechanism and Cycling Performance of Mn2O3 as the Cathode Material for Zinc‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Hou Qingping , Ivey Douglas G.
Published: June 2022

In this work, highly crystalline, nanosize Mn2O3 powder is synthesized via a precipitation and calcination method for utilization as the cathode in aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (aZIBs). The resultant electrodes are characterized using electrochemical and microstructural methods to determine the mechanisms associated with charge and discharge. In addition, a few quantitative testing methods are used to investigate cycling performance stability. A specific capacity of 211 mAh g−1 is retained after 200 cycles at a current density of 500 mA g−1 with 93 % capacity retention. Also, 73 % capacity retention can be reached after 1100 cycles at 2000 mA g−1. The energy storage mechanism associated with Mn2O3 is for the first time proposed to be a chemical conversion reaction type with two steps involving the formation/decomposition of ZnMn2O4 (hetaerolite) and zinc sulphate hydroxide (ZHS). Also, capacity fading is directly linked to the incomplete reversibility of the chemical conversion reaction mechanism.
An efficient differential sensing strategy for phenolic pollutants based on a nanozyme with polyphenol oxidase activity
Authors: Yang Xiaoyu , Lei Lulu , Song Donghui , Sun Yue , Yang Meng , Sang Zhen , Zhou Jianan , Huang Hui , Li Yongxin
Published: June 2022

To realize the efficient differential sensing of phenolic pollutants in sewage, a novel sensing strategy was successfully developed based on a nanozyme (GMP‐Cu) with polyphenol oxidase activity. Phenolic pollutants can be oxidized using GMP‐Cu, and the oxidation products reacts subsequently with 4‐aminoantipyrine to produce a quinone‐imine compound. The absorption spectra of final quinone‐imine products that resulted from different phenolic pollutants showed obvious differences, which were due to the interaction difference between GMP‐Cu and phenolic pollutants, as well as the different molecular structures of the quinone‐imine products from different phenolic pollutants. Based on the difference in the absorption spectra, a novel differential sensing strategy was developed. A genetic algorithm was used to select the characteristic wavelengths at different enzymatic reaction times. Hierarchical cluster analysis and PLS‐DA algorithms were utilized for the discriminant sensing of seven representative phenolic pollutants, including hydroquinone, resorcinol, catechol, resorcinol, phenol, p‐chlorophenol, and 2,4‐dichlorophenol. A scientific wavelength selection algorithm and a recognition algorithm resulted in the successful identification of phenolic pollutants in sewage with a discriminant accuracy of 100%, and differentiation of the phenolic pollutants regardless of their concentration. These results indicated that a sensing strategy can be used as an effective tool for the efficient identification and differentiation of phenolic pollutants in sewage.
Measuring product lifetime extension potential by increasing the expected product lifetime: Methodology and case study
Authors: Nishijima Daisuke , Oguchi Masahiro
Published: June 2022

Understanding the factors affecting consumer replacement behavior is important in extending the product lifetime in a circular economy. Although such factors have been widely investigated, methodologies to quantitatively measure the potential of changes in these aspects are scarce. They help to consider effective strategies for product lifetime extension. This study focused on the expected product lifetime and constructed a framework to analyze this potential, using air conditioners in Japan as a case study. When the expected product lifetime increased by 1, 2, and 3 years, the mean actual product lifetime rose by 0.9, 1.8, and 2.72 years, respectively, whose values can be sufficiently recognized as potentials for product lifetime extension. The results indicate that products and services for product lifetime extension can actually be used by consumers. Therefore, business strategies for product lifetime extension can increase resource efficiency and potentially strengthen competitiveness in future resource constraint economies.
Refractory hypertensive emergency associated with complete heart block resolved after permanent pacemaker implantation: A case report
Authors: Choudhury Moinuddin , Kumar Narendra , Chalil Shajil , Abozguia Khalid
Published: June 2022

Severe hypertension sometimes improves with treatment of bradycardia but this phenomenon is under‐reported. Here, an elderly gentleman with complete heart block and a hypertensive emergency was refractory to medical therapies and blood pressure only improved following pacemaker implantation. We discuss the possible mechanisms relating to heart rate and artificial pacing.
Nasal rhinosporidiosis masquerading as pyogenic granuloma in a pediatric patient at a Zonal Referral Hospital in Central Tanzania: Case report
Authors: Abraham Zephania Saitabau , Zerd Francis , Kahinga Aveline Aloyce
Published: June 2022

