bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bullying Victimization and Juvenile Delinquency in Ghanaian Schools: The Moderating Effect of Social Support
Authors: Duah Ebenezer
Published: March 2023

Researchers from Western countries and Asia have documented that bullying victimization positively predicts juvenile delinquency. Other researchers have reported that social support considerably reduces adolescent offending. However, little is known about the role of social support in the association between bullying victimization and teenage delinquency. This study investigated the moderating effect of social support on the relationship between bullying victimization and juvenile delinquency in Ghanaian schools. Data for this research were drawn from the 2012 Global School-Based Student Health Survey. Negative binomial regression was used to analyze the data. The results revealed that bullying victimization significantly predicted adolescent delinquency. In addition, physical bullying significantly increased teenage offending. Moreover, parental and school support meaningfully reduced antisocial behavior. Finally, social support did not moderate the effect of bullying victimization on delinquency. The limitations and policy implications of this study are discussed.
The Clash between CLIL and TELL: Effects and Potential Solutions of Adapting TELL for Online CLIL Teaching
Authors: Zhu Rongxin , Chan Simon S. Y.
Published: March 2023

The relationship between technology and society is an ever-changing dynamic, but one in which education is a key domain. In educational practice, the use of computer technology has increasingly become an inseparable part of teaching students in numerous ways across the world. The COVID-19 global pandemic accelerated this dramatically, with online teaching environments becoming the sole way for students to access education for extended periods of time. This shift to online teaching also required that teachers learn new skills and deal with new challenges. Based on mixed-methods research conducted with 20 teachers from an established content and language integrated learning school in mainland China, this research paper investigates the different challenges and problems that were faced by content and language integrated learning teachers in their experiences of online teaching and, in tandem with wider content and language integrated learning and technology-enhanced language learning literature, develops some potential solutions for future use.
Bond Performance of Anti-Corrosion Bar Embedded in Ceramsite Concrete in Freeze–Thaw Cycles and Corrosive Environments
Authors: Liu Yan , Zhu Qiang , Teng Jinhua , Deng Peng , Sun Yan
Published: March 2023

At present, basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars and epoxy-coated steel reinforcing bars (ECRs) are very promising in ocean engineering. In this study, the bond strength degradation characteristics of BFRP bars, ECR, and ordinary steel bars (OSBs) embedded in ceramsite concrete (CC) were compared in a single-corrosive environment (acid, salt, and alkaline salt, respectively) coupled with freeze–thaw (FT) cycles (0, 15, or 30); a total of 111 specimens were designed. In the three corrosive environments, the BFRP-bar-CC specimens and OSB-CC specimens all failed to pull out, while the ECR-CC specimens showed splitting failure. When corrosive and FT cycles acted together, the failure modes of BFRP-bar-CC specimens and ECR-CC specimens did not change. However, when the FT cycles increased from 15 to 30, the type of failure for the OSB-CC specimens changed from pullout failure to splitting failure. In addition, the bonding strength of the three kinds of bars decayed most rapidly in an acid environment. When 30 FT cycles were applied, the bond strength of ECR-CC specimens and OSB-CC specimens decreased most rapidly in the acid environment, by 9.12% and 18.62%, respectively. However, the bond strength of BFRP-bar-CC decreased most rapidly, by 17.2%, in an alkaline salt environment.
Pediatric Extracranial Germ Cell Tumors: Review of Clinics and Perspectives in Application of Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Lew Chong-Zhi , Liu Hsi-Che , Hou Jen-Yin , Huang Ting-Huan , Yeh Ting-Chi
Published: March 2023

Pediatric extracranial germ cell tumors (GCTs) are rare, accounting for approximately 3.5% of childhood cancers. Since the introduction of platinum-based chemotherapy, the survival rate of patients has improved to more than 80%. However, poor-risk subtypes of pediatric extracranial GCTs do not respond well to chemotherapy, leading to refractory or relapsed (R/R) diseases. For example, long-term survival rates of mediastinal GCTs or choriocarcinoma are less than 50%. According to reports in recent years for adult patients with R/R GCTs, the use of high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) combined with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has clinical advantages; however, HDCT combined with ASCT has rarely been reported in pediatric GCTs. The R/R and poor-risk groups of pediatric GCTs could benefit from HDCT and ASCT.
Radiation-Induced Retinopathy and Optic Neuropathy after Radiation Therapy for Brain, Head, and Neck Tumors: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kinaci-Tas Buket , Alderliesten Tanja , Verbraak Frank D. , Rasch Coen R. N.
Published: March 2023

