bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polypropylene Glycol‐Modified Anode Interface for High‐Performance Perovskite Solar Cells†
Authors: Wu Fei , Yan Kangrong , Wu Haotian , Guo Yuanhang , Shan Shiqi , Chen Tianyi , Fu Weifei , Zuo Lijian , Chen Hongzheng 
Published: August 2022

Comprehensive SummaryThe surface properties and chemical interactions are critical for perovskite solar cells (PVSCs). In this work, we show that the polypropylene glycol (PPG) can simultaneously passivate the NiOx surface and grain boundaries of perovskite films, allowing more efficient charge transfer at the anode interface and reducing the recombination of PVSCs. As a result, the open‐circuit voltage (Voc) of MAPbI3 based inverted PVSCs increases from 1.087 V to 1.127 V, and the short‐circuit current density (Jsc) is increased from 20.87 mA·cm–2 to 22.32 mA·cm–2, thereby realizing the improvement of the device power conversion efficiency (PCE) from 18.34% to 20.12%. Moreover, the steady‐state output of the PVSCs is remarkably improved by incorporating PPG. Further analysis of surface properties suggests that part of the PPG at the interface can permeate into the precursor solution with the help of DMF solvent and remain in the perovskite layer to form a concentration gradient. The ether bond of PPG and the uncoordinated Pb2+ in the perovskite are coordinated to achieve passivation effects and improve device performance. Our work provides a rational strategy for the preparation of high‐performance PVSCs.
Automatic liver tumor segmentation and identification using fully connected convolutional neural network from CT images
Authors: Vadlamudi Sree Harsha , Sai Souhith Reddy Yerrabapu , Ajith Sai Kumar Reddy Polu , Periasamy Prakasam , Vali Mohamad Noor Mohammed 
Published: August 2022

SummaryIn recent years, one of the largest causes of death in human beings is liver tumor and cancer. In the current scenario, identifying the cancer tumor manually is very difficult and takes a lot of time as the world is battling with COVID‐19. The doctors and physicians are busy in serving and curing them. To predict the stage of liver tumor and plan the treatment, the segmentation is done from CT scanned images. In this research, two‐stage automatic liver segmentation and tumor identification framework using a fully connected convolutional neural network (FC‐CNN) model is proposed. During the first stage, the liver region is segmented using level set method from the preprocessed (OTSU thresholding) CT images. The features are extracted and utilized to detect the liver tumor in the second stage. The developed FC‐CNN is trained and tested using the extracted second order statistical textural features to classify the tumor affected and normal image. The proposed FC‐CNN model is trained and tested with 3D‐IRCADb‐01 and Kaggle datasets. The tested results prove that the proposed FC‐CNN model outperforms other reported methods. From the performance analysis, it is observed that it achieves a good accuracy and sensitivity rate of 99.11% and 98.10%, respectively.
Structural Consequences of N‐Methylation of N‐Terminus in Oligourea Foldamers
Authors: Gupta Naveen , Wilczek Marcin , Dobrzycki Lukasz , Pulka‐Ziach Karolina 
Published: August 2022

AbstractOligourea foldamers fold into 2.5‐helices. Most of the known modifications of the backbone, such as NH or CO group substitutions or incorporations of non‐canonical residues, do not change the conformational properties of the resulting oligourea oligomers. In this study, we examined the structural influence of the methyl group, substituting NH protons in one or two residues at the N‐terminus of the foldamer. Such N‐methylated oligoureas appear to be helically folded with helix parameters determined from the crystal structure being almost the same as for non‐methylated oligomers. Solution studies (CD, NMR) reveal that the backbone with N‐Me urea groups is more flexible, but the urea group is still predominantly in trans,trans conformation. N‐Methylation does not change the structural properties of oligourea foldamers, and thus may be a useful modification for modulating the strength of hydrogen bonds and intermolecular interactions.
Hydroxy‐Modified Hierarchical Porous Na‐CoOx/CN Material for Low‐Concentration High‐Throughput Formaldehyde Oxidation at Room Temperature
Authors: Wang Xi , Jiang Tingting , Chen Jiazhi , Zhang Junjie , Mai Yuliang 
Published: August 2022

