bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Band Structure and Exciton Dynamics in Quasi‐2D Dodecylammonium Halide Perovskites
Authors: Ammirati Giuseppe , Martelli Faustino , O'Keeffe Patrick , Turchini Stefano , Paladini Alessandra , Palummo Maurizia , Giorgi Giacomo , Cinquino Marco , De Giorgi Milena , De Marco Luisa , Catone Daniele
Published: February 2023

Femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy (FTAS) is an important tool to investigate the physics of halide perovskites having different dimensionality, morphology, and architectures, giving insights into the electronic and excitonic optical transitions. Here, FTAS on monolayer (n = 1) and multilayer (n = 2, 3) quasi‐2D perovskites in the Ruddlesden–Popper phase: DA2MAn‐1PbnI3n+1 (DAMAPI) is presented, with the dodecylammonium (DA = CH3‐(CH2)11‐NH3+) as the spacer and methylammonium (MA = CH3NH3+) as the organic cation for samples with n > 1. The measurements, performed at 77 K and room temperature using several pump energies and excitation densities, allow the observation of different absorption bleaching energies. Those energies are compared with the results of first‐principles theoretical simulations based on density functional theory, the GW method, and the Bethe–Salpeter equation and assigned to transitions involving excitons with principal quantum numbers 1s and 2s. The temporal analysis of the absorption bleaching indicates the exciton–exciton annihilation as the main relaxation mechanism in the first picoseconds after excitation, while exciton radiative recombination is observed at longer time delays (>100 ps). Therefore, FTAS allows the study of the carrier dynamics and, given its high sensitivity to carrier density changes,  the observation of spectral features not observable with steady‐state measurements.
First‐Principles Molecular Dynamics Study on Ionic Structure and Transport Properties of NaCl‐MgCl2‐CaCl2Ternary Molten Salt System
Authors: Deng Pan , Li Liang , Jia Yaoqiang , Jiang Wenlong , Liu Dachun , Chen Xiumin , Kong Lingxin
Published: February 2023

The carbochlorination in molten salt is an effective method for titanium extraction form low‐grade titanium slag with a high calcium and magnesium content. However, in industrial practice, the fluidity of molten salt will gradually decrease with the increase of CaCl2content. It is important to elucidate the influencing mechanism of CaCl2content on the microstructure and diffusion properties of molten salt for the rational selection of a molten salt system and clean utilization of titanium slag. In this study, the densities of molten salt systems with different CaCl2contents are measured according to the Archimedes principle. Then, using the first‐principles molecular dynamics (FPMD) method, the ionic structure and transport properties of NaCl‐MgCl2‐CaCl2ternary molten salt systems under different CaCl2contents are qualitatively and quantitatively described by determining the partial radial distribution functions (PRDF), coordination number (CN), angular distribution functions (ADF), and diffusion coefficient (DC). The results show that with the addition of CaCl2, Ca2+ion complexed with Cl−ion to form larger ionic clusters, which reduced the proportion of free Cl−ion and restricted the diffusion of Cl−ion.
Influence of chest/head circumference ratio at birth on obstetric and neonatal outcomes: The Japan environment and children's study
Authors: J.‐P. Naw Awn , Mitsuda Naomi , Eitoku Masamitsu , Yamasaki Keiko , Maeda Nagamasa , Fujieda Mikiya , Suganuma Narufumi ,   The Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS) Group
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Some newborns that are not small‐for‐gestational‐age (non‐SGA, birthweight ≥10th percentile for a given gestational age) may have pathologic growth restrictions. This study examined the association of adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes with chest/head circumference ratio at birth in non‐SGA and SGA newborns.

Methods

This study was a cross‐sectional evaluation of data from a nationwide prospective birth cohort study, the Japan Environment and Children's Study. We analyzed 93 690 non‐anomalous singletons born at 34–41 gestational weeks. We defined low, normal, and high chest/head circumference ratio as <10th percentile, 10th–90th percentile, and >90th percentile, respectively, according to the internally constructed chest/head circumference percentile chart. Modified Poisson regression was used to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) for the outcomes studied.

Results

Compared with non‐SGA newborns with a normal ratio, those with a low ratio had an increased occurrence of low birthweight (1.75, 1.58–1.94 [aPR, 95% confidence interval]), cesarean delivery (1.34, 1.29–1.38), Apgar score <7 at 5 min (1.57, 1.14–2.17), respiratory complications (1.20, 1.04–1.39), and prolonged hospitalization (1.36, 1.30–1.42). In contrast, the high‐ratio group had a lower rate of low birthweight (0.71, 0.59–0.86), cesarean delivery (0.82, 0.77–0.87), and prolonged hospitalization (0.83, 0.78–0.89). In SGA newborns, a low ratio was associated with increased aPRs for low birthweight, cesarean delivery, hypoglycemia, and prolonged hospitalization, whereas a high ratio showed no such association.

