bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of combined application of carbonate salts and hot water treatment for the management of postharvest anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) of papaya
Authors: Getnet Muluken , Alemu Kumlachew , Tsedaley Binyam
Published: April 2023

Postharvest anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Penz.Sacc) is the most economically important biological constraint to papaya production and consumption, which causes substantial yield loss worldwide. The effect of combined application of carbonate salts and hot water treatments on the development of postharvest anthracnose and maintenances of postharvest quality of papaya fruit was studied in completely randomized design (CRD) under laboratory condition. The results revealed that combined application of hot water treatment and carbonate salts significantly (p < .05) reduced the incidence and severity of postharvest papaya anthracnose disease. The disease incidence reached 100% 21 days after inoculation in the control treatment; this level was significantly reduced to 26.70% by dipping the fruits in NH4CO3 at 50°C and NH4CO3 at 54°C. Similarly, treatments significantly (p < .05) reduced the disease severity in different degrees from the first day of disease appearance to the date of 100% unmarketability of control fruits. Furthermore, the combined application of carbonate salt and hot water treatments significantly improves fruit marketability by 93.33%. Moreover, the treatments showed significant (p < .05) effect on maintaining pH, TSS, TA, and reducing postharvest weight loss of papaya fruit. In conclusion, postharvest treatment of papaya fruit with NH4CO3 at 54°C, NH4CO3 at 52°C, and NaCO3 at 54°C can significantly reduce anthracnose development and improve marketability of the fruits without pronounced effect on their edible qualities.
A delayed intervention start randomized controlled trial of high‐ and low‐tech communication training approaches for school‐age autistic children with co‐occurring intellectual disability
Authors: Gilroy Shawn P. , McCleery Joseph P. , Leader Geraldine
Published: April 2023

The researchers designed a delayed intervention start randomized controlled trial to compare improvements in functional communication following augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) interventions. The study compared outcomes from function‐based applied behavior analytic (ABA) and eclectic non‐ABA forms of classroom‐based communication strategies (waitlist control) as well as from high‐ and low‐tech forms of AAC. High‐tech AAC consisted of tablet‐based communication, and low‐tech AAC used an exchange of picture cards. The community‐based sample consisted of 29 autistic children with a co‐occurring intellectual disability. Participants were randomized to groups (AAC, waitlist control), and each group received approximately 3 months of communication intervention. Multilevel modeling of learner outcomes indicated that the function‐based approach produced greater improvements than the eclectic alternative, but significant differences were not observed between outcomes of high‐ and low‐tech forms of function‐based AAC. These results are consistent with earlier investigations and provide supporting evidence that both high‐ and low‐tech forms of function‐based intervention are effective for use with autistic children with accompanying intellectual disability. Additional discussion is provided regarding further research into how technology is applied and incorporated into behavior analytic programming.
Effect of forest chronosequence on ecological stoichiometry and nitrogen and phosphorus stocks in Alnus nepalensis forest stands, central Himalaya
Authors: Joshi Rajendra Kumar , Garkoti Satish Chandra
Published: April 2023

In the mid and high elevations of the central Himalaya, Nepalese alder (Alnus nepalensis D. Don) occurs in areas affected by landslides/landslips and is a nitrogen‐fixing species; it quickly improves soil physical and chemical properties and facilitates the restoration of degraded forests. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of A. nepalensis forest chronosequence on the carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) concentrations, N and P stocks, and stoichiometry in the soil, including microbial biomass C (MBC), microbial biomass N (MBN) and microbial biomass P (MBP), and in the plant components. Six naturally occurring forest stands were identified in a chronosequence of A. nepalensis (age 3–270 years old) forest stands, namely alder‐early regenerating (AER), alder‐late regenerating (ALR), alder young‐mixed (AYM), alder mature‐oak (Quercus leucotrichophora) mixed (AMOM), alder mature‐rhododendron (Rhododendron arboreum) mixed (AMR), and alder old‐oak (Q. leucotrichophora) mixed (AOOM) forests. The biomass of tree components was estimated using species‐specific allometric equations developed by previous workers for the region. Soil total N and total P stocks of each species were determined by the N and P concentrations and bulk density. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to quantify the contribution of N and P pools to ecosystem nitrogen and phosphorus stocks. The results of this study revealed that the stoichiometry (C:N, N:P, and C:P ratios) of tree components (i.e., leaves, leaf litter, twig), soil and microbial biomass varied widely, and the presence of nitrogen‐fixing A. nepalensis in different succession stages significantly improved the soil and microbial biomass stoichiometry. Total vegetation (tree, herbs, shrubs, and litter) biomass N stock ranged from 346.77 to 4662.06 kg N ha−1, and soil N stock varied from 816.48 to 7334.24 kg N ha−1. Total ecosystem N and P stocks ranged from 1163.26 to 11,996.31 kg N ha−1 and 76.10 to 799.28 kg P ha−1, respectively, and positively increased with A. nepalensis total biomass. The soil P stock accounted for 63.49% to 74.80% of the total P stocks of the forest ecosystems. Overall, our findings suggest that A. nepalensis forest chronosequence enhanced the N and P stocks, and introducing this species in degraded forests appears to be an option for enhancing forest conservation and rehabilitation actions in the central Himalaya.
Both biotic and abiotic predictors explain significant variation in cyanobacteria biomass across lakes from temperate to subarctic zones
Authors: MacKeigan Paul W. , Taranu Zofia E. , Pick Frances R. , Beisner Beatrix E. , Gregory‐Eaves Irene
Published: April 2023

