bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A combined experimental and computational approach for the rationalization of the catalytic activity of lipase B from Candida antarctica in water–organic solvent mixtures
Authors: Vetrano Alice , Daidone Isabella , Spreti Nicoletta , Capone Matteo
Published: June 2023

Background

The addition of organic solvents to an aqueous medium for enzymatic reactions offers several advantages, as they can increase the solubility of substrates but can also lead to enzyme inactivation and/or aggregation.

Results

The effect of adding 30% of several water‐soluble organic solvents on the catalytic activity of lipase B from Candida antarctica (CalB) was studied and the results showed that the highest activity was obtained with the addition of t‐butanol. t‐Butanol and acetonitrile were selected and the kinetic parameters, determined to deepen their effect on CalB activity, showed that the addition of acetonitrile improved the enzyme–substrate affinity, while water–t‐butanol mixtures led to a more than ninefold increase in kcat. To rationalize at a molecular level the kinetic results, molecular dynamic simulations were performed. Analysis of the accessibility of the active‐site cavity, solvent occupancy in the site and in the oxyanion hole, and the stability of the catalytic triad in the two solvent mixtures, provided insight into their effects on the catalytic properties of CalB.

Conclusion

The lower occupancy in the oxyanion hole of water molecules and a shorter residence time in the active site of acetonitrile molecules in the acetonitrile–water mixture contribute to the higher enzyme–substrate affinity found experimentally. Conversely, the higher kcat in the t‐butanol mixture is explained by the higher stability of the catalytic triad and by an increase in the nucleophilicity of the catalytic serine due to the persistent presence of t‐butanol molecules in the active site. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Steroidogenic potential of the gonad during sex differentiation in the rice field frog Hoplobatrachus rugulosus (Anura: Dicroglossidae)
Authors: Traijitt Thrissawan , Jaroenporn Sukanya , Nagasawa Kazue , Osada Makoto , Kitana Noppadon , Kitana Jirarach
Published: June 2023

Prior studies demonstrated that gonadal differentiation in the rice field frog, Hoplobatrachus rugulosus, was of an undifferentiated type since all individuals had ovaries at complete metamorphosis. However, the steroidogenic potential of the gonad is still unknown. In this study, H. rugulosus were obtained by stimulating fertilization in the laboratory under natural light and temperature conditions. The gonads were collected and their steroidogenic potential was evaluated by determining the expression level of messenger RNA (mRNA) encoding for cytochrome P450 17‐hydroxylase/C17–20 lyase (CYP17) and cytochrome P450 aromatase (CYP19) using quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR and the localization of CYP17 mRNA in tissues by in situ hybridization. The CYP17 mRNA levels in males at 4–11 weeks postmetamorphosis were higher than in female and intersex gonads. This corresponded to their localization in the gonadal tissues, where CYP17 signals were specifically detected in the Leydig cells of the testis at 5–16 weeks postmetamorphosis but was undetectable in all ovary samples. The CYP19 mRNA levels in females at 4–11 weeks postmetamorphosis was higher than in male and intersex gonads, which corresponded with gonadal development, indicating the potential steroidogenic function of the ovary. Based on the present results, the role of CYP17 and CYP19 mRNA in sex differentiation in H. rugulosus may occur after gonadal sex differentiation and the steroidogenic potential of the gonads exhibited a sexual dimorphic pattern. These results provide a crucial basis for further research on the developmental biology in anuran species.
Sequencing of monkeypox virus from infected patients reveals viral genomes with APOBEC3‐like editing, gene inactivation, and bacterial agents of skin superinfection
Authors: Colson Philippe , Penant Gwilherm , Delerce Jeremy , Boschi Céline , Wurtz Nathalie , Bedotto Marielle , Branger Stéphanie , Brouqui Philippe , Parola Philippe , Lagier Jean‐Christophe , Cassir Nadim , Tissot‐Dupont Hervé , Million Matthieu , Aherfi Sarah , La Scola Bernard
Published: June 2023

A large outbreak of Monkeypox virus (MPXV) infections has arisen in May 2022 in nonendemic countries. Here, we performed DNA metagenomics using next‐generation sequencing with Illumina or Nanopore technologies for clinical samples from MPXV‐infected patients diagnosed between June and July 2022. Classification of the MPXV genomes and determination of their mutational patterns were performed using Nextclade. Twenty‐five samples from 25 patients were studied. A MPXV genome was obtained for 18 patients, essentially from skin lesions and rectal swabbing. All 18 genomes were classified in clade IIb, lineage B.1, and we identified four B.1 sublineages (B.1.1, B.1.10, B.1.12, B.1.14). We detected a high number of mutations (range, 64−73) relatively to a 2018 Nigerian genome (genome GenBank Accession no. NC_063383.1), which were harbored by a large part of a set of 3184 MPXV genomes of lineage B.1 recovered from GenBank and Nextstrain; and we detected 35 mutations relatively to genome ON563414.3 (a B.1 lineage reference genome). Nonsynonymous mutations occurred in genes encoding central proteins, among which transcription factors and core and envelope proteins, and included two mutations that would truncate a RNA polymerase subunit and a phospholipase d‐like protein, suggesting an alternative start codon and gene inactivation, respectively. A large majority (94%) of nucleotide substitutions were G > A or C > U, suggesting the action of human APOBEC3 enzymes. Finally, >1000 reads were identified as from Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes for 3 and 6 samples, respectively. These findings warrant a close genomic monitoring of MPXV to get a better picture of the genetic micro‐evolution and mutational patterns of this virus, and a close clinical monitoring of skin bacterial superinfection in monkeypox patients.
Time‐series transcriptome analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from individuals who received the SARS‐CoV‐2 mRNA vaccine
Authors: Watanabe Yoshiyuki , Yamamoto Hiroyuki , Matsuba Ikuro , Watanabe Karin , Kunishima Tomoyuki , Takechi Yukako , Takuma Tetsuo , Araki Yasushi , Hirotsu Nobuo , Sakai Hiroyuki , Oikawa Ritsuko , Danno Hiroki , Fukuda Masakazu , Sugino Ryuichi , Futagami Seiji , Wada Kota , Itoh Fumio , Tateishi Keisuke , Oda Ichiro , Hatori Yutaka , Degawa Hisakazu
Published: June 2023

Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is an effective prevention strategy, despite a limited understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the host immune system and individual heterogeneity of the variable effects of mRNA vaccination. We assessed the time‐series changes in the comprehensive gene expression profiles of 200 vaccinated healthcare workers by performing bulk transcriptome and bioinformatics analyses, including dimensionality reduction utilizing the uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) technique. For these analyses, blood samples, including peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), were collected from 214 vaccine recipients before vaccination (T1) and on Days 22 (T2, after second dose), 90, 180 (T3, before a booster dose), and 360 (T4, after a booster dose) after receiving the first dose of BNT162b2 vaccine (UMIN000043851). UMAP successfully visualized the main cluster of gene expression at each time point in PBMC samples (T1–T4). Through differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis, we identified genes that showed fluctuating expression levels and gradual increases in expression levels from T1 to T4, as well as genes with increased expression levels at T4 alone. We also succeeded in dividing these cases into five types based on the changes in gene expression levels. High‐throughput and temporal bulk RNA‐based transcriptome analysis is a useful approach for inclusive, diverse, and cost‐effective large‐scale clinical studies.
HSP90: A potential drug target in inflammatory skin diseases
Authors: Rittig A. H. , Bregnhøj A. , Johansen C. , Iversen L.
Published: June 2023

Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is a chaperone protein belonging to the HSP family. HSP90 modulates clients by stabilising, folding, maturing, and tagging clients for proteasomal degradation. Several clients of HSP90 are involved in cancer development and HSP90 is required for some oncoproteins, making HSP90 a potential target in anticancer treatment. Recently HSP90 has also been suggested as a potential drug target in inflammatory skin diseases based on both in vitro and in vivo studies in animal models and human clinical trials. The role of HSP90 in blistering skin diseases has been studied in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo using animal models. Human clinical studies investigating HSP90 inhibition in psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa have either been conducted or are ongoing and in vitro and ex vivo studies have investigated the role of HSP90 in systemic lupus erythematosus and diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis. Here, we review the current literature investigating the role of HSP90 in these diseases.
University board composition and institutional outcomes
Authors: Coffey Katherine , Monks James
Published: June 2023

Numerous studies examine corporate boards of directors' composition and firm performance. Far less is known about the factors influencing university boards' composition and university outcomes. This paper fills this void by examining the relationship between university board selection processes and constituent representation, board composition in terms of size and demographic composition, and the influence of board composition on institutional outcomes. We find that institutional sector, Carnegie classification, and wealth predict board size, and that institutions with larger boards tend to have more favorable institutional outcomes. Board gender and racial composition is less correlated with outcomes than is board size.
Relationship between work engagement and healthy work environment among Chinese ICU nurses: The mediating role of psychological capital
Authors: Xue Xiujuan , Qiao Jianhong , Li Yupei , Zhang Qiuyue , Wang Yeqing , Wang Jianhao , Xu Cuiping
Published: June 2023

Aim

To evaluate the relationship between healthy work environment and work engagement considering the effect of psychological capital among ICU nurses.

Design

The study was cross‐sectional design.

Methods

The subjects were 671 registered nurses from 20 ICUs in 18 general hospitals in Shandong province between October 2021 and December 2021. The questionnaires testing nurses' perception of healthy work environment, their work engagement, and psychological capital were used. Structural equation modeling was used to explore their relationship.

Results

Work engagement was positively affected by a healthy work environment and psychological capital. The structural equation modeling showed psychological capital mediated the relationship between healthy work environment and their work engagement.

Patient or Public Contribution

There were 681 clinical nurses reported at public contribution for responding to the questionnaires and providing valuable data for the study and there was no patient contribution in this study.
Changing the landscape of automotive 3D sensing
Authors: Everett Matthew , Skidmore Jay , Ju Alex
Published: June 2023

VCSEL‐based lidar solutions can accelerate the adoption of ADAS – and ultimately, fully autonomous vehicles – by providing higher performance, greater efficiency, increased accuracy, and higher reliability at a lower cost, compared to existing systems. The flexibility of VCSEL technology makes these systems suitable for 3D sensing applications throughout the car, including in‐cabin sensing, short‐range sensing (<1 m), and long‐range sensing (>200 m).
Identification and functional characterization of eight novel tpp family genes from Bacillus thuringiensis
Authors: Cao Beibei , Sun Xiaoni , Shu Changlong , Geng Lili , Zhang Jie
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and its transgenic crops are widely used as biological control agents for agricultural pests. The tpp family is a branch of Bt insecticidal genes and consists of a few members. Research on the Tpp family proteins has focused on the binary toxins Gpp34Ab/Tpp35Ab and Tpp1/Tpp2, which need to function together to achieve insecticidal activity. However, only a few tpp family genes have been reported to exert insecticidal activity independently. This study aimed to identify and characterize tpp family genes that independently perform insecticidal functions.

