bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acoustic measurements of suspended sediments in turbulent currents and comparison with in-situ samples
Authors: Thorne Peter D. , Hardcastle Peter J.
Published: July 2002

Increasingly in recent years the application of acoustic backscattering to the quantitative measurement of suspended sediment particle size and concentration at sea has gained acceptance. A number of works describing the interaction of sound with suspensions have been published, and the scattering properties of suspended sediments formulated. However, there have been relatively few experiments conducted in the marine environment, which have attempted to assess the accuracy of the acoustic measurements by direct comparison with in-situ samples, taken simultaneously with the acoustic observations. The purpose of the present work is to report on such an experiment, and to evaluate the accuracy of the acoustic technique. To this end multifrequency acoustic measurements of suspended sediment profiles were collected in an estuarine environment, subject to strong turbulent tidal currents, which generated high concentrations of suspended sediments. To obtain the sediment parameters from the acoustic data an inversion needs to be applied, and this inversion is examined here in some detail, particularly for the case when sediment attenuation is substantial. To assess the sediment parameters derived from the acoustic inversion, mean acoustic estimates of particle radius and concentration are compared with the benchmark of in-situ pumped sampling. In addition to the analysis of the mean data, high-resolution images of the suspension dynamics have been generated, and the validity of these observations appraised by evaluating the internal consistency of the multifrequency results.
Surface waves above thin porous layers saturated by air at ultrasonic frequencies
Authors: Kelders Luc , Lauriks Walter , Allard Jean F.
Published: July 2002

Experimental evidence of surface waves above thin porous layers of thickness varying from 1.8 to 6 mm of plastic foams having a porosity close to one is presented. Phase velocity measurements at 40 kHz indicate the presence of waves propagating slower than homogeneous plane waves. The pole of the reflection coefficient related to these waves is detected by near-field holography at 20 kHz. The different experimental results are compared with predictions obtained by replacing the air inside the layers by an equivalent fluid, and using methods developed in the context of electromagnetism to localize the poles of the reflection coefficient.
Analyzing head-related transfer function measurements using surface spherical harmonics
Authors: Evans Michael J. , Angus James A. S. , Tew Anthony I.
Published: July 2002

A continuous, functional representation of a large set of head-related transfer function measurements (HRTFs) is developed. The HRTFs are represented as a weighted sum of surface spherical harmonics (SSHs) up to degree 17. A Gaussian quadrature method is used to pick out a set of experimentally efficient measurement directions. Anechoic impulse responses are measured for these directions between a source loudspeaker and the entrance to the ear canal of a head-and-torso simulator (HATS). Three separate SSH analyses are carried out: The first forms a SSH representation from the time responses, with the variable onset delay caused by interaural differences intact, by applying the analysis to each time sample in turn. The second SSH model is formed in exactly the same way, except using impulse responses in which the variable onset delays have been equalized. The final SSH analysis is carried out in the frequency domain by applying the technique on a frequency bin by frequency bin basis to the magnitude and unwrapped phase responses of the HRTFs. The accuracy and interpolation performance of each of the computed SSH models is investigated, and the usefulness of the SSH technique in analyzing directional hearing and, particularly, in spatializing sounds is discussed.
A test of basin-scale acoustic thermometry using a large-aperture vertical array at 3250-km range in the eastern North Pacific Ocean
Authors: Worcester Peter F. , Cornuelle Bruce D. , Dzieciuch Matthew A. , Munk Walter H. , Howe Bruce M. , Mercer James A. , Spindel Robert C. , Colosi John A. , Metzger Kurt , Birdsall Theodore G. , Baggeroer Arthur B.
Published: July 2002

Broadband acoustic signals were transmitted during November 1994 from a 75-Hz source suspended near the depth of the sound-channel axis to a 700-m long vertical receiving array approximately 3250 km distant in the eastern North Pacific Ocean. The early part of the arrival pattern consists of raylike wave fronts that are resolvable, identifiable, and stable. The later part of the arrival pattern does not contain identifiable raylike arrivals, due to scattering from internal-wave-induced sound-speed fluctuations. The observed ray travel times differ from ray predictions based on the sound-speed field constructed using nearly concurrent temperature and salinity measurements by more than a priori variability estimates, suggesting that the equation used to compute sound speed requires refinement. The range-averaged ocean sound speed can be determined with an uncertainty of about 0.05 m/s from the observed ray travel times together with the time at which the near-axial acoustic reception ends, used as a surrogate for the group delay of adiabatic mode 1. The change in temperature over six days can be estimated with an uncertainty of about 0.006 °C. The sensitivity of the travel times to ocean variability is concentrated near the ocean surface and at the corresponding conjugate depths, because all of the resolved ray arrivals have upper turning depths within a few hundred meters of the surface.
Intensity discrimination of Gaussian-windowed tones: Indications for the shape of the auditory frequency-time window
Authors: van Schijndel Nicolle H. , Houtgast Tammo , Festen Joost M.
Published: July 2002

