bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mitarbeitergespräche
Authors: Hossiep Rüdiger , Berndt Wolfram , Zens Jennifer Esther
Published: July 2024

Das Mitarbeitergespräch gehört zu den wichtigsten Formen der Führung und wird in einer digitalisierten, agileren Arbeitswelt mit reduzierten persönlichen Kontakten weiterhin an Bedeutung gewinnen. Motivierende, wirksame und nachhaltige Mitarbeitergespräche dauern nicht unbedingt länger als demotivierende Gespräche, die bestehende Probleme lediglich zementieren. Ihrer lösungsorientierten Gestaltung kommt damit eine entscheidende Bedeutung zu.
Dieser Band liefert Führungskräften und Mitarbeitenden wertvolle Informationen zur Reflexion und Verbesserung ihres Gesprächsverhaltens. Dabei wird in der 3. Auflage u. a. zusätzlich auf Mitarbeitergespräche im Kontext von Remote Leadership, New Work oder variabler Vergütung eingegangen. Für Organisationen aller Art bietet das Buch eine tragfähige Basis, das Führungsinstrument „Mitarbeitergespräch“ zu implementieren, zu relaunchen und zu optimieren.
Es vermittelt gleichermaßen anschaulich wie fundiert Essentials zum Thema Mitarbeitergespräche ergänzt durch eine Fülle praktisch anwendbarer Hinweise, Checklisten und konkreter Herangehensweisen, die von Gesprächsabläufen und Strukturierungen bis hin zu beispielhaften Formulierungen reichen.
Auch in der 3. Auflage liefert dieses Buch keine Rezepte, sondern stellt durchdachte, handhabbare, praxisbewährte Empfehlungen mit wissenschaftlicher Fundierung vor und ist ein Plädoyer für das maßgeschneiderte, adaptabile Mitarbeitergespräch.
Characterizing Non‐Phase‐Locked Tidal Currents in the California Current System Using High‐Frequency Radar
Authors: Kachelein Luke , Gille Sarah T. , Mazloff Matthew R. , Cornuelle Bruce D.
Published: July 2024

Over 9 years of hourly surface current data from high‐frequency radar (HFR) off the US West Coast are analyzed using a Bayesian least‐squares fit for tidal components. The spatial resolution and geographic extent of HFR data allow us to assess the spatial structure of the non‐phase‐locked component of the tide. In the frequency domain, the record length and sampling rate allow resolution of discrete tidal lines corresponding to well‐known constituents and the near‐tidal broadband elevated continuum resulting from amplitude and phase modulation of the tides, known as cusps. The FES2014 tide model is used to remove the barotropic component of tidal surface currents in order to evaluate its contribution to the phase‐locked variance and spatial structure. The mean time scale of modulation is 243 days for the M2 constituent and 181 days for S2, with overlap in their range of values. These constituents' modulated amplitudes are significantly correlated in several regions, suggesting shared forcing mechanisms. Within the frequency band M2 ± 5 cycles per year, an average of 48% of energy is not at the phase‐locked frequency. When we remove the barotropic model, this increases to 64%. In both cases there is substantial regional variability. This indicates that a large fraction of tidal energy is not easily predicted (e.g., for satellite altimeter applications). The spatial autocorrelation of the non‐phase‐locked variance fraction drops to zero over a distance of 150 km, a scale that is comparable to the swath width of the Surface Water and Ocean Topography altimeter.
A Community Ionosphere‐Thermosphere Observing System Simulation Experiment (OSSE) Tool: Geospace Dynamics Constellation Example
Authors: Hsu Chih‐Ting , Matsuo Tomoko , Kershaw Helen , Dietrich Nicholas , Smith Marlee , Anderson Jeffrey , Garcia‐Sage Katherine , Yue Jia , Hozumi Yuta , Chou Min‐Yang
Published: July 2024

Observing System Simulation Experiments (OSSEs) provide an effective way to evaluate the impact of assimilating data from a specific observing system on hindcasting, nowcasting, and forecasting of environmental systems. The NSF NCAR's Data Assimilation (DA) Research Testbed/Thermosphere‐Ionosphere‐Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (DART/TIEGCM) tool, to be hosted at the NASA Community Coordinated Modeling Center, serves as a valuable and accessible community resource for quantitatively evaluating the impact of observations from both current and future ionosphere‐thermosphere (IT) observing systems. This study demonstrates the utility of DART/TIEGCM as an IT OSSE tool, using synthetic observations simulated using a currently planned NASA Geospace Dynamics Constellation (GDC) observing system design. Five sets of OSSEs are carried out to compare the effects of assimilating various combinations of prospective GDC observations (e.g., neutral temperature, neutral wind, neutral composition, atomic oxygen ion density, and ion and electron temperature) during a major geomagnetic storm period of the St Patrick's Day Storm on 17 March 2013. The maximum error reduction in neutral temperature and atomic ion oxygen density is 24.6% and 43.3% compared to the control experiment. These OSSEs indicate the benefits of coupled IT DA approaches implemented in DART/TIEGCM to maximize the impact of multi‐parameter IT observations, such as those expected from the GDC mission. Although more work is required to draw any definitive conclusion on the GDC data impact, the study provides an illustrative example of how the DART/TIEGCM community tool can be used to evaluate observational impacts of planned or existing missions for geospace research and applications.
Deep Argo Observations of Antarctic Bottom Water in the Deep Fracture Zones of the Southwest Indian Ridge
Authors: Menezes Viviane V. , Robbins Pelle , Furey Heather , Mazloff Matthew
Published: July 2024