Being rare, rhinosporidiosis is a chronic granulomatous disease that is characterized by polypoidal lesions of the mucous membrane and is caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi. The disease commonly affects the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx, conjunctiva, and palate and its very rare in our geographical location.
Core–Shell ZIF‐8@ZIF‐67‐Derived Cobalt Nanoparticles In Situ Grown on N‐doped Carbon Nanotube Polyhedra for Ultrasensitive Electrochemical Detection of Chloramphenicol
Authors: Yang Beibei , Shao Mengjiao , Xu Yufeng , Du Yanyan , Yang Hualing , Bin Duan , Liu Baohong , Lu Hongbin
Published: June 2022

In this work, we developed a highly selective detector towards the antibiotic drug chloramphenicol (CAP) using Co nanoparticle, which are grown in situ on N‐doped carbon nanotube polyhedra (Co@NCNP), which are obtained by a pyrolysis strategy derived from core‐shell ZIF‐8@ZIF‐67. Physical characterization verified that metal‐organic framework (MOFs)‐derived Co@NCNP nanocomposites present a nanotube structure on their mesoporous polyhedron surface. As a result, the as‐prepared Co@NCNP can be used as a sensitive electrochemical sensor for chloramphenicol detection, and the modified electrode is also studied by electrochemical methods such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). When compared with single ZIF‐67‐derived electrode, the Co@NCNP displays a higher electrocatalytic activity in the presence of chloramphenicol. Moreover, an excellent performance with a linear response range of 5–268.83 μM and a low detection limit of 0.5 μM (S/N=3) is observed for the Co@NCNP modified electrode. Finally, the fabricated chloramphenicol sensor achieves a good anti‐interference ability, stability, excellent repeatability, and remarkable reproducibility. The sensor also could be applied in human serum to determine of chloramphenicol with a satisfactory result.
60 years of dislocations in ceramics: A conceptual framework for dislocation mechanics in ceramics
Authors: Porz Lukas
Published: June 2022

High‐tech ceramics are typically engineered by controlling point defects and interfaces while one‐dimensional dislocations have found much less attention so far. Nevertheless, their impact on almost any functional property and the sudden ease to fabricate them with novel synthesis methods, such as rapid densification, brings spotlight attention to dislocations as design dimension. Although the typical brittleness of ceramics insinuates the irrelevance of dislocations for mechanical behavior, abundant literature is spread over materials, decades, and disciplines, however, often unconnected. Here, a conceptual framework for dislocation mechanics in ceramics separated into five logical aspects, (1) fundamental mobility, (2) obstacles to motion, (3) limitation by necessity of nucleation, (4) motion complexity, and (5) avoidance of competing mechanisms, brings oversight into the complex behavior. In consequence, quicker identification of the limiting step allows to estimate the potential involved more precisely and to identify open research questions with greater ease. An introduction to dislocations and the functionality involved, a look back over the last six decades, and highlights of open question are dedicated to provide a framework and bridge the gap between the attached research fields.
Development and Application of a Chemical Labeling‐Based Biosensing Assay for Rapid Detection of 8‐Oxoguanine and Its Repair in vitro and in Human Cells
Authors: Kong Weiheng , Ji Yongqin , Zhu Xiaowen , Dai Xiaoxia , You Changjun
Published: June 2022

Comprehensive Summary

Living cells are constantly threatened by endogenous and environmental agents that can induce various DNA lesions including 8‐oxoguanine (8‐oxoG). Increasing evidence has suggested that 8‐oxoG is not only a biomarker of oxidative stress, but also a novel epigenetic‐like modification involved in transcriptional regulation in mammalian cells. Measurement of DNA damage and repair is useful for both basic research and clinical applications, but current methods for 8‐oxoG detection still suffer from some problems such as poor selectivity, time consuming and being expensive. Here, we developed a fast and simple biosensing approach for quantitative analysis of 8‐oxoG in DNA, which was based on the selective chemical biotinylation of 8‐oxoG in conjunction with biotin‐streptavidin enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. We have also successfully applied this method to achieve efficient detection of the repair activities of DNA glycosylases Fpg and hOGG1 toward 8‐oxoG in vitro and in human cells. This newly developed biosensing assay should be generally applicable for rapid detection of 8‐oxoG and its repair in other organisms.
Race, place, and socioeconomic status: A path toward lung cancer early detection
Authors: Warner Erica T.
Published: June 2022

Although progress has been made, the majority of patients with non–small cell lung cancer are diagnosed at an advanced stage, with disparities being observed by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status. There is a critical need to understand and ameliorate these disparities and to advance lung cancer equity.
An efficient cyber‐physical system using hybridized enhanced support‐vector machine with Ada‐Boost classification algorithm
Authors: Sharma Durgesh M. , Shandilya Shishir Kumar
Published: June 2022

