bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vertical Line Requirements and North Atlantic Right Whale Entanglement Risk Reduction for the Gulf of Maine American Lobster Fishery
Authors: Willse Nathaniel , Summers Erin , Chen Yong
Published: April 2022

In the U.S. western Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic right whales Eubalaena glacialis are subject to gear entanglement in fixed-gear vertical line fisheries, with mortality risk increasing with line strength and spatial density. U.S. federal management agencies have mandated vertical line strength limits (235.033-kg-m [1,700-ft-lb] breaking strength) to curtail the injury and mortality risk that entanglement poses to right whales. Limiting the strength of vertical lines used in the trap fishery for American lobster Homarus americanus, however, could negatively impact the economic resilience of New England fishing communities if it forces the purchase of new equipment or increases the incidence of break-offs and lost gear. We provide a novel look at the spatially distinct vertical line strength requirements for the Maine American lobster trap fishery. The hauling load requirements of the fishery were modeled using measurements of strain put on vertical lines used in typical lobster trap operations to determine the minimum strength necessary to fish safely and avoid dangerous line breaks. New regulations on minimum trawl lengths (number of traps fished per vertical line) taking effect in 2022 will cause increases in lobster fishery vertical line loads across all fishing grounds, considerably increasing with depth and distance from shore. Our models indicated that inshore areas can be safely fished with vertical lines within the recommended whale-safe 235.033-kg-m (1,700-ft-lb) breaking strength specification, whereas the offshore lobster fishery will need a suite of measures beyond line strength reductions to reduce entanglement risk and mortality of right whales. We provide guidelines for the minimum line strength necessary for fishery operations, which can be used to inform management goals that balance the need for a sustainable lobster fishery and the conservation of right whales.
Quality management system and design of an integrated mesoscale meteorological network in Central Italy
Authors: Silvestri Lorenzo , Saraceni Miriam , Bongioannini Cerlini Paolina
Published: April 2022

The current evolution of numerical weather prediction models, climate applications, warning and decision support systems needs more information at increasingly finer scales. In this context, mesoscale meteorological networks (mesonets) can provide essential observations for the international community. However, they often suffer from the absence of a national and international coordination, scarce maintenance, inadequate data quality and redundancy. An integrated network design and the implementation of a unified quality management system could reveal the full socio‐economical benefits of mesonet information. This study provides a general procedure to realize an efficient and high‐quality mesonet starting from existing fragmented networks. The process starts by defining a network quality management system (NQMS), which is responsible for the station maintenance and the data quality control (QC) procedures. Stations are first classified based on their primary purpose, their landscape and the instruments siting and exposure in the station enclosure. Then, their quality performances are evaluated by a complex QC system made by numerous QC tests, whose specifications are tailored to the main surface observations. Finally, an integrated network design procedure is provided to identify observational lack and planning site interventions. The design is based on the purpose of the network and all the information gathered by the NQMS. Spatial, meteorological, climate and financial considerations are then used to decide whether to add, remove or modify observations. This procedure is tested in the Umbria region, Central Italy, where its implementation would lead to a considerable advancement in terms of regional weather and climate services.
Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis based on cell‐free DNA for tuberous sclerosis: A pilot study
Authors: Yang Xiao‐Yan , Meng Yan , Wang Yang‐Yang , Lu Yan‐Ping , Wang Qiu‐Hong , You Yan‐Qin , Xie Xiao‐Xiao , Bai Ling , Fang Nan , Zou Li‐Ping
Published: April 2022

Background

Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) based on cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) has been introduced into the clinical application for some monogenic disorders but not for tuberous sclerosis (TSC) yet, which is an autosomal dominant disease caused by various variations in TSC1 or TSC2 gene. We aimed to explore the feasibility of NIPD on TSC.

Methods

We recruited singleton pregnancies at risk of TSC from 14 families with a proband child. Definitive NIPD for TSC was performed using targeted next‐generation sequencing of cfDNA in parallel with maternal white blood cell DNA (wbcDNA). The NIPD results were validated by amniocentesis or postnatal gene testing and follow‐up of the born children.

Results

Missense mutations, nonsense mutations, frameshift mutations, and splice‐site variants which were obtained through de‐novo, maternal, or paternal inheritance were included. The mean and minimum gestational weeks of NIPD were 17.18 ± 5.83 and 8 weeks, respectively. The NIPD results were 100% consistent with the amniocentesis or postnatal gene testing and follow‐up of the born children.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that NIPD based on cfDNA is feasible for TSC, but required to be confirmed with more samples. Studies on TSC can contribute to the application and promotion of NIPD for monogenic disorders.
Evaluating Single- Versus Chase-Boat Low-Frequency Electrofishing for Assessing Flathead Catfish and Blue Catfish Populations in a Large River
Authors: Pritt Jeremy J. , Tyszko Stephen M. , Conroy Joseph D. , Zweifel Richard D.
Published: April 2022