The development of cyanobacteria blooms is of increasing concern in many lakes worldwide, and as a result, modeling their predictors is vital for understanding where and why they occur. In this study, we developed and analyzed a 640‐lake data set that spans Canada and 12 ecozones to identify the drivers of cyanobacteria biomass and of several key toxin‐ and bloom‐forming genera (Microcystis, Aphanizomenon, and Dolichospermum). The database consisted of an exhaustive list of potential predictors (n = 55), including water chemistry, land‐use, and zooplankton variables. We applied a series of empirical modeling approaches to identify significant predictors and thresholds (generalized linear and additive models, mixed effect regression trees), all while accounting for ecozone variability. Across all modeling approaches, and ecozones total phosphorus was identified as the most important predictor of total cyanobacterial and focal genera biomass. In addition, cyanobacteria across Canada showed significant associations with increasing dissolved organic and inorganic carbon, and several ions. Despite the widely held notion that cyanobacteria are often toxic and/or a poor food source for zooplankton, we found a positive relationship between cyanobacteria and zooplankton, particularly with daphnid and copepod biomass. Localized top‐down forces and evolutionary adaptations resulting from long‐term exposure in eutrophic lakes are among the possible explanations for this observed positive association. By considering a suite of complementary modeling approaches, we found that nonlinear models provided greater predictive power and the random ecozone effect was minor due to the overarching importance of local abiotic and biotic factors.
Research and Application of Medical Polyetheretherketone as Bone Repair Material
Authors: Pu Feifei , Yu Yihan , Zhang Zhicai , Wu Wei , Shao Zengwu , Li Chao , Feng Jing , Xue Longjian , Chen Fengxia
Published: April 2023

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) can potentially be used for bone repair because its elastic modulus is similar to that of human natural bone and good biocompatibility and chemical stability. However, its hydrophobicity and biological inertness limit its application in the biomedical field. Inspired by the composition, structure, and function of bone tissue, many strategies are proposed to change the structure and functionality of the PEEK surface. In this review, the applications of PEEK in bone repair and the optimization strategy for PEEK's biological activity are reviewed, which provides a direction for the development of multifunctional bone repair materials in the future.
New Insights on the Kinetics of Persulfate‐Initiated Itaconic Acid Free‐Radical Polymerization
Authors: Herrera‐Ordonez Jorge
Published: April 2023

A mathematical model is proposed that couples the decomposition kinetics of persulfate (S2O82−) and the free radical polymerization kinetics of itaconic acid (IA); the results are compared with experimental data reported in the literature. It is found that the former is highly affected by the acidification of the aqueous medium which is caused by the equilibrium dissociation of IA but mainly by HSO4− produced by side reactions of the S2O82− decomposition. This qualitatively explains the dependence of d[S2O82−]/dt with [IA] and the initial concentration of persulfate ([S2O82−]0), reported in the literature. According to the model results, temperature overshoots are very likely to occur in the experiments so there is doubt whether the reaction order >1 with respect to [IA] that is sometimes reported in the literature for the rate of polymerization (Rp) is an artifact related to an imprecise temperature (T) control or is due to a more complex mechanism. Due to the higher activation energy of the persulfate decomposition compared to the propagation reaction, small variations of T can lead to significant variations of d[S2O82−]/dt but to an almost imperceptible effect on Rp. Recommendations for future experimental work and refinement of the kinetic model are provided.
Influence of reference tube location on the measured sodium concentrations in calf muscles using a birdcage coil at 3T
Authors: Baron Paul , Potze Jan Hendrik , Sijens Paul E.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

To investigate the influence of the sodium (Na) reference tube location in a birdcage coil on the quantification of Na in the calf muscle. Two correction methods were also evaluated.

Method

Eight (4 × 20 mM, 4 × 30 mM Na) reference tubes were placed along the inner surface of the coil and one (30 mM Na) tube more centrally near the tibia. In two volunteers, four repeated UTE scans were acquired. In six calf muscles, the Na concentration was calculated based on each reference tube. Flip angle mapping of a homogenous Na phantom was used for correcting intensity values. Alternatively, a normalized intensity map was used for correcting the in vivo signal intensities. Results were given as range or SD of Na concentration measurements over the reference tubes.

Results

For calf Na measurements, there was limited space for positioning reference tubes away from coil B1 inhomogeneity. In both volunteers, the Na quantification depended greatly on the reference tube used with a range of up to 10 mM. The central tube location gave a Na quantification close to the mean of the other tubes. The flip angle and normalized signal intensity phantom‐based correction methods decreased the quantification variation from 14.9% to 5.0% and 10.4% to 2.7%, respectively. Both correction methods had little influence (< 2.3%) on quantification based on the central tube.

