bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adding insult to injury: Living in a remote location increases the burden of gift expenses among the rural poor in China
Authors: Luo Yongmin , Ding Shenqi , Li Qiyuan , Gao Min
Published: April 2024

Based on data from the China Labor‐force Dynamics Survey (CLDS), our study examines how geographical remoteness impacts farmers' gift expense burden. Farmers' gift expense burden increases significantly as the distance from the village to the county‐level city increases. Two key mechanisms for more remote rural areas exacerbate farmers' gift expense burden: stronger reliance on neighbours and relatives for assistance and more concentrated authority among local officials. Our research offers new perspectives on disparities in gift expense burden among farmers in developing countries and suggests viable avenues to alleviate their financial strain.
Perspective: The complex relationship between charge, mobility, and gas‐phase protein structure
Authors: Webb Ian K.
Published: April 2024

Ion mobility spectrometry coupled to mass spectrometry (IMS/MS) is a widely used tool for biomolecular separations and structural elucidation. The application of IMS/MS has resulted in exciting developments in structural proteomics and genomics. This perspective gives a brief background of the field, addresses some of the important issues in making structural measurements, and introduces complementary techniques.
Dielectrically modulated hetero‐material double gate tunnel field‐effect transistor for label free biosensing
Authors: Shakeel Ifrah , Rashid Shazia , Khanday Farooq A. , Khanday Mudasir A.
Published: April 2024

This work proposes a novel double gate hetero‐material tunnel field effect transistor for label free biosensing applications. The device consists of III‐V semiconductor gallium arsenide (GaAs) which serves as a substrate. Source and drain regions made of Germanium are used due to its compatibility with GaAs. Cavities of 15 × 1.5 nm are created near source‐channel junctions for the biomolecules to be placed in. TheIONsensitivity of 2.23 × 106for neutral biomolecules has been obtained from 2D simulations using ATLAS TCAD software. Furthermore, transconductance sensitivity of 2.27 × 106,ION/IOFFsensitivity of 2.46 × 105, subthreshold swing (SS) sensitivity of 28.6 mV/decade and threshold voltage sensitivity of 1.2 mV for neutral biomolecules is obtained. TheIONsensitivity of 3.93 × 106and 1.42 × 106for positively and negatively charged biomolecules respectively has been obtained. Also, SS sensitivity of 28.3 and 28.8 mV/decade for positively and negatively charged biomolecules respectively has been observed.IONsensitivity shows that the proposed device is 1000× better than the conventional one.
Loss parameter identification of a welded ring core lamination of NO‐electrical steel
Authors: Ukwungwu David , Hameyer Kay
Published: April 2024

Lamination packaging processes such as welding lead to a significant material degradation of non‐oriented (NO) electrical steel sheets. Increase in iron loss and decrease in permeability are the results of the deterioration. For an efficient modeling of a drive train, the accurate parameterization of the iron loss is of upmost importance. For this reason, the iron loss model is expanded to include the influences of welding procedure. Its influence can be classified into changes in the grain size diameter and residual stresses . In this study, a locally varying iron loss model for the simulation of effects of weld‐packaging on the electromagnetic properties of non‐oriented (NO) electrical steel sheets is presented. Packaging technologies such as interlocking, welding, clinching and gluing are typically utilized for the manufacturing of electric steel stacks of electric machines. Understanding the micro‐structural changes due to the macro‐structural degradation accruing to weld‐packaging helps in the accurate understanding of its influence on the performance and achievable range of the electric vehicle. Five (5) electric steel probes are annealed for the modeling of the local varying iron loss model at five different temperatures and electromagnetically measured to determine its magnetization and loss values. This will help in determining the grain size dependency of the different loss parameters. The annealed probes are measured under mechanical stresses showing also the residual stress dependency.
Artificial intelligence to detect noise events in remote monitoring data
Authors: Nishii Nobuhiro , Baba Kensuke , Morooka Ken'ichi , Shirae Haruto , Mizuno Tomofumi , Masuda Takuro , Ueoka Akira , Asada Saori , Miyamoto Masakazu , Ejiri Kentaro , Kawada Satoshi , Nakagawa Koji , Nakamura Kazufumi , Morita Hiroshi , Yuasa Shinsuke
Published: April 2024

Background

Remote monitoring (RM) of cardiac implantable electrical devices (CIEDs) can detect various events early. However, the diagnostic ability of CIEDs has not been sufficient, especially for lead failure. The first notification of lead failure was almost noise events, which were detected as arrhythmia by the CIED. A human must analyze the intracardiac electrogram to accurately detect lead failure. However, the number of arrhythmic events is too large for human analysis. Artificial intelligence (AI) seems to be helpful in the early and accurate detection of lead failure before human analysis.

Objective

To test whether a neural network can be trained to precisely identify noise events in the intracardiac electrogram of RM data.

Methods

We analyzed 21 918 RM data consisting of 12 925 and 1884 Medtronic and Boston Scientific data, respectively. Among these, 153 and 52 Medtronic and Boston Scientific data, respectively, were diagnosed as noise events by human analysis. In Medtronic, 306 events, including 153 noise events and randomly selected 153 out of 12 692 nonnoise events, were analyzed in a five‐fold cross‐validation with a convolutional neural network. The Boston Scientific data were analyzed similarly.

