bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of diverse storage conditions of double‐stranded RNAin vitro on the RNA interference efficiency in vivo insect Tribolium castaneum
Authors: Bai Mei , Liu Zi‐Ling , Zhou Yu‐Yu , Xu Qiu‐Xuan , Liu Tong‐Xian , Tian Hong‐Gang
Published: September 2022

Background

A significant variation in RNA interference (RNAi) efficiency hinders further functional gene studies and pest control application in many insects. The available double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules introduced into the target cells are regarded as the crucial factor for efficient RNAi response. However, numerous studies have only focused on dsRNA stability in vivo; it is uncertain whether different dsRNA storage conditions in vitro play a role in variable RNAi efficiency among insects.

Results

A marker gene cardinal, which leads to white eyes when knocked‐down in the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum, was used to evaluate the effects of RNAi efficiency under different dsRNA storage conditions. We demonstrated that the dsRNA molecule is very stable under typical cryopreservation temperatures (−80 and −20 °C) within 180 days, and RNAi efficiency shows no significant differences under either low temperature. Unexpectedly, while dsRNA molecules were treated with multiple freeze–thaw cycles up to 50 times between −80/−20 °C and room temperature, we discovered that dsRNA integrity and RNAi efficiency were comparable with fresh dsRNA. Finally, when the stability of dsRNA was further measured under refrigerated storage conditions (4 °C), we surprisingly found that dsRNA is still stable within 180 days and can induce an efficient RNAi response as that of initial dsRNA.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that dsRNA is extraordinarily stable under various temperature storage conditions that did not significantly impact RNAi efficiency in vivo insects. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
The dual impacts of specialized agricultural services on pesticide application intensity: Evidence from China
Authors: Li Qian , Wang Jingjing , Wu Junqian , Zhai Qianqian
Published: September 2022

BACKGROUND

Specialized agricultural services are a new trend in agricultural production around the world, especially in developing countries. However, the growing impacts of specialized agricultural services on pesticide application intensity are unclear. In regions facing pesticide overuse, do specialized agricultural services exacerbate or mitigate the problem?

RESULTS

Based on province‐level panel data from China from 2004 to 2018, this study examines the impact of specialized agricultural services on pesticide application intensity, considering both direct and indirect (i.e. spatial spillover) effects. The dual impacts of specialized agricultural services on pesticide application intensity in China are identified. First, specialized agricultural services directly increase pesticide application intensity, likely due to increased cultivation and specialized management of land that was previously abandoned or marginally managed. Second, there is a negative indirect or spatial spillover effect of specialized agricultural services on pesticide application intensity, likely due to technology and efficiency diffusion enabled by the cross‐regional provision of specialized agricultural services. The net impact of specialized agricultural services on pesticide application intensity is negative.

CONCLUSION

Crop protection services are regarded as the core force to promote the reduction of pesticide application intensity. Steps should be taken to promote the research and development, demonstration, and promotion of new technologies and equipment for crop protection services, particularly the development of crop protection by drones. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Thysanoptera as predators: their diversity and significance as biological control agents
Authors: Wang Zhaohong , Mound Laurence A. , Hussain Mubasher , Arthurs Steven P. , Mao Runqian
Published: September 2022

Some species of thrips have evolved predatory behaviours, with their reported prey range including thrips, mites, scale‐insects, whitefly, psyllid nymphs, and eggs of moths and beetles. However, our current understanding of the biology and potential of these thrips as biological control agents is insufficient, limiting our understanding of their role in pest management. This paper assesses published information on the diversity of predatory thrips and the available biological data on their diet breadth. About 100 species within three different families – Aeolothripidae, Phlaeothripidae and Thripidae – seem likely to be predatory, although some conclusions are speculative. Both facultative and obligate predators can be found among the species with prey records. Obligate predators feed primarily on arthropod tissues, whereas facultative predators consume plant tissues in addition to prey. Quantitative information regarding developmental biology, longevity and fecundity, was obtained for only 11 species. Obligate predators, particularly members of Scolothrips and Franklinothrips, are efficient biological control agents. To better augment the use of predatory thrips in pest management, further increased investment in mass rearing, life history and ecological studies, including interactions with other organisms and their habitat, are needed on these natural enemies. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Amorphous to Polycrystalline Phase Transition in La2O3Films Grown on a Silicon Substrate Forming Si‐Doped La2O3Films
Authors: Lee Seung Ran , Kim Ansoon , Choi Seungwook , Ikeda Tokihiro , Kobayashi Tomohiro , Isoshima Takashi , Cho Sungwan , Kim Yousoo
Published: September 2022

