bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fragments from Ottoman Zagori: continuity and change in a montane landscape through a local perspective
Authors: Moudopoulos-Athanasiou Faidon , Kolovos Elias
Published: October 2023

This article discusses elite continuity and settlement pattern change in Zagori (NW Greece) from the late fourteenth to the nineteenth century. The peaceful assimilation of the regional and local elites into the Ottoman Empire (1430) led to adaptations in the montane landscape. Imperial and local archival research, ethnography, and landscape archaeology reveal that the Ottoman administration divided large decentralized settlements into smaller villages to accommodate local elites and new timariots. This topography of division (fifteenth to sixteenth centuries) gave way to a topography of adaptation (seventeenth to nineteenth centuries) when local elites influenced settlement patterns in forming the administrative unit the Zagorisian League.
Supporting Our Physician Parents (SOPPort): A pilot program for parental wellness at the Massachusetts General Hospital
Authors: Li Josephine H. , Hanley Lauren E. , Powe Camille E. , Seiglie Jacqueline A. , Haines Melanie S. , Wein Marc N. , Bregar Amy , Miller Karen K. , Dichtel Laura E.
Published: October 2023

Physician parents encounter unique challenges in balancing new parenthood with work responsibilities, especially upon their return from parental leave. We designed a pilot program that incorporated 1:1 parental coaching to expectant and new physician parents and provided stipends for lactation support and help at home. Additional initiatives included launching a virtual new parent group during the COVID-19 pandemic and starting an emergency backup pump supplies program. There was positive feedback for our Parental Wellness Program (PWP), which was used to secure expanded funding. Pilot results showed that our program had a meaningful impact on parental wellness, morale, productivity, and lactation efforts.
Molecular mechanisms of action of negative pressure wound therapy: a systematic review
Authors: Ravindhran Bharadhwaj , Schafer Nicole , Howitt Annabel , Carradice Daniel , Smith George , Chetter Ian
Published: October 2023

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has significantly advanced wound care and continues to find new applications. Its effects at a molecular level however, remain a subject of debate. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the current evidence regarding the molecular mechanisms of action of NPWT. Medline, Embase, EBSCO databases and clinical trial registries were searched from inception to January 2023. Clinical studies, animal models or in-vitro studies that quantitatively or semi-quantitatively evaluated the influence of NPWT on growth factors, cytokine or gene-expression in the circulation or wound-bed were included. Risk of Bias assessment was performed using the RoBANS tool for non-randomized studies, the COCHRANE's Risk of Bias 2(ROB-2) tool for randomized clinical studies, OHAT tool for in-vitro studies or the SYRCLE tool for animal model studies. A descriptive summary was collated and the aggregated data is presented as a narrative synthesis. This review included 19 clinical studies, 11 animal studies and 3 in-vitro studies. The effects of NPWT on 43 biomarkers and 17 gene expressions were studied across included studies. NPWT stimulates modulation of numerous local and circulating cytokines and growth factor expressions to promote an anti-inflammatory profile. This is most likely achieved by downregulation of TNFα, upregulation of VEGF, TGF-β and fibronectin.
Interactions between oblique second mode and oblique waves in a high-speed boundary layer
Authors: Zhou Teng , Liu Zaijie , Lu Yuhan , Yan Chao
Published: October 2023

Interactions between oblique second mode and oblique waves at a high-speed boundary at Mach 4.5 are studied using linear stability theory, nonlinear parabolized stability equations (NPSE) and direct numerical simulation (DNS). Parametric analysis based on the NPSE suggests that the oblique second mode can amplify both the oblique first and second modes, with the former experiencing a higher amplification. Our analysis reveals that the mean-flow distortion and difference mode contribute to this enhancement, with the latter exerting a key influence through the parametric resonance process. Kinetic energy transfer analysis demonstrates that the oblique waves gain energy from the mean flow, rather than from the oblique second mode. Furthermore, we find that the mechanism underlying the interaction between a pair of second oblique waves and a single oblique wave is similar to that between an oblique second mode and an oblique wave, as the steady modes generated by the pair of oblique second modes have a limited impact on the oblique wave. Finally, DNS confirms the validity of two transition paths proposed in this study based on the NPSE results. The first path suggests that a pair of low-amplitude second oblique waves alone are insufficient to cause oblique breakdown, but the introduction of a pair of low-amplitude damping first oblique modes could lead to boundary layer breakdown. The second path involves the formation of a domino-like effect through the combination of different types of oblique waves with the appropriate parameters. These two nonlinear paths can lead to a fully developed turbulent boundary layer.
Examination of outer-layer similarity in wall turbulence over obstructing surfaces
Authors: Chen Zishen , García-Mayoral Ricardo
Published: October 2023

Turbulent flows over canopies of rigid filaments with different densities are studied using direct numerical simulations at moderate Reynolds numbers

$Re_\tau \approx 550\unicode{x2013}1000$

. The canopies have heights

$h^+\approx 110\unicode{x2013}220$

, and are used as an instance of obstructing substrate for the assessment of outer-layer similarity. We show that conventional methods used to determine the zero-plane displacement

$\Delta y$

can be at odds with proper outer-layer similarity and may not be applicable for flows at moderate

