bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beneficial effect of ursodeoxycholic acid in patients with acyl‐CoA oxidase 2 (ACOX2) deficiency–associated hypertransaminasemia
Authors: Alonso‐Peña Marta , Espinosa‐Escudero Ricardo , Herraez Elisa , Briz Oscar , Cagigal Maria Luisa , Gonzalez‐Santiago Jesus M. , Ortega‐Alonso Aida , Fernandez‐Rodriguez Conrado , Bujanda Luis , Calvo Sanchez Marta , D´Avola Delia , Londoño Maria‐Carlota , Diago Moises , Fernandez‐Checa Jose C. , Garcia‐Ruiz Carmen , Andrade Raul J. , Lammert Frank , Prieto Jesus , Crespo Javier , Juamperez Javier , Diaz‐Gonzalez Alvaro , Monte Maria J. , Marin Jose J. G.
Published: April 2022

Background and Aims

A variant (p.Arg225Trp) of peroxisomal acyl‐CoA oxidase 2 (ACOX2), involved in bile acid (BA) side‐chain shortening, has been associated with unexplained persistent hypertransaminasemia and accumulation of C27‐BAs, mainly 3α,7α,12α‐trihydroxy‐5β‐cholestanoic acid (THCA). We aimed to investigate the prevalence of ACOX2 deficiency‐associated hypertransaminasemia (ADAH), its response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), elucidate its pathophysiological mechanism and identify other inborn errors that could cause this alteration.

Methods and Results

Among 33 patients with unexplained hypertransaminasemia from 11 hospitals and 13 of their relatives, seven individuals with abnormally high C27‐BA levels (>50% of total BAs) were identified by high‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. The p.Arg225Trp variant was found in homozygosity (exon amplification/sequencing) in two patients and three family members. Two additional nonrelated patients were heterozygous carriers of different alleles: c.673C>T (p.Arg225Trp) and c.456_459del (p.Thr154fs). In patients with ADAH, impaired liver expression of ACOX2, but not ACOX3, was found (immunohistochemistry). Treatment with UDCA normalized aminotransferase levels. Incubation of HuH‐7 hepatoma cells with THCA, which was efficiently taken up, but not through BA transporters, increased reactive oxygen species production (flow cytometry), endoplasmic reticulum stress biomarkers (GRP78, CHOP, and XBP1‐S/XBP1‐U ratio), and BAXα expression (reverse transcription followed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunoblot), whereas cell viability was decreased (tetrazolium salt‐based cell viability test). THCA‐induced cell toxicity was higher than that of major C24‐BAs and was not prevented by UDCA. Fourteen predicted ACOX2 variants were generated (site‐directed mutagenesis) and expressed in HuH‐7 cells. Functional tests to determine their ability to metabolize THCA identified six with the potential to cause ADAH.

Conclusions

Dysfunctional ACOX2 has been found in several patients with unexplained hypertransaminasemia. This condition can be accurately identified by a noninvasive diagnostic strategy based on plasma BA profiling and ACOX2 sequencing. Moreover, UDCA treatment can efficiently attenuate liver damage in these patients.
Comparing apples and oranges: The ZUMA‐7, TRANSFORM and BELINDA trials
Authors: Bommier Côme , Lambert Jérôme , Thieblemont Catherine
Published: April 2022

In December 2021, three phase III trials investigating Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T‐cell for large B‐cell lymphoma were published, only one of which showed no treatment effect on Event‐Free Survival (EFS). All compared anti‐CD19 CAR T‐cell as second‐line treatment with immunochemotherapy plus autologous stem cell transplant if an adequate response to chemotherapy was achieved. In this letter, we discuss the methodological reasons that partially explain the discrepant results observed between the ZUMA‐7, TRANSFORM and BELINDA trials. A raw comparison shows that BELINDA simultaneously had the worst experimental arm and the best control arm among the three trials. This could be partially related to differences in the event definition and time of assessment. Stable Disease was considered an event as early as W9 in TRANSFORM, W12 in BELINDA and only W21 in ZUMA‐7. Since tisa‐cel had the longest manufacturing time, the time window may have been too short to assess its full potential compared with axi‐cel and liso‐cel. In comparison, a patient with stable disease in ZUMA‐7 would not be considered an event until W21. On the other hand, a second salvage regimen was allowed before considering stable disease as an event only in the BELINDA control arm which could have delayed EFS. Many of these issues could be avoided if progression‐free survival was preferred to EFS and if the time to manufacture CAR‐T cells was shortened, as long delays can result in a higher tumor volume and more refractory diseases at the time of infusion.
Genetic characterization of P[8] rotavirus strains circulated in Iran between 2009 and 2017
Authors: Latifi Tayebeh , Eybpoosh Sana , Afchangi Atefeh , Jalilvand Somayeh , Shoja Zabihollah
Published: April 2022

