bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nanoporous PdIr alloy for high-efficiency and durable water splitting in acidic media
Authors: Shi Jinyue , Kao Cheng-wei , Lan Jiao , Jiang Kang , Peng Ming , Luo Min , Lu Ying-Rui , Zhang Shiguo , Tan Yongwen
Published: May 2023

A nanoporous Pd50Ir50alloy is developed for water splitting bifunctional electrocatalysis by metallurgical alloy design and electrochemical dealloying method, outperforming the state-of-the-art catalysts, commercial Pt/C and Ir/C under 0.5 M H2SO4.
Enhancing the catalytic efficiency and stability of photoenzymes using hydrogen-bonded organic framework material HOF-101
Authors: Li Guohua , Lv Xifeng , Ji Wei , Zhou Yegui , Lin Zhiwen , Cao Hui , Tan Tianwei
Published: May 2023

Hydrogen-bonded organic skeleton material (HOF-101) was first applied in the field of photoenzyme catalyzed reaction, which improved the efficiency and stability of photoenzyme catalyzed reaction.
The long and short of EJC-independent nonsense-mediated RNA decay
Authors: Muñoz Oscar , Lore Mlana , Jagannathan Sujatha
Published: May 2023

Nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD) plays a dual role as an RNA surveillance mechanism against aberrant transcripts containing premature termination codons and as a gene regulatory mechanism for normal physiological transcripts. This dual function is possible because NMD recognizes its substrates based on the functional definition of a premature translation termination event. An efficient mode of NMD target recognition involves the presence of exon-junction complexes (EJCs) downstream of the terminating ribosome. A less efficient, but highly conserved, mode of NMD is triggered by long 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs) that lack EJCs (termed EJC-independent NMD). While EJC-independent NMD plays an important regulatory role across organisms, our understanding of its mechanism, especially in mammalian cells, is incomplete. This review focuses on EJC-independent NMD and discusses the current state of knowledge and factors that contribute to the variability in the efficiency of this mechanism.
The assembly of the MCM2–7 hetero-hexamer and its significance in DNA replication
Authors: Hatoyama Yuki , Kanemaki Masato T.
Published: May 2023

The mini-chromosome maintenance proteins 2–7 (MCM2–7) hexamer is a protein complex that is key for eukaryotic DNA replication, which occurs only once per cell cycle. To achieve DNA replication, eukaryotic cells developed multiple mechanisms that control the timing of the loading of the hexamer onto chromatin and its activation as the replicative helicase. MCM2–7 is highly abundant in proliferating cells, which confers resistance to replication stress. Thus, the presence of an excess of MCM2–7 is important for maintaining genome integrity. However, the mechanism via which high MCM2–7 levels are achieved, other than the transcriptional upregulation of the MCM genes in the G1 phase, remained unknown. Recently, we and others reported that the MCM-binding protein (MCMBP) plays a role in the maintenance of high MCM2–7 levels and hypothesized that MCMBP functions as a chaperone in the assembly of the MCM2–7 hexamer. In this review, we discuss the roles of MCMBP in the control of MCM proteins and propose a model of the assembly of the MCM2–7 hexamer. Furthermore, we discuss a potential mechanism of the licensing checkpoint, which arrests the cells in the G1 phase when the levels of chromatin-bound MCM2–7 are reduced, and the possibility of targeting MCMBP as a chemotherapy for cancer.
Dinner date: Neisseria gonorrhoeae central carbon metabolism and pathogenesis
Authors: Potter Aimee D. , Criss Alison K.
Published: May 2023

Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the causative agent of the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea, is a human-adapted pathogen that does not productively infect other organisms. The ongoing relationship between N. gonorrhoeae and the human host is facilitated by the exchange of nutrient resources that allow for N. gonorrhoeae growth in the human genital tract. What N. gonorrhoeae ‘eats' and the pathways used to consume these nutrients have been a topic of investigation over the last 50 years. More recent investigations are uncovering the impact of N. gonorrhoeae metabolism on infection and inflammatory responses, the environmental influences driving N. gonorrhoeae metabolism, and the metabolic adaptations enabling antimicrobial resistance. This mini-review is an introduction to the field of N. gonorrhoeae central carbon metabolism in the context of pathogenesis. It summarizes the foundational work used to characterize N. gonorrhoeae central metabolic pathways and the effects of these pathways on disease outcomes, and highlights some of the most recent advances and themes under current investigation. This review ends with a brief description of the current outlook and technologies under development to increase understanding of how the pathogenic potential of N. gonorrhoeae is enabled by metabolic adaptation.
Integer codes correcting single errors and detecting burst errors within two bytes
Authors: Radonjic Aleksandar , Ristic Igor , Scepanovic Ivan
Published: May 2023

