bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advanced characterization-informed machine learning framework and quantitative insight to irradiated annular U-10Zr metallic fuels
Authors: Xu Fei , Cai Lu , Salvato Daniele , Dilemma Fidelma , Capriotti Luca , Yao Tiankai
Published: June 2023

U-10Zr Metal fuel is a promising nuclear fuel candidate for next-generation sodium-cooled fast spectrum reactors. Since the Experimental Breeder Reactor-II in the late 1960s, researchers accumulated a considerable amount of experience and knowledge on fuel performance at the engineering scale. However, a mechanistic understanding of fuel microstructure evolution and property degradation during in-reactor irradiation is still missing due to a lack of appropriate tools for rapid fuel microstructure assessment and property prediction based on post irradiation examination. This paper proposed a machine learning enabled workflow, coupled with domain knowledge and large dataset collected from advanced post-irradiation examination microscopies, to provide rapid and quantified assessments of the microstructure in two reactor irradiated prototypical annular metal fuels. Specifically, this paper revealed the distribution of Zr-bearing secondary phases and constitutional redistribution across different radial locations. Additionally, the ratios of seven different microstructures at various locations along the temperature gradient were quantified. Moreover, the distributions of fission gas pores on two types of U-10Zr annular fuels were quantitatively compared.
Three fourths of women of reproductive age in emerging regions of Ethiopia are facing problems in accessing health care
Authors: Fetene Samrawit Mihret , Haile Tsegaye Gebremedhin
Published: June 2023

Providing adequate and equal access health care is a key goal towards universal health coverage (UHC), but women continue to confront considerable inequities in accessing healthcare, particularly in the emerging regions of Ethiopia. Therefore, we identified the contributing factors to the problems in accessing health care among women of reproductive age in emerging regions of Ethiopia. Data from the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey were used. A total of 4680 women in reproductive age were included in the final analysis and a multilevel mixed-effect binary logistic regression analysis was done to identify the contributing factors to the problems in accessing health care. In the final model, a p-value of less than 0.05 and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to declare statistically significant factors. We found that 71.0% (95% CI 69.64–72.24%) of women in reproductive age had problems in accessing health care. Unmarried women (AOR = 1.30 95% CI 1.06–1.59), uneducated (AOR = 2.21 95% CI 1.48–3.30) and attended primary school (AOR = 1.58 95% 1.07–2.32), rural resident (AOR = 2.16 95% CI 1.40–2.02), poor (AOR = 2.95 95% CI 2.25–3.86) and middle wealth status (AOR = 1.74 95% CI 1.27–2.40), women who gave two births (AOR = 1.29 95% CI: 1.02–1.64) and not working (AOR = 1.33 95% CI 1.06, − 1.68) and working in agriculture (AOR = 1.88 95% CI 1.35–2.61) were factors that contributed for the problems in accessing health care. A significant proportion of women of reproductive age in emerging regions of Ethiopia face challenges in accessing healthcare, which places the country far from achieving its UHC targets. This issue is particularly prominent among unmarried, poor and middle wealth status, uneducated, non-working, and rural women of reproductive age. The government should develop strategies to improve women’s education, household wealth status, and occupational opportunities which would help to alleviate the barriers hindering healthcare access for women residing in emerging regions of Ethiopia.
White matter hyperintensities associated with impulse control disorders in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Hernadi Gabriella , Perlaki Gabor , Kovacs Marton , Pinter David , Orsi Gergely , Janszky Jozsef , Kovacs Norbert
Published: June 2023

Impulse control disorders (ICDs) in Parkinson's disease (PD) are increasingly recognized as clinically significant non-motor features that potentially impair the quality of life. White matter hyperintensities (WMHs), detected by magnetic resonance imaging, are frequently observed in PD and can be associated with both motor- and certain non-motor symptoms. Given the limited number of non-motor features studied in this context, our aim was to reveal the potential association between the severity of WMHs and ICDs in PD. Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance images were retrospectively evaluated in 70 patients with PD (48 males; 59.3 ± 10.1 years). The severity of WMHs was assessed by Fazekas scores and by the volume and number of supratentorial WMHs. ICDs were evaluated using the modified Minnesota Impulsive Disorders Interview. Significant interaction between age and the severity of WMHs was present for ICDs. In our younger patients (< 60.5 years), severity of WMHs was positively associated with ICDs (p = 0.004, p = 0.021, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively for periventricular white matter and total Fazekas scores and the volume and number of WMHs). Our study supports the hypothesis that WMHs of presumed vascular origin may contribute to ICDs in PD. Future prospective studies are needed to assess the prognostic relevance of this finding.
Effect of leisure-time physical activity on blood pressure in people with hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Shariful Islam Md , Fardousi Ammatul , Sizear Monaemul Islam , Rabbani Md. Golam , Islam Rubana , Saif-Ur-Rahman K. M.
Published: June 2023

