bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Study of Machine Learning Methods for State of Health Estimation of Maritime Battery Systems
Authors: Grindheim Christian Alm , Stakkeland Morten , Glad Ingrid Kristine , Vanem Erik
Published: July 2024

This paper tests two data-driven approaches for predicting the state of health (SOH) of lithium-ion-batteries (LIBs) for the purpose of monitoring maritime battery systems. First, non-sequential approaches are investigated and various models are tested: ridge, lasso, support vector regression, and gradient boosted trees. Binning is proposed for feature engineering for these types of models to capture the temporal structure in the data. Such binning creates histograms for the accumulated time the LIB has been within various voltage, temperature, and current ranges. Further binning to combine these histograms into 2D or 3D histograms is explored in order to capture relationships between voltage, temperature, and current. Second, a sequential approach is explored where different deep learning architectures are tried out: long short-term memory, transformer, and temporal convolutional network. Finally, the various models and the two approaches are compared in terms of their SOH prediction ability. Results indicate that the binning with ridge regression models performed best. The same publicly available sensor data from laboratory cycling tests are used for both approaches.
Modeling Development of a Receiver–Reactor of Type R2Mx for Thermochemical Water Splitting
Authors: Vega Puga Estefanía , Brendelberger Stefan , Weber Anika , Sattler Christian
Published: July 2024

This work reports on the development of a transient heat transfer model for a prototype reactor of type R2Mx for thermochemical water splitting by temperature and pressure swing of ceria. Key aspects of the R2Mx concept, which are also incorporated in the prototype design, include a movable monolithic redox structure combined with a linear transport system, a reduction reactor, as well as a dedicated oxidation reactor. With the model, the operation of the prototype is simulated for consecutive water splitting cycles, in which ceria is reduced in a continuously heated reactor, oxidized in a separate oxidation reactor, and transported in between the reaction zones. A 2D axisymmetric numerical model of the prototype reactor was developed in ansys mechanical. The model includes heat transfer calculations in combination with an approximated simulation of the transport of the redox material during cyclic operation. It incorporates the chemical reaction by means of a modified heat capacity for ceria and accounts for internal radiation heat transfer inside the porous redox material by applying effective heat transfer properties. A parametric analysis has been undertaken to evaluate different modes of operation of the oxidation reactor. Model results are used to size the power demand of the reduction reactor and vacuum pump, to define durations of the process steps, as well as to assess operational parameters with respect to achieved temperatures. Findings suggest that suitable operation of the prototype reactor involves reduction durations ranging from 8 to 10 min and oxidations of 6 to 10 min.
Measurements of atomic hydrogen recombination coefficients and the reduction of Al2O3 using a heat flux sensor
Authors: Stodolna Aneta S. , Ramankutty Shyama , Blauw Michiel , de Jonge Tommy , Storm Arnold J. , Velthuis J. F. M.
Published: July 2024

The knowledge of atomic hydrogen recombination coefficient (γ) is essential for plasma simulations to calculate accurate atomic hydrogen fluxes. However, γ is a complex material property, and it is affected by the experimental conditions under which it is measured. Therefore, values of γ can differ even by a few orders of magnitude for the same material. In this paper, we demonstrate measurements of hydrogen recombination coefficients at room temperature using an in-house-built catalytic sensor for two selected materials: aluminum Al-5083 (alimex) and stainless steel 316 l, under the load of low-temperature H2 plasma with an admixture of H2O or N2 gases. The plasma settings were carefully chosen to mimic properties of the so-called extreme ultraviolet-generated plasma.1 The measured γ values agree well with literature data obtained for similar plasma conditions and show a correlation with ion energy. Additionally, we show a novel application of the sensor for indirect measurements of the reduction of oxidized surfaces as a function of ion dose. In these experiments, a correlation between reduction time and background water pressure is observed.
Sound source classification for soundscape analysis using fast third-octave bands data from an urban acoustic sensor network
Authors: Tailleur Modan , Aumond Pierre , Lagrange Mathieu , Tourre Vincent
Published: July 2024

The exploration of the soundscape relies strongly on the characterization of the sound sources in the sound environment. Novel sound source classifiers, called pre-trained audio neural networks (PANNs), are capable of predicting the presence of more than 500 diverse sound sources. Nevertheless, PANNs models use fine Mel spectro-temporal representations as input, whereas sensors of an urban noise monitoring network often record fast third-octaves data, which have significantly lower spectro-temporal resolution. In a previous study, we developed a transcoder to transform fast third-octaves into the fine Mel spectro-temporal representation used as input of PANNs. In this paper, we demonstrate that employing PANNs with fast third-octaves data, processed through this transcoder, does not strongly degrade the classifier's performance in predicting the perceived time of presence of sound sources. Through a qualitative analysis of a large-scale fast third-octave dataset, we also illustrate the potential of this tool in opening new perspectives and applications for monitoring the soundscapes of cities.
Identification of viscoelastic material properties by ultrasonic angular measurements in double through-transmission
Authors: Poudrel Anne-Sophie , Gattin Max , Rosi Giuseppe , Rébillat Marc , Peixinho Jorge , Bochud Nicolas , Margerit Pierre
Published: July 2024