The need for fast communication has led to the introduction of 100 Gbps optics in local area networks (LANs). To avoid retransmission of corrupted packets, in some LANs, the CRC codes were replaced by Reed‐Solomon (RS) codes. Although this solution has met its primary goal, it has two drawbacks: first, the payload size was significantly reduced, and second, each network node had to be equipped with much more complex hardware, which increased the cost of the network. Starting from the fact that the vast majority of corrupted packets contain only single errors, in this paper, a simple strategy for error control in 100 Gbps optical LANs is presented. More precisely, instead of protecting the data with the CRC or RS codes, using integer codes is suggested that can correct single errors and detect two types of burst errors: l‐bit burst errors within one b‐bit byte and h‐bit burst errors within two b‐bit bytes (1 ≤ h < l < b). Unlike the CRC or RS codes, the proposed ones use integer and lookup table operations, which are supported by all processors. In addition, the proposed codes can be interleaved without delay and without using any additional hardware. This feature allows the decoder not only to process larger data sets in parallel, but also to detect all double burst errors.
Lightweight attention‐guided redundancy‐reuse network for real‐time semantic segmentation
Authors: Hu Xuegang , Xu Shuhan , Jing Liyuan
Published: May 2023

Semantic segmentation is a critical topic in computer vision, and it has numerous practical applications, including mobile devices, autonomous driving, and many other fields. However, in these application scenarios, it is often essential for the segmentation models to achieve a balance between efficiency and performance. A lightweight attention‐guided redundancy‐reuse network (LARNet) was proposed to address this challenge in this paper. Specifically, the multi‐scale asymmetric redundancy reuse (MAR) module was designed as the main component of the encoder for dense encoding of contextual semantic features. Furthermore, the efficient attention fusion (EAF) module was established for multi‐scale information fusion via the channel and spatial attention mechanisms in the decoder. A series of experiments were conducted to verify the proposed network. The results of tests on multiple datasets suggest that the network has higher accuracy and faster speed than the existing real‐time semantic segmentation methods.
Design and verification of a dual‐band wearable antenna based on characteristic mode theory
Authors: Liu Rui , Zhang Jing‐Wei , Chen Wen‐Qiong , Zhang Yi‐Fan , Mei Zhong‐Lei , Niu Tiao‐Ming
Published: May 2023

In this article, a novel design method is proposed based on characteristic mode theory (CMT). Based on the proposed method, a linearly polarised dual‐band wearable antenna with double‐layered substrates sandwiched by three layers of copper circle patches is designed and optimised step by step. The structure and excitation position of the antenna are obtained by progressively tailoring a classical circle patch antenna. Firstly, the characteristic mode analysis is performed on the middle‐layer planar circle patch to find the modes that can be excited in the designed frequency band. Secondly, the configuration of the middle layer is adjusted step by step based on the modal current distributions to realise the mode shift. Then, the top circle patch is changed to a metasurface to increase the number of modes and expand the mode bandwidth. Finally, the location of the excitation port is selected based on the modal electric fields to successfully obtain the desired performance of the antenna. The prototype of the proposed antenna with a radius of 2.6 cm fed by a single probe is fabricated and experimentally verified. The antenna operates in the 2.45 and 5 GHz bands, and the measured 10 dB impedance bandwidths on the two bands are 1.2% and 39.7%, respectively, which agrees well with the expectation predicted by the CMT. It should be noted that the desired antenna performance is achieved by step‐by‐step derivation using the CMT, rather than applying the theory to illustrate the working principle of antennas. The proposed design method can be broadly employed to various antenna designs.
A hybrid control strategy for dynamic compensation of cross‐coupling effect in two‐load IPT system
Authors: Cao Lingling , Bao Jiawei , Loo Ka‐Hong , Pan Xuewei , Zhang Ruihong
Published: May 2023

The cross coupling between receiver coils complicates the control and optimization of “one‐to‐may” multi‐load IPT systems. In this paper, the cross‐coupling effect in a two‐load IPT system is thoroughly discussed. It is noted that the input impedance, the total output power and the power distribution ratio among receivers are all affected. After developing a new leakage‐inductance‐based model considering the cross‐coupling effect, it is suggested that the operating frequency is adjusted according to the cross‐coupling coefficient to ensure a constant power distribution ratio. The total output power and the input impedance are regulated by coordinated adjustment of the inverter's duty cycle and the transmitter‐side compensation capacitance with switched control capacitor (SCC) control. Based on the proposed hybrid control strategy (frequency, duty cycle, and SCC), the power distribution among loads and the total output power are kept constant under variable cross‐coupling coefficient, and the input impedance are shaped to be inductive to achieve zero voltage switching (ZVS) realization for all switches in the inverter. The theoretical analysis is finally verified by experimental results on a 35 W two‐load IPT prototype.
Sparse hydrophone array synthesis for frequency‐invariant and multi‐angle beampatterns using block‐structured Bayesian compressive sensing
Authors: Wang Lening , Zhao Hangfang
Published: May 2023

