bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The post-conflict expansion of coca farming and illicit cattle ranching in Colombia
Authors: Murillo-Sandoval Paulo J. , Kilbride John , Tellman Elizabeth , Wrathall David , Van Den Hoek Jamon , Kennedy Robert E.
Published: February 2023

Illicit cattle ranching and coca farming have serious negative consequences on the Colombian Amazon’s land systems. The underlying causes of these land activities include historical processes of colonization, armed conflict, and narco-trafficking. We aim to examine how illicit cattle ranching and coca farming are driving forest cover change over the last 34 years (1985–2019). To achieve this aim, we combine two pixel-based approaches to differentiate between coca farming and cattle ranching using hypothetical observed patterns of illicit activities and a deep learning algorithm. We found evidence that cattle ranching, not coca, is the main driver of forest loss outside the legal agricultural frontier. There is evidence of a recent, explosive conversion of forests to cattle ranching outside the agricultural frontier and within protected areas since the negotiation phase of the peace agreement. In contrast, coca is remarkably persistent, suggesting that crop substitution programs have been ineffective at stopping the expansion of coca farming deeper into protected areas. Countering common narratives, we found very little evidence that coca farming precedes cattle ranching. The spatiotemporal dynamics of the expansion of illicit land uses reflect the cumulative outcome of agrarian policies, Colombia’s War on Drugs, and the 2016 peace accord. Our study enables the differentiation of illicit land activities, which can be transferred to other regions where these activities have been documented but poorly distinguished spatiotemporally. We provide an applied framework that could be used elsewhere to disentangle other illicit land uses, track their causes, and develop management options for forested land systems and people who depend on them.
Computational fluid–structure interaction analysis of flapping uvula on aerodynamics and pharyngeal vibration in a pediatric airway
Authors: Chen Yicheng , Feng Xin , Shi Xie-Qi , Cai Weihua , Li Biao , Zhao Yijun
Published: February 2023

The uvula flapping is one of the most distinctive features of snoring and is critical in affecting airway aerodynamics and vibrations. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism of pharyngeal vibration and pressure fluctuation due to uvula flapping employing fluid–structure interaction simulations. The followings are the methodology part: we constructed an anatomically accurate pediatric pharynx model and put attention on the oropharynx region where the greatest level of upper airway compliance was reported to occur. The uvula was assumed to be a rigid body with specific flapping frequencies to guarantee proper boundary conditions with as little complexity as possible. The airway tissue was considered to have a uniform thickness. It was found that the flapping frequency had a more significant effect on the airway vibration than the flapping amplitude, as the flapping uvula influenced the pharyngeal aerodynamics by altering the jet flow from the mouth. Breathing only through the mouth could amplify the effect of flapping uvula on aerodynamic changes and result in more significant oropharynx vibration.
Laboratory protocol is important to improve the correlation between target copies and metabarcoding read numbers of seed DNA in ground beetle regurgitates
Authors: Neidel Veronika , Traugott Michael
Published: February 2023

DNA metabarcoding is increasingly important for studying feeding interactions, yet it remains unresolved whether reporting read counts or occurrences is to be preferred. To address this issue for gut content samples, basic experimental data on the relationship between read numbers and initial prey DNA amounts and how both change over digestion time is needed. Using regurgitates of the carabid Pseudoophonus rufipes the digestion of Taraxacum officinale seeds was documented for 128 h post-feeding to determine how the number of (1) seed DNA copies and (2) metabarcoding reads change over digestion time, and (3) how they correlate to each other. Additionally, we tested (4) whether PCR cycle-numbers during library preparation affect this correlation. The number of copies and reads both decreased with digestion time, but variation between samples was high. Read and copy numbers correlated when using a library preparation protocol with 35 cycles (R2 = 42.0%), yet a reduction to 30 cycles might significantly improve this correlation, as indicated by additional PCR testing. Our findings show that protocol optimization is important to reduce technical distortions of read numbers in metabarcoding analysis. However, high inter-sample variation, likely due to variable digestive efficiency of individual consumers, can blur the relationship between the amount of food consumed and metabarcoding read numbers.
Yield, growth development and grain characteristics of seven Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) genotypes grown in open-field production systems under hot-arid climatic conditions
Authors: Oustani Mabrouka , Mehda Smail , Halilat Mohammed Tahar , Chenchouni Haroun
Published: February 2023

Quinoa is an important Andean crop that can play a strategic role in the development of degraded lands in hot arid regions due to its high nutritional value, genetic diversity and its high adaptability to stressful environments. The aim of this work was to evaluate the agronomic performance (growth development, grain yield and grain quality characteristics) of seven quinoa genotypes (Giza1, Sajama, Santa Maria, Q102, Q29, Q27 and Q18) cultivated under open field conditions in the Sahara Desert of Algeria. Using randomized complete block design (4 blocks), field trials were conducted during two cropping seasons (2017–2018 and 2018–2019) from November to April. The measured parameters included: plant height, number of panicles per plant, 1000-grain weight (TGW), grain yield (GYd), grain protein content (GPt), grain saponin content (GSC), and maturity indicators. The genotype effect was statistically the main source of variation in most parameters investigated as compared to the effect of cropping year. The Q102 genotype produced the highest GYd (2.87 t/ha) and GPt (16.7 g/100 g DM); and it required medium period (149 days) to reach harvest maturity as compared to other genotypes. The genotype Giza1 showed the lowest GYd and also low values for most of traits measured. However, it had the shortest harvest maturity (139 days) and the lowest GSC (0.62 g/100 g DM). The variety Santa Maria recorded the highest TGW (2.68 g), but it took 164 days to reach harvest maturity and it had high GSC (1.92 g/100 g DM). Though the best yield and grain quality characteristics were not reunited in single genotype, our findings showed that quinoa has multi-benefit potentials as a new crop for the arid agriculture in particular in hot-arid regions of North Africa.
Limitation of convergence-confinement method on three-dimensional tunnelling effect
Authors: Chang Liuming , Alejano Leandro R. , Cui Lan , Sheng Qian , Xie Mingxing
Published: February 2023