Conclusion

Despite use of a birdcage coil, location of the reference tube had a great impact on Na quantification in the calf muscles. Although both correction methods did reduce this variation, placing the reference tube more centrally was found to give the most reliable results.
Severity of polycystic kidney disease revealed by multiparametric MRI
Authors: Wang Feng , Lee Seo Yeon , Adelnia Fatemeh , Takahashi Keiko , Harkins Kevin D. , He Lilly , Zu Zhongliang , Ellinger Philipp , Grundmann Manuel , Harris Raymond C. , Takahashi Takamune , Gore John C.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

We aimed to compare multiple MRI parameters, including relaxation rates (, , and ), ADC from diffusion weighted imaging, pool size ratio (PSR) from quantitative magnetization transfer, and measures of exchange from spin‐lock imaging (), for assessing and predicting the severity of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) over time.

Methods

Pcy/Pcy mice with CD1 strain, a mouse model of autosomal dominant PKD, were imaged at 5, 9, and 26 wk of age using a 7T MRI system. Twelve‐week normal CD1 mice were used as controls. Post‐mortem paraffin tissue sections were stained using hematoxylin and eosin and picrosirius red to identify histological changes.

Results

Histology detected segmental cyst formation in the early stage (week 5) and progression of PKD over time in Pcy kidneys. In ‐weighted images, small cysts appeared locally in cystic kidneys in week 5 and gradually extended to the whole cortex and outer stripe of outer medulla region from week 5 to week 26. Regional PSR, , , and decreased consistently over time compared to normal kidneys, with significant changes detected in week 5. Among all the MRI measures, and allow highest detectability to PKD, while PSR and have highest correlation with pathological indices of PKD. Using optimum MRI parameters as regressors, multiple linear regression provides reliable prediction of PKD progression.

Conclusion

, , and PSR are sensitive indicators of the presence of PKD. Multiparametric MRI allows a comprehensive analysis of renal changes caused by cyst formation and expansion.
Analytical solutions for consolidation of soft soil improved by air‐boosted vacuum preloading considering clogging effect
Authors: Sun Jinxin , Lu Mengmeng
Published: April 2023

Air‐boosted vacuum preloading is a newly emerging soft soil‐improving technology and increasingly draws attention of researchers and engineers. However, few analytical theories are available in the literature to facilitate the design and calculation of it in practice. To fill this gap, an analytical model for the consolidation of soft ground improved by air‐boosted vacuum preloading is proposed based on the assumption of equal volumetric strain and Darcy's law. Moreover, a time‐dependent clogging effect is taken into consideration to describe the gradual reduction in the drainage capacity of prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs) during the consolidation process. In addition, the smear effect is also considered due to the installation of PVDs. An air booster pipe and the surrounding PVDs are introduced into the unit cell for analysis based on the principle of equal cross‐sectional area, and analytical solutions under two typical time‐dependent horizontal loading are then developed. A comparison is made with the existing analytical model of conventional vacuum consolidation, which indicates that air‐boosted vacuum preloading can promote the consolidation of soft soil more effectively than conventional vacuum preloading. Furthermore, the obtained solution under instantaneously loading is used to investigate the influence of several parameters on consolidation behavior. Finally, to verify the accuracy of the analytical model with or without clogging effect, a comparative study is carried out with a field test.
Electromagnetic interference elimination via active sensing and deep learning prediction for radiofrequency shielding‐free MRI
Authors: Zhao Yujiao , Xiao Linfang , Liu Yilong , Leong Alex T. , Wu Ed X.
Published: April 2023

At present, MRI scans are typically performed inside fully enclosed radiofrequency (RF) shielding rooms, posing stringent installation requirements and causing patient discomfort. We aim to eliminate electromagnetic interference (EMI) for MRI with no or incomplete RF shielding. In this study, a method of active sensing and deep learning EMI prediction is presented to model, predict, and remove EMI signal components from acquired MRI signals. Specifically, during each MRI scan, separate EMI‐sensing coils placed in various locations are utilized to simultaneously sample external and internal EMI signals within two windows (for both conventional MRI signal acquisition and EMI characterization acquisition). A convolution neural network model is trained using the EMI characterization data to relate EMI signals detected by EMI‐sensing coils to EMI signals in the MRI receive coil. This model is then used to retrospectively predict and remove EMI signal components detected by the MRI receive coil during the MRI signal acquisition window. This strategy was implemented on a low‐cost ultralow‐field 0.055 T permanent magnet MRI scanner without RF shielding. It produced final image signal‐to‐noise ratios that were comparable with those obtained using a fully enclosed RF shielding cage, and outperformed existing analytical EMI elimination methods (i.e., spectral domain transfer function and external dynamic interference estimation and removal [EDITER] methods). A preliminary experiment also demonstrated its applicability on a 1.5 T superconducting magnet MRI scanner with incomplete RF shielding. Altogether, the results demonstrated that the proposed method was highly effective in predicting and removing various EMI signals from both external environments and internal scanner electronics at both 0.055 T (2.3 MHz) and 1.5 T (63.9 MHz). The proposed strategy enables shielding‐free MRI. The concept is relatively simple and is potentially applicable to other RF signal detection scenarios in the presence of external and/or internal EMI.
Energy stability of exponential time differencing schemes for the nonlocal Cahn‐Hilliard equation
Authors: Zhou Quan , Sun Yabing
Published: April 2023