Recent advances in additive manufacturing (AM) of viscoelastic materials have paved the way toward the design of increasingly complex structures. In particular, emerging biomedical applications in acoustics involve structures with periodic micro-architectures, which require a precise knowledge of longitudinal and transverse bulk properties of the constituent materials. However, the identification of the transverse properties of highly soft and attenuating materials remains particularly challenging. Thereby, the present work provides a methodological framework to identify the frequency-dependent ultrasound characteristics (i.e., phase velocity and attenuation) of viscoelastic materials. The proposed approach relies on an inverse procedure based on angular measurements achieved in double through-transmission, referred as θ-scan. Toward this goal, a forward modeling of the double transmitted waves through a homogeneous solid is proposed for any incidence angle based on the global matrix formalism. The experimental validation is conducted by performing ultrasound measurements on two types of photopolymers that are commonly employed for AM purposes: a soft elastomer (ElasticoTM Black) and a glassy polymer (VeroUltraTM White). As a result, the inferred dispersive ultrasound characteristics are of interest for the computational calibration and validation of models involving complex multi-material structures in the MHz regime.
Optimization on artifacts in photoacoustic images based on spectrum analyses and signal extraction
Authors: Nie Shibo , Yin Guanjun , Li Pan , Guo Jianzhong
Published: July 2024

Photoacoustic (PA) imaging is a promising technology for functional imaging of biological tissues, offering optical contrast and acoustic penetration depth. However, the presence of signal aliasing from multiple PA sources within the same imaging object can introduce artifacts and significantly impact the quality of the PA tomographic images. In this study, an optimized method is proposed to suppress these artifacts and enhance image quality effectively. By leveraging signal time-frequency spectrum, signals from each PA source can be extracted. Subsequently, the images are reconstructed using these extracted signals and fused together to obtain an optimized image. To verify this proposed method, PA imaging experiments were conducted on two phantoms and two in vitro samples and the distribution relative error and root mean square error of the images obtained through conventional and optimized methods were calculated. The results demonstrate that the proposed method successfully suppresses the artifacts and substantially improves the image quality.
Automated Classification of Manual Exploratory Behaviors Using Sensorized Objects and Machine Learning: A Preliminary Proof-of-Concept Study
Authors: Patel Priya , Pandya Harsh , Ranganathan Rajiv , Lee Mei-Hua
Published: July 2024

Manual exploratory behaviors during object interaction that form the basis of tool use behavior, are mostly qualitatively characterized in terms of their frequency and duration of occurrence. To fully understand their functional and clinical significance, quantitative movement characterization is needed alongside their qualitative analysis. However, there are two challenges in quantifying them—(a) reliably classifying the type of movement and (b) performing this classification on a time series automatically. Here, we propose a machine learning-based classification method to address these challenges. We measured three common exploratory behaviors (object rotation, fingering, and throwing) in college-aged adults using “sensorized objects” that had wireless Inertial Measurement Units embedded in them. We then calculated several statistical features based on linear acceleration and angular velocity data to train machine learning classifiers to identify these behaviors. All classifiers identified the behaviors with a substantially higher accuracy (average accuracy = 84.95 ± 4.16%) than chance level (33.33%). Of all models tested, Support Vector Machine Quadratic, Support Vector Machine Medium Gaussian, and Narrow Neural Network were the best models in classifying the three behaviors (average accuracy = 89.34 ± 0.12%). This classification method shows potential for automating movement characterization of exploratory behaviors, thereby may aid early assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders.
Pyroptosis does damage control
Authors: Baek Amy E.
Published: July 2024

Secreted factors from pyroptotic cells can promote wound repair.
Glyphosate effects on growth and biofilm formation in bee gut symbionts and diverse associated bacteria
Authors: Motta Erick V. S. , de Jong Tyler K. , Gage Alejandra , Edwards Joseph A. , Moran Nancy A.
Published: July 2024

Biofilm formation is a common adaptation enabling bacteria to thrive in various environments and withstand external pressures. In the context of host–microbe interactions, biofilms play vital roles in establishing microbiomes associated with animals and plants and are used by opportunistic microbes to facilitate survival within hosts. Investigating biofilm dynamics, composition, and responses to environmental stressors is crucial for understanding microbial community assembly and biofilm regulation in health and disease. In this study, we explore
in vivo
colonization and
in vitro
biofilm formation abilities of core members of the honey bee (
Apis mellifera
) gut microbiota. Additionally, we assess the impact of glyphosate, a widely used herbicide with antimicrobial properties, and a glyphosate-based herbicide formulation on growth and biofilm formation in bee gut symbionts as well as in other biofilm-forming bacteria associated with diverse animals and plants. Our results demonstrate that several strains of core bee gut bacterial species can colonize the bee gut, which probably depends on their ability to form biofilms. Furthermore, glyphosate exposure elicits variable effects on bacterial growth and biofilm formation. In some instances, the effects correlate with the bacteria’s ability to encode a susceptible or tolerant version of the enzyme inhibited by glyphosate in the shikimate pathway. However, in other instances, no such correlation is observed. Testing the herbicide formulation further complicates comparisons, as results often diverge from glyphosate exposure alone, suggesting that co-formulants influence bacterial growth and biofilm formation. These findings highlight the nuanced impacts of environmental stressors on microbial biofilms, with both ecological and host health-related implications.

