bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of crosslinker on the wettability and mechanical properties of hydrophobic coatings deposited via atmospheric pressure plasma
Authors: Rendon‐Piedrahita Camilo , Baba Kamal , Quintana Robert , Bardon Julien , Borek‐Donten Joanna , Heyberger Régis , Choquet Patrick 
Published: May 2022

AbstractHydrophobic coatings based on dodecyl acrylate (DOCA) and perfluorodecyl acrylate (PFDA) have been generated via “postdischarge” atmospheric pressure plasma deposition. These coatings exhibit a water contact angle (WCA) of around 125° but are accompanied by poor mechanical strength. To improve this property, two different types of chemical crosslinkers, that is, hexanediol methacrylate (HDMA) and hexanediol diacrylate (HDA), are incorporated into the precursor mixture. After plasma polymerization, both coatings with crosslinkers admixture show different wettability behavior. The addition of HDMA reduces the WCA while increasing the mechanical strength, while the addition of HDA retains the initial WCA magnitude while also increasing the mechanical strength. These changes are related to variations of the surface free energy (SFE) and topography of the plasma coatings.
Ultrastructural analysis of beetle larva cuticles during infection with the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana
Authors: Baek Sehyeon , Noh Mi Young , Mun Seulgi , Lee Se Jin , Arakane Yasuyuki , Kim Jae Su 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBACKGROUNDBeauveria bassiana is one of the commercially available entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), and a number of isolates with high virulence and broad host spectrum have been used to control agricultural and forest pests. Although the functional importance of genes in EPFs' pathogenesis have been extensively studied, the precise ultrastructural mechanism of the fungal infection, particularly penetration of the host insect cuticles, is not well understood.RESULTSIn this study, we investigated the morphology and ultrastructure of the larval cuticle of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, after treatment with B. bassiana ERL1170 expressing an enhanced green fluorescent protein (Bb‐eGFP). The Bb‐eGFP showed high virulence against the larvae, with approximately 90% mortality at 48 h after treatment (HAT) and 100% at 72 HAT under our infection conditions. In these larvae, the regions of the body wall with flexible cuticles, such as the ventral and ventrolateral thorax and abdomen, became darkly melanized, but there was little to no melanization in the rigid dorsal cuticular structures. Confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that germinated conidia on the surface of the larval cuticle were evident at 6 HAT, which formed penetration pegs and began to penetrate the several cuticle layers/laminae by 12 HAT. The penetration pegs then developed invading hyphae, some of which passed through the cuticle and reached the epidermal cells by 24 HAT. The larval cuticle was aggressively and extensively disrupted by 48 HAT, and a number of outgrowing hyphae were observed at 72 HAT.CONCLUSIONSOur results indicate that Bb‐eGFP is capable of infection and penetrating T. castaneum larvae shortly after inoculation (~24 HAT) at the body regions with apparently flexible and membranous cuticles, such as the ventral intersegmental regions and the ventrolateral pleura. This study provides details on the histopathogenesis of the host cuticle by infection and penetration of EPFs, which can facilitate the management of insect pests. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Early detection, herbicide resistance screening, and integrated management of invasive plant species: a review
Authors: Tataridas Alexandros , Jabran Khawar , Kanatas Panagiotis , Oliveira Rui S , Freitas Helena , Travlos Ilias 
Published: May 2022

AbstractInvasive plant species (IPS) are often considered weeds that cause high yield losses in crops, negatively affect the environment, and disrupt certain ecosystem services. The negative impact of IPS on biodiversity is increasing and disturbing native vegetation. The management of plant invasions can be divided in two phases (before and after invasion). Prior to introduction it is crucial to develop the knowledge base (biology, ecology, distribution, impact, management) on IPS, prevention measures and risk assessment. After introduction if eradication fails, the monitoring and the integrated management of IPS are imperative to prevent the naturalization and further dispersal. This review uses two major invasive weed species (Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats. and Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav.) as case studies to propose a framework for early detection, rapid herbicide resistance screening, and integrated management. The holistic framework that is presented exploits recent: (i) novel detection tools, (ii) rapid tests and assays for herbicide resistance, and (iii) biology, ecology, distribution traits, and management tools for the IPS. Farmers, advisors, researchers, and policymakers need briefing on IPS growth dynamics, adaptability rates, and response to conventional and novel treatments to prevent new invasions, eradicate isolated stands, and mitigate the impact of invasive weed species in the long term. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Including observation error correlation for ensemble radar radial wind assimilation and its impact on heavy rainfall prediction