Group A rotavirus (RVA) is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide, which is responsible for causing an estimated 120 000 deaths in children under 5 years of age, which mostly occur in the lower‐income countries of Asia and Africa. The G1P[8] is a common genotype of RVA that has spread throughout the world, including Iran and this genotype is present in two commonly used RVA vaccines, RotarixTM and RotaTeqTM. In this study, we investigated the genetic diversity, viral evolution, and differences between antigenic epitopes of Iran's P[8] strains and two licensed vaccines. The phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis was carried out, using MEGA version 6.0 and BEAST, respectively. Antigenic epitopes of VP8* were compared to determine the differences between strains from Iran and RotarixTM and RotaTeqTM. The P[8]‐lineages III and IV were found as the predominant P genotype that circulated in Iran. The TMRCA of P[8]‐lineages III and IV was estimated in 1987 and 2009, respectively. The P[8]‐lineage III strains showed 12 amino acid changes compared to RotarixTM and 10 amino acid changes compared to RotaTeqTM. The P[8]‐lineage IV strains showed 10 amino acid variations for both RotarixTM and RotaTeqTM strains. The results revealed that the P[8] strains circulating in Iran differ from RotarixTM and RotaTeqTM strains. To monitor the long‐term effects of vaccines on the emergence of P[8] strains with different lineages, routine and successful monitoring of these strains will be crucial.
Abnormal dynamic functional connectivity in first‐episode, drug‐naïve adolescents with major depressive disorder
Authors: Zheng Ruiping , Chen Yuan , Jiang Yu , Zhou Bingqian , Li Shuying , Wei Yarui , Wang Caihong , Han Shaoqiang , Zhang Yong , Cheng Jingliang
Published: April 2022

Previous neuroimaging studies have identified disrupted large‐scale functional brain networks in major depressive disorder (MDD); however, most of them focused on adult patients and were based on static functional connectivity (FC). Thus, we aimed to investigate the patterns of change in dynamic FC in depressed adolescents. Resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired from 60 first‐episode, drug‐naïve adolescents with MDD and 60 matched healthy controls (HCs). Then, the dynamic FC properties were analyzed using a sliding windows approach, k‐means clustering, and graph theory methods. The intrinsic brain FC were clustered into two configuration states—a more frequent and relatively sparsely connected State 1 and a less frequent and more strongly interconnected State 2. Compared with HCs, depressed adolescents had higher reoccurrence fraction and dwell time in State 1, and lower reoccurrence fraction and dwell time in State 2, and higher total number of transitions between the two states. Depressed adolescents showed decreased FC within the default mode network (DMN) and between the DMN and other networks in State 1. Additionally, the MDD group showed higher variances in the global and local efficiency. Furthermore, the duration of illness was positively correlated with the number of state transitions, and the 17‐item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score was positively correlated with the mean dwell time in State 1. This study demonstrated abnormal dynamic FC in depressed adolescents, which provided new insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of adolescent‐onset depression.
Trends in intraseasonal temperature variability in Europe, 1961–2018
Authors: Krauskopf Tomáš , Huth Radan
Published: April 2022

While long‐term changes in measures of central tendency of climate elements, that is, mean temperature, are well acknowledged, studies of trends in measures of their variability are much less common. This is despite the fact that trends in variability can have higher effect on climate extremes than trends in mean. Here, four measures of intraseasonal variability are examined: (a) standard deviation of mean daily temperature, (b) the range between the 90th and 10th quantile of mean daily temperature, (c) mean absolute value of day‐to‐day temperature change, and (d) one‐day lagged temporal autocorrelation. ECA&D daily data from 168 stations and linear regression method are utilized to calculate trends of these characteristics in period from 1961 to 2018. Significant trends (positive and negative) are revealed with substantial differences between seasons, regions and measures. The most considerable decreases in temperature variability were recorded in winter, for temporal autocorrelation in eastern Europe and for variance‐based measures in northern Europe. For example, the standard deviation has decreased by more than 10% in the Arctic Ocean. This can indicate a decrease in the frequency of cold extremes in Scandinavia. On the contrary, increasing persistence may suggest a greater likelihood of cold extremes in the East European Plain. Increases in variability prevail only in summer, but not for all measures and not as clearly as decreases in winter. Trends in temporal autocorrelation and day‐to‐day change appear to be sensitive to data issues, such as inhomogeneities and changes in observational procedures.
Prevalence and correlates of self‐reported cognitive difficulties in deployment‐injured U.S. military personnel
Authors: Jurick Sarah M. , McCabe Cameron T. , Watrous Jessica R. , Walker Lauren E. , Stewart Ian J. , Galarneau Michael R.
Published: April 2022

