bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Problem of ethnic mentality
Authors: Usalko Oleg Vladimirovich , Dyakieva Baldja Batnasunovna , Tyumidova Marina Egorovna , Kaldinova Galina Pavlovna , Spiridonova Lyudmila Yurievna
Published: May 2023

The relevance of the problem of ethnic mentality is due to the need to understand and address social issues, understand the specifics of the history of the ethnos, and thus realize yourself. The processes of ethno-cultural revival of peoples, ‘ethnic renaissance’, and the rising tide of interest in historical and ethnic roots, including the constants of the ethnic worldview itself, require careful, objective, and scientific analysis. The modern world affected by globalization is facing new challenges, including threats posed to ethnic identity, leveling of ethnic and cultural differences, the imposition of standards of global culture, and the spread of unified models of lifestyle and thoughts. All these components are important and their common unity determines the ethnos. The modern processes of changing the values and attitudes of ethnic groups in the context of globalization contest the existence of ethnic groups as stable and sustainable social formations. In this case, the study of aspects of cultural life is an objective condition for formation and development of peoples. Anthropological, psychological and symbolic aspects can be employed to understand the mentality of the people. The anthropology of the mentality can be studied from the point of view of two approaches: the paradigm of life and the paradigm of existence. The mentality of the people is steeped in the cultural ritualization of actions. The psychological aspect determines the ontogeny (individual development) and phylogeny of human culture. The symbolic aspect helps understand a reality that is beyond human understanding.
Issues of forming professional self-efficiency in conditions of personalized education
Authors: Vakhidova Lyutsiya Vansettovna , Dorofeev Andrei Viktorovich , Avgustova Yulia Viktorovna
Published: May 2023

The paper outlines the modern contexts of the system for training specialists, the tasks and guidelines for its development. The authors describe the characteristics of professional self-efficacy and reveal the essence of individualization and personification. The work also considers problems that require changes in the system of vocational education in terms of approaches, technologies, forms and methods of personalization or individualization, personification and personalization of learning. The purpose of the study is to study the potential of the model for training a specialist, which allows one to successfully compete in the labor market from the standpoint of one’s professional self-efficacy. As a methodological technique, a conceptual analysis of a critical nature is used, in the discourse of which the valorization of a person's professional self-efficacy in the conditions of professional education is realized, triadically revealed in personalization or individualization, personification, personalization. The personalization of education is implemented with the help of personalized technologies that contribute to the disclosure of the actual completeness of the content of the triadic model of professional self-efficacy of the individual. Personalized technologies for self-study of students in the system of higher education based on a specialized methodological content favor independent learning, which forms a modern pedagogical matrix of thinking in the context of the valorization of the educational activity of the student, increasing the maximum value and usefulness of educational programs, knowledge, etc.
Die Tendinomuskulären Leitbahnen (Jing Jin) in der
Sportmedizin
Authors: Kirchhoff Stefan
Published: May 2023

Bei allen Arten von Sportverletzungen oder Sportschäden mit
muskulären oder bindegewebigen Affektionen sind aus der Perspektive der
Akupunktur die Tendinomuskluären Leitbahnen (Jing Jin; TML) die direkt
betroffen Strukturen. Dabei sind sie in das gesamte Netzwerk von Haupt- und
Nebenleitbahnen sowie der Zang-Fu-Organe eingebunden. Störungen der Jing
Jin können durch direkte äußere Traumata, innere oder
muskuläre Dysbalancen wie auch durch innere Mangel-Zustände mit
konsekutiver Minderversorgung von Muskulatur und Sehnen entstehen. Die Therapie
der TML stellt somit ein zentrales Modul innerhalb der sportmedizinischen
Akupunktur dar.
Freizeit-, Breiten- und Gesundheitssport: Grundlagen für die
Beratung in der täglichen Praxis
Authors: Kamp Rainer , Schmitz Andreas
Published: May 2023

In diesem Artikel sind Grundlagen von Empfehlungen für Patientengruppen
in verschiedenen Lebensphasen zusammengefasst, die nicht sowieso schon
regelmäßig Sport treiben. Das medizinische Ziel ist die
Implementierung von Bewegung und Training als regelmäßige
Maßnahme zur Förderung der Gesundheit. Wir zeigen
Möglichkeiten auf, die auch für in der Sportmedizin
häufig vernachlässigte Patientengruppen wie
Übergewichtige und ältere Menschen hilfreich sind. Diese
Patienten machen in der Grundversorgung allerdings einen großen Anteil
der Rat und Hilfe Suchenden aus. Einige der dargestellten Ergebnisse
können dazu dienen, Bewegung und Training als Medikament und
Therapeutikum für diese Personengruppen neu oder wieder zu
entdecken.
Competing Hurt und der sportliche Umgang mit
Schmerzmitteln
Authors: Zickermann Robert
Published: May 2023

Regelmäßige körperliche Aktivität ist mit einer
Vielzahl an präventivmedizinisch erstrebenswerten Begleiterscheinungen
verbunden und leistet somit einen bedeutsamen Beitrag zu einer gesunden
Lebensführung. In der Welt des Leistungssports befinden sich die
Athleten allerdings auf einer ständigen Gratwanderung zwischen
Gesundheitsschutz und Gesundheitsgefährdung, bedingt durch
kontinuierlich zu erbringende Höchstleistungen in Training und
Wettkampf. Schmerzen und Verletzungen sind dabei fortwährende
athletische Wegbegleiter und das damit verbundene Competing Hurt gehört
zum leistungssportlichen Tagesgeschäft dazu, auch bereits im
Nachwuchsbereich. Neben verschiedenen schmerzbedingten
Bewältigungsmechanismen spielt die weitverbreitete unkritische
Schmerzmitteleinnahme eine besonders gesundheitsgefährdende Rolle. Ein
umfassendes Umdenken aller sportlichen Akteure im Umgang mit Schmerzen und
speziell hinsichtlich des Schmerzmitteleinsatzes ist dringend erforderlich.
Gemeinsam wachsen
Authors: Mattenklotz Joergen
Published: May 2023