RESULTS

A total of 162 nucleotide sequences homologous to the single component Bt insecticidal gene tpp78Aa were obtained from the genome data of 1368 wild‐type Bt strains, and 25 new full‐length tpp family genes were identified. Eight new tpp family genes were successfully cloned and expressed, and bioassays of the expressed products were performed against five different pests. Bioassay results showed that these proteins exerted high insecticidal activity only against Laodelphax striatellus, a globally important rice pest, and were named Tpp78Ab1, Tpp78Bb1, Tpp78Ca1, Tpp78Da1, Tpp80Aa3, Tpp80Ac1, Tpp80Ad1, and Tpp80Ae1. The LC50 values of Tpp78Ab1, Tpp78Bb1, Tpp78Ca1, and Tpp80Ae1 against L. striatum were 8.1, 8.6, 10.1, and 9.6 μg mL−1, respectively. The phylogenetic tree and conserved motifs indicated that the Tpp family had a common evolutionary ancestor. During evolution, the C‐terminal pore‐forming domain of the Tpp family adopted a similar arrangement; however, the N‐terminal conserved motif showed high variability.

CONCLUSION

Twenty‐five full‐length tpp family genes were identified. Eight new tpp family genes were cloned successfully, which could independently achieve insecticidal activity against L. striatellus. This provides abundant genetic resources for the biological control of important rice pests. In this study, we found that the relative conservation of the Tpp family proteins in the lengthy evolutionary process and the diversity generated for adapting to the environment can lay a theoretical foundation for an in‐depth analysis of the function and evolution of the Tpp family. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Dynamics of spatial and temporal population structure of Pyricularia oryzae in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Yi‐Nian , Wu Dong‐Hong , Chen Mei‐Chun , Hsieh Meng‐Ting , Jwo Woei‐Shyuan , Lin Guo‐Cih , Chen Rong‐Kuen , Chou Hau‐Ping , Chen Pei‐Chen
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND

To gain a better understanding of how Pyricularia oryzae population shifts is important for selecting suitable resistance genes for rice breeding programs. However, the relationships between P. oryzae pathogenic dynamics, geographic distribution, rice varieties, and timeline are not well studied.

RESULTS

Resistance genes Piz‐5, Pi9(t), Pi12(t), Pi20(t), Pita‐2, and Pi11 showed stable resistance to the Taiwan rice blast fungus over 8 years of observations. Furthermore, 1749 rice blast isolates were collected from 2014 to 2021 and categorized into five pathotype clusters based on their correlation analysis between the geographic sources and virulence of Lijiangxintuanheigu monogenic lines. A detailed map of their distributions in Taiwan is presented. Isolates collected from the western region of Taiwan had greater pathotype diversity than those from the east region. Isolates collected from the subtropical region had greater diversity than those from the tropical region. Rice cultivars carrying Pik alleles were highly susceptible to pathotype L4. Cultivars with Piz‐t were highly susceptible to pathotype L5, and those with Pish were highly susceptible to pathotype L1. The geographical distribution of each pathotype was distinct, and the population size of each pathotype fluctuated significantly each year.

CONCLUSION

The regional mega cultivars significantly impact the evolution of Pyricularia oryzae in Taiwan within the span of 8 years. However, the annual fluctuation of pathotype populations likely correlate to the rising annual temperatures that selected pathotype clusters by their optimal growth temperature. The results will provide useful information for effective disease management, and enable the R‐genes to prolong their function in the fields. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Development of the efficient preparation method for thermoresponsive elastin‐like peptides using liquid‐phase synthesis combined with fragment condensation strategy
Authors: Yoshida Kohei , Suyama Keitaro , Matsushita Shin , Maeda Iori , Nose Takeru
Published: June 2023

Elastin‐like peptides (ELPs) are synthetic peptides that mimic the characteristic hydrophobic amino acid repeat sequences of elastin and exhibit temperature‐dependent reversible self‐assembly properties. ELPs are expected to be used as temperature‐responsive biomolecular materials across diverse industrial and research fields, and there is a requirement for a straightforward method to mass‐produce them. Previously, we demonstrated that phenylalanine‐containing ELP analogs, namely, (FPGVG)n, can undergo coacervation with short chains (n = 5). The Fmoc solid‐phase peptide synthesis method is one strategy used to synthesize these short ELPs. However, owing to its low reaction efficiency, an efficient method for preparing ELPs is required. In this study, efficient preparation of ELPs was investigated using a liquid‐phase synthesis method with a hydrophobic benzyl alcohol support (HBA‐tag). Because HBA‐tags are highly hydrophobic, they can be easily precipitated by the addition of poor solvents and recovered by filtration. This property allows the method to combine the advantages of the simplicity of solid‐phase methods and the high reaction efficiency of liquid‐phase methods. By utilizing liquid‐phase fragment condensation with HBA‐tags, short ELPs were successfully obtained in high yield and purity. Finally, the temperature‐dependent response of the ELPs generated through fragment condensation was assessed using turbidity measurements, which revealed a reversible phase transition. Consequently, the ELPs exhibited a reversible phase transition, indicating successful synthesis of ELPs via fragment preparation with tags. These findings provide evidence of the potential for mass production of ELPs using this approach.
What's keeping kids up at night? How psychosocial stressors exacerbate the relationship between sleep and mental health
Authors: Malika Nipher , Van Dyk Tori R. , Alemi Qais , Belliard Juan Carlos , Fisher Catherine , Ortiz Larry , Montgomery Susanne
Published: June 2023

