bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Global deep learning optimization of chemical exchange saturation transfer magnetic resonance fingerprinting acquisition schedule
Authors: Cohen Ouri , Otazo Ricardo
Published: April 2023

Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI is a promising molecular imaging technique but suffers from long scan times and complicated processing. CEST was recently combined with magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) to address these shortcomings. However, the CEST‐MRF signal depends on multiple acquisition and tissue parameters so selecting an optimal acquisition schedule is challenging. In this work, we propose a novel dual‐network deep learning framework to optimize the CEST‐MRF acquisition schedule. The quality of the optimized schedule was assessed in a digital brain phantom and compared with alternate deep learning optimization approaches. The effect of schedule length on the reconstruction error was also investigated. A healthy subject was scanned with optimized and random schedules and with a conventional CEST sequence for comparison. The optimized schedule was also tested in a subject with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Reproducibility was assessed via test–retest experiments and the concordance correlation coefficient calculated for white matter (WM) and grey matter (GM). The optimized schedule was 12% shorter but yielded equal or lower normalized root mean square error for all parameters. The proposed optimization also provided a lower error compared with alternate methodologies. Longer schedules generally yielded lower error. In vivo maps obtained with the optimized schedule showed reduced noise and improved delineation of GM and WM. CEST curves synthesized from the optimized parameters were highly correlated (r = 0.99) with measured conventional CEST. The mean concordance correlation coefficient in WM/GM for all tissue parameters was 0.990/0.978 for the optimized schedule but only 0.979/0.975 for the random schedule. The proposed schedule optimization is widely applicable to MRF pulse sequences and provides accurate and reproducible tissue maps with reduced noise at a shorter scan time than a randomly generated schedule.
Weight loss relapse associated with exposure to perfluorinated alkylate substances
Authors: Grandjean Philippe , Meddis Alessandra , Nielsen Flemming , Sjödin Anders , Hjorth Mads F. , Astrup Arne , Budtz‐Jørgensen Esben
Published: April 2023

Objective

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that perfluorinated alkylate substance (PFAS) exposures are associated with body weight increases in a dietary intervention study.

Methods

In the DioGenes trial, adults with obesity first lost at least 8% of their body weight and then completed at least 26 weeks on a specific diet. Concentrations of five major PFASs were assessed in plasma samples from study baseline.

Results

In 381 participants with complete data, plasma concentrations averaged 2.9 ng/mL and 1.0 ng/mL for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), respectively. A doubling in plasma PFOA was associated with an increase in weight at 26 weeks by 1.50 kg (95% CI: 0.88–2.11), with an increase of 0.91 kg (95% CI: 0.54–1.27) for PFHxS, independent of diet groups and sex. Associations for other PFASs were in the same direction and significant, although not after adjustment for PFOA and PFHxS. Weight changes associated with elevated PFAS exposures were similar to or larger than average changes ascribed to the different diet groups.

Conclusions

Elevated plasma concentrations of PFOA and PFHxS were associated with increased weight gain that exceeded those related to the diets. Obesogenic PFASs may cause weight gain and thus contribute to the obesity pandemic.
Graphene/carbon nanotube/polypyrrole composite films for electromagnetic interference shielding
Authors: Xie Zhixiang , Chen Huaiyu , Hu Sikun , Zhao Hongchao , Chen Wenduo , Jiang Dazhi
Published: April 2023

Polypyrrole (PPy), an ideal organic electroactive material, shows limited application in the field of electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding for its relatively low shielding effectiveness (SE), significant stiffness, difficult solubility, and poor processing performance. A strategy is proposed to construct three‐dimensional network structures of graphene/CNT/polypyrrole by electrochemical deposition to improve the EMI SE of polypyrrole composite films. In the graphene/CNT/polypyrrole films, the graphene/CNT substrates form the skeletons, and polypyrrole acts as bridges between graphene sheets and CNTs to form percolation networks in the multiphase and multihierarchical nanocomposites. When the deposition time increases to 80 min, the content of polypyrrole increases to 30 wt%, the conductivity improves by 27.7%, and the EMI SE improves by 11.4% at X‐band. The final film thickness is 249 μm, the conductivity is 3.06 S/mm, and the average EMI SE is 59.6 dB.
The measurement of motivation and self‐concept within the Students' approaches to learning framework
Authors: Ropovik Ivan , Greger David
Published: April 2023

Motivation and self‐concept count among the educationally most relevant factors and the evaluation of many educational interventions requires their valid measurement. The present study examined the psychometric properties of a shortened version of the Students' Approaches to Learning questionnaire measuring 10 distinct motivational and self‐concept constructs. This large‐scale study drew a nationally representative sample (N = 6209; 49% female) from a population of 11–12‐year‐old Czech students. The assessment of construct validity indicated (1) the structural relations between the constructs, (2) the predictive relations to scores in standardized achievement tests or teacher‐assigned grades, and (3) the distinct differences in constructs' latent means between genders and students of the academic and mainstream track were mostly consistent with theory‐derived predictions. The nomological network of the measure maps relatively well onto the observed relations. Although not intended for individual assessment, the measure allows for psychometrically sound group inferences in relatively diverse student populations.
Adaptation of the person centered therapeutic relationship patient version (PCTR‐PT) to a version for physiotherapists (PCTR‐PHYS) and evaluation of its psychometric properties
Authors: Rodríguez‐Nogueira Óscar , Balaguer Jaume Morera , Nogueira López Abel , Roldán‐Merino Juan , Zamora‐Conesa Víctor , Moreno‐Poyato Antonio R.
Published: April 2023