The Madagascar Basin is the primary pathway for Antarctic Bottom Water to ventilate the entire western Indian Ocean as part of the Global Overturning Circulation. The only way for this water mass to reach this basin is by crossing the Southwest Indian Ridge through its deep fracture zones. However, due to the scarcity of observations, the Antarctic Bottom Water presence has only been well‐established in the Atlantis II fracture zone. In May 2023, the Deep Madagascar Basin Experiment deployed three Deep SOLO Argo floats in the exit of the fracture zones that were more likely to transport Antarctic Bottom Water: Atlantis II, Novara, and Melville. These floats have been collecting temperature and salinity profiles every 3–5 days with high vertical resolution in the deep ocean. In the present paper, we use the first 7 months of float data to characterize the Antarctic Bottom Water in the deep fracture zone area, revisiting a half‐century puzzle about the Melville contribution. We also collected shipboard‐based profiles to calibrate float salinity and show it is within the Deep Argo program target accuracy. We find Antarctic Bottom Water in both Melville and Novara fracture zones, not only in Atlantis II. This is the first time the Novara contribution has been revealed. The floats also uncover their distinct properties, which may result from the different mixing histories.
Modeling Riverbed Elevation and Bedload Tracer Transport Resting Times Using Fractional Laplace Motion
Authors: Wu Zi , Singh Arvind
Published: July 2024

Riverbed elevations play a crucial role in sediment transport and flow resistance, making it essential to understand and quantify their effects. This knowledge is vital for various fields, including river engineering and stream ecology. Previous observations have revealed that fluctuations in the bed surface can exhibit both multifractal and monofractal behaviors. Specifically, the probability distribution function (PDF) of elevation increments may transition from Laplace (two‐sided exponential) to Gaussian with increasing scales or consistently remain Gaussian, respectively. These differences at the finest timescale lead to distinct patterns of bedload particle exchange with the bed surface, thereby influencing particle resting times and streamwise transport. In this paper, we utilize the fractional Laplace motion (FLM) model to analyze riverbed elevation series, demonstrating its capability to capture both mono‐ and multi‐fractal behaviors. Our focus is on studying the resting time distribution of bedload particles during downstream transport, with the FLM model primarily parameterized based on the Laplace distribution of increments PDF at the finest timescale. Resting times are extracted from the bed elevation series by identifying pairs of adjacent deposition and entrainment events at the same elevation. We demonstrate that in cases of insufficient data series length, the FLM model robustly estimates the tail exponent of the resting time distribution. Notably, the tail of the exceedance probability distribution of resting times is much heavier for experimental measurements displaying Laplace increments PDF at the finest scale, compared to previous studies observing Gaussian PDF for bed elevation.
Comparing Information Theory Analysis With Cross‐Correlation and Minimum Variance Analysis of the Solar Wind Structures
Authors: Holland K. M. , Nykyri H. K. , Ma X. , Wing S.
Published: July 2024

The space weather effects at the Earth's magnetosphere are mostly driven by the solar wind that carries the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). In this paper, we use 2 years of data in the solar wind from lunar orbiting ARTEMIS and MMS spacecraft upstream of the Earth's bow shock to study the structure of the IMF. We determine the lag times of IMF structures and their dependence on spacecraft positions by conducting an information theory analysis and comparing it with two traditional analysis methods: cross‐correlation (CC) analysis and minimum variance of magnetic field analysis (MVAB). For the events with long time intervals (i.e., >4 hr) and with small‐spatial separation between the MMS and ARTEMIS along the yGSM‐direction (i.e., <40Re, where Re is the Earth's radius), the lag times based on the CC and the mutual information (MI) analyses statistically agree with each other, with p‐values of 1.675 × 10−7 and 4.833 × 10−9, with the confidence of 95%. Both the results based on MI and CC have a large deviation from the results from MVAB. For some of the events, such a deviation could be improved by taking the fast mode speed into account; however, p‐tests showed that they were not statistically significant to the 95% confidence level.
Using a Differential Magnetometer Technique to Measure Geomagnetically Induced Currents: An Augmented Approach
Authors: Parry H. G. , Mann I. R. , Kale A. , Milling D. K. , Clark C. , Cui R. , Cordell D. , Unsworth M. J.
Published: July 2024

Geoelectric fields produced by time‐varying magnetic fields during geomagnetic storms can result in potentially damaging geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) in long conductors at the Earth's surface. GICs can pose a significant risk to the integrity of grounded electrical infrastructure, particularly high‐voltage transformers. In this study, an inferred GIC is calculated using an augmented differential magnetometer measurement (DMM) technique on a 500 kV transmission line in central Alberta and is validated using a proximal transformer neutral‐to‐ground (TNG) current measurement by AltaLink L.P. using a Hall probe at a transformer substation. This research outlines a custom‐built and innovative DMM design by which both DMM sensors deployed around a power line measure the background geomagnetic disturbance (GMD) field and the magnetic field generated locally by the GIC. We show how this modified approach provides two independent estimates for GIC derived using only ΔBy or ΔBz, the magnetic field components perpendicular to the line carrying GIC. Results for a geomagnetic storm on 12 Oct 2021 show contemporaneous peaks in the TNG current and the DMM‐inferred GIC. The two data sets have similar waveforms and are within the same order of magnitude. The background GMD is reconstructed using DMM and shows excellent correlation to the measured GMD at the permanent Canadian Array for Real‐time Investigations of Magnetic Activity magnetic station at Ministik Lake, approximately 48.5 km away. Based on the results presented here, we verify the added utility value of DMM for temporary deployments for assessing GIC risk in electrical power grids.
Fabrication and characterization of high-sensitivity, wide-range, and flexible MEMS thermal flow velocity sensors
Authors: Li Min , Qin Guangzhao , Jia Chen , Zhang Danyu , Li Zhikang , Han Xiangguang , Xu Shusheng , Zhao Libo , Luo Guoxi , Liu Cunlang , Yang Ping , Lin Qijing
Published: July 2024

