bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seasonal patterns in nutrient bioavailability in boreal headwater streams
Authors: Rulli Mayra P. D. , Bergström Ann‐Kristin , Sponseller Ryan A. , Berggren Martin 
Published: March 2022

AbstractChanges in nutrient bioavailability due to increased loading of dissolved organic matter (DOM) may impact boreal freshwaters. Yet, the relative bioavailability of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) associated with terrestrial DOM remains poorly understood. We applied short‐term bioassays with natural bacterial inocula to determine seasonal variation in bioavailable organic nutrient pools from four boreal headwater streams in northern Sweden. Experiments were designed to exhaust bioavailable nutrients associated with DOM by inducing limiting conditions when all required resources except for the targeted nutrient (C, N, or P) are provided in excess. We hypothesized that the supply of different bioavailable nutrients to streams would reflect seasonal variations in terrestrial demand, hydrology, and temperature. The delivery of bioavailable DOM‐associated resources from the four streams were, on average, 2%, 11%, and 38% of the total dissolved organic C, N, and P, respectively, emphasizing the relatively low C bioavailability in these DOM‐rich waters. Bioavailable N : P ratios peaked in autumn for all sites, with lower values in winter and spring. Both in terms of relative (% of total) and absolute bioavailable organic nutrient concentrations, the seasonal pattern was characterized by systematically high values for the autumn period. Furthermore, links between bioavailable resources and temperature and hydrology varied across sites, time periods, and the different elements. Thus, elevated concentrations of bioavailable organic resources in autumn suggest the potential for leaf fall, as well as late season storms that rewet dry soils, to serve as considerable sources of C, N, and P to boreal aquatic ecosystems.
Incident‐Polarization‐Independent Spin Hall Effect of Light Reaching Half Beam Waist
Authors: Kim Minkyung , Lee Dasol , Rho Junsuk 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe spin Hall effect of light (SHEL), a spin‐dependent transverse splitting of light at an optical interface, is intrinsically an incident‐polarization‐sensitive phenomenon. Recently, an approach to eliminate the polarization dependence by equalizing the reflection coefficients of two linear polarizations has been proposed, but is only valid when the beam waist is sufficiently larger than the wavelength. Here, it is demonstrated that an interface, at which the reflection coefficients of the two linear polarizations are the same and so are their derivatives with respect to the incident angle, supports the polarization‐independent spin Hall shift, even when the beam waist is comparable to the wavelength. In addition, an isotropic–anisotropic interface that exhibits the polarization‐independent spin Hall shift over the entire range of incident angles is presented. Monte‐Carlo simulations prove that spin Hall shifts are degenerate under any polarization and reach a half of beam waist under unpolarized incidence. An application of the beam‐waist‐scale SHEL as a tunable beam‐splitting device that is responsive to the incident polarization is suggested. The spin Hall shift that is independent of the incident polarization at any incident angle will facilitate a wide range of applications including practical spin‐dependent devices and active beam splitters.
Recent Progress and Future Opportunities for Hot Carrier Photodetectors: From Ultraviolet to Infrared Bands
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Luo Yu , Maier Stefan A. , Li Xiaofeng 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe hot carriers generated from the nonradiative decay of surface plasmons in metallic nanostructures can inject into the conduction band of a semiconductor, allowing for the sub‐bandgap photodetection under room temperature. By the controllable interfacial barrier height between the plasmonic and semiconductor/insulator materials, the hot carrier photodetectors working from ultraviolet to infrared bands are extensively demonstrated with significant progress. In this review, hot carrier dynamics are briefly discussed from generation, transport, and emission perspectives. The state‐of‐the‐art progress of hot carrier photodetectors with various configurations, material constitutions, and plasmonic nanostructures are surveyed. To further promote hot carrier extraction efficiency toward the practical applications, the thermodynamic loss analysis, and the potential strategies from the optical, electrical, and material perspectives are addressed. The performances of the developed hot carrier photodetectors are also summarized, particularly addressing the novel functionalities, challenges, and future opportunities.
Carbon Nanotubes‐Based 3D Printing Ink for Multifunctional “Artificial Epidermis” with Long‐Term Environmental Stability
Authors: Abodurexiti Ayinuer , Maimaitiyiming Xieraili 
Published: March 2022