Conclusions

Findings indicate that the chest/head circumference ratio at birth influence obstetric and neonatal outcomes regardless of the birthweight status.
Technoeconomic assessment of distillation heat transfer intensification using aeroelastically fluttering reeds
Authors: Blaine Miriam , Realff Matthew J.
Published: February 2023

Dry cooling, where forced air is the heat transfer medium, is a preferable cooling method in arid locations lacking readily available process water. However, such locations often experience high ambient temperatures that limit the effectiveness of air cooling. The objective of this study is to quantify the economic and energetic benefits of heat transfer intensification via the implementation of aeroelastically fluttering reeds to the air‐cooled condenser of a methanol distillation column. Condenser size and performance, regarding recovered methanol and required fan power, is evaluated across condenser operating temperatures (Tcond) from 60 to 62°C and heat transfer coefficients (U) Ubase–2Ubase for a range of inlet air temperatures based on ambient temperature data from Yuma, Arizona. Under typical design sizing, condenser capital cost was reduced by 6%–35% (1.3Ubase–2Ubase) and nominal methanol recovery was increased from 0.26% to 0.38% (Tcond = 62–60°C). At optimized condenser size, all enhanced U and Tcond pairs increase methanol recovery and reduce fan power costs compared to the optimal Ubase reference. Overall, using enhanced heat transfer to maintain condenser temperature under a wider range of inlet conditions, rather than to reduce operation temperature, produces more favorable performance. Methanol price is not a determining factor in which pairs are profitable. Analysis was repeated for a global warming scenario, revealing more valuable improvements under elevated temperatures. Energy savings from condenser improvement to a methanol production system are not significant with respect to an optimized conventional system. Unit economic and energetic incentives suggest implementation of fluttering reeds may be justified in other applications.
The impact of enhancing publicity and commemoration of body donors at Zhengzhou University, China
Authors: Zhang Shiqiang , Wang Jiannan , Zhang Jingjing , Xu Gaolei , Zhang Zhenhua , Wang Yongkui , Chang Cheng , Chen Xuemei , Li Ming , Cao Jing , Zang Weidong
Published: February 2023

As a fundamental subject of medical education, human anatomy plays a critical role in the development of medical science. However, because of multiple factors including cultural conservativism and limited social understanding, China is facing a particularly severe shortage of bodies donated for anatomy education. Zhengzhou University (ZZU) has continued to uphold whole‐body dissection as the preferred method for medical students to learn anatomy. For this study, records of registered individuals (who have signed a body donation agreement) and donors (whose bodies have been received) from 2001 to 2020 were collected and analyzed. The aim of this study was to explore the factors influencing the body donation program (BDP) at ZZU, and then reinforce the social understanding for the BDP. The results showed a significant increase in the numbers of both registered individuals and donors since 2015, which is the year the publicity and commemoration in honor of donors were increased. There were no significant differences between the biological male and female sexes in the registered individuals, but the number of male donors (12.85 ± 10.86, per year) was significantly higher than that of female donors (4.75 ± 4.53, per year). The current donor profile at ZZU is male in his 60/70s, while the profile of registered individuals is male or female in their 60s. Strengthening the publicity and commemoration in honor of donors may contribute to the implementation of BDPs.
Catalytic Site‐, Diastereo‐, and Enantioselective Cascade Iodocyclization of 2‐Geranylarenols
Authors: Tsuji Yasutaka , Kon Kazumasa , Horibe Takahiro , Ishihara Kazuaki
Published: February 2023

A chiral amidophosphate‐N‐iodosuccinimide cooperative catalysis has been developed for the site‐, diastereo‐, and enantioselective iodocyclization of 2‐geranylarenols with molecular iodine to give the corresponding iodo‐containing polycyclic compounds with good levels of selectivity. This is the first example of a catalytic enantioselective iodocarbocyclization. A reactive chiral iodonium species is generated from molecular iodine via the dual halogen‐bonding interactions with a chiral Lewis base and Lewis acid. The sterically demanding 3,3′‐substituents of the chiral BINOL‐derived amidophosphate are critical to induce the site‐selective iodination at the less‐hindered terminal alkenyl moiety of 2‐geranylarenols.
Fault‐tolerant control strategy for multicylinder hydraulic press machine based on dynamic control allocation and adjustable multiobjective optimization
Authors: Jia Chao , Sun Yulin , Du Lifeng , Wang Hongkun
Published: February 2023

A hierarchical controller is proposed for achieving high‐accuracy control and the dynamic balance with the presence of multiple faults of actuator, the external disturbance, and the model uncertainties in multicylinder hydraulic press machine (MCHPM). The method divides the controller design into three steps: Virtual fault‐tolerant control law, control allocation algorithm, and actuator control law, which are progressive. First, to precisely compensate the lumped disturbances including the multiple faults of actuator, the external disturbance, and the model uncertainties, a disturbance observer (DO) is developed. By combining the observer with the sliding mode control (SMC), a virtual fault‐tolerant control law is designed. Second, a highly integrated control allocation algorithm for the virtual fault‐tolerant control law is proposed to get the desired driving force, taking into account dynamic control allocation (DCA), multiobjective optimization (MOO) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) simultaneously. Third, taking the driving force obtained from above control allocation algorithm as the desired target, the control law of each cylinder is calculated. The global stability for the whole system is proved by the Lyapunov theory. Lastly, results of simulation and experiment show that the proposed controller can effectively handle different faults and have more superior control performance.
Characterization and drivers of haloacetic acids in New York State
Authors: Sayess Rassil , Steinschneider Scott
Published: February 2023

The formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in finished drinking water is an ongoing challenge for public health agencies and water utilities. The Fourth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule data were used to assess the prevalence and drivers of haloacetic acids (HAAs)—a class of DBPs—in New York State's (NYS) public water systems, with a focus on total measured (HAA9), regulated (HAA5), brominated (HAA6Br), and unregulated (HAA4) HAAs. The concentrations of all HAA groups in NYS are found to be similar to those nationally, with HAA4 composing approximately 20% of HAA9. Concentrations of all HAA groups are lowest in groundwater and highest in surface waters across NYS systems. Higher total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations lead to elevated HAA9 and HAA5, while higher bromide concentrations favor more HAA4 and HAA6Br. HAA4 concentrations are well predicted with pre‐oxidation/disinfection types, HAA5, TOC, and bromide concentrations, with an adjusted R2 of 70%.
Supportive care in a patient with Alstrom syndrome with hyperphenylalaninemia and sleep problems
Authors: Jalilolghadr Shabnam , Saffari Fatemeh , Alizadeh Mehdi , Taremiha AliReza , Ghodsi Marjan , Ghodsi Mersedeh
Published: February 2023

Alstrom syndrome is a rare genetic disorder with an autosomal recessive mutation in the ALMS1 gene. The disease's manifestations include ophthalmic problems, hearing loss, obesity, and cardiovascular disorders. In addition, medical cases include other organ complications. However, the overlapping variety of such symptoms with other diseases may delay the diagnosis. In this article, we describe the case of a 7‐year‐old female patient with Alstrom syndrome, and cardiovascular and hyperphenylalaninemia diseases since birth. Other symptoms included diabetes and ophthalmologic problems with skeletal disability. Blindness and hearing impairment were diagnosed, along with recurrence of respiratory problems at the age of 7 years. The patient's obesity‐induced snoring predisposed her to uncontrolled blood glucose. In fact, respiratory tract problems and sleep disorders had occurred as a degraded cycle and left her with a severe disability for years. The similarity of the symptoms with other diseases had misled the physician in diagnosis. However, a polysomnography test (because of complaints of short sleep duration) recognized the source of the patient's sleep disorders and breathing problems. Eventually, we delivered a portable ventilator to the child for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. The child's breathing and oxygenation conditions improved. Using the ventilator and the CPAP system, we discharged her from the hospital without requiring oxygenation, in a stable condition. The procedure could prevent the patient from hypoxia and retinal problem.
Binder‐Free N‐Functionalized Carbon Electrodes for Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Song Feihong , Straten Jan W. , Lin Yang‐Ming , Ding Yuxiao , Schlögl Robert , Heumann Saskia , Mechler Anna K.
Published: February 2023

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is one of the bottlenecks of electrochemical water splitting. Metal‐free carbons from biomass are highly abundant and can be easily synthesized. Their low price, high conductivity and functionalization makes them promising materials. Herein, we report about free‐standing carbon electrodes as electrocatalysts for the OER. In contrast to powder‐based catalysts, free‐standing electrodes not only avoid additives, but also facilitate post analysis and better reflect industrial conditions. Here, the performance of pure carbon electrodes is compared to those of N‐functionalized ones. Utilizing several analytical techniques, the difference in performance can be rationalized by physical properties. Especially, the analysis of the gaseous products is shown to be of crucial importance. It reveals that N‐doped carbons generate more oxygen and are more robust against carbon corrosion. This illustrates the importance of measuring selectivity especially for carbon electrocatalysts, as higher currents do not necessarily result in higher catalytic activity.
Full‐Color Emissive D‐D‐A Carbazole Luminophores: Red‐to‐NIR Mechano‐fluorochromism, Aggregation‐Induced Near‐Infrared Emission, and Application in Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Chen Zhao , Qin Huan , Yin Ya , Deng Dian‐dian , Qin Si‐Yong , Li Nan , Wang Kai , Sun Yue
Published: February 2023

Invited for the cover of this issue are Zhao Chen at Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University and Yue Sun at Tiangong University. For this cover picture, yellow ball containing character “D” represents donor, green ball containing character “A” represents acceptor. The image depicts eight donor–donor–acceptor‐type carbazole derivatives that display full‐color emission, and a luminogen that shows red to near‐infrared mechano‐fluorochromism and a photodynamic therapy effect. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202203797.
Circular Polymers from Ring‐Opening Polymerization of Five‐Membered (Thio)lactones and Derivatives
Authors: Weng Chaoqun , Tang Xiaoyan
Published: February 2023

The short lifespan of most commercial plastics as disposables and the failure to adequately address the end‐of‐life issues of synthetic polymers have led to outrageous global plastic pollution and resource depletion. To solve the problem, one of the most effective strategies is to develop circular polymers and thus establish a new circular material economy. Polymers from ring‐opening polymerization of five‐membered (thio)lactones contribute greatly to this field due to their excellent material performance and recyclability. The emerging topic emphasizes on the monomer design strategies based on five‐membered (thio)lactones, and compares the thermal and mechanical properties and depolymerizability of the resulting polymers with different structures.
Segment regression model average with multiple threshold variables and multiple structural breaks
Authors: Liu Pan , Li Jialiang
Published: February 2023