To solve the synthesised accuracy degradation of traditional Bayesian compressive sensing (BCS) in wideband multi‐beam hydrophone array synthesis, a novel sparse array synthesis method based on block‐structure Bayesian compressive sensing (BS‐BCS) is proposed for frequency‐invariant and multi‐angle beampatterns. The multi‐angle beampatterns at different frequencies are synthesised in block structure using the shared position strategy which effectively reduces the number of array elements. In order to meet the minimum spacing requirement of adjacent array elements in practical engineering, the constraint converted off‐grid method is proposed to improve the array synthesis accuracy. The grid scaling is introduced to obtain the possible array element positions. The array positions and weights can be solved by the BCS solver and corrected by Taylor perturbation. To validate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed method, simulations and actual experiments are carried out. The synthesised errors and peak sidelobe levels (PSLLs) of multi‐angle beampatterns obtained by the constraint converted off‐grid method outperforms those of other methods. The beamforming results of actual experiments in marine environment show that the PSLLs of the beampatterns obtained by BS‐BCS is lower at least 6.3 dB than that of uniform array, which demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed method.
German “duale ausbildung” vocational education and its enlightenment to China’s vocational education
Authors: Wu Min , Liu Ping
Published: May 2023

Taking the key factors for the success of German “duale ausbildung” vocational education as the starting point, this paper introduces in detail five aspects: the leading role of the government, the main role of enterprises, the degree of social recognition, the team of dual qualified teachers, and the assessment and evaluation system. This paper analyzes the problems faced by vocational education in China, such as low social recognition, weak cooperation between schools and enterprises, inadequate talent training in schools to meet social needs, and insufficient attention from the government, and draws on the successful factors of dual vocational education in Germany to propose four inspirations for the reform of vocational education in China, including: improving laws and regulations, improving the security mechanism, improving the attractiveness of vocational education, strengthening the construction of “dual teachers” team Improve the social applicability of vocational education.
Research on the impact of leadership empowerment behavior on task performance - Based on the moderation of employee maturity
Authors: Wang Shengnan , Sun Zhengyang
Published: May 2023

This paper explores the impact of leadership empowerment behavior on employee task performance and the moderation of employee maturity in it, based on conservation of resources theory. By analyzing 308 valid questionnaires through polynomial regression analysis, the research shows that (1) leadership empowerment behavior has a positive impact on task performance; (2) employee maturity moderates the relationship between leadership empowerment behavior and task performance. This research constructs the influence path of leadership empowerment behavior on employee task performance, reveals the moderation of employee maturity, and provides insights into the leadership behavior practices of Chinese enterprise managements.
The research on the cultivation of college students' innovation ability based on academic competition
Authors: Wei Yuchen , Zhao Ningning , Ge Liling
Published: May 2023

The innovation ability of college students is become more and more important in the world. But most students are lack of the ability. At the same time, the traditional teaching program colleges provided can’t give students enough exercise of this kind of ability. In this way, faculty should improve the teaching program to help students build their innovation ability. Their are many roads to achieve this goal but the most useful way is the academic competition. The competition is a comprehensiveness program and students not only can improve their ability, but also have a higher level to thinking. It will have great help to students in their future research and self-employed career.
Teaching reform and practice based on OBE concept: Taking the course of Python programming and practice as an example
Authors: Gu Cuihong , Zheng Xinghua , Li Guangyan
Published: May 2023

Python Programming and Practice is a professional course for computer related majors. Through teaching practice, and based on OBE (Outcome-based Education) concept of course reform, we have revised the course syllabus, reformulated the teaching plan, standardized the classroom teaching, adopted online and offline mixed teaching model to teach the basic knowledge online, and to teach with project case method in offline classroom teaching. The course is completely transformed into outcome-based teaching, which improves the depth and breadth of the course teaching, and improves the students’ practical ability.
Research on the construction of good family style in the context of rural revitalization
Authors: Ru Chen
Published: May 2023

Family style reflects the value pursuit and spiritual aspiration of a family, and is an important part of China's traditional culture with great characteristics.Based on the combing of concepts related to the rural revitalization strategy and the construction of good family ethics in rural areas, this paper firstly points out the background related to the rural revitalization strategy and the construction of family ethics, and on this basis reveals the relationship between the two.Then, the current situation and problems of family style construction in the context of rural revitalization are explained. Finally, it is refined that the construction of good family style in rural areas should follow the family members' alignment, pay attention to the requirements of sustainable development, inherit and carry forward the content of traditional excellent family style, pay attention to the use of new media technology, adapt to the development of the times, strengthen the propaganda and education of family style construction, so that the construction of good family style in rural areas can help the implementation of rural revitalization strategy.
Exploration of teaching reform of network security experiment course under the background of emerging engineering education
Authors: Ye Xiaoming , Du Zhibo , Gan Gang
Published: May 2023

Given the practical needs of network security professionals against the background of emerging engineering and guided by principles of cultivating stronger innovation ability and frontier problem-solving ability, this paper, a case study of a network security experiment course, proposes to build an open training platform with multidisciplinary cooperation and multi-party participation in order to provide solutions to existing problems. It attempts to enhance school-enterprise cooperation and jointly determine the complex engineering problems of network security. Following the pattern of the post-role competency, typical engineering problems, and hierarchical experimental projects, this paper explores the teaching reform of a network security experiment course by realizing individualized and differentiated evaluation of the course's teaching effectiveness.
Exploration and practice of ideological and political education in biochemistry and molecular biology for cultivation of ethical and medical talents
Authors: Zhang Chunjing , Liu Ying , Qi Xiaodan , Wang Xiaolong , Zhao Zhenglin
Published: May 2023

Combine the learning characteristics of medical specialty and the core socialist values. Ideological and political education is integrated into the teaching of biochemistry and molecular biology. We will strive to cultivate medical talents of the new era with excellent medical skills, noble medical ethics, the patriotism, concern for the people's livelihood and dedication for the society, guided by "professionalism", "practicing ability" and "social adaptation".