AbstractEngineering the pore structure and surface properties of the catalyst are the key to realizing the highly efficient conversion of low‐concentration and high‐throughput formaldehyde at room temperature. Herein, alkali‐modified hierarchical porous Na‐CoOx/CN material was prepared using a novel freeze‐drying‐pyrolysis method by employing super absorbent resin/MOF composites as templates, which generate mesopores distributed in a narrow region of 6∼20 nm and abundant hydroxyl groups on the surface by alkali‐modification. At room temperature, the Na‐CoOx/CN material exhibited full conversion of low concentration (1.0 mg/m3) and high throughput (240,000 mL/(gcat h)) formaldehyde while also demonstrating outstanding catalytic stability under a even higher space velocity (480,000 mL/(gcat h)). In situ DRIFTS characterization revealed that the hydroxyl groups on the catalyst‘s surface could be consumed by oxidizing formaldehyde to intermediate species (carbonate, hydrocarbonate), which were then regenerated by Na+ and CO32−, contributing to the cycle of the reaction path.
Genetic diversity and interaction between the maintainers of commercial soybean cultivars using self‐organizing maps
Authors: da Costa Weverton Gomes , Valadares Cristiane Botelho , da Silva Júnior Antônio Carlos , Arcanjo Edilaine Silva , de Almeida Helaine Claire Ferreira , Cruz Cosme Damião , Carvalho Ivan Ricardo , da Silva José Antônio Gonzalez , Azevedo Camila Ferreira , Nascimento Moysés , Nascimento Ana Carolina Campana 
Published: August 2022

AbstractInformation on the genetic diversity of commercial cultivars is of fundamental importance for crop improvement. In addition, information about possible interactions between the maintainers developing these cultivars can help design a breeding program. The objective of this work was to study the genetic diversity of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivars released in Brazil from 1998 to 2017 and compare the similarity between maintainers of these cultivars based on the phenotypic information disclosed. Data was collected on 1,587 soybean cultivars registered in the National Register of Cultivars of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply belonging to 59 different maintainers. Among these cultivars, 12 agromorphological traits were evaluated. To perform the grouping and select the main discriminating traits of the cultivars, the Random Forest method was used. Multiple correspondence analysis was performed to obtain the variance explanation percentage of the traits evaluated in each dimension and coordinates among the maintainers. The maintainers were organized through Kohonen self‐organizing map (SOM) through the respective coordinates. There is a wide variety of maintainers of soybean cultivars in Brazil with different objectives for launching new cultivars. Among the maintainers, Soymax presented the most restricted genetic base. The other private companies showed more remarkable similarities and a broader genetic base. The public institution EMBRAPA presented the greatest genetic diversity in its population base. Federal University of Uberlândia and Federal University of Viçosa can be partners to launch soybean cultivars given the proximity between neurons in Kohonen analysis. The high diversity of traits shows that the genetic base of soybean in Brazil is large.
Wormhole attack mitigation strategies and their impact on wireless sensor network performance: A literature survey
Authors: Shahid Hafsa , Ashraf Humaira , Ullah Ata , Band Shahab S. , Elnaffar Said 
Published: August 2022

