bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low Salinity Water–Polymer Flooding in Carbonate Oil Reservoirs: A Critical Review
Authors: Nascimento Fabio Pedro , Pereira Verônica de Jesus , Bastos Ladislane dos Santos , Costa Gloria Meyberg Nunes , Vieira de Melo Silvio Alexandre Beisl
Published: March 2023

Low salinity water–polymer flooding (LSWPF) is an emerging hybrid enhanced oil recovery (EOR) method that uses the synergetic effects of low salinity water (LSW) and polymers to enhance both the microscopic and macroscopic sweep efficiencies. Polymer flooding is an EOR method that aims to increase water viscosity and improve the mobility ratio of the injected fluid to the reservoir. It enhances mobility control and reduces water relative permeability, reaching a more favorable condition for sweep efficiency. LSW is an EOR method that aims to change wettability by exploiting crude oil and reservoir rock interactions. It allows for improving oil recovery when the injected water has a very low salinity compared to seawater or formation water. The literature reports LSWPF studies applied to sandstone reservoirs. However, LSWPF applications in carbonate reservoirs still lack. This review critically analyzes LSWPF as an alternative to Polymer flooding using seawater in carbonate reservoirs.
Deep learning intravoxel incoherent motion modeling: Exploring the impact of training features and learning strategies
Authors: Kaandorp Misha P. T. , Zijlstra Frank , Federau Christian , While Peter T.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The development of advanced estimators for intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) modeling is often motivated by a desire to produce smoother parameter maps than least squares (LSQ). Deep neural networks show promise to this end, yet performance may be conditional on a myriad of choices regarding the learning strategy. In this work, we have explored potential impacts of key training features in unsupervised and supervised learning for IVIM model fitting.

Methods

Two synthetic data sets and one in‐vivo data set from glioma patients were used in training of unsupervised and supervised networks for assessing generalizability. Network stability for different learning rates and network sizes was assessed in terms of loss convergence. Accuracy, precision, and bias were assessed by comparing estimations against ground truth after using different training data (synthetic and in vivo).

Results

A high learning rate, small network size, and early stopping resulted in sub‐optimal solutions and correlations in fitted IVIM parameters. Extending training beyond early stopping resolved these correlations and reduced parameter error. However, extensive training resulted in increased noise sensitivity, where unsupervised estimates displayed variability similar to LSQ. In contrast, supervised estimates demonstrated improved precision but were strongly biased toward the mean of the training distribution, resulting in relatively smooth, yet possibly deceptive parameter maps. Extensive training also reduced the impact of individual hyperparameters.

Conclusion

Voxel‐wise deep learning for IVIM fitting demands sufficiently extensive training to minimize parameter correlation and bias for unsupervised learning, or demands a close correspondence between the training and test sets for supervised learning.
Neuroregeneration and immune response after neurorrhaphy are improved with the use of heterologous fibrin biopolymer in addition to suture repair alone
Authors: Tibúrcio Felipe Cantore , Muller Kevin Silva , Leite Ana Paula Silveira , de Oliveira Igor Rodrigues Araújo , Barraviera Benedito , Ferreira Rui Seabra , Padovani Carlos Roberto , Pinto Carina Guidi , Matheus Selma Maria Michelin
Published: March 2023

Introduction/Aims

Peripheral nerve injuries result in impaired neuromuscular interactions, leading to morphological and functional alterations. Adjuvant suture repair methods have been used to improve nerve regeneration and modulate the immune response. Heterologous fibrin biopolymer (HFB), a scaffold with adhesive properties, plays a critical role in tissue repair. The aim of this study is to evaluate neuroregeneration and immune response focusing on neuromuscular recovery, using suture‐associated HFB for sciatic nerve repair.

Methods

Forty adult male Wistar rats were distributed into four groups (n = 10): C (control), only sciatic nerve location; D (denervated), neurotmesis and 6‐mm gap removal and fixation stumps in subcutaneous tissue; S (suture), neurotmesis followed by suture; and SB (suture + HFB), neurotmesis followed by suture and HFB. Analysis of M2 macrophages (CD206+), as well as the morphology and morphometry of nerves, soleus muscle, and neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), were performed at 7 and 30 days after surgery.

Results

The SB group had the highest M2 macrophage area in both periods. After 7 days, SB was the only group similar to the C group regarding the number of axons; furthermore, after 30 days, the SB group was closer to the C group concerning blood vessel and central myonuclear numbers, NMJ angle, and connective tissue volume. After 7 days, increases in nerve area, as well as the number and area of blood vessels, were also observed in SB.

Discussion

HFB potentiates the immune response, increases axonal regeneration, induces angiogenesis, prevents severe muscle degeneration, and assists in NMJ recovery. In conclusion, suture‐associated HFB has major implications for improved peripheral nerve repair.
Output tracking control for 2‐D discrete systems with actuator failures
Authors: Badie Khalid , Chalh Zakaria , Alfidi Mohammed
Published: March 2023

This article is concerned with the reliable output tracking control problem for a class of two‐dimensional (2‐D) discrete systems with actuator faults. The systems are described by the well‐known Roesser model. The aim of the problem addressed is to design a reliable controller such that the output of the 2‐D discrete systems tracks the output of a given reference model well in the sense. By resorting to a Lyapunov function and some zero equations, a new criterion on tracking performance analysis is presented. This criterion is then applied to design the tracking controller, for both cases known and unknown actuator failures. Finally, two examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Healable carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites: Synchronous healing of matrix and interface damage
Authors: Xu Xirong , Yuan Weihao , Liu Pengxiang , Liu Li , Huang Yudong , Hu Zhen
Published: March 2023