Cognitive difficulties typically resolve within days to weeks following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI); however, a sizable proportion of individuals continue to report cognitive symptoms months to years later that are often associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression to a greater degree than a history of mTBI. The current study sought to evaluate the prevalence of self‐reported cognitive difficulties as well as the relative contributions of demographic, injury‐related, and mental health variables in a large study of U.S. military personnel injured during deployment since 2001. Slightly fewer than half (42.0%) of participants reported elevated cognitive difficulties compared with a normative population; however, this was driven primarily by those who screened positive for PTSD or depression. Hierarchical linear regression revealed that various demographic and injury factors, including lower educational attainment, retired or separated military status, enlisted rank, and a history of deployment‐related mTBI, were associated with more self‐reported cognitive difficulties, f2 = 0.07. Screening positive for PTSD or depression accounted for 32.1% of the variance in self‐reported cognitive symptoms, f2 = 0.63, whereas injury variables, including a history of deployment‐related mTBI, albeit significant in the model, accounted for 1.6%. The current findings add to the growing body of literature underscoring the importance of screening for and treating mental health conditions in injured military personnel.
Deciphering the source contribution of organic matter accumulation in an urban wetland ecosystem
Authors: Dar Shahid Ahmad , Bhat Sami Ullah , Rashid Irfan , Kumar Pankaj , Sharma Rajveer , Aneaus Sheikh
Published: April 2022

A better understanding of the organic matter (OM) dynamics is a key to successful wetland management. We established the radiocarbon chronology (14C) and vertical distribution of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), OM, and carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N) in the sediment core retrieved from the Anchar Wetland, Kashmir Himalaya. The accelerator mass spectrometer (AMS) assisted14C dating of the sediment core showed14C age reversals related to occasional disturbances. The vertical distribution of various fractions revealed increased concentrations of organic carbon (OC), OM, and nutrients (N and P) in the upper part of the sediment core, largely related to increased anthropogenic inputs from the catchment areas during recent decades. Further, the low to high C/N ratio (1.3–36.4) suggests a combination of both the autochthonous and allochthonous inputs as the major contributors of OM to the wetland ecosystem. The linear regression model showed significant (p < 0.05) positive and negative relationships among various analyzed parameters. Principal component analysis (PCA) resulted in three principal components (PCs) accounting for a cumulative variance of 83.6%. The PCA suggests that the primary production, human activities such as extraction of Lotus stems (Nadru) and fishing, and terrestrial inputs (sewage disposal and fertilizer runoff) are the major factors controlling the distribution of organic fractions and nutrients. This study provides important insights into the sources and distribution of sedimentary OM and nutrients crucial for assessing the risks of pollution and for adopting the socially, politically, and scientifically robust strategies for the management of wetlands.
Flood disturbance mediates the strength of stream trophic cascades caused by trout
Authors: McIntosh Angus R.
Published: April 2022

Trophic cascades are important features of aquatic ecosystems, but much variation in their strength remains unexplained. Disturbance could restrict cascade occurrence by limiting predator distribution, and increase cascade strength by lowering defended herbivore abundance. These possibilities were investigated in 20 New Zealand rivers varying both in flooding disturbance (measured by bed movement) and presence of non‐native predatory trout. Trout were often, but not always, associated with indirectly increasing algal abundance compared to similar rivers with native galaxiid fishes. Floods explained variation in cascades by (1) resetting algal abundance such that algal minima were related to bed movement; (2) preventing occurrence by restricting trout abundance in the most disturbed rivers; and (3) increasing potential cascade strength by removing defended herbivores. These observations indicate strong nonlinear influences of disturbance on both trophic cascade occurrence and maximum strength which will be important to consider as climate change alters disturbance regimes.
Treatment of pyogenic granuloma in children with a 595 nm pulsed dye laser: A retrospective study of 212 patients
Authors: Wu Jian‐Ping , Dong Li‐Ping , Lu Xiao‐Yun , Ge Hong‐Song , Zhang Li , Xiao Feng‐Li
Published: April 2022

Background

Pyogenic granuloma (PG) is a common vascular neoplasm in children. Data on 595 nm pulsed dye lasers for the treatment of PG in children remain scarce.

Objective

To summarize the clinical characteristics and to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the 595 nm pulsed dye laser for the treatment of PG in children.

Study Design

Retrospective case series.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed on 212 patients treated for PG with a 595 nm pulsed dye laser. SPSS version 19.0 was used for statistical analysis.

Results

Among all 212 patients treated, 208 showed complete resolution of the lesion, and 4 dropped out after one treatment due to bleeding. A single treatment was sufficient in 139 (66.8%) patients, while two or three treatments were sufficient in 69 (33.2%) patients. Male patients responded better than female patients (χ2 = 7.603, p =0.006). Lesions in the nonorbital region responded better than those in the orbital region (χ2 = 7.445, p =0.006). The size of the lesion affected the effectiveness, and lesions with smaller diameters (t = −5.776, p <0.01) and heights (t = −10.368, p <0.01) showed better results.

Complications and Side Effects

Twelve patients (5.8%) were reported to have local complications and side effects, including edematous erythema, slight bleeding, hyperpigmentation, and hypopigmentation. The edematous erythema and slight bleeding disappeared gradually after several days. The localized pigment changes usually resolved spontaneously and disappeared completely after 6 months.