Wissen und Erfahrung von Betroffenen, Angehörigen und Professionellen sind ein Erkenntnisschatz, den sich die Psychoedukation zunutze macht. Wie es gelingt, von- und miteinander zu lernen und welche Konzepte für die praktische Arbeit förderlich sind, stellen wir Ihnen am Beispiel des Psychoedukationsprojekts Soest vor.
Konzept für die Gruppenleitung: Themenzentrierte Interaktion
Authors: Schönfelder Christian
Published: May 2023

„Pflegekräfte sind keine Therapeuten.“ – Allzu oft verbirgt sich in diesem kurzen Satz die Aussage: „Ich traue dir oder mir die Leitung einer psychoedukativen Gruppe noch nicht zu“. Denn pflegetherapeutische Gruppen zu leiten, spielt in der Ausbildung von Pflegefachkräften nur eine geringe Rolle. In der Versorgung von Menschen mit einer psychischen Erkrankung sind Gruppenangebote jedoch fester Bestandteil. Mithilfe der themenzentrierten Interaktion können Mitarbeitende sozialer und pädagogischer Einrichtungen das Leiten von Gruppen lernen.
Molecular Layer Deposition (MLD) of a Blocked Mercapto Silane on Precipitated Silica
Authors: Kim S. , van Ommen J. R. , Zara D. La , Courtois N. , Davin J. , Recker C. , Schoeffel J. , Blume A. , Talma A. , Dierkes W. K.
Published: May 2023

Chemically modified silica is widely used as a reinforcing filler in elastomers. The modification is generally done in situ while preparing the rubber. However, in order to increase the efficiency and facilitate the mixing process, the silica can be pre-treated by a 2-step molecular layer deposition. The precursors for the modification are 3-mercaptopropyl-triethoxysilane (MPTES) and octanoyl chloride (OC) to react with MPTES and form a blocked silane. The precipitated silica nanofiller was successfully treated with MPTES and showed a self-limiting behavior: saturation occurred at 2.7%. Furthermore, DRIFTS (diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy) analysis confirmed the successful deposition of MPTES on the silica surface by showing the -SH peak that appeared after the reaction of MPTES and silica. In the second step, OC was introduced to form a thioester on the surface of the MPTES-treated silica, controlling the reactivity of the mercapto group from MPTES by blocking it to prevent a negative influence on the processing behavior of the rubber. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analytical results confirmed the deposition of the blocked mercapto silane on the silica. TGA results demonstrated the self-limiting behavior of OC, and DRIFTS and XPS proved the thioester formation. A thioester peak after the 2nd reaction step with OC appeared. At the same time, the disappearance of the -SH signal from the MPTES was observed, indicating the formation of the blocked mercapto silane structure. Transmission electron microscopy results showed that the treated silica has a well-distributed carbon and sulfur deposition after MPTES/OC treatment.
Ceramic-on-Ceramic Total Hip Arthroplasty for Avascular Necrosis: 13-Year Average Follow-Up of Patients Under 50 Years Old
Authors: Webb Matthew L. , Perez Brian A. , Koressel Joseph E. , Kerbel Yehuda E. , Scanlon Christopher M. , Evangelista Perry J. , Kamath Atul F. , Nelson Charles L.
Published: May 2023

The long-term survival of ceramic-on-ceramic bearings in young, active patients with osteonecrosis undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) is unknown. A previously published study demonstrated a high activity level in these young patients at 5-year follow-up, and this is a second follow-up report on this previously reported series. The purpose of this study is to determine whether high activity level is associated with ceramic-on-ceramic THA failure at long-term follow-up. This is a retrospective review of a single-surgeon consecutive series of index cases performed between 2003 and 2010. Inclusion criteria were ceramic-on-ceramic THA articulations in patients younger than 50 with a diagnosis of osteonecrosis. Mean follow-up was 12.5 years (range 9–17). Data were collected by survey via mail, telephone, e-mail, and social media. Preoperative and postoperative Western Ontario and McMaster University (WOMAC) Arthritis Index and University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) activity scores were collected. Student t-tests were used as appropriate. There were 97 patients in this series. Mean age at THA was 36 (range 14–50). Since the prior report, four more patients have been confirmed deceased, and four more have been lost to follow-up. We confirmed that six patients were deceased and 42 were otherwise lost to follow-up. The response rate was 54%. The vast majority of patients were highly active at latest follow-up (73% with UCLA scores between 7 and 10). UCLA scores (1–10 scale) improved from a preoperative mean of 3.4 to postoperative 7.1 (p < 0.001). WOMAC scores (1–100 scale) increased from preoperative mean of 38.7 to postoperative 86.1 (p < 0.001). At latest follow-up, four patients had undergone revision surgery. There were no ceramic component failures. One patient underwent early revision for femoral component loosening, one was revised for chronic pain at another institution. Since the prior report there have been two additional revisions; one patient was revised for instability at 5-year postop, and one patient was revised for periprosthetic fracture at 10 years. Despite additional loss to follow-up and lack of clinical and radiographic measures, this survey study suggests that at long-term follow-up ceramic bearings accommodate high activity level with excellent component survivorship (93%) in young patients undergoing THA.
Application of Chitosan Biomaterials in Dentistry—A Narrative Review
Authors: Krishna Nidhish , Lolayekar Nikita
Published: May 2023

