bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Permeability of anodic alumina membranes grown on low-index aluminium surfaces
Authors: Roslyakov I V , Petukhov D I , Napolskii K S 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Porous anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) membranes have various practical applications in separation and purification technologies. Numerous approaches have been utilized to tailor the transport properties of porous AAO films, but all of them assume an isotropic nature of anodized aluminium. Here, the impact of aluminium crystallography on the permeability of AAO membranes is disclosed. A comparative study of AAO membranes formed on low-index aluminium surfaces by anodizing in a sulphuric acid electrolyte is presented. Small-angle x-ray scattering is used to quantify the out-of-plane pore arrangement. AAO grown on an Al(100) substrate possesses a porous structure with minimal point defects and pore tortuosity, providing the highest permeability of individual gases in a series of AAO membranes. These findings can also be applied for the fabrication of highly permeable AAO membranes on polycrystalline Al foils.
Nitrogen fixation in pulsed microwave discharge studied by infrared absorption combined with modelling
Authors: Bahnamiri Omid Samadi , Verheyen Claudia , Snyders Rony , Bogaerts Annemie , Britun Nikolay 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
A pulsed microwave surfaguide discharge operating at 2.45 GHz was used for the conversion of molecular nitrogen into valuable compounds in several gas mixtures: N2:O2, N2:O2:CO2 and N2:CO2. The ro-vibrational absorption bands of the molecular species were monitored by a Fourier transform infrared apparatus in the post-discharge region in order to evaluate the relative number density of species, specifically NO production. The effects of specific energy input, pulse frequency, gas flow fraction, gas admixture and gas flow rate were studied for better understanding and optimization of the NO production yield and the corresponding energy cost (EC). By both the experiment and modelling, a highest NO yield is obtained at N2:O2 (1:1) gas ratio in N2:O2 mixture. The NO yield reveals a small growth followed by saturation when pulse repetition frequency increases. The energy efficiency start decreasing after the energy input reaches about 5 eV/molec, whereas the NO yield rises steadily at the same time. The lowest EC of about 8 MJ mol−1 corresponding to the yield and the energy efficiency of about 7% and 1% are found, respectively, in an optimum discharge condition in our case.
Origami-based metamaterial with switchable abnormal expansion function
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Yang Qingsheng , Tao Ran 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) is an important parameter for the thermophysical properties of materials. Mostly, in aerospace engineering, satellites, hypersonic vehicles, precision instruments and microelectronic packages, numerous thermal deformation structures in severe environment full of drastic temperature changes are required to be controlled precisely. Therefore, the development of adjustable thermal expansion materials is of significance in engineering applications. Based on the Miura-ori structure, this paper adopts materials with respectively diverse CTEs as components to generate thermal stresses mismatch principle and proposes a design method for origami metamaterials with adjustable in situ positive/negative/zero expansion functions. Employing the methods of finite element calculation and deformation analysis, the deformation results of this metamaterial are displayed and discussed. Also, an origami metamaterial with adjustable positive/negative/zero expansion function can be obtained by adjusting the material distribution of the structure. Moreover, the mapping relationship between the folding angle and the geometric parameter of the structure is established. In the light of this design method of tunable CTE metamaterials, additionally, the metamaterial can achieve precise control of thermal deformation and optimize service reliability in extreme environments.
Broadband quantum noise reduction via frequency dependent squeezing for Advanced Virgo Plus
Authors: Polini E 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Quantum noise is limiting the sensitivity of ground based gravitational wave detectors both at high frequency, in the form of shot noise, and low frequency, in the form of radiation pressure noise. In the last observing run, the injection of frequency independent squeezing improved Virgo and LIGO sensitivities at high frequency, slightly worsening the performance at low frequency. A broadband quantum noise reduction can be achieved using frequency dependent squeezing, i. e. rotating the vacuum squeezed ellipse below 100 Hz by reflecting the squeezed vacuum off a Fabry–Perot cavity, called filter cavity. The frequency-dependent squeezed quadrature rotation with rotation frequency around a few tens of Hz has been proven at National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) and at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The experiment at NAOJ uses the former TAMA facility, a 300 meter long filter cavity, reproducing in scale the ones planned to be installed in Virgo and LIGO. Once the frequency dependent squeezing is produced, it has to be injected into the interferometer. This interface is not trivial, since it requires the installation of additional benches and a 285 meter long cavity (in Advanced Virgo Plus) and also to couple the rotating squeezed vacuum with the detector. An important issue which can worsen the performance of frequency dependent squeezing or directly the interferometer sensitivity is the stray light. To avoid the propagation of additional stray light, we traced the ghost beam on squeezing benches, inside linking tubes and inside the filter cavity and several diaphragms and baffles will be installed to limit this problem.