Background: Patients with brain, head, and neck tumors experience a decline in their quality of life due to radiation retinopathy and optic neuropathy. Little is known about the dose–response relationship and patient characteristics. We aimed to systematically review the prevalence of radiation retinopathy and optic neuropathy. Method: The primary outcome was the pooled prevalence of radiation retinopathy and optic neuropathy. The secondary outcome included the effect of the total radiation dose prescribed for the tumor according to the patient’s characteristics. Furthermore, we aimed to evaluate the radiation dose parameters for organs at risk of radiation retinopathy and optic neuropathy. Results: The pooled prevalence was 3.8%. No retinopathy was reported for the tumor’s prescribed dose of <50 Gy. Optic neuropathy was more prevalent for a prescribed dose of >50 Gy than <50 Gy. We observed a higher prevalence rate for retinopathy (6.0%) than optic neuropathy (2.0%). Insufficient data on the dose for organs at risk were reported. Conclusion: The prevalence of radiation retinopathy was higher compared to optic neuropathy. This review emphasizes the need for future studies considering retinopathy and optic neuropathy as primary objective parameters.
Discordant Humoral and T-Cell Response to mRNA SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine and the Risk of Breakthrough Infections in Women with Breast Cancer, Receiving Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 and 6 Inhibitors
Authors: Saavedra Cristina , Vallejo Alejandro , Longo Federico , Serrano Juan José , Fernández María , Gion María , López-Miranda Elena , Martínez-Jáñez Noelia , Guerra Eva , Chamorro Jesús , Rosero Diana , Velasco Héctor , Martín Adrián , Carrato Alfredo , Casado José Luis , Cortés Alfonso
Published: March 2023

Few data are available about the immune response to mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with breast cancer receiving cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i). We conducted a prospective, single-center study of patients with breast cancer treated with CDK4/6i who received mRNA-1273 vaccination, as well as a comparative group of healthcare workers. The primary endpoint was to compare the rate and magnitude of humoral and T-cell response after full vaccination. A better neutralizing antibody and anti-S IgG level was observed after vaccination in the subgroup of women receiving CDK4/6i, but a trend toward a reduced CD4 and CD8 T-cell response in the CDK4/6i group was not statistically significant. There were no differences in the rate of COVID-19 after vaccination (19% vs. 12%), but breakthrough infections were observed in those with lower levels of anti-S IgG and neutralizing antibodies after the first dose. A lower rate of CD4 T-cell response was also found in those individuals with breakthrough infections, although a non-significant and similar level of CD8 T-cell response was also observed, regardless of breakthrough infections. The rate of adverse events was higher in patients treated with CDK4/6i, without serious adverse events. In conclusion, there was a robust humoral response, but a blunted T-cell response to mRNA vaccine in women receiving CDK4/6i, suggesting a reduced trend of the adaptative immune response.
Association between Chronic Gingivitis and Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study of 19,782 Outpatients from the United Kingdom
Authors: Beger-Luedde Jane , Loosen Sven H. , Luedde Tom , Roderburg Christoph , Kostev Karel
Published: March 2023

Purpose: Recent data argue for the involvement of inflammatory and infectious diseases in cancer development. However, clinical data on the association between chronic gingivitis and cancer have been less conclusive. Here, we systematically evaluated the cancer incidence in a population-based cohort of outpatients with chronic gingivitis from the United Kingdom. Methods: 9891 patients with chronic gingivitis and an identical number of people without gingivitis matched by age, gender, index year, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index were identified from the Disease Analyzer database (IQVIA) between January 2000 and December 2016. Cox regression models were used to study the association between gingivitis and cancer. Results: The probability of cancer was significantly higher among patients with diagnosed chronic gingivitis compared to non-gingivitis individuals (HR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.15–1.62). In cancer site-stratified analyses, we observed a trend towards higher rates of cancer in almost all cancers (breast cancer, lymphoid system cancer, digestive tract cancers, skin cancer); however, a significant association was only observed for prostate cancer (HR: 3.38; 95% CI: 1.57–7.27). Notably, the largest increase in cancer rates was observed in male patients (HR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.13–1.89) between 41 and 60 years old (HR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.30–2.32). Conclusions: Our data suggest that chronic gingivitis represents an important risk factor for the development of cancer. Therefore, in the context of patient dental care, awareness should be raised to refer gingivitis patients to existing screening programs, especially for prostate cancer. Moreover, the consistent treatment of gingivitis could potentially have a positive impact on the morbidity of certain cancers.
Aptamer-Based Strategies to Boost Immunotherapy in TNBC
Authors: Agnello Lisa , d’Argenio Annachiara , Nilo Roberto , Fedele Monica , Camorani Simona , Cerchia Laura
Published: March 2023

The immune system (IS) may play a crucial role in preventing tumor development and progression, leading, over the last years, to the development of effective cancer immunotherapies. Nevertheless, immune evasion, the capability of tumors to circumvent destructive host immunity, remains one of the main obstacles to overcome for maximizing treatment success. In this context, promising strategies aimed at reshaping the tumor immune microenvironment and promoting antitumor immunity are rapidly emerging. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive breast cancer subtype with poor outcomes, is highly immunogenic, suggesting immunotherapy is a viable strategy. As evidence of this, already, two immunotherapies have recently become the standard of care for patients with PD-L1 expressing tumors, which, however, represent a low percentage of patients, making more active immunotherapeutic approaches necessary. Aptamers are short, highly structured, single-stranded oligonucleotides that bind to their protein targets at high affinity and specificity. They are used for therapeutic purposes in the same way as monoclonal antibodies; thus, various aptamer-based strategies are being actively explored to stimulate the IS’s response against cancer cells. The aim of this review is to discuss the potential of the recently reported aptamer-based approaches to boost the IS to fight TNBC.
Possible Value of Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) When Added in Symptomatic Patients Referred for Colonoscopy: A Systematic Review
Authors: Brands Henrike Jacoba , Van Dijk Brigit , Brohet Richard M. , van Westreenen Henderik L. , de Groot Jan Willem B. , Moons Leon M. G. , de Vos tot Nederveen Cappel Wouter H.
Published: March 2023