Chitosan is a versatile natural biomaterial that has been researched for a range of bio-dental applications. It possesses various desirable qualities such as biocompatibility, hydrophilicity, biodegradability, and a broad antibacterial range (covering Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria as well as fungi). Moreover, the molecular structure contains reactive functional groups, which provide numerous reaction sites and possibilities for the formation of electrochemical interactions at the cellular and molecular levels. Chitosan's unique features have attracted material scientists from all over the world to explore its applications in dentistry. The objective of this review is to highlight the creation of new chitosan biomaterials and as to how it is a vital component for the improvement and modification of existing dental materials being used.
Potential Combination of Acemannan Sponge and Calcium Phosphate Cement-Calcium Sulfate Hemihydrate (CPC-CSH) as Direct Pulp Capping Alternative Materials for Reparative Dentin Formation
Authors: Irmawati Anis , Pratiwi Annisa Indah , Azizi Muh Rizki Aqsanu , Apriliyanti Nurul Annisa , Annafi Ayu , Azzaim Yassir Ahmad , Alqhtani Ala'a Saif
Published: May 2023

Background Health problem that affects hard tissues of the teeth is dental caries, which is experienced by around 2.3 billion people in the world, with prevalence in Indonesia reaching 88.8. Direct pulp capping (DPC) is a vital pulp therapy used to maintain pulp vitality. Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) is the gold standard pulp capping material, but has poor adhesion to dentin and mechanical properties, bacterial infiltration, formation of tunnel defects in the pulp resorption, and dentin bridge. Therefore, it is necessary to develop alternative therapy, namely, a combination of acemannan sponge and calcium phosphate cement (CPC)-calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CSH) for reparative dentin formation.

Purpose This article describes the potential combination of acemannan sponge and CPC-CSH as DPC alternative materials for reparative dentin formation.

Reviews Acemannan extracted from aloe vera exhibits anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and cytocompatibility properties. As DPC material, acemannan induces pulp proliferation and differentiation to osteoblast-like, growth factor synthesis, and promotes reparative dentin formation. However, acemannan sponge is radiolucent, allowing misinterpretation between pulp and acemannan sponge. CPC can be combined with CSH to shorten the setting time. CPC-CSH is radiopaque, has good compressive strength, and biocompatibility. CPC-CSH is a calcium-based material with neutral pH that can induce the dentin bridge formation. CPC-CSH showed good bioactivity because it induces the formation of apatite which plays a significant part in dentin and pulp regeneration.

Conclusion The combination of acemannan sponge and CPC-CSH has the potential as DPC alternative materials for reparative dentin formation.
Changes in Thymic Size and Immunity Are Associated with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Authors: Chen Yan , Song Yue , Peng Hua , Li Jing , Zhao Cong , Liu Ding , Tan Jing , Liu Yalan
Published: May 2023

Objective Preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are at increased risk for dysfunctional immune responses in the postnatal period. This study aimed to verify the hypothesis that thymic function is altered in infants with BPD and changes in the expression of thymic function-related genes affect thymic development.

Study Design Included in the study were infants who had a gestational age ≤32 weeks and survived to a postmenstrual age of ≥36 weeks. The clinical features and thymic size were comparatively studied between infants with and without BPD. Thymic function and the expression of thymic function-related genes were determined in BPD infants at birth, week 2, and 4 of life. The thymic size was ultrasonographically assessed in terms of the thymic index (TI) and thymic weight index (TWI). T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) and gene expression were quantitatively determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Results Compared to non-BPD infants, their BPD counterparts had a shorter GA, lower birth weight, lower Apgar scores at birth, and were more likely to be of the male gender. BPD infants had an elevated incidence of respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis. TI was 1.73 ± 0.68 versus 2.87 ± 0.70 cm3 and TWI was 1.38 ± 0.45 versus 1.72 ± 0.28 cm3/kg in the BPD group versus the non-BPD group (p < 0.05). In BPD infants, no significant changes were observed in thymic size, lymphocyte counts, and TREC copy numbers at the first 2 weeks (p > 0.05), but they all exhibited a significant increase at week 4 (p < 0.05). BPD infants presented a trend toward increased expression of transforming growth factor-β1 and decreased expression of forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3) from birth to week 4 (p < 0.05). Nonetheless, no significant difference was found in IL-2 or IL-7 expression at all time points (p > 0.05).

Conclusion For preterm infants with BPD, reduced thymic size at birth might be associated with impaired thymic function. Thymic function was developmentally regulated in the BPD process.