The convergence-confinement method (CCM) is a simplified widely utilised tool for assessing the interplay between the rock mass behaviour and the support effect, so it is quite helpful for tunnel support design purposes. However, the direct application of this technique has shown some limitations, many of which are directly related to the three-dimensionality issue. Indeed, the CCM tries to solve the three-dimensional (3D) problem of tunnel advance deformation and support response, by means of a series of two-dimensional (2D) plane strain analyses. So, regardless purely elastic cases, certain deviation is observed when comparing CCM and 3D numerical modelling results. The reasons behind this deviation have been studied from different points of views, but they seem to be still not well understood. With the aim of advancing towards a better knowledge of this issue, this paper discusses the limitation of CCM to correctly reflect the 3D tunnelling effect by comparing CCM and 3D numerical deformation, support pressure and liner load results in a typical tunnel case for various geological conditions. The reasons for CCM results in different rock deformation and support pressure in comparing to the 3D numerical modelling are explained. Some guidelines are eventually given recommending when the use of CCM can be acceptable according to the rock mass strength and tunnel depth, and when a more rigorous 3D approach is convenient.
DNA quality evaluation of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded heart tissue for DNA methylation array analysis
Authors: Dupont Mikkel E. , Christiansen Steffan N. , Jacobsen Stine B. , Kampmann Marie-Louise , Olsen Kristine B. , Tfelt-Hansen Jacob , Banner Jytte , Morling Niels , Andersen Jeppe D.
Published: February 2023

Archived formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) heart tissue from autopsied individuals represents an important resource for investigating the DNA methylation of heart tissue of deceased individuals. The DNA quality of FFPE tissue from autopsies may be decreased, affecting the DNA methylation measurements. Therefore, inexpensive screening methods for estimating DNA quality are valuable. We investigated the correlation between the DNA quality of archived FFPE heart tissue examined with the Illumina Infinium HD FFPE QC assay (Infinium QC) and Thermo Fisher’s Quantifiler Trio DNA Quantification kit (QuantifilerTrio), respectively, and the amount of usable DNA methylation data as measured by the probe detection rate (probe DR) obtained with the Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC array. We observed a high correlation (r2 = 0.75; p < 10−11) between the QuantifilerTrio degradation index, DI, and the amount of usable DNA methylation data analysed with SeSAMe, whereas a much weaker correlation was observed between the Infinium QC and SeSAMe probe DR (r2 = 0.17; p < 0.05). Based on the results, QuantifilerTrio DI seems to predict the proportion of usable DNA methylation data analysed with the Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC array and SeSAMe by a linear model: SeSAMe probe DR = 0.80–log10(DI) × 0.25.
Entropy optimization and heat flux analysis of Maxwell nanofluid configurated by an exponentially stretching surface with velocity slip
Authors: Nasir Saleem , Berrouk Abdallah S. , Aamir Asim , Shah Zahir
Published: February 2023

Hybrid nanofluids are extremely important in field of engineering and technology due to their higher heat transportation performance resulting in increased heat transfer rates. In the presence of thermal heat flux, the effect of a slanted MHD with velocity slip condition on a CNTs hybrid nanocomposite across a gradually extending surface is investigated. In present analysis, Maxwell nanofluid is embedded with SWCNT and MWCNT (single and multiple wall carbon nanotubes) nanoparticles. The nanomaterials transformation framework is obtained by employing Xue modified theoretical model. Various factors like dissipation, thermal radiations and Ohmic heat influences are adequately implemented in heat formulation. The physical features of thermodynamical mechanism of irreversibility are explored. The thermodynamics second law is used to produce the entropy optimization formulation. In addition, entropy is utilized to assess the energy aspects of a heat exchanger. Utilizing appropriate parameters, the model nonlinear PDEs are transformed to ODEs. The HAM technique is used to compute the solution of nonlinear ODEs. For both types of CNTs, the variations of entropy rate, Bejan number, velocity and temperature field versus key technical parameters is analyzed. The Nu and Cf computational result for both CNTs are examined in tabulated and chart form. Velocity is inversely proportional to magnetic and solid volume nanoparticle parameters. The Br and Rd accelerates NG and Be for both nanocomposites. Additionally, a comparison of the HAM result and the numerical result is validated.
The effects of being told you are in the intervention group on training results: a pilot study
Authors: Lindberg Kolbjørn , Bjørnsen Thomas , Vårvik Fredrik T. , Paulsen Gøran , Joensen Malene , Kristoffersen Morten , Sveen Ole , Gundersen Hilde , Slettaløkken Gunnar , Brankovic Robert , Solberg Paul
Published: February 2023