The just-noticeable difference in intensity jnd(I) was measured for 1-kHz tones with a Gaussian-shaped envelope as a function of their spectro-temporal shape. The stimuli, with constant energy and a constant product of bandwidth and duration, ranged from a long-duration narrow-band “tone” to a short-duration broadband “click.” The jnd(I) was measured in three normal-hearing listeners at sensation levels of 0, 10, 20, and 30 dB in 35 dB(A) SPL pink noise. At intermediate sensation levels, jnd(I) depends on the spectro-temporal shape: at the extreme shapes (tones and clicks), intensity discrimination performance is best, whereas at intermediate shapes the jnd(I) is larger. Similar results are observed at a higher overall sound level, and at a higher carrier frequency. The maximum jnd(I) is observed for stimuli with an effective bandwidth of about 1/3 octave and an effective duration of 4 ms at 1 kHz (1 ms at 4 kHz). A generalized multiple-window model is proposed that assumes that the spectro-temporal domain is partitioned into “internal” auditory frequency-time windows. The model predicts that intensity discrimination thresholds depend upon the number of windows excited by a signal: jnd(I) is largest for stimuli covering one window.
Acoustic recovery of lost power in pulse tube refrigerators
Authors: Swift G. W. , Gardner D. L. , Backhaus S.
Published: July 2002

In an efficient Stirling-cycle cryocooler, the cold piston or displacer recovers power from the gas. This power is dissipated into heat in the orifice of an orifice pulse tube refrigerator, decreasing system efficiency. Recovery of some of this power in a pulse tube refrigerator, without sacrificing the simplicity and reliability inherent in a system with no cold moving parts, is described in this paper. In one method of such power recovery, the hot ends of both the regenerator and the pulse tube are connected to the front of the piston driving the refrigerator. Experimental data is presented demonstrating this method using a thermoacoustic driver instead of a piston driver. Control of time-averaged mass flux through the refrigerator is crucial to this power recovery, lest the refrigerator’s cooling power be overwhelmed by a room-temperature mass flux. Two methods are demonstrated for control of mass flux: a barrier method, and a hydrodynamic method based on turbulent irreversible flow. At −55 °C, the refrigerator provided cooling with 9% of the Carnot coefficient of performance. With straightforward improvements, similar refrigerators should achieve efficiencies greater than those of prior pulse tube refrigerators and prior standing-wave thermoacoustic refrigerators, while maintaining the advantages of no moving parts.
Azimuthal tuning of human perceptual channels for sound location
Authors: Boehnke Susan E. , Phillips Dennis P.
Published: July 2002

Human sound localization is acute for frontal locations, but relatively poor in the lateral hemifields. Previous studies in man have not, however, provided evidence on the tuning of the perceptual channels for auditory space that subserve this pattern of acuity. The spatial tuning of perceptual channels used in human azimuthal sound localization was determined using a between-channel auditory temporal gap detection paradigm. In this paradigm, gap thresholds are low when the markers bounding the silent period (gap) activate the same perceptual channel but are elevated when the two markers activate different channels. To determine the tuning of spatial channels, gap thresholds were obtained in an anechoic room with white noise markers coming from each combination of 12 leading marker locations and 18 trailing marker locations throughout the full 360° of azimuth in the horizontal plane through the interaural axis. Gap thresholds remained low (2–4 ms) for all combinations of leading and trailing markers between 30° and 150° in both lateral hemifields. When the leading marker was located deep in one hemifield, and the trailing marker was in the opposite hemifield, gap thresholds rose to 8–16 ms. For leading marker locations at 30° from the midline, gap thresholds were low for all trailing marker locations in the ipsilateral hemifield and locations near the midline in the contralateral hemifield, and were elevated (6–8 ms) only near the contralateral pole. Finally, for leading marker locations at 0° or 180°, gap thresholds were low for any trailing location within 30° of the midline at the front or back, and thresholds were elevated for trailing locations at the lateral poles. These data are accountable in terms of two broadly tuned perceptual channels, occupying the left and right auditory hemifields, respectively, each extending 30° across the midline. These channels have widths and locations similar to the spatial receptive fields previously described for central auditory neurons in animals. The data suggest a model of spatial acuity based on the rates of activation of two spatially overlapping channels, rather than the selective activation of members of a large population of finely tuned channels.
Narrowband and broadband active control in an enclosure using the acoustic energy density
Authors: Parkins John W. , Sommerfeldt Scott D. , Tichy Jiri
Published: July 2002

An active control system based on the acoustic energy density is investigated. The system is targeted for use in three-dimensional enclosures, such as aircraft cabins and rooms. The acoustic energy density control method senses both the potential and kinetic energy densities, while the most popular control systems of the past have relied on the potential energy density alone. Energy density fields are more uniform than squared pressure fields, and therefore, energy density measurements are less sensitive to sensor location. Experimental results are compared to computer-generated results for control systems based on energy density and squared pressure for a rectangular enclosure measuring 1.5×2.4×1.9 m. Broadband and narrowband frequency pressure fields in the room are controlled experimentally. Pressure-field and mode-amplitude data are presented for the narrowband experiments, while spectra and pressure-field data are presented for the broadband experiment. It is found that the energy density control system has superior performance to the squared pressure control system since the energy density measurement is more capable of observing the modes of a pressure field. Up to 14.4 and 3.8 dB of cancellation are achieved for the energy density control method for the narrowband and broadband experiments presented, respectively.
Analysis and Interrelation of Stress-Strain-Time Data for Asphalt Concrete
Authors: Secor Kenneth E. , Monismith Carl L.
Published: July 2002

