bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glucose assimilation rate determines the partition of flux at pyruvate between lactic acid and ethanol in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Lane Stephan , Turner Timothy L. , Jin Yong‐Su
Published: February 2023

Engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae expressing a lactic acid dehydrogenase can metabolize pyruvate into lactic acid. However, three pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) isozymes drive most carbon flux toward ethanol rather than lactic acid. Deletion of endogenous PDCs will eliminate ethanol production, but the resulting strain suffers from C2 auxotrophy and struggles to complete a fermentation. Engineered yeast assimilating xylose or cellobiose produce lactic acid rather than ethanol as a major product without the deletion of any PDC genes. We report here that sugar flux, but not sensing, contributes to the partition of flux at the pyruvate branch point in S. cerevisiae expressing the Rhizopus oryzae lactic acid dehydrogenase (LdhA). While the membrane glucose sensors Snf3 and Rgt2 did not play any direct role in the option of predominant product, the sugar assimilation rate was strongly correlated to the partition of flux at pyruvate: fast sugar assimilation favors ethanol production while slow sugar assimilation favors lactic acid. Applying this knowledge, we created an engineered yeast capable of simultaneously converting glucose and xylose into lactic acid, increasing lactic acid production to approximately 17 g L−1 from the 12 g L−1 observed during sequential consumption of sugars. This work elucidates the carbon source‐dependent effects on product selection in engineered yeast.
Antioxidant and Pulmonary Protective Potential of Fraxinus xanthoxyloides Bark Extract against CCl4‐Induced Toxicity in Rats
Authors: Younis Tahira , Jabeen Faiza , Hussain Ali , Rasool Bilal , Raza Ishaq Ali , Nawaz Atif , El‐Nashar Heba A. S. , El‐Shazly Mohamed
Published: February 2023

Fraxinus xanthoxyloides is a perennial shrub belonging to family Oleaceae, traditionally used for malaria, jaundice, pneumonia, inflammation, and rheumatism. Our study is aimed to assess the total phenolics (TPC), flavonoids (TFC), terpenoids contents (TTC) and antioxidant profiling of F. xanthoxyloides methanol bark extract (FXBM) and its fractions, hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous, along with high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode‐array detection (HPLC‐DAD). Further, the antioxidant and pulmonary protective potential was explored against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced CCl4‐induced pulmonary tissue damage in rats. The highest TPC, TFC and TTC were found in FXBM (133.29±4.19 mg/g), ethyl acetate fraction (279.55±10.35 mg/g), and chloroform fraction (0.79±0.06 mg/g), respectively. The most potent antioxidant capacity was depicted by FXBM (29.21±2.40 μg/mg) and ethyl acetate fraction (91.16±5.51 μg/mg). The HPLC‐DAD analysis revealed the predominance of gallic, chlorogenic, vanillic and ferulic acid in FXBM. The administration of CCl4 induced oxidative stress, suppressed antioxidant enzymes′ activities including catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione‐S‐transferase, and glutathione reductase. Further, it increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and H2O2 levels, induced DNA injuries and reduced the total protein and glutathione content in lung tissues. The treatment of rats with FXBM restored these biochemical parameters to the normal level. Moreover, the histopathological studies of lung tissues demonstrated that FXBM protected rats′ lung tissues from oxidative damage restoring normal lung functions. Thus, F. xanthoxyloides bark extract is recommended as adjuvant therapy as protective agent for patients with lung disorders.
Ventricular arrhythmias following balloon‐expandable transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement in the native right ventricular outflow tract
Authors: Barfuss Spencer B. , Samayoa Juan Carlos , Etheridge Susan P. , Pilcher Thomas A. , Asaki Sarah Yukiko , Ou Zhining , Boucek Dana M. , Martin Mary Hunt , Gray Robert G. , Niu Mary C.
Published: January 2023

Background

Ventricular arrhythmia incidence in children and adolescents undergoing transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement (TPVR) within the native right ventricular outflow tract (nRVOT) is unknown. We sought to describe the incidence, severity, and duration of ventricular arrhythmias and identify associated risk factors in this population.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of 78 patients <21 years of age who underwent TPVR within the nRVOT. Patients were excluded for pre‐existing ventricular arrhythmia or antiarrhythmic use. Study variables included surgical history, valve replacement indication, valve type/size, and ventricular arrhythmia. Univariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate factors associated with ventricular arrhythmias, followed by subset analyses.

Results

Nonsustained ventricular arrhythmia occurred in 26/78 patients (33.3%). The median age at the procedure was 10.3 years (interquartle range [IQR]: 6.5, 12.8). Compared with other nRVOT types, surgical repair with transannular patch was protective against ventricular arrhythmia incidence: odds ratio (OR): 0.35 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13–0.95). Patient weight, valve type/size, number of prestents, and degree of stent extension into the RVOT were not associated with ventricular arrhythmia occurrence. Beta blocker was started in 16/26 (61.5%) patients with ventricular arrhythmia. One additional patient was lost to follow‐up. The median beta blocker duration was 46 days (IQR 42, 102). Beta blocker was discontinued in 10 patients by 8‐week follow‐up and in the remaining four by 9 months.