We propose a new model averaging approach to investigate segment regression models with multiple threshold variables and multiple structural breaks. We first fit a series of models, each with a single threshold variable and multiple breaks over its domain, using a two‐stage change point detection method. Then these models are combined together to produce a weighted ensemble through a frequentist model averaging approach. Consequently, our segment regression model averaging (SRMA) method may help identify complicated subgroups in a heterogeneous study population. A crucial step is to determine the optimal weights in the model averaging, and we follow the familiar non‐concave penalty estimation approach. We provide theoretical support for SRMA by establishing the consistency of individual fitted models and estimated weights. Numerical studies are carried out to assess the performance in low‐ and high‐dimensional settings, and comparisons are made between our proposed method and a wide range of existing alternative subgroup estimation methods. Two real economic data examples are analyzed to illustrate our methodology.
Hierarchically Structured NH2‐MIL‐125/TiO2/Cellulose Composite Membranes With Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance
Authors: Yang Zhan , Lin Zehao , Huang Jianguo
Published: February 2023

A cellulose‐based photocatalytic membrane was fabricated by in situ growth of the NH2‐MIL‐125 nanoparticles onto the surfaces of the ultrathin titania (TiO2) gel layers pre‐coated cellulose nanofibres of natural cellulose substance (commercial laboratory filter paper). The NH2‐MIL‐125 nanoparticles were grown on the surface of the titania gel coated cellulose nanofibres via a one‐step solvothermal method. The resultant composite membranes maintained the initial hierarchical network structures of the bulk cellulose substance, consisting titania gel layer coated cellulose nanofibres with NH2‐MIL‐125 nanoparticles anchored on the surfaces. Owing to the hierarchical porous structure of the cellulose substrates as well as the effective heterostructure formation between the NH2‐MIL‐125 particles and the TiO2 layers, the composites showed enhanced photocatalytic performances. The NH2‐MIL‐125/TiO2/cellulose composite composed of 15.82 wt% NH2‐MIL‐125 content with nanoparticles sizes of 100–200 nm showed an apparent rate constant of 0.032 min−1 in photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB), which was higher than those of the NH2‐MIL‐125/cellulose composite and the TiO2/cellulose composite. It was demonstrated that pre‐coating of the cellulose nanofibres with ultrathin titania gel layers was essential for the growth of the NH2‐MIL‐125 nanoparticles thereon.
Oral Oxycodone‐Induced Respiratory Depression During Normocapnia and Hypercapnia: A Pharmacokinetic‐Pharmacodynamic Modeling Study
Authors: Hellinga Marieke , Algera Marijke Hyke , Olofsen Erik , van der Schrier Rutger , Sarton Elise , van Velzen Monique , Dahan Albert , Niesters Marieke
Published: February 2023

The widely prescribed opioid oxycodone may cause lethal respiratory depression. We compared the effects of oxycodone on breathing and antinociception in healthy young volunteers. After pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modeling, we constructed utility functions to combine the wanted and unwanted end points into a single function. We hypothesized that the function would be predominantly negative over the tested oxycodone concentration range. Twenty‐four male and female volunteers received 20 (n = 12) or 40 (n = 12) mg oral oxycodone immediate‐release tablets. Hypercapnic ventilatory responses (visit 1) or responses to 3 nociceptive assays (pain pressure, electrical, and thermal tests; visit 2) were measured at regular intervals for 7 hours. the PK/PD analyses, that included carbon dioxide kinetics, stood at the basis of the utility function: probability of antinociception minus probability of respiratory depression. Oxycodone had rapid onset/offset times (30–40 minutes) with potency values (effect‐site concentration causing 50% of effect) ranging from 0.05 to 0.13 ng/mL for respiratory variables obtained at hypercapnia and antinociceptive responses. Ventilation at an extrapolated end‐tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure of 55 mmHg, was used for creation of 3 utility functions, one for each of the nociceptive tests. Contrary to expectation, the utility functions were close to zero or positive over the clinical oxycodone concentration range. The similar or better likelihood for antinociception relative to respiratory depression may be related to oxycodone's receptor activation profile or to is high likeability that possibly alters the modulation of nociceptive input. Oxycodone differs from other μ‐opioids, such as fentanyl, that have a consistent negative utility.
The relationship between subjective oral frailty and adverse health outcomes or medical and dental expenditures in the latter‐stage older adult: A 6‐year longitudinal study
Authors: Doi Tokiko , Fukui Makoto , Yoshioka Masami , Okamoto Yoshifumi , Shimomura Manabu , Matsumoto Kimi , Matsuyama Miwa , Hinode Daisuke
Published: February 2023

Objectives

The study aimed to investigate the relationship between subjective oral frailty and adverse health outcomes or medical and dental expenditures in the latter‐stage older adult through a 6‐year longitudinal study.

Methods

The participants enrolled in the cross‐sectional study were 3564 Tokushima City residents aged 75, 80, 85, and 90 years old who received oral health examinations and who responded to a questionnaire on oral conditions and health behavior at baseline. The data for the occurrence of disability or mortality, and the monthly medical expenditures, dental expenditures, and total medical expenditure of each participant were obtained from the National Health Insurance Database.

