bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Étude du processus de la décision de financement dans la petite entreprise par – la demande à travers – le dirigeant
Authors: Gandégnon Médéssè Carol F.
Published: May 2023

Le financement des petites entreprises (PE) demeure une préoccupation essentielle à laquelle cet article s’intéresse à travers l’étude du sujet encore peu abordé de la décision de financement par le prisme de la demande. L’article repose sur l’importance du rôle du dirigeant en tant que décideur. Faisant un pas de côté par rapport aux travaux en finance entrepreneuriale classique, cette recherche s’intéresse à la construction de la décision et s’appuie sur une approche processuelle. À cette fin, le cadre théorique s’appuie sur l’hypothèse initiale d’un choix du dirigeant fondé sur une logique proxémique. Sept cas sont alors étudiés empiriquement pour explorer cette hypothèse, grâce à des développements issus de la prise de décision stratégique en PME. Les résultats révèlent l’existence d’un spectre comportemental allant de la proactivité à un attentisme opportuniste chez les dirigeants de PE. La prise de décision est quant à elle susceptible d’être modélisée en quatre étapes fondamentales. Ils montrent également une limite du modèle tridimensionnel historique pour étudier la décision de financement dans les PME. Ils suggèrent enfin d’embrasser l’approche proxémique comme heuristique de la gestion des petites entreprises, notamment en ce qui concerne les décisions financières.
Extrême humilité : la ἐξουδένωσις dans le monachisme primitif
Authors: Vecoli Fabrizio
Published: May 2023

L’article se propose d’analyser un terme-clé du langage technique des premiers moines chrétiens. Le but est de faire ressortir un concept fondamental de la doctrine monastique ancienne. Il s’agit du mot grec ἐξουδένωσις, qui normalement indique le mépris, mais qui est traduit par « anéantissement » quand il est utilisé par les auteurs monastiques dans certains contextes. L’analyse des sources montre que ce mot acquiert une signification nouvelle quand il se réfère à un aspect de la praxis ascétique. En assemblant et comparant les passages où apparaît la ἐξουδένωσις, il est possible d’en clarifier le sens et d’approfondir par là notre compréhension de la spiritualité chrétienne
Marcelle Deschênes
Authors: Turcotte Roxanne
Published: May 2023

Marcelle Deschênes, pionnière de la composition électroacoustique, pianiste, pédagogue et artiste multimédia. Née en 1939 à Price, Marcelle Deschênes a fait sa marque dans les années 1980 et crée le tout premier programme de composition électroacoustique de la Faculté de musique de l’Université de Montréal. Elle s’implique au sein d’organismes et groupes de recherche et ouvre la voie aux femmes dans un domaine pratiquement exclusivement masculin. Elle travaille également auprès des jeunes et des non-musiciens. Elle se démarque, notamment, par ses spectacles multimédias à grand déploiement et sa démarche créatrice innovatrice à l’ère des Laurie Anderson, Michel Lemieux, La La La Human Steps. Elle s’entoure de collaborateurs tels que Raôul Duguay, Les Mimes Électriques, Jacques Collin, Paul St-Jean (L’Écran humain) à une époque où tout est permis et où la scène fait partie intégrante de la production musicale dite de tradition classique. Une période musicale éclatée et totalement nouvelle dans toutes les sphères artistiques.
Micheline Coulombe Saint-Marcoux, pionnière de l’écriture pour percussion : autour de Trakadie (1970)
Authors: Therrien Brongo David
Published: May 2023

Première femme à remporter le Prix d’Europe en composition, à l’avant-garde de l’écriture et de la recherche en musique électroacoustique, militante pour les arts et le rôle du compositeur dans la société, Micheline Coulombe Saint-Marcoux est indéniablement une pionnière dans son milieu. Elle fut également la première Québécoise à composer une oeuvre pour percussion solo. Dans la lignée des Zyklus (1959) de Karlheinz Stockhausen et Intérieur I (1966) de Helmut Lachenmann, Trakadie (1970) pour percussion et sons fixés représente le début de cette discipline au Québec. En plus d’offrir une analyse de Trakadie, cet article replace également l’oeuvre dans son contexte en traitant de deux autres pièces écrites par Coulombe Saint-Marcoux dans les mêmes années : Séquences (1968, rév. 1973) et Épisodie II (1972).
Inertial magnetization dynamics on femtosecond scale
Authors: Li Zai-Dong , Nan Xue-Meng , Qu Chuan , Liu Wu-Ming ,   Tianjin Key Laboratory of Quantum Optics and Intelligent Photonics, School of Science, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, China,   State Key Laboratory of Quantum Optics and Quantum Optics Devices, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China,   Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
Published: May 2023

Inertia effect should be considered in ferromagnet magnetization dynamics on a sub picosecond-to-femtosecond-time scale. The inertia effect can be described by the inertial Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation. This paper mainly introduces some theoretical and experimental developments of ultrafast ferromagnetic resonance, magnetization reversal and inertial spin dynamics. These results will be helpful in better understanding the basic mechanism of ultrafast demagnetization and magnetization reversal, and deepen the understanding of the microscopic mechanism of magnetic inertia. In the end, the development trend of future experimental and theoretical research are also presented.
Properties of off-axis helical long-period fiber gratings
Authors: Wang Jian , Ma Chao , Wang Dong-Hui , Meng Ling-Zhi , Wang Hong-Ye , Yuan Li-Bo ,   School of Optoelectronic Engineering, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, China,   Key Laboratory of In-Fiber Integrated Optics, Ministry of Education, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China
Published: May 2023

