bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microcrystallization and lattice contraction of NiFe LDHs for enhancing water electrocatalytic oxidation
Authors: Zheng Zhicheng , Wu Dan , Chen Gen , Zhang Ning , Wan Hao , Liu Xiaohe , Ma Renzhi 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe lattice‐oxygen‐mediated mechanism is considered as a reasonable mechanism for the electrochemical catalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) of NiFe layered double hydroxides (LDHs). A NiFe LDH with distinct lattice contraction and microcrystallization was synthesized via a simple one‐step method using sodium gluconate. The lattice contraction is attributed to the interaction of carbon in sodium gluconate and iron in NiFe LDH. The NiFe LDH with optimized microcrystallization and lattice contraction shows a low overpotential of 217 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 and excellent durability of 20 h at a high current density of 100 mA cm−2. The results revealed that a contractive metal–oxygen bond could boost the intrinsic activity of active sites and the microcrystallization promotes an increase in the number of active sites in terms of unit area. The chemical environment of oxygen elemental characterization and resistance at different chronopotentiometry times confirm that the lattice oxygen element is indeed involved in the process of OER, supporting the lattice‐oxygen‐mediated mechanism of NiFe LDH. Density functional theory calculations reveal that contractive metal–oxygen bonds induced a reduction of the adsorption energy barrier of intermediate products, thus improving the intrinsic catalytic activity. The special characteristics of microcrystallization and lattice contraction of NiFe LDH provide a strategy to improve both the number and the intrinsic activity of active sites in a versatile manner.
Bacteriophage‐built gels as platforms for biomedical applications
Authors: Tian Lei , Jackson Kyle , Zhang Amy , Wan Zeqi , Saif Ahmed , Hosseinidoust Zeinab 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBacteriophages, or phages (bacterial viruses), have seen a resurgence in their applications following the emergence of antimicrobial‐resistant superbugs that pose enormous risks to human health and food supplies. Phages present numerous advantages over conventional small‐molecule antibiotics, including that they are highly selective bacteria‐killers and demonstrate low inherent cytotoxicity to human health. Notwithstanding the direct therapeutic applications of these innate bacteria‐killing viruses, they have also garnered attention as biological nanoparticles. Due to the diversity in sizes and shapes of phages, self‐replicating capacity, geometrical batch‐to‐batch consistency, and ease of synthetic modifications, phages are excellent building blocks for creating bioactive biomaterial platforms. In this review, we provide a brief history of the development of phage‐based materials and identify key stakeholders who are driving innovation in this space. In addition, we explore various phage‐based gel structures and provide a critical analysis of how their structures produce distinct advantageous properties that can be exploited for applications in solving challenges in biomedical engineering.
Calculation of the phase separation rate in two‐phase flow of non‐Newtonian power‐law fluid and gas bubbles flowing inside the T‐ and Y‐junctions using random vortex method (RVM)
Authors: Noori Yaser , Teymourtash Ali Reza , Zafarmand Behrooz 
Published: June 2022

AbstractIn this paper, the phase separation rate in a two‐phase flow of non‐Newtonian power‐law fluid and gas bubbles flowing inside T‐ and Y‐junction channels with branch angles of 45° and 135° is numerically investigated. The numerical simulation is carried out using the random vortex method (RVM) for the Reynolds number of liquid phase at the inlet of the channel Rem = 250 for various power‐law indexes (n = 0.2–1.4). The result of this research represents valuable information about the effect of branch angle and also the power‐law index on the phase separation. The result shows that when increasing the branch angle, the phase separation is increased, while when increasing the power‐law index, the phase separation is decreased. The acceptable conformation between this study and the experimental results shows the capability of the evaluated method.