Background and Purpose

The therapeutic relationship is a central component for developing person‐centered care within physiotherapy services. However, it is necessary to understand how this relationship is perceived by both parties involved. The Person Centered Therapeutic Relationship‐Patient scale (PCTR‐PT) was constructed to identify patients' perceptions. No instruments are currently available to correlate patients' and physiotherapists' perceptions of the therapeutic relationship. This study sought to adapt the PCTR‐PT to develop a version for physiotherapists, the Person Centered Therapeutic Relationship Scale for Physiotherapists (PCTR‐PHYS) and to determine its psychometric properties.

Methods

A three‐stage study was performed: (1) item generation, (2) pretesting of the questionnaire, (3) analysis of psychometric properties. Factor validity and psychometric properties were analyzed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Convergent validity was calculated. Internal consistency was verified using the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to examine temporal stability.

Results

Thirty‐three physiotherapists participated in two rounds of cognitive interviews and 343 participated in the analysis of psychometric properties. The CFA confirmed the four‐structure model. Reliability of the tool was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha (α = 0.863) for all four dimensions, as all were above 0.70, ranging from 0.704 (relational bond) and 0.898 (therapeutic communication). Test‐retest was performed with 2‐week intervals, indicating an appropriate stability for the scale (ICC = 0.908).

Discussion

The Person Centered Therapeutic Relationship Scale for Physiotherapists is a useful, valid and applicable instrument to evaluate the person‐centered therapeutic relationship during physiotherapy interventions. It will enable the comparison of patients' and physiotherapists' perceptions. To provide person‐centered care in physiotherapy services, there is a clear need to incorporate specific resources into clinical practice to evaluate the quality of the therapeutic relationship from the perspective of both the persons being treated and the professionals providing care.
Implications of metastatic stage at presentation in docetaxel naïve metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Roy Soumyajit , Wallis Christopher J. D. , Morgan Scott C. , Kishan Amar U. , Le Amy Tu Trinh , Malone Julia , Sun Yilun , Spratt Daniel E. , Saad Fred , Malone Shawn
Published: April 2023

Background

We performed a secondary analysis of ACIS study to determine if synchronous versus metachronous metastatic presentation has any association with survival and treatment response to dual androgen receptor axis‐targeted therapy (ARAT) in docetaxel naïve metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

Methodology

In this phase III randomized controlled trial, docetaxel naïve mCRPC patients were randomized to either apalutamide or placebo combined with abiraterone and prednisone. Multivariable Cox regression models were applied to determine the adjusted association of M‐stage with radiographic progression‐free survival (rPFS) and overall survival (OS). To determine the heterogeneity of treatment effect based on metastatic stage (M‐stage) at presentation, Cox regression was applied with interaction terms between M‐stage and treatment.

Results

Among 972 patients, 432 had M0, 334 had M1, while M‐stage at presentation was unknown in 206. There was no association of M‐stage at presentation with rPFS in patients with prior local therapy (LT) (hazard ratio for M1‐stage: 1.22 [95% confidence interval: 0.82–1.82]; unknown: 1.03 [0.77–1.38]) or without prior LT (M1‐stage: 0.87 [0.64–1.19]; unknown: 1.15 [0.77–1.72]) with no significant heterogeneity. Similarly, there was no association of M‐stage with OS in patients with prior LT (M1‐stage: 1.04 [0.81–1.33]; unknown: 0.98 [0.79–1.21]) or without prior LT (M1‐stage: 0.95 [0.70–1.29]; unknown: 1.17 [0.80–1.71]) with no significant heterogeneity. Based on M‐stage at presentation, we did not find any significant heterogeneity in treatment effect on rPFS (interaction p = 0.13), and OS (interaction p = 0.87).

Conclusion

M‐stage at presentation had no association with survival in chemotherapy‐naïve mCRPC. We did not find any statistically significant heterogeneity in efficacy of dual ARAT based on synchronous versus metachronous presentation.
Sublethal and transgenerational effects of pyridaben exposure on the fitness and gene expression of Panonychus citri
Authors: Pan Deng , Xia Menghao , Luo Qiujuan , Li Chuanzhen , Yuan Guorui , Wang Jinjun , Dou Wei
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND

Panonychus citri is a globally dominant citrus plant pest mite. Pesticide‐induced population resurgence is a concern for mite control. Exposure to sublethal concentrations of pesticides has stimulated reproduction and outbreak risks in many pests. Pyridaben, a mitochondrial electron transport inhibitor, has been frequently used worldwide in mite control. In the study, sublethal and transgenerational effects of pyridaben exposure on Pyr_Rs (resistant) and Pyr_Control (susceptible) strains were systematically investigated in both exposed parental generation (F0) and unexposed offspring generations (F1 and F2) by evaluating life‐table and physiological parameters.