Background

Although it is well established that healthy sleep promotes positive mental health, little is known about how sleep operates in children and adolescents who experience a range of psychosocial stressors. This study examined the association between sleep duration and serious mental illness (SMI) and how this pathway is moderated by psychosocial stressors (discrimination, bullying, and perceived school and neighborhood safety).

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted among students in a California school district serving a low‐income community in 2019–2020. A non‐probability convenience sampling method was used, and surveys were administered in English, in a single class period. Basic descriptive statistics and a hierarchical linear regression analysis were used.

Results

Students (n = 24,439) in grades 5–12 were surveyed. An average of 18.7% of the students reported having SMI; however, distribution increased by grade from 13.6% in 5th grade to 24.5% in 11th grade. Sleep duration was inversely associated with SMI, as the hours of sleep decreased, the risk of SMI increased. The negative effect of poor sleep on SMI was further exacerbated by perceived discrimination at school (β = 0.13, p < 0.001), feeling unsafe in one's neighborhood (β = 0.32, p < 0.001), feeling unsafe at school (β = 0.23, p < 0.001), and being bullied at school (β = 0.54, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study was demonstrated that increased sleep among children and adolescents was associated with reduced SMI. However, in the presence of psychosocial stressors (discrimination, bullying, and perceived school and neighborhood safety), the effect of sleep on SMI was moderated and despite increased sleep.
Metal‐Free, Oxidative Condensation of Heteroaryl‐ and Aryl Carbaldehydes towards Functionalized Carbonitriles
Authors: Agyei Eric A. , Carrick Jesse D.
Published: June 2023

Functionalization of pyridines with the carbonitrile group for advanced cyclization reactions routinely incorporates metals, toxic oxidants, and cyanide reagents, often in linear synthetic sequences. Motivated by the strategic need of a heteroaryl carbonitrile synthon for further elaboration, we disclose an efficient, metal‐free, one‐pot reaction sequence that uses ammonium acetate as the nitrogen source and bis‐acetoxyiodobenzene as the oxidant with low loadings. The developed method tolerates a diverse substrate scope including heteroaryl, aryl, and alkyl substrates with similar efficiency and expands the practitioner's reaction. Method development, optimization, substrate scope, preliminary mechanistic observations, competition experiments, and a scale up reaction are delineated herein.
2D Nano Covalent Organic Frameworks – A Porous Polymeric Promising Material Exploring New Prospects of Drug Delivery in Cancer Therapeutics
Authors: Chandran Akash , Abhirami N. , Sudhina S. , Chandran Mahesh , Janeesh P. A.
Published: June 2023

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Despite there are numerous treatments available for cancer therapy, early detection and efficient treatment with least side effects is still challenging. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are emerging crystalline porous polymeric material comprised of light weight atoms like H, B, C, N and O. The Unique characteristics of COFs is its porosity, large surface area and bio‐compatibility which makes them a suitable candidate for potential biomedical applications especially in cancer therapeutics, through targeted drug delivery. This review focused on general introduction of porous materials, history of COFs, an overview on cancer, brief discussion on the various synthetic strategies, dynamic linkages in COFs and potential biomedical application of COFs such as targeted drug delivery, photo thermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT). This review aims to provide in‐depth knowledge about COFs and its application in cancer therapeutics.
What Limits the Voltage of GaAs Photovoltaic Devices under Low Indoor Light?
Authors: Hamadani Behrang H. , Stevens Margaret A. , Lumb Matthew P. , Schmieder Kenneth J.
Published: June 2023

The external radiative efficiency of a photovoltaic device is a useful metric to compare different photovoltaic technologies and material systems. However, under low‐intensity indoor lighting, a particular open‐circuit voltage dependence arises that cannot be described using the assumption of a constant external radiative efficiency, as often assumed at higher illumination intensities. As a result, the external radiative efficiency at 1 sun conditions no longer becomes a useful comparison metric for devices at indoor lighting levels. By use of absolute electroluminescence measurements of gallium arsenide photovoltaic (PV) cells, the current density dependence of the external radiative efficiency is explored and it is shown that the functional form of this dependence dictates the open‐circuit voltage losses in the low‐intensity limit. This dependence is quantified with a mathematical treatment that takes advantage of a widely accepted recombination current model in III–V photovoltaic devices, and this model is used to study the dependence of PV device open‐circuit voltage at low intensity with varying non‐radiative recombination rates.
How institutional leaders can support educators in making practices high impact
Authors: LePeau Lucy A. , Museus Samuel D.
Published: June 2023