If Colorectal cancer (CRC) is detected and treated early, the survival rate is high. This is one of the reasons that population-based screening programs for the early detection of CRC using the faecal immunochemical test (FIT) started worldwide. These programs compete with regular colonoscopy programs and increase the waiting time for symptomatic patients. However, the literature has shown that the correlation between intestinal complaints and the gain of colonoscopy is poor. The aim of this study is to assess the diagnostic utility of symptoms for the yield (CRC) of colonoscopy and to compare this with the diagnostic utility of FIT when offered to symptomatic patients. Methods: We performed a systematic review search for CRC as an outcome of colonoscopy in referred symptomatic patients and separately for CRC as an outcome in symptomatic patients with a positive FIT. We searched systematically for clinical trials or observational studies in databases, followed by hand-searching of reference lists. We used random Meta-Disc to evaluate the diagnostic performance, using the exploration of heterogeneity with a variety of test statistics and by computing the pooled estimates. Results: We included 35 studies, with almost 5 million symptomatic patients. In addition, we included nine prospective studies with a positive FIT in symptomatic patients, with more than 5000 patients. Significant heterogeneity was found for every symptom and the outcome of colonoscopy in the effect size of sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio and diagnostic odds ratio. In a random effect model, the pooled sensitivity of colonoscopy in symptomatic patients was very low (25%). However, the pooled sensitivity in symptomatic patients with a positive FIT was 83% and the pooled specificity 77%. A total of 75 symptomatic patients (1.4%) had a false-negative FIT. Conclusion: Adding FIT in symptomatic patients seems useful for predicting CRC as an outcome of colonoscopy. FIT seems a potential tool for an improved triage of colonoscopy in symptomatic patients.
The Uncharted Landscape of Rare Endocrine Immune-Related Adverse Events
Authors: Mytareli Chrysoula , Ziogas Dimitrios C. , Karampela Athina , Papalexis Petros , Siampanopoulou Vasiliki , Lafioniatis Alexandros , Benopoulou Olga , Gogas Helen , Angelousi Anna
Published: March 2023

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been approved for the treatment of many cancers, either in adjuvant or metastatic settings. Regarding safety, endocrine adverse events (AEs) are some of the most common AEs in ICI-treated patients, with thyroid dysfunction and hypophysitis being the most frequent disorders. However, there are also some rare and very rare immune-related (ir) endocrine complications (incidence between ≥1/10,000 to <1/1000 and <1/10,000, respectively, according to the established classification) that have been reported in isolated case reports, with limited data about their management. In this systematic review, we summarize all published cases with primary adrenal insufficiency, central diabetes insipidus, primary hypoparathyroidism, lipodystrophy, osteoporosis, hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism, or Cushing disease and discuss their diagnostic and therapeutic approaches as well as the current knowledge on their pathophysiology. In these ICI-treated cancer patients, the presentation of symptoms unrelated to their underlying malignancy has led to further diagnostic tests, including hormonal profile and functional assays which subsequently confirmed endocrinopathy, while the assessment of autoantibodies was rarely available. In most of these cases, the exact pathogenesis remained unknown, and the endocrine dysfunction was permanent, requiring lifelong supplementation. Although endrocine irAEs are rare, physicians must be aware of these irAEs to recognize them on time and treat them appropriately.
Social Support Behaviours and Barriers in Group Online Exercise Classes for Adults Living with and beyond Cancer: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Craig Bobbie-Ann P. , McDonough Meghan H. , Culos-Reed S. Nicole , Bridel William
Published: March 2023

Social support can be facilitated through exercise programs for people living with cancer, but there is limited research on how best to foster it in online exercise oncology classes. This study examined current training that fitness professionals receive on the provision and facilitation of social support, experiences people living with cancer have with social support, and supportive behaviours and barriers for providing and obtaining support in online group exercise oncology programs in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Guided by interpretive description methodology, training materials were reviewed, observations of fitness professional training and online exercise classes (n = 10) were conducted, and adults living with and beyond cancer (n = 19) and fitness professionals (n = 15) were interviewed. These data were collected from January 2021 to June 2021. Analysis of the data collected resulted in the identification of three themes: Creating a welcoming environment, helping improve exercise ability and reach goals, and learning to provide and facilitate support online. A catalogue of supportive behaviours that can help to provide and facilitate and barriers that can hinder the provision and obtaining of social support in exercise oncology classes is presented. The findings provide guidance when structuring online classes and inform developing strategies for fitness professionals to use in online classes to foster social support by considering the wants and needs of participants, facilitating support between participants with similar experiences and interests, and integrating support into physical activity.
Improved Bayesian Optimization Framework for Inverse Thermal Conductivity Based on Transient Plane Source Method
Authors: Ji Hualin , Qi Liangliang , Lyu Mingxin , Lai Yanhua , Dong Zhen
Published: March 2023