RESULTS

After exposure to pyridaben, the fecundity of both strains was significantly reduced in F0 generation while significantly induced in F1 generation. Interestingly, these effects also stimulated the fecundity of the F2 generation in Pyr_Control strain while no significant effects occurred for Pyr_Rs strain. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ) were significantly decreased only in F1 generation of Pyr_Control strain after exposure treatment. Meanwhile, the population projection indicated a smaller population size in F1 generation of Pyr_Control strain while a population increase for Pyr_Rs strain after sublethal treatment. Subsequent detoxification enzyme assays indicated that only P450 activities in F0 generation were significantly activated by LC30 exposure to pyridaben in both strains. Significant downregulation of reproduction‐related (Pc_Vg) genes was observed in the F0 generations of both strains. Significant upregulation of P450 (CYP4CL2) and Pc_Vg of the F1 generation in both strains suggested the presence of delayed hormesis effects on the reproduction and developed tolerance to pyridaben, although the effects did not last over a longer period (F2 generation).

CONCLUSION

These results provide evidence for transgenerational hormesis effects of low concentrations of pyridaben exposure that may lead to population increase and resurgence risks of resistant‐mites in natural settings by stimulating reproduction. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Antiproliferative effect of selexipag active metabolite MRE‐269 on pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells from patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Kuramoto Kazuya , Ogawa Aiko , Kiyama Kazuko , Matsubara Hiromi , Ohno Yuji , Fuchikami Chiaki , Hayashi Kyota , Kosugi Keiji , Kuwano Keiichi
Published: April 2023

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a group 4 pulmonary hypertension (PH) characterized by nonresolving thromboembolism in the central pulmonary artery and vascular occlusion in the proximal and distal pulmonary artery. Medical therapy is chosen for patients who are ineligible for pulmonary endarterectomy or balloon pulmonary angioplasty or who have symptomatic residual PH after surgery or intervention. Selexipag, an oral prostacyclin receptor agonist and potent vasodilator, was approved for CTEPH in Japan in 2021. To evaluate the pharmacological effect of selexipag on vascular occlusion in CTEPH, we examined how its active metabolite MRE‐269 affects platelet‐derived growth factor‐stimulated pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) from CTEPH patients. MRE‐269 showed a more potent antiproliferative effect on PASMCs from CTEPH patients than on those from normal subjects. DNA‐binding protein inhibitor (ID) genes ID1 and ID3 were found by RNA sequencing and real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction to be expressed at lower levels in PASMCs from CTEPH patients than in those from normal subjects and were upregulated by MRE‐269 treatment. ID1 and ID3 upregulation by MRE‐269 was blocked by co‐incubation with a prostacyclin receptor antagonist, and ID1 knockdown by small interfering RNA transfection attenuated the antiproliferative effect of MRE‐269. ID signaling may be involved in the antiproliferative effect of MRE‐269 on PASMCs. This is the first study to demonstrate the pharmacological effects on PASMCs from CTEPH patients of a drug approved for the treatment of CTEPH. Both the vasodilatory and the antiproliferative effect of MRE‐269 may contribute to the efficacy of selexipag in CTEPH.
Multiomics endotyping of preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia and pulmonary hypertension—A pilot study
Authors: Siddaiah Roopa , Oji‐Mmuo Christiana , Aluquin Vincent P. R. , Kawasawa Yuka Imamura , Donnelly Ann , Rousselle Dustin , Fuentes Nathalie , Austin Eric D. , Silveyra Patricia
Published: April 2023

Pulmonary hypertension associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia is a severe complication of preterm birth resulting in high mortality of up to 50% within the first 2 years of life. There is a direct relationship between bronchopulmonary dysplasia severity and incidence of associated pulmonary hypertension. However, it is challenging to clinically characterize severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia with and without pulmonary hypertension and there is need for better understanding of the two entities. Our main objective is to identify markers to help understand biological processes and characterize infants with pulmonary hypertension associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia using tracheal aspirates. We conducted an unbiased multiomic analysis of tracheal aspirates via microRNA (miRNA) polymerase chain reaction arrays, RNA sequencing, and mass spectrometry proteomics in preterm infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia with and without pulmonary hypertension (n = 46). Our pilot study analysis revealed 12 miRNAs (hsa‐miR‐29a, has‐miR‐542‐3p, has‐miR‐624, has‐miR‐183, hsa‐miR‐501‐3p, hsa‐miR‐101, hsa‐miR‐3131, hsa‐miR‐3683, hsa‐miR‐3193, hsa‐miR‐3672, hsa‐miR‐3128, and hsa‐miR‐1287), 6 transcripts (IL6, RPL35P5, HSD3B7, RNA5SP215, OR2A1‐AS1, and RNVU1‐19), and 5 proteins (CAPS, AAT, KRT5, SFTPB, and LGALS3BP) with significant differential expression in preterm infants with severe lung disease with pulmonary hypertension when compared with infants with severe lung disease but no pulmonary hypertension. Pathway analysis of the integrated multiomic expression signatures revealed NFkB, VEGF, SERPINA1, IL6, and ERK1/2 as target molecules and cellular development, cellular growth and proliferation, and cellular movement as key affected molecular functions. Our multiomic analysis of tracheal aspirates revealed a comprehensive thumbprint of miRNAs, mRNAs, and proteins that could help endotype infants with severe lung disease and pulmonary hypertension.
Tezepelumab treatment for allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
Authors: Ogata Hiroaki , Sha Kachi , Kotetsu Yasuaki , Enokizu‐Ogawa Aimi , Katahira Katsuyuki , Ishimatsu Akiko , Taguchi Kazuhito , Moriwaki Atsushi , Yoshida Makoto
Published: April 2023