Authors discuss traps institutional leaders may fall into when supporting or leveraging high‐impact practices to promote equitable student success and then provide recommendations for leaders to support educators in cultivating culturally relevant and responsive practices for diverse student populations that can become high impact.
A liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry method for the analysis of sucralose and five glycoside sweeteners
Authors: Moldoveanu Serban C.
Published: June 2023

The present study describes sensitive liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry methods for the analysis of sucralose, mogroside V, neohesperidin dihydrochalcone, rebaudioside A, stevioside, and glycyrrhizic acid. All these compounds are used as sugar substitutes in food, beverages, and dietary supplements, and can be present in environmental and biological samples. The method describes the quantitation at levels as low as 10 ng/ml with a signal‐to‐noise significantly higher than 10 for the lowest standard, indicating a very low limit of quantification for all analytes. The method uses positive ionization liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry with the molecular ion [M + Cs]+ and Cs+ fragment ion (M is the analyte). The molecular ion [M + Cs]+ is generated by adding a low level of Cs+ in the mobile phase of high‐performance liquid chromatography separation. The advantages obtained using [M + Cs]+ as molecular ions are related to the high sensitivity and simplicity of the method compared to other liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry procedures. As proof of functionality, the method was utilized for the analysis of sweeteners in several energy drinks. The high sensitivity of the liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry method was not needed for this type of analysis but for samples with low levels of sweeteners, the method can be highly beneficial.
Defective Amorphous Carbon‐Coated Carbon Nanotube‐Loaded Ruthenium Nanoparticles as Efficient Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Production
Authors: Meng Weixue , Wang Jing , Zhang Ding , Xu Jie , Guo Fengmei , Zhang Yingjiu , Pang Rui , Cao Anyuan , Shang Yuanyuan
Published: June 2023

Compared with hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) under acidic conditions, the kinetic steps of alkaline HER are more complex, which involves the adsorption and cleavage of water molecules. Defect and interface engineering are two important means to enhance basic HER. In order to prepare catalysts with high activity and stability under both acidic and basic conditions, a defective amorphous carbon loaded with Ru nanoparticles coaxially wrapped around a carbon nanotube (CNT) sponge network is presented. The presence of amorphous carbon can promote the uniform loading of Ru nanoparticles and limit the growth of Ru nanoparticles, and also the introduction of oxygen defects can regulate the electronic structure of the metal and improve its charge transport capacity, thus enhancing the catalytic performance. The catalyst CNT/C/Ru0.37 wt%‐700 prepared under optimized conditions exhibits excellent stability and activity. At a current density of 10 mA cm−2, the overpotential of HER is as low as 38.3 and 36.2 mV under alkaline and acidic conditions, respectively, which is better than most reported Ru‐based catalysts. This study details innovative and feasible ideas for the design and preparation of loaded catalysts, which can contribute to the development of high‐performance electrochemical catalysts.
A High‐Performance Zinc–Air Battery Cathode Catalyst from Recycling of Spent Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries
Authors: Luo Kun , Zhou Mu , Liu Tong , Zhuge Xiangqun , Liu Terence Xiaoteng , Bayati Maryam , Ren Yurong , Luo Zhihong
Published: June 2023

A novel recycling process of the conductive agent in spent lithium iron phosphate batteries is demonstrated. Wet chemistry is applied in recovering lithium and iron phosphate, and the filter residue is calcined with a small amount of recovered iron phosphate in N2 at 900 °C to form a FeNP‐codoped carbon catalyst, which exhibits a low half‐wave potential and excellent durability for oxygen reduction. When applied in a rechargeable Zn–air battery, the power density can reach 80 mW cm−2.
Simultaneously Enhancing Adsorbed Hydrogen and Dinitrogen to Enable Efficient Electrochemical NH3 Synthesis on Sm(OH)3
Authors: Lv Zengxiang , Li Zexu , Liu Honghong , Li Weixiang , Wu Tai-Sing , Hong Song , Ruan Yukun , Soo Yun-Liang , Hao Leiduan , Xu Liang , Robertson Alex W. , Xiong Pei , Li Molly Meng-Jung , Ding Liang-Xin , Sun Zhenyu
Published: June 2023

The electrochemical N2 reduction reaction (ENRR), driven by renewable electricity and run under ambient conditions, offers a promising sustainable avenue for carbon‐neutral NH3 production. Yet, to efficiently bind and activate the inert N2 remains challenge. Herein, effective and stable electrochemical NH3 synthesis on Sm(OH)3 via enhanced adsorption of hydrogen and dinitrogen by dual integration of sulfur dopants and oxygen vacancies (VO) is reported. The resulting S‐doped lanthanide electrocatalyst attains both a good NH3 yield rate, exceeding 21 μgNH3 h−1 mgcat.−1, and an NH3 faradaic efficiency of over 29% at −0.3 V (vs reversible hydrogen electrode) in an H‐type cell using a neutral electrolyte, figures of merit that are largely maintained after 2 days of consecutive polarization. Density functional theory calculations show that the adsorption energy barrier of N2 on S‐Sm(OH)3(VO) is greatly lowered by the introduction of VO. In addition, the S sites improve the adsorption of hydrogen produced via the Volmer reaction, which is conducive to the formation of the *N–NH intermediate (i.e., the potential determining step, PDS) on adjacent Sm sites, and thereby significantly promotes the reaction kinetics of ENRR. The PDS free energy for the catalyst is comparable with the values at the peak of the ENRR volcano plots of leading transition metal catalyst surfaces.
Experimental and analytical studies on shrinkage and creep behavior of RC walls and prisms
Authors: Shariff Mohammad Najeeb , Menon Devdas , Saravanan Umakanthan
Published: June 2023