In order to reduce the errors caused by the idealization of the conventional analytical model in the transient planar source (TPS) method, a finite element model that more closely represents the actual heat transfer process was constructed. The average error of the established model was controlled at below 1%, which was a significantly better result than for the analytical model, which had an average error of about 5%. Based on probabilistic optimization and heuristic optimization algorithms, an optimization model of the inverse heat transfer problem with partial thermal conductivity differential equation constraints was constructed. A Bayesian optimization algorithm with an adaptive initial population (BOAAIP) was proposed by analyzing the influencing factors of the Bayesian optimization algorithm upon inversion. The improved Bayesian optimization algorithm is not affected by the range and individuals of the initial population, and thus has better adaptability and stability. To further verify its superiority, the Bayesian optimization algorithm was compared with the genetic algorithm. The results show that the inversion accuracy of the two algorithms is around 3% when the thermal conductivity of the material is below 100 Wm−1K−1, and the calculation speed of the improved Bayesian optimization algorithm is three to four times faster than that of the genetic algorithm.
Contextuality with Disturbance and without: Neither Can Violate Substantive Requirements the Other Satisfies
Authors: Dzhafarov Ehtibar N. , Kujala Janne V.
Published: March 2023

Contextuality was originally defined only for consistently connected systems of random variables (those without disturbance/signaling). Contextuality-by-Default theory (CbD) offers an extension of the notion of contextuality to inconsistently connected systems (those with disturbance) by defining it in terms of the systems’ couplings subject to certain constraints. Such extensions are sometimes met with skepticism. We pose the question of whether it is possible to develop a set of substantive requirements (i.e., those addressing a notion itself rather than its presentation form) such that (1) for any consistently connected system, these requirements are satisfied, but (2) they are violated for some inconsistently connected systems. We show that no such set of requirements is possible, not only for CbD but for all possible CbD-like extensions of contextuality. This follows from the fact that any extended contextuality theory T is contextually equivalent to a theory T′ in which all systems are consistently connected. The contextual equivalence means the following: there is a bijective correspondence between the systems in T and T′ such that the corresponding systems in T and T′ are, in a well-defined sense, mere reformulations of each other, and they are contextual or noncontextual together.
Food Insecurity among International Migrants during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review
Authors: Ahmed Doua , Benavente Pierina , Diaz Esperanza
Published: March 2023

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and the measures imposed to control it have impacted food security globally, particularly among vulnerable populations. Food insecurity, in turn, has repercussions on health, exacerbating pre-existing inequalities. This scoping review maps the literature describing associations between the COVID-19 pandemic and food insecurity among migrants, with a particular view toward health. A total of 909 papers were extracted through four electronic databases, and 46 studies were included. The migrant populations described originated mainly from Latin America (11/46) and were located in North America (21/46). Most studies included refugees and asylum seekers (20/46). The main challenges described were financial hardship (28/46), the effect of migrants’ documentation status on using public food aid (13/46), and the suspension of or reduction in humanitarian assistance due to the economic recession (7/46). The impact of food insecurity on migrants’ mental and physical health was described in 26 of the 46 studies. Authorities in all destination countries should focus their attention and efforts into ensuring nutrition security for migrants in a holistic way, including their economic and legal integration, to be better prepared for health crises in the future.
24-Hour Rest-Activity Rhythm in Middle-Aged and Older Persons with Depression
Authors: Hayashi Masaki , Takeshima Masahiro , Hosoya Tomoko , Kume Yu
Published: March 2023

Changes in rest or active states were clinically observed in persons with depression. However, the association between symptoms of depression and 24 h rest-activity rhythm (RAR) components that can be measured using wearable devices was not clarified. This preliminary cross-sectional study aimed to clarify the 24 h RAR components associated with symptoms of depression in middle-aged and older persons. Participants were recruited from among inpatients and outpatients requiring medical treatment at Akita University Hospital for the group with depression and from among healthy volunteers living in Akita prefecture, Japan, for the healthy control group. To assess RAR parameters including inter-daily stability (IS), intra-daily variability (IV), relative amplitude (RA), and average physical activity level for the most active 10 h span (M10) or for the least active 5 h span (L5), all the participants were instructed to wear an Actiwatch Spectrum Plus device on their non-dominant wrist for seven days. Twenty-nine persons with depression and 30 controls were included in the analysis. The results of a binomial regression analysis showed that symptoms of depression were significantly associated with a high IS value (odds ratio [OR], 1.20; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.01–1.44; p = 0.04) and a low M10 value (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.74–0.96; p = 0.01). Our findings suggest potential components of 24 h RAR are associated with depression.
Utilizing a National Wastewater Monitoring Program to Address the U.S. Opioid Epidemic: A Focus on Metro Atlanta, Georgia
Authors: Wright Tamara , Adhikari Atin
Published: March 2023