Herein, La2O3films are fabricated on a Si substrate without a La–Sr intermixing layer at the La2O3/Si interface using a pulsed laser deposition method. X‐ray diffraction data shows only two discernible peaks of the La2O3films: hexagonal La2O3(10‐1) and cubic La2O3(222), indicating polycrystalline character. During film growth, the reflection high‐energy electron diffraction pattern from the La2O3surface changes from an initial column shape to a complicated distributed dot pattern with narrow lines, suggesting possible structural property changes in the La2O3film. The occurrence of a structural transition is confirmed by high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), which exhibits a clear crystalline phase change from an initial ≈10 nm thick amorphous La2O3film to polycrystalline La2O3film on Si. Rutherford backscattering shows a reduced La–Si intermixing between La2O3and Si. Furthermore, the results of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy atomic depth profile analysis show that observation of La‐silicate over the whole La2O3film indicates that Si diffuses through whole thick La2O3films forming Si‐doped La2O3films. This study of the well‐defined structural characteristics and sharp interface of La2O3/Si will enable further understanding of high dielectric constant materials grown on Si by the introduction of advanced film growth technique.
Gambogenic acid induces apoptosis and autophagy through ROS‐mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress via JNK pathway in prostate cancer cells
Authors: Wu Jianjian , Wang Dejuan , Zhou Jiuyao , Li Juntao , Xie Ruoxin , Li Yiyuan , Huang Jiayu , Liu Bihao , Qiu Jianguang
Published: September 2022

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common malignant tumor in males, which frequently develops into castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) with limited therapies. Gambogenic acid (GNA), a flavonoids compound isolated from Gamboge, exhibits anti‐tumor capacity in various cancers. Our results showed that GNA revealed not only antiproliferative and pro‐apoptotic activities but also the induction of autophagy in PCa cells. In addition, autophagy inhibitor chloroquine enhanced the pro‐apoptosis effect of GNA. Moreover, the activation of JNK pathway and the induction of apoptosis and autophagy triggered by GNA were attenuated by JNK inhibitor SP600125. We also found that GNA significantly promoted reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Meanwhile, suppressing ER stress with 4‐phenylbutyric acid (4‐PBA) markedly blocked the activation of JNK pathway induced by GNA. Further research indicated that ROS scavenger N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine (NAC) effectively abrogated ER stress and JNK pathway activation induced by GNA. Furthermore, NAC and 4‐PBA significantly reversed GNA‐triggered apoptosis and autophagy. Finally, GNA remarkably suppressed prostate tumor growth with low toxicity in vivo. In conclusion, the present study revealed that GNA induced apoptosis and autophagy through ROS‐mediated ER stress via JNK signaling pathway in PCa cells. Thus, GNA might be a promising therapeutic drug against PCa.
Distributed containment control of networked uncertain MIMO pure‐feedback nonlinear systems via quantized state feedback and communication
Authors: Kim Byung Mo , Yoo Sung Jin
Published: September 2022

This article presents a distributed adaptive containment control strategy using quantized state feedback and communication for uncertain multiple‐input‐multiple‐output pure‐feedback nonlinear multi‐agent systems with state quantization. It is assumed that quantized state variables of multiple followers and quantized outputs of multiple dynamic leaders are only available for constructing local adaptive feedback controllers of followers under a directed network. Compared with existing containment control approaches, the primary contribution of this study is dealing with discontinuously quantized state feedback and communication problems for containment control design in the presence of unknown nonaffine nonlinearities. Based on quantized state and communication information, local adaptive neural network trackers of followers and their adaptive tuning laws are developed to guarantee that the trajectories of all followers converge to the dynamic convex hull spanned by the multiple leaders regardless of unknown pure‐feedback nonlinearities. By analyzing the stability of the local quantization errors between quantized signals and original signals, we prove the boundedness of all closed‐loop signals and the convergence of the containment errors to a sufficiently small domain around the origin. Simulation examples involving flexible‐joint manipulators are presented to validate the proposed quantized feedback scheme.
The economic cost of hydropower environmental constraints under decreasing price volatility
Authors: Huuki Hannu , Karhinen Santtu , Ashraf Faisal Bin , Haghighi Ali Torabi , Marttila Hannu
Published: September 2022

Hydropower operation optimization in river systems involves market prices, technological constraints affecting the efficiency of turbines, and flow constraints set by an environmental regulator. Comprehensive environmental flow regulation includes the ecological state of a river system and the impact on hydropower value. This article studies the impacts of environmental constraints on hydropower value under varying electricity price volatility scenarios. The effects of maximum flow, minimum flow, and flow ramping constraints are studied analytically and quantitatively. We frame the lost hydropower value as the economic cost of these constraints. We show that the economic costs of the environmental constraints decrease with lower price volatility. We use a marginal cost and marginal benefit framework to illustrate that the optimal flow constraint should be tightened if the price volatility decreases in the electricity market. Our approach illustrates how electricity price volatility influences the analysis of optimal environmental constraints in regulated river systems. Finally, we analyse the effect of different environmental flow release options in fishways on the economic cost of a fishway. If the hydropower operator can optimize the fishway flow allocation, then the loss in hydropower value is lower than under a constant fishway flow.
Is there room for science at aquariums? An analysis of family conversations and interactions during visits to AquaRio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Massarani Luisa , Ibanes Aguiar Bruna , Magalhães de Araujo Juliana , Scalfi Graziele , Kauano Rafael , Bizerra Alessandra
Published: September 2022