Authors: Yeh Hao‐Lun , Yang Shu‐Chih , Terasaki Koji , Miyoshi Takemasa , Liou Yu‐Chieng 
Published: May 2022

AbstractAn assumption of uncorrelated observation errors is commonly adopted in conventional data assimilation. For this reason, high‐resolution data are resampled with strategies such as superobbing or data thinning. These strategies diminish the advantages of high temporal and spatial resolutions that can provide essential details in convection development. However, assimilating high‐resolution data, such as radar radial wind, without considering observation error correlations can lead to overfitting and thus degrade the performance of data assimilation and forecasts. This study uses a radar ensemble data assimilation system that combines the Weather Research and Forecasting model and Local Ensemble Transform Kalman Filter (WRF‐LETKF) to assimilate radar radial wind and reflectivity data. We present a strategy to include the error correlation of the Doppler radar radial wind in the WRF‐LETKF radar assimilation system and examine its impact on the accuracy of short‐term precipitation predictions based on a heavy rainfall event on June 2, 2017 in Taiwan.For radial wind, the horizontal error correlation scale is approximately 25 km according to the innovation statistics. The introduction of observation error correlation for radar radial wind assimilation produces more small‐scale features in wind analysis corrections compared to the experiment using an independent observation assumption. Consequently, the modification of wind corrections leads to stronger convergence accompanied by higher water vapor content, which enhances local convections. This results in more accurate simulations of reflectivity and short‐term precipitation. In particular, this advantage is identified for extreme heavy rainfall thresholds at small scales according to probability quantitative precipitation forecasts and fractions skill score.
How do women want their gynaecologist to address sexual function? A cross‐sectional survey among outpatients
Authors: Lonnée‐Hoffmann Risa A. M. , Christensen Silje S. , Hagemann Cecilie T. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractAimOur aim was to examine women's attitudes towards addressing and documenting sexual function in a Nordic gynaecological and obstetric outpatient setting.Materials and MethodsWe performed a cross‐sectional, anonymous survey amongst women referred to the gynaecological or obstetric outpatient clinic at the University Hospital in Trondheim, Norway. The women completed a written, self‐developed questionnaire with 10 questions.ResultsDuring a 5‐month period, 494 out of 700 distributed questionnaires were completed (response rate 71%). Of the participating women, 87% would accept that a gynaecologist routinely asked them about sexual function during an outpatient appointment. Significantly more women 40 years and older (postreproductive), compared to women below 40 years (reproductive) did not want to be asked about sexual function [a difference of 6.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.6, 13)]. Between 90% and 98% of the women would also accept specific questions about problems with sexual desire, arousal, orgasm and pain during intercourse. Women were most likely to accept questions about pain during intercourse. More women in the postreproductive age group compared to women of reproductive age did not accept questions about desire [a difference of 6.2% (95% CI: 1.9, 11.5)], arousal [a difference of 6.4% (95% CI: 0.7, 12.6)] and orgasm [a difference of 5.4% (95% CI: 0, 11.5)]. Women attending different clinics or from different cultural backgrounds did not answer significantly differently. More than half of the respondents preferred a medical journal with restricted access for documentation for general information (52.9%) as well as for specific information (60.1%) on sexual function. There was a tendency for women from the Nordic countries, compared to women from other European countries, to prefer this information to be stored in the restricted medical record, while this response was similar for women of the postreproductive and reproductive age group, or for women attending different clinics.ConclusionThe large majority of women in this study accept that the gynaecologist asks general and specific questions about sexual function. Just over half of the women preferred information about sexual function to be documented in a medical journal with restricted access.