In this paper, a new four-electrode arc discharge device with large constant temperature region is designed, which is used to prepared high-quality off-axis helical long-period fiber grating. The larger constant temperature heating area is more conducive to releasing the stress of optical fiber, so that the prepared device is less off-axis. In order to show that low off-axis is a key parameter of high-quality off-axis helical long-period fiber grating, the effects of single mode fiber on transmission spectrum of off-axis helical long-period fiber grating under different coupling lengths, pitches, core refractive indexes, cladding refractive indexes, core diameters, cladding diameters and off-axis quantity are simulated by using beam propagation method. Since traditional methods are difficult to measure the off-axis helical long-period fiber grating with small off-axis quantity, the off-axis quantity of the prepared device is estimated by using the method of spectral comparison and back-thrust off-axis quantity in this work. The off-axis helical long-period fiber grating is prepared by using the established processing device. The off-axis quantities of the prepared devices are about 0.12, 0.13 and 0.16 µm, respectively, according to the comparison between the simulated transmission spectrum and the actual spectrum. Finally, experiments on the torsional resistance and repeatability of the off-axis helical long-period fiber grating prepared by the device are carried out. The experimental results show that the prepared grating has certain torsional resistance and good spectral repeatability.
Judging the difficulty of perceptual decisions
Authors: Löffler Anne , Zylberberg Ariel , Shadlen Michael N. , Wolpert Daniel M.
Published: May 2023

Deciding how difficult it is going to be to perform a task allows us to choose between tasks, allocate appropriate resources, and predict future performance. To be useful for planning, difficulty judgments should not require completion of the task. Here we examine the processes underlying difficulty judgments in a perceptual decision making task. Participants viewed two patches of dynamic random dots, which were colored blue or yellow stochastically on each appearance. Stimulus coherence (the probability,
p
blue
, of a dot being blue) varied across trials and patches thus establishing difficulty, (
p
blue
– 0.5|. Participants were asked to indicate for which patch it would be easier to decide the dominant color. Accuracy in difficulty decisions improved with the difference in the stimulus difficulties, whereas the reaction times were not determined solely by this quantity. For example, when the patches shared the same difficulty, reaction times were shorter for easier stimuli. A comparison of several models of difficulty judgment suggested that participants compare the absolute accumulated evidence from each stimulus and terminate their decision when they differed by a set amount. The model predicts that when the dominant color of each stimulus is known, reaction times should depend only on the difference in difficulty, which we confirm empirically. We also show that this model is preferred to one that compares the confidence one would have in making each decision. The results extend evidence accumulation models, used to explain choice, reaction time and confidence to prospective judgments of difficulty.
Cardiac sensitivity to rewards in cognitively inflexible nonclinical participants
Authors: Mata José Luis , Miranda Gálvez Azahara Leonor , López Torrecillas Francisca , Miccoli Laura
Published: May 2023

Background

In psychopathologies characterized by compulsive decision-making, core impairments include cognitive inflexibility and excessive sensitivity to rewards. It has been posited that traits shared by nonclinical individuals and psychiatric patients could help explain the pathogenesis of compulsive decision-making.

Methods

To investigate whether cognitive inflexibility predisposes nonclinical individuals to poor choices and hyper-reactivity to reward, we recruited people with high and low scores for cognitive persistence and used the Iowa Gambling Task to assess decision-making and cardiac reactivity to monetary gains/losses.

Results

As is frequently observed in psychophysiological research, the data indicated discrepancies among self-reports, behavior, and physiology. Cognitive inflexibility was not related to worse performance; however, monetary gains, in line with the literature, prompted marked cardiac accelerations. Consistent with our research goal, only inflexible participants showed large cardiac accelerations during the largest monetary wins.

Discussion

Taken together, the data confirm an association between cognitive persistence and physiological reward sensitivity in a nonclinical population. The findings are in line with recent theories on the development of compulsive behaviors that consider cognitive inflexibility as a transdiagnostic impairment and predisposing factor for excessive reactivity to rewards, and might act both as a preexisting individual trait and drug-induced deficit.
Genome-wide transcriptomic analysis identifies candidate genes involved in jasmonic acid-mediated salt tolerance of alfalfa
Authors: Yang Tianhui , Tian Mei , Gao Ting , Wang Chuan , Wang Xiaochun , Chen Caijin , Yang Weidi
Published: May 2023

Soil salinity imposes a major threat to plant growth and agricultural productivity. Despite being one of the most common fodder crops in saline locations, alfalfa is vulnerable to salt stress. Jasmonic acid (JA) is a phytohormone that influences plant response to abiotic stimuli such as salt stress. However, key genes and pathways by which JA-mediated salt tolerance of alfalfa are little known. A comprehensive transcriptome analysis was performed to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of JA-mediated salt tolerance. The transcripts regulated by salt (S) compared to control (C) and JA+salt (JS) compared to C were investigated. Venn diagram and expression pattern of DEGs indicated that JS further altered a series of genes expression regulated by salt treatment, implying the roles of JA in priming salt tolerance. Enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs exclusively regulated by JS treatment belonged to primary or secondary metabolism, respiratory electron transport chain, and oxidative stress resistance. Alternatively, splicing (AS) was induced by salt alone or JA combined treatment, with skipped exon (SE) events predominately. DEGs undergo exon skipping involving some enriched items mentioned above and transcription factors. Finally, the gene expressions were validated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), which produced results that agreed with the sequencing results. Taken together, these findings suggest that JA modulates the expression of genes related to energy supply and antioxidant capacity at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels, possibly through the involvement of transcription factors and AS events.
A decision tree-based damage estimation approach for preliminary seismic assessment of reinforced concrete buildings
Authors:   Civil Engineering Department, Maltepe University, İstanbul (Türkiye), Özsoy Özbay Ayşe Elif
Published: May 2023

