bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neuromorphic nanocluster networks: Critical role of the substrate in nano-link formation
Authors: Wu Wenkai , Verkhovtsev Alexey V. , Pavloudis Theodoros , Solov’yov Andrey V. , Palmer Richard E.
Published: May 2023

Atomic cluster-based networks represent a promising architecture for the realization of neuromorphic computing systems, which may overcome some of the limitations of the current computing paradigm. The formation and breakage of links between the clusters are of utmost importance for the functioning of these computing systems. This paper reports the results of molecular dynamics simulations of synapse (bridge) formation at elevated temperature and thermal breaking processes between 2.8 nm-sized Au1415 clusters deposited on a carbon substrate, a model system. Crucially, we find that the bridge formation process is driven by the diffusion of gold atoms along the substrate, no matter how small the gap between the clusters themselves. The complementary simulations of the bridge breaking process reveal the existence of a threshold bias voltage to activate bridge rupture via Joule heating. These results provide an atomistic-level understanding of the fundamental dynamical processes occurring in neuromorphic cluster arrays.
Investigation of stress relief crack susceptibility of CrMoV steels coarse grain HAZ via simulation of uniaxial stress conditions during PWHT
Authors: Czeskleba D. , Nietzke J. , Rhode M. , Kannengiesser T.
Published: May 2023

Creep-resistant steels such as the 13CrMoV9-10, used in the construction of thick-walled pressure vessels, are most commonly submerged arc welded (SAW). These steels can develop stress relief cracks (SRC) if the mandatory post weld heat treatment (PWHT) is performed improperly. Current PWHT parameters, such as heating rate and holding time at a specific holding temperature, are based on both empirical experience and conventional free shrinking welding experiments to characterize the SRC-susceptibility of the weld. These cannot adequately depict the higher residual stresses caused by the structurally induced stiffness of the surrounding construction.

This study discusses the development of a repeatable, precise, and time-efficient methodology to study the effects of different stress levels and heating rates on the SRC susceptibility of the coarse grain heat-affected zone (CGHAZ). For that purpose, samples were thermically treated to simulate a coarse grain heat-affected zone (CGHAZ) and subsequently exposed to representative levels of stress during the heating phase of a PWHT. The recorded stress and heating rate–dependent strains were mathematically analyzed via curve tracing/calculus to identify interdependent effects. This procedure facilitates the measurement of material characteristics such as carbide growth on grain boundaries at the µm-scale via an integrated value over the entire sample volume. The first and second derivatives show a slight, precipitate-dependent, increase in hardness of the sample, depending on the heating rate and applied stress. This new methodology generates an improved assessment of the SRC susceptibility of SAW microstructures of creep-resistant CrMoV steels.
A State-of-the-Art Review on Recently Developed Sustainable and Green Cooling/Lubrication Technologies in Machining Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs)
Authors: Laghari Rashid Ali , He Ning , Jamil Muhammad , Hussain Muhammad Irfan , Gupta Munish Kumar , Krolczyk Grzegorz M.
Published: May 2023

Metal matrix composites (MMCs) are lightweight, hard materials applied in heavy-duty applications such as automobile, aerospace, and electronics, as well as sports equipment. MMCs reveal exceptional physical and mechanical properties, including high strength, corrosion, wear resistance, higher stiffness, and toughness. However, owing to poor surface finish, accelerated tool wear, and high material removal cost, MMCs are categorized as difficult-to-cut composites. This article reviews sustainable machining under different lubrication and cooling approaches and the economics of the operation for MMCs. The study focuses on optimizing machinability factors, such as surface integrity, chip formation, tool wear, and sustainability analysis. To attain this goal, the review evaluates suitable cutting parameters for Aluminum, Titanium, Magnesium, and Copper-based metal matrix composites, which hitherto have not been explored or summarized comprehensively. This study provides strong guidance regarding selection of precise cutting parameters for MMCs. The findings of this review suggest that different cooling/lubrication technologies can optimize and improve the sustainability and machinability characteristics, extend tool life and surface quality, during the cutting operation.
Exploring the Relationships of Crime Victimization with Depression, Anxiety, and Loneliness in Twin Families
Authors: Gonggrijp B.M.A. , van de Weijer S.G.A. , van Dongen J. , Slob E.M.A. , Bijleveld C.C.J.H. , Boomsma D.I.
Published: May 2023

Crime victimization is associated with a more unfavorable health profile. We examined associations of victimization of property, violence, and sexual crime with mental health indices for depression, anxiety, and loneliness and explore their etiology in Dutch twin families. The data were collected from adult twins, their parents, siblings, spouses, and offspring participating in longitudinal survey studies of the Netherlands Twin Register (N = 19,867). First, we tested if there is an association between victimization and loneliness, anxiety, and depression at the population level. Second, discordant twin pairs were identified, where one twin was a crime victim and the cotwin was not. This design allows controlling for confounding by shared environment and genetic factors. Third, a longitudinal comparison was made of pre- and post-victimization data in victims, their family members, and unrelated individuals. At the population level, victimization was associated with increased depression, anxiety, and loneliness, except for property crime, which was not associated with depression and anxiety. The associations were strongest for violent and sexual crimes. Within discordant twin pairs, no significant differences were found between the victimized and non-victimized twins. These results confirm that crime victimization is associated with adverse mental health outcomes and loneliness, with the strength of this association differing per type of crime. There is no strong evidence that the relationship between victimization and mental health or loneliness follows a simple causal model, as the relationship can be partly explained by genetic and shared environmental confounding. These results also suggest that victims of sexual and violent crimes may already experience more mental health problems before victimization than non-victims, and that individuals with more mental health problems and loneliness are at increased risk of becoming a victim.
The History of Parliament: The House of Commons 1640-1660 [Volume IX]
Authors: Roberts Stephen K.
Published: May 2023

