bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on 3D Simulation Performance of Large‐Scale Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell with Distribution Region
Authors: Shirong He , Mu Xiong , Xiaohui Jiang , Xi Yang , Yuntao Ye , Yong Zhang
Published: April 2023

The majority of the current research examines fuel cell performance metrics using single channels or small‐area flow fields, but fails to take into consideration the actual shape of the flow field of modern proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The homogeneous distribution of reaction gas concentration and liquid water distribution is examined using 3D computational fluid dynamics simulation on a commercial large‐scale PEMFC with 113.92 cm2 reaction area and distribution region as the object. The results show that the gas distribution in the fluid flow is effectively optimized under the action of the distribution zone, and the maximum concentration error of anode is 4.87%, which is far less than that of cathode, and the higher the flow rate in the flow channel, the stronger the water removal ability; the effects of different working pressure and flow direction of reactant gas on gas concentration in catalytic layer and water content in proton exchange membrane are also studied. The results show that higher working pressure is beneficial to improve the performance of fuel cell, and countercurrent mode is better; finally, the influence of coolant is analyzed, and the results show that coolant can effectively reduce the internal temperature of the fuel cell, which is beneficial to improve the life of the fuel cell.
Outdoor Thermal Performance of Photovoltaic Devices with Enhanced Daytime Radiative Cooling Glass
Authors: Pinto Cristina Leyre , Cornago Iñaki , Bengoechea Jaione
Published: April 2023

The increase in the operating temperature decreases the efficiency and the lifetime of photovoltaic (PV) systems. Radiative cooling effect offers a promising solution to passively reduce the operating temperature of PV modules using the atmospheric window (AW). Glass is a well‐known material used as front cover of PV modules. It presents a fairly good emissivity in the AW although a low‐absorption resonance at 9–10 μm decreases its overall emissivity, hampering its radiative cooling capacity. This effect can be reduced by tailoring the glass surface. Herein, glass samples are microstructured and characterized obtaining a decrease in reflectance and a substantial increase of the emissivity in the AW. Next, the glass samples are laminated with solar cells and installed outdoors without any convection barrier and monitored in open‐circuit configuration for almost half a year. The days are sorted by three meteorological conditions: sunny, partly cloudy, and cloudy days, which correspond to a decreasing availability of the AW. The average temperature difference between two samples is 0.8, 0.7, and 0.1 °C for the sunny, partly cloudy, and cloudy days, respectively. The maximum temperature difference obtained is 2.0 °C. No correlation between temperature difference and wind speed is observed.
High‐Performance Isotropic Thermo‐Electrochemical Cells Using Agar‐Gelled Ferricyanide/Ferrocyanide/Guanidinium
Authors: Jiang Lixian , Horike Shohei , Mukaida Masakazu , Kirihara Kazuhiro , Seki Kazuhiko , Wei Qingshuo
Published: April 2023

An isotropic thermo‐electrochemical cell is introduced with a high Seebeck coefficient (Se) of 3.3 mV K−1 that uses a ferricyanide/ferrocyanide/guanidinium‐based agar‐gelated electrolyte. A power density of about 20 µW cm−2 is achieved at a temperature difference of about 10 K, regardless of whether the heat source is on the top or bottom section of the cell. This behavior is very different from that of cells with liquid electrolytes, which exhibit high anisotropy, and for which high Se values are achieved only by heating the bottom electrode. The guanidinium‐containing gelatinized cell does not exhibit steady‐state operation, but its performance recovers when disconnected from the external load, suggesting that the observed power drop under load conditions is not due to device degeneration. The large Se value and isotropic properties can mean that the novel system represents a major advancement from the standpoint of harvesting of low‐temperature heat, such as body heat and solar thermal heat.
Advances in Wearable Piezoelectric Sensors for Hazardous Workplace Environments
Authors: Mokhtari Fatemeh , Cheng Zhenxiang , Wang Chun H , Foroughi Javad
Published: April 2023

Recent advances in wearable energy harvesting technology as solutions to occupational health and safety programs are presented. Workers are often exposed to harmful conditions—especially in the mining and construction industries—where chronic health issues can emerge over time. While wearable sensors technology can aid in early detection and long‐term exposure tracking, powering them and the associated risks are often an impediment for their widespread use, such as the need for frequent charging and battery safety. Repetitive vibration exposure is one such hazard, e.g., whole body vibration, yet it can also provide parasitic energy that can be harvested to power wearable sensors and overcome the battery limitations. This review can critically analyze the vibration effect on workers’ health, the limitations of currently available devices, explore new options for powering different personal protective equipment devices, and discuss opportunities and directions for future research. The recent progress in self‐powered vibration sensors and systems from the perspective of the underlying materials, applications, and fabrication techniques is reviewed. Lastly, the challenges and perspectives are discussed for reference to the researchers who are interested in self‐powered vibration sensors.
Biodegradation in Composting Conditions of PBEAS Monofilaments for the Sustainable End‐Use of Fishing Nets
Authors: Kim Jungkyu , Park Subong , Bang Junsik , Jin Hyoung‐Joon , Kwak Hyo Won
Published: April 2023