Conclusions

Our experience confirmed the efficacy and safety of the 595 nm pulsed dye laser for the treatment of PG in children.
Assessment of a 3050/3200 nm fiber laser system for ablative fractional laser treatments in dermatology
Authors: Wang‐Evers Michael , Blazon‐Brown Alyre J. , Ha‐Wissel Linh , Arkhipova Valeriya , Paithankar Dilip , Yaroslavsky Ilya V. , Altshuler Gregory , Manstein Dieter
Published: April 2022

Background and Objectives

Mid‐infrared (IR) ablative fractional laser treatments are highly efficacious for improving the appearance of a variety of dermatological conditions such as photo‐aged skin. However, articulated arms are necessary to transmit the mid‐IR light to the skin, which restricts practicality and clinical use. Here, we have assessed and characterized a novel fiber laser‐pumped difference frequency generation (DFG) system that generates ablative fractional lesions and compared it to clinically and commercially available thulium fiber, Erbium:YAG (Er:YAG), and CO2 lasers.

Materials and Methods

An investigational 20 W, 3050/3200 nm fiber laser pumped DFG system with a focused spot size of 91 µm was used to generate microscopic ablation arrays in ex vivo human skin. Several pulse energies (10–70 mJ) and pulse durations (2–14 ms) were applied and lesion dimensions were assessed histologically using nitro‐blue tetrazolium chloride stain. Ablation depths and coagulative thermal damage zones were analyzed across three additional laser systems.

Results

The investigational DFG system‐generated deep (>2 mm depth) and narrow (<100 µm diameter) ablative lesions surrounded by thermal coagulative zones of at least 20 µm thickness compared to 13, 40, and 320 µm by the Er:YAG, CO2, and Thulium laser, respectively.

Conclusion

The DFG system is a small footprint device that offers a flexible fiber delivery system for ablative fractional laser treatments, thereby overcoming the requirement of an articulated arm in current commercially available ablative lasers. The depth and width of the ablated microcolumns and the extent of surrounding coagulation can be controlled; this concept can be used to design new treatment procedures for specific indications. Clinical improvements and safety are not the subject of this study and need to be explored with in vivo clinical studies.
Colorado moving closer to BH reform, service access following bill movement
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: April 2022

Legislation to create a Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) in the Colorado Department of Human Services is making its way to the Senate. The bill, which creates a coordinated, cohesive and effective behavioral health system in the state, cleared a House committee last month. State officials and stakeholders note that the new BHA will support more efficient service access and whole‐person care for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders.
On the mean‐field limit for the consensus‐based optimization
Authors: Huang Hui , Qiu Jinniao
Published: April 2022

This paper is concerned with the large particle limit for the consensus‐based optimization (CBO), which was postulated in the pioneering works by Carrillo, Pinnau, Totzeck and many others. In order to solve this open problem, we adapt a compactness argument by first proving the tightness of the empirical measures
associated to the particle system and then verifying that the time marginal of the limit measure
is the unique weak solution to the mean‐field CBO equation. Such results are further extended to the model of particle swarm optimization (PSO).
Large signal analysis on microwave photonic generation using an asymmetric dual‐drive Mach–Zehnder modulator and with different modulation indices
Authors: Júnior Antonio A. F. , Ribeiro José A. J. , Spadoti Danilo H.
Published: April 2022

This paper proposes an exact closed‐form frequency domain analytical solution for large‐signal conditions to analyze a microwave photonic signal generator that employs external electro‐optic intensity modulation and direct detection. The detected power of the generated microwave signal was used to evaluate the effect of an asymmetric dual‐drive Mach–Zehnder modulator with finite extinction ratio and using different modulation indices. Considering these effects simultaneously, a full analysis of different bias and phase shifts is also theoretically investigated. The optimum modulation index that maximizes a desired generated microwave frequency is shown here. For a given generated harmonic, the modulation index increases by around 40%. Comparing with the ideal situation, that is, symmetric modulator and using equal modulation indices, for the same harmonic, there is a reduction of around 0.2 dB in the power level and an increase of around 10% in the modulation index to achieve maximum power.
Perpetual plastic for food to go: a design‐led approach to polymer research
Authors: Wilson Garrath T , Clark Nikki , Hatton Fiona L. , Trimingham Rhoda , Woolley Elliot
Published: April 2022

There is both an increasing awareness and concern that human activity is responsible for the climate crisis. The role of polymers within this narrative is not always clear, but by industries engaging in linear economic systems there will always be a need for new plastic production, and the associated planetary cost that comes with it, to meet demand. This is a particular issue for the UK Food to Go industry where single‐use plastic packaging plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the packaged contents. The circular economy, in which there would be multiple closed‐loop cycles of plastic reuse before recycling, offers a promising direction but there are several barriers to the UK Food to Go industry's transition. This perspective article introduces a design‐led approach to polymer research, highlighting three advantages that could help to overcome these barriers: frame creation as a way for synthesising complex issues towards novel research directions; the potential for changing consumer behaviour through scripted material characteristics; and multidisciplinary working as a facilitator of knowledge generation and transfer. The article concludes with an introduction to the Perpetual Plastic for Food to Go project, a design‐led research project that combines polymer chemistry with sustainable manufacturing and design to reduce the impact of UK Food to Go plastic packaging. © 2022 The Authors. Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Hetero and homo α,ω‐chain‐end functionalized polyphosphazenes
Authors: Strasser Paul , Plavcan Oliver , Ajvazi Edip , Henke Helena , Brüggemann Oliver , Teasdale Ian
Published: April 2022

