bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dehazing in hyperspectral images: the GRANHHADA database
Authors: Carvelo Sol Fernández , Domingo Miguel Ángel Martínez , Valero Eva M. , Andrés Javier Hernández
Published: November 2023

In this study, we present an analysis of dehazing techniques for hyperspectral images in outdoor scenes. The aim of our research is to compare different dehazing approaches for hyperspectral images and introduce a new hyperspectral image database called GRANHHADA (GRANada Hyperspectral HAzy Database) containing 35 scenes with various haze conditions. We conducted three experiments to assess dehazing strategies, using the Multi-Scale Convolutional Neural Network (MS-CNN) algorithm. In the first experiment, we searched for optimal triplets of spectral bands to use as input for dehazing algorithms. The results revealed that certain bands in the near-infrared range showed promise for dehazing. The second experiment involved sRGB dehazing, where we generated sRGB images from hyperspectral data and applied dehazing techniques. While this approach showed improvements in some cases, it did not consistently outperform the spectral band-based approach. In the third experiment, we proposed a novel method that involved dehazing each spectral band individually and then generating an sRGB image. This approach yielded promising results, particularly for images with a high level of atmospheric dust particles. We evaluated the quality of dehazed images using a combination of image quality metrics including reference and non-reference quality scores. Using a reduced set of bands instead of the full spectral image capture can contribute to lower processing time and yields better quality results than sRGB dehazing. If the full spectral data are available, then band-per-band dehazing is a better option than sRGB dehazing. Our findings provide insights into the effectiveness of different dehazing strategies for hyperspectral images, with implications for various applications in remote sensing and image processing.
Melanocortin-4 receptor in macrophages attenuated angiotensin II-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm in mice
Authors: Mori Kentaro , Okuma Hideyuki , Nakamura Suguru , Uchinuma Hiroyuki , Kaga Shigeaki , Nakajima Hiroyuki , Ogawa Yoshihiro , Tsuchiya Kyoichiro
Published: November 2023

Obesity is recognized as an independent risk factor for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). While mutations in the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) gene is the most common cause of obesity caused by mutations in a single gene, the link between MC4R function and vascular disease has still remained unclear. Here, by using melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) deficient mice, we confirmed MC4R deficiency promotes AAA and atherosclerosis. We demonstrated the contribution of two novel factors towards vascular vulnerability in this model: leptin signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and loss of MC4R signaling in macrophages. Leptin was shown to promote vascular vulnerability via PI3K-dependent upregulation of Spp1 expression in VSMC. Additionally, Ang II-induced AAA incidence was significantly reduced when MC4R gene expression was myeloid cell-specifically rescued in MC4R deficient (MC4RTB/TB) mice. Ex vivo analysis showed a suppression in NF-κB activity in bone marrow-derived macrophages from LysM(+);MC4RTB/TB mice compared to LysM(−);MC4RTB/TB mice, which exaggerates with endogenous MC4R ligand treatment; α-MSH. These results suggest that MC4R signaling in macrophages attenuates AAA by inhibiting NF-κB activity and subsequent vascular inflammation.
Strain and atomic stacking of bismuth thin film in its quasi-van der Waals epitaxy on (111) Si substrate
Authors: Wu Chia-Hsuan , Chou Chieh , Lin Hao-Hsiung
Published: November 2023

We report on the structural properties of Bi thin films grown on (111) Si substrates with a thickness of 22–30 BL. HRXRD and EBSD measurements show that these Bi films are mainly composed of twinning grains in the (0003) direction. The grain size can be as large as tens of microns. From a double-peak (01$$\overline{1}$$

1
¯

4) φ-scan, we found two pairs of twinning phases coexisting with a rotation angle of ~ 3.6°. We proposed a coincidence site lattice model based on preferential close-packed sites for Bi atoms on Si (111) surface to explain the coexistence of the rotation phases in the quasi-van der Waals epitaxy. From the measured lattice constants c and a of our samples, along with the data from the literature, we derived a c–a relation: (c–c0) = − 2.038(a–a0), where c0 and a0 are the values of bulk Bi. The normalized position of the second basis atom in the unit cell x, in these strained Bi films is found very close to that of bulk Bi, indicating that the strain does not disturb the Peierls distortion of the lattice. The fixed ratio of bilayer thickness to lattice constant c, reveals that the elastic properties of covalent-bonded bilayer dominate those of Bi crystal.
Indications of a ferromagnetic quantum critical point in $$\textrm{SmN}_{1-\delta }$$
Authors: Holmes-Hewett W. F. , Van Koughnet K. , Miller J. D. , Trewick E. X. M. , Ruck B. J. , Trodahl H. J. , Buckley R. G.
Published: November 2023

We investigate the previously observed superconductivity in ferromagnetic SmN in the context of the breakdown of order between two magnetic phases. Nitrogen vacancy doped SmN$$_{1-\delta }$$

1
-
δ

is a semiconductor which lies in the intermediary between ferromagnetic SmN and anti-ferromagnetic Sm. Optical data reported here corroborate the prediction that electrical transport is mediated by Sm 4f defect states, and electrical transport measurements characterise the metal-insulator transition over the doping range. Our measurements show that the superconducting state in nitrogen vacancy doped $$\textrm{SmN}_{1-\delta }$$