Key Points
Monitoring microdroplets to test nucleation simulations
Authors: Lange Katherine De
Published: May 2023

Stochastic approach provides a benchmark to understand nucleation kinetics
A high-throughput 3D cantilever array to model airway smooth muscle hypercontractility in asthma
Authors: Beri Pranjali , Plunkett Christopher , Barbara Joshua , Shih Chien-Cheng , Barnes S. Whitney , Ross Olivia , Choconta Paula , Trinh Ton , Gomez Datzael , Litvin Bella , Walker John , Qiu Minhua , Hammack Scott , Toyama Erin Quan
Published: May 2023

Asthma is often characterized by tissue-level mechanical phenotypes that include remodeling of the airway and an increase in airway tightening, driven by the underlying smooth muscle. Existing therapies only provide symptom relief and do not improve the baseline narrowing of the airway or halt progression of the disease. To investigate such targeted therapeutics, there is a need for models that can recapitulate the 3D environment present in this tissue, provide phenotypic readouts of contractility, and be easily integrated into existing assay plate designs and laboratory automation used in drug discovery campaigns. To address this, we have developed DEFLCT, a high-throughput plate insert that can be paired with standard labware to easily generate high quantities of microscale tissues in vitro for screening applications. Using this platform, we exposed primary human airway smooth muscle cell-derived microtissues to a panel of six inflammatory cytokines present in the asthmatic niche, identifying TGF-β1 and IL-13 as inducers of a hypercontractile phenotype. RNAseq analysis further demonstrated enrichment of contractile and remodeling-relevant pathways in TGF-β1 and IL-13 treated tissues as well as pathways generally associated with asthma. Screening of 78 kinase inhibitors on TGF-β1 treated tissues suggests that inhibition of protein kinase C and mTOR/Akt signaling can prevent this hypercontractile phenotype from emerging, while direct inhibition of myosin light chain kinase does not. Taken together, these data establish a disease-relevant 3D tissue model for the asthmatic airway, which combines niche specific inflammatory cues and complex mechanical readouts that can be utilized in drug discovery efforts.
An improved method of global dynamics: Analyzing the COVID-19 model with time delays and exposed infection
Authors: Guo Songbai , Xue Yuling , Yuan Rong , Liu Maoxing
Published: May 2023

Considering the transmission characteristics of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), there are certain time delays in the transition from susceptible individuals to exposed individuals after contact with exposed, symptomatically infected, and asymptomatically infected individuals. A COVID-19 model with time delays and exposed infection is developed and then the global dynamics of this model is investigated by an improved method; moreover, the numerical simulations are carried out. It is shown that the COVID-19-free equilibrium T0 is globally asymptotically stable (GAS) if and only if the control reproduction number Rc≤1, while T0 is unstable and the COVID-19 equilibrium T∗ is GAS if and only if Rc>1. The numerical results reveal that strengthening quarantine measures is helpful to control the COVID-19 epidemic in India. Furthermore, when Rc<1, the numbers of symptomatically infected, asymptomatically infected, and quarantined individuals eventually tend to the zero equilibrium state, and with the increase in the time delay, the three kinds of variables change faster and their peaks become larger; when Rc>1, the three kinds of variables eventually tend to the positive equilibrium state, which are oscillatory and the amplitudes of the oscillation enlarge as the value of time delay increases. The numerical results show that when Rc<1, the smaller the value of time delay, the smaller the final epidemic size. In short, the longer it takes time for susceptible individuals to transform exposed individuals, the harder COVID-19 will be controlled.
Missing data recovery of wind speed in wind farms: A spatial-temporal tensor decomposition approach
Authors: Tan Hang , Lin Shengmao , Xu Xuefang , Shi Peiming , Li Ruixiong , Wang Shuying
Published: May 2023

Missing data recovery plays a critical role in improving the data quality of wind speed in wind farms, and numerous methods have been proposed to address this issue. However, most of them suffer from the inability to fully use the information of known data, and thus, poor performance of recovery is usually achieved. In this paper, we propose a missing data recovery method based on spatial-temporal tensor decomposition. The proposed method rearranges the whole data based on discrete wavelet transform to construct a four-dimensional tensor of “site × week × scale × hour” for representing the spatial and temporal correlation of wind speed. A completeness tensor is estimated to impute missing data based on Tucker decomposition and the nonlinear conjugate gradient algorithm. The proposed method not only inherits the advantages of imputation methods based on the matrix pattern but also well mines the spatial and temporal inherent correlation of wind speed. Wind speed data of a wind farm are used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results show that the proposed method recovers missing data with much smaller mean absolute error and root mean square error and requires less effort for recovering missing data of fragmented or continuously, compared with the traditional methods.
Evaluation of thermally regenerative electrochemical cycle for thermal-to-electrical energy conversion
Authors: Zhang Hang , Wang Zhiyu , Wang Qing
Published: May 2023

A significant amount of low-grade heat (< 100 °C) can be found in various sources, such as geothermal/solar sources, industrial plants, vehicles, and biological entities, but it is often wasted due to the absence of cost-effective and efficient recovery technologies. Thermally regenerative electrochemical cycle (TREC) represents a promising solution for effectively harnessing low-grade heat. Rapid advancements in TREC chemistry, materials, and design have established the crucial foundations for high-power, efficient, and long-lasting TREC systems. However, evaluating the potential of reported TREC systems of different types is challenging due to the inconsistency in evaluation metrics and methods. In this Perspective, we examine the working principle of various TREC systems, including the electrically powered TREC systems, charging-free TREC systems that solely convert thermal energy to electrical energy, and TREC systems that simultaneously provide high-power energy storage and thermal energy conversion. The critical performance metrics for each of these three types of TREC systems, such as absolute/apparent thermoelectric efficiency, power density, net electricity generation, various forms of energy loss, and thermal energy input, are presented to compare the thermoelectric performance across different types of TREC systems at various scales. In addition, some practical methods for measuring the critical parameters, current challenges, and future directions for practical applications are also highlighted.
Investigation of average crosslink distance and physicochemical properties of gummy candy during storage: Effect of formulation and storage temperature
Authors: Tireki Suzan , Sumnu Gulum , Sahin Serpil
Published: May 2023