Conclusions

Though common after balloon‐expandable TPVR within the nRVOT, ventricular arrhythmias were benign and transient. Antiarrhythmic medications were successfully discontinued in the majority at 6‐ to 8‐week follow‐up, and in all patients by 20 months.
Impact of technique on bifurcation stent outcomes in the European Bifurcation Club Left Main Coronary Trial
Authors: Arunothayaraj Sandeep , Lassen Jens Flensted , Clesham Gerald J. , Spence Mark S. , Koning René , Banning Adrian P. , Lindsay Mitchell , Christiansen Evald H. , Egred Mohaned , Cockburn James , Mylotte Darren , Brunel Philippe , Ferenc Miroslaw , Hovasse Thomas , Wlodarczak Adrian , Pan Manuel , Silvestri Marc , Erglis Andrejs , Kretov Evgeny , Chieffo Alaide , Lefèvre Thierry , Burzotta Francesco , Darremont Olivier , Stankovic Goran , Morice Marie‐Claude , Louvard Yves , Hildick‐Smith David
Published: January 2023

Background

Techniques for provisional and dual‐stent left main bifurcation stenting require optimization.

Aim

To identify technical variables influencing procedural outcomes and periprocedural myocardial infarction following left main bifurcation intervention.

Methods

Procedural and outcome data were analyzed in 438 patients from the per‐protocol cohort of the European Bifurcation Club Left Main Trial (EBC MAIN). These patients were randomized to the provisional strategy or a compatible dual‐stent extension (T, T‐and‐protrude, or culotte).

Results

Mean age was 71 years and 37.4% presented with an acute coronary syndrome. Transient reduction of side vessel thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow occurred after initial stent placement in 5% of procedures but was not associated with periprocedural myocardial infarction. Failure to rewire a jailed vessel during any strategy was more common when jailed wires were not used (9.5% vs. 2.5%, odds ratio [OR]: 6.4, p = 0.002). In the provisional cohort, the use of the proximal optimization technique was associated with less subsequent side vessel intervention (23.3% vs. 41.9%, OR: 0.4, p = 0.048). Side vessel stenting was predominantly required for dissection, which occurred more often following side vessel preparation (15.3% vs. 4.4%, OR: 3.1, p = 0.040). Exclusive use of noncompliant balloons for kissing balloon inflation was associated with reduced need for side vessel intervention in provisional cases (20.5% vs. 38.5%, OR: 0.4, p = 0.013), and a reduced risk of periprocedural myocardial infarction across all strategies (2.9% vs. 7.7%, OR: 0.2, p = 0.020).

Conclusion

When performing provisional or compatible dual‐stent left main bifurcation intervention, jailed wire use is associated with successful jailed vessel rewiring. Side vessel preparation in provisional patients is linked to increased side vessel dissection requiring stenting. Use of the proximal optimization technique may reduce the need for additional side vessel intervention, and noncompliant balloon use for kissing balloon inflation is associated with a reduction in both side vessel stenting and periprocedural myocardial infarction.

Clinical Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02497014.
Iliofemoral artery predilation prior to transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients with aortic valve stenosis and advanced peripheral artery disease
Authors: Alvarez‐Covarrubias Hector A. , Joner Michael , Cassese Salvatore , Warmbrunn Mairead , Lutz Jannik , Trenkwalder Teresa , Seguchi Masaru , Aytekin Alp , Presch Antonia , Pellegrini Constanza , Rheude Tobias , Patrick Mayr N. , Kufner Sebastian , Schunkert Heribert , Kastrati Adnan , Xhepa Erion
Published: January 2023

Objectives

To investigate the feasibility and safety of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of the iliofemoral arteries (IFA) before transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (Tf‐TAVI) in patients with advanced peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Background

Although Tf‐TAVI represents the access of choice, alternative vascular access routes are preferred for patients displaying advanced PAD. PTA of the IFA represents a less invasive option, broadening the spectrum of patients eligible for Tf‐TAVI.

Methods

All patients requiring PTA of the IFA before Tf‐TAVI, between 2012 and 2021, were included. Primary efficacy endpoint was the rate of successful transcatheter heart valve (THV) delivery and implantation. Primary safety endpoint was the rate of PTA and access‐site‐related vascular complications, procedural‐ and in‐hospital complications.

Results

Among 2726 Tf‐TAVI procedures, 59 patients required IFA predilation. Successful THV delivery and implantation was achieved in 57 (96.6%) patients, respectively. Sheath placement was achieved in 59 (100%) patients with only one minor dissection and no major vascular complications following iliofemoral PTA. Regarding access site complications, two (3.4%) vessel perforations and one (1.7%) vessel rupture were observed, with eight (13.5%) patients requiring unplanned endovascular interventions. There was one intraprocedural death due to THV‐induced vessel laceration, while in‐hospital all‐cause mortality was 8.5% in the present high‐risk patient cohort.

