bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of ASS1 gene in ten unrelated middle eastern families with citrullinemia type 1 identifies rare and novel variants
Authors: Daou Melissa , Souaid Mirna , Yammine Tony , Khneisser Issam , Mansour Hicham , Salem Nabiha , Nemr Antony , Awwad Johnny , Moukarzel Adib , Farra Chantal
Published: January 2023

Background

Citrullinemia type 1 (CTLN1) is a rare autosomal recessive disease caused by argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS) deficiency. Manifestations vary from the acute neonatal or “classic” form to a milder, late‐onset, or “unconventional” form. To date, more than 93 variants in the ASS1 gene located on chromosome 9q43.11 (OMIM #215700) are reportedly responsible for CTLN1. Their incidence and distribution vary according to geographic origins and ethnicity, and a correlation, although not clearly delineated, has been established between the genotype and the phenotype of the disease. Though, in the Middle East, national descriptions of CTLN1 are still lacking.

Methods

A total of ten unrelated Middle Eastern families, five Lebanese, two Syrians, and three Iraqis with citrullinemia index cases, were included in this study. Upon informed consent, DNA was extracted from the whole blood of the index patients as well as their parents and siblings. Genetic analysis was carried out by Sanger sequencing of the ASS1 gene.

Results

Seven different variants were identified. Two novel variants, c.286C>A (p.(Pro96Thr), RNA not analyzed) in exon 5 and deletion c.685_688+6del(p.(Lys229Glyfs*4), RNA not analyzed) in exon 10, were found in one Lebanese and one Syrian family, respectively, and were correlated with early‐onset and severe clinical presentation. Five other known variants: c.535T>C (p.(Trp179Arg), RNA not analyzed) in exon 8, c.787G>A (p.(Val263Met), RNA not analyzed) in exon 12, c.847G>A (p.(Glu283Lys), RNA not analyzed) in exon 13, c.910C>T (p.(Arg304Trp), RNA not analyzed) in exon 13, and c.1168G>A (p.(Gly390Arg), RNA not analyzed) in exon 15, were found in Lebanese, Syrian, and Iraqi families, and were associated with diverse clinical presentations.

Conclusion

Two novel variants and five known variants were found in a total of ten unrelated Middle Eastern families.
Clinical and genetic findings in Chinese families with congenital ectopia lentis
Authors: Liu Xin , Niu Liman , Zhang Liyun , Jiang Liqiong , Liu Kaiqing , Wu Xueping , Liu Xinhua , Wang Jiantao
Published: January 2023

Background

Congenital ectopia lentis (EL) refers to the congenital dysplasia or weakness of the lens suspensory ligament, resulting in an abnormal position of the crystalline lens, which can appear as isolated EL or as an ocular manifestation of a syndrome, such as the Marfan syndrome. The fibrillin‐1 protein encoded by the FBN1 gene is an essential component of the lens zonules. Mutations in FBN1 are the leading causes of congenital EL and Marfan syndrome. Owing to the complexity and individual heterogeneity of FBN1 gene mutations, the correlation between FBN1 mutation characteristics and various clinical phenotypes remains unclear.

Methods

This study describes the clinical characteristics and identifies possible causative genes in eight families with Marfan syndrome or isolated EL using Sanger and whole‐exome sequencing.

Results

Eight FBN1 mutations were identified in these families, of which three (c.5065G > C, c.1600 T > A, and c.2210G > C) are reported for the first time. Based on in silico analyses, we hypothesized that these mutations may be pathogenic by affecting the fibrillin‐1 protein structure and function.

Conclusion

These findings expand the number of known mutations involved in EL and provide a reference for the research on their genotype and phenotype associations.
Depression symptoms and core affect: Results from network and regression analyses
Authors: Vanags Edmunds , Raščevska Malgožata
Published: January 2023

Depression is measured in most studies by surveys that sum individual symptom scores into one common variable. Given the high heterogeneity of depressive disorders and the diversity of symptom profiles at the same levels of depression, a significant amount of information is, therefore, not evaluated. In this study, we aimed to investigate how distinct depression symptoms from the tripartite model of anxiety and depression relate to the dimensions of core affect. The study included N = 1102 individuals who completed depression, anxiety and stress, and core affect scales. Participants were recruited from the convenience sample and were aged between 18 and 59 years (M = 39.70; SD = 12.03) with 38.2% men and 61.8% women, whose average number of years spent in education was M = 14.17; SD = 3.63. Correlation and regression analysis with JASP and R software showed that all depressive symptoms were significantly related to the core affect dimensions (valence and activation), and network analysis indicated which symptoms formed undirected interrelationships and what their possible roles were in the model. We concluded that not all depression symptoms in the network model formed similar relationships with the dimensions of core affect, which may be explained through both validity and nonclinical sampling aspects.
Variational approach for the Kirchhoff problem involving the p$$ p $$‐Laplace operator and the ψ$$ \psi $$‐Hilfer derivative
Authors: Alsaedi Ramzi , Ghanmi Abdeljabbar
Published: January 2023

This work aims to develop the variational framework for some Kirchhoff problems involving both the
‐Laplace operator and the
‐Hilfer derivative. Precisely, we use the mountain pass theorem to prove the existence of nontrivial solutions. Moreover, the multiplicity of solutions is proved by the use of the
‐symmetry mountain pass theorem. Our main results generalize the paper of Torres (J Fract Calculus Appli. 2014;5(1):1‐10) and the work of Sousa et al. (Comp Appl Math. 2019;38:4).
New generalized Gauss–Seidel iteration methods for solving absolute value equations
Authors: Ali Rashid , Pan Kejia
Published: January 2023