The development and utilization of biodegradable plastics is an effective way to overcome environmental pollution caused by the disposal of non‐degradable plastics. Recently, polybutylene succinate co‐butylene adipate co‐ethylene succinate co‐ethylene adipate, (PBEAS) a biodegradable polymer with excellent strength and elongation, was developed to replace conventional nylon‐based non‐degradable fishing nets. The biodegradable fishing gear developed in this way can greatly contribute to inhibiting ghost fishing that may occur at the fishing site. In addition, by collecting the products after use and disposing of them in composting conditions, the environmental problem such as the leakage of microplastics strongly can be prevented. In this study, the aerobic biodegradation of PBEAS fishing nets under composting conditions is evaluated and the resulting changes in physicochemical properties are analyzed. The PBEAS fishing gear exhibits a mineralization rate of 82% in a compost environment for 45 days. As a result of physicochemical analysis, PBEAS fibers show a representative decrease in molecular weight and mechanical properties under composting conditions. PBEAS fibers can be used as eco‐friendly biodegradable fishing gear that can replace existing non‐degradable nylon fibers, and in particular, fishing gear collected after use can be returned to nature through biodegradation under composting conditions.
Impact on stakeholders of a cultural adaptation of a social and emotional well‐being intervention in an Aboriginal community
Authors: Donovan Robert J. , Drane Catherine F. , Owen Julie , Murray Lesley , Nicholas Amberlee , Anwar‐McHenry Julia
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Australian Indigenous people conceptualise health broadly as situated within a social and emotional well‐being (SEWB) framework. A consultation process with an Aboriginal community revealed that the fundamental principles of the population wide, community‐based Act‐Belong‐Commit mental health promotion Campaign were consistent with Aboriginal people's understanding of SEWB and that a cultural adaptation of the Campaign would be welcomed in the community. The purpose of this paper is to present key stakeholders' feedback on the Campaign adaptation.

Methodology

Two years after implementation of the Campaign, individual in‐depth interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of n = 18 Indigenous and non‐Indigenous stakeholders to identify ongoing issues in the community and assess their reactions to the Campaign implementation and perceptions of the effects of the Campaign on the community.

Results

The two primary factors influencing stakeholder acceptance of the Campaign in the community were (i) the nature of the consultation process that clearly acknowledged that it was for the community to decide whether or not to adopt the Campaign and (ii) the ability of the Aboriginal Project Manager to gain the trust of the community, bring stakeholders together and illustrate the Act‐Belong‐Commit principles in her actions in the community. Stakeholders reported observing social and emotional well‐being benefits for individuals, their families and the whole community.

Conclusion

Overall, the results suggest that the Act‐Belong‐Commit mental health promotion Campaign can be successfully culturally adapted as a community‐based, social and emotional well‐being Campaign in Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities.

So What?

The Act‐Belong‐Commit cultural adaptation in Roebourne provides an evidence‐based best practice model for the development of culturally appropriate mental health promotion campaigns in Indigenous communities around Australia.
Numerical investigation of an enhanced PTC absorber tube using cylindrical inserts
Authors: Haddouche Mohammed Reda
Published: April 2023

The main purpose of this study is to investigate numerically the thermal performance of a parabolic trough solar collector's absorber tube that contains a novel kind of inserts with the objective to improve the heat transfer between the heat transfer fluid and the absorber tube. In the first part of this paper, the diameter and the length of the cylindrical inserts are investigated based on finite volume method and Monte Carlo ray tracing method for Reynolds number ranges from 2.36 × 104 to 7.09 × 104. In the second part, the eccentricity of the cylindrical inserts is investigated under the same operating conditions. The Therminol®VP1 is the HTF that is used in this investigation's intermediate fluid. The numerical simulation indicates that the perturbators enhance the thermal behavior of the receiver and reduces the absorber tube's temperature difference.
Effect of rotation and internal heat generation on Darcy–Brinkman convection in Oldroyd‐B liquid
Authors: Swamy Mahantesh S. , Nandeppanavar Mahantesh M.
Published: April 2023

Convection in an Oldroyd‐B liquid saturated highly permeable porous medium is studied via both linear and nonlinear theories. Estimating a convection threshold is the objective of linear‐stability analysis whereas convection amplitudes and heat transfer are elucidated by performing nonlinear‐stability analysis. The eigenvalue problem is solved by the Galerkin method of weighted residuals. The oscillatory mode becomes dominant over the stationary mode. This is because of the race among diffusivity, viscoelasticity, internal‐heat generation, and rotation. The increasing permeability, internal heat generation coefficient, and stress‐relaxation parameter are liable to subcritical motions while the rotation, viscosities ratio, heat capacities ratio, and strain retardation parameter are responsible for the system attaining a supercritical state. The Runge–Kutta–Gill method presents the mechanism to evaluate the amount of heat transfer. The increasing Rayleigh number, internal Rayleigh number, Darcy number, Deborah number, Prandtl number, and the heat capacities ratio enhance the heat transfer. This offers a convenient mechanism for regulating convection. The results obtained in the present paper are expected to play a decisive role in some of the real‐life applications such as oil‐reservoir modeling, crude oil extraction, crystal growth, medicine industries, geothermal‐energy utilization, and so on.
Perfusion and T2 Relaxation Time as Predictors of Severity and Outcome in Sepsis‐Associated Acute Kidney Injury: A Preclinical MRI Study
Authors: Zhao Wan‐Ting , Herrmann Karl‐Heinz , Sibgatulin Renat , Nahardani Ali , Krämer Martin , Heitplatz Barbara , van Marck Veerle , Reuter Stefan , Reichenbach Jürgen R. , Hoerr Verena
Published: April 2023

Background

Preventing sepsis‐associated acute kidney injury (S‐AKI) can be challenging because it develops rapidly and is often asymptomatic. Probability assessment of disease progression for therapeutic follow‐up and outcome are important to intervene and prevent further damage.