The talent training of medical university bears the important task of training medical workers with noble medical ethics, exquisite medical skills and humanistic spirit [1]. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is an important basic and compulsory course for medical majors. Its relevant theories and technologies have penetrated into all fields of basic medicine and clinical medicine. This course contains rich ideological and political education elements, which are closely combined with clinical practice and daily life, so that students can more vividly and concretely grasp the knowledge and feel the essence of the thought. The implementation of curriculum ideological and political education is helpful to improve the humanistic quality of medical students and professional ethics of doctors. This paper explores and practices the implementation methods of curriculum ideology in biochemistry and molecular biology. It also integrates the elements of moral education into daily teaching guided by "professional spirit", "practicing ability" and "social adaptation", aiming to continuously improve the effect of education and ultimately contribute to the cultivation of medical talents with both moral and medical skills.
Rapid reconstruction of sparse multiband signals based on MMV-SWACGP algorithm
Authors: Yu Nan
Published: May 2023

In this paper, an MMV-SWACGP algorithm is proposed, in order to solve the problem of pseudo-inverse computation in the iterative process of OMPMMV algorithm for multi-band signal reconstruction by compressed sensing. This algorithm reduces the complexity and computation of OMPMMV reconstruction algorithm. It is of great significance to the fast reconstruction of sparse multiband signals. Theoretical analysis and simulation results show that the proposed algorithm has faster computation speed and better noise stability.
Research on the innovation of teaching mode of vocational and technical education
Authors: Zhao Fengchen , Liang Shuli , Ma Junpeng , Qi Ou
Published: May 2023

Vocational and technical education group is the main training object of new high-quality talents in our school, and teaching is the basic link of Vocational and technical education. The current teaching mode of Vocational and technical education has the disadvantages of emphasizing theory and neglecting practice. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss the teaching mode of Vocational and technical education in our school. Based on the current situation of the teaching mode of Vocational and technical education in our school, this paper puts forward the teaching and assessment mode of “combining theory with practice” and “combining thinking cultivation with practice”.
Keratokonus: Biomechanik ex vivo
Authors: Lohmüller Robert , Böhringer Daniel , Maier Philip Christian , Ross Andrea Karin , Schlunck Günther , Reinhard Thomas , Lang Stefan J.
Published: May 2023

Hintergrund Der Keratokonus geht mit einer Veränderung der kornealen Biomechanik einher. Mittels Nanoindentation kann eine ortsaufgelöste Charakterisierung biomechanischer
Eigenschaften an humanem Hornhautgewebe erfolgen. Ziel der Studie ist die Erfassung der biomechanischen Eigenschaften von Hornhäuten mit Keratokonus im Vergleich zu einer gesunden
Kontrollgruppe mit Spendergewebe, das nicht zur Transplantation geeignet ist.

Methoden 17 Gewebeexplantate von Patienten mit Keratokonus und 10 gesunde, nicht für Transplantationszwecke geeignete Hornhäute wurden in die Studie eingeschlossen. Alle Proben
wurden für mindestens 24 h in Kulturmedium mit 15% Dextran äquilibriert. Anschließend erfolgte die Nanoindentation bis in eine Tiefe von 25 µm bei einer Kraftzunahme von 300 µN/min.

Ergebnisse Insgesamt wurden 2328 ortsaufgelöste einzelne Nanoindentationsmessungen durchgeführt. In der Keratokonusgruppe (1802 Indentationen) lag das mittlere Elastizitätsmodul bei
23,2 kPa (± 15,0 kPa). In der Kontrollgruppe (526 Indentationen) lag das mittlere Elastizitätsmodul bei 48,7 kPa (± 20,5 kPa). Im Wilcoxon-Test zeigte sich der Unterschied als statistisch
signifikant.

Schlussfolgerung Mittels Nanoindentation konnte ex vivo bei Hornhäuten mit Keratokonus im Vergleich zu Hornhäuten ohne Keratokonus ein signifikant geringeres und damit weicheres
Elastizitätsmodul gefunden werden. Diese Ergebnisse sind eine Basis für die Initiierung weiterer Studien, um ein besseres Verständnis über die pathologisch veränderte korneale Biomechanik
bei Keratokonus zu entwickeln.
Platelets and the Lectin Pathway of Complement Activation in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Authors: Vils Signe Risbøl , Troldborg Anne , Hvas Anne-Mette , Thiel Steffen
Published: May 2023

Background Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have an increased risk of thrombosis even when they do not have antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Interactions between complement activation and activated platelets have been suggested in SLE and APS and could play a role in the increased thrombosis risk.