A component level experimental study has been carried out on four reinforced concrete (RC) walls subjected to a sustained compressive load for a period of 1 year and shrinkage tests on 10 prisms under ambient environmental conditions. Two extreme longitudinal reinforcement percentages and two grades of concrete were considered and their influence on the time‐dependent behavior studied. It was observed that both longitudinal percentage of steel and concrete grade have a significant influence on the time‐dependent strains. The evolution of time‐dependent strain in RC member was also predicted, adequately accounting for the effect of reinforcement, using a theoretical model which can employ any linear viscoelastic constitutive law for concrete and a linear elastic constitutive law for reinforcing steel. The ACI 209 and fib MC 10 recommendations for creep and shrinkage of plain concrete have been used for the prediction of long‐term strains. It is demonstrated that the analysis predicts the time‐dependent strains reasonably well (with a statistical mean deviation error of 1.16 and 1.00) for the creep tests on RC walls, when the compliance function proposed by ACI and fib is used. However, in the case of shrinkage tests, the accuracy with both ACI and fib models was limited (1.64 and 1.66, respectively). It is further demonstrated that by suitably recalibrating the compliance and shrinkage parameters in both ACI and fib models, the accuracy of shrinkage prediction in the companion RC specimens improves significantly with mean deviation error of 1.07 and 1.05 for ACI and fib models, respectively.
An approach for restoration of the water quality with emphasis on the removal of organochlorine pesticides and eutrophic conditions in tropical rivers
Authors: Márquez‐Romance Adriana , Freytez‐Boggio Estefania , Maldonado‐Maldonado Julio , Cárdenas‐Izaguirre Samuel , Pérez‐Rodríguez Manuel , Luque‐Mirabal Oswaldo , Guevara‐Pérez Edilberto , Pérez‐Pacheco Sergio , Buroz‐Castillo Eduardo
Published: June 2023

This work deals with an approach for the water quality restoration with emphasis on the removal of organochlorine pesticides and eutrophic conditions in tropical rivers, causing influence on the management of the central‐regional aqueduct, as a source of water supply for human consumption (4 million people) and industrial production in the states of Carabobo, Cojedes and Aragua, Venezuela, testing the phytoremediation techniques through Vetiveria zizanioides (VZ) species and coupled bioreactors, Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) followed by an Upflow Anaerobic Filter in Three Separate Stages (UAF‐3SS). Five rivers are involved known as Chirgua, Paito Guacara, Ereigüe, and Tucutunemo, whose waters have been classified as hypereutrophic, and containing organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). As a sample, for Tucutunemo River, OCPs included to DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) and its isomers and DRINs (Aldrin, Endrin and Dieldrin) dissolved in water and sorbed on sediments, which were measured during the dry and rainy seasons in the period 2013 to 2016, in three monitoring stations distributed in a reach of 15 km. The results indicated that p.p′‐DDT concentration dissolved in water was increased up to 10 times from rainy to dry seasons, indicating that a permanent use of it is being carried out by farmers in the agricultural activity development. Steady concentrations of the DTT isomers (e.g., p.p′‐DDD and p.p′‐DDE) and Aldrin isomers (e.g., Dieldrin) demonstrated that the anaerobic and aerobic biodegradation processes occurred along the river and between climatic seasons. At experimental scale, VZ hydroponic system developed over a period of 6 months for the removal of nutrients demonstrated moderately low to high removal efficiencies. With respect coupled bioreactors, each bioreactor has been experimentally tested, demonstrating satisfactory performance in Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal from industrial wastewater containing recalcitrant and inhibitory substances (46%–98%), which was estimated in the influent ranging from 3500 to 5500 mg/L, evidencing that coupling of bioreactors might lead to a effluent COD complying with environmental regulations.
Sentiment analysis using fuzzy logic: A comprehensive literature review
Authors: Vashishtha Srishti , Gupta Vedika , Mittal Mamta
Published: June 2023

Understanding and comprehending humans' views, beliefs, attitudes, or opinions toward a particular entity is sentiment analysis (SA). Advancements in e‐commerce platforms has led to an abundance of the real‐time and free forms of opinions floating on social media platforms. This real‐world data are imprecise and vague hence fuzzy logic is required to deal with such subjective data. Since opinions can be fuzzy in nature and definitions of opinion words can be elucidated differently; fuzzy logic has witnessed itself as an effective method to capture the expression of opinions. The study presents an elaborate review of the around 170 published research works for SA using fuzzy logic. The primary emphasis is focused on text‐based SA, audio‐based SA, and fusion of text‐audio features‐based SA. This article discusses the various novel ways of classifying fuzzy logic‐based SA research articles, which have not been accomplished by any other review article till date. The article puts forward the importance of SA tasks and identifies how fuzzy logic adds to this importance. Finally, the article outlines a taxonomy for sentiment classification based on the technique‐supervised and unsupervised in the SA models and comprehensively reviews the SA approaches specific to their task. Prominently, this study highlights the suitability of fuzzy‐based SA approaches into five different classes vis‐a‐vis (a) Sentiment Cognition from Words using fuzzy logic, (b) Sentiment Cognition from Phrases using fuzzy logic, (c) Fuzzy‐rule based SA, (d) Neuro‐fuzzy network‐based SA, and (e) Fuzzy Emotion Recognition.