Results

The total medical expenditure showed significant differences in participants who had difficulties in eating tough foods, difficulties in swallowing tea or soup, and dry mouth when compared to that of healthy participants, in addition to the current medical treatment against the general disease. The 6‐year longitudinal study revealed that participants with subjective oral frailty symptoms, including difficulties in eating tough foods and difficulties in swallowing tea or soup at baseline, had significantly higher medical, dental, and total expenditures among 538 participants without certified nursing care. In addition, those with subjective oral frailty or with less than 19 teeth present were shown to have a higher possibility for the occurrence of disability or mortality by the cox proportional hazard analysis. Furthermore, it was found that medical and total expenditures in older adults with adverse health outcomes were higher than that of healthy participants.

Conclusion

These results suggest that subjective oral frailty in the latter‐stage older adult is related to subsequent adverse health outcomes and an increase in medical and dental expenditures.
OMIP‐090: A 20‐parameter flow cytometry panel for rapid analysis of cell diversity and homing capacity in human conventional and regulatory T cells
Authors: Stroukov Wladislaw , Mastronicola Daniela , Albany Caraugh Jane , Catak Zeynep , Lombardi Giovanna , Scottà Cristiano
Published: February 2023

The panel was developed and optimized for monitoring changes in homing capacity and functional diversity of human CD4+ conventional and regulatory T cell subsets. The analysis was based on expression of only surface markers in freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to reduce at minimum any alteration due to permeabilization or freezing/thawing procedures. We included markers to assess the distribution of naïve and memory populations based on the expression of CD45RA, CCR7, CD25, CD28 and CD95 in both conventional and regulatory T cells. The identification of major functional subsets was performed using CCR4, CCR6, CCR10, CXCR3 and CXCR5. Homing capacity of these subsets to skin, airway tract, gut and inflammatory lesions could finally be assessed with the markers CLA, CCR3, CCR5 and integrin β7. The panel was tested on freshly isolated PBMCs from healthy donors and patients with allergic rhinitis or autoimmune disorders.
Development of digital voice biomarkers and associations with cognition, cerebrospinal biomarkers, and neural representation in early Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Hajjar Ihab , Okafor Maureen , Choi Jinho D. , Moore Elliot , Abrol Anees , Calhoun Vince D. , Goldstein Felicia C.
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Advances in natural language processing (NLP), speech recognition, and machine learning (ML) allow the exploration of linguistic and acoustic changes previously difficult to measure. We developed processes for deriving lexical‐semantic and acoustic measures as Alzheimer's disease (AD) digital voice biomarkers.

Methods

We collected connected speech, neuropsychological, neuroimaging, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD biomarker data from 92 cognitively unimpaired (40 Aβ+) and 114 impaired (63 Aβ+) participants. Acoustic and lexical‐semantic features were derived from audio recordings using ML approaches.

Results

Lexical‐semantic (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.80) and acoustic (AUC = 0.77) scores demonstrated higher diagnostic performance for detecting MCI compared to Boston Naming Test (AUC = 0.66). Only lexical‐semantic scores detected amyloid‐β status (p= 0.0003). Acoustic scores associated with hippocampal volume (p= 0.017) while lexical‐semantic scores associated with CSF amyloid‐β (p= 0.007). Both measures were significantly associated with 2‐year disease progression.

Discussion

These preliminary findings suggest that derived digital biomarkers may identify cognitive impairment in preclinical and prodromal AD, and may predict disease progression.

Highlights

This study derived lexical‐semantic and acoustics features as Alzheimer's disease (AD) digital biomarkers.

These features were derived from audio recordings using machine learning approaches.

Voice biomarkers detected cognitive impairment and amyloid‐β status in early stages of AD.

Voice biomarkers may predict Alzheimer's disease progression.

These markers significantly mapped to functional connectivity in AD‐susceptible brain regions.
Retracted: The Effect of Air on the Oxidation Decomposition of Cationic Exchange Resins in a Ternary Li2CO3−Na2CO3−K2CO3 Molten‐Salt System
Authors: Zhang Zhi , Xue Yun , Yan Yongde , Ma Fuqiu , Li Guoqiang
Published: February 2023

The molten‐salt oxidation method (MSO) can be applied for disposal of spent cationic exchange resins (CERs) after the treatment of nuclear industry wastewater. In this work, the oxidation decomposition of resins in carbonate molten salt in N2 and air atmospheres was investigated. The SEM morphology and FTIR spectrograms indicated that the addition of air obviously prompted the oxidation decomposition of the benzene ring, S−O bond and S−C bond in residues and the decomposition efficiency of resins reached 98.69 % at 800 °C. The XPS analysis showed the conversion of sulfur species in residues. The peroxide and superoxide ions in carbonate molten salt prompted the decomposition of thiophene sulfur and resulted in the formation of sulfate. The retention rate of sulfur in spent salt was 84.36 % at 800 °C. This work provided more theoretical guidance for the treatment of resins and technical support for the sustainable development of nuclear industry.
Design and implementation of dynamic safety supervision system based on study tour for primary and secondary school students
Authors: Lin Weihua , Tu Yiwen , Liu Fujiang , Guo Yan , Zhou Ji , Feng Shixiang
Published: February 2023

