bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The diagnosis values of serum STAT4 and sEng in preeclampsia
Authors: Zhang Luyan , Li Xuechun , Zhou Chengcheng , You Zhengming , Zhang Jianwei , Cao Guomei
Published: October 2019

Objective

To detect the levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) and soluble endoglin (sEng) in preeclampsia patients and analyze the diagnostic values of STAT4 and sEng in preeclampsia.

Methods

Fifty‐four pregnant women with preeclampsia from October 2017 to June 2018 were included in this study. Twenty‐eight matched healthy pregnant women were set as the control group. The general clinical characteristics were measured. Serum STAT4 and sEng were detected by ELISA. Correlation between STAT4 and sEng, and their diagnostic value in preeclampsia were analyzed.

Results

Compared with control, the prothrombin time in preeclampsia was significantly lower, while the mean arterial pressure, 24‐hour urine protein, serum creatinine, fibrinogen, and ALT were significantly higher. The circulating levels of STAT4 and sEng were significantly increased in the preeclampsia. The serum levels of STAT4 and sEng in preeclampsia were positively correlated. For the diagnosis of preeclampsia by the serum STAT4, AUC is 0.902, and the sensitivity and specificity are 0.893 and 0.929. By the serum sEng, AUC is 0.873, and the sensitivity and specificity are 0.816 and 0.905.

Conclusion

The serum levels of STAT4 and sEng were significantly increased in preeclampsia with disease severity status, which have promise as diagnostic markers in preeclampsia.
Aquaporin‐2 and Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 modulate the efficiency of renal cell migration
Authors: Di Giusto Gisela , Pizzoni Alejandro , Rivarola Valeria , Beltramone Natalia , White Alan , Ford Paula , Capurro Claudia
Published: October 2019

Aquaporin‐2 (AQP2) promotes renal cell migration by the modulation of integrin β1 trafficking and the turnover of focal adhesions. The aim of this study was to investigate whether AQP2 also works in cooperation with Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1), another well‐known protein involved in the regulation of cell migration. Our results showed that the lamellipodia of AQP2‐expressing cells exhibit significantly smaller volumes and areas of focal adhesions and more alkaline intracellular pH due to increased NHE1 activity than AQP2‐null cells. The blockage of AQP2, or its physically‐associated calcium channel TRPV4, significantly reduced lamellipodia NHE1 activity. NHE1 blockage significantly reduced the rate of cell migration, the number of lamellipodia, and the assembly of F‐actin only in AQP2‐expressing cells. Our data suggest that AQP2 modulates the activity of NHE1 through its calcium channel partner TRPV4, thereby determining pH‐dependent actin polymerization, providing mechanical stability to delineate lamellipodia structure and defining the efficiency of cell migration.
Long noncoding MIAT acting as a ceRNA to sponge microRNA‐204‐5p to participate in cerebral microvascular endothelial cell injury after cerebral ischemia through regulating HMGB1
Authors: Deng Wenjing , Fan Chenghe , Shen Ruile , Wu Yanzhi , Du Ran , Teng Junfang
Published: October 2019

This study is applied to the investigation of the long noncoding RNA myocardial infarction associated transcript's (MIAT's) role in regulating the expression of high‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in cerebral microvascular endothelial cell (CMEC) injury after cerebral ischemia by serving as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to sponge microRNA‐204‐5p (miR‐204‐5p). The cerebral ischemia model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats was established by the suture method, in which rats were injected with empty plasmids and MIAT siRNA plasmids. The cerebral ischemia injury model in vitro was established through oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) in primary cultured CMECs in rats. The cells were transfected with empty plasmids and MIAT siRNA plasmids. The MIAT/miR‐204‐5p/HMGB1 axis’ function in damage and angiogenesis of CMECs were explored. The binding site between MIAT and miR‐204‐5p along with that between miR‐204‐5p and HMGB1 was determined. MIAT was overexpressed in MCAO rats’ brain tissue and inhibited MIAT attenuated the injury of brain tissue in MCAO rats. Inhibition of MIAT promoted angiogenesis, promoted miR‐204‐5p expression and inhibited HMGB1 expression in brain tissue of MCAO rats. Inhibition of MIAT reduced CMEC damage, induced angiogenesis of CMECs, increased the number of surviving neurons, promoted miR‐204‐5p expression and inhibited HMGB1 expression in CMECs treated with OGD. MIAT promoted HMGB1 expression by competitive binding to miR‐204‐5p to regulate the injury of CMECs after cerebral ischemia. Our study showed that MIAT promoted HMGB1 expression by competitively binding to miR‐204‐5p to regulate the injury of CMECs after cerebral ischemia.
Single‐session multiple stent deployment using moving cell stent without dilating initial stent mesh to treat malignant hilar biliary obstruction (with videos)
Authors: Ogura Takeshi , Takenaka Mamoru , Shiomi Hideyuki , Nishioka Nobu , Ueno Saori , Miyano Akira , Kamiyama Rieko , Higuchi Kazuhide
Published: October 2019

Background

Malignant hilar biliary obstruction (MHBO) can be treated with bilateral self‐expandable metal stents (SEMS) deployed using side‐by‐side (SBS) or stent‐in‐stent (SIS) techniques. Moving cell stents (MCS) are a novel type of SEMS. The present study evaluated the technical feasibility of treating MHBO using bilateral novel uncovered SEMS to insert an SIS technique without dilating the mesh of a first stent within a single session.