In this study, we use a mixed methods approach to analyze the conversational content and interactions constituting five family groups' visits to the Marine Aquarium of Rio de Janeiro (AquaRio), the largest marine aquarium in South America, to understand how families interact with science and construct meaning regarding science and conservation. The audiovisual records of the family groups were analyzed using categories that investigate the types of interactions and conversations that may take place in scientific‐cultural venues. The results suggest that, throughout the visits, family members were driven by their observation and contemplation of the animals on exhibit to interact with each other to share information about marine biodiversity and its conservation. The adults, children, and explainers all had fundamental roles in the construction of dialogues on scientific topics. The adults adopted behaviors that facilitated learning, made associations with previous experiences, read panels, and contextualized the information to their family's reality. The children were notable for their protagonism, asking questions, giving explanations, and sharing their previous knowledge, experiences and opinions about the animals and the conservation of marine biodiversity based on scientific reasoning. Therefore, this study provides evidence of the important role that AquaRio could play in providing opportunities for families to have conversations about biodiversity and conservation while raising awareness about the impacts of human activities on the oceans.
Molecular and Electronic Structures, Spectra, Electrochemistry and Anti‐bacterial Efficacy of Novel Heterocyclic Hydrazones of Phenanthrenequinone and Their Nickel(II) Complexes
Authors: Dinda Soumitra , Maitra Debapriya , Roy Bedaprana , Khan Prattusha , Samajdar Aratrika , Mitra Arup Kumar , Roy Subhadip , Mondal Arpan , Pramanik Kausikisankar , Ganguly Sanjib
Published: September 2022

A pair of tridentate ligands incorporating heterocyclic hydrazones of 9,10‐phenanthrenequinone viz,. pyridyl‐hydrazino‐phenathrenequinone HLPy 1a and benzothiazolyl‐hydrazino‐phenathrenequinone HLBenz 1b have been synthesized and both behave as monoanionic towards nickel(II), forming meridional octahedral complexes of type [Ni(LPy)2] 2a and [Ni(LBenz)2] 2b as evident from single crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. The complexes are electro‐active in solution and nature of redox orbitals has been analysed by theoretical means. They display two oxidative and two reductive responses that have been ascribed to the redox processes of coordinated ligands. The electronic absorption spectral patterns of two complexes are analogous barring the fact that lower energy transition for 2b is marginally bathochromically shifted relative to that of 2a and it has been clarified by TD‐DFT studies. Anti‐bacterial efficacy of the ligands HLPy 1a, HLBenz 1b and complexes [Ni(LPy)2] 2a, [Ni(LBenz)2] 2b against four Gram‐positive and four Gram‐negative strains has been explored. [Ni(LPy)2] 2a exhibits more pronounced efficacy than [Ni(LBenz)2] 2b and these are greater than those of the corresponding ligands. The mode of action of 2a is essential via DNA damage while protein leakage and membrane lipid damage were observed upon treatment with 2b.
Synthesis of arylacylated oxindoles via visible light‐promoted Smiles rearrangement
Authors: Liu Yihuo , Ding Siyu , Xu Mingli , Xu Jinli , Cheng Dongping , Wang Hong , Xu Xiaoliang
Published: September 2022

A visible‐light‐promoted radical tandem reaction of N‐arylsulfonyl‐acrylamides with α‐oxocarboxylic acids is described. It undergoes decarboxylation, Smiles rearrangement, and intramolecular cyclization under mild reaction conditions, providing a series of arylacylated oxindoles with potential pharmacological activities.
A COMPARISON OF HYDROGEN PRODUCTION BY WATER SPLITTING ON THE SURFACE OF α‐, δ‐ AND γ‐Al2O3
Authors: Ali Imran , Imanova Gunel , Agayev Teymur , Aliyev Anar , Alharbi Omar M. L. , Alsubaie Abdullah , Almalki Abdulraheem S. A.
Published: September 2022

Water splitting is becoming one of the most important processes for producing green fuel hydrogen. Among various materials, alumina provides the best surface for water splitting to generate green energy hydrogen. Therefore, radiation‐catalytic and radiation‐thermocatalytic activities of the polymorphic forms of Al2O3 (α‐, δ‐, γ‐) in the water decomposition process were studied at various temperatures. It is established that γ‐Al2O3 has relatively high radiation‐catalytic properties in the process of water decomposition. The maximum yields of the radiation‐chemical molecular hydrogen at 873 K for 30 hrs were 4.5, 5.8, and 7.0 N(H2)×10−18 molecules/g for α‐, δ‐ and γ‐Al2O3; indicating the best performance of γ‐Al2O3. The pattern of accumulation of localized states of non‐equilibrium charge carriers in polymorphic forms of γ‐Al2O3 was determined. Furthermore, the proposed mechanisms of energy transfer and lengths of energy transfer in radiation‐heterogeneous processes of water decomposition were determined. The developed method may be used to produce hydrogen fuel on a large scale.
Semicrystalline Cathode Interlayer Based on Morphology Control Additives Using Nonconjugated Small‐Molecule Zwitterions for Efficient Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Wen Junjie , Lin Rui , Wang Shuhui , Hu Hui-Chao , Zhou Hui , Xie Yu , Wu Yibing , Ouyang Xinhua
Published: September 2022