Purpose

To establish a noninvasive multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) tool, including T1, T2, and perfusion mapping, for probability assessment of the outcome of S‐AKI.

Study Type

Preclinical randomized prospective study.

Animal Model

One hundred and forty adult female SD rats (65 control and 75 sepsis).

Field Strength/Sequence

9.4T; T1 and perfusion map (FAIR‐EPI) and T2 map (multiecho RARE).

Assessment

Experiment 1: To identify renal injury in relation to sepsis severity, serum creatinine levels were determined (31 control and 35 sepsis). Experiment 2: Animals underwent mpMRI (T1, T2, perfusion) 18 hours postsepsis. A subgroup of animals was immediately sacrificed for histology examination (nine control and seven sepsis). Result of mpMRI in follow‐up subgroup (25 control and 33 sepsis) was used to predict survival outcomes at 96 hours.

Statistical Tests

Mann–Whitney U test, Spearman/Pearson correlation (r), P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Severely ill septic animals exhibited significantly increased serum creatinine levels compared to controls (70 ± 30 vs. 34 ± 9 μmol/L, P < 0.0001). Cortical perfusion (480 ± 80 vs. 330 ± 140 mL/100 g tissue/min, P < 0.005), and cortical and medullary T2 relaxation time constants were significantly reduced compared to controls (41 ± 4 vs. 37 ± 5 msec in cortex, P < 0.05, 52 ± 7 vs. 45 ± 6 msec in medulla, P < 0.05). The combination of cortical T2 relaxation time constants and perfusion results at 18 hours could predict survival outcomes at 96 hours with high sensitivity (80%) and specificity (73%) (area under curve of ROC = 0.8, Jmax = 0.52).

Data Conclusion

This preclinical study suggests combined T2 relaxation time and perfusion mapping as first line diagnostic tool for treatment planning.

Level of Evidence

2

Technical Efficacy Stage

2
Contribution of terpenes, methanethiol, and fermentative esters to sparkling wine aroma in relation to production technology, vintage, and aging: a case study on Durello wines
Authors: Luzzini Giovanni , Slaghenaufi Davide , Facinelli Daniele , Ugliano Maurizio
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND

The present study aimed to assess the chemical and sensory variability existing across sparkling white wines of a single appellation in relation to production technique and aging, identifying the existence of specific aroma chemical and sensory (odor) signatures. For this purpose, we selected Durello, an emerging sparkling white wine from the Veneto region produced using either Charmat or Classico methods.

RESULTS

Comparison of Durello varietal volatiles profile with other Italian sparkling and still wines highlighted specific features of Durello, such as high content of 1,4‐cineole and non‐megastigmane norisoprenoids. The production technique (Charmat or Champenoise) impacted both the volatile chemical profile, influencing the content of esters, fatty acids, cyclic terpenoids, C6 alcohols, β‐damascenone and methanethiol. With regard to wine age and vintage, an influence on esters, p‐menthane‐1,8‐diol, cineoles and methyl salicylate was observed.

CONCLUSION

Sensory evaluation by means of a sorting task approach indicated the existence of two main types of odor profile, one clearly associated with Classico method. The main drivers of such aroma diversity were esters, 1,4‐cineole and methanethiol. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
The association of hidradenitis suppurativa with obstructive sleep apnea: A cross‐sectional study using the All of Us database
Authors: Yeroushalmi Samuel , Liu Jared , Chung Mimi , Elhage Kareem G. , Bartholomew Erin , Hakimi Marwa , Kumar Sugandh , Ildardashty Alexander , Naik Haley B. , Bhutani Tina , Liao Wilson
Published: April 2023

Background

Preliminary evidence shows a possible association between hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is associated with various cardiovascular comorbidities.

Objectives

To determine the odds of OSA among patients with HS compared with patients without HS.

Methods

We performed a cross‐sectional analysis using the All of Us research program database using electronic health records (EHR) and survey data from individual patient records extracted on 7 May 2022. Adult patients with available EHR records who either had at least one recorded diagnosis of HS determined by SNOMED‐CT code (HS cohort) or did not have a diagnosis (non‐HS cohort). The main outcome was a diagnosis of OSA as determined by SNOMED‐CT code. Demographic features, survey data, and relevant comorbidities were also collected.

Results

A total of 1647 patients with HS and 269,492 patients without HS were included. Of the HS patients, the mean age was 50.2 years, 79.0% were female, 39.8% were African American, 38.4% were White, and 17.4% were Hispanic or Latino. The prevalence of OSA in HS patients was 22.2% compared with 4.8% in non‐HS patients. Univariate and multivariate odds ratios of OSA between HS and non‐HS patients were 3.04 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.70–3.42) and 2.00 (95% CI: 1.72–2.33), respectively. The odds of OSA were highest in HS patients who were male, white, over 65 years of age, obese, and had hypertension, or hypothyroidism.