Method

We retrospectively assessed patients who were complicated with obstructive jaundice due to MHBO between August and December 2018. Technical success was defined as the deployment of a bilateral MCS into two or more biliary tracts using SIS technique without a dilation device.

Results

The present study analyzed data from 23 consecutive patients who were complicated with MHBO. Bilateral SIS technique with MCS was deployed in 22 (95.6%) of the 23 patients without dilating the mesh of the first stent. Multiple guidewire insertion failed in one patient with Bismuth‐type IV. The median procedural duration was 33.6 min. Time to recurrent biliary obstruction was 230 days. Severe adverse events were not seen in any patients.

Conclusion

In conclusion, uncovered moving cell SEMS might facilitate bilateral stent deployment using SIS technique.
If PLOS ONE were really 101 different specialized journals: A proposed approach to the evaluation of multidisciplinary megajournals
Authors: Repiso Rafael , Moreno‐Delgado Alicia , Torres‐Salinas Daniel
Published: October 2019

This paper assesses the impact of the various topic‐based categories covered by the megajournal PLOS ONE. We analyse the articles published in PLOS ONE in 2016 and 2017 by classifying them according to the Web of Science Journal Citation Report categories. We have identified 101 substantial categories, 86 of which belong to the Science Citation Index Expanded and 15 to the Social Science Citation Index Expanded. ‘Biochemistry & Molecular Biology’ stands out as the most prolific category, accounting for 9% of the manuscripts. On calculating the impact factor of each topic‐based category as if it were an independent journal, we found that 28.7% of them would be placed in the first quartile of their corresponding field. Among the highest‐ranked journals, ‘Palaeontology’ and ‘Nursing’ stand out as they would be ranked in the first decile of their respective categories. About 69% of the categories would be in the second and third JCR quartiles, and only two would be in the fourth. This study indicates the need to assess the impact of papers published in megajournals by topic‐based category in order to accurately quantify the impact they have on their specific fields.
Extensive full thickness abdominal wall reconstruction using anterolateral thigh compound flap modifications
Authors: Oh Jeongseok , Oh Joon Seok , Eun Seok‐Chan
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Abdominal wall reconstruction is challenging, which demands adequate skin coverage and structural support. The anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap including fascial portion can be useful in such cases.

Methods

Retrospective chart review of five patients that underwent complex abdominal wall defects reconstruction with ALT free flaps with fascia lata was conducted. Patient age ranged from 49 to 69 years (average: 57.4). The etiology of defects was infected liposuction site, small bowel perforation, esophageal cancer, diverticulum perforation, and Hartmann operation. The average size of the defect was 17.4 × 10 cm (9 × 9 ~ 21 × 18). Single‐stage reconstruction using ALT flaps based on the lateral circumflex femoral artery was done in all patients. Exposed intestines were successfully covered and reinforced utilizing fascial component.

Results

The average size of the flap was 17.4 × 8 cm (9 × 9 cm ~25 × 10 cm). One partial flap necrosis, venous congestion, and infection occurred. These complications were treated successfully. During the follow‐up (12–96 months, mean: 63), all patients achieved functional stabilization and returned to normal activities.

Conclusion

ALT flap combined with its fascial component is useful for abdominal wall. It can be a reliable option in cases of intestinal exposure.
Late‐Night Eating‐Induced Physiological Dysregulation and Circadian Misalignment Are Accompanied by Microbial Dysbiosis
Authors: Ni Yinhua , Wu Lianxin , Jiang Jinlu , Yang Tianqi , Wang Ze , Ma Lingyan , Zheng Liujie , Yang Xin , Wu Zeming , Fu Zhengwei
Published: October 2019

Scope

Irregular eating habits, such as late‐night eating, will cause increased risk of obesity and other metabolic diseases. The aim of this study is to elucidate the impacts of late‐night eating on physiological function and gut microbiota.

Methods and results

Male Wistar rats under 16 h/8 h‐light/dark cycle are divided into four groups with specific dietary habits, which mimicked breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late‐night eating. Late‐night eating, including skipping dinner for a night eating (BLN) and skipping breakfast and having a night eating (LDN), causes an increase of body weight, which is associated with decreased physical activity. Additionally, late‐night eating results in hepatic lipid accumulation and systemic inflammation in peripheral tissues, compared to those of free feeding (FF) or breakfast, lunch, and dinner (BLD) groups. The phases of key clock genes are similar in FF, BLD, and BLN groups, while LDN feeding causes an overall 4 h phase delay in peripheral tissues. Moreover, late‐night eating, especially LDN feeding, results in a significant alternation in the compositions and functions of gut microbiota, which further contributes to the development of metabolic disorder.