This article is categorized under:

Algorithmic Development > Text Mining

Fundamental Concepts of Data and Knowledge > Motivation and Emergence of Data Mining
Failure Where Alignment is Lacking: Type 26 Frigate Procurement Processes in Australia Versus Canada, 1990–2022
Authors: Migone Andrea , Howlett Alexander , Howlett Michael
Published: June 2023

In this chapter we take a broader look at large-scale naval procurement than is usually done by defence or policy analysis in isolation, focussing on the planned purchases of the British BAE Systems’Type 26frigate by both Canada and Australia. We argue that successful procurement/implementation in naval procurement in general requires the existence of (1) a clear naval doctrine that supports a rational for the procurement of a particular weapon system and (2) the acceptance on the part of the government of that doctrine along with a commitment to ensuring strategic alignment with it. If these two areas are aligned, as they were in Australia, procurement should proceed relatively smoothly, but issues can emerge if the doctrine is missing or unclear and/or if the government disagrees with the doctrine put forward by the military, and prioritizes purchases in other areas or services, as occurred in Canada.
Conclusion: Lessons from Military Procurement for Procurement Studies
Authors: Migone Andrea , Howlett Alexander , Howlett Michael
Published: June 2023

Procurement is a hugely important but understudied aspect of public policy-making, broaching the borders between it and cognate fields such as public administration and, in the case of defence procurement between public policy studies writ large and areas such as war and defence studies. The military field, however, provides an excellent set of empirical cases for the examination of some of the most problematic types of procurement—those involving large, multi-year purchases, such as the construction of megaprojects like hydroelectric dams and nuclear power stations, which share the same characteristics as do the acquisition of large complex weapon systems like warships and aircraft. This book represents an effort to bring together the insights of different fields from public management to defence studies in order to shed light on the background of some of the largest procurement projects in Canadian and Australian history, and also to advance thinking and research on the subject of procurement more generally.
Constant Flow Injection
Authors: Zhao Yu , Zhang Yongfa , He Pengfei
Published: June 2023

The hydro-mechanical coupling is one of the research hotspots in the fields of petroleum, mining and tunneling engineering.
Some Basic Concepts and Systems
Authors: Zhang Chenyang
Published: June 2023

Before we start to explore specific aspects and procedures of civil litigation in China, it is necessary to look through some basic concepts and systems under the Chinese law first. This chapter will cover such aspects as China’s 4-level court system, how many instances will a civil case go through, how cases are numbered and what information does the case number reveal, what is cause of action and its functions, how much court fee do the parties need to pay, and an overview of the whole process of civil litigation in China. At last, a brief introduction to Chinese lawyers’ role and function is presented as well. We hope this chapter could help readers build a framework of China’s civil litigation system and go through other sections of this book more efficiently.
Enforcement
Authors: Zhang Chenyang
Published: June 2023

In China, if the losing party does not take the initiative to satisfy an effective court judgment, arbitral award and other legal documents, the winning party may apply to the court for enforcement. Then the court may deduct the deposit and/or auction the property of the losing party and use the money/proceeds obtained therefrom to repay the winning party. However, this enforcement power is exclusively vested in the court, and the winning party cannot seize and/or dispose of the property of the losing party on its own. Due to the large number of enforcement cases, the difficulty in tracking down enforceable property and the insufficient punishment against dishonest judgment debtors, China has been plagued by the “difficulty in enforcement” for a long time. In China, the main reason for the “difficulty in enforcement” is that it is difficult to track down the enforceable property of the party subject to enforcement. In order to resolve this problem, Chinese courts have vigorously promoted the information system interconnection between different government departments, which has greatly improved the efficiency of tracking down and/or freezing the property of the party subject to enforcement through the information network system. Another reason for the “difficulty in enforcement” is that it is difficult to sell off non-cash properties. Chinese courts have carried out judicial auctions through the Internet, which has greatly improved the deal closing rate and increased the transaction price of the property auctioned, and greatly improved the possibility of the applicant being compensated. Other than the above approaches, Chinese courts may also impose various restrictions and punishments on dishonest judgment debtors. There are various restrictions and punishments and the implementation thereof depends on the interconnection of different information network systems. If the circumstances in which the party subject to enforcement evades or resists enforcement are serious, the Chinese court may also hold it criminally responsible. In addition, being a contracting state to the United Nations Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (hereinafter referred to as the “New York Convention”), China has been holding a quite friendly attitude towards the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards. In practice, most foreign arbitral awards can be recognized and enforced in China. Compared with the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards, there are more requirements and preconditions for the recognition and enforcement of foreign court judgments. Nevertheless, China is now relaxing these requirements and preconditions, and more and more foreign court judgments are being recognized and enforced. With continuous efforts of relevant departments, the enforcement conducted by Chinese courts is getting increasingly effective. We firmly believe that Chinese courts can further improve the enforcement effectiveness as day goes by.
Service of Court Documents
Authors: Zhang Chenyang
Published: June 2023