This is the final volume of a 9-volume set providing the most comprehensive and complete study ever compiled about the turbulent period of the English and British Civil Wars and their aftermath.
Bootstrap percolation in random geometric graphs
Authors: Falgas-Ravry Victor , Sarkar Amites
Published: May 2023

Following Bradonjić and Saniee, we study a model of bootstrap percolation on the Gilbert random geometric graph on the 2-dimensional torus. In this model, the expected number of vertices of the graph is n, and the expected degree of a vertex is
$a\log n$
for some fixed
$a>1$
. Each vertex is added with probability p to a set
$A_0$
of initially infected vertices. Vertices subsequently become infected if they have at least
$ \theta a \log n $
infected neighbours. Here
$p, \theta \in [0,1]$
are taken to be fixed constants.

We show that if
$\theta < (1+p)/2$
, then a sufficiently large local outbreak leads with high probability to the infection spreading globally, with all but o(n) vertices eventually becoming infected. On the other hand, for
$ \theta > (1+p)/2$
, even if one adversarially infects every vertex inside a ball of radius
$O(\sqrt{\log n} )$
, with high probability the infection will spread to only o(n) vertices beyond those that were initially infected.

In addition we give some bounds on the
$(a, p, \theta)$
regions ensuring the emergence of large local outbreaks or the existence of islands of vertices that never become infected. We also give a complete picture of the (surprisingly complex) behaviour of the analogous 1-dimensional bootstrap percolation model on the circle. Finally we raise a number of problems, and in particular make a conjecture on an ‘almost no percolation or almost full percolation’ dichotomy which may be of independent interest.
Prelude to the Tudor conquest: Henry VIII and the Irish expedition of Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, 1520–22
Authors: Ellis Steven G.
Published: May 2023

During the brief ‘universal peace’ following the treaty of London in 1518, Surrey's expedition brought to Ireland as chief governor Henry VIII's best general, ostensibly leading a reconnaissance in force to discover how the king might reduce the land to order and obedience. Despite the expedition's protracted planning, as here outlined, the king's aims remained unclear, at least to Surrey. His army spent most of the time garrisoning the Pale and compelling submissions by neighbouring border chiefs. As suggested in a previously unnoticed cache of documents, King Henry hoped the Irish could be persuaded to use English law and the king's courts, restoring crown land since overrun, so that a recovery of the revenues would meet the expedition's costs. When Surrey insisted that Ireland's reform would entail a lengthy and costly military conquest, he soon lost interest. As renewed war threatened in continental Europe, Surrey was instructed to focus on the Pale's defence to reduce the king's costs, so conserving the monarch's treasure for other ‘higher enterprises’. Surrey's short-lived expedition and brief recall disrupted the political stability established by the earl of Kildare's defence of the Pale, with little achieved.
Multi‐Year Controls on Groundwater Storage in Seasonally Snow‐Covered Headwater Catchments
Authors: Wolf Margaret A. , Jamison Logan R. , Solomon D. Kip , Strong Courtenay , Brooks Paul D.
Published: May 2023

Seasonally snow‐covered catchments in the western United States supply water to growing populations as both annual snowmelt‐driven streamflow and multi‐year groundwater recharge. Although interannual variability in streamflow is driven largely by precipitation, runoff efficiency (the ratio of streamflow to precipitation) in individual catchments varies by 50% or more. Recent work suggests that interannual variability in groundwater storage, inferred from winter baseflow, is a primary control on runoff efficiency, highlighting a need to quantify both the time scales on which groundwater storage varies and the hydro‐climatic drivers of storage. Using over a century of daily stream discharge data from 10 seasonally snow‐covered catchments in northern Utah, we find that temporal variability in winter baseflow, an index of groundwater storage, measured from mean daily January discharge, exhibits a 2–5‐ and 12–15‐year periodicity, driven by regional precipitation patterns and snowmelt dynamics. Specifically, multiple linear regression (MLR) modeling using antecedent hydro‐climatic variables demonstrates that winter baseflow (groundwater storage) was positively related to 3–4 years of antecedent annual precipitation, negatively related to the previous year's mean annual temperature, and positively related to 1–4 antecedent years of snowmelt rate and duration. Because antecedent baseflow (groundwater storage) is strongly related to runoff efficiency, these results suggest that more frequent and longer droughts in a future climate will reduce surface water supplies faster than otherwise expected. More broadly, these results highlight the importance of including the influence of antecedent climate on groundwater storage when modeling and managing water supplies from seasonally snow‐covered catchments.
An Unsaturated Hydraulic Conductivity Model Based on the Capillary Bundle Model, the Brooks‐Corey Model and Waxman‐Smits Model
Authors: Fu Yongwei , Horton Robert , Ren Tusheng , Heitman Joshua
Published: May 2023