The necessity of cyber‐security has obtained immense importance in day‐to‐day concerns of network communication. Therefore, several available research works predominantly focus on network security to protect the resources, services, and networks from any unauthorized access. A CPS (cyber‐physical system) model using a dual mutation‐based genetic algorithm, with feature classification through Ada‐Boost and SVM classifier is proposed in this paper. Dual‐mutation based genetic‐algorithm overcomes the issues of conventional techniques including convergence issues and local fine‐tuning of features. In this paper, necessary modifications were made to the existing Genetic Algorithm (GA) method to reduce the random nature of the traditional GA method. Particularly, the goal of this work is to develop the modified reproduction operators with appropriate fitness functions to guide simulations to gain optimal solutions. In floating‐point representation, every chromosome vector has been coded as a floating‐point number vector having the same length as the solution vector. Each element was selected initially, to stand within the desired domain, and operators were designed carefully in satisfying the constraints. As a result, there are various enhancements employed in the dual‐mutation algorithm that handles local fine‐tuned features. The relevant features of dataset samples are extracted and rescaled using feature selection and resampling phase aided by the Markov‐resampling process. Followed by this, a hybrid approach of ESVM (enhanced support‐vector machine) algorithm with Ada‐Boost classifier is implemented for the fault classification process. The performance assessment was explicated in terms of accuracy‐factor, F1‐score, and execution time. Comparative analysis expounded the efficacy of the proposed model than other conventional methods attaining higher accuracy (97%), F1‐score (99%) rates, and less execution time (15.33 s).
Ultra‐Bright Near‐Infrared Sulfonate‐Indolizine Cyanine‐ and Squaraine‐Albumin Chaperones: Record Quantum Yields and Applications
Authors: Meador William E. , Kapusta Karina , Owolabi Iyanuoluwani , Autry Shane A. , Saloni Julia , Kolodziejczyk Wojciech , Hammer Nathan I. , Flynt Alex S. , Hill Glake A. , Delcamp Jared H.
Published: June 2022

The design of bright, high quantum yield (QY) materials in the near‐infrared (NIR) spectral region in water remains a significant challenge. A series of cyanine and squaraine dyes varying water solubilizing groups and heterocycles are studied to probe the interactions of these groups with albumin in water. Unprecedented, ′ultra‐bright′ emission in water is observed for a sulfonate indolizine squaraine dye (61.1 % QY) and a sulfonate indolizine cyanine dye (46.7 % QY) at NIR wavelengths of >700 nm and >800 nm, respectively. The dyes presented herein have a lower limit of detection than the most sensitive dyes known in the NIR region for albumin detection by at least an order of magnitude, which enables more sensitive diagnostic testing. Additionally, biotinylated human serum albumin complexed with the dyes reported herein was observed to function as an immunohistochemical reagent enabling high resolution imaging of cellular α‐tubulin at low dye concentrations.
Porosity‐Induced Improvement in KOH Activation of Chitin Nanofiber‐Based Porous Carbon Leading to Ultrahigh Specific Capacitance
Authors: Ferry Mark Adam , Maruyama Jun , Asoh Taka‐Aki , Uyama Hiroshi
Published: June 2022

The applicability of chitin‐based carbon as a supercapacitor electrode material was investigated by adjusting its pore structure through polystyrene latex templating, without significant N doping. 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidinyloxy (TEMPO)‐oxidized chitin nanofibers were mixed with polystyrene latex, hydrothermally treated at 220 °C, carbonized, and activated using KOH at 800 °C, yielding activated hierarchical porous carbon. The variation of both polystyrene latex amount and carbonization temperature resulted in changes in the surface area and pore structure, which dictated the degree of pore uniformity and activation efficiency. The pore structure affected activation by allowing the selective removal of amorphous carbon, exposing the basal plane carbon, resulting in higher specific capacitance. By making activated hierarchical porous carbon more conducive to activation, specific capacitance of 567 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 was achieved, with no loss in performance after 10000 charge–discharge cycles.
Source localization based on the array aperture loss for channel phase calibration
Authors: Hu Weiwei , Qing Guangwei
Published: June 2022