The cathode interlayer (CIL) has significant impact on the performance of organic solar cells (OSCs), including the abilities to align energy levels, form ohmic contacts between the active layer and the electrode, and promote the electron extraction and transportation. However, the developments of CILs are still far behind the rapid explosion of active layer materials, especially for these nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs). This research provides a brand‐new CIL optimization approach by applying the nonconjugated small‐molecule zwitterion (NSMZ) as the morphology control additives (MCAs). Two novel NSMZs, 4‐(1‐methyl piperidin‐1‐ium‐1‐yl)butane‐1‐sulfonate (MPBS) and 3‐(1‐methylpiperidin‐1‐ium‐1‐yl)‐propane‐1‐sulfonate, are developed as MCAs for the improvements of short‐circuit current, fill factor, and power conversion efficiency (PCE) in various solar cell systems of the classic active layers and CILs. The interaction mechanism is systematically investigated. With the reduced energy barrier and suppressed electron recombination, a champion PCE of 18.65% on binary NFA–OSCs is achieved by incorporating the zwitterion of MPBS into the cathode interlayer as the additive, which is among the highest efficiency of the reported binary OSCs. The application of the zwitterion as MCAs for the cathode interlayer opens a novel avenue for highly efficient OSCs.
Effective Multifunctional Additive Engineering for Efficient and Stable Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Li Fuqiang , Huang Xiaofeng , Xue Junpeng , Liu Fengwu , Kim Danbi , Yang Hyun-Seock , Yang Eunhye , Shin Insoo , Kim Junghwan , Lee Bo Ram , Park Sung Heum
Published: September 2022

Fabricating high‐quality perovskite films with large grain sizes and low‐defect densities is critical for developing efficient and stable perovskite solar cells (PeSCs). Herein, a simple and effective multifunctional additive engineering strategy is reported for producing high‐quality perovskite films. By including 2‐hexyl‐thiophene (2HT) with a thiophene electron‐pair donor and a long hydrophobic alkyl chain as an additive in the perovskite precursor solution, a perovskite film with high crystallinity, decreased trap density, and hindered ion migration is successfully obtained. These features are attributed to the strong coordinative interaction between the sulfur atom in 2HT and Pb2+ in the perovskite film. The long alkyl chain of the 2HT additive assisted the production of a superior perovskite film with enlarged grain size, smooth surface topography, and hydrophobicity. Consequently, improved efficiency and prolonged operational stability are realized simultaneously for an inverted MAPbI3PeSC with the 2HT additive. The device with 2HT delivers a higher power conversion efficiency of 20.61% compared with that of the control device (18.65%) and exhibits negligible hysteresis. Moreover, the stability of the device with the 2HT additive is superior to that of the control device under various testing conditions.
Beyond Light‐Trapping Benefits: The Effect of SiO2 Nanoparticles in Bifacial Semitransparent Ultrathin Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Solar Cells
Authors: Li Yong , Tabernig Stefan W. , Yin Guanchao , Polman Albert , Schmid Martina
Published: September 2022

Bifacial semitransparent ultrathin Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells (BSTUT CIGSe SCs) enable efficient usage of light and reduced raw material. By inserting the SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) at the CIGSe/back–contact interface, this work optimizes the performance of BSTUT SCs under front and especially rear illumination, which has not been studied much so far. For the SCs with NPs, the short‐circuit current density increases by 4.1–4.4 mA cm−2 for front and by 6.4–7.4 mA cm−2 for rear illumination. In addition, a significantly improved fill factor for rear illumination highlights a benefit of the NPs beyond light trapping. A jet‐like focusing behind the NPs is observed, which in this case leads to a higher field localization near the pn junction, joint with an enhanced carrier generation and separation. Furthermore, a thinner In2O3:Sn (ITO) back contact is noticed to be favorable for effective light trapping, whereas thicker ITO is preferred for higher open‐circuit voltage. Overall, inserting NPs in BSTUT SCs is an effective and practical strategy to achieve a higher cost‐to‐efficiency ratio in photovoltaic device production. In our case, a maximum of 12.2% under front and 9.2% under rear illumination is achieved leading to a calculated bifacial efficiency of 15% for the ultrathin device.
Direct Z‐Characteristic Observation and Efficiency Improvement in Organic Solar Cells with Ethylenediamine Regulating the Unconventional Energy‐Level Alignment
Authors: Xiang Tian-Fu , Tamiaki Hitoshi , Liu Ziyan , Sasaki Shin-ichi , Gao Na , Wang Xiao-Feng
Published: September 2022

According to the previous study, a bilayer organic photovoltaic with unconventional energy‐level alignment has been studied. Unlike the donor–acceptor system, this kind of structure has the potential to produce a high open‐circuit voltage (V
OC) device and provides another method to realize high‐power conversion efficiency in organic solar cells. However, the V
OC of the device is not high enough, and there is no direct observation of the Z‐characteristic. Herein, the device performance is improved according to the strategy provided in the latest report. With ethylenediamine regulating the interface, the V
OC and short‐circuit current are improved from 0.59 to 0.77 V and 0.9 to 1.9 mA cm−2, respectively. The overall efficiency increases by 280%. The enhancement and direct observation of Z‐characteristics are observed. Considering the efficiency improvement brought by Z‐characteristic enhancement in this work, combined with the previous work, the theoretical efficiency limitation is 22.5% under a low light intensity and 30% under a high light intensity. This article supports the previous work, shows that the Z‐characteristic device has very broad optimization potential, provides a method for the fabrication of high efficiency and high V
OC devices, and also provides a reference for other semiconductor optoelectronic devices.
A Way to Reach 10% Efficiency with Carbon‐Based Electrodeposited Mixed Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Al Katrib Mirella , Perrin Lara , Planes Emilie
Published: September 2022