The nonlocal Cahn‐Hilliard equation has attracted much attention these years. Despite the advantage of describing more practical phenomena for modeling phase transitions of microstructures in materials, the nonlocal operator in the equation brings a lot of extra computational costs compared with the local Cahn‐Hilliard equation. Thus high order time integration schemes are needed in numerical simulations. In this paper, we propose two classes of exponential time differencing (ETD) schemes for solving the nonlocal Cahn‐Hilliard equation. We first use the Fourier collocation method to discretize the spatial domain, and then the ETD‐based multistep and Runge‐Kutta schemes are adopted for the time integration. In particular, some specific multistep and Runge‐Kutta schemes up to fourth order are constructed. We rigorously establish the energy stabilities of the multistep schemes up to fourth order and the second order Runge‐Kutta scheme, which show that the first order ETD and the second order Runge‐Kutta schemes unconditionally decrease the original energy. We also theoretically prove the mass conservations of the proposed schemes. Several numerical experiments in two and three dimensions are carried out to test the temporal convergence rates of the schemes and to verify their mass conservations and energy stabilities. The long time simulations of coarsening dynamics are also performed to verify the power law for the energy decay.
Subjective and objective assessments of sweet, umami, and bitter tastes after brachytherapy for patients with tongue cancer
Authors: Konishi Masaru , Shimabukuro Kiichi , Kakimoto Naoya
Published: April 2023

Aim

The aim of this study is to investigate subjective symptoms and expression of receptors for sweet, umami, and bitter tastes after brachytherapy in patients with tongue cancer.

Methods

Post‐brachytherapy changes in taste were investigated both subjectively (visual analog scale [VAS] score) and objectively (expression of taste receptors) through 37 examinations on 10 patients who received brachytherapy for treatment of tongue cancer at our hospital. The VAS was scored on a scale of 0–100. A VAS score of ≥90 was considered to indicate restoration of taste. For taste receptor expression, taste cells were collected from the brachytherapy (BRT) and non‐brachytherapy (non‐BRT) sides of the tongue, which were separated in the middle of the dorsum of the tongue, and evaluated by the ratio of the expression level of one side to the other. The mRNA expression levels of taste receptors were classified into three groups according to the number of days after BRT: ≤99, 100–299, and ≥300 days.

Results

The number of days to a post‐brachytherapy VAS score of 90 or more was 284, 308, and 308 days for sweet, umami, and bitter tastes, respectively. Taste receptor expression was compared in three groups by number of days after radiotherapy: ≤99, 100–299, and ≥300, and no statistically significant differences were found among the tastes.

Conclusion

The VAS scores showed that these tastes recovered approximately 300 days after brachytherapy. The ratio of taste receptor expression levels varied widely, and no specific indications of changes in taste receptor expression over time were obtained.
The growing prevalence of childhood cancer survivors in Australia
Authors: Youlden Danny R. , Steliarova‐Foucher Eva , Gini Andrea , Silva Neimar De Paula , Aitken Joanne F.
Published: April 2023

Survivors of childhood cancer have an increased risk of long‐term health issues arising mostly from the side effects of treatment. Using population‐based data from the Australian Childhood Cancer Registry (ACCR) for children aged 0–14 at diagnosis between 1983 and 2018, there were a total of 17,468 prevalent cases of childhood cancer survivors on 31 December 2018. We also found an 80% increase in the number of 5‐year prevalent cases, from 1979 in 1988 to 3566 in 2018. Both short‐ and long‐term prevalence estimates are important for monitoring childhood cancer survivorship and planning for the specific needs of this expanding cohort.
Modeling effective elastic and thermal conductivity of composite materials reinforced with plastic waste: Analytical and numerical approaches
Authors: Belhaouzi Abdessamad , Halimi Youssef , Zyade Souad , Mostapha Tarfaoui , Rouway Marwane , Tahiri Mohamed
Published: April 2023

The properties of materials used in building are enhanced by adding nanoparticles for improve energy efficiency. The objective of this study is to offer both numerical and analytical modeling methods of the thermal conductivity and mechanical property of composite materials. Various mineral charges were employed to reinforce the organic matrices of saturated polyester resin (UPR) with calcium carbonate (CaCo3) and expanded perlite particles. The study employs the finite‐element software COMSOL to conduct a numerical investigation of thermal transport in an elementary cell. The purpose is to ascertain the thermal conductivity of composites and examine the impact of contact resistance and the volume fraction of nanoparticles on the effective thermal conductivity. The results indicate that the numerical model proposed is consistent with the Hashin‐Shtrikman analytical model and experimental measurements. In another hand, the mechanical property is computed based on Mori‐tanaka analytical model of homogenization and finite element method by Digimat‐MF/FE, which gives enhanced elastic behavior of composite in function of volume fraction of nanoparticles, with high Young modulus and low Poisson ratio. The results indicate the performance of nanoparticles in improving thermomechanical behavior of building materials, and also in other applications.
Lipid modification in people with diabetes
Authors: Morris David
Published: April 2023