The Gauss–Seidel iteration method is an effective technique for solving absolute value equations (AVEs). However, this method is often inefficient and cannot be used when the problem size increases. This study presents two generalized Gauss–Seidel iteration methods for solving AVEs to improve the performance of the Gauss–Seidel method. Convergence of the new methods is established under some appropriate conditions. Lastly, we show the effectiveness of the new methods through several numerical examples.
Technical note: Extended longitudinal and lateral 3D imaging with a continuous dual‐isocenter CBCT scan
Authors: Reynolds Tess , Hatamikia Sepideh , Ma Yiqun Q. , Dillon Owen , Gang Grace , Stayman J. Webster , O'Brien Ricky
Published: January 2023

Background

The clinical benefits of intraoperative cone beam CT (CBCT) during orthopedic procedures include (1) improved accuracy for procedures involving the placement of hardware and (2) providing immediate surgical verification.

Purpose

Orthopedic interventions often involve long and wide anatomical sites (e.g., lower extremities). Therefore, in order to ensure that the clinical benefits are available to all orthopedic procedures, we investigate the feasibility of a novel imaging trajectory to simultaneously expand the CBCT field‐of‐view longitudinally and laterally.

Methods

A continuous dual‐isocenter imaging trajectory was implemented on a clinical robotic CBCT system using additional real‐time control hardware. The trajectory consisted of 200° circular arcs separated by alternating lateral and longitudinal table translations. Due to hardware constraints, the direction of rotation (clockwise/anticlockwise) and lateral table translation (left/right) was reversed every 400°. X‐ray projections were continuously acquired at 15 frames/s throughout all movements. A whole‐body phantom was used to verify the trajectory. As comparator, a series of conventional large volume acquisitions were stitched together. Image quality was quantified using Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD), Mean Absolute Percentage Deviation (MAPD), Structural Similarity Index Metric (SSIM) and Contrast‐to‐Noise Ratio (CNR).

Results

The imaging volume produced by the continuous dual‐isocenter trajectory had dimensions of L = 95 cm × W = 45 cm × H = 45 cm. This enabled the hips to the feet of the whole‐body phantom to be captured in approximately half the imaging dose and acquisition time of the 11 stitched conventional acquisitions required to match the longitudinal and lateral imaging dimensions. Compared to the stitched conventional images, the continuous dual‐isocenter acquisition had RMSD of 4.84, MAPD of 6.58% and SSIM of 0.99. The CNR of the continuous dual‐isocenter and stitched conventional acquisitions were 1.998 and 1.999, respectively.

Conclusion

Extended longitudinal and lateral intraoperative volumetric imaging is feasible on clinical robotic CBCT systems.
Prone position, time to reach nutrition target, and energy/protein achievement rate on the seventh day of intensive care unit stay in patients with COVID‐19: A cohort study
Authors: Richrot Thamy Schossler , Lima Júlia , Stello Bruna Barbosa , Milanez Danielle Silla Jobim , Burgel Camila Ferri , Silva Flávia Moraes
Published: January 2023

Background

We aimed to evaluate the mean time to reach the energy (EAR) and protein (PAR) achievement rate among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) who did or did not undergo prone position (PP) therapy in the first week of their stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), and the interaction of these nutrition therapy indicators on the association between PP and clinical outcomes.

Methods

This cohort study used retrospective data collected from medical records of patients with COVID‐19 admitted to the ICU (≥18 years). We collected nutrition data, clinical information, prescription of PP, and its frequency during the first week, and clinical outcomes.

Results

PP therapy was administered to 75.2% of 153 patients (61.5 ± 14.8 years, 57.6% males) during the first week of their ICU stay. Patients who underwent PP reached nutrition therapy goals later (4 [3–6] vs 3 [2–4] days; P = 0.030) and had lower EAR (91.9 ± 25.7 vs 101.6 ± 84.0; P = 0.002) and PAR (88.0 ± 27.7 vs 98.1 ± 13.5; P = 0.009) in comparison to those who did not receive PP. Grouping patients who underwent PP according to the EAR (≥70% or <70%) did not show any differences in the incidence of ICU death, duration of mechanical ventilation, or ICU stay (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

In this exploratory study, PP was associated with a delayed time to reach the nutrition target and the lowest EAR and estimated protein requirement on the seventh day of ICU stay in patients with COVID‐19. Permissive enteral nutrition prescription in patients who underwent PP was not associated with worse clinical outcomes.
Optimal control and stabilization for discrete‐time networked control systems with multichannel Markovian packet losses
Authors: Han Chunyan , Zhang Song , Wang Wei , Shen Tao
Published: January 2023