Texture is linked to food structure at micro- and macro-levels. The most effective way to manipulate gel texture is to change the number of crosslinks per unit volume. Polymer concentration and type can be changed or the amount of evaporated water can be adjusted to achieve this. Gummy candy is a good food model to investigate texture due to the presence of versatile polymer gelling agents. The estimation of average cross-link distance is a good approach to monitor candy texture. Physicochemical properties are useful indicators showing storage stability. In this study, gummy candies were prepared with different glucose sirup:sucrose ratios (1.1 and 1.5), starch (0% and 1.5%), and gelatin (3% and 6%) concentrations. Texture (hardness), moisture content, water activity (aw), total soluble solids (TSS), and pH were measured. Candies were stored at 10, 20, and 30 °C for 12 weeks and at ambient temperatures of 15–22 °C for 52 weeks. Gelatin concentration, moisture content, storage time, and temperature affected hardness. At 1.5 glucose sirup:sucrose ratio, average cross-link distance decreased after 10 °C storage for 3% gelatin level and it increased after 20 and 30 °C storage for 6% gelatin and 0% starch level; however, it did not change for 15–22 °C storage. Moisture content, aw, TSS, and pH were affected by glucose sirup:sucrose ratio. A Weibullian model was used to express quality changes, and physicochemical indicators did not have an integer kinetic order. Tracking of physicochemical properties and texture with average cross-link distance calculation and modeling is useful for storage stability studies showing the quality of food gel products.
Random telegraph fluctuations in granular microwave resonators
Authors: Kristen M. , Voss J. N. , Wildermuth M. , Rotzinger H. , Ustinov A. V.
Published: May 2023

Microwave circuit electrodynamics of disordered superconductors is a very active research topic spawning a wide range of experiments and applications. For compact superconducting circuit elements, the transition to an insulating state poses a limit to the maximum attainable kinetic inductance. It is, therefore, vital to study the fundamental noise properties of thin films close to this transition, particularly in situations where a good coherence and temporal stability is required. In this paper, we present measurements on superconducting granular aluminum microwave resonators with high normal state resistances, where the influence of the superconductor to insulator phase transition is visible. We trace fluctuations of the fundamental resonance frequency and observe, in addition to a 1/f noise pattern, a distinct excess noise, reminiscent of a random telegraph signal. The excess noise shows a strong dependency on the resistivity of the films as well as the sample temperature but not on the applied microwave power.
Front propagation and global bifurcations in a multivariable reaction-diffusion model
Authors: Knobloch Edgar , Yochelis Arik
Published: May 2023

We study the existence and stability of propagating fronts in Meinhardt’s multivariable reaction-diffusion model of branching in one spatial dimension. We identify a saddle-node-infinite-period bifurcation of fronts that leads to episodic front propagation in the parameter region below propagation failure and show that this state is stable. Stable constant speed fronts exist only above this parameter value. We use numerical continuation to show that propagation failure is a consequence of the presence of a T-point corresponding to the formation of a heteroclinic cycle in a spatial dynamics description. Additional T-points are identified that are responsible for a large multiplicity of different unstable traveling front-peak states. The results indicate that multivariable models may support new types of behavior that are absent from typical two-variable models but may nevertheless be important in developmental processes such as branching and somitogenesis.
GeS conducting-bridge resistive memory device with IGZO buffer layer for highly uniform and repeatable switching
Authors: Ali Asif , Abbas Haider , Li Jiayi , Ang Diing Shenp
Published: May 2023

A double stacked monochalcogenide GeS-based conducting-bridge random access memory (CBRAM) device with a IGZO buffer layer is investigated for highly improved resistive memory characteristics. The IGZO/GeS double layer is found to provide the CBRAM with a markedly improved sub-1V DC set/reset-voltage distributions (<±0.1 V variation). High endurance (>107 cycles) and retention (>105 s at 85 °C) performance are also achieved. The metal ion diffusion and migration rates in the solid electrolytes along with the redox reaction rates at the electrodes determine the respective resistive switching (RS) mechanism in the CBRAM device. Considering this fact, it is proposed that Ag diffusion into IGZO creates a virtual electrode, when coupled with strong ionic transport in GeS, consistently mediate the formation/dissolution of Ag filament there, thus reducing switching variation. Understanding the RS mechanism based on the materials' physical and chemical properties and tailoring the device structure allow an optimal control over cycle to cycle and device to device variability. The findings show that this material combination or similar oxide/chalcogenide stacks may offer a facile means for mitigating CBRAM variability.
Bright single-photon emission from a GeV center in diamond under a microfabricated solid immersion lens at room temperature
Authors: Christinck J. , Hirt F. , Hofer H. , Liu Z. , Etzkorn M. , Dunatov T. , Jakšić M. , Forneris J. , Kück S.
Published: May 2023