The control of chain‐ends is fundamental in modern macromolecular chemistry for directed one‐to‐one bioconjugation and the synthesis of advanced architectures such as block copolymers or bottlebrush polymers and the preparation of advanced soft materials. Polyphosphazenes are of growing importance as elastomers, biodegradable materials and in biomedical drug delivery due to their synthetic versatility. While controlled polymerization methods have been known for some time, controlling both chain‐ends with high fidelity has proven difficult. We demonstrate a robust synthetic route to hetero and homo α,ω‐chain‐end functionalized polyphosphazenes via end‐capping with easily accessible, functionalized triphenylphosphine‐based phosphoranimines. A versatile thiol‐ene “click”‐reaction approach then allows for subsequent conversion of the end‐capped polymers with various functional groups. Finally, we demonstrate the utility of this system to prepare gels based on homo α,ω‐chain‐end functionalized polyphosphazenes. This development will enhance their progress in various applications, particularly in soft materials and as degradable polymers.
Two‐dimensional analysis for the transition from nonlocal to local electron kinetics and its effect on the spatial uniformity of a capacitively coupled plasma
Authors: Kim Chang Ho , Kim Hwanho , Park Geonwoo , Shin Ji Hyun , Lee Hae June
Published: April 2022

In capacitively coupled plasmas (CCPs) operated under various pressure conditions in semiconductor manufacturing processes, the transition in discharge characteristics is observed depending on local or nonlocal electron kinetics. A two‐dimensional (2D) particle‐in‐cell (PIC) simulation is required because the one‐dimensional PIC method cannot capture the effect of device structures and because fluid models cannot treat the self‐consistent change in the energy distributions. Using a 2D PIC simulation parallelized with a graphics processing unit, we investigated the transition of electron kinetics for the variation of the driving voltage, gas pressure, the gap distance between upper and lower electrodes, and the sidewall condition. Moreover, the mechanism for electron energy relaxation in a CCP is elucidated to develop a method to improve the process uniformity.
Genetic analyses reveal regional structure and demographic expansion of the predominant tea pest Empoasca onukii (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in China
Authors: Li Jinyu , Shi Longqing , Vasseur Liette , Zhao Qian , Chen Jie , You Minsheng , You Shijun
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

The tea green leafhopper, Empoasca onukii Matsuda, is the most destructive insect pest of tea plantations in East Asia. Despite its economic importance and previous studies on this species, it remains unclear as to how this small‐sized pest can have such wide range.

RESULTS

By sequencing three mitochondrial genes and 17 microsatellite loci, we revealed the regional structure and demographic expansion of 59 E. onukii populations in China. Bayesian analysis of population genetic structure (BAPS) on microsatellites identified four genetic groups with spatial discontinuities, while analysis on mitochondrial genes inferred five nested and differentiated clusters. Both the Mantel test and the generalized linear model indicated a significant pattern of isolation by geographic distance in E. onukii populations. Based on the approximate Bayesian computation approach, E. onukii was found to have originated from southwestern China and expanded northward and eastward. While MIGRATE‐N and Bayesian stochastic search variable selection (BSSVS) procedure in BEAST confirmed the possible eastward and northward dispersal from Yunnan, they also detected more gene flow from the derived populations in central and southeastern China.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that the current distribution and structure of E. onukii is complicatedly influenced by human activities of cultivation, wide dissemination of tea in ancient China as well as recent transportation of tea seedlings for establishing new tea plantations. Insights into genetic differentiation and demographic expansion patterns from this study provide an important basis for the development of area‐wide management of the E. onukii populations. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Ultrafast Threshold Switching Dynamics in Phase‐Change Materials
Authors: Saxena Nishant , Manivannan Anbarasu
Published: April 2022

Discovery of electrical switching in chalcogenide glasses by S.R. Ovshinsky paves a new path for developing high‐speed nonvolatile electronic memory and high‐performance computing solutions. This article presents a review on the systematic understanding of threshold switching (TS) properties in various chalcogenide materials, Ovonic threshold switching (OTS) and Ovonic memory switching (OMS), the nature of TS, voltage‐dependent transient characteristics, and the role of TS in governing the programming speed based on research efforts over the last six decades. Furthermore, realization of TS in picosecond timescale, the commonalities between OTS and OMS, and the possible underlying mechanism has been explored. Furthermore, a scheme of material classification based on TS dynamics for ultrafast yet energy‐efficient programming has been proposed for phase‐change memory with SRAM‐like programming speed for future electronics.
First‐principles investigation of Rb2Ag(Ga/In)Br6 for thermoelectric and photovoltaic applications
Authors: Gourav  , Sk Mukaddar , Ramachandran Krishnamoorthy , Ghosh Saurabh
Published: April 2022