Climate change-induced greening on the Tibetan Plateau modulated by mountainous characteristics
Authors: Teng Hongfen , Luo Zhongkui , Chang Jinfeng , Shi Zhou , Chen Songchao , Zhou Yin , Ciais Philippe , Tian Hanqin 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Global terrestrial vegetation is greening, particularly in mountain areas, providing strong feedbacks to a series of ecosystem processes. This greening has been primarily attributed to climate change. However, the spatial variability and magnitude of such greening do not synchronize with those of climate change in mountain areas. By integrating two data sets of satellite-derived normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values, which are indicators of vegetation greenness, in the period 1982–2015 across the Tibetan Plateau (TP), we test the hypothesis that climate-change-induced greening is regulated by terrain, baseline climate and soil properties. We find a widespread greening trend over 91% of the TP vegetated areas, with an average greening rate (i.e. increase in NDVI) of 0.011 per decade. The linear mixed-effects model suggests that climate change alone can explain only 26% of the variation in the observed greening. Additionally, 58% of the variability can be explained by the combination of the mountainous characteristics of terrain, baseline climate and soil properties, and 32% of this variability was explained by terrain. Path analysis identified the interconnections of climate change, terrain, baseline climate and soil in determining greening. Our results demonstrate the important role of mountainous effects in greening in response to climate change.
All options, not silver bullets, needed to limit global warming to 1.5 °C: a scenario appraisal
Authors: Warszawski Lila , Kriegler Elmar , Lenton Timothy M , Gaffney Owen , Jacob Daniela , Klingenfeld Daniel , Koide Ryu , Costa María Máñez , Messner Dirk , Nakicenovic Nebojsa , Schellnhuber Hans Joachim , Schlosser Peter , Takeuchi Kazuhiko , Van Der Leeuw Sander , Whiteman Gail , Rockström Johan 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Climate science provides strong evidence of the necessity of limiting global warming to 1.5 °C, in line with the Paris Climate Agreement. The IPCC 1.5 °C special report (SR1.5) presents 414 emissions scenarios modelled for the report, of which around 50 are classified as ‘1.5 °C scenarios’, with no or low temperature overshoot. These emission scenarios differ in their reliance on individual mitigation levers, including reduction of global energy demand, decarbonisation of energy production, development of land-management systems, and the pace and scale of deploying carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies. The reliance of 1.5 °C scenarios on these levers needs to be critically assessed in light of the potentials of the relevant technologies and roll-out plans. We use a set of five parameters to bundle and characterise the mitigation levers employed in the SR1.5 1.5 °C scenarios. For each of these levers, we draw on the literature to define ‘medium’ and ‘high’ upper bounds that delineate between their ‘reasonable’, ‘challenging’ and ‘speculative’ use by mid century. We do not find any 1.5 °C scenarios that stay within all medium upper bounds on the five mitigation levers. Scenarios most frequently ‘over use’ CDR with geological storage as a mitigation lever, whilst reductions of energy demand and carbon intensity of energy production are ‘over used’ less frequently. If we allow mitigation levers to be employed up to our high upper bounds, we are left with 22 of the SR1.5 1.5 °C scenarios with no or low overshoot. The scenarios that fulfil these criteria are characterised by greater coverage of the available mitigation levers than those scenarios that exceed at least one of the high upper bounds. When excluding the two scenarios that exceed the SR1.5 carbon budget for limiting global warming to 1.5 °C, this subset of 1.5 °C scenarios shows a range of 15–22 Gt CO2 (16–22 Gt CO2 interquartile range) for emissions in 2030. For the year of reaching net zero CO2 emissions the range is 2039–2061 (2049–2057 interquartile range).
Should energy efficiency subsidies be tied into housing prices?
Authors: Vimpari Jussi 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Heat pumps are a key technology for improving energy efficiency as they can significantly reduce energy costs and emissions. Given the significant role of heat pumps in carbon neutrality pathways, and pressure for related national energy efficiency programs, it is important to examine economic profitability of heat pump investments and their relative environmental and social benefits. This paper aims to answer the following main research question: are areas with lower housing prices and income less likely to invest into energy efficiency? The paper finds that in Finland heat pumps are already very profitable and converting buildings’ heating systems into heat pumps creates major environmental and economic benefits for the residents. The cost of heating and heat pump investment costs does not vary between locations whereas housing prices, rents and income do. Neighborhoods with lower housing prices have less motivation and capability to invest into heat pumps. Urban areas with positive housing price development, higher income and better financing options will likely invest into energy efficiency without subsidies. Potential subsidies should be allocated into areas with lower housing prices, because emissions are evenly distributed, and lower income areas pay relatively more for energy. Energy efficiency subsidies could be tied into housing prices or more specifically into property tax, which is universally collected in most countries. Property tax could be used to guide energy efficiency investments into locations where they would not be carried out otherwise. For areas that do not need subsidies, this paper recommends that awareness should be increased, because the economic and carbon emission reduction potential of energy efficiency measures is still not well understood.