We report on the metrological characterization of the emission from a germanium-vacancy center in diamond under a microfabricated solid immersion lens in a confocal laser-scanning microscope setup. Ge ions were implanted into a synthetic diamond at 3 MeV, and germanium-vacancy centers were then formed by subsequent annealing. Afterward, solid immersion lenses were fabricated in a focused ion beam scanning electron microscope. The photoluminescence was investigated at room temperature in terms of the spectral distribution, the excited state lifetime, the second-order correlation function, and the saturation behavior, proving simultaneous high single-photon purity and high brightness. Two methods were exploited to minimize the residual multi-photon probability: spectral filtering and temporal filtering. According to these results, we assume that Raman scattered photons and emission from neighboring color centers play an important role in the residual multi-photon emission probability. The system efficiency of the single-photon source was investigated and found to be in accordance with the value calculated from all sources of loss in the setup. The branching ratio of the germanium-vacancy center for the decay into the ground state and into metastable state was calculated. The results enable the usage of the single-photon source in future quantum radiometric experiments.
Role of ferroelectric nanoparticles coated separator in improvement of capacity retention at high current density on sulfur/SWCNT composite cathodes for Li–S batteries
Authors: Katiyar Rajesh K. , Zuluaga Gómez Claudia C. , Katiyar Swati , Tripathi Balram , Morell Gerardo , Weiner Brad R. , Katiyar Ram S.
Published: May 2023

In this manuscript, we are reporting the role of ferroelectric nanoparticles (FNPs) coated separators in capacity retention at high current density (200 mA/g) on S/SWCNT composite cathodes. The ferroelectric nanoparticles of Bi0.925Gd.075Fe0.95Ni0.05O3 (BGFNO) of spontaneous polarization 2.5 µC/cm2 were coated on commercial separators (PP) as well as doped in sulfur/SWCNT composite cathodes. Our results show a discharge capacity retention of 72% by using commercial separator polypropylene (PP); however, a capacity retention improvement of more than 100% was obtained for FNPs coated separator, which has been placed on the anode side as well as on the cathode side. It is observed that the FNPs coated separator due to spontaneous polarization on the anode and cathode side acts as a repulsive charge on the separator surface to retard polysulfide migration via electrostatic repulsion and protects the surface of lithium from dendrite formation due to which it gains high capacity retention as well as stability. The coated separator controls the transport of carrier ions and side reactions; however, the FNPs doped cathode acts as an absorption center for polysulfides to enhance the electrochemical performance of the cells. The significance of this study is to design an efficient methodology, which could protect electrodes from dendrite formation via coated separator and modified cathode with the FNPs via suppressing the polysulfide formation to achieve high capacity retention and electrochemical cycle stability.
No evidence of superconductivity in a compressed sample prepared from lutetium foil and H2/N2 gas mixture
Authors: Cai Shu , Guo Jing , Shu Haiyun , Yang Liuxiang , Wang Pengyu , Zhou Yazhou , Zhao Jinyu , Han Jinyu , Wu Qi , Yang Wenge , Xiang Tao , Mao Ho-kwang , Sun Liling
Published: May 2023

A material described as lutetium–hydrogen–nitrogen (Lu-H-N in short) was recently claimed to have “near-ambient superconductivity” [Dasenbrock-Gammon et al., Nature 615, 244–250 (2023)]. If this result could be reproduced by other teams, it would be a major scientific breakthrough. Here, we report our results of transport and structure measurements on a material prepared using the same method as reported by Dasenbrock-Gammon et al. Our x-ray diffraction measurements indicate that the obtained sample contains three substances: the face-centered-cubic (FCC)-1 phase (Fm-3m) with lattice parameter a = 5.03 Å, the FCC-2 phase (Fm-3m) with a lattice parameter a = 4.755 Å, and Lu metal. The two FCC phases are identical to the those reported in the so-called near-ambient superconductor. However, we find from our resistance measurements in the temperature range from 300 K down to 4 K and the pressure range 0.9–3.4 GPa and our magnetic susceptibility measurements in the pressure range 0.8–3.3 GPa and the temperature range down to 100 K that the samples show no evidence of superconductivity. We also use a laser heating technique to heat a sample to 1800 °C and find no superconductivity in the produced dark blue material below 6.5 GPa. In addition, both samples remain dark blue in color in the pressure range investigated.
Review of Scientific Instruments New Products
Authors: Mandelis Andreas
Published: May 2023

In order to supplement manufacturers’ information, this department will welcome the submission by our readers of brief communications reporting measurements on the physical properties of materials which supersede earlier data or suggest new research applications.
Influenza A virus exploits transferrin receptor recycling to enter host cells
Authors: Mazel-Sanchez Beryl , Niu Chengyue , Williams Nathalia , Bachmann Michael , Choltus Hélèna , Silva Filo , Serre-Beinier Véronique , Karenovics Wolfram , Iwaszkiewicz Justyna , Zoete Vincent , Kaiser Laurent , Hartley Oliver , Wehrle-Haller Bernhard , Schmolke Mirco
Published: May 2023

Influenza A virus (IAV) enters host cells mostly through clathrin-dependent receptor-mediated endocytosis. A single bona fide entry receptor protein supporting this entry mechanism remains elusive. Here we performed proximity ligation of biotin to host cell surface proteins in the vicinity of attached trimeric hemagglutinin-HRP and characterized biotinylated targets using mass spectrometry. This approach identified transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) as a candidate entry protein. Genetic gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments, as well as in vitro and in vivo chemical inhibition, confirmed the functional involvement of TfR1 in IAV entry. Recycling deficient mutants of TfR1 do not support entry, indicating that TfR1 recycling is essential for this function. The binding of virions to TfR1 via sialic acids confirmed its role as a directly acting entry factor, but unexpectedly even headless TfR1 promoted IAV particle uptake in
trans
. TIRF microscopy localized the entering virus-like particles in the vicinity of TfR1. Our data identify TfR1 recycling as a revolving door mechanism exploited by IAV to enter host cells.
Harnessing endogenous transcription factors directly by small molecules for chemically induced pluripotency inception
Authors: Jin Yan , Lu Yunkun , Lin Lianyu , Liu Chao , Ma Xiaojie , Chen Xi , Zhou Ziyu , Hu Zhensheng , Pu Jiaqi , Chen Guo , Deng Qian , Jiang Liling , Li Yuhan , Zhao Yulong , Wang Hao , Fu Junfen , Li Wei , Zhu Saiyong
Published: May 2023