Programmable Analytical Feature of Ratiometric Electrochemical Biosensor by Alternating the Binding Site of Ferrocene to DNA Duplex for the Detection of Aflatoxin B1†
Authors: Liu Dong , Jia Fan , Wei Ya , Li Yuye , Meng Shuyun , You Tianyan 
Published: June 2022

Comprehensive SummaryRatiometric biosensor is among the promising strategies for the advanced analysis; its applicability in multiple scenarios, however, is seriously limited for the fixed analytical feature. Here, we reported ratiometric electrochemical biosensors with programmable analytical feature by alternating the binding site of ferrocene (Fc) to DNA duplex for the detection of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). DNA duplex was synthesized with AFB1 aptamer and its complementary DNA (cDNA) with Fc molecular tagged on aptamer or cDNA. For analysis, aptamer‐AFB1 complex stripped from the electrode, and free cDNA triggered hybridization chain reaction to produce double‐stranded DNA for methylene blue (MB) absorption. In this way, redox currents of Fc (IFc) and absorbed MB (IMB) at the electrode were collected to produce the ratiometric signal of IMB/IFc as a yardstick for AFB1. When Fc was tagged on aptamer, IFc decreased with higher concentration of AFB1 (cAFB1), the resultant biosensor allowed detection with an On/Off (IMB/IFc) mode; when Fc was tagged on cDNA, IFc kept constant as cAFB1 varying, offering an On/Constant (IMB/IFc) mode for the detection. Consequently, biosensor with On/Off mode showed a linear range of 0.1—100 pg/mL with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.0650 pg/mL, while biosensor with On/Constant mode offered a wider linear rang of 1—10000 pg/mL but a relatively poor LOD of 0.330 pg/mL. Our work revealed the vital importance of binding site of probes to DNA, and this principle can endow ratiometric biosensor with programmable analytical feature (e.g., linear range, LOD), allowing detections in various scenarios.
Photocatalyzed Functionalization of Alkenoic Acids in 3D‐Printed Reactors
Authors: Jorea Alexandra , Ravelli Davide , Romarowski Rodrigo M. , Marconi Stefania , Auricchio Ferdinando , Fagnoni Maurizio 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe valorization of alkenoic acids possibly deriving from biomass (fumaric and citraconic acids) was carried out through conversion in important building blocks, such as γ‐keto acids and succinic acid derivatives. The functionalization was carried out by addition onto the C=C double bond of radicals generated under photocatalyzed conditions from suitable hydrogen donors (mainly aldehydes) and by adopting a decatungstate salt as the photocatalyst. Syntheses were performed under batch (in a glass vessel) and flow (by using 3D‐printed reactors) conditions. The design of the latter reactors allowed for an improved yield and productivity.
A multi‐omics analysis for the prediction of neurocognitive disorders risk among the elderly in Macao
Authors: Han Yan , Quan Xingping , Chuang Yaochen , Liang Qiaoxing , Li Yang , Yuan Zhen , Bian Ying , Wei Lai , Wang Ji , Zhao Yonghua 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundDue to the increasing ageing population, neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) have been a global public health issue, and its prevention and early diagnosis are crucial. Our previous study demonstrated that there is a significant correlation between specific populations and NCDs, but the biological characteristics of the vulnerable group predispose to NCDs are unclear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the predictors for the vulnerable group by a multi‐omics analysis.MethodsMulti‐omics approaches, including metagenomics, metabolomic and proteomic, were used to detect gut microbiota, faecal metabolites and urine exosome of 8 normal controls and 13 vulnerable elders after a rigorous screening of 400 elders in Macao. The multi‐omics data were analysed using R and Bioconductor. The two‐sided Wilcoxon's rank‐sum test, Kruskal–Wallis rank sum test and the linear discriminant analysis effective size were applied to investigate characterized features. Moreover, a 2‐year follow‐up was conducted to evaluate cognitive function change of the elderly.ResultsCompared with the control elders, the metagenomics of gut microbiota showed that Ruminococcus gnavus, Lachnospira eligens, Escherichia coli and Desulfovibrio piger were increased significantly in the vulnerable group. Carboxylates, like alpha‐ketoglutaric acid and d‐saccharic acid, and levels of vitamins had obvious differences in the faecal metabolites. There was a distinct decrease in the expression of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 subunit 1 (eIF2α) and amine oxidase A (MAO‐A) according to the proteomic results of the urine exosomes. Moreover, the compound annual growth rate of neurocognitive scores was notably decreased in vulnerable elders.ConclusionsThe multi‐omics characteristics of disturbed glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism (bacteria), vitamin digestion and absorption and tricarboxylic acid cycle in vulnerable elders can serve as predictors of NCDs risk among the elderly of Macao. Intervention with them may be effective therapeutic approaches for NCDs, and the underlying mechanisms merit further exploration.