SummaryWireless sensor networks (WSNs) consist of hundreds of small sensors that collect and report data. During data sharing, these WSNs become vulnerable to numerous security threats, including the deadly ones. Mitigating this risk is a real challenge, especially in a low‐resource environment such as a WSN. In this work, using a systematic literature review, we surveyed a large body of research (28 studies) that focused on mitigating wormhole security attacks. Through this study, we evaluate the impact of many proposed security schemes and their impact on the WSN's performance. We compare schemes for effectiveness and pinpoint the limitations. We also analyze the various parameters and metrics used in them and highlight the open research challenges in the field.
Urinary excretion profile of prednisolone and prednisone after rectal administration: Significance in antidoping analysis
Authors: Iannella Loredana , Comunità Fabio , Botrè Francesco , Colamonici Cristiana , Curcio Davide , de la Torre Xavier , Mazzarino Monica 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe rectal administration of glucocorticoids, as well as any injectable, and oral ones, is currently prohibited by the World Anti‐Doping Agency when occurs “in competition.” A reporting level of 100 ng/ml for prednisolone and 300 ng/ml for prednisone was established to discriminate the allowed and the prohibited administration. Here, the urinary excretion profiles of prednisone and prednisolone were evaluated in five volunteers in therapy with glucocorticoid‐based rectal formulations containing prednisone or prednisolone caproate. The urinary levels of the excreted target compounds were determined by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) following the procedure validated and currently in use in our laboratory to detect and quantitate glucocorticoids in urine. Predictably, the excretion trend of the analytes of interest were generally comparable with those obtained after oral administration, even if the excretion profile showed a broad interindividual variability, with the absorption rate and the systemic bioavailability after rectal administration being strongly influenced by the type of formulations (suppository or rectal cream, in our case) as well as the physiological conditions of the absorption area. Results showed that the target compounds were detectable for at least 30 h after drug administration. After suppository administration, prednisolone levels reached the maximum after 3 h from drug administration and then dropped below the reporting level after 15–21 h; prednisone reached the maximum after 3 h from drug administration, and then dropped below the reporting level after 12–15 h. After cream administration, both prednisone and prednisolone levels remained in a concentration below the reporting level throughout the entire monitored period.
Disease and weather induce rapid shifts in a rangeland ecosystem mediated by a keystone species (Cynomys ludovicianus)
Authors: Duchardt Courtney J. , Augustine David J. , Porensky Lauren M. , Beck Jeffrey L. , Hennig Jacob D. , Pellatz David W. , Scasta J. Derek , Connell Lauren C. , Davidson Ana D. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractHabitat loss and changing climate have direct impacts on native species but can also interact with disease pathogens to influence wildlife communities. In the North American Great Plains, black‐tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) are a keystone species that create important grassland habitat for numerous species and serve as prey for predators, but lethal control driven by agricultural conflict has severely reduced their abundance. Novel disease dynamics caused by epizootic plague (Yersinia pestis) within prairie dog colonies have further reduced prairie dog abundances, in turn destabilizing associated wildlife communities. We capitalized on a natural experiment, collecting data on prairie dog distributions, vegetation structure, avian abundance, and mesocarnivore and ungulate occupancy before (2015–2017) and after (2018–2019) a plague event in northeastern Wyoming, USA. Plague decimated black‐tailed prairie dog populations in what was then the largest extant colony complex, reducing colony cover in the focal area from more than 10,000 ha to less than 50 ha. We documented dramatic declines in mesocarnivore occupancy and raptor abundance post‐plague, with probability of occupancy or abundance approaching zero in species that rely on prairie dogs for a high proportion of their diet (e.g., ferruginous hawk [Buteo regalis], American badger [Taxidea taxus], and swift fox [Vulpes velox]). Following the plague outbreak, abnormally high precipitation in 2018 hastened vegetation recovery from prairie dog disturbance on colonies in which constant herbivory had formerly maintained shortgrass structure necessary for certain colony‐associates. As a result, we observed large shifts in avian communities on former prairie dog colonies, including near‐disappearance of mountain plovers (Charadrius montanus) and increases in mid‐grass associated songbirds (e.g., lark bunting [Calamospiza melanocorys]). Our research highlights how precipitation can interact with disease‐induced loss of a keystone species to induce drastic and rapid shifts in wildlife communities. Although grassland taxa have co‐evolved with high spatiotemporal variation, fragmentation of the remaining North American rangelands paired with higher‐than‐historical variability in climate and disease dynamics are likely to destabilize these systems in the future.
A retrospective cohort study examining health care utilization patterns in individuals diagnosed with an eating disorder in childhood and/or adolescence
Authors: Couturier Jennifer , Gayowsky Anastasia , Findlay Sheri , Webb Cheryl , Sami Sadaf , Chan Anthony K. C. , Chanchlani Rahul , Kurdyak Paul 
Published: August 2022