In this article, we have systematically investigated the structural, electronic, optical and thermoelectric properties of Rb2Ag(Ga/In)Br6. The resulting negative formation energy along with the absence of imaginary phonon modes confirm the thermodynamic stability of Rb2Ag(Ga/In)Br6. In addition, the derived electronic properties by using GGA‐PBE + mBJ + SOC functional show that the direct band gap values are 1.21 eV and 1.42 eV for Rb2AgGaBr6 and Rb2AgInBr6, respectively. Furthermore, the dispersed direct band nature of Rb2Ag(Ga/In)Br6 leads to their outshining optical properties such as higher order (105 cm−1) absorption coefficient, appreciable optical conductivity, and low reflectivity. Moreover, the higher figure of merit values of Rb2Ag(Ga/In)Br6 are resulted from their ultra‐low thermal conductivity and high electrical conductivity. Thus, Rb2Ag(Ga/In)Br6 are predicted to be potential photovoltaic and thermoelectric materials.
Influence of casting position on cracking behavior of reinforced concrete elements and evaluation of latest proposal for EN‐1992 and MC2020: Experimental study
Authors: García Roberto , Alejandro Pérez Caldentey
Published: April 2022

This article describes an experimental program aimed at studying the influence of casting position on the cracking behavior of reinforced concrete elements. The effect of other parameters such as concrete cover, ratio between diameter and effective reinforcement ratio (ϕ/ρs,ef) and type of loading (tension or bending) is also studied. The experimental program was conceived in order to compare the results obtained for crack spacing and crack width for beams with the main reinforcement cast in good and poor bond conditions. The possible influence of this factor was documented, on the strength of test results, in a previous article. A specific test program, reported in this article, was carried out at the Technical University of Madrid in order to confirm this phenomenon.
Freie Bahn für kleinste Teilchen
Authors: Budelmann Dirk , Dücker Eibe , Schopphoff Andreas
Published: April 2022

Clear Path for the Smallest Particles – Vacuum challenges at linear accelerators and transfer lines

The need for radiation‐resistant products is often considered in vacuum applications on particle accelerators. This is particularly true for synchrotrons, but also for other accellarator types, at many positions in the system. The demands on vacuum technology products installed at non‐radiation‐exposed positions, such as transfer lines, are equally high. When chambers, components and pumps are considered holistically, cleanliness, absence of hydrocarbons and high mechanical accuracy are particularly important. This interplay in the large European accelerator GANIL highlights challenges as well as their solutions.
Dünne Schichten für die Energiewende
Authors: Seyfert Ulf
Published: April 2022

Thin films for the energy transition

The energy transition encompasses a large number of measures that are necessary for the long‐term stabilization of the climate. At the same time, the topic of energy transition is associated not only with economic and social challenges, but also with a multitude of technological challenges. In the three pillars – utilization of regenerative energies – energy storage – efficient energy use – surfaces and interfaces, as well as the possibilities of influencing properties through thin‐film technologies, play a decisive role in the effectiveness of a wide variety of solutions. The article highlights some applications for solar and wind power utilization, as well as storage technologies from the perspective of surface and interface properties.
Key Stages for Battery Full-Lifespan Management
Authors: Liu Kailong , Wang Yujie , Lai Xin
Published: April 2022

As a classical electrochemical component, Li-ion battery ages with time, losing its capacity to store charge and deliver it efficiently. In order to ensure battery safety and high performance, it is vital to design and imply a series of management targets during its full-lifespan. This chapter will first offer the concept and give a systematic framework for the full-lifespan of Li-ion battery, which can be mainly divided into three stages including the battery manufacturing, battery operation, and battery reutilization. Then key management tasks of each stage would be introduced in detail.
Sexual and Reproductive Health of Adolescents and Young People in India: The Missing Links During and Beyond a Pandemic
Authors: Kedia Sapna , Verma Ravi , Mane Purnima
Published: April 2022

The authors discuss the impact of the pandemic on the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents and young people. Adolescents and young adults (AYA) are at low risk from COVID- 19, and hence, it may be assumed that their needs do not warrant immediate attention. However, it is important to understand how the pandemic may have affected their lives. Evidence from previous humanitarian disasters in India and elsewhere suggests that consequences for adolescents and young adults may be significant and multi-dimensional. The authors examine the impact (short- and long-term) of COVID on the sexual and reproductive needs and behaviors of AYA in India, particularly their intimate relationships, sexual violence, access to services, and impact on their mental health.

Programs for AYA should be responsive to their needs, feelings, and experiences and should treat them with the respect they deserve, acknowledging their potential to be part of the solution, so that their life conditions improve and the adverse impact of the pandemic is minimized. Programs must also address the needs of vulnerable AYA like migrants, those from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community, persons with special needs, HIV positive youth, and those who live in poverty. It is important to understand how gender impacts the sexual and reproductive health of AYA, particularly young girls and women, in terms of restriction of mobility, increase dependence on male partners/friends/relatives, gender-based violence, control of sexuality, and the lack of privacy and confidentiality. The responses to these needs by youth-based and youth-serving organizations and the government are summarized. Recommendations are made to address prevailing gaps from a sexual and reproductive health rights and justice perspective.
Photon fragmentation in the antenna subtraction formalism
Authors: Gehrmann Thomas , Schürmann Robin
Published: April 2022