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for premature death. Leisure-time physical activities have been recommended to control hypertension. Studies examining how leisure-time physical activity affects blood pressure have found mixed results. We aimed to conduct a systematic review examining the effect of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) on lowering blood pressure among adults living with hypertension. We searched studies in Embase, Medline/PubMed, Web of Science, Physical Education Index, Scopus and CENTRAL (the Cochrane Library). The primary outcome variables were systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). This systematic review is registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021260751). We included 17 studies out of 12,046 screened articles in this review. Moderate-intensity LTPA (all types) reduced SBP compared to the non-intervention control group (MD −5.35 mm Hg, 95% CI −8.06 to −2.65, nine trials, n = 531, low certainty of the evidence). Mean DBP was reduced by −4.76 mm Hg (95% CI −8.35 to −1.17, nine trials, n = 531, low certainty of the evidence) in all types of LTPA (moderate intensity) group compared to the non-intervention control group. Leisure-time walking reduced mean SBP by −8.36 mmHg, 95% CI −13.39 to −3.32, three trials, n = 128, low certainty of the evidence). Walking during leisure time reduced −5.03 mmHg mean DBP, 95% CI −8.23 to −1.84, three trials, n = 128, low certainty of the evidence). Performing physical activity during free time probably reduces SBP and DBP (low certainty of the evidence) among adults with hypertension.
Foraging for selenium: a comparison between hyperaccumulator and non-accumulator plant species
Authors: Montanari Sofia , Salinitro Mirko , Simoni Andrea , Ciavatta Claudio , Tassoni Annalisa
Published: June 2023

Selenium (Se) hyperaccumulators are a unique group of plants that can accumulate this element in their aerial parts at concentrations exceeding 100 mg kgDW−1. These plants actively search for Se in the soil, a phenomenon known as root foraging, reported to date only by few studies. In this study, the effect of localized Se enrichment, in the form of selenite and selenate, was investigated on the root architecture of two Se-hyperaccumulators (Stanleya pinnata and Astragalus bisulcatus) and two non-accumulators (Brassica juncea and Medicago sativa). Rhizoboxes were divided into two halves: one half was filled with control soil while the other with selenate or selenite (30 mg kgDW−1) spiked soil. Seedling were transferred into the interface of the two soils and allowed to grow for three weeks under controlled light and temperature conditions. Staneya pinnata exhibited equal root density in both halves of the rhizobox when grown in control/control and selenite/control soil treatments. However, in the presence of selenate, S. pinnata developed 76% of the roots towards the selenate-enriched half, indicating an active root foraging. In contrast, A. bisulcatus and the non-accumulators B. juncea and M. sativa did not show any preferential distribution of roots. This study revealed that only S. pinnata showed the ability to detect and forage for Se when provided as selenate. Non-accumulators did not show any morphological or Se-accumulation difference associated with the presence of Se in soil in either form.
Understanding voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy effect at Co/oxide interface
Authors: Nozaki Tomohiro , Okabayashi Jun , Tamaru Shingo , Konoto Makoto , Nozaki Takayuki , Yuasa Shinji
Published: June 2023

The voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy (VCMA) effect is a key to realising high-speed, ultralow-power consumption spintronic devices. The fcc-Co-(111)-based stack is a promising candidate for the achievement of large VCMA coefficients. However, only a few studies on the fcc-Co-(111)-based stack have been reported and the VCMA effect has not been well understood. Previously, we observed a significant increase in the voltage-controlled coercivity (VCC) in the Pt/Ru/Co/CoO/TiOx structure upon post-annealing. However, the mechanism underlying this enhancement remains unclear. This study performs multiprobe analyses on this structure before and after post-annealing and discusses the origin of the VCMA effect at the Co/oxide interface. X-ray magnetic circular dichroism measurement revealed an increase in the orbital magnetic moment owing to post-annealing, accompanied by a significant increase in VCC. We speculate that the diffusion of Pt atoms into the vicinity of Co/oxide interface enhances the interfacial orbital magnetic moment and the VCMA at the interface. These results provide a guideline for designing structures to obtain a large VCMA effect in fcc-Co-(111)-based stacks.
Green solvent mediated extraction of micro- and nano-plastic particles from water
Authors: Hunter Jameson R. , Qiao Qi , Zhang Yuxuan , Shao Qing , Crofcheck Czarena , Shi Jian
Published: June 2023

The production of plastic and the amount of waste plastic that enters the ecosystem increases every year. Synthetic plastics gradually break down into particles on the micro- and nano-scale in the environment. The micro- and nano-plastics pose a significant ecological threat by transporting toxic chemicals and causing inflammation and cellular damage when ingested; however, removal of those particles from water is challenging using conventional separation methods. Deep eutectic solvents (DES), a new class of solvents composed of hydrogen bond donors and acceptors, have been proposed as a cheaper alternative to ionic liquids. Hydrophobic DES derived from natural compounds (NADES) show promise as extractants in liquid–liquid extractions. This study investigated the extraction efficiency of micro- and nano-plastics including polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, and a bioplastic polylactic acid from fresh water and saltwater using three hydrophobic NADES. The extraction efficiencies fall in a range of 50–93% (maximum % extraction) while the extraction rates fall between 0.2 and 1.3 h (as indicated by the time to extract half the theoretical maximum). Molecular simulations show a correlation between the extraction efficiency and the association between the plastics and NADES molecules. This study demonstrates the potential of hydrophobic NADES as extractants for removal of different micro- and nano-plastic particles from aqueous solutions.
Small RNA sequencing of field Culex mosquitoes identifies patterns of viral infection and the mosquito immune response
Authors: Abel Steven M. , Hong Zhenchen , Williams Desiree , Ireri Sally , Brown Michelle Q. , Su Tianyun , Hung Kim Y. , Henke Jennifer A. , Barton John P. , Le Roch Karine G.
Published: June 2023