Thermosetting composites are a range of high‐performance materials with important applications in multiple fields. However, inaccessible damage such as microcracks ingress from the environment may appear with long term use. Over time, the micro‐damage further expands and leads to material failure. The damage includes the interface damage and the matrix damage. Therefore, the healing technology of composites needs to respond and heal the micro‐damage of the interface and resin in the composites synchronously. In this work, siloxane dynamic bond was introduced into matrix and interface respectively. Specifically, a new type of crosslinker containing polysiloxane was synthesized and used to cure epoxy resin. Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane was modified on the surface of carbon fibers (CFs) by sizing method. The prepared resin showed great mechanical properties and thermal stability, while the mechanical strength and surface activity of the CFs were also improved. Due to siloxane chain exchange reaction, matrix and interface could healing synchronously with good healing efficiency. Furthermore, the composites could retain about 65% of their original mechanical properties after healing multiple times. Composites realized synchronous healing of the resin matrix and the interface and laid foundation for extending the service life and performance of advanced resin‐based composites.
Dynamic mechanical properties in natural rubber/styrene‐butadiene rubber blends: The local strain behavior in the glass transition region
Authors: Marzocca A. J. , Mansilla M. A.
Published: March 2023

A study of the local strains developed in vulcanized blends of natural rubber (NR) and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), prepared by solution mixing, is presented. A semi‐EV system based on sulfur and accelerator was used for curing unfilled compounds at 160°C and 170°C. Samples were characterized by dynamic mechanical properties between −80°C and 20°C. Special interest was placed on the glass transition region of the vulcanized immiscible blends, where the NR and SBR phases are rubbery and glassy respectively. From the study of loss modulus, this research demonstrates how the local strain in the NR phase changes as a function of the amount of SBR in the blend. Assuming a coalescence behavior of the SBR glassy phase above a certain concentration, differences in the local stiffness of each phase in the glass transition regime were found. While in the glassy SBR phase the stiffness slightly varies with the NR/SBR content, a notorious increase was obtained in the rubbery NR phase at higher SBR content. The local strain on the NR phase of the blends shows a slight decrease for the samples vulcanized at 170°C compared with those vulcanized at 160°C.
Students' satisfaction with their academic majors and study commitment: The mediating role of academic psychological capital
Authors: Elom Chinyere O. , Okolie Ugochukwu C. , Abonyi Sunday O. , Ekeh David O. , Umoke Chukwudum C.
Published: March 2023

This study examines the effect of students' satisfaction with their academic majors (major satisfaction henceforth with) on their study commitment. Also, it examines the mediating role of academic psychological capital dimensions in the major satisfaction and study commitment nexus. Data were collected from 726 fourth‐year business undergraduate students, and a path analysis was employed to test the proposed hypotheses. The findings showed that students' major satisfaction had a positive significant association with the four components of academic psychological capital namely; self‐efficacy, optimism, resilience and hope, and study commitment. Also, each component of the academic psychological capital positively mediated the effect of students' major satisfaction on study commitment. The findings present important contributions to students' major satisfaction in the higher education context and promote the need to manage students' academic psychological capital to enhance their study commitment.
Traditional Chinese medicine targets on hepatic stellate cells for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis: A mechanistic review
Authors: Hui Dengcheng , Liu Lu , Bian Yanqin , Azami Nisma L. B. , Song Jingru , Huang Yanping , Sun Mingyu
Published: March 2023

Liver cirrhosis is a leading cause of death from liver‐related diseases accompanied by a variety of complications; however, hepatic fibrosis, an inevitable stage of cirrhosis, is possible to be reversed and cured. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the primary cells that secrete extracellular matrix in the liver and play a dominant role in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis. Effective therapeutic approaches for reversing hepatic fibrosis aim at inhibiting the activation of HSCs and inducing their inactivation or death. This review highlights the mechanism by which traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) regulates the activity of HSCs and exerts antifibrotic effects, providing insights and prospects for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis with TCM.
Regulating the platform giants: Building and governing China's online economy
Authors: McKnight Scott , Kenney Martin , Breznitz Dan
Published: March 2023

The online platform economy in China has grown to become one of the largest in the world. Its growth has contributed to China's economic development and played an important role in its innovation path. We present a three‐stage structured explanation of China's governance approaches toward its homegrown platform firms. Using Chinese government documents and secondary sources to conduct a historical process tracing analysis, we argue that the growth of China's main platform firms and the government's governance of them was co‐evolutionary, guided by the party‐state's goals of maintaining social‐political stability, economic growth and strengthening technological self‐sufficiency. By so doing this paper addresses the fundamental question of how a “strong” and “capable” state such as China's has responded as platform firms went from providing various online services to becoming core infrastructure in the economy and society to the point of threatening core government objectives.
Attraction of second‐stage juveniles of Meloidogyne species to fluopyram
Authors: Oka Yuji
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

Several benzenoid aromatic compounds were found to attract second‐stage juveniles (J2) of Meloidogyne species in previous studies. Here, the attraction of Meloidogyne J2 to the nematicides fluopyram and fluensulfone, with and without aromatic attractants, was evaluated on agar plates and in sand.