Results

The precision rate, recall rate, F1 score, accuracy rate, and the area under the curve were 85.8 ± 4.0%, 91.6 ± 6.7%, 88.4 ± 2.0%, 88.0 ± 2.0%, and 0.958 ± 0.021 in Medtronic and 88.4 ± 12.8%, 81.0 ± 9.3%, 84.1 ± 8.3%, 84.2 ± 8.3% and 0.928 ± 0.041 in Boston Scientific. Five‐fold cross‐validation with a weighted loss function could increase the recall rate.

Conclusions

AI can accurately detect noise events. AI analysis may be helpful for detecting lead failure events early and accurately.
Spatial–temporal assessment of future extreme precipitation and extreme high‐temperature exposure across China
Authors: Jin Ke , Wu Yanjuan , Sun Xiaolin , Sun Yanwei , Gao Chao
Published: April 2024

This study utilizes climate scenario data from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) and population gridded data from shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs) to identify extreme precipitation and high‐temperature events, along with their impact on the population in China and its subregions for both the near‐term future (2020–2050) and the long‐term future (2070–2100). The precipitation and temperature extremes in China are expected to increase during 2020–2100, and they will increase continuously with increasing radiative forcing. The spatial pattern of increases is similar across all SSPs‐RCPs scenarios, with a larger rise in the southern study area. Population exposure to extreme precipitation in China is anticipated to rise from 2020 to 2050 and decline from 2070 to 2100 under all scenarios, with a more pronounced decrease in SSP4‐6.0, and there is a transmutation in the chief determinant of populace vulnerability to extreme precipitation, transitioning from factors contingent upon population to those contingent upon climate from 2020–2050 to 2070–2100. In addition, temperature exhibits a general increasing trend in the impact area and population exposure from 2020–2050 to 2070–2100, concentrated in eastern and southern China. The exposed population's high‐value areas will continually expand with rising radiation forcing. Factors influencing population exposure to extremely high temperatures from 2020 to 2100, including climate, population, and their interaction, exhibit stable contribution rates, with population remaining the dominant factor.
Experience‐driven well‐being and purchase: An alternative model of memorable wine tourism experiences
Authors: Sthapit Erose , Prentice Catherine , Ji Chunli , Yang Ping , Garrod Brian , Björk Peter
Published: April 2024

Wine tourism has several distinctive features that militate against using Kim et al.'s model of memorable tourism experiences to understand its antecedents and consequences. Accordingly, this study adopts an alternative theoretical framework—the stimulus–organism–response theory—to develop an alternative model. Data were collected from visitors to a well‐known vineyard in Yantai, China and structural equation modelling and multiple group analysis were used to analyse them. The results suggest that experience co‐creation, sensory experience, experiential satisfaction and appealing winescape are significant and positive antecedents of a memorable wine tourism experience, while eudaimonic well‐being and wine purchase intention are significant and positive outcome variables. Visit frequency was found to be a moderating variable linking the winescape to memorable wine tourism experiences. Those who travel to the region frequently form a bond with the winescape that not only contributes to their well‐being but also stimulates their future intentions to purchase its wine.
Unlocking the hidden realms: analysing the Ukrainian journal landscape with Ulrichsweb
Authors: Nazarovets Maryna
Published: April 2024

Although Ukraine is one of the leading countries in Central and Eastern Europe in terms of its number of scholarly journals, most of these journals are not widely recognized by the scientific community. This paper presents an in‐depth analysis of scholarly journal publishing in Ukraine, using data from the Ulrichsweb Global Serials Directory. The study aims to provide insights into the quantity and characteristics of Ukrainian journals, with a specific focus on historical context, publisher diversity, language of publication, and subject distribution. The findings reveal that Ulrichsweb encompasses details on over 1,500 active Ukrainian journal titles, some tracing their origins back to the 19th century. Notably, 85% of these journals are disseminated by academic institutions, including universities and research organizations. This study exemplifies the utility of Ulrichsweb as a valuable tool for investigating national scholarly journals underrepresented in other databases.
ORCID identifier adoption in Spanish scholarly communication: A macro and micro level perspective
Authors: Bordons María , Moreno‐Solano Luz , González‐Albo Borja
Published: April 2024

Personal identifiers have become essential for unambiguously identifying authors and their scholarly output. One of the top personal identifiers is ORCID because of its open, cross‐national, cross‐disciplinary nature. This study analyses ORCID adoption at two levels: (a) Spanish scientific articles in Web of Science (WoS), to explore ORCID presence in articles; and (b) European Research Council (ERC) grant recipients who are affiliated with a Spanish host institution, to explore the prevalence of ORCID‐iDs, profile completion, and differences by gender, field, and funding scheme. Nearly 90% of Spanish scientific articles list at least one ORCID‐iD, but only 14% of articles include an ORCID‐iD for all authors. Implementation is therefore still limited, especially in the humanities. Concerning the micro‐level, all ERC grantees have an ORCID‐iD and an associated profile, which is generally public. Profiles include information in an average of four sections. ‘Works’ and ‘Employment’ are the sections most frequently completed. Fifty percent of profiles were updated in the last month, which suggests rapid updating. Factors influencing ORCID adoption and profile completion are discussed. Publisher and journal policies play a significant role by asking authors for ORCID‐iDs and will be crucial in increasing the identifier's adoption.
Lubrication Mechanism of TC4 Titanium Alloy Against Silicon Nitride by ILs ([Li (Synthetic Esters)] NTF2)
Authors: Li Feizhou , Guo Bian , Yuan Gexia , Yang Zhaozhao , Gao Murong , Wang Yu , Tian Dongping
Published: April 2024