Fisheries managers commonly use low-frequency electrofishing to survey Flathead Catfish Pylodictis olivaris and Blue Catfish Ictalurus furcatus populations; however, inconsistent methods prohibit comparisons among studies. Here, we simultaneously sampled Flathead Catfish and Blue Catfish to compare single- and chase-boat low-frequency electrofishing configurations in five Ohio River navigational pools and inform standard sampling of these catfishes. Our objectives were to (1) compare Flathead Catfish and Blue Catfish CPUE among length categories, (2) evaluate the prevalence of high-catch samples, and (3) determine the number of 15-min electrofishing sites needed to achieve predefined precision and catch objectives between single- and chase-boat configurations. The chase-boat configuration produced greater catches of both Flathead Catfish (mean total CPUE was 44.6 fish/h for the chase-boat configuration versus 32.8 fish/h for the single-boat configuration) and Blue Catfish (mean total CPUE of 6.8 fish/h for the chase-boat configuration versus 2.8 fish/h for the single-boat configuration). Zero-inflated negative binomial models revealed that CPUE was greater with the chase boat for both Flathead Catfish and Blue Catfish across substock, stock–quality, and quality and larger length categories. High-CPUE samples (total CPUE >52 Flathead Catfish/h or >8 Blue Catfish/h) were more likely with the chase-boat configuration than the single-boat configuration. We found that a similar number of sites were needed to achieve the precision objective (relative standard error of CPUE <25%) for both configurations for Flathead Catfish; however, to achieve the precision objective for Blue Catfish, more single-boat sites/pool were needed compared to chase-boat sites/pool. To achieve the catch objective (capture 100 stock-length catfish/pool), more single-boat sites/pool were needed than chase-boat sites/pool for both species. Our results suggest that using a chase boat better indexes the abundance of Flathead and Blue catfish, particularly when high catches are possible. However, more research is needed to inform the standardization of low-frequency electrofishing for sampling catfishes in large river systems.
A phase‐field based model for coupling two‐phase flow with the motion of immersed rigid bodies
Authors: Reder Martin , Hoffrogge Paul W. , Schneider Daniel , Nestler Britta
Published: April 2022

The interaction of immersed rigid bodies with two‐phase flow is of high interest in many applications. A model for the coupling of a Hohenberg–Halperin type model for two‐phase flow and a fictitious domain method for consideration of rigid bodies is introduced leading to a full multiphase‐field method to address the overall problem. A normalized phase variable is used alongside a method for application of wetting boundary conditions over a diffuse fluid‐solid interface. This enables the representation of capillary effects and different wetting behavior based on Young's law. A number of simulations is conducted in order to validate the model and highlight its ability to handle a variety of setups for two‐phase particulate flow. This includes dynamic wetting situations, the motion of multiple particles within the two‐phase flow and the interaction with arbitrarily shaped solid structures inside the domain.
Beyond ‘desirable’ values: Expanding relational values research to reflect the diversity of human–nature relationships
Authors: Hoelle Jeffrey , Gould Rachelle K. , Tauro Alejandra
Published: April 2022

In recent years, environmental values have become increasingly important for understanding human–environment relationships and transitions towards sustainability. Pluralistic valuation seeks to account for values associated with the diversity of human–nature relationships. Relational values (RV) have been proposed as a concept that can aid in plural valuation.

RV concern the relationships that people have with their environments. Most RV studies focus on ‘desirable’ or ‘beneficial’ RV that contribute to pro‐environmental actions and sustainable outcomes. We argue that RV could be expanded to understand values that may be less environmentally beneficial. We focus our analysis on RV that exist in ‘simplified’ landscapes.

Drawing on our research on cattle‐based livelihoods in Latin America, we highlight potential approaches to the study of RV in such simplified landscapes. We then build on the examples to examine themes and principles of RV with the aim of stimulating discussion about how the concept might be refined and expanded to study a broader range of human–environment relationships.

Overall, our aim is to contribute to plural valuation and offer preliminary suggestions for how RV might expand to capture the complexity of values, from those that are desirable to those which contribute to environmental degradation. Expanding the scope of RV research and the depth of the RV concept can help to understand the challenges to sustainability and contribute to the shared goals of sustainability that motivate values research.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Hybrid structures for Achilles' tendon repair
Authors: Peixoto Tânia , Carneiro Sofia , Pereira Fábio , Santos Cristóvão , Fangueiro Raúl , Duarte Isabel , Paiva Maria C. , Lopes Maria A. , Guedes Rui M.
Published: April 2022

The management of extensive tendon injuries poses a considerable challenge. These cases typically require a partial replacement of the tissue, and conventional treatment options, either grafts or synthetic constructs, present disadvantages. Synthetic constructs may be produced with either non‐biodegradable or biodegradable polymers. However, while the former lacks biointegration, the latter requires a compromise between tissue ingrowth and biodegradability, frequently malfunctioning due to inadequate mechanical properties. The present work presents a textile medical device designed to repair the Achilles tendon (AT). This device is based on a core/shell design that mimics the multiscale organization of the native tissue. The core comprises several hybrid braids based on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) yarns, and the shell consists on braided PET yarns surrounding the core. Different PET/PLA compositions of the core braids were studied to optimize biodegradability without compromising mechanical performance. The morphology and mechanical properties of the structures were studied. The hybrid structures presented a non‐linear force–strain curve comparable to a representative curve described for a native tendon. A decrease in force and stiffness was observed as the PLA content in the structure increased. Nevertheless, the obtained values for the hybrid structures are promising for AT replacement. Besides, these hybrid structures demonstrated appropriate resistance to cyclic loading and a beneficial creep behavior. The results obtained in the present work fall within the range of values reported for the native AT.
Constructing a novel synergistic flame retardant by hybridization of zeolitic imidazolate framework‐67 and graphene oxide for thermoplastic polyurethane
Authors: Liu Qinyong , Wang Huawei , Li Hefu , Sun Jun , Gu Xiaoyu , Zhang Sheng
Published: April 2022