SmN

1
-
δ

is the most robust near the breakdown of magnetic order, and indicate the location of a quantum critical point. Furthermore we provide additional evidence that the superconducting state is formed from majority spin electrons and thus of unconventional S = 1 type.
Prediction of fetal RR intervals from maternal factors using machine learning models
Authors: Widatalla Namareq , Alkhodari Mohanad , Koide Kunihiro , Yoshida Chihiro , Kasahara Yoshiyuki , Saito Masatoshi , Kimura Yoshitaka , Habib Khandoker Ahsan
Published: November 2023

Previous literature has highlighted the importance of maternal behavior during the prenatal period for the upbringing of healthy adults. During pregnancy, fetal health assessments are mainly carried out non-invasively by monitoring fetal growth and heart rate (HR) or RR interval (RRI). Despite this, research entailing prediction of fHRs from mHRs is scarce mainly due to the difficulty in non-invasive measurements of fetal electrocardiogram (fECG). Also, so far, it is unknown how mHRs are associated with fHR over the short term. In this study, we used two machine learning models, support vector regression (SVR) and random forest (RF), for predicting average fetal RRI (fRRI). The predicted fRRI values were compared with actual fRRI values calculated from non-invasive fECG. fRRI was predicted from 13 maternal features that consisted of age, weight, and non-invasive ECG-derived parameters that included HR variability (HRV) and R wave amplitude variability. 156 records were used for training the models and the results showed that the SVR model outperformed the RF model with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 29 ms and an average error percentage (< 5%). Correlation analysis between predicted and actual fRRI values showed that the Spearman coefficient for the SVR and RF models were 0.31 (P < 0.001) and 0.19 (P < 0.05), respectively. The SVR model was further used to predict fRRI of 14 subjects who were not included in the training. The latter prediction results showed that individual error percentages were (≤ 5%) except in 3 subjects. The results of this study show that maternal factors can be potentially used for the assessment of fetal well-being based on fetal HR or RRI.
Beaver exploitation, 400,000 years ago, testifies to prey choice diversity of Middle Pleistocene hominins
Authors: Gaudzinski-Windheuser Sabine , Kindler Lutz , Roebroeks Wil
Published: November 2023

Data regarding the subsistence base of early hominins are heavily biased in favor of the animal component of their diets, in particular the remains of large mammals, which are generally much better preserved at archaeological sites than the bones of smaller animals, let alone the remains of plant food. Exploitation of smaller game is very rarely documented before the latest phases of the Pleistocene, which is often taken to imply narrow diets of archaic Homo and interpreted as a striking economic difference between Late Pleistocene and earlier hominins. We present new data that contradict this view of Middle Pleistocene Lower Palaeolithic hominins: cut mark evidence demonstrating systematic exploitation of beavers, identified in the large faunal assemblage from the c. 400,000 years old hominin site Bilzingsleben, in central Germany. In combination with a prime-age dominated mortality profile, this cut mark record shows that the rich beaver assemblage resulted from repetitive human hunting activities, with a focus on young adult individuals. The Bilzingsleben beaver exploitation evidence demonstrates a greater diversity of prey choice by Middle Pleistocene hominins than commonly acknowledged, and a much deeper history of broad-spectrum subsistence than commonly assumed, already visible in prey choices 400,000 years ago.
Impact of avalanche type of transport on internal transport barrier formation in tokamak plasmas
Authors: Kin F. , Itoh K. , Bando T. , Shinohara K. , Oyama N. , Terakado A. , Yoshida M. , Sumida S.
Published: November 2023

In magnetic fusion plasmas, a transport barrier is essential to improve the plasma confinement. The key physics behind the formation of a transport barrier is the suppression of the micro-scale turbulent transport. On the other hand, long-range transport events, such as avalanches, has been recognized to play significant roles for global profile formations. In this study, we observed the impact of the avalanche-type of transport on the formation of a transport barrier for the first time. The avalanches are found to inhibit the formation of the internal transport barrier (ITB) observed in JT-60U tokamak. We found that (1) ITBs do not form in the presence of avalanches but form under the disappearance of avalanches, (2) the surface integral of avalanche-driven heat fluxe is comparable to the time rate change of stored energy retained at the ITB onset, (3) the mean E × B flow shear is accelerated via the ion temperature gradient that is not sustained under the existence of avalanches, and (4) after the ITB formation, avalanches are damped inside the ITB, while they remain outside the ITB.
Differences between subclinical attention-deficit/hyperactivity and autistic traits in default mode, salience, and frontoparietal network connectivities in young adult Japanese
Authors: Hirata Risa , Yoshimura Sayaka , Kobayashi Key , Aki Morio , Shibata Mami , Ueno Tsukasa , Miyagi Takashi , Oishi Naoya , Murai Toshiya , Fujiwara Hironobu
Published: November 2023

