bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Task‐based measures of sensitivity to physical activity predict daily life pain and mood among people living with back pain
Authors: Woznowski‐Vu A. , Martel M. O. , Ahmed S. , Sullivan M. J. L. , Wideman T. H.
Published: March 2023

Background

Clinical interventions aim to improve the daily life experiences of patients. However, past research has highlighted important discrepancies between commonly used assessments (e.g. retrospective questionnaires) and patients' daily life experiences of pain. These gaps may contribute to flawed clinical decision‐making and ineffective care. Recent work suggests that real‐time, task‐based clinical assessments may help reduce these discrepancies by adding predictive value in explaining daily life pain experiences. This study aimed to investigate these relationships by evaluating whether task‐based measures of sensitivity to physical activity (SPA) predict daily life pain and mood, beyond traditional pain‐related questionnaires.

Methods

Adults with back pain (<6‐month onset) answered pain‐related questionnaires and completed a standardized lifting task. SPA‐Pain, SPA‐Sensory and SPA‐Mood were, respectively, assessed as task‐evoked changes in pain intensity, pressure pain threshold (back, hands), situational catastrophizing. Over the next 9 days, daily life pain and mood were assessed using smartphone‐based ecological momentary assessment (EMA‐Pain and EMA‐Mood, respectively) with stratified random sampling. Data analyses estimated fixed effects (b) using multilevel linear modelling with random intercepts.

Results

Median EMA completion per participant was 66.67% (n = 67 participants). After controlling for covariates, SPA‐Pain was associated with EMA‐Pain (b = 0.235, p = 0.002) and SPA‐Psych approached significance with EMA‐Mood (b = −0.159, p = 0.052).

Conclusions

Task‐based assessment of SPA helps explain daily life pain and mood among adults with back pain, beyond traditional questionnaires. Adding task‐based assessment of SPA may achieve a more complete picture of pain and mood in daily life, offering clinicians better guidance when prescribing activity‐based interventions that are designed to modify daily life behaviour, such as graded activity.

Significance

This study found that, among people with back pain, task‐based measures of sensitivity to physical activity contribute additional predictive value for daily life pain and mood beyond self‐report questionnaires. Findings suggest that real‐time, task‐based measures may help mitigate some of the shortcomings that are commonly associated with retrospective questionnaires.
Fabrication and characterization of supercapacitor comprising mango kernel derived electrode under different electrolyte system
Authors: Jain Dharmendra , Tripathi S. K. , Kanungo Jitendra , Gupta B. L.
Published: March 2023

In this work, supercapacitor or ultra‐capacitor cells are composed of active carbon material (ACM) having BET specific surface area of 1133 m2 g−1. The ACM is prepared by carbonizing waste biomass (mango kernel) at 900°C. To develop high porosity in ACM, potassium hydroxide was used as an activating agent. Porous morphology of the synthesized ACM is explored through Scanning Electron Microcopy. Thereafter, two supercapacitor cells have been composed by using the mentioned ACM (electrode material) and KOH 6 M & NaOH 1 M (electrolytes). Applicability of the electrode material for supercapacitor has been tested electrochemically through the standard CV, EIS, and CD techniques. Observed capacitive assets from CV curve at 5 mV s−1was 151.5 F g−1(with KOH 6 M) and 133 F g−1(with NaOH 1 M). Experimentally obtained impedance data from EIS technique were compared and fitted theoretically by utilizing Randles fitting circuit. By taking frequency into consideration, it is found that the KOH 6 M based cell is providing lower time constant value and supporting better diffusion process than NaOH. Analysis of CD curve at 1.1 A g−1have given the capacitance of 136.5 F g−1and corresponding energy and power density of 12.1 Wh kg−1and 930 W kg−1. In addition to this, the small voltage drop and low ohmic resistance observed with KOH based system suggests its better capacitive assets than NaOH based supercapacitor system. Moreover, good capacitance retention of 85% is observed in a 2000 life cycle test.
Simultaneous effects of viscous and Darcy dissipation on mixed convection flow in an annulus partially filled with porous material: Analytical approach
Authors: Ajibade Abiodun O. , Jha Basant K. , Gambo Jeremiah J.
Published: March 2023

The effect of thermal dissipation on a steady, fully developed, mixed convection viscous, incompressible fluid in an annulus partially filled with porous materials has been thoroughly examined in this work. Fluid flow begins within the annulus when a pressure gradient is applied abruptly in the flow direction. The fluid flow in the porous zone is characterized by the Brinkmann‐extended Darcy model. The fluid is divided into transparent and porous parts by a minimal interface. By matching their velocities and considering the shear stress jump conditions at the interface, the clear fluid and the porous region are connected. Additionally, the viscous dissipation effect is considered while determining the energy equation in the clear fluid zone. However, in the porous area, the Darcy dissipation effects are considered in addition to the viscous dissipation influence. In the model, the results of various fluid parameters in the problem were addressed using line graphs and the homotopy perturbation method. The study found that when the porous region's thickness grows, heat transmission on the annular surface enclosing the clear fluid region increases while it decreases on the border surface close to the porous region. In addition, a thicker porous region requires a greater pressure gradient to propel the flow.
Spatiotemporal changes of nitrate retention at the interface between surface water and groundwater: Insight from watershed scale in an elevated nitrate region
Authors: Wang Xihua , Xu Y. Jun , Liu Zejun , Jia Shunqing , Mao Boyang
Published: March 2023