Test data are presented for an asphalt concrete subjected to creep and stress-relaxation in compression at 40°F. Because of the large initial stresses developed in the relaxation tests, perfect step-function inputs of strain as a function of time were not obtained, and it was thus necessary to utilize data exhibiting some variation of strain with time. The relaxation modulus-time relationship was obtained from these results by means of a numerical application of the superposition principle. The mathematical development of the numerical solution from the superposition equation is included. Another numerical procedure was utilized to interconvert test values for creep compliance vs. time to a second relaxation modulus-time relationship. Both solutions were accomplished with the aid of an IBM 7090 computer. Comparison of the results for the relaxation modulus vs. time derived from the two tests showed a comparison sufficiently satisfying to warrant further study along such lines.
Obesity and Response to Advanced Therapies in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Baker Joshua F. , Reed George , Poudel Dilli Ram , Harrold Leslie R. , Kremer Joel M.
Published: February 2022

Objective

We performed a study of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) compared to non‐TNFi biologic therapies in rheumatoid arthritis to test whether body mass index (BMI) modified the effect of each therapy.

Methods

We utilized data from CorEvitas. We studied 3 clinical outcomes based on the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) at 6 months from therapy initiation: 1) achievement of low disease activity (LDA); 2) a change as large as the minimum clinically important difference (MCID); and 3) the absolute change. We categorized BMI and utilized restricted cubic splines to consider nonlinear associations. We used linear and logistic regression to evaluate associations with response, adjusting for confounders. To determine if comparative effectiveness of therapy varied by BMI, we tested for interactions between BMI and class of therapy.

Results

The sample included 2,891 TNFi and 3,010 non‐TNFi initiators. Among all initiators, those with severe obesity experienced lower odds of achieving LDA or MCID and less improvement in CDAI score, although associations were attenuated with adjustment. Low BMI was associated with reduced response rates in adjusted models including lower odds of LDA (odds ratio 0.32 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.15, 0.71], P = 0.005). Analyses stratified by TNFi and non‐TNFi therapies demonstrated no differences in clinical response rates for TNFi versus non‐TNFi across BMI categories (all P for interaction >0.05). Estimates for non‐TNFi biologics fit within the 95% CI for TNFi.

Conclusion

This study observed lower response rates among obese and underweight patients and no evidence of a superior effect of non‐TNFi therapy over TNFi therapy in particular BMI categories.
SDF‐based tracking control for state‐constrained nonholonomic systems with disturbances via relay switching control: Theory and experiment
Authors: Zhang Shengmiao , Gao Yang , Zhang Zhongcai , Cao Dianguo
Published: February 2022

This article investigates the tracking control problem for a kind of chained‐form nonholonomic systems in the presence of unknown time‐varying disturbances and full‐state constraints. First, a finite‐time tracking controller is constructed to drive the action of relay switching, which converts the whole control system into two design stages. In order to handle with the predefined asymmetric state constraints, the original tracking error system is turned into an unconstrained system on the basis of state‐dependent function (SDF) function transformations. In this framework, an adaptive tracking control strategy is proposed by means of backstepping and dynamic surface control. Correspondingly, another tracking control law is also constructed to assure the stability of the tracking error system before the action of switching. The theoretical analysis of stability indicates that the proposed tracking control scheme can guarantee that the output state tracking errors converge to zero and the desired state constraints are not violated. At the same time, all the closed‐loop system signals maintain bounded in entire control process. Finally, the validity of the presented tracking control algorithm is demonstrated by simulation and experiment results.
Phase Transfer of Mo2C Induced by Boron Doping to Boost Nitrogen Reduction Reaction Catalytic Activity
Authors: Fan Binbin , Wang Haozhi , Zhang Hong , Song Yue , Zheng Xuerong , Li Changjiu , Tan Yeqiang , Han Xiaopeng , Deng Yida , Hu Wenbin
Published: February 2022

Facilitating the cleavage of a NN bond and suppressing the competition hydrogen evolution reaction is essential, and but still remains a challenge in nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR). Crystal phase tailoring is an effective approach to optimize the energy barrier during the NRR process to improve the catalytic efficiency. Herein, a boron‐doping strategy to induce phase transfer from hexagonal Mo2C to cubic Mo2C for regulating the electronic structure and catalytic properties of electrocatalysts toward NRR is reported. The B doped cubic Mo2C is found to increase the exposure of active sites, regulate the d band center of Mo for enhancing the adsorption and activation of nitrogen, and reduce the energy barrier of NRR pathway, giving rise to a high ammonia yield of 52.1 μg h−1 mg−1 at −0.6 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode under ambient conditions. More importantly, the hydrogen adsorption on the surface of electrocatalyst is significantly inhibited due to the B‐doping, further improving the faradic efficiency to 36.9%, which is 4 times that of hexagonal Mo2C (9%). This work not only sheds light on the atomic‐scale design of efficient NRR electrocatalysts, but also provides a promising avenue for synchronizing the catalytic activity and selectivity for catalytic reactions.
Antibody‐Incorporated Nanomedicines for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Wu Shun‐Yu , Wu Fu‐Gen , Chen Xiaoyuan
Published: February 2022