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are associated with attentional impairments, with both commonalities and differences in the nature of their attention deficits. This study aimed to investigate the neural correlates of ADHD and ASD traits in healthy individuals, focusing on the functional connectivity (FC) of attention-related large-scale brain networks (LSBNs). The participants were 61 healthy individuals (30 men; age, 21.9 ± 1.9 years). The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) and Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) were administered as indicators of ADHD and ASD traits, respectively. Performance in the continuous performance test (CPT) was used as a behavioural measure of sustained attentional function. Functional magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed during the resting state (Rest) and auditory oddball task (Odd). Considering the critical role in attention processing, we focused our analyses on the default mode (DMN), frontoparietal (FPN), and salience (SN) networks. Region of interest (ROI)-to-ROI analyses (false discovery rate < 0.05) were performed to determine relationships between psychological measures with within-network FC (DMN, FPN, and SN) as well as with between-network FC (DMN-FPN, DMN-SN, and FPN-SN). ASRS scores, but not AQ scores, were correlated with less frequent commission errors and shorter reaction times in the CPT. During Odd, significant positive correlations with ASRS were demonstrated in multiple FCs within DMN, while significant positive correlations with AQ were demonstrated in multiple FCs within FPN. AQs were negatively correlated with FPN-SN FCs. During Rest, AQs were negatively and positively correlated with one FC within the SN and multiple FCs between the DMN and SN, respectively. These findings of the ROI-to-ROI analysis were only partially replicated in a split-half replication analysis, a replication analysis with open-access data sets, and a replication analysis with a structure-based atlas. The better CPT performance by individuals with subclinical ADHD traits suggests positive effects of these traits on sustained attention. Differential associations between LSBN FCs and ASD/ADHD traits corroborate the notion of differences in sustained and selective attention between clinical ADHD and ASD.
Diet-derived male sex pheromone compounds affect female choice in a noctuid moth
Authors: Zweerus Naomi L. , van Wijk Michiel , Schal Coby , Groot Astrid T.
Published: November 2023

Sexual signals often function in species recognition and may also guide mate choice within a species. In noctuid moths, both males and females may exercise mate choice. Females of the tobacco budworm Chloridea virescens prefer to mate with larger males, but the signal(s) underlying female choice remain unknown. Male hairpencil volatiles are emitted during close range courtship displays. However, previously identified male hairpencil volatiles, namely acetate esters, aldehydes, alcohols, and fatty acids, are not associated with female choice. Recently, two new hairpencil compounds were identified that elicit strong electrophysiological responses in female antennae: methyl salicylate (MeSA) and δ-decalactone. In this study, we investigated the effect of larval diet and adult feeding on MeSA and δ-decalactone content in hairpencils and determined whether these compounds are involved in female choice. We found that larval diet affected MeSA content in hairpencils, but not δ-decalactone. Conversely, adult feeding affected the level of δ-decalactone, but not MeSA: sugar-water feeding increased δ-decalactone content compared to plain water. In two-choice assays, females mated more with males that had higher amounts of δ-decalactone, and less with males with higher amounts of MeSA.
RNF2 regulates Wnt/ß-catenin signaling via TCF7L1 destabilization
Authors: Koo Youngmu , Han Wonhee , Keum Byeong-Rak , Lutz Leila , Yun Sung Ho , Kim Gun-Hwa , Han Jin-Kwan
Published: November 2023

The Wnt signaling pathway is a crucial regulator of various biological processes, such as development and cancer. The downstream transcription factors in this pathway play a vital role in determining the threshold for signaling induction and the length of the response, which vary depending on the biological context. Among the four transcription factors involved in canonical Wnt/ß-catenin signaling, TCF7L1 is known to possess an inhibitory function; however, the underlying regulatory mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we identified the E3 ligase, RNF2, as a novel positive regulator of the Wnt pathway. Here, we demonstrate that RNF2 promotes the degradation of TCF7L1 through its ubiquitination upon activation of Wnt signaling. Loss-of-function studies have shown that RNF2 consistently destabilizes nuclear TCF7L1 and is required for proper Wnt target gene transcription in response to Wnt activation. Furthermore, our results revealed that RNF2 controls the threshold, persistence, and termination of Wnt signaling by regulating TCF7L1. Overall, our study sheds light on the previously unknown degradation mechanism of TCF7L1 by a specific E3 ligase, RNF2, and provides new insights into the variability in cellular responses to Wnt activation.
Site suitability assessment for the development of wind power plant in Wolaita area, Southern Ethiopia: an AHP-GIS model
Authors: Benti Natei Ermias , Alemu Yewubdar Berhanu , Balta Mathewos Muke , Gunta Solomon , Chaka Mesfin Diro , Semie Addisu Gezahegn , Mekonnen Yedilfana Setarge , Yohannes Hamere
Published: November 2023

The primary driver of economic growth is energy, predominantly derived from fossil fuels, the demand for which has experienced a significant increase since the advent of the Industrial Revolution. The emissions of hazardous gases resulting from the utilization of these fuels have been well acknowledged, therefore exerting a notable impact on the environment. In the context of Ethiopia, it is observed that despite the presence of ample renewable resources, the accessibility to power continues to be constrained. In order to effectively tackle this issue, it is imperative to redirect attention towards the utilization of renewable sources, such as wind energy, as a means of enhancing the existing power grid infrastructure. The present study used geospatial tools to evaluate the appropriateness of the Wolayita region for the establishment of a wind power facility. The process of site selection is guided by multiple factors, and a multi-criteria approach is facilitated through the utilization of Geographic Information System (GIS). The evaluation of seven characteristics was conducted utilizing the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology, which involved pairwise comparisons and weighted scoring. The process of suitability mapping involves the classification of locations into four distinct categories, which range from the most suitable to the least suitable. The findings demonstrate that the area of 0.628% (28.00 km2) is deemed the most suitable, while 54.61% (2433.96 km2) is considered somewhat acceptable. Additionally, 0.85% (37.85 km2) is identified as the least suitable, leaving a remaining 43.91% (1060.00 km2) that is deemed unsuitable. The central, northwestern, and southern regions are identified as optimal geographic areas. The results of this study facilitate the process of investing in renewable energy, thereby assisting Ethiopian authorities and organizations in promoting sustainable development. This report serves as a crucial reference point for the wind energy industry.
Scaling laws of failure dynamics on complex networks
Authors: Pál Gergő , Danku Zsuzsa , Batool Attia , Kádár Viktória , Yoshioka Naoki , Ito Nobuyasu , Ódor Géza , Kun Ferenc
Published: November 2023