Chemistry-alone approach has recently been applied for incepting pluripotency in somatic cells, representing a breakthrough in biology. However, chemical reprogramming is hampered by low efficiency, and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Particularly, chemical compounds do not have specific DNA-recognition domains or transcription regulatory domains, and then how do small molecules work as a driving force for reinstating pluripotency in somatic cells? Furthermore, how to efficiently clear materials and structures of an old cell to prepare the rebuilding of a new one? Here, we show that small molecule CD3254 activates endogenous existing transcription factor RXRα to significantly promote mouse chemical reprogramming. Mechanistically, CD3254–RXRα axis can directly activate all the 11 RNA exosome component genes (
Exosc1–10
and
Dis3
) at transcriptional level. Unexpectedly, rather than degrading mRNAs as its substrates, RNA exosome mainly modulates the degradation of transposable element (TE)-associated RNAs, particularly
MMVL30
, which is identified as a new barrier for cell-fate determination. In turn,
MMVL30
-mediated inflammation (IFN-γ and TNF-α pathways) is reduced, contributing to the promotion of successful reprogramming. Collectively, our study provides conceptual advances for translating environmental cues into pluripotency inception, particularly, identifies that CD3254–RXRα–RNA exosome axis can promote chemical reprogramming, and suggests modulation of TE-mediated inflammation via CD3254-inducible RNA exosome as important opportunities for controlling cell fates and regenerative medicine.
Large-scale functional screen identifies genetic variants with splicing effects in modern and archaic humans
Authors: Rong Stephen , Neil Christopher R. , Welch Anastasia , Duan Chaorui , Maguire Samantha , Meremikwu Ijeoma C. , Meyerson Malcolm , Evans Ben J. , Fairbrother William G.
Published: May 2023

Humans coexisted and interbred with other hominins which later became extinct. These archaic hominins are known to us only through fossil records and for two cases, genome sequences. Here, we engineer Neanderthal and Denisovan sequences into thousands of artificial genes to reconstruct the pre-mRNA processing patterns of these extinct populations. Of the 5,169 alleles tested in this massively parallel splicing reporter assay (MaPSy), we report 962 exonic splicing mutations that correspond to differences in exon recognition between extant and extinct hominins. Using MaPSy splicing variants, predicted splicing variants, and splicing quantitative trait loci, we show that splice-disrupting variants experienced greater purifying selection in anatomically modern humans than that in Neanderthals. Adaptively introgressed variants were enriched for moderate-effect splicing variants, consistent with positive selection for alternative spliced alleles following introgression. As particularly compelling examples, we characterized a unique tissue-specific alternative splicing variant at the adaptively introgressed innate immunity gene
TLR1
, as well as a unique Neanderthal introgressed alternative splicing variant in the gene
HSPG2
that encodes perlecan. We further identified potentially pathogenic splicing variants found only in Neanderthals and Denisovans in genes related to sperm maturation and immunity. Finally, we found splicing variants that may contribute to variation among modern humans in total bilirubin, balding, hemoglobin levels, and lung capacity. Our findings provide unique insights into natural selection acting on splicing in human evolution and demonstrate how functional assays can be used to identify candidate causal variants underlying differences in gene regulation and phenotype.
IRIS: Discovery of cancer immunotherapy targets arising from pre-mRNA alternative splicing
Authors: Pan Yang , Phillips John W. , Zhang Beatrice D. , Noguchi Miyako , Kutschera Eric , McLaughlin Jami , Nesterenko Pavlo A. , Mao Zhiyuan , Bangayan Nathanael J. , Wang Robert , Tran Wendy , Yang Harry T. , Wang Yuanyuan , Xu Yang , Obusan Matthew B. , Cheng Donghui , Lee Alex H. , Kadash-Edmondson Kathryn E. , Champhekar Ameya , Puig-Saus Cristina , Ribas Antoni , Prins Robert M. , Seet Christopher S. , Crooks Gay M. , Witte Owen N. , Xing Yi
Published: May 2023

Alternative splicing (AS) is prevalent in cancer, generating an extensive but largely unexplored repertoire of novel immunotherapy targets. We describe
I
soform peptides from
R
NA splicing for
I
mmunotherapy target
S
creening (IRIS), a computational platform capable of discovering AS-derived tumor antigens (TAs) for T cell receptor (TCR) and chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapies. IRIS leverages large-scale tumor and normal transcriptome data and incorporates multiple screening approaches to discover AS-derived TAs with tumor-associated or tumor-specific expression. In a proof-of-concept analysis integrating transcriptomics and immunopeptidomics data, we showed that hundreds of IRIS-predicted TCR targets are presented by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules. We applied IRIS to RNA-seq data of neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC). From 2,939 NEPC-associated AS events, IRIS predicted 1,651 epitopes from 808 events as potential TCR targets for two common HLA types (A*02:01 and A*03:01). A more stringent screening test prioritized 48 epitopes from 20 events with “neoantigen-like” NEPC-specific expression. Predicted epitopes are often encoded by microexons of ≤30 nucleotides. To validate the immunogenicity and T cell recognition of IRIS-predicted TCR epitopes, we performed in vitro T cell priming in combination with single-cell TCR sequencing. Seven TCRs transduced into human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) showed high activity against individual IRIS-predicted epitopes, providing strong evidence of isolated TCRs reactive to AS-derived peptides. One selected TCR showed efficient cytotoxicity against target cells expressing the target peptide. Our study illustrates the contribution of AS to the TA repertoire of cancer cells and demonstrates the utility of IRIS for discovering AS-derived TAs and expanding cancer immunotherapies.
Requests for concrete actions in interaction
Authors: Lindholm Camilla , Paananen Jenny , Stevanovic Melisa , Weiste Elina , Valkeapää Taina
Published: May 2023