Conclusions

The odds of being affected by both HS and OSA are augmented by multiple demographic factors, including white race, male gender, obesity, hypertension, hypothyroidism, and age over 65. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Phase‐Engineering Strategy for Multidimensional Light Steering in a Photonic Higher‐Order Topological Insulator
Authors: Jia Shiyin , Huang Renwen , Hu Junzheng , Jiang Yao , Huang Hui , Xie Biye , Lu Minghui , Zhan Peng , Chen Yanfeng , Wang Zhenlin
Published: April 2023

Higher‐order topological (HOT) insulators have been extensively studied for their unique multidimensional boundary states such as hinge states and corner states. However, most of the recent studies are limited to static excitation of topological boundary states, restricting the development of their practical devices that possess the capability of diverse and programmable dynamic control of states. Here, a facile approach to achieve flexible control of light‐steering based on the symmetrized wave profiles of topological corner states is introduced. Specifically, multiple coherent sources are imported at symmetrical positions in higher‐order topological photonic crystals. By engineering phase differences among the sources, a controllable spatial‐resolved excitation of topological corner states is realized and a coding technique via controllable excitation of topological corner states is raised conceptually. Furthermore, an effective way to achieve direction‐selective excitation of topological edge states without the requirement of circularly polarized sources is proposed. The result provides a reliable active technique to modulate HOT boundary states while keeping the photonic structure invariable, which might be a practical alternative to manipulate light flexibly in integrated topological photonic devices with fixed configuration.
Neurological damages in COVID‐19 patients: Mechanisms and preventive interventions
Authors: Sarkar Sibani , Karmakar Subhajit , Basu Malini , Ghosh Pratyasha , Ghosh Mrinal K
Published: April 2023

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), a novel coronavirus, causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) which led to neurological damage and increased mortality worldwide in its second and third waves. It is associated with systemic inflammation, myocardial infarction, neurological illness including ischemic strokes (e.g., cardiac and cerebral ischemia), and even death through multi‐organ failure. At the early stage, the virus infects the lung epithelial cells and is slowly transmitted to the other organs including the gastrointestinal tract, blood vessels, kidneys, heart, and brain. The neurological effect of the virus is mainly due to hypoxia‐driven reactive oxygen species (ROS) and generated cytokine storm. Internalization of SARS‐CoV‐2 triggers ROS production and modulation of the immunological cascade which ultimately initiates the hypercoagulable state and vascular thrombosis. Suppression of immunological machinery and inhibition of ROS play an important role in neurological disturbances. So, COVID‐19 associated damage to the central nervous system, patients need special care to prevent multi‐organ failure at later stages of disease progression. Here in this review, we are selectively discussing these issues and possible antioxidant‐based prevention therapies for COVID‐19‐associated neurological damage that leads to multi‐organ failure.
Excessive α‐β Oscillations Mark Enlarged Motor Sign Severity and Parkinson's Disease Duration
Authors: Belova Elena , Semenova Ulia , Gamaleya Anna , Tomskiy Alexey , Sedov Alexey
Published: April 2023

Background

β Oscillations in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) have been proven to contribute to Parkinson's disease (PD), but the exact borders of β subbands vary substantially across the studies, and information regarding heterogeneity of β rhythmic activity is still limited. Recently, α oscillations in the basal ganglia have also become the focus of PD research.

Objectives

The aim was to study rhythmic oscillations in the STN in PD patients to identify different subbands with stable oscillatory peaks within a broad α‐β range and to establish their associations with motor symptoms.

Methods

Local field potentials inside the STN were recorded during deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgeries. After calculating power spectra and extracting an aperiodic component, oscillatory peaks in the 8‐ to 35‐Hz range with amplitude exceeding 90th percentile were clustered into three bands. Peak parameters were estimated for two lower subbands. Clinical features were compared in patients with and without oscillation peaks in the lowest α‐β subband.

Results

We isolated α‐β (8–15 Hz), β (15–25 Hz), and β‐γ (25–35 Hz) subbands within the 8‐ to 35‐Hz spectral range using oscillatory parameters and Ward's hierarchical clustering. Additional α‐β oscillatory peaks were found in about half of patients with β peaks; they were located more ventrally compared to β. We have found a significant increase in disease duration, bradykinesia, and rigidity scores in the group with additional α‐β peaks.

Conclusions

Increased α‐β oscillations may emerge as additional phenomena complementing β oscillations; they may mark disease progression in PD and affect DBS stimulation setup. © 2023 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Opt‐in for secondary findings as part of diagnostic whole‐exome sequencing: Real‐life experience from an international diagnostic laboratory
Authors: Brunfeldt Minna , Kaare Milja , Saarinen Inka , Koskenvuo Juha , Kääriäinen Helena
Published: April 2023

Background

Discussion about the risks and benefits of offering secondary findings as part of genome‐wide diagnostics lacks real‐life data. We studied the opt‐in decisions of patients/families referred to whole exome study (WES) in Blueprint Genetics (BpG), a genetic testing company with customers in over 70 countries to receive secondary findings. Based on the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) recommendations for reporting secondary findings, BpG offered testing of specific actionable genes without additional charge for specimens submitted to WES diagnostics.

Methods

Individuals could opt‐in for a secondary findings analysis by using a separate electronic consent form. Data from BpG database of electronic consent forms was used for the analysis.

Results

During the selected study period there were 3263 WES referrals, from which 2012 were index patients. About half of the individuals (50.4%) opted in to receiving secondary findings. Of patients who opted in, a secondary finding was detected for 2.7%, similar to other studies. We detected huge differences relating to opt‐in between individuals from different countries; for instance, 90% of the 41 patients and their family members in Romania opted to receive secondary findings, while none of the 98 patients in Luxembourg chose that option.