$Re_\tau$

. Instead, we determine

$\Delta y$

and the length and velocity scales that recover outer-layer similarity by minimising the difference between the smooth-wall and canopy diagnostic function everywhere above the roughness sublayer, not just in the logarithmic layer. In addition, we explore the possibility of the zero-plane displacement and the friction velocity being set independently, but find that outer-layer similarity is recovered more consistently when they are coupled. We observe that although the Kármán constant,

$\kappa$

may not have smooth-wall-like values, the flow statistics are smooth-wall-like in the logarithmic layer and above if the surface effect is limited within the near-wall region. This suggests a modified outer-layer similarity, where

$\kappa$

is not 0.39, but turbulence is otherwise smooth-wall-like. When the canopy is dense, the flow above the tips is essentially smooth-wall-like, with smooth-wall-like

$\kappa \approx 0.39$

and origin essentially at the tip plane. For canopies with intermediate density, the overlying flow perceives a deeper zero-plane displacement into the canopy, which is consistent with observations reported by previous studies, but exhibits a lower Kármán constant,

$\kappa \approx 0.34\unicode{x2013}0.36$

. For sparse canopies,

$\kappa$

tends back to its smooth-wall value, and the zero-plane displacement height is at the canopy bed. For all canopies studied, the decrease in

$\kappa$

never exceeds

$15\,\%$

, which is significantly less than that obtained in some previous works using conventional methods to assess outer-layer similarity.
Building a pipeline to identify and engineer constitutive and repressible promoters
Authors: Yang Eric J.Y. , Nemhauser Jennifer L.
Published: October 2023

To support the increasingly complex circuits needed for plant synthetic biology applications, additional constitutive promoters are essential. Reusing promoter parts can lead to difficulty in cloning, increased heterogeneity between transformants, transgene silencing and trait instability. We have developed a pipeline to identify genes that have stable expression across a wide range of Arabidopsis tissues at different developmental stages and have identified a number of promoters that are well expressed in both transient (Nicotiana benthamiana) and stable (Arabidopsis) transformation assays. We have also introduced two genome-orthogonal gRNA target sites in a subset of the screened promoters, converting them into NOR logic gates. The work here establishes a pipeline to screen for additional constitutive promoters and can form the basis of constructing more complex information processing circuits in the future.
A meta-analytic investigation of the potential for plant volatiles and sex pheromones to enhance detection and management of Lepidopteran pests
Authors: Staton Tom , Williams David T.
Published: October 2023

Effective early detection, monitoring and management methods are critical for reducing the impacts of insect pests in agriculture and forestry. Combining host plant volatiles with sex pheromones could enhance trapping methodologies, whilst the use of non-host volatiles could improve the effectiveness of pest management through repellency effects. In this meta-analysis approach, we analysed 51 studies that used electroantennograms (EAG), wind tunnels and/or field traps to evaluate the antennal and behavioural responses of Lepidoptera to sex pheromones combined with attractant or repellent plant volatiles. Proposed attractant plant volatiles had a positive association with female Lepidoptera responses to sex pheromone, but effects on males were highly variable, with unexpected repellency reported in some studies. Proposed repellent plant volatiles were significantly or near-significantly negatively associated with male attraction to sex pheromones but were scarcely studied. Sub-group analysis identified that male responses to sex pheromone were reduced when the dose of attractant plant volatile relative to sex pheromone was increased. Green-leaf volatiles were associated with the strongest positive effects for males in field traps. Multiple-compound attractant plant volatile blends were less effective than single compounds in field studies. Our analysis demonstrates, (i) the potential value of combining host plant volatiles with sex pheromones to capture females rather than only males, (ii) the importance of identifying appropriate host plant volatiles and optimal relative doses, and (iii) the potential for non-host plant volatile use in pest management strategies.
The AKP-Era Higher Education Strategies for Establishing Hegemony over Turkish Universities
Authors: Celik Nihat
Published: October 2023

“Your political hegemony ended; your cultural hegemony, too, will end.”1
The Politics of Stardom, Entertainment and Industry: New Studies in Egyptian Cinema History
Authors: Elsaket Ifdal
Published: October 2023

Since at least the 1970s, Egyptian cinema has animated scholars of the Middle East; a by-product of a cultural turn in the discipline and broader interest in using film as a scholarly source. No doubt, Egypt's rich history of film production—often (and perhaps misleadingly) referred to as the “Hollywood on the Nile”—has encouraged scholars to use its films to examine broader political issues or capture the “mood” of a particular historical moment. Scholarship has mainly focused on films of the post-1952 era, often ones that reflect a definitive ideological bent or didactic message. The early period of cinema in Egypt, from the 1920s to 1940s, is much less studied. The perception of early Egyptian films as mere “imitations” of Hollywood and devoid of blatant political messaging contributed to consigning it to the dustbin of cinema history.
On Jensen- divergence measure
Authors: Kharazmi Omid , Balakrishnan Narayanaswamy
Published: October 2023