IMPORTANCE

Biofilms are essential for microbial communities to establish and thrive in diverse environments. In the honey bee gut, the core microbiota member
Snodgrassella alvi
forms biofilms, potentially aiding the establishment of other members and promoting interactions with the host. In this study, we show that specific strains of other core members, including
Bifidobacterium
,
Bombilactobacillus
,
Gilliamella
, and
Lactobacillus
, also form biofilms
in vitro
. We then examine the impact of glyphosate, a widely used herbicide that can disrupt the bee microbiota, on bacterial growth and biofilm formation. Our findings demonstrate the diverse effects of glyphosate on biofilm formation, ranging from inhibition to enhancement, reflecting observations in other beneficial or pathogenic bacteria associated with animals and plants. Thus, glyphosate exposure may influence bacterial growth and biofilm formation, potentially shaping microbial establishment on host surfaces and impacting health outcomes.
Promoting public engagement in interdisciplinary biological systems education by leveraging American sports-inspired bracket contests on social media and web
Authors: Myer Phillip R. , Blair Susan , Mason Katie M. , Shepherd Elizabeth A. , Downey Blair C. , McLean Kyle J. , Rowan Troy N. , Eckelkamp Elizabeth A. , Schrick F. Neal , Zambito Ivey Jennie L.
Published: July 2024

The complexity of modern biology poses challenges in fostering interdisciplinary understanding, particularly between practicing scientists and the public. Furthermore, scientists often lack formal training in science communication, despite various motivations to engage the public. The science literacy of the public in the biological sciences can also vary across socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. Leveraging popular culture and informal learning practices to promote active learning offers promising avenues to enhance public understanding of biological systems. Organized sports hold collective recognition across various communities and cultures, serving as a means to bring people together. Notably, the NCAA March Madness event holds widespread national and international popularity, presenting an opportunity to laterally apply this concept to promote science communication within STEM and biology education. An educational social media and web-based contest tool was developed integrating NCAA-inspired brackets with animal biological systems concepts. The tool featured tournament-style matchups based on animal biological systems, interesting animal facts, and a voting system, all housed within a user-friendly interface. To encourage regular user access to the tool, graphic designs were developed for all social media posts to aid in visual recruitment to the voting website. Based on online metrics, the use of social media garnered repeat users across both the public and educators. The latter noted the tool’s simplicity and informative content. Application of this social media and web-based bracket contest tool, which leverages informal settings for active learning for use in biology education, can foster science communication to engage audiences, improve comprehension, and promote interdisciplinary biology education.
Structure and
in vivo
psoralen DNA crosslink repair activity of mycobacterial Nei2
Authors: Warren Garrett M. , Shuman Stewart
Published: July 2024

Mycobacterium smegmatis
Nei2 is a monomeric enzyme with AP β-lyase activity on single-stranded DNA. Expression of Nei2, and its operonic neighbor Lhr (a tetrameric 3′-to-5′ helicase), is induced in mycobacteria exposed to DNA damaging agents. Here, we find that
nei2
deletion sensitizes
M. smegmatis
to killing by DNA inter-strand crosslinker trimethylpsoralen but not to crosslinkers mitomycin C and cisplatin. By contrast, deletion of
lhr
sensitizes to killing by all three crosslinking agents. We report a 1.45 Å crystal structure of recombinant Nei2, which is composed of N and C terminal lobes flanking a central groove suitable for DNA binding. The C lobe includes a tetracysteine zinc complex. Mutational analysis identifies the N-terminal proline residue (Pro2 of the ORF) and Lys51, but not Glu3, as essential for AP lyase activity. We find that Nei2 has 5-hydroxyuracil glycosylase activity on single-stranded DNA that is effaced by alanine mutations of Glu3 and Lys51 but not Pro2. Testing complementation of psoralen sensitivity by expression of wild-type and mutant
nei2
alleles in ∆
nei2
cells established that AP lyase activity is neither sufficient nor essential for crosslink repair. By contrast, complementation of psoralen sensitivity of ∆
lhr
cells by mutant
lhr
alleles depended on Lhr’s ATPase/helicase activities and its tetrameric quaternary structure. The
lhr–nei2
operon comprises a unique bacterial system to rectify inter-strand crosslinks.

IMPORTANCE

The DNA inter-strand crosslinking agents mitomycin C, cisplatin, and psoralen–UVA are used clinically for the treatment of cancers and skin diseases; they have been invaluable in elucidating the pathways of inter-strand crosslink repair in eukaryal systems. Whereas DNA crosslinkers are known to trigger a DNA damage response in bacteria, the roster of bacterial crosslink repair factors is incomplete and likely to vary among taxa. This study implicates the DNA damage-inducible mycobacterial
lhr–nei2
gene operon in protecting
Mycobacterium smegmatis
from killing by inter-strand crosslinkers. Whereas interdicting the activity of the Lhr helicase sensitizes mycobacteria to mitomycin C, cisplatin, and psoralen–UVA, the Nei2 glycosylase functions uniquely in evasion of damage caused by psoralen–UVA.
Complete genome of
Allorhizobium
(previously
Agrobacterium
)
vitis
strain CG957=AA25 from Afghanistan
Authors: Gan Han Ming , Liew Li Yuan , Savka Michael A.
Published: July 2024