The topology of the network of load transmitting connections plays an essential role in the cascading failure dynamics of complex systems driven by the redistribution of load after local breakdown events. In particular, as the network structure is gradually tuned from regular to completely random a transition occurs from the localized to mean field behavior of failure spreading. Based on finite size scaling in the fiber bundle model of failure phenomena, here we demonstrate that outside the localized regime, the load bearing capacity and damage tolerance on the macro-scale, and the statistics of clusters of failed nodes on the micro-scale obey scaling laws with exponents which depend on the topology of the load transmission network and on the degree of disorder of the strength of nodes. Most notably, we show that the spatial structure of damage governs the emergence of the localized to mean field transition: as the network gets gradually randomized failed clusters formed on locally regular patches merge through long range links generating a percolation like transition which reduces the load concentration on the network. The results may help to design network structures with an improved robustness against cascading failure.
Circ_0004535/miR-1827/CASP8 network involved in type 2 diabetes mellitus with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Li Min , Zeng Ai , Tang Xinle , Xu Hui , Xiong Wei , Guo Yanying
Published: November 2023

Diagnostic delay in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients often leads to a serious public health problem. Understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of disease will help develop more effective treatments. High-throughput sequencing was used to determine the expression levels of circRNAs, and mRNAs in health controls, T2DM patients, and T2DM with NAFLD patients. Differentially expressed genes (DEcircRs, DEmRs) in T2DM with NAFLD were identified by differential analysis. The miRNAs with targeted relationship with the DEcircRs and DEmRs were respectively predicted to construct a ceRNA regulatory network. In addition, enrichment analysis of DEmRs in the ceRNA network was performed. The expression of important DEcircRs was further validated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The steatosis was detected in glucose treated LO2 cells by overexpressing circ_0004535, and CASP8. There were 586 DEmRs, and 10 DEcircRs in both T2DM and T2DM with NAFLD patients. Combined with predicted results and differential analysis, the ceRNA networks were constructed. The DEmRs in the ceRNA networks were mainly enriched in Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, and apoptosis. Importantly, dual luciferase experiments validated the targeted binding of hsa_circ_0004535 and hsa-miR-1827 or hsa-miR-1827 and CASP8. qRT-PCR experiments validated that hsa_circ_0004535, and CASP8 was downregulated and hsa-miR-1827 was upregulated expression in peripheral blood of T2DM with NAFLD patients. Abnormal cell morphology, and increased lipid droplet fusion were observed in the glucose treated LO2 cells, overexpression of circ_0004535 and CASP8 ameliorated these changes. Our work provides a deeper understanding of ceRNA mediated pathogenesis of T2DM with NAFLD and provides a novel strategy for treatment.
An immunomodulating peptide with potential to suppress tumour growth and autoimmunity
Authors: Agrez Michael , Chandler Christopher , Thurecht Kristofer J. , Fletcher Nicholas L. , Liu Feifei , Subramaniam Gayathri , Howard Christopher B. , Blyth Benjamin , Parker Stephen , Turner Darryl , Rzepecka Justyna , Knox Gavin , Nika Anastasia , Hall Andrew M. , Gooding Hayley , Gallagher Laura
Published: November 2023

Cancers and autoimmune diseases commonly co-exist and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy (ICI) exacerbates autoimmune pathologies. We recently described a lipidic peptide, designated IK14004, that promotes expansion of immunosuppressive T regulatory (Treg) cells and uncouples interleukin-2 from interferon-gamma production while activating CD8+ T cells. Herein, we report IK14004-mediated inhibition of Lewis lung cancer (LLC) growth and re-invigoration of splenocyte-derived exhausted CD4+ T cells. In human immune cells from healthy donors, IK14004 modulates expression of the T cell receptor α/β subunits, induces Type I IFN expression, stimulates natural killer (NK) cells to express NKG2D/NKp44 receptors and enhances K562 cytotoxicity. In both T and NK cells, IK14004 alters the IL-12 receptor β1/β2 chain ratio to favour IL-12p70 binding. Taken together, this novel peptide offers an opportunity to gain further insight into the complexity of ICI immunotherapy so that autoimmune responses may be minimised without promoting tumour evasion from the immune system.
Effects of low nitrogen on seedling growth, photosynthetic characteristics and antioxidant system of rice varieties with different nitrogen efficiencies
Authors: Qi Zexin , Ling Fenglou , Jia Dongsheng , Cui Jingjing , Zhang Zhian , Xu Chen , Yu Lintian , Guan Chenglong , Wang Ye , Zhang Mengru , Dou Jiaqi
Published: November 2023