The opioid epidemic has continued to be an ongoing public health crisis within Metro Atlanta for the last three decades. However, estimating opioid use and exposure in a large population is almost impossible, and alternative methods are being explored, including wastewater-based epidemiology. Wastewater contains various contaminants that can be monitored to track pathogens, infectious diseases, viruses, opioids, and more. This commentary is focusing on two issues: use of opioid residue data in wastewater as an alternative method for opioid exposure assessment in the community, and the adoption of a streamlined approach that can be utilized by public health officials. Opioid metabolites travel through the sanitary sewer through urine, fecal matter, and improper disposal of opioids to local wastewater treatment plants. Public health officials and researchers within various entities have utilized numerous approaches to reduce the impacts associated with opioid use. National wastewater monitoring programs and wastewater-based epidemiology are approaches that have been utilized globally by researchers and public health officials to combat the opioid epidemic. Currently, public health officials and policy makers within Metro Atlanta are exploring different solutions to reduce opioid use and opioid-related deaths throughout the community. In this commentary, we are proposing a new innovative approach for monitoring opioid use and analyzing trends by utilizing wastewater-based epidemiologic methods, which may help public health officials worldwide manage the opioid epidemic in a large metro area in the future.
Transgenerational Cycle of Traumatization and HIV Risk Exposure among Crack Users
Authors: Narvaez Joana Corrêa de Magalhães , Roglio Vinícius Serafini , Di Tommaso Brittany , Pechansky Flavio
Published: March 2023

The aim of this manuscript is to understand the impact of childhood sexual abuse on the development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) exposure. and parental neglect in crack cocaine users, considering the role of gender. This study is a secondary database analysis of a sample from a multicenter cross-sectional study with 715 crack cocaine users receiving outpatient treatment in public mental health networks in six Brazilian capitals. Prevalence ratios were estimated by Poisson regression. In crack cocaine users with childhood sexual abuse, traumatic experiences seem to remain fixed through the development of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in adulthood. Crack cocaine users with childhood abuse and PTSD in adulthood showed more sexual risk behaviors, including outcomes such as HIV (PR = 3.6 p < 0.001 for childhood abuse and PR = 3.7 p < 0.001 for PTSD). Furthermore, this traumatic trajectory affects the functional ability of crack cocaine users, especially women, to work thus impacting their inclusion and sense of social belonging. Such a chain seems to be reflected in the establishment of a circle of transgenerational transmission, to the extent that subjects with a history of abuse and PTSD reported more parental neglect towards their children. This study reinforces the importance of preventive public policies regarding early socio-emotional vulnerabilities and the need to support families, especially women, to avoid HIV and self-destructive outcomes such as crack cocaine use.
Towards Precision Prognostication and Personalized Therapeutics through Proteomics
Authors: Santamaría Enrique
Published: March 2023

Next-generation proteomics has allowed the implementation of biomedical proteome research to uncover disease-affected protein expression profiles [...]
Rheological Characteristics of Fe–C–Cr(Ni) Alloys
Authors: Rosypalová Silvie , Řeháčková Lenka , Novák Vlastimil , Kawuloková Monika , Váňová Petra , Konečná Kateřina , Ďuricová Barbora
Published: March 2023

The principal objective of this project was to investigate the rheological properties of Fe–C–Cr and Fe–C–Ni-based low-alloy steels using an Anton Paar high-temperature rotational viscometer up to 1550 °C. The emphasis was placed on determining the liquidus temperatures and evaluating the flow and viscosity curves and the temperature dependence of dynamic viscosity. All were studied depending on the change in the content of chromium (0.010–4.863 wt%), nickel (0.001–4.495 wt%), and carbon (0.043–1.563 wt%). It was shown that the dynamic viscosity decreases with increasing nickel content and increases with increasing carbon and chromium content. The experimental data of the flow curves were fitted using the Herschel–Bulkley model with a good agreement between the measured and calculated values. Characterization of the internal structure was performed by SEM and EDX analyses, confirming non-significant changes in the microstructure of the original and remelted samples. The phase composition of the selected samples was also determined using JMatPro 12.0 simulation software (Sente Software Ltd., Guildford, UK).
Machine Learning for Halide Perovskite Materials ABX3 (B = Pb, X = I, Br, Cl) Assessment of Structural Properties and Band Gap Engineering for Solar Energy
Authors: Alhashmi Afnan , Kanoun Mohammed Benali , Goumri-Said Souraya
Published: March 2023

The exact control of material properties essential for solar applications has been made possible because of perovskites’ compositional engineering. However, tackling efficiency, stability, and toxicity at the same time is still a difficulty. Mixed lead-free and inorganic perovskites have lately shown promise in addressing these problems, but their composition space is vast, making it challenging to find good candidates even with high-throughput approaches. We investigated two groups of halide perovskite compound data with the ABX3 formula to investigate the formation energy data for 81 compounds. The structural stability was analyzed over 63 compounds. For these perovskites, we used new library data extracted from a calculation using generalized-gradient approximation within the Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof (PBE) functional established on density functional theory. As a second step, we built machine learning models, based on a kernel-based naive Bayes algorithm that anticipate a variety of target characteristics, including the mixing enthalpy, different octahedral distortions, and band gap calculations. In addition to laying the groundwork for observing new perovskites that go beyond currently available technical uses, this work creates a framework for finding and optimizing perovskites in a photovoltaic application.
Durability of Concrete with Partial Replacement of Portland Cement by Incorporating Reactive Magnesium Oxide and Fly Ash
Authors: Sequeira Lucas , Forero Javier , Bravo Miguel , Evangelista Luís , de Brito Jorge
Published: March 2023

