bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A new genus and species of split-footed lacewings (Neuroptera) from the early Eocene of western Canada and revision of the subfamily affinities of Mesozoic Nymphidae
Authors: Archibald S. Bruce , Makarkin Vladimir N. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractA new genus and new species of Nymphidae (Neuroptera) is described from the Ypresian Okanagan Highlands locality of Falkland, British Columbia, Canada:Epinesydrion falklandensisnew genus, new species. This is only the fourth known Cenozoic adult specimen, and all others are less complete. It is the second specimen from the Okanagan Highlands. Currently Nymphidae has two recognised subfamilies. All Cenozoic fossils are confident members of the Nymphinae, but the subfamily assignments of almost all Mesozoic genera are problematic. The Late CretaceousDactylomyiusis the only genus that might belong to Myiodactylinae. The rest may belong to the undefined stem groups of the family or to the Nymphinae, with varying levels of probability.Mesonymphes sibiricais transferred toNymphitesHaase:N. sibiricus(Ponomarenko),new combination;Sialium minortoSpilonymphesShi, Winterton, and Ren:Spilonymphes minor(Shi, Winterton, and Ren),new combination; “Mesonymphes”apicalisdoes not belong toMesonymphesCarpenter and may not even belong to the Nymphidae. The fossil record of the family occurs across much of the globe, but today they are restricted to Australia, New Guinea, and possibly the Philippines. Modern Nymphinae is only found in Australia. This may result from a requirement of frost-free climates, which were more widespread in the past.
Soft Electromagnetic Actuator and Oscillator
Authors: Kohls Noah D. , Mazumdar Yi Chen 
Published: December 2024

AbstractSoft actuators are critical for enabling soft robots, medical devices, and haptic systems. Many soft actuators, however, require power to hold a configuration and rely on hard circuitry for control, limiting their potential applications. In this work, the first soft electromagnetic system is demonstrated for externally‐controlled bistable actuation or self‐regulated astable oscillation. This novel bellows‐shaped actuator uses liquid metal encased in silicone as a compliant conductor that is capable of force generation, integrated sensing, and self‐reconnecting. In the bistable configuration, the actuator can hold positions with no power. By utilizing a unique soft kinking mechanism, the actuator can generate feedback for self‐regulated oscillation. The construction, sensing, and feedback mechanisms for this actuator are first discussed. Then, the force output, thermal performance, and dynamics are characterized. The bistable version has a stroke of 6 mm and can compress/expand with only 15 W of power for 30 ms. The astable version has a stroke of 3 mm and can oscillate at 27 Hz with 18 W of power. Several applications are demonstrated including bistable crawling, hopping, pulsing, and swimming. By adding a 20 V battery, self‐regulated astable vibrational locomotion is also demonstrated. Overall, this work shows how these actuators and oscillators can bridge the gap between conventional and soft robots.
Crystal Damage and Surface Morphology in Industrial Diamond Wire Slicing of 300 mm Monocrystalline Silicon Wafers for Microelectronic Devices
Authors: Oberhans Stephan , Heiss Wolfgang , Pietsch Georg J. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractIn the semiconductor industry, thin wafers are cut from a monocrystalline silicon. The most important process step is cutting the monocrystal into a multitude of thin substrate slices, which determines the properties of the resulting wafers. Some time ago, the transition from traditional slurry‐wire‐slicing (S‐MWS) to diamond‐wire‐slicing (D‐MWS), which is more cost‐effective and resource‐efficient, took place. Unlike in the photovoltaic industry and also in the production of smaller wafer diameters of up to 200 mm, it is not possible to create a seamless transition with today's standard wafer diameters of 300 mm due to the waviness that occurs on the wafer surface immediately after the cutting process. This situation considerably limits the achievable component generation (design rule), as the strict requirements of the chip manufacturers cannot be fulfilled. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the process is required. A detailed comparison of the surface structure, surface topography, and fracture strength is carried out based on the three relevant crystal orientations Silicon(100), Silicon(110), and Silicon(111). In addition, some wire segments are examined. All microscopic examinations carry out on both the primary and secondary chipping faces do not provide any correlation between the microscopic surface condition and the macroscopic waviness.