Abstract

The theoretical description of photon production at particle colliders combines direct photon radiation and fragmentation processes, which can not be separated from each other for definitions of photon isolation used in experimental measurements. The theoretical description of these processes must account for collinear parton-photon configurations, retaining the dependence on the photon momentum fraction, and includes the parton-to-photon fragmentation functions. We extend the antenna subtraction method to include photon fragmentation processes up to next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) in QCD. Collinear photon radiation is handled using newly introduced fragmentation antenna functions and associated phase space mappings. We derive the integrated forms of the fragmentation antenna functions and describe their interplay with the mass factorisation of the photon fragmentation functions. The construction principles of antenna subtraction terms up to NNLO for identified photons are outlined, thereby enabling the application of the method to different photon production processes at colliders.
Generalised hydrodynamics of particle creation and decay
Authors: Castro-Alvaredo Olalla A. , De Fazio Cecilia , Doyon Benjamin , Ziółkowska Aleksandra A.
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Unstable particles rarely feature in conjunction with integrability in 1+1D quantum field theory. However, the family of homogenous sine-Gordon models provides a rare example where both stable and unstable bound states are present in the spectrum whilst the scattering matrix is diagonal and solves the usual bootstrap equations. In the standard scattering picture, unstable particles result from complex poles of the S-matrix located in the unphysical sheet of rapidity space. Since they are not part of the asymptotic spectrum, their presence is only felt through the effect they have on physical quantities associated either to the theory as a whole (i.e. scaling functions, correlation functions) or to the stable particles themselves (i.e. energy/particle density). In two recent publications, the effect of unstable particles in different out-of-equilibrium settings has been studied. It has been shown that their presence is associated with specific signatures in many quantities of physical interest. A good way to select those quantities is to adopt the generalised hydrodynamic approach and to consider the effective velocities and particle densities of the stable particles in the theory. For an initial state given by a spacial gaussian profile of temperatures peaked at the origin, time evolution gives rise to particle and spectral particle densities that exhibit hallmarks of the creation and decay of unstable particles. While these signatures have been observed numerically elsewhere, this paper explores their quantitative and qualitative dependence on the parameters of the problem. We also consider other initial states characterised by “inverted gaussian” and “double gaussian” temperature profiles.
Towards color-kinematics duality in generic spacetimes
Authors: Sivaramakrishnan Allic
Published: April 2022

Abstract

In this note, we study color-kinematics duality in generic spacetimes. We work with a contact representation for on shell correlators. The position-space integrand is encoded by enumerated differential operators. This setup generalizes certain features of S-matrix kinematics to curved space. Differences between flat and curved space are captured by commutators. We study the nonlinear sigma model at four points as an explicit example and find that color-kinematics duality holds in generic spacetimes. We illustrate our approach in the AdS transition amplitude, a type of on shell correlation function. We find a double copy procedure at four points that connects the nonlinear sigma model, the biadjoint scalar theory, and the special Galileon theory.
Symmetry breaking to Majorana Brown-Susskind metric
Authors: Freedman Michael , Zini Modjtaba Shokrian
Published: April 2022

Abstract

In parts I [1] and II [2] of our earlier work, we studied how metrics gij on $$ \mathfrak{su} $$
su
(n) may spontaneously break symmetry and crystallize into a form which is kaq, knows about qubits. We did this for n = 2N and then away from powers of 2. Here we address the Fermionic version and find kam metrics, these know about Majoranas. That is, there is a basis of principal axes {Hk} of which is of homogeneous Majorana degree. In part I, we searched unsuccessfully for functional minima representing crystallized metrics exhibiting the Brown-Susskind penalty schedule, motivated by their study of black hole scrambling time. Here, by segueing to the Fermionic setting we find, to good approximation, kam metrics adhering to this schedule on both $$ \mathfrak{su} $$
su
(4) and $$ \mathfrak{su} $$
su
(8). Thus, with this preliminary finding, our toy model exhibits two of the three features required for the spontaneous emergence of spatial structure: (1) localized degrees of freedom and, (2) a preference for low body-number (or low Majorana number) interactions. The final feature, (3) constraints on who may interact with whom, i.e. a neighborhood structure, must await an effective analytic technique, being entirely beyond what we can approach with classical numerics.
Angehörigenbetreuung auf Intensivstationen
Authors: Hoffmann Magdalena , Nydahl Peter , Brauchle Maria , Schwarz Christine , Amrein Karin , Jeitziner Marie-Madlen
Published: April 2022

Hintergrund

Angehörige von kritisch Kranken auf der Intensivstation („intensive care unit“, ICU) sind in einer herausfordernden Situation: Sie befinden sich häufig in einer existenziellen Krise mit einer großen emotionalen Belastung, gleichzeitig sind sie oftmals aktiv in therapeutische Entscheidungen mit eingebunden. Die Besuchsrestriktionen während der Pandemie aufgrund der Coronaviruserkrankung 2019 (COVID-19) haben viele Rahmenbedingungen für die Angehörigenbegleitung geändert und so die Betreuung von Angehörigen schwieriger gemacht.