To enhance the flame retardancy and smoke suppression of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a novel flame retardant ZIF‐67@GO was fabricated by hybridization of zeolitic imidazolate framework‐67 (ZIF‐67) and graphene oxide (GO). The flame retardancy of TPU sample was significantly enhanced by the presence of 6.5 wt% ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and 0.5 wt% ZIF‐67@GO: the limit oxygen index (LOI) reached 27.4% and UL‐94 grade passed V‐0, the peak heat release rate (pHRR) and peak smoke production rate (pSPR) values was dropped by 81.2% and 48.7%, respectively, comparing with that of the control sample. The burning time of the flame‐retardant TPU sample was prolonged to more than 600 s from 200 s of the control TPU sample during the cone test. Additionally, the tensile strength and elongation ratio of the flame‐retardant TPU reached 18.3 MPa and 1026.3%, respectively, which meet the requirement in most industrial applications. This work provides useful information to produce flame retardant synergists for polymeric composites.
Effects of printing direction on quasi‐static and dynamic compressive behavior of 3D printed short fiber reinforced polyamide‐based composites
Authors: Wang Kui , Xiang Jiangyang , Wang Jin , Xie Guoquan , Liu Yisen , Peng Yong , Rao Yanni , Matadi Boumbimba Rodrigue
Published: April 2022

This paper investigated the effects of printing directions (path of nozzle movement) and strain rates on the performances of short carbon and glass fibers filled polyamide‐based composites prepared by fused deposition modeling (FDM). Cylindrical specimens printed in three different printing directions were compressed at a wide range of strain rate. The results showed that, for short fiber reinforced polyamide, the compressive properties of cylindrical specimens were affected by printing directions closely associated with the fiber orientation. The highest elastic modulus and yield strength of short fiber reinforced specimens were obtained when the printing direction was parallel to the applied loading direction, because the orientation of short fibers was preferred to the printing direction. However, at large deformation, the orientation of fibers in specimens changed, accompanied by a decrease in stress. With increasing strain rates, the short fiber reinforced polyamide with different fiber orientations showed different failure modes. However, the compressive behaviors of pure polyamide were similar, although they were printed in different printing directions.
Effects of process conditions on tensile strength and crystallinity of polymeric parts fabricated using ultrasonic vibration‐assisted injection molding
Authors: Liu Ying , Zhao Xueli , Hua Weijian , Yu Tongmin , Zhao Danyang , Jin Yifei , Zhu Tieli
Published: April 2022

Polymeric parts have been widely used for various applications and injection molding is one of the most commonly used approaches to fabricate polymeric parts. Both the mechanical properties and microstructures of fabricated parts are severely affected by the process conditions. In this article, polyamide (PA66) was selected as the exemplary polymer to make dogbone‐shaped polymeric specimens. First, the effects of key process parameters including melt temperature, mold temperature, injection pressure, and injection speed on the tensile strength and crystallinity of the specimens were systematically investigated. Then, the effects of external ultrasonic vibration field on the mechanical properties and microstructures were studied using tensile tests, X‐ray diffraction, and polarizing light microscope imaging. After that, the orthogonal experiments were designed to analyze the affecting extent of each process parameter and achieve the optimal combination of the process parameters. Finally, using the optimal process conditions, the polymeric part with the best tensile strength and crystallinity was successfully fabricated. The knowledge from this article can be expanded to the injection molding of polymeric parts from other polymers, unveiling the mechanisms during fabrication and providing guidelines for the selection of optimal process conditions in the future.
A shelf stable Fmoc hydrazine resin for the synthesis of peptide hydrazides
Authors: Bird Michael J. , Dawson Philip E.
Published: April 2022

C‐terminal hydrazides are an important class of synthetic peptides with an ever expanding scope of applications, but their widespread application for chemical protein synthesis has been hampered due to the lack of stable resin linkers for synthesis of longer and more challenging peptide hydrazide fragments. We present a practical method for the regeneration, loading, and storage of trityl‐chloride resins for the production of hydrazide containing peptides, leveraging 9‐fluorenylmethyl carbazate. We show that these resins are extremely stable under several common resin storage conditions. The application of these resins to solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) is demonstrated through the synthesis of the 40‐mer GLP‐1R agonist peptide “P5”. These studies support the broad utility of Fmoc‐NHNH‐Trt resins for SPPS of C‐terminal hydrazide peptides.
Investigating the relationship between emotion regulation strategies and self‐efficacy beliefs among adolescents: Implications for academic achievement
Authors: Zyberaj Jetmir
Published: April 2022