Understanding the spatiotemporal nitrate retention in streambed is essential for developing management practices in reducing nitrate enrichment. However，the process of nitrate change in the profile of streambed at an elevated nitrate across a watershed scale is still not sufficiently investigated. In this study, we used a combination of hydraulic and hydro‐geochemistry methods to quantify total nitrate retention in streambeds of an agriculture‐intensive watershed in Central China. To conduct surface and groundwater measurements, we collected 1440 water samples for nitrate analysis from 40 shallow drilled wells during the dry and wet seasons from 2018 to 2020. The results showed a clear spatiotemporal variation of nitrate retention in streambed in the watershed. Spatially, nitrate retention in the midstream and downstream reaches was higher than that of the upstream reach. The lowest point of nitrate retention in downstream both in dry and wet seasons was at the depth of 0.75 m. While the lowest nitrate retention was found in midstream and upstream reaches, both in the dry and wet seasons at the depth between 1.5 and 2.5 m. Temporally, nitrate retention was higher in the wet season (1.56 μg N m−2d−1) than in dry season (1.41 μg N m−2d−1). DO min at 3 mg/L was found to the nitrate retention zero threshold in up and midstream. Water change fluxes and nitrate retention both have positive and negative relationship at watershed scale. Nitrate retention at the watershed scale was strongly affected by streambed lithology, precipitation, surface water ‐ groundwater exchange, and human activities. Those findings can provide reference for nitrate removal in international important agricultural areas.
CNCs extraction from single‐use cups: effects of grafting it onto MMA monomer
Authors: Juárez‐Méndez M. E. , Palma‐Ramírez D. , Brachetti‐Sibaja S. B. , Torres‐Huerta A. M. , Domínguez‐Crespo M. A. , Zaleta D. S. García , Dorantes‐Rosales H. J. , Gutiérrez‐Galicia F.
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

The difficulty of separating fiber from polyolefin coatings of single‐use plastic (SUP) cups for cold (carbonated) or hot (coffee) drinks, has led us to investigate a recycling method to obtain new high‐performance materials. The present work relates to valorization of ICEE S.A. de C.V. cups into crystalline nanocellulose (CNC), while studying the effects on the structural, thermal, morphological and particle size properties in dependence of the acid hydrolysis concentration (40 and 64% v/v) employing sulfuric acid to remove amorphous cellulose.

RESULTS

On the basis of results, optimal CNC was found at 64% v/v concentration obtaining ribbon‐like morphologies rich in cellulose types Iα (27%) and II (45.1%) of triclinic and monoclinic structures, respectively, high crystallinity percentage (91%) and nanosize scale (26.70 nm). CNC was successfully grafted through the C2 in cellulose onto the methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer to obtain PMMA‐g‐CNC, considering different concentrations (5, 10, 20 and 30 wt%) of CNC. A reduction of crystallinity % was found when CNC is grafted onto MMA owing to the amorphous nature of the poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). However, this is not a limitation.

CONCLUSIONS

PMMA‐g‐CNC samples displayed high thermal stability (345 °C) and nanometric scale (165–260 nm), which have potential to be studied as reinforcement agents for incompatible polymers such as PMMA and poly(urethane) (PU) through Interpenetrating Polymer Networks. Preliminary mechanical studies indicated that PMMA‐g‐CNC systems are able to reinforce the tensile properties becoming the PMMA/PU into ductile materials. Specially, the MMA90CNC10 system improved the strain four‐fold compared to the pure PMMA/PU IPN. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
The mod k $k$ chromatic index of random graphs
Authors: Botler Fábio , Colucci Lucas , Kohayakawa Yoshiharu
Published: March 2023

The mod chromatic index of a graph is the minimum number of colors needed to color the edges of in a way that the subgraph spanned by the edges of each color has all degrees congruent to . Recently, the authors proved that the mod chromatic index of every graph is at most , improving, for large , a result of Scott. Here we study the mod chromatic index of random graphs. We prove that for every integer , there is such that if and as , then the following holds: if is odd, then the mod chromatic index of is asymptotically almost surely (a.a.s.) equal to , while if is even, then the mod chromatic index of (respectively, ) is a.a.s. equal to (respectively, ).
Tunable High‐Field Terahertz Radiation from Plasma Channels
Authors: Wang Linzheng , Chen Yanping , Zhang Gaowei , Xia Tianhao , Zhang Jiayang , Wang Chen , Chen Min , Chen Liming , Sheng Zhengming , Zhang Jie
Published: March 2023

Tunable broadband terahertz (THz) sources with power at the gigawatt level are desirable for many applications. A scheme to generate such THz emission by off‐axially injecting a weakly relativistic ultrashort laser into a parabolic plasma channel is presented. By utilizing two‐dimensional particle‐in‐cell simulation, it is demonstrated that there are two major physical mechanisms involved, i.e., linear mode conversion from laser wakefields and the electromagnetic waveguide mode excitation inside the plasma channel. The two radiation modes can lead to linearly polarized and radially polarized THz emissions, respectively, with distinct frequency spectra and spatial distributions. It is found that they predominate alternatively with the change of the plasma channel length. For a given plasma channel, one can switch the radiation modes by adjusting the injection position and the injection angle of the laser pulse. In particular, the radiation mode of the linear mode conversion can produce THz pulses with the peak amplitude of sub‐GV cm−1 with the energy conversion efficiency ≈10−3, even though the peak power of the incident laser is just at the terawatt level. The scheme provides a powerful THz source with tunable intensity, spatial distributions, spectra, and polarizations by simply adjusting the injection conditions of incident laser pulses.
Laser‐Induced Graphene Hologram Reconfiguration for Countersurveillance Multisecret Sharing
Authors: Dong Yibo , Luan Haitao , Lin Dajun , Ma Xiaoguang , Wan Zhengfen , Li Baoli , Zhang Qiming , Chen Xi , Fang Xinyuan , Gu Min
Published: March 2023