Electrodeposition is investigated in this work as an alternative method to develop a large‐area perovskite active layer for solar device application. In addition to the single perovskite MAPbI3, the deposition of mixed perovskites MAPbIxCl1−xand MA1−yFAyPbI3−xBrxis studied. This study is unique since these mixed perovskites have never been developed by electrodeposition before. It is noticed that depending on the ratios of FA, Br, and Cl infiltrated into the perovskite lattice, different microstructures and optical and chemical properties are obtained, having an impact on the photovoltaic performance of the perovskite layer. In fact, increasing the percentages of FA, Br, and Cl in the mixed perovskite improves the photovoltaic performance. Thanks to a maturation step carried out under vacuum at 40 °C for 500 h, the performances can be significantly improved, at best by 60%, to reach record efficiencies of 10%. An improvement of the stability under air at 40 °C is also observed. All the results obtained are compared with recent results in the literature, which makes it possible to appreciate the originality and innovation of the study proposed in this article. In summary, this work illustrates the importance of electrodeposition and its flexibility to develop different types of perovskites.
Processing Poly(3‐Hexylthiophene) Interlayer with Nonhalogenated Solvents for High‐Performance and Low‐Cost Quantum Dot Solar Cells
Authors: Wang Jingjing , Liu Junwei , Zhou Kangkang , Xian Kaihu , Qi Qingchun , Zhao Wenchao , Chen Yu , Ye Long
Published: September 2022

Hybrid solar cells with organic semiconductors and quantum dots (QDs) have witnessed great advance in the past few years. Nevertheless, the great majority of organic and QD hybrid solar cells generally employ halogenated solvents for the processing of organic hole‐transporting interlayers. Herein, the impact of solvents on the organic semiconductor material for hybird solar cells is systematically explored. The o‐xylene‐processed polythiophene delivers a champion photovoltaic performance of 8.7%, which is the record value for QD and poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) hybrid solar cells. The morphology results reveal that P3HT films processed with o‐XY present the moderate morphology and characteristic length scales, enabling the high photovoltaic performance. Moreover, the relationships between solvents, molecular stacking, film morphology, and photovoltaic performance are built to offer the guideline of solvents screening for these hybrid solar cells. Moreover, the great superiority of nonhalogenated solvents in fabricating high‐performance optoelectronic devices with low hazards is demonstrated.
Burnout in the sonographic environment: The identification and exploration of the causes of sonographer burnout and strategies for prevention and control
Authors: Younan Kerolloss , Walkley Daniel , Quinton Ann Elizabeth , Alphonse Jennifer
Published: September 2022

Ultrasound is a diagnostic tool with many advantages, however, concerns over operator wellbeing have arisen in the last 20 years. Many sonographers experience burnout, which has the potential to cause financial loss for radiology clinics, and for sonographers, suboptimal examinations, high turnover and a reduced ability to communicate with patients. The aim of this narrative review was to explore, identify and categorise the causes of burnout in the sonography profession, and to identify burnout prevention and control strategies. A literature search was conducted through Central Queensland University library, accessing the following electronic databases; Wiley Online Library, Gale Academic, Ovid, Sagepub, CINAHL, Elsevier Science Direct, PubMed and ProQuest. Eight articles were reviewed. This study identified two key themes contributing to sonographer burnout: delivering adverse news and increased workload. Twelve causes of burnout were identified, with exposure to adverse news and time constraints the most commonly identified causes. In addition, other causes identified included managerial pressures to perform more scans/tasks within a short‐time frame, followed by the constant exposure to adverse news and the burden of delivering it to patients. Recommendations include considering reducing the required number of scans per week by increasing appointment times, counselling and skills training for adverse news delivery and use of technical assistants to perform soft tasks. Current literature relating to sonographer burnout appears isolated to the obstetrics domain with further study required on sonographer burnout in other fields of sonography, including burnout because of lack of career progression.
In situ Electroactivated Fe‐NiOOH Nanoclusters on Carbon Quantum Dots for Efficient Large‐Scale Oxygen Production
Authors: Pan Fenghongkang , Huang Kai , Liu Pengfei , Li Ru , Lian Cheng , Liu Honglai , Hu Jun
Published: September 2022