Conclusion

Differences between sexes or between children and adults were small. This data offers one view to the interest of patients and family members to opt in to receiving secondary findings. Research is needed to understand the influence of factors like age, education etc. and possible participation in pre‐test counseling to receiving/not receiving secondary findings.
Neurocognitive and emotional factors predict pain‐related healthcare utilization in children with sickle cell disease
Authors: Hardy Steven J. , Williams Zaria , Berger Carly , Griffin Danielle , Weisman Hannah , Liang Hua , Darbari Deepika S.
Published: April 2023

Background

Youth with sickle cell disease (SCD) experience increased rates of neurocognitive and emotional difficulties. Cross‐sectional studies suggest neurocognitive and emotional functioning are associated with health outcomes in SCD. We investigated whether neurocognitive and emotional factors predicted future pain‐related healthcare utilization in children with SCD.

Procedure

Total 112 youth with SCD between ages 7 and 16 years reported sociodemographics and completed measures of neurocognitive functioning and emotional well‐being. The number of emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations for pain 1 and 3 years after enrollment were determined by chart review.

Results

The mean age of participants was 10.61 years (standard deviation = 2.91), with most being female (n = 65; 58%). Eighty‐three (74%) participants had either HbSS or HbSβ0 thalassemia. Regression analyses showed that attention significantly predicted ED visits and hospitalizations for pain at 1 and 3 years after enrollment (all p‐values ≤ .017), such that poorer attention was associated with higher healthcare utilization. Lower emotional quality of life also predicted more ED visits for pain at 3 years (b = −.009, p = .013) and hospitalizations for pain at 3 years (b = −.008, p = .020).

Conclusions

Neurocognitive and emotional factors are associated with subsequent healthcare use in youth with SCD. Poor attentional control might limit implementation of strategies to distract from pain or could make disease self‐management behaviors more challenging. Results also highlight the potential impact of stress on pain onset, perception, and management. Clinicians should consider neurocognitive and emotional factors when developing strategies to optimize pain‐related outcomes in SCD.
Preparation of a 3D BN network structure by a salt‐template‐assisted method filled with epoxy resin to obtain high thermal conductivity nanocomposites
Authors: Wang Zhanyi , Wang Xuan , Zhang Zhonghua , Liang Liang , Zhao Zhihang , Shi Jiahao
Published: April 2023

It is crucial to improve the thermal management capability of polymeric materials while maintaining their electrical insulating properties. Constructing thermally conductive networks with three‐dimensional structures inside polymers is an efficient way to build thermally conductive pathways. A unique three‐dimensional interconnected hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) skeleton was prepared by sacrificing salt templates. The prepared three‐dimensional skeleton exhibited a sponge‐like structure. BN served as the main body of the thermally conductive skeleton, and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) served as the binder between BN. It was subsequently supplemented with vacuum impregnation of epoxy resin to improve the thermal conductivity of the epoxy composites. The composite achieved a thermal conductivity of 1.245 W/(m·K) at a filler loading of 21 wt%, and equivalent to a thermal conductivity enhancement of 611.4% compared to the pure resin matrix. The prepared composites exhibit good thermal management capabilities and excellent insulation properties, showing great potential for electrical and electronic device applications. This work provides a new direction for the preparation of thermal management materials.
Development of propylene butene copolymer/ethylene propylene diene monomer blend foam and the effect of network structure on its reprocessing properties
Authors: Zhou Wenyan , Yu Zhen , Yang Lijuan , Shan Tikun , Zhang Zhenxiu
Published: April 2023

Thermoplastic materials have received extensive attention for their excellent mechanical properties and reproducibility, and have been emerging in lightweight accessories. However, for the traditional thermoplastic vulcanized (TPV) rubber, the dynamic vulcanization process makes it difficult to achieve low density and good compression performance. Herein, lightweight propylene butene copolymer/ethylene propylene diene monomer (PPB/EPDM) blend foam was prepared by static vulcanization of PPB and EPDM blend and supercritical nitrogen (sc‐N2) foaming technology. The minimum density and compression set of the PPB/EPDM blend foam were 0.065 g/cm3 and 13.6% respectively, a significant improvement was obtained compared with TPV. In addition, the PPB/EPDM blends retained the mechanical properties after seven times reprocessing, and the blend foam had similar cell structures to that of dynamic vulcanized TPV foam because of the phase transition of PPB/EPDM blend during reprocessing. This work provided an idea for the preparation of high‐performance, lightweight, and recyclable thermoplastic materials.
A greenhouse‐based high‐throughput phenotyping platform for identification and genetic dissection of resistance to Aphanomyces root rot in field pea
Authors: Bari Md. Abdullah Al , Fonseka Dimitri , Stenger John , Zitnick‐Anderson Kimberly , Atanda Sikiru Adeniyi , Morales Mario , Worral Hannah , Piche Lisa , Kim Jeonghwa , Johnson Josephine , Saludares Rica Amor , Flores Paulo , Pasche Julie , Bandillo Nonoy
Published: April 2023