At present, in the process of study tour, study tutors are responsible for supervising the safety of primary and secondary schools' students, and many hidden dangers are present in safety supervision. Therefore, how to provide study tutors with intelligent information tools and thus help safety tour have become the primary issue for the construction of research bases and the normal. For this reason, this study proposes an adaptive dynamic security area generation method and dynamic security area early warning technology. By comparing the location of the dynamic security area and the dangerous area, whether the users in the area are in a safe state can be determined. On the basis of mobile smart terminals, a dynamic safety supervision system that supports the study tour of primary and secondary school students has been developed. Practical application shows that the system has perfect functions and safe, stable, and reliable performance. The system has good application prospects and promotion value and can be used in other similar field safety management and control fields.
Synchronous heart rate reduction with suppression‐burst pattern in KCNT1‐related developmental and epileptic encephalopathies
Authors: Yamamoto Kaoru , Baba Shimpei , Saito Takashi , Nakagawa Eiji , Sugai Kenji , Iwasaki Masaki , Fujita Atsushi , Fukuda Hiromi , Mizuguchi Takeshi , Kato Mitsuhiro , Matsumoto Naomichi , Sasaki Masayuki
Published: February 2023

Suppression‐burst (SB) is an electroencephalographic pattern observed in neonatal‐ and infantile‐onset developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs), which are associated with high mortality in early life. However, the relation of SB electroencephalogram (SB‐EEG) with autonomic function requires clarification. We investigated the relationship between heart rate (HR) and phasic transition during SB‐EEG in DEEs to explore the mechanism of early death. Seven patients (two with KCNT1‐DEE) with neonatal‐ and infantile‐onset DEE who presented with SB‐EEG were retrospectively identified. Five‐minute SB‐EEGs were analyzed with simultaneous recording of electrocardiograms. Mean HR, suppression duration, and burst period were calculated by measuring RR intervals. Two patients with KCNT1‐DEE exhibited synchronous HR fluctuations, with an HR decrease during suppression and an increase during burst. The HR decrease was larger (−6.1% and −7.7%) and the median duration of suppression was longer (4.0 and 8.2 s) in patients with KCNT1‐DEE than the other five (range: −2.9% to 0.9% and 0.7‐1.7s, respectively). A strong negative correlation was confirmed between suppression duration and HR reduction rates in one patient with KCNT1‐DEE. SB phases may influence HR regulation in patients with KCTN1‐DEE.
Jupiter revealed as a real (high-power) pulsar: magnetar- & dwarf novae-type prebursting evolution of Jovian global magnetoactivity since 1996
Authors: Omerbashich Mensur
Published: February 2023

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Design of an efficient energy management system for renewables based wireless electric vehicle charging station
Authors: Srividya K. S. , Hemavathi S. , Preetha Roselyn J.
Published: February 2023

The radical decline in climatic conditions coerces the world to take steps progressive toward implementing green energy technologies in all facets. The electric vehicle is one such huge leap toward providing a pollution‐free environment to the future generation, but the charging techniques in most cases utilize the power that is obtained using thermal power stations, and so on. This concludes it to be not completely green energy, therefore in this paper, considered two far‐reaching sources viz. photovoltaic and wind energy storage systems. The sources are also supported with the presence of an additional storage unit of battery energy storage system (BESS) and the overall system is managed by energy management system (EMS) that is designed using a simple state flow algorithm instead of complex machine learning methods. The electric vehicle (EV) is charged using wireless power transfer technology. The model is built using MATLAB—Simulink software and the simulation results are validated against the physical calculation carried out over the equivalent circuit model reduction method. The values were taken from the TATA Nexon EV for consideration and the output values are 400 V and 15 A to be provided for the charging of the EV at the receiving end of the wireless charging.
Nitric oxide treatment delays quality deterioration and enzymatic browning of Agaricus bisporus via reactive oxygen metabolism regulation
Authors: Gao Xiaoqian , Wu Weijie , Chen Huizhi , Niu Ben , Han Yanchao , Fang Xiangjun , Chen Hangjun , Liu Ruiling , Gao Haiyan
Published: February 2023

Nitric oxide (NO) is a highly reactive gaseous small molecule that regulates plant growth. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was used as an NO donor to study the effects of NO treatment on browning and antioxidant activity of button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus). The findings revealed that exogenous NO treatment alleviated the browning, decreased hardness, and increased weight loss of mushrooms stored at 4°C for 15 days, and reduced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and membrane lipid peroxidation. Moreover, exogenous NO treatment dramatically increased the anabolism of endogenous NO, maintained the content of antioxidant substances including flavonoids and total phenols, and kept catalase and superoxide dismutase activities at a high level. Further studies revealed that exogenous NO treatment inhibited the activities of enzymes that are involved in browning, which including polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and tyrosinase (TYR), and increased phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase (PAL) activity, with SNP treatment at 0.05 mM being the most effective. Furthermore, SNP treatment at 0.05 mM also inhibited PPO and TYR gene expressions while increasing PAL gene expression. Therefore, our findings suggest that exogenous NO has the potential for development in delaying postharvest browning and maintaining the quality of mushrooms.
A preliminary choroid plexus volumetric study in individuals with psychosis
Authors: Senay Olcay , Seethaler Magdalena , Makris Nikos , Yeterian Edward , Rushmore Jarrett , Cho Kang Ik K. , Rizzoni Elizabeth , Heller Carina , Pasternak Ofer , Szczepankiewicz Filip , Westin Carl‐Frederik , Losak Jan , Ustohal Libor , Tomandl Josef , Vojtisek Lubomir , Kudlicka Peter , Kikinis Zora , Holt Daphne , Lewandowski Kathryn E. , Lizano Paulo , Keshavan Matcheri S. , Öngür Dost , Kasparek Tomas , Breier Alan , Shenton Martha E. , Seitz‐Holland Johanna , Kubicki Marek
Published: February 2023