Mosquito-borne disease remains a significant burden on global health. In the United States, the major threat posed by mosquitoes is transmission of arboviruses, including West Nile virus by mosquitoes of the Culex genus. Virus metagenomic analysis of mosquito small RNA using deep sequencing and advanced bioinformatic tools enables the rapid detection of viruses and other infecting organisms, both pathogenic and non-pathogenic to humans, without any precedent knowledge. In this study, we sequenced small RNA samples from over 60 pools of Culex mosquitoes from two major areas of Southern California from 2017 to 2019 to elucidate the virome and immune responses of Culex. Our results demonstrated that small RNAs not only allowed the detection of viruses but also revealed distinct patterns of viral infection based on location, Culex species, and time. We also identified miRNAs that are most likely involved in Culex immune responses to viruses and Wolbachia bacteria, and show the utility of using small RNA to detect antiviral immune pathways including piRNAs against some pathogens. Collectively, these findings show that deep sequencing of small RNA can be used for virus discovery and surveillance. One could also conceive that such work could be accomplished in various locations across the world and over time to better understand patterns of mosquito infection and immune response to many vector-borne diseases in field samples.
Fluorescence intensity and fluorescence lifetime measurements of various carbon dots as a function of pH
Authors: Szapoczka Wiktoria K. , Truskewycz Adam L. , Skodvin Tore , Holst Bodil , Thomas Peter J.
Published: June 2023

Measurement and monitoring of pH are essential in both the industry and academia. It is therefore important to continue developing novel, low-cost pH sensors that provide increased accuracy over long periods of time. Particularly promising are sensors based on materials that show pH-dependent fluorescence intensity (FI) and lifetime (FL). Carbon dots (CDs) are emerging as promising candidates because of their low cost, ease of manufacturing, low toxicity, and negligible photobleaching. However, little has been done to quantify the FI and FL values of CDs. Here we report the characterisation of the pH-dependent FI and FL of four novel solvothermal synthesised CDs. The fifth CD is used as a reference sample and was synthesised following a published synthesis. The precursors for the CDs include disperse blue 1 dye, phloroglucinol, m-phenylenediamine (m-PD), N, and N-dimethylformamide (DMF). The average diameter size of the CDs ranges from 1.5 to 15 nm. An excitation wavelength of 452 nm with a bandwidth of 45 nm was used to quantify the fluorescence in the pH range 5–9. Three CDs show a decreasing trend in FI with pH, while two CDs show an increasing trend. None of the CDs shows strong FL dependence. The FL changes around 0.5 ± 0.2 ns across the tested pH range. We suggest that the differences in the fluorescence trends can be attributed to the precursors chosen for synthesising the CDs.
Multi-objective pathfinder algorithm for multi-objective optimal power flow problem with random renewable energy sources: wind, photovoltaic and tidal
Authors: Li Ning , Zhou Guo , Zhou Yongquan , Deng Wu , Luo Qifang
Published: June 2023

In this paper, the multi-objective optimal power flow (MOOPF) problem optimization objectives focus on four optimization objectives: generation cost, emission, real power loss and voltage deviation (VD). Three renewable energy sources with successful industrial applications, including wind energy, solar energy, and tidal energy are introduced. Renewable energy supply is uncertain, so Weibull distribution probability, lognormal probability and Gumbel probability are used to calculate the instability and intermittency of wind energy, solar energy and tidal energy, respectively. The inclusion of four energy supplies on the IEEE-30 test system and the consideration of renewable energy reserves and penalty cost calculation improve the realism of the model. In order to obtain the control parameters that minimize the four optimization objectives, a named multi-objective pathfinder algorithm (MOPFA) based on elite dominance and crowding distance was proposed to solve this multi-objective optimization problem. Simulation results show the feasibility of the model, and MOPFA can get more evenly distributed Pareto front and provide more diverse solutions. A compromise solution was selected by the fuzzy decision system. Comparison with the recently published literature also shows that the proposed model can effectively reduce emissions and other indicators. In addition, the statistical test results show that MOPFA's multi-objective optimization performance ranks first. In solving this complex optimization problem, results show the MOPFA is superior to other multi-objective algorithms in optimization accuracy and speed.
Physicochemical features partially explain olfactory crossmodal correspondences
Authors: Ward Ryan J. , Wuerger Sophie M. , Ashraf Maliha , Marshall Alan
Published: June 2023

During the olfactory perception process, our olfactory receptors are thought to recognize specific chemical features. These features may contribute towards explaining our crossmodal perception. The physicochemical features of odors can be extracted using an array of gas sensors, also known as an electronic nose. The present study investigates the role that the physicochemical features of olfactory stimuli play in explaining the nature and origin of olfactory crossmodal correspondences, which is a consistently overlooked aspect of prior work. Here, we answer the question of whether the physicochemical features of odors contribute towards explaining olfactory crossmodal correspondences and by how much. We found a similarity of 49% between the perceptual and the physicochemical spaces of our odors. All of our explored crossmodal correspondences namely, the angularity of shapes, smoothness of textures, perceived pleasantness, pitch, and colors have significant predictors for various physicochemical features, including aspects of intensity and odor quality. While it is generally recognized that olfactory perception is strongly shaped by context, experience, and learning, our findings show that a link, albeit small (6–23%), exists between olfactory crossmodal correspondences and their underlying physicochemical features.
The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and other public health outcomes during the BA.2/BA.2.12.1 surge, New York City, April–May 2022
Authors: Qasmieh Saba A. , Robertson McKaylee M. , Teasdale Chloe A. , Kulkarni Sarah G. , Jones Heidi E. , Larsen David A. , Dennehy John J. , McNairy Margaret , Borrell Luisa N. , Nash Denis
Published: June 2023

Background

Routine case surveillance data for SARS-CoV-2 are incomplete, unrepresentative, missing key variables of interest, and may be increasingly unreliable for timely surge detection and understanding the true burden of infection.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of 1030 New York City (NYC) adult residents ≥18 years on May 7-8, 2022. We estimated the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection during the preceding 14-day period. Respondents were asked about SARS-CoV-2 testing, testing outcomes, COVID-like symptoms, and contact with SARS-CoV-2 cases. SARS-CoV-2 prevalence estimates were age- and sex-adjusted to the 2020 U.S. population. We triangulated survey-based prevalence estimates with contemporaneous official SARS-CoV-2 counts of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, as well as SARS-CoV-2 wastewater concentrations.