RESULTS

Fluensulfone mixed with 2‐methoxybenzaldehyde, carvacrol, trans‐cinnamic acid, and 2‐methoxycinnamaldehyde, attracted Meloidogyne javanica J2 on an agar plate, whereas fluensulfone alone did not. In contrast, fluopyram alone attracted J2 of M. javanica, Meloidogyne hapla, and Meloidogyne marylandi, although higher numbers of M. javanica J2 were attracted to the nematicide with the aromatic compounds. Trap tubes loaded with 1 and 2 μg fluopyram attracted M. javanica, Meloidogyne incognita, M. hapla, and M. marylandi J2 in the sand. Fluopyram‐treated tubes attracted 4.4–6.3 times higher numbers of M. javanica and M. marylandi J2 than fluensulfone. Potassium nitrate (KNO3), a Meloidogyne J2 repellent, did not abolish fluopyram's attractiveness to M. marylandi. These results indicate that high numbers of Meloidogyne J2 near fluopyram on an agar plate or in sand are caused by the attractiveness of the nematicide and not by the accumulation of dead J2 after their random encounter with the nematicide.

CONCLUSION

Aromatic attractants have the potential to attract Meloidogyne J2 to nematicides; however, fluopyram itself was attractive to Meloidogyne J2. The attractiveness of fluopyram to Meloidogyne J2 might contribute to its high control efficacy, and elucidation of the attraction mechanism could be useful for nematode‐control strategies. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Dynamical Pathways for the Interaction of O2, H2O, CH4, and CO2 with α‐Alumina Surfaces: Density‐Functional Tight‐Binding Calculations
Authors: Domínguez‐Gutiérrez F. Javier , Aligayev Amil , Huo Wenyi , Chourashiya Muralidhar , Xu Qinqin , Papanikolaou Stefanos
Published: March 2023

Herein, the physisorption mechanisms of , , , and molecules on alumina and their effect on electronic properties are investigated. Quantum–classical molecular dynamics simulations and the self‐consistent‐charge density‐functional tight‐binding approach are used to dynamically model these mechanisms. Herein, the binding pathways of O, H, and C atoms in the various molecules to Al and O atoms at the top atomic layers of the ‐alumina surface are revealed by the results. Several adsorption sites and molecular orientations relative to Al‐terminated and Ox‐terminated alumina surfaces are examined and it is found that the most stable physisorbed state on the Al‐terminated surface is located above the Al atom, while the Ox‐terminated state is found above the oxygen, resulting in enhanced optical adsorbance. The dissociation of into after interaction with the surface results in hydrogen production, but with low adsorbate rates, while molecules primarily bond to the Al atoms, leading to the highest adsorbance rate among the other molecules. Herein, important insights are provided by the findings into the physisorption mechanisms of molecules on alumina and their impact on electronic properties.
Wiener predistorter for nonlinear satellite downlinks
Authors: Mehboob Azam , Layton Kelvin J. , Lechner Gottfried , Cowley William G.
Published: March 2023

The nonlinear power amplifier and the analogue output channel filter with nonconstant group delay add nonlinear and linear distortions to the satellite transmitted signal, respectively. Recently, there has been growing interest in using Wiener predistorters, consisting of separate nonlinear and linear components, to compensate for these distortions in the satellite downlinks. The Wiener predistorter has been shown to effectively deal with signal distortions and has lower complexity compared to other state‐of‐the‐art methods. In this paper, we argue that fully compensating the nonconstant group‐delay distortion degrades the overall performance of the Wiener predistortion systems. This is primarily due to the increased peak‐to‐average power ratio of the signal at the output of the linear predistorter. We show that the overall performance of the Wiener predistorter can be improved by undercompensating the group‐delay distortion. We propose two optimizations to address the PAPR growth problem and show using simulations that our approach leads to significant improvement in predistortion performance. Using our Wiener predistorter, the total degradation gap to the ideal limiter channel can be reduced to merely 0.34 dB for 64‐APSK modulated signals.
Never stop working to improve
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: March 2023

Jerrid P. Freeman, Ph.D., Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Northeastern State University in Oklahoma, remembered doubting he was cut out for the college environment. “I'm a farm kid. I grew up in a small town in Nebraska — there were a whopping 1,000 people in my town,” he said. “It was one of those things where college was just not on my radar.”
Magnetically and Electrically Responsive Soft Actuator Derived from Ferromagnetic Bimetallic Organic Framework
Authors: Sambyal Pradeep , Mahato Manmatha , Taseer Ashhad Kamal , Yoo Hyunjoon , Garai Mousumi , Nguyen Van Hiep , Ali Syed Sheraz , Oh Il‐Kwon
Published: March 2023

