bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Leaky Integrate‐and‐Fire Mechanism in Exciton–Polariton Condensates for Photonic Spiking Neurons
Authors: Tyszka Krzysztof , Furman Magdalena , Mirek Rafał , Król Mateusz , Opala Andrzej , Seredyński Bartłomiej , Suffczyński Jan , Pacuski Wojciech , Matuszewski Michał , Szczytko Jacek , Piętka Barbara 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThis paper introduces a new approach to neuromorphic photonics in which microcavities exhibiting strong exciton–photon interaction may serve as building blocks of optical spiking neurons. The experimental results demonstrate the intrinsic property of exciton–polaritons to resemble the Leaky Integrate‐and‐Fire (LIF) spiking mechanism. It is shown that exciton–polariton microcavities when non‐resonantly pumped with a pulsed laser exhibit leaky integration due to relaxation of the excitonic reservoir, threshold‐and‐fire mechanism due to transition to Bose–Einstein Condensate (BEC), and resetting due to stimulated emission of photons. These effects, evidenced in photoluminescence characteristics, arise within sub‐ns timescales. The presented approach provides means for ultrafast processing of spike‐like laser pulses with energy efficiency at the level below 1 pJ per spike.
On‐Chip Chiral Mode Switching by Encircling an Exceptional Point in an Anti‐Parity‐Time Symmetric System
Authors: Liu Weiwei , Zhang Yicong , Deng Zhihua , Ye Jianghua , Wang Kai , Wang Bing , Gao Dingshan , Lu Peixiang 
Published: October 2022

AbstractDynamically encircling the exceptional point (EP) of an anti‐parity‐time (anti‐PT) symmetric system can achieve chiral mode switching between symmetry‐broken eigenmodes, which is especially important for developing nanophotonic devices. However, the realization of anti‐PT‐symmetric systems on a chip still remains significantly challenging as precisely controlling the parameters of nanophotonic structures is difficult. Herein, a novel anti‐PT‐symmetric system is designed and constructed on a silicon‐on‐insulator chip by taking advantage of subwavelength gratings to help engineer nanophotonic structures. Consequently, on‐chip chiral switching between symmetry‐broken eigenmodes is experimentally realized by dynamically encircling the EP in parametric space of the proposed anti‐PT‐symmetric system. Moreover, the achieved chiral mode switching exhibits high output power ratios (≥ 6.4 dB) at 1550 nm, wide‐band response that covers C‐band completely, and great thermal stability up to 90 °C, which indicate desirable performance features for practical applications in optical communication. This study paves an avenue for realizing on‐chip chiral switching between symmetry‐broken modes, which shows great promise for developing nanophotonic devices, such as optical switching, logic gates, and isolators, in optical telecommunication bands.
The Impact of Low‐Viscosity Soluble Dietary Fibers on Intestinal Microenvironment and Experimental Colitis: A Possible Preventive Application of Alpha‐Cyclodextrin in Intestinal Inflammation
Authors: Yamanouchi Yuka , Chudan Seita , Ishibashi Riko , Ohue‐Kitano Ryuji , Nishikawa Miyu , Tabuchi Yoshiaki , Kimura Ikuo , Nagai Yoshinori , Ikushiro Shinichi , Furusawa Yukihiro 
Published: October 2022

ScopeThe purpose of this study is to compare the impact of four low‐viscosity soluble dietary fibers (DFs) on the intestinal microenvironment, in terms of microbiota composition, short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, proportion of colonic peripherally induced regulatory T cells (pTregs), and experimental colitis in mice.Methods and resultsMice are administered 5% w/v low‐viscosity soluble DFs in drinking water for 2 weeks. The gut microbiota composition is determined using 16S rRNA sequencing. Luminal SCFAs are quantified by gas chromatography, and colonic pTregs are analyzed using flow cytometry. All low‐viscosity soluble DFs promote the growth of beneficial bacteria such as Akkermansia muciniphila and Bacteroides acidifaciens, while eliminating pathogenic bacteria such as Clostridium perfringens. Moreover, two low‐viscosity soluble DFs significantly increase the abundance of commensal bacteria and promote the accumulation of propionate and butyrate, leading to marked induction of colonic pTregs. Consistently, these two fibers, in particular α‐cyclodextrin, show remarkable anti‐inflammatory properties in a colitis mouse model.ConclusionMice administered any low‐viscosity soluble DF show comparable gut microbiota compositions, but differ in terms of bacterial abundance, SCFA concentration, pTreg population, and colitis development. This exploratory study suggests that administration of α‐cyclodextrin may be a possible strategy for the prevention of colitis.
Child health care nurses' cultural competence in health visits with children of foreign background
Authors: Golsäter Marie , Karlsson Fiallos Maria , Olsson Vestvik Sølvi , Anefur Hilda , Harder Maria 
Published: October 2022