Results

We show that 22.1% (95% CI 17.9–26.2%) of respondents had SARS-CoV-2 infection during the two-week study period, corresponding to ~1.5 million adults (95% CI 1.3-1.8 million). The official SARS-CoV-2 case count during the study period is 51,218. Prevalence is estimated at 36.6% (95% CI 28.3–45.8%) among individuals with co-morbidities, 13.7% (95% CI 10.4–17.9%) among those 65+ years, and 15.3% (95% CI 9.6–23.5%) among unvaccinated persons. Among individuals with a SARS-CoV-2 infection, hybrid immunity (history of both vaccination and infection) is 66.2% (95% CI 55.7–76.7%), 44.1% (95% CI 33.0–55.1%) were aware of the antiviral nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, and 15.1% (95% CI 7.1–23.1%) reported receiving it. Hospitalizations, deaths and SARS-CoV-2 virus concentrations in wastewater remained well below that during the BA.1 surge.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the true magnitude of NYC’s BA.2/BA.2.12.1 surge may have been vastly underestimated by routine case counts and wastewater surveillance. Hybrid immunity, bolstered by the recent BA.1 surge, likely limited the severity of the BA.2/BA.2.12.1 surge.
Miniaturization and Automation in Green Sample Preparation
Authors: Jiménez-Skrzypek G. , González-Sálamo J. , Hernández-Borges J.
Published: June 2023

Amongst the different steps of any analytical procedure, sample preparation is considered to be one of the most critical. Currently, efforts are centred in the development of miniaturized extraction techniques, which make use of efficient extraction sorbents/solvents and reduce organic solvent and/or energy consumption, following the principles of Green Analytical Chemistry (GAC). Extraction techniques can be divided into sorbent- and solvent-based approaches, each one of them with numerous variants which allow a wide range of applications in different fields. In the first case, solid-phase microextraction and micro-solid-phase extraction are the two main types, whereas solvent-based microextraction techniques are mainly subdivided into single-drop microextraction, hollow-fibre liquid-phase microextraction, and dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction. Interestingly, many efforts have been made with the objective of achieving full/partial automation of these extraction techniques to overcome many of the issues that arise from human errors. Overall, although both solvent- and sorbent-based techniques have been automated, sorbent-based ones are still ahead; nonetheless, solvent-based extraction techniques have seen an important increase in momentum in recent years.
Switchable Hydrophilicity Solvents (SHSs) in Green Sample Preparation
Authors: Carasek E. , Bernardi G. , Huelsmann R. D.
Published: June 2023

In the year 2005, an important class of solvents was introduced to the scientific community by the Dr Philip G. Jessop team: namely, switchable hydrophilicity solvents (SHSs). Given their valuable characteristics, such as easy application, effectiveness, and compatibility with various microextraction techniques, in addition to their being environmentally friendly, SHSs have gained visibility in sample preparation, especially in recent years. Running through the history of their applications, this chapter covers the use of SHSs in green sample preparation, where their advantages are discussed, highlighted, and compared with other well-known strategies. Applications dealing with parameters commonly optimized in techniques that use SHSs, mainly in environmental and food analysis, are presented.
Discovery and development of botanical natural products and their analogues as therapeutics for ovarian cancer
Authors: Mize Brittney K. , Salvi Amrita , Ren Yulin , Burdette Joanna E. , Fuchs James R.
Published: June 2023

This review highlights botanical natural products with activity against ovarian cancer and key drug development considerations for their advancement.
Enhancing the catalytic performance of MOF-polymer@AuNP-based nanozymes for colorimetric detection of serum l-cysteine
Authors: Tian Lin , Cheng Cheng , Zhao Zhenwen , Liu Wei , Qi Li
Published: June 2023

U66-PV-Pep@AuNP composite nanozymes exhibited higher POD-like activity than Pep@AuNPs-on-U66 in TMB oxidation. Based upon the decrease of its catalytic activity by l-Cys, an assay for highly selective and sensitive detection of rat serum l-Cys was established.
Thermoresponsive hydrogel for transcatheter arterial chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhao Wei , Xu Jiabin , You Yuanyuan , Guo Zhenhu , Xiang Yun , Hao Kenan , He Xiaofeng , Zhao Peng
Published: June 2023

A blend hydrogel with thermoresponsive and injectable properties was proposed for the stable dispersion of lipiodol and epirubicin, the hydrogel has been successfully applied in the embolization of the feeding artery for a VX2 tumor model.
Hydrolysis of ester phosphates mediated by a copper complex
Authors: Meza-González Brandon , Cortés-Guzmán Fernando
Published: June 2023