This article is concerned with the optimal control and stabilization for the discrete‐time networked control systems with Markovian fading channels in a diagonal form, which indicates that different channel possesses different correlated fading property. To overcome the essential difficulty resulting from the multi communication channel packet losses and the correlation of the Markov chain, a new multistate Markov chain is introduced, by which the optimal control and stabilization for the NCSs with the diagonal form of Markovian fading channels are transformed into the ones for the general Markovian jump linear system. According to the converted system, a new modified maximum principle is presented, that is, a forward‐backward stochastic difference equation (FBSDE) is obtained. In the finite horizon design, the key step is to seek for the relationship between the system state and optimal costate. By the obtained relation and based on a new coupled difference Riccati equation (CDRE), a necessary and sufficient solvability condition for the optimal control is obtained as well as an explicit expression for the optimal controller. For the infinite horizon case, a new type of coupled Lyapunov function is defined, which keeps consistent with the finite horizon optimal performance index. By introducing a new coupled algebraic Riccati equation and using the defined Lyapunov function, a necessary and sufficient stabilization condition in the mean‐square sense and an infinite horizon optimal controller are presented. Finally, a numerical example is supplied to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed results.
Comparison of bioresorbable bone substitutes, carbonate apatite and β‐tricalcium phosphate, for alveolar bone augmentation with simultaneous implant placement
Authors: Fukuda Naoyuki , Kudoh Keiko , Akita Kazuya , Takamaru Natsumi , Ishikawa Kunio , Miyamoto Youji
Published: January 2023

Aim

This study histologically compared two bioresorbable bone substitutes with different composition, carbonate apatite (CO3Ap) and beta‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP), through alveolar bone augmentation with simultaneous titanium implant placement in beagle dogs.

Methods

Bone defects (length 7 mm, width 2 mm, and depth 6 mm) were created bilaterally at mandibular premolar sites and augmented with either CO3Ap or β‐TCP granules after titanium implant installation. The specimens with the surrounding tissue were harvested from the mandible at 4, 12, and 24 weeks postoperatively, and histological evaluation was performed.

Results

Most β‐TCP granules dissolved in early stages postoperatively, resulting in a lower volume of alveolar bone surrounding the titanium implant. By contrast, in the case of CO3Ap group, the alveolar ridge was reconstructed without reducing the alveolar bone height, and almost all implant threads were covered with new bone by at least 12 weeks postoperatively. Quantitatively, the CO3Ap group showed a significantly higher percentage of new bone formation in the alveolar ridge portion at all follow‐ups. Additionally, it demonstrated a significantly higher bone‐to‐implant contact ratio than that of the β‐TCP group at 12 and 24 weeks after implantation (70.8 ± 5.6% vs. 29.3 ± 16.4% and 54.8 ± 6.9% vs. 41.8 ± 2.2%, respectively).

Conclusion

In conclusion, based on the superior outcomes noted in this study, CO3Ap is useful for clinical use in alveolar bone augmentation with simultaneous implant placement.
Transforming freshwater politics through metaphors: Struggles over ecosystem health, legal personhood, and invasive species in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Tadaki Marc , Clapcott Joanne , Holmes Robin , MacNeil Calum , Young Roger
Published: January 2023

Metaphor, defined as the linguistic substitution of one phenomenon for another, is ubiquitous in environmental science and policy. In science, when used well, metaphors help to make complex and abstract ideas familiar and relatable, while also helping people orient ethically to the natural world. In freshwater science, metaphors structure many aspects of scientific and lay understanding.

Yet, while metaphors are often used in environmental science and advocacy, there is a need to join up our currently diffuse understandings about how metaphors can help achieve social transformation for sustainability. Here, we focus on how metaphors are enshrined into institutions, giving them permanence and force as tools for social transformation.

We explore three examples of metaphors in environmental science and activism that have ‘gone public’ to shape freshwater politics and governance in Aotearoa New Zealand (henceforth Aotearoa NZ). We focus on the origins, strategic purposes and limitations of the metaphors, the ways they have been institutionalised, and the roles that scientists in particular have played in shaping metaphorical meanings.

Metaphors perform diverse political tasks, from mobilising popular support for species removal, to reorienting human obligations to rivers, through to expanding the scope of vision for river management. Scientists play key roles in shaping both regulatory institutions as well as informal norms that affect metaphor implementation. Finally, what makes a ‘good’ metaphor needs to be evaluated in context of who is mobilising the metaphor and what their broader sustainability values and objectives are.

Read the freePlain Language Summaryfor this article on the Journal blog.
A novel smart stealth sorafenib delivery system based on the magnetic imprinting material modified by polyethylene glycol
Authors: Wang Duoduo , Bao Yuqi , Tan Yaxin , Liu Lijie , Ye Qiaorong , Zeng Chensi , Tan Ni
Published: January 2023

In order to improve the solubility and the long‐cycle performance of hydrophobic drug sorafenib (SOR), and to obtain an ideal smart drug delivery system for the effective treatment of liver cancer, S‐SMIP, a pH/GSH double‐sensitive sorafenib stealth imprinting material, was successfully prepared by UV‐initiated surface imprinted polymerization on the basis of polyethylene glycol 2000 (PEG2000) acted as “gate keeper” modified magnetic substrate. The results showed that S‐SMIP had a good adsorption capacity of 260.0 mg g−1 and an excellent selectivity factor α 2.33. S‐SMIP's kinetic adsorption data accorded well with the pseudo‐second‐order model and its mechanism was controlled mainly by chemical adsorption. The drug release experiments in vitro indicated S‐SMIP could not only greatly improve the solubility of SOR, but also had the pH/GSH dual‐sensitive response performance. Compared with the non‐stealth imprinted material SMIP, S‐SMIP still had a better long‐cycle effect on the release of SOR, increasing to160 h from 130 h. So, the target material S‐SMIP could greatly prolong the half‐life of SOR, which provided a good idea for the development of a smart drug delivery system.
An evaluation of a decision‐making model on preservice teachers' instructional decision‐making from curriculum‐based measurement progress monitoring graphs
Authors: LaLonde Kate , VanDerwall Rena , Truckenmiller Adrea J. , Walsh Meagan
Published: January 2023