A novel method is proposed to locate sources with uniform circular array (UCA) in the presence of channel phase errors. Inspired by the rank reduction (RARE) theory in the spatial domain, which creates the necessary condition (reduction rank vector) with the instrumental sensors, a reduction in the aperture of UCA is considered for the construction of the reduction rank vector that is related only to the source location in the UCA‐mode domain based on the relationship between the order and the independent variable of the Bessel function. This indicates that the source location and the channel phase errors can be decoupled in the UCA‐mode domain, and then the optimization function that is only related to the channel phase errors is formulated with the reduction rank vector based on the RARE theory. Then with the channel phase errors calibrated, the source location can be estimated with the Vandemonde structure of the virtual steering vector via UCA‐ESPRIT. The proposed method requires no pre‐calibrated sensors or calibration sources. Also, it avoids the multi‐dimensional iteration. Results verify that the proposed method can perform approximately to calibration source method and instrumental sensor method via source separation, signal‐noise ratio (SNR), and snapshots experiments; furthermore, it is also verified that the proposed method can cope with more sources than the Schur‐product based method and it is superior to the Schur‐product based method in performance as it has a larger tolerance for the array aperture, while both of them are on‐line estimators.
The development and validation of the Conscious Objectification Questionnaire
Authors: Liberman Tamar J. , Burke Natasha L.
Published: June 2022

Objective

Self‐objectification is linked to disordered eating (DE) behaviors in women. However, the awareness of objectification by the self and others, not just the objectifying experiences themselves, may be differentially related to DE. The proposed study examines the development and validity of the Conscious Objectification Questionnaire (COQ), which seeks to evaluate awareness of objectification by others and intentional self‐objectification.

Method

In Study 1, 24 participants who identify as women (≥18 years) will provide qualitative feedback on COQ items, and survey items will be updated based on participant feedback. In Study 2, separate participants will complete the COQ and questionnaires assessing DE, self‐objectification, and mental health correlates. Exploratory factor analyses will be conducted on the COQ, and reliability and convergent and divergent validity will be assessed.

Results

Results will clarify whether the COQ is a reliable and valid instrument that measures the distinct construct of awareness of objectification.

Discussion

If proven psychometrically sound, the COQ may be useful for future research on the link between awareness of objectification and disordered eating.

Public Significance

The novel Conscious Objectification Questionnaire (COQ) assesses the degree to which women recognize and act upon being objectified. The COQ will be reviewed by self‐objectification experts and pilot participants before being psychometrically evaluated with data from a larger sample. The COQ is expected to differentially relate to disordered eating above and beyond existing self‐objectification measures and accurately represent the distinct construct of conscious awareness of societal and self‐objectification.
Predictors of treatment seeking and uptake among respondents to a widely disseminated online eating disorders screen in the United States
Authors: Grammer Anne Claire , Shah Jillian , Laboe Agatha A. , McGinnis Claire G. , Balantekin Katherine N. , Graham Andrea K. , Smolar Lauren , Taylor C. Barr , Wilfley Denise E. , Fitzsimmons‐Craft Ellen E.
Published: June 2022

Objective

To explore predictors of treatment seeking and uptake among individuals following an online eating disorders (EDs) screen in the U.S. disseminated by the National Eating Disorders Association.

Method

Respondents who screened at risk or positive for a probable ED from 04/2019 to 05/2021 (N = 263,530) were eligible to complete a 2‐month follow‐up survey that assessed treatment seeking and uptake after being offered referral options following screening. Analyses were conducted using chi‐square tests or logistic regressions.

Results

Sixty thousand thirty‐four respondents (22.8%) opted‐in to the follow‐up survey, of whom 2276 (3.8%) completed it. Of the final analytic sample (n = 1922), 35.7% of respondents reported seeking and 22.4% reported receiving treatment. Treatment seeking and uptake were more common among respondents who were female, White, or >24 years of age; uptake was more common among respondents who were non‐Hispanic or higher income. Elevated shape/weight concerns were significantly, albeit modestly, associated with reduced likelihood to receive treatment.

Discussion

Demographic differences in treatment seeking and uptake highlight the need to optimize ED screening tools/feedback to meet the needs of underserved groups and to address stereotypes and structural barriers that may interfere. Research is also needed to identify barriers to uptake among those with elevated shape/weight concerns.

Public Significance

Relatively low rates of treatment seeking and uptake were observed, particularly among underserved groups, 2 months following a widely disseminated online eating disorders screen. Optimization of online eating disorder screening tools and delivery of feedback and referral information may be needed to increase health care utilization.
Leaf N:P ratio does not predict productivity trends across natural terrestrial ecosystems
Authors: Zhang Jiahui , Hedin Lars O. , Li Mingxu , Xu Li , Yan Pu , Dai Guanhua , He Nianpeng
Published: June 2022