Nitrogen plays a significant role in influencing various physiological processes in plants, thereby impacting their ability to withstand abiotic stresses. This study used hydroponics to compare the effects of three nitrogen supply levels (1N, 1/2N and 1/4N) on the antioxidant capacity of rice varieties JJ88 (nitrogen efficient) and XN999 (nitrogen inefficient) with different nitrogen use efficiencies. The results show that compared with the XN999 variety, the JJ88 variety has stronger adaptability to low-nitrogen conditions, which is mainly reflected in the relatively small decrease in dry weight and net photosynthetic rate (Pn); In the early stage of low-nitrogen treatment (0–7 d), the $${\mathbf{O}}_{2}^{-}$$

O

2

-

production rate, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content of JJ88 variety increased relatively slightly, but the superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxide The activity of enzyme (POD) and catalase (CAT) increased significantly; After low-nitrogen treatment, the ASA–GSH cycle enzyme activity of JJ88 variety was relatively high, and the dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) activity after 14 days of low-nitrogen treatment was higher than that of 1N treatment; The content of reduced ascorbic acid (ASA) in non-enzymatic antioxidants was lower than that of 1N treatment after 14 days of low nitrogen treatment; The contents of oxidized dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) and carotenoids (Car) were higher than those of 1N treatment after 21d and 14d of low nitrogen treatment respectively; The contents of reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and proline (Pro) showed a larger upward trend during the entire low-nitrogen treatment period. In summary, the JJ88 rice variety has a strong ability to regulate oxidative stress and osmotic damage under low nitrogen conditions. It can slow down plant damage by regulating antioxidant enzyme activity and antioxidant content. This provides a basis for achieving nitrogen reduction and efficiency improvement in rice and the breeding of nitrogen-efficient varieties.
Localized and regulated peptide pigment formation inside liquid droplets through confined enzymatic oxidation
Authors: Barriales Kenny , Kassem Salma , Sementa Deborah , Vidal Ceballos Alfredo , Wang Tong , Khandaker Shadman , Abzalimov Rinat R. , Jain Ankit , Elbaum-Garfinkle Shana , Ulijn Rein V.
Published: November 2023

We demonstrate multi-component liquid peptide droplets that upon enzymatic oxidation, give rise to the formation of soluble polyphenolic pigments as simple mimics of the biological pigment, melanin.
Promoted kinetics and capacity on the Li2CuTi3O8/C anode by constructing a one dimensional hybrid structure for superior performance lithium ion batteries
Authors: Tang Yakun , Liu Jian , Zhang Yue , Ma Wenjie , Liu Lang , Zhang Biao , Dong Sen
Published: November 2023

Li2CuTi3O8/C porous hybrid nanotubes consisting of Li2CuTi3O8 nanoparticles (5–50 nm) embedded in carbon nanotubes exhibit excellent rate performance, cycling performance and fast kinetics as the anode for lithium-ion batteries.
Rhodium(iii)-catalyzed three-component C(sp2)–H activation for the synthesis of amines
Authors: Lin Min , Wu Yu-Fei , Liu Zheng-Qiang , Liang Cheng , Li Qing-Hua , Liu Tang-Lin
Published: November 2023

Rhodium-catalyzed three-component C–H bond activation of aromatics with amides and aldehydes to synthesize amines was established.
Synthesis of 3-aminotetrahydro-1H-carbazols by visible-light photocatalyzed cycloaddition of cyclopropylanilines with 2-alkenylarylisocyanides
Authors: Zhang Xiaofei , Wang Yao , Liu Jiaxin , Tian Chengpeng , Li Xiang , Xie Pan , Zhu Zhenyu , Yao Tuanli
Published: November 2023

A visible-light-induced cycloaddition between 2-alkenylarylisocyanides and cyclopropylanilines to afford 3-aminotetrahydro-1H-carbazols with high atom and step economy has been realized.
In situ rapid synthesis of ionic liquid/ionic covalent organic framework composites for CO2 fixation
Authors: Xu Zhifeng , Wang Wenting , Chen Bowei , Zhou Haitao , Yao Qiufang , Shen Xianjie , Pan Yuchen , Wu Dongxian , Cao Yongyong , Shen Zhangfeng , Liu Yanan , Xia Qineng , Li Xi , Zou Xiaoqin , Wang Yangang , Jiang Lingchang
Published: November 2023

Ionic liquid/ionic covalent organic framework composites were in situ rapidly synthesized via a one-pot route under ambient conditions for CO2 fixation.
Two-photon chemistry of tetrahydrofuran in clathrate hydrates
Authors: Michon Michael A. , Chmielniak Pawel , Weber Peter M. , Rose-Petruck Christoph
Published: November 2023

High-lying electronic states are excited by nonresonant two-photon absorption at 265 nm to achieve preferential photolysis of tetrahydrofuran within a clathrate hydrate network at 77 K. The photoproducts are trapped for long times, making them detectable by EZR spectroscopy.
Thin V2O5 films synthesized by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition for memristive applications
Authors: Antonova Irina V. , Seleznev Vladimir A. , Nebogatikova Nadezhda A. , Ivanov Artem I. , Voloshin Bogdan V. , Volodin Vladimir A. , Kurkina Irina I.
Published: November 2023

V2O5/Si structures with an average V2O5 thickness of 1.0–3.6 nm and orthorhombic phase demonstrate stable memristive switching with an ON/OFF ratio ∼1–4 orders of magnitude.
Valorisation of lignocellulose and low concentration CO2 using a fractionation–photocatalysis–electrolysis process
Authors: Rodríguez-Jiménez Santiago , Lam Erwin , Bhattacharjee Subhajit , Reisner Erwin
Published: November 2023