Conclusion

Late‐night eating causes physiological dysregulation and misalignment of circadian rhythm, together with microbial dysbiosis.
Compact multiband CPW fed monopole antenna with square ring and T‐shaped strips
Authors: Karthikeyan Madurakavi , Sitharthan Ramachandran , Ali Tanweer , Roy Bappadittya
Published: October 2019

A novel compact wideband antenna with T‐shaped strips inside square ring is proposed. By stacking a pair of T‐shaped strip one above another, the antenna covers the WIMAX (3.3‐3.8 and 5.25‐5.85 GHz), WLAN (2.41‐2.54, 5.15‐5.35, and 5.72‐5.85 GHz), and lower band of future 5G communications (3.6‐6 GHz). The antenna is fabricated on 17 × 33 × 1.6 mm3 FR‐4 substrate. UWB operation is achieved using a rectangular shaped slot in the ground plane. The designed antenna has been fabricated and measured. Simulation results and measured results are in good agreement.
A compact octagonal‐ring monopole antenna for super wideband applications
Authors: Okan Tayfun
Published: October 2019

A compact monopole super wideband antenna has been designed and fabricated in this study. The proposed antenna consists of an octagonal‐ring shaped patch with a stub positioned on the top right corner of it to enhance the impedance bandwidth. Further improvement is ensured by optimally shifting both the patch and feed line away from the center line, and introducing a notch on the ground plane. The fabricated antenna covers the frequency band from 2.59 to 31.14 GHz with a reflection coefficient of |S11| ≤  − 10 dB. It has a bandwidth of 28.55 GHz, fractal bandwidth percentage of 169% and bandwidth ratio of 12.02:1. Omnidirectional radiation characteristics are observed over the operating bandwidth in the far‐field measurements. Furthermore, the far‐field radar cross section measurement of the antenna is also simulated on PC and relatively low values are obtained through the operating bandwidth. Presented antenna has a relatively small size (40 × 40 × 1.01 mm3) and exhibits good gain and efficiency characteristics in comparison to studies with similar bandwidth.
Self‐calibrating wave‐encoded 3D turbo spin echo imaging using subspace model based autofocusing
Authors: Zhou Zechen , Yuan Chun , Börnert Peter
Published: October 2019

Purpose

To develop a self‐calibrating approach for the estimation of wave point spread function (PSF) and coil sensitivities from the subsampled wave‐encoded k‐space, and evaluate its performance for wave‐encoded 3D turbo spin echo (TSE) imaging.

Methods

A low rank subspace parametric model was demonstrated in simulation to improve the representation for practical wave encoding k‐space trajectories with aperiodicity, and an autofocus metric for the entire imaging volume was used to calibrate the wave PSF in a 2‐stage manner from coarse to refined estimation. The coil sensitivities can be extracted from the shifted central region of wave PSF corrected subsampled k‐space, and further used with wave PSF for wave‐encoded parallel imaging (PI) reconstruction. The wave encoding gradients were integrated into the 3D TSE sequence considering eddy current reduction aspects and maintaining of the Carr‐Purcell‐Meiboom‐Gill condition. Phantom and in vivo brain experiments were performed to evaluate the accuracy of wave PSF self‐calibration and to compare the PI reconstruction performance between wave and Cartesian encoding scheme.

Results

The self‐calibrated wave PSF, estimated from different k‐space undersampling patterns can robustly correct the wave encoding induced image artifacts given sufficient central autocalibration data. The self‐calibrating wave‐encoded PI reconstruction has demonstrated its improved performance in reduced aliasing artifacts and noise amplification in comparison to the Cartesian‐encoded PI reconstruction results for 3D TSE imaging.

Conclusion

The proposed self‐calibrating wave‐encoded method allows robust calibration of wave PSF and coil sensitivities from the subsampled k‐space, and improves the overall image quality for accelerated 3D TSE imaging.
Development of intravoxel inhomogeneity correction for chemical exchange saturation transfer spectral imaging: a high‐resolution field map‐based deconvolution algorithm for magnetic field inhomogeneity correction
Authors: Sun Phillip Zhe
Published: October 2019

Purpose

CEST MRI is sensitive to dilute proteins/peptides and microenvironmental properties yet susceptible to magnetic field inhomogeneity. We aimed to develop a high‐resolution field map‐based CEST intravoxel inhomogeneity correction (CIVIC) algorithm for CEST Z‐spectral imaging.

Methods

The proposed CIVIC approach treats the intravoxel inhomogeneity as a point spread function and applies the deconvolution algorithm to reconstruct the original Z‐spectrum. We simulated the effect of B0 field inhomogeneity on CEST measurement and tested the efficacy of the proposed CIVIC algorithm. We also performed CEST MRI on a dual‐pH Creatine‐gel phantom under varied field homogeneity conditions and compared the CEST MRI contrast‐to‐noise ratio from the raw Z‐spectrum, water saturation shift referencing, and the proposed CIVIC methods.

Results

The numerical simulation showed that the CIVIC algorithm remains effective even in the case of symmetric field dispersion with a 0 mean shift. The experimental results confirmed that the proposed CIVIC method substantially improves the CEST MRI contrast‐to‐noise ratio under different field homogeneity conditions.