Antibody‐based cancer therapy, one of the most significant therapeutic strategies, has achieved considerable success and progress over the past decades. Nevertheless, obstacles including limited tumor penetration, short circulation half‐lives, undesired immunogenicity, and off‐target side effects remain to be overcome for the antibody‐based cancer treatment. Owing to the rapid development of nanotechnology, antibody‐containing nanomedicines that have been extensively explored to overcome these obstacles have already demonstrated enhanced anticancer efficacy and clinical translation potential. This review intends to offer an overview of the advancements of antibody‐incorporated nanoparticulate systems in cancer treatment, together with the nontrivial challenges faced by these next‐generation nanomedicines. Diverse strategies of antibody immobilization, formats of antibodies, types of cancer‐associated antigens, and anticancer mechanisms of antibody‐containing nanomedicines are provided and discussed in this review, with an emphasis on the latest applications. The current limitations and future research directions on antibody‐containing nanomedicines are also discussed from different perspectives to provide new insights into the construction of anticancer nanomedicines.
Detection of Neurofilament Light Chain with Label‐Free Electrolyte‐Gated Organic Field‐Effect Transistors
Authors: Solodka Kateryna , Berto Marcello , Ferraro Diana , Menozzi Claudia , Borsari Marco , Bortolotti Carlo A. , Biscarini Fabio , Pinti Marcello
Published: February 2022

Neurofilaments are structural scaffolding proteins of the neuronal cytoskeleton. Upon axonal injury, the neurofilament light chain (NF‐L) is released into the interstitial fluid and eventually reaches the cerebrospinal fluid and blood. Therefore, NF‐L is emerging as a biomarker of neurological disorders, including neurodegenerative dementia, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. It is challenging to quantify NF‐L in bodily fluids due to its low levels. This work reports the detection of NF‐L in aqueous solutions with an organic electronic device. The biosensor is based on the electrolyte‐gated organic field‐effect transistor (EGOFET) architecture and can quantify NF‐L down to sub‐pM levels; thanks to modification of the device gate with anti‐NF‐L antibodies imparted with potentially controlled orientation. The response is fitted to the Guggenheim–Anderson–De Boer adsorption model to describe NF‐L adsorption at the gate/electrolyte interface, to consider the formation of a strongly adsorbed protein layer bound to the antibody and the formation of weakly bound NF‐L multilayers, an interpretation which is also backed up by morphological characterization via atomic force microscopy. The label‐free, selective, and rapid response makes this EGOFET biosensor a promising tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of neuronal damages through the detection of NF‐L in physio‐pathological ranges.
Modification of Indium Tin Oxide Surface with HCl for Source/Drain Electrodes in Organic Thin Film Transistors
Authors: Rong Xin , Han Jiangli , Tian Xinyu , Jiang Lixian , Li Zhewei , Xing Rubo , Shen Liping , Duan Lian , Dong Guifang
Published: February 2022

In recent years, exciting advances have been achieved in pursuing organic thin film transistors (OTFTs) with high mobility. Whereas, the economical infeasibility of Au source/drain (S/D) electrodes that are widely used in OTFTs hinders the further development of OTFTs in industry. In this study, the modified indium tin oxide (ITO) as S/D electrodes is adopted. The ITO is modified by HCl aqueous solutions, its surface work function is improved from 4.8 to 5.5 eV. By first‐principle calculations and experiments, the charge analysis shows that the Cl atom traps 0.475 electrons, which indicates that In–Cl dipoles are responsible for the increase of the surface work function, besides the HCl modification leads to In+‐Cl− bonds instead of In3+‐Cl− bonds on the ITO surface compared with the reported InCl3 modification. More encouragingly, In+‐Cl− surface is found to have higher Cl density, higher work function and higher conductivity. TIPS‐pentacene, with suitable HOMO level of 5.2 eV, is adopted as organic semiconductor, and the bar‐coating process is optimized to realize oriented films. OTFTs with maximum field‐effect mobility of 0.77 cm2 V−1 s−1 are achieved. The ITO electrodes modified by HCl can be promising in the industry.
Modeling and Performance Optimization of Louvered Fin Radiators in Negative Gauge Pressure Condition
Authors: Wan Rui , Liu Zhen , Wu Huawei , Cheng Qingsi , Ding Huafeng
Published: February 2022

The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of the structural parameters of louvered fin radiators on its thermal‐hydraulic performance, optimize its structural parameters, and improve the performance of louvered fin radiators in negative gauge pressure condition. The thermal calculation model of louvered fin radiator in negative gauge pressure is established. Then, the effects of design variables on thermal‐hydraulic characteristics are investigated. The second generation of nondominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA‐II) is applied to optimize the louvered fin heat exchanger in negative gauge pressure environment. Technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution is applied to choose the final optimal solution. Numerical simulation of the solution is conducted and the result is compared with literature in order to verify the optimization method. The optimal structural parameters are obtained under constraints. Compared with the original test piece, the heat transfer rate of optimal solution is increased by 7.7%, and total annual cost is reduced by 24.8%. The present paper establishes optimization method of louvered fin radiators in negative gauge pressure condition, the optimization result is superior to the original radiator. The optimization method can be used in the design of radiators operating in negative gauge pressure conditions.
Self‐Assembling Peptide‐Based Hydrogels for Wound Tissue Repair
Authors: Guan Tong , Li Jiayang , Chen Chunying , Liu Ying
Published: February 2022