AbstractAimThe aim of this study is to investigate child health care nurses' cultural competence in health visits with children and their families of foreign background.DesignA cross‐sectional design combined with a qualitative explorative design.MethodsThe nurses assessed their cultural competence using a modified version of the Clinical Cultural Competency Questionnaire. Interviews were used to obtain a detailed description of the nurses' cultural competence.ResultsThe nurses assessed themselves as rather culturally competent. They scored above mid‐score in the total score for cultural competence and on all subscales. Education in cultural diversity at the nurses' workplace had the highest association to cultural competence. The nurses described their awareness as recognizing each child and her/his family rather than their cultural background, and viewing the child as a unique part of her/his cultural context. Despite their high scores on cultural competence, the nurses described a lack of cultural knowledge and explained their need of further knowledge.
Post‐deposition annealing and interfacial atomic layer deposition buffer layers of Sb2Se3/CdS stacks for reduced interface recombination and increased open‐circuit voltages
Authors: Weiss Thomas Paul , Minguez‐Bacho Ignacio , Zuccalà Elena , Melchiorre Michele , Valle Nathalie , El Adib Brahime , Yokosawa Tadahiro , Spiecker Erdmann , Bachmann Julien , Dale Phillip J. , Siebentritt Susanne 
Published: October 2022

AbstractCurrently, Sb2Se3 thin films receive considerable research interest as a solar cell absorber material. When completed into a device stack, the major bottleneck for further device improvement is the open‐circuit voltage, which is the focus of the work presented here. Polycrystalline thin‐film Sb2Se3 absorbers and solar cells are prepared in substrate configuration and the dominant recombination path is studied using photoluminescence spectroscopy and temperature‐dependent current–voltage characteristics. It is found that a post‐deposition annealing after the CdS buffer layer deposition can effectively remove interface recombination since the activation energy of the dominant recombination path becomes equal to the bandgap of the Sb2Se3 absorber. The increased activation energy is accompanied by an increased photoluminescence yield, that is, reduced non‐radiative recombination. Finished Sb2Se3 solar cell devices reach open‐circuit voltages as high as 485 mV. Contrarily, the short‐circuit current density of these devices is limiting the efficiency after the post‐deposition annealing. It is shown that atomic layer‐deposited intermediate buffer layers such as TiO2 or Sb2S3 can pave the way for overcoming this limitation.
A rapid and selective methionine oxidative modification strategy
Authors: Zhang Meng‐Qian , He Pei‐Yang , Hu Jin‐Jian , Li Yan‐Mei 
Published: October 2022

Considering the fact that site‐selective late‐stage diversification of peptides and proteins remains a challenge for biochemistry, strategies targeting low‐abundance natural amino acids need to be further developed. As an extremely oxidation‐sensitive and low‐abundance amino acid, methionine emerges as a promising target for chemo‐ and site‐selective modification. Herein we report an efficient and highly selective modification on methionine residues by one‐pot O‐ and N‐transfer reaction, generating sulfoximine‐modified peptides with near‐perfect conversion within 10 min. Moreover, the great tolerance to other natural amino acids has been demonstrated in reactions with various peptide substrates. To demonstrate the generality of this protocol, we have modified natural peptides and obtained sulfoximination products with high conversion rates. This methodology provides a novel strategy as the expansion of the methionine‐based peptide functionalization toolbox.
The effect of green cardamom on blood pressure and inflammatory markers among patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Izadi Bahareh , Joulaei Hassan , Lankarani Kamran Bagheri , Tabrizi Reza , Taherifard Erfan , Sadeghpour Ali , Vali Mohebat , Akbari Maryam 
Published: October 2022