Conclusions

Predilation of IFA is safe and effective in patients with advanced PAD. Careful preprocedural planning is paramount in improving procedural safety and efficacy. This strategy has the potential to broaden the spectrum of patients eligible for Tf‐TAVI.
Suitability of Sodium Pyruvate as Decomposer of Carried‐over Liquid Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Belschner Diana , Rosenberger Melanie , Atamer Zeynep , Hinrichs Jörg , Kosian Thomas , Rauschnabel Johannes
Published: February 2023

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the concentration of sodium pyruvate in growth media by using the most‐probable number method to decompose carried‐over liquid hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) without negative influences on correct enumeration of Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores. An equivalent molar ratio of sodium pyruvate and H2O2 was verified to be sufficient for a complete decomposition. The results showed that by exposition of G. stearothermophilus spores in different liquid hydrogen peroxide and by carry‐over of concentrations ranging from 3.56 · 10−6 up to 1.69 · 10−4 mol, a sodium pyruvate concentration of 0.05 mol L−1 in growth media was most efficient for the recovery of spores.
A comprehensive test of colour‐difference formulae and uniform colour spaces using available visual datasets
Authors: Luo Ming Ronnier , Xu Qiang , Pointer Michael , Melgosa Manuel , Cui Guihua , Li Changjun , Xiao Kaida , Huang Min
Published: February 2023

The paper describes a comprehensive test to evaluate the performance of current colour‐difference models using available experimental datasets. In total, 28 individual datasets were accumulated to test 17 colour‐difference formulae, 13 of them based on Uniform Colour Spaces (UCSs) in terms of the Standardized Residual Sum of Squares (STRESS) measure. The 28 datasets were divided into three groups: Large Colour‐Difference data (LCD), Small Colour‐Difference data for surface colours (SCDs), and Small Colour Difference data for display colours (SCDd). For each colour model, four versions were tested: the original model, and that including kL‐, Gamma‐ and kL/Gamma, which are the lightness parametric factor, the colour‐difference exponent factor, and the combination of both, respectively, optimized to fit particular dataset(s). The statistical F‐test was applied to test the difference between each pair of models. Furthermore, parametric effects between the large/small colour‐difference magnitudes, and between surface/display colours were investigated. The results showed that CAM16‐UCS significantly outperformed the other models for all groups. It accurately predicted all types of data and should be proposed for colour‐difference evaluation across all industries.
Employing factor analytic tools for selecting high‐performance and stable tropical maize hybrids
Authors: Chaves Saulo F. S. , Evangelista Jeniffer S. P. C. , Trindade Roberto S. , Dias Luiz A. S. , Guimarães Paulo E. , Guimarães Lauro J. M. , Alves Rodrigo S. , Bhering Leonardo L. , Dias Kaio O. G.
Published: January 2023

Genotype‐by‐environment interaction (GEI) is a major concern in tropical maize breeding. Here, we used factor analytic mixed models (FAMM) to study GEI in a tropical maize dataset. Our goal was to select high‐performance and stable hybrids using factor analytic selection tools (FAST) derived from FAMM outputs. Because the dataset comprised two different planting seasons, we also investigated differences in the genetic gains between seasonal and general selection (i.e., for both seasons simultaneously). The trials were installed in a lattice design with 36 hybrids containing two replicates and blocks with six plants each. We evaluated 53 hybrids and seven checks in 48 environments, represented by a combination of locations, years and seasons. We fitted the FAMMs with distinct sets of factors. The best‐fitted FAMM was selected considering a parsimony‐explained variance balance. Using the best FAMM for both seasonal and general analyses, we estimated the following selection tools: overall performance (); root mean square deviation (), which represents general stability; and responsiveness , which represents specific stability. We selected hybrids based on an index built with and . Five and three hybrids were selected considering both general and seasonal analyses for the first and second season, respectively. Two hybrids were amongst the top eight for both seasonal analyses (i.e., only first season and only second season simultaenously). Higher genetic gains may be obtained by employing FAMM and using FAST in each season rather than analysing both seasons in a joint fashion.
Are biologically synthesized electrolytes the future in green energy storage?
Authors: Wilhelmsen Charlotte Overgaard , Muff Jens , Sørensen Jens Laurids
Published: February 2023

The production of renewable energy from solar panels and windmills is rapidly increasing these years. However, one of the biggest hurdles that need to be overcome in the green transition is cost‐efficient energy storage to reach the full exploitation of their potential. A promising energy storage technology is redox flow batteries (RFBs), particularly using quinones as electron carriers. The prototypes of quinone batteries have been derived from crude oil, which unfortunately falls short of the ambition of sustainable energy production purely from renewable sources. It is well‐known that filamentous fungi have a great capacity for quinone production. and the first RFB with a fungal‐produced quinone was recently generated as a proof‐of‐concept. Here, we give our opinion and perspectives on which challenges need to be solved before an RFB with fungal‐produced quinones can be applied in the green transition.
Employer Expectations of 21st‐Century High School Graduates: Analyzing Online Job Advertisements
Authors: Williams Kevin M. , Wang Tao , Holtzman Steven , Leung Tak Ming , Cherfrere Gernissia , Ling Guangming
Published: January 2023

Individuals with a high school education represent the largest subset of the U.S. workforce. However, little is known about the employer expectations of these individuals, particularly in the area of soft skills—also known as 21st‐century skills. Online job advertisements offer useful data for examining these expectations, as they may supplement employer survey data and reflect actual recruitment practices. Our analysis of 68,505 online job advertisements suggests that employers hold generally lower expectations for the soft skills of high school–educated individuals than they do for postsecondary‐educated individuals. However, employer expectations for two soft skills—professionalism and customer service skills—appear to be substantially higher for high school–educated individuals than for postsecondary‐educated individuals. Additional results highlight similarities and differences within the high school–educated workforce across nine workplace industries. We discuss the implications of these results not only for high school–educated individuals and the organizations that employ them but also for practitioners and educators charged with assessing and providing training for these skills.
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies of the buffered and non‐buffered microbial fuel cell
Authors: Nourbakhsh Fatemeh , Mohsennia Mohsen , Pazouki Mohammad
Published: January 2023