In this research, the durability performance of sustainable concrete with the incorporation of reactive magnesium oxide (MgO) and fly ash (FA) was evaluated. The partial replacement of cement with these two materials is an appealing solution for the construction sector due to sustainability benefits and shrinkage reduction. The incorporation of FA by partial replacement of cement was carried out at 0%, 15% and 30%. The incorporation of MgO in concrete was carried out at 0%, 5%, 10% and 20%. Two types of MgO were used, one from Australia and another of Spanish origin. These two materials were evaluated in terms of their individual incorporation, and then an evaluation was carried out when the two were simultaneously used. In terms of durability, performance losses between 3% and 95% were obtained in all tests (water absorption by capillarity and immersion, carbonation depth and resistance to chloride penetration). However, over time, the difference in performance relative to the reference concrete tends to decrease due to the slow hydration that characterizes these two alternative materials. It was found that, in most of the tests, no overlapping of the negative effects occurred. In other words, the simultaneous incorporation of MgO and FA caused performance losses lower than the sum of the losses of their individual incorporation.
Corrosion Behavior of Incoloy®800H, Hastelloy®G35® and 316L Stainless Steel in the Molten Eutectic Fluoride Mixture FLiNaK and Its Vapors
Authors: Ramu Ambati , Pavlik Viliam , Sillikova Veronika , Boca Miroslav
Published: March 2023

This paper discusses the findings of a corrosion experiment which investigates a transition area which is between the lower area and upper area of the sample. In this experiment, the lower half of the sample surface is exposed to molten salt and the upper half of the sample surface is exposed to the vapors generated by molten FLiNak salt. Incoloy®800H and Hastelloy®G35® alloys and 316L stainless steel were selected for the corrosion experiment on the basis of their Cr content. The experiment was conducted at 600 °C for a period of 100 h. The results of the experiment show that, in the transition area, no abrupt change in corrosion mechanism takes place; the experiments also give us information on how the degree of degradation varies across the three areas of the samples. The experiment also showed two distinct corrosion mechanisms operating in the test samples: intergranular corrosion in the SS316L stainless steel test sample and continuous corrosion in Hastelloy®G35®. The results also show a progressive reduction in the concentrations of F, K and Na in the upper areas compared to the lower areas for Hastelloy©G35®. Cr is shown to have a critical role in the corrosion process, even when the sample surface is not in direct contact with the molten salt and is only in contact with the vapors generated by the molten salt.
Effects of Additives on Electrochromic Properties of Nanocrystalline Tungsten Oxide Films Prepared by Complexation-Assisted Sol–Gel Method
Authors: Zhou Dan , Tong Zhibo , Xie Hongmei , Sun Jiaotong , Chen Fenggui
Published: March 2023

To improve the electrochromic (EC) properties of sol–gel-derived WO3 films, a series of organic small molecules, such as dopamine (DA), catechol, tyramine, phenol and 2-phenylethylamine, were added into peroxotungstic acid precursor sols as structure-directing additives, and five modified WO3 films were prepared by a simple and low-cost complexation-assisted sol–gel method. The effects of the above additives on the EC properties of the modified WO3 films have been studied in detail. Compared with the pure WO3 polycrystalline film, all the modified films combine the advantages of nanocrystalline and amorphous phases and show higher EC properties attributed to the unique nanocrystal-embedded amorphous structure. The results indicate that different additives with different numbers and types of functional groups (hydroxyl and amino groups) can change the microstructure, morphology, and thus electrochemical and EC properties of the films in various degrees. The additives, in order of their strong interactions with the sols, are DA, catechol, tyramine, phenol and 2-phenylethylamine, primarily depending on the number of hydroxyl groups. Of all the additives, DA with both catechol hydroxyl and amino groups shows the most positive effect; that is, the WO3 film modified with DA exhibits the best EC properties in terms of contrast, switching speed, stability, and coloration efficiency.
Calcined Clays from Nigeria—Properties and Performance of Supplementary Cementitious Materials Suitable for Producing Level 1 Concrete
Authors: Muhammad Abubakar , Thienel Karl-Christian , Scherb Sebastian
Published: March 2023