In the catalyzed hydrolysis of phosphoesters, the copper complex facilitates a specific interaction between the nucleophile and the phosphate group, forming a concerted transition state.
Boosting photocatalytic H2generation by assembling a copper complex and carbon nanotubes onto a carbon nitride polymer
Authors: Zhang Jun-Shuai , Zhou Wen-Chen , Lai Jia-Yu , Zhang Wei-De
Published: June 2023

An affordable photocatalyst was prepared by assembling a copper complex and carbon nanotubes onto a carbon nitride polymer. Without utilizing noble metal cocatalysts, this photocatalyst still displayed a high H2generation rate (931 μmol g−1h−1).
A comprehensive review on CRISPR and artificial intelligence based emerging food packaging technology to ensure “safe food”
Authors: Nayak Anamika , Dutta Debjani
Published: June 2023

In the food industry, food quality and safety are vital, and in this case, appropriate packaging technology can significantly ensure the quality of food for consumers.
Preparation and characterization of indicator films from chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol incorporated Stachytarpheta jamaicensis anthocyanins for monitoring chicken meat freshness
Authors: Amaregouda Yamanappagouda , Kamanna Kantharaju
Published: June 2023

In this study, a novel multifunctional intelligent/active packaging material fabricated by immobilizing Stachytarpheta jamaicensis extracted (SJE) anthocyanins in a polymer matrix consisting of chitosan (CS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is described.
Effect and control of energy input on tissue and cell dissociation and chemical depolymerization in pure subcritical water autohydrolysis of naked oat stem
Authors: Wei Jiahui , Zhang Haonan , Zhai Shengcheng , Ren Hao , Zhai Huamin
Published: June 2023

Pure subcritical water autohydrolysis is an economical and green biorefinery method and potentially applicable technology.
Scalable nitrogen-enriched porous sub-100 nm graphitic carbon nanocapsules for efficient oxygen reduction reaction in different media
Authors: Eid Kamel , Abdelhafiz Ali A. , Abdel-Azeim Safwat , Varma Rajender S. , Shibl Mohamed F.
Published: June 2023

We present a scalable one-pot strategy for the green fabrication of nitrogen-enriched graphitic-like hierarchical porous sub-100 nm carbon (denoted as N-HMPC) nanocapsules with controllable N-content for ORR experimentally and theoretically.
A microfluidic platform integrating dynamic cell culture and dielectrophoretic manipulation for in situ assessment of endothelial cell mechanics
Authors: Yang Hao , Chen Tao , Hu Yichong , Niu Fuzhou , Zheng Xinyu , Sun Haizhen , Cheng Liang , Sun Lining
Published: June 2023

A multi-layer microfluidic chip integrates dynamic cell culture, processing, and in situ measurement of mechanical properties.
Fabricating defogging metasurfaces via a water-based colloidal route
Authors: Khoruzhenko Olena , Dudko Volodymyr , Rosenfeldt Sabine , Breu Josef
Published: June 2023

The fabrication of metasurfaces via a water-based colloidal route applying predesigned building blocks that can self-assemble by simple dip or spray coating.
Fluorenone–thiazolidine-4-one scaffolds as antidiabetic and antioxidant agents: design, synthesis, X-ray crystal structures, and binding and computational studies
Authors: Doddagaddavalli Manasa A. , Kalalbandi Veerendra Kumar A. , Naik T. R. Ravi , Joshi Shrinivas D. , Seetharamappa Jaldappagari
Published: June 2023

Using 2-(9H-fluoren-9-ylidene)hydrazinyl)thiazol-4(5H)-one and substituted benzaldehydes, a new library of fluorenone–thiazolidine-4-one scaffolds (5a–u) were synthesized and characterized using FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectral data.
Decoding the mechanical conductance switching behaviors of dipyridyl molecular junctions
Authors: Sun Feng , Liu Lin , Zheng Chang-Feng , Li Yu-Chen , Yan Yan , Fu Xiao-Xiao , Wang Chuan-Kui , Liu Ran , Xu Bingqian , Li Zong-Liang
Published: June 2023

Unique contact configurational conversion processes are revealed by using ab initio-based adiabatic simulation method, which decodes the mechanical conductance switching behaviors of dipyridyl molecular junctions.
Gram-scale solvothermal synthesis of Fe-doped CuCoO2 nanosheets and improvement of the oxygen evolution reaction performance
Authors: Yang Miao , Tan Hao , Ma Shiyu , Mi Yue , Liu Lifeng , Zhao Zongyan , Li Hong , Xiong Dehua
Published: June 2023

The superior OER performance of Fe-doped CuCoO2 nanosheets can be attributed to the Fe cations doped into the lattice and replaced the position of Cu+ cations, which reduces the grain size and increases its specific surface area.
Induced circular dichroism from helicoidal nano substrates to porphyrins: the role of chiral self-assembly
Authors: Duroux Gautier , Robin Lucas , Liu Peizhao , Dols Emilie , Mendes Matheus De Souza Lima , Buffière Sonia , Pardieu Elodie , Scalabre Antoine , Buffeteau Thierry , Nlate Sylvain , Oda Reiko , Raju Maria Sara , Atzori Matteo , Train Cyrille , Rikken Geert L. J. A. , Rosa Patrick , Hillard Elizabeth A. , Pouget Emilie
Published: June 2023

We explore the induction of chirality to achiral free base- and metallo-porphyrins by silica nano helices as a strategy for the preparation of magneto-chiral objects.
Photoelectrochemical immunoassay of alpha-fetoprotein based on a SnO2/In2S3 heterojunction and an enzyme-catalyzed precipitation strategy
Authors: Li Lu , Weng Yaqing , Sun Chenglong , Peng Yueyi , Xie Qingji
Published: June 2023