Little is known about the placebo effects when comparing training interventions. Consequently, we investigated whether subjects being told they are in the intervention group get better training results compared to subjects being told they are in a control group. Forty athletes (male: n = 31, female: n = 9) completed a 10-week training intervention (age: 22 ± 4 years, height: 183 ± 10 cm, and body mass: 84 ± 15 kg). After randomization, the participants were either told that the training program they got was individualized based on their force–velocity profile (Placebo), or that they were in the control group (Control). However, both groups were doing the same workouts. Measurements included countermovement jump (CMJ), 20-m sprint, one-repetition maximum (1RM) back-squat, a leg-press test, ultrasonography of muscle-thickness (m. rectus femoris), and a questionnaire (Stanford Expectations of Treatment Scale) (Younger et al. in Clin Trials 9(6):767–776, 2012). Placebo increased 1RM squat more than Control (5.7 ± 6.4% vs 0.9 ± 6.9%, [0.26 vs 0.02 Effect Size], Bayes Factor: 5.1 [BF10], p = 0.025). Placebo had slightly higher adherence compared to control (82 ± 18% vs 72 ± 13%, BF10: 2.0, p = 0.08). Importantly, the difference in the 1RM squat was significant after controlling for adherence (p = 0.013). No significant differences were observed in the other measurements. The results suggest that the placebo effect may be meaningful in sports and exercise training interventions. It is possible that ineffective training interventions will go unquestioned in the absence of placebo-controlled trials.
Different effects of pesticides on transcripts of the endocrine regulation and energy metabolism in honeybee foragers from different colonies
Authors: Christen Verena
Published: February 2023

Honeybees are important pollinators of many crops and contribute to biological biodiversity. For years, a decline in bee populations has been observed in certain areas. This decline in honeybees is accompanied by a decrease in pollinator services. One factor contributing to the decline of bee colonies is the exposure to pesticides. Pesticide exposure of bees, among other effects, can negatively affect orientation, memory, immune system function and gene expression. Among the altered expressed genes are transcripts of endocrine regulation and oxidative phosphorylation. Endocrine regulation plays an important role in the development of nurse bees into foragers and oxidative phosphorylation is involved in energy metabolism. Most of these transcriptional changes were investigated using mixed aged honeybees derived from the same colony. Experiments using nurse bees or foragers of the same age but from different colonies are rare. In the present study, effects of the two pesticides chlorpyrifos and pyraclostrobin on the expression of transcripts linked to endocrine regulation and oxidative phosphorylation in foragers of the same age from three different colonies are investigated to fill this gap. These two pesticides were selected because negative effects at sublethal concentrations on bees are known and because they are found in pollen and nectar of crops and wild plants. For this purpose, 20–22 days old foragers of three different colonies were exposed to different sublethal concentrations of the selected fungicides for 24 h, followed by analysis of the expression of buffy, vitellogenin, hbg-3, ilp-1, mrjp1, 2 and 3, cox5a, cox5b and cox17. Some significant changes in gene expression of both endocrine regulation transcripts and oxidative phosphorylation were shown. Furthermore, it became clear that forager bees from different colonies react differently. This is especially important in relation to the risk analysis of pesticides. In addition, it could be shown that the expression of hbg-3 in the brain of bees is a robust marker to distinguish nurse bees from foragers at the molecular biological level. In summary, this study clearly shows that pesticides, which are often detected in pollen and nectar, display negative effects at sublethal concentrations on bees and that it is important to use bees from different colonies for risk assessment of pesticides.
Digital manufacturing of personalised footwear with embedded sensors
Authors: Binelli Marco R. , van Dommelen Ryan , Nagel Yannick , Kim Jaemin , Haque Rubaiyet I. , Coulter Fergal B. , Siqueira Gilberto , Studart André R. , Briand Danick
Published: February 2023

The strong clinical demand for more accurate and personalized health monitoring technologies has called for the development of additively manufactured wearable devices. While the materials palette for additive manufacturing continues to expand, the integration of materials, designs and digital fabrication methods in a unified workflow remains challenging. In this work, a 3D printing platform is proposed for the integrated fabrication of silicone-based soft wearables with embedded piezoresistive sensors. Silicone-based inks containing cellulose nanocrystals and/or carbon black fillers were thoroughly designed and used for the direct ink writing of a shoe insole demonstrator with encapsulated sensors capable of measuring both normal and shear forces. By fine-tuning the material properties to the expected plantar pressures, the patient-customized shoe insole was fully 3D printed at room temperature to measure in-situ gait forces during physical activity. Moreover, the digitized approach allows for rapid adaptation of the sensor layout to meet specific user needs and thereby fabricate improved insoles in multiple quick iterations. The developed materials and workflow enable a new generation of fully 3D printed soft electronic devices for health monitoring.
Visibility of early gastric cancers by texture and color enhancement imaging using a high-definition ultrathin transnasal endoscope
Authors: Koyama Yohei , Sugimoto Mitsushige , Kawai Takashi , Mizumachi Midori , Yamanishi Fumito , Matsumoto Sho , Suzuki Yuka , Nemoto Daiki , Shinohara Hirokazu , Ichimiya Tadashi , Muramatsu Takahiro , Kagawa Yasuyuki , Matsumoto Taisuke , Madarame Akira , Morise Takashi , Uchida Kumiko , Yamaguchi Hayato , Kono Shin , Naito Sakiko , Fukuzawa Masakatsu , Itoi Takao
Published: February 2023