The ILs ([Li (synthetic esters)] NTF2) were prepared by the in situ synthesis method. The tribological behaviour of the ILs to friction pairs of Ti‐6Al‐4V titanium alloy against silicon nitride was studied by SRV‐V under different concentrations and friction frequencies; the wear scar was studied by SEM, XPS and TOF‐SIMS. The results showed that the friction coefficient and wear loss decreased gradually with the increase of the LiNTF2 content; when the LiNTF2 content reached a certain value (10%), the friction coefficient and wear loss did not change much. Tribofilm composed of titanium oxide, Al2O3, TiFO2, AlOF2, Ti2O4F and Al2O3F plays a major role in lubrication and anti‐friction effect.
Clinical and Pathological Features of FTDP‐17 with MAPT p.K298_H299insQ Mutation
Authors: Morino Hiroyuki , Kurashige Takashi , Matsuda Yukiko , Ono Maiko , Sahara Naruhiko , Miyasaka Tomohiro , Soeda Yoshiyuki , Shimada Hitoshi , Yamazaki Yu , Takahashi Tetsuya , Izumi Yuishin , Ito Hidefumi , Maruyama Hirofumi , Higuchi Makoto , Arihiro Koji , Suhara Tetsuya , Takashima Akihiko , Kawakami Hideshi
Published: April 2024

Background

MAPT is a causative gene in frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP‐17), a hereditary degenerative disease with various clinical manifestations, including progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal syndrome, Parkinson's disease, and frontotemporal dementia.

Objectives

To analyze genetically, biochemically, and pathologically multiple members of two families who exhibited various phenotypes of the disease.

Methods

Genetic analysis included linkage analysis, homozygosity haplotyping, and exome sequencing. We conducted tau protein microtubule polymerization assay, heparin‐induced tau aggregation, and western blotting with brain lysate from an autopsy case. We also evaluated abnormal tau aggregation by using anti‐tau antibody and PM‐PBB3.

Results

We identified a variant, c.896_897insACA, p.K298_H299insQ, in the MAPT gene of affected patients. Similar to previous reports, most patients presented with atypical parkinsonism. Biochemical analysis revealed that the mutant tau protein had a reduced ability to polymerize microtubules and formed abnormal fibrous aggregates. Pathological study revealed frontotemporal lobe atrophy, midbrain atrophy, depigmentation of the substantia nigra, and four‐repeat tau‐positive inclusions in the hippocampus, brainstem, and spinal cord neurons. The inclusion bodies also stained positively with PM‐PBB3.

Conclusions

This study confirmed that the insACA mutation caused FTDP‐17. The affected patients showed symptoms resembling Parkinson's disease initially and symptoms of progressive supranuclear palsy later. Despite the initial clinical diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia in the autopsy case, the spread of lesions could explain the process of progressive supranuclear palsy. The study of more cases in the future will help clarify the common pathogenesis of MAPT mutations or specific pathogeneses of each mutation.
Development of a blueprint for sibling psychosocial services: A nationwide study
Authors: Davis Kathryn A. , Mazzenga Marcella , Hall Phoebe Brosnan , Buchbinder David , Alderfer Melissa A. , Oberoi Anjali R. , Sharkey Christina M. , Blakey Ariel O. , Long Kristin A.
Published: April 2024

Background

Siblings of youth with cancer have heightened risk for poor long‐term psychosocial outcomes. Although sibling psychosocial care is a standard in pediatric oncology, this standard is among those least likely to be met. To address barriers to providing sibling services, a blueprint for systematic psychosocial screening and support of siblings was developed based on feedback from a national sample of psychosocial providers.

Procedure

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of psychosocial care providers (N = 27) of various disciplines working in US pediatric cancer centers, varied in size, type, and extent of sibling support. Interviews queried providers’ suggestions for the future of sibling psychosocial care and impressions of a blueprint for sibling service delivery, which was iteratively refined based on respondents’ feedback. Interviews were analyzed using applied thematic analysis.

Results

Based on existing literature and refined according to providers’ recommendations, the Sibling Services Blueprint was developed to provide a comprehensive guide for systematizing sibling psychosocial care. The blueprint content includes: (i) a timeline for repeated sibling screening and assessment; (ii) a stepped model of psychosocial support; (iii) strategies for circumventing barriers to sibling care; and (iv) recommendations for how centers with varying resources might accomplish sibling‐focused care. The blueprint is available online, allowing providers to easily access and individualize the content. Providers indicated enthusiasm and high potential utility and usability of the blueprint.