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are crucial nutrients for regulating plant growth. The classic growth rate hypothesis (GRH) proposes that fast‐growing organisms have lower N:P ratios, and it is promising to predict net primary productivity (NPP) using the leaf N:P ratio at the community level (N:PCom). However, whether leaf N:P ratio can predict NPP in natural ecosystems on a large scale remains nebulous. Here, we systematically calculated leaf N:PCom (community biomass‐weighted mean and species arithmetic mean) using the consistently measured data of 2192 plant species‐site combinations and productivity (biomass‐based aboveground NPP and flux‐based NPP) in 66 natural ecosystems in China. Unexpectedly, leaf N:PCom hardly predicted productivity in natural ecosystems due to their weak correlation, although significantly negative or positive relationships across different ecosystems were observed. The ambiguous relationship between leaf N:P and species dominance reflected a luxury consumption of N and P in turnover and structure in natural communities, unlike what GRH suggests. Climate, soil, and leaf nutrients (rather than N:P) influenced productivity, which highlighted the importance of external environment and nutrient constrains. Our findings pose a major challenge for leaf N:PCom as a direct parameter in productivity models and further question the direct application of classic hypotheses in short‐term experiments or model species to long‐term and complex natural ecosystems.
Combustion and emission characteristics investigation of a marine diesel engine powered by diesel/biodiesel/n‐butanol blends
Authors: Yu Shiyong , Cao Chao , Lv Wenchao
Published: June 2022

In this paper, a three‐dimensional simulation model of the engine cylinder is established using commercial simulation software AVL‐Fire, and the accuracy of the model is verified with experimental results. The effects of diesel/biodiesel/n‐butanol blends on diesel engine performance, and combustion and emissions characteristics were investigated by performing simulation operations on the model. The combustion process in the cylinder was simulated for 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% of n‐butanol in the fuel mixture. The results showed that at 75% load, the brake thermal efficiency of D95N5, D90N10, D85N15, and D80N20 engines increased by 0.84%, 1.68%, 2.48%, and 3.19%, respectively, and soot emissions decreased by 2.76%, 5.52%, 8.25%, and 10.96%, respectively, compared with D100. However, the brake power of the engine was reduced, the brake ratio fuel consumption increased, and NOx emission increased. In addition, at all loads, soot and CO emissions decrease as the percentage of n‐butanol in the fuel mixture increases.
Engine performance improvements through turbocharger matching and turbine design
Authors: Chen Shaolin , Ma Chaochen , Zhang Hong , Xu Cheng , Lei Fen , Feng Tao , Cao Gang , Yang Hanqin , Wei Chongfan
Published: June 2022

It is interesting to improve engine system performance with turbocharger technologies. In this study, a systematic simulation for engine and turbocharger matching to provide full utilization of the turbocharger potential and improve the engine performance without sacrificing the emission is developed. A velocity ratio concept was proposed to count the turbocharger performance impacts due to the diameter ratio of compressor and turbine wheels. A design of experiments was used to optimize the turbocharger and engine performance for different turbocharger factors. A better‐matched turbocharger was obtained. A multidisciplinary optimization method was used to design a mixed flow turbine wheel to reduce the turbine velocity ratio at peak efficiency and increase the overall turbocharger efficiency. Results showed that about 0.4% torque improvements and 1.2% reductions in the engine brake‐specific fuel consumption were obtained without making any other changes to the engine. This study demonstrated that systematic simulations for engine systems and considering turbocharger wheel diameter ratio effects could further improve the turbocharged engine system matching and the engine performance.
Performance enhancement of ruthenium‐based supercapacitors: A review
Authors: Banik Uchhwas , Malik MD Tanvir Uddin , Rahat S. M. Sultan Mahmud , Mallik Abul K.
Published: June 2022

Having an interesting requirement for reliable energy storage, the search for materials capable of providing perfect electrochemical performances is going on at a great rate. Scientists are making momentous attempts toward developing renewable energy and green energy. Batteries, fuel cells, and supercapacitors (SCs) are the most efficient and suitable tools for electrochemical alteration and energy storage. Current research and development of attention mainly on how to improve the performance of the SC by developing new hybrid capacitors. Blend or hybrid SC conveys high capacitance in contrast with the current electric double‐layer capacitor (EDLC) and pseudo‐capacitors building material of superconductors. The utilization of ruthenium in supercapacitors either as a direct electroactive material or as a conducting agent has been widely analyzed in the last few decades due to the rapid reversible redox process and a variety of valence options, and flexible environmental adaptability. In this review, we studied various aspects of ruthenium (Ru)‐based superconductors, their types, metal/non‐metal/polymer doping, as well as oxides and reduced oxides of ruthenium incorporated. We summarize the morphologies and structures of various studies of Ru‐composites followed by the researchers' suggested characterization methods and find out the promising electrochemical performance.
Research on grid‐dependence of neural network turbulence model
Authors: Song Shangxiao , Zhang Weiwei , Sun Xuxiang , Zhu Linyang , Liu Yilang
Published: June 2022