An 82‐year‐old man had been diagnosed with asthma. He experienced repeated exacerbations requiring treatment with a systemic corticosteroid despite being treated with medications including high‐dose fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol, montelukast sodium, and theophylline; treatment with mepolizumab was then initiated. The patient had been free from exacerbations for 15 months; however, he suffered from post‐obstructive pneumonia and atelectasis secondary to mucoid impaction in the right middle lobe of the lung, accompanied by a productive cough, wheezing, dyspnea, and right chest pain. In addition to the development of mucus plugs, the levels of serum IgE specific to Aspergillus spp. became positive; a definite diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) was established. The patient underwent treatment with tezepelumab. Over 3 months, the mucus plugs and pulmonary opacities diminished gradually in parallel with the improvement in the control of asthmatic symptoms. Tezepelumab might provide a novel steroid‐sparing strategy for the management of ABPA, although further studies are required.
Decentralized attack detection for multi‐area power systems via interconnection‐decoupled sliding mode observer
Authors: Xu Kun , Niu Yugang
Published: April 2023

This article deals with the false data injection attack (FDIA) detection problem for multi‐area power systems. Considering the large‐scale characteristic of the multi‐area power systems, a novel decentralized detection scheme is proposed to detect FDIAs. First, an unknown input sliding mode observer (UI‐SMO) is designed to decouple the interconnected terms, meanwhile, a robust term in the UI‐SMO can attenuate the effect of the load variation, by which the obtained residual is only sensitive to local FDIAs. The strict reachability of the sliding surface in the estimate error space is ensured by the robust term with an auxiliary variable, and the stability of the sliding mode dynamics is achieved. Then, a detection logic is delicately designed based on a two‐phase residual threshold. Due to the strong attenuating ability to load variation, the proposed detection scheme shows better detectability than some existing works with only decoupling interconnections. Finally, the theoretical results are backed up by a three‐area power system simulation with comparison between proposed UI‐SMO‐based and traditional UIO‐based detection scheme.
Electrodeposition of a Near‐Eutectic Sn‐Ag Alloy from a Mixed Choline Chloride, Ethylene Glycol and Urea Electrolyte
Authors: Shikun Marina A. , Vrublevskaya Olga N. , Sviridov Dmitry V.
Published: April 2023

Ternary mixture of choline chloride, ethylene glycol and urea (molar ratio 1 : 1 : 1) has been proposed as non‐aqueous media for the electrochemical plating in galvanostatic mode of tin‐silver alloy coatings. The conditions for the deposition of an alloy with a composition and melting temperature close to the eutectic, which is in demand for microassembly in the electronic industry, have been determined. The significant features on the simultaneous tin(II) and silver(I) reduction and the alloy formation are revealed. It has been determined that silver(I) is reduced from the solution both electrochemically and by the galvanic displacement with freshly deposited tin. The presence of silver on the surface of the coatings initiates underpotential tin(II) reduction. The interactions of components in the non‐aqueous electrolyte have been studied for the first time by IR spectroscopy, and the formation of coordination compounds between tin(II) and silver(I) ions and solvent molecules has been revealed.
Deep Eutectic Solvent‐Mediated Oxidative Homocoupling of Terminal Alkynes to 1,3‐Diynes under Mild Green Conditions
Authors: Bhise Rupali S. , Ghorpade Prashant V. , Mehta Viral R. , Shankarling Ganapati S.
Published: April 2023

We prepared a commercially viable Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES) based on Choline Chloride‐Urea‐copper acetate for the first time. It mediates the homocoupling of terminal alkynes, using air as an oxidant. Water is the only by‐product of the entire process. The method avoids ligands, bases, oxidants, and costly palladium catalysts, which qualifies the process greener than ever. The DES can be reused at least three times without affecting the reaction yield significantly. The key features of the protocol that qualify the process as green include the ambient reaction temperatures, lesser use of conventional organic solvents in the reaction, higher yields, and easy product isolation qualify the protocol as a green process.
Acetylcholine Conformational Flexibility and Its Neutral Hydrolysis in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Fadilla Rizka N. , Rusydi Febdian , Madinah Roichatul , Dipojono Hermawan K. , Ahmad Faozan , Mudasir Mudasir , Puspitasari Ira , Morikawa Yoshitada
Published: April 2023