Aphanomyces root rot (ARR) is a devastating disease in field pea (Pisum sativum L.) that can cause up to 100% crop failure. Assessment of ARR resistance can be a rigorous, costly, time‐demanding activity that is relatively low‐throughput and prone to human errors. These limits the ability to effectively and efficiently phenotype the disease symptoms arising from ARR infection which remains a perennial bottleneck to the successful evaluation and incorporation of disease resistance into new cultivars. In this study, we developed a greenhouse‐based high‐throughput phenotyping (HTP) platform that moves along the rails above the greenhouse benches and captures the visual symptoms caused by Aphanomyces euteiches in field pea. We pilot tested this platform alongside with conventional visual scoring in five experimental trials under greenhouse conditions, assaying over 12,600 single plants of advanced breeding lines developed by the North Dakota State University Pulse Breeding Program. Precision estimated through broad‐sense heritability (H2) was consistently higher for RGB‐derived indices (H2, Exg = 0.86) than the conventional visual scores (H2, disease severity index = 0.59). Prediction of disease severity using a random forest modeling of RGB‐derived indices achieved 0.69 accuracy on the test sets, with inaccurate classification partly attributed to the presence of tolerant lines (displaying root rot but no foliar symptoms) and within‐line genetic heterogeneity. We genetically dissected variation for ARR resistance from the population using RGB‐derived indices and visual scores through genome‐wide association mapping and identified a total of 260 associated single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). The number of associated SNP for RGB‐derived indices was consistently higher than the number of associated SNP identified using visual scores, with the most significant SNP explaining about 5%–9% of variance per index. We identified previously mapped genes known to be involved in the biological pathways that trigger immunity against ARR and a few novel QTLs with small‐effect sizes that may be worthy of validation in the future. The newly identified QTLs and underlying genes, along with genotypes with promising resistance identified in this study, can be useful for improving a long‐term and durable resistance to ARR.
Dipicolinic acid enhances kiwifruit resistance to Botrytis cinerea by promoting phenolics accumulation
Authors: Wang Su‐Yan , Pang Yi‐Bo , Tao Yuan , Shi Xin‐Chi , Zhang Yun‐Jiao , Wang Yan‐Xia , Jiang Yong‐Hui , Ji Xin‐Yu , Wang Bing‐Lin , Herrera‐Balandrano Daniela D. , Laborda Pedro
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND

Kiwifruit is highly susceptible to fungal pathogens, such as Botrytis cinerea, which reduce crop production and quality. In this study, dipicolinic acid (DPA), which is one of the main components of Bacillus spores, was evaluated as a new elicitor to enhance kiwifruit resistance to B. cinerea.

RESULTS

DPA enhances antioxidant capacity and induces the accumulation of phenolics in B. cinerea‐infected ‘Xuxiang’ kiwifruit. The contents of the main antifungal phenolics in kiwifruit, including caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid and isoferulic acid, increased after DPA treatment. DPA enhanced H2O2 levels after 0 and 1 days, which promoted catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, reducing long‐term H2O2 levels. DPA promoted the up‐regulation of several kiwifruit defense genes, including CERK1, MPK3, PR1‐1, PR1‐2, PR5‐1 and PR5‐2. Furthermore, DPA at 5 mM inhibited B. cinerea symptoms in kiwifruit (95.1% lesion length inhibition) more effectively than the commercial fungicides carbendazim, difenoconazole, prochloraz and thiram.

CONCLUSIONS

The antioxidant properties of DPA and the main antifungal phenolics of kiwifruit were examined for the first time. This study uncovers new insights regarding the potential mechanisms used by Bacillus species to induce disease resistance. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Design and Synthesis of Novel NIR‐Sensitive Unsymmetrical Squaraine Dyes for Molecular Photovoltaics
Authors: Pradhan Safalmani , Kurokawa Yuki , Pandey Shyam Sudhir
Published: April 2023

Two novel near‐infrared (NIR)‐sensitive unsymmetrical squaraine dyes, SQ‐258 and SQ‐259, for their suitability as a sensitizer in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are designed and synthesized, followed by photophysical and photovoltaic characterizations. It is demonstrated that introducing a 1,3‐indandione acceptor unit in the central squaric acid core of SQ‐259 leads to the suppression of dye aggregation owing to its nonplanar molecular geometry and the broadening of the optical absorption and photon‐harvesting window up to 800 nm. Owing to the extended wavelength photon harvesting, SQ‐259 improves the photoconversion efficiency (PCE) compared to its SQ‐258 dye counterpart. However, despite its wide wavelength photon harvesting, the improvement in the PCE of SQ‐259 is less pronounced, and this is attributed to the small driving force for injection of electrons (0.29 eV), hampered electronic coupling, and decreased electron lifetime for resistance to recombination (7.9 ms), which is confirmed by the cyclic voltammetry, quantum chemical calculation, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic investigations, respectively.
A Gradient‐Cost Multiobjective Alternate Framework for Variational Quantum Eigensolver with Variable Ansatz
Authors: Li Ze‐Tong , Meng Fan‐Xu , Zeng Han , Gong Zhai‐Rui , Zhang Zai‐Chen , Yu Xu‐Tao
Published: April 2023

Variational quantum eigensolver (VQE), aiming at determining the ground state energy of a quantum system described by a Hamiltonian on noisy intermediate scale quantum (NISQ) devices. However, the accuracy and trainability of the current VQE algorithm are significantly influenced due to the barren plateau (BP), the non‐negligible gate error and limited coherence time in NISQ devices. To tackle these issues, a gradient‐cost multiobjective alternate framework with variable ansatz is proposed. A theoretical framework is first proposed for VQE with variable ansatz (VA‐VQE) via alternately solving a multiobjective optimization problem defined by cost function values and gradient magnitudes and the original VQE problem. Then, a novel implementation method based on the double ε‐greedy strategy with the candidate tree and modified multiobjective genetic algorithm is proposed. As a result, the local optima are avoided both in ansatz and parameter perspectives, the BP phenomenon is alleviated, and the stability of output ansatz is enhanced. The experimental results indicate that this framework shows considerably average improvement of the error and stability by 59.6% and 78.8% compared with the state‐of‐the‐art cost‐criterion‐based VA‐VQE implementation, and 54.1% and 73.5% compared with the gradient‐criterion‐based counterpart, respectively, with lower quantum costs.
Study on climbing strategy and analysis of Mars rover
Authors: Chen Zhen , Zou Meng , Pan Dong , Chen Lining , Liu Yansong , Yuan Baofeng , Zhang Qiang
Published: April 2023