We evaluated whether texture and color enhancement imaging (TXI) using a high-definition ultrathin transnasal endoscope (UTE) improves the visibility of early gastric cancer (EGC) compared with white-light imaging (WLI). This study included 31 EGCs observed by TXI mode 2 using a high-definition UTE prior to endoscopic submucosal dissection. The first outcome was to compare the color differences based on Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage L*a*b* color space between EGCs and the surrounding mucosa by WLI and TXI using the UTE (objective appearance of EGC). The second outcome was to assess the visibility of EGCs by WLI and TXI using the UTE in an image evaluation test performed on 10 endoscopists (subjective appearance of EGC). Color differences between EGCs and non-neoplastic mucosa were significantly higher in TXI than in WLI in all EGCs (TXI: 16.0 ± 10.1 vs. WLI: 10.2 ± 5.5 [mean ± standard deviation], P < 0.001). Median visibility scores evaluated by 10 endoscopists using TXI were significantly higher than those evaluated using WLI (TXI: 4 [interquartile range, 4–4] vs. WLI: 4 [interquartile range, 3–4], P < 0.001). TXI using high-definition UTE improved both objective and subjective visibility of EGCs compared with WLI.
The effect of temporal expectation on the correlations of frontal neural activity with alpha oscillation and sensory-motor latency
Authors: Lee Joonyeol
Published: February 2023

In a dynamic environment, we seek to enhance behavioral responses by anticipating future events. Previous studies have shown that the probability distribution of the timing of future events could shape our expectation of event timing; furthermore, the modulation of alpha oscillation is known to be a critical neural factor. However, a link between the modulation of alpha oscillation by temporal expectation and single neural activity is missing. In this study, we investigated how temporal expectation modulated frontal neural activities and behavioral reaction time by recording neural activity from the frontal eye field smooth pursuit eye movement region of monkeys while they performed a smooth pursuit eye movement task. We found that the temporal expectation reduced the coherence between the neural spiking and alpha frequency of the local field potential, along with the trial-by-trial correlation between the neural spiking activity and pursuit latency. This result suggests that the desynchronization of alpha oscillation by temporal expectation would be related to the decorrelation of population neural activity, which could be the neural source of reaction time enhancement by temporal expectation.
Multiferroic and ferroelectric phases revealed in 2D Ti3C2Tx MXene film for high performance resistive data storage devices
Authors: Tahir Rabia , Fatima Sabeen , Zahra Syedah Afsheen , Akinwande Deji , Li Hu , Jafri Syed Hassan Mujtaba , Rizwan Syed
Published: February 2023

Multiferroic materials, showing simultaneous ferroelectric and ferromagnetic orders, are considered to be promising candidates for future data storage technology however, the multiferroic phenomenon in two-dimensional (2D) materials is rarely observed. We report a simple approach to observe frequency-dependent ferroelectricity and multiferroicity in 2D Ti3C2Tx MXene film at room-temperature. To study the frequency and poling effect on ferroelectricity, we performed electric polarization vs. electric field (P-E) measurement at different frequencies, measured under zero and non-zero static magnetic fields. The results not only indicate a clear frequency dependence of electric domains owing to varying time relaxation during reversal dynamic but also showed magnetic field control of electric polarization thus, confirmed the presence of strong magneto-electric (ME) coupling at room-temperature. The existence of ME coupling was attributed to the coupling between disordered electric dipoles with local spin moments as well reduced dielectric loss after heat-treatment. Moreover, the ferroelectric Ti3C2Tx MXene film was employed as an active layer within the resistive data storage device that showed a stable switching behavior along with improved on/off ratio in comparison to non-ferroelectric Ti3C2Tx active layer. The unique multiferroic behavior along with ferroelectric-tuned data storage devices reported here, will help understand the intrinsic nature of 2D materials and will advance the 2D ferroelectric data storage industry.
Early Railway Chemistry and its Legacy
Authors: Russell Colin A , Hudson John
Published: February 2023

One of the most important parts of British heavy industry today is our railway system. Its constant appearances in news bulletins, its enormous appeal to fans or "enthusiasts", its permanent role in the lives of most of us, and its economic significance today, all underline its importance.  Railway historians and enthusiasts will be surprised to learn that chemists played an important part in the development of the railway industry in Britain. Chemists themselves are well aware of the many and wide-ranging applications of their discipline, but the fact that their predecessors were involved in the technological development of railways will come as a surprise to many. This book is the first detailed study of this important interaction and covers the crucial role that chemistry played in the development of the British railway industry from its beginnings in the early 19th century up to the grouping of the railways of 1923 into GWR, SR, LNER, and LMSR.

The book describes the vital relationship between chemistry and the railway industry, all very recently discovered. It shows that the railway system would simply have not been possible without chemical inputs, chiefly but by no means entirely analytical. This discovery about a huge revenue-earning industry in Britain came from rare documents recently unearthed and other archival material and the book contains many rare illustrations and vast amounts of previously unpublished material. For the historian, it is a classic case of where history of science and history of technology converge. A great many engineers contributed to the enormous technological development which occurred in the railway industry between 1830 and 1923, but working alongside the engineers were the chemists, and in certain critical areas their contribution to this development was vital. It is a contribution which up until now has not been adequately recognised, and this book puts the record straight.