With the rapid development of various fields, including aerospace, industrial measurement and control, and medical monitoring, the need to quantify flow velocity measurements is increasing. It is difficult for traditional flow velocity sensors to fulfill accuracy requirements for velocity measurements due to their small ranges, susceptibility to environmental impacts, and instability. Herein, to optimize sensor performance, a flexible microelectromechanical system (MEMS) thermal flow sensor is proposed that combines the working principles of thermal loss and thermal temperature difference and utilizes a flexible cavity substrate made of a low-thermal-conductivity polyimide/SiO2 (PI/SiO2) composite porous film to broaden the measurement range and improve the sensitivity. The measurement results show that the maximum measurable flow velocity can reach 30 m/s with a resolution of 5.4 mm/s. The average sensitivities of the sensor are 59.49 mV/(m s−1) in the medium-to-low wind velocity range of 0–2 m/s and 467.31 mV/(m s−1) in the wind velocity range of 2–30 m/s. The sensor proposed in this work can enable new applications of flexible flow sensors and wearable devices.
mtDNA release promotes cGAS-STING activation and accelerated aging of postmitotic muscle cells
Authors: Li Ying , Cui Jie , Liu Lei , Hambright William S. , Gan Yutai , Zhang Yajun , Ren Shifeng , Yue Xianlin , Shao Liwei , Cui Yan , Huard Johnny , Mu Yanling , Yao Qingqiang , Mu Xiaodong
Published: July 2024

The mechanism regulating cellular senescence of postmitotic muscle cells is still unknown. cGAS-STING innate immune signaling was found to mediate cellular senescence in various types of cells, including postmitotic neuron cells, which however has not been explored in postmitotic muscle cells. Here by studying the myofibers from Zmpste24−/− progeria aged mice [an established mice model for Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS)], we observed senescence-associated phenotypes in Zmpste24−/− myofibers, which is coupled with increased oxidative damage to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and secretion of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors. Also, Zmpste24−/− myofibers feature increased release of mtDNA from damaged mitochondria, mitophagy dysfunction, and activation of cGAS-STING. Meanwhile, increased mtDNA release in Zmpste24−/− myofibers appeared to be related with increased VDAC1 oligomerization. Further, the inhibition of VDAC1 oligomerization in Zmpste24−/− myofibers with VBIT4 reduced mtDNA release, cGAS-STING activation, and the expression of SASP factors. Our results reveal a novel mechanism of innate immune activation-associated cellular senescence in postmitotic muscle cells in aged muscle, which may help identify novel sets of diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for progeria aging and aging-associated muscle diseases.
Methanogenic patterns in the gut microbiome are associated with survival in a population of feral horses
Authors: Stothart Mason. R. , McLoughlin Philip. D. , Medill Sarah. A. , Greuel Ruth. J. , Wilson Alastair. J. , Poissant Jocelyn.
Published: July 2024

Gut microbiomes are widely hypothesised to influence host fitness and have been experimentally shown to affect host health and phenotypes under laboratory conditions. However, the extent to which they do so in free-living animal populations and the proximate mechanisms involved remain open questions. In this study, using long-term, individual-based life history and shallow shotgun metagenomic sequencing data (2394 fecal samples from 794 individuals collected between 2013–2019), we quantify relationships between gut microbiome variation and survival in a feral population of horses under natural food limitation (Sable Island, Canada), and test metagenome-derived predictions using short-chain fatty acid data. We report detailed evidence that variation in the gut microbiome is associated with a host fitness proxy in nature and outline hypotheses of pathogenesis and methanogenesis as key causal mechanisms which may underlie such patterns in feral horses, and perhaps, wild herbivores more generally.
Fluid flow drives phenotypic heterogeneity in bacterial growth and adhesion on surfaces
Authors: Hubert Antoine , Tabuteau Hervé , Farasin Julien , Loncar Aleksandar , Dufresne Alexis , Méheust Yves , Le Borgne Tanguy
Published: July 2024