The purpose of this paper is twofold. The first part is to introduce relative-$\chi_{\alpha}^{2}$, Jensen-$\chi_{\alpha}^{2}$ and (p, w)-Jensen-$\chi_{\alpha}^2$ divergence measures and then examine their properties. In addition, we also explore possible connections between these divergence measures and Jensen–Shannon entropy measure. In the second part, we introduce $(p,\eta)$-mixture model and then show it to be an optimal solution to three different optimization problems based on $\chi_{\alpha}^{2}$ divergence measure. We further study the relative-$\chi_{\alpha}^{2}$ divergence measure for escort and arithmetic mixture densities. We also provide some results associated with relative-$\chi_{\alpha}^{2}$ divergence measure of mixed reliability systems. Finally, to demonstrate the usefulness of the Jensen-$\chi_{\alpha}^{2}$ divergence measure, we apply it to a real example in image processing and present some numerical results. Our findings in this regard show that the Jensen-$\chi_{\alpha}^{2}$ is an effective criteria for quantifying the similarity between two images.
Science, Race, and Scientific Truth, Past and Present
Authors: Deichmann Ute
Published: October 2023

This article examines the violation of longstanding scientific norms, in particular universalism, objectivity, and truth orientation by new identity policies such as the principle of ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ (DEI). The imposition of this principle by public opinion, administration, and mass media, particularly in the United States but also in other countries, contradicts the principle of equal opportunity regardless of race, gender, nationality, and class, by putting the emphasis of assessment on group identities. The implementation of this principle has begun to damage careers, threaten scientists and lower standards in academia. In order to provide a historical perspective, I review how the violation of scientific norms has impacted scientific success in past authoritarian countries, in particular the USSR under Stalin, and Nazi Germany. The comparison with past authoritarian countries does not aim at equating situations from then and now, but can help understand social and political mechanisms of current events. It also highlights in a drastic way consequences that a violation of scientific norms may have for science today.
Critical Social Justice Subverts Scientific Publishing
Authors: Krylov Anna I. , Tanzman Jay
Published: October 2023

The politicization of science – the infusion of ideology into the scientific enterprise – threatens the ability of science to serve humanity. Today, the greatest such threat comes from a set of ideological viewpoints collectively referred to as Critical Social Justice (CSJ). This contribution describes how CSJ has detrimentally affected scientific publishing by means of social engineering, censorship, and the suppression of scholarship.
Memory, Knowledge, and Experience: North Koreans in Britain Reflect on the Music and Dance of Their Distant Homeland
Authors: HOWARD KEITH , SUNG CHOLONG
Published: October 2023

This article reflects on the knowledge and experience of North Korean music and dance among North Koreans who now reside in Britain. In particular, we explore their memories from before they escaped the isolated so-called socialist paradise. North Koreans mostly arrived in Britain between 2004 and 2008; they arrived as refugees and applied for asylum. Although the last four decades has seen much ethnomusicological research on music and migration, we remain mindful of Reyes Schramm’s argument about the importance of studying refugee music to better understand music traditions. As with other parts of the world, though, today there are a multitude of online and published materials on North Korea, including on music and dance, most emanating from the country. Given that there are few if any opportunities to conduct fieldwork inside the country, researchers typically use the available materials to construct accounts. But to what extent do the memories of North Koreans who are resident in Britain contrast and challenge the online and published materials?
Transitivity and intransitivity in soil bacterial networks
Authors: Verdú Miguel , Alcántara Julio M , Navarro-Cano Jose A , Goberna Marta
Published: October 2023

Competition can lead to the exclusion of bacterial taxa when there is a transitive relationship among competitors with a hierarchy of competitive success. However, competition may not prevent bacterial coexistence if competitors form intransitive loops, in which none is able to outcompete all the rest. Both transitive and intransitive competition have been demonstrated in bacterial model systems. However, in natural soil microbial assemblages competition is typically understood as a dominance relationship leading to the exclusion of weak competitors. Here, we argue that transitive and intransitive interactions concurrently determine the structure of soil microbial communities. We explain why pairwise interactions cannot depict competition correctly in complex communities, and propose an alternative through the detection of strongly connected components (SCCs) in microbial networks. We finally analyse the existence of SCCs in soil bacterial communities in two Mediterranean ecosystems, for illustrative purposes only (rather than with the aim of providing a methodological tool) due to current limitations, and discuss future avenues to experimentally test the existence of SCCs in nature.
Mechanistic insights into excited-state palladium catalysis for C–S bond formations and dehydrogenative sulfonylation of amines
Authors: Muralirajan Krishnamoorthy , Kancherla Rajesh , Maity Bholanath , Karuthedath Safakath , Laquai Frédéric , Cavallo Luigi , Rueping Magnus
Published: October 2023

Photocatalytic selective C(sp3)–H activation/cross-coupling reactions are appealing in organic synthesis. In this manuscript, we describe the development of photoexcited-state Pd-catalyzed dehydrogenative β-sulfonylation reactions using amines and aryl sulfonyl chlorides via intermolecular hydrogen atom transfer and C−S cross-coupling processes at room temperature. The transformation can be achieved by the direct generation of two distinct Pd-radical hybrid species and their capability to promote two different reactivities from Pd(0) and aryl sulfonyl chlorides, allowing for the efficient conversion of readily available amines into stable sulfonyl-substituted enamines at room temperature. The in-depth experimental, computational, and transient optical spectroscopic study and catalytic applications of a dehydrogenative functionalization event provide evidence for both static and dynamic quenching, as well as inner-sphere and outer-sphere mechanisms.
Energy-efficient extraction of linear alkanes from various isomers using structured metal-organic framework membrane
Authors: Wang Yuecheng , Ban Yujie , Hu Ziyi , Yang Weishen
Published: October 2023