The present study sought to investigate the implications of emotion regulation strategies for academic achievement in adolescence. First, the relationship between various facets of emotion regulation strategies and self‐efficacy beliefs was investigated. Second, emotion regulation strategies were scrutinized in relation to academic achievement. Using a sample of middle school adolescents (N = 478; 181 female), from a collectivist society, the results of correlation analysis revealed positive and negative relationships between different facets of emotion regulation strategies and self‐efficacy beliefs. For instance, reappraisal (a positive emotion regulation strategy) was positively correlated with academic self‐efficacy, a critical facet for learning and academic achievement (r = .32,p < .01). Similarly, there were positive and negative correlations between emotion regulation strategies and academic achievement. Implications for both adolescents and schools are discussed.
Charge‐activated TADDOLs: Recyclable organocatalysts for asymmetric (hetero‐)Diels–Alder reactions
Authors: Riegel George F. , Takashige Keiji , Lovstedt Alex , Kass Steven R.
Published: April 2022

Several charge‐containing TADDOL salts were synthesized and used as organocatalysts in asymmetric Diels–Alder and hetero‐Diels–Alder reactions. Their catalytic activity was found to exceed that of a noncharged analog while maintaining or improving upon the enantioselectivity. The enhanced activities of the TADDOL salts enabled them to act as presumed hydrogen bond donor catalysts in the Diels–Alder and hetero‐Diels–Alder reactions of 1,3‐cyclohexadiene with methyl vinyl ketone at 40°C and 2‐phenoxy‐1,3‐butadiene with ethyl glyoxylate at room temperature, respectively. Given the ionic nature of these charge‐activated catalysts, it also proved possible to recycle and reuse the TADDOL without chromatography or the need for a recrystallization.
Mutation in MCL1 predicted loop to helix structural transition stabilizes MCL1–Bax binding interaction favoring cancer cell survival
Authors: Deepak Shyl Eby‐nesar Stella‐glory , Malgija Beutline , Iniyan Appadurai Muthamil , Vincent Samuel Gnana Prakash
Published: April 2022

Myeloid cell leukemia‐1 (MCL1), an anti‐apoptotic BCL‐2 family protein plays a major role in the control of apoptosis as the regulator of mitochondrial permeability which is deregulated in various solid and hematological malignancies. Interaction of the executioner proteins Bak/Bax with anti‐apoptotic MCL1 and its cellular composition determines the apoptotic or survival pathway. Mutations act at various levels in the apoptotic process and can contribute to disease. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in MCL1 gene was focused as they result in changes in the amino acid sequence and have been associated with tumorigenesis. This study highlighted the deleterious MCL1‐Bax stabilizing effect of the mutation V220F on MCL1 structure through computational protein–protein interaction predictions and molecular dynamics simulations. The single point mutation at V220F was selected as it is residing at the hydrophobic core region of BH3 conserved domain, the site of Bax binding. The molecular dynamics simulation studies showed increase in stability of the mutated MCL1 before and after Bax binding comparable with the native MCL1. The clusters from free energy landscape found out structural variation in folding pattern with additional helix near the BH3 domain in the mutated structure. This loop to helix structural change in the mutated complex favored stable interaction of the complex and also induced Bax conformational change. Moreover, molecular mechanics‐based binding free energy calculations confirmed increased affinity of Bax toward mutated MCL1. Residue‐wise interaction network analysis showed the individual residues in Bax binding responsible for the change in stability and interaction due to the protein mutation. In conclusion, the overall findings from the study reveal that the presence of V220F mutation on MCL1 is responsible for the structural confirmational change leading to disruption of its biological functions which might be responsible for tumorigenesis. The mutation could possibly be used as future diagnostic markers in treating cancers.
Quantitative resilient investigation using RIPSHA approach and ANOVA validation for the ammonia storage unit
Authors: Rathinam Pramoth , Subburaj Sudha , Roseline A Ameelia , Kalaiselvam Siva
Published: April 2022

Ammonia is one of the most widely used chemicals in the processing industry. It is used as a refrigerant and substrate in various process fields. Almost every unit operation uses ammonia, and the storage and handling of ammonia require special attention in terms of inherent system safety. Controlling the catastrophic release of ammonia from the installed facility is a challenging process. In this paper, the resilient nature of the ammonia storage area in a fertilizer manufacturing plant in the southern part of the Indian subcontinent was considered. The resilience of the ammonia storage area is analyzed using the Resilience‐based Integrated Process System Hazard Analysis and statistically validated using one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA). With the ANOVA validation method, the f‐values of subsystems are endorsed at a significance level of 0.05 both before and after recommendations were made. After implementing the statistically validated recommendations, the risk of each subsystem is significantly reduced. It has been determined that subsystems, namely process safety systems, operator/human hazards, and operational discipline require, immediate attention.
Ferroelectricity and Piezoelectric Response of (Sc,Y)N/(Al,Ga,In)N Monolayer Alternating Stacked Structures by First‐Principles Calculations
Authors: Sun Jianan , Zhang Jianfei , Yan Junying , Wang Yinglong , Lou Jianzhong , Yan Xiaobing , Guo Jianxin
Published: April 2022