Secret sharing, as a sophisticated cryptographic technique, is widely used to protect important messages in the information era. As an important evaluation criterion, being able to provide timely warning and judge the security of the secret once eavesdropping occurs is a highly practical way to minimize losses. Here, the concept of countersurveillance holographic secret sharing based on laser‐induced irreversible hologram reconfiguration of graphene oxides (GO) is demonstrated. The laser‐ and thermal diffusion‐induced reduced graphene oxides (rGO) form two regions with different transmittances, which are defined as rGO superpixels. The rGO superpixels enable synchronous two‐amplitude‐state modulation of the holographic pixels, resulting in hologram reconfiguration. As such, multisecret sharing is realized by introducing a deep‐learning gradient descent algorithm into hologram encoding, which broadens the functionality and information capacity. The results establish a high‐security information delivery platform based on GO and pave the way for an all‐optical on‐chip holographic cryptography strategy.
Financial distress and service decisions: Empirical evidence from the US domestic airlines
Authors: Ma Qian , Wang Guojun
Published: March 2023

Understanding the firm's service decisions under financial distress is of central importance to service quality regulators and operation management scholars. This study aims to add new evidence to the relationship between financial distress and airline services and reconcile the discrepancies between theory, practical implications, and empirical results. We examine if and how airlines in financial distress may change their service provisions to turn around, with a particular focus on the moderating role of operating unit costs and market share. In the study, four measures of service failure (the inverse of service quality) are constructed and evaluated: airline arrival delay minutes attributable to the carrier, cancelations attributable to the carrier, mishandled baggage, and involuntary denied boardings. In the US domestic airline business context, we estimate the mixed‐effects model using panel data from the Department of Transportation and Wharton Research Data Services. We find robust evidence that financial distress plays a vital role in airline service provisions, and the distress–service relationship is contingent upon the operating unit costs of airlines. The findings provide evidence to help explain the different and sometimes contradictory empirical findings. We depend on the aggressive strategy framework to understand the service effect of airline financial distress.
Stability and bifurcations of an SIR model with a nonlinear incidence rate
Authors: Karaji Pegah Taghiei , Nyamoradi Nemat , Ahmad Bashir
Published: March 2023

In this paper, an SIR model with a nonlinear incidence rate is studied. A disease‐free equilibrium
, an endemic equilibrium
, and the basic reproduction number of the model
are obtained. If
is locally asymptotically stable and if
is locally asymptotically stable. By Barbalat's lemma, we study the global stability of the model. Transcritical bifurcation analysis is investigated by using the Sotomayor theorem. As the infection rate increases, the asymptotic behavior of the system near
approaches
and the system has a transcritical bifurcation. Also, we check the existence of Hopf bifurcation for the given system. In addition, a sensitivity analysis is provided for the basic reproduction number. Our results are supported with numerical simulations.
Healthy bladder storage and emptying functions in community‐dwelling women measured by a 2‐day bladder health diary
Authors: Lukacz Emily S. , Falke Chloe , Geynisman‐Tan Julia , Wyman Jean F. , Mueller Elizabeth R. , Markland Alayne D. , Rickey Leslie , Lowder Jerry L. , Rudser Kyle , Kane Low Lisa , Newman Diane K. ,   the Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium
Published: March 2023

Introduction

The prevalence of healthy bladder storage and emptying function in community‐dwelling women is not well established.

Methods

A planned secondary analysis of a US cross‐sectional study designed to validate a bladder health instrument was conducted in women aged ≥18 years. A subset was invited to complete the novel 2‐day bladder health diary capturing bladder storage and emptying experiences. Overall healthy bladder function was defined as ≤8 waking/daytime voids and ≤1 void during sleeping/nighttime; along with the absence of leakage, urgency, emptying difficulties (initiation, flow, efficacy, relief of urge sensation) and pain. Descriptive statistics of healthy bladder functions and regression models of factors associated with healthy function are reported.

Results

Of the 383 invited, 237 (62%) eligible women returned complete dairies. Of these, 12% (29/237) met criteria for overall healthy bladder function. Most (96%) denied pain, 74% had healthy daytime and 83% had healthy nighttime voiding frequency, 64% were continent, 36% reported healthy emptying and 30% denied any urgency episodes. Middle income (odds ratio [OR]:95% confidence interval [CI] = 11.4:1.9–67.4 for $75k–$99 999 vs. $25 000–$49 999), Graduate education (4.8:1.4–17) and previously seeking treatment for bladder problems (OR:95%CI = 0.1; 0–0.9) were associated with overall healthy function.