Using Nanopore Q20+ sequencing, we report the complete genome of
Allorhizobium
(
Agrobacterium
)
vitis
strain CG957=AA25, isolated nearly 40 years ago from a grapevine crown gall in Afghanistan. The assembled genome size is 6 Mb, comprising a circular chromosome, a linear chromid, a Ti plasmid, and two non-Ti plasmids.
Biochemical characterization of a SusD-like protein involved in β-1,3-glucan utilization by an uncultured cow rumen
Bacteroides
Authors: Li Xiaoqian , Lippens Guy , Parrou Jean-Luc , Cioci Gianluca , Esque Jérémy , Wang Zhi , Laville Elisabeth , Potocki-Veronese Gabrielle , Labourel Aurore
Published: July 2024

In ruminants, the rumen is a specialized stomach that is adapted to the breakdown of plant-derived complex polysaccharides through the coordinated activities of a diverse microbial community. Bacteroidota is a major phylum in this bovine rumen microbiota. They contain several clusters of genes called polysaccharide utilization loci (PULs) that encode proteins working in concert to capture, degrade, and transport polysaccharides. Despite the critical role of SusD-like proteins for efficient substrate transport, they remain largely unexplored. Here, we present the biochemical characterization of a SusD-like protein encoded by a β-glucan utilization locus from an
Escherichia coli
metagenomic clone previously isolated by functional screening of the bovine rumen microbiome. In this study, we show that clone 41O1 can grow on laminaritriose, cellotriose, and a mixture of cellobiosyl-cellobiose and glucosyl-cellotriose as sole carbon sources. Based on this, we used various
in vitro
analyses to investigate the binding ability of 41O1_SusD-like towards these oligosaccharides and the corresponding polysaccharides. We observed a clear binding affinity for β-1,6 branched β-1,3-glucans (laminarins, yeast β-glucan) and laminaritriose. Comparison of the AlphaFold2 model of 41O1_SusD-like with its closest structural homologs highlights a similar pattern of substrate recognition. In particular, three tryptophan residues are shown to be crucial for laminarin recognition. In the context of the cow rumen, we discuss the possible substrates targeted by the 41O1_PUL, such as the (1,3;1,4)-β-
d
-glucans present in cereal grains or the β-1,3- and (1,3;1,6)-β-
d
-glucans that are components of the cell wall of ruminal yeasts.

IMPORTANCE

The rumen microbiota can majorly impact overall animal health, feed efficiency, and release of harmful substances into the environment. This microbiota is involved in the fermentation of organic matter to provide the host with valuable and assimilable nutrients. Bacteroidota efficiently captures, breaks down, and imports complex polysaccharides through the concerted action of proteins encoded by polysaccharide utilization loci (PULs). Within this system, SusD-like protein has proven necessary for the active internalization of the substrate. Nevertheless, the vast majority of SusD-like proteins characterized to date originate from cultured bacteria. With regard to the diversity and importance of uncultured bacteria in the rumen, further studies are required to better understand the role of polysaccharide utilization loci in ruminal polysaccharide degradation. Our detailed characterization of the 41O1_SusD-like therefore contributes to a better understanding of the carbohydrate metabolism of an uncultured
Bacteroides
from the cow rumen.
Physical cell-cell contact elicits specific transcriptomic responses in wine yeast species
Authors: Luyt Natasha A. , de Witt Riaan N. , Divol Benoit , Patterton Hugh G. , Setati Mathabatha E. , Taillandier Patricia , Bauer Florian F.
Published: July 2024

Fermenting grape juice provides a habitat for a well-mapped and evolutionarily relevant microbial ecosystem consisting of many natural or inoculated strains of yeasts and bacteria. The molecular nature of many of the ecological interactions within this ecosystem remains poorly understood, with the partial exception of interactions of a metabolic nature such as competition for nutrients and production of toxic metabolites/peptides. Data suggest that physical contact between species plays a significant role in the phenotypic outcome of interspecies interactions. However, the molecular nature of the mechanisms regulating these phenotypes remains unknown. Here, we present a transcriptomic analysis of physical versus metabolic contact between two wine relevant yeast species,
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
and
Lachancea thermotolerans
. The data show that these species respond to the physical presence of the other species. In
S. cerevisiae
, physical contact results in the upregulation of genes involved in maintaining cell wall integrity, cell wall structural components, and genes involved in the production of H
2
S. In
L. thermotolerans
,
HSP
stress response genes were the most significantly upregulated gene family. Both yeasts downregulated genes belonging to the
FLO
family, some of which play prominent roles in cellular adhesion. qPCR analysis indicates that the expression of some of these genes is regulated in a species-specific manner, suggesting that yeasts adjust gene expression to specific biotic challenges or interspecies interactions. These findings provide fundamental insights into yeast interactions and evolutionary adaptations of these species to the wine ecosystem.