AbstractObjectiveThis study examined a 2‐year period following an eating disorder (ED) diagnosis in order to determine patterns of health care utilization.MethodWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of children (n = 1560) diagnosed with an ED between 2000 and 2017. The ED diagnosis was made at a tertiary level hospital for children and adolescents presenting for outpatient assessment by specialist adolescent medicine physicians and recorded in a program database over this period of time. We then created three sex‐ and age‐matched comparison cohorts using provincial health administrative databases including: a general population cohort, a diabetes cohort (to compare nonmental health care utilization) and a mood disorder cohort (to compare mental health care utilization). Outcomes included hospitalizations, emergency department visits, as well as general practitioner, psychiatrist, and pediatrician visits. Odds ratios (dichotomous outcomes) and rate ratios (continuous outcomes) were calculated.ResultsCompared to the general population cohort, the ED cohort had higher odds and rates of all types of health care utilization. Compared to the diabetes cohort, the ED cohort had higher odds of nonmental health‐related admissions (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.09–1.95) and higher rates of nonmental health‐related emergency department visits (RR 1.59, 95% CI 1.18–2.13). Compared to the mood disorder cohort, the ED cohort had higher rates of pediatrician visits, which were mental health‐related (RR 14.88, 95% CI 10.64–20.82), however most other types of mental health service utilization were lower.DiscussionThese patterns indicate that the service needs of young people diagnosed with EDs are higher than those with diabetes with respect to nonmental health admissions and emergency department visits, while in terms of mental health service utilization, there appears to be a lack of use of mental health services compared to youth with mood disorders with the exception of pediatrician mental health visits. These findings must be interpreted in the context of under‐detection and under‐treatment of EDs.Public Significance StatementOur study found that the health service needs of young people with EDs are higher than those with diabetes with respect to admissions and emergency department visits, while there appears to be a lack of use of mental health services compared to youth with mood disorders with the exception of pediatrician mental health visits.
Rapid elevational shifts of Switzerland's avifauna and associated species traits
Authors: Hallman Tyler A. , Guélat Jérôme , Antoniazza Sylvain , Kéry Marc , Sattler Thomas 
Published: August 2022

AbstractGlobal change in climate and land use has profound effects on species' geographic and elevational distributions. In European birds, while species are predicted to track their climatic niches upslope, lowland agricultural intensification and high‐elevation land abandonment can drive elevational shifts. Species traits that can predict response to change in climate and land use can inform conservation, but a thorough examination of their relationships with elevational shifts in European birds is lacking. We estimate the change in the elevational distributions of 71 species from 1996 to 2016 in a region of the western Palearctic with wide elevational gradients (approximately 3000 m) and large changes in temperature. We model the relationships between elevational shifts and species traits associated with resource preference and adaptive capacity at five reference points including the cool edge, warm edge, and the core of species' elevational distributions. When intermediate reference points were removed, changes to the results were negligible, indicating that three reference points are likely sufficient. We found significant upslope and downslope shifts in 56% and 23% of our study species, respectively. Asymmetric rates of shifts in the cool and warm edges caused significant contractions in elevational extent in 30% of our study species. The effect of elevational preference (i.e., midpoint elevation) was habitat dependent. Movement in alpine birds was unidirectionally upslope, with nearly half displaying significant or apparent elevational range contractions. In woodland birds, asymmetries of shifts in reference points led to expansions in extent in low‐elevation species and contractions in high‐elevation species. Generally, migrants, species with smaller mass, smaller relative brain size, smaller hand‐wing index, and generalists in diet, habitat, and elevation had greater upslope shifts. While elevational shifts in European birds were heterogenous and species‐specific, many were rapid, and species traits associated with resource preference and adaptive capacity were associated with common patterns of elevation.
Sacubitril/valsartan in heart failure: efficacy and safety in and outside clinical trials
Authors: Abdin Amr , Schulz Martin , Riemer Uwe , Hadëri Bledar , Wachter Rolf , Laufs Ulrich , Bauersachs Johann , Kindermann Ingrid , Vukadinović Davor , Böhm Michael 
Published: August 2022