Host and viral non‐coding RNAs in dengue pathogenesis
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Pandikannan , Raj Athira S. , Kumar Pramod , Das Nilanjana , Kumar Himanshu 
Published: May 2022

AbstractDengue virus (DENV) is a mosquito‐borne flavivirus that causes frequent outbreaks in tropical countries. Due to the four different serotypes and ever‐mutating RNA genome, it is challenging to develop efficient therapeutics. Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent the severe form of dengue, leading to mortality. In the past decade, rapid advancement in the high throughput sequencing technologies has shed light on the crucial regulating role of non‐coding RNAs (ncRNAs), also known as the “dark matter” of the genome, in various pathological processes. In addition to the human host ncRNAs like microRNAs and circular RNAs, DENV also produces ncRNAs such as subgenomic flaviviral RNAs that can modulate the virus life cycle and regulate disease outcomes. This review outlines the advances in understanding the interplay between the human host and DENV ncRNAs, their regulation of the innate immune system of the host, and the prospects of the ncRNAs in clinical applications such as dengue diagnosis and promising therapeutics.
Adaptive dynamic surface asymptotic tracking control of uncertain strict‐feedback systems with guaranteed transient performance and accurate parameter estimation
Authors: Shi Wenrui , Hou Mingzhe , Duan Guangren , Hao Mingrui 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIn this article, an adaptive dynamic surface control approach is proposed for uncertain strict‐feedback systems (SFSs) to guarantee both the prescribed transient tracking performance and the asymptotic tracking while realizing the accurate parameter estimation. It is assumed that SFSs are subject to linearly parametric uncertainties in both the drift terms and the control coefficients. A new inequality on the arctangent function, which can be widely used in the robust or the adaptive control designs, is established. Owing to this inequality, nonlinear robust filters with arctangent functions are designed and embedded into the backstepping control algorithm to avoid the “differential explosion” problem. Moreover, an improved forgetting‐factor‐based parameter estimation error reconstruction mechanism is proposed. And the obtained parameter estimation errors are integrated into the adaptive laws to achieve the accurate parameter estimation. Furthermore, the projection operator is applied to avoid the singularity problem of the control law. Besides, an asymmetric error transformation is introduced to restrict the tracking error within the prescribed performance envelope. It is proved that the tracking error and the parameter estimation errors asymptotically converge to zero and the tracking error satisfies the prescribed transient performance. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed control approach is validated in terms of the single‐link manipulator actuated by a brush DC motor.
Fixed‐time adaptive anti‐disturbance and fault‐tolerant control for multi‐agent systems
Authors: Du Zhixu , Liang Hongjing , Xue Hong 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThis article investigates the fixed‐time adaptive anti‐disturbance and fault‐tolerant control problem for a class of nonlinear multi‐agent systems with non‐affine nonlinear faults. A simplified backstepping approach is presented that only requires designing one Lyapunov function for high‐order multi‐agent systems, which reduces the computational burden. By designing a new compound observer, an anti‐disturbance and fault‐tolerant control strategy is developed to estimate and compensate the compound nonlinear terms composed of external disturbances and nonlinear faults. In addition, an auxiliary control variable is designed to solve the problem of “explosion of complexity” and ensure the system stability in a fixed time. Based on the Lyapunov stability method, it is proved that the nonlinear multi‐agent systems are semi‐global practical fixed‐time stable. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy is verified by some simulation results.
Analyzing cohort studies with interval‐censored data: A new model‐based linear rank‐type test
Authors: Jantzen Rodolphe , Tubert‐Bitter Pascale , Broët Philippe 
Published: May 2022

AbstractTo compare two or more survival distributions with interval‐censored data, various nonparametric tests have been proposed. Some are based on the ‐family introduced by Harrington and Fleming (1991) that allows flexibility for situations in which the hazard ratio decreases monotonically to unity. However, it is unclear how to choose the appropriate value of the parameter . In this work, we propose a novel linear rank‐type test for analyzing interval‐censored data that derived from a proportional reversed hazard model. We show its relationship with decreasing hazard ratio. This test statistic provides an alternative to the ‐based test statistics by bypassing the choice of the parameter. Simulation results show its good behavior. Two studies on breast cancer and drug users illustrate its practical uses and highlight findings that would have been overlooked if other tests had been used. The test is easy to implement with standard software and can be used for a wide range of situations with interval‐censored data to test the equality of survival distributions between two or more independent groups.