Conclusion

Our study established a new intravoxel B0 inhomogeneity correction algorithm, promising to facilitate CEST spectral imaging in challenging experimental conditions.
Evidence that Swimming May Be Protective of Knee Osteoarthritis: Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative
Authors: Lo Grace H. , Ikpeama Uzoh E. , Driban Jeffrey B. , Kriska Andrea M. , McAlindon Timothy E. , Petersen Nancy J. , Storti Kristi L. , Eaton Charles B. , Hochberg Marc C. , Jackson Rebecca D. , Kwoh C. Kent , Nevitt Michael C. , Suarez‐Almazor Maria E.
Published: October 2019

Background

To date, there have not been any epidemiologic studies that have evaluated the association between swimming over a lifetime and knee health.

Objective

The study aimed to evaluate the relationship of a history of swimming with knee pain, radiographic knee OA (ROA), and symptomatic knee OA (SOA).

Design

Cross‐sectional retrospective study.

Setting

Four academic centers in the United States.

Participants

Respondents to the historical physical activity survey within the Osteoarthritis Initiative with knee radiographs and symptom assessments.

Methods

In this retrospective study nested within the Osteoarthritis Initiative, researchers performed logistic regression with the predictor being swimming over a lifetime and over particular age ranges.

Main Outcome Measurements

Person‐based definitions of frequent knee pain, ROA, and SOA.

Results

A total of 2637 participants were included, with a mean age of 64.3 years (SD 8.9), body mass index of 28.4 kg/m2 (SD 4.9), and 44.2% male. Over a lifetime, the adjusted prevalence measures for frequent knee pain, ROA, and SOA for any versus no history of swimming were 36.4% (33.4% ‐ 39.5%) v. 39.9% (37.4% ‐ 42.5%), 54.3% (51.0% ‐ 57.6%) v. 61.1% (58.4% ‐ 63.7%), and 21.9% (19.4% ‐ 24.7%) v. 27.0% (24.7% ‐ 29.4%) respectively.

Conclusions

This is the first epidemiologic study to indicate that swimming is potentially beneficial toward knee health, particularly when performed earlier in life (before age 35). Future prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings and to better scrutinize the associations in older age groups.
Evolution and Recovery of Electrical Property of Reactive Sputtered Al‐Doped ZnO Transparent Electrode Exposed to Harsh Environment
Authors: Machda Fahmi , Ogawa Takaya , Okumura Hideyuki , Ishihara Keiichi N.
Published: October 2019

Al‐doped ZnO (AZO) thin film is extensively studied as a promising alternative for Sn‐doped In2O3 (ITO) transparent electrode from the viewpoint of safety, environment, and material costs. However, most of AZO thin films are reported to degrade when exposed to high humidity. To find a key factor of durability, the electrical properties of AZO thin films after harsh conditions are characterized in this study. AZO thin films are prepared on glass substrates by reactive radiofrequency magnetron sputtering, followed by annealing at 400–550 °C in a hydrogen atmosphere. For harsh environment, a damp heat test is performed at 85 °C and 85% relative humidity, where the changes in both the carrier concentration and mobility are examined. It is found that the carrier concentration exhibits similar decreasing tendencies to conductivity degradation as a function of annealing temperature. This means that higher temperature contributes to the stability of carrier concentration, i.e., conductivity. Re‐annealing is also conducted for the AZO samples after the damp heat test, and the original conductivity is successfully recovered. This indicates that the degradation mechanism involves the chemical aspect rather than physical damage such as cracks, which cannot be recovered by annealing.
Fabrication of Magnetic Cobalt and Electrically Conductive Polyaniline‐Filled Three‐Phase Nanocomposite for Microwave Absorption
Authors: Yan Yongjie , Xia Hong , Qiu Yiping , Xu Zhenzhen , Ni Qing-Qing
Published: October 2019

Magnetic cobalt (Co) and electrically conductive polyaniline (PANI)‐filled polyurethane (PU) composite (Co@PANI@PU) film is proposed for microwave absorption. This three‐phase Co@PANI@PU composite is fabricated through mechanical ball milling of Co microspheres and PANI particles, followed by their casting forming with PU. Prior to that, Co microspheres and conductive PANI are synthesized by ultrasonic‐assisted solution reduction and simple oxidation polymerization, respectively. Field‐emission scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction characterizations indicate that the Co microparticles have sufficient incorporation into PANI and PU matrices. Electrical conductivity measurement shows that the PANI composition improved the conductivity of Co@PANI@PU film, whereas the Co composition suppressed it. The microwave absorption property of these Co@PANI@PU composite films under low filling contents of Co and PANI, and with small thickness (1 mm), is investigated in the 0.1–18 GHz range. The results indicate that the reflection loss increased with increasing Co and PANI compositions. 16:8:100 w/w/w Co@PANI@PU shows the highest absorption within 0.1–8.8 GHz, whereas 16:16:100 Co@PANI@PU absorbed most at 10.2–18 GHz. This is attributed to different contributions of permittivity and permeability of the Co and PANI compositions to energy loss in the two frequency bands. Therefore, appropriate ratio and content of the Co and PANI compositions play significant roles for frequency‐adjustable microwave absorption.
Indirect Electrocaloric Evaluation: Influence of Polarization Hysteresis Measurement Frequency
Authors: Cheng Xiangyang , Weyland Florian , Novak Nikola , Li Yingwei
Published: October 2019