Enzymatic hydrolysis is the main target to deal with ACh depletion. However, a recent study indicates that the non‐enzymatic one may contribute to the depletion. This study highlights the necessity of considering possible conformers, discrete‐continuum models, and dispersive effects for investigating the neutral (non‐enzymatic) hydrolysis of flexible molecules in aqueous solution. We systematically built the possible conformers within the first‐principles framework. The results confirm the reactivity of high‐energy ACh conformer towards neutral hydrolysis. We proposed that conformational changes occur before the hydrolysis. The calculated activation and reaction energy shows that the discrete‐continuum solvation model gives the closest result to experimental observations. This study also shows that neglecting dispersive effects brings unreliable structures in the initial state, which leads to unreliable activation energy.
Synthetic Access to Bis(pyrazolyl)methanes using cost‐efficient Triethylammonium Hydrogen Sulfate Ionic Liquid: Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity via in silico and in vitro Studies
Authors: Teli Pankaj , Sahiba Nusrat , Manhas Anu , Jha Prakash C. , Meena Priyadarshi , Agarwal Shikha
Published: April 2023

A highly efficient, facile and greener approach has been developed for the synthesis of bis(pyrazolyl)methanes. The method involves a reaction of 3‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐2‐pyrazoline‐5‐one and substituted aromatic/heterocyclic aldehydes at ambient reaction conditions using ionic‐liquid, triethylammonium hydrogen sulfate to yield desired bis(pyrazolyl)methanes in excellent yields (85–96 %). The significant aspect of this protocol is the use of ionic liquid as a replacement of toxic and expensive metal catalysts thereby reducing the production of harmful chemical wastes and avoiding the use of toxic and volatile reagents in the synthesis. The catalyst was easily separated and reused up‐to five runs without significant decrease in its catalytic activity. Molecular docking studies were conducted on Cytochrome P450 3 A4, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, and tumor protein to predict their utility as potential anti‐oxidant, and anti‐cancer compounds. The outcome indicates that these synthesized compounds have the scaffold that binds well in the hydrophobic‐pocket of the respective enzyme and the polar groups present in their scaffold form hydrogen‐bonding too. Furthermore, we infer from the docking calculations that, all were docked in the binding domain of 4D75, eleven were docked in the active site of 6FCX and nine compounds were docked within the binding site of 3S7S. Furthermore, the in‐vitro antioxidant activity of synthesized compounds was explored against DPPH and ABTS, and most of the compounds were found to have high to excellent radical scavenging activity.
Morphological and Optical Transformation of Gas Assisted Direct Laser Written Porous Silicon Films
Authors: Fletcher Jesse , Parish Giacinta , Dell John , Keating Adrian
Published: April 2023

Direct laser writing (DLW) of mesoporous porous silicon (PS) films is shown to selectively create spatially separated nitridized and carbonized features on a single film. Nitridized or carbonized features are formed during DLW at 405 nm in an ambient of nitrogen and propane gas, respectively. The range of laser fluence required to create varying feature sizes while avoiding damage to the PS film is identified. At high enough fluence, nitridation using DLW has been shown as an effective method for laterally isolating regions on the PS films. The efficacy in preventing oxidation once passivated is investigated via energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. Changes in composition and optical properties of the DL written films are investigated using spectroscopic analysis. Results show carbonized DLW regions have a much higher absorption than as‐fabricated PS, attributed to pyrolytic carbon or transpolyacetylene deposits in the pores. Nitridized regions exhibit optical loss similar to previously published thermally nitridized PS films. This work presents methods to engineer PS films for a variety of potential device applications, including the application of carbonized PS to selectively engineer thermal conductivity and electrical resistivity and of nitridized PS to micromachining and selective modification of refractive index for optical applications.
Super Proton Conductivity Through Control of Hydrogen‐Bonding Networks in Flexible Metal–Organic Frameworks
Authors: Kwon Nam Ho , Han Seunghee , Kim Jihan , Cho Eun Seon
Published: April 2023

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have received much attention as a solid‐state electrolyte in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The introduction of proton carriers and functional groups into MOFs can improve the proton conductivity attributed to the formation of hydrogen‐bonding networks, while the underlying synergistic mechanism is still unclear. Here, a series of flexible MOFs (MIL‐88B, [Fe3O(OH)(H2O)2(O2C‐C6H4‐CO2)3] with imidazole) is designed to modify the hydrogen‐bonding networks and investigate the resulting proton‐conducting characteristics by controlling the breathing behaviors. The breathing behavior is tuned by varying the amount of adsorbed imidazole into pore (small breathing (SB) and large breathing (LB)) and introducing functional groups onto ligands (‐NH2, ‐SO3H), resulting in four kinds of imidazole‐loaded MOFs−Im@MIL‐88B‐SB, Im@MIL‐88B‐LB, Im@MIL‐88B‐NH2, and Im@MIL‐88B‐SO3H. Im@MIL‐88B‐LB without functional groups exhibits the highest proton conductivity of 8.93 × 10−2 S cm−1 at 60 °C and 95% relative humidity among imidazole‐loaded proton conductors despite the mild condition, indicating that functional groups may not be always required to enhance proton conductivity. The elaborately controlled pore size and host–guest interaction in flexible MOFs through imidazole‐dependent structural transformation are translated into the high proton concentration without the limitation of proton mobility, contributing to the formation of effective hydrogen‐bonding networks in imidazole conducting media.
Advanced In Situ Electrochemical Induced Dual‐Mechanism Heterointerface toward High‐Energy Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Qiufan , Tian Guofu , Huang Can , Zhang Daohong
Published: April 2023