The applications of the routing protocol for low‐power and lossy networks (RPL) on the internet of mobile things
Authors: Ghanbari Zahra , Navimipour Nima Jafari , Hosseinzadeh Mehdi , Shakeri Hassan , Darwesh Aso 
Published: June 2022

SummaryInternet of Mobile Things (IoMT) have become very popular recently. The routing protocol for low power and lossy networks (RPL) is standardized for static topologies. However, mobility is the nature of IoT. Mobility serves as a promising candidate to harness hand‐off time issues, delay in data transmission, overhead, and low packet delivery rate (PDR) effectively. This study presents a comprehensive account of the mobility‐aware RPL‐based routing protocols to validate and compare the experimental results. Remarkably, classification methods are used in many articles. The aim is to introduce significant research efforts to improve RPL objective functions (OF) performance in hand‐off time, PDR, delay, overhead, and so forth. In this regard, a complete analysis of the existing routing protocols in IoMT has been presented to compare the results. The main focus of this study is on approaches that proposed new OFs for supporting mobility in RPL. Two main categories are considered to study RPL‐based routing protocol mechanisms: The mobile and static sink. The related studies on the mobile sink are divided into three groups: Single metric‐based OF, composite metric OF, and hybrid routing protocols. Also, the related works based on the static sink are categorized into four groups: Fuzzy logic‐based OF, trickle timer‐based OF, composite metrics‐based OF, and modification control messages‐based OF approach. This paper presents a detailed comparison of mechanisms in each category. It also highlights the pros, cons, open issues, and evaluated metrics of each paper. Besides, challenges of mobility in the RPL‐based routing protocol mechanism in IoMT for future studies.
Utilizing longitudinal data in assessing all‐cause mortality in patients hospitalized with heart failure
Authors: Herman Robert , Vanderheyden Marc , Vavrik Boris , Beles Monika , Palus Timotej , Nelis Olivier , Goethals Marc , Verstreken Sofie , Dierckx Riet , Penicka Martin , Heggermont Ward , Bartunek Jozef 
Published: June 2022

AbstractAimsRisk stratification in patients with a new onset or worsened heart failure (HF) is essential for clinical decision making. We have utilized a novel approach to enrich patient level prognostication using longitudinally gathered data to develop ML‐based algorithms predicting all‐cause 30, 90, 180, 360, and 720 day mortality.Methods and resultsIn a cohort of 2449 HF patients hospitalized between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2017, we utilized 422 parameters derived from 151 451 patient exams. They included clinical phenotyping, ECG, laboratory, echocardiography, catheterization data or percutaneous and surgical interventions reflecting the standard of care as captured in individual electronic records. The development of predictive models consisted of 101 iterations of repeated random subsampling splits into balanced training and validation sets. ML models yielded area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC‐ROC) performance ranging from 0.83 to 0.89 on the outcome‐balanced validation set in predicting all‐cause mortality at aforementioned time‐limits. The 1 year mortality prediction model recorded an AUC of 0.85. We observed stable model performance across all HF phenotypes: HFpEF 0.83 AUC, HFmrEF 0.85 AUC, and HFrEF 0.86 AUC, respectively. Model performance improved when utilizing data from more hospital contacts compared with only data collected at baseline.ConclusionsOur findings present a novel, patient‐level, comprehensive ML‐based algorithm for predicting all‐cause mortality in new or worsened heart failure. Its robust performance across phenotypes throughout the longitudinal patient follow‐up suggests its potential in point‐of‐care clinical risk stratification.
