bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transition Metal Nanoparticles‐Catalyzed Organic Reactions within Porous Organic Cages
Authors: Xu Miao , Yang Fanzhi 
Published: April 2022

AbstractTransition metal catalysis has played an important role in modern organic chemistry. In order to develop highly efficient and sustainable methodologies, considerable efforts have been devoted to combining the benefits of homogeneous catalysis and heterogeneous catalysis. Porous organic cages (POCs) are a relatively new type of discrete molecules with permanent cavities and good solubilities. These intrinsic properties make POCs expedient catalyst support for the homogenization of heterogeneous transition metal nanoparticles (MNPs). This review mainly focuses on the recent progress of MNPs‐catalyzed reductions and coupling reactions within POCs. In most cases, the MNPs@POC complexes have exhibited outstanding reactivity, dispersibility, stability, and reusability. These pioneering contributions have enriched the methodology toolbox for advanced organic synthesis.
Convective Heat Transfer from a Porous Semi‐Circular Obstacle Attached to a Channel Wall
Authors: Kaur Rajvinder , Sharma Sapna , Chandra Avinash 
Published: April 2022

AbstractTwo‐dimensional forced convection heat transfer from a heated porous semi‐circular obstacle attached to the adiabatic channel wall is numerically studied in the laminar and steady flow regime. The fluid is assumed to be Newtonian and incompressible. The aggregate influences of the chosen ranges of Prandtl number (Pr), Darcy number (Da), porosity (ε), Reynolds number (Re), and the blockage ratio (β) of the channel are explored. The Darcy‐Brinkman‐Forchheimer model is implemented to tackle the flow through the porous obstacle and the obtained governing equations are solved by FEM‐based COMSOL Multiphysics. The complex thermal field is illustrated through the isotherm contours, local and average Nusselt number. The front part of the obstacle contributes to the maximum heat transfer. Pr, Re, and the blockage ratio have a positive impact on heat transfer at a small value of Da.
Removal of Phenol from Water in the Presence of NaCl in Undivided Cells Equipped with Carbon Felt or Ni Cathodes: Effect of Air Pressure
Authors: Hao Yongyong , Ma Hongrui , Proietto Federica , Prestigiacomo Claudia , Ma Pengfei , Galia Alessandro , Scialdone Onofrio 
Published: April 2022

AbstractRecently, the electrochemical treatment of wastewater polluted by recalcitrant organics and containing chlorides was shown to be significantly improved adopting proper operative conditions such as suitable anodes and cathodes and low current density. In particular, the use of suitable cathodes such as carbon felt or silver could increase the removal of TOC and reduce the formation of chlorinated by‐products. In this study, attention was focused on the utilization of carbon felt cathodes with the main aim to evaluate the effect of air pressure on the process using phenol as model organic pollutant. It was shown that, in the presence of carbon felt cathode, the use of pressurized air allows both to increase the removal of TOC and to reduce the formation of chlorate. Moreover, the effect of the nature of the anode and of the presence of FeSO4, in order to study the involvement of electro‐Fenton process, was evaluated.
Resolution of left atrial appendage thrombi: No difference between phenprocoumon and non‐vitamin K‐dependent oral antagonists
Authors: Biller Katharina , Biller Benedikt , Findeisen Hannes , Eckardt Lars , Wedekind Horst 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundAtrial fibrillation is the most important risk factor for left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombi, a potentially life‐threatening condition. Thrombus resolution may prevent embolic events and allow rhythm‐control strategies, which have been shown to reduce cardiovascular complications.HypothesisThere is no significant difference between phenprocoumon and non‐Vitamin K‐dependent oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in the resolution of LAA‐thrombi in a real‐world setting.MethodsConsecutive patients with LAA‐thrombi from June 2013 to June 2017 were included in an observational single‐center analysis. The primary endpoint was defined as the resolution of the thrombus. The observational period was 1 year. Resolutions rates in patients on phenprocoumon or NOACs were compared and the time to resolution was analyzed.ResultsWe identified 114 patients with LAA‐thrombi. There was no significant difference in the efficacy of resolution between phenprocoumon and NOACs (p = .499) at the time of first control which took place after a mean of 58 ± 42.2 (median 48) days. At first control most thrombi were dissolved (74.6%). The analysis after set‐time intervals revealed a resolution rate of 2/3 of LAA‐thrombi after 8–10 weeks in the phenprocoumon and NOAC groups. After 12 weeks a higher number of thrombi had resolved in the presence of NOAC (89.3%) whereas in the presence of phenprocoumon 68.3% had resolved (p = .046).ConclusionIn this large observational study NOACs were found to be potent drugs for the resolution of LAA‐thrombi. In addition, the resolution of LAA‐thrombi was found to be faster in the presence of NOAC as compared to phenprocoumon.