Wound healing is a long‐term, multistage biological process that includes hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and tissue remodeling and requires intelligent designs to provide comprehensive and convenient treatment. The complexity of wounds has led to a lack of adequate wound treatment materials, which must systematically regulate unique wound microenvironments. Hydrogels have significant advantages in wound treatment due to their ability to provide spatiotemporal control over the wound healing process. Self‐assembling peptide‐based hydrogels are particularly attractive due to their innate biocompatibility and biodegradability along with additional advantages including ligand‐receptor recognition, stimulus‐responsive self‐assembly, and the ability to mimic the extracellular matrix. The ability of peptide‐based materials to self‐assemble in response to the physiological environment, resulting in functionalized microscopic structures, makes them conducive to wound treatment. This review introduces several self‐assembling peptide‐based systems with various advantages and emphasizes recent advances in self‐assembling peptide‐based hydrogels that allow for precise control during different stages of wound healing. Moreover, the development of multifunctional self‐assembling peptide‐based hydrogels that can regulate and remodel the wound immune microenvironment in wound therapy with spatiotemporal control has also been summarized. Overall, this review sheds light on the future clinical and practical applications of self‐assembling peptide‐based hydrogels.
Human Gut Antibiotic Resistome and Progression of Diabetes
Authors: Shuai Menglei , Zhang Guoqing , Zeng Fang‐fang , Fu Yuanqing , Liang Xinxiu , Yuan Ling , Xu Fengzhe , Gou Wanglong , Miao Zelei , Jiang Zengliang , Wang Jia‐ting , Zhuo Lai‐bao , Chen Yu‐ming , Ju Feng , Zheng Ju‐Sheng
Published: February 2022

The antibiotic resistance crisis underlies globally increasing failures in treating deadly bacterial infections, largely due to the selection of antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) collection, known as the resistome, in human gut microbiota. So far, little is known about the relationship between gut antibiotic resistome and host metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes (T2D). Here, metagenomic landscape of gut antibiotic resistome is profiled in a large multiomics human cohort (n= 1210). There is a significant overall shift in gut antibiotic resistome structure among healthy, prediabetes, and T2D groups. It is found that larger ARG diversity is associated with a higher risk of T2D. The novel diabetes ARG score is positively associated with glycemic traits. Longitudinal validation analysis confirms that the ARG score is associated with T2D progression, characterized by the change of insulin resistance. Collectively, the data describe the profiles of gut antibiotic resistome and support its close relationship with T2D progression.
Highly Sodiophilic, Defect‐Rich, Lignin‐Derived Skeletal Carbon Nanofiber Host for Sodium Metal Batteries
Authors: Mubarak Nauman , Rehman Faisal , Ihsan‐Ul‐Haq Muhammad , Xu Mengyang , Li Yang , Zhao Yunhe , Luo Zhengtang , Huang Baoling , Kim Jang‐Kyo
Published: February 2022

Three‐dimensional host structures with superior sodiophilicity and low nucleation barriers can help combat the complex failure modes of Na metal anodes originating from accelerated dendrite formation, anodic corrosion, and electrolyte depletion. This work reports the fabrication of a unique super‐sodiophilic, defect‐rich and hierarchically porous skeletal carbon nanofiber (SCNF) host for SCNF@Na anodes using electrospinning of the low‐cost, renewable lignin biopolymer. The uniform nucleation and plating of Na effectuated by the hierarchically porous structure coupled with the defect‐induced formation of a resilient, F‐rich solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer offers excellent protection to the metallic anode. The defect‐rich porous structure plays an important role in mediating dense Na nucleation, planar growth, and electrochemical stability according to the depth profiling experiments and density functional theory calculations. The SCNF@Na composite anode maintains high Coulombic efficiencies (CEs) and electrochemical reversibility in asymmetric and symmetric cells. The full cells prepared by interfacing the SCNF@Na anode with a Na3V2(PO4)2F3 cathode delivers exceptional capacity retention of 106 mAh g–1 for 350 cycles with an average CE of 99.2% at 1C, and 103 mAh g–1 after 200 cycles at 4C. Such rationally designed carbon hosts derived from biopolymers open a new avenue for safe and low‐cost metal batteries.
Cover crops in a Wisconsin annual cropping system: Feasibility and yield effects
Authors: Malone Lindsay Chamberlain , Mourtzinis Spyridon , Gaska John M. , Lauer Joseph G. , Ruark Matthew D. , Conley Shawn P.
Published: February 2022