Turbulence machine learning based on deep neural network has become a research hotspot in turbulence modeling. Although most turbulence models have strict requirements on grid dependence, there are few analyses on grid dependence on the coupling of models and equations. In this article, a neural network turbulence model is constructed for the flow around airfoil with high Reynolds number, and the effects of wall‐normal grid spacing on the calculation accuracy are studied. The results show that compared with the traditional differential equation turbulence model, the neural network turbulence model can break through the limitation of y+ < 1 and relax the requirement of the normal density of the boundary layer grid while ensuring the accuracy.
Allometry in the corpus callosum in neonates: Sexual dimorphism
Authors: Lewis John D. , Acosta Henriette , Tuulari Jetro J. , Fonov Vladimir S. , Collins D. Louis , Scheinin Noora M. , Lehtola Satu J. , Rosberg Aylin , Lidauer Kristian , Ukharova Elena , Saunavaara Jani , Parkkola Riitta , Lähdesmäki Tuire , Karlsson Linnea , Karlsson Hasse
Published: June 2022

The corpus callosum (CC) is the largest fiber tract in the human brain, allowing interhemispheric communication by connecting homologous areas of the two cerebral hemispheres. In adults, CC size shows a robust allometric relationship with brain size, with larger brains having larger callosa, but smaller brains having larger callosa relative to brain size. Such an allometric relationship has been shown in both males and females, with no significant difference between the sexes. But there is some evidence that there are alterations in these allometric relationships during development. However, it is currently not known whether there is sexual dimorphism in these allometric relationships from birth, or if it only develops later. We study this in neonate data. Our results indicate that there are already sex differences in these allometric relationships in neonates: male neonates show the adult‐like allometric relationship between CC size and brain size; however female neonates show a significantly more positive allometry between CC size and brain size than either male neonates or female adults. The underlying cause of this sexual dimorphism is unclear; but the existence of this sexual dimorphism in neonates suggests that sex‐differences in lateralization have prenatal origins.
TRPM7 promotes lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammatory dysfunction in renal tubular epithelial cells
Authors: Sun Yan , Chen Xiaobing , Xie Yongpeng , Wang Yanli , Zhang Qian , Lu Yu , Li Xiaomin
Published: June 2022

Background

Sepsis‐associated acute kidney injury (S‐AKI) has been reported to affect 30%–50% of all sepsis patients; this condition is associated with a notable fatality rate. Following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, the expression of transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 7 (TRPM7), a nonselective cation channel expressed by the renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) was found to be upregulated. We aimed to determine how TRPM7 functions in S‐AKI.

Methods

To establish an in vitro model of S‐AKI, RTECs were treated with LPS. The effect of TRPM7 knockdown on cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress was studied. The binding site between Kruppel‐like factor 2 (KLF2) and TRPM7 was predicted using JASPAR. The influence of KLF2 on the regulatory roles of TRPM7 in cells, as well as the effect of their knockdown on the MAPK signaling pathway, was investigated.

Results

TRPM7 was upregulated in LPS‐treated cells, and knocking improved cell viability, reduced LDH levels, and minimized apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. KLF2 was shown to be associated with TRPM7 and its level decreased in LPS‐treated cells. KLF2 knockdown increased TRPM7 expression and reversed the effects of TRPM7 knockdown in LPS‐treated cells, including suppression of p38 MAPK, ERK1/2, and JNK activation.

Conclusion

Taken together, our results show that TRPM7 is negatively regulated by KLF2 and promotes LPS‐induced inflammatory dysfunction by activating the MAPK pathway in RTECs. The theoretical foundation for the prevention and management of S‐AKI is laid out in this article.
Regional inequalities of tumour size at diagnosis in Germany: An ecological study in eight federal states
Authors: Jaehn Philipp , Bergholz Andreas , Holmberg Christine
Published: June 2022