The positive effect of buffers to maintain a sui pH for microorganism growth and increase the electrolyte conductivity in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) encourages more studies on the development of new buffer solutions. The effect of types of biological buffers such as phosphate, tris, succinate, and maleate on power production in dual chamber MFC inoculated by saccharomyces cerevisiae has been examined. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy has been used for evaluating the performance of the buffered and non‐buffered MFC systems. Considering the important impact of buffer type on the resistance of ion migration within the electrolyte and electron transport resistance of the cell components, the internal resistance of the MFC with different used buffers has been obtained and compared. According to the obtained results, the tris buffer solution showed a positive influence on the power output with a power density of 25.41% higher than phosphate.
Minimum hydrogen consumption‐based energy management strategy for hybrid fuel cell unmanned aerial vehicles using direction prediction optimal foraging algorithm
Authors: Quan Rui , Li Zhongxin , Liu Pin , Li Yangxin , Chang Yufang , Yan Huaicheng
Published: January 2023

In hybrid energy storage systems of fuel cell unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), achieving energy management while minimizing hydrogen consumption is the main goal for economic aspects and endurance enhancement. The external energy maximization strategy (EEMS) and the equivalent consumption minimization strategy (ECMS) are commonly used energy management strategies. However, they use a gradient descent approach, which converges slowly and does not guarantee the optimal solution. Thus, this paper proposes an optimization method based on a direction prediction optimal foraging algorithm (OFA/DP), which has the advantages of high optimization capability and simple parameter definition. In this study, the hybrid energy storage system comprises fuel cells and lithium‐ion batteries for powering UAVs. To verify the validity of the proposed strategy, it is compared with rule‐based and optimized methods of state machine control, fuzzy logic control based on frequency separation, ECMS, EEMS, and genetic algorithm. The obtained results confirm the superiority of the proposed OFA/DP‐based EEMS method with an efficiency of 88.65% and a minimum hydrogen consumption of 19.06 g. Furthermore, it achieves optimal power distribution and leads to 38.62% minimization in hydrogen consumption.
Fish Protein Hydrolysate from Sulfated Polysaccharides Extraction Residue of Tuna Processing By‐Products with Bioactive and Functional Properties
Authors: Naghdi Shahab , Rezaei Masoud , Tabarsa Mehdi , Abdollahi Mehdi
Published: January 2023

The ethanol‐induced precipitation after enzymatic hydrolysis commonly used for sulfated polysaccharide extraction from marine resources wastes a large amount of proteins. Here, possible extraction of fish protein hydrolysates (FPH) from the ethanol residue of sulfated polysaccharide precipitation from head, bone, and skin of skipjack tuna is investigated. Antioxidant, antibacterial, angiotensin I‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activities and functional properties of the recovered FPHs are also evaluated. A degree of hydrolysis of 40.93, 38.13, and 37.23 is achieved for FPH from head, bone, and skin, respectively. FPH from the head presents the highest antioxidant and ACE inhibitory activity as well as foam/emulsion capacity among all the FPHs. The FPHs are all able to inhibit three Gram‐positive bacteria and three Gram‐negative bacteria to varying degrees and have a water solubility >65%. Altogether, the results demonstrate great potential for recovery of bioactive/functional peptides from the residue of sulfated polysaccharide extraction process enabling efficient biorefining of aquatic resources.
Slope deformation detection using subpixel offset tracking and an unsupervised learning technique based on unmanned aerial vehicle photogrammetry data
Authors: Xiao Huai‐xian , Jiang Nan , Chen Xing‐zhen , Hao Ming‐hui , Zhou Jia‐wen
Published: January 2023

Detecting slope deformation is an important issue in engineering. Timely deformation detection can effectively avoid catastrophic slope failure and ensure the safety of a project and engineering personnel. In this study, deformation detection for a quarry slope is implemented using the integration of subpixel offset tracking (sPOT) and unsupervised change detection algorithms based on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) image datasets. The sPOT algorithm is used to give the surface displacement field of the slope with subpixel accuracy, and the unsupervised change detection algorithm yields the ground object reconstruction area of the slope to verify and explain the sPOT result. The integrated analysis method in this paper is highly applicable and only requires a minimum of two UAV datasets as raw data. Combining the advantages of the sPOT and unsupervised change detection algorithms, the proposed method has the ability to detect and analyse slow and rapid slope deformation with good accuracy.
In vitro characterization on the role of APOE polymorphism in human hippocampal neurogenesis
Authors: Lee Hyunah , Price Jack , Srivastava Deepak P. , Thuret Sandrine
Published: January 2023