The advancement in smart devices and soft robotics necessitates the use of multiresponsive soft actuators with high actuation stroke and stable reversibility for their use in real‐world applications. Here, this work reports a magnetically and electrically dual responsive soft actuator based on neodymium and iron bimetallic organic frameworks (NdFeMOFs@700). The ferromagnetic NdFeMOFs@700 exhibits a porous carbon structure with excellent magnetization saturation (166.96 emu g−1) which allows its application to a dual functional material in both magnetoactive and electro‐ionic actuations. The electro‐ionic soft actuator, which is fabricated using NdFeMOFs@700 and PEDOT‐PSS, demonstrates 4.5 times higher ionic charge storage capacity (68.21 mF cm−2) and has excellent cycle stability compared with the PEDOT‐PSS based actuator. Under a low sinusoidal input voltage of 1 V, the dual‐responsive actuator displays bending displacement of 15.46 mm and also generates deflection of 10 mm at 50 mT. Present results show that the ferromagnetic bimetallic organic frameworks can open a new way to make dual responsive soft actuators due to the hierarchically porous structures with its high redox activity, superior magnetic properties, and larger electrochemical capacitance. With the NdFeMOFs@700 based soft actuators, walking movement of a starfish robot is demonstrated by applying both the magnetic and electric fields.
Modification of Two‐Dimensional Tin‐Based Perovskites by Pentanoic Acid for Improved Performance of Field‐Effect Transistors
Authors: Wang Shuanglong , Bidinakis Konstantinos , Haese Constantin , Hasenburg Franziska H. , Yildiz Okan , Ling Zhitian , Frisch Sabine , Kivala Milan , Graf Robert , Blom Paul W. M. , Weber Stefan A. L. , Pisula Wojciech , Marszalek Tomasz
Published: March 2023

Understanding and controlling the nucleation and crystallization in solution‐processed perovskite thin films are critical to achieving high in‐plane charge carrier transport in field‐effect transistors (FETs). This work demonstrates a simple and effective additive engineering strategy using pentanoic acid (PA). Here, PA is introduced to both modulate the crystallization process and improve the charge carrier transport in 2D 2‐thiopheneethylammonium tin iodide ((TEA)2SnI4) perovskite FETs. It is revealed that the carboxylic group of PA is strongly coordinated to the spacer cation TEAI and [SnI6]4− framework in the perovskite precursor solution, inducing heterogeneous nucleation and lowering undesired oxidation of Sn2+ during the film formation. These factors contribute to a reduced defect density and improved film morphology, including lower surface roughness and larger grain size, resulting in overall enhanced transistor performance. The reduced defect density and decreased ion migration lead to a higher p‐channel charge carrier mobility of 0.7 cm2 V−1 s−1, which is more than a threefold increase compared with the control device. Temperature‐dependent charge transport studies demonstrate a mobility of 2.3 cm2 V−1 s−1 at 100 K due to the diminished ion mobility at low temperatures. This result illustrates that the additive strategy bears great potential to realize high‐performance Sn‐based perovskite FETs.
Multi‐Targeted and On‐Demand Non‐Coding RNA Regulation Nanoplatform against Metastasis and Recurrence of Triple‐Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Song Linjiang , Yang Jin , Qin Zeyi , Ou Chunqing , Luo Rui , Yang Wen , Wang Li , Wang Ning , Ma Shuang , Wu Qinjie , Gong Changyang
Published: March 2023

Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRs) is the hallmark of triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is closely involved with its growth, metastasis, and recurrence. Dysregulated miRs are promising targets for TNBC therapy, however, targeted and accurate regulation of multiple disordered miRs in tumors is still a great challenge. Here, a multi‐targeting and on‐demand non‐coding RNA regulation nanoplatform (MTOR) is reported to precisely regulate disordered miRs, leading to dramatical suppression of TNBC growth, metastasis, and recurrence. With the assistance of long blood circulation, ligands of urokinase‐type plasminogen activator peptide and hyaluronan located in multi‐functional shells enable MTOR to actively target TNBC cells and breast cancer stem cell‐like cells (BrCSCs). After entering TNBC cells and BrCSCs, MTOR is subjected to lysosomal hyaluronidase‐induced shell detachment, leading to an explosion of the TAT‐enriched core, thereby enhancing nuclear targeting. Subsequently, MTOR could precisely and simultaneously downregulate microRNA‐21 expression and upregulate microRNA‐205 expression in TNBC. In subcutaneous xenograft, orthotopic xenograft, pulmonary metastasis, and recurrence TNBC mouse models, MTOR shows remarkably synergetic effects on the inhibition of tumor growth, metastasis, and recurrence due to its on‐demand regulation of disordered miRs. This MTOR system opens a new avenue for on‐demand regulation of disordered miRs against growth, metastasis, and recurrence of TNBC.
All‐MXene‐Printed RF Resonators as Wireless Plant Wearable Sensors for In Situ Ethylene Detection
Authors: Li Xin , Sun Rujing , Pan Jingying , Shi Zhenghan , Lv Jingjiang , An Zijian , He Yan , Chen Qingmei , Han Ray P.S. , Zhang Fenni , Lu Yanli , Liang Hao , Liu Qingjun
Published: March 2023

Printed flexible electronics have emerged as versatile functional components of wearable intelligent devices that bridge the digital information networks with biointerfaces. Recent endeavors in plant wearable sensors provide real‐time and in situ insights to study phenotyping traits of crops, whereas monitoring of ethylene, the fundamental phytohormone, remains challenging due to the lack of flexible and scalable manufacturing of plant wearable ethylene sensors. Here the all‐MXene‐printed flexible radio frequency (RF) resonators are presented as plant wearable sensors for wireless ethylene detection. The facile formation of additive‐free MXene ink enables rapid, scalable manufacturing of printed electronics, demonstrating decent printing resolution (2.5% variation), ≈30000 S m−1 conductivity and mechanical robustness. Incorporation of MXene‐reduced palladium nanoparticles (MXene@PdNPs) facilitates 1.16% ethylene response at 1 ppm with 0.084 ppm limit of detection. The wireless sensor tags are attached on plant organ surfaces for in situ and continuously profiling of plant ethylene emission to inform the key transition of plant biochemistry, potentially extending the application of printed MXene electronics to enable real‐time plant hormone monitoring for precision agriculture and food industrial management.
Laser‐Induced Cavitation‐Assisted True 3D Nano‐Sculpturing of Hard Materials
Authors: Hua Jian‐Guan , Ren Hang , Huang Jiatai , Luan Mei‐Ling , Chen Qi‐Dai , Juodkazis Saulius , Sun Hong‐Bo
Published: March 2023