This study investigates the influence of applied electric field frequency for polarization–electric field (P–E) loops on indirect electrocaloric evaluation. Soft lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramic is used as a model material. The P–E loops under 1 and 100 Hz are presented at various temperatures with an electric field amplitude of 2.5 MV m−1. The indirect method based on the Maxwell relations is used to calculate the electrocaloric response. The result demonstrates that the electrocaloric responses based on the P–E loops measured at 1 Hz agree well with direct measurement results in the literature, but at 100 Hz, the coexistence of positive and negative electrocaloric effects (ECEs) is obtained, which has not been reported before. Domain switching is a dynamic process and rate‐dependent, which has a significant influence on the polarization behavior and the subsequent electrocaloric performance of ferroelectric materials. The result also shows that during the indirect ECE evaluation, high attention needs to be paid to the applied electric field frequency to obtain accurate and comparable electrocaloric evaluations in ferroelectric materials.
Influence of a Longitudinal Field on the Large In‐Plane Nuclear Field Formation in Single Quantum Dots
Authors: Yamamoto Sota , Arakawa Takuya , Matsusaki Ryosuke , Kaji Reina , Adachi Satoru
Published: October 2019

Experimental studies on the role of nuclear quadrupole interaction (NQI) to the in‐plane nuclear field formation are performed in single self‐assembled As quantum dots (QDs). In Hanle‐effect measurements, the electron depolarization curves deviating far from a standard Lorentzian shape are observed: the curves with anomalously large width and hysteretic behavior at the critical transverse magnetic field. These anomalies indicate the growth of an in‐plane nuclear field compensating the applied transverse magnetic field up to ≈1 T and appear regardless of the excitation helicity. The azimuth angle dependence of the critical field of the hysteretic response reveals that the principal axis of the NQI is almost parallel to the crystal growth axis. This fact suggests that the main origin of the NQI which is related with in‐plane nuclear‐field formation is not random alloying among In and Al nuclei but residual strain of QDs. Furthermore, a longitudinal magnetic field by a neodymium magnet breaks the excitation‐helicity independence of the Hanle curves and the shape of curves becomes very different depending on the helicity. The obtained results are explained well with a simple consideration and indicate that the NQI takes multirole in the formation of in‐plane nuclear field.
Light Management in Monolithic Perovskite/Silicon Tandem Solar Cells
Authors: Xu Qiaojing , Zhao Ying , Zhang Xiaodan
Published: October 2019

Perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells (TSCs), especially two‐terminal, with a record efficiency of 28% already realized, present great potential as low‐cost and efficient substitutes for dominant silicon photovoltaics. Achieving efficiencies exceeding 30% is quite realistic, as indicated by extensive optical simulations. Super light management in monolithic perovskite/silicon TSCs is one of the prerequisites to make this a reality. In this Review, various forms of optical losses, such as reflection loss, parasitic absorption, and current mismatch, are analyzed systematically to provide a better understanding of the performance of perovskite/silicon TSCs. Particularly, a simple refractive index matching rule derived from the Fresnel equation is proposed as a basis for material selection and device design. Meanwhile, an overview of the current strategies and challenges in monolithic perovskite/silicon TSCs is provided, comprising bandgap engineering of perovskites and light trapping methods, aiming to provide guidance for further improvement of tandem devices.
Lead‐Free Double Perovskites for Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Kung Po-Kai , Li Ming-Hsien , Lin Pei-Ying , Jhang Jia-Yun , Pantaler Martina , Lupascu Doru C. , Grancini Giulia , Chen Peter
Published: October 2019

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have achieved a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) with a credible certified value over 25%. More efforts have been devoted to the development of stable and ecofriendly perovskite materials. Lead‐free double perovskites (LFDPs) are a noteworthy choice as a photoactive layer because of their favorable photovoltaic (PV) properties, intrinsic chemical stability, and environmental friendliness. This Review presents various LFDP materials whose structural stability and optoelectronic properties are predicted by theoretical calculations. The synthesis and experimental properties of LFDPs and their applications in PSCs and optoelectronics in pursuing high performance, low toxicity, and functional stability are also reviewed. Perovskites active layers are critical for PSCs, and their appropriate properties are responsible for achieving a high PCE. On the other side, the stability of PSCs under working conditions is a critical requirement for their practical applications. Defect‐ordered perovskites are also presented to provide another outlook on lead‐free perovskite‐based PVs. The introduction and interest toward LFDP in PSCs can represent a viable solution to the toxicity issue, stimulate further research, and bring a real impact to future PV technologies.
Metallic MoO2‐Modified Graphitic Carbon Nitride Boosting Photocatalytic CO2Reduction via Schottky Junction
Authors: Li Huang Jing Wei , Zhou Huimin , Chen Kejun , Liu Kang , Li Shi , Jiang Kexin , Zhang Wenhao , Xie Yanbo , Cao Zhou , Li Hongmei , Liu Hui , Xu Xiaowen , Pan Hao , Hu Junhua , Tang Dongsheng , Qiu Xiaoqing , Fu Junwei , Liu Min
Published: October 2019