AbstractResearch shows that herbal spices, including seeds of Elettaria cardamomum, may exert beneficial effects on unhealthy metabolic status. This study is a systematic review of the effect of green cardamom in patients with metabolic syndrome and its related disorders. PubMed/Medline, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched to identify the relevant randomized clinical trials. The data were pooled using the random‐effects model, and weighted mean difference (WMD) was considered as summary effect size. Of 625 clinical trials, eight reports with 595 patients (299 in intervention group and 296 in control group) were included. The findings indicated that green cardamom significantly decreased diastolic blood pressure (WMD: −0.91 mmHg, 95%CI; −1.19, −0.62), high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (WMD: −1.21 mg/L, 95%CI; −2.18, −0.24), interleukin 6 levels (WMD: −2.41 ng/L, 95%CI; −4.35, −0.47). However, cardamom supplementation did not significantly affect systolic blood pressure. This meta‐analysis demonstrated that green cardamom could improve blood pressure control and exert antiinflammatory effects which could help patients with unhealthy metabolic profile better manage their health. Importantly, there were few eligible randomized trials with quite a low number of participants. Further prospective studies on larger sample sizes and longer duration of supplementation are warranted for its widespread use.
Molecular level investigation on the dispersion of hydrophilic modified SiO2 nanoparticles in water from a bond energy viewpoint
Authors: Liu Nannan , Chen Yan , Yu Changfeng , Wu Dan , Chen Xinglong , Xu Hui , Mu Shuaichen , Zhu Qingjie 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe dispersion characteristic of nanoparticles is of more interest in some engineering applications, including polymer filling, foam stability, chemical catalysis, and materials surface package. In this paper, the surface modification of SiO2 nanoparticles was carried out based on molecular dynamics simulation. The characteristics of aggregation and diffusion of SiO2 nanoparticles were explained by the radial distribution function (RDF), concentration profile, length distribution, mean squared displacement (MSD), and microscopic testing (MT). The results showed that the orbital provided by the three types of atoms (H, O, and Si) corresponding to the different bandwidths caused the energy alternation of state density. According to the results of RDF, the HO bond energy mainly provided by the water molecules showed the maximum bond energy with 463 kJ/mol. The results indicated that the bonds breakage and formation were accompanied by changes in total energy, kinetic energy, non‐bond energy, and potential energy. After the modification of SiO2 nanoparticles, the concentration profile of the water molecules decreased first at 1–8.5 Å and then increased at 8.5–17.2 Å, but the length distribution climbed to 15.7 at 0.975 Å. When the temperature reached 398 K, the peak value of the length distribution declined to 13.6 Å and the relative concentration profile of water molecules fluctuated around 1.0. With the increase of salinity, the peak value of length distribution reached 15.7 at 0.975 Å, but the concentration profile of water molecules at 3.1–9 Å decreased quickly and then gradually increased. The results of MSD and MT about water molecules presented the largest diffusion coefficient appeared at 398 K and had the best dispersion effect owing to the average kinetic energy among the molecules. Conversely, the diffusion coefficient decreased with the incremental solution salinity because the inhabitation of sodium for the motion of water molecules resulted in the ion bridging and hydrogen bonding.
Global consensus of second‐order unknown multi‐agent systems: A distributed fuzzy iterative learning scheme
Authors: Liu Qiongxiao , Huang Zhemin , Guo Xuan , Pan Xingbang , Xu Guohua 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThis article focuses on global fuzzy consensus control of unknown second‐order nonlinear multi‐agent systems based on adaptive iterative learning scheme. In order to achieve global consensus, a replacement idea is introduced, where fuzzy systems are used as feedforward compensators to model unknown nonlinear dynamics relying on tracking signals. Considering that the network communication is distributed, a kind of hybrid control protocol is designed to avoid the complete dependence on the tracking signals. In addition, considering the complexity of the external environment, this article extends the above distributed protocol to the case of unknown control directions to study global consensus. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed protocols is verified by Matlab numerical simulations.
Exploring the link between spectral variance and upper canopy taxonomic diversity in a tropical forest: influence of spectral processing and feature selection
Authors: Badourdine Colette , Féret Jean‐Baptiste , Pélissier Raphaël , Vincent Grégoire 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe rapid loss of biodiversity in tropical rainforests calls for new remote sensing approaches capable of providing rapid estimates of biodiversity over large areas. Imaging spectroscopy has shown potential for the estimation of taxonomic diversity, but the link with spectral diversity has not been investigated extensively with experimental data so far. We explored the relationship between taxonomic diversity and visible to near infrared spectral variance derived from various spectral processing techniques by means of a labeled dataset comprising 2000 individual tree crowns from 200 species from an experimental tropical forest station in French Guiana. We generated a set of artificially assembled communities covering a broad range of taxonomic diversity from this experimental dataset. We analyzed the impact of various processing steps: spectral normalization, spectral transformation through principal component analysis, and feature selection. Correlation between taxonomic diversity and inter‐specific spectral variance was strong. Correlation was lower with total spectral variance, with or without normalization and transformation. Dimensionality reduction through feature selection resulted in dramatic improvement of the correlation between Shannon index and spectral variance. While airborne diversity mapping of tropical forest may not be at hand yet, our results confirm that spectral diversity metrics, when computed on properly preprocessed and selected spectral information can predict taxonomic diversity in tropical ecosystems.
Two different approaches to XPS quantitative analysis of polyelectrolyte adsorption layers
Authors: Ernstsson Marie , Dedinaite Andra , Rojas Orlando J. , Claesson Per M. 
Published: October 2022