This study aims to introduce an earthquake-induced damage classification approach for seismic vulnerability assessment of reinforced concrete buildings. Through the use of the damage data collected from post-earthquake inspections after the 2003 Bingöl Earthquake in Turkey, two models were constructed by the decision tree classification technique considering nine building-specific features as the estimation variables in the analysis. The first model was developed for the prediction of the observed damage states of the buildings, whereas the second one concerning the life safety level assessment, was proposed for distinguishing the extremely vulnerable buildings for seismic prioritization. In the validation process, the leave-one-out cross validation technique was adopted to deal with the small sample size of the building inventory. Among the estimation variables, the priority index and the existence of short columns were found to have the highest importance in classification. Results have revealed that the proposed model for life safety level assessment was capable of discriminating the cluster of severely damaged and collapsed buildings from the entire database with an accuracy of 70.59%. Hence, the damage classification approach adopted in this study has the potential for improving effective tools for seismic risk assessment of the existing buildings.
Frequency of H. pylori Infection among Patients with Gastrointestinal Symptoms Attending Somali Sudanese Specialized Hospital (SSSH), Mogadishu, Somalia
Authors: Ebar Mohamed Hassan Osman , Ahmed Motaz Obeidallah Hamad Mohamed
Published: May 2023

Background: Helicobacter pylori is a human-specific pathogen, which leads to gastric pathologies including gastric cancer. Fifty percent of the world's population from 62 countries is infected with H. pylori infection. Making it the most widespread infection in humans. The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of H. pylori infection among patients with gastrointestinal symptoms.

Materials and Methods: This study was descriptive cross-sectional Hospital-based study conducted at Somali Sudanese Specialized Hospital (SSSH), Mogadishu, Somalia during the period of December 2022 to March 2023. A total of 1009 subjects were included in the study. Fresh stool samples were collected for antigen detection. The test was done in the ICT of H. pylori stool antigen detection (Intec, China; catalog number ITP10003-DS50). The data was gathered using per-designed structural questionnaire and the SPSS 26.0 statistical software (SPSS Inc., USA) was used for statistical analysis.

Results: The age of the study population ranges from 5 months to 62 years with a mean age of 34 ± 27.5 years. 57.4% of them were female patients, where 42.6% were male patients. The study showed no significant correlation between gender and frequency of H. pylori infection with P-value of 0.137. According to the frequency of H. pylori infection among the patients with gastrointestinal symptoms; 44.8% of them had H. pylori infection. Regarding to frequency of H. pylori infection in the recent months, the most frequent period of prevalence was in February (56.5%), followed by January (51.1%), followed by December (43.8%) where the least frequent was in March (26.9%) which showed significant correlation between prevalence period and H. pylori infection frequency with P-value of 0.000.

Conclusion: This study concluded a high frequency of H. pylori infection among patients with gastrointestinal symptoms.
A Quantitative Framework to Identify and Prioritize Opportunities in Biomedical Product Innovation
Authors: Gressler Laura Elisabeth , Crowley Kenyon , Berliner Elise , Leroy Hartley , Krofah Esther , Eloff Benjamin , Marinac-Dabic Danica , Vythilingam Meena
Published: May 2023

Importance

Prioritization and funding for health initiatives, including biomedical innovation, may not consistently target unmet public health needs.

Objective

To (1) develop a quantitative, databased framework to identify and prioritize opportunities for biomedical product innovation investments based on a multicriteria decision-making model (MCDM) that includes comprehensive measures of public health burden and health care costs, and (2) pilot test the model.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) convened public and private experts to develop a model, select measures, and complete a longitudinal pilot study to identify and prioritize opportunities for investment in biomedical product innovations that have the greatest public health benefit. Cross-sectional and longitudinal data (2012-2019) for 13 pilot medical disorders were obtained from the Institute for Health Metrics Global Burden of Disease database (IHME GBD) and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

Main Outcome Measures

The main outcome measure was an overall gap score reflecting high public health burden (composite measure of mortality, prevalence, years lived with disability, and health disparities), or high health care costs (composite measure of total, public, and out-of-pocket health spending) relative to low biomedical innovation. Sixteen innovation metrics were selected to reflect the pipeline of biomedical products from research and development to market approval. A higher score indicates a greater gap. Normalized composite scores were calculated for public health burden, cost, and innovation investment using the MCDM Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution method.

Results

Among the 13 conditions tested in the pilot study, diabetes (0.61), osteoarthritis (0.46), and drug-use disorders (0.39) had the highest overall gap score reflecting high public health burden, or high health care costs relative to low biomedical innovation in these medical disorders. Chronic kidney disease (0.05), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (0.09), and cirrhosis and other liver diseases (0.10) had the least amount of biomedical product innovation despite similar public health burden and health care cost scores.