Conclusion

The prevalence of overall healthy bladder function was very low based on our strict definition of health as measured on a 2‐day diary. However, most women had healthy voiding frequency and denied pain or urinary leakage. Postvoid dribbling and urgency most commonly contributed to an overall unhealthy bladder. Further investigation is needed to determine whether these diary derived measures are meaningful for patient‐oriented bladder health research.
Simultaneous estimation of the cellular water exchange rate, intracellular volume fraction, and longitudinal relaxation rate in cancer cells
Authors: Kiser Karl , Zhang Jin , Qayyum Sawwal , Bracken W. Clay , Kim Sungheon Gene
Published: March 2023

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the feasibility of simultaneously estimating the cellular water efflux rate (
), intracellular longitudinal relaxation rate (
), and intracellular volume fraction (
) of a cell suspension using multiple samples with different gadolinium concentrations. Numerical simulation studies were conducted to assess the uncertainty in the estimation of
,
, and
from saturation recovery data using single (SC) or multiple concentrations (MC) of gadolinium‐based contrast agent (GBCA). In vitro experiments with 4 T1 murine breast cancer and SCCVII squamous cell cancer models were conducted at 11 T to compare parameter estimation using the SC protocol with that using the MC protocol. The cell lines were challenged with a Na+/K+‐ATPase inhibitor, digoxin, to assess the treatment response in terms of
,
, and
. Data analysis was conducted using the two‐compartment exchange model for parameter estimation. The simulation study data demonstrate that the MC method, compared with the SC method, reduces the uncertainty of the estimated
by decreasing the interquartile ranges from 27.3% ± 3.7% to 18.8% ± 5.1% and the median differences from ground truth from 15.0% ± 6.3% to 7.2% ± 4.2%, while estimating
and
simultaneously. In the cell studies, the MC method demonstrated reduced uncertainty in overall parameter estimation compared with the SC approach. MC method‐measured parameter changes in cells treated with digoxin increased
by 11.7% (p = 0.218) and
by 5.9% (p = 0.234) for 4 T1 cells, respectively, and decreased
by 28.8% (p = 0.226) and
by 1.6% (p = 0.751) for SCCVII cells, respectively.
did not change noticeably by the treatment. The results of this study substantiate the feasibility of using saturation recovery data of multiple samples with different GBCA concentrations for simultaneous measurement of the cellular water efflux rate, intracellular volume fraction, and intracellular longitudinal relaxation rate in cancer cells.
Importance of self‐weighing to avoid post‐cessation weight gain: A secondary analysis of the fit and quit randomized trial
Authors: Oswald Mackenzi , Ross Kathryn M. , Sun Ning , Yin Wupeng , Garcia Stephanie J. , Bursac Zoran , Krukowski Rebecca A.
Published: March 2023

Background

Smoking cessation is associated with weight gain, and the risk of weight gain is a common deterrent to quitting smoking. Thus, the identification of strategies for reducing post‐smoking cessation weight gain is critical.

Objective

Conduct secondary analysis of data from the Fit & Quit trial to determine if greater frequency of self‐weighing is associated with less weight gain in the context of smoking cessation.

Methods

Participants (N = 305) were randomized to one of three 2‐month weight interventions (i.e., Stability, Loss, Bibliotherapy), followed by a smoking cessation intervention. Stability and Loss conditions received different types of self‐weighing feedback. All participants received e‐scales at baseline, to capture daily self‐weighing data over 12 months. General linear models were applied to test the main objective.

Results

Frequency of self‐weighing was (mean ± SD) 2.67 ± 1.84 days/week. The Stability condition had significantly higher self‐weighing frequency (3.18 ± 1.72 days/week) compared to the Loss (2.51 ± 1.99 days/week) and the Bibliotherapy conditions (2.22 ± 1.63 days/week). Adjusting for baseline weight and treatment condition, self‐weighing 3–4 days/week was associated with weight stability (−0.77 kg, 95% CI: −2.2946, 0.7474, p = 0.3175), and self‐weighing 5 or more days/week was associated with 2.26 kg weight loss (95% CI: −3.9249, −0.5953, p = 0.0080).

Conclusions

Self‐weighing may serve as a useful tool for weight gain prevention after smoking cessation. Feedback received about self‐weighing behaviors and weight trajectory (similar to the feedback Stability participants received) might enhance adherence.
Validation of diagnosis codes in healthcare databases in Taiwan, a literature review
Authors: Huang Yue‐Ton , Wei Tiffaney , Huang Ya‐Ling , Wu Yu‐Pu , Chan K. Arnold
Published: March 2023

Purpose

To compile validation findings of diagnosis codes and related algorithms for health outcomes of interest from National Health Insurance (NHI) or electronic medical records in Taiwan.

Methods

We carried out a literature review of English articles in PubMed® and Embase from 2000 through July 2022 with appropriate search terms. Potentially relevant articles were identified through review of article titles and abstracts, full text search of methodology terms “validation”, “positive predictive value”, and “algorithm” in Subjects & Methods (or Methods) and Results sections of articles, followed by full text review of potentially eligible articles.

Results

We identified 50 published reports with validation findings of diagnosis codes and related algorithms for a wide range of health outcomes of interest in Taiwan, including cardiovascular diseases, stroke, renal impairment, malignancy, diabetes, mental health diseases, respiratory diseases, viral (B and C) hepatitis, and tuberculosis. Most of the reported PPVs were in the 80% ~ 99% range. Assessment of algorithms based on ICD‐10 systems were reported in 8 articles, all published in 2020 or later.