X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was employed to quantify adsorption of polyelectrolytes from aqueous solutions of low ionic strength onto mica, glass, and silica. Silica surfaces were conditioned in base or in acid media as last pre‐treatment step (silica‐base last or silica‐acid last, respectively). Consistency in the determined adsorbed amount, Γ, was obtained independent of the choice of XPS mode and with the two quantification approaches used in the data evaluation. Under the same adsorption conditions, the adsorbed amount, Γ, varied as Γmica > Γsilica‐base last ≈ Γglass > Γsilica‐acid last. In addition, the adsorbed amount increased with decreasing polyelectrolyte charge density (100% to 1% of segments being charged) for all substrates. Large adsorbed amount was measured for low‐charge density polyelectrolytes, but the number of charged segments per square nanometer was low due to steric repulsion between polyelectrolyte chains that limited the adsorption. The adsorbed amount of highly charged polyelectrolytes was controlled by electrostatic interactions and thus limited to that needed to neutralize the substrate surface charge density. For silica, the adsorbed amount depended on the cleaning method, suggesting that this process influenced surface concentration and fraction of different silanol groups. Our results demonstrate that for silica, a higher density and/or more acidic silanol groups are formed using base, rather than acid, treatment in the last step.
A Bifunctional Fully Integrated Wearable Tracker for Epidermal Sweat and Wound Exudate Multiple Biomarkers Monitoring
Authors: Pei Xinyi , Sun Mimi , Wang Jingjuan , Bai Jing , Bo Xiangjie , Zhou Ming 
Published: October 2022