There is growing recognition of the importance of the residential environment for early detection of cancer. However, few studies have investigated area socioeconomic deprivation, social capital, and rurality in combination. Therefore, we aimed to estimate mutually adjusted associations of these characteristics with tumour size at diagnosis in Germany. We included incident cases of female breast cancer, colorectal cancer, malignant melanoma, uterine cancer, and male bladder cancer, collected by the cancer registries of eight German federal states between 2010 and 2014. Using information on T status at diagnosis, we defined an advanced tumour size for each cancer type. Sex‐specific mutually adjusted associations of area socioeconomic deprivation, social capital, and rurality with an advanced tumour size and variance partition coefficients were estimated in multilevel logistic regression. Missing data of the outcome were addressed by multiple imputation. Overall, 386 223 cases were included in this analysis. High area socioeconomic deprivation was associated with an advanced tumour size at diagnosis of colorectal cancer and malignant melanoma. For malignant melanoma, low social capital was associated with an advanced tumour size among females and males, while a rural settlement structure was associated with an advanced tumour size among males only. Since meaningful general contextual effects were found for malignant melanoma, our results underscore that the residential environment is an important predictor of melanoma tumour size. Secondary prevention programmes for this cancer type should target areas with high area socioeconomic deprivation, low social capital, and a rural settlement structure in order to reach those most vulnerable.
A review on smart irrigation management strategies and their effect on water savings and crop yield
Authors: Touil Sami , Richa Amina , Fizir Meriem , Argente García Jesús E. , Skarmeta Gómez Antonio F.
Published: June 2022

Appropriate irrigation water management has attracted a considerable degree of attention because it is crucial to guarantee water and food security worldwide. A smart irrigation system is applied for the rational use of water in agricultural fields and for maximizing crop yield. Thus, the high demand for water resources is decreased, and the adverse environmental impacts of irrigation are reduced. Different irrigation approaches were developed to reduce overirrigation by assessing the soil moisture content or crop water stress index. This paper aims to review conventional and smart irrigation technologies and discuss their effect on water savings, yield, and crop quality. The analysis of prominent studies highlighted that the water use efficiency based on soil moisture sensors depends on the volumetric moisture content threshold value set by farmers. Soil moisture sensor controllers, evapotranspiration controllers, and rain sensors have been shown to save 20%–92%, 20%–71%, and 7%–50% of water, respectively, while maintaining crop growth and quality. The optical sensor‐based system showed a better ability to assess crop and soil variability in the field than the on‐site measurements. The conventional controlled deficit irrigation technique was found to decrease the crop yield to less than 25% with water savings of up to 13%.
Ruthenium‐based complex dyes for dye‐sensitized solar cells
Authors: Wu Chun‐Guey
Published: June 2022

Dye‐sensitized solar cell (DSC) has been a promising new‐generation photovoltaic technique. Sensitizer is one of the most important parameters that determine the photovoltaic performance of a DSC. This review article shows the step‐by‐step procedure of how to design high photovoltaic performance ruthenium‐based complex dyes for DSC. The strategy includes the extension of the conjugated length of the anchoring and ancillary ligands as well as using multidentated ligand and strong sigma donor to red‐shift to λmax of the metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer band and increase molar absorption coefficient, fine‐tune the functionality of the ligand to enhance dye regeneration, and using non‐mono‐dentated ligand to improve the dye stability. The review focuses on basic chemistry rather than the photovoltaic performance comparison between the ruthenium dyes introduced in this article.
Carbapenem antibiotic stress increases blaKPC‐2 gene relative copy number and bacterial resistance levels of Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Chen Huimin , Li Na , Wang Fang , Wang Lei , Liang Wei
Published: June 2022

Background

The clinical isolation rates of carbapenem‐resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR‐KP) continue to increase. In China, clinical CR‐KP isolates are mainly attributed to the blaKPC‐2 gene carried on plasmids, and the blaKPC‐2 copy number correlates with the expression of KPC enzymes, which can cause elevated carbapenem MICs.

Methods

Thirty‐seven CR‐KP isolates were collected at the Second People’s Hospital of Lianyungang City between January 2020 and March 2021, with no duplicate isolates, and were screened for the blaKPC‐2 gene with PCR. Analysis of current CRKP resistance to clinically relevant antimicrobials using the bioMérieux VITEK® 2 bacterial identification card. The multilocus sequence types of the strains were confirmed with PCR and DNA sequencing. Recombinant plasmids pET20b‐blaKPC‐2 and pET20b‐CpsG were constructed, and the copy numbers of the recombinant plasmids per unit volume was calculated based on the molecular weight of the plasmids. After the genomes DNA of clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae carrying the blaKPC‐2 gene were purified, the blaKPC‐2 gene relative copy number in individual K. pneumoniae strains was indicated by the double standard curve method. Detection of MIC values changes of K. pneumoniae under imipenem selection pressure by broth microdilution method.