Extraction of low concentration linear alkanes (C5-C7) from various isomers is critical for the petrochemical industry. At present, the separation of alkane isomers is mainly accomplished by distillation, which results in substantial energy expenditure. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with well-tailored nanopores have been demonstrated to be capable of realizing molecule-level separation. In this study, oriented HKUST-1 membranes are formulated according to the morphology-biased principle and finally realized with a low dose synthesis method for terminating undesired crystal nucleation and growth. The fully exposed triangular sieving pore array of the membrane induces configuration entropic diffusion to split linear alkanes from mono-branched and di-branched isomers as well as their cyclical counterparts. Typically, the current separation technique consumes 91% less energy than vacuum distillation. Furthermore, our membranes can realize one-step extraction of normal-pentane, normal-hexane and normal-heptane from a ten-component alkane isomer solution that mimics light naphtha.
Estimation and sensitivity analysis of fouling resistance in phosphoric acid/steam heat exchanger using artificial neural networks and regression methods
Authors: Jradi Rania , Marvillet Christophe , Jeday Mohamed Razak
Published: October 2023

One of the most frequent problem in phosphoric acid concentration plant is the heat exchanger build-up. This problem causes a reduction of the performance of this equipment and an increase of energy losses which lead to damage the apparatus. In this study, estimation of fouling resistance in a cross-flow heat exchanger was solved using a linear [Partial Least Squares (PLS)] and non linear [Artificial Neural Network (ANN)] methods. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Step Wise Regression (SWR) were preceded the modeling in order to determine the highest relation between operating parameters with the fouling resistance. The values of correlation coefficient (r2) and predictive ability which are equal to 0.992 and 87%, respectively showed a good prediction of the developed PLS model. In order to improve the results obtained by PLS method, an ANN model was developed. 361 experimental data points was used to design and train the network. A network containing 6 hidden neurons trained with Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno (BFGS) algorithm and hyperbolic tangent sigmoid transfer function for the hidden and output layers was selected to be the optimal configuration. The Garson’s equation was applied to determine the sensitivity of input parameters on fouling resistance based on ANN results. Results indicated that acid inlet and outlet temperatures were the high relative important parameters on fouling resistance with importance equal to 56% and 15.4%, respectively.
Quantification of dilated deep capillaries in diabetic retinopathy on optical coherence tomography angiography
Authors: Terada Noriko , Murakami Tomoaki , Ishihara Kenji , Nishikawa Keiichi , Kawai Kentaro , Tsujikawa Akitaka
Published: October 2023

Morphological changes in capillaries are one of major clinical signs in diabetic retinopathy (DR). In this study, we quantified the dilated deep capillaries on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images. Central 3 × 3 mm en face images were obtained using a swept source OCTA device in 105 eyes of 99 patients with DR. Capillaries with a greater diameter in the deep layers were defined as the dilated deep capillaries, using stepwise image processing. The relative areas of automatically selected capillaries with a great diameter were calculated as the index of the dilated deep capillaries. Most eyes with DR had string-like or dot-like dilated deep capillaries in the OCTA images, which appeared to be dilated capillary segments or microaneurysms histologically. They were distributed more densely in the parafovea than in the central sector, while there were no differences between individual quadrants. The index of the dilated deep capillaries was higher in eyes with DR than in nondiabetic eyes. The index in the central subfield was modestly associated with visual acuity, diabetic macular edema, and proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The quantitative dilated deep capillaries are designated as a biomarker of vision-threatening DR.
A high-efficiency primary-side regulation control strategy for half-bridge LLC resonant converter with wide input voltage range
Authors: Dai Mian , Sun Daying , Wei Xinyu , Cong LiHui , Wang Chong
Published: October 2023

The requirement of the half-bridge LLC resonant converter with a wide input voltage range is becoming higher in photovoltaic applications because of its simple structure and low switching loss. Conventional frequency modulation (FM) requires a wide switching frequency range and a high-quality factor circuit design, leading to reduced efficiency and large component volumes at light loads. To solve the problems, a high-efficiency control strategy using adaptive pulse-width and frequency modulation (APWFM) is proposed. APWFM adjusts the gain by changing the switching frequency and duty cycle simultaneously. When the output power is below the reference value, the switching frequency decreases linearly as the output power decreases, and the duty cycle is simultaneously modulated to achieve constant output voltage, so the switching frequency variation range is smaller than FM. This results in improved light or medium load efficiency in a limited frequency range while keeping a small volume of magnetic components. Also, the proposed control strategy is realized with primary-side regulation (PSR) to eliminate the optocoupler and simplify the control circuit. Experimental results demonstrate a significant improvement in efficiency at medium and light loads compared to FM, and the average efficiency is improved by 5% based on low cost and simple operation.
Opsin 5 mediates violet light-induced early growth response-1 expression in the mouse retina
Authors: Jeong Heonuk , Lee Deokho , Jiang Xiaoyan , Negishi Kazuno , Tsubota Kazuo , Kurihara Toshihide
Published: October 2023