Soil unsaturated hydraulic conductivity (K), which depends on water content (θ) and matric potential (ψ), exhibits a high degree of variability at the field scale. Here we first develop a theoretical hydraulic‐electrical conductivity (σ) relationship under low and high salinity cases based on the capillary bundle model and Waxman and Smits model which can account for the non‐linear behavior of σ at low salinities. Then the K‐σ relationship is converted into a K(θ, ψ) model using the Brooks‐Corey model. The model includes two parameters c and γ. Parameter c accounts for the variation of the term (λ + 2)/(λ + 4) where λ is the pore size distribution parameter in the Brooks‐Corey model, and the term m‐n where m and n are Archie's saturation and cementation exponents, respectively. Parameter γ is the sum of the tortuosity factor accounting for the differences between hydraulic and electrical tortuosity and Archie's saturation exponent. Based on a calibration data set of 150 soils selected from the UNSODA database, the best fitting log(c) and γ values were determined as −2.53 and 1.92, −4.39 and −0.14, −5.01 and −1.34, and −5.79 and −2.27 for four textural groups. The estimated log10(K) values with the new K(θ, ψ) model compared well to the measured values from an independent data set of 49 soils selected from the UNSODA database, with mean error (ME), relative error (RE), root mean square error (RMSE) and coefficient of determination (R2) values of 0.02, 8.8%, 0.80 and 0.73, respectively. A second test of the new K(θ, ψ) model using a data set representing 23 soils reported in the literature also showed good agreement between estimated and measured log10(K) values with ME of −0.01, RE of 9.5%, RMSE of 0.77 and R2 of 0.85. The new K(θ, ψ) model outperformed the Mualem‐van Genuchten model and two recently published pedo‐transfer functions. The new K(θ, ψ) model can be applied for estimating K under field conditions and for hydrologic modeling without need for soil water retention curve data fitting to derive a K function.
Behavior Under Cyclic Loading of Freshwater Ice and Sea Ice With Thermal Microcracks
Authors: Murdza Andrii , Schulson Erland M. , Renshaw Carl E.
Published: May 2023

The combination of thinning ice, larger waves, and damage due to diurnal thermal cycling motivate the need to better understand the impact of flexing under the action of oceanic waves on the strength of thermally cracked ice. To that end, new experiments were performed on freshwater, lab‐grown ice and first‐year natural sea ice. Both materials were cracked by thermal shocking and then subsequently cyclically flexed. Initially, the thermal cracks weakened both materials. When the cracked ice of either origin was cyclically flexed under fully reversed loading, its flexural strength, initially reduced by the stress‐concentrating action of the cracks, recovered to the strength of non‐cracked, non‐flexed ice. When the cracked ice was cyclically flexed non‐reversely, its strength recovered only partially. During reversed cyclic flexing, the cracked region experienced alternately compressive and tensile stresses. We suggest compression resulted in contact of opposing crack faces followed by sintering leading to strength recovery. During non‐reversed cyclic flexing, contact and sintering were reduced and ice strength did not fully recover. The tendency for cracks to heal during cyclic flexing may lessen their threat to the structural integrity of an ice cover.
Effect of Grain Shape and Relative Humidity on the Nonlinear Elastic Properties of Granular Media
Authors: Gao L. , Shokouhi P. , Rivière J.
Published: May 2023

This study focuses on unraveling the microphysical origins of the nonlinear elastic effects, which are pervasive in the Earth's crust. Here, we examine the influence of grain shape on the elastic nonlinearity of granular assemblies. We find that the elastic nonlinearity of angular sand particles is of the same order of magnitude as that previously measured in spherical glass beads. However, while the elastic nonlinearity of glass beads increases by an order of magnitude with RH that of sand particles is rather RH independent. We attribute this difference to the angularity of sand particles: absorbed water on the spherical grains weakens the junctions making them more nonlinear, while no such effect occurs in sand due to grain interlocking. Additionally, for one of the nonlinear parameters that likely arises from shearing/partial slip of the grain junctions, we observe a sharp amplitude threshold in sand which is not observed in glass beads.
Detection of neuronal defensive discharge information transmission and characteristics in periaqueductal gray double-subregions using PtNP/PEDOT:PSS modified microelectrode arrays
Authors: Lu Botao , Fan Penghui , Li Ming , Wang Yiding , Liang Wei , Yang Gucheng , Mo Fan , Xu Zhaojie , Shan Jin , Song Yilin , Liu Juntao , Wu Yirong , Cai Xinxia
Published: May 2023

Threatened animals respond with appropriate defensive behaviors to survive. It has been accepted that midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) plays an essential role in the circuitry system and organizes defensive behavioral responses. However, the role and correlation of different PAG subregions in the expression of different defensive behaviors remain largely unexplored. Here, we designed and manufactured a microelectrode array (MEA) to simultaneously detect the activities of dPAG and vPAG neurons in freely behaving rats. To improve the detection performance of the MEAs, PtNP/PEDOT:PSS nanocomposites were modified onto the MEAs. Subsequently, the predator odor was used to induce the rat’s innate fear, and the changes and information transmission in neuronal activities were detected in the dPAG and vPAG. Our results showed that the dPAG and vPAG participated in innate fear, but the activation degree was distinct in different defense behaviors. During flight, neuronal responses were stronger and earlier in the dPAG than the vPAG, while vPAG neurons responded more strongly during freezing. By applying high-performance MEA, it was revealed that neural information spread from the activated dPAG to the weakly activated vPAG. Our research also revealed that dPAG and vPAG neurons exhibited different defensive discharge characteristics, and dPAG neurons participated in the regulation of defense responses with burst-firing patterns. The slow activation and continuous firing of vPAG neurons cooresponded with the regulation of long-term freezing responses. The results demonstrated the important role of PAG neuronal activities in controlling different aspects of defensive behaviors and provided novel insights for investigating defense from the electrophysiological perspective.
Genome-wide DNA methylation association study of recent and cumulative marijuana use in middle aged adults
Authors: Nannini Drew R. , Zheng Yinan , Joyce Brian T. , Kim Kyeezu , Gao Tao , Wang Jun , Jacobs David R. , Schreiner Pamela J. , Yaffe Kristine , Greenland Philip , Lloyd-Jones Donald M. , Hou Lifang
Published: May 2023