Dyslipidaemia is an important risk factor in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in people with diabetes. This article discusses the lipid modifying therapies available, and the current evidence and guidance on their use in diabetes.
Characterization of the evolution of runoff‐sediment relationship in Min River based on coupling coordination theory
Authors: Wang Hongxiang , Wang Wenping , Hu Jianwen , Sang Ye , Guo Wenxian
Published: April 2023

Global climate change and human activities have profoundly affected the hydrological processes in the basin. The study of the characteristics of runoff and sediment variations in the basin and their driving factors is of great significance in promoting the efficient use of water resources and high‐quality development in the basin. The determination of the abrupt change point of the runoff‐sediment relationship is the key to delineate the base period, and is important to assess the contribution of climate change and human activities to the change of the runoff‐sediment relationship. Therefore, this study constructs a binary coupled coordination model of runoff and sediment load to describe the coupled runoff‐sediment coordination relationship, and uses the Pettitt method and the double cumulative curve method to test for mutations. The effects of climate change and human activities on changes in runoff and sediment load were assessed using the Budyko framework‐based elasticity factor method and the cumulative slope rate of change method. The results show that the annual runoff and annual sediment load in the Min River basin show a decreasing trend between 1970 and 2019, with monthly sediment load changing more significantly than monthly runoff. Annual runoff and annual sediment load were significantly coherent throughout the study period, and there were significant resonant cycles of positive phase on 2‐, 3‐, 5‐ and 6‐year time scales. The coupling coordination degree of runoff and sediment load is generally at a coordinated developmental stage and is moving from low to high levels of coordination. Relative to the base period, changes in runoff and sediment load during the change period are mainly attributed to human activities. The contribution of human activities to the change in runoff ranged from 78.92% to 66.71%, and the contribution to the change in sediment load reached 93.40% to 94.15%. In contrast, precipitation in climate change has a greater impact on changes in runoff and sediment load than potential evapotranspiration. Land use changes and reservoir construction in the Min River basin have both contributed positively to the reduction of runoff and sediment load. The results of the study will help us to gain a deeper understanding of the processes and driving mechanisms of the runoff‐sediment relationship in the Min River basin, and provide a scientific basis for water resources management and sustainable development in the basin.
A Spear and Shield‐Inspired Ar Plasma Safeguard Few‐Layer Black Phosphore with Firefighting of Epoxy Resin
Authors: Wang Kunxin , Li Xiu‐e , Yuan Guoming , Liu Zhijun , Yang Hui , Li Zhao , Diao Wenjie , Xiao Fei , Wu Kun , Shi Jun
Published: April 2023

Appearing as an innovative and efficient strategy, a facile strategy of a plasma ball mill is carried out to prepare few‐layer black phosphorus nanosheets (BPNSs), for abating the fire risk of epoxy resin (EP). A spear and shield‐inspired Ar plasma emergeed through a plasma ball mill to prevent Ar@BP nanosheets from oxidation compared with the preparation of BP nanosheets (MBPNSs) in a mechanical ball mill. The absorption coefficient in the synchrotron radiation spectrum is increased by 16.91%, indicating that BP is effectively protected by Ar proof. The Vienna ab initio simulation reveals that the combination of Ar@BP with oxygen cannot proceed spontaneously with the binding energy of 4.44 eV. With the introduction of 1.5 wt% Ar@BP, the total heat release (THR), total smoke release (TSR), total smoke production(TSP), CO, and CO2 yield, compared with that of EP, are descended by 30.40%, 24.41%, 24.10%, 33.23%, and 37.60%, respectively, indicating excellent flame retardancy property. It is attributed to the condensed and gas phase function. Meanwhile, the tensile strength and elongation at break increase by 27.92% and 56.04%, respectively, with the incorporation of 1.5 wt% Ar@BP.
Atomically Dispersed Silver Atoms Embedded in NiCo Layer Double Hydroxide Boost Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: He Wenjun , Zhang Rui , Liu Hui , Hao Qiuyan , Li Ying , Zheng Xuerong , Liu Caichi , Zhang Jun , Xin Huolin L.
Published: April 2023

Bimetallic layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are promising catalysts for anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline media. Despite good stability, NiCo LDH displays an unsatisfactory OER activity relative to the most robust NiFe LDH and CoFe LDH. Herein, a novel NiCo LDH electrocatalyst modified with single‐atom silver grown on carbon cloth (AgSA‐NiCo LDH/CC) that exhibits exceptional OER activity and stability in 1.0 m KOH is reported. The AgSA‐NiCo LDH/CC catalyst only requires a low overpotential of 192 mV to reach a current density of 10 mA cm−2, obviously boosting the OER activity of NiCo LDH/CC (410 mV@10 mA cm−2). Inspiringly, AgSA‐NiCo LDH/CC can maintain its high activity for up to 500 h at a large current density of 100 mA cm−2, exceeding most single‐atom OER catalysts. In situ Raman spectroscopy studies uncover that the in situ formed NiCoOOH during OER is the real active species. Hard X‐ray absorption spectrum (XAS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations validate that single‐atom Ag occupying Ni site increases the chemical valence of Ni elements, and then weakens the adsorption of oxygen‐contained intermediates on Ni sites, fundamentally accounting for the enhanced OER performance.
Suppression of Vanadium Oxide Dissolution via Cation Metathesis within a Coordination Supramolecular Network for Durable Aqueous Zn‐V2O5 Batteries
Authors: Tao Zengren , Cui Jiawei , Tan Yuanming , Zhou Zekun , Chen Zhao , Wang Anding , Zhu Yuanfei , Lai Shimei , Yu Minghao , Yang Yangyi
Published: April 2023