Hippocampal neurogenesis (HN) is considered an important mechanism underlying lifelong brain plasticity, and alterations in this process have been implicated in early Alzheimer's disease progression. APOE polymorphism is the most common genetic risk factor for late‐onset Alzheimer's disease where the ε4 genotype is associated with a significantly earlier disease onset compared to the neutral ε3 allele. Recently, APOE has been shown to play an important role in the regulation of HN. However, the time‐dependent impact of its polymorphism in humans remains elusive, partially due to the difficulties of studying human HN in vivo. To bridge this gap of knowledge, we used an in vitro cellular model of human HN and performed a time course characterization on isogenic induced pluripotent stem cells with different genotypes of APOE. We found that APOE itself was more highly expressed in ε4 at the stem cell stage, while the divergence of differential gene expression phenotype between ε4 and ε3 became prominent at the neuronal stage of differentiation. This divergence was not associated with the differential capacity to generate dentate gyrus granule cell‐like neurons, as its level was comparable between ε4 and ε3. Transcriptomic profiling across different stages of neurogenesis indicated a clear “maturation of functional neurons” phenotype in ε3 neural progenitors and neurons, while genes differentially expressed only in ε4 neurons suggested potential alterations in “metabolism and mitochondrial function.” Taken together, our in vitro investigation suggests that APOE ε4 allele can exert a transcriptome‐wide effect at the later stages of HN, without altering the overall level of neurogenesis per se.
Elimination of perineuronal nets in CA1 disrupts GABA release and long‐term contextual fear memory retention
Authors: Liu Luping , Zhang Yujie , Men Siqi , Li Xuanyi , Hou Sheng‐Tao , Ju Jun
Published: January 2023

Perineuronal nets (PNNs) which mostly surround the parvalbumin (PV) neurons, have been shown to play critical roles in neural plasticity. Recently, PNNs have been shown to regulate fear‐associated memory, but the molecular mechanism is still unclear. In this study, we found that removal of PNNs in vivo using chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) injection resulted in reduced firing rate of PV neurons and decreased inhibitory synaptic transmission in both PV neurons and excitatory neurons in the CA1 hippocampus. Interestingly, altered synaptic transmission appears to be mediated by presynaptic changes. Furthermore, ChABC treatment disrupts long‐term contextual fear memory retention. These results suggest PNNs might alter fear memory by reducing the presynaptic GABA release.
Computing grain boundary “phase” diagrams
Authors: Luo Jian
Published: January 2023

Grain boundaries (GBs) can be treated as two‐dimensional (2‐D) interfacial phases (also called “complexions”) that can undergo interfacial phase‐like transitions. As bulk phase diagrams and calculation of phase diagram (CALPHAD) methods serve as a foundation for modern materials science, we propose to extend them to GBs to have equally significant impacts. This perspective article reviews a series of studies to compute the GB counterparts to bulk phase diagrams. First, a phenomenological interfacial thermodynamic model was developed to construct GB lambda diagrams to forecast high‐temperature GB disordering and related trends in sintering and other properties for both metallic and ceramic materials. In parallel, an Ising‐type lattice statistical thermodynamic model was utilized to construct GB adsorption (segregation) diagrams, which predicted first‐order GB adsorption transitions and critical phenomena. These two simplified thermodynamic models emphasize the GB structural (disordering) and chemical (adsorption) aspects, respectively. Subsequently, hybrid Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics atomistic simulations were used to compute more rigorous and accurate GB “phase” diagrams. Computed GB diagrams of thermodynamic and structural properties were further extended to include mechanical properties. Moreover, machine learning algorithms were combined with atomistic simulations to predict GB properties as functions of four independent compositional variables and temperature in a 5‐D space for a given GB in high‐entropy alloys or as functions of five GB macroscopic (crystallographic) degrees of freedom plus temperature and composition for a binary alloy in a 7‐D space. Other relevant studies are also examined. Future perspective and outlook, including two emerging fields of high‐entropy grain boundaries (HEGBs) and electrically (or electrochemically) induced GB transitions, are discussed.
MicroRNA profiling of low concentration extracellular vesicle RNA utilizing NanoString nCounter technology
Authors: Crossland Rachel E. , Albiero Anna , Sanjurjo‐Rodríguez Clara , Reis Monica , Resteu Anastasia , Anderson Amy E. , Dickinson Anne M. , Pratt Arthur G. , Birch Mark , McCaskie Andrew W. , Jones Elena , Wang Xiao‐nong
Published: January 2023

Extracellular vesicles (EV) and the microRNAs that they contain are increasingly recognised as a rich source of informative biomarkers, reflecting pathological processes and fundamental biological pathways and responses. Their presence in biofluids makes them particularly attractive for biomarker identification. However, a frequent caveat in relation to clinical studies is low abundance of EV RNA content. In this study, we used NanoString nCounter technology to assess the microRNA profiles of n = 64 EV low concentration RNA samples (180–49125 pg), isolated from serum and cell culture media using precipitation reagent or sequential ultracentrifugation. Data was subjected to robust quality control parameters based on three levels of limit of detection stringency, and differential microRNA expression analysis was performed between biological subgroups. We report that RNA concentrations > 100 times lower than the current NanoString recommendations can be successfully profiled using nCounter microRNA assays, demonstrating acceptable output ranges for imaging parameters, binding density, positive/negative controls, ligation controls and normalisation quality control. Furthermore, despite low levels of input RNA, high‐level differential expression analysis between biological subgroups identified microRNAs of biological relevance. Our results demonstrate that NanoString nCounter technology offers a sensitive approach for the detection and profiling of low abundance EV‐derived microRNA, and may provide a solution for research studies that focus on limited sample material.
Gender differences in COVID‐19‐related manuscript authorship by hospitalists during the pandemic: A bibliometric analysis
Authors: Elias Richard M. , Bonk Nicole , White Andrea T. , Payne Shandra , Wagner Casey , Hardin Hannah , Kaiksow Farah , Sheehy Ann , Auerbach Andrew , Vaughn Valerie M.
Published: January 2023

Background

Hospital medicine (HM) has a well‐described gender disparity related to academic work and promotion. During the COVID‐19 pandemic, female authorship across medicine fell further behind historical averages.