The current study used a randomized control trial to evaluate a decision‐making model on special education preservice candidates' instructional decision‐making and self‐reported confidence ratings when analyzing graphed student data. Thirty‐two special education preservice candidates viewed authentic curriculum‐based measurement (CBM) graphs and selected an instructional decision based on the data. Half of the participants received a decision‐making model (i.e., flowchart) to guide instructional decision‐making and all participants were asked to rate their level of confidence analyzing graphs pre‐ and poststudy. Statistically significant and large differences in the accuracy of instructional decisions and confidence ratings were observed for the participants who used the decision‐making model relative to the control group. The results of the study suggest that a simple, cost‐effective intervention that does not require training from an expert can have a positive impact on teachers' data‐based decision‐making.
Associations between physical health and the alternative model of personality disorders: A cross‐sectional age study
Authors: Stone Lisa E. , Segal Daniel L.
Published: January 2023

The Alternative Model of Personality Disorders (AMPD) is a relatively new dimensional model of personality disorders (PDs) that assesses two diagnostic constructs: personality functioning and pathological personality traits. Thus far, research on the AMPD among older adults has been limited, but the research that does exist suggests limited generalizability to the unique biopsychosocial context of later life. To further examine the applicability of the AMPD to older adults, the purpose of this study was to examine relationships between the AMPD's two constructs with perceived physical health status among younger and older adult samples. Older adults (n = 222) and younger adults (n = 215) completed the Short Form‐36 (SF‐36), Levels of Personality Functioning Scale‐Self‐Report (LPFS‐SR), and Personality Inventory for DSM‐5‐Brief Form (PID‐5‐BF). Correlations and Fisher's z‐tests revealed significantly stronger relationships between the SF‐36 with the LPFS‐SR and PID‐5‐BF domains for older adults than younger adults. Additionally, age group significantly moderated the relationships between personality functioning and pathological personality traits and health. The stronger relationships between health and the AMPD's constructs for older adults suggest meaningful overlap between negative health outcomes and PD pathology. Future research should further investigate specific mechanisms in which personality pathology negatively impacts health in older adults.
Porous polycarbazole materials prepared by ionothermal synthesis method for carbon dioxide adsorption and electrochemical capacitors
Authors: Tao You , Wang Tian‐Xiong , Ding Xuesong , Han Bao‐Hang
Published: January 2023

The scopes of synthesis methods of porous polycarbazole materials are still under continuous developments because the polycarbazole materials with high stability and excellent porosity are suitable for various advanced applications. Here, ionothermal synthesis method for preparing porous polycarbazole materials is reported for the first time, by which a series of polycarbazole materials with good porosity and high yield are synthesized. Thereinto, the ferric chloride plays the roles of catalyst and molten solvent for preparing porous polycarbazole materials. The transformation of the pore structure due to slight carbonization during the process of ionothermal synthesis shows profound impacts on application performances. As intercomparison among these polymers, some porous polycarbazole materials with the predominant micropores possess a good performance of carbon dioxide uptake, others with micro‐mesopore structures show a high capacity of electrochemical energy storage. This simple and practicable method provides a pathway for synthesizing novel porous polycarbazole materials and similar porous organic polymers.
Modeling study on temporal nonlinear behaviors in CO2 dielectric barrier discharges under Martian pressure
Authors: Wang Xu‐Cheng , Gao Shu‐Han , Zhang Yuan‐Tao
Published: January 2023

In recent years, dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) have become one of the most potential candidates for in situ resource utilization of in the Martian atmosphere. The nonlinear behaviors in DBDs are directly associated with the stability of discharges, and understanding the formation mechanism of the nonlinear behaviors can effectively enhance the ability to control the plasmas. In this paper, to further explore the underpinning physics of temporal nonlinear behaviors in discharges, the tailored sinusoidal voltages with power‐on and power‐off phases are applied to ignite the plasmas under Martian pressure. The simulation results from a fluid model with hundreds of reactions show that the discharge can evolve from period‐one state into period‐four state via period‐two state by reducing the power‐off duration; the electron density drops rapidly and the heavy ions of and become the dominant charged particles after the discharge is extinguished. With the power‐off duration further reduced, the heavy ions produced by the previous discharge cannot be completely dissipated and remain in the sheath region to enhance the electric field before the next discharge event; thus, the next ignition takes place more easily with a reduced breakdown voltage and a lower discharge current, indicating the discharge transits from a period‐one state to a period‐two state. In the transition from period‐two discharge to period‐four discharge, the heavy ions produced by the second discharge event cannot be completely transported to the surface of barriers, affecting the ignition in the third voltage period. When the power‐off duration is less than 10  in the simulation, electrons become the dominant residual negative charges in the discharge region, and the rapid increase in memory voltage results in a smaller positive discharge current and a stronger negative discharge current. As the power‐off duration continues to decrease, the discharge undergoes an inverse period‐doubling bifurcation from reverse period‐four discharge to reverse period‐two discharge. This study provides a deeper insight into the underlying physics of nonlinear behaviors in DBDs under Martian pressure.
Inhibition of dissolution‐induced crystal transformation of ϵ‐Hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane in plasticizers by polydopamine coating**
Authors: Sun Sen , Guo Xueyong , Pan Qi , Zhang Honglei , Zhao Wanjun , Wu Chengcheng , Li Shengwei
Published: January 2023