Conclusions

In this cross-sectional pilot study, we developed and implemented a data-driven, proof-of-concept model that can help identify, quantify, and prioritize opportunities for biomedical product innovation. Quantifying the relative alignment between biomedical product innovation, public health burden, and health care cost may help identify and prioritize investments that can have the greatest public health benefit.
Trends in Resources for Neonatal Intensive Care at Delivery Hospitals for Infants Born Younger Than 30 Weeks’ Gestation, 2009-2020
Authors: Boghossian Nansi S. , Geraci Marco , Phibbs Ciaran S. , Lorch Scott A. , Edwards Erika M. , Horbar Jeffrey D.
Published: May 2023

Importance

In an ideal regionalized system, all infants born very preterm would be delivered at a large tertiary hospital capable of providing all necessary care.

Objective

To examine whether the distribution of extremely preterm births changed between 2009 and 2020 based on neonatal intensive care resources at the delivery hospital.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study was conducted at 822 Vermont Oxford Network (VON) centers in the US between 2009 and 2020. Participants included infants born at 22 to 29 weeks’ gestation, delivered at or transferred to centers participating in the VON. Data were analyzed from February to December 2022.

Exposures

Hospital of birth at 22 to 29 weeks’ gestation.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Birthplace neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) level was classified as A, restriction on assisted ventilation or no surgery; B, major surgery; or C, cardiac surgery requiring bypass. Level B centers were further divided into low-volume (<50 inborn infants at 22 to 29 weeks’ gestation per year) and high-volume (≥50 inborn infants at 22 to 29 weeks’ gestation per year) centers. High-volume level B and level C centers were combined, resulting in 3 distinct NICU categories: level A, low-volume B, and high-volume B and C NICUs. The main outcome was the change in the percentage of births at hospitals with level A, low-volume B, and high-volume B or C NICUs overall and by US Census region.

Results

A total of 357 181 infants (mean [SD] gestational age, 26.4 [2.1] weeks; 188 761 [52.9%] male) were included in the analysis. Across regions, the Pacific (20 239 births [38.3%]) had the lowest while the South Atlantic (48 348 births [62.7%]) had the highest percentage of births at a hospital with a high-volume B– or C-level NICU. Births at hospitals with A-level NICUs increased by 5.6% (95% CI, 4.3% to 7.0%), and births at low-volume B–level NICUs increased by 3.6% (95% CI, 2.1% to 5.0%), while births at hospitals with high-volume B– or C-level NICUs decreased by 9.2% (95% CI, −10.3% to −8.1%). By 2020, less than half of the births for infants at 22 to 29 weeks’ gestation occurred at hospitals with high-volume B– or C-level NICUs. Most US Census regions followed the nationwide trends; for example, births at hospitals with high-volume B– or C-level NICUs decreased by 10.9% [95% CI, −14.0% to −7.8%) in the East North Central region and by 21.1% (95% CI, −24.0% to −18.2%) in the West South Central region.

Conclusions and Relevance

This retrospective cohort study identified concerning deregionalization trends in birthplace hospital level of care for infants born at 22 to 29 weeks’ gestation. These findings should serve to encourage policy makers to identify and enforce strategies to ensure that infants at the highest risk of adverse outcomes are born at the hospitals where they have the best chances to attain optimal outcomes.
Pennsylvania providers say onerous regulations worsen workforce challenges
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: May 2023

Many substance use treatment provider agencies in Pennsylvania consider state regulatory requirements to be their primary barrier to hiring more staff and operating at full capacity, but agency officials have said that they face state officials’ unwillingness to budge from the longtime mandates.
Blurring the lines: ‘behavioral’ health
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: May 2023

The argument goes back decades, but the most painful memory is of the time when the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) leadership tried to use the concept of “behavioral health” to wrest the SUD block grant away from SUDs and share it with mental illness (see ADAW https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/adaw.20278).
From addict to patient to counselor: Shannon's story
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: May 2023

Shannon Hall, whom ADAW met at the Rx and Illicit Drug Summit in Atlanta last month, grew up in Kentucky and has a family history of addiction. He became addicted to pain pills, and couldn't stop. He thought, like many, that since he wasn't using needles, he was okay. “I think that's a phase for everyone who's gotten into this — I hear it all the time — ‘At least I didn't use a needle.’” But the pills were expensive, his wife wondered where his money was going, and he was afraid of embarrassing his parents. “They hated drugs so much,” so he never told them he needed help. He did go to treatment six times, and those visits weren't wasted, he said. “Each time, the seeds were planted” for the future, Hall said.
DNA Methylation Remodeling after Bariatric Surgery Correlates with Clinical Parameters
Authors: Sánchez Ernesto Carlos , Barajas‐Olmos Francisco , Baca Paulina , Zerrweck Carlos , Guilbert Lizbeth , Martínez‐Hernández Angélica , Centeno Federico , Orozco Lorena
Published: May 2023

The altered functions of adipose tissue are one of the main issues in obesity. Bariatric surgery is associated with improvement of obesity associated comorbidities. Here DNA methylation remodeling in adipose tissue after bariatric surgery is examined. After six months postoperative, DNA methylation shows changes in 1155 CpG sites, 66 of these sites correlate with body mass index. Some sites also show correlation with LDL‐C, HDL‐C, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. CpG sites are located in genes that have not previously been linked to obesity or metabolic diseases. GNAS complex locus is one of those that presented CpG site with the greatest changes after surgery, and the most significant correlation with BMI and lipid profiles. These results show that epigenetic regulation may be involved in the alteration of adipose tissue functions in obesity.
Creep–Fatigue Interaction of Inconel 718 Manufactured by Electron Beam Melting
Authors: Guth Stefan , Babinský Tomáš , Antusch Steffen , Klein Alexander , Kuntz Daniel , Šulák Ivo
Published: May 2023