This work demonstrates the simultaneous upcycling of all components in lignocellulosic biomass together with the greenhouse gas CO2 as an attractive opportunity to synthesise sustainable and valuable chemicals.
Hierarchically structured sub-bands in chalcopyrite thin-film solar cell devices
Authors: Vijayan Karthikeyan , Thirumalaisamy Logu , Vijayachamundeeswari S. P. , Sivaperuman Kalainathan , Ahsan Nazmul , Okada Yoshitaka
Published: November 2023

The study utilizes the inherent physiochemical properties of vanadium-incorporated copper gallium sulfide telluride (CuGa1−xVx(S,Te)2) thin films deposited via a chemical spray pyrolysis route and evokes how the art of intermediate band structuring favours the solar cell efficiency.
Ionic liquid-catalysed regioselective oxygenation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones under visible-light conditions
Authors: Badhani Gaurav , Biramya Valvi Mangesh , Adimurthy Subbarayappa
Published: November 2023

Ionic liquid-catalysed oxygenation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-one utilizing aerobic oxygen as a green oxidant under visible light conditions at room temperature is described.
Mechanical, robust and conductive eco-friendly self-assembling hydrogel: a novel material for electromagnetic shielding
Authors: Xu Yuhuan , Pei Meng , Zhan Xiao , Wang Hongwei , Zhang Daohai , Qin Shuhao
Published: November 2023

This paper describes the preparation of an environmentally friendly and biodegradable hydrogel type electromagnetic shielding material by using common salt to induce the self-assembly of sodium alginate.
Construction of microporous covalent organic frameworks for high gas uptake capacities
Authors: Zhang Chunyu , Zhao Yanning , Li Jiajun , Zhang Yuwei , Wei Dongxue , Xing Ce , Luo Xiaolong
Published: November 2023

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) show excellent stability, high porosity, and a designable skeleton, making them an ideal platform for gas capture.
Thermally-induced spin-crossover (SCO) in Fe(4-ethynylpyrdine)2[Fe(CN)5NO]. Why is the SCO observed in 2D ferrous nitroprussides despite the NO–NC repulsive interaction in the interlayer region?
Authors: Scanda K. , Avila Y. , Sánchez L. , Mojica R. , González M. , Moreno B. D. , Avila Manuel , Reguera E.
Published: November 2023

The NO ligand behaves as an electron buffer. During the unit cell contraction and related NO–NC distance reduction, electron density flows from the NO towards the CN5σ orbital of the equatorial CN ligands. This flow is inverse during the LS → HS transition.
Graphene-like emerging 2D materials: recent progress, challenges and future outlook
Authors: Uddin Md. Mohi , Kabir Mohammad Humaun , Ali Md. Ashraf , Hossain Md. Mukter , Khandaker Mayeen Uddin , Mandal Sumit , Arifutzzaman A. , Jana Debnarayan
Published: November 2023

The exploration of the unique physiochemical properties of 2D materials, led by graphene in numerous aspects, the scientific community has been intrigued in excavating a new class of graphene-like 2D materials for next-generation technology.
A novel carbazole-based fluorometric and colorimetric sensor for the highly sensitive and specific detection of Cu2+ in aqueous solution
Authors: Li Yiduo , Wang Luyue , Wang Liqiang , Zhu Baokun , Ma Jie
Published: November 2023

A novel carbazole-based PCBW molecule presents excellent fluorometric and colorimetric sensing capacity towards Cu2+ in a DMSO–H2O system (fw = 40%).
Pressure-freezing of dodecane: exploring the crystal structures, formation kinetics and phase diagrams for colossal barocaloric effects in n-alkanes
Authors: Poręba Tomasz , Kicior Inga
Published: November 2023

Soft BC materials, such as n-dodecane, provide cheaper and more energy efficient alternatives to traditional refrigerants.
Unveiling the restricted mobility of carbon nanotubes inside a long chain branched polymer matrix via probing the shear flow effects on the rheological and electrical properties of the filled systems
Authors: Li Jixiang , Maazouz Abderrahim , Lamnawar Khalid
Published: November 2023

The present work has aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of the effects of shear flow on the behaviors of nano filler evolution inside linear and long chain branched polymer matrices.
Stimuli-directed selective detection of Cu2+ and Cr2O72− ions using a pH-responsive chitosan-poly(aminoamide) fluorescent microgel in aqueous media
Authors: Ghosh Soumen , Katiyar Jyoti Devi , Chattopadhyay Subrata
Published: November 2023

In this work, the preparation of a pH-responsive fluorescent microgel, (NANO-PAMAM-CHT), is presented for the selective detection of Cu2+ and Cr2O72− ions.
Optimizing the physical properties of collagen/hyaluronan hydrogels by inhibition of polyionic complexes formation at pH close to the collagen isoelectric point
Authors: De Oliveira Stéphanie , Miklosic Gregor , Veziers Joëlle , Grastilleur Sébastien , Coradin Thibaud , Le Visage Catherine , Guicheux Jérôme , D’Este Matteo , Hélary Christophe
Published: November 2023

Collagen/hyaluronan hydrogels with physical properties suitable for biomedical applications can be formed by inhibition of polyionic complexes using solutions at pH close to the collagen isoelectric point.
Harnessing biomaterial architecture to drive anticancer innate immunity
Authors: Davis Meredith A. , Cho Ezra , Teplensky Michelle H.
Published: November 2023