Cu−NPs@C Nanosheets Derived from a PVP‐assisted 2D Cu‐MOF with Renewable Ligand for High‐Efficient Selective Hydrogenation of 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural
Authors: Bao Liwei , Yang Shan‐Qing , Hu Tong‐Liang 
Published: April 2022

Abstract5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) containing C=O, C−O, and furan ring functional groups is an important platform chemical derived from C6 sugars. The selective hydrogenation of C=O in HMF produces 2,5‐dihydroxymethylfuran (DHMF), which is a potential sustainable substitute for petroleum‐based building blocks. Here, 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid (H2FDC), a promising sustainable alternative to terephthalic acid, was employed as a renewable ligand to synthesize a novel Cu metal‐organic framework (Cu‐FDC). With a polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP)‐assisted approach, 2D Cu‐FDC nano‐lamellae of micrometer lateral dimensions and nanometer thickness could be obtained, which could be used as a precursor to fabricate 2D oxygen‐rich carbon nanosheets embedded with Cu nanoparticles (denoted CFP‐300) after a thermal treatment at 300 °C under N2 atmosphere. The synthesized CFP‐300 exhibited excellent catalytic performance and stability for the selective hydrogenation of HMF to DHMF. These results demonstrated a sustainable route to synthesize efficient catalysts by employing metal–organic frameworks based on renewable ligands.
Climate change does not decouple interactions between a central‐place‐foraging predator and its migratory prey
Authors: Gicquel Morgane , East Marion L. , Hofer Heribert , Cubaynes Sarah , Benhaiem Sarah 
Published: April 2022

AbstractLittle is known about potential cascading effects of climate change on the ability of predators to exploit mobile aggregations of prey with a spatiotemporal distribution largely determined by climatic conditions. If predators employ central‐place foraging when rearing offspring, the ability of parents to locate sufficient prey could be reduced by climate change. In the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, migratory species dominate mammalian herbivore biomass. These migratory herds exploit nutrient‐rich vegetation on the southern plains in the rainy season and surface water in the northwest in the dry season. Female spotted hyenas Crocuta crocuta breed throughout the year and use long‐distance central‐place‐foraging “commuting trips” to migratory herds to fuel lactation for ≥12 months. Changes in rainfall patterns that alter prey movements may decrease the ability of mothers to locate profitable foraging areas and thus increase their overall commuting effort, particularly for high‐ranking females that have priority of access to food resources within their clan territory and thus less commuting experience. In hyena clan territories, this may be reflected by a decrease in migratory herd presence and a decrease in the presence of lactating females, as maternal den presence represents the opposite of commuting effort. We investigated the strength of the relationship between rainfall volume, migratory herd presence in three hyena clan territories, and the responses of lactating females to this climate/prey relationship in terms of maternal den presence, using an observation‐based dataset spanning three decades. The probability of migratory herd presence in hyena clan territories increased with the amount of rainfall 2 months earlier, and maternal den presence increased with migratory herd presence. Rainfall volume substantially increased over 30 years, whereas the presence of migratory herds in hyena clans and the strength of the relationship between rainfall and migratory herd presence decreased. Hyenas thus adjusted well to the climate change‐induced decreased the presence of migratory herds in their territories, since maternal den presence did not decrease over 30 years and still matched periods of high prey abundance, irrespective of female social status. These results suggest a high plasticity in the response of this keystone predator to environmental variability.