Bacteria often thrive in surface-attached communities, where they can form biofilms affording them multiple advantages. In this sessile form, fluid flow is a key component of their environments, renewing nutrients and transporting metabolic products and signaling molecules. It also controls colonization patterns and growth rates on surfaces, through bacteria transport, attachment and detachment. However, the current understanding of bacterial growth on surfaces neglects the possibility that bacteria may modulate their division behavior as a response to flow. Here, we employed single-cell imaging in microfluidic experiments to demonstrate that attached Escherichia coli cells can enter a growth arrest state while simultaneously enhancing their adhesion underflow. Despite utilizing clonal populations, we observed a non-uniform response characterized by bistable dynamics, with co-existing subpopulations of non-dividing and actively dividing bacteria. As the proportion of non-dividing bacteria increased with the applied flow rate, it resulted in a reduction in the average growth rate of bacterial populations on flow-exposed surfaces. Dividing bacteria exhibited asymmetric attachment, whereas non-dividing counterparts adhered to the surface via both cell poles. Hence, this phenotypic diversity allows bacterial colonies to combine enhanced attachment with sustained growth, although at a reduced rate, which may be a significant advantage in fluctuating flow conditions.
Gaze-centered gating, reactivation, and reevaluation of economic value in orbitofrontal cortex
Authors: Ferro Demetrio , Cash-Padgett Tyler , Wang Maya Zhe , Hayden Benjamin Y. , Moreno-Bote Rubén
Published: July 2024

During economic choice, options are often considered in alternation, until commitment. Nonetheless, neuroeconomics typically ignores the dynamic aspects of deliberation. We trained two male macaques to perform a value-based decision-making task in which two risky offers were presented in sequence at the opposite sides of the visual field, each followed by a delay epoch where offers were invisible. Surprisingly, during the two delays, subjects tend to look at empty locations where the offers had previously appeared, with longer fixations increasing the probability of choosing the associated offer. Spiking activity in orbitofrontal cortex reflects the value of the gazed offer, or of the offer associated with the gazed empty spatial location, even if it is not the most recent. This reactivation reflects a reevaluation process, as fluctuations in neural spiking correlate with upcoming choice. Our results suggest that look-at-nothing gazing triggers the reactivation of a previously seen offer for further evaluation.
Enhancing radiation-resistance and peroxidase-like activity of single-atom copper nanozyme via local coordination manipulation
Authors: Wu Jiabin , Zhu Xianyu , Li Qun , Fu Qiang , Wang Bingxue , Li Beibei , Wang Shanshan , Chang Qingchao , Xiang Huandong , Ye Chengliang , Li Qiqiang , Huang Liang , Liang Yan , Wang Dingsheng , Zhao Yuliang , Li Yadong
Published: July 2024

The inactivation of natural enzymes by radiation poses a great challenge to their applications for radiotherapy. Single-atom nanozymes (SAzymes) with high structural stability under such extreme conditions become a promising candidate for replacing natural enzymes to shrink tumors. Here, we report a CuN3-centered SAzyme (CuN3-SAzyme) that exhibits higher peroxidase-like catalytic activity than a CuN4-centered counterpart, by locally regulating the coordination environment of single copper sites. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the CuN3 active moiety confers optimal H2O2 adsorption and dissociation properties, thus contributing to high enzymatic activity of CuN3-SAzyme. The introduction of X-ray can improve the kinetics of the decomposition of H2O2 by CuN3-SAzyme. Moreover, CuN3-SAzyme is very stable after a total radiation dose of 500 Gy, without significant changes in its geometrical structure or coordination environment, and simultaneously still retains comparable peroxidase-like activity relative to natural enzymes. Finally, this developed CuN3-SAzyme with remarkable radioresistance can be used as an external field-improved therapeutics for enhancing radio-enzymatic therapy in vitro and in vivo. Overall, this study provides a paradigm for developing SAzymes with improved enzymatic activity through local coordination manipulation and high radioresistance over natural enzymes, for example, as sensitizers for cancer therapy.
A real-world multi-center RNA-seq benchmarking study using the Quartet and MAQC reference materials
Authors: Wang Duo , Liu Yaqing , Zhang Yuanfeng , Chen Qingwang , Han Yanxi , Hou Wanwan , Liu Cong , Yu Ying , Li Ziyang , Li Ziqiang , Zhao Jiaxin , Shi Leming , Zheng Yuanting , Li Jinming , Zhang Rui
Published: July 2024

Translating RNA-seq into clinical diagnostics requires ensuring the reliability and cross-laboratory consistency of detecting clinically relevant subtle differential expressions, such as those between different disease subtypes or stages. As part of the Quartet project, we present an RNA-seq benchmarking study across 45 laboratories using the Quartet and MAQC reference samples spiked with ERCC controls. Based on multiple types of ‘ground truth’, we systematically assess the real-world RNA-seq performance and investigate the influencing factors involved in 26 experimental processes and 140 bioinformatics pipelines. Here we show greater inter-laboratory variations in detecting subtle differential expressions among the Quartet samples. Experimental factors including mRNA enrichment and strandedness, and each bioinformatics step, emerge as primary sources of variations in gene expression. We underscore the profound influence of experimental execution, and provide best practice recommendations for experimental designs, strategies for filtering low-expression genes, and the optimal gene annotation and analysis pipelines. In summary, this study lays the foundation for developing and quality control of RNA-seq for clinical diagnostic purposes.
Senescent cancer-associated fibroblasts in pancreatic adenocarcinoma restrict CD8+ T cell activation and limit responsiveness to immunotherapy in mice
Authors: Assouline Benjamin , Kahn Rachel , Hodali Lutfi , Condiotti Reba , Engel Yarden , Elyada Ela , Mordechai-Heyn Tzlil , Pitarresi Jason R. , Atias Dikla , Steinberg Eliana , Bidany-Mizrahi Tirza , Forkosh Esther , Katz Lior H. , Benny Ofra , Golan Talia , Hofree Matan , Stewart Sheila A. , Atlan Karine A. , Zamir Gideon , Stanger Ben Z. , Berger Michael , Ben-Porath Ittai
Published: July 2024