Structure-driven immunomodulatory biomaterial design enhances innate immune activation against the tumor microenvironment to drive anticancer immunity.
Conducting polymer-based scaffolds for neuronal tissue engineering
Authors: Yi Hagje , Patel Rajkumar , Patel Kapil D. , Bouchard Louis-S. , Jha Amitabh , Perriman Adam Willis , Patel Madhumita
Published: November 2023

Neuronal tissue engineering has immense potential for treating neurological disorders and facilitating nerve regeneration.
Efficacy and Effectiveness of Evidence-Based Non–Self-Fitting Presets Compared to Prescription Hearing Aid Fittings and a Personal Sound Amplification Product
Authors: Venkitakrishnan Soumya , Urbanski Dana , Wu Yu-Hsiang
Published: November 2023

Purpose:

In this study, we compare the efficacy and effectiveness of gain–frequency responses of evidence-based presets developed by our lab for over-the-counter hearing aids to conventional National Acoustic Laboratories' nonlinear fitting procedure, version 2 (NAL-NL2) gain–frequency response and to gain–frequency response of a personal sound amplification product (PSAP). We hypothesized that the hearing aids with our presets would perform better than a PSAP with poor frequency response and comparably to the hearing aid with NAL-NL2 frequency response.

Method:

We used a single-blinded, randomized cross-over design to compare audibility, speech recognition, sound quality, listening effort, and subjective preferences in 37 participants in laboratory settings and following field trials.

Results:

The presets developed in our lab showed comparable outcomes to the hearing aids with NAL-NL2 gain–frequency response in most measured domains. Performance with the presets was better than the PSAP gain–frequency response in the domains of listening effort and sound quality in laboratory testing and speech recognition in our real-world measures. We also found that most participants (54.05%) preferred our presets over the PSAPs and were willing to pay significantly more to purchase the hearing aids with our presets.

Conclusion:

Our evidence-based presets have better outcomes than a PSAP with a single, poorly suited frequency response while performing comparably to the clinical best-practice National Acoustic Laboratories condition.
Neural network channel estimator for time‐variant frequency‐selective fading channels
Authors: Barragam Vinicius Piro , Jerji Fadi , Akamine Cristiano
Published: November 2023

The next generations of wireless communications systems are pushing the limits of the channel estimation methods utilized in the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing receptors. This letter proposes a novel channel estimation method using a densely connected neural network considering the time‐variant frequency‐selective fading channel model. A fully connected deep neural network for the AWGN channel case is also proposed. The comparative complexity of the estimation for different channel models is also discussed. The simulation results demonstrate that the densely connected neural network method surpasses the minimum mean‐square error method performance for a signal‐to‐noise ratio ranging from 0 to 25 dB in the frequency‐selective channel.
Coordination of power system stabilizers using scenario based optimization for enhancement of small‐signal stability considering uncertainties
Authors: Tamang Binod , Gurung Samundra , Chapagain Kamal
Published: November 2023

This paper proposes a method based on scenario optimization and meta‐heuristic algorithm to optimize the power system stabilizers (PSSs) for enhancement of small‐signal stability (SSS) considering power system uncertainties such as photovoltaic generation, wind turbine generation, and load. The proposed method consists of two stages. In the first stage, the uncertainties are modeled using probability functions and scenarios are created based on them. These scenarios are then used to obtain a joint probability where the most likely probabilities are chosen for the second stage. The second stage utilizes these critical scenarios to formulate an optimization problem. The objective function of the optimization problem is to enhance system's small signal stability margin with PSS parameters as constraints. The proposed method is then solved using a new meta‐heuristic optimization algorithm known as Jelly Search Optimizer to obtain the optimized parameter of PSSs. The proposed method is tested on a two‐area and five‐area system, and the results show that the system SSS margin is improved for the majority of uncertainty situations. Moreover, the proposed method is around 1.6 times faster compared to the conventional probability method when tested in the modified two‐area system while 5.7 times faster when tested in the modified five‐area system.
Research on the strengthening and retrofitting methods of existing wind turbine foundations with embedded‐ring
Authors: Wang Wenming , Gao Yahui , Qiu Dapeng , Wang Zhen , Nie Peicheng , Ma Huichao
Published: November 2023

Higher demand for the load‐bearing ability of supporting foundations is required if its upper wind turbine is substituted by a larger one. Presently, there is a lack of strengthening and retrofitting methods for existing wind turbine foundations. A combined‐connection retrofitting method by adding anchor bolts to the existing wind turbine foundation with embedded‐ring is prompted in this study. Furthermore, a strengthening measure by adding a stiffening beam, expanding the foundation plate, and adding rock bolts to increase the ability to resist basal bending moment is proposed. Finite element analysis is conducted to analyze the effectiveness of the proposed strengthening and retrofitting methods for a 2 MW wind turbine foundation. The result shows that the peak stress of embedded‐ring is decreased by 36% by using the internal combined‐connection, and the peak tensile stress of concrete is reduced by 4.0%. When the external combined‐connection is adopted, the peak stress of the embedded‐ring is reduced by 69.3%, and the peak tensile stress of the concrete is reduced by 26.0%. It illustrates that the external combined‐connection method is more effective to increase the load‐bearing capability of the connection than the internal combined‐connection method. Additionally, the proposed strengthening measure by adding a stiffening beam, expanding the foundation plate, and adding rock bolts is effective to decrease the responses of foundation. The maximum tensile stress of concrete, the maximum compressive stress of concrete, and the maximum stress of the embedded‐ring are reduced by 19.8%, 31.3%, and 22.2%, respectively. To summarize, the proposed strengthening and retrofitting methods are capable of ensuring the safety and stability of higher‐power wind turbine operation.
Separation of dust emission from the cosmic infrared background in Herschel observations with wavelet phase harmonics
Authors: Auclair Constant , Allys Erwan , Boulanger François , Béthermin Matthieu , Gkogkou Athanasia , Lagache Guilaine , Marchal Antoine , Miville-Deschênes Marc-Antoine , Régaldo-Saint Blancard Bruno , Richard Pablo
Published: November 2023