The sluggish kinetics of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) seriously limits the development of water‐based energy devices due to the inevitable loss of activity at high current electrolysis. Herein, an in situ activation of the electrocatalyst of dual metal ions on carbon quantum dots (Fe‐NiOOH/CQDs) for the scalable oxygen production is reported. Through alternating the potential‐determining step and averaging energy barrier distributions of OER, Fe‐NiOOH/CQDs show excellent intrinsic OER performance with an extremely low Tafel slope of 35 mV dec−1 and the overpotential of 199 mV@10 mA cm−2. Meanwhile, the hydrophilicity and aerophobicity of Fe‐NiOOH/CQDs facilitate the rapid OH− diffusion and O2 detachment, resulting in an outstanding kinetics for large‐scale oxygen production. With an overpotential of 450 mV@1000 mA cm−2 and ultrahigh turnover frequency of 5.4 s−1, it is superior to most of the reported transitional‐metal‐based electrocatalysts. Thereby, a water splitting electrolyzer with Fe‐NiOOH/CQDs anode is assembled to demonstrate the promising reality.
Developmental light deprivation transiently reduces the expression of vGluT2 and GluN2B in the rat ventral suprachiasmatic nucleus
Authors: Reyes‐Méndez Miriam E. , Herrera‐Zamora J. Manuel , Osuna‐Lopez Fernando , Aguilar‐Martínez Irving S. , Góngora‐Alfaro José L. , Navarro‐Polanco Ricardo A. , Sánchez‐Pastor Enrique , Moreno‐Galindo Eloy G. , Alamilla Javier
Published: September 2022

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is the most important circadian clock in mammals. The SCN synchronizes to environmental light via the retinohypothalamic tract (RHT), which is an axon cluster derived from melanopsin‐expressing intrinsic photosensitive retinal ganglion cells. Investigations on the development of the nonimage‐forming pathway and the RHT are scarce. Previous studies imply that light stimulation during postnatal development is not needed to make the RHT functional at adult stages. Here, we examined the effects of light deprivation (i.e., constant darkness (DD) rearing) during postnatal development on the expression in the ventral SCN of two crucial proteins for the synchronization of circadian rhythms to light: the presynaptic vesicular glutamate transporter type 2 (vGluT2) and the GluN2B subunit of the postsynaptic NMDA receptor. We found that animals submitted to DD conditions exhibited a transitory reduction in the expression of vGluT2 (at P12–19) and of GluN2B (at P7–9) that was compensated at older stages. These findings support the hypothesis that visual stimulation during early ages is not decisive for normal development of the RHT‐SCN pathway.
Pet management practices of frog and turtle owners in Victoria, Australia
Authors: Howell Tiffani J. , Warwick Clifford , Bennett Pauleen
Published: September 2022

Background

Available empirical evidence suggests that pet animals do not always experience an optimal welfare state. However, most pet welfare research has focused on dogs and cats, with less research investigating amphibians and reptiles. The aim of this study was to characterise how owners of pet frogs and turtles in Victoria, Australia, attempted to meet their pets’ welfare needs.

Methods

Pet frog owners (n = 128) and turtle owners (n = 60) completed an online survey, comprising questions about how they managed their pets’ environmental, behavioural, social, nutritional and physical health needs.

Results

For both frogs and turtles, positive and negative welfare indicators were found. Owners described pet enclosures as waterproof and escape‐proof. However, fewer than 20% of owners of either pet type had an enclosure size that met the minimum standards described in the relevant Code of Practice.

Limitations

Because this study relied on self‐reporting, future research should directly observe animals under household care to provide a more objective measure of welfare.

Conclusion

Pet frogs and turtles in Victoria, Australia, may not always be experiencing an optimal welfare state, despite their owners’ stated desire to care for them as well as possible.
Use of skin flaps for reconstructive surgery in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus)
Authors: Nógrádi Anna Linda , Csatári Dóra , Cope Iain , Kertész Péter , Hetyey Csaba , Németh Tibor
Published: September 2022

Background

The aim of the study was to investigate the use of single‐pedicle advancement flaps in the fixed skin regions of the head, neck and paravertebral region in guinea pigs.

Methods

Ultrasonography was performed on the guinea pigs to visualise the vascular anatomy of the looser regions of the thorax and abdomen and the more fixed paravertebral region and neck. Flap surgeries were then planned and undertaken on seven guinea pigs, with six having tumours on the lip, under the eye, the forehead, the neck or the paravertebral pelvic region, and one having a large paravertebral pelvic scar of unknown origin altering the animal's movement. The previously recommended 2:1 flap length:base width ratio was not enough in most cases, so larger flaps (3.5:1) were required.

Results

All seven single‐pedicle advancement flaps survived and healed with outstanding results.

Conclusion

The authors recommend to use reconstructive surgery in guinea pigs when there is a need to close large or difficult wounds, even on areas of fixed skin. Adequate arterial supply and sufficient venous outflow can be provided with larger flap length:base width ratios than previously suggested and can lead to full recovery.
Modification of ultrasonic transducers to study crack propagation in vinyl polymers, supported by SEM technique
Authors: Barakat Mirham A. Y. , El‐Wakil Abd El‐Aziz A. , Hasan Ebtisam H.
Published: September 2022