Results

Among the 37 CR‐KP strains isolated, only the blaKPC‐2 gene was detected in 30 strains, three strains were positive for the blaNDM‐1 gene, two strains carried both the blaKPC‐2 and blaNDM‐1 genes, and two strains without detectable carbapenem resistance genes. The ST11 clone was predominant among the 37 carbapenem‐resistant K. pneumoniae isolates. Drug sensitivity testing showed that except for polymyxins (100% susceptible) and tigecycline (75.7% intermediate), the 37 CR‐KP strains were resistant to almost all antimicrobial drugs. The blaKPC‐2 relative copy number in nine ST11 clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae was 7.64 ± 2.51 when grown on LB plates but 27.67 ± 13.04 when grown on LB plates containing imipenem. Among these nine isolates, five CRKP strains exhibited elevated MICs to imipenem, while the remaining four strains showed unchanged MIC values to imipenem.

Conclusion

Carbapenem‐resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates may have multiple pathways to achieve high levels of carbapenem resistance, and moderate carbapenem pressure can increase the copy number of KPC enzyme genes in CRKP strains and enhance the degree of carbapenem resistance in the strains.
Predicting the depressive status using empirical dietary inflammatory index in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody‐associated vasculitis
Authors: Lee Joo Hye , Yun Jan‐Di , Whang Jeong Yeop , Pyo Jung Yoon , Ahn Sung Soo , Song Jason Jungsik , Park Yong‐Beom , Lee Sang‐Won
Published: June 2022

Background

This study investigated whether the empirical dietary inflammatory index (eDII) score is associated with the inflammatory burden as well as the depressive status in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody‐associated vasculitis (AAV).

Methods

Eighty‐four patients with AAV participated in this study. Birmingham vasculitis activity score (BVAS) and short‐form 36‐item Health Survey mental component summary (SF‐36 MCS) were considered as indices assessing the inflammatory burden and depressive status, respectively. The eDII includes 16 food components and consists of three groups: −9 to −2, the low eDII group; −1 to +1, the moderate eDII group; and +2 to +10, the high eDII group. Furthermore, the lower eDII group includes both the low and moderate eDII groups.

Results

The median age was 64.5 years (36 men). The eDII scores inversely correlated with SF‐36 MCS (r = −0.298, p = 0.006) but not with BVAS. SF‐36 MCS significantly differ between the lower and higher eDII groups (69.7 vs. 56.7, p = 0.016), but not among the low, moderate and high eDII groups. Additionally, when patients with AAV were divided into two groups according to the upper limit of the lowest tertile of SF‐36 MCS of 55.31, patients in the higher eDII group exhibited a significantly higher risk for the lowest tertile of SF‐36 MCS than those in the lower eDII group (RR 3.000).

Conclusion

We demonstrated for the first time that the eDII could predict the depressive status by estimating SF‐36 MCS without utilising K‐CESD‐R ≥ 16 in patients with AAV.
Coagulation parameters in lung cancer patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Bayleyegn Biruk , Adane Tiruneh , Getawa Solomon , Aynalem Melak , Kifle Zemen Demelash
Published: June 2022

Background

Hypercoagulability in lung cancer patients is associated with a high incidence of mortality and morbidity in the world. Therefore, this meta‐analysis aimed to explore the correlation of the basic coagulation abnormalities in lung cancer patients compared with the control.

Method

PubMed, Scopus, and other sources were employed to identify eligible studies. The outcome variable was expressed using mean ± standard deviation (SD). Heterogeneity among studies and publication bias were evaluated. The quality of included studies was also assessed based on Newcastle–Ottawa Scale checklist.

Result

Finally, through a total of eight studies, prolonged prothrombin time (PT; standard mean difference [SMD]: 1.29; 95% CI: 0.47–2.11), plasma D‐dimer value (SMD 3.10; 95% CI 2.08–4.12), fibrinogen (SMD 2.18; 95% CI:1.30–3.06), and platelet (PLT) count (SMD 1.00; 95% CI 0.84–1.16) were significantly higher in lung cancer patients when compared with the control group. The single‐arm meta‐analysis also showed that compared with control, lung cancer patients had high pooled PT 13.7 (95% CI:12.2–15.58) versus 11.79 (95% CI = 10.56–13.02), high D‐dimer 275.99 (95% CI:172.9–11735.9) versus 0.2 (95% CI:0.20–0.37), high plasma fibrinogen 5.50 (95% CI:4.21–6.79) versus 2.5 (95% CI:2.04–2.91), and high PLT count 342.3 (95% CI:236.1–448.5) versus 206.6 (95% CI:176.4–236.7).

Conclusion

In conclusion, almost all the coagulation abnormalities were closely associated with lung cancer, and hence coagulation indexes provide an urgent clue for early diagnosis and timely management.