Marijuana is a widely used psychoactive substance in the US and medical and recreational legalization has risen over the past decade. Despite the growing number of individuals using marijuana, studies investigating the association between epigenetic factors and recent and cumulative marijuana use remain limited. We therefore investigated the association between recent and cumulative marijuana use and DNA methylation levels. Participants from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study with whole blood collected at examination years (Y) 15 and Y20 were randomly selected to undergo DNA methylation profiling at both timepoints using the Illumina MethylationEPIC BeadChip. Recent use of marijuana was queried at each examination and used to estimate cumulative marijuana use from Y0 to Y15 and Y20. At Y15 (n = 1023), we observed 22 and 31 methylation markers associated (FDR P ≤ 0.05) with recent and cumulative marijuana use and 132 and 16 methylation markers at Y20 (n = 883), respectively. We replicated 8 previously reported methylation markers associated with marijuana use. We further identified 640 cis-meQTLs and 198 DMRs associated with recent and cumulative use at Y15 and Y20. Differentially methylated genes were statistically overrepresented in pathways relating to cellular proliferation, hormone signaling, and infections as well as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance-related disorders. We identified numerous methylation markers, pathways, and diseases associated with recent and cumulative marijuana use in middle-aged adults, providing additional insight into the association between marijuana use and the epigenome. These results provide novel insights into the role marijuana has on the epigenome and related health conditions.
Gut microbiome determines therapeutic effects of OCA on NAFLD by modulating bile acid metabolism
Authors: Liu Jianjun , Sun Jiayi , Yu Jiangkun , Chen Hang , Zhang Dan , Zhang Tao , Ma Yicheng , Zou Chenggang , Zhang Zhigang , Ma Lanqing , Yu Xue
Published: May 2023

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common chronic liver disease, had no approved pharmacological agents yet. Obeticholic acid (OCA), a novel bile acid derivative, was demonstrated to ameliorate NAFLD-related manifestations. Regarding the role of gut-liver axis in liver disease development, this study aimed to explore the potential role of gut microbiota in the treatment of OCA in NAFLD mice induced by the high-fat diet (HFD). Antibiotic-induced microbiome depletion (AIMD) and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) confirmed the critical role of gut microbiota in OCA treatment for NAFLD by effectively alleviating histopathological lesions and restoring liver function impaired by HFD. Metagenomic analysis indicated that OCA intervention in HFD mice remarkably increased the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila, Bifidobacterium spp., Bacteroides spp., Alistipes spp., Lactobacillus spp., Streptococcus thermophilus, and Parasutterella excrementihominis. Targeted metabolomics analysis indicated that OCA could modulate host bile acids pool by reducing levels of serum hydrophobic cholic acid (CA) and chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), and increasing levels of serum-conjugated bile acids, such as taurodeoxycholic acid (TDCA) and tauroursodesoxycholic acid (TUDCA) in the HFD-fed mice. Strong correlations were observed between differentially abundant microbes and the shifted bile acids. Furthermore, bacteria enriched by OCA intervention exhibited much greater potential in encoding 7alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (7α-HSDs) producing secondary bile acids rather than bile salt hydrolases (BSHs) mainly responsible for primary bile acid deconjugation. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that OCA intervention altered gut microbiota composition with specially enriched gut microbes modulating host bile acids, thus effectively alleviating NAFLD in the mice.
Estrogen/HER2 receptor crosstalk in breast cancer: combination therapies to improve outcomes for patients with hormone receptor-positive/HER2-positive breast cancer
Authors: Pegram Mark , Jackisch Christian , Johnston Stephen R. D.
Published: May 2023

The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed in 13–22% of breast cancers (BC). Approximately 60–70% of HER2+ BC co-express hormone receptors (HRs). HR/HER2 co-expression modulates response to both anti-HER2–directed and endocrine therapy due to “crosstalk” between the estrogen receptor (ER) and HER2 pathways. Combined HER2/ER blockade may be an effective treatment strategy for patients with HR+/HER2+ BC in the appropriate clinical setting(s). In this review, we provide an overview of crosstalk between the ER and HER2 pathways, summarize data from recently published and ongoing clinical trials, and discuss clinical implications for targeted treatment of HR+/HER2+ BC.
Enhanced rare-earth separation with a metal-sensitive lanmodulin dimer
Authors: Mattocks Joseph A. , Jung Jonathan J. , Lin Chi-Yun , Dong Ziye , Yennawar Neela H. , Featherston Emily R. , Kang-Yun Christina S. , Hamilton Timothy A. , Park Dan M. , Boal Amie K. , Cotruvo Joseph A.
Published: May 2023