Conclusions

The Sibling Services Blueprint may be a useful tool for systematizing sibling psychosocial care, promoting wider availability of sibling‐focused services, and addressing siblings’ unmet needs.
Interfacial control and dispersion characteristics of polylactic acid fiber/pulp fiber composites
Authors: Du Junwei , Hu Yuanyuan , Hu Shengfei
Published: April 2024

To solve the problem of the dispersibility of pulp fiber in polylactic acid (PLA)/pulp fiber composites, PLA fiber instead of PLA beads and pulp fiber were used for initial physical mixing, and then internal mixer‐melting was conducted. The dispersion of pulp fiber in PLA was improved compared with conventional composite preparation protocols. After the pulp fiber was treated with a silane coupling agent, the compatibility of the composite and the transparency of the material were also improved. When the pulp fiber content reached 30%, the mechanical properties and heat resistance of the composite were optimal: tensile fracture strength of 56.52 MPa, and thermal deformation temperature increase of 5°C. Rheological studies indicate that when the pulp fiber content reached 10%, the system exhibited a PLA‐pulp fiber network. When the pulp fiber content was ≥20%, the system exhibited a PLA–PLA and pulp fiber–pulp fiber dual‐network structure.

Highlights

The dispersion of filler in the matrix was improved by blending fiber with fiber.

There was rheological percolation upon filling the pulp fiber in the PLA matrix.

The coupling agent facilitated reactive compatibilization and PLA chain extension.
A study of the global and local aromaticity of hetero[8]circulenes
Authors: Helili Satewaerdi , Kerim Ablikim
Published: April 2024

The topological resonance energy (TRE) method was used to investigate the aromaticity of hetero[8]circulenes in both their neutral and doubly charged ion states. The compounds varying stabilities in different charged states were explained in terms of the topological charge stabilization rule. The TRE‐based aromaticity indices were compared with those obtained by the gauge‐including magnetically induced currents (GIMIC) method. However, the lack of correlation between the TRE and GIMIC aromaticity indices, as well as the contradictory trends observed, suggest that further investigation is necessary to fully understand the aromaticity of hetero[8]circulenes. We employed the circuit resonance energy (CRE) method to assess local aromaticity. Our CRE results indicate that individual benzene or heterocyclic five‐membered units within the molecule maintain their strong aromatic character and serve as the primary source of global aromaticity, both in their neutral and doubly charged ion states. Although our CRE results provide valuable insights, it is important to note that there are cases where the magnitude of local aromaticity predicted by the nucleus‐independent chemical shift (NICS[0] and NICS[1]) indices does not align with our CRE results.
How hydrophobicity, side chains, and salt affect the dimensions of disordered proteins
Authors: Baxa Michael C. , Lin Xiaoxuan , Mukinay Cedrick D. , Chakravarthy Srinivas , Sachleben Joseph R. , Antilla Sarah , Hartrampf Nina , Riback Joshua A. , Gagnon Isabelle A. , Pentelute Bradley L. , Clark Patricia L. , Sosnick Tobin R.
Published: April 2024

Despite the generally accepted role of the hydrophobic effect as the driving force for folding, many intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), including those with hydrophobic content typical of foldable proteins, behave nearly as self‐avoiding random walks (SARWs) under physiological conditions. Here, we tested how temperature and ionic conditions influence the dimensions of the N‐terminal domain of pertactin (PNt), an IDP with an amino acid composition typical of folded proteins. While PNt contracts somewhat with temperature, it nevertheless remains expanded over 10–58°C, with a Flory exponent, ν, >0.50. Both low and high ionic strength also produce contraction in PNt, but this contraction is mitigated by reducing charge segregation. With 46% glycine and low hydrophobicity, the reduced form of snow flea anti‐freeze protein (red‐sfAFP) is unaffected by temperature and ionic strength and persists as a near‐SARW, ν ~ 0.54, arguing that the thermal contraction of PNt is due to stronger interactions between hydrophobic side chains. Additionally, red‐sfAFP is a proxy for the polypeptide backbone, which has been thought to collapse in water. Increasing the glycine segregation in red‐sfAFP had minimal effect on ν. Water remained a good solvent even with 21 consecutive glycine residues (ν > 0.5), and red‐sfAFP variants lacked stable backbone hydrogen bonds according to hydrogen exchange. Similarly, changing glycine segregation has little impact on ν in other glycine‐rich proteins. These findings underscore the generality that many disordered states can be expanded and unstructured, and that the hydrophobic effect alone is insufficient to drive significant chain collapse for typical protein sequences.
Specific features of a scaffolding antibody light chain
Authors: Trommer Johanna , Lesniowski Florian , Buchner Johannes , Svilenov Hristo L.
Published: April 2024

The antigen‐binding sites in conventional antibodies are formed by hypervariable complementarity‐determining regions (CDRs) from both heavy chains (HCs) and light chains (LCs). A deviation from this paradigm is found in a subset of bovine antibodies that bind antigens via an ultra‐long CDR. The HCs bearing ultra‐long CDRs pair with a restricted set of highly conserved LCs that convey stability to the antibody. Despite the importance of these LCs, their specific features remained unknown. Here, we show that the conserved bovine LC found in antibodies with ultra‐long CDRs exhibits a distinct combination of favorable physicochemical properties such as good secretion from mammalian cells, strong dimerization, high stability, and resistance to aggregation. These physicochemical traits of the LCs arise from a combination of the specific sequences in the germline CDRs and a lambda LC framework. In addition to understanding the molecular architecture of antibodies with ultra‐long CDRs, our findings reveal fundamental insights into LC characteristics that can guide the design of antibodies with improved properties.
Cover Image, Volume 92, Issue 5
Authors: Roterman Irena , Stapor Katarzyna , Konieczny Leszek
Published: April 2024