Trans‐Amidate Platinum Complexes Anchoring Water and N‐donor Molecules. The Importance of Hydrogen Bonding
Authors: Gimeno‐Prat Antonio , Martín Antonio , Baya Miguel , Casas José M. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe square planar bisnitrile platinum(II) derivatives PtCl2(NCR)2(R=Ph (1 a); Et (1 b);p‐C6H4F (1 c);p‐C6H4tBu (1 d);m‐C6H3Me2(1 e);o,p‐C6H2Me3(1 f)) react with tetrabutylammonium hydroxide to render the monoaquo [NBu4][trans‐PtCl(HNCOR)2(OH2)] (2 a–2 f). The water molecule is σ‐coordinated to platinum and the binding is reinforced by two strong hydrogen bonds to the neighboring amidate ligands (OH⋅⋅⋅OC). Substitution of water in2 aby N‐donor ligands can be efficiently achieved only in the presence of a dehydrating agent as magnesium sulphate or 4 Å molecular sieves. By following this strategy, compounds [NBu4][trans‐PtCl(HNCOPh)2(NH2R’)] (R’=H (3), NH2(4),tBu (5 a),p‐C6H4Me (5 b) have been isolated. The incoming ligands are σ‐coordinated to platinum and also establish strong hydrogen bonds to the amidates (NH⋅⋅⋅OC). Treatment of2 awith halogens causes oxidation at the metal center, rendering the platinum(IV) derivatives [NBu4][PtClX2(HNCOPh)2(OH2)] (X=Cl (6 a), Br (6 b), I (6 c)).
An approach toward higher electrical conversion efficiency of solar photovoltaic module using phase change materials
Authors: Nandanwar Yogesh N. , Kalbande Vednath P. , Mohan Man , Rambhad Kishor , Walke Pramod V. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractA well‐known fact is that the electrical performance of the solar photovoltaic (PV) module reduces with an increase of its operating surface temperature, hence to obtain better electrical performance from PV module; it becomes necessary to maintain its surface temperature within the recommended limit. The present experimentation is focused on the application of phase change materials (PCM) to improve the electrical conversion efficiency of the PV module. The performance analysis of the polycrystalline silicon PV module integrated with the finned heat sink embedded in the PCM bath has been carried out, particularly for Indian climatic conditions (21°N, 79°E). Four different organic PCM‐filled PV modules (PV‐PCM) have been selected for performance comparison with conventional PV modules toward their electrical conversion efficiency. All the PV modules are tested with different tilt angles to obtain the lowest operating temperature afterwards the PV‐PCM module with the lowest temperature at particular tilt angle was compared with conventional PV module for output power. Among all investigated PV modules, calcium chloride hexahydrate‐filled PV system exhibits the highest electrical performance at an angle of 90° with the horizontal. The relative and improved average electrical efficiency of 7.5% was recorded with the novel designed PV‐PCM system.
Ray‐tracing assisted fingerprinting for localization in IoT Health 4.0
Authors: Chandra Shit Rathin , Sharma Suraj 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe Internet of Things (IoT) can help healthcare companies establish Ambient Assisted Living (AAL). It permits innovative solutions to a well‐known problem, notably the real‐time localization and monitoring of patients and clinicians. Yet, there is no method for indoor localization in the healthcare context that delivers centimeter‐level precision. Although radio‐based localization has intriguing potential, the primary limitations of such a method are non‐line‐of‐sight radio signal transmission and multipath reflection, both of which lead to the lowest accuracy. The advanced 5G communication technology allows for the simultaneous utilization of temporal and angular features of a broadcast signal, as well as its multipath property, to accomplish precise target localization. This article presents a method for multipath channel‐assisted localization in the AAL system by utilizing the temporal and angular measurement of the signal concurrently. We simulated and tested the localization approach in an AAL system and achieved centimeter‐level accuracy over 90% of the time in all four cases.
Inoculation with native grassland soils improves native plant species germination in highly disturbed soil
Authors: Duell Eric B. , Hickman Karen R. , Wilson Gail W. T. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundGrasslands are globally imperiled, facing continued threats from anthropogenic disturbances. Seeding remains a common grassland restoration method, and yet, is typically met with limited success, partially because soils of degraded systems inhibit the germination of native species.MethodsWe assessed the germination success of 16 native grassland species sown in soils collected from a degraded grassland converted into a nonnative warm‐season perennial grass, Bothriochloa ischaemum, and areas previously subjected to the eradication of this nonnative species. Our objectives were as follows: (1) determine native seed germination in soils collected from B. ischaemum or eradication control sites, compared to germination in native grassland soil, and (2) assess if native soil inoculation improves germination, compared to germination in degraded soils without inoculation.ResultsGermination of native species was exceedingly low when seeded into soil dominated by B. ischaemum, or in soil previously treated with combinations of herbicide and prescribed fire, relative to native grassland control. However, amendments with native grassland soil resulted in germination equivalent to native grasslands, alleviating the negative influences of degraded soils.ConclusionsOur results highlight the role of native soil in improving the germination of desirable plant species following intensive management and soil degradation. Our research may improve restoration outcomes for managers focused on the conservation and restoration of grasslands.