Evaluating temporal and spatial transferability of a tidal inundation model for foraging waterbirds
Authors: Martinez Marisa T. , Calle Leonardo , Romañach Stephanie S. , Gawlik Dale E. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractFor ecosystem models to be applicable outside their context of development, temporal and spatial transferability must be demonstrated. This presents a challenge for modeling intertidal ecosystems where spatiotemporal variation arises at multiple scales. Models specializing in tidal dynamics are generally inhibited from having wider ecological applications by coarse spatiotemporal resolution or high user competency. The Tidal Inundation Model of Shallow‐water Availability (TiMSA) uniquely simulates tides to empirically derive a time‐integrated measure of availability for a shallow‐water depth range defined by the user. To evaluate temporal and spatiotemporal transferability, we employed TiMSA at the development site in the Florida Keys and at novel subsites in the Florida Bay (application site) under a different time period (application period). We used foraging little blue herons (Egretta caerulea) as the ecological unit with which to constrain the model's “water depth window,” that is, range of water depths to estimate shallow‐water availability. At the development site, temporally consistent water depth windows contrasted with interannual variation in shallow‐water availability, which revealed short‐term changes in Little Blue Heron foraging habitat. At the application site, water depth accuracy varied by subsite and was correlated with spatial error in bathymetric elevation. Although TiMSA parameters were sensitive to environmental temporal variation and uncertainty in spatial data, a spatially explicit water depth window generated reliable estimates of shallow‐water conditions over space and time at the development and application sites. By exploring the contributing factors to model error, we provide solutions to reduce uncertainty of TiMSA parameters at potential application sites and recommendations for addressing bathymetric inaccuracy in digital elevation models. Accurately quantifying spatiotemporal changes of shallow water has implications for monitoring habitat conditions for tidally influenced species and projecting future changes to coastal ecosystems in response to anthropogenic stressors and natural disturbances such as sea level rise.
From genes to landscapes: Pattern formation and self‐regulation in raised bogs with an example from Tierra del Fuego
Authors: Couwenberg John , Baumann Martin , Lamkowski Paul , Joosten Hans 
Published: April 2022

AbstractWe studied a pristine, prominently patterned raised bog in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, to disentangle the complex interactions among plants and water and peat. The studied bog lacks complicating features often posed by other bogs. It is completely dominated by Sphagnum magellanicum, which covers all niches and growth forms, and is joined by only a dozen higher plant species; it is entirely ombrotrophic with very sharp borders to the surrounding fen; it has only one type of peat that shows an only limited range in degree of decomposition; and it is situated in a very even climate with minimal differences in rainfall and temperature over the year. We present detailed measurements along a 498‐m‐long transect crossing the bog, including water table measurements (n = 498), contiguous vegetation relevés (n = 248), hydraulic conductivity just below the water table (n = 246), and hydraulic conductivity in 11 depth profiles (n = 291); degree of humification of the corresponding peat was assessed in conjunction with the hydraulic conductivity measurements (n = 537). Sphagnum magellanicum moss samples were collected every 2 m along this transect as well and genotyped (n = 242). In addition, along short, 26‐m‐long transects crossing strings and flarks water table and hydraulic conductivity just below the water table were measured every meter. Sphagnum growth forms were assessed, and the vegetation of the entire bog was mapped in 10 × 10‐m relevés (n = 3322). A simulation model was applied to a generalized shape of the bog and produced surface patterns that well matched those seen in the field. The results were integrated with information from the literature and discussed in the framework of a self‐regulating and self‐organizing raised bog. We identified 19 hydrological feedback mechanisms. We found that the various mechanisms overlap in both space and time, which means there is redundancy in the self‐regulation of the system. Raised bogs, when in a natural state, are among the most resilient ecosystems known; resilience that is provided by feedbacks and backup systems to these feedbacks.