We report the sensitive photoelectrochemical sandwich-type immunosensing of alpha-fetoprotein by using SnO2/In2S3 as a novel heterojunction material and horseradish peroxidase (HRP)–CeO2 as an efficient biolabel.
Enabling high loading of well-dispersed Ni2CoP2 catalysts on a 3D-printed electrode for efficient electrocatalysis
Authors: Peng Meiwen , Zhao Bo , Shi Danli , Wang Yawen , Li Dong , Liang Wenkai , Yang He , Liang Zhiqiang , Sun Yinghui , Jiang Lin
Published: June 2023

Since mass activity and mass transport capacity are higher than traditional electrodes, 18L-3DP GC/Ni2CoP2 electrode actualizes 10 mA cm−2 at a low potential of 1.31 V for alkaline UOR.
Exploring low-cost high energy NASICON cathodes for sodium-ion batteriesviaa combined machine-learning,ab initio, and experimental approach
Authors: Soundharrajan Vaiyapuri , Alfaruqi Muhammad Hilmy , Alfaza Ghalib , Lee Jun , Lee Seulgi , Park Sohyun , Nithiananth Subramanian , Pham Duong Tung , Hwang Jang-Yeon , Kim Jaekook
Published: June 2023

This study demonstrated the fusion of machine-learning,ab initio, and experimental approaches model to develop new NASICON type cathodes including Na3.5MnV0.5Ti0.5(PO4)3, Na3.5MnV0.5Fe0.5(PO4)3, and Na3.5MnV0.5Al0.5(PO4)3for SIBs.
Mesenchymal stromal cells modulate YAP by verteporfin to mimic cartilage development and construct cartilage organoids based on decellularized matrix scaffolds
Authors: Zhu Jiayi , Lun Wanqing , Feng Qi , Cao Xiaodong , Li Qingtao
Published: June 2023

Cartilage decellularized matrix scaffolds with different mechanical properties were prepared as bioactive material platforms to study the effect of mechanical signals on cells, and cultivated hyaline cartilage organoids in vitro.
Expect the unexpected: conventional and unconventional roles for cadherins in collective cell migration
Authors: Messer C. Luke , McDonald Jocelyn A.
Published: June 2023

Migrating cell collectives navigate complex tissue environments both during normal development and in pathological contexts such as tumor invasion and metastasis. To do this, cells in collectives must stay together but also communicate information across the group. The cadherin superfamily of proteins mediates junctional adhesions between cells, but also serve many essential functions in collective cell migration. Besides keeping migrating cell collectives cohesive, cadherins help follower cells maintain their attachment to leader cells, transfer information about front-rear polarity among the cohort, sense and respond to changes in the tissue environment, and promote intracellular signaling, in addition to other cellular behaviors. In this review, we highlight recent studies that reveal diverse but critical roles for both classical and atypical cadherins in collective cell migration, specifically focusing on four in vivo model systems in development: the Drosophila border cells, zebrafish mesendodermal cells, Drosophila follicle rotation, and Xenopus neural crest cells.
The mass of gas giant planets: Is Saturn a failed gas giant?
Authors: Helled Ravit
Published: June 2023

The formation history of giant planets inside and outside the Solar System remains unknown. We suggest that runaway gas accretion is initiated only at a mass of ∼100 M⊕ and that this mass corresponds to the transition to a gas giant, a planet whose composition is dominated by hydrogen and helium. Delayed runaway accretion (by a few million years) and having it occurring at higher masses is likely a result of an intermediate stage of efficient heavy-element accretion (at a rate of ∼10−5 M⊕ yr−1) that provides sufficient energy to hinder rapid gas accretion. This may imply that Saturn has never reached the stage of runaway gas accretion and that it is a “failed giant planet”. The transition to a gas giant planet above Saturn’s mass naturally explains the differences between the bulk metallicities and internal structures of Jupiter and Saturn. The mass at which a planet transitions to a gas giant planet strongly depends on the exact formation history and birth environment of the planet, which are still not well constrained for our Solar System. In terms of giant exoplanets, the occurrence of runaway gas accretion at planetary masses greater than Saturn’s can explain the transitions in the mass-radius relations of observed exoplanets and the high metallicity of intermediate-mass exoplanets.
L’apport des patients dans la relecture des protocoles de recherche
Authors: Mathieu Flavie , Lanta Marie , Bungener Martine
Published: June 2023

L’implication des patients dans la gestion éthique des protocoles de recherche, débutée en France dans les années 1990 par les associations de malades impliquées dans la lutte contre le syndrome de l’immunodéficience acquise (sida), a été le premier pas qui a permis de reconnaître le rôle essentiel des patients dans les recherches les concernant. Nous présentons dans cet article cette émancipation et ses conséquences sur l’évolution de la recherche, en s’appuyant sur une double expérience : celle du comité de patients pour la recherche clinique, créé en 1998 par la Ligue nationale contre le cancer et par la fédération nationale des centre de lutte contre le cancer, puis celle du Collège des relecteurs mis en place par l’Inserm en 2007.
LAM fatale ?
Authors: Laguillaumie Marie-Océane , Lewuillon Clara , Touil Yasmine , Lemonnier Loïc , Idziorek Thierry
Published: June 2023