Detecting defects in various industrial products remains a challenging task in the industry. Researchers are constantly working to improve detection techniques and tools for various defects, particularly cracks. Many industrial structures suffer from cracks. The selection of a suitable technique and/or tool is based upon the tested structures and the accuracy of the technique and/or tool. The work's novelty is the development of a fully accurate, simple, and safe ultrasonic tool for precisely scanning cracks. A pen‐shaped cone was added to the ultrasonic transducers to improve their performance. Different crosshead speeds and annealing techniques were used to cause cracks on medium density polyethylene (MDPE) and poly‐methyl‐methacrylate (PMMA) polymer plates with specific dimensions. Cone reduced the front diameter of the transducers from 12 to 2 mm (cone tip diameter). It improved the transducers by giving them new properties such as a small near field, a collimated beam, high sensitivity, and high wave reflection. The modified transducers tracked the cracks at discrete sequential sites, where the ultrasonic velocity was measured to determine the crack speed, critical crack speed, dynamic stress intensity factor, and crack branching phenomenon. Additionally, ultrasonic attenuation was measured in order to accurately determine crack growth behavior, the crack's neck zone, and the crack growth dependency on both plate thickness and annealing. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images revealed crack propagation in polymer plates. The results of ultrasonic testing and SEM evaluations were consistent. This guaranteed that the modified transducers could scan cracks accurately.
Applying mobile acoustic surveys to model bat habitat use across sinuous routes
Authors: Rojas Vanessa G. , Loeb Susan C. , O'Keefe Joy M.
Published: September 2022

Mobile acoustic surveys allow estimates of overall bat activity, relative abundance, and species richness across large areas. Protocols for estimating relative abundance recommend using non‐sinuous routes to ensure individual bats are only recorded once. We conducted mobile acoustic surveys along 12 sinuous routes in the mountainous terrain of northeastern Tennessee. Our objectives were to 1) determine if more calls were recorded in sinuous segments of mobile survey routes, thus violating assumptions of mobile surveys, and 2) analyze mobile transect data to assess bat habitat use. To test for effects of road sinuosity, we divided transects into ~1.6‐km segments, calculated a sinuosity value, and summed the number of identified call files recorded for each segment. Using generalized linear models, we determined sinuosity did not affect the number of identified acoustic files. We assessed habitat use for 3 bat phonic groups (Low, Mid, Myotis), comparing 10 models with temporal detection and spatial occupancy covariates. Date were informative for all phonic groups. Low and mid‐frequency bats were more likely to be detected on later survey dates within the summer, whereas Myotis bats had a higher probability of detection earlier within the season. As proportion of agriculture around the transect segment increased, probability of use by low‐frequency bats decreased. The proportion of forest surrounding the transect segment had a positive effect on use by Myotis bats. No environmental covariates were informative regarding mid‐frequency bats. We conclude that mobile acoustic surveys are an efficient method for gathering data on habitat use by bats. We recommend following guidelines set forth by the North American Bat Monitoring Program for mobile acoustic surveys but note that sinuosity of the route did not affect the number of calls recorded in our study; thus, we suggest that sinuous roads in mountainous terrain are appropriate for mobile acoustic transects.
Combined Gravity Solution from SLR and GRACE/GRACE-FO
Authors: Kang Zhigui , Ries John , Bettadpur Srinivas , Save Himanshu , Tapley Byron
Published: September 2022

The recovery of Earth’s time variable gravity field from satellite data relied heavily on Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) before the recent GRACE and GRACE Follow-On satellite gravity missions. Currently, the monthly gravity solutions from GRACE/GRACE-FO provide important global information about the temporal variations of gravity field. However, there are a few low-degree coefficients derived from GRACE/GRACE-FO that are not well determined, because of the satellite gravity mission configuration and issues with the accelerometer data. These low-degree coefficients can be determined reasonably well using SLR data from the dedicated SLR satellite configuration and can be used to replace the less well-determined values from GRACE/GRACE-FO. A more rigorous and consistent approach is to directly combine SLR and GRACE/GRACE-FO gravity solutions in a simultaneous solution. This paper presents a combination strategy for gravity field recovery from combined SLR and GRACE/GRACE-FO mission data. To correctly account for all correlations, the combination is performed at the information (normal) equation level. The coefficients C20 and C30 are determined mainly from SLR by renaming C20 and C30 parameters in GRACE/GRACE-FO information equations. The results show that the combined products are improved in comparison with the nominal GRACE/GRACE-FO gravity solutions. The gravity field products are evaluated by comparing different gravity solutions through coefficient-wise comparison, equivalent water height variations and mass changes over selected areas.
Quality Assurance at Mega Universities
Authors: Darojat Ojat , Li Wei
Published: September 2022

Within the community of distance and online education, quality and quality assurance have been one of the most talked and discussed areas. This is especially true within the context of mega open universities where policies are always designed to optimize the openness, flexibility, and accessibility of the system. Even though distance education had initially been associated with opening access to education, the quality of education has become more and more important in line with the advancement of technology use throughout the system. It is within this quality paradigm that quality assurance (QA) has become one of the key aspects in planning and managing open, distance, and digital education (ODDE). This paradigm has also brought many ODDE providers including the mega open universities to reformulate their visions, missions, and strategies to address quality issues more adequately (Belawati & Zuhairi, 2007). This chapter explores the implementation of quality assurance (QA) programs at two mega universities, Universitas Terbuka and Open University of China, which have developed QA system and implemented systematic QA programs consistently, resulting in their enhanced quality of learning over the years. The discussion will start with a general overview about the universities, followed by their internal QA systems and implementations. The two exemplary QA systems and practices would illustrate how mega open universities undertake the quality assurance programs to ensure continuous improvement as well as to develop quality cultures within the respective institutions.
NNLO+PS Monte Carlo simulation of photon pair production with MiNNLOPS
Authors: Gavardi Alessandro , Oleari Carlo , Re Emanuele
Published: September 2022