In order to avoid the crystal transformation of ϵ‐Hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (ϵ‐HNIW) dissolved in plasticizers, a suitable bonding agent was selected to inhibit the crystal transformation of ϵ‐HNIW. Interfacial interaction simulations were carried out using Materials Studio2017 software for selected neutral polymer bonding agent (NPBA), polyene polyamine bonding agent (LBA) and polydopamine (PDA) and ϵ‐HNIW. Results showed that the interaction order of the three polymers on the ϵ‐HNIW crystal surface is PDA>NPBA> LBA; ϵ‐HNIW@ PDA crystal phase was more stable. Therefore, ϵ‐HNIW@ PDA crystal particles were constructed by the in‐situ self‐polymerization coating technology. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that the ϵ‐HNIW@ PDA was square with smooth surface. The thermal properties of ϵ‐HNIW@ PDA were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), which showed that the coating of PDA effectively increased the transition temperature of ϵ‐HNIW crystal. Moreover, the solubility and crystal transformation mechanism and law of ϵ‐HNIW/ϵ‐HNIW@ PDA in four plasticizers were further studied and compared systematically, ϵ‐HNIW@ PDA showed significantly lower solubility compared with ϵ‐HNIW. The solubility size was ranking as isodecyl nonanoate (IDP)>dioctyl sebacate (DOS)>dioctyl adipate (DOA)>paraffin liquid (RH). Variable‐temperature X‐ray diffraction (XRD) tests showed that PDA increased the ϵ‐HNIW crystal transformation temperature by about 35 °C. The small amount of dissolution of ϵ‐HNIW by the four plasticizers had a facilitative effect on the ϵ‐HNIW crystal transformation, which was consistent with the solubility magnitude. These results indicated that PDA‐coated ϵ‐HNIW enhances crystal interfacial interaction, reduces the solubility in plasticizers, and has a significant inhibitory effect on the dissolution‐induced crystal transformation of ϵ‐HNIW.
Predicting protein flexibility with AlphaFold
Authors: Ma Puyi , Li Da‐Wei , Brüschweiler Rafael
Published: January 2023

AlphaFold2 has revolutionized protein structure prediction from amino‐acid sequence. In addition to protein structures, high‐resolution dynamics information about various protein regions is important for understanding protein function. Although AlphaFold2 has neither been designed nor trained to predict protein dynamics, it is shown here how the information returned by AlphaFold2 can be used to predict dynamic protein regions at the individual residue level. The approach, which is termed cdsAF2, uses the 3D protein structure returned by AlphaFold2 to predict backbone NMR NH S2 order parameters using a local contact model that takes into account the contacts made by each peptide plane along the backbone with its environment. By combining for each residue AlphaFold2's pLDDT confidence score for the structure prediction accuracy with the predicted S2 value using the local contact model, an estimator is obtained that semi‐quantitatively captures many of the dynamics features observed in experimental backbone NMR NH S2 order parameter profiles. The method is demonstrated for a set nine proteins of different sizes and variable amounts of dynamics and disorder.
CFD‐based pesticide selection for a nozzle used in a six‐rotor UAV in hover mode for tea spraying
Authors: Dong Si‐Jia , Gui Qing‐Hua , Zhu Lin , Zou Xiao‐Rui , Zhou Wen‐Xuan , Hou Ru‐Yan , Moray Peter Jusu , Yin Cheng‐Long
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND

A key challenge for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) spraying sometimes used in tea plantations is the downwash flow structure there stronger than in crops. In addition, the UAV spray is affected by the relationship between the nozzle design and the pesticide. However, there is little current research on this aspect. As a preliminary step this study focuses on the most appropriate pesticide for a designated nozzle in a six‐rotor UAV according to the nozzle–pesticide relationship using a three‐dimensional computational fluid dynamics model. This model considers the downwash flow structure effect and nozzle spray performance in hover. Nozzle FVP110‐02, widely used in six‐rotor UAVs, is used as a representative nozzle and bifenthrin and tea saponin water, commonly used in tea plantations, are used as the pesticides.

RESULTS

The downwash flow structure of the six‐rotor UAV in hover was conveniently controlled by the flight height and rotational speed, thereby causing the turbulence to be more stable. For nozzle FVP110‐02, bifenthrin was more appropriate than tea saponin water at the same concentration, whilst bifenthrin and tea saponin water at a concentration of 1:1000 showed the best performance under identical working conditions.

CONCLUSION

The numerical model developed here was shown to be effective for investigating the relationship between nozzle and pesticide. Our findings will help to not only improve UAV spraying for tea cultivation but also provide guidelines for pesticide selection in crops. Further work will address the comparison of the rigorous qualification of the numerical simulations with the measurements by the field test. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
The Mythimna separata general odorant binding protein 2 (MsepGOBP2) is involved in the larval detection of the sex pheromone (Z)‐11‐hexadecenal
Authors: Tian Zhen , Li Ruichi , Cheng Shichang , Zhou Tong , Liu Jiyuan
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND

Mythimna separata is a notorious pest causing crop damages at the larval stage. Gaining insight into larval olfaction mechanisms would provide knowledge for olfaction‐based management of M. separata larvae.