IMPORTANCE

Within the wine ecosystem, yeasts are the most relevant contributors to alcoholic fermentation and wine organoleptic characteristics. While some studies have described yeast-yeast interactions during alcoholic fermentation, such interactions remain ill-defined, and little is understood regarding the molecular mechanisms behind many of the phenotypes observed when two or more species are co-cultured. In particular, no study has investigated transcriptional regulation in response to physical interspecies cell-cell contact, as opposed to the generally better understood/characterized metabolic interactions. These data are of direct relevance to our understanding of microbial ecological interactions in general while also creating opportunities to improve ecosystem-based biotechnological applications such as wine fermentation. Furthermore, the presence of competitor species has rarely been considered an evolutionary biotic selection pressure. In this context, the data reveal novel gene functions. This, and further such analysis, is likely to significantly enlarge the genome annotation space.
The epidemiology of intestinal protozoa in the Israeli population based on molecular stool test: a nationwide study
Authors: Peretz Avi , Azrad Maya , Ken- Dror Shifra , Strauss Merav , Sagas Dana , Parizada Miriam , Loewnthal Shulamit , Amichay Doron , Ben Horin Nili , Shenhar Yotam , Sagi Orli , Bazarsky Elina , Amit Sharon , Schwartz Eliezer
Published: July 2024

Stool examination using microscopy was the traditional method for the diagnosis of intestinal parasites. Recently, the use of molecular tests to identify stool protozoa has become the main tool used in most clinical laboratories in Israel. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of intestinal parasites in Israel and to compare this prevalence in laboratories that use molecular tests vs a laboratory that uses microscopy. Samples collected from January to October 2021 at seven laboratories were analyzed by real-time PCR (RT-PCR) or by microscopy. The multiplex panel included the following pathogens:
Giardia lamblia
,
Entamoeba histolytica
,
Cryptosporidium spp.
,
Cyclospora
,
Dientamoeba fragilis
, and
Blastocystis spp
. Overall, 138,415 stool samples were tested by RT-PCR and 6,444 by microscopy. At least one protozoa species was identified in 28.4% of the PCR-tested samples compared to 4.6% of the microscopy-tested samples.
D. fragilis
was the most common PCR-identified species (29%).
D. fragilis
,
G. lamblia
, and
Cryptosporidium spp
. were mainly found in pediatric population, while
Blastocystis spp
. was most prevalent among adults (
P
< 0.001). In a sub-cohort of 21,480 samples, co-infection was found in 4,113 (19.15%) samples, with
Blastocystis spp
. and
D. fragilis
being the most common (14.9%) pair. Molecular stool testing proved more sensitive compared to microscopy.
D. fragilis
was the most commonly detected pathogen. The above profile was identified during the COVID pandemic when traveling was highly restricted and most likely represents the locally circulating protozoa.

IMPORTANCE

This study sheds light on the prevalence of stool parasites in Israel. Additionally, this study indicates that the shift from microscope analysis to molecular tests improved protozoa diagnosis.
Pathophysiological relevance and therapeutic outlook of GPR43 in atherosclerosis
Authors: Tang Mu-Yao , Xie Hao , Tao Jin-Tao , Zhang Chun , Luo Yao-Hua , Zhang Cong , Peng Si-Qin , Xie Lin-Xi , Lv Wen-Bo , Zhang Chi , Huang Liang
Published: July 2024

Atherosclerosis (AS) is an inflammatory arterial disorder that occurs due to the deposition of the excessive lipoprotein under the artery intima, mainly including low-density lipoprotein and other apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play a crucial role in transmitting signals in physiological and pathophysiological conditions. GPCRs recognize inflammatory mediators, thereby serving as important players during chronic inflammatory processes. It has been demonstrated that free fatty acids can function as ligands for various GPCRs, such as free fatty acid receptor (FFAR)1/GPR40, FFAR2/GPR43, FFAR3/GPR41, FFAR4/GPR120, and the lipid metabolite binding glucose-dependent insulinotropic receptor (GPR119). This review discusses GPR43 and its ligands in the pathogenesis of AS, especially focusing on its distinct role in regulating chronic vascular inflammation, inhibiting oxidative stress, ameliorating endothelial dysfunction and improving dyslipidemia. It is hoped that this review may provide guidance for further studies aimed at GPR43 as a promising target for drug development in the prevention and therapy of AS.
Toward a Canadian national river water quality modeling system: state of science and future prospects
Authors: Dibike Yonas B. , Broadbent Jordyn , Musetta-Lambert Jordan , Reid Thomas , Spoelstra John , Monk Wendy A. , Nicholls Erin M. , Shrestha Rajesh R. , Beltaos Spyros , Peters Daniel L. , Zeng Chuiqing , Bonsal Barrie , Spence Christopher
Published: July 2024

Water quality is of significant concern and ultimately critical to every Canadian’s quality of life and security. Canada has diverse and vast landscapes and stressors that impact various waterbodies differentially, with influencing factors including contaminant and nutrient loads from human activity (mining effluent, wastewater, agricultural runoff, plastics), landscape change (wetland drainage, urbanization), and climate change (warming water temperatures, longer open water seasons, extreme hydrological events, intensifying wildfires). Canadian rivers are especially important to the overall biogeochemistry, hydrology, biodiversity, and ultimate health of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. While each of Canada’s provinces and territories has extensive river water quality (physical, chemical, biotic) data and monitoring programs; Environment and Climate Change Canada coordinates various national programs that contribute to the collection and consolidation of these data and conducts extensive research into the study and modeling of key river water quality processes. Despite program-specific efforts, there remains poor capacity to predict current and future conditions in monitored and unmonitored Canadian rivers, particularly remote or northern rivers, due to a myriad of factors including lack of coordination among groups and examination of areas in which modeling efforts might be integrated. Herein, we review and analyze the current state of data availability, process studies, and modeling systems for Canadian river water quality. Our synthesis reveals that specific physical processes (water temperature, ice formation, permafrost thaw, sediment dynamics), biogeochemical processes (dissolved oxygen, dissolved organic matter, nutrient cycling, metals/contaminants), and ecological/biological features (biota mass, functional indicators) are well understood, though complex, and are amenable to empirical or mechanistic modeling. Review of this information assists us in identifying opportunities and challenges for developing a national water quality modeling system, that would eventually include similar modeling activities for parallel processes in lakes and integrated watersheds. We identify needs for stronger coordination of monitoring programs in remote areas, recommend use of novel remote sensing technologies, and development of a flexible, iterative “process” for integrated modeling to which stakeholders beyond government can contribute. Such a platform would support short- and long-term predictive models of Canadian water quality and ecosystem health, inform effluent concentration limits, and be an early warning system for source waters.
Improving the Recognition and Analysis of the Surendra Algorithm in Athletes’ Motion Capture
Authors: Liu Ziyu , Sun Qingyao
Published: July 2024