Senescent cells within tumors and their stroma exert complex pro- and anti-tumorigenic functions. However, the identities and traits of these cells, and the potential for improving cancer therapy through their targeting, remain poorly characterized. Here, we identify a senescent subset within previously-defined cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC) and in premalignant lesions in mice and humans. Senescent CAFs isolated from mouse and humans expressed elevated levels of immune-regulatory genes. Depletion of senescent CAFs, either genetically or using the Bcl-2 inhibitor ABT-199 (venetoclax), increased the proportion of activated CD8+ T cells in mouse pancreatic carcinomas, whereas induction of CAF senescence had the opposite effect. Combining ABT-199 with an immune checkpoint therapy regimen significantly reduced mouse tumor burden. These results indicate that senescent CAFs in PDAC stroma limit the numbers of activated cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, and suggest that their targeted elimination through senolytic treatment may enhance immunotherapy.
Slow vibrational relaxation drives ultrafast formation of photoexcited polaron pair states in glycolated conjugated polymers
Authors: Pagano Katia , Kim Jin Gwan , Luke Joel , Tan Ellasia , Stewart Katherine , Sazanovich Igor V. , Karras Gabriel , Gonev Hristo Ivov , Marsh Adam V. , Kim Na Yeong , Kwon Sooncheol , Kim Young Yong , Alonso M. Isabel , Dörling Bernhard , Campoy-Quiles Mariano , Parker Anthony W. , Clarke Tracey M. , Kim Yun-Hi , Kim Ji-Seon
Published: July 2024

Glycol sidechains are often used to enhance the performance of organic photoconversion and electrochemical devices. Herein, we study their effects on electronic states and electronic properties. We find that polymer glycolation not only induces more disordered packing, but also results in a higher reorganisation energy due to more localised π-electron density. Transient absorption spectroscopy and femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy are utilised to monitor the structural relaxation dynamics coupled to the excited state formation upon photoexcitation. Singlet excitons are initially formed, followed by polaron pair formation. The associated structural relaxation slows down in glycolated polymers (5 ps vs. 1.25 ps for alkylated), consistent with larger reorganisation energy. This slower vibrational relaxation is found to drive ultrafast formation of the polaron pair state (5 ps vs. 10 ps for alkylated). These results provide key experimental evidence demonstrating the impact of molecular structure on electronic state formation driven by strong vibrational coupling.
Aerobic mechanochemical reversible-deactivation radical polymerization
Authors: Feng Haoyang , Chen Zhe , Li Lei , Shao Xiaoyang , Fan Wenru , Wang Chen , Song Lin , Matyjaszewski Krzysztof , Pan Xiangcheng , Wang Zhenhua
Published: July 2024

Polymer materials suffer mechano-oxidative deterioration or degradation in the presence of molecular oxygen and mechanical forces. In contrast, aerobic biological activities combined with mechanical stimulus promote tissue regeneration and repair in various organs. A synthetic approach in which molecular oxygen and mechanical energy synergistically initiate polymerization will afford similar robustness in polymeric materials. Herein, aerobic mechanochemical reversible-deactivation radical polymerization was developed by the design of an organic mechano-labile initiator which converts oxygen into activators in response to ball milling, enabling the reaction to proceed in the air with low-energy input, operative simplicity, and the avoidance of potentially harmful organic solvents. In addition, this approach not only complements the existing methods to access well-defined polymers but also has been successfully employed for the controlled polymerization of (meth)acrylates, styrenic monomers and solid acrylamides as well as the synthesis of polymer/perovskite hybrids without solvent at room temperature which are inaccessible by other means.
Alcohol consumption among Iranian population based on the findings of STEPS survey 2021
Authors: Hajebi Amirali , Nasserinejad Maryam , Rezaei Negar , Azadnajafabad Sina , Rashidi Mohammad-Mahdi , Ahmadi Naser , Ghasemi Erfan , Farzi Yosef , Yoosefi Moein , Djalalinia Shirin , Fattahi Nima , Rezaei Shahabeddin , Foroutan Mehr Elmira , Kazemi Ameneh , Haghshenas Rosa , Rezaee Kamyar , Momen Nia Rankohi Azadeh , Afsari Massomeh , Mahdavihezaveh Alireza , Jamshidi Hamidreza , Farzadfar Farshad
Published: July 2024