Abstract3D printing is a rapidly developing field because it has been widely used in the rapid design and manufacturing of flexible sensors to meet the needs of complex soft structures and devices. In this study, a composite hydrogel ink composed of polyvinyl alcohol, silk fibroin, conductive polymer, and carbon nanotubes is designed,and using 3D printing technology an “artificial epidermis” with long‐term environment stability and self‐healing ability is created. In addition, the “artificial epidermis” also has the multifunctional characteristics of sensing pressure, strain, temperature, and humidity. It has a wide pressure (0–165 kPa), strain (0–355%), temperature (−20–68 °C) and humidity (45–85%) sensing range and high sensitivity. While detecting the tiny movements of the human body, after self‐healing, the device can fully restore its sensing capabilities and perform accurate human monitoring. Furthermore, it can also monitor changes in temperature and humidity, distinguish between hot and cold water, and perform detection of water droplets. Customized 3D printing of flexible electronic devices has opened up new ways for the biological integration of various sensors in wearable electronic systems and the application of advanced bionic skin.
Sustainability and Life Cycle Assessment of Thermoplastic Polymers for Packaging: A Review on Fundamental Principles and Applications
Authors: Banerjee Ritima , Ray Suprakas Sinha 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThis article presents recent developments in the use of life cycle assessment (LCA) for evaluating the sustainability of thermoplastics, including multilayer plastics packaging and comparisons with other packaging materials. Due to increasing environmental awareness, thermoplastics, despite their superior properties, are being increasingly substituted with other materials due to their fossil‐based origin and non‐biodegradability. While the use of biodegradable and bio‐based thermoplastics contributes to overcoming these limitations, there are still challenges associated with the environmental effects of the cultivation phase of agricultural resources and the infrastructure and costs required for composting. Therefore, a quantitative evaluation of the environmental performance of various thermoplastics and their packaging applications over their complete life cycle compared with other conventional materials like paper and glass, using LCA, is imperative for understanding the role of thermoplastics in sustainable development. LCA is also vital for selecting the material, process, and waste management technique best suited for sustainability without compromising the product quality. In summary, the fundamental knowledge of LCA and critical assessment of key literature on LCA of thermoplastic materials and their packaging applications, will provide direction for future advances in the field of sustainable polymeric materials and the socio‐economic aspects of sustainability.
A Smart Anticorrosive Epoxy Coating Based on Environmental‐Stimuli‐Responsive Copolymer Assemblies for Controlled Release of Corrosion Inhibitors
Authors: Cao Ying , He Jianmin , Wu Jianhua , Wang Xiaoyu , Lu Wei , Lin Jingyu , Xu Yiting , Chen Guorong , Zeng Birong , Dai Lizong 
Published: March 2022

AbstractInspired by the various applications of self‐assembled amphiphilic polymers in aqueous solution, a novel “semi‐amphiphilic” copolymer is designed, which can self‐assemble in organic systems by taking advantage of the compatibility difference between epoxy and the units with different structures in the polymer chains. A novel kind of polymer, poly(syringaldehyde methacrylate)‐co‐poly(dopamine methacrylate) is prepared by reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization, which contains aldehyde groups and is further used to prepare the polymer/guanine conjugate by forming the Schiff base. The polymer/guanine conjugate is semi‐amphiphilic, since the compatibility between dopamine methacrylate unit and epoxy is better than that between syringaldehyde methacrylate and epoxy, and therefore assemblies are formed in the organic system when it is added into the epoxy resin to prepare the anti‐corrosive coating. The imine linkage is responsible for the pH‐controlled release of the corrosion inhibiters, namely guanine, from the core of the assemblies. The self‐assembled behaviors of the semi‐amphiphilic copolymer in epoxy are investigated by dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy. The stable encapsule and controlled‐release of the inhibitors are confirmed by UV spectrophotometry. The properties of the smart coatings are comprehensively studied.
An axiomatic characterization of Promethee II's net flow scores based on a combination of direct comparisons and comparisons with third alternatives
Authors: Dejaegere Gilles , Boujelben Mohamed Ayman , De Smet Yves 
Published: March 2022

AbstractPromethee ii is a multi‐criteria decision aid method working as follows: firstly, all alternatives are compared two by two to form a pairwise comparison matrix. Then the net flow score procedure is applied on this matrix to assign a score to each alternative according to which they are ranked. Methods of the Promethee family may suffer from rank reversal occurrences. The legitimacy of methods suffering from this phenomenon has been largely debated in the literature. The aim of this work is to provide a characterization of the Promethee ii net flow scores as a combination between two distinct methods based on different hypotheses. The first one is based on the direct pairwise comparison of the two considered alternatives while the second is based on the comparison with respect to all the other alternatives of the problem. This combination highlights the dependence on third alternatives as an inherent characteristic of the Promethee ii method.
Advances in differential photoacoustic spectroscopy for trace gas detection
Authors: Zhang Le , Liu Lixian , Liu Yanyan , Zhang Xueshi , Huan Huiting , Yin Xukun , Xi Teli , Shao Xiaopeng 
Published: March 2022

AbstractPhotoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS), as a nondestructive method, permits high sensitivity and selectivity in trace gas detection fields. Advances in differential PAS configurations have dramatically suppressed the background noise and triggered the detectivity improvement. A detailed review on the development of differential photoacoustic gas sensors is presented: using two identical cavity differential cells and optical path types provides good performance for coherent noise suppression, and differential mode excitation technique, which evaluates the signal ratios with two frequency excitations, suppresses the common mode noise and signal drifts generated by the light power or the responsivity of the PA system. An overview of the latest developments of the differential PAS sensors is reported. Distinguished results in terms of sensitivity, selectivity, and miniaturization are presented. The advantages and limitations of differential sensors with different photoacoustic sensing technologies are discussed.
Remote dose imaging from Cherenkov light using spatially resolved CT calibration in breast radiotherapy
Authors: Hachadorian Rachael L. , Bruza Petr , Jermyn Michael , Gladstone David J. , Zhang Rongxiao , Jarvis Lesley A. , Pogue Brian W. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractPurposeImaging Cherenkov light during radiotherapy allows the visualization and recording of frame‐by‐frame relative maps of the dose being delivered to the tissue at each control point used throughout treatment, providing one of the most complete real‐time means of treatment quality assurance. In non‐turbid media, the intensity of Cherenkov light is linear with surface dose deposited, however the emission from patient tissue is well‐known to be reduced by absorbing tissue components such as hemoglobin, fat, water, and melanin, and diffused by the scattering components of tissue. Earlier studies have shown that bulk correction could be achieved by using the patient planning computed tomography (CT) scan for attenuation correction.MethodsIn this study, CT maps were used for correction of spatial variations in emissivity. Testing was completed on Cherenkov images from radiotherapy treatments of post‐lumpectomy breast cancer patients (n = 13), combined with spatial renderings of the patient radiodensity (CT number) from their planning CT scan.ResultsThe correction technique was shown to provide a pixel‐by‐pixel correction that suppressed many of the inter‐ and intra‐patient differences in the Cherenkov light emitted per unit dose. This correction was established from a calibration curve that correlated Cherenkov light intensity to surface‐rendered CT number ( and ). The corrected Cherenkov intensity per unit dose standard error was reduced by nearly half (from ∼30% to ∼17%).ConclusionsThis approach provides evidence that the planning CT scan can mitigate some of the tissue‐specific attenuation in Cherenkov images, allowing them to be translated into near surface dose images.
Fiducial marker recovery and detection from severely truncated data in navigation‐assisted spine surgery
Authors: Fan Fuxin , Kreher Björn , Keil Holger , Maier Andreas , Huang Yixing 
Published: March 2022