Femtosecond lasers enable flexible and thermal‐damage‐free ablation of solid materials and are expected to play a critical role in high‐precision cutting, drilling, and shaping of electronic chips, display panels, and industrial parts. Although the potential applications are theoretically predicted, true 3D nano‐sculpturing of solids such as glasses and crystals, has not yet been demonstrated, owing to the technical challenge of negative cumulative effects of surface changes and debris accumulation on the delivery of laser pulses and subsequent material removal during direct‐write ablation. Here, a femtosecond laser‐induced cavitation‐assisted true 3D nano‐sculpturing technique based on the ingenious combination of cavitation dynamics and backside ablation is proposed to achieve stable clear‐field point‐by‐point material removal in real time for precise 3D subtractive fabrication on various difficult‐to‐process materials. As a result, 3D devices including free‐form silica lenses, micro‐statue with vivid facial features, and rotatable sapphire micro‐mechanical turbine, all with surface roughness less than 10 nm are readily produced. The true 3D processing capability can immediately enable novel structural and functional micro‐nano optics and non‐silicon micro‐electro‐mechanical systems based on various hard solids.
Non‐Stop Switching Separation of Superfine Solid/Liquid Dispersed Phases in Oil and Water Systems Using Polymer‐Assisted Framework Fiber Membranes
Authors: Zhang Yue , Zhang Guohua , Li Bao , Wu Lixin
Published: March 2023

Fabricating filtration membranes with wide applicability and high efficiency is always a challenge in the precise separation of small colloidal particles under mild conditions. For this purpose, a strategy mixing supramolecular framework fiber with polymer is adopted. The fibrous assembly in the gel state provides uniform nanopores for both channel and interception and controlled wettability for lyophilic/lyophobic switching. The used polymer fills the gaps between fiber assemblies and improves the mechanical property. The composite membrane shows both under‐oil superhydrophobic and underwater superoleophobic nature, which allows the conversions via in situ modulation of joystick solvents. Based on surface wetting and size‐sieving, ultrafine hard nanoparticles dispersing in both hydrophobic organic solvents and water are selectively sieved. In addition, on‐demand separation of water‐in‐oil and oil‐in‐water microemulsions without and with surfactants as systems containing soft droplets are realized. The smallest cut‐off size of ≈3 nm is achieved for both hard and soft emulsions, while separation efficiency maintains during sustained in situ reversible switches.
Coacervate Microdroplets as Synthetic Protocells for Cell Mimicking and Signaling Communications
Authors: Wang Zefeng , Zhang Min , Zhou Yan , Zhang Yanwen , Wang Kemin , Liu Jianbo
Published: March 2023

Synthetic protocells are minimal systems that mimic certain properties of natural cells and are used to research the emergence of life from a nonliving chemical network. Currently, coacervate microdroplets, which are formed via liquid–liquid phase separation, are receiving wide attention in the context of cell biology and protocell research; these microdroplets are notable because they can provide liquid‐like compartment structures for biochemical reactions by creating highly macromolecular crowded local environments. In this review, an overview of recent research on the formation of coacervate microdroplets through phase separation; the design of coacervate‐based stimuli‐responsive protocells, multichamber protocells, and membranized protocells; and their cell mimic behaviors, is provided. The simplified protocell models with precisely defined and tunable compositions advance the understanding of the requirements for cellular structure and function. Efforts are then discussed to establish signal communication systems in protocell and protocell consortia, as communication is a fundamental feature of life that coordinates matter exchanges and energy fluxes dynamically in space and time. Finally, some perspectives on the challenges and future developments of synthetic protocell research in biomimetic science and biomedical applications are provided.
Microstructure and Dynamic Mechanical Behavior of Thermomechanically Rolled 3Mn–Al and 5Mn–Al Sheet Steels
Authors: Morawiec Mateusz , Grajcar Adam , Krawczyk Jakub , Gronostajski Zbigniew , Petrov Roumen H.
Published: March 2023

The comparison of the dynamic mechanical behavior and microstructure of two medium manganese sheet steels (3Mn–Al and 5Mn–Al) alloyed with aluminum is aimed. Mechanical properties under dynamic tensile loads are determined by means of rotary hammer dynamic tests at strain rates of 250 and 1000 s−1and analyzed together with the results of static tensile test. It is found that the results are significantly affected by the variations in Mn content in the range from 3 to 5 wt%. In both steels, the tensile strength increases with increasing strain rate, but the variation in the strain rate range has a moderate effect on mechanical behavior. The highest ultimate tensile strength of 1475 MPa is measured in the 5Mn–Al steel, whereas the 3Mn–Al steel is characterized by better total elongation due to a larger fraction of retained austenite and more pronounced transformation‐induced plasticity effect. The results show that the mechanical properties of 3Mn steel are more strain rate sensitive than those of 5Mn steel. The microstructural features are characterized qualitatively and quantitatively by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and electron back‐scattered diffraction techniques.
Effect of Slow Strain Rates on the Hydrogen Migration and Different Crack Propagation Modes in Pipeline Steel
Authors: Peng Zhixian , Cao Chengsi , Huang Feng , Wang Liwang , Xue Zhengliang , Liu Jing
Published: March 2023