Technologically critical rare-earth elements are notoriously difficult to separate, owing to their subtle differences in ionic radius and coordination number1–3. The natural lanthanide-binding protein lanmodulin (LanM)4,5 is a sustainable alternative to conventional solvent-extraction-based separation6. Here we characterize a new LanM, from Hansschlegelia quercus (Hans-LanM), with an oligomeric state sensitive to rare-earth ionic radius, the lanthanum(III)-induced dimer being >100-fold tighter than the dysprosium(III)-induced dimer. X-ray crystal structures illustrate how picometre-scale differences in radius between lanthanum(III) and dysprosium(III) are propagated to Hans-LanM’s quaternary structure through a carboxylate shift that rearranges a second-sphere hydrogen-bonding network. Comparison to the prototypal LanM from Methylorubrum extorquens reveals distinct metal coordination strategies, rationalizing Hans-LanM’s greater selectivity within the rare-earth elements. Finally, structure-guided mutagenesis of a key residue at the Hans-LanM dimer interface modulates dimerization in solution and enables single-stage, column-based separation of a neodymium(III)/dysprosium(III) mixture to >98% individual element purities. This work showcases the natural diversity of selective lanthanide recognition motifs, and it reveals rare-earth-sensitive dimerization as a biological principle by which to tune the performance of biomolecule-based separation processes.
High-resolution maps of critical loads for sulfur and nitrogen in China
Authors: Ge Xiaodong , Yu Qian , Duan Lei , Zhao Yu , Posch Maximilian , Hao Jiming
Published: May 2023

The critical load concept is an important scientific guideline for acid deposition control. It was not only a crucial scientific basis to determine the emission reduction targets in Europe, but also used in China’s air pollution control, especially the designation of two control zones. Currently, critical loads of sulfur and nitrogen are still exceeded in Europe, America, and East Asia (mainly in China), and need to be continuously updated to meet the demands of further emission reductions. Critical loads of China were calculated and mapped in the 2000s, but are not sufficiently accurate due to methodological and data limitations. Here we present the latest high-quality critical loads for China, based on high-resolution basic data on soil, vegetation, and atmospheric base cations deposition, and up-to-date knowledge on important parameters. Our data, which is going to be included in GAINS-China, can be used to assess the ecological benefits of nitrogen and sulfur reductions in China at a regional or national scale, and to develop mitigation strategies in the future.
The metabolic score of insulin resistance is positively correlated with bone mineral density in postmenopausal patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Gu Peng , Pu Bin , Xin Qiao , Yue Dan , Luo LieLiang , Tao JiaSheng , Li HaiShan , Chen Ming , Hu MingHua , Hu XiaoRong , Zheng XiaoHui , Zeng ZhanPeng
Published: May 2023

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) complicated with osteoporosis (OP) is increasing yearly. Early prevention, detection and treatment of OP are important in postmenopausal patients with T2DM. This study aimed to explore the correlation between insulin resistance and bone mineral density (BMD), and OP in postmenopausal patients with T2DM. In this study, postmenopausal patients with T2DM who visited our hospital from January 2021 to March 2022 were divided into the OP group (n = 91) and non-OP group (n = 119) according to whether they were complicated with OP or not. The general data of patients, BMD, blood routine, glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, liver and kidney function indexes were collected, and the homeostatic model assessment for IR (HOMA-IR), the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and the metabolic score for IR (METS-IR) were calculated. A weighted multivariate linear regression model assessed the correlation between insulin resistance (IR) related indexes and lumbar spine, femoral neck, and hip BMD. A weighted logistic regression model assessed the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the association between the IR-related indexes and OP risk. The nonlinear relationship was also evaluated by smooth curve fitting (SCF) and a weighted generalized additive model (GAM). Moreover, the Receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curve was used to analyze the predictive efficiency of METS-IR in postmenopausal patients with T2DM with OP. HOMA-IR, TyG, and METS-IR in the OP group were lower than those in the non-OP group (all P < 0.05). Weighted multiple linear regression after adjusting covariates showed that METS-IR was positively correlated with the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and hip BMD (βMETS-IR = 0.006,0.005,0.005, all P < 0.001). The results of weighted Logistic regression and GAM showed that when METS-IR < 44.5, each unit of increased METS-IR value was associated with a decreased OP risk of 12% (P = 0.002). When METS-IR ≥ 44.5, there was no significant correlation between METS-IR and the risk of OP (OR = 1.00, P = 0.934). Similar trends were not observed in HOMA-IR and TyG. The ROC suggested helpful discriminative power of the METS-IR index for T2DM. We confirmed that METS-IR, as a novel alternative marker of IR, had a positive association with BMD in postmenopausal patients with T2DM, and METS-IR was a protective factor for OP in a specific range.
Indications of musculoskeletal health in deceased male individuals with lower-limb amputations: comparison to non-amputee and diabetic controls
Authors: Finco M. G. , Finnerty Caitlyn , Ngo Wayne , Menegaz Rachel A.
Published: May 2023

Individuals with lower-limb amputations, many of whom have type 2 diabetes, experience impaired musculoskeletal health. This study: (1) compared residual and intact limbs of diabetic and non-diabetic post-mortem individuals with amputation to identify structures vulnerable to injury, and (2) compared findings to diabetic and healthy control groups to differentiate influences of amputation and diabetes on musculoskeletal health. Postmortem CT scans of three groups, ten individuals each, were included: (1) individuals with transtibial or transfemoral amputations, half with diabetes (2) diabetic controls, and (3) healthy controls. Hip and knee joint spaces, cross-sectional thigh muscle and fat areas, and cross-sectional bone properties (e.g. area, thickness, geometry) were measured. Wilcoxon Signed-Rank and Kruskal–Wallis tests assessed statistical significance. Asymmetry percentages between limbs assessed clinical significance. Residual limbs of individuals with amputation, particularly those with diabetes, had significantly less thigh muscle area and thinner distal femoral cortical bone compared to intact limbs. Compared to control groups, individuals with amputation had significantly narrower joint spaces, less thigh muscle area bilaterally, and thinner proximal femoral cortical bone in the residual limb. Diabetic individuals with amputation had the most clinically significant asymmetry. Findings tended to align with those of living individuals. However, lack of available medical information and small sample sizes reduced the anticipated clinical utility. Larger sample sizes of living individuals are needed to assess generalizability of findings. Quantifying musculoskeletal properties and differentiating influences of amputation and diabetes could eventually help direct rehabilitation techniques.
Design and evaluation of a skin-on-a-chip pumpless microfluidic device
Authors: Mohamadali Marjan , Ghiaseddin Ali , Irani Shiva , Amirkhani Mohammad Amir , Dahmardehei Mostafa
Published: May 2023