In situ electrochemical activation brings unexpected electrochemical performance improvements to electrode materials, while the mechanism behind is still needed to study deeply. Herein, an in situ electrochemically approach is developed for the activation of heterointerface MnOx/Co3O4 by inducing Mn‐defect, wherein the Mn defects are formed through a charge process that converts the MnOx with poor electrochemical activities toward Zn2+ into high electrochemically active cathode for aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs). Guided by the coupling engineering strategy, the heterointerface cathode exhibits an intercalation/conversion dual‐mechanism without structural collapse during storage/release of Zn2+. The heterointerfaces between different phases can generate built‐in electric fields, reducing the energy barrier for ion migration and facilitating electron/ion diffusion. As a consequence, the dual‐mechanism MnOx/Co3O4 shows an outstanding fast charging performance and maintains a capacity of 401.03 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1. More importantly, a ZIB based on MnOx/Co3O4 delivered an energy density of 166.09 Wh kg−1 at an ultrahigh power density of 694.64 W kg−1, which outperforms those of fast charging supercapacitors. This work provides insights for using defect chemistry to introduce novel properties in active materials for highly for high‐performance aqueous ZIBs.
Homogeneous, heterogeneous, and enzyme catalysis in microfluidics droplets
Authors: Mei Fang , Lin Hongyu , Hu Lianrui , Dou Wei‐Tao , Yang Hai‐Bo , Xu Lin
Published: April 2023

Microfluidics has received extensive attention due to its ability to rapidly prepare a large number of microdroplets with controlled sizes and defined morphologies. In addition to having large surface areas and controllable confinement environments, these prepared microdroplets can be used as analytical detection devices to screen and optimize various kinetic parameters. This review summarizes recent advances in the microfluidic control of droplet‐based catalytic reactions and discusses the role of these droplets in both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalyzes and in the catalysis of macromolecular biological enzymes in water‐in‐oil and oil‐in‐oil environments. Additionally, the existing problems and future development directions of droplets in catalysis are highlighted to promote the development of catalytic reactions in droplet media and provide guidance for the high‐throughput screening of catalysts and the directed evolution of biological enzymes.
Improving Long‐Term Stability of Kesterite Thin‐Film Solar Cells with Oxide/Metal/Oxide Multilayered Transparent Conducting Electrodes
Authors: Jang Jun Sung , Karade Vijay C. , Suryawanshi Mahesh P. , Lee Dong Min , Kim Jihun , Jang Suyoung , Baek Myeong Cheol , He Mingrui , Kim Jin Hyeok , Shin Seung Wook
Published: April 2023

The long‐term stability of kesterite Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) thin‐film solar cells (TFSCs) is crucial for the sustainable mass production of photovoltaic systems. Herein, the improved long‐term stability of CZTSSe TFSCs with an oxide/metal/oxide (OMO)‐based transparent conducting electrodes (TCEs), i.e., ZnO‐based oxide/Ag/Al‐doped ZnO (AZO), and post heating treatment is reported. The effect of the structural, optical, and electrical properties of the OMO TCEs prepared with various bottom oxide materials on the device performance of the CZTSSe TFSCs is systematically investigated. The CZTSSe TFSCs with Ga‐doped ZnO containing OMO TCEs show excellent long‐term stability with only <1% and <20% power conversion efficiency (PCE) losses, whereas for the TFSCs with conventional AZO TCEs, 12% and 69% PCE losses are observed after 5 and 10 months, respectively, without encapsulation and air atmosphere. Detailed analyses reveal that Ag‐doped ZnO formed at the bottom oxide/Ag interface in OMO TCEs passivates the interface. Accordingly, a passivation mechanism for the Ag‐doped ZnO interfacial layer in the OMO TCEs is demonstrated. Herein, a new pathway to improve the long‐term stability of CZTSSe TFSCs without encapsulation and under air atmosphere is offered.
Experimental and simulation analysis of thermal behavior of large‐span roof system under solar radiation
Authors: Wang Mingming , Xin Zhiyong , Liu Xuan , Ou Tong , Wang Dayang , Zhang Yongshan
Published: April 2023

The large‐span metal roof systems can produce a significant nonuniform temperature effect under solar radiation, leading to potential safety hazards. An experiment is conducted to study the nonuniform thermal behavior of a small‐scale continuous welded stainless steel roof (CWSSR) system under solar radiation. The small‐scale CWSSR system considered different roof slopes and sunward side and nightside. The efficiency of the numerical analysis of the thermal behavior of the roof slab is verified in comparison with the experimental results. Based on the numerical and experimental results, the thermal effect of a full‐scale CWSSR system is studied under different orientations, wind speeds, and atmospheric temperature. Through the analysis of research results, the nonuniform thermal features of the CWSSR system are significant and cannot be overlooked. The temperature difference between the sunward side and nightside roof slab is positively correlated with the roof slope. The thermal behavior of the CWSSR system is greatly influenced by wind speeds but is less affected by orientations and atmospheric temperature.
Impact of physico‐chemical properties of nanocellulose on rheology of aqueous suspensions and its utility in multiple fields: A review
Authors: Rana Ashvinder K. , Thakur Vijay Kumar
Published: April 2023