Aqueous zinc metal batteries (ZMBs) are a promising sustainable technology for large‐scale energy storage applications. However, the water is often associated with problematic parasitic reactions on both anode and cathode, leading to the low durability and reliability of ZMBs. Here, a multifunctional separator for the Zn‐V2O5 batteries by growing the coordination supramolecular network (CSN:Zn‐MBA, MBA = 2‐mercaptobenzoic acid) on the conventional non‐woven fabrics (NWF) is developed. CSN tends to form a stronger coordination bond as a softer cation, enabling a thermodynamically preferred Zn2+ to VO2+ substitution in the network, leading to the formation of VO2‐MBA interface, that strongly obstructs the VO2(OH)2− penetration but simultaneously allows Zn2+ transfer. Moreover, Zn‐MBA molecules can adsorb the OTF− and distribute the interfacial Zn2+ homogeneous, which facilitate a dendrite‐free Zn deposition. The Zn‐V2O5 cells with Zn‐MBA@NWF separator realize high capacity of 567 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1, and excellent cyclability over 2000 cycles with capacity retention of 82.2% at 5 A g−1. This work combines the original advantages of the template and new function of metals via cation metathesis within a CSN, provides a new strategy for inhibiting vanadium oxide dissolution.
Water‐Assisted Growth of Twisted 3R‐Stacked MoSe2 Spirals and Its Dramatically Enhanced Second Harmonic Generations
Authors: Wang Xiangzhuo , Shang Qiuyu , Zhang Fang , Song Jiepeng , Fu Jiatian , Zhao Liyun , Hu Jingyi , Wang Jialong , Quan Wenzhi , Huan Yahuan , Wu Qilong , Song Tinglu , Han Junfeng , Xiao Wende , Zhang Qing , Zhang Yanfeng
Published: April 2023

Enhanced second‐harmonic generation (SHG) responses are reported in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (e.g., MX2, M: Mo, W; X: S, Se) due to the broken symmetries. The 3R‐like stacked MX2 spiral structures possessing the similar broken inversion symmetry should present dramatically enhanced SHG responses, thus providing great flexibility in designing miniaturized on‐chip nonlinear optical devices. To achieve this, the first direct synthesis of twisted 3R‐stacked chiral molybdenum diselenide (MoSe2) spiral structures with specific screw dislocations (SD) arms is reported, via designing a water‐assisted chemical vapor transport (CVT) approach. The study also clarifies the formation mechanism of the MoSe2 spiral structures, by precisely regulating the precursor supply accompanying with multiscale characterizations. Significantly, an up to three orders of magnitude enhancement of the SHG responses in twisted 3R stacked MoSe2 spirals is demonstrated, which is proposed to arise from the synergistic effects of broken inversion symmetry, strong light–matter interaction, and band nesting effects. Briefly, the work provides an efficient synthetic route for achieving the 3R‐stacked TMDCs spirals, which can serve as perfect platforms for promoting their applications in on‐chip nonlinear optical devices.
Gelothermal Synthesis of Monodisperse MIL‐88A Nanoparticles with Tunable Sizes and Metal Centers for Potential Bioapplications
Authors: Zhang Mengmeng , Lu Mingzhu , Qiu Tianze , Wang Qiao , Chen Zhenxia , Deng Mingli , Yang Yongtai , Yang Yannan , Li Wei , Ling Yun , Zhou Yaming
Published: April 2023

Developing novel synthetic strategies to downsize metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) from polydisperse crystals to monodisperse nanoparticles is of great importance for their potential bioapplications. In this work, a novel synthetic strategy termed gelothermal synthesis is proposed, in which coordination polymer gel is first prepared and followed by a thermal reaction to give the monodisperse MOF nanoparticles. This novel synthetic strategy successfully leads to the isolation of Materials of Institute Lavoisier (MIL‐88), Cu(II)‐fumarate MOFs (CufumDMF), and Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks (ZIF‐8) nanoparticles. Focused on MIL‐88A, the studies reveal that the size can be well‐tuned from nanoscale to microscale without significant changes in polydispersity index (PDI) even in the case of in situ metal substitution. A possible mechanism is consequently proposed based on extensive studies on the gelothermal condition including sol‐gel chemistry, thermal condition, kinds of solvents, and so on. The unique advantages of monodisperse MIL‐88A nanoparticles over polydisperse ones are further demonstrated in terms of in vitro magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cellular uptake, and drug‐carrying properties.
Recent Progress on Poly(3,4‐Ethylenedioxythiophene):Poly(Styrenesulfonate) Bioelectrodes
Authors: Du Xiaojia , Yang Leyi , Liu Nan
Published: April 2023