La leucémie aiguë myéloïde (LAM) est une hémopathie maligne caractérisée par des aberrations génétiques de certains précurseurs hématopoïétiques de la lignée myéloïde qui entraînent un défaut de maturation et/ou de fonctionnement. Malgré une chimiothérapie intensive entraînant une rémission complète chez 50 à 80 % des patients, la rechute survient dans la majorité des cas. Bien que la signalisation calcique soit bien décrite dans les cancers solides, l’étude de cibles pertinentes dépendant du calcium a retenu peu d’attention dans la LAM jusqu’à aujourd’hui. L’objectif de cette revue est d’offrir une piste de réflexion sur l’identification de canaux calciques spécifiques et de voies de signalisation associées impliquées dans la LAM, et ainsi de promouvoir la recherche de nouvelles approches thérapeutiques efficaces ciblant spécifiquement ces voies.
Des liens entre métabolisme et régulation épigénétique des cellules souches musculaires
Authors: Leduc-Gaudet Jean-Philippe , Guirguis Céline , Sincennes Marie-Claude
Published: June 2023

La régénération musculaire dépend de la capacité des cellules souches musculaires, aussi appelées cellules satellites, à proliférer et à se différencier pour réparer les muscles endommagés. En l’absence de dommage, ces cellules sont quiescentes : elles ne prolifèrent pas et présentent un métabolisme réduit. Des études récentes ont révélé l’existence de liens entre la régulation épigénétique et le métabolisme des cellules souches musculaires. Dans cette synthèse, nous discutons les modifications épigénétiques des histones et les voies métaboliques qui ont été observées dans les cellules souches musculaires quiescentes et qui sont à l’origine de leur activation en réponse à une blessure.
Study on defect imaging technology of optical elements based on micro-Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Wu Feibin , Han Jun
Published: June 2023

An optical element defect detection imaging method based on micro-Raman spectroscopy is proposed to achieve high-precision imaging of optical element defects and their distribution. The detection precision of the system is immediately reflected in the imaging quality. The sharpness value of the mapping images is calculated using the Sum of Modulus of Gray Difference function. The selection of the Raman peak is an important step, and when a borosilicate glass sample with standard defects is measured for verification, it is found that the Raman peak light intensity changes at −37 and 28 cm−1. When these two peaks were used for 2D mapping, obvious defect contours can be obtained, while the light intensity at other sites could not be used for imaging, and remained essentially constant. Through the detection of laser burning defects, new peaks appear at the burned defect location that could be used for imaging, and the burning defect area can be clearly distinguished from the non-burning area. By changing the laser burning conditions, the Raman shift changes, which verifies that there is a certain correlation between the laser burning degree and the Raman shift, which also provides a basis for 2D mapping imaging of defect detection.
Solidification furnace for in situ observation of bulk transparent systems and image analysis methods
Authors: Mota F. L. , Medjkoune M. , Littles L. Strutzenberg , Karma A. , Bergeon N.
Published: June 2023

This paper aims to describe the experimental framework of the Directional Solidification Insert, installed onboard the International Space Station, dedicated to the in situ and real-time characterization of the dynamic selection of the solid–liquid interface morphology in bulk samples of transparent materials under diffusive growth conditions. The in situ observation of the solid–liquid interface is an invaluable tool for gaining knowledge on the time evolution of the interface pattern because the initial morphological instability evolves nonlinearly and undergoes a reorganization process. The result of each experiment, characterized by the sample concentration, a thermal gradient, and a pulling rate, is a large number of images. The interpretation of these images necessitates a robust identification of each cell/dendrite’s position and size during the entire solidification. Several image analysis methods have been developed to reliably achieve this goal despite varying contrast and noise levels and are described in detail. Typical solidification experiments are presented, and the dynamics of the pattern formation are analyzed to illustrate the application of the image analysis methods.
Identification of four detrimental chemicals using square-core photonic crystal fiber in the regime of THz
Authors: Almawgani Abdulkarem H. M. , Alhamss Dana N. , Taya Sofyan A. , Hindi Ayman Taher , Upadhyay Anurag , Singh Shivam , Colak Ilhami , Pal Amrindra , Patel Shobhit K.
Published: June 2023

Numerous techniques and technologies have been proposed for the detection and identification of hazardous chemicals that can harm the lungs and respiratory system as well as the central nervous system and kidneys when inhaled. Most practical techniques can be carried out by extraordinary professionals in well-equipped facilities. A reliable, simple, highly sensitive, and feasible sensing technique is still required. A potential sensor for these harmful chemicals is the photonic crystal fiber (PCF), which achieves several unique properties. A square-core PCF sensor is proposed in this work for the detection of detrimental gases (tetra-chloro silane, tetra-chloro methane, turpentine, and tin terra-chloride) in the THz region. The cladding region is divided into three rings, and each ring has rectangular and square air holes. Within the operating region, we have found a relatively high sensitivity of 96.185% along with 95.407% core power fraction, 0.2211 numerical aperture, and a low effective area of 154 470 μm2 at 1.9 THz frequency. Ignorable confinement loss of 3.071 × 10−14 cm−1 and effective material loss of 0.007 72 cm−1 have been also found. Additionally, the current manufacturing techniques guarantee the viability of the proposed PCF sensor’s manufacture. These obtained results demonstrate that the proposed sensor can be effectively employed for applications involving hazardous chemical compounds, gases, and biosensing.
Improved perturbation solution for viscous flow in a dilating–contracting permeable channel with velocity slip
Authors: Tisdell Christopher C.
Published: June 2023