Group III‐nitrides with doping recently attract great interest because of their outstanding ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties. Herein, the spontaneous polarization and piezoelectricity of the wurtzite III‐nitrides (AN, A = Al, Ga, In) with the rare earth element (R = Sc, Y) doping (w‐R0.5A0.5N) are investigated by first‐principles calculations. The polar w‐R0.5A0.5N and nonpolar h‐R0.5A0.5N are stable, which is proved by the elastic constants and phonon band structures. The w‐Sc0.5In0.5N and w‐Y0.5In0.5N can be applied to the ferroelectric field owing to their very small ferroelectric switching barriers (0.149 eV for w‐Sc0.5In0.5N and 0.042 eV for w‐Y0.5In0.5N) with large ferroelectric polarization (1.088  C m−2 for w‐Sc0.5In0.5N and 0.937  C m−2 for w‐Y0.5In0.5N). Furthermore, the w‐Y0.5In0.5N has a large piezoelectric strain constant d33 (14.018 pC N−1) based on the elastic constant C33 softening and the increase of the piezoelectric constant e33, which is three times larger than that of w‐InN (4.191 pC N−1). It is found that the biaxial tensile strain of 2% along in‐place significantly enhances the d33 and e33, which increase to 35.572 pC N−1 and 2.669  C m−2 from 14.018 pC N−1 and 1.700  C m−2 of free w‐Y0.5In0.5N, respectively.
The performance of approximateEOM‐CCSDfor ionization potential and electron affinity of genetic material subunits: A benchmark investigation
Authors: Tripathi Divya , Dutta Achintya Kumar
Published: April 2022

We present a benchmark investigation on the performance of various approximate EOM‐CCSD methods for the ionization potential and electron affinity of the genetic material subunits. Our test set consists of 22 molecules, and the canonical EOM‐CCSD method has been used as the reference. Our study shows that the accuracy of approximate methods varies largely for different quantities. However, the pair natural orbital (PNO) based EOM‐CCSD method gives a proper balance between computational cost and accuracy, more suitable than the methods based on perturbative approximation to study properties related to ionization and electron attachment to genetic materials.
Quantum Communication Using Semiconductor Quantum Dots
Authors: Vajner Daniel A. , Rickert Lucas , Gao Timm , Kaymazlar Koray , Heindel Tobias
Published: April 2022

Worldwide, enormous efforts are directed toward the development of the so‐called quantum internet. Turning this long‐sought‐after dream into reality is a great challenge that will require breakthroughs in quantum communication and computing. To establish a global, quantum‐secured communication infrastructure, photonic quantum technologies will doubtlessly play a major role, by providing and interfacing essential quantum resources, for example, flying‐ and stationary qubits or quantum memories. Over the last decade, significant progress has been made in the engineering of on‐demand quantum light sources based on semiconductor quantum dots, which enable the generation of close‐to‐ideal single‐ and entangled‐photon states, useful for applications in quantum information processing. This review focuses on implementations of, and building blocks for, quantum communication using quantum‐light sources based on epitaxial semiconductor quantum dots. After reviewing the main notions of quantum communication and introducing the devices used for single‐photon and entangled‐photon generation, an overview of experimental implementations of quantum key distribution protocols using quantum dot based quantum light sources is provided. Furthermore, recent progress toward quantum‐secured communication networks as well as building blocks thereof is summarized. The article closes with an outlook, discussing future perspectives in the field and identifying the main challenges to be solved.
Stochastic fixed‐time formation for nonlinear multi‐agent systems under a discontinuous protocol
Authors: He Wennuo , Guo Wanli , Shi Lili , Sun Wen , Jahanshahi Hadi
Published: April 2022

This article mainly studies the time‐varying fixed‐time formation (FTF) tracking control problem for stochastically disturbed nonlinear multi‐agent systems on detail balanced graphs. First, a novel sufficient condition for ensuring the fixed‐time stability in probability of stochastic differential equation is given. Then, using the neighboring information, a simple discontinuous control protocol is designed for achieving time‐varying FTF. By means of non‐smooth analysis techniques, our control objective is obtained and a proper upper bound for the expectation of the stochastic settling time is estimated. Finally, a numerical illustration demonstrates that the proposed control protocol is effective.
Neuroadaptive learning algorithm for constrained nonlinear systems with disturbance rejection
Authors: Yang Guichao , Yao Jianyong , Dong Zhenle
Published: April 2022