Sensing bioelectrical signals is of great significance to understand human disease. Reliable bioelectronic interface is the guarantee of high‐quality bioelectrical signals. The unique electrochemical property and the mixed ionic and electrical conductivity of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) make it an ideal material for the skin/tissue–electronic interface. However, pristine PEDOT:PSS‐based devices cannot meet the requirements for practical use. Toward this end, herein, the development of PEDOT:PSS‐based electrodes and their most recent advances in sensing bioelectrical signals are summarized. First, the generation mechanism of bioelectrical signals is introduced in detail. Then, according to the characteristics of bioelectrical signals, the requirements of bioelectrodes are discussed. Next, representative achievements for improving conductivity, stretchability, and stability of PEDOT:PSS are introduced. Bioelectrical signals such as electromyogram (EMG), electrocardiogram (ECG), electrooculogram (EOG), and electroencephalogram (EEG) are successfully recorded by these PEDOT:PSS‐based electrodes. Finally, a brief summary is provided, and the opportunities and challenges are also discussed.
Origins, Impacts, and Mitigation Strategies of Strain in Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Shai Xuxia , Chen Weitao , Sun Jiale , Liu Jinghui , Chen Jiangzhao
Published: April 2023

Because of their straightforward manufacture and exceptional photovoltaic efficiency, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have quickly become appealing rivals in the photovoltaic sector. The residual strain, which prevents their practical use, keeps the efficiency and long‐term stability below practical bounds. Herein, the causes of strain in metal‐halide perovskites that are pertinent to photovoltaic applications, as well as how strain affects the materials’ physical characteristics and solar performance and how to control it, are discussed. Finally, a perspective on future strain engineering to support robust and effective PSCs is proposed. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of strain from origins, effects, to regulation, which would enhance the research enthusiasm on strain engineering to drive further improvements in performance especially stability of PSCs toward commercialization.
Successful use of carbon dioxide laser for the treatment of eyelid cystadenomatosis (hidrocystomatosis) in a Persian cat
Authors: Loek Rachael , Knollinger Amy , Laporte Carine
Published: April 2023

Feline cystadenomatosis is characterised by the development of numerous cysts of modified apocrine gland origin. Sequelae include structural or functional changes of the affected tissue(s), discomfort and secondary infections. While carbon dioxide laser ablation has been described for cystadenomatosis of the periauricular/auricular, lip, chin and perianal regions, peer‐reviewed studies using the therapy for eyelid cystadenomas (hidrocystomas) with histopathologic confirmation of diagnosis are lacking. This report describes the successful use of carbon dioxide laser ablation to treat eyelid manifestations of feline cystadenomatosis without adverse effect.
Engagements with Gender, Sexuality, and Authenticity in Cosplay
Authors: Glasspool Lucy
Published: April 2023

This chapter examines connections between gender performance and the concept of authenticity in three types of cosplay: crossplay, “trans” cosplay, and erotic cosplay. Cosplay is a fan practice in which the body of the cosplayer (who takes on various roles such as audience, craftsperson, performer, editor, and distributor) is crucial, both to their own performance and experience in real time and to the creation of digital media, which is disseminated online and used by themselves and other fans for various purposes. I argue that the definition of authenticity articulated by cosplayers and their audiences shifts according to the goals of the cosplay, particularly when it is considered to include a gendered or sexual aspect. While a minority of cosplay practices are a site of deliberate and politicized articulations of non-normative models of gender, other types move away from “meaning-making” and questions of normativity or identity-based gender and sexuality, through affective response to the various bodies and images in their respective cosplay fandoms. The chapter brings these three gendered cosplay types together and compares their performances and fan reactions to those performances using affect theory. It demonstrates that fan culture encompasses traditional gender politics at times, but also declines to engage with such social issues in the quest of intense but more ephemeral embodied experiences that transform the value and definition of authenticity.
Introduction: Fundraising and Neoliberalization in Canada
Authors: Raddon Mary-Beth
Published: April 2023

In this chapter, I introduce the idea that professional fundraising is, in the words of one Canadian fundraiser, a “business of hope.” I argue that successful fundraising careers provide a lens for understanding Canada’s neoliberalization. However, to avoid reducing neoliberalism to a broad abstraction, I make three commitments in this book: first, to show the meaning of neoliberalism through fundraisers’ perspectives and through the policy context of their careers in the late 1990s and early 2000s; second, to contrast neoliberalism with the shape of the welfare state that came before; and third, to take a dual political-economic and cultural theoretical approach, holding neoliberalism to be both economic doctrine and governing rationality, revealing neoliberal change to be both structural and cultural.
Target-aware Bayesian inference via generalized thermodynamic integration
Authors: Llorente F. , Martino L. , Delgado D.
Published: April 2023