Corn (Zea mays L.), soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) are important components of crop rotations in southern Wisconsin. Cover crops can protect soil and water in these systems. This study examines cover crop treatments in various crop sequences of these cash crops to determine effects on crop yield. Cover crops seeded following corn or soybean included cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) or oat (Avena sativa L.), which were either drilled after harvest, broadcast into the senescing crop, or drilled in alternating rows. Species planted after wheat included red clover (Trifolium pretense L.) or berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.), either frost seeded or drilled postharvest, as well as oat and rye drilled postwheat harvest in alternating rows. Broadcast seeding cereal rye preharvest into senescing soybean had the most successful establishment following corn or soybean. The system with the most consistent cover crop growth was winter‐hardy species established preharvest. However, this system decreased corn yield 5.8–8.6%. All other cover crop treatments had no effect on yield, but other postcorn or soybean treatments had limited growth. The highest yield for corn was observed following soybean, while soybean had the greatest yield when all three crops were present. Wheat yields were not affected by frost seeding or by rotation. This multiyear trial confirms the expected challenges of establishing cover crops in corn–soybean rotations in southern Wisconsin, while winter wheat provided clearer opportunities for cover cropping. Cover crop research in corn–soybean systems need to address the corn yield declines caused by cover crops.
Neuropathological lesions and their contribution to dementia and cognitive impairment in a heterogeneous clinical population
Authors: Godrich Dana , Martin Eden R. , Schellenberg Gerard , Pericak‐Vance Margaret A. , Cuccaro Michael , Scott William K. , Kukull Walter , Montine Thomas , Beecham Gary W.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Alzheimer disease (AD) and related dementias are characterized by damage caused by neuropathological lesions in the brain. These include AD lesions (plaques and tangles) and non‐AD lesions such as vascular injury or Lewy bodies. We report here an assessment of lesion association to dementia in a large clinic‐based population.

Methods

We identified 5272 individuals with neuropathological data from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center. Individual lesions, as well as a neuropathological composite score (NPCS) were tested for association with dementia, and both functional and neurocognitive impairment using regression models.

Results

Most individuals exhibited mixed pathologies, especially AD lesions in combination with non‐AD lesions. All lesion types were associated with one or more clinical outcomes; most even while controlling for AD pathology. The NPCS was also associated with clinical outcomes.

Discussion

These data suggest mixed‐type pathologies are extremely common in a clinic‐based population and may contribute to dementia and cognitive impairment.
Mechanisms of motoric cognitive risk—Hypotheses based on a systematic review and meta‐analysis of longitudinal cohort studies of older adults
Authors: Mullin Donncha S. , Cockburn Alastair , Welstead Miles , Luciano Michelle , Russ Tom C. , Muniz‐Terrera Graciela
Published: February 2022

We aimed to refine the hypothesis that motoric cognitive risk (MCR), a syndrome combining measured slow gait speed and self‐reported cognitive complaints, is prognostic of incident dementia and other major causes of morbidity in older age. We propose mechanisms on the relationship between motor and cognitive function and describe a roadmap to validate these hypotheses. We systematically searched major electronic databases from inception to August 2021 for original longitudinal cohort studies of adults aged ≥60 years that compared an MCR group to a non‐MCR group with any health outcome. Fifteen cohorts were combined by meta‐analysis. Participants with MCR were at an increased risk of cognitive impairment (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.76, 95% CI 1.49–2.08; I2 = 24.9%), dementia (aHR 2.12, 1.85–2.42; 33.1%), falls (adjusted Relative Risk 1.38, 1.15–1.66; 62.1%), and mortality (aHR 1.49, 1.16–1.91; 79.2%). The prognostic value of MCR is considerable and mechanisms underlying the syndrome are proposed.
Association between CSF biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease and neuropsychiatric symptoms: Mayo Clinic Study of Aging
Authors: Krell‐Roesch Janina , Rakusa Martin , Syrjanen Jeremy A. , van Harten Argonde C. , Lowe Val J. , Jack Clifford R. , Kremers Walter K. , Knopman David S. , Stokin Gorazd B. , Petersen Ronald C. , Vassilaki Maria , Geda Yonas E.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

We examined the association between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)‐derived biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease and neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in older non‐demented adults.

Methods

We included 784 persons (699 cognitively unimpaired, 85 with mild cognitive impairment) aged ≥ 50 years who underwent CSF amyloid beta (Aβ42), hyperphosphorylated tau 181 (p‐tau), and total tau (t‐tau) as well as NPS assessment using Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories (BDI‐II, BAI), and Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI‐Q).

Results

Lower CSF Aβ42, and higher t‐tau/Aβ42 and p‐tau/Aβ42 ratios were associated with BDI‐II and BAI total scores, clinical depression (BDI‐II ≥ 13), and clinical anxiety (BAI ≥ 10), as well as NPI‐Q–assessed anxiety, apathy, and nighttime behavior.

Discussion

CSF Aβ42, t‐tau/Aβ42, and p‐tau/Aβ42 ratios were associated with NPS in community‐dwelling individuals free of dementia. If confirmed by a longitudinal cohort study, the findings have clinical relevance of taking into account the NPS status of individuals with abnormal CSF biomarkers.
APOE genotype, hippocampus, and cognitive markers of Alzheimer's disease in American Indians: Data from the Strong Heart Study
Authors: Suchy‐Dicey Astrid , Howard Barbara , Longstreth Jr WT , Reiman Eric M. , Buchwald Dedra
Published: February 2022

Background

The apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele confers higher risk of neurodegeneration and Alzheimer's disease (AD), but differs by race/ethnicity. We examined this association in American Indians.