The choroid plexus (ChP) is part of the blood‐cerebrospinal fluid barrier, regulating brain homeostasis and the brain's response to peripheral events. Its upregulation and enlargement are considered essential in psychosis. However, the timing of the ChP enlargement has not been established. This study introduces a novel magnetic resonance imaging‐based segmentation method to examine ChP volumes in two cohorts of individuals with psychosis. The first sample consists of 41 individuals with early course psychosis (mean duration of illness = 1.78 years) and 30 healthy individuals. The second sample consists of 30 individuals with chronic psychosis (mean duration of illness = 7.96 years) and 34 healthy individuals. We utilized manual segmentation to measure ChP volumes. We applied ANCOVAs to compare normalized ChP volumes between groups and partial correlations to investigate the relationship between ChP, LV volumes, and clinical characteristics. Our segmentation demonstrated good reliability (.87). We further showed a significant ChP volume increase in early psychosis (left: p < .00010, right: p < .00010) and a significant positive correlation between higher ChP and higher LV volumes in chronic psychosis (left: r = .54, p = .0030, right: r = .68; p < .0010). Our study suggests that ChP enlargement may be a marker of acute response around disease onset. It might also play a modulatory role in the chronic enlargement of lateral ventricles, often reported in psychosis. Future longitudinal studies should investigate the dynamics of ChP enlargement as a promising marker for novel therapeutic strategies.
Diagnostic potential of salivary interleukin‐17, RANKL, and OPG to differentiate between periodontal health and disease and discriminate stable and unstable periodontitis: A case‐control study
Authors: Abdullameer Marwa A. , Abdulkareem Ali A.
Published: February 2023

Background and Aims

Limitations of the conventional diagnostic techniques urged researchers to seek novel methods to predict, diagnose, and monitor periodontal disease. Use of the biomarkers available in oral fluids could be a revolutionary surrogate for the manual probing/diagnostic radiograph. Several salivary biomarkers have the potential to accurately discriminate periodontal health and disease. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of salivary interleukin (IL)‐17, receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), RANKL/OPG for differentiating (1) periodontal health from disease and (2) stable and unstable periodontitis.

Methods

Participants with periodontitis (n = 50) and gingivitis (n = 25), both diseases represented the cases, and subjects with healthy periodontium (n = 15) as a control were recruited for this study. Periodontitis cases were further equally subdivided into stable and unstable. Whole unstimulated salivary sample were collected from all participants. Periodontal parameters including bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss, and number of missing teeth were recorded. The protein levels of salivary IL‐17, RANKL, and OPG were determined by using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays technique.

Results

Salivary IL‐17, OPG, RANKL, and RANKL/OPG showed high sensitivity and specificity to differentiate periodontal health from gingivitis and periodontitis. Similar pattern was observed in discriminating stable and unstable periodontitis. Salivary IL‐17 and RANKL showed a good accuracy to differentiate gingivitis from periodontitis. However, OPG and RANKL/OPG did not exhibit enough sensitivity and specificity to differentiate the latter conditions.

Conclusion

Salivary IL‐17, RANKL, OPG, and RANKL/OPG system are potential candidates for differentiating periodontal health and disease and discriminate stable and unstable periodontitis.
Identifying river water sources using end‐member mixing analysis in a subtropical monsoon basin China
Authors: Xiao Xiong , Zhang Xinping , Shi Xiaonan , Yu Zhengliang , Liu Keshao , Liu Zhu
Published: February 2023

Pressure on river water resources may increase continuously under global climate change and the increasing intensity of human activity, and the identification of river water sources is needed to maintain water resource sustainability. In this study, river water sources were studied using hydrochemical tracers (i.e. the major ions) and end‐member mixing analysis (EMMA) during two hydrological years, in the subtropical monsoon basin of the Xiangjiang River in the south‐central China. Various water types including precipitation, river water, and mountain creek water, were collected in the basin at a high frequency. The results of EMMA showed that the average contributions from the direct input of precipitation, near‐surface runoff (represented by mountain creek water), and groundwater (represented by river water sampled during the base flow period) were 28 ± 24%, 49 ± 24% and 23 ± 16%, respectively. The contributions from these water sources to the river water varied greatly within the year, which may indicate a shift in the major flow pathways from direct precipitation input and near‐surface flow pathways in the spring rainy months (e.g. from March to May), to a deeper flow pathway in the dry or rainless months (e.g. January, February, July and December). The shift of the major flow pathways may be due to the factors such as the seasonality of precipitation, evapotranspiration and soil wetness conditions. Groundwater and near‐subsurface runoff dominated the river water and the direct input of precipitation was negligible during the dry or rainless months, and consequently, the river water chemistry was less diluted and more influenced by water‐soil/rock interactions and anthropogenic pollution during these months. The creek water contribution to the river water was relatively high in summer, especially in June and July 2021, which may indicate the substantial inter‐seasonal carryover of precipitation that contributed to the river water. With the projected increased frequency of extreme weather events such as seasonal drought, streamflow in the subtropical monsoon regions may experience greater recharge by deeper flow pathways, with the enhanced role of base flow in regulating streamflow, and there may be an increased risk to the water resource security under the condition of the decreased river dilution capacity and increased anthropogenic pollution.
The effect of cognitive behavioural therapy integrated with activity pacing on cancer‐related fatigue, depression and quality of life among patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy in Ethiopia: A randomised clinical trial
Authors: Getu Mikiyas Amare , Wang Panpan , Addissie Adamu , Seife Edom , Chen Changying , Kantelhardt Eva Johanna
Published: February 2023