On the clinical acceptance of black‐box systems for EEG seizure prediction
Authors: Pinto Mauro. F. , Leal Adriana , Lopes Fábio , Pais José , Dourado António , Sales Francisco , Martins Pedro , Teixeira César A. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractSeizure prediction may be the solution for epileptic patients whose drugs and surgery do not control seizures. Despite 46 years of research, few devices/systems underwent clinical trials and/or are commercialized, where the most recent state‐of‐the‐art approaches, as neural networks models, are not used to their full potential. The latter demonstrates the existence of social barriers to new methodologies due to data bias, patient safety, and legislation compliance. In the form of literature review, we performed a qualitative study to analyze the seizure prediction ecosystem to find these social barriers. With the Grounded Theory, we draw hypotheses from data, while with the Actor‐Network Theory we considered that technology shapes social configurations and interests, being fundamental in healthcare. We obtained a social network that describes the ecosystem and propose research guidelines aiming at clinical acceptance. Our most relevant conclusion is the need for model explainability, but not necessarily intrinsically interpretable models, for the case of seizure prediction. Accordingly, we argue that it is possible to develop robust prediction models, including black‐box systems to some extent, while avoiding data bias, ensuring patient safety, and still complying with legislation, if they can deliver human‐ comprehensible explanations. Due to skepticism and patient safety reasons, many authors advocate the use of transparent models which may limit their performance and potential. Our study highlights a possible path, by using model explainability, on how to overcome these barriers while allowing the use of more computationally robust models.
The effect of cationic surfactants on bitumen's viscosity and asphaltene nanostructure under thermal partial upgrading
Authors: Abdrabou Moataz K. , Han Xue , Zheng Ying , Zeng Yimin , Rohani Sohrab 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBitumen extracted from oil sands is a highly viscous fluid; thus, its transportation via pipelines in its original form resembles a major challenge. Partial upgrading is a recently proposed approach that aims to reduce bitumen's viscosity to meet the pipeline specifications. To optimize the process and make it more cost‐effective, a novel approach is proposed and researched in this study. Ionic surfactants were for the first time employed to promote thermal cracking reactions and dispersion of asphaltenes in bitumen at elevated upgrading temperatures. Three surfactants representing the cationic, nonionic, and anionic charges were studied at the thermal upgrading conditions (360–400◦C) at their optimal addition ratios to mimic the bitumen partial upgrading conditions. The results demonstrated that the cationic surfactant (dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide, DTAB) surpassed the other two surfactants and that with the addition of only 0.25 wt% of it, it can effectively reduce the viscosity of bitumen by up to 60% more than the upgraded bitumen with no additives under the same upgrading temperature. The Saturates, Aromatics, Resins, and Asphaltene analysis revealed that the contents of saturates and aromatics within the upgraded bitumen were also enhanced when DTAB was added. Moreover, the detailed asphaltene nanostructural analysis using X‐ray diffraction, high‐resolution transmission electron microscope, and thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the addition of the cationic surfactant (DTAB) resulted in an increased asphaltene nanostructural disorder, smaller polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons size, and increased fringe curvature, as compared with the upgraded bitumen's asphaltene with no surfactants. Hence, the results have suggested that DTAB, a cheap and readily available ionic surfactant, can serve as a potential upgrading additive for designing partial upgrading procedures to produce upgraded bitumen with much less viscosity at lower upgrading temperatures. This upgrading technique will result in an upgraded bitumen that requires significantly reduced volumes of diluent for transportation.