Objectives To explore factors potentially related to the prothrombotic pathophysiology in patients with SLE, primary APS, and healthy controls, by investigating lectin pathway proteins (LPPs), complement activation, platelet aggregation, and platelet activation.

Methods This cross-sectional cohort study included 20 SLE patients, 17 primary APS, and 39 healthy controls. Flow cytometry and light transmission aggregometry were used to assess platelet activation and aggregation. Using time-resolved immunofluorometric assays, the plasma concentrations of 11 LPPs and C3dg, reflecting complement activation, were measured.

Results H-ficolin plasma concentrations were higher in SLE and APS patients than in controls (p = 0.01 and p = 0.03). M-ficolin was lower in SLE than in APS (p = 0.01) and controls (p = 0.03). MAp19 was higher in APS patients than in SLE patients (p = 0.01) and controls (p < 0.001). In APS patients, MASP-2 and C3dg correlated negatively with platelet activation. Platelet-bound fibrinogen after agonist stimulation and C3dg concentrations correlated negatively with platelet activation.

Conclusion We observed significant differences between SLE and APS patients regarding complement proteins and platelet activation. Particularly the negative correlations between MASP-2 and C3dg with platelet activation only observed in APS patients suggest that interactions between complement activation and platelets differ in SLE and APS.
Skull and Scalp En-Bloc Harvest Protects Calvarial Perfusion: A Cadaveric Study
Authors: Lopez Christopher D. , Girard Alisa O. , Lake Isabel V. , Suresh Visakha , Abdou Hossam , Morrison Jonathan J. , Yang Robin , Gordon Chad R. , Redett Richard J.
Published: May 2023

Background Calvarial defects are severe injuries that can result from a wide array of etiologies. Reconstructive modalities for these clinical challenges include autologous bone grafting or cranioplasty with biocompatible alloplastic materials. Unfortunately, both approaches are limited by factors such as donor site morbidly, tissue availability, and infection. Calvarial transplantation offers the potential opportunity to address skull defect form and functional needs by replacing “like-with-like” tissue but remains poorly investigated.

Methods Three adult human cadavers underwent circumferential dissection and osteotomy to raise the entire scalp and skull en-bloc. The vascular pedicles of the scalp were assessed for patency and perfused with color dye, iohexol contrast agent for computed tomography (CT) angiography, and indocyanine green for SPY-Portable Handheld Imager assessment of perfusion to the skull.

Results Gross changes were appreciated to the scalp with color dye, but not to bone. CT angiography and SPY-Portable Handheld Imager assessment confirmed perfusion from the vessels of the scalp to the skull beyond midline.

Conclusion Calvarial transplantation may be a technically viable option for skull defect reconstruction that requires vascularized composite tissues (bone and soft tissue) for optimal outcomes.
Minimally Invasive Image-Guided Procedures for Benign Liver Lesions
Authors: Khan Fiza M. , Nezami Nariman , Stumpf Florian , Smith Tyler A. , Revizin Margarita , Fang Adam , Loya Mohammad F. , Sheth Rahul A. , Yevich Steven , Habibillahi Peiman
Published: May 2023

As access to affordable high-resolution medical imaging has improved, so too has the identification of benign hepatic lesions. Advanced imaging techniques and applications often allow characterization of these lesions so as to differentiate benign and malignant lesions without the need for biopsy. Patients with benign liver lesions are usually asymptomatic; however, a palliative intervention may be indicated if a benign liver lesion is symptomatic. This article reviews the characteristic imaging features of benign liver lesions, the indications for minimally invasive intervention, and the specific procedures for minimally invasive, nonsurgical intervention, and the procedural expectations, effectiveness, and periprocedural care.
Non-ideal MHD growth of current interchange tearing modes at plasma edge and response to externally-imposed flow
Authors: Miura Hideaki , Zheng Linjin , Horton Wendell
Published: May 2023

Current interchange tearing modes (CITMs) have been proposed to explain an intermittent eruption of electric current toward a divertor at an edge region of a tokamak device. Extended magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations combined with the Scrape-Off-Layer diffusion model, which has been developed by the authors [Miura et al., Phys. Plasmas 24, 092111 (2017)], are carried out in order to study the growth of a CITM under influences of two-fluid and gyro-viscous effects, or non-ideal MHD effects. Numerical simulations both with and without an externally imposed azimuthal flow show that the growth of a CITM is observed for a relatively small flow velocity, and that a CITM can be a candidate mechanism for the intermittent eruption of the current in a tokamak, whether the growth is under influences of non-ideal MHD effects or not. The growth can be suppressed when an externally imposed azimuthal flow is sufficiently large to cause a finite radial displacement because such a displacement prevents a transition from an interchange to a tearing mode that is the key process of a CITM. Furthermore, it is also found that a stripe pattern similar to so-called streamers is formed in the course of the CITM growth. The basic nature of this streamer-like structure is also presented.
Learning to evolve structural ensembles of unfolded and disordered proteins using experimental solution data
Authors: Zhang Oufan , Haghighatlari Mojtaba , Li Jie , Liu Zi Hao , Namini Ashley , Teixeira João M. C. , Forman-Kay Julie D. , Head-Gordon Teresa
Published: May 2023