Directly using solar energy to realize photocatalytic reduction of CO2to hydrocarbon fuels is an effective tactics to solve the energy crisis and carbon emission. Although graphite carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) has been widely studied as a star photocatalyst for CO2reduction, the extremely fast charge recombination rate seriously limits its performance. Loading suitable co‐catalysts to construct an effective junction is considered an efficient way to solve this issue and promote photocatalytic performance. In this work, metallic molybdenum dioxide (MoO2) is dispersed on g‐C3N4nanosheets to construct a Schottky junction photocatalyst. The Schottky junction between MoO2and g‐C3N4induces efficient charge separation and transfer. As a result, the optimal MoO2/g‐C3N4Schottky junction photocatalyst exhibits a 15 times higher CH4yield and five times higher CO yield compared with pure g‐C3N4. This article provides a new route to construct a Schottky junction for boosting photocatalytic activity.
The Effect of Welding Heat Input on the Structure–Property Relationship of a New Grade Super Duplex Stainless Steel
Authors: Vahman Milad , Shamanian Morteza , Golozar Mohammad Ali , Jalali Ali , Sarmadi Mohamad Ahl , Kangazian Jalal
Published: October 2019

Herein, microstructural and mechanical characteristics and corrosion resistance of the UNS S32906 super duplex stainless steel (SDSS) welds are investigated. The gas tungsten arc welding technique is used with direct current electrode negative polarity. Welding is conducted in 1.19, 1.46, and 1.87 kJ mm−1  to evaluate the effect of heat input. The results show that the amount of ferrite phase decreases from 59.4% to 49.4% as the heat input increases. Moreover, only ferrite and austenite phases are observed in the microstructure without any other detrimental phases. Hardness test results show that the hardness of the weld metal rises up in comparison with that of the base metal. Furthermore, the more the heat input, the less the weldment hardness. The impact test shows that the toughness of the samples increases with heat input. Polarization tests show that base metal has a better corrosion behavior irrespective of the heat input of the weldments. With an increase in the heat input, the corrosion behavior is improved. It can be said that whether in terms of microstructure or mechanical properties or corrosion resistance, the specimens that are welded with the highest heat input show the best properties.
Growing Up in Violent Contexts: Differential Effects of Community, Family, and School Violence on Child Adjustment
Authors: Bacchini Dario , Esposito Concetta
Published: October 2019

Although different than in war-torn areas, violence affects children even in the most economically developed countries. In this chapter we review the empirical evidence supporting the detrimental effects of early violence exposure on a wide range of developmental outcomes. We also provide an examination of mechanisms linking violence exposure to negative developmental outcomes, as well as the predisposing and precipitating factors that intervene in these complex relationships. We conclude that the problem of exposure to violence in children is often underestimated and discuss the implications for child welfare policy and preventive interventions.
Youth Identity, Peace and Conflict: Insights from Conflict and Diverse Settings
Authors: McKeown Shelley , Cavdar Duygu , Taylor Laura K.
Published: October 2019

Many of today’s youth are growing up and developing their sense of self in settings where identities are contested. Such identity dynamics play a key role in societal functioning, with group conflict often arising and being maintained due to competing social identities. Understanding how youth develop these social identities, and the consequences for peaceful and violent behaviours is of urgent importance in order to design appropriate policies and interventions. Much of the social psychological research on identity is based on social identity theory, which posits that we divide our world into social categories and define ourselves in terms of group belonging. The expressions of these social identities can be both positive and negative in how they are manifested in conflict and diverse settings. Whilst research often focuses on the negative side of identification (e.g., prejudice), identities can also be a source of peace; fostering individual belonging in society and under certain conditions, collective identities can also bring together groups in conflict. In this chapter, we briefly review the development of adolescent ethnic identity and then focus on the impact of identity for youth in conflict and diverse settings, highlighting positive and negative effects. This includes a consideration of the consequences of identity for peaceful and non-peaceful behaviours in Northern Ireland as well as how identity develops for ethnic minority youth in England. We conclude by providing suggestions for policy, practice and future research, arguing that a comprehensive account of the role of youth in society cannot be complete without understanding the development and consequences of identity processes.
Educating Toward a Culture of Peace Through an Innovative Teaching Method
Authors: Guetta Silvia
Published: October 2019

A peace-oriented culture aims to teach its citizens conflict resolution through dialogue, mediation, and acknowledgment of others as having equal rights, responsibilities, laws, and freedoms, so that they and their community can assure the peaceful development and well-being of new generations. A peace-oriented culture is built on values, attitudes, and behaviors that respect life and other human beings across all social contexts. Finding personal peace provides the strength to defend and uphold human rights, the freedom of choice, the ability to listen and appreciate others, and the willingness to share. This chapter describes an innovative model of cooperation and peer education that involved more than 70 students in a high school in Florence, Italy, during the 2016–2017 school year. The program was established through a local partnership coordinated by the Department of Education and Psychology of the University of Florence, in collaboration with the Florence UNESCO Center, and followed the Peace Education Program of Prem Rawat Foundation. The teaching method was characterized by the students’ active participation and teaching of non-violent communication. The program’s sustainability is reflected in its continuity over time and uptake in new schools and universities.
Enabling Full Participation: A Community-Led Approach to Child Protection
Authors: Kostelny Kathleen , Wessells Michael , Ondoro Ken
Published: October 2019