Conclusions

Investigators have published validation reports that may serve as empirical evidence to evaluate the utility of secondary health data environment in Taiwan for research and regulatory purpose.
Building a feral future: Open questions in crop ferality
Authors: Mabry Makenzie E. , Bagavathiannan Muthukumar V. , Bullock James M. , Wang Hongru , Caicedo Ana L. , Dabney Clemon J. , Drummond Emily B. M. , Frawley Emma , Gressel Jonathan , Husband Brian C. , Lawton‐Rauh Amy , Maggioni Lorenzo , Olsen Kenneth M. , Pandolfo Claudio , Pires J. Chris , Pisias Michael T. , Razifard Hamid , Soltis Douglas E. , Soltis Pamela S. , Tillería Sofía , Ureta Soledad , Warschefsky Emily , McAlvay Alex C.
Published: March 2023

Societal Impact Statement

Given the rapidly increasing drought and temperature stresses associated with climate change, innovative approaches for food security are imperative. One understudied opportunity is using feral crops—plants that have escaped and persisted without cultivation—as a source of genetic diversity, which could build resilience in domesticated conspecifics. In some cases, however, feral plants vigorously compete with crops as weeds, challenging food security. By bridging historically siloed ecological, agronomic, and evolutionary lines of inquiry into feral crops, there is the opportunity to improve food security and understand this relatively understudied anthropogenic phenomenon.

The phenomenon of feral crops, that is, free‐living populations that have established outside cultivation, is understudied. Some researchers focus on the negative consequences of domestication, whereas others assert that feral populations may serve as useful pools of genetic diversity for future crop improvement. Although research on feral crops and the process of feralization has advanced rapidly in the last two decades, generalizable insights have been limited by a lack of comparative research across crop species and other factors. To improve international coordination of research on this topic, we summarize the current state of feralization research and chart a course for future study by consolidating outstanding questions in the field. These questions, which emerged from the colloquium “Darwins' reversals: What we now know about Feralization and Crop Wild Relatives” at the BOTANY 2021 conference, fall into seven categories that span both basic and applied research: (1) definitions and drivers of ferality, (2) genetic architecture and pathway, (3) evolutionary history and biogeography, (4) agronomy and breeding, (5) fundamental and applied ecology, (6) collecting and conservation, and (7) taxonomy and best practices. These questions serve as a basis for ferality researchers to coordinate research in these areas, potentially resulting in major contributions to food security in the face of climate change.
In silico design of two‐photon fluorescent probes for detecting nitric oxide
Authors: Liu Xiaoting , Zhang Ji‐Long
Published: March 2023

With the extensive use of two‐photon fluorescence microscopy in the biology field, the need for developing fluorescent probes with preferred two‐photon absorption (TPA) properties has attracted great interest. Nitric oxide (NO) is a ubiquitous signaling molecule in a variety of physiological and pathological process in living organisms. A two‐photon (TP) probe, that is, 2‐acetyl‐6‐dialkylaminonaphthalene as the reporter and ano‐diaminobenzene as the reaction site for NO, linked by prolinamide (ANO1) has been synthesized. Based on the experimental study, five other TP probes have been theoretically designed by substituting the naphthalene fluorophore with luciferin, pyrene (substitution at 1,6‐position and 2,7‐position), fluorene, and boron‐dipyrromethene units. DFT/TDDFT studies have been conducted one‐photon absorption and emission properties as well as TPA. Our results indicated that both absorption and emission spectra of designed probes show red shifts compared withANO1. Moreover, the fluorescence intensities are enhanced after reaction with NO. Furthermore, molecular orbitals are analyzed to interpret the photoinduced electron transfer mechanism. Notably, introducing the fluorene moiety can induce the enhancement ofμ0nand Δμ0nand thus modulate TPA. Accordingly,ANO4is thought to be a promising candidate for novel TPA NO probe.
Research Progress of Cathode Materials for Rechargeable Aluminum Batteries in AlCl3/[EMIm]Cl and Other Electrolyte Systems
Authors: Zhang Boya , Zhang Wenyang , Jin Huixin , Wan Jiaqi
Published: March 2023

The development of safe, cheap, and environmentally friendly advanced rechargeable batteries with high energy density are one of the most pressing tasks for today‘s energy crisis. With the advantages of low cost, abundant reserves, and high‐level safety, rechargeable aluminum ion batteries are considered ideal candidates for next‐generation energy storage batteries in the context of large‐scale energy applications. Relevant knowledge of energy storage materials and electrolytes, which possess close connection in between, is undeniably crucial for such research, while ironically, most attention is attracted to merely one element alone, especially the energy storage materials involving micro/nanomaterials. In this review, we focus on cathode materials matching with various electrolyte systems for rechargeable aluminum batteries and manage to provide new ideas for the preparation methods of high‐efficiency electrochemical energy storage materials, with future outlooks in this field.
Synthesis of 2‐Chloro‐6‐(trifluoromethyl)pyridine‐3,5‐dicarbonitrile: A Versatile Building Block for the Synthesis of Substituted Trifluoro Methyl Pyridine Derivatives
Authors: Channapur Manjunath , Hall Roger G. , Kessabi Jilali , Montgomery Mark G. , Shyadligeri Ashok
Published: March 2023