The structural characterization of proteins with a disorder requires a computational approach backed by experiments to model their diverse and dynamic structural ensembles. The selection of conformational ensembles consistent with solution experiments of disordered proteins highly depends on the initial pool of conformers, with currently available tools limited by conformational sampling. We have developed a Generative Recurrent Neural Network (GRNN) that uses supervised learning to bias the probability distributions of torsions to take advantage of experimental data types such as nuclear magnetic resonance J-couplings, nuclear Overhauser effects, and paramagnetic resonance enhancements. We show that updating the generative model parameters according to the reward feedback on the basis of the agreement between experimental data and probabilistic selection of torsions from learned distributions provides an alternative to existing approaches that simply reweight conformers of a static structural pool for disordered proteins. Instead, the biased GRNN, DynamICE, learns to physically change the conformations of the underlying pool of the disordered protein to those that better agree with experiments.
Numerical analysis on transition sequence and heat transfer capacity of film boiling with a uniform electric field
Authors: Pérez Alberto T.
Published: May 2023

A finite volume method solver for the electric field-enhanced boiling is developed based on the OpenFoam v2012 framework. The film-boiling scenario with the influence of electric fields is numerically analyzed. By coupling the Tanasawa model and the leaky-dielectric model, the accuracy of the numerical description of the natural physical phenomenon is improved. For an overheated temperature of ΔT = 5, 10, 20 K, the system exhibits a classic quasi-periodicity sequence, an alternate periodic-chaotic sequence, and a periodic-chaotic sequence, respectively. The results show that the bubble column scenario leads to a better heat transfer capacity. The vertical electric field can improve the heat transfer capacity by elongating the bubble, accelerating the bubble release frequency, and promoting the system from film boiling to nucleate boiling. The maximum time-averaged Nusselt number of the system is calculated to be 23.42, and the maximum heat transfer enhancement ratio is 5.08.
Bismuth ferrite-modified lead-free ceramics with reduced sintering temperature and improved energy storage properties
Authors: Kong Xi , Yang Letao , Luo Zixi , Liu Yiqian , Lan Shun , Yang Bingbing , Meng Fanqi , Ren Weibin , Zhang Xinyue , Cai Jinghan , Lin Yuan-Hua , Guo Jinming , Nan Ce-Wen
Published: May 2023

Dielectric ceramics with high polarization and low sintering temperature are important for high-performance and low-cost multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs). Herein, BiFeO3 was added to a lead-free composition 0.48BaTiO3-0.4Bi(Mg0.5Hf0.5)O3-0.12SrTiO3 to lower the sintering temperature and increase the polarization simultaneously. As a result, a low sintering temperature of 950 °C and high comprehensive energy storage properties with a recoverable energy density Wrec of 5.7 J/cm3 and an energy efficiency η of 92% at 450 kV/cm were achieved. Together with the good temperature stability and cycling stability of Wrec and η, the ceramics exhibit great potential in the energy storage MLCCs with low-cost Ag-Pd electrodes with a high Ag content.
Ab initio spectroscopy and thermochemistry of diatomic platinum hydride, PtH
Authors: Irikura Karl K.
Published: May 2023

Rovibrational levels of low-lying electronic states of the diatomic molecule PtH are computed using non-relativistic wavefunction methods and a relativistic core pseudopotential. Dynamical electron correlation is treated at the coupled-cluster with single and double excitations and a perturbative estimate of triple excitations level, with basis-set extrapolation. Spin–orbit coupling is treated by configuration interaction in a basis of multireference configuration interaction states. The results compare favorably with available experimental data, especially for low-lying electronic states. For the yet-unobserved first excited state, Ω = 1/2, we predict constants including Te = (2036 ± 300) cm−1 and ΔG1/2 = (2252.5 ± 8) cm−1. Temperature-dependent thermodynamic functions, and thermochemistry of dissociation, are computed from the spectroscopic data. The ideal-gas enthalpy of formation is ΔfH298.15o(PtH) = (449.1 ± 4.5) kJ mol−1 (uncertainties expanded by k = 2). The experimental data are reinterpreted, using a somewhat speculative procedure, to yield the bond length Re = (1.5199 ± 0.0006) Å.
Telecom C-band photon emission from (In,Ga)As quantum dots generated by filling nanoholes in In0.52Al0.48As layers
Authors: Deutsch D. , Buchholz C. , Zolatanosha V. , Jöns K. D. , Reuter D.
Published: May 2023

We present the fabrication of strain-free quantum dots in the In0.53Ga0.47As/In0.52Al0.48As-system lattice matched to InP, as future sources for single and entangled photons for long-haul fiber-based quantum communication in the optical C-band. We achieved these quantum dots by local droplet etching via InAl droplets in an In0.52Al0.48As layer and subsequent filling of the holes with In0.53Ga0.47As. Here, we present detailed investigations of the hole morphologies measured by atomic force microscopy. Statistical analysis of a set of nanoholes reveals a high degree of symmetry for nearly half of them when etched at optimized temperatures. Overgrowth with 50–150 nm In0.52Al0.48As increases their diameter and elongates the holes along the [01̄1]-direction. By systematically scanning the parameter space, we were able to fill the holes with In0.53Ga0.47As, and by capping the filled holes and performing photoluminescence measurements, we observe photoluminescence emission in the O-band up into the C-band depending on the filling height of the nanoholes.
Growth process of clusters formed by paramagnetic microparticles in an ac/dc combined magnetic field
Authors: Ben Salah Asma , Ukai Tomofumi , Mingyuan Liao , Morimoto Hisao , Maekawa Toru
Published: May 2023