The development of microfluidic culture technology facilitates the progress of study of cell and tissue biology. This technology expands the understanding of pathological and physiological changes. A skin chip, as in vitro model, consisting of normal skin tissue with epidermis and dermis layer (full thickness) was developed. Polydimethylsiloxane microchannels with a fed-batched controlled perfusion feeding system were used to create a full-thick ex-vivo human skin on-chip model. The design of a novel skin-on-a-chip model was reported, in which the microchannel structures mimic the architecture of the realistic vascular network as nutrients transporter to the skin layers. Viabilities of full-thick skin samples cultured on the microbioreactor and traditional tissue culture plate revealed that a precise controlled condition provided by the microfluidic enhanced tissue viability at least for seven days. Several advantages in skin sample features under micro-scale-controlled conditions were found such as skin mechanical strength, water adsorption, skin morphology, gene expression, and biopsy longevity. This model can provide an in vitro environment for localizing drug delivery and transdermal drug diffusion studies. The skin on the chip can be a valuable in vitro model for representing the interaction between drugs and skin tissue and a realistic platform for evaluating skin reaction to pharmaceutical materials and cosmetic products.
A straightforward method using the sign of the piezoelectric coefficient to identify the ferroelectric switching mechanism
Authors: Ishibashi Shoji , Kumai Reiji , Horiuchi Sachio
Published: May 2023

Some organic ferroelectrics have two possible switching modes: molecular reorientation and proton transfer. Typical examples include 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA) and Hdabco-ReO$$_4$$

4

(dabco = diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane). The direction and amplitude of the expected polarization depends on the switching mode. Herein a straightforward method to identify the ferroelectric switching mechanism is demonstrated. First, the relationship between the polarization vectors corresponding to the two modes is illustrated using the Berry phase. Second, the theoretical background for the sign of the piezoelectric coefficient is used to decide which mode occurs. Finally, comparing the theoretically calculated piezoelectric coefficients to the experimental results confirms the switching mode of each compound.
Fear of COVID-19 disease and vaccination as predictors of vaccination status
Authors: Gilan Donya , Birkenbach Markus , Wossidlo Marius , Sprengholz Philipp , Betsch Cornelia , Hahad Omar , Lieb Klaus
Published: May 2023

Vaccination rates are still insufficient to prevent the spread of COVID-19, so immunity must be increased among the population in order to reduce the virus’ spread and the associated medical and psychosocial effects. Although previous work has identified various factors associated with a low willingness to get vaccinated, the role of emotions such as fear of vaccination (FVAC) or fear of COVID-19 (FCOV), vaccination as a subjective norm (SN), psychological factors like general control beliefs (CB) or psychological resilience, and their interaction have been investigated less intensively. We used data from three cross-sectional waves of the German Panel COSMO (November 2021, N = 1010; February 2022, N = 1026; March 2022, N = 1031) and multiple logistic regression analyses to test whether vaccination rates are moderated by those factors. After controlling for covariates (age, sex, confidence in own intuition, optimism, well-being), we found that CB was no significant predictor of vaccination status. Higher FCOV and higher ratings in SN, however, were associated with an increased likelihood of being vaccinated. In contrast, higher FVAC was associated with a decreased likelihood of being vaccinated. Psychological resilience did not consistently moderate the associations between fear and vaccination status.
The association between changes in echocardiography and risk of heart failure hospitalizations and death in adults with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Fitzpatrick Jesse K. , Parikh Rishi V. , Hamilton Steven A. , Ambrosy Andrew P. , Tan Thida C. , Bansal Nisha , Go Alan S. ,   for the CRIC Study Investigators, Appel Lawrence J. , Chen Jing , Lash James P. , Nelson Robert G. , Rahman Mahboob , Rao Panduranga S. , Shah Vallabh O. , Townsend Raymond R. , Unruh Mark L.
Published: May 2023

Adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at increased risk for developing heart failure (HF). However, longitudinal cardiac remodeling in CKD has not been well-characterized and its association with HF outcomes remains unknown. We evaluated the association between change in echocardiographic parameters between baseline and year 4 with the subsequent risk of HF hospitalization and death using Cox proportional hazard models in a landmark analysis of a prospective multicenter CKD cohort. Among 2673 participants, mean ± SD age was 61 ± 11 years, with 45% women, and 56% non-white. A total of 472 hospitalizations for HF and 776 deaths occurred during a median (interquartile range) follow-up duration of 8.0 (6.3–9.1) years. Patients hospitalized for HF experienced larger preceding absolute increases in left ventricular (LV) volumes and decreases in LV ejection fraction. Adverse changes in LV ejection fraction, LV cavity volume, LV mass index, and LV geometry were independently associated with an increased risk of HF hospitalization and death. Among adults with CKD, deleterious cardiac remodeling occurs over a relatively short timeframe and adverse remodeling is associated with increased risk of HF-related morbidity and mortality.
Comparative genomics of two Vietnamese Helicobacter pylori strains, CHC155 from a non-cardia gastric cancer patient and VN1291 from a duodenal ulcer patient
Authors: Phuc Bui Hoang , Tuan Vo Phuoc , Binh Tran Thanh , Tung Pham Huu , Tri Tran Dinh , Dung Ho Dang Quy , Thuan Ngo Phuong Minh , Fauzia Kartika Afrida , Tshibangu-Kabamba Evariste , Alfaray Ricky Indra , Saruuljavkhlan Batsaikhan , Matsumoto Takashi , Akada Junko , Yamaoka Yoshio
Published: May 2023