Alcohol production and consumption have been prohibited in Iran for over four decades, leading to a typical underestimation of its consumption. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of alcohol consumption, its associated factors, and estimate per capita alcohol consumption among Iran’s adult population. In this population-based survey, 27,874 adults from across Iran were selected using systematic proportional-to-size cluster sampling. Alcohol consumption was evaluated through a modified Persian version of the STEPS questionnaires from previous studies, applied over different timespans. Per capita consumption was calculated using the quantity-frequency method, expressed in liters of pure alcohol. Adjusted odds ratios were reported for associates of alcohol consumption concerning metabolic risk factors, sociodemographic elements, and lifestyle variables. The prevalence of lifetime alcohol consumption was 6.9% (95% CI 6.5–7.2) in the adult population, with a notable sex difference (males: 13.7% [95% CI 13–14.4]; females: 1.4% [95% CI 1.1–1.6]). The 12 month prevalence was 3.8% (95% CI 3.6–4.1). For individuals aged 18 and older, the per capita alcohol consumption in Iran was 0.12 L. Factors such as being a lifetime smoker, younger, wealthier, and having 7–12 years of education were significantly linked to higher alcohol consumption. Significant associations were also observed between alcohol consumption and having a history of heart attacks (OR = 2.04, 95% CI 1.44–2.89), and physical injuries (OR = 1.88, 95% CI 1.34–2.64). The estimated lifetime and 12-month prevalence of alcohol use in our study were higher among some of the subpopulations. The findings also revealed a complex relationship between alcohol consumption, behavioral risk factors, and metabolic profiles. Consequently, immediate preventive measures tailored to each factor’s association with alcohol use are recommended.
Tailoring a facile electronic and ionic pathway to boost the storage performance of Fe3O4 nanowires as negative electrode for supercapacitor application
Authors: Abdelrahim Ahmed M. , El-Moghny Muhammad G. Abd , Abdelhady Hosam H. , Wali Hager S. , Gamil Mariam M. , Fahmy Samanta R. , Abdel-Hamid Toka M. , Mohammed Gehad K. , Ahmed Yasmeen A. , El-Deab Mohamed S.
Published: July 2024

Today, high-energy applications are devoted to boosting the storage performance of asymmetric supercapacitors. Importantly, boosting the storage performance of the negative electrodes is a crucial topic. Fe3O4-based active materials display a promising theoretical storage performance as a negative electrode. Thus, to get a high storage performance of Fe3O4, it must be tailored to have a higher ionic and electronic conductivity and outstanding stability. Functionalized graphite felt (GF) is an excellent candidate for tailoring Fe3O4 with a facile ionic and electronic pathway. However, the steps of the functionalization of GF are complex and time-consuming as well as the energy loss during this step. Thus, the in-situ functionalization of the GF surface throughout the synthesis of Fe3O4 active materials is proposed herein. Fe3O4 is electrodeposited at the in-situ functionalized GF surface with the crystalline nanowires-like structure as revealed from the various analyses; SEM, TEM, Mapping EDX, XPS, XRD, wettability test, and Raman analysis. Advantageously, the synthetic approach introduces full homogeneous and uniform coverage of the large surface area of the GF. Thus, Fe3O4 nanowires with high ionic and electronic conductivity are characterized by a higher storage performance. Interestingly, Fe3O4/GF possesses a high specific capacity of 1418 mC cm−2 at a potential scan rate of 10 mV s−1 and this value retained to 54% at a potential scan rate of 50 mV s−1 at an extended potential window of 1.45 V. Remarkably, the diffusion-controlled reaction is the main contributor of the storage of Fe3O4/GF electrode as revealed by the mechanistic studies.
Obedience induces agentic shifts by increasing the perceived time between own action and results
Authors: Akyüz Nil , Marien Hans , Stok F. Marijn , Driessen Josi M. A. , de Wit John , Aarts Henk
Published: July 2024

The concept of 'agentic shift,' introduced by Stanley Milgram, suggests that obedience reduces the sense of agency. In a recent study simulating the seminal work of Milgram, Caspar et al., 2016 examined this idea in a financial harm context. They demonstrated that, compared to situations of voluntary decision-making, coercion increases the perceived time between action and outcomes—suggested as a marker of diminished agency. Importantly, in this study, participants were agent and victim (relying on a reciprocal relationship) and first experienced free choices, followed by forced choices. This diverts from Milgram’s original study, where participants were no victims but only agents who were forced to harm. The current study replicates and extends findings from the 2016 study by Caspar et al. in an online meeting setting, where participants served only as agents—similar to the original Milgram studies—while controlling the order of free and forced choice blocks. Substantiating earlier findings, forced choices reduced temporal binding (increased time interval estimations) compared to free choices independent of the order. We briefly discuss the importance of replications of coercion effects on the sense of agency, particularly in online decision-making settings.
Tablet-based Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure copy task: a novel application to assess spatial, procedural, and kinematic aspects of drawing in children
Authors: Frigeni Marta , Petilli Marco A. , Gobbo Silvia , Di Giusto Valentina , Zorzi Carla F. , Rabuffetti Marco , Spinelli Federico , Gower Valerio , Daini Roberta , Cavallini Anna
Published: July 2024

The paper-and-pencil Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) copy task has been extensively used to assess visuo-constructional skills in children and adults. The scoring systems utilized in clinical practice provide an integrated evaluation of the drawing process, without differentiating between its visuo-constructional, organizational, and motor components. Here, a tablet-based ROCF copy task capable of providing a quantitative assessment of the drawing process, differentiating between visuo-constructional, organizational, and motor skills, is trialed in 94 healthy children, between 7 and 11 years of age. Through previously validated algorithms, 12 indices of performance in the ROCF copy task were obtained for each child. Principal component analysis of the 12 indices identified spatial, procedural, and kinematic components as distinct dimensions of the drawing process. A composite score for each dimension was determined, and correlation analysis between composite scores and conventional paper-and-pencil measures of visuo-constructional, procedural, and motor skills performed. The results obtained confirmed that the constructional, organizational, and motor dimensions underlie complex figure drawing in children; and that each dimension can be measured by a unique composite score. In addition, the composite scores here obtained from children were compared with previsions results from adults, offering a novel insight into how the interplay between the three dimensions of drawing evolves with age.
Higher central circadian temperature amplitude is associated with greater metabolite rhythmicity in humans
Authors: Windred Daniel P. , Anderson Clare , Jeppe Katherine J. , Ftouni Suzanne , Grant Leilah K. , Nijagal Brunda , Rajaratnam Shantha M. W. , McConville Malcolm , Tull Dedreia , Lockley Steven W. , Cain Sean W. , Phillips Andrew J. K.
Published: July 2024