Patterns formed by nano/microparticles in colloidal systems are of great interest and importance from both scientific and technological points of view. Magnetic colloids are particularly interesting since the structures formed by magnetic particles can be quite easily controlled by external magnetic fields. In this study, we investigate the growth process of clusters formed by paramagnetic microparticles in a fluctuating magnetic field composed of a direct current field applied in the vertical direction and an alternating current one in the horizontal direction. We find that thin walls, the thickness of which is equal to the diameter of a particle, are formed by paramagnetic particles; the horizontal length of the walls increases via wall-edge-to-wall-edge coagulation, but they do not grow laterally due to repulsive forces acting between walls in the lateral direction. Finally, we investigate the scaling features of the growth process of the walls. We find that a scaling law applies to the growth of the walls during a certain period of the growth process.
Noether’s second theorem and covariant field theory of mechanical stresses in inhomogeneous ionic liquids
Authors: Brandyshev Petr E. , Budkov Yury A.
Published: May 2023

In this paper, we present a covariant approach that utilizes Noether’s second theorem to derive a symmetric stress tensor from the grand thermodynamic potential functional. We focus on the practical case where the density of the grand thermodynamic potential is dependent on the first and second coordinate derivatives of the scalar order parameters. Our approach is applied to several models of inhomogeneous ionic liquids that consider electrostatic correlations of ions or short-range correlations related to packing effects. Specifically, we derive analytical expressions for the symmetric stress tensors of the Cahn–Hilliard-like model, Bazant–Storey–Kornyshev model, and Maggs–Podgornik–Blossey model. All of these expressions are found to be consistent with respective self-consistent field equations.
Understanding the origin of the improved sodium ion storage performance of the transition metal oxide@carbon nanocomposite anodes
Authors: Yang Xin-Tao , Huang Ting-Yi , Wang Yao-Hui , Dong Jin-Chao , Wei Qiu-Long , Zhang Hua , Lin Xiu-Mei , Li Jian-Feng
Published: May 2023

Transition metal oxide (TMO) anodes show inferior sodium ion storage performance compared with that of lithium ion storage owing to the larger radium size and heavier elemental mass of Na+ than Li+. Effective strategies are highly desired to improve the Na+ storage performance of TMOs for applications. In this work, using ZnFe2O4@xC nanocomposites as model materials for investigation, we found that by manipulating the particle sizes of the inner TMOs core and the features of outer carbon coating, the Na+ storage performance can be significantly improved. The ZnFe2O4@1C with a diameter of the inner ZnFe2O4 core of around 200 nm coated by a thin carbon layer of around 3 nm shows a specific capacity of only 120 mA h g−1. The ZnFe2O4@6.5C with a diameter of the inner ZnFe2O4 core of around 110 nm embedding in a porous interconnected carbon matrix displays a significantly improved specific capacity of 420 mA h g−1 at the same specific current. Furthermore, the latter shows an excellent cycling stability of 1000 cycles with a capacity retention of 90% of the initial 220 mA h g−1 specific capacity at 1.0 A g−1. TEM, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and kinetic analysis show that the inner ZnFe2O4 core with reduced particle size and the outer thicker and interconnected carbon matrix synergistically improve the active reaction sites, integrity, electric conductivity, and pseudocapacitive-controlled contribution of ZnFe2O4@xC nanocomposites, thus leading to an overall enhanced Na+ storage performance. Our findings create a universal, facile, and effective method to enhance the Na+ storage performance of the TMO@C nanomaterials.
Ecological status of Urdaibai Biosphere reserve based on bacterial communities in a small-drainage estuary
Authors: Aguirre Mikel , Abad David , Albaina Aitor , Gutiérrez-Muto Mikel , Langa Jorge , Goñi-Urriza Marisol , Orruño Maite , Arana Inés , Estonba Andone , Zarraonaindia Iratxe
Published: May 2023

Context The influence of anthropogenic pressures on plankton communities in well-flushed estuaries has been overlooked. Owing to this ecosystem’s short water-residence time, they are foreseen to be mainly composed of microorganisms from neritic–oceanic sources, more resilient to anthropogenic impacts. Aims This study characterises the bacterioplankton of Urdaibai, a small-drainage estuary located at a UNESCO biosphere reserve, to unravel its annual dynamic and ecological status. Methods Amplicon sequencing was used to assess the euhaline bacterioplankton shifts and microgAMBI index depicted the ecological status of the estuary. Key results A differentiated community was identified in upstream waters throughout the year. In addition, organisms commonly associated with faecal waste were detected. The ecological status of the estuary was poor or moderate along the annual cycle, but surprisingly worsened during winter. Conclusions The above suggests that the bacterial community dynamic in this well-fluxed small-drainage estuary is more complex than anticipated. Importantly, the analysis of pollution-indicative bacteria proved that the water policy of this estuary needs to be further evaluated. Implications The completion of an efficient sewage treatment system for this protected and touristic estuary is strongly recommended. Incorporating bacterial information to its current monitoring system will constitute a useful and valuable tool.
Nominalization in Wutun
Authors: Sandman Erika
Published: May 2023