AbstractFully integrated wearable electronics that combine the extraordinary feature of incessant and on‐body operation with the distinctive external equipment‐free trait are the ultimate goal of modern wearables. Epidermal sweat and wound exudate, as two noninvasively accessible biofluids on/surrounding the skin, reflect underlying health conditions. However, the design of universal wearable sensors with the bifunctional capability to monitor both epidermal secretions is still a challenge. Here, a single bifunctional fully integrated wearable tracker for wirelessly, simultaneously, and dynamically in situ measuring multiple epidermal sweat or wound exudate biomarkers is propos. Considering the electrolytes (e.g., Na+, K+, and H+) and metabolites (e.g., uric acid (UA)) levels in sweat or wound exudate may correlate with health or wound conditions, the dynamic and skin‐on tracking of the biomarkers of Na+, K+, pH, and UA levels in sweat under subjects’ exercise and in wound exudate during subjects’ wound healing are performed through the seamless integration of microfluidic, sensing, and electronic modules. Its applicability is evaluated for noninvasive hyperuricemia management in hyperuricemia/healthy subjects through a purine‐rich intake test and for wound management in subjects’ infected wounds through a control medical treatment.
Element Specific Atom Counting at the Atomic Scale by Combining High Angle Annular Dark Field Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X‐ray Spectroscopy
Authors: De Backer Annick , Zhang Zezhong , van den Bos Karel H.W. , Bladt Eva , Sánchez‐Iglesias Ana , Liz‐Marzán Luis M. , Nellist Peter D. , Bals Sara , Van Aert Sandra 
Published: October 2022

AbstractA new methodology is presented to count the number of atoms in multimetallic nanocrystals by combining energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) and high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF STEM). For this purpose, the existence of a linear relationship between the incoherent HAADF STEM and EDX images is exploited. Next to the number of atoms for each element in the atomic columns, the method also allows quantification of the error in the obtained number of atoms, which is of importance given the noisy nature of the acquired EDX signals. Using experimental images of an Au@Ag core–shell nanorod, it is demonstrated that 3D structural information can be extracted at the atomic scale. Furthermore, simulated data of an Au@Pt core–shell nanorod show the prospect to characterize heterogeneous nanostructures with adjacent atomic numbers.
A context‐aware internet of things‐driven security scheme for smart homes
Authors: Khanpara Pimal , Lavingia Kruti , Trivedi Rajvi , Tanwar Sudeep , Verma Amit , Sharma Ravi 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIn recent years, the Internet of Things (IoT) has become very popular as it has numerous applications in the industrial and research domain. Moreover, the features of IoT systems play a crucial role in the development of smart cities. It enables smart cities and their subsystems to monitor, control, and manage heterogeneous devices remotely by extracting and communicating real‐time data. However, automated IoT systems are vulnerable to many security threats like tempered protocols, device hijacking, and unauthorized access. Motivated by the aforementioned discussion, this paper addresses the security requirements of an essential subsystem of smart city architecture, that is, IoT‐based smart homes. Based on the features and functionalities of smart homes, the risk of security violations in the system behavior needs to be analyzed This paper explores various security threats in a smart home environment and proposes a context‐aware security‐based scheme to prevent and detect possible threats. Results show that the proposed scheme is superior compared to the traditional schemes considering parameters such as the performance, cost, and maintenance requirements.
Experimental and numerical investigations on large‐section rectangular CFT columns with distributive beam under axial compression
Authors: Guo Xiaonong , Zhang Chaozhong , Luo Jinhui , Zhang Yuanzhi , Chen Shaozhen , Gao Shuyu 
Published: October 2022

SummaryIn order to improve the co‐working performance between the core concrete and steel tube for large‐section rectangular concrete‐filled steel tubular (LSCFT) columns when a vertical load is directly applied to the steel tube, a distributive beam is proposed as a load transferring measure. Four scaled LSCFT column specimens with different details were tested under axial compression to investigate the mechanical behavior and load transferring mechanism of the LSCFT columns with a distributive beam. The experimental results indicated that the bearing capacity of the LSCFT columns without a distributive beam was close to the yield capacity of the steel tube and the load shared by the core concrete was negligible. In contrast, the specimen with a distributive beam and inner stiffeners could bear a much higher load. In addition, refined nonlinear finite element models were developed to further analyze the load‐transferring mechanism of LSCFT columns with different details. The numerical results showed that the ultimate load of the specimen with a distributive beam and inner stiffeners was much closer to the theoretical value calculated from Chinese code CECS159:2004. Setting a distributive beam and inner stiffeners simultaneously in LSCFT columns could ensure the cooperation between the core concrete and steel tube.