Robust circadian rhythms are essential for optimal health. The central circadian clock controls temperature rhythms, which are known to organize the timing of peripheral circadian rhythms in rodents. In humans, however, it is unknown whether temperature rhythms relate to the organization of circadian rhythms throughout the body. We assessed core body temperature amplitude and the rhythmicity of 929 blood plasma metabolites across a 40-h constant routine protocol, controlling for behavioral and environmental factors that mask endogenous temperature rhythms, in 23 healthy individuals (mean [± SD] age = 25.4 ± 5.7 years, 5 women). Valid core body temperature data were available in 17/23 (mean [± SD] age = 25.6 ± 6.3 years, 1 woman). Individuals with higher core body temperature amplitude had a greater number of metabolites exhibiting circadian rhythms (R2 = 0.37, p = .009). Higher core body temperature amplitude was also associated with less variability in the free-fitted periods of metabolite rhythms within an individual (R2 = 0.47, p = .002). These findings indicate that a more robust central circadian clock is associated with greater organization of circadian metabolite rhythms in humans. Metabolite rhythms may therefore provide a window into the strength of the central circadian clock.
Shrimp hemocyanin elicits a potent humoral response in mammals and is favorable to hapten conjugation
Authors: Sun Huiwen , Wei Moris , Guo Amber , Zhang Ci , Wang Yuefeng , Huang Renhui , Li Xiaoxiao , Zhan Jeffrey , Wu Jonny , Jiang Bruce
Published: July 2024

Conjugation to a carrier protein is essential to give rise to the antigenicity of hapten. Three carrier proteins e.g. KLH (Keyhole Limpet hemocyanin), BSA (bovine serum albumin), and OVA (Ovalbumin) were used mostly. KLH is advantageous to the others, majorly owing to its strong immunogenicity and limited usage in other biological assays. However, the cost of obtaining Keyhole Limpet is high and the solubility of KLH is not as well as the other carriers, especially after hapten conjugation. Here, we extracted the shrimp hemocyanin (SHC) from Litopenaeus vannamei (L. vannamei), which is a commonly sea product worldwide. The high pure SHC could be acquired by two-step purification, with a production yield of > 1 g proteins (98% pure) per 1 kg shrimp. Compared to KLH, the peptide-SHC conjugates exhibit higher solubility after hapten conjugation. Meanwhile, compared with KLH, SHC induces comparable antibody production efficiency in mammals, with or without conjugation. Furthermore, rabbit polyclonal antibodies or mouse monoclonal antibodies were generated by immunizing SHC-peptide conjugates, and the subsequent antibodies were confirmed to be used in western blot, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. Therefore, we demonstrated that SHC may be used as a substitute for KLH in future antibody and vaccine development.
The essential role of cement-based materials in a radioactive waste repository
Authors: Ma Bin , Provis John L. , Wang Dengquan , Kosakowski Georg
Published: July 2024

Cement-based materials are integral to radioactive waste repositories, providing versatile solutions for diverse disposal strategies. They are part of the multi-barrier system, and serve to immobilize waste materials, limit the release of radionuclides, contribute to an alkaline near-field to inhibit steel corrosion, reduce microbial activity, and slow down radionuclide transport in the repository near-field. This work delves into the adaptability of the multi-barrier systems for long-term safety, examining cases in clay and granite. Highlighting the disposal case in clay, the study emphasizes the role of cement in ensuring repository stability. The barrier system aims to minimize radionuclide release and demonstrate long-term isolation and containment of waste. The containment duration is relevant to the radionuclide’s half-life, with consideration for extended safety over extremely long periods. Cement evolves under geological conditions, undergoing a progressive process of degradation that is influenced by intricate aggregate-cement reactions and external factors, e.g., sulfates and chlorides in groundwater, the host rocks (including clays and granites), and the engineered barrier materials (including bentonite and steel), and in turn influencing mechanical stress generation and porosity. The very slow chemical alteration processes that take place at the concrete/granite interface underscore the repository stability. Corrosion of steel in the cement is expected to be slow, but its long-term structural and chemical changes remain quite unknown. Challenges remain in accurately predicting the long-term performance of the cement due to uncertainties in chemical reactivity, the impact of partial water saturation, and the kinetics of degradation processes. The manuscript advances the development of predictive modeling tools for assessing the long-term performance of cement-based barriers. The integration of experimental results with modeling efforts offers a robust framework for predicting the behavior of cementitious materials under various environmental conditions, thereby contributing to more reliable safety assessments of radioactive waste repositories. The role of cement phases in ensuring repository safety remains pivotal.
Microwave catalytic pyrolysis of biomass: a review focusing on absorbents and catalysts
Authors: Ke Linyao , Zhou Nan , Wu Qiuhao , Zeng Yuan , Tian Xiaojie , Zhang Jiahui , Fan Liangliang , Ruan Roger , Wang Yunpu
Published: July 2024