Electron beam melting of Ni‐base superalloy Inconel 718 allows producing a columnar‐grained microstructure with a pronounced texture, which offers exceptional resistance against high‐temperature loading with severe creep–fatigue interaction arising in components of aircraft jet engines. This study considers the deformation, damage, and lifetime behavior of electron‐beam‐melted Inconel 718 under in‐phase thermomechanical fatigue loading with varying amounts of creep–fatigue interaction. Strain‐controlled thermomechanical fatigue tests with equal‐ramp cycles, slow–fast cycles, and dwell time cycles are conducted in the temperature range from 300 to 650 °C. Results show that both dwell time and slow–fast cycles promote intergranular cracking, gradual tensile stress relaxation, as well as precipitate dissolution and coarsening giving rise to cyclic softening. The interplay of these mechanisms leads to increased lifetimes in both dwell time and slow–fast tests compared to equal ramp tests at higher strain amplitudes. Conversely, at lower mechanical strain amplitudes, the opposite is observed. A comparison with results of conventional Inconel 718 indicates that the electron‐beam‐melted material exhibits superior resistance against strain‐controlled loading at elevated temperatures such as thermomechanical fatigue.
N‐CNTs‐Based Composite Membrane Engineered By A Partially Embedded Strategy: A Facile Route To High‐Performing Zinc‐Based Flow Batteries
Authors: Kong Dexu , Yuan Chenguang , Zhi Liping , Zheng Qiong , Yuan Zhizhang , Li Xianfeng
Published: May 2023

Zinc‐based flow batteries are promising for distributed energy storage due to their low‐cost and high‐energy density advantages. One of the most critical issues for their practical application is the reliability that results from the heterogeneous zinc deposition and dead zinc from falling off the electrode. Herein, nitrogen‐doped carbon nanotubes (N‐CNTs)‐based composite membrane through a facilely partially embedded method is reported to enable a dendrite‐free alkaline zinc‐based flow battery. The results indicate that the electrically conductive N‐CNTs functional layer can enhance the transport dynamics of charge carriers and homogenize electric field distribution in membrane–electrode interface, which induces the initial nucleation of metallic zinc from the carbon felt electrode to N‐CNTs functional layer and further achieve a uniform and dense plating of metallic zinc in alkaline media. Thus, the engineered membrane enables a stable alkaline zinc–iron flow battery performance for more than 350 h at a current density of 80 mA cm−2. Moreover, an energy efficiency of over 80% can be afforded at a current density of 200 mA cm−2. The scientific finding of this study provides a new strategy on composite membranes design and their capability to adjust the plating of metallic zinc in alkaline media.
Ionic Accumulation as a Diagnostic Tool in Perovskite Solar Cells: Characterizing Band Alignment with Rapid Voltage Pulses
Authors: Hill Nathan S. , Cowley Matthew V. , Gluck Nadja , Fsadni Miriam H. , Clarke Will , Hu Yinghong , Wolf Matthew J. , Healy Noel , Freitag Marina , Penfold Thomas J. , Richardson Giles , Walker Alison B. , Cameron Petra J. , Docampo Pablo
Published: May 2023

Despite record‐breaking devices, interfaces in perovskite solar cells are still poorly understood, inhibiting further progress. Their mixed ionic‐electronic nature results in compositional variations at the interfaces, depending on the history of externally applied biases. This makes it difficult to measure the band energy alignment of charge extraction layers accurately. As a result, the field often resorts to a trial‐and‐error process to optimize these interfaces. Current approaches are typically carried out in a vacuum and on incomplete cells, hence values may not reflect those found in working devices. To address this, a pulsed measurement technique characterizing the electrostatic potential energy drop across the perovskite layer in a functioning device is developed. This method reconstructs the current‐voltage (JV) curve for a range of stabilization biases, holding the ion distribution “static” during subsequent rapid voltage pulses. Two different regimes are observed: at low biases, the reconstructed JV curve is “s‐shaped”, whereas, at high biases, typical diode‐shaped curves are returned. Using drift‐diffusion simulations, it is demonstrated that the intersection of the two regimes reflects the band offsets at the interfaces. This approach effectively allows measurements of interfacial energy level alignment in a complete device under illumination and without the need for expensive vacuum equipment.
In Situ Non‐Invasive Imaging of Neutrophil Myeloperoxidase and Skin Reactive Oxygen Species in Experimental Murine Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Babity Samuel , Pei Shihao , Galimi Julia , Lapointe Vanessa , Brambilla Davide , Couture Frédéric
Published: May 2023