In this study, we examine how support workers produce requests for concrete actions and, in this way, manage client participation in mental health rehabilitation. Drawing on Finnish rehabilitation group meetings as data and on conversation analysis, we examine how support workers design their requests for concrete action from clients, how clients respond, and how support workers deal with clients’ responses. The results reveal that support workers tend to use verbs indicating willingness when implementing their requests, whereas clients resort to the modality of possibility. By orienting to willingness, the support workers invoke clients’ sense of responsibility to contribute to group activities and simultaneously avoid questioning their capabilities. On the other hand, clients orient toward the underlying assumptions of social responsibility rather than to their own personal preferences. To conclude, our study demonstrates how support workers address the dilemma of increasing client participation and showing respect for client self-determination.
Super relaxed myosins loosen up to different cues in cardiac and skeletal muscle sarcomeres
Authors: Claassen Wout J. , Ottenheijm Coen A.C.
Published: May 2023

Recent papers by Nelson et al. and Pilagov et al. provide important new information on the ever-expanding role of myosin heads in the regulation of contraction.
Investigation on external quantum efficiency droops and inactivation efficiencies of AlGaN-based ultraviolet-c LEDs at 265–285 nm
Authors: Guo Ziquan , Li Zhihui , Lai Shouqiang , Hou Xiaoyang , Fan Xiaotong , Zhong Chenming , Lin Yue , Chen Guolong , Qin Guoheng , Gao Tao , Fu Nuoyi , Shi Yuan , Liao Xinqin , Lin Yi , Lu Yijun , Guo Weijie , Chen Zhong
Published: May 2023

The temperature-dependent external quantum efficiency (EQE) droops of 265 nm, 275 nm, 280 nm, and 285 nm AlGaN-based ultraviolet-c light-emitting diodes (UVC-LEDs) differed in Al contents have been comprehensively investigated. The modified ABC model (R = An + Bn
2 + Cn
3) with the current-leakage related term, f(n) = Dn
4, has been employed to analyze the recombination mechanisms in these UVC-LED samples. Experimental results reveal that, at relatively low electrical-current levels, the contribution of Shockley–Read–Hall (SRH) recombination exceeds those of the Auger recombination and carrier leakage. At relatively high electrical-current levels, the Auger recombination and carrier leakage jointly dominate the EQE droop phenomenon. Moreover, the inactivation efficiencies of 222 nm excimer lamp, 254 nm portable Mercury lamp, 265 nm, 280 nm, and 285 nm UVC-LED arrays in the inactivation of Escherichia coli have been experimentally investigated, which could provide a technical reference for fighting against the new COVID-19.
MiRNA-520a-3p combined with folic acid conjugated Fe2O3@PDA multifunctional nanoagents for MR imagine and antitumor gene-photothermal therapy
Authors: Li Xue , Wang Shuang , Gao Qingzhe , Li Na , Dong Shanshan , Gao Yuwei , Wang Zuobin , Zhang Butian , He Xiuxia
Published: May 2023

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a primary malignant bone tumor that occurs mainly in adolescents. Researchers are devoting to develop combination therapy methods in a multifunctional nanoplatform for the treatment of osteosarcoma. The results of previous research have shown that up-regulation of miR-520a-3p could induce anticancer effects in osteosarcoma. In order to improve the effect of gene therapy (GT), we attempted to carry miR-520a-3p in a multifunctional vector for comprehensive therapy. Fe2O3 is a type of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast that is widely used as a drug delivery agent. When coated with polydopamine (PDA), it can also be used as a photothermal therapy (PTT) agent (Fe2O3@ PDA). To deliver nanoagents targeted to a tumor site, folic acid (FA) conjugated with Fe2O3 @PDA was manufactured as FA-Fe2O3@PDA. FA was chosen as the target molecule to enhance utilization and reduce toxicity of nanoparticles. However, the therapeutic efficacy of FA-Fe2O3-PDA combined with miR-520a-3p has not yet been studied. In this study, we synthesized FA-Fe2O3@PDA-miRNA and investigated the potential of combining PDA regulated PTT and miR-520a-3p regulated GT to kill osteosarcoma cells. The results indicated that down-regulation of interleukin 6 receptor (IL6R) by miR-520a-3p and the photothermal ability of PDA could induce satisfactory anticancer effects in osteosarcoma, and the curative ratio was better than that used alone PTT or GT. Moreover, as a kind of T
2 magnetic contrast, miRNA-Fe2O3@PDA-FA can be used for MRI. These findings indicated that miRNA-Fe2O3@PDA-FA is an effective anti-tumor nanovector for PTT combined with GT.