Myopia is an abnormal vision condition characterized by difficulties in seeing distant objects. Myopia has become a public health issue not only in Asian countries but also in Western countries. Previously, we found that violet light (VL, 360–400 nm wavelength) exposure effectively suppressed myopia progression in experimental chick and mice models of myopia. The inhibitory effects of VL on myopia progression are reduced in retina-specific opsin 5 (Opn5) knockout (KO) mice. Furthermore, VL exposure upregulated early growth response-1 (Egr-1) expression in the chorioretinal tissues of chicks. However, the expression of EGR-1 and role of OPN5 in mice following VL exposure remain unclear. In this study, we examined whether VL exposure-induced EGR-1 upregulation depends on Opn5 expression in the mouse retina. EGR-1 mRNA and protein expressions increased in the mouse retina and mouse retinal 661W cells following VL exposure. These increases were consistently reduced in retina specific Opn5 conditional KO mice and Opn5 KO 661W cells. Our results suggest that OPN5 mediates VL-induced EGR-1 upregulation in mice. These molecular targets could be considered for the prevention and treatment of myopia.
Widening area-based socioeconomic inequalities in cancer mortality in Germany between 2003 and 2019
Authors: Tetzlaff Fabian , Nowossadeck Enno , Jansen Lina , Michalski Niels , Barnes Ben , Kraywinkel Klaus , Hoebel Jens
Published: October 2023

Cancer mortality has declined in recent decades, but—due to a lack of national individual-level data—it remains unclear whether this applies equally to all socioeconomic groups in Germany. Using an area-based approach, this study investigated socioeconomic inequalities in cancer mortality and their secular trends on a German nationwide scale for the first time. Official cause-of-death data from 2003 to 2019 were linked to the district-level German Index of Socioeconomic Deprivation. Age-standardised mortality rates for all cancers combined and the most common site-specific cancers were calculated according to the level of regional socioeconomic deprivation. To quantify the extent of area-based socioeconomic inequalities in cancer mortality, absolute (SII) and relative (RII) indices of inequality were estimated using multilevel Poisson models. On average, cancer mortality was 50% (women) and 80% (men) higher in Germany’s most deprived than least deprived districts (absolute difference: 84 deaths per 100,000 in women and 185 deaths per 100,000 in men). As declines in cancer mortality were larger in less deprived districts, the socioeconomic gap in cancer mortality widened over time. This trend was observed for various common cancers. Exceptions were cancers of the lung in women and of the pancreas in both sexes, for which mortality rates increased over time, especially in highly deprived districts. Our study provides first evidence on increasing socioeconomic inequalities in cancer mortality on a nationwide scale for Germany. Area-based linkage allows to examine socioeconomic inequalities in cancer mortality across Germany and identify regions with high needs for cancer prevention and control.
A convenient synthesis of ferrocene-(ethynylphenyl)thioacetates
Authors: Bennett Troy L. R. , Long Nicholas J.
Published: October 2023

A protecting-group strategy can be used to synthesise symmetrical, asymmetrical and multi-ferrocenyl molecular wires, terminated with thioacetates – rare molecules with significant potential in the fabrication of molecular nanoelectronics.
Synthesis of a chiral dinuclear Cu(ii)-benzothiazolamine complex: evidence of cuprophilic interaction in its structure and exploration of its electrochemical properties and catalytic performance
Authors: Ojo O. Stephen , Sale Halilu , Symes Mark D. , Wilson Claire
Published: October 2023

The synthesis of a chiral dinuclear [Cu(OAc)2(L1)]2 complex (A) and its analogues Cu(OAc)2(L1)2 (B), Cu(OAc)2(L1)PPh3 (C), CuBr(L1)PPh3 (D), and Cu(OAc)2(L2) (E) is described.
Periodic arrays of structurally complex oxide nanoshells and their use as substrate-confined nanoreactors
Authors: Tuff Walker J. , Hughes Robert A. , Nieukirk Brendan D. , Ciambriello Luca , Neal Robert D. , Golze Spencer D. , Gavioli Luca , Neretina Svetlana
Published: October 2023

The nanofabrication of periodic arrays of structurally complex oxide nanoshells is demonstrated. The so-formed structures are demonstrated as substrate-confined nanoreactors able to synthesize nanomaterials within their confines.
Intracellular Zn(ii) induced turn-on fluorescence of an l-phenylalanine-derived pseudopeptide
Authors: Tamrakar Arpna , Kumar Praveen , Garg Neha , Luis Santiago V. , Pandey Mrituanjay D.
Published: October 2023

A C2 symmetric l-phenylalanine-derived pseudopeptide enables selective and sensitive detection of Zn(ii) ion in aqueous-organic media. It holds potential biological applications involving intracellular Zn(ii) ion detection
Synthesis of 3(2H)-furanone derivatives: p-TsOH/halotrimethylsilane promoted cycloketonization of γ-hydroxyl ynones
Authors: Qiu Yi-Feng , Cao Jian-He , Wang Shutao , Wang Qiang , Li Ming , Wang Jun-Jiao , Quan Zheng-Jun , Wang Xi-Cun
Published: October 2023