Ziel

Ziel der Publikation ist die Darstellung der aktuellen und neuen Entwicklungen in der Angehörigenbegleitung von kritisch Kranken auf Intensivstationen im Rahmen einer narrativen Übersichtsarbeit.

Ergebnisse

In den letzten Jahren wurden zahlreiche Maßnahmen und Projekte zur Angehörigenbegleitung entwickelt, die sich den folgenden 6 Bereichen zuordnen lassen: 1) Anwesenheit der Angehörigen, 2) proaktive Einbindung in die Betreuung, 3) strukturierte Kommunikation und Information sowie Onlineangebote, 4) multidisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit, 5) Aufgaben der Organisationsleitung und 6) Follow-up-Angebote. Die Evidenz und der derzeitige Implementierungsstand der Maßnahmen sind international und national sehr heterogen.

Schlussfolgerungen

Maßnahmen zur Angehörigenbetreuung sind vielfältig und können zum Teil auch unter Besuchsrestriktionen umgesetzt werden. Neuere Entwicklungen im digitalen Bereich ermöglichen zunehmend auch virtuelle Besuche und einen ergänzenden Informationsaustausch zwischen dem Team der ICU und den Angehörigen.
The supply of foreign talent: how skill-biased technology drives the location choice and skills of new immigrants
Authors: Beerli Andreas , Indergand Ronald , Kunz Johannes S.
Published: April 2022

An important goal of immigration policy is facilitating the entry of foreign-born workers whose skills are in short supply in destination labor markets. In recent decades, information and communication technology (ICT) has fueled the demand for highly educated workers at the expense of less-educated groups. Exploiting the fact that regions in Switzerland have been differentially exposed to ICT due to their pre-ICT industrial composition, we present evidence suggesting that more exposed regions experienced stronger ICT adoption, accompanied by considerably stronger growth in relative employment and wage premia for college-educated workers. Following this change in the landscape of relative economic opportunities, we find robust evidence that these regions experienced a much larger influx of highly educated immigrants in absolute terms as well as relative to lower educated groups. Our results suggest that immigrants’ location decisions respond strongly to these long-run, technology-driven changes in their economic opportunities.
Correction to: Submodular financial markets with frictions
Authors: Chateauneuf Alain , Cornet Bernard
Published: April 2022

A Correction to this paper has been published
Hölder classes via semigroups and Riesz transforms
Authors: González-Pérez Adrián
Published: April 2022

We define Hölder classes$$\Lambda _\alpha $$Λαassociated with a Markovian semigroup and prove that, when the semigroup satisfies the$$\Gamma ^2 \ge 0$$Γ2≥0condition, the Riesz transforms are bounded between the Hölder classes. As a consequence, this bound holds in manifolds with nonnegative Ricci curvature. We also show, without the need for extra assumptions on the semigroup, that a version of the Morrey inequalities is equivalent to the ultracontractivity property. This result extends the semigroup approach to the Sobolev inequalities laid by Varopoulos. After that, we study certain families of operators between the homogeneous Hölder classes. One of these families is given by analytic spectral multipliers and includes the imaginary powers of the generator, the other, by smooth multipliers analogous to those in the Marcienkiewicz theorem. Lastly, we explore the connection between the Hölder norm and Campanato’s formula for semigroups.
The Willmore Center of Mass of Initial Data Sets
Authors: Eichmair Michael , Koerber Thomas
Published: April 2022

We refine the Lyapunov–Schmidt analysis from our recent paper (Eichmair and Koerber in Large area-constrained Willmore surfaces in asymptotically Schwarzschild 3-manifolds. arXiv preprint arXiv:2101.12665, 2021) to study the geometric center of mass of the asymptotic foliation by area-constrained Willmore surfaces of initial data for the Einstein field equations. If the scalar curvature of the initial data vanishes at infinity, we show that this geometric center of mass agrees with the Hamiltonian center of mass. By contrast, we show that the positioning of large area-constrained Willmore surfaces is sensitive to the distribution of the energy density. In particular, the geometric center of mass may differ from the Hamiltonian center of mass if the scalar curvature does not satisfy additional asymptotic symmetry assumptions.
On Holobionts, Holospecies, and Holoniches: the Role of Microbial Symbioses in Ecology and Evolution
Authors: Koide Roger T.
Published: April 2022

My goal in writing this is to increase awareness of the roles played by microbial symbionts in eukaryote ecology and evolution. Most eukaryotes host one or more species of symbiotic microorganisms, including prokaryotes and fungi. Many of these have profound impacts on the biology of their hosts. For example, microbial symbionts may expand the niches of their hosts, cause rapid adaptation of the host to the environment and re-adaptation to novel conditions via symbiont swapping, facilitate speciation, and fundamentally alter our concept of the species. In some cases, microbial symbionts and multicellular eukaryote hosts have a mutual dependency, which has obvious conservation implications. Hopefully, this contribution will stimulate a reevaluation of important ecological and evolutionary concepts including niche, adaptation, the species, speciation, and conservation of multicellular eukaryotes.