AbstractPurposeFiducial markers are commonly used in navigation‐assisted minimally invasive spine surgery and they help transfer image coordinates into real‐world coordinates. In practice, these markers might be located outside the field‐of‐view (FOV) of C‐arm cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) systems used in intraoperative surgeries, due to the limited detector sizes. As a consequence, reconstructed markers in CBCT volumes suffer from artifacts and have distorted shapes, which sets an obstacle for navigation.MethodsIn this work, we propose two fiducial marker detection methods: direct detection from distorted markers (direct method) and detection after marker recovery (recovery method). For direct detection from distorted markers in reconstructed volumes, an efficient automatic marker detection method using two neural networks and a conventional circle detection algorithm is proposed. For marker recovery, a task‐specific data preparation strategy is proposed to recover markers from severely truncated data. Afterwards, a conventional marker detection algorithm is applied for position detection. The networks in both methods are trained based on simulated data. For the direct method, 6800 images and 10 000 images are generated, respectively, to train the U‐Net and ResNet50. For the recovery method, the training set includes 1360 images for FBPConvNet and Pix2pixGAN. The simulated data set with 166 markers and four cadaver cases with real fiducials are used for evaluation.ResultsThe two methods are evaluated on simulated data and real cadaver data. The direct method achieves 100% detection rates within 1 mm detection error on simulated data with normal truncation and simulated data with heavier noise, but only detect 94.6% markers in extremely severe truncation case. The recovery method detects all the markers successfully in three test data sets and around 95% markers are detected within 0.5 mm error. For real cadaver data, both methods achieve 100% marker detection rates with mean registration error below 0.2 mm.ConclusionsOur experiments demonstrate that the direct method is capable of detecting distorted markers accurately and the recovery method with the task‐specific data preparation strategy has high robustness and generalizability on various data sets. The task‐specific data preparation is able to reconstruct structures of interest outside the FOV from severely truncated data better than conventional data preparation.
Robust attitude control of a quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicles using optimized disturbance observer
Authors: Jong‐Nam Yun , Yong‐Il Kim , Su‐Yong Paek , Yong‐Sim Ri , Hae‐Yong Kim 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThis article proposes a method of realizing robust attitude stabilization control of a quadrotor UAV using the disturbance observer (DOB), where Q–filter is optimally designed considering performances of attenuating disturbance and estimation noise, and robust stability against parameter variations and sampling duration delay due to discrete time control in microcontroller. Disturbance rejection performance mainly depends on the bandwidth determined by cut‐off frequency of DOB's Q–filter. However, extension of the Q–filter's bandwidth must be restricted due to the requirement of robust stability against parameter uncertainty and sampling duration delay in onboard microcontroller for flight control of quadrotor. In order to optimize the disturbance rejection performance under the restriction of bandwidth, an norm minimization problem is defined considering the frequency bands of disturbance and noise. The optimization problem is transformed into standard control design problem by pseudo loop factorization method so as to resolve the structural constraint of Q–filter. Then, stability of the discrete time system configured by digital controller is tested in relation with the time constant of the designed DOB's Q–filter under different inertia moment values. The comparisons between simulation results by different control methods validate that the robust control method using proposed DOB provides a better performance of disturbance attenuation than that using conventional DOB.
Influence of silver nanoparticles on mechanical, thermal and antibacterial properties of poly (vinyl alcohol)/rice hull powder hybrid biocomposite films
Authors: Ganesh Babu A. , Saravanakumar S. S. , Sai Balaji M. A. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractEarth produces 2.12 billion tons of total wastes annually and nearly 2 million tons of petroleum‐based synthetic polymers each day. The majority of synthetic polymers were obtained by packaging applications. Biodegradable films(biofilms) can be a good alternative for pollution‐creating synthetic polymers. Rice hull powder (RHP) as reinforcing fillers, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as matrix along with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were used to prepare the biofilms. By using the solution casting method, five samples of PVA/RHP (1–5 mM) AgNPs biofilms were fabricated and characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), X‐Ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry beyond testing for their mechanical and antibacterial activities. The small spherical shape elements in the FESEM images clarify the presence of AgNPs. The intensities of observed peaks in the FT‐IR spectrum keep decreasing with the inclusion of AgNPs. The X‐ray diffractogram confirms the strong peaks at 2θ = 38.2°, 49.1°, 60.8°, & 78.3° due to the presence of the AgNPs. The tensile strength and tensile modulus reached a maximum value of 35.5 and 871 MPa respectively. The presence of heat‐stable metallic silver made the biofilms thermally stable up to 371°C and also improved the antibacterial activity exhibited by a better inhibition zone. The improved results clarified that biofilms can be suggested for packaging applications.
The industrial process for virucidal plasma coatings on textiles: From idea to upscaling
Authors: Borek‐Donten J. , Nisol B. , Filimon M. , Lopes M. , Collard D. , Chassaing M. , Cauchie H.‐M. , Heyberger R. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIn the context of the current pandemic, there has been a growing interest in “smart” personal protective equipment and face masks. Current types of face masks rely mostly on mechanical filtration of air‐ or bioaerosol‐borne pathogen agents. Using MPG's proprietary technology, which enables optimized and highly controlled cold atmospheric plasmas, several types of virucidal coatings were successfully deposited on a range of sensitive substrates. The so‐treated material does not act only as a simple “mechanical barrier” to pathogen agents but can effectively prevent cross‐contamination and the spread of pathogens. The additional functional layer offers active, fast virucidal properties while being harmless to the user. This study reports some key aspects in the development toward an industrial solution.
De novo design of membrane transport proteins
Authors: Zhou Chen , Lu Peilong 
Published: March 2022

AbstractMembrane transport proteins, which include transporters and channels, are delicate protein machineries that mediate the exchange of a variety of substances across biomembranes. Accumulated structural and functional knowledge allows for the de novo design of transport proteins with new structures that do not exist in nature. Analysis based on these novel proteins provides new insights into the principles that govern protein assembly, conformational change, and substrate recognition. Here, we review the advances in the de novo design of transporters and channels over recent years and highlight the challenges and opportunities in this field.
Adaptive bipartite consensus of competitive linear multi‐agent systems with asynchronous intermittent communication
Authors: Xu Chengjie , Xu Haichuan , Su Housheng , Liu Chen 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIn this article, bipartite consensus is investigated for linear multi‐agent systems (MASs) via adaptive asynchronous intermittent control. Adaptive asynchronous intermittent bipartite consensus protocols are proposed for MASs with antagonistic links under both fixed and connected switching topologies. By using gauge transformation and stability theory, convergency analysis is given and some conditions of bipartite consensus are obtained. It is turned out that bipartite consensus can be realized if the communication rate is no less than a threshold under the assumption that the network is connected and structurally balanced. Finally, two simulation examples are provided to verify the effectiveness of the obtained results.