In this work, four naturally occurring (two kaolinite-rich and two smectite-rich) clay samples were collected from different areas around the Ashaka cement production plant, located in Gombe State, Nigeria and calcined in a laboratory. The mineralogical characterization of the clays was carried out by XRD. The hydration kinetics of the calcined clay–cement systems were monitored by isothermal calorimetry. Workability was determined using the flow table method. The reactivity of the calcined clays was determined from the solubility of Si and Al ions and the strength activity index. All calcined clays studied met the requirements of ASTM C618 for the use of natural pozzolans as a partial replacement for hydraulic cement. The metasmectite clays yielded a higher specific surface area, increased water demand, and less reactive Si and Al ions compared to the metakaolin clays. The two calcined clay groups require the addition of superplasticizer to achieve a workability class similar to the Portland cement mortar system. They can be used to replace Portland cement at replacement levels of up to 45%, in combination with limestone powder to form an LC3 cement, thereby achieving at least a “Level 1” reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Successive Short- and Long-Range Magnetic Ordering in Ba2Mn3(SeO3)6 with Honeycomb Layers of Mn3+ Ions Alternating with Triangular Layers of Mn2+ Ions
Authors: Moskin Artem , Kozlyakova Ekaterina , Chung Seung Hwan , Koo Hyun-Joo , Whangbo Myung-Hwan , Vasiliev Alexander
Published: March 2023

Mixed-valent Ba2Mn2+Mn23+(SeO3)6 crystallizes in a monoclinic P21/c structure and has honeycomb layers of Mn3+ ions alternating with triangular layers of Mn2+ ions. We established the key parameters governing its magnetic structure by magnetization M and specific heat Cp measurements. The title compound exhibits a close succession of a short-range correlation order at Tcorr = 10.1 ± 0.1 K and a long-range Néel order at TN = 5.7 ± 0.1 K, and exhibits a metamagnetic phase transition at T < TN with hysteresis most pronounced at low temperatures. The causes for these observations were found using the spin exchange parameters evaluated by density functional theory calculations. The title compound represents a unique case in which uniform chains of integer spin Mn3+ (S = 2) ions interact with those of half-integer spin Mn2+ (S = 5/2) ions.
The Effect of Cu Content on the Microstructure and Properties of the Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing Al-Cu Alloy
Authors: Ren Lingling , Wang Zhenbiao , Wang Shuai , Li Chengde , Wang Wei , Ming Zhu , Zhai Yuchun
Published: March 2023

Al-Cu alloy has broad application prospects in the field of aerospace due to its excellent performance. In this paper, deposits with different Cu contents were prepared by the wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) process, and the effects of Cu content on the microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. The microstructure of Al-Cu alloy was investigated by metallography, scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results show that both the number and size of the precipitated θ phases (Al2Cu) in the as-deposited material increase with the increase of Cu content. After the T4 treatment, the solid solution amount of Cu in the matrix showed a trend of first increasing and then remaining stable. When the content of Cu was greater than 5.65%, as the Cu content increased, the number and size of the remaining θ phases both increased. In the peak ageing state, the amount of precipitated θ’ phase showed a trend of increasing and then remaining stable. After the T6 treatment, the mechanical properties showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing with the increase of the content of Cu. When the Cu content was 5.65%, the deposit achieved the best mechanical properties, and the anisotropy of the mechanical properties disappeared. The tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation reached 538 MPa, 478 MPa, and 10.5%, respectively. When the content of Cu was greater than 5.65%, the anisotropy of mechanical properties was obvious, and the fracture mode of the vertical specimen changed from ductile fracture to brittle fracture.
The Characteristic Microstructures and Properties of Steel-Based Alloy via Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Shang Chunlei , Wu Honghui , Pan Guangfei , Zhu Jiaqi , Wang Shuize , Wu Guilin , Gao Junheng , Liu Zhiyuan , Li Ruidi , Mao Xinping
Published: March 2023

Differing from metal alloys produced by conventional techniques, metallic products prepared by additive manufacturing experience distinct solidification thermal histories and solid−state phase transformation processes, resulting in unique microstructures and superior performance. This review starts with commonly used additive manufacturing techniques in steel−based alloy and then some typical microstructures produced by metal additive manufacturing technologies with different components and processes are summarized, including porosity, dislocation cells, dendrite structures, residual stress, element segregation, etc. The characteristic microstructures may exert a significant influence on the properties of additively manufactured products, and thus it is important to tune the components and additive manufacturing process parameters to achieve the desired microstructures. Finally, the future development and prospects of additive manufacturing technology in steel are discussed.
Do Poor Diet and Lifestyle Behaviors Modify the Genetic Susceptibility to Impulsivity in the General Population?
Authors: Xie Tian , Schweren Lizanne J. S. , Larsson Henrik , Li Lin , Du Rietz Ebba , Haavik Jan , Grimstvedt Kvalvik Liv , Solberg Berit Skretting , Klungsøyr Kari , Snieder Harold , Hartman Catharina A.
Published: March 2023