Front Cover: The cover image is based on the Research Article Transmembrane proteins—Different anchoring systems by Irena Roterman et al., https://doi.org/10.1002/prot.26646

image
Dynamics of extreme wind events in the marine and terrestrial sectors of coastal Antarctica
Authors: Caton Harrison Thomas , King John C. , Bracegirdle Thomas J. , Lu Hua
Published: April 2024

Antarctic coastal surface winds affect ice‐sheet stability, sea ice, and local ecosystems. The strongest coastal winds are especially important due to the nonlinear relationship between wind speed and wind stress. We investigate the dynamics of extreme coastal winds using a simplified momentum budget calculated across the period 2010–2020 from the ERA5 reanalysis. The pressure‐gradient forcing term in the budget is decomposed into a large‐scale component and one associated with the temperature deficit layer. The role of budget terms across the coastal sector is compared for weak and strong winds. We then calculate composites of the top 100 easterly wind events across six east Antarctic coastal sectors, identifying terms responsible for the evolution of coastal extremes. A simple balance of terms exists offshore, dominated by large‐scale forcing, contrasting with the complex balance in the onshore sector where katabatic forcing is large. Large‐scale forcing explains 57% of offshore coastal wind‐speed variance overall, improving to 81% when budget terms associated with the temperature deficit layer and horizontal advection are included, with significant regional variation. The residual term plays an increasingly active role as wind speed increases. Extremes in all coastal sectors are associated with a synoptic‐scale transient dipole of pressure anomalies driving warm‐air advection. Although katabatic forcing is a very large term in magnitude, it is found to play a passive role, declining as wind speeds increase during extreme conditions. In some regions, an anomalous southerly component develops during extremes, which we attribute to an ageostrophic barrier wind. This research underscores the major role for large‐scale forcing in Antarctica's coastal winds, but also reveals a significant regional locally driven component. The results have implications for improving numerical model simulations of coastal easterlies and for studying their impacts on ocean circulation, sea ice, and ice‐shelf basal melt.
Mediation analysis using incomplete information from publicly available data sources
Authors: Derkach Andriy , Kantor Elizabeth D. , Sampson Joshua N. , Pfeiffer Ruth M.
Published: April 2024

Our work was motivated by the question whether, and to what extent, well‐established risk factors mediate the racial disparity observed for colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence in the United States. Mediation analysis examines the relationships between an exposure, a mediator and an outcome. All available methods require access to a single complete data set with these three variables. However, because population‐based studies usually include few non‐White participants, these approaches have limited utility in answering our motivating question. Recently, we developed novel methods to integrate several data sets with incomplete information for mediation analysis. These methods have two limitations: (i) they only consider a single mediator and (ii) they require a data set containing individual‐level data on the mediator and exposure (and possibly confounders) obtained by independent and identically distributed sampling from the target population. Here, we propose a new method for mediation analysis with several different data sets that accommodates complex survey and registry data, and allows for multiple mediators. The proposed approach yields unbiased causal effects estimates and confidence intervals with nominal coverage in simulations. We apply our method to data from U.S. cancer registries, a U.S.‐population‐representative survey and summary level odds‐ratio estimates, to rigorously evaluate what proportion of the difference in CRC risk between non‐Hispanic Whites and Blacks is mediated by three potentially modifiable risk factors (CRC screening history, body mass index, and regular aspirin use).
Ultraviolet‐Driven Photocatalytic Degradation of Rhodamine B Using Ag3PO4 Nanoparticles for Sustainable Catalysis
Authors: Abinaya S. , Nickson J. Prince , Jebamary S. Asha , Jebakumar D. S. Ivan
Published: April 2024

The design and development of multifunctional nanomaterials holds the key to unlocking new possibilities in water treatment technologies due to the exceptional properties that emerge at the nanoscale. Here, we demonstrate the photocatalytic efficiency of silver orthophosphate in the UV region choosing Rhodamine B as the pollutant model. To begin with, a simple and scalable route was employed for the synthesis of silver orthophosphate nanoparticles. The cubic phase of the crystallized synthesized nanoparticles is revealed from powder X‐ray diffraction patterns and the optical absorbance exhibited onset of absorption at 522 nm in UV–visible spectrum. The microstructural analysis performed using scanning electron microscopy revealed the size of the particles to be in the range of 200–500 nm. The catalytic efficiency of the silver orthophosphate nanoparticles was assessed by following the kinetics of photocatalytic degradation and is observed to follow pseudo‐first order kinetics with the apparent rate constant
 min−1. The findings underline the efficiency of silver orthophosphate nanoparticles as a sustainable catalyst in UV region for the photoremediation of water contaminated with organic pollutants.
Corrosion Inhibition of Carbon Steel by Some Schiff Base Compounds in HCl and H2SO4 Solutions
Authors: Iranpour Maryam , Babaei Ali , Bagherzadeh Mojtaba
Published: April 2024