In this paper I discuss the various functions of nominalization in Wutun, a mixed Sinitic language spoken by ca. 4000 people in Qinghai Province, Northwest China. Nominalization in Wutun is expressed by the multi-purpose marker -de(cognate to Standard Mandarinde的), which functions on both the lexical and clausal levels. Lexical nominalization takes the verb as its domain to derive nouns or adjectives, while clausal nominalization takes the entire clause as its domain and allows the clause to be treated as a noun phrase. Clausal nominalization in Wutun is used to form nominal complement clauses, relative clauses and adverbial subordinate clauses. In addition, the multi-purpose marker -dein Wutun has functions that go beyond nominalization, including pronominal function, pre-nominal modification and stand-alone usage, which is related to aspect and emphasis and plays an important role in stance-taking.
Aspects of early Chinese global lexical copies surviving in Modern Uyghur
Authors: Yakup Abdurishid
Published: May 2023

The Modern Uyghur language has a large number of lexemes copied from Chinese in different periods of Uyghur. Amongst them, there is a special group of lexemes globally copied from Chinese first into the Old Uyghur literary language which is documented in the texts written in various scripts from the 8th to the 14th centuries. Some of these global lexical copies were transmitted to the next stages of Uyghur and are established in Modern Uyghur as part of its lexicon. This paper discusses aspects of this special group of lexemes from the four points, semantic reinterpretation, fusion in form and meaning, multiple copying of the same lexeme, and additions to the lexicon. The aim is to illustrate some important aspects of the historical Sino-Uyghur linguistic and cultural contact reflected in these copies and to provide Uyghur examples to understand aspects of diachronic development of copied lexemes in the recipient language.
Research on crack propagation behaviour of nickel-based superalloy under thermal shock load
Authors: Niu Xuming , Zhao Rutao , Sun Zhigang , Song Yingdong , Chang Yaning
Published: May 2023

In this paper, the crack initiation and propagation laws of GH4169 under thermal-shock load were investigated. It was found that the development of main cracks experienced three stages: accelerated growth in the small crack stage, decelerated growth in the long crack stage and finally discontinued growth. With the increase of temperature, the crack initiation life decreases and the propagation rate increases, the crack initiation life at 600°C is six times to that at 700°C. A thermal fatigue crack growth model was proposed to character the whole crack growth process, and a comparison was drawn with the Paris and Z-H model. The results show that the model is applicable to predict the whole process growth rate of thermal fatigue cracks.
Association between wildfire smoke exposure and Seattle, Washington Pediatric Hospital services, 2006–2020
Authors: Iyaz Daaniya , Perkins Alexandra , Cogen Jonathan D , Doubleday Annie , Sack Coralynn , Busch Isaksen Tania
Published: May 2023

Pacific Northwest wildfire smoke events have been increasing in prevalence and severity over the past three decades, resulting in documented negative health outcomes in adults. However, there is less evidence demonstrating the effect of wildfire smoke in pediatric populations. To evaluate the association between wildfire smoke exposure and healthcare utilization in a pediatric tertiary medical center in Seattle, WA. We utilized a case–crossover study to determine the odds of pediatric emergency department (ED) visit/ hospital admission at Seattle Children’s Hospital on wildfire smoke days versus non-wildfire smoke days during wildfire season (June to September), 2006–2020. The health outcomes dataset reports hospital encounters in two categories: ED visits or admissions that are for inpatient or observational purposes. The health outcomes dataset reports hospital encounters in two categories: ED visits or admissions that are for inpatient or observational purposes. The reported encounter types are mutually exclusive. We stratified analyses by individual-level characteristics and examined associations for lagged exposures 0–7 d prior to admission. In adjusted analyses, smoke exposure was associated with a 7.0% (95% CI: 3.0%–12.0%) increase in odds of all-cause hospital admissions and a 0.0% (95% CI: −3.0%, 3.0%) change in odds of all-cause ED visits. We also observed increases in the odds of all-cause hospital admissions ranging from 4.0% to 8.0%, for lagged exposure on days 1–7. When stratified by health outcomes, we found a 9.0% (95% CI: 1.0%–17.0%) and an 11.0% (95% CI:1.0%–21.0%) increase in the odds of ED visits for respiratory and respiratory infection-related concerns, respectively. Our results demonstrate associations between wildfire smoke and negative health effects in children. Similar to other studies, we found that wildfire smoke exposure was associated with an increase in respiratory-related ED visits and all-cause hospital admissions in a pediatric population. These results will help inform patient education and motivate interventions to reduce pediatric morbidity during wildfire season.