Atomic Interface‐Exciting Catalysis on Cobalt Nitride‐Oxide for Accelerating Hydrogen Generation
Authors: Guan Shuyan , Liu Yanyan , Zhang Huanhuan , Wei Huijuan , Liu Tao , Wu Xianli , Wen Hao , Shen Ruofan , Mehdi Sehrish , Ge Xianghong , Wang Chengming , Liu Baozhong , Liang Erjun , Fan Yanping , Li Baojun 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe rational design of the interface structure between nitride and oxide using the same metallic element and correlating the interfacial active center with a determined catalytic mechanism remain challenging. Herein, a Co4N‐Co3O4 interface structure is designed to determine the effect of interfacial active centers on hydrogen generation from ammonia borane. An unparalleled catalytic activity toward H2 production with a turnover frequency up to 79 min−1 is achieved on Co4N‐Co3O4@C catalyst for ten recycles. Experimental analyses and theoretical simulation suggest that the atomic interface‐exciting effect (AieE) is responsible for the high catalytic activity. The Co4N‐Co3O4 interface facilitates the targeted adsorption and activation of NH3BH3 and H2O molecules to generate H* and H2. The two active centers of Co(N)* and Co(O)* at the Co4N‐Co3O4 interface activate NH3BH3 and H2O, respectively. This proof‐of‐concept research on AieE provides important insights regarding the design of heterogeneous catalysts and promotes the development of the nature and regulation of energy chemical conversion.
Metallic Carbonitride MXene Based Photonic Hyperthermia for Tumor Therapy
Authors: Zhu Yanhua , Tang Xinfeng , Liu Qian , Xia Yujian , Zhai Xingwu , Zhang Hui , Duan Delong , Wang Hang , Zhan Wenqi , Wu Liang , Zheng Nan , Lv Weifu , Wang Yucai , Zhou Min 
Published: May 2022

AbstractPhotothermal therapy (PTT) as a noninvasive hyperthermia exhibits high potential for anti‐cancer treatments. The explosion of efficient photothermal agents (PTAs) keeps developing rapidly. MXene stands out due to its intriguing structures, fantastic photodynamic properties, and good biocompatibility. However, the potential of MXenes has not been sufficiently explored in PTT. Its versatile chemical compositions of MXenes provide vast opportunities to discover new candidates. Considering that the metallic feature is mainly attributed to the metal element, anionic modulation may open a distinct avenue to propel efficient PTAs with metallic nature, which is expected for high light‐harvesting over near‐infrared (NIR)‐I and NIR‐II. As a paradigm, metal carbonitride is chosen to visualize the influences of anionic modulation. Taking advantage of electron injection from nitrogen, the distinct carbonitride Ti3C1.15N0.85F0.88O0.56(OH)0.56 exhibits a strong NIR absorption (36.6 L g−1 cm−1 at 808 nm, 43.5 L g−1 cm−1 at 1064 nm), resulting in efficient photonic hyperthermia against tumors in vitro and in vivo. Looking through a large family of MXenes, this proof‐of‐principle demonstration offers a deep understanding between atomic composition and physicochemical properties, which further solidifies MXenes with all the potential for biomedical applications.
Integration of Bioinspired Fibrous Strands with 3D Spheroids for Environmental Hazard Monitoring
Authors: Park Chang Gyun , Jun Indong , Lee Sangmin , Ryu Chang Seon , Lee Sang‐Ah , Park Jaeho , Han Hyung‐Seop , Park Honghyun , Manz Andreas , Shin Heungsoo , Kim Young Jun 
Published: May 2022

AbstractNumerous methods have been introduced to produce 3D cell cultures that can reduce the need for animal experimentation. This study presents a unique 3D culture platform that features bioinspired strands of electrospun nanofibers (BSeNs) and aquatic cell lines to compensate for shortcomings in the current cell spheroid generation techniques. The use of BSeNs in 3D zebrafish liver cell cultures is found to improve liver and reproductive functions through spheroid‐based in vitro assays such as whole transcriptome sequencing and reproductive toxicity testing, with optimized properties exhibiting results similar to those obtained for fish embryo acute toxicity (FET, OECD TG 236) following exposure to environmental endocrine‐disrupting chemicals (17β‐Estradiol (E2), 4‐hydroxytamoxifen (4‐HT), and bisphenol compounds (bisphenol A (BPA) and 9,9‐Bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)fluorene (BPFL)). These findings indicate that the beneficial effects of bioinspired materials that closely mimic ECM environments can yield efficient zebrafish cells with intrinsic functions and xenobiotic metabolism similar to those of zebrafish embryos. As a closer analog for the in vivo conditions that are associated with exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals, the straightforward culture model introduced in this study shows promise as an alternative tool that can be used to further eco‐environmental assessment.