The inhibition power of two Schiff bases on carbon steel corrosion in 1 M HCl and 0.5 M H2SO4 solutions has been investigated using weight loss, Tafel polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. The results revealed that increasing the concentration of inhibitors in acidic solutions led to a higher inhibition efficiency. The polarization curves indicated that the Schiff bases acted as mixed inhibitors, affecting both the cathodic and anodic reactions. The adsorption of the inhibitors on the carbon steel surface followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm, and various adsorption isotherm parameters such as Kads, ΔGads, ΔHads, and ΔSads were determined at room temperature. Furthermore, the effect of temperature on the inhibitors′ performance was examined within the range of 25–45 °C. The corrosion‐related activation energy, pre‐exponential factor (k), activation enthalpy, and entropy were calculated to assess the inhibitors′ behavior. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to examine some carbon steel samples, revealing differences in inhibition efficiency attributed to the inhibitors′ chemical structure. The results highlighted the highest inhibition efficiency in H2SO4 medium at 93.4 %, with a corresponding free energy of 39.51 KJ/mol indicating physical‐chemical adsorption of inhibitor molecules. Furthermore, an enthalpy value of −40.6 KJ/mol suggested an exothermic inhibitor absorption process. The findings are presented and discussed in detail.
Ferrous Ions Modulated Copper Nanocluster as a Fluorescent and Colorimetric Switch for the Detection of L–DOPA
Authors: Varghese Susan , Chandran Nikesh , Madanan Anju S. , Abraham Merin K. , Shkhair Ali Ibrahim , Indongo Geneva , Rajeevan Greeshma , Vijila N. S. , Arathy B. K. , George Sony
Published: April 2024

L‐3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (levodopa or L–DOPA) a precursor of neurotransmitter dopamine, has been universally prescribed as a gold standard for treatment of Parkinson's Disease (PD). However, direct administration of L–DOPA has risky adverse effects which makes it challenging in the treatment of PD. Hence developing simple detection platform for sensing of L–DOPA is significant. In this work, we have developed cysteine stabilized copper nanocluster quenched with Fe2+ (Fe2+@cys@CuNC) and used as both fluorescent and colorimetric probe for detection of L–DOPA. L–DOPA attributed a fluorescence quenching effect on developed probe. Fe2+@cys@CuNC detected L–DOPA within a linear range from 0.06 mM to 1.31 mM with a low limit of detection (LoD) of 6.57 nM. The probe also exhibited high selectivity for L–DOPA over other biomolecules and neurotransmitters. Furthermore, the capability of this probe was validated by sensing L–DOPA from human serum with excellent recovery rates of 85.75 % to 115.07 %. A low‐cost paper strip‐based portable detection platform was also developed for visual detection of L–DOPA.
Metal‐Free and NBS‐Mediated C(sp3)−S Bond Cleavage of Thioethers to Access Alkyl Bromides
Authors: Luo Yanqi , Yuan Dan , Li Qin , Zhou Feng , Xu Ziyuan , Sun Xiaoqiang , Tang Long , Yang Ke
Published: April 2024

A selective C(sp3)−S bond cleavage of thioethers mediated by NBS is developed. Various alkyl bromides have been obtained in good yields using N‐aryl‐3‐(methylthio)propanamides and arylmethylene alkylthioethers. Mechanistic studies suggest that the formation of 3‐bromo‐N‐arylpropanamides may involve sulfoxide intermediates, while the arylmethylene bromides are formed through direct bromination process mediated by NBS. The significance of this strategy lies in its pioneering use of NBS for C−S bond cleavage and subsequent bromination reaction.
Polymetal‐Chelated Fabrication of Bimetallic Nanophosphides as Electrocatalysts for Zinc–Air Batteries
Authors: Gao Xuan‐Wen , Mu Jian‐Jia , Wei Ran , Wang Xue , Gu Qinfen , Zhao Lu‐Kang , Luo Wen‐Bin
Published: April 2024

Bimetallic phosphides are considered as promising electrocatalysts for zinc–air batteries toward oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). To address the semi‐conductor inherent low electronic conductivity and catalytic activity, a polymetal‐chelated strategy is employed to in situ fabricate bimetallic nanophosphides within carbon matrix anchoring by chemical bonding. The employment of biomolecule polydopamine (PDA) efficiently anchors various transition metal ions due to its strong chelating capability via inherent functional groups. Furthermore, the chelation of multi‐metal ion is proved to promote the formation of graphitic nitrogen. The bimetallic FexCoyP phosphides nanoparticles are intimately encapsulated in carbon matrix through in situ carbonization and phosphatization processes. When utilized in Zinc–air batteries, Fe0.20Co0.80P anchored within N, P co‐doped sub‐microsphere (Fe0.20Co0.80P /PNC) exhibit a maximum power density of 167 mW cm−2 and cycle life up to 270 cycles, with a round‐trip voltage of 0.955 V. The mechanisms for catalytic activity passivation are ascribed to the etching of nitrogen and oxidation of phosphorus in carbon matrix, as well as the oxidation of the surface phosphide on the sub‐microspheres. This study presents a promising candidate for advancing the further development of energy conversation catalysis.
Dual Interactive Mode Human–Machine Interfaces Based on Triboelectric Nanogenerator and IGZO/In2O3 Heterojunction Synaptic Transistor
Authors: Qi Yashuai , Tang Jing , Fan Shuangqing , An Chunhua , Wu Enxiu , liu Jing
Published: April 2024