With the development of computer technology, its application in athletes’ motion capture is more and more extensive, which can be used to design suitable sensors by the Surendra algorithm. In recent years, more and more scholars have begun to use motion capture technology to study human motion posture, analyze and study human motion posture data and apply it to people’s work, study and life. Motion capture technology has also become a key technology in the field of human motion posture research and is playing an increasingly important role. In this paper, a three-dimensional skeletal model of the athlete’s body is first established based on dynamics, and the athlete’s movement characteristics are simulated by this model. Then, the athlete’s movement posture is judged to determine the appropriate form of movement expression. Then, the improved Surendra algorithm is used to detect the movement movements.
Temperature Effect Assessment on the Gate-All-Around Junctionless FET for Bio-Sensing Applications
Authors: Smaani Billel , Labiod Samir , Benlatreche Mohamed Salah , Mehimmedetsi Boudjemaa , Yadav Ramakant , Salama Husien
Published: July 2024

The gate-all-around junctionless field-effect transistor (GAA JL FET)-based biosensor has recently attracted worldwide attention due to its good sensitivity to gate-all-around architecture and overall conduction mechanism. The effect of temperature usually affects the performance of transistors and sensors. Therefore, the impact of temperature on the 3D GAA JL FET-based biosensor has been investigated in this work. The dielectric modulation (DM) approach has been considered for including biomolecules. Consequently, the main proprieties of this biosensor have been investigated by ranging the temperature from 77[Formula: see text]K to 400[Formula: see text]K. The simulated results showed that the on-state current lowers as the temperature rises, but the off-state current increases. The off-current variation concerning the temperature is higher than the on-current change. Also, this type of biosensor appears to have a finer threshold voltage. Furthermore, the obtained results reveal that the current sensitivity is increased when ranging from temperature from 200[Formula: see text]K to 400[Formula: see text]K, and deteriorates for lower temperature values, like 100[Formula: see text]K and 77[Formula: see text]K. In addition, the GAA JL FET-based biosensor is more reliable for the detection of neutral biomolecules at high temperatures.
Study of pressure parametric dark energy model in the framework of f(Q) gravity
Authors: Goswami Sangita , Das Sudipta
Published: July 2024

In this work, we have proposed a simple parametrization for the pressure component [Formula: see text] of the dark energy model and have studied the cosmological implications of this model in the framework of [Formula: see text] modified gravity theory, aka, the symmetric teleparallel gravity theory, where Q is known as the nonmetricity scalar. By considering a particular parametric form of [Formula: see text], we obtained the Hubble solution for the [Formula: see text] modified gravity model. In order to see whether this model is consistent with or challenges the [Formula: see text]CDM limits, we tried to put constraints on the model parameters using the recent observational datasets like Hubble data, Cosmic Chronometer data, Type Ia Supernovae (SNIa) data, baryonic acoustic oscillations (BAO) data. We have employed the [Formula: see text] minimization technique and have carried out the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) analysis using emcee package. We have found that the deceleration parameter shows a smooth transition from positive to negative value in recent past which is essential for the structure formation of the Universe. It has been found that the parametric form of the dark energy pressure parameter is consistent with current cosmological scenario.
Solvothermal Synthesized Heterostructured Bi2S3–TiO2 Nanoparticles as Highly Selective Fluorescence Probe for Nitrobenzene
Authors: Syal Abhinandan , Sharma Aarti , Gupta Nidhi , Sud Dhiraj , Rai Ritu
Published: July 2024

This study describes a facile one-pot solvothermal method for the synthesis of heterostructured (HS) Bi2S3–TiO2 (BT) nanoparticles (NPs) and utilizes its potential for sensing the nitrobenzene (NB) as a fluorescent probe. The characterization of as-synthesized BT NPs endorses the mixed morphology with an average particle size of 14[Formula: see text]nm and the crystallography study depicted the orthorhombic Bi2S3 and tetragonal anatase TiO2 phases. The selectivity and sensitivity of BT NPs toward NB were examined by comparing the fluorescence quenching with a few other selected organic aromatic compounds. The appreciable quenching efficiency of 97% was achieved with NB. The visual response of the BT/NB mixture was noticed under UV light ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]nm). The quenching parameters of the BT/NB system have been evaluated by modifying Stern–Volmer and double logarithmic equations. The results attribute the prevalence of dynamic quenching within the concentration range (0.4[Formula: see text]mM to 5[Formula: see text]mM) and beyond 5[Formula: see text]mM, both static and dynamic quenching coexist. Further, thermodynamic studies of the BT/NB system indicate the spontaneous hydrophobic interaction. Moreover, a reliable outcome has been demonstrated in the sensing application of BT NPs in real water samples.
Cyclic and Square Wave Voltammetry Analysis of MTZ Using Reactive Electrode Based on Montmorillonite and Na-Alginate
Authors: Hadjyoussef Mouna Touati , Dakhli Abir , Zayani Memia Benna
Published: July 2024