A halotrimethylsilane facilitated cycloketonization of γ-hydroxyl ynones is detailed for one-step synthesis of polysubstituted 3(2H)-furanone products.
Diethylzinc-promoted carboxylation of aryl/alkenyl boronic acids with CO2
Authors: Tang Tingyu , Tang Shibiao , Li Bin , Wang Baiquan
Published: October 2023

The diethylzinc-promoted carboxylation of aryl or alkenyl boronic acids with carbon dioxide is developed. The reaction does not require a transition-metal catalyst, and has simple and mild conditions and a broad substrate scope.
Optimization strategies of high-entropy alloys for electrocatalytic applications
Authors: Xiao Liyuan , Wang Zhenlu , Guan Jingqi
Published: October 2023

This review summarizes the synthesis methods, characterization methods, research progress and regulation strategies of HAEs in the field of electrocatalytic HER, HOR, OER, ORR, CO2RR, NRR and AOR, providing deep understanding for future applications.
Infrared view of the multiphase ISM in NGC 253
Authors: Beck André , Lebouteiller Vianney , Madden Suzanne C. , Bryant Aaron , Fischer Christian , Iserlohe Christof , Kaźmierczak-Barthel Maja , Krabbe Alfred , Latzko Serina T. , Pérez-Beaupuits Juan-Pablo , Ramambason Lise , Zinnecker Hans
Published: October 2023

Context. Multi-wavelength studies of galaxies and galactic nuclei allow us to build a relatively more complete picture of the interstellar medium (ISM), especially in the dusty regions of starburst galaxies. An understanding of the physical processes in nearby galaxies can assist in the study of more distant sources at higher redshifts that cannot be resolved.

Aims. We aimed to use observations presented in the first part of this series of papers to model the physical conditions of the ISM in the nuclear region of NGC 253, in order to obtain primary parameters such as gas densities and metallicities. From the model we created, we further calculated secondary parameters, such as gas masses of the different phases, and estimated the fraction of [C II]158 μ m from the different phases, which allowed us to probe the nuclear star formation rate.

Methods. To compare theory with our observations we used MULTIGRIS, a probabilistic tool that determines probabilities for certain ISM parameters from a grid of Cloudy models together with a set of spectroscopic lines.

Results. We find that the hypothetical active galactic nucleus within NGC 253 has only a minor impact, compared to the starburst, on the heating of the ISM, as probed by the observed lines. We characterise the ISM and obtain parameters such as a solar metallicity, a mean density of ∼230 cm−3, an ionisation parameter of log U ≈ −3, and an age of the nuclear cluster of ∼2 Myr. Furthermore, we estimate the masses of the ionised (3.8 × 106 M⊙), neutral atomic (9.1 × 106 M⊙), and molecular (2.0 × 108 M⊙) gas phases as well as the dust mass (1.8 × 106 M⊙) in the nucleus of NGC 253.
Single-atom catalysis in space: Computational exploration of Fischer–Tropsch reactions in astrophysical environments
Authors: Pareras G. , Cabedo V. , McCoustra M. , Rimola A.
Published: October 2023

Context. Gas-phase chemistry at extreme conditions (low densities and temperatures) is difficult, so the presence of interstellar grains is especially important for the synthesis of molecules that cannot form in the gas phase. Interstellar grains are advocated to enhance the encounter rate of the reactive species on their surfaces and to dissipate the energy excess of largely exothermic reactions, but less is known of their role as chemical catalysts that provide low activation energy pathways with enhanced reaction rates. Different materials with catalytic properties are present in interstellar environments, like refractory grains containing space-abundant d-block transition metals.

Aims. In this work we report for first time mechanistic insights on the Fischer–Tropsch methanol (CH3OH) synthesis under astrophysical conditions using single-atom Fe-containing silica surfaces as interstellar heterogeneous catalysts.

Methods. Quantum chemical calculations considering extended periodic surfaces were carried out in order to search for the stationary points and transitions states to finally construct the reaction potential energy surfaces. Binding energy and kinetic calculations based on the Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel–Marcus (RRKM) scheme were also performed to evaluate the catalytical capacity of the grain and to allocate those reaction processes within the astrochemical framework.

Results. Our mechanistic studies demonstrate that astrocatalysis is feasible in astrophysical environments. Thermodynamically the proposed process is largely exergonic, but kinetically it shows energy barriers that would need from an energy input in order to go through. Kinetic calculations also demonstrate the strong temperature dependency of the reaction process as tunnelling is not relevant in the involved energetic barriers. The present results can explain the presence of CH3OH in diverse regions where current models fail to reproduce its observational quantity.