The slow‐strain‐rate test (SSRT) is the most commonly used method for evaluating pipeline steel in service environments. However, to accurately assess the sensitivity of steel to hydrogen, it is necessary to investigate the effect of different strain rates, taking into account microstructure‐influenced hydrogen migration. Herein, a hot‐rolled X70 pipeline steel sheet is investigated by a SSRT at different strain rates with and without synchronous hydrogen charging. The influence of the pearlite content and different strain rates on the hydrogen‐assisted crack propagation and hydrogen diffusion in pipeline steels is discussed. Using scanning electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and hydrogen microprinting, the hydrogen atoms are observed to be easily segregated at the ferrite/pearlite (F/P) interface without external stress. Under loading, a higher strain rate results in lower hydrogen permeation content in steel, penetrating into pearlite and interacting with its internal vacancies, leading to transgranular fracture initiating from pearlite. At a low strain rate, the F/P interface is more vulnerable to hydrogen degradation, leading to intergranular crack mode along the interface and increased tendency to form secondary cracks. Therefore, strain rate–induced crack initiation and propagation characteristics should be considered during the SSRT.
Development of thin layer chromatographic densitometric method for simultaneous quantification of Ivabradine HCl and Bisoprolol fumarate
Authors: Patel Mansi , Chhalotiya Usmangani K , Shah Dimal A , Tandel Jinal N , Kachhiya Hetaben M
Published: March 2023

The literature review reveals that no thin‐layer chromatographic method has been developed for the simultaneous estimation of Bisoprolol fumarate and Ivabradine HCl in the combined dosage form. A sensitive, precise, accurate, and robust thin‐layer chromatographic method was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of a newer combination of Bisoprolol fumarate and Ivabradine HCl used in the treatment of angina, according to the International Council for Harmonization Q2 (R1) guideline. The stationary phase was pre‐coated silica gel aluminum plate 60 F254and toluene‒methanol‐triethylamine (9:1:0.1, v/v/v) was used as the mobile phase. A common detection wavelength of 279 nm was selected for the simultaneous quantification of Bisoprolol fumarate and Ivabradine HCl. The method was validated for different parameters like linearity, precision, accuracy, robustness, the limit of detection, and the limit of quantification as per the International Council for Harmonization guidelines. The correlation coefficients (r2) for Bisoprolol fumarate and Ivabradine HCl were found to be 0.9976 and 0.9965, respectively. The mean percentage recoveries for Bisoprolol fumarate and Ivabradine HCl were found to be 99.19%–101.70% and 98.71%–101.86%, respectively. As per the International Council for Harmonization Q2 (R1) guideline, the proposed TLC method was repeatable and selective as per statistical analysis and it can be used for simultaneous estimation of Bisoprolol fumarate and Ivabradine HCl in bulk and formulation.
Complete recovery of a cyclophosphamide overdose after vincristine administration in a dog
Authors: Ferrer‐Jorda Elena , Rodriguez‐Piza Ignacio
Published: March 2023

A 4‐year‐old, entire, male boxer diagnosed with a T‐cell multicentric lymphoma was referred for managing cyclophosphamide overdose complications after a prescription mistake during a 19‐week WM‐CHOP rescue protocol (vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicine, prednisolone). Adverse events included myelosuppression with grade IV neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, fever, haematuria, rectorrhagia and petechiae. With supportive care and the use of granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor, the patient recovered completely 23 days after the overdose. Once recovered, the protocol continued with doxorubicin as a single agent. The dog was euthanased due to lymphoma relapse without overdose sequelae. This case report describes for the first time, a recovery after cyclophosphamide intoxication produced immediately after the administration of vincristine in a cancer patient. Therefore, vincristine at therapeutic dose did not seem to add toxicity synergistically in this patient. Security strategies have to be put in place in all the centres to minimise the risk from these life‐threatening accidents.
“I Was a Stranger and You Invited Me in”: A Christian Perspective on the Humanitarian Crisis at the Poland–Belarus Border
Authors: Durajska Katarzyna Marianna
Published: March 2023

This essay examines the humanitarian crisis at the Polish-Byelorussian border in late 2021. Violating the principle of non-refoulement, the Polish border guards forced refugees back into Belarus, making it impossible to launch their asylum claims in Poland. Activists and volunteers provided humanitarian, legal, and medical assistance to people outside the state-of-emergency zone, while local residents provide help within the zone. The solidarians are seen as “empathizers,” “utopian humanitarians” or even discursively or physically attacked. The author looks at the role played by Christian values, perceived as meaningful by the government and society in Poland. The chapter is based on author’s reflections resulting from her own activism at the border, analysis of (social) media coverage, and research about people providing help to refugees in Cieszyn, at Polish-Czech border.
OCAC for Fuel Conversion Without CO2 Capture
Authors: Duan Lunbo , Li Lin
Published: March 2023