The book has an unusually wide appeal, being of interest to practising chemists, those interested in the history of chemistry and its role in society, historians of science and technology, mechanical engineers, and not least railway enthusiasts and railway historians. The chemist will be justly proud of the extreme importance of the subject for industry and the railway enthusiast will gain a wholly new picture of the development of the industry in Britain.
Online regeneration of a piezoelectric and impedimetric immunosensor for the detection of C-reactive protein on the oriented antibody gold surface
Authors: Adesina Abiola , Adeniyi Omotayo , Mashazi Philani
Published: February 2023

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) affect the heart and blood vessels. CVDs are fatal when their diagnosis is delayed. C-reactive protein (CRP) is expressed in high concentrations during a cardiac event, thus quantitative monitoring of CRP necessary.
Biomedically-relevant metal organic framework-hydrogel composites
Authors: Lim Jason Y. C. , Goh Leonard , Otake Ken-ichi , Goh Shermin S. , Loh Xian Jun , Kitagawa Susumu
Published: February 2023

MOF-hydrogel composites are an emerging class of composite materials with many potential biomedical applications. In this review article, we discuss the state-of-the-art and prospects for future development.
Regio- and stereoselective syntheses of chiral α-quaternary (Z)-trisubstituted allylic amino acidsviasynergistic Pd/Cu catalysis
Authors: Ke Miaolin , Yu Yuyan , Sun Longwu , Li Xinzhi , Cao Qianqian , Xiao Xiao , Chen Fener
Published: February 2023

Synergistic palladium/copper catalysis for asymmetric allylic alkylation of vinylethylene carbonates with aldimine esters has been developed for the synthesis of α-quaternary (Z)-trisubstituted allylic acids with high efficiency under mild conditions.
Sulfonate ligand-induced formation of alkali metal–cucurbit[5]uril-based assemblies
Authors: Xu Jing , Wang Qi , Ge Wei-Wei , Wu Dong , Redshaw Carl , Chen Kai
Published: February 2023

One novel cucurbit[5]uril-based supramolecular assembly can highly selectively detect NFX (norfloxacin) moleculesviaa fluorescence quenching effect.
When less is more: does more Na+-cations mean more adsorption sites for toluene in faujasites?
Authors: da Silva G. C. Q. , Simon J. M. , Salazar J. Marcos
Published: February 2023

Configuration snapshots of the adsorbed toluene molecules for (a) NaY32, (b) NaY64, (c) NaX70 and (d) NaX86.
Anion and ether group influence in protic guanidinium ionic liquids
Authors: Rauber Daniel , Philippi Frederik , Becker Julian , Zapp Josef , Morgenstern Bernd , Kuttich Björn , Kraus Tobias , Hempelmann Rolf , Hunt Patricia , Welton Tom , Kay Christopher W. M.
Published: February 2023

Dynamics and structures of protic ionic liquids from the superbase guanidinium are analyzed in detail. The H-bond strength correlates with the proton affinity of the constituting acid and can be monitored by the1H or15N chemical shifts.
Pursuing the tribovoltaic effect for direct-current triboelectric nanogenerators
Authors: Xu Chong , Yu Jinran , Huo Ziwei , Wang Yifei , Sun Qijun , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: February 2023

We summarise for the first time the development and microscopic mechanisms of DC-TENGs based on the tribovoltaic effect, which is of great significance for designing high-performance devices and advancing future energy-harvesting technology.
Laboratory growth capacity of an invasive cyanobacterium (Microcystis aeruginosa) on organic substrates from surface waters of permafrost peatlands
Authors: Payandi-Rolland Dahédrey , Shirokova Liudmila S. , Larieux Julien , Bénézeth Pascale , Pokrovsky Oleg S.
Published: February 2023

Under global warming, invasive cyanobacteria, can migrate northward and colonize lakes in permafrost-affected territories. This study tests the potential growth of M. aeruginosa onto various organic-rich solutions of those regions.
Conformal electrodeposition of ultrathin polymeric films with tunable properties from dual-functional monomers
Authors: Wang Wenlu , Zheng Zhaoyi , Resing Anton B. , Brown Keith A. , Werner Jörg G.
Published: February 2023

Conformal functional thin films are obtained from self-limiting electrodeposition of a dual-functional molecule with tailorable control over film thickness, permeability, and dielectric properties only by variation of the deposition conditions.
Crystal regeneration – a unique growth phenomenon observed in organic crystals post breakage
Authors: Bade Isha , Verma Vivek , Rosbottom Ian , Heng Jerry Y. Y.
Published: February 2023

Diagram depicting the regeneration phenomenon in a paracetamol crystal post breakage along its cleavage plane.
Integrated cascade catalysis of microalgal bioenzyme and inorganic nanozyme for anti-inflammation therapy
Authors: Chen Qi-Wen , Cao Meng-Wei , Qiao Ji-Yan , Li Qian-Ru , Zhang Xian-Zheng
Published: February 2023

A biotic/abiotic biohybrid system that combines a microalgal bioenzyme with an inorganic nanoenzyme was developed for anti-inflammation therapy through executing a cascade catalysis to eliminate O2˙− and H2O2.
Printed dry electrode for neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) for e-textile
Authors: Merhi Youssif , Betancur Pablo F. , Ripolles Teresa S. , Suetta Charlotte , Brage-Andersen Morten R. , Hansen Sofie K. , Frydenlund Anders , Nygaard Jens Vinge , Mikkelsen Peter H. , Boix Pablo P. , Agarwala Shweta
Published: February 2023

The flow of the research on screen-printed e-textile with biocompatible materials, which was used for clinical trials on ICU admitted patients and correlated data of clinical and electrochemical impedance studies.
A tumor-targetable NIR probe with photoaffinity crosslinking characteristics for enhanced imaging-guided cancer phototherapy
Authors: Sun Rui , Zhang Yuqi , Gao Yinjia , Zhao Meng , Wang Anna , Zhu Jinfeng , Cheng Xiaju , Shi Haibin
Published: February 2023