Determination of coal pillar width for gob‐side entry driving in isolated coal face and its control in deep soft‐broken coal seam: A case study
Authors: Wang En , Xie Shengrong 
Published: April 2022

AbstractLarge deformation control of surrounding rock in deep soft‐broken coal roadway has always been a key scientific and technological problem restricting the deep coal resources exploitation. Taking the gob‐side entry driving (GED) in isolated coal face under deep soft‐broken coal as research object, the prominent difficulties of surrounding rock control were clarified. Through numerical simulation, the evolution laws of deviatoric stress and plastic zone of GED under different coal pillar widths were studied. Combined with rational calculation, reasonable coal pillar width was determined to be 7.0 m. The study shows that severe disturbance distance in the front section of the coal face is 22 m, and makes it clear that coal pillar and roof are the key control areas. A subregional asymmetric combined support technology named anchor cable truss in roof and coal pillar + anchor cable in solid coal + single prop reinforced support in 25 m ahead of the coal face was proposed. The field application and ground pressure observation results show that good control effect has been achieved after adopting subregional asymmetric support technology under 7 m coal pillar width. The research results have important reference significance for safe mining in deep coal resources.
Exceptional point protected robust on‐chip optical logic gates
Authors: Yang Song‐Rui , Zhang Xu‐Lin , Sun Hong‐Bo 
Published: April 2022

AbstractOptical logic gates are crucial components for information processing and communication using photons. Current optical logic gates typically rely on the light interference principle which requires an accurate manipulation of the dynamical phase of light, making the device quite sensitive to system disturbances such as fabrication errors. Here we introduce non‐Hermitian principles into the design of optical logic gates that work in the signal transmission process. We propose an exclusive‐or gate for silicon‐on‐insulator platform by employing the physics in the exceptional point (EP) encirclement process. The EP induced mode switching behavior is applied to manipulate the phase of light which is topologically protected by the energy surface around the EP. As a result, the performance of the device is found to be extremely robust to structural parameter disturbances. The proposed non‐Hermitian principle is expected to find applications for other on‐chip photonic devices toward high robust performance.
Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of novel heteropolysaccharide isolated from Lobularia maritima on CCl4‐induced liver injury in rats
Authors: Ben Hsouna Anis , Hfaiedh Mbarka , Ben Slima Sirine , Romdhane Walid Ben , Akacha Boutheina Ben , Bouterra Mohamed Taieb , Dhifi Wissal , Mnif Wissem , Brini Faical , Ben Saad Rania , Ben Salah Riadh 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to investigate the extraction and the characterization of a novel heteropolysaccharide from Tunisian halophyte Lobularia maritima (LmPS). We were also interested in its antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced liver injury in rats. LmPS physicochemical properties were evaluated by thin‐layer chromatography (TLC), high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and UV absorption. According to TLC and HPLC results, LmPS was a heteropolysaccharide composed of glucose, galactose, and xylose. Its molecular weight was 130.62 kDa. This heteropolysaccharide was characterized by a significant antioxidant potential and was efficient against oxidative stress and CCL4‐induced hepatotoxicity in rat Wistar models (n = 8) treated with a single dose of LmPS 250 mg/kg of body weight. This was evidenced by a significant increase in serum marker enzymes specially aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The cytokines released after stimulation of rats with LmPS showed high anti‐inflammatory profiles with an increased rate of interleukine‐10 (IL‐10) with 0.03 pg/mL compared to animals treated only with CCl4. On the contrary, we noticed a decrease of the other cytokines (tumor necrosis factor α: TNF‐α, interleukine‐6: IL‐6, transforming growth factor beta 1: TGF‐β1) with average concentration values of <0.2, 0.1, and 0.04 pg/mL, respectively. Besides, histopathological examinations revealed that CCl4 causes acute liver damage, characterized by extensive hepatocellular necrosis, vacuolization, and inflammatory cell infiltration, as well as DNA fragmentation. LmPS administration at a dose of 250 mg/kg resulted in a significant hepatoprotection, evidenced by a reduction of CCl4‐induced oxidative damage for all tested markers. These findings eagerly confirmed that LmPS was effective in the protection against CCl4‐induced hepatotoxicity and genotoxicity. It, therefore, suggested a potential therapeutic use of this polysaccharide as an alternative medicine for patients with acute liver diseases.