A simple and highly efficient (concise 3‐step) synthesis of 2‐chloro–6‐(trifluoromethyl)pyridine‐3,5‐dicarbonitrile has been developed from readily available starting materials. Furthermore, the selective reactivity of this tetra‐ substituted pyridine with different carbon, sulfur, nitrogen and oxygen nucleophiles offers great scope for the synthesis of novel highly substituted pyridine derivatives in decent to good yields.
Polysaccharide‐Based Stimulus‐Responsive Nanomedicines for Combination Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Li Qiuxia , Liu Xing , Yan Chunmei , Zhao Bolin , Zhao Yuxin , Yang Lu , Shi Mingyi , Yu Hua , Li Xiaofang , Luo Kaipei
Published: March 2023

Cancer immunotherapy is a promising antitumor approach, whereas nontherapeutic side effects, tumor microenvironment (TME) intricacy, and low tumor immunogenicity limit its therapeutic efficacy. In recent years, combination immunotherapy with other therapies has been proven to considerably increase antitumor efficacy. However, achieving codelivery of the drugs to the tumor site remains a major challenge. Stimulus‐responsive nanodelivery systems show controlled drug delivery and precise drug release. Polysaccharides, a family of potential biomaterials, are widely used in the development of stimulus‐responsive nanomedicines due to their unique physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, and modifiability. Here, the antitumor activity of polysaccharides and several combined immunotherapy strategies (e.g., immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, or photothermal therapy) are summarized. More importantly, the recent progress of polysaccharide‐based stimulus‐responsive nanomedicines for combination cancer immunotherapy is discussed, with the focus on construction of nanomedicine, targeted delivery, drug release, and enhanced antitumor effects. Finally, the limitations and application prospects of this new field are discussed.
Phase‐Inversion Induced 3D Electrode for Direct Acidic Electroreduction CO2 to Formic acid
Authors: Yan Tao , Pan Hui , Liu Zhikun , Kang Peng
Published: March 2023

Direct electrochemical CO2 reduction to formic acid (FA) instead of formate is a challenging task due to the high acidity of FA and competitive hydrogen evolution reaction. Herein, 3D porous electrode (TDPE) is prepared by a simple phase inversion method, which can electrochemically reduce CO2 to FA in acidic conditions. Owing to interconnected channels, high porosity, and appropriate wettability, TDPE not only improves mass transport, but also realizes pH gradient to build higher local pH micro‐environment under acidic conditions for CO2 reduction compared with planar electrode and gas diffusion electrode. Kinetic isotopic effect experiments demonstrate that the proton transfer becomes the rate‐determining step at the pH of 1.8; however, not significant in neutral solution, suggesting that the proton is aiding the overall kinetics. Maximum FA Faradaic efficiency of 89.2% has been reached at pH 2.7 in a flow cell, generating FA concentration of 0.1 m. Integrating catalyst and gas–liquid partition layer into a single electrode structure by phase inversion method paves a facile avenue for direct production of FA by electrochemical CO2 reduction.
A Novel Aqueous Asymmetric Supercapacitor based on Pyrene‐4,5,9,10‐Tetraone Functionalized Graphene as the Cathode and Annealed Ti3C2Tx MXene as the Anode
Authors: Shi Mangmang , Peng Cheng , Zhang Xiaoyan
Published: March 2023

Asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs), employing two dissimilar electrode materials with a large redox peak position difference as cathode and anode, have been designed to further broaden the voltage window and improve the energy density of supercapacitors. Organic molecule based electrodes can be constructed by combining redox‐active organic molecules with conductive carbon‐based materials such as graphene. Herein, pyrene‐4,5,9,10‐tetraone (PYT), a redox‐active molecule with four carbonyl groups, exhibits a four‐electron transfer process and can potentially deliver a high capacity. PYT is noncovalently combined with two different kinds of graphene (Graphenea [GN] and LayerOne [LO]) at different mass ratios. The PYT‐functionalized GN electrode (PYT/GN 4–5) possesses a high capacity of 711 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 in 1 M H2SO4. To match with the PYT/GN 4–5 cathode, an annealed‐Ti3C2Tx (A‐Ti3C2Tx) MXene anode with a pseudocapacitive character is prepared by pyrolysis of pure Ti3C2Tx. The assembled PYT/GN 4–5//A‐Ti3C2Tx ASC delivers an outstanding energy density of 18.4 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 700 W kg−1. The PYT‐functionalized graphene holds great potential for high‐performance energy storage devices.
Materials and structural design for preferable Zn deposition behavior toward stable Zn anodes
Authors: Cao Qinghe , Gao Yong , Pu Jie , Elshahawy Abdelnaby M. , Guan Cao
Published: March 2023

Benefiting from the high capacity of Zn metal anodes and intrinsic safety of aqueous electrolytes, rechargeable Zn ion batteries (ZIBs) show promising application in the post‐lithium‐ion period, exhibiting good safety, low cost, and high energy density. However, its commercialization still faces problems with low Coulombic efficiency and unsatisfied cycling performance due to the poor Zn/Zn2+ reversibility that occurred on the Zn anode. To improve the stability of the Zn anode, optimizing the Zn deposition behavior is an efficient way, which can enhance the subsequent striping efficiency and limit the dendrite growth. The Zn deposition is a controlled kinetics‐diffusion joint process that is affected by various factors, such as the interaction between Zn2+ ions and Zn anodes, ion concentration gradient, and current distribution. In this review, from an electrochemical perspective, we first overview the factors affecting the Zn deposition behavior and summarize the modification principles. Subsequently, strategies proposed for interfacial modification and 3D structural design as well as the corresponding mechanisms are summarized. Finally, the existing challenges, perspectives on further development direction, and outlook for practical applications of ZIBs are proposed.
Efficient and Stable Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells Using Donor–Acceptor–Donor Small Molecules to Tuning NiOx/Perovskite Interfacial Microstructure
Authors: Wu Xianhu , Zhang Mingrui , Wu Guiyuan , Cui Guanglei , Bi Jieyu , Liu Nian , Li Ping , Zhao Chunyi , Zuo Zewen , Kong Lingbing , Gu Min
Published: March 2023