The Utility of Long‐Read Sequencing in Diagnosing Early Onset Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Daida Kensuke , Yoshino Hiroyo , Malik Laksh , Baker Breeana , Ishiguro Mayu , Genner Rylee , Paquette Kimberly , Li Yuanzhe , Nishioka Kenya , Masuzugawa Satoshi , Hirano Makito , Takahashi Kenta , Kolmogorov Mikhail , Billingsley Kimberley J. , Funayama Manabu , Blauwendraat Cornelis , Hattori Nobutaka 
Published: December 2024

ObjectiveVariants in PRKN and PINK1 are the leading cause of early‐onset autosomal recessive Parkinson's disease, yet many cases remain genetically unresolved. We previously identified a 7 megabases complex structural variant in a pair of monozygotic twins using Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) long‐read sequencing. This study aims to determine if ONT long‐read sequencing can detect a second variant in other unresolved early‐onset Parkinson's disease (EOPD) cases with 1 heterozygous PRKN or PINK1 variant.MethodsONT long‐read sequencing was performed on EOPD patients with 1 reported PRKN/PINK1 pathogenic variant, with onset age under 50. Positive controls included EOPD patients with 2 known PRKN pathogenic variants. Initial testing involved short‐read targeted panel sequencing for single nucleotide variants and multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification for copy number variants.ResultsA total of 47 patients were studied (PRKN “one‐variant,” n = 23; PINK1 “one‐variant,” n = 12; PRKN “two‐variants,” n = 12). ONT long‐read sequencing identified a second pathogenic variant in 26% of PRKN “one‐variant” patients (6/23), but none in PINK1 “one‐variant” patients (0/12). Detected variants included 1 complex inversion, 2 structural variant overlaps, and 3 duplications. In the PRKN “two‐variants” group, both variants were identified in all patients (100%, 12/12).InterpretationONT long‐read sequencing effectively identifies pathogenic structural variants in the PRKN locus missed by conventional methods. It should be considered for unresolved EOPD cases when a second variant is not detected through conventional approaches. ANN NEUROL 2024
Optimization of Liquid‐Cooled Thermal Management System Based on Cylindrical Battery Packs: A Novel Wedge Applied to the Cooling Channel
Authors: Ran Zonghui , Lv Baozhan , Ren Yuanyuan , Wu Tianliang , Fang Jiawei 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTIn the field of new energy vehicles, battery liquid cooling systems are widely adopted due to their convenient packaging and high cooling efficiency. To address the challenge of relatively poor temperature uniformity in liquid cooling systems, this research introduces a novel wedge structure to enhance system cooling performance and temperature consistency. Firstly, six innovative wedge structures were proposed and comprehensively evaluated based on their heat transfer characteristics. Secondly, the impact of the structural parameters of the selected wedge design on the system's heat dissipation was investigated. Finally, optimizations were conducted on various factors, including arrangement schemes, number of passages, and inlet and outlet directions. The results indicate that the wedge structure disrupts the flow state of the cooling medium, promotes increased coolant flow within the channel, and enhances the heat dissipation of the module. The newly implemented structure can maintain the average module temperature at 32.59°C. By merely arranging the wedges alternately in a single channel, the maximum module temperature can be reduced to 32.41°C, and the temperature difference can be narrowed to 4.52°C, representing a decrease of 2.82°C in maximum temperature and 1.95°C in temperature difference compared with a smooth channel. This proves that the new wedges exhibit exceptional performance in heat dissipation and temperature uniformity. Furthermore, by upgrading the single liquid‐cooled module to a double liquid‐cooled module with full alternating flow, the temperature difference can ultimately be controlled to 4°C, and the maximum temperature is reduced to 29.84°C.