RESULTS

In the present research, (Z)‐11‐hexadecenal (Z11‐16: Ald), a major component of M. separata sex pheromone, was found to attract early‐instar larvae of M. separata in a food context. Using a fluorescent binding assay, we found that M. separata general odorant binding protein 2 (MsepGOBP2) exhibited high binding affinity to Z11‐16: Ald. Further, silencing of MsepGOBP2 resulted in a sharp reduction of the response to Z11‐16: Ald, which could not be mitigated by increasing the concentration of Z11‐16: Ald. Additionally, we employed molecular dynamics‐based approaches to unravel the interaction details between MsepGOBP2 and Z11‐16: Ald, specifically the binding of Z11‐16: Ald to MsepGOBP2.

CONCLUSION

Z11‐16: Ald is attractive to early‐instar larvae of M. separata, and MsepGOBP2 is identified to be indispensable in the larval detection of Z11‐16: Ald. These results could aid in the development of olfaction‐based methods for controlling M. separata in the larval stage. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Effect of Substrate Temperature on Photoelectric Properties of AZO Thin Films
Authors: Zhao Yanfang , Ding Wei , Xiao Yuanbin , Yang Ping
Published: January 2023

Herein, Al‐doped ZnO (AZO) thin films are prepared on quartz glass substrates by RF magnetron sputtering. The effects of substrate temperature (T
s) on the structure, morphology, electrical, and optical properties of AZO films are investigated by X‐ray diffraction, field emission electron microscopy, Hall effect testing instrument, and ultraviolet spectrophotometer, respectively. The results show that the doping of Al element does not change the structure of ZnO films, and all films have typical hexagonal wurtzite structure with preferred c‐axis orientation. The film sample has the strongest (002) diffraction peak and the smallest value of full‐width at half‐maximum at the T
s value of 150 °C. With the increase of T
s value, the grain size of the film increases first and then decreases. At 150 °C, the film exhibits good electrical conductivity, and its resistivity is 0.6210−2 Ω cm, the carrier concentration is 9.841019 cm−3, and the Hall mobility is 13.66 cm2 V−1 s−1. All samples show high transmittance, and the average transmittance in the stable visible light region is as high as 95% at the T
s value of room temperature and 250 °C, and the average transmittance of all samples is above 80%. This provides a method for the application of ZnO transparent conductive films.
Microplasma Breakdown in GaAs‐Based Avalanche S‐Diodes Doped with Deep Fe Acceptors
Authors: Prudaev Ilya , Kopyev Viktor , Oleinik Vladimir
Published: January 2023

The article reports investigations into the microplasma breakdown in GaAs‐based avalanche S‐diodes doped with deep Fe acceptor impurities. The experiment shows the effect of current limitation in a reverse I–V curve with “soft” avalanche breakdown. It proposes 2D single microplasma models and calculates I–V curves of diodes with a deep impurity during microplasma breakdown. By comparing experimental and calculation data, authors propose an explanation for the effect of current limitation during avalanche breakdown. The effect is associated with capture of avalanche holes at negatively charged Fe centers, which enhances the depletion region and minimizes the maximum electric field in a reverse‐biased p–n junction of an S‐diode.
Topological Phase Transition and Lattice Dynamical Properties of Half‐Heusler XPtBi (X = Gd, Nd)
Authors: Goyal Megha , Sinha Murari Mohan
Published: January 2023

Topological materials ranging from insulator to semimetals depending upon the band degeneracies are attracting the interest of researchers nowadays due to their fascinating physical properties. Among these, half‐Heuslers GdPtBi and NdPtBi have been theoretically predicted to be topological semimetals. The structural stability and electronic properties of the proposed compounds are computed within the framework of density functional theory. The results of structural optimization show that the ferromagnetic phase of the considered compounds is more stable than nonmagnetic phase. Moreover, the inclusion of magnetization in both these compounds generates Weyl nodes in the compounds. The dynamical stability of XPtBi (X = Gd and Nd) is confirmed by the computed vibrational properties of the compounds. Further, the thermodynamical parameters such as specific heat, entropy, Debye's temperature, and thermal expansion have been investigated by applying Debye's framework based on quasi‐harmonic approximation in the temperature range from 0 to 1000 K and pressure range 0–5 GPa. This work will encourage experimentalists to further study these materials for practical utilization.
Physical Mechanism of the β‐Ga2O3 PN Tunneling Diode with a Low Specific On‐Resistance
Authors: He Yunlong , Hong Yuehua , Lu Xiaoli , Li Yuan , Zhang Fang , Wang Xichen , Li Jianing , Yang Yitong , Zheng Xuefeng , Ma Xiaohua , Hao Yue
Published: January 2023

This study proposes a β‐Ga2O3 pn tunneling diode (PNT‐diode) in which the p‐type region is obtained by sputtering a thin NiOx layer in the pure argon atmosphere. The diode exhibits good characteristics: a high current density of 1530 A cm−2 at 10 V and a low specific on‐resistance of 0.56 mΩ cm2. Moreover, its breakdown voltage of is about four times compared to a conventional diode, and its Baliga's figure of merit (BFOM) is as high as 3.25 GW cm−2. Ni/NiOx diodes are simulated by Silvaco simulation software to investigate the physical mechanism of the low specific on‐resistance of the PNT‐diode, and the results demonstrate that Ni and NiOx can form a reverse diode, and that PNT‐diode is equivalent to the Ni/NiOx reverse diode and the NiOx/β‐Ga2O3 forward diode connected in series. Finally, the electric field distribution of the PNT‐diode is simulated, and it is found that p‐type NiOx can significantly reduce the peak electric field at the anode edge.
Trade‐Off between Multilevel Characteristics and Power Consumption of High‐Aspect‐Ratio Phase‐Change Memory
Authors: Zhao Ruizhe , Tong Hao , Miao Xiangshui
Published: January 2023

