bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent Advancements in Enhancing Interfacial Charge Transport for Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Katta Venkata Seshaiah , Waheed Muhammad , Kim Joo Hyun
Published: February 2024

Finding the most suitable pathways to improve the interfacial charge transportation in lead halide perovskite solar cells is a highly desirable research area to enhance device performance and enable commercialization. The complexities of interfacial charge dynamics, encompassing separation, diffusion, and collection processes, pivot on the thoughtful selection of interlayers and their inherent properties. Challenges arise from nonideal interfaces characterized by mismatched energy levels and defects that hinder efficient charge transport. To address these concerns, implementing tailored interfacial engineering strategies, including interlayer modification, band alignments, and passivation techniques, can help mitigate unwanted nonradiative recombination. This review aims to elucidate the impact of trap states on suppressing charge transport in the device, along with subsequent passivation techniques designed to enhance interfacial charge transport. Following that, a comprehensive overview is presented, highlighting recent advancements in interface engineering techniques that improve interfacial properties between the electron transport layer/perovskite and perovskite/hole transport layer. Significantly, the impact of using buffer and dipole layers as interlayers on overall device performance and stability is investigated.
Optimizing SnO2 Quantum Dot Precursor Solutions for Perovskite Solar Cells with Reduced Hysteresis
Authors: Sannino Gennaro V. , Gries Thomas W. , Wang Qiong , Caso Maria Federica , De Maria Antonella , Lancellotti Laura , Mercaldo Lucia V. , Muñoz‐García Ana Belén , Pavone Michele , Abate Antonio , Delli Veneri Paola
Published: February 2024

In recent years, SnO2 quantum dots (QDs) have been widely used for preparing the electron‐transport layer within perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, the fabricated devices exhibit an evident hysteresis unless interlayer materials are introduced to passivate or prevent the formation of trap states at the SnO2–perovskite interface. Herein, the use of the zwitterion 3‐(1‐pyridinio)‐1‐propanesulfonate (PPS) as additive inside the SnO2 QDs solution is proposed. The results highlight that the PPS plays a multifunctional role by accelerating the synthesis of the QDs, enhancing the electron transfer and passivating defects at the SnO2–perovskite interface. The resulting PSCs with SnO2 QDs incorporating PPS exhibit a remarkable reduction in hysteresis index (HI) compared to those prepared with thiourea or without any additives. This reduction in HI suggests that PPS serves as a cost‐effective alternative additive for SnO2 QDs preparation, eliminating the need for additional interlayers or expensive additives.
Enhanced Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction by Amine Functionalization of Graphitic Carbon Nitride
Authors: LaChance Robert , Adeli Babak , Taghipour Fariborz
Published: February 2024

Graphitic carbon nitride (g‐CN) is a promising photocatalyst for solar fuel generation, but its charge carrier mobility, charge recombination, and CO2 reduction/H2 evolution efficacy and selectivity are a strong function of the synthesis and postsynthesis techniques employed. Protonation and phosphorous doping of g‐CN yield promise visible light activities, promoting enhanced CO2 reduction and hydrogen evolution. However, the amine‐functionalized surface chemistry of g‐CN gains little attention in open literature. Herein, g‐CN and phosphorus‐doped g‐CN are synthesized via facile one‐pot pyrolysis and subjected to protonation postsynthesis to quantify the influence of common strategies on surface amine content and photocatalyst activity for H2 evolution and CO2 reduction. Material characterization confirms the exfoliation of the photocatalyst and change in the amine functionalization of the surface. The amorphous phosphorus‐doped g‐CN material exhibits a high number of surface amine groups, increasing the adsorption prior to reduction and enhancing selectivity for CO2 reduction.
Disentangling the Role of Ag‐Based Nanocorals as Efficient Cocatalyst over CuBi2O4 Photocathodes Toward Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: García‐Tecedor Miguel , Barawi Mariam , García‐Eguizábal Alejandro , Gomez‐Mendoza Miguel , Oropeza Freddy E. , Gorni Giulio , Cibotaru Anatoli , Liras Marta , de la Peña O’Shea Víctor A.
Published: February 2024

CuBi2O4 is one of the most studied potential candidates for photoelectrocatalytic solar fuel generation, from H2 production, to CO2 reduction, or even N2 fixation. Hence, understanding its performance and catalytic behavior is key to use this material under real working conditions. Herein, Ag nanocorals are successfully deposited over CuBi2O4 photocathodes for enhancing its performance as a promising candidate for photoelectrocatalytic reduction reactions. An in‐depth study of this novel structure through a combination of several materials’ characterization techniques, confirming the tetragonal structure and the stoichiometric proportion of the elemental components, is presented. In addition, the different charge transfer processes and catalytic mechanisms behind the performance of Ag‐decorated CuBi2O4 photocathodes are unveiled through a combination of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and transient absorption spectroscopy. The combination of these advanced spectroscopies reveals that Ag is acts as a true catalyst, enhancing the charge extraction and decreasing the charge accumulation and the recombination at the CuBi2O4 surface, thus boosting the photocathode performance.
Effect of Austenite Grain Size on Phase Transformation Structure of Low‐Carbon Microalloyed Steel
Authors: Shi Minghao , Hou Lian , Yin Chaokun , Wang Haiqing
Published: February 2024