A microphysiological system combining electrospun fibers and electrical stimulation for the maturation of highly anisotropic cardiac tissue
Authors: López-Canosa Adrián , Perez-Amodio Soledad , Yanac-Huertas Eduardo , Ordoño Jesús , Rodriguez-Trujillo Romen , Samitier Josep , Castaño Oscar , Engel Elisabeth 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The creation of cardiac tissue models for preclinical testing is still a non-solved problem in drug discovery, due to the limitations related to the in vitro replication of cardiac tissue complexity. Among these limitations, the difficulty of mimicking the functional properties of the myocardium due to the immaturity of the used cells hampers the obtention of reliable results that could be translated into human patients. In vivo models are the current gold standard to test new treatments, although it is widely acknowledged that the used animals are unable to fully recapitulate human physiology, which often leads to failures during clinical trials. In the present work, we present a microfluidic platform that aims to provide a range of signaling cues to immature cardiac cells to drive them towards an adult phenotype. The device combines topographical electrospun nanofibers with electrical stimulation in a microfabricated system. We validated our platform using a co-culture of neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts, showing that it allows us to control the degree of anisotropy of the cardiac tissue inside the microdevice in a cost-effective way. Moreover, a 3D computational model of the electrical field was created and validated to demonstrate that our platform is able to closely match the distribution obtained with the gold standard (planar electrode technology) using inexpensive rod-shaped biocompatible stainless-steel electrodes. The functionality of the electrical stimulation was shown to induce a higher expression of the tight junction protein Cx-43, as well as the upregulation of several key genes involved in conductive and structural cardiac properties. These results validate our platform as a powerful tool for the tissue engineering community due to its low cost, high imaging compatibility, versatility, and high-throughput configuration capabilities.
Fabrication and characterization of rizatriptan loaded pullulan nanofibers as oral fast-dissolving drug system
Authors: Mehdi Mujahid , Hussain Sadam , Gao Bin Bin , Shah Kiramat Ali , Mahar Faraz Khan , Yousif Muhammad , Hussain Sadam , Ahmed Farooq 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Fast drug-dissolving systems have been introduced to mediate the drugs which are difficult to swallow or having poor water solubility. Rizatriptan benzoate is a drug recommended for the patients of migraine which effect one out of every 5 women and 15 men globally. But least bioavailability (40%–50%) and reduced on set action always increases the demand of a drug carrier in order to overcome these limitations. Here in pullulan mediated fast drug-dissolving systems was developed by using rizatriptan benzoate as a model drug. While rizatriptan loaded pullulan nanofiber mat was prepared via electrospinning. Physiochemical outcomes (SEM, FTIR, and XRD) revealed good compatibility of pullulan nanofibers and rizatriptan thoroughly distributed on electrospun NFs matrix. Wetting time (1 s) and dissolutions time (3 s) suggests burst release of the drug from the polymers matrix as dissolution time is directly proportional with release profile. Further, this was confirmed by UV-release profile studies and maximum release was found within 30 s. In vitro release kinetics were analyzed by fitting the results with higuchi and korsmeyer models.
Rapid subsurface damage detection of SiC using inductivity coupled plasma
Authors: Zhang Yi , Zhang Linfeng , Chen Keyu , Liu Dianzi , Lu Dong , Deng Hui 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
This paper proposes a method for the rapid detection of subsurface damage (SSD) of SiC using atmospheric inductivity coupled plasma. As a plasma etching method operated at ambient pressure with no bias voltage, this method does not introduce any new SSD to the substrate. Plasma diagnosis and simulation are used to optimize the detection operation. Assisted by an SiC cover, a taper can be etched on the substrate with a high material removal rate. Confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscope are used to analyze the etching results, and scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) is adopted to confirm the accuracy of this method. The STEM result also indicates that etching does not introduce any SSD, and the thoroughly etched surface is a perfectly single crystal. A rapid SSD screening ability is also demonstrated, showing that this method is a promising approach for the rapid detection of SSD.