Fatigue is a common symptom experienced by 80% of individuals who receive chemotherapy and is one of the major factors that affect quality of life (QoL) of patients with breast cancer. Our study aimed to assess the effect of cognitive behavioural therapy integrated with activity pacing (CBT‐AP) on cancer‐related fatigue among patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. A parallel‐group, randomised controlled trial was conducted. Severely fatigued patients were randomly assigned to the CBT‐AP or usual care (UC) groups using a computer‐generated random sequence. The new intervention was designed for seven sessions: three 2‐hour face‐to‐face and four 30‐minute telephone sessions. The primary outcome (fatigue severity) and the secondary outcomes (depression and QoL) were assessed at the end of the intervention and after 3 months. The data were analysed by repeated measures analyses of covariance (RM‐ANCOVA). CBT‐AP had a significant time effect (P < .001, ηp2 = 0.233) in reducing fatigue from baseline (adjusted mean = 7.48) to the end of the intervention (adjusted mean = 6.37) and the 3‐month follow‐up (adjusted mean = 6.54). Compared to the UC group, the CBT‐AP group had lower fatigue and depression scores, and higher global health status scores. The group × time interaction revealed a significant reduction in fatigue and depression in the CBT‐AP group compared to the UC group. Therefore, CBT‐AP appears to be effective in reducing fatigue and depression and improving QoL in patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. It is highly recommended to integrate a CBT‐AP intervention in routine cancer care.
Neural network‐based optimization of sub‐diffuse reflectance spectroscopy for improved parameter prediction and efficient data collection
Authors: An Jingyi , Zhang Qi , Zhang Limin , Liu Chenlu , Liu Dongyuan , Jia Mengyu , Gao Feng
Published: February 2023

In this study, a general and systematical investigation of sub‐diffuse reflectance spectroscopy is implemented. A Gegenbauer‐kernel phase function‐based Monte Carlo is adopted to describe photon transport more efficiently. To improve the computational efficiency and accuracy, two neural network algorithms, namely, back propagation neural network and radial basis function neural network are utilized to predict the absorption coefficient , reduced scattering coefficient and sub‐diffusive quantifier , simultaneously, at multiple source‐detector separations (SDS). The predicted results show that the three parameters can be predicated accurately by selecting five SDSs or above. Based on the simulation results, a four wavelength (520, 650, 785 and 830 nm) measurement system using five SDSs is designed by adopting phase‐lock‐in technique. Furtherly, the trained neural‐network models are utilized to extract optical properties from the phantom and in vivo experimental data. The results verify the feasibility and effectiveness of our proposed system and methods in mucosal disease diagnosis.
Defective Joint Development and Maintenance in GDF6-Related Multiple Synostoses Syndrome
Authors: Yu Tingting , Li Guoqiang , Wang Chen , Li Niu , Yao Ruen , Wang Jian
Published: February 2023

Multiple synostoses syndromes (SYNS) are a group of rare genetic bone disorders characterized by multiple joint fusions. We previously reported an SYNS4-causing GDF6 c.1330 T > A (p.Tyr444Asn) mutation, which reduced Noggin-induced GDF6 inhibition and enhanced SMAD1/5/8 signaling. However, the mechanisms by which GDF6 gain-of-function mutation alters joint formation and the comprehensive molecular portraits of SYNS4 remain unclear. Herein, we introduce the p.Tyr443Asn (orthologous to the human GDF6 p.Tyr444Asn) mutation into the mouse Gdf6 locus and report the results of extensive phenotype analysis, joint development investigation, and transcriptome profiling of Gdf6 p.Tyr443Asn limb buds. Gdf6 p.Tyr443Asn knock-in mice recapitulated the morphological features of human SYNS4, showing joint fusion in the wrists, ankles, phalanges, and auditory ossicles. Analysis of mouse embryonic forelimbs demonstrated joint interzone formation defects and excess chondrogenesis in Gdf6 p.Tyr443Asn knock-in mice. Further, RNA sequencing of forelimb buds revealed enhanced bone formation and upregulated bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling in mice carrying the Gdf6 p.Tyr443Asn mutation. Because tightly regulated BMP signaling is critical for skeletal development and joint morphogenesis, our study shows that enhancing GDF6 activity has a significant impact on both prenatal joint development and postnatal joint maintenance. © 2023 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).