Storage density improvement is a key challenge for phase‐change memory (PCM) application for storage class memory (SCM). The high‐aspect‐ratio design in confined‐structure PCM enables controllable multilevel cell (MLC) operation. However, the increasing aspect‐ratio will cause too large energy consumption to successfully operate the PCM. The trade‐off of different aspect‐ratio sizes of Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) nanowires (NWs) is investigated. Through COMSOL simulation and experiments, with the same Reset energy, the limit of aspect‐ratio decreases with increasing NWs lengths. In the meantime, larger Reset energy is required with a larger length for the same aspect‐ratio devices. Finally, the design range of the high aspect‐ratio is optimized in which the NWs length size is below 1.5 um and the aspect‐ratio ranges from 8:1 to 10:1. This work can provide guidance for the design of high‐aspect‐ratio 3D PCM with better MLC.
Improving early phase oncology clinical trial design: The case for finding the optimal biological dose
Authors: Phillips Alan , Mondal Shalini
Published: January 2023

Historically early phase oncology drug development programmes have been based on the belief that “more is better”. Furthermore, rule‐based study designs such as the “3 + 3” design are still often used to identify the MTD. Phillips and Clark argue that newer Bayesian model‐assisted designs such as the BOIN design should become the go to designs for statisticians for MTD finding. This short communication goes one stage further and argues that Bayesian model‐assisted designs such as the BOIN12 which balances risk‐benefit should be included as one of the go to designs for early phase oncology trials, depending on the study objectives. Identifying the optimal biological dose for future research for many modern targeted drugs, immunotherapies, cell therapies and vaccine therapies can save significant time and resources.
A stochastic Petri Net‐based approach for operational performance estimation of quay cranes
Authors: Jalal Mohd Rajali , Kader Ab Saman Abd , Hamid Mohd Foad Abdul , Kang Hooi Siang
Published: January 2023

Reliability, availability, and maintainability (RAM) of quay cranes (QCs) are essential for an effective port operation. This study estimates operational RAM of QCs using the Stochastic Petri Net (SPN) modelling. Asset Performance Assessment (APA) was performed to conduct the study by a SPN model. Based on the operation and maintenance data, probability distributions of Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) and Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) is determined by Goodness of Fit Test of Anderson Darling. Subsequently, these distributions are applied in APA to determine the frequencies of failure/breakdowns, duration of downtimes, availability, and reliability with the assistance of the SPN model and Monte Carlo Simulation. The availability of the analysed QC is 0.97 or 97%. The results of this work are verified by the comparison with historical data. The outcomes of this paper contribute to reliability, availability, maintainability, and risk management of QCs.
Rapid and simple determination of average molecular weight and composition of synthetic polymers via electrospray ionization‐mass spectrometry and a Bayesian universal charge deconvolution
Authors: Keating Addie R. , Wesdemiotis Chrys
Published: January 2023

Rationale

Simple, affordable, and rapid methods for identifying the molecular weight (MW) distribution and macromolecular composition of polymeric materials are limited. Current tools require extensive solvent consumption, linear calibrations, and expensive consumables. A simple method for the determination of average MW (Mn, Mw) and chain end groups is demonstrated for synthetic homopolymer standards using direct injection electrospray ionization‐mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) and an open‐sourced charge deconvolution (CDC) algorithm.

Methods

Five homopolymer standards in the 1–7 kDa MW range were analyzed using direct‐injection ESI‐MS on a quadrupole/time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer. The samples investigated, viz. two poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and two poly(styrene sulfonic acid) (PSS) standards with narrow polydispersity and one poly(d,l‐alanine) (pAla) standard with undefined polydispersity, were chosen to illustrate challenges with ESI‐MS quantitation. Using the UniDec program, weight average MWs (Mw) obtained from the charge‐deconvoluted spectra were compared to the reported Mw data of the standards from size exclusion chromatography (SEC) measurements.

Results

The MW data derived for the PSS, PEO, and pAla standards agreed well with the corresponding reported Mw or MW range values. The method was able to provide MW, degree of polymerization (DP), and polydispersity index (PDI) information for polymers with narrow (PSS, PEO) as well as broader (pAla) molecular weight distribution; this feature provides an advantage over MW analysis via matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) for ESI‐compatible materials. PSS standards differing in average MW by only a few repeat units could be confidently distinguished. Additionally, the oligomeric resolution observed for all samples studied unveiled chain‐end information not available through chromatographic analysis.