Objective

Examine how COVID‐19 affected the publication gender gap for hospitalists.

Design, Settings, and Participants

Bibliometric analysis to determine gender and specialty of US‐based physician first and last authors of COVID‐19 articles published March 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021 in the four highest impact general medical journals and two highest impact HM‐specific journals.

Main Outcome and Measures

We characterized the percentage of all physician authors that were women, the percentage of physician authors that were hospitalists, and the percentage of HM authors that were women. We compared author gender between general medical and HM‐specific journals.

Results

During the study period, 853 manuscripts with US‐based first or last authors were published in eligible journals. Included manuscripts contained 1124 US‐based physician first or last author credits, of which 34.2% (384) were women and 8.8% (99) were hospitalists. Among hospitalist author credits, 43.4% (n = 43/99) were occupied by women. The relative gender equity for hospitalist authors was driven by the two HM journals where, compared to the four general medical journals, hospitalist authors (54.1% [33/61] vs. 26.3% [10/38] women, respectively, p = .002) and hospitalist last authors (51.9% [14/27] vs. 20% [4/20], p = .03) were more likely to be women.

Conclusions

Across COVID‐19‐related manuscripts, disparities by gender were driven by the high‐impact general medical journals. HM‐specific journals had more equitable inclusion of women authors, demonstrating the potential impact of proactive editorial policies on diversity.
Nonlinear Dielectric Nanoresonators and Metasurfaces: Toward Efficient Generation of Entangled Photons
Authors: Sharapova Polina R. , Kruk Sergey S. , Solntsev Alexander S.
Published: January 2023

Among the most prominent effects resulting from nonlinear light–matter interaction is the generation of correlated and entangled photons through various processes, notably via spontaneous parametric down‐conversion or spontaneous four‐wave mixing. Such nonlinear optical processes benefit from the concentration of electromagnetic fields in small volumes. Dielectric nanoresonators and their 2D layouts—metasurfaces—provide efficient ways to control light in subwavelength volumes enabling the enhancement of nonlinear light–matter interaction and the generation of entangled photons. Nanoresonators and metasurfaces offer a radical miniaturization of quantum light sources allowing better scalability, which opens a pathway toward arrangements of photon sources in complex subwavelength configurations for advanced photon state control. In this work, the recent progress in this emergent area of research is reviewed.
Reciprocal Phase Transition Electro‐Optic Modulation
Authors: Zou Fang , Zou Lei , Tian Ye , Zhang Yiming , Bente Erwin , Hou Weigang , Liu Yu , Chen Siming , Cao Victoria , Guo Lei , Li Songsui , Yan Lianshan , Pan Wei , Milosevic Dusan , Cao Zizheng , Koonen Antonius M. J. , Liu Huiyun , Zou Xihua
Published: January 2023

Electro‐optic (EO) modulation is a well‐known and essential topic in the field of communications and sensing, while ultrahigh modulation efficiency is unprecedentedly desired in the current green and data era. However, dramatically increasing the modulation efficiency is difficult in conventional mechanisms, being intrinsically limited by the monotonic mapping relationship between the electrical driving signal and modulated optical signal. To break this bottleneck, a new mechanism termed phase‐transition EO modulation is revealed from the reciprocal transition between two distinct phase planes arising from the Hopf bifurcation, being driven by a transient electrical signal to cross the critical point. A monolithically integrated mode‐locked laser is implemented as a prototype, strikingly achieving an ultrahigh modulation energy efficiency of 3.06 fJ bit−1 improved by about four orders of magnitude and a contrast ratio exceeding 50 dB. The prototype is experimentally implemented for radio‐over‐fiber communication and acoustic sensing. This work indicates a significant advance on the state‐of‐the‐art EO modulation technology and opens a new avenue for green communication and ubiquitous sensing applications.
Chiral Bound States in the Continuum in Plasmonic Metasurfaces
Authors: Tang Yuhu , Liang Yao , Yao Jin , Chen Mu Ku , Lin Shirong , Wang Zhuo , Zhang Jingcheng , Huang Xu Guang , Yu Changyuan , Tsai Din Ping
Published: January 2023

