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1. Assessment of prediction methods for protein structures determined by NMR in CASP14 : Impact of AlphaFold2

   https://doi.org/10.1002/prot.26246  

   Huang, Yuanpeng Janet; Zhang, Ning; Bersch, Beate; Fidelis, Krzysztof; Inouye, Masayori; Ishida, Yojiro; Kryshtafovych, Andriy; Kobayashi, Naohiro; Kuroda, Yutaka; Liu, Gaohua; et al (December 2021, Proteins: Structure, Function, and Bioinformatics)
2. L eg M uscle A rchitecture in P rimates and I ts C orrelation with L ocomotion P atterns

   https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.23745  

   Marchi, Damiano; Leischner, Carissa L; Pastor, Francisco; Hartstone‐Rose, Adam (March 2018, The Anatomical Record)

   ABSTRACT Bone biomechanical studies indicate that leg bone structure can be related to different locomotor patterns. The osteological correlates of extant primates’ locomotion patterns and substrate use are important to consider when estimating corresponding behaviors of extinct primates. Here, we test if these same patterns are seen in the differences in leg muscular architecture. Muscle mass, fascicle lengths (FL), physiological cross‐sectional area (PCSA), reduced PCSA (RPCSA) and tendon‐to‐muscle belly ratio were studied in 33 primate species (6 strepsirrhines, 14 platyrrhines and 13 catarrhines). Muscles were grouped into toe and ankle flexors and extensors and studied for phylogenetic and functional signals. All variables strongly correlate with body mass: strength variables (mass, PCSA and RPCSA) scale with positive allometry, whereas the speed/stretch measure (FL) trend toward negative allometry. Thus, larger primates are relatively stronger than smaller species, but they have relatively shorter leg muscle fibers than smaller primates. The strongest functional signal emerged when comparing belly‐muscle tendon unit (MTU) length ratio in leaping and non‐leaping primates. Leapers show significantly smaller plantarflexor belly‐MTU ratio. Surprisingly, no significant results reflect a correlation between muscle architecture and substrate and locomotor groups. However, several trends suggest that a larger sample and more fine‐grained defined categories could produce significant results. These results show the complex relation between leg bone biomechanics and muscle architecture and demand for further studies on this topic. Anat Rec, 301:515–527, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 

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3. Experimental evaluation on the synergistic effect of PC / ABS / DGEBA blend in fracture toughness enhancement of CFRP composites at cryogenic temperatures

   https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.27504  

   Jayarajan, Aravind; Krishnan_Kutty_Elsy_Bai, Reby Roy (September 2023, Polymer Composites)

   Abstract The current study confirms that modified carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites have higher fracture toughness than unmodified CFRP composites achieved by exploiting the synergistic effect of a polycarbonate (PC)/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) blend in toughening the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) epoxy resin. The CFRP composite specimens are tested at near cryogenic temperatures using TMA, DMA, and microcrack analysis to determine the best‐suited concentration of ABS in the PC/ABS blend. TMA and DMA results, as well as microcrack analysis at cryogenic temperatures (CT), confirm that the blend 90/10 is effective in reducing the brittle nature of DGEBA resin and increasing bond strength, resulting in the fracture toughness enhancement of CFRP specimens at CT. Further investigation of 90/10 modified CFRP (90/10 m‐CFRP) and unmodified CFRP specimens using Mode II fracture using ENF test and SEM analysis reveal significant reduction in brittle characteristics of matrix with increase in elongation at failure and fracture surface morphologies confirm nano web‐like structures bridging the CF layers, proving to improve fiber/matrix bond strength. This study concludes the effectiveness of hybrid PC/ABS blend in synergistically‐modifying DGEBA resin for improved fracture toughness of CFRP laminates across a wide temperature range (−150°C to 150°C). 

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4. The role of indium composition in In_xGa_1−xN prestrained layer towards optical characteristics of EBL free GaN / InGaN nanowire LEDs for enhanced luminescence

   https://doi.org/10.1002/jnm.3169  

   Das, Samadrita; Lenka, Trupti Ranjan; Talukdar, Fazal Ahmed; Nguyen, Hieu_Pham Trung; Crupi, Giovanni (March 2024, International Journal of Numerical Modelling: Electronic Networks, Devices and Fields)

   Abstract In this work, an electron blocking layer (EBL) free light emitting diode (LED) nanowire is proposed with alternate prestrained layers of In_xGa_1−xN/GaN, which are inserted between the GaN/InGaN multi‐quantum wells (MQWs) and n‐GaN layer. This study signifies the role of prestrained layers on the piezoelectric polarization of LED nanowires, for enhanced luminescence. When compared with the conventional one, the EBL free LED nanowire with prestrained layer shows an enhancement of ~2.897% efficiency, which occurs due to the reduction of polarization field in the active region. The LED with 15% indium in the prestrained layer obtains a maximum efficiency of 85.21% along with a minimum efficiency droop of 3.848% at 40 mA injected current. The proposed III‐nitride LED nanostructure allows for achieving superior optical power across the output spectral range. 

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5. The femora of Drepanosauromorpha ( Reptilia : Diapsida ): Implications for the functional evolution of the thigh of Sauropsida

   https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.25160  

   Pritchard, Adam C.; Irmis, Randall B.; Olori, Jennifer C.; Nesbitt, Sterling J.; Smith, Nathan D.; Stocker, Michelle R.; Turner, Alan H. (February 2023, The Anatomical Record)

   The femora of diapsids have undergone morphological changes related to shifts in postural and locomotor modes, such as the transition from plesiomorphic amniote and diapsid taxa to the apomorphic conditions related to a more erect posture within Archosauriformes. One remarkable clade of Triassic diapsids is the chameleon-like Drepanosauromorpha. This group is known from numerous articulated but heavily compressed skeletons that have the potential to further inform early reptile femoral evolution. For the first time, we describe the three-dimensional osteology of the femora of Drepanosauromorpha, based on undistorted fossils from the Upper Triassic Chinle Formation and Dockum Group of North America. We identify apomorphies and a combination of character states that link these femora to those in crushed specimens of drepanosauromorphs and compare our sample with a range of amniote taxa. Several characteristics of drepanosauromorph femora, including a hemispherical proximal articular surface, prominent asymmetry in the proximodistal length of the tibial condyles, and a deep intercondylar sulcus, are plesiomorphies shared with early diapsids. The femora contrast with those of most diapsids in lacking a crest-like, distally tapering internal trochanter. They bear a ventrolaterally positioned tuberosity on the femoral shaft, resembling the fourth trochanter in Archosauriformes. The reduction of an internal trochanter parallels independent reductions in therapsids and archosauriforms. The presence of a ventrolaterally positioned trochanter is also similar to that of chameleonid squamates. Collectively, these features demonstrate a unique femoral morphology for drepanosauromorphs, and suggest an increased capacity for femoral adduction and protraction relative to most other Permo-Triassic diapsids. 

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