Imitating human neural networks via bio‐inspired electronics advances human‐machine interfaces (HMI), overcoming von Neumann limitations and enabling efficient, low‐energy data processing in the big data era. However, single‐contact mode HMIs have inherent limitations in terms of their capabilities and performances, such as constrained adaptability to dynamic environments, and reduced cognitive processing capabilities. Here, a dual‐interactive‐mode HMI system based on a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) and heterojunction synaptic transistor (HJST) is proposed for both contact and non‐contact applications. The TENG incorporates a poly‐methyl meth‐acrylate (PMMA)‐NiCo2S4/S film, in which the NiCo2S4/S composite traps and blocks electrons to optimize charge generation and storage. The heterojunction structure, mitigates the Debye screening effect, thereby improving transistor characteristics and reliability. The integrated TENG‐HJST system exhibits synaptic functions, including excitatory/inhibitory postsynaptic current (EPSC/IPSC), paired‐pulse facilitation/depression (PPF/PPD), and synaptic plasticity, enabling emulation of neural behavior and advanced information processing. Moreover, neural morphology manipulation is demonstrated in practical tasks, such as controlling international chess games. By integrating the TENG‐HJST device with a robotic hand, conscious artificial responses are generated, enhancing event accuracy. This breakthrough in dual‐interactive‐mode interfacing holds promise for HMI systems and neural prostheses.
Wide‐Gap Perovskites for Indoor Photovoltaics
Authors: Burwell Gregory , Zeiske Stefan , Caprioglio Pietro , Sandberg Oskar J. , Kay Austin M. , Farrar Michael D. , Kim Yong Ryun , Snaith Henry J. , Meredith Paul , Armin Ardalan
Published: April 2024

Organic–inorganic halide perovskite semiconductors have revolutionized next‐generation photovoltaics (PV) due to several characteristics such as solution‐processability, gap tunability, and excellent charge generation and transport properties. This has made them very adaptable for various applications in light harvesting and photodetection. One such rapidly growing application is indoor photovoltaics (IPV) which have the potential to power standalone Internet of Things devices. IPV requires wider optimal bandgaps than solar cells (1.8 vs 1.3 eV) due to the differences between the spectra of artificial lights versus solar radiation. For IPV applications, the active layer wide‐gap perovskite must be developed systemically considering all other components of the device, such as interlayers, electrodes, and scaling. This perspective provides an overview of the potential and challenges facing perovskite‐based IPV from a theoretical, material, and experimental perspective. Furthermore, accurate characterization of perovskite IPVs under simulated indoor conditions is discussed and candidate perovskite PV (PPV) systems are presented to provide insight into IPV development. These include IPV‐optimized formamidinium cesium‐based perovskite, wide‐gap p‐i‐n devices, and 2D perovskite devices, tested under spectrophotometrically calibrated LED illumination at various indoor‐relevant illuminances and benchmarked against thermodynamic predictions. Finally, strategies required to create stable, optimized PPV devices for indoor applications are discussed.
Mechanistically derived macroscopic root water uptake functions: The α and ω of root water uptake functions
Authors: Vanderborght Jan , Couvreur Valentin , Javaux Mathieu , Leitner Daniel , Schnepf Andrea , Vereecken Harry
Published: April 2024

Water uptake by plant roots is an important component of the soil water balance. Predicting to what extent potential transpiration from the canopy, that is, transpiration demand, can be met by supply of water from the soil through the root system is crucial to simulate the actual transpiration and assess vegetation water stress. In models that simulate the dynamics of vertical soil water content profiles as a function of water fluxes and soil water potential gradients, the root water uptake (RWU) distribution is represented by macroscopic sink terms. We present RWU functions that calculate sink terms based on a mechanistic model of water flow in the soil–root system. Based on soil–root hydraulics, we define α‐supply functions representing the maximal uptake by the root system from a certain soil depth when the root collar water potential equals the wilting point, ω‐supply factors representing the maximal supply from the entire root system, and a critical ωc factor representing the potential transpiration demand. These functions and factors are subsequently used to calculate RWU distributions directly from potential transpiration or demand and the soil water potentials. Unlike currently used approaches, which define α‐stress functions and ω factors representing ratios of actual uptake to uptake demand, the supply‐based formulations can be derived directly from soil and root hydraulic properties and can represent processes like root hydraulic redistribution and hydraulic lift.
Anthropogenic particle concentrations and fluxes in an urban river are temporally variable and impacted by storm events
Authors: Berg Elizabeth M. , Dila Deborah K. , Schaul Olivia , Eros Audrey , McLellan Sandra L. , Newton Ryan J. , Hoellein Timothy J. , Kelly John J.
Published: April 2024