To ensure the safety and efficiency of Zhurong Mars rover when climbing a slope on Mars, the forces of the rover under four climbing methods, which are normal climbing, Z‐type climbing, diagonal climbing, and bionic wriggle climbing, are analyzed. Each method corresponds to different maximum climbing slopes. The experiments are carried out with a backup rover on dense and soft terrains to determine the range of climbing slope for different climbing methods. According to the slope, peak current, cost of transport, and state of terrain, the climbing strategy is given. For dense and soft terrains, the soil cohesive is 0.99 and 1.4 kN/mn+1 and soil friction modules are 1528 and 700 kN/mn+2, respectively. Specifically, normal climbing is recommended for low‐range slopes, while Z‐type or diagonal climbing are suggested for medium‐range slopes, and bionic wriggle climbing is found to be optimal for high‐range slopes. To ensure the safety of the Zhurong Mars rover, it fails climbing if the critical values are exceeded. These results provide valuable insights for human operators when planning the rover's slope‐climbing actions on Mars.
Tip‐Induced Nanopatterning of Ultrathin Polymer Brushes
Authors: Gröger Roland , Heiler Tobias , Schimmel Thomas , Walheim Stefan
Published: April 2023

Patterned, ultra‐thin surface layers can serve as templates for positioning nanoparticlesor targeted self‐assembly of molecular structures, for example, block‐copolymers. This work investigates the high‐resolution, atomic force microscopebased patterning of 2 nm thick vinyl‐terminated polystyrene brush layers and evaluates the line broadening due to tip degradation. This work compares the patterning properties with those of a silane‐based fluorinated self‐assembled monolayer (SAM), using molecular heteropatterns generated by modified polymer blend lithography (brush/SAM‐PBL). Stable line widths of 20 nm (FWHM) over lengths of over 20000 µm indicate greatly reduced tip wear, compared to expectations on uncoated SiOx surfaces. The polymer brush acts as a molecularly thin lubricating layer, thus enabling a 5000 fold increase in tip lifetime, and the brush is bonded weakly enough that it can be removed with surgical accuracy. On traditionally used SAMs, either the tip wear is very high or the molecules are not completely removed. Polymer Phase Amplified Brush Editing is presented, which uses directed self‐assembly to amplify the aspect ratio of the molecular structures by a factor of 4. The structures thus amplified allow transfer into silicon/metal heterostructures, fabricating 30 nm deep, all‐silicon diffraction gratings that could withstand focused high‐power 405 nm laser irradiation.
“Salting out” in Hofmeister Effect Enhancing Mechanical and Electrochemical Performance of Amide‐based Hydrogel Electrolytes for Flexible Zinc‐Ion Battery
Authors: Cao Guanghua , Zhao Lei , Ji Xiwei , Peng Yuanyou , Yu Meimei , Wang Xiangya , Li Xiangye , Ran Fen
Published: April 2023

With the development of flexible and wearable electronic devices, it is a new challenge for polymer hydrogel electrolytes to combine high mechanical flexibility and electrochemical performance into one membrane. In general, the high content of water in hydrogel electrolyte membranes always leads to poor mechanical strength, and limits their applications in flexible energy storage devices. In this work, based on the “salting out” phenomenon in Hofmeister effect, a kind of gelatin‐based hydrogel electrolyte membrane is fabricated with high mechanical strength and ionic conductivity by soaking pre‐gelated gelatin hydrogel in 2 m ZnSO4 aqueous. Among various gelatin‐based electrolyte membranes, the gelatin‐ZnSO4 electrolyte membrane delivers the “salting out” property of Hofmeister effect, which improves both the mechanical strength and electrochemical performance of gelatin‐based electrolyte membranes. The breaking strength reaches 1.5 MPa. When applied to supercapacitors and zinc‐ion batteries, it can sustain over 7500 and 9300 cycles for repeated charging and discharging processes. This study provides a very simple and universal method to prepare polymer hydrogel electrolytes with high strength, toughness, and stability, and its applications in flexible energy storage devices provide a new idea for the construction of secure and stable flexible and wearable electronic devices.
Low‐Concentration Redox‐Electrolytes for High‐Rate and Long‐Life Zinc Metal Batteries
Authors: Wang Shipeng , Zhao Yuwei , Lv Haiming , Hu Xuanhe , He Jun , Zhi Chunyi , Li Hongfei
Published: April 2023