The low-brightness dust emission at high Galactic latitudes is of interest with respect to studying the interplay among the physical processes involved in shaping the structure of the interstellar medium (ISM), as well as in statistical characterizations of the dust emission as a foreground to the cosmic microwave background (CMB). Progress in this avenue of research has been hampered by the difficulty related to separating the dust emission from the cosmic infrared background (CIB). We demonstrate that the dust and CIB may be effectively separated based on their different structure on the sky and we use the separation to characterize the structure of diffuse dust emission on angular scales, where the CIB is a significant component in terms of power. We used scattering transform statistics, wavelet phase harmonics (WPH) to perform a statistical component separation using Herschel SPIRE observations. This component separation is done only from observational data using non-Gaussian properties as a lever arm and is done at a single 250 µm frequency. This method, which we validated on mock data, gives us access to non-Gaussian statistics of the interstellar dust and an output dust map that is essentially free from CIB contamination. Our statistical modeling characterizes the non-Gaussian structure of the diffuse ISM down to the smallest scales observed by Herschel. We recovered the power law shape of the dust power spectrum up to k = 2 arcmin−1, where the dust signal represents 2% of the total power. Going beyond the standard power spectra analysis, we show that the non-Gaussian properties of the dust emission are not scale-invariant. The output dust map reveals coherent structures at the smallest scales, which had been hidden by the CIB anisotropies. This aspect opens up new observational perspectives on the formation of structure in the diffuse ISM, which we discuss here in reference to a previous work. We have succeeded in performing a statistical separation from the observational data at a single frequency by using non-Gaussian statistics.
The ALMA Reionization Era Bright Emission Line Survey: The molecular gas content of galaxies at z ~ 7
Authors: Aravena M. , Heintz K. , Dessauges-Zavadsky M. , Oesch P. , Algera H. , Bouwens R. , da Cunha E. , Dayal P. , De Looze I. , Ferrara A. , Fudamoto Y. , Gonzalez V. , Graziani L. , Hygate A. P. S. , Inami H. , Pallottini A. , Schneider R. , Schouws S. , Sommovigo L. , Topping M. , van der Werf P. , Palla M.
Published: November 2023

A key to understanding the formation of the first galaxies is to quantify the content of the molecular gas as the fuel for star formation activity through the epoch of reionization. In this paper, we use the 158µm [C II] fine-structure emission line as a tracer of the molecular gas in the interstellar medium (ISM) in a sample of 𝓏 = 6.5–7.5 galaxies recently unveiled by the Reionization Era Bright Line Emission Survey, REBELS, with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array. We find substantial amounts of molecular gas (~1010.5 M⊙), comparable to those found in lower-redshift galaxies for similar stellar masses (~1010 M⊙). The REBELS galaxies appear to follow the standard scaling relations of the molecular gas-to-stellar mass ratio (µmol) and the gas-depletion timescale (tdep) with distance to the star-forming main sequence expected from extrapolations of 𝓏 ~ 1–4 observations. We find median values at 𝓏 ~ 7 of μmol = 2.6−1.44.1 and tdep = 0.5−0.14+0.26 Gyr, indicating that the baryonic content of these galaxies is dominated by the gas phase and evolves little from 𝓏 ~ 7 to 4. Our measurements of the cosmic density of molecular gas, log(ρmol/(M⊙ Mpc−3)) = 6.34−0.31+0.34, indicate a steady increase by an order of magnitude from 𝓏 ~ 7 to 4.
Discovery of spin-phase-dependent QPOs in the supercritical accretion regime from the X-ray pulsar RX J0440.9+4431
Authors: Malacaria Christian , Huppenkothen Daniela , Roberts Oliver J. , Ducci Lorenzo , Bozzo Enrico , Jenke Peter , Wilson-Hodge Colleen A. , Falanga Maurizio
Published: November 2023

RX J0440.9+4431 is an accreting X-ray pulsar (XRP) that remained relatively unexplored until recently, when major X-ray outburst activity enabled more in-depth studies. Here, we report on the discovery of ~0.2 Hz quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) from this source observed with Fermi-GBM. The appearance of QPOs in RX J0440.9+4431 is triple transient, that is, QPOs appear only above a certain luminosity, only at certain pulse phases (namely corresponding to the peak of its sine-like pulse profile), and only for a few oscillations at time. We argue that this newly discovered phenomenon (with the appearance of triple transient QPOs – or ATTO) occurs if QPOs are fed through an accretion disk whose inner region viscosity is unstable when exposed to mass accretion rate and temperature variations. Such variations are triggered when the source switches to the supercritical accretion regime and the emission pattern changes. We also argue that the emission region configuration is likely responsible for the observed QPOs spin-phase dependence.