Holographic Manipulation of Nanostructured Fiber Optics Enables Spatially‐Resolved, Reconfigurable Optical Control of Plasmonic Local Field Enhancement and SERS
Authors: Collard Liam , Pisano Filippo , Zheng Di , Balena Antonio , Kashif Muhammad Fayyaz , Pisanello Marco , D'Orazio Antonella , de la Prida Liset M , Ciracì Cristian , Grande Marco , De Vittorio Massimo , Pisanello Ferruccio 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIntegration of plasmonic structures on step‐index optical fibers is attracting interest for both applications and fundamental studies. However, the possibility to dynamically control the coupling between the guided light fields and the plasmonic resonances is hindered by the turbidity of light propagation in multimode fibers (MMFs). This pivotal point strongly limits the range of studies that can benefit from nanostructured fiber optics. Fortunately, harnessing the interaction between plasmonic modes on the fiber tip and the full set of guided modes can bring this technology to a next generation progress. Here, the intrinsic wealth of information of guided modes is exploited to spatiotemporally control the plasmonic resonances of the coupled system. This concept is shown by employing dynamic phase modulation to structure both the response of plasmonic MMFs on the plasmonic facet and their response in the corresponding Fourier plane, achieving spatial selective field enhancement and direct control of the probe's work point in the dispersion diagram. Such a conceptual leap would transform the biomedical applications of holographic endoscopic imaging by integrating new sensing and manipulation capabilities.
Algal Polysaccharides‐Based Nanoparticles for Targeted Drug Delivery Applications
Authors: Zhang Shuangshuang , Qamar Sarmad Ahmad , Junaid Muhammad , Munir Bushra , Badar Qurratulain , Bilal Muhammad 
Published: May 2022

AbstractA huge variety of polysaccharides can be obtained from algal biomass having several attractive properties such as cost‐effectiveness, non‐toxicity, biodegradability, abundant availability, and biocompatibility. In recent years, algal polysaccharides (including alginates, carrageenans, fucoidans, ulvans, and agaroses) have extensively been reported for their chemical properties and important bioactive potentialities. Furthermore, algal polysaccharides have gained huge scientific interest as they are a significant source of biologically active compounds, and they show various medical potentialities including anticancer, antiproliferative, anticoagulant, antitumoral, and antiviral properties. Exceptional physicochemical and biological characteristics make them interesting candidates for biotechnological and biomedical investigations. In this review, nanodrug delivery systems based on different algal‐polysaccharides (alginates, carrageenans, fucoidan, ulvan, and other) are described in a systematic way. Moreover, the current challenges and future prospects in the area of algal exploitation for biomedical applications are summarized at the end.
Technological trends in the extraction of essential oils
Authors: Saldaña‐Mendoza Salvador A. , Chávez‐González Mónica L. , Ramírez‐Guzmán Nathiely , Pacios‐Michelena Sandra , Aguilar Cristóbal N. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractEssential oils are volatile substances of an oily nature present in all plants. They are industrially used as high‐value substances for their biological properties in the elaboration of various products in multiple such as pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, etc. Today it is known that essential oils have a composite composition and are mainly made up of hydrocarbons and oxygenated compounds, being the trace components contained in these substances, those responsible for providing the odor they possess. Commonly, essential oils are extracted through so‐called conventional, where high temperatures and solvents dominate the processes. However, nowadays, multiple emerging techniques have been used to carry out its extraction to achieve better yields, preserve the integrity of the components and reduce the environmental impact that conventional extraction systems imply. This paper addresses a review of conventional systems and emerging technologies that are currently used for the extraction of essential oils.