Methods

The Strong Heart Study is a population‐based cohort of American Indians who were 64 to 95 years of age in 2010 to 2013. APOE ε4 status, brain imaging, and neuropsychological testing was collected in N = 811 individuals. Summary statistics, graphics, and generalized linear regressions—adjusted for sociodemographics, clinical features, and intracranial volume with bootstrap variance estimator—compared APOE ε4 carriers with non‐carriers.

Results

APOE ε4 carriers comprised 22% of the population (0.7% homozygotes). Participants were mean 73 years, 67% female, and 54% had some college education. The majority were obese (>50%), hypertensive (>80%), and diabetic (>50%). Neither imaging findings nor multidomain cognitive testing showed any substantive differences between APOE ε4 carriers and non‐carriers.

Conclusion

We found no evidence of neurodegenerative risk from APOE ε4 in American Indians. Additional studies are needed to examine potential protective features.
The P522R protective variant of PLCG2 promotes the expression of antigen presentation genes by human microglia in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model
Authors: Claes Christel , England Whitney E. , Danhash Emma P. , Kiani Shabestari Sepideh , Jairaman Amit , Chadarevian Jean Paul , Hasselmann Jonathan , Tsai Andy P. , Coburn Morgan A. , Sanchez Jessica , Lim Tau En , Hidalgo Jorge L. S. , Tu Christina , Cahalan Michael D. , Lamb Bruce T. , Landreth Gary E. , Spitale Robert C. , Blurton‐Jones Mathew , Davtyan Hayk
Published: February 2022

The P522R variant of PLCG2, expressed by microglia, is associated with reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Yet, the impact of this protective mutation on microglial responses to AD pathology remains unknown. Chimeric AD and wild‐type mice were generated by transplanting PLCG2‐P522R or isogenic wild‐type human induced pluripotent stem cell microglia. At 7 months of age, single‐cell and bulk RNA sequencing, and histological analyses were performed. The PLCG2‐P522R variant induced a significant increase in microglial human leukocyte antigen (HLA) expression and the induction of antigen presentation, chemokine signaling, and T cell proliferation pathways. Examination of immune‐intact AD mice further demonstrated that the PLCG2‐P522R variant promotes the recruitment of CD8+ T cells to the brain. These data provide the first evidence that the PLCG2‐P522R variant increases the capacity of microglia to recruit T cells and present antigens, promoting a microglial transcriptional state that has recently been shown to be reduced in AD patient brains.
Neurodegeneration and astrogliosis in the entorhinal cortex in Alzheimer's disease: Stereological layer‐specific assessment and proteomic analysis
Authors: Astillero‐Lopez Veronica , Gonzalez‐Rodriguez Melania , Villar‐Conde Sandra , Flores‐Cuadrado Alicia , Martinez‐Marcos Alino , Ubeda‐Banon Isabel , Saiz‐Sanchez Daniel
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The entorhinal cortex is among the earliest areas involved in Alzheimer's disease. Volume reduction and neural loss in this area have been widely reported. Human entorhinal cortex atrophy is, in part, due to neural loss, but microglial and/or astroglial involvement in the different layers remains unclear. Additionally, ‐omic approaches in the human entorhinal cortex are scarce.

Methods

Herein, stereological layer‐specific and proteomic analyses were carried out in the human brain.

Results

Neurodegeneration, microglial reduction, and astrogliosis have been demonstrated, and proteomic data have revealed relationships with up‐ (S100A6, PPP1R1B, BAG3, and PRDX6) and downregulated (GSK3B, SYN1, DLG4, and RAB3A) proteins. Namely, clusters of these proteins were related to synaptic, neuroinflammatory, and oxidative stress processes.

Discussion

Differential layer involvement among neural and glial populations determined by proteinopathies and identified proteins related to neurodegeneration and astrogliosis could explain how the cortical circuitry facilitates pathological spreading within the medial temporal lobe.
Silaborative Assembly of Allenamides and Alkynes: Highly Regio‐ and Stereocontrolled Access to Bi‐ or Trimetallic Skipped Dienes
Authors: Pradhan Tapas R. , Paudel Mukti , Feoktistova Taisiia , Cheong Paul Ha‐Yeon , Park Jin Kyoon
Published: February 2022

A highly stereo‐ and regiocontrolled multicomponent approach to skipped 1,4‐dienes decorated with one boryl and two silyl functionalities is described. This Pd‐catalyzed atom‐economical union of allenamides, alkynes, and Me2PhSiBpin (or Et3SiBpin) proceeds without the use of phosphine ligands, instead relying on chelation through the internal amide group of the allenamide sulfonyl. A variety of alkynes, including those derived from complex bioactive molecules, can be efficiently coupled with allenamides and Me2PhSiBpin in good yields and with excellent selectivity. The synthetic potential was demonstrated through multiple valuable chemoselective transformations, establishing new disconnections for functionalized dienes. Density functional theory calculations revealed that the reaction first proceeded through borylation of the allenamide, followed by silylation of the alkyne and then reductive elimination, which convergently assemble the skipped 1,4‐diene.
Experimental investigation of Al5052‐H32/PETG hybrid clinched joints
Authors: Ouyang Yawen , Chen Chao , Ren Xiaoqiang , Ran Xiangkun
Published: February 2022