Nanocellulose (NC), due to its sustainable nature, high aspect ratio, superior mechanical strength, and availability of functionalizable OH groups, has been widely utilized as reinforcement in numerous fluids/plastics. The physico‐chemical properties of NC, like surface characteristics, dimensions/aspect ratio and their concentration, significantly impact the interparticle interactions, such as the extent of hydrogen bonding, van derWaalforces, hydrophobicity, electrostatic attraction/repulsion, and cellulose entanglement, and have been found to play a critical role in regulating the overall rheological characteristics of fluids. The functionalized NC aqueous suspension exhibited unique shear thinning properties, thixotropic behavior, and quick steady‐state viscosity recovery and viscoelastic properties. However, upon adding functionalized NC to other fluids, a different impact was noticed. For instance, it improved the viscosity, G′ and mechanical stability of bio‐ink; the setting time and mechanical strength of cementitious fluids; increased the filtration performance and provided a unique thermo‐thickening impact in case of water‐based drilling‐fluid; enhanced viscosity with time and heat in case of oil recovery, and so forth. Keeping in view the notable dependence of the rheology of fluids on NC additives, in the present review article, the impact of various physico‐chemical properties of NC additives on the rheological behavior of NC aqueous suspension and its utility as a rheology modifier in multiple advanced fields has been explored. This review article, compared to previous studies, warrants an update on the impact of recent NC surface functionalization/blending techniques employed and NC aspect ratio on specific properties of multiple advanced fluids.
2 Employment and social trends by region
Authors: Horne Richard
Published: April 2023

Chapter 2 presents labour market trends by broadly defined region and predominantly shows how decent work deficits affect all regions to different degrees. For each region, key labour market indicators are analysed, alongside an assessment of the region's overall economic development. This is followed by a focus on different thematic areas per region, including the job creation potential from climate change adaptation in Africa, implications for jobs with the just transition in the Arab States and ongoing shortages of migrant workers in Southeast Asia from the COVID‐19 pandemic. The thematic areas were proposed by regional experts and reflect pressing problems related to decent work in the respective region.
Sericea lespedeza control with postemergence and preemergence herbicide applications in fields managed for northern bobwhite
Authors: Turner Mark A. , Powell Bonner L. , Wade GeFellers J. , Bones Jacob T. , Marshall Spencer G. , Harper Craig A.
Published: April 2023

Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) is an invasive nonnative legume that commonly occurs on sites managed for northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus). Sericea reduces bobwhite habitat availability by outcompeting native plants that provide food and cover. Sericea can be controlled with postemergence herbicides such as glyphosate as well as a mixture of triclopyr with fluroxypyr, but these herbicides do not provide preemergence control. Imazapic has been effective at controlling a limited number of planted sericea seeds, but the efficacy of imazapic at various application rates to control sericea seedbank response following treatment with a postemergence herbicide has not been evaluated. We designed a field experiment to evaluate sericea control and changes in the plant community as related to bobwhite habitat with 2 postemergence herbicides followed by preemergence treatment of imazapic at 3 sites in Tennessee and Alabama, USA, 2018–2022. Specifically, we treated sericea with postemergence broadcast applications of glyphosate or triclopyr with fluroxypyr in 2018 and applied spot treatment with the same herbicides in 2019–2021. We applied imazapic at 4 rates following prescribed fire in 2019 and 2022. We measured coverage of sericea, native forbs, annual grasses, perennial grasses, and bobwhite food plants before treatment in 2018 and after all treatments in 2022. Nearly all postemergence treatments reduced sericea coverage, but imazapic did not increase control compared to postemergence herbicides alone. Perennial grasses used for nesting and bobwhite foraging were maintained following treatments. We recommend managers use either glyphosate or triclopyr with fluroxypyr to control sericea postemergence and consider using a low rate of imazapic to reduce annual grasses if coverage is a problem on the site.
The Making of AdA: Bruno Touschek’s Journey from Widerøe’s Betatron to Storage Rings
Authors: Pancheri Giulia
Published: April 2023

In Italy, in 1960, Bruno Touschek conceived and built the first particle-antiparticle collider, called AdA. The different roads and pathways which led to the successful demonstration that it was possible to accumulate electrons and positrons in a single ring and make them collide, originated in different parts of Europe: Austria, Germany, Norway, UK, France and Italy, in parallel with similar developments in the US and USSR. AdA’s success was due to Bruno Touschek’s extraordinary formation as both an accelerator scientist and a theoretical physicist, and in the unique environment he found in the University of Rome and the Frascati Laboratories, where the post-war reconstruction of Italian physics was taking place, in parallel with the Europe-wide effort, that led to the creation of CERN.
String Theory
Authors: Di Vecchia Paolo
Published: April 2023

I start describing my interaction with Bruno during my thesis and then in his group in Frascati in connection with the calculation of the total cross-section of double bremsstrahlung that, at that time, was considered a good candidate as a monitor reaction for Adone. Then I discuss my transition to S-matrix theory and to the work that brought from the Dual Resonance Model to String Theory. I conclude describing the main results of String Theory in a way that could be followed by non-experts in the field.
Bruno Touschek (1921–1978). The Path to Electron-Positron Collisions
Authors: Bonolis Luisa
Published: April 2023