Anthropogenic particles (AP), which include microplastics and other synthetic, semisynthetic, and anthropogenically modified materials, are pollutants of concern in aquatic ecosystems worldwide. Rivers are important conduits and retention sites for AP, and time series data on the movement of these particles in lotic ecosystems are needed to assess the role of rivers in the global AP cycle. Much research assessing AP pollution extrapolates stream loads based on single time point measurements, but lotic ecosystems are highly variable over time (e.g., seasonality and storm events). The accuracy of models describing AP dynamics in rivers is constrained by the limited studies that examine how frequent changes in discharge drive particle retention and transport. This study addressed this knowledge gap by using automated, high‐resolution sampling to track AP concentrations and fluxes during multiple storm events in an urban river (Milwaukee River) and comparing these measurements to commonly monitored water quality metrics. AP concentrations and fluxes varied significantly across four storm events, highlighting the temporal variability of AP dynamics. When data from the sampling periods were pooled, there were increases in particle concentration and flux during the early phases of the storms, suggesting that floods may flush AP into the river and/or resuspend particles from the benthic zone. AP flux was closely linked to river discharge, suggesting large loads of AP are delivered downstream during storms. Unexpectedly, AP concentrations were not correlated with other simultaneously measured water quality metrics, including total suspended solids, fecal coliforms, chloride, nitrate, and sulfate, indicating that these metrics cannot be used to estimate AP. These data will contribute to more accurate models of particle dynamics in rivers and global plastic export to oceans.

Practitioner Points

Anthropogenic particle (AP) concentrations and fluxes in an urban river varied across four storm events.

AP concentrations and fluxes were the highest during the early phases of the storms.

Storms increased AP transport downstream compared with baseflow.

AP concentrations did not correlate with other water quality metrics during storms.
Small‐RNA‐guided histone modifications and somatic genome elimination in ciliates
Authors: Balan Thomas , Lerner Leticia Koch , Holoch Daniel , Duharcourt Sandra
Published: April 2024

Transposable elements and other repeats are repressed by small‐RNA‐guided histone modifications in fungi, plants and animals. The specificity of silencing is achieved through base‐pairing of small RNAs corresponding to the these genomic loci to nascent noncoding RNAs, which allows the recruitment of histone methyltransferases that methylate histone H3 on lysine 9. Self‐reinforcing feedback loops enhance small RNA production and ensure robust and heritable repression. In the unicellular ciliate Paramecium tetraurelia, small‐RNA‐guided histone modifications lead to the elimination of transposable elements and their remnants, a definitive form of repression. In this organism, germline and somatic functions are separated within two types of nuclei with different genomes. At each sexual cycle, development of the somatic genome is accompanied by the reproducible removal of approximately a third of the germline genome. Instead of recruiting a H3K9 methyltransferase, small RNAs corresponding to eliminated sequences tether Polycomb Repressive Complex 2, which in ciliates has the unique property of catalyzing both lysine 9 and lysine 27 trimethylation of histone H3. These histone modifications that are crucial for the elimination of transposable elements are thought to guide the endonuclease complex, which triggers double‐strand breaks at these specific genomic loci. The comparison between ciliates and other eukaryotes underscores the importance of investigating small‐RNAs‐directed chromatin silencing in a diverse range of organisms.

This article is categorized under:

Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > RNAi: Mechanisms of Action
Data, Aesthetics, and Visualizations of Deep Time
Authors: Tamborini Marco
Published: April 2024

This chapter accomplishes a phenomenology of deep time visualizations. It examines the power and limits of a series of visual devices used in paleontology and geology to access, and eventually work with the earth’s deep past. First, I discuss how paleontologists visualize and sort data in the field; second, I examine the practices used to illustrate and validate knowledge about extinct animals; third, I explore what function visualizations play in supporting the transition between data collection and the possible explanation of global biological phenomena such as the estimation of diversity through geological time; fourth, I inquire into the role of the computer; and fifth, I discuss the recent intersection between paleontology and different kinds of new technologies such as augmented and visual reality and robotics, both to shed light on some aspects of the past and to generate new research questions. In conclusion, I reflect on the intersection between earth science visual cultures and knowledge production. In particular, I point out the function of knowledge circulation and in between scientists in the production of visual devices as well as the importance of aesthetics for cooperative research projects and knowledge production in the earth sciences.
The Emergence of an Autonomous Political Arena in Ouvéa: An Ethnography of Its Local Council
Authors: Nayral Mélissa
Published: April 2024

The sessions of the Ouvéa local council attract the ethnographer’s attention because of the discrepancy between their discussions and local daily life on the island. On the one hand, these sessions look like any other local council sessions, including those of metropolitan France. But on the other, they also present various peculiarities characteristic of Ouvéa’s social and cultural context.

As elsewhere in the world, the organisation of political power observed and experienced during local council sessions is not simple. On the contrary, it exhibits hybrid characteristics from both a French institutional republican political world and from the so-called Kanak customary political universe. This chapter explores what J.-M. Tjibaou named “colonisation within the Republic” (Tjibaou, La présence Kanak. O. Jacob, Paris, 1996) by exploring this aspect of hybridity in a case study based on a long-term ethnography of local political practices and, more particularly, of the local council sessions held between 2007 and 2010.
A Critical Reflection of the Notion of “Common Destiny” in Kanaky-New Caledonia
Authors: Guiart Jean-Michel
Published: April 2024

This chapter critically reflects the notion of “common destiny” in Kanaky-New Caledonia. I argue that the binary political landscape also leads to binary social arrangements, which have the effect of hampering “living together”. The capitalist economic growth model adopted by both pro- and anti-independence parties promotes rationalism to the detriment of social and cultural coexistence and reinforces inequalities. There is currently a lack of viable alternatives to this “uncommon destiny”, and strong environmental protection measures and economic models based on solidarity are, at present, not on the agenda of political authorities. A broader vision of social and cultural change involves sustainable appropriation of the commons.