Helicobacter pylori is involved in the etiology and severity of several gastroduodenal diseases; however, plasticity of the H. pylori genome makes complete genome assembly difficult. We report here the full genomes of H. pylori strains CHC155 and VN1291 isolated from a non-cardia gastric cancer patient and a duodenal ulcer patient, respectively, and their virulence demonstrated by in vitro infection. Whole-genome sequences were obtained by combining long- and short-reads with a hybrid-assembly approach. Both CHC155 and VN1291 genome possessed four kinds of genomic island: a cag pathogenicity island (cagPAI), two type 4 secretion system islands within an integrative and conjugative element (tfs ICE), and prophage. CHC155 and VN1291 carried East Asian-type cagA and vacA s1m1, and outer membrane protein genes, including two copies of oipA. Corresponded to genetic determinants of antibiotic resistance, chromosomal mutations were identified in CHC155 (rdxA, gyrA, and 23S rRNA) and VN1291 (rdxA, 23S rRNA, and pbp1A). In vitro infection of AGS cells by both strains induced the cell scattering phenotype, tyrosine phosphorylation of CagA, and promoted high levels of IL8 secretion, indicating fully intact phenotypes of the cagPAI. Virulence genes in CHC155 and VN1291 genomes are crucial for H. pylori pathogenesis and are risk factors in the development of gastric cancer and duodenal ulcer. Our in vitro studies indicate that the strains CHC155 and VN1291 carry the pathogenic potential.
Miscibility and ternary diagram of aqueous polyvinyl alcohols with different degrees of saponification
Authors: Kim Junhyuk , Ishikawa Shohei , Naito Mitsuru , Li Xiang , Chung Ung-il , Sakai Takamasa
Published: May 2023

Liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS), an important phenomenon in the field of polymer science and material design, plays an essential role in cells and living bodies. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is a popular semicrystalline polymer utilized in the synthesis of artificial biomaterials. The aqueous solutions of its derivatives with tuned degrees of saponification (DS) exhibit LLPS. However, the miscibility and LLPS behavior of PVA aqueous solution are still unclear. This study describes the miscibility diagram of the ternary mixture, where water and two types of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with different DSs [98 (PVA98), 88 (PVA88), 82 (PVA82), and 74 mol% (PVA74)] were blended. UV–Vis measurement was conducted to evaluate the miscibility. Immiscibility was more pronounced at elevated temperatures, exhibiting LLPS. The ternary immiscibility diagram, displaying miscible–immiscible behaviors in the aqueous mixtures of PVA74:PVA98, PVA82:PVA98, and PVA88:PVA98 (blended at a constant volume ratio), indicated that increasing the concentration, temperature, and blend ratio of PVAs at a lower DS increased immiscibility, suggesting that the free energy of mixing increases with increasing these parameters. The miscible–immiscible behaviors of PVAs/water systems provide fundamental knowledge about LLPS and the design of PVA-based materials.
Apatite MAP-3: a new homogeneous and low common lead natural reference for laser in situ U–Pb dating and Nd isotope analysis
Authors: Duan Li-Jun , Zhang Liang-Liang , Zhu Di-Cheng , Yang Yue-Heng , Xie Jin-Cheng , Wang Qing , Wu Shi-Tou , Huang Chao , Li Chao , Xu Wen-Tan , Kamo Sandra , Xu Li-Juan , Pan Chen-Xu , Shi Guang-Hai
Published: May 2023

MAP-3 apatite has very low common Pb contents and homogeneous U–Pb age, which is particularly rare in apatite and appealing for apatite U–Pb dating analyses.
Silicon chambers for enhanced incubation and imaging of microfluidic droplets
Authors: Lobato-Dauzier Nicolas , Deteix Robin , Gines Guillaume , Baccouche Alexandre , Hapsianto Benediktus Nixon , Okumura Shu , Mariette Guilhem , Belharet Djaffar , Queste Samuel , Jalabert Laurent , Denoual Matthieu , Rondelez Yannick , Toshiyoshi Hiroshi , Fujita Hiroyuki , Kim Soo Hyeon , Fujii Teruo , Genot Anthony J.
Published: May 2023

We introduce Si chambers that pack microfluidic droplets in a crystalline and immobile monolayer, are immune to evaporation or sagging, boost the number of collected photons, and tightly control the temperature field sensed by droplets.
Graphene foam membranes with tunable pore size for next-generation reverse osmosis water desalination
Authors: Ho Duc Tam , Nguyen Thi Phuong Nga , Jangir Arun , Schwingenschlögl Udo
Published: May 2023

The development of carbon-based reverse osmosis membranes for water desalination is hindered by challenges in achieving a high pore density and controlling the pore size.
Magnetic nanoprobe-enabled lateral flow assays: recent advances
Authors: Zhao Ying , Sang Jingwei , Fu Yusheng , Guo Jiuchuan , Guo Jinhong
Published: May 2023

In recent years, magnetic nanoparticle sensor technologies have attracted considerable interest in the point-of-care-testing (POCT) field, especially in lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs).
Reverse transcription-free digital-quantitative-PCR for microRNA analysis
Authors: Mai Hao T. , Vanness Brice C. , Linz Thomas H.
Published: May 2023