Roadmap on Weak Measurements in Optics
Authors: Dhara Ritwik , Modak Niladri , Guchhait Shyamal , Ghosh Nirmalya 
Published: December 2024

AbstractEven though weak measurements and weak value amplification (WVA) are founded on the principles of quantum mechanics and quantum measurements, these have found widespread applications in optics due to their inherent origin in wave interference. Besides their use in addressing foundational questions of quantum mechanics or for resolving quantum paradoxes, weak measurements and WVA have thus been used for numerous metrological applications, e.g., quantification of small optical beam displacement, tiny angular rotation, determination of extremely small phase shifts, spectral shifts, unraveling weak fundamental optical effects, improved optical imaging, amplifying weak signal and extracting small physical parameters and so forth. In this review, after providing the mathematical foundation of weak measurement and WVA, some of the metrological applications of weak measurements in the classical optics domain are briefly summarized, and the controversies and debates on the potential advantages of WVA in the estimation and detection of weak signal are discussed, and the interferometric philosophy of WVA is elucidated. The experimental weak measurement and WVA schemes in the domain of quantum optics are also discussed and highlighted the new perspectives and emerging trends of weak measurements in both the classical and quantum optics domain and their prospects in the development of next‐generation ultra‐sensitive optical devices.
Green synthesis of Ag/ZnO catalysts using cassava starch applied to the degradation of emerging contaminants
Authors: do Nascimento Joel Miranda , de Souza Fernado Manzotti , Lenzi Giane Gonçalves , Tusset Angelo Marcelo , Gonçalves Giovanna , Colpini Leda Saragiotto , Brackmann Rodrigo , dos Santos Onelia Aparecida Andreo 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThis work describes a new synthetic route for the production of a low‐cost and environmentally friendly catalyst: a zinc oxide‐based system doped with silver, prepared using a novel sol–gel method with cassava starch to form the gel. The photocatalysts were characterized by different techniques: X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS), and point of zero charge (PZC). The XRF and EDS results indicated that photocatalysts doped with 2%, 5%, 8%, and 10%, silver could be obtained successfully. The synthesis method employed produced nanoparticles of ~30 nm, as confirmed by XRD and TEM results. The band gap energy values of the materials (ranging from 1.98 to 3.05 eV) fall within the range suitable for catalyst activation under UV radiation. Photocatalytic reactions were carried out with two emerging pollutants, 2,4‐d‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4D) and caffeine, to verify the catalytic activity of the synthesized catalyst. The results indicated that the catalyst was efficient for the degradation of both pollutants. Tests using solar radiation led to 100% degradation of 2,4D. Cl− ions did not influence the process negatively. The amount of caffeine removed by the photocatalytic process used in solar radiation was ~97% due to the low band gap energy values of the synthesized material.
Practical laboratory class to assess genesilencing using CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) technology in the archaeonHaloferax volcanii
Authors: Paggi R. A. , Ferrari M. C. , Cerletti M. , Giménez M. I. , Schwarz T. S. , Marchfelder A. , De Castro R. E. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractPerturbation of gene expression using RNA interference (RNAi) or CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) is a useful strategy to explore the function of essential genes. In the archaeon Haloferax volcanii, the CRISPR‐Cas system has been adapted as a CRISPRi tool to silence the expression of specific genes. We developed a laboratory class (LC) to conceptualize gene silencing through inactivation of the H. volcanii LonB protease gene, a negative regulator of carotenoid pigments biosynthesis, using CRISPRi. This LC has been successfully applied in the Biology and Biochemistry of Microorganisms course for undergraduate students of Biology in 2022 and 2023. The following objectives were proposed: (a) generate H. volcanii mutant strains with reduced expression of the lonB gene using CRISPRi; (b) examine the effect of lonB gene silencing on cell pigmentation and growth rate; (c) assess lonB gene repression by Western blotting (WB). This LC allows students to obtain and screen CRISPRi silenced‐mutants by means of simple procedures using a non‐pathogenic organism as well as handle basic microbiology, biochemistry and molecular biology protocols. Additionally, the LC fosters social actions through collaborative work (experimental work), the interpretation and discussion of data and the ability to communicate outcomes orally and in a written format (scientific report).