Neutrophils play a key role in the innate immune inflammatory response, notably through the release of the myeloperoxidase enzyme from azurophilic granules, locally generating reactive oxygen species. Although short‐lived, these reactive oxygen species are directly involved in local tissue damage in response to microbial intrusion. Neutrophil‐derived myeloperoxidase has been reported as an important factor in the elicitation of atopic dermatitis and is considered a potential target and biomarker. This study describes the use of in situ imaging techniques comprising both chemiluminescent resonance energy‐transfer and ratiometric fluorescent microtattoos to locally and non‐invasively image myeloperoxidase activity and skin reactive oxygen species in a murine model of calcipotriol‐induced atopic dermatitis. Using neutrophil depletion to assess granulocyte contribution to the observed imaging signals, the non‐invasive longitudinal data are found to correlate with endpoint biochemical activity assays for both myeloperoxidase and reactive oxygen species by‐products, as well as with immunohistochemical analysis.
Mode Coupling in Electromechanical Systems: Recent Advances and Applications
Authors: Guo Meng‐Lin , Fang Jia‐Wei , Chen Jun‐Fan , Li Bo‐Lin , Chen Hui , Zhou Qiang , Wang You , Song Hai‐Zhi , Arutyunov K. Yu. , Guo Guang‐Can , Wang Zhi‐Ming , Deng Guang‐Wei
Published: May 2023

Mode interactions have recently become the focus of intense research in micro/nanoelectromechanical systems (M/NEMS) due to their ability to improve device performance and explore the frontiers of fundamental physics. Understanding and controlling coupling between vibrational modes are critical for the development of advanced M/NEMS devices. This review summarizes the recent advances in studies of coupling between multiple modes in M/NEMS resonators, focusing especially on experimental developments and practical applications. First, depending on spatial distribution of interacting modes, this review divides the coupled mechanism in three types: intermode, near‐neighbor, and long‐range coupling. Then, several fundamental physics approaches based on mechanical‐mode coupling, including linear and nonlinear coupling, modal localization, synchronization, and phonon manipulation are reviewed. This review also introduces sensing applications by using coupled mechanical modes. Finally, the state‐of‐the‐art open questions and challenges are reviewed.
Ultralow Thermal Conductivity Achieved by All Carbon Nanocomposites for Thermoelectric Applications
Authors: Rafique Saqib , Burton Matthew R. , Badieh Nafiseh , Mehraban Shahin , Tarat Afshin , Zuo Guangzheng , Li Lijie , Zhan Yiqiang
Published: May 2023

Carbon‐based materials are becoming a promising candidate for thermoelectricity. Among them, graphene shows limited scope due to its ultra‐high thermal conductivity (κ). To develop graphene‐based thermoelectric devices, reduction ofκis highly desired while maintaining reasonably high electrical conductivity (σ). Herein, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and carbon black (CB) fillers are added into few layered graphene (FLG) to produce all‐carbon composites yielding ultra‐low thermal conductivity (κ) desired for thermoelectric applications. The novel preparation method of pristine FLG realizes very lowκof 6.90 W m−1K−1at 1248 K, which further reduces to 0.57, 0.81, and 0.69 W m−1K−1at the same temperature for FLG + MWCNTs, FLG + CB, and FLG + MWCNTs + CB, respectively. As‐prepared FLG composites also maintain reasonably highσ, whilst the Seebeck coefficient shows over a factor of five improvement after the inclusion of carbon‐based fillers. Consequently, the power factor (PF) is significantly improved. The ultralowκis attributed to the increased thermal boundary resistance among graphene sheet boundaries. The realization of ultralowκwith simultaneous improvement in Seebeck coefficients and relatively small drops inσwith a facile and unique synthesis technique, highlight the potential of these composites.
Advanced Materials and Additive Manufacturing for Phase Change Thermal Energy Storage and Management: A Review
Authors: Freeman Thomas B. , Foster Kyle E.O. , Troxler Casey J. , Irvin Cameron W. , Aday Anastasia , Boetcher Sandra K. S. , Mahvi Allison , Smith Matthew K. , Odukomaiya Adewale
Published: May 2023

Phase change materials (PCMs) can enhance the performance of energy systems by time shifting or reducing peak thermal loads. The effectiveness of a PCM is defined by its energy and power density—the total available storage capacity (kWh m−3) and how fast it can be accessed (kW m−3). These are influenced by both material properties as well as geometry of the energy systems; however, prior efforts have primarily focused on improving material properties, namely, maximizing latent heat of fusion and increasing thermal conductivity. The latter is often at the expense of the former. Advanced manufacturing techniques hold tremendous potential to enable co‐optimization of material properties and device geometry, while potentially reducing material waste and manufacturing time. There is an emerging body of research focused on additive manufacturing of PCM composites and devices for thermal energy storage (TES) and thermal management. In this article, the fundamentals and applications of PCMs are reviewed and recent additive manufacturing advances in latent heat TES for both the PCM composite and associated heat exchanger are discussed. A forward‐looking perspective on the future and potential of PCM additive manufacturing for TES and thermal management is provided.
Interface Engineering of Nickel Selenide and Graphene Nanocomposite for Hybrid Supercapacitor
Authors: Khaladkar Somnath , Gund Girish , Maurya Oshnik , Sinha Bhavesh , Salame Paresh , Dubal Deepak , Deshmukh Rajendra , Kalekar Archana
Published: May 2023