This work describes the elaboration and the electroanalytical tests of a new electrode based on a mixture of graphite and biopolymer-modified montmorillonite nanocomposite. Initially, the nanocomposite was synthesized using sodic montmorillonite (NaMT) and sodium alginate (Naalg) extracted from Tunisian algae. The resulting nanocomposite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (UATR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). XRD analysis revealed an increase in the basal spacing d001 and the appearance of reflections (020) and (220) of guluronan groups. Infrared spectra showed characteristic polymer bands such as symmetric and antisymmetric stretching vibrations of the carboxylic group in the nanocomposite spectra indicating the modification. Thermal analysis displayed a shift in the temperature of Naalg decomposition to a higher temperature in the nanocomposite thermogram.

The obtained nanocomposite was then used in the development of an electrode. The resulting hybrid electrode was tested for metronidazole (MTZ) analysis using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV). Various parameters including pH, scan rate, MTZ concentration, frequency, etc., were investigated. The results revealed the irreversibility of the studied molecule and indicated that the reduction mechanism involves both diffusion and adsorption behaviors. SWV showed a better sensitivity to detect MTZ than the CV technique. Promising results were obtained, suggesting prospects for this new hybrid electrode.
Optimum Model-Based Design of Diagnostics Experiments (DOE) with Hybrid Pulse Power Characterization (HPPC) for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Rhyu Jinwook , Zhuang Debbie , Bazant Martin Z. , Braatz Richard D.
Published: July 2024

Diagnostics of lithium-ion batteries are frequently performed in battery management systems for optimized operation of lithium-ion batteries or for second-life usage. However, attempting to extract dominant degradation information requires long rest times between diagnostic pulses, which compete with the need for efficient diagnostics. Here, we design a set of efficient optimal hybrid pulse power characterization (HPPC) diagnostics using model-based design of experiment (DOE) methods, applying knowledge of degradation effects on pulse kinetics and cell properties. We validate that these protocols are effective through minimization of uncertainty, and robust with Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulations. Contrary to traditional HPPC diagnostics which use fixed pulse magnitudes at uniformly distributed state of charges (SOC), we find that well-designed HPPC protocols using our framework outperform traditional protocols in terms of minimizing both parametric uncertainties and diagnostic time. Trade-offs between minimizing parametric uncertainty and total diagnostic time can be made based on different diagnostics needs.
Preparation and Performance Evaluation of Microporous Transport Layers for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Water Electrolyzer Anodes
Authors: Ernst Matthias F. , Meier Vivian , Kornherr Matthias , Gasteiger Hubert A.
Published: July 2024

In this work, ≈25 μm thin titanium microporous layers (MPLs) with ≈2 μm small pores and low surface roughness were coated and sintered on top of ≈260 μm thick commercial titanium-powder-sinter sheets with ≈16 μm pores, maintaining a porosity of ≈40% in both layers. Serving as porous transport layers (PTLs) on the anode side in proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs), these pore-graded, two-layer sheets (“PTL/MPL”) are compared to single-layer PTLs in single-cell PEMWEs. The PTL/MPL samples prepared here give a 3–6 mΩ cm2 lower high-frequency resistance (HFR) compared to the as-received single-layer PTL, which is attributed to a partial reduction of the TiO2 surface passivation layer during the MPL sintering process. For ≈1 μm thin anodes with an iridium loading of ≈0.2 mgIr cm−2, the use of an MPL leads to a ≈24 mV improvement in HFR-free cell voltage at 6 A cm−2. As no such benefit is observed for ≈9 μm thick anodes with ≈2.0 mgIr cm−2, mass transport resistances within the PTL/MPL play a minor role. Possible reasons for the higher catalyst utilization in ultra-thin electrodes when using an MPL are discussed. Furthermore, an MPL provides superior mechanical membrane support, which is particularly relevant for thin membranes.
Investigating Plastic Deformation Between Silicon and Solid Electrolyte in All-Solid-State Batteries Using Operando X-ray Tomography
Authors: Sakka Yuya , Matsumoto Mao , Yamashige Hisao , Takeuchi Akihisa , Uesugi Masayuki , Uesugi Kentaro , Zhong Chengchao , Shimoda Keiji , Okazaki Ken-ichi , Orikasa Yuki
Published: July 2024

Si anodes in all-solid-state batteries are expected to achieve high energy density and durability because large volume changes in Si can be mechanically suppressed by the hardness of solid electrolytes. However, the effects of volume changes on the mechanical interface between Si and solid electrolytes during charge/discharge reactions have not been investigated. In this study, operando X-ray computed tomography was used to determine the microstructure of an all-solid-state battery comprising Si active materials and a solid sulfide electrolyte, Li10GeP2S12, during charge/discharge reactions. To evaluate the volume expansion/contraction effects on the charge/discharge properties, the tortuosity of the ion conduction path and the contact area fraction between Si and the solid electrolyte during the charge/discharge reactions were quantitatively estimated. Shell-shaped voids around the Si particles were observed after Si shrinkage owing to the plastic deformation of the solid electrolyte. This characteristic resulted in poor charge/discharge efficiency and incomplete delithiation in the battery. These results will facilitate the design optimization of Si composite electrodes, which will be highly beneficial to the development of effective all-solid-state batteries.
Mild and Fast Chemical Presodiation of Na0.44MnO2
Authors: Kapaev Roman R. , Chakrabarty Sankalpita , Mukherjee Ayan , Sonoo Masato , Noked Malachi
Published: July 2024