As a new concept, oxygen carrier aided combustion (OCAC) technology proposed in 2013 by Chalmers University of Technology’s group, can alleviate the problem of uneven distribution of oxygen in the reactors. In the past 10 years,various research institutions, including Chalmers University of Technology, University of Cambridge, Tsinghua University, Friedrich-Alexander University and University of Nottingham, have conducted a series of studies on OCAC technology. It is worth mentioning that Chalmers University of Technology has complied with most of these studies from laboratory to industry scales. In particular, they carried out a serious of semi-industrial scale experiments in the 12 MWthCFB boiler, which is well-known research boiler. OCAC technology is comprehensively introduced from six aspects: combustion characteristics, NOx/SOx emission, ash-related issues, aging of oxygen carrier, oxygen carrier recovery and physicochemical characteristics of oxygen carrier. In this chapter, allsummarized studies were performed under traditional air-combustion conditions without much consideration of CO2 capture.
OCAC Technology in Oxy-Fuel Combustion for Carbon Capture
Authors: Duan Lunbo , Li Lin
Published: March 2023

Oxy-fuel combustion is regarded as one of the most promising carbon capture and storage technologies to mitigate the climate change, which has been widely studied and demonstrated in academia and industry. In the oxy-fuel process, a mixture of recycled flue gas and pure O2 obtained from an air separation unit is introduced into the combustion chamber to replace air as oxidant gas. Therefore, high concentration of CO2 can be obtained in flue gas, which is suitable for the subsequent carbon storage and utilization. It also has other advantages, such as low NOx emission, easy scale-up, and applicability in existing power plant. However, the intensive energy consumption associated with the ASU is the bottleneck limiting its further commercialization. The OCAC process has a proven advantage of burning fuel at lower oxygen-fuel ratio compared to conventional FBCs. Therefore, the combination of oxy-fuel combustion and the OCAC technology, i.e. oxygen-carrier-aided oxy-fuel combustion (oxy-fuel-OCAC), can be expected to improve the utilization of O2, leading to less energy consumption from the ASU.
Perspectives on Future Research
Authors: Duan Lunbo , Li Lin
Published: March 2023

The OCAC concept has been validated by operation of FB boilers on lab-scale, semi-industrial scale and full industrial scale. Based on the current progress in the development of OCAC technology, it has been proven that the OCAC is a feasible technology showing obvious benefits in the applications on a CFB boiler. However, there are still challenges remaining for more perspectives, includes fundamentals regarding transport phenomena and chemical reactions, more testing and application of OCAC, techno-economic analysis of OCAC technology, process scale-up and optimization, etc. This chapter puts forward the future research directions from the above aspects in detail, have been paid special attention and discussed thoroughly.
Malting quality and preharvest sprouting traits are genetically correlated in spring malting barley
Authors: Rooney Travis E. , Sweeney Daniel W. , Kunze Karl H. , Sorrells Mark E. , Walling Jason G.
Published: March 2023

Key message

Malt for craft “all-malt” brewing can have high quality, PHS resistance, and malted in normal timeframes. Canadian style adjunct malt is associated with PHS susceptibility.

Expansion of malting barley production into non-traditional growing regions and erratic weather has increased the demand for preharvest sprouting (PHS) resistant, high quality malting barley cultivars. This is hindered by the relatively unknown relationships between PHS resistance and malting quality. Here we present a three-year study of malting quality and germination at different after-ripening durations post physiological maturity. Malting quality traits alpha amylase (AA) and free amino nitrogen (FAN) and germination rate at six days post PM shared a common association with a SNP in HvMKK3 on chromosome 5H in the Seed Dormancy 2 (SD2) region responsible for PHS susceptibility. Soluble protein (SP) and soluble over total protein (S/T) both shared a common association with a marker in the SD2 region. Significant genetic correlations between PHS resistance and the malting quality traits AA, FAN, SP, S/T were detected across and within HvMKK3 allele groups. High adjunct malt quality was related to PHS susceptibility. Selection for PHS resistance led to a correlated response in malting quality traits. Results strongly suggest pleiotropy of HvMKK3 on malting quality traits and that the classic “Canadian-style” malt is caused by a PHS susceptible allele of HvMKK3. PHS susceptibility appears to benefit the production of malt intended for adjunct brewing, while PHS resistance is compatible with all-malt brewing specifications. Here we present our analysis on the effect of combining complexly inherited and correlated traits with contrasting goals to inform breeding practice in malting barley, the general principles of which can be extended to other breeding programs.
Deciphering the genetic basis of resistance to soybean cyst nematode combining IBD and association mapping
Authors: Tian Yu , Li Delin , Wang Xueqing , Zhang Hao , Wang Jiajun , Yu Lijie , Guo Changhong , Luan Xiaoyan , Liu Xinlei , Li Hongjie , Reif Jochen C. , Li Ying-hui , Qiu Li-juan
Published: March 2023

Key message

IBD analysis clarified the dynamics of chromosomal recombination during the ZP pedigree breeding process and identified ten genomic regions resistant to SCN race3 combining association mapping.