Spatiotemporally manipulating thein situimmobilization of theranostic agents within cancer cells to improve their bioavailability is highly significant yet challenging in tumor diagnosis and treatment.
Molecular cyclo-P3 complexes of the rare-earth elements via a one-pot reaction and selective reduction
Authors: Hauser Adrian , Münzfeld Luca , Schlittenhardt Sören , Köppe Ralf , Uhlmann Cedric , Rauska Ulf-Christian , Ruben Mario , Roesky Peter W.
Published: February 2023

Synthesis of new organo-lanthanide polyphosphides with an aromatic cyclo-[P4]2− moiety and a cyclo-[P3]3− moiety is presented.
Hydrogels with electrically conductive nanomaterials for biomedical applications
Authors: Kougkolos Georgios , Golzio Muriel , Laudebat Lionel , Valdez-Nava Zarel , Flahaut Emmanuel
Published: February 2023

Hydrogels with electrically conductive nanomaterials find numerous biomedical applications where conductivity is relevant, such as substrates for tissue engineering of electroactive cells, strain-sensitive sensors and platforms for drug delivery.
Self-assembled molecules as selective contacts in CsPbBr3 nanocrystal light emitting diodes
Authors: Kumari Sarika , Sánchez José G. , Imran Muhammad , Aktas Ece , González Dora A. , Manna Liberato , Martínez-Ferrero Eugenia , Palomares Emilio
Published: February 2023

The judicious design of carbazole-based self-assembled molecules can improve the stability of PerLEDs when they are applied as hole transport material.
Electrostatic crosslinking-enabled highly asymmetric lamellar nanostructures of polyzwitterionic block copolymers for lithography
Authors: Ding Shi-Peng , Zhang Ze-Kun , Ye Ze , Xia Ding-Li , Xu Jun-Ting
Published: February 2023

Intermolecular coulombic interactions induce physical crosslinking and thus the formation of highly asymmetric lamellar nanostructures in a broad composition range for polyzwitterionic block copolymers.
Expression of concern: Ameliorative effect of biofabricated ZnO nanoparticles of Trianthema portulacastrum Linn. on dermal wounds via removal of oxidative stress and inflammation
Authors: Yadav Ekta , Singh Deepika , Yadav Pankajkumar , Verma Amita
Published: February 2023

Expression of concern for ‘Ameliorative effect of biofabricated ZnO nanoparticles of Trianthema portulacastrum Linn. on dermal wounds via removal of oxidative stress and inflammation’ by Ekta Yadav et al., RSC Adv., 2018, 8, 21621–21635, https://doi.org/10.1039/C8RA03500H.
Facile modification of phosphole-based aggregation-induced emission luminogens with sulfonyl isocyanates
Authors: König Nils , Godínez-Loyola Yokari , Yang Fangshun , Laube Christian , Laue Michael , Lönnecke Peter , Strassert Cristian A. , Hey-Hawkins Evamarie
Published: February 2023

In this work, we present a powerful synthetic strategy for selectively converting phosphole oxides by reaction with sulfonyl isocyanates into the corresponding sulfonylimino phospholes, which show a decrease or increase in solid-state emission.
GLI1 interaction with p300 modulates SDF1 expression in cancer-associated fibroblasts to promote pancreatic cancer cells migration
Authors: Vera Renzo E. , Lamberti María J. , Almada Luciana L. , Tolosa Ezequiel J. , Vrabel Anne M. , Sigafoos Ashley N. , Toruner Merih D. , Flores Luis F. , Rivarola Viviana A. , Rumie Vittar Natalia B. , Fernández-Zapico Martín E.
Published: February 2023

Carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play an important role in the progression of multiple malignancies. Secretion of cytokines and growth factors underlies the pro-tumoral effect of CAFs. Although this paracrine function has been extensively documented, the molecular mechanisms controlling the expression of these factors remain elusive. In this study, we provide evidence of a novel CAF transcriptional axis regulating the expression of SDF1, a major driver of cancer cell migration, involving the transcription factor GLI1 and histone acetyltransferase p300. We demonstrate that conditioned media from CAFs overexpressing GLI1 induce the migration of pancreatic cancer cells, and this effect is impaired by an SDF1-neutralizing antibody. Using a combination of co-immunoprecipitation, proximity ligation assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, we further demonstrate that GLI1 and p300 physically interact in CAFs to co-occupy and drive SDF1 promoter activity. Mapping experiments highlight the requirement of GLI1 N-terminal for the interaction with p300. Importantly, knockdowns of both GLI1 and p300 reduce SDF1 expression. Further analysis shows that knockdown of GLI1 decreases SDF1 promoter activity, p300 recruitment, and levels of its associated histone marks (H4ac, H3K27ac, and H3K14ac). Finally, we show that the integrity of two GLI binding sites in the SDF1 promoter is required for p300 recruitment. Our findings define a new role for the p300–GLI1 complex in the regulation of SDF1, providing new mechanistic insight into the molecular events controlling pancreatic cancer cells migration.
Fairness analysis of indoor multi‐user communications through steerable IR‐beam
Authors: Masoumi Hamed , Johar Masoud , Salehiyan Alireza , Emadi Mohammad Javad
Published: February 2023