Bound states in the continuum (BICs) offer novel mechanisms to boost the quality factor (Q‐factor) of resonances. Unfortunately, current studies on chiral BICs metasurfaces suffer from a fundamental trade‐off between Q‐factor and circular dichroism (CD), presenting a significant hurdle that severely limits the independent control between CD and Q‐factors. Here, 3D plasmonic metasurfaces are numerically demonstrated that overcome the trade‐off and offer high‐Q quasi‐BIC resonances (Q ≈ 938) with strong CD (≈0.67) in the mid‐infrared. These metasurfaces are made of integrated‐resonance units consisting of a twisted vertical split‐ring resonator (VSRR) and a wall. Importantly, this dissimilar dimer configuration unlocks a new degree of freedom to decouple the Q‐factor and CD, that is, the Q‐factor and CD can be relatively independently manipulated by the height of the wall and the twisted angle of the VSRR, respectively. These results provide novel paradigms to manipulate advanced chiroptical responses, with various applications that require strong CD with enhanced light–matter interaction.
Active Erbium‐Doped Silicon Nanoantenna
Authors: Yaroshenko Vitaly , Obramenko Marina , Dyatlovich Anna , Kustov Pavel , Gudovskikh Alexander , Goltaev Aleksandr , Mukhin Ivan , Ageev Eduard , Zuev Dmitry
Published: January 2023

The development of silicon‐based radiative nanostructures is an important step toward silicon‐based optoelectronic systems. Here an approach for the fabrication of photoluminescent Er‐doped silicon nanoantennas is demonstrated. The combination of electron beam lithography and laser annealing of a thin Er film deposited after fabrication creates an active dielectric nanoantenna operating in the standard telecommunication wavelength range (C‐band). Using the multipole decomposition method the geometrical parameters of the silicon nanoparticle when the first‐order Mie‐resonances are tuned to the erbium emission in C‐band range ( transition) is calculated. It is observed experimentally that the presence of the Mie‐resonances provides enhancement of the photoluminescence intensity up to 40% compared to the non‐resonant case. The proposed approach allows for the creation of computational optical chips compatible with existing nanofabrication technologies.
Recent Developments of Electrically Pumped Nanolasers
Authors: Ren Kuankuan , Li Chunhe , Fang Zebo , Feng Fei
Published: January 2023

Electrically pumped nanolasers have achieved many exciting achievements and display a wide range of potential application prospects in the fields of optoelectronic chips, information storage, and biosensing. However, there is lacking an in‐depth and extensive review of the recent development of electrically pumped nanolasers. Herein, a detailed and comprehensive overview of the electrically pumped nanolasers is first given according to the device configurations, including electrically pumped single nanolaser, nanoarray lasers, nanobeam lasers, and plasmonic nanolasers with different cavity structures. Furthermore, some problems and challenges restricting the development of electrically pumped nanolasers are summarized, and the corresponding solutions and development directions are proposed. This review will provide valuable suggestions for optimizing the device structure of electrically pumped nanolasers with new high‐gain semiconductor materials and particularly further promote their rapid application development.
A Versatile Photochromic Dosimeter Enabling Detection of X‐Ray, Ultraviolet, and Visible Photons
Authors: Yang Zetian , Hu Jieqi , Van der Heggen, David , Jiao Mengmeng , Feng Ang , Vrielinck, Henk , Smet Philippe F. , Poelman Dirk
Published: January 2023

An accurate measurement of radiation doses is required to ensure efficient use of electromagnetic radiation in medical diagnostics, agriculture, or general lighting applications. Yet, existing dosimeters usually face the issues of cumbersome manipulation, time‐consuming analysis, or power‐supply requirement. Here, an all‐round dosimeter is reported based on BaMgSiO4, a photochromic material that exhibits a reversible white‐pink color change upon irradiation. Electron paramagnetic resonance measurements under in situ coloring and bleaching reveal that the charge carrier trapping and detrapping at oxygen vacancy‐related defects determine the photochromic behavior. This can be utilized for dosimetry of X‐rays, ultraviolet, and visible light, as the coloring and bleaching are dependent on the irradiation wavelength and the dose. The distinct color variation of BaMgSiO4 allows for on‐site measurement of irradiation doses by a colorimetric method, and the special wavelength‐responsive behavior in the ultraviolet region is suitable for personal solar ultraviolet light monitoring. By virtue of good stability and excellent cycling robustness, BaMgSiO4 can be an ideal integrating detector for X‐rays, ultraviolet, and visible light dosimetry. A prototype device is also developed for long‐duration daylight measurements. These findings enhance the understanding of the photochromic behavior in inorganic materials and can stimulate the exploration of new photochromic dosimeters.
Single‐Site Occupancy of Eu2+ in Multiple Cations Enables Efficient Ultra‐Broadband Visible to Near‐Infrared Luminescence
Authors: Tang Zuobin , Du Feng , Zhao Lei , Liu Hu , Leng Zhihua , Xie Huidong , Zhang Gangyi , Wang Yuhua
Published: January 2023

An important challenge in the research and development of compact near‐infrared (NIR) light sources is the discovery of new efficient ultra‐broadband NIR luminescent materials to replace the conventional Cr3+‐doped compounds. Herein, this work reports a divalent europium‐doped Ba3GeO4Br2 phosphor that exhibits a high photoluminescence quantum yield of 48.8% and an ultra‐broad emission band ranging continuously from 500 to 1100 nm (full width at half maximum = 202 nm) under near‐ultraviolet or blue light excitation. A strategy of embedding alumina crucible in high purity graphite crucible is devised and deployed during solid‐state sintering to facilitate the conversion of Eu3+ into Eu2+. Theoretical calculations, structural refinement, and spectral analysis demonstrate that the visible to NIR emission in Ba3GeO4Br2:Eu2+ originates from the Eu2+ ions occupying the distorted Ba3O3Br4 polyhedra in the lattice. The as‐prepared phosphor‐converted light‐emitting diode device achieves an optical output power of 30.1 mW@100 mA (520–1100 nm) and a photoelectric efficiency of 22%@100 mA (350–1100 nm). Experiments on tissue penetration and NIR imaging illustrate its application in spectral detection and food quality testing appears promising.
Galvanic corrosion behavior and numerical simulation of 5083 aluminum alloy and Q235 steel in 3.5% NaCl solution
Authors: Rong Husong , Fan Weijie , Shan Borong , Yang Jie , Ding Rui , Zhao Xiaodong
Published: January 2023