Conclusions. The evidence of astrocatalysis opens a completely new spectrum of synthetic routes triggering chemical evolution in space. From the mechanistic point of view the formation of methanol catalysed by a single atom of Fe0 is feasible; however, its dependency on the temperature makes the energetics a key issue in this scenario.
Metal enrichment and evolution in four z > 6.5 quasar sightlines observed with JWST/NIRSpec
Authors: Christensen L. , Jakobsen P. , Willott C. , Arribas S. , Bunker A. , Charlot S. , Maiolino R. , Marshall M. , Perna M. , Übler H.
Published: October 2023

We present JWST/NIRSpec R ≃ 2700 spectra of four high-redshift quasars: VDES J0020–3653 (z = 6.860), DELS J0411–0907 (z = 6.825), UHS J0439+1634 (z = 6.519), and ULAS J1342+0928 (z = 7.535). The exquisite data quality, signal-to-noise ratio of 50–200, and large 0.86 μm ≤ λ ≤ 5.5 μm spectral coverage allowed us to identify between 13 and 17 intervening and proximate metal absorption line systems in each quasar spectrum, with a total number of 61 absorption-line systems detected at 2.42 < z < 7.48 including the highest redshift intervening O Iλ1302 and Mg II systems at z = 7.37 and z = 7.44. We investigated the evolution of the metal enrichment in the epoch of re-ionisation (EoR) at z > 6 and found the following: i) a continued increase in the low-ionisation O I, C II, and Si II incidence, ii) decreasing high-ionisation C IV and Si IV incidence with a transition from predominantly high- to low-ionisation at z ≈ 6.0, and iii) a constant Mg II incidence across all redshifts. The observations support a change in the ionisation state of the intergalactic medium in the EoR rather than a change in metallicity. The abundance ratio of [Si/O] in five z > 6 absorption systems show enrichment signatures produced by low-mass Pop III pair instability supernovae, and possibly Pop III hypernovae. In the Gunn-Peterson troughs, we detected transmission spikes where Lyα photons can escape. From 22 intervening absorption line systems at z > 5.7, only a single low-ionisation system out of 13 lies within 2000 km s−1 from a spike, while four high-ionisation systems out of nine lie within ∼2000 km s−1 from a spike. Most spikes do not have associated metal absorbers close by. This confirms that star-forming galaxies responsible for producing the heavy elements that are transported to the circumgalactic medium via galaxy winds do so in predominantly high-density, neutral environments, while lower density environments are ionised without being polluted by metals at z ≈ 6 − 7.
A Nonpulsatile Artificial Heart
Authors: Rafferty Edson H. , Kletschka Harold D. , Olsen Douglas A.
Published: October 2023

The concept of a nonpulsatile artificial heart is discussed. The approach used in this investigation embodies the principle of a constrained force vortex to propel the blood. This novel approach eliminates the need for the direct contact of blood with impellers and also alleviates the constrictive and mechanical forces on blood cells resulting from high levels of shear and turbulence as well as direct impaction. By eliminating the direct contact of blood with these mechanical forces and with the use of atraumatic and nonthrombogenic low temperature isotropic carbon as the material of construction, a largely atraumatic pump is made possible. The use of force vortices enables the investigators to retain the high efficiency of a centrifugal impeller pump without encountering the traumatic effects of direct impeller contact. The result is a highly efficient, atraumatic, non pulsatile blood pump. The possible effects of nonpulsatile flow in the body are reviewed. Pump optimization is discussed. Finally, implantation of the artificial heart pump into animals on an experimental basis is discussed briefly.
Potentials of Endothelial Colony-Forming Cells: Applications in Hemostasis and Thrombosis Disorders, from Unveiling Disease Pathophysiology to Cell Therapy
Authors: Schwarz Nadine , Yadegari Hamideh
Published: October 2023

Endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) are endothelial progenitor cells circulating in a limited number in peripheral blood. They can give rise to mature endothelial cells (ECs) and, with intrinsically high proliferative potency, contribute to forming new blood vessels and restoring the damaged endothelium in vivo. ECFCs can be isolated from peripheral blood or umbilical cord and cultured to generate large amounts of autologous ECs in vitro. Upon differentiation in culture, ECFCs are excellent surrogates for mature ECs showing the same phenotypic, genotypic, and functional features. In the last two decades, the ECFCs from various vascular disease patients have been widely used to study the diseases' pathophysiology ex vivo and develop cell-based therapeutic approaches, including vascular regenerative therapy, tissue engineering, and gene therapy. In the current review, we will provide an updated overview of past studies, which have used ECFCs to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of hemostatic disorders in basic research. Additionally, we summarize preceding studies demonstrating the utility of ECFCs as cellular tools for diagnostic or therapeutic clinical applications in thrombosis and hemostasis.
Kognitive Dysfunktion nach Schlaganfall
Authors: Kraft Peter , Häusler Karl Georg
Published: October 2023