Current trends and challenges in the downstream purification of bispecific antibodies
Authors: Chen Serene W , Zhang Wei 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACTBispecific antibodies (bsAbs) represent a highly promising class of biotherapeutic modality. The downstream processing of this class of antibodies is therefore of crucial importance in ensuring that these products can be obtained with high purity and yield. Due to the various fundamental structural similarities between bsAbs and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), many of the current bsAb downstream purification methodologies are based on the established purification processes of mAbs, where affinity, charge, size, hydrophobicity and mixed-mode-based purification are frequently employed. Nevertheless, the downstream processing of bsAbs presents a unique set of challenges due to the presence of bsAb-specific byproducts, such as mispaired products, undesired fragments and higher levels of aggregates, that are otherwise absent or present in lower levels in mAb cell culture supernatants, thus often requiring the design of additional purification strategies in order to obtain products of high purity. Here, we outline the current major purification methods of bsAbs, highlighting the corresponding solutions that have been proposed to circumvent the unique challenges presented by this class of antibodies, including differential affinity chromatography, sequential affinity chromatography and the use of salt additives and pH gradients or multistep elutions in various modes of purification. Finally, a perspective towards future process development is offered.
COVID-19 point-of-care testing in care homes: what are the lessons for policy and practice?
Authors: Buckle Peter , Micocci Massimo , Tulloch John , Kierkegaard Patrick , Parvulescu Paula , Thompson Carl , Spilsbury Karen , Allen A Joy , Body Richard , Hayward Gail , Buchan Iain , Gordon Adam L 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
COVID-19 has devastated care homes. Point-of-care tests (POCTs), mainly using lateral flow devices (LFDs), have been deployed hurriedly without much consideration of their usability or impact on care workflow. Even after the pandemic, POCTs, particularly multiplex tests, may be an important control against spread of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory infections in care homes by enabling identification of cases. They should not, however, replace other infection control measures such as barrier methods and quarantine. Adherence to LFDs as implemented among care home staff is suboptimal. Other tests—such as point-of-care polymerase chain reaction and automated antigen tests—would also need to be accommodated into care home workflows to improve adherence. The up-front costs of POCTs are straightforward but additional costs, including staffing preparation and reporting processes and the impacts of false positive and negative tests on absence rates and infection days, are more complex and as yet unquantified. A detailed appraisal is needed as the future of testing in care homes is considered.
Associations Between Kidney Function, Proteinuria, and the Risk of Kidney Cancer: A Nationwide Cohort Study Involving 10 Million Participants
Authors: Park Jinsung , Shin Dong Wook , Han Kyungdo , Kim Dahye , Chun Sohyun , Jang Hye Ryoun 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Chronic kidney disease in its later stages is associated with increased risk of kidney cancer. We investigated whether chronic kidney disease at milder stages is associated with increased kidney cancer risk, using a retrospectively selected cohort of 9,809,317 adults in the Republic of Korea who participated in a nationwide health screening (2009–2016). We examined the impact of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), dipstick proteinuria, and interactive associations between the 2 factors on the risk of incident kidney cancer. During a median follow-up period of 7.3 years, 10,634 kidney cancers were identified. After adjustment for multiple confounders, participants with a reduced eGFR had an increased risk of kidney cancer (for eGFR &lt;30 mL/minute/1.73 m2, adjusted hazard ratio = 1.18 (95% confidence interval: 1.01, 1.39); for eGFR 30–59 mL/minute/1.73 m2, adjusted hazard ratio = 1.22 (95% confidence interval: 1.14, 1.31)) compared with those with an eGFR of 60–89 mL/minute/1.73 m2. A dose-response relationship between the severity of proteinuria and incident kidney cancer was observed. Analyses of joint effects of eGFR and dipstick proteinuria showed that with the presence of proteinuria, kidney cancer incidence was markedly increased along with decreasing eGFR. Reduced eGFR and proteinuria are significantly associated with subsequent risk of kidney cancer, possibly in a synergistic manner.
Transportation of a commercial premixed intravenous insulin product through a pneumatic tube system
Authors: Leja Noah , Wagner Deborah , Smith Kirsten , Hurren Jeff 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Purpose
Delivery of insulin products via pneumatic tubes is often avoided in health systems, as agitation may cause insulin proteins to destabilize, resulting in loss of function through denaturation, aggregation, or other processes. The actual loss of potency due to delivery via pneumatic tubes has not been reported for new, ready-to-use insulin products.

Methods
Samples were drawn from 7 commercial intravenous (IV) bags containing a 100 units/100 mL premixed solution of regular insulin in sodium chloride injection (Myxredlin, Baxter). The bags were then exposed to 7 unique long-distance pneumatic tube routes. The posttransportation bags were visually inspected for evidence of foaming. Samples were drawn from the posttransportation bags and insulin concentrations were analyzed via an enzyme immunoassay and compared to pretransportation concentrations.

Results
All seven posttransportation insulin samples were within 10% of their respective pretransportation sample. No foaming was observed in any of the Myxredlin bags after transportation through the pneumatic tube system.

Conclusion
Transporting 100 unit/100 mL Myxredlin i.v. bags through a pneumatic tube system does not result in a clinically significant loss of potency. Therefore, delivery of this drug product via a pneumatic tube system to patient care areas can be considered in daily practice.