Base-stacking digital-quantitative-PCR rapidly measures miRNA with single-molecule sensitivity in a microfluidic platform.
Split G-quadruplex-programmed label-free CRISPR-Cas12a sensing system
Authors: Xu Mengting , Zhu Yuedong , Zhang Yan , Gong Bin , Kang Yuliang , Su Gaoxing , Yu Yanyan
Published: May 2023

A split G-quadruplex-programmed label-free Cas12a sensing platform was fabricated.
Synthesis of propargyl silanes from terminal alkynesviaa migratory Sonogashira reaction
Authors: Puriņš Mikus , Eichenberger Lucas , Waser Jérôme
Published: May 2023

A Pd-catalyzed migratory Sonogashira reaction has been developed for accessing propargyl silanes starting from terminal alkynes under mild conditions.
A thirty-year old mystery solved: identification of a new heptatungstate from non-aqueous solutions
Authors: Shiels Dominic , Pascual-Borràs Magda , Waddell Paul G. , Wills Corinne , Poblet Josep-Maria , Errington R. John
Published: May 2023

A new isopolytungstate provides the lacunary {W5O18} fragment and is a versatile precursor to substituted {MW5} Lindqvist polyoxometalates.
A practical synthesis of 1,3-disubstituted cubane derivatives
Authors: Kazi Nahin , Aublette Marine C. , Allinson Sarah L. , Coote Susannah C.
Published: May 2023

A robust multigram-scale synthesis of dimethyl 1,3-cubane dicarboxylate (previously only available on milligram-scale) is reported, as well as its conversion into a variety of other 1,3-disubstituted cubanes.
Boosting selectivity towards formate production using CuAl alloy nanowires by altering the CO2reduction reaction pathway
Authors: Badawy Ibrahim M. , Khedr Ghada E. , Hafez Ahmed , Ashour Elsayed A. , Allam Nageh K.
Published: May 2023

Understanding the fundamentals behind an electrocatalyst's selectivity enables the the design of functional materials for CO2RR.
Uncommon 2D diamond-like carbon nanodots derived from nanotubes: atomic structure, electronic states, and photonic properties
Authors: Boukhvalov D. W. , Zatsepin D. A. , Kuznetsova Yu. A. , Pryakhina V. I. , Zatsepin A. F.
Published: May 2023

In this article, we report the results of relatively facile fabrication of carbon nanodots from single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs and MWCNTs).
Ultrafast and selective recycling of poly(p-dioxanone) to monomers by using Brønsted–Lewis acidic ionic liquids as solvents/catalysts
Authors: Zhang Wei , Tian Guo-Qiang , Wu Gang , Chen Si-Chong , Wang Yu-Zhong
Published: May 2023

In the [Et3NH][ZnCl3]/pentaerythritol system, poly(p-dioxanone) is almost fully chemically recycled to the high-purityp-dioxanone monomer in several minutes.
Rapid dissolution of high concentration poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) using neoteric biosolvents: experiment and molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Muiruri Joseph Kinyanjui , Yeo Jayven Chee Chuan , Karen Tang Yuanting , Li Ke , Ye Enyi , Loh Xian Jun , Li Zibiao
Published: May 2023

Taking cues from  the concept of metabolomics in plants in hot environments, we used a plant metabolite (carvacrol) as a biosolvent to dissolve high molecular weight PHB biopolymer assisted by computational modelling to unearth the dissolution mechansim.
Probing the interaction between metastatic breast cancer cells and osteoblasts in a thread-based breast–bone co-culture device
Authors: Wu Shi Ming , Chen Feng , Yang Xiao Yan , Wu Teng Fei , Sun Wei , Yu Ling
Published: May 2023

Collagen I-modified nylon was applied to assemble a thread-based co-culture device to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of breast cancer bone metastasis.
Trimethylindolenines as C–N synthons for the assembly of spiro[oxindole-thioxoimidazolidine-indoline] hybrids in formal [3+2] cycloadditions
Authors: Zhang Wen-Hui , Chen Zi-Yue , Liu Ren-Ming , Liu Xiong-Wei , Pan Bo-Wen , Zhou Jian , Zhou Ying , Tian You-Ping , Liu Xiong-Li
Published: May 2023

This is the first example of trimethylindolenines serving as useful C–N synthons in [3+2] cycloaddition reactions.
Divergent cyclization of 2-(5-iodo-1,2,3-triazolyl)benzamides toward triazole-fused lactams and cyclic imidates
Authors: Kotovshchikov Yury N. , Tatevosyan Stepan S. , Latyshev Gennadij V. , Kugusheva Zoya R. , Lukashev Nikolay V. , Beletskaya Irina P.
Published: May 2023

Divergent approaches to 1,2,3-triazole-fused heterocyclesviachemoselective cyclization of 2-(5-iodotriazolyl)benzamides with controllable C–O or C–N bond formation have been developed.
A Y-doped P2-Na0.6Li0.11Fe0.27Mn0.62O2 cathode with improved high-rate capability and cycling stability for Na-ion batteries
Authors: Cao Ming-Hui , Li Ren-Yan , Huang Fen-Fen , Cai Xin-Yin , Cui Miao , Lin Shi-Ya , Tian Jing-Yang , Jiang Yuan-Ping , Shadike Zulipiya , Fu Zheng-wen
Published: May 2023

A promising P2-Na0.6Li0.11Fe0.26Mn0.62Y0.01O2 cathode with a more reversible oxygen redox reaction and higher Na+ transport kinetics was successfully synthesized and studied, showing better high-rate capability and cycling stability.