Downlink data transmission of multi‐user indoor optical wireless communications and its corresponding fairness analysis is studied by the authors. It is assumed that access points (APs) may use infrared beam (IR‐beam) laser or light emitting diodes (LEDs) for data transmissions. For the case of APs with IR‐beams, since the bandwidth of the transmitted optical signal can be very large than that of the LED’s, a typical time‐division multiple access (TDMA) scheme is utilised to serve multiple users and the respective achievable rates are derived. Then, for a general fairness‐scheduling utility function with the capability of adjusting the degree of fairness known as α‐proportional fairness, optimal time‐sharing coefficients are analytically derived in closed‐forms. To compare the performance of the IR‐based communications for the LED‐based APs, two non‐cooperative and cooperative data transmission schemes are also studied and the corresponding achievable rates are presented based on the classical superposition coding. Finally, to compare the performance of the two types of APs, per user data rate of the proposed systems are compared through numerical results for different scenarios to highlight advantages and drawbacks of the two types of APs. Also, by considering the Jain's index as a fairness metric, the impact of the system parameters on the fairness is discussed through numerical results.
Retracted: The use of the intelligent Bayesian network method combined with blockchain technology in the optimisation of tunnel construction quality control
Authors: Cai Liping , Gong Qiaona , Jiang Feng , Yuan Mingzhan , Xiao Zhiyong , Zhang Shuai , Zheng Chengcheng , Wu Yue
Published: February 2023

Retraction: [Liping Cai, Qiaona Gong, Feng Jiang, Mingzhan Yuan, Zhiyong Xiao, Shuai Zhang, Chengcheng Zheng, Yue Wu, The use of the intelligent Bayesian network method combined with blockchain technology in the optimisation of tunnel construction quality control, IET Software 2023 (https://doi.org/10.1049/sfw2.12109)].

The above article from IET Software, published online on 2 February 2023 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement between the Editor‐in‐Chief, Hana Chockler, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (the IET) and John Wiley and Sons Ltd. This article was published as part of a Guest Edited special issue. Following an investigation, the IET and the journal have determined that the article was not reviewed in line with the journal’s peer review standards and there is evidence that the peer review process of the special issue underwent systematic manipulation. Accordingly, we cannot vouch for the integrity or reliability of the content. As such we have taken the decision to retract the article. The authors have been informed of the decision to retract.
Recoil mass separators for nuclear astrophysics: The role of ERNA
Authors: Buompane Raffaele , Porzio Giuseppe , Santonastaso Claudio
Published: February 2023

The measurements of radiative capture reactions can be performed in inverse kinematic detecting directly the recoil produced in the nuclear reaction using a recoil mass separator (RMS). The development of RMS allows the possibility to overtake both the problems of gamma background signal and purity and production of target. The European Recoil Separator for Nuclear Astrophysics (ERNA) is a RMS designed with the main goal of determining the 12C(α, γ)16O, presently hosted at Center for Isotopics Research and Cultural hEritage laboratory of Department of Mathematics and Physics, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta Italy (CIRCE-DMF). A general discussion on measurement techniques with recoil mass separator will be presented in this contribution with a focus on the ERNA one.
Sub-Coulomb barrier penetration for a 6Li with a clustered and deformed ground-state
Authors: Perrotta Salvatore Simone , Fortunato Lorenzo , Lay José Antonio , Colonna Maria
Published: February 2023

The penetrability of the Coulomb barrier of 6Li by a proton is studied using a quantum cluster model. We focus on the role of quadrupole deformations in the nucleus ground-state, in terms of which a 6Li–p form factor with tensor components is computed. We find that the diagonal part of the tensor term reduces the average barrier penetrability of the system. However, the tensor interaction due only to the mechanism studied at present is very small, regardless of the specific adopted construction, and yields negligible effects.
Management der Langerhans-Zell-Histiozytose bei erwachsenen Patienten
Authors: Doberauer Claus
Published: February 2023

Die Langerhans-Zell-Histiozytose ist eine seltene myeloische Neoplasie aus dem Formenkreis
der Histiozytosen. Durch entzündliche Gewebezerstörung mit Fibrosierung kann es in jedem Organ
zu einer Dysfunktion kommen. Am häufigsten sind Skelett, Lungen und Haut betroffen. Symptome,
insbesondere eine Hypophyseninsuffizienz, gehen der Diagnosestellung häufig Monate bis Jahre
voraus. Der Krankheitsverlauf ist variabel und reicht von spontanen Rückbildungen bis hin zu
chronisch rezidivierenden Verläufen. Die Therapiemaßnahmen richten sich nach
Krankheitsaktivität, betroffenen Organen und Organdysfunktion. Aufgrund häufig zugrunde
liegender somatischer Genmutationen im MAPK-Signaltransduktionsweg stehen jetzt auch gezielt
wirksame Inhibitoren zur Verfügung. Die Prognose der Patienten ist günstig. Erkrankung oder
Therapiemaßnahmen können jedoch zu irreversiblen Spätfolgen führen. Eine vor allem
symptomorientierte Nachsorge ist empfehlenswert.
Bilateral Breast Phyllodes Tumor in Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome
Authors: Dutt Aishwarya Sunil , Bakhshi Girish , Sabale Chandrakant , Landge Ravi , Baligar Sushrut , V. Rajalakshmi , Jha Madhu , Joshi Sampada , Teja Chettubattina Ravi
Published: February 2023