This work presents a mild, fast, and scalable approach for chemical presodiation of Na-ion battery cathodes employing a tunnel-type Na0.44MnO2 (NMO) as a model material to demonstrate its sodiation with sodium-phanazine solutions. After presodiation using this approach, there is an 80% increase in specific capacity and a 66% increase in specific energy of NMO in full cells with hard carbon anodes.
Facile Synthesis of U2Ti Intermetallic by Direct Electrochemical Reduction of UO2-TiO2 Composite in LiCl-Li2O Melt
Authors: Sanil N. , Shakila L. , Arunkumar V. , Kumaresan R.
Published: July 2024

Alloys of U with Ti are of importance in nuclear industry as fuel for Gen IV fast reactors, hydrogen isotope storage medium for fusion reactors, super conductors, and also as corrosion resistant material for use in various applications. Here, preparation of U2Ti intermetallic compound was investigated by the direct electrochemical reduction of mixed oxide of UO2-TiO2 in LiCl-0.5% Li2O molten salt at 650 °C. The mixed oxide pellet of UO2-TiO2 sintered at 1500 °C was found to be a mixture of UTi2O6 and UO2 as evidenced by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Direct electro-lithiothermic reduction of UO2, TiO2, and a mixture of sintered UO2-TiO2 and UTi2O6 coupled with cyclic voltammetry of these oxides in the melt was performed to understand the electro-reduction mechanism. Potentials of reduction of these oxides in the melt, w.r.t Ni/NiO reference electrode, obtained by analysis of CV data of these oxides contained in metallic cavity electrodes and XRD analysis of partially electro-reduced oxides were used to arrive at the electro-reduction mechanism. Results indicate that U2Ti can be prepared conveniently by the electro-lithiothermic reduction of sintered pellet of UO2-TiO2 cathode by constant current electrolysis in a two-electrode cell.
Binderless Electrodeposited NiCo2S4-MWCNT as a Potential Anode Material for Sodium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Chakraborty Rupan Das , Grace J. Priscilla , Garlapati Kiran Kumar , Martha Surendra Kumar
Published: July 2024

Conversion type ternary NiCo2S4, exhibiting high electrical conductivity (∼1.25 × 106 S m−1) and high theoretical capacity (703 mAh g−1), has gained interest as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Despite its potential, NiCo2S4 (NCS) has extensive volume expansion during cycling. This study introduces the NCS-multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) onto a carbon fiber (CF) electrode (NCS and NCS-MWCNT@CF), developed through electrodeposition, which addresses these limitations. The unique sheet-like morphology of NCS, featuring abundant pores, ensures good access to the electrolyte. Incorporating a three-dimensional conductive CF framework that acts as a free-standing current collector helps prevent the agglomeration of NCS particles and mitigates volume expansion by providing enough buffer space in the layers of the CF matrix. Our findings reveal that NCS on CF electrodes deliver a second cycle capacity of 620 mA g−1 at 30 mA g−1 and retain 72% capacity after 200 cycles. At 200 mA g−1, the NCS@CF electrodes deliver 378 mAh g−1 in the second cycle with 68% capacity retention in the 200th cycle, whereas NCS-MWCNT@CF delivers 538 mAh g−1 at 200 mA g−1, maintaining 86 % capacity after 100 cycles, making it a potential anode for SIBs.
Hypoxia conduces the glioma progression by inducing M2 macrophage polarization via elevating TNFSF9 level in a histone-lactylation-dependent manner
Authors: Li Min , Sun Pingfeng , Tu Binfeng , Deng Guojun , Li Donghai , He Wei
Published: July 2024

Our study revealed that hypoxia induces the production of LA accumulation through glycolysis in glioma cells, which is subsequently absorbed by macrophages and leads to its M2 polarization via the MCT-1/H3K18La/TNFSF9 axis, ultimately significantly promoting the malignant progression of glioma cells. These findings are novel and noteworthy as they provide insights into the connection between energy metabolism and epigenetics in gliomas.
Glucose influences endometrial receptivity to embryo implantation through O-GlcNAcylation-mediated regulation of the cytoskeleton
Authors: Ruane Peter T. , Paterson Isabel , Reeves Beth , Adlam Daman , Berneau Stéphane C. , Renshall Lewis , Brosens Jan J. , Kimber Susan J. , Brison Daniel R. , Aplin John D. , Westwood Melissa
Published: July 2024

Understanding how glucose regulates endometrial function will support preconception guidance and/or the development of targeted interventions for individuals living with diabetes wishing to embark on pregnancy. We found that glucose can influence endometrial epithelial cell receptivity to embryo implantation by regulating posttranslational modification of proteins involved in the maintenance of cell polarity. Impaired or inappropriate endometrial receptivity could contribute to fertility and/or early pregnancy complications caused by poor glucose control.