The present study investigated whether an unhealthy diet and other lifestyle behaviors may modify the genetic susceptibility to impulsivity. A total of 33,047 participants (mean age = 42.1 years, 59.8% females) from the Dutch Lifelines cohort were included. Each diet index and other lifestyle behaviors were tested for their interactions on the effect on the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) polygenic risk score (PRS) on impulsivity using a linear regression model with adjustment for covariates. The ADHD PRS was significantly associated with impulsivity (B = 0.03 (95% CI: 0.02, 0.04); p = 2.61 × 10−9). A poorer diet, a higher intake of energy, and a higher intake of fat were all associated with higher impulsivity, and a high intake of energy amplified the effect of ADHD PRS on impulsivity (e.g., for the interaction term of ADHD PRS and highest tertile on intake of energy, B = 0.038 (95% CI: 0.014, 0.062); p = 0.002. The other lifestyle factors, namely short and long sleep duration, current and past smoking, higher alcohol intake, and more time spent on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were associated with higher impulsivity, but no interaction effect was observed. In conclusion, we found that a high intake of energy exacerbated the genetic susceptibility to impulsivity. Our study helps to improve our understanding of the role of diet and genetic factors on impulsivity.
Androgen Deprivation Therapy for Prostate Cancer Influences Body Composition Increasing Risk of Sarcopenia
Authors: Korczak Jolanta , Mardas Marcin , Litwiniuk Maria , Bogdański Paweł , Stelmach-Mardas Marta
Published: March 2023

Computed tomography (CT) scans used in treatment response assessment in prostate cancer (PCa) patients are a useful tool for nutritional status evaluation. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status, including sarcopenia development based on CT scans, in PCa patients and its association with progression-free survival (PFS). Sixty-four PCa patients were included (group 1: 34 patients undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with docetaxel due to newly diagnosed, hormone-sensitive, metastatic PCa and group 2: 30 patients with castration-resistant metastatic PCa continuing ADT therapy with enzalutamide or abiraterone acetate). Nutritional status was evaluated with anthropometrical parameters, Nutritional Risk Score (NRS), and CT scans at the L3 vertebrae. Survival analyses were performed. According to NRS, nutritional status was significantly related to PFS. In both groups, there was a significant reduction in muscle tissue (total muscle tissue and skeletal muscle index). A significant increase in the distribution of adipose tissue (subcutaneous fat, visceral fat, subcutaneous adipose tissue index, and visceral adipose tissue index) in group one was observed. Sarcopenia was diagnosed in patients but with no influence on PFS. Significant reduction in muscle mass and increase in fat mass was observed in patients treated for PCa with no impact on PFS. The NRS was related to PFS in PCa patients and associated with body composition, assessed by CT after the castration therapy. Long-term castration combined with abiraterone therapy with prednisone or enzalutamide significantly influenced muscle tissue and may lead to sarcopenia development.
Low Zinc Alleviates the Progression of Thoracic Aortic Dissection by Inhibiting Inflammation
Authors: Zhu Lin , An Peng , Zhao Wenting , Xia Yi , Qi Jingyi , Luo Junjie , Luo Yongting
Published: March 2023

Vascular inflammation triggers the development of thoracic aortic dissection (TAD). Zinc deficiency could dampen tissue inflammation. However, the role of zinc as a nutritional intervention in the progression of TAD remains elusive. In this study, we employed a classical β-aminopropionitrile monofumarate (BAPN)-induced TAD model in mice treated with low zinc and observed that the TAD progression was greatly ameliorated under low zinc conditions. Our results showed that low zinc could significantly improve aortic dissection and rupture (BAPN + low zinc vs. BAPN, 36% vs. 100%) and reduce mortality (BAPN + low zinc vs. BAPN, 22% vs. 57%). Mechanically, low zinc attenuated the infiltration of macrophages and inhibited the expression of inflammatory cytokines, suppressed the phenotype switch of vascular smooth muscle cells from contractile to synthetic types, and eventually alleviated the development of TAD. In conclusion, this study suggested that low zinc may serve as a potential nutritional intervention approach for TAD prevention.
Obesity in Adults: Position Statement of Polish Association for the Study on Obesity, Polish Association of Endocrinology, Polish Association of Cardiodiabetology, Polish Psychiatric Association, Section of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery of the Association of Polish Surgeons, and the College of Family Physicians in Poland
Authors: Olszanecka-Glinianowicz Magdalena , Mazur Artur , Chudek Jerzy , Kos-Kudła Beata , Markuszewski Leszek , Dudek Dominika , Major Piotr , Małczak Piotr , Tarnowski Wiesław , Jaworski Paweł , Tomiak Elżbieta
Published: March 2023

Obesity in adults and its complications are among the most important problems of public health. The search was conducted by using PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, MEDLINE, and EBSCO databases from January 2010 to December 2022 for English language meta-analyses, systematic reviews, randomized clinical trials, and observational studies from all over the world. Six main topics were defined in the joint consensus statement of the Polish Association for the Study on Obesity, the Polish Association of Endocrinology, the Polish Association of Cardio-diabetology, the Polish Psychiatric Association, the Section of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery of the Society of Polish Surgeons, and the College of Family Physicians in Poland: (1) the definition, causes and diagnosis of obesity; (2) treatment of obesity; (3) treatment of main complications of obesity; (4) bariatric surgery and its limitations; (5) the role of primary care in diagnostics and treatment of obesity and barriers; and (6) recommendations for general practitioners, regional authorities and the Ministry of Health. This statement outlines the role of an individual and the adequate approach to the treatment of obesity: overcoming obstacles in the treatment of obesity by primary health care. The approach to the treatment of obesity in patients with its most common complications is also discussed. Attention was drawn to the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation and considering the needs of patients in increasing the long-term effectiveness of obesity management.