Using a peace psychology lens, this chapter explores how dominant approaches in humanitarian and development work may unintentionally generate social injustice. It aims to contribute to a new, transformational approach in which the people who receive aid are included in making the decisions which affect their lives. If this approach is to move forward, the wider humanitarian community needs to reflect on the limits of its dominant approaches and develop new, full participatory approaches that fulfill this vision. The purpose of this chapter is to analyze how more participatory approaches to community-based child protection can help the child protection sector become more participatory and achieve the high levels of inclusivity and local ownership that contribute to relevant, effective, and sustainable support for vulnerable children. The chapter begins with an analysis of the limitations of the dominant, top-down approach to community-based child protection, which does not achieve high levels of participation or engage local people in the decision-making. Next, using a case study from Kenya, it examines a bottom-up, community-led approach to child protection that places the power to make the key decisions in the hands of local people and achieves high levels of inclusivity and local ownership. It concludes with a reflection on the value of enabling bottom-up, community-led approaches in developing wider child protection systems.
Engaging Men to Support the Resilience of Syrian Refugee Children and Youth in Lebanon
Authors: Veale Angela , Hijazi Alaa , Osman Zenia , Macken Shelbi
Published: October 2019

Refugee men’s experiences as parents have been one of the least explored areas of psychosocial interventions with refugee families, yet there is a great need for engagement with men, including in their role as fathers. “Engaging Men” interventions seek to challenge the social norms, attitudes, and practices that increase the risk of gender-based violence against girls and women while also harnessing positive male power to prevent violence and promote safety. This chapter examines the impact of an “Engaging Men” intervention in Lebanon that involved 1028 Syrian refugee and 440 Lebanese men in a 12-week training course structure with the aims of promoting peaceful family and community relations, reducing violence and gender-based violence, and enhancing child protection and caregiving. The chapter focuses on the impact of the intervention on Syrian refugee children and adolescents through men’s reflections on the stressors in their own lives and how this impacted their role as fathers. The challenges of addressing child-specific protection risks of early marriage and child labor are discussed.
Working for the Well-Being of Children: The Value and Efficacy of Adopting a Cooperative, Inter-agency Approach
Authors: Wessells Michael
Published: October 2019

This chapter presents a case study illustrating the positive value of cooperation between a research team and policy leaders in strengthening policies that support children’s well-being in Sierra Leone, one of the poorest countries in the world. Having reviewed briefly the science of cooperation and its implications for policy development and practice, it outlines action research with a robust design in which communities themselves took action to support children’s protection and well-being. Its focus, however, is on the cooperative processes surrounding the action research that enabled policy influencing. It highlights the importance of taking a cooperative, inter-agency approach that actively engages researchers and policy leaders in the development and use of the research. It shows the value of enabling government cooperation and ownership at multiple levels, working with a broker to help manage power dynamics, and drawing on the complementary strengths of academics, UN agencies, NGOs, and government collaborators. It illustrates how a cooperative strategy can be useful if there is careful attention to task interdependence, power asymmetries, and ethics. It also examines the usefulness and limits of this approach in other contexts.
Climate Change and Children: An Issue of Intergenerational Justice
Authors: Sanson Ann V. , Burke Susie E. L.
Published: October 2019

This chapter considers climate change as an issue of structural violence and intergenerational justice. The 2015 Paris Agreement acknowledged climate change as “an urgent and potentially irreversible threat to human societies and the planet”. Without urgent global action, its impacts will be catastrophic. The climate crisis, caused by the current generation, will have massive impacts on coming generations. Reasons for particular concern about children and youth include their greater vulnerability to climate change impacts, the disproportionate risks faced by children in developing countries and the challenging adaptations to climate-induced changes that they face. Climate change is already causing increases in extreme weather events, dislocation and economic hardship. It results in direct and structural violence, from the direct violence of interpersonal aggression and regional conflicts to the structural violence manifest in the disproportionate impact of climate change on those who contributed the least to the problem. Moreover, those most impacted are primarily from low-income countries, thereby impeding achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. However, climate change solutions can help to build more peaceful and equitable societies. We outline global, regional and local initiatives and illustrate strategies for both mitigation and adaptation to climate change with projects involving child participation and decision-making. Drawing on the literature on problem- and meaning-focused coping and positive development, we explore how parents, schools, organisations, researchers and policy-makers can support children in developing the coping strategies, knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to adapt to a climate-changed world. We conclude that, although climate change is an urgent threat to global peace, solving it is also one of our best hopes for promoting peace and equity in human relations. As today’s adults, we must accept that the future survival of our children, communities and the natural world depends on the actions we take now.
Indirect Contact Interventions to Promote Peace in Multicultural Societies
Authors: Haji Reeshma , Noguchi Hiromi
Published: October 2019