AbstractHeart failure (HF) treatment has changed substantially over the last 30 years, leading to significant reductions in mortality and hospital admissions in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Currently, the optimization of guideline‐directed chronic HF therapy remains the mainstay to further improve quality of life, mortality, and HF hospitalizations for patients with HFrEF. The angiotensin receptor‐neprilysin inhibitor sacubitril/valsartan (S/V) has an important role in the treatment of patients with HFrEF. The PARADIGM‐HF (Prospective Comparison of ARNI with ACEI to Determine Impact on Global Mortality and Morbidity in Heart Failure) randomized controlled trial has established solid evidence for the treatment of HFrEF in various subgroups. Apart from HFrEF, several studies have been conducted using S/V in various indications: patients hospitalized with acute decompensated HF, HF with preserved ejection fraction, acute myocardial infarction with reduced ejection fraction, uncontrolled and resistant hypertension, and chronic kidney disease. Data from the German Institute for Drug Use Evaluation reveal that implementation of S/V has increased steadily over time and, by the end of 2021, an estimated 266 000 patients were treated with S/V in Germany. The estimated cumulative real‐world patient exposure is >5.5 million patient‐treatment years worldwide. The number of patients treated with S/V largely exceeds the number of patients treated in clinical trials, and the current indication for S/V is larger than the strict inclusion/exclusion criteria of the randomized trials. Especially elderly patients, women, and patients with more and more severe comorbidities are underrepresented in the clinical trials. We therefore aimed to summarize the importance of S/V in HF in terms of efficacy and safety in clinical trials and daily clinical practice.
Low‐gradient magnetic separation of magnetic nanoparticles under continuous flow: Experimental study, transport mechanism and mathematical modelling
Authors: Tan Yee Win , Leong Sim Siong , Lim JitKang , Yeoh Wei Ming , Toh Pey Yi 
Published: August 2022

AbstractLow‐gradient magnetic separation (LGMS) of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) has been proven as one of the techniques with great potential for biomedical and environmental applications. Recently, the underlying principle of particle capture by LGMS, through a process known as magnetophoresis, under the influence of hydrodynamic effect has been widely studied and illustrated. Even though the hydrodynamic effect is very substantial for batch processes, its impact on LGMS operated at continuous flow (CF) condition remained largely unknown. Hence, in this study, the dynamical behaviour of LGMS process operated under CF was being studied. First, the LGMS experiments using poly(sodium 4‐styrenesulfonate)‐functionalized‐MNP as modelled particle system were performed through batchwise (BW) and CF modes at different operating conditions. Here BW operation was used as a comparative study to elucidate the transport mechanism of MNP under the similar environment of CF‐LGMS process, and it was found out that the convection induced by magnetophoresis (timescale effective is ∼1200 s) is only significant at far‐from‐magnet region. Hence, it can be deduced that forced convection is more dominant on influencing the transport behaviour of CF‐LGMS (with resident time ≤240 s). Moreover, we found that the separation efficiency of CF‐LGMS process can be boosted by the higher number of magnets, the higher MNP concentration and the lower flowrate of MNP solution. To better illustrate the underlying dynamical behaviour of LGMS process, a mathematical model was developed to predict its kinetic profile and separation efficiency (with average error of ∼2.6% compared to the experimental results).
High‐entropy oxide: A future anode contender for lithium‐ion battery
Authors: Liu Xuefeng , Li Xuke , Li Yage , Zhang Haijun , Jia Quanli , Zhang Shaowei , Lei Wen 
Published: August 2022

AbstractRevolutionary changes in energy storage technology have put forward higher requirements on next‐generation anode materials for lithium‐ion battery. Recently, a new class of materials with complex stoichiometric ratios, high‐entropy oxide (HEO), has gradually emerging into sight and embracing the prosperity. The ideal elemental adjustability and attractive synergistic effect make HEO promising to break through the integrated performance bottleneck of conventional anodes and provide new impetus for the design and development of electrochemical energy storage materials. Here, the research progress of HEO anodes is comprehensively reviewed. The driving force behind phase stability, the role of individual cations, potential mechanisms for controlling properties, as well as state‐of‐the‐art synthetic strategies and modification approaches are critically evaluated. Finally, we envision the future prospects and related challenges in this field, which will bring some enlightening guidance and criteria for researchers to further unlock the mysteries of HEO anodes.image