For practical plants, there are not only inevitable endogenous and exogenous disturbances, but also constraint demands for control input amplitude, output performance, and system states. The existing controllers are difficult to handle the aforementioned control issues simultaneously and may be affected by “explosion of complexity.” In this work, we will develop a neuroadaptive learning algorithm for constrained nonlinear systems with disturbance rejection. In detail, the performance prescribed function and time‐varying barrier Lyapunov functions will be constructed to achieve the prescribed output performance and time‐varying state constraints, respectively. Furthermore, the neural network adaptive control and the extended state observers will be combined to respectively estimate the endogenous uncertainties and exogenous disturbances on‐line and meanwhile compensate for them feedforwardly. In particular, a filter will be introduced to estimate the virtual control law at each procedure, and this filtered value will replace its actual value in synthesizing the controller. In addition, the filtering errors and input saturation nonlinearity will be compensated by introducing an auxiliary system. Eventually, the whole closed‐loop stability is strictly guaranteed and the achievable control performance is verified by the application results.
Sharp threshold for the Erdős–Ko–Rado theorem
Authors: Balogh József , Krueger Robert A. , Luo Haoran
Published: April 2022

For positive integers and with , the Kneser graph is the graph with vertex set consisting of all ‐sets of , where two ‐sets are adjacent exactly when they are disjoint. The independent sets of are ‐uniform intersecting families, and hence the maximum size independent sets are given by the Erdős–Ko–Rado Theorem. Let be a random spanning subgraph of where each edge is included independently with probability . Bollobás, Narayanan, and Raigorodskii asked for what does have the same independence number as with high probability. For , we prove a hitting time result, which gives a sharp threshold for this problem at . Additionally, completing work of Das and Tran and work of Devlin and Kahn, we determine a sharp threshold function for all .
Subgroup‐specific dose finding for phase I‐II trials using Bayesian clustering
Authors: Curtis Alexandra , Smith Brian , Chapple Andrew G.
Published: April 2022

In most models and algorithms for dose‐finding clinical trials, it is assumed that the trial participants are homogeneous—the optimal dose is the same for all those who qualify for the trial. However, if there are heterogeneous populations who may benefit from the same treatment, it is inefficient to conduct dose‐finding separately for each group, and assuming homogeneity across all subpopulations may lead to identification of the incorrect dose for some (or all) subgroups. To accommodate heterogeneity in dose‐finding trials when both efficacy and toxicity outcomes must be used to identify the optimal dose (as in immunotherapeutic oncology treatments), we utilize an adaptive Bayesian clustering method which borrows strength among similar subgroups and clusters truly homogeneous subgroups. Unlike methodology already described in the literature, our proposed methodology does not require the assumption of exchangeability between subgroups or a priori ordering of subgroups, but does allow for specification of different subgroup‐specific priors if prior information is available. We provide a comparison of operating characteristics between our method and Bayesian hierarchical models for subgroups in a variety of relevant scenarios. After simulation studies with four a priori subgroups, we observed that our method and the hierarchical models both outperform separate subgroup‐specific models when all subgroups have the same dose‐efficacy and dose‐toxicity curves. However, our method outperforms hierarchical models when one subgroup has a different dose‐efficacy or dose‐toxicity curve from the other three subgroups.
Distribution‐free model selection for longitudinal zero‐inflated count data with missing responses and covariates
Authors: Chen Chun‐Shu , Shen Chung‐Wei
Published: April 2022

In many medical and social science studies, count responses with excess zeros are very common and often the primary outcome of interest. Such count responses are usually generated under some clustered correlation structures due to longitudinal observations of subjects. To model such longitudinal count data with excess zeros, the zero‐inflated binomial (ZIB) models for bounded outcomes, and the zero‐inflated negative binomial (ZINB) and zero‐inflated poisson (ZIP) models for unbounded outcomes all are popular methods. To alleviate the effects of deviations from model assumptions, a semiparametric (or, distribution‐free) weighted generalized estimating equations has been proposed to estimate model parameters when data are subject to missingness. In this article, we further explore important covariates for the response variable. Without assumptions on the data distribution, a model selection criterion based on the expected weighted quadratic loss is proposed to select an appropriate subset of covariates, especially when count responses have excess zeros and data are subject to nonmonotone missingness in both responses and covariates. To understand the selection effects of the percentages of excess zeros and missingness, we design various scenarios for covariate selection in the mean model via simulation studies and a real data example regarding the study of cardiovascular disease is also presented for illustration.
Shedding Light on Luminescent Janus Nanoparticles: From Synthesis to Photoluminescence and Applications
Authors: Yuan Shanshan , Wang Jing , Xiang Yi , Zheng Shanshan , Wu Yihan , Liu Jinliang , Zhu Xiaohui , Zhang Yong
Published: April 2022

Luminescent Janus nanoparticles refer to a special category of Janus‐based nanomaterials that not only exhibit dual‐asymmetric surface nature but also attractive optical properties. The introduction of luminescence has endowed conventional Janus nanoparticles with many alluring light‐responsive functionalities and broadens their applications in imaging, sensing, nanomotors, photo‐based therapy, etc. The past few decades have witnessed significant achievements in this field. This review first summarizes well‐established strategies to design and prepare luminescent Janus nanoparticles and then discusses optical properties of luminescent Janus nanoparticles based on downconversion and upconversion photoluminescence mechanisms. Various emerging applications of luminescent Janus nanoparticles are also introduced. Finally, opportunities and future challenges are highlighted with respect to the development of next‐generation luminescent Janus nanoparticles with diverse applications.
Electrostatic Charge‐Mediated Apoptotic Vesicle Biodistribution Attenuates Sepsis by Switching Neutrophil NETosis to Apoptosis
Authors: Ou Qianmin , Tan Lingping , Shao Yiting , Lei Fangcao , Huang Weiying , Yang Ning , Qu Yan , Cao Zeyuan , Niu Luhan , Liu Yao , Kou Xiaoxing , Shi Songtao
Published: April 2022