In today’s multicultural societies, promoting more favourable attitudes between groups of different cultural backgrounds is of pressing importance. Drawing on intergroup contact theory, this chapter describes some methods for fostering these favourable views of “the other” among children and youth. In situations where bringing two different groups into direct contact is not possible, or the groups are unwilling to interact directly with each other, indirect contact can be useful. In this chapter, we describe three types of indirect contact: (1) extended contact, the knowledge of cross-group friendship, that is, someone from one’s own group (ingroup) has a close relationship with someone from another group to which one does not belong (outgroup); (2) vicarious contact, the observation of cross-group friendship; and (3) imagined contact, the mental simulation of an interaction with an outgroup member. Then, we describe ways of optimizing these methods for intervention with children and youth. We also describe potential future directions for research in this area. Finally, we note that indirect contact interventions are particularly effective among children and youth who have no or little previous contact with the outgroup. Given the low cost and relative ease of implementation, our hope is that this chapter will provide a practical guide for those planning to use indirect contact interventions with children and youth in diverse societies.
Promoting Prosocial Behavior Toward Refugees: Exploring the Empathy-Attitude-Action Model in Middle Childhood
Authors: Glen Catherine , Taylor Laura K. , Dautel Jocelyn B.
Published: October 2019

Given the current global “refugee crisis,” there is a need for research investigating methods to promote positive intergroup relationships in host communities. This chapter will explore how empathy can be used to encourage host-society children to develop positive attitudes and engage in helping and prosocial behaviors toward refugees. The focus will be on middle childhood, a period when youth acquire advanced forms of perspective taking and an increased understanding of intergroup dynamics. This chapter extends prior research in adult populations by applying the empathy-attitudes-action model as an intervention for preparing children to engage positively toward incoming refugee children. This model outlines that inducing empathy toward a member of a stigmatized group may improve out-group attitudes as a whole, and in turn, increase prosocial behavior toward that collective out-group. Furthermore, the chapter recognizes the agency of children in establishing harmonious intergroup relations and in creating peaceful and inclusive societies. This chapter concludes with a call to action, advocating for the implementation of preventative programs that prepare children to engage meaningfully with their new peers.
Empowerment of Intergroup Harmony and Equity
Authors: Bigazzi Sara , Serdült Sára , Bokrétás Ildikó
Published: October 2019

The impact of empowerment interventions is often short-lived because they are not anchored in changes in the wider social and structural context. This chapter draws its inspiration from social representation theory and social identity theory. Several theoretical propositions are derived from these theories that bear on the effectiveness of empowerment interventions. Drawing on field experiences with Roma communities and young unemployed people in Hungary and Italy, we demonstrate how a focus on intergroup interactions, between minority and majority group members, is central to the empowerment process. In addition, we address the role of power and the means by which power can be dissembled and more equitably shared. Finally, we discuss the importance of placing contextual factors at the center of our analysis and enacting changes in context in order to arrive at empowerment interventions that produce sustainable changes in intergroup harmony and equity.
Supersymmetric probes in warped AdS6
Authors: Penin José Manuel , Ramallo Alfonso V. , Rodríguez-Gómez Diego
Published: October 2019

Abstract

We consider defects in 5d field theories corresponding to higher-rank generalizations of the

$$ {E}_{N_f+1} $$

E

N
f

+
1

theories; holographically dual to the Brandhuber-Oz background in type I’ String Theory. We concentrate on codimension 2 and 1 defects, corresponding, respectively, to 3d and 4d defect Quantum Field Theories. We study holographically such defect theories by considering supersymmetric probe D4- and D6-branes in the AdS

6

, whose fluctuations allow us to study the spectrum of mesonic operators of the defect theories. In the case of D4-branes, we also consider wrappings in the internal space which can be regarded as generalizations of the configurations capturing the antisymmetric Wilson loop.
Addendum to: Aspects of the QCD θ-vacuum
Authors: Vonk Thomas , Guo Feng-Kun , Meißner Ulf-G.
Published: October 2019

In the original paper [1]
Composite Higgs and Dark Matter model in SU(6)/SO(6)
Authors: Cacciapaglia Giacomo , Cai Haiying , Deandrea Aldo , Kushwaha Ashwani
Published: October 2019

Abstract

We consider a realisation of composite Higgs models in the context of SU(6)/SO(6) symmetry, which features a custodial bi-triplet, two Higgs doublets and dark matter candidates. This model can arise from an underlying gauge-fermion theory. The general vacuum structure is explored using the top partial compositeness to generate a special vacuum characterised by a single angle aligned with the first Higgs doublet. We present the CP and Dark Matter ℤ2 parity in two different pNGB bases and analyse the spectra in the absence of tadpoles and tachyons. For the phenomenology, we discuss the constraints from electroweak precision tests and from a potentially light CP-odd singlet (other than the Dark Matter) in the model.
Rényi mutual information in holographic warped CFTs
Authors: Chen Bin , Hao Peng-Xiang , Song Wei
Published: October 2019

Abstract

The study of Rényi mutual information (RMI) sheds light on the AdS/CFT correspondence beyond classical order. In this article, we study the Rényi mutual in- formation between two intervals at large distance in two-dimensional holographic warped conformal field theory, which is conjectured to be dual to gravity on AdS3 or warped AdS3 spacetimes under Dirichlet-Neumann boundary conditions. By using the operator product expansion of twist operators up to level 3, we read the leading oder and the next-to-leading order RMI in the large central charge and small cross-ratio limits. The leading order result is furthermore confirmed using the conformal block expansion. Finally, we match the next-to-leading order result by a 1-loop calculation in the bulk.