Abstract

We present a NNLO QCD accurate event generator for direct photon pair production at hadron colliders, based on the MiNNLOPS formalism, within the Powheg Box Res framework. Despite the presence of the photons requires the use of isolation criteria, our generator is built such that no technical cuts are needed at any stage of the event generation. Therefore, our predictions can be used to simulate kinematic distributions with arbitrary fiducial cuts. Furthermore, we describe a few modifications of the MiNNLOPS formalism in order to allow for a setting of the renormalization and factorization scales more similar to that of a fixed-order computation, thus reducing the numerical impact of higher-order terms beyond the nominal accuracy. Finally, we show several phenomenological distributions of physical interest obtained by showering the generated events with Pythia8, and we compare them with the 13 TeV data from the ATLAS Collaboration.
Factorizing wormholes in a partially disorder-averaged SYK model
Authors: Goto Kanato , Suzuki Kenta , Ugajin Tomonori
Published: September 2022

Abstract

In this paper, we introduce a “partially disorder-averaged” SYK model. This model has a real parameter that smoothly interpolates between the ordinary totally disorder-averaged SYK model and the totally fixed-coupling model. For the large N effective description, in addition to the usual bi-local collective fields, we also introduce a new additional set of local collective fields. These local fields can be understood as “half” of the bi-local collective fields, and in the totally fixed-coupling limit, they represent the “half-wormholes” which were found in recent studies. We find that the large N saddles of these local fields vanish in the total-disorder-averaged limit, while they develop nontrivial profiles as we gradually fix the coupling constants. We argue that the bulk picture of these local collective fields represents a correlation between a spacetime brane and the asymptotic AdS boundary. This illuminates how the half-wormhole saddles emerge in the SYK model with fixed couplings.
Quantitative Bounds Versus Existence of Weakly Coupled Bound States for Schrödinger Type Operators
Authors: Hoang Vu , Hundertmark Dirk , Richter Johanna , Vugalter Semjon
Published: September 2022

It is well-known that for usual Schrödinger operators weakly coupled bound states exist in dimensions one and two, whereas in higher dimensions the famous Cwikel–Lieb–Rozenblum bound holds. We show for a large class of Schrödinger-type operators with general kinetic energies that these two phenomena are complementary. We explicitly get a natural semi-classical type bound on the number of bound states precisely in the situation when weakly coupled bound states exist not.
On Groups Factorized by Mutually Permutable Subgroups
Authors: Ferrara Maria , Trombetti Marco
Published: September 2022

The aim of the paper is to provide a large extension of the recent results of de Giovanni and Ialenti (Commun Algebra 44:118–124, 2016), strengthening at the same time their conclusions. Our second main theorem is actually a complete generalization of a result obtained in the finite case by Beidleman and Heineken (Arch Math (Basel) 85:18–30, 2005) to periodic linear groups.
Age and synovitis affect the results of the treatment of knee osteoarthritis with Microfragmented Autologous Fat Tissue
Authors: Ferracini R. , Alessio-Mazzola M. , Sonzogni B. , Stambazzi C. , Ursino C. , Roato I. , Mussano F. , Bistolfi A. , Furlan S. , Godio L. , Alotto D. , Formica M.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study aims to assess the effectiveness of Microfragmented Autologous Fat Tissue (MFAT) treatment for knee osteoarthritis and to investigate whether patients’ pre-treatment clinical condition, such as synovitis, correlates with clinical outcomes, to identify potential predicting factors for the success or failure of the treatment.

Methods

In this prospective Cohort Study Level II multicentric trial, consecutive patients with a diagnosis of early/mild osteoarthritis and failure of previous conservative measures were enrolled to undergo diagnostic arthroscopy and a single MFAT injection. Patients were assessed with repeated scoring systems at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery. The demographic features, the arthroscopic findings, the immunophenotype of injected tissue and the histologic examination of synovia of failed patients were analyzed.

Results

Data from 91 patients showed a significant improvement in Lysholm, WOMAC scores at 1-year follow-up (p < 0.001). A significant decrease in VAS score was observed, while a significant improvement of measured flexion angle was registered at 1 year (p < 0.001). No major complications were reported.

Age and synovitis were identified as significant factors influencing the clinical outcome (p < 0.05). Body mass index, previous or concomitant procedures, and specific cartilage defects had no influence. The mean number of injected adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells seem not to correlate with the clinical outcome.

Conclusion

MFAT is effective in reducing pain when used with a single dose injection in early/mild OA of the knee, without major complications. Age over 60 and synovitis may be predictive for persistent pain at one year and should be considered before indications.