The mechanical clinching technique with an extensible die is selected to connect the metal‐polymer hybrid structure in this article. Al5052‐H32 is chosen as the metallic material. Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) was chosen as the polymer material. The connection between Al5052‐H32 and PETG is accomplished under diverse forming forces. To evaluate the joinability of hybrid joints, the dimension parameters of hybrid joints are measured by inspecting the transverse section of clinched joints. To evaluate the reliability of joints, the tensile shear test and the energy absorption calculation are accomplished. Moreover, the effect of various forming forces on the mechanical characteristics and failure mode of the hybrid structure is analyzed. The results showed that the Al5052‐H32 sheet and PETG sheet could be effectively connected. The optimal forming force is 38 kN in this experiment. Under this condition, the maximum tensile shear load and the maximum energy absorption value are 1520.16 N and 4.69 J, respectively.
Experimental assessment of the relationship between diet and mandibular morphology using a pig model: New insights for paleodietary reconstructions
Authors: Neaux Dimitri , Louail Margot , Ferchaud Stéphane , Surault Jérôme , Merceron Gildas
Published: February 2022

Dietary habits exert significant selective pressures on anatomical structures in animals, leading to substantial morphological adaptations. Yet, the relationships between the mandible and diet are still unclear, raising issues for paleodietary reconstructions notably. To assess the impact of food hardness and size on morphological structures, we used an experimental baseline using a model based on the domestic pig, an omnivorous mammal with bunodont, thick‐enameled dentition, and chewing movements similar to hominids. We hypothesized that the consumption of different types of seeds would result in substantial differences in the morphology of the mandible despite similar overall diets. The experiment was conducted on four groups of juvenile pigs fed with mixed cereal and soy flours. The control group received only flours. We supplemented the four others with either 10 hazelnuts, 30 hazelnuts, 30% barley seeds, or 20% corn kernels per day. We investigated the shape differences between the controlled‐fed groups using three‐dimensional geometric morphometrics. Our results provide strong evidence that the supplemental consumption of a significant amount of seeds for a short period (95 days) substantially modify the mandibular morphology of pigs. Our analyses suggest that this shape differentiation is due to the size of the seeds, requiring high and repeated bite force, rather than their hardness. These results provide new perspectives for the use of mandibular morphology as a proxy in paleodietary reconstructions complementing dental microwear textures analyses.
Distributed finite‐time formation of networked nonlinear systems via dynamic gain control
Authors: Li Yue , Yang Ruohan
Published: February 2022

This paper considers a finite‐time formation control problem of networked nonlinear systems with uncertain dynamics. A distributed control approach is developed based on the consensus theory and the finite‐time Lyapunov theorem along with the technique of dynamic gain control. Auxiliary dynamics are constructed to facilitate the design of finite‐time Lyapunov. It is shown that followers can form the desired geometric pattern within finite time and track a featured trajectory given by the leader via the proposed controller, and the potential controller singularity problem resulted from the introduction of the auxiliary dynamics can be circumvented. One of the key features of the proposed control approach is that fractional powers of system states, which are required in most existing finite‐time control approaches, are removed. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed control approach is verified with a simulation example on quadrotor formation.
Predictive language processing in young autistic children
Authors: Prescott Kathryn E. , Mathée‐Scott Janine , Reuter Tracy , Edwards Jan , Saffran Jenny , Ellis Weismer Susan
Published: February 2022

Recent theories propose that domain‐general deficits in prediction (i.e., the ability to anticipate upcoming information) underlie the behavioral characteristics associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). If these theories are correct, autistic children might be expected to demonstrate difficulties on linguistic tasks that rely on predictive processing. Previous research has largely focused on older autistic children and adolescents with average language and cognition. The present study used an eye‐gaze task to evaluate predictive language processing among 3‐ to 4‐year‐old autistic children (n = 34) and 1.5‐ to 3‐year‐old, language‐matched neurotypical (NT) children (n = 34). Children viewed images (e.g., a cake and a ball) and heard sentences with informative verbs (e.g., Eat the cake) or neutral verbs (e.g., Find the cake). Analyses of children's looking behaviors indicated that young autistic children, like their language‐matched NT peers, engaged in predictive language processing. Regression results revealed a significant effect of diagnostic group, when statistically controlling for age differences. The NT group displayed larger difference scores between the informative and neutral verb conditions (in looks to target nouns) compared to the ASD group. Receptive language measures were predictive of looking behavior across time for both groups, such that children with stronger language skills were more efficient in making use of informative verbs to process upcoming information. Taken together, these results suggest that young autistic children can engage in predictive processing though further research is warranted to explore the developmental trajectory relative to NT development.

Lay Summary

This study found that 3‐ to 4‐year‐old autistic children and younger, language‐matched neurotypical (NT) children both used verbs to predict upcoming nouns in sentences like “Eat the cake.” For both autistic and NT children, those with stronger language skills were able to predict upcoming nouns more quickly.