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy can attenuate organ damage and reduce mortality in sepsis; however, the detailed mechanism is not fully elucidated. In this study, it is shown that MSC‐derived apoptotic vesicles (apoVs) can ameliorate multiple organ dysfunction and improve survival in septic mice. Mechanistically, it is found that tail vein‐infused apoVs mainly accumulate in the bone marrow of septic mice via electrostatic charge interactions with positively charged neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Moreover, apoVs switch neutrophils NETosis to apoptosis via the apoV‐Fas ligand (FasL)‐activated Fas pathway. In summary, these findings uncover a previously unknown role of apoVs in sepsis treatment and an electrostatic charge‐directed target therapeutic mechanism, suggesting that cell death is associated with disease development and therapy.
Transport Modulation Through Electronegativity Gating in Multiple Nitrogenous Circuits
Authors: Duan Ping , Wang Yaping , Chen Lichuan , Qu Kai , Liu Junyang , Zhang Qian‐Chong , Chen Zhong‐Ning , Hong Wenjing
Published: April 2022

Investigating the correlations of electron transport between multiple channels shows vital promises for the design of molecule‐scale circuits with logic operations. To control the electron transport through multiple channels, the modulation of electronegativity shows an effective frontier orbit control method with high universality to explore the interactions between transport channels. Here, two series of compounds with a single nitrogenous conductive channel (Sg) and dual‐channels (Db) are designed to explore the influence of electronegativity on electron tunneling transport. Single‐molecule conductance measured via the scanning tunneling microscope break junction technique (STM‐BJ) reveals that the conductance of Db series is significantly suppressed as the electronegativity of nitrogen becomes negative, while the suppression on Sg is less obvious. Theoretical calculations confirm that the effect of electronegativity extends to a dispersive range of molecular frameworks owing to the delocalized orbital distribution from the dual‐channel structure, resulting in a more significant conductance suppression effect than that on the single‐channel. This study provides the experimental and theoretical potentials of electronegativity gating for molecular circuits.
Magnetization Precession at Sub‐Terahertz Frequencies in Polycrystalline Cu2Sb‐Type (Mn–Cr)AlGe Ultrathin Films
Authors: Sasaki Yuta , Hiramatsu Ryoya , Kota Yohei , Kubota Takahide , Sonobe Yoshiaki , Sakuma Akimasa , Takanashi Koki , Kasai Shinya , Takahashi Yukiko K.
Published: April 2022

A ferromagnetic metal nanolayer with a large perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, small saturation magnetization, and small magnetic damping constant is a crucial requirement for high‐speed spintronic devices. Fabrication of these devices on Si/SiO2amorphous substrates with polycrystalline structure is also strongly desired for the mass production industry. This study involves the investigation of sub‐terahertz (THz) magnetization precessional motion in a newly developed material system consisting of Cu2Sb‐type MnAlGe and (Mn–Cr)AlGe films by means of an all‐optical pump‐probe method. These materials exhibit large perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in regions of a few nanometers in size. The pseudo‐2D crystal structures are clearly observed in the high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images for the film samples grown on thermally oxidized silicon substrates. The TEM images also show a partial substitution of Cr atoms for the Mn sites in MnAlGe. A magnetization precession frequency of 0.164 THz with a relatively small effective magnetic damping constant of 0.012 is obtained for (Mn–Cr)AlGe. Theoretical calculation infers that the modification of the total density of states by Cr substitution decreases the intrinsic magnetic damping constant of (Mn–Cr)AlGe.
Mechanistic Study of Interfacial Modification for Stable Zn Anode Based on a Thin Separator
Authors: Li Qing , Yan Boxun , Wang Donghong , Yang Qi , Huang Zhaodong , Fan Jun , Dai Ming , Chen Wenshuai , Zhi Chunyi
Published: April 2022

The interface plays a pivotal role in stabilizing metal anode. Extensive studies have been made but systematic research is lacking. In this study, preliminary studies are conducted to explore the prime conditions of interfacial modification to approach the practical requirements. Critical factors including reaction kinetics, transport rate, and modulus are identified to affect the Zn anode morphology significantly. The fundamental principle to enhance the Zn anode stability is systematically studied using the TEMPO‐oxidized cellulose nanofiber (TOCNF) coating layer with thin a separator. Its advantageous mechanical properties buffer the huge volume variation. The existence of hydrophilic TOCNF in the Zn anode interface enhances the mass transfer process and alters the Zn2+ distribution with a record high double‐layer capacitance (390 uF cm−2). With the synergetic effect, the modified Zn anode works stably under 5 mA cm−2 with a thin nonwoven paper as the separator (thickness 113 µm). At an ultra‐high current density of 10 mA cm−2, this coated anode cycles for more than 300 h. This strategy shows an immense potential to drive the Zn anode forward toward practical applications.
Combination Mechanism and Structural Properties of Complexes between Lipid and Small Granule Starch Isolated from Agriophyllum squarrosum (L.) Moq. Seeds
Authors: Cao Shaopan , Yu Yingtao , Yin Yaping , Wang Longxia , Ma Jingwen , Xu Jiaxin , Xiao Liuyang , Thakur Kiran , Han Lihong
Published: April 2022