Phyllodes is a rare tumor found exclusively in females. It can be classified into benign, intermediate, or malignant variety based on the aggressive nature of the disease. With adequate preoperative clinical assessment combined with histopathology and radiological investigations the adequate treatment strategy can be formulated to avoid future recurrences. Complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) is associated with a genotypic male, which can be confirmed by karyotyping, with phenotypic female characteristics. The present case is the first case of bilateral breast phyllodes tumor in a patient with CAIS. Preoperative assessment was suggestive of bilateral phyllodes tumor with bilateral gonads in the inguinal region which was confirmed to be testis postoperatively on histopathological analysis. A brief case report with review of literature is presented.
Pelvic Ultrasound Imaging-Based Prevalence of Gynecological Morbidity in a Population of Asymptomatic Reproductive-Age Women Attending a Healthcare Outreach Program in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India
Authors: Rajput Eesha
Published: February 2023

Gynecological morbidity in the reproductive age is defined as any condition, disease, or dysfunction of the reproductive system that is not related to pregnancy, abortion, or childbirth. Common gynecological symptoms include irregular menstruation, white vaginal discharge, burning urination, itching of the vulva, inguinal swelling, and nonmenstrual bleeding or spotting and chronic pelvic pain. Masses of the reproductive tract, adnexal masses, and polycystic ovary syndrome also occur in the reproductive age group. Gynecological disease contributes to nearly 4.5% of the overall global disease burden and exceeds the prevalence of other major global diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, ischemic heart disease, and maternal conditions. Ultrasound is a painless, noninvasive imaging modality that can be used for the detection of gynecological abnormalities. This study uses pelvic ultrasound imaging to estimate the prevalence of gynecological morbidity in a population of asymptomatic reproductive-age women attending a healthcare outreach program in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India.
Inhomogeneous steady shear dynamics of a three-body colloidal gel former
Authors: Sammüller Florian , de las Heras Daniel , Schmidt Matthias
Published: February 2023

We investigate the stationary flow of a colloidal gel under an inhomogeneous external shear force using adaptive Brownian dynamics simulations. The interparticle forces are derived from the Stillinger–Weber potential, where the three-body term is tuned to enable network formation and gelation in equilibrium. When subjected to the shear force field, the system develops remarkable modulations in the one-body density profile. Depending on the shear magnitude, particles accumulate either in quiescent regions or in the vicinity of maximum net flow, and we deduce this strong non-equilibrium response to be characteristic of the gel state. Studying the components of the internal force parallel and perpendicular to the flow direction reveals that the emerging flow and structure of the stationary state are driven by significant viscous and structural superadiabatic forces. Thereby, the magnitude and nature of the observed non-equilibrium phenomena differ from the corresponding behavior of simple fluids. We demonstrate that a simple power functional theory reproduces accurately the viscous force profile, giving a rationale of the complex dynamical behavior of the system.
Ferroelectrically modulated ion dynamics in Li+ electrolyte-gated transistors for neuromorphic computing
Authors: Jin Minho , Lee Haeyeon , Lee Jae Hak , Han Daeyoung , Im Changik , Kim Jiyeon , Jeon Moongu , Lee Eungkyu , Kim Youn Sang
Published: February 2023

Li+ electrolyte-gated transistors (EGTs) have attracted significant attention as artificial synapses because of the fast response of Li+ ion, low operating voltage, and applicability to flexible electronics. Due to the inherent nature of Li+ ion, Li+ EGTs show, however, limitations, such as poor long-term synaptic plasticity and nonlinear/nonsymmetric conductance update, which hinder the practical applications of artificial synapses. Herein, Li+ EGTs integrated with poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) (PVDF-TrFE) ferroelectric polymer as a channel–electrolyte interlayer are presented. Owing to the polarized domains of PVDF-TrFE, the transport of Li+ ions at the channel–electrolyte interface is accelerated, and Li+ ions effectively penetrate the channel. Moreover, the self-diffusion of Li+ ions from the channel to the electrolyte is suppressed by the downward polarized domains. Li+ EGTs, therefore, successfully demonstrate synaptic characteristics, including excitatory postsynaptic current, short-/long-term synaptic plasticity, and paired-pulse facilitation. Also, conductance update in Li+ EGTs shows a dynamic range (Gmax/Gmin) of 92.42, high linearity, and distinct stability over 100 cycles. Based on their synaptic characteristics, inference simulations using a convolution neural network for the CIFAR-10 dataset imply that Li+ EGTs are suitable as artificial synapses with an inference accuracy of 89.13%. The new methodological approach addressing modulation of ion dynamics at the interface is introduced for developing practical synaptic devices.
Mitigation of noise in Josephson parametric oscillator by injection locking
Authors: Lakshmi Bhai Gopika , Mukai Hiroto , Tsai Jaw-Shen
Published: February 2023

Injection locking is a well-established technique widely used in optics as well as solid-state devices for efficient suppression of noise. We present the spectroscopic characterization of the effect of the injection-locking signal (ILS) in mitigating the phase noise of a Josephson parametric oscillator, whose output oscillating phase undergoes indeterministic switching between the bistable states with symmetry θ→θ+π. With the injection of a weak locking signal, we measure the phase noise power spectral density of the self-sustained oscillator output state for different locking signal strengths. We observed suppression of phase noise by injection locking. As the ILS strength surpasses more than a few photons, the output state stays completely pinned to the locking phase of the ILS, and the random telegraphic noise due to switching of the states is significantly suppressed.