Recently, Mandal and Ghosh [“Lie-group method solutions for a viscous flow in a dilating-squeezing permeable channel with velocity slip,” Phys. Fluids 35, 047121 (2023)] constructed perturbation solutions for viscous flow in porous channels with a slip condition and moving walls restricted to slow wall dilation–contraction rates. Herein, we show that this “slowness” assumption may be completely removed. In doing so, we develop a more widely applicable and more accurate perturbation scheme for all dilation–contraction rates. Our strategy involves generating new and exact solutions to the linear, inviscid problem with slip condition, and then we draw on this precise form to construct more accurate perturbation expansions for solutions to the nonlinear flow model than are currently available.
Effect of interaction between P and Ce on properties of copper
Authors: Song Jin-Tao , Fu Yu-Duo , Song Ke-Xing , Zhu Qian-Qian , Peng Xiao-Wen , Hua Yun-Xiao , Zhou Yan-Jun , Guo Xiu-Hua , An Shi-Zhong , Ma Ying-Xuan
Published: June 2023

The effect of interaction between Ce and P on the microstructure and properties of copper has been rarely reported. In this study, it was investigated by utilising the OM, EPMA, SEM and TEM techniques, combined with conductivity and tensile tests. The results indicated that the grain size and conductivity of as-cast copper could be significantly influenced by the interaction. More importantly, the plasticity of as-cast copper did not seriously damage by the interaction, and the elongation of as-cast 3# (Cu-0.016P-0.075Ce) was still up to 39.3%. This is due to a strong binding force of the coherent interface between CeP and copper.
A comparative study of microstructure and mechanical properties of conventional and synergistic double-sided FSW joints of 6061 zxaluminium alloy
Authors: Zou Yangfan , Li Wenya , Tang Yishuang , Su Yu , Yang Xiawei , Wu Dong , Wang Weibing
Published: June 2023

In this study, synergistic double-sided friction stir welding (DS-FSW) is proposed to solve the problems of large deformation and the time-consuming of traditional DS-FSW. The microstructure, mechanical properties, and fracture paths of novel and conventional joints are studied under different welding parameters. Results show that defects in novel joints have been improved. However, the grain size in the stir zone of novel joints is larger than that of conventional joints. The microhardness map of the novel joint shows a more uniform distribution compared to that of the conventional joint. At a rotational speed of 1800 rpm and transverse speed of 1000 mm min−1, the distortion of the novel joint and conventional joint is 0.1 and 1 mm, respectively. The tensile force of novel joints is higher than that of conventional joints for the same welding parameters. The maximum tensile force of novel and conventional joints is 36.8 and 34.9 kN, respectively.
Role of grain boundary networks in vortex motion in superconducting films
Authors: Liu 刘 Yu 宇 , Xue 薛 Feng 峰 , Gou 苟 Xiao-Fan 晓凡
Published: June 2023

We study the vortex dynamics of the polycrystalline superconductors in the presence of both random point defects and the generated grain boundary (GB) networks with Voronoi diagram. The synergistic effect of adjacent GBs on restricting the vortex motion in intragranular region is proposed and the corresponding intensity factor of the synergistic effect which characterizes the strength of the synergistic restriction of adjacent grain boundaries is also determined in the present work. The interconnected GBs offer easy-flow channels for vortices in addition to pinning effects on the vortices. The combined channels and the vortex flow patterns in the superconducting film are analyzed in detail from molecular dynamics simulations. Furthermore, it is discovered that the critical current increases with the decrease of magnetic field intensity, temperature, and the average grain size. The large number of vortices results in the enhanced repulsive interaction forcing the vortices to move out from the GBs. The thermal depinning from GBs leads to the lower Lorentz force range. The increase of the grain size causes the number of GBs to decrease. In summary, these effects leads the critical current to become a decreasing function of magnetic field, temperature, and grain size.
Silicon photomultiplier based scintillator thermal neutron detector for China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS)
Authors: Yue 岳 Xiu-Ping 秀萍 , Zhu 朱 Zhi-Fu 志甫 , Tang 唐 Bin 彬 , Huang 黄 Chang 畅 , Yu 于 Qian 潜 , Chen 陈 Shao-Jia 少佳 , Wang 王 Xiu-Ku 修库 , Xu 许 Hong 虹 , Zhou 周 Shi-Hui 诗慧 , Cai 蔡 Xiao-Jie 小杰 , Yang 杨 Hao 浩 , Wan 万 Zhi-Yong 志勇 , Sun 孙 Zhi-Jia 志嘉 , Liu 刘 Yun-Tao 云涛
Published: June 2023

The energy-resolved neutron imaging spectrometer (ERNI) will be installed in 2022 according to the spectrometer construction plan of the China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS). The instrument requires neutron detectors with the coverage area of approximately 4 m2 in 5°–170° neutron diffraction angle. The neutron detection efficiency needs to be better than 40% at 1 Å neutron wavelength. The spatial resolution should be better than 3 mm × 50 mm in the horizontal and vertical directions respectively. We develop a one-dimensional scintillator neutron detector which is composed of the 6LiF/ZnS (Ag) scintillation screens, the wavelength-shifting fiber (WLSF) array, the silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs), and the self-designed application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) readout electronics. The pixel size of the detector is designed as 3 mm × 50 mm, and the neutron-sensitive area is 50 mm × 200 mm. The performance of the detector prototype is measured using neutron beam 20# of the CSNS. The maximum counting rate of 247 kHz, and the detection efficiency of 63% at 1.59 Å are obtained. The test results show that the performance of the detector fulfills the physical requirements of the ERNI under construction at the CSNS.