Extending internalization theory: Integrating international business strategy with international management
Authors: Casson Mark 
Published: June 2022

AbstractResearch summaryInternational business strategy and international management are two distinct but related fields of study. This article explores the connections between them. It shows how internalization theory can act as a bridge between them. The key is to analyze not only core activities, such as production, marketing and R&D, but support services such as human resource management, information technology, and corporate finance. Internalization decisions and location decisions must be analyzed holistically, and diagrammatic techniques show how this can be done. These diagrams reveal the networks of communication and the hierarchical structures that emerge from such decisions.Managerial summaryThe organizational structure of a multinational enterprise is inherently complex, making it difficult to determine whether one organizational structure is more efficient than another. Delayering, decentralization, and agility are recommended, but what are their practical implications? Internalization theory addresses these problems in a simple and coherent way. It shows that it is not only core activities, namely production, marketing and R&D, that need to be coordinated, but support services too. Decisions on the location and out‐sourcing of support services must be aligned with similar decisions on core activities. A diagrammatic analysis is presented that facilitates the solution of these problems.
Hematological disorders after salvage PARPi treatment for ovarian cancer: Cytogenetic and molecular defects and clinical outcomes
Authors: Todisco Elisabetta , Gigli Federica , Ronchini Chiara , Amato Viviana , Sammassimo Simona , Pastano Rocco , Parma Gabriella , Lapresa Maria Teresa , Bertolini Francesco , Corsini Chiara , Gregato Giuliana , Poletti Claudia , Pelicci Pier Giuseppe , Alcalay Myriam , Colombo Nicoletta , Tarella Corrado 
Published: June 2022

AbstractInhibitors of poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARPi) are increasingly employed as salvage therapy in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), but cytotoxic drug exposure along with PARP inhibition may favor development of hematological disorders. In our study, of 182 women with EOC treated with PARPi, 16 (8.7%) developed therapy‐related myeloid neoplasms (t‐MNs), with 12 cases of myelodysplasia and 4 of acute myeloid leukemia. All experienced persistent cytopenia after PARPi discontinuation. Seven patients had del(5q)/−5 and/or del(7q)/−7, nine had a complex karyotype and TP53 mutations, recently reported as risk factor for t‐MNs in EOC post‐PARPi, were found in 12 out of 13 tested patients. Four patients had a rapid and fatal outcome, one had stable disease, eleven underwent induction therapy, followed by allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in seven. Three of these 11 patients experienced refractory disease, and 8 had complete remission. During a 6.8 months (range 2.3‐49) median observation time, 3 out of 16 patients were alive, with one surviving patient free of both solid and hematological tumors. Ten patients died because of leukemia, two because of transplant‐related events, one from heart failure. Five more patients experienced persistent cell blood count abnormalities following PARPi discontinuation, without reaching MDS diagnostic criteria. A customized Myelo‐panel showed clonal hematopoiesis in all five patients. These findings confirm the actual risk of t‐MNs in EOC patients after chemotherapy and prolonged PARPi therapy. The management of these patients is complex and outcomes are extremely poor. Careful diagnostic procedures are strongly recommended whenever unusual cytopenias develop in patients receiving PARPi therapy.
Towards an early warning system for sovereign defaults leveraging on machine learning methodologies
Authors: Petropoulos Anastasios , Siakoulis Vasilis , Stavroulakis Evangelos 
Published: June 2022

SummaryIn this study, we address the topic of credit risk stemming from central governments from a technical point of view. First, we explore various econometric and machine learning techniques to build an enhanced sovereign rating system that effectively differentiates the risk of default among countries. Our empirical results indicate that the machine learning method of XGBOOST has a superior out‐of‐sample and out‐of‐time predictive performance. Then, we use the models developed to calibrate a sovereign rating system and provide useful insights into the set‐up of a parsimonious early warning system. Our results provide a more concise view of the most robust method for classifying countries’ default risk with significant regulatory implications, given that the efficient assessment of sovereign debt is crucial for effective proactive risk measurement.