The court documents will be served after the determination of adjudicatory personnel. In China, the service of court documents is effected by the court, with necessary assistance from the party if needed. Chinese courts may serve court documents by personal service, service by mail and the like. In practice, service by mail is the preferred method of service among most Chinese courts. However, to improve the efficiency of service, Chinese courts are now actively trying electronic service. If court documents cannot be served by the foregoing means, the court may also resort to service by publication. Due to fast and widespread population migration and intentional evasion of the service of court documents, Chinese courts are facing “difficulty in effecting service of court documents” to a certain extent, which in turn upsets the litigation efficiency. To solve this problem, Chinese courts have taken various measures, which significantly improve the efficiency of service. If the defendant is a foreign party without domicile in China, the Chinese court may serve court documents on its designated personnel or organization in China. In the absence of such personnel or organization, Chinese courts usually serve court documents in accordance with international treaties such as the Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters (hereinafter referred to as the “Hague Service Convention”). To the extent permitted by the internal law of the state of the person to be served, Chinese courts may also serve court documents by mail and electronic means. Anyway, service by publication still remains the last resort for service of court documents of Chinese courts. As a contracting state to the Hague Service Convention, China is obligated to assist foreign courts in service of court documents in accordance therewith. For this purpose, Chinese courts have also stipulated a clear process for assisting foreign courts in service of court documents. If there are bilateral treaties between China and other contracting states to the Hague Service Convention, there will be some flexibilities in the application of either the Hague Service Convention or bilateral treaties.
Cutting the Coon amplitude
Authors: Jepsen Christian Baadsgaard
Published: June 2023

Abstract

The Coon amplitude is a q-deformed generalization of the Veneziano amplitude exhibiting a semi-infinite sequence of poles that converge on an accumulation point, from which a branch cut emerges. A number of recent papers have provided compelling evidence that the residues of this amplitude satisfy the positivity requirements imposed by unitarity. This paper investigates whether positivity is also satisfied along the branch cut. It is demonstrated for a wide range of q-values that positivity violations occur in a region of the branch cut exponentially close to the accumulation point according to a scale set by q. The closing section of the paper discusses possible interpretations of this fact and strategies for excising negativity from the partial wave coefficients.

An appendix presents derivations of instrumental identities relating the q-gamma and q-polygamma functions to the Weierstrass elliptic and quasiperiodic functions.
Nachhaltigkeit in der Intensiv- und Notfallversorgung
Authors: Garcia Borrega Jorge , Hermes Carsten , König Victoria , Kitz Valery , Möller Sverrir , Stark Dominik , Janssens Uwe , Mager David , Kochanek Matthias
Published: June 2023

Hintergrund

Die Auswirkungen des Klimawandels auf den Menschen sind bekannt. Das Gesundheitssystem trägt je nach Land mit zwischen 5 % und 7 % der Treibhausgasemissionen auch selbst einen relevanten Anteil dazu bei und eine Anpassung zu einem nachhaltigeren Arbeiten ist nötig.

Ziel der Arbeit

Die Umfrage untersucht, ob Nachhaltigkeit im Krankenhaus und speziell im Bereich der Notfall- und Intensivversorgung eine Rolle spielt. Erfragt wurden auch konkrete Maßnahmen zur Nachhaltigkeit und welche Hürden vorhanden sind.

Material und Methoden

Die AG Nachhaltigkeit der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Internistische Intensivmedizin und Notfallmedizin (DGIIN) führte eine elektronische Befragung unter dem Personal von Intensivstationen, Notaufnahmen und Rettungsdiensten in Deutschland durch.

Ergebnisse

In die Auswertungen wurden 218 Umfrageergebnisse eingeschlossen. Insgesamt 108 (50 %) Teilnehmende kamen aus dem Pflegebereich und 98 (45 %) gehören dem ärztlichen Personal an. Die Mehrzahl der Teilnehmenden arbeitet auf einer Intensivstation (181 [83 %]) gefolgt von der Intermediate-Care-Station (52 [24 %]). 104 (47 %) Teilnehmende gaben an, dass ihre Arbeitsstätte schon Maßnahmen zur Nachhaltigkeit umgesetzt hat. Die Einschätzung, ob die Geschäftsführung das Thema Nachhaltigkeit in ihre Entscheidungen einfließen lässt, wurde bei nur 20 % angegeben. Potenzial für Verbesserung werden unter anderen im Energie- und Abfallmanagement gesehen.

Diskussion

Die Umfrageergebnisse zeigen, dass 1. eine hohe Motivation der Mitarbeitenden besteht, sich mit dem Thema Nachhaltigkeit auseinanderzusetzen und Maßnahmen umzusetzen, und 2. das Potenzial, ein ressourcenschonendes und umweltfreundliches Krankenhaus zu etablieren, längst nicht ausgeschöpft ist. 3. Es muss Priorität werden, dass Entscheidungsträger:innen im Krankenhaus Nachhaltigkeit propagieren, Prozesse transparent gestalten und die Motivation der Mitarbeitenden zum Thema Nachhaltigkeit unterstützen. Darüber hinaus muss dieser Prozess von Politik und Gesundheitskassen mitgetragen werden.