Soybean cyst nematode (SCN,Heterodera glycinesIchinohe) is one of the most devastating pathogens for soybean production worldwide. The cultivar Zhongpin03-5373 (ZP), derived from SCN-resistant progenitor parents, Peking, PI 437654 and Huipizhi Heidou, is an elite line with high resistance to SCN race3. In the current study, a pedigree variation map was generated for ZP and its ten progenitors using 3,025,264 high-quality SNPs identified from an average of 16.2 × re-sequencing for each genome. Through identity by decent (IBD) tracking, we showed the dynamic change of genome and detected important IBD fragments, which revealed the comprehensively artificial selection of important traits during ZP breeding process. A total of 2,353 IBD fragments related to SCN resistance including SCN-resistant genesrhg1,rhg4andNSFRAN07were identified based on the resistant-related genetic paths. Moreover, 23 genomic regions underlying resistance to SCN race3 were identified by genome-wide association study (GWAS) in 481 re-sequenced cultivated soybeans. Ten common loci were found by both IBD tracking and GWAS analysis. Haplotype analysis of 16 potential candidate genes suggested a causative SNP (C/T, − 1065) located in the promoter ofGlyma.08G096500and encoding a predicted TIFY5b-related protein on chr8 was highly correlated with SCN race3 resistance. Our results more thoroughly elucidated the dynamics of genomic fragments during ZP pedigree breeding and the genetic basis of SCN resistance, which will provide useful information for gene cloning and the development of resistant soybean cultivars using a marker-assisted selection approach.
The axiom of choice in metric measure spaces and maximal $$\delta $$-separated sets
Authors: Dybowski Michał , Górka Przemysław
Published: March 2023

We show that the Axiom of Countable Choice is necessary and sufficient to prove that the existence of a Borel measure on a pseudometric space such that the measure of open balls is positive and finite implies separability of the space. In this way a negative answer to an open problem formulated in Górka (Am Math Mon 128:84–86, 2020) is given. Moreover, we study existence of maximal $$\delta $$
δ
-separated sets in metric and pseudometric spaces from the point of view the Axiom of Choice and its weaker forms.
On non-centered maximal operators related to a non-doubling and non-radial exponential measure
Authors: Nowak Adam , Sasso Emanuela , Sjögren Peter , Stempak Krzysztof
Published: March 2023

We investigate mapping properties of non-centered Hardy–Littlewood maximal operators related to the exponential measure $$d\mu (x) = \exp (-|x_1|-\cdots -|x_d|)dx$$

d
μ

(
x
)

=
exp
(
-
|

x
1

|
-
⋯
-
|

x
d

|
)
d
x

in $${\mathbb {R}}^d$$

R

d

. The mean values are taken over Euclidean balls or cubes ($$\ell ^{\infty }$$

ℓ
∞

balls) or diamonds ($$\ell ^1$$

ℓ
1

balls). Assuming that $$d \ge 2$$

d
≥
2

, in the cases of cubes and diamonds we prove the $$L^p$$

L
p

-boundedness for $$p>1$$

p
>
1

and disprove the weak type (1, 1) estimate. The same is proved in the case of Euclidean balls, under the restriction $$d \le 4$$

d
≤
4

for the positive part.
Field Assessment of Naled and Its Primary Degradation Product (Dichlorvos) in Aquatic Ecosystems Following Aerial Ultra-low Volume Application for Mosquito Control
Authors: Smith Cassandra D. , Hladik Michelle L. , Kuivila Kathryn M. , Waite Ian R.
Published: March 2023

Naled, an organophosphate insecticide, is applied aerially at ultra-low volumes over aquatic ecosystems near Sacramento, California, USA, during summer months for mosquito control. Two ecosystem types (rice fields and a flowing canal) were sampled in 2020 and 2021. Naled and its primary degradation product (dichlorvos) were measured in water, biofilm, grazer macroinvertebrates, and omnivore/predator macroinvertebrates (predominantly crayfish). Maximum naled and dichlorvos concentrations detected in water samples one day after naled application were 287.3 and 5647.5 ng/L, respectively, which were above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s aquatic life benchmarks for invertebrates. Neither compound was detected in water more than one day after the application. Dichlorvos, but not naled, was detected in composite crayfish samples up to 10 days after the last aerial application. Detections in water from the canal showed that the compounds were transported downstream of the target application area. Factors such as vector control flight paths, dilution, and transport through air and water likely affected concentrations of naled and dichlorvos in water and organisms from these aquatic ecosystems.

Graphical Abstract
Cardiac radiology in Europe: status and vision by the European Society of Cardiovascular Radiology (ESCR) and the European Society of Radiology (ESR)
Authors: Natale Luigi , Vliegenthart Rozemarijn , Salgado Rodrigo , Bremerich Jens , Budde Riccardo P. J. , Dacher Jean-Nicholas , Francone Marco , Kreitner Karl-Friedrich , Loewe Christian , Nikolaou Konstantin , Peebles Charles , Velthuis Birgitta K. , Catalano Carlo
Published: March 2023

Cardiac computed tomography (CT) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are routine radiological examinations for diagnosis and prognosis of cardiac disease. The expected growth in cardiac radiology in the coming years will exceed the current scanner capacity and trained workforce. The European Society of Cardiovascular Radiology (ESCR) focuses on supporting and strengthening the role of cardiac cross-sectional imaging in Europe from a multi-modality perspective. Together with the European Society of Radiology (ESR), the ESCR has taken the initiative to describe the current status of, a vision for, and the required activities in cardiac radiology to sustain, increase and optimize the quality and availability of cardiac imaging and experienced radiologists across Europe.

Key Points

• Providing adequate availability for performing and interpreting cardiac CT and MRI is essential, especially with expanding indications.

• The radiologist has a central role in non-invasive cardiac imaging examinations which encompasses the entire process from selecting the best modality to answer the referring physician’s clinical question to long-term image storage.

• Optimal radiological education and training, knowledge of the imaging process, regular updating of diagnostic standards, and close collaboration with colleagues from other specialties are essential.