Eine kognitive Dysfunktion nach Schlaganfall besteht häufig und
korreliert mit der Lokalisation und dem Ausmaß des Schlaganfalls sowie
mit dem Zeitpunkt der Erhebung, die anhand standardisierter und etablierter
Testverfahren erfolgen sollte. Eine kognitive Dysfunktion nach Schlaganfall ist
im Kontext einer so genannten post-stroke dementia für das funktionelle
Outcome relevant. Zudem ist das Bestehen einer kognitiven Dysfunktion mit einer
erhöhten Wahrscheinlichkeit für ein Schlaganfallrezidiv
assoziiert. Kognitive Defizite als mögliche Folge eines Schlaganfalls
sollte daher auch abseits von Komplex- und Rehabilitationsbehandlungen Beachtung
finden, zumal in Deutschland bis dato kein ambulantes Nachsorgekonzept nach
stattgehabtem Schlaganfall etabliert wurde. Nicht nur zerebrovaskuläre
Ereignisse selbst, sondern auch das Bestehen vaskulärer Risikofaktoren
wie Herzinsuffizienz, Vorhofflimmern, Hypercholesterinämie und
Niereninsuffizienz können zur Entwicklung einer kognitiven
Funktionsstörung beitragen und eine kognitive Dysfunktion nach
Schlaganfall verstärken. Die bestmögliche Therapie bekannter
vaskulärer Risikofaktoren und eine gesunde Lebensweise sind im Kontext
bis dato fehlender spezifischer medikamentöser Therapien einer
kognitiven Dysfunktion nach Schlaganfall angezeigt. Eine gezielte Rehabilitation
kann zur Erhaltung und Verbesserung kognitiver Funktionen bei kognitiver
Dysfunktion nach Schlaganfall beitragen. Prospektive (randomisierte)
Schlaganfallstudien sollten eine standardisierte Erfassung kognitiver Endpunkte
einschließen und bestenfalls auf die Entwicklung präventiver
Therapiestrategien für die kognitive Dysfunktion abzielen.
Global Positioning Scheme via Quantum Teleportation
Authors: Li 李 You-Quan 有泉 , Lu 吕 Li-Hua 丽花 , Zhu 朱 Qi-Hang 启航
Published: October 2023

Quantum teleportation scheme is undoubtedly an inspiring theoretical discovery as an amazing application of quantum physics, which was experimentally realized several years later. For the purpose of quantum communication via this scheme, an entangled ancillary pair shared by Alice and Bob is the essential ingredient, and a quantum memory in Bob’s system is necessary for him to keep the quantum state until the classical message from Alice arrives. Yet, the quantum memory remains a challenge in both technology and rationale. Here we show that quantum teleportation provides fresh perspectives in terms of an alternative scheme for global positioning system. Referring to fixed locations of Bob and Charlie, Alice can determine her relative position by comparing quantum states before and after teleporting around via Bob and Charlie successively. This may open up a new scene in the stage of the application of quantum physics without quantum memories.
Ultrafast Condensed Matter Physics at Attoseconds
Authors: Hu 胡 Shi-Qi 史奇 , Meng 孟 Sheng 胜
Published: October 2023

Our understanding of how photons couple to different degrees of freedom in solids forms the bedrock of ultrafast physics and materials sciences. In this review, the emergent ultrafast dynamics in condensed matter at the attosecond timescale have been intensively discussed. In particular, the focus is put on recent developments of attosecond dynamics of charge, exciton, and magnetism. New concepts and indispensable role of interactions among multiple degrees of freedom in solids are highlighted. Applications of attosecond electronic metrology and future prospects toward attosecond dynamics in condensed matter are further discussed. These pioneering studies promise future development of advanced attosecond science and technology such as attosecond lasers, laser medical engineering, and ultrafast electronic devices.
Stability estimates for the expected utility in Bayesian optimal experimental design
Authors: Duong Duc-Lam , Helin Tapio , Rojo-Garcia Jose Rodrigo
Published: October 2023

We study stability properties of the expected utility function in Bayesian optimal experimental design. We provide a framework for this problem in a non-parametric setting and prove a convergence rate of the expected utility with respect to a likelihood perturbation. This rate is uniform over the design space and its sharpness in the general setting is demonstrated by proving a lower bound in a special case. To make the problem more concrete we proceed by considering non-linear Bayesian inverse problems with Gaussian likelihood and prove that the assumptions set out for the general case are satisfied and regain the stability of the expected utility with respect to perturbations to the observation map. Theoretical convergence rates are demonstrated numerically in three different examples.
Stability estimates for an inverse problem for Schrödinger operators at high frequencies from arbitrary partial boundary measurements
Authors: Zhao Xiaomeng , Yuan Ganghua
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we study the partial data inverse boundary value problem for the Schrödinger operator at a high frequencyk⩾1in a bounded domain with smooth boundary inRn,n⩾3. Assuming that the potential is known in a neighborhood of the boundary, we obtain the logarithmic stability when both Dirichlet data and Neumann data are taken on arbitrary open subsets of the boundary where the two sets can be disjointed. Our results also show that the logarithmic stability can be improved to the one of Hölder type in the high frequency regime. To achieve those goals, we used a method by combining the CGO solution, Runge approximation and Carleman estimate.
Radiological protection in human research ethics using a case study: toward update of the ICRP Publication 62
Authors: Kurihara Chieko , Applegate Kimberly E , Jeong Jee Hyang , Akahane Keiichi , Kang Keon Wook
Published: October 2023

The benefits of biomedical research involving humans are well recognised, along with the need for conformity to international standards of science and ethics. When human research involves radiation imaging procedures or radiotherapy, an extra level of expert review should be provided from the point of view of radiological protection. The relevant publication of the International Commission for Radiological Protection (ICRP) is now three decades old and is currently undergoing an update. This paper aims to provoke discussions on how the risks of radiation dose and the benefits of research should be assessed, using a case study of diagnostic radiology involving volunteers for whom there is no direct benefit. Further, the paper provides the current understanding of key concepts being considered for review and revision—such as the dose constraint and the novel research methods on the horizon, including radiation biology and epidemiology. The analysis revisits the perspectives described in the ICRP Publication 62, and considers the recent progress in both radiological protection ethics and medical research ethics.