N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide and cardiorenal outcome in patients with anaemia in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Nishi Hiroshi , Nangaku Masaomi , Sofue Tadashi , Kagimura Tatsuo , Narita Ichiei 
Published: December 2024

AbstractAimsBlood levels of N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) may be modified by low renal clearance and anaemia. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the blood NT‐proBNP level on cardiovascular and renal outcomes in patients with these two manifestations.MethodsThis post hoc analysis stemmed from the oBservational clinical Research In chronic kidney disease patients with renal anemia: renal proGnosis in patients with Hyporesponsive anemia To Erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents, darbepoetiN alfa (BRIGHTEN) trial, a large prospective study involving patients with non‐dialysis kidney disease experiencing anaemia. The Pearson correlation coefficient was employed to examine the association of baseline NT‐proBNP level with renal function or anaemia. Longitudinal assessment of the association of baseline blood NT‐proBNP levels with cardiovascular outcomes (cardiac death, acute coronary syndrome, hospitalization due to heart failure or fatal arrhythmia) and renal outcomes [the initiation of maintenance dialysis, kidney transplantation, a 50% decrease in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) or an eGFR of ≤6 mL/min/1.73 m2] was conducted by using restricted cubic spline analysis and Cox proportional hazard model analysis.ResultsIn total, this study included 1484 patients [mean age, 70.2 ± 11.8 years; women, 40.6%; eGFR, 20.3 ± 9.6 mL/min/1.73 m2; haemoglobin (Hb) level, 9.8 ± 0.9 g/dL]. Baseline NT‐proBNP levels were a median of 496.0 pg/mL [inter‐quartile range: 235.0–1090.0 pg/mL]. A weak association existed between NT‐proBNP levels, on a logarithmic scale, and eGFR (r = −0.131, P < 0.001) or Hb levels (r = −0.182, P < 0.001) at baseline. During 2.29 ± 0.89 years, 92 cardiovascular and 573 renal events were recorded. After adjusting for potential confounders such as eGFR and blood Hb level, a nonlinear relationship existed between blood NT‐proBNP levels and cardiorenal outcomes. Patients with a baseline NT‐proBNP level ≥1000 and 500–1000 pg/mL exhibited a greater risk for cardiovascular outcomes than did patients with an NT‐proBNP level <250 pg/mL {hazard ratio [HR] = 8.10 [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.80–23.40] and 3.35 [95% CI, 1.10–10.18], respectively}. These patients also exhibited a moderate risk for renal outcomes [HR = 1.77 (95% CI, 1.36–2.31) and 1.54 (95% CI, 1.19–2.00), respectively].ConclusionsNT‐proBNP provides prognostic insights into cardiovascular and renal outcomes among patients with advanced chronic kidney disease experiencing anaemia.
Prediction of new‐onset atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy using machine learning
Authors: Lu Ree , Lumish Heidi S. , Hasegawa Kohei , Maurer Mathew S. , Reilly Muredach P. , Weiner Shepard D. , Tower‐Rader Albree , Fifer Michael A. , Shimada Yuichi J. 
Published: December 2024

AimsAtrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia among patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), leading to increased symptom burden and risk of thromboembolism. The HCM‐AF score was developed to predict new‐onset AF in patients with HCM, though sensitivity and specificity of this conventional tool are limited. Thus, there is a need for more accurate tools to predict new‐onset AF in HCM. The objective of the present study was to develop a better model to predict new‐onset AF in patients with HCM using machine learning (ML).Methods and resultsIn this prospective, multicentre cohort study, we enrolled 1069 patients with HCM without a prior history of AF. We built a ML model (logistic regression with Lasso regularization) using clinical variables. We developed the ML model using the cohort from one institution (training set) and applied it to an independent cohort from a separate institution (test set). We used the HCM‐AF score as a reference model. We compared the area under the receiver‐operating characteristic curve (AUC) between the ML model and the reference model using the DeLong's test. Median follow‐up time was 2.1 years, with 128 (12%) patients developing new‐onset AF. Using the ML model developed in the training set to predict new‐onset AF, the AUC in the test set was 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.77–0.91). The ML model outperformed the reference model (AUC 0.64; 95% CI 0.54–0.73; DeLong's p < 0.001). The ML model had higher sensitivity (0.82; 95% CI 0.65–0.93) than that of the reference model (0.67; 95% CI 0.52–0.88). The ML model also had higher specificity (0.76; 95% CI 0.71–0.81) than that of the reference model (0.57; 95% CI 0.41–0.70). Among the most important clinical variables included in the ML‐based model were left atrial volume and diameter, left ventricular outflow tract gradient with exercise stress and at rest, late gadolinium enhancement on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, peak heart rate during exercise stress, age at diagnosis, positive genotype, diabetes mellitus, and end‐stage renal disease.ConclusionOur ML model showed superior performance compared to the conventional HCM‐AF score for the prediction of new‐onset AF in patients with HCM.