The uncontrolled zinc electrodeposition and side reactions severely limit the power density and lifespan of Zn metal batteries. Herein, the multi‐level interface adjustment effect is realized with low‐concentration redox‐electrolytes (0.2 m KI) additives. The iodide ions adsorbed on the zinc surface significantly suppress water‐induced side reactions and by‐product formation and enhance the kinetics of zinc deposition. The distribution of relaxation times results reveal that iodide ions can reduce the desolvation energy of hydrated zinc ions and guide the deposition of zinc ions due to their strong nucleophilicity. As a consequence, the Zn||Zn symmetric cell achieves superior cycling stability (>3000 h at 1 mA cm−2, 1 mAh cm−2) accompanied by a uniform deposition and a fast reaction kinetics with a low voltage hysteresis (<30 mV). Additionally, coupled with an activated carbon (AC) cathode, the assembled Zn||AC cell delivers a high‐capacity retention of 81.64% after 2000 cycles at 4 A g−1. More importantly, the operando electrochemical UV–vis spectroscopies show that a small number of I3− can spontaneously react with the dead zinc as well as basic zinc saltsand regenerate iodide ions and zinc ions; thus, the Coulombic efficiency of each charge–discharge process is close to 100%.
Hierarchical Nanoarchitectonics of Ultrathin 2D Organic Nanosheets for Aqueous Processed Electroluminescent Devices
Authors: Zhang He , Lin Dong‐Qing , Wang Yang‐Cheng , Li Zhu‐Xin , Hu Shu , Huang Lei , Zhang Xin‐Wen , Jin Dong , Sheng Chuan‐Xiang , Xu Chun‐Xiang , Xie Ling‐Hai
Published: April 2023

Ultrathin 2D organic nanosheets (2DONs) with high mobility have received tremendous attention due to thickness of few molecular layers. However, ultrathin 2DONs with high luminescence efficiency and flexibility simultaneously are rarely reported. Here, the ultrathin 2DONs (thickness: 19 nm) through the modulation of tighter molecular packing (distance: ≈3.31 Å) achievable from the incorporation of methoxyl and dipenylamine (DPA) groups into 3D spirofluorenexanthene (SFX) building blocks is successfully prepared. Even with closer molecular stacking, ultrathin 2DONs still enable the suppression of aggregation quenching to exhibit higher quantum yields of blue emission (ΦF = 48%) than that on amorphous film (ΦF = 20%), and show amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) with a mediate threshold (332 mW cm−2). Further, through drop‐casting method, the ultrathin 2DONs are self‐organized into large‐scale flexible 2DONs films (1.5 × 1.5 cm) with the low hardness (H: 0.008 Gpa) and low Young's modulus (Er: 0.63 Gpa). Impressively, the large‐scale 2DONs film can realize electroluminescence performances with a maximum luminance (445 cd m−2) and low turn on voltage (3.7 V). These ultrathin 2DONs provide a new avenue for the realization of flexible electrically pumping lasers and intelligent quantum tunneling systems.
Boosting the Thermoelectric Performance of the Doped DPP‐EDOT Conjugated Polymer by Incorporating an Ionic Additive
Authors: Song Yilin , Dai Xiaojuan , Zou Ye , Li Cheng , Di Chong‐an , Zhang Deqing , Zhu Daoben
Published: April 2023

The thermoelectric (TE) performance of organic materials is limited by the coupling of Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity. Herein a new strategy is reported to boost the Seebeck coefficient of conjugated polymer without significantly reducing the electrical conductivity by incorporation of an ionic additive DPPNMe3Br. The doped polymer PDPP‐EDOT thin film exhibits high electrical conductivity up to 1377 ± 109 S cm−1 but low Seebeck coefficient below 30 µV K−1 and a maximum power factor of 59 ± 10 µW m−1 K−2. Interestingly, incorporation of small amount (at a molar ratio of 1:30) of DPPNMe3Br into PDPP‐EDOT results in the significant enhancement of Seebeck coefficient along with the slight decrease of electrical conductivity after doping. Consequently, the power factor (PF) is boosted to 571 ± 38 µW m−1 K−2 and ZT reaches 0.28 ± 0.02 at 130 °C, which is among the highest for the reported organic TE materials. Based on the theoretical calculation, it is assumed that the enhancement of TE performance for the doped PDPP‐EDOT by DPPNMe3Br is mainly attributed to the increase of energetic disorder for PDPP‐EDOT.
Examining Concentration‐Reliant Zn Deposition/Stripping Behavior in Organic Alcohol/Sulfones‐Modified Aqueous Electrolytes
Authors: Zhuang Weiman , Chen Qianwen , Hou Zhen , Sun Zongzhao , Zhang Tianxu , Wan Jianyong , Huang Limin
Published: April 2023

The practical application of Zn metal anodes in electronic devices is hindered by dendrite growth and parasitic reactions. Electrolyte optimization, particularly the introduction of organic co‐solvents, is widely used to circumvent these challenges. Various organic solvents in a wide range of concentrations have been reported; however, their influences and corresponding working mechanisms at different concentrations are largely unexplored in the same organic species. Herein, economical, low‐flammable ethylene glycol (EG) is used as a model co‐solvent in aqueous electrolytes to examine the relationship between its concentration, anode‐stabilizing effect, and mechanism. Two maximal values are observed for the lifetime of Zn/Zn symmetric batteries under EG concentrations from 0.05 vol% to 48 vol%. Zn metal anodes can stably run for over 1700 h at a low EG content (0.25 vol%) and high EG content (40 vol%). Based on the complementary experimental and theoretical calculations, the enhancements in low‐ and high‐content EG are ascribed to the specific surface adsorption for suppressed dendrite growth and the regulated solvation structure for inhibited side reactions, respectively. Intriguingly, a similar concentration‐reliant bimodal phenomenon is observed in other low‐flammable organic solvents (e.g., glycerol and dimethyl sulfoxide), thereby suggesting universality of this study and providing insight into electrolyte optimization.