Nickel selenide is an emerging electrode material for high‐performance hybrid supercapacitors; however, poor electrical conductivity and sluggish ion kinetics limit its application. Herein, a unique architecture by decorating NiSe nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxides (rGO) is developed. The synergistic effect of NiSe and rGO facilitated by the optimized addition of rGO results in significant improvement in the electrochemical performance. The physicochemical characterizations suggest that the enhancement can be attributed to increased interfacial interaction and access to the electrochemically active sites. The NiSe/rGO hybrid delivers a specific capacity of 351 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1, which is significantly higher than that for bare NiSe. Later, the hybrid supercapacitor based on NiSe/rGO hybrid as positive and activated carbon as negative electrode delivers a maximum energy density of 49.6 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 748.37 W kg−1. In addition, the device shows good cyclic stability of 83.3% over 5000 cycles. Thus, an innovative approach to the development of high‐performance hybrid supercapacitors is offered.
Aryl‐to‐Vinyl 1,4‐Nickel Migration/Reductive Cross‐Coupling Reaction for the Stereoselective Synthesis of Multisubstituted Olefins
Authors: Wang Cui‐Tian , Liang Peng‐Yu , Li Ming , Wang Bin , Wang Yu‐Zhao , Li Xue‐Song , Wei Wan‐Xu , Gou Xue‐Ya , Ding Ya‐Nan , Zhang Zhe , Li Yu‐Ke , Liu Xue‐Yuan , Liang Yong‐Min
Published: May 2023

The aryl‐to‐vinyl nickel 1,4‐migration (1,4‐Ni migration) reaction has been reported for the first time. The generated alkenyl Ni species undergo a reductive coupling reaction with unactivated brominated alkanes affording a series of trisubstituted olefins. This tandem reaction exhibits mild conditions, a broad substrate scope, high regioselectivity, and excellent Z/E stereoselectivity. A series of controlled experiments have shown that the critical 1,4‐Ni migration process is reversible. In addition, the alkenyl nickel intermediates obtained after migration are highly Z/E stereoselective and do not undergo Z/E isomerization. The obtained trace isomerization products are caused by the instability of the product.
Initiator‐Activation Strategy‐Enabled Organocatalyzed Reversible‐Deactivation Radical Polymerization Driven by Light
Authors: Zhou Huyan , Zhang Lu , Wen Peng , Zhou Yang , Zhao Yucheng , Zhao Qiaoqiao , Gu Yu , Bai Ruopeng , Chen Mao
Published: May 2023

Organocatalyzed reversible‐deactivation radical polymerizations (RDRPs) are attractive for many applications. Here, we developed photoredox‐mediated RDRP by activating (hetero)aryl sulfonyl chloride (ArSO2Cl) initiators with pyridines and designing a novel bis(phenothiazine)arene catalyst. The in situ formed sulfonyl pyridinium intermediates effectively promote controlled chain‐growth from ArSO2Cl, enabling access to various well‐defined polymers with high initiation efficiencies and controlled dispersities under mild conditions. This versatile method allows “ON/OFF” temporal control, chain‐extension, facile synthesis of different polymer brushes via organocatalyzed grafting reactions from linear chains. Time‐resolved fluorescence decay studies and calculations support the reaction mechanism. This work provides a transition‐metal‐free RDRP to tailor polymers with readily available aromatic initiators, and will promote the design of polymerization leveraged from photoredox catalysis.
A Wearable Biosensor for Sweat Lactate as a Proxy for Sport Performance Monitoring
Authors: Xuan Xing , Chen Chen , Pérez‐Ràfols Clara , Swarén Mikael , Wedholm Lars , Cuartero Maria , Crespo Gaston A.
Published: May 2023

Invited for this month′s cover are the collaborating groups of Prof. Cuartero and Prof. Crespo at KTH and UCAM universities with the participation of Dalarna University. The cover picture shows a wearable biosensor for the digitalization of lactate in sweat during sport activity. The biosensor is integrated into a microfluidic system for continue lactate monitoring, producing reliable real‐time profiles. It was found out that real‐time sweat lactate assessment is a potential proxy of personalized training strategies in sports such as cycling.“ More information can be found in the Research Article by Maria Cuartero, Gaston A. Crespo, and co‐workers.
Incentive‐Stacking to Increase Water Use Efficiency
Authors: Tilkian Gary
Published: May 2023

Key Takeaways

In 2012, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California combined its commercial and residential water conservation rebate programs into SoCal Water$mart, still in use today.

Member agencies and their retail agency customers can add funding to Metropolitan's base‐level incentives for what are referred to as “stacked incentives.”

Metropolitan has processes in place to allow for co‐funding flexibility, ensure rebate accuracy, and maintain agency and consumer satisfaction.
Establishing Levels of Service as the Foundation of Utility Asset Management
Authors: Buchanan Barry , Roth Frank , Sanchez Erin McLachlan , Sánchez Dinorah , Vause Kurt , Yang Andy , Omundsen Craig Paul , Jones Martin , Campanella Kevin V. , Hyer Celine , Himmelberger Heather
Published: May 2023

Key Takeaways

Levels of service (LoS) are a crucial component of a successful, comprehensive asset management approach.

This article sets out a framework for developing LoS, including descriptions of elements, definitions of terms, and the where and why to employ different types of metrics.

Stages of asset management centered on developing and supporting LoS are ranked in a maturity scale; the stages help water utilities assess their current levels and next steps.
Predicting Pipe Breaks: Desktop Scoring, Advanced Statistics (LEYP), and Machine Learning
Authors: Raven Annie Vanrenterghem , Campanella Kevin V.
Published: May 2023

Key Takeaways

Using desktop scoring to determine the likelihood of failure of water pipes should be phased out and replaced with advanced analytics, particularly machine learning.