Guideline‐directed medical therapy for heart failure in arrhythmia‐induced cardiomyopathy with improved left ventricular ejection fraction
Authors: Domínguez‐Rodríguez Luis Manuel , Dobarro David , Iglesias‐Otero Carla , Crespo‐Leiro María G. , Raposeiras‐Roubín Sergio , Álvarez‐García Jesús , Barreiro‐Pérez Manuel , Muñoz‐Pousa Isabel , Sánchez‐Recalde Angel , Íñiguez‐Romo Ándrés , Zamorano José Luis 
Published: December 2024

AbstractAimsNo study has analyzed the impact of guideline‐directed medical therapy in preventing heart failure (HF) relapse in patients with arrhythmia‐induced cardiomyopathy (AiCM) following left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) improvement.Methods and resultsWe analyzed data from a single‐center cohort of 200 patients admitted for HF, LVEF <50% and cardiac arrhythmia considered by cardiologists to be the precipitating cause of the episode. The primary endpoint was time‐to‐HF relapse, defined as the composite of readmission for HF, Emergency Department (ED) visit for HF, or significant decline in LVEF. Changes in medication were recorded and a time‐varying multivariate Cox regression was performed. After a median follow‐up period of 6.14 years, diagnostic confirmation was achieved in 188 out of the initial 200 patients with suspected AiCM. A total of 89 patients (47.3%) met the primary endpoint. RAS inhibitors (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.50 [0.31–0.81]; p = 0.005) and beta‐blockers (adjusted HR 0.48 [0.28–0.81]; p = 0.006) were associated with a lower incidence of relapse. Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists were associated with a significantly lower incidence of ED visits for HF (adjusted HR 0.38 [0.15–0.95]; p = 0.038), but did not achieve statistical significance for the combined primary endpoint. Antiarrhythmic drugs did not show a significant impact on the primary endpoint.ConclusionMaintaining RAS inhibitors and beta‐blockers was associated with a significantly lower incidence of relapse in the setting of AiCM with improved LVEF.
Novel Atmospherically Plasma Sprayed Micro Porous Layer for Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis Operating With Supporting Electrolyte
Authors: Wilke Vincent , Rivera Marco , Morawietz Tobias , Sata Noriko , Mues Lukas , Hegelheimer Manuel , Maljusch Artjom , Borowski Patrick , Schmid Günter , Thum Chen Yie , Klingenhof Malte , Strasser Peter , Karl André , Basak Shibabrata , Poc Jean‐Pierre , Eichel Rüdiger‐A. , Gago Aldo Saul , Friedrich Kaspar Andreas 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTAnion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) is one of the most promising candidates for green hydrogen production needed for the de‐fossilization of the global economy. As AEMWE can operate at high efficiency without expensive Platinum Group Metal (PGM) catalysts or titanium cell components, required in state‐of‐the‐art proton exchange membrane electrolysis (PEMWE), AEMWE has the potential to become a cheaper alternative in large‐scale production of green hydrogen. In AEMWE, the porous transport layer and/or micro porous layer (PTL/MPL) has to balance several important tasks. It is responsible for managing transport of electrolyte and/or liquid water to the catalyst layers (CLs), transport of evolving gas bubbles away from the CLs and establishing thermal and electrical connection between the CLs and bipolar plates (BPPs). Furthermore, especially in case the CL is directly deposited onto the MPL, forming a catalyst‐coated substrate (CCS), the MPL surface properties significantly impact CL stability. Thus, the MPL is one of the key performance‐defining components in AEMWE. In this study, we employed the flexible and easily upscaled technique of atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) to deposit spherical nickel coated graphite directly on a low‐cost mesh PTL. Followed by oxidative carbon removal, a nickel‐based MPL with superior structural parameters compared to a state‐of‐art nickel felt MPL was produced. Due to a higher activity of the nickel APS‐MPL itself, as well as improved catalyst utilization, a reduction in cell voltage of 63 mV at 2 A cm−2 was achieved in an AEMWE operating with 1 M KOH electrolyte. This improvement was enabled by the high internal surface area and the unique pore structure of the APS‐MPL with a broad pore size distribution as well as the finely structured surface providing a large contacting area to the CLs.