In Bayesian inference, we are usually interested in the numerical approximation of integrals that are posterior expectations or marginal likelihoods (a.k.a., Bayesian evidence). In this paper, we focus on the computation of the posterior expectation of a function$$f(\textbf{x})$$f(x). We consider atarget-awarescenario where$$f(\textbf{x})$$f(x)is known in advance and can be exploited in order to improve the estimation of the posterior expectation. In this scenario, this task can be reduced to perform several independent marginal likelihood estimation tasks. The idea of using a path of tempered posterior distributions has been widely applied in the literature for the computation of marginal likelihoods. Thermodynamic integration, path sampling and annealing importance sampling are well-known examples of algorithms belonging to this family of methods. In this work, we introduce a generalized thermodynamic integration (GTI) scheme which is able to perform a target-aware Bayesian inference, i.e., GTI can approximate the posterior expectation of a given function. Several scenarios of application of GTI are discussed and different numerical simulations are provided.
Hormonal and molecular characterization of calcium oxalate stone formers predicting occurrence and recurrence
Authors: Elshal Ahmed M. , Shamshoun Heba , Awadalla Amira , Elbaz Ramy , Ahmed Asmaa E. , El-khawaga Omali Y. , Shokeir Ahmed A.
Published: April 2023

The purpose of the study is to investigate the role of sex hormones, androgen receptors (ARs) and miRNA/CSF-1 in occurrence and recurrence of calcium oxalate (CaOx) renal urolithiasis. In this prospective study, 74 patients with CaOx stones; stone formers group (SFG) and 40 healthy subjects; control group were compared. SFG includes both de novo and recurrent cases. Steroid sex hormone plasma assay including testosterone, free testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, estradiol, and sex hormone binding globulin was analyzed. ARs, miRNA-185-5p and CSF-1 expression were compared between the groups. SFG showed significant higher ARs and miRNA-185-5p expression (3.7 ± 1.3, 1.8 ± 0.4, respectively) than control group (1 ± 0.08 and 1 ± 0.07, respectively) (p < 0.05). However, CSF-1 expression was significantly lower in stone formers than control group (0.4 ± 0.19 vs 1 ± 0.1, respectively) (p < 0.05). No differences were detected between de novo and recurrent SFG regarding sex hormones, AR, miRNA or CSF-1 expression. Our data suggest the important role of AR, miRNA and CSF-1 signaling in human nephrolithiasis pathogenesis.
Binding affinity improvement analysis of multiple-mutant Omicron on 2019-nCov to human ACE2 by in silico predictions
Authors: Li Bo , Guo Jindan , Hu Wenxiang , Chen Yubao
Published: April 2023

Context

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2019, the 2019-nCov
coronavirus has appeared diverse mutational characteristics due to its own
flexible conformation. One multiple-mutant strain (Omicron) with surprisingly
infective activity outburst, and affected the biological activities of current
drugs and vaccines, making the epidemic significantly difficult to prevent and
control, and seriously threaten health around the world. Importunately
exploration of mutant characteristics for novel coronavirus Omicron can supply
strong theoretical guidance for learning binding mechanism of mutant viruses.
What’s more, full acknowledgement of key mutated-residues on Omicron strain can
provide new methodology of the novel pathogenic mechanism to human ACE2
receptor, as well as the subsequent vaccine development.

Methods

In this research, 3D structures of 32 single-point mutations
of 2019-nCov were firstly constructed, and 32-sites multiple-mutant Omicron
were finally obtained based one the wild-type virus by homology modeling method.
One total number of 33 2019-nCov/ACE2 complex systems were acquired by
protein-protein docking, and optimized by using preliminary molecular dynamic
simulations. Binding free energies between each 2019-nCov mutation system and
human ACE2 receptor were calculated, and corresponding binding patterns
especially the regions adjacent to mutation site were analyzed. The results
indicated that one total number of 6 mutated sites on the Omicron strain played
crucial role in improving binding capacities from 2019-nCov to ACE2 protein.
Subsequently, we performed long-term molecular dynamic simulations and
protein-protein binding energy analysis for the selected 6 mutations. 3
infected individuals, the mutants T478K, Q493R and G496S with lower binding
energies -66.36, -67.98 and -67.09 kcal/mol also presents the high infectivity.
These findings indicated that the 3 mutations T478K, Q493R and G496S play the
crucial roles in enhancing binding affinity of Omicron to human ACE2 protein.
All these results illuminate important theoretical guidance for future virus
detection of the Omicron epidemic, drug research and vaccine development.
Cohomology of manifolds with structure group $$U(n) \times O(s)$$
Authors: Raźny Paweł
Published: April 2023

We introduce a new spectral sequence for the study of $${\mathcal {K}}$$
K
-manifolds which arises by restricting the spectral sequence of a Riemannian foliation to forms invariant under the flows of $$\{\xi _1,\ldots ,\xi _s\}$$

{

ξ
1

,
…
,

ξ
s

}

. We use this sequence to generalize a number of theorems from K-contact geometry to $${\mathcal {K}}$$
K
-manifolds. Most importantly we compute the cohomology ring and harmonic forms of $${\mathcal {S}}$$
S
-manifolds in terms of primitive basic cohomology and primitive basic harmonic forms (respectively). As an immediate consequence of this we get that the basic cohomology of $${\mathcal {S}}$$
S
-manifolds are a topological invariant. We also show that the basic Hodge numbers of $${\mathcal {S}}$$
S
-manifolds are invariant under deformations. Finally, we provide similar results for $${\mathcal {C}}$$
C
-manifolds.