Conclusions

Overall, the free and easy‐to‐use UniDec CDC algorithm provides a simple, alternative method to measuring MW and DP for polymeric materials without high solvent consumption, expensive ionization sources, or calibration curves. Information about the masses of individual oligomers and the possibility to further characterize these oligomers using tandem mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility techniques constitutes additional benefits of this approach vis‐à‐vis traditional MW and PDI elucidation through SEC.
Integrated guidance and control of hypersonic flight vehicle with coordinated mission requirement and input constraint
Authors: Shou Yingxin , Yan Tian , Xu Bin , Sun Fuchun
Published: January 2023

An integrated adaptive guidance and control algorithm is investigated for the hypersonic flight vehicle (HFV) under the objection of coordinated for mission requirement and control capability. The design pressure to avoid input saturation is placed in the guidance loop by analyzing the hard restriction on the fuel‐air equivalence ratio (FER) and the acceleration mission objective. Using the concept of model self‐shaping, a loss function is established to achieve the self‐optimization of the reference model bandwidth. The reference trajectory of the velocity slows down as the FER approaches its maximum value and becomes faster as the FER demand decreases. The backstepping frame is applied in the attitude control system, and the dynamics uncertainty with the unknown aerodynamic parameters is constructed using neural network. The Karush–Kuhn–Tucker multiplier is used as a link parameter of the guidance and control integrated framework and is introduced into the adaptive update law. An adaptive algorithm is proposed with the estimating evaluation derived from the serial‐parallel estimation model. A HFV simulation test with FER constraint shows that the adaptive integrated guidance and control can follow the desired trajectory with high tracking accuracy, and the control input can be kept within a feasible value.
Dynamic event‐triggered consensus of multi‐agent systems under directed topology
Authors: Liu Kaien , Ji Zhijian
Published: January 2023

Event‐triggered consensus of multi‐agent systems (MASs) under directed topology is investigated in this paper. First, one shortcoming about the event‐trigger conditions in some recent results is pointed out through a counterexample. Then, two reasonable event‐trigger conditions are proposed and analyzed. Meanwhile, a novel dynamic event‐trigger strategy is applied in the two designed event‐trigger conditions, in which an auxiliary term is introduced for each agent to regulate its threshold dynamically. It is proved that the dynamic term plays an essential role in excluding Zeno behavior. The case of strongly connected topology is first investigated. Then, the results are extended to the more general topology containing a spanning tree. Numerical example is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the designed event‐trigger conditions.
Intergenerational externalities and corporate green innovation
Authors: Jiang Wenbing , Wang Xuejun , Du Lei
Published: January 2023

Based on the intergenerational externalities views, this paper builds the link between ecological damage claim policy and firms' green innovation. Making polluters bear intergenerational responsibility is considered to be a key move to break intergenerational externalities and effectively address the problem of multiple environmental failures. The ecological damage claim policy makes the environmental rights of future generations being remedied through judicial procedures, and can clarify pollution responsibility to push firms to choose long‐term environmental solutions for achieving intergenerational sustainability and maintaining intergenerational justice. Using longitudinal data (2012–2017) covering 4992 Chinese firm‐year observations in high‐pollution industries, we find that ecological damage claim policy promotes firms' green innovation. This positive effect is stronger when the firm is located in a region with stronger environmental enforcement and more environmental organizations.
Second Near‐Infrared (NIR‐II) Window for Imaging‐Navigated Modulation of Brain Structure and Function
Authors: Zhang Ke , Chen Fu‐Rong , Wang Lidai , Hu Jinlian
Published: January 2023

For a long time, optical imaging of the deep brain with high resolution has been a challenge. Recently, with the advance in second near‐infrared (NIR‐II) bioimaging techniques and imaging contrast agents, NIR‐II window bioimaging has attracted great attention to monitoring deeper biological or pathophysiological processes with high signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and spatiotemporal resolution. Assisted with NIR‐II bioimaging, the modulation of structure and function of brain is promising to be noninvasive and more precise. Herein, in this review, first the advantage of NIR‐II light in brain imaging from the interaction between NIR‐II and tissue is elaborated. Then, several specific NIR‐II bioimaging technologies are introduced, including NIR‐II fluorescence imaging, multiphoton fluorescence imaging, and photoacoustic imaging. Furthermore, the corresponding contrast agents are summarized. Next, the application of various NIR‐II bioimaging technologies in visualizing the characteristics of cerebrovascular network and monitoring the changes of the pathology signals will be presented. After that, the modulation of brain structure and function based on NIR‐II bioimaging will be discussed, including treatment of glioblastoma, guidance of cell transplantation, and neuromodulation. In the end, future perspectives that would help improve the clinical translation of NIR‐II light are proposed.
Water‐in‐Water Emulsions Stabilized by Silica Janus Nanosheets
Authors: Hu Bintao , Zhao Yongliang , Ye Zhangfan , Wang Haitao
Published: January 2023

Water‐in‐water (w/w) emulsions have been recognized for their broad applications in foods, cosmetics, and biomedical engineering. In this work, silica Janus nanosheets (JNs) with polyacrylic acid (PAA) chains grafted on one surface via crushing functional silica foams, and used silica JNs as Pickering stabilizer to produce stable water‐in‐water (w/w) emulsions from the aqueous two‐phase system (ATPS) containing methacrylic acid (MAA) and NaCl are prepared. The interfacial area of w/w emulsions increases linearly with the concentration of silica JNs, and the interfacial coverage of nanosheets is calculated to be about 98%. After polymerizing w/w emulsions prepared from MAA/NaCl ATPS, it is found that silica JNs are entrapped at the interface of w/w emulsions with the smooth PAA‐grafted surface located toward MAA‐rich phase due to their specific interaction. These results show that functional silica JNs can be used as a promising amphiphilic Pickering stabilizer to produce well‐defined w/w emulsions for numerous application fields.