In marine engineering structures, the combination of different materials is inevitable, and the risk of galvanic corrosion is common. In this study, the effects of temperature on the corrosion behavior of 5083 aluminum alloy and Q235 steel in 3.5% NaCl solution were studied by scanning Kelvin probe, stereomicroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and electrochemical analysis. When the 5083 aluminum alloy and Q235 steel were coupled, the 5083 aluminum alloy was the anode, and its corrosion rate was accelerated. Results showed that with increasing temperature, the galvanic potential shifted to slightly more negative values, the galvanic current density increased, and the increase in temperature accelerated the galvanic corrosion rate. A galvanic corrosion simulation model was established, the polarization curve fitting parameters of 5083 aluminum alloy and Q235 steel were used as boundary conditions, and the potential distribution and current density distribution on the electrode surface were simulated by the finite element method. Simulation results were generally consistent with experimental results.
Potential influence of microorganisms on the corrosion of the carbon steel in the French high‐level long‐lived nuclear waste disposal context at 50°C
Authors: Diler Erwan , Leblanc Vanessa , Gueuné Hervé , Maillot Valerie , Linard Yannick , Charrier Gaëlle , Crusset Didier
Published: January 2023

In this study, short‐term experiments were carried out to assess the microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) risk in the context of the French high‐level radioactive waste disposal CIGEO (Centre Industriel de Stockage Géologique). The exposures were carried out in different representative media, including the presence of different cement‐grout mixtures as filling material. Nonsterile and biotic conditions with nutrients were considered. For biotic conditions, specific preparations of microbial inoculum were carried out from samples collected at ANDRA's Underground Research Laboratory and microorganisms from the library. Corrosion kinetics were determined using both traditional coupons and completed with real‐time electrical resistance sensors. Microbiological characterizations consisted of cultural approach, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and next‐generation sequencing. The obtained results show no significant MIC, but a reduced risk was observed using more alkaline filling materials.
From Castor Oil‐Based Multifunctional Polyols to Waterborne Polyurethanes: Synthesis and Properties
Authors: Zhang Yuehong , Wu Zhenqiang , Shi Lei , Dai Langlang , Liu Ruijing , Zhang Lei , Lyu Bin , Zhao Shunhua , Thakur Vijay Kumar
Published: January 2023

A novel castor oil‐based multifunctional polyol (CM) is fabricated through mild thiol‐ene photo induced reactions using castor oil (CO) and 1‐thioglycerol (MPD) as building blocks. The effect of the reaction time, molar ratio of thiol to carbon–carbon double bond, and the loadings of photo‐initiator are optimized. The resulting CM is combined with CO and employed as cross‐linkers to prepare castor oil‐based water‐borne polyurethane emulsion with desirable mechanical properties and water resistance. Owing to the incorporation of CM cross‐linker with high hydroxyl value of 371 mg KOH/g (which is 2.27 times higher than that of the CO), the prepared castor oil‐based waterborne polyurethane (CMWPU) possesses compacted 3D network structure with high cross‐linking degree, leading to improved glass transition temperature (45 °C), tensile strength (10.8 MPa), water contact angle (87.4°), and decreased water absorption rate (16.12%) with 20% CM additions. Overall, this work illustrates the feasibility of introducing bio renewable CM combined with CO to develop castor oil‐based WPU employing a sustainable development strategy.
On the volume functional of compact manifolds with harmonic Weyl tensor
Authors: Baltazar Halyson , Batista Rondinelle , Bezerra Kelton
Published: January 2023

The main aim of this article is to give the complete classification of critical metrics of the volume functional on a compact manifold M with boundary and under the harmonic Weyl tensor condition. In particular, we prove that a critical metric with a harmonic Weyl tensor on a simply connected compact manifold with the boundary isometric to a standard sphere must be isometric to a geodesic ball in a simply connected space form , , and . To this end, we first conclude the classification of such critical metrics under the Bach‐flat assumption and then we prove that both geometric conditions are equivalent in this situation.
Rank gain of Jacobians over number field extensions with prescribed Galois groups
Authors: Im Bo‐Hae , König Joachim
Published: January 2023

We investigate the rank gain of elliptic curves, and more generally, Jacobian varieties, over non‐Galois extensions whose Galois closure has a Galois group permutation‐isomorphic to a prescribed group G (in short, “G‐extensions”). In particular, for alternating groups and (an infinite family of) projective linear groups G, we show that most elliptic curves over (for example) gain rank over infinitely many G‐extensions, conditional only on the parity conjecture. More generally, we provide a theoretical criterion, which allows to deduce that “many” elliptic curves gain rank over infinitely many G‐extensions, conditional on the parity conjecture and on the existence of geometric Galois realizations with group G and certain local properties.