The quest for low-carbon alternatives to fossil fuels and the carbon emissions associated with the natural degradation of biomass have accelerated the development of biomass processing technologies. Microwave catalytic pyrolysis is emerging as a technology for efficient conversion of biomass into energy, fuels and chemicals. However, due to the inherent poor dielectric properties and complex composition of biomass, two main technical challenges faced by microwave catalytic pyrolysis of biomass are efficient heating of biomass and improving the selectivity of target products. Potential solutions involve the use of microwave absorbents and catalysts, respectively. This review begins by addressing the difficulty in balancing energy efficiency and conversion efficiency by introducing microwave absorbents that play a positive role in improving heating efficiency. The principle of microwave absorbents in assisting biomass heating is revealed, and the impacts of the microwave absorbent type (related to microwave properties and physical properties) and the additive amount on the heating effect and biomass pyrolysis product distribution are discussed. Subsequently, the search for catalysts applied in biomass microwave pyrolysis for modulation of product distribution is explored. Special attention has been paid to the catalysts with microwave absorption properties, including activated carbon, zeolites, some metal oxides and metal salts. In addition, the energy efficiency, economic feasibility, and environmental impacts of this processing technology utilizing microwave absorbents and catalysts are examined based on energy analysis, techno-economic assessment, and life cycle assessment. The current scale-up challenges of microwave catalytic pyrolysis of biomass and some potential solutions to enhance the commercial feasibility of this technology are also discussed. Finally, the review provides some future development directions of this technology.
Simultaneous detection of two subtypes of extracellular vesicles using ultrabright fluorescent nanosphere-based test strips
Authors: Li Zhi-Hua , Liu Xing-Chi , Wang Dan , Zhang Zhi-Ling , Chen Gang , Yu Zi-Li , Tian Zhi-Quan
Published: July 2024

In recent years, the cargo profiles of extracellular vesicles (EVs), which were inherited from their parent cells, have emerged as a reliable biomarker for liquid biopsy (LB) in disease diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment monitoring.
Capsaicin alleviates acute alcohol-induced pyroptosis by activating ESCRT-III-dependent cell membrane repair in hepatocytes
Authors: Liu Meitong , Guo Jiakang , Lu Jing , Chen Yuelin , Deng Xuming , Zhang Shengzhuo , Guan Shuang
Published: July 2024

CAP alleviated acute alcohol-induced pyroptosis via TRPV1-Ca2+ influx-ESCRT-III-dependent membrane repair machinery, which relieved AALI.
Tuning the magnetic properties of van der Waals materials by intercalation
Authors: Witte Pim , van Koten Annemijn M. , Kamminga Machteld E.
Published: July 2024

This review highlights current advances in magnetic-property tuning of layered materials by means of intercalation, and provides challenges and opportunities for materials chemists to advance the field.
Piezoelectricity in wide bandgap semiconductor 2D crystal GaN nanosheets
Authors: Wang Yong , Wang Shaopeng , Zhang Yu , Cheng Zixuan , Yang Dingyi , Wang Yongmei , Wang Tingting , Cheng Liang , Wu Yizhang , Hao Yue
Published: July 2024

2D GaN nanosheets can grow on Ga/W liquid-phase substrates by CVD. 700 nm-thick GaN nanosheets have a piezoelectric constant of deff33 = 1.53 ± 0.21 pm V−1 and possess the capability to effectively modulate the Schottky barrier.
Unraveling the excitonics of light emission from metal-halide perovskite quantum dots
Authors: Kambhampati Patanjali
Published: July 2024

Light emission in metal halide perovskite nanocrystal quantum dots arises from multiexcitons that can be resolved in time. These electronic excitations coupled with the lattice and support spatial coherence.
Atomistic understanding of enhanced selectivity in photocatalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde using graphitic carbon nitride loaded with single copper atoms
Authors: Sudrajat Hanggara , Wella Sasfan Arman , Phanthuwongpakdee Jakkapon , Lisovytskiy Dmytro , Sobczak Kamil , Colmenares Juan Carlos
Published: July 2024

The enhanced selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde under visible light is achieved through atomically precise control of the coordination structure of single copper atoms on graphitic carbon nitride.
Platinum monolayer dispersed on MXenes for electrocatalyzed hydrogen evolution: a first-principles study
Authors: He Mingqi , Zhou Yanan , Luo Qiquan , Yang Jinlong
Published: July 2024

Dispersion of a platinum monolayer on MXenes facilitates charge transfer from the Mo2TiC2 support to the Pt monolayer at the interface, characterized by a monolayer MSI, thereby accumulating charge on Pt atoms and significantly boosting HER activity.
Effects of mixed enzymolysis alone or combined with acetylation or carboxymethylation on the role of jujube kernel fibre as a biosorbent for wastewater treatment
Authors: Qin Nan , Li Yunfei , Zhang Lan , Guo Lili , Zhang Wenfang , Li Guanwen , Bai Jun
Published: July 2024

This study investigates the effects of a mix of modifications on the wastewater-treatment ability of jujube kernel fibre.
Unleashing the potential of Li–O2 batteries with electronic modulation and lattice strain in pre-lithiated electrocatalysts
Authors: Zhang Zhengcai , Huang Dulin , Xing Shuochao , Li Minghui , Wu Jing , Zhang Zhang , Dou Yaying , Zhou Zhen
Published: July 2024

Electronic modulation and lattice strain in pre-lithiated electrocatalysts, lead to optimized Li–O intermediate adsorption and enhanced electron transfer for improved Li–O2 battery performance with high efficiency, longevity, and large capacity.