Nickel oxide (NiO
x
) is one of the most widely used inorganic hole transport materials for inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs), which has the advantages of low cost, easy preparation, and good stability. However, the energy‐level mismatch and interfacial redox reactions at the NiO
x
/perovskite interface limit the performance of NiO
x
‐based PSCs. Herein, triphenylamine‐2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole‐triphenylamine (TBT) small‐molecule material is first used as an interfacial modification layer between NiO
x
and perovskite. The deposition of TBT on NiO
x
helps to hinder the contact between NiO
x
and perovskite, improves the electrical conductivity, passivates interfacial defects, and inhibits the recombination of interfacial carriers. TBT makes the valance band top energy level of NiO
x
better match that of perovskite and promotes the hole transfer at NiO
x
/perovskite interface, and the hole transfer rate increases from 2.19 × 1010 to 4.12 × 1010 s−1. The TBT‐based device obtains a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 21.84%, much higher than the control device (18.62%). Furthermore, the optimized device which is conserved in 30 ± 5% relative humidity and 25 °C environments more than 1000 h retains 90% of the initial efficiency. A effective strategy to improve the PCE and stability of NiO
x
‐based PSCs is provided.
Effect of high temperature on residual splitting strength of desert sand concrete
Authors: Yang Suhang , Zhang Lei , Xu Zhifeng
Published: March 2023

The ordinary medium sand can no longer meet the increasing demands of engineering projects. Construction costs can be reduced and the natural environment can be protected by rational use of the local desert sand. To evaluate the spalling and fire resistance of the concrete, the desert sand concrete (DSC) is heated to 100–800°C and then cooled for splitting tensile strength test. The test results indicate that with the increment of desert sand replacement rate (DSRR), the compressive strength of DSC increases first and then decreases. The maximum value is reached when DSRR is up to 40%. The presence of fly ash slows down the loss of splitting strength of concrete with the temperature increasing. The regression model is established to predict the functional relationship between the concrete splitting strength and temperatures under heating and air cooling conditions. The result shows that the predictions calculated by the formula are consistent with the experimental results. The formula can be employed as a constitutive relation of the computer model to evaluate the spalling and fire resistance of the DSC structure.
Performance of meta concrete panels subjected to explosive load: Numerical investigations
Authors: Nguyen‐Van Vuong , Peng Chenxi , Hazell Paul J. , Lee Jaehong , Nguyen‐Xuan H. , Tran Phuong
Published: March 2023

Research on strengthening and retrofitting of concrete structures against explosive loading has recently received much attention. This paper proposes a new type of reinforcement for concrete panels to enhance their blast‐resistant capacity. The reinforcement structure is naturally optimized with continuous nonself‐intersecting surfaces, known as triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS)‐primitive scaffold. A numerical model is developed to investigate the performance of TPMS‐primitive reinforced concrete panels against blast loading. The results are validated by experimental data from the literature on a traditional reinforced concrete slab. The concrete slabs reinforced with one, two, and four layers of TPMS‐primitive unit cells are designed and examined, while a quarter of the panel is simulated to reduce the computational cost. A constitutive model that considers the strain‐rate effect is employed to capture the rate‐dependent impulsive behavior of the proposed panels. The numerical results indicate significant enhancements in damage resistance and substantial reductions in deflection of the concrete reinforced panels when the TPMS‐primitive scaffold replaces the rebar lattice. The proposed reinforcement with multiple layers of unit cells retains high efficiency through parametric studies, while changes in the shell thickness of the reinforcement scaffold have limited effects on filtering blast waves.
Database of shear tests for prestressed fibre reinforced concrete beams without vertical stirrups and comparison with code provisions
Authors: Ruiz Rafael , Doniak Lígia Oliva , Todisco Leonardo , Corres Hugo
Published: March 2023

High‐performance fibre reinforced concrete represents a promising alternative to conventional reinforced concrete for the construction of prestressed precast girders for road bridges. Specifically, all shear reinforcement is replaced by the use of steel fibres, which leads to important savings from the material and economical perspectives. Therefore, reliable shear formulations are required for these specific cases. In an effort to evaluate the accuracy of code expressions, this paper presents a database collecting 80 experimental shear tests on prestressed fibre reinforced concrete beams without stirrups. After illustrating its main characteristics, this database is used to verify the conservativeness and accuracy of shear formulation according to several codes and recommendations: i) Model Code 2010, ii) draft version of Model Code 2020, iii) draft version of the new Eurocode 2, and iv) Spanish National Code. The evaluation, carried out through the calculation of the model safety factor, indicated that the application of all shear formulations is largely conservative, leading to less unsafe tests than the desired 5% fractile. The relation between model safety factors and mechanical parameters is then investigated. Finally, the results obtained for the developed database are compared with those achieved from two larger databases of beams with similar features but without prestress. The comparison clearly proves the greater conservatism of code expressions when beams are prestressed.
Identifying Faulty Sections in Distribution Line Loop Operation using Section Switchgear with Sensor without Branch Lines
Authors: Kodama Yasuhiro , Iino Yutaka , Hayashi Yasuhiro
Published: March 2023