This study investigates the combination mechanism and structural properties of Agriophyllum squarrosum (A. squarrosum) starch (AS)‐lipid complexes during pasting in the rapid viscosity analyzer compared with maize starch (MS)‐lipid complexes. AS‐dodecanoic acid (DA) and MS‐DA samples with lipid contents of 0–125 mg, and starch‐DA samples with different RVA pasting times (8–13 min) are prepared and characterized. Complexing index (CI) analyses show the peak of CI values occurred at 2.5 g starch with 62.5 mg DA for both mixtures, and there are two peaks of the complexes amount for AS‐DA systems compared with one of which for MS‐DA systems. The hardness of starch‐lipid gels decreases significantly (p < 0.05) as the lipid content increases from 0 to 75 mg or as time went on in one RVA protocol. Enthalpy change, structural order, and resistant starch content during the gelation of the mixtures indicated starch‐lipid complexes are mainly formed during the setback stage for two starches, and AS‐DA complexes underwent a process of combination‐disruption‐recombination‐disruption with ongoing cooling. These results reveal the formation process and structural properties of AS‐DA complexes during the retrogradation process and provided a better understanding of rational utilization of A. squarrosum starch.
Chitosan‐Based Films in Drug Delivery Applications
Authors: Radha Divya , Lal Jisha S. , Devaky K. S.
Published: April 2022

The idea of controlled release of the pharmaceutical active ingredients in the human body has become a major thrust for designing sophisticated drug delivery systems. The mandatory requirement for developing these delivery vehicles is to support the delivery of pharmaceutical drugs in a pharmokinetically controlled manner. Though a variety of synthetic polymers address the above mentioned conditions, their toxicity and high cost have ultimately hampered their role. Consequently, natural polymers owing to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and nontoxicity can be used for the successful designing of drug delivery supports. One such natural polymer extracted from crustaceans, is chitosan. Chitosan can be used in drug delivery in various forms like hydrogels, nanoparticles, nanofibers, films, etc. This review presents the properties of chitosan films and their pivotal role in various drug delivery approaches.
A study on the optimal use of soundless cracking demolition agents in fragmentations of concrete based on the extended finite element method
Authors: Zhong Zhen , Zhang Hao , Yang Xihua , Lou Rong , Liu Bin , Chi Yunfei , Chen Yifan
Published: April 2022

Soundless cracking technique has been widely applied in the demolition of rock and concrete structures because of its cleaner advantages compared with conventional explosive methods. However, the correlations between fracturing processes and characteristics of soundless cracking demolition agents (SCDAs) and the optimal use of SCDA in improving the efficiency of demolition are still poorly documented. In this concern, this study develops a reliable numerical model verified by experimental data to investigate the optimal use of SCDA in fragmentations of concrete based on the extended finite element method. The simulated results reveal that the minimum hole diameter is 26 mm required to break the concrete cube of 150 mm, and the crack process can be divided into three phases of initiation, propagation, and coalescence according to the energy release rate. Moreover, the proposed method is employed in simulating the crack process of meter‐scale concrete blocks with two predrilled holes, and the optimal hole spacing of 350 mm is then determined. This study provides some insights for improving the efficiency of SCDA in the field applications.
Recent trends in treatment technologies of emerging contaminants
Authors: Radwan Emad K. , Abdel Ghafar Hany H. , Ibrahim M.B.M. , Moursy Ahmed S.
Published: April 2022

In the recent years a group of contaminants, known collectively as emerging contaminants (ECs), have attracted considerable attention due to their widespread in the environment, and lack of knowledge on their impacts on ecosystem and human health. This review gives an overview on the sources, impacts, and conventional treatment technologies of ECs and an in‐depth review of the literature on the state‐of‐the‐art treatment technologies and their performance in the removal of ECs from water sources and drinking water. A careful statistical analysis of the number of publications on the different treatment technologies of ECs was performed to identify the hot spots in this research area. Conventional treatment technologies are not able to remove ECs sufficiently. The discharge of raw or partially treated wastewater is the main source of ECs in the environment. The research in recent years is focusing on using advanced treatment process (AOPs), followed by adsorption and membrane technologies. From a technical point of view, AOPs surpass other treatment technologies as they can completely eradicate ECs without the generation of side products. Developing efficient, green, and cost‐effective materials to be used as adsorbents, photocatalysts, membranes, or membrane fillers, is one of the main research trends nowadays. Combined AOPs based on exploiting solar light, ultrasound and electrochemistry are gaining growing interest and show high potential for the treatment of ECs.