The 100th anniversary of Bruno Touschek’s birth also marks 60 years since the first beams of electrons and positrons circulated in AdA, the first ever matter-antimatter collider, built in Frascati National Laboratories following Touschek’s visionary proposal of February 1960. Touschek’s path to such idea is briefly outlined, beginning with his early years as a student—first in Vienna and later in Germany—through his first experiences with Rolf Widerøe’s betatron and the electron synchrotron accelerator in Glasgow after the war, along with his relationships with the fathers of modern physics in Europe, to his arrival in Italy, where crucial reflections during the 1950s led him to the profound belief that matter-antimatter annihilations should become a primary goal for future physics. Based on these premises, Touschek and his collaborators dared to take on the challenge of realizing what at the time seemed an “unthinkable idea”: keep beams of electrons and positron circulating for hours in the vacuum chamber of a storage ring and making them collide.
Linear Colliders
Authors: Stapnes Steinar
Published: April 2023

This article summarizes the studies for implementation of the Linear Collider projects, CLIC (the Compact LInear Collider) and ILC (the International Linear Collider). The accelerators aim to collide electrons and positrons at 380 and 250 GeV respectively, and both can be extended in length and/or with improved technologies to multi-TeV energies. CLIC is studied for construction at CERN, while ILC is being studied for implementation in Japan. The technical status, expected performances, recent progress and implementation parameters, as schedules, power and costs, are presented. The summary focuses on the accelerator studies for the colliders, but the accelerator studies are accompanied by comprehensive physics and detector studies referred to in the text and references. The future programs including the work for sustainable implementations are briefly summarized at the end. Many of the linear collider studies are common for the two projects and are presented as such. The projects are both implementable at costs similar to LHC and power/energy consumption similar or less than LHC.
Adone, Asymptotic Freedom and QCD
Authors: Parisi Giorgio
Published: April 2023

I am collecting some personal remembrances of the construction of the Adone intersecting storage ring and of the very first years of operations. I will discuss mainly particle theory at the beginning of the sixties and its impact on the design of experimental apparatus and the contribution of Adone to the emergence of QCD.
Chairperson Succession Planning
Authors: Germann Cornel
Published: April 2023

Chapter 4 introduces succession planning, competences, moderators, and disclosure.
Qualitative Paradigm
Authors: Germann Cornel
Published: April 2023

Chapter 6 emphasises the qualitative research instrument, description of interview sample, research results, and limitations.
Quantitative Paradigm
Authors: Germann Cornel
Published: April 2023

Chapter 7 refers to the quantitative research instrument, description of survey sample, research results, and limitations.
Locating the core-mantle boundary using oscillations of atmospheric neutrinos
Authors: Upadhyay Anuj Kumar , Kumar Anil , Agarwalla Sanjib Kumar , Dighe Amol
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Atmospheric neutrinos provide a unique avenue to explore the internal structure of Earth based on weak interactions, which is complementary to seismic studies and gravitational measurements. In this work, we demonstrate that the atmospheric neutrino oscillations in the presence of Earth matter can serve as an important tool to locate the core-mantle boundary (CMB). An atmospheric neutrino detector like the proposed 50 kt magnetized ICAL at INO can observe the core-passing neutrinos efficiently. These neutrinos would have experienced the MSW resonance and the parametric or neutrino oscillation length resonance. The net effect of these resonances on neutrino flavor conversions depends upon the location of CMB and the density jump at that radius. We quantify the capability of ICAL to measure the location of CMB in the context of multiple three-layered models of Earth. For the model where the density and the radius of core are kept flexible while the mass and radius of Earth as well as the densities of outer and inner mantle are fixed, ICAL can determine the location of CMB with a 1σ precision of about 250 km with an exposure of 1000 kt yr. With the 81-layered PREM profile, this 1σ precision would be about 350 km. The charge identification capability of ICAL plays an important role in achieving this precision.
An off-shell Wilson loop
Authors: Belitsky A. V. , Smirnov V. A.
Published: April 2023

Abstract

It is well-known that on-shell maximally helicity-violating gluon scattering amplitudes in planar maximally supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory are dual to a bosonic Wilson loop on a null-polygonal contour. The light-like nature of the intervals is a reflection of the mass-shell condition for massless gluons involved in scattering. Presently, we introduce a Wilson loop prototype on a piece-wise curvilinear contour that can be interpreted in the T-dual language to correspond to nonvanishing gluon off-shellness. We analyze it first for four sites at one loop and demonstrate that it coincides with the four-gluon amplitude on the Coulomb branch. Encouraged by this fact, we move on to the two-loop order. To simplify our considerations, we only focus on the Sudakov asymptotics of the Wilson loop, when the off-shellness goes to zero. The latter serves as a regulator of short-distance divergences around the perimeter of the loop, i.e., divergences when gluons are integrated over a small vicinity of the Wilson loop cusps. It does not however regulate conventional ultraviolet divergences of interior closed loops. This unavoidably introduces a renormalization scale dependence and thus scheme dependence into the problem. With a choice of the scale setting and a finite renormalization, we observe exponentiation of the double logarithmic scaling of the Wilson loop with the accompanying exponent being given by the so-called hexagon anomalous dimension, which recently made its debut in the origin limit of six-leg gluon amplitudes. This is contrary to the expectation for the octagon anomalous dimension to rather emerge from our analysis suggesting that the current object encodes physics different from the Coulomb branch scattering amplitudes.