The loop operation of distribution lines is expected to reduce power loss and increase the introduction of distributed energy resources as solar power generators and storage batteries. A significant problem during the failure of a section of a distribution line in loop operation is the extension of the failure to other sections due to the wideness of the power supply network area. Currently, there are no methods to easily identify a faulty section using the failure waveform during the loop operation of distribution lines and ground faults; consequently, short‐circuits or disconnections still occur. Therefore, when operating a loop of distribution lines, it is necessary to identify and isolate a faulty section. To solve this problem, we investigate and propose a method to identify the faulty section based on the voltage and current values measured using a switchgear with sensor at the waveform level. By applying the proposed method to identify and isolate faulty sections during distribution line loop operation, power can be transmitted to sections where no fault has occurred at an early stage. The proposed method has a significantly reliable fault detection capability and will help improve the stability of the power supply during loop operation. © 2023 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Development of light weight sustainable pineapple/kevlar hybridized fiber and peanut husk cellulose toughened vinyl ester biocomposite for unmanned aerial vehicle applications
Authors: Bourchak Mostefa , Ajaj Rafic , Khalid Mahmoud , Juhany Khalid A. , V. R. Arun Prakash , Alshahrani Hassan
Published: March 2023

The aim of this study is to develop a light weight hybrid biocomposite using pineapple and Kevlar fiber with peanut husk cellulose in vinyl ester resin for applications in unmanned aerial vehicles. This study focuses on how the silane treatment on fiber and cellulose particle influences the mechanical, fatigue and low velocity impact properties of this hybrid biocomposites. Using hand lay‐up technique, the biocomposite was prepared with cellulose loading ranging from 1 to 5 vol%. The results revealed that the 5 vol% of cellulose added composite had an improved tensile, impact, flexural, hardness and ILSS of 161 MPa, 224 MPa, 6.8 J, 84 shore‐D and 21.4 MPa. Moreover, the biocomposite with the inclusion of 3 vol% cellulose had an improved fatigue life count of 42 697, 29 821, 22 381 and 18 164 at 25%, 50%, 75% and 90% of UTS. Similarly, the 3 vol% cellulose reinforced composite showed an improved low velocity impact toughness of 12.36 J. The obtained results clearly indicated that these mechanically strengthened and highly toughened biocomposites could be used as working material for number of applications, especially in making of UAVs for the aerospace industry, automotive components for the transportation sector and structural material in domestic infrastructure.
Creating Coherence in Collective Consciousness for Universal Flourishing: Automatic Self-Transcending for Reducing Conflicts and Improving the Quality of Life in Society
Authors: Orme-Johnson David W.
Published: March 2023

This chapter reports on the paradigm of influencing the collective consciousness to create beneficial effects for societies. It presents this using three large public well-controlled published studies that document that when a group of the square root of 1% or more of a population practices a specific form of automatic self-transcending meditation (the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi techniques) simultaneous holistic positive effects are produced in society. It addresses two fundamental issues about this research. The first issue is empirical, is it true? The second is theoretical, i.e. if it is true, how does one explain the effect and its possible mechanisms? The three major projects all measured multiple social indicators, e.g., war deaths, traffic fatalities, violent crime, drug-related deaths, and infant mortality. The experimental protocols specifying the research hypotheses, methodologies, and timing of the interventions were posited in advance and the data were official government statistics. All three studies found that varying the magnitude of the independent variable (meditator group size) created corresponding predicted changes in the dependent variables (social indicators), providing a strong case for causality. Social, political, cultural, or climatic events could not explain the results nor could autocorrelations or prior trends in the data. The holistic simultaneity of the effect on multiple diverse social indicators suggests that the effect is mediated by a common holistic influence, the transcendental field of universal consciousness at the basis of every mind and of natural law. We conclude that this technology of collective consciousness is an evidence-based approach to mitigate the volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous nature of the world today. These should encourage citizens and leadership to make use of these evidence-based technologies to improve their lives.
Midwifery of the Future; A Widening Field of Competences
Authors: Gianotten Woet L. , Wendt Eva , Polona Mivšek Ana
Published: March 2023

This chapter is part of ‘Midwifery and Sexuality’ a Springer Nature open access book for midwives and related healthcare professionals. The book aimed to create more ‘sexuality-sensitive midwifery care’. This last chapter of this book ventures to take midwifery to the next level.

In a broad sense, sexuality-positive midwifery can create space for expanding the domains of women’s health. Then why not dream of a change for the better? This chapter will emphasise various personal motives to look for change. It will delineate some aspects of Swedish midwifery. Sweden is an example of well-developed midwifery care, with a progressive and sexuality-positive approach.

The chapter will then cover various perspectives of sexuality education. Starting within the common daily midwifery practice and focusing on the role of teacher/educator for various groups with unmet sexual health needs. Midwives are the right professionals for proactive participating in society with advocacy and promoting sexual health and rights.

The chapter ends with an invitation to development-combining social needs and individual dreams can create new job opportunities towards midwifery specialisation in the aspect of sexuality.