More accurate break predictions will lead to better estimates of how much to spend on pipe replacement and which pipes to replace.

Utilities should integrate information about abandoned pipes and breaks into failure forecasting, including machine learning models.

Some data issues can be cost‐efficiently rectified using machine learning and automated algorithms.
Stabilizing the Cathode Interphase of LNMO using an Ionic‐liquid based Electrolyte
Authors: Østli Elise R. , Mathew Alma , Tolchard Julian R. , Brandell Daniel , Svensson Ann Mari , Selbach Sverre M. , Wagner Nils P.
Published: May 2023

The ionic liquid (IL)‐based electrolyte comprising 1.2 M lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI) in N‐propyl‐N‐methylpyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (PYR13FSI) (ILE) has been evaluated as a suitable system for the high‐voltage cathode material LiNi0.5−xMn1.5+xO4 (LNMO) when cycled vs. graphite anodes. The oxidative stability of the ILE was evaluated by linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and synthetic charge‐discharge profile voltammetry (SCPV) and was found to exceed that of state‐of‐the‐art 1 M LiPF6 in 1 : 1 ethylene carbonate (EC) : diethylcarbonate (DEC) (LP40). Improved cycling performance both at 20 °C and 45 °C was found for LNMO||graphite full cells with the IL electrolyte. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis showed that robust and predominantly inorganic surface layers were formed on the LNMO cathode using the ILE, which stabilized the electrode. Although the high viscosity of the ILE limits the rate performance at 20 °C, this ILE is a promising alternative electrolyte for use in lithium‐ion batteries (LiBs) with high‐voltage cathodes such as LNMO, especially for use at elevated temperatures.
Fraternity of old‐timers: How ubiquitin regulates miRNA functions
Authors: Ryazansky Sergei , Akulenko Natalia
Published: May 2023

miRNA‐mediated gene repression and ubiquitin‐dependent processes are among the oldest and most versatile mechanisms that control multiple molecular pathways, rather than just protein turnover. These systems were discovered decades ago and have become among the most studied. All systems within cells are interconnected, and these two are no exception: the plethora of studies have demonstrated that the activity of the miRNAs system depends on players of the ubiquitin‐centered universe of processes, and vice versa. This review focuses on recent progress that highlights that very similar mechanisms of regulation of miRNAs by ubiquitin‐related processes are likely to be found in distantly related species, including animals, plants, and viruses. Most of them occur through the ubiquitination of Argonaute proteins, but some of the other miRNA system factors are also regulated. This suggests that their regulatory relationships are either ancient evolutionary acquisitions or have arisen independently in different kingdoms.
The prediction model of nitrogen nutrition in cotton canopy leaves based on hyperspectral visible‐near infrared band feature fusion
Authors: Li Liang , Li Fei , Liu Aiyu , Wang Xiaoyu
Published: May 2023

Hyperspectral remote sensing technology is becoming increasingly popular in various fields due to its ability to provide detailed information about crop growth and nutritional status. The use of hyperspectral technology to predict SPAD (Soil and Plant Analyzer Development) values during cotton growth and adopt precise fertilization management measures is crucial for achieving high yield and fertilizer efficiency. To detect the nitrogen nutrition in cotton canopy leaves quickly, a non‐destructive nitrogen nutrition retrieval model was proposed based on the spectral fusion features of the cotton canopy. The hyperspectral vegetation index and multifractal features were fused to predict the SPAD value and identify the amount of fertilizer applied at different levels. The random decision forest algorithm was used as the model predictor and classifier. A method was introduced which was widely used in the fields of finance and stocks (MF‐DFA) into the field of agriculture to extract fractal features of cotton spectral reflectance. Comparing the fusion feature with multi‐fractal feature and vegetation index, the results showed that the fusion feature parameters had higher accuracy and better stability than using a single feature or feature combination. The R2 was as high as 0.8363, and the RMSE was 1.8767%. Our intelligent model provides a new idea for detecting nitrogen nutrition in cotton canopy leaves rapidly.
Advanced near‐infrared light approaches for neuroimaging and neuromodulation
Authors: Yin Hongqiang , Jiang Wuqiao , Liu Yongyang , Zhang Dongyang , Wu Feng , Zhang Yejun , Li Chunyan , Chen Guangcun , Wang Qiangbin
Published: May 2023

Almost all physiological processes of animals are controlled by the brain, including language, cognitive, memory, learning, emotion and so forth. Minor brain dysfunction usually leads to brain diseases and disorders. Therefore, it' is greatly meaningful and urgent for scientists to have a better understanding of brain structure and function. Optical approaches can provide powerful tools for imaging and modulating physiological processes of the brain. In particular, optical approaches in the near‐infrared (NIR) window (700–1700 nm) exhibit excellent prosperities of deep tissue penetration and low tissue scattering and absorption compared with those of visible windows (400–700 nm), which provides a promising approach for scientists to develop desired methods of neuroimaging and neuromodulation in deep brain tissues. In this review, variable types of NIR light approaches for imaging and modulating neural ions, membrane potential, neurotransmitters, and other critical molecules for brain functions and diseases are summarized. In particular, the latest breakthrough research of brain imaging and brain regulation in the NIR‐II window (1000–1700 nm) are highlighted. Finally, we conclude the challenges and prospects of NIR light‐based neuroimaging and neuromodulation for both basic brain research and further clinical translation.