The effect of austenite grain on the phase transformation of low‐carbon microalloyed steel during continuous cooling is investigated by using Gleeble thermal simulator. The austenite grain size is changed by altering the holding period at the peak temperature. The findings demonstrate that for a given cooling rate, the longer the holding time, the microstructure becomes finer, and bainite begins to show up in the microstructure. The critical temperature of phase transformation and the diagram of phase transformation reaction rate during continuous cooling are determined by dilatometry. The Johnson–Mehl–Avrami–Kolmogorov equation is used to fit the transformation volume fraction, and the variation of kinetic parameters k and n with prior austenite grain size under nonisothermal condition is determined. The n value is trending downward as the prior austenite grain size increases, while the kinetic parameter k barely changes at all. The activation energy of phase transition is calculated by Kissinger method. The activation energy of fine austenite grain increases from 248.6 to 286.3 kJ mol−1 with the increase of austenite grain size, while the activation energy of coarse austenite grain decreases to 176.5 kJ mol−1 due to the competitive nucleation mechanism.
Preservice elementary teachers' perceptions of their science laboratory instructors in a phenomena‐based laboratory and how it impacts their conceptual development
Authors: Sangha Alvir S. , Donnelly‐Hermosillo Dermot F. , Nelson Frederick P.
Published: February 2024

Phenomena‐based approaches have become popular for elementary school teachers to engage children's innate curiosity in the natural world. However, integrating such phenomena‐based approaches in existing science courses within teacher education programs present potential challenges for both preservice elementary teachers (PSETs) and for laboratory instructors, both of whom may have had limited opportunities to learn or teach science within the student and instructor roles inherent within these approaches. This study uses a convergent parallel mixed‐methods approach to investigate PSETs' perceptions of their laboratory instructor's role within a Physical Science phenomena‐based laboratory curriculum and how it impacts their conceptual development (2 instructors/121 students). We also examine how the two laboratory instructors' discursive moves within the laboratory align with their's and PSETs' perceptions of the instructor role. Qualitative data includes triangulation between a student questionnaire, an instructor questionnaire, and video classroom observations, while quantitative data includes a nine‐item open response pre‐/post‐semester conceptual test. Guided by Mortimer's and Scott's analytic framework, our findings show that students primarily perceive their instructors as a guide/facilitator or an authoritarian/evaluator. Using Linn's knowledge integration framework, analysis of pre‐/post‐tests indicates that student outcomes align with students' perceptions of their instructors, with students who perceive their instructor as a guide/facilitator having significantly better pre‐/post‐outcomes. Additional analysis of scientific discourse from the classroom observations illustrates how one instructor primarily supports PSETs' perspectives on authentic science learning through dialogic–interactive talk moves whereas the other instructor epistemologically stifles personally relevant investigations with authoritative–interactive or authoritative–noninteractive discourse moves. Overall, this study concludes by discussing challenges facing laboratory instructors that need careful consideration for phenomena‐based approaches.
The relationships between learner‐related variables and attitudes towards standard accents and pronunciation assessment: A large‐scale study of secondary‐level EFL learners in Hong Kong
Authors: Tsang Art
Published: February 2024

Despite scholars' advocacy of intelligibility over nativelikeness in the EFL education context, many learners still seem to favour standard British and American accents. However, comparisons across studies have shown some changes in learners' perceptions, suggesting a move away from standard accent orientation. This article reports part of a larger study that examined the relationships between four learner‐related predictor variables (self‐rated proficiency, previous exposure to different accents, attitude towards [spoken] English, and attitude towards accuracy) and two outcome variables (learners' attitudes towards standard accents, and attitudes towards pronunciation in speaking proficiency assessment). A questionnaire was completed by 1,300 EFL secondary‐school students in Hong Kong. The four predictors were generally found to correlate significantly with the two outcomes (Pearson's rs ranging approximately from .10 to .50). Specifically, learners' attitudes towards accuracy and (spoken) English had the strongest positive relationships with the outcomes. In the multiple regression models, these two predictors together explained 32% and 11% of the variance in attitudes towards standard accents and pronunciation assessment respectively.
Biochar from sewage sludge: Effect of pyrolysis on functional properties and pollutants fate
Authors: Barbosa Taísa Andrade , Santos Roberta Menezes , Silva Wenes Ramos da , Sá Mirele Santana de , Silva Miliana Gouveia da , Navickiene Sandro , Gomes Filho Raimundo Rodrigues , Wisniewski Jr Alberto
Published: February 2024

Pyrolysis is a promising alternative for the removal or immobilization of hazardous elements in sewage sludge (SS) without compromising its biofertilizer features. However, the effects of pyrolysis on SS emerging contaminants have not been fully investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the fate of heavy metals, pesticides, and organic pollutants in SS through pyrolysis, as well as the suitability of SS and its derived biochar (SSB) for soil application. Municipal SS was pyrolyzed at different scales (bench and micro units) and temperatures (400, 500, and 600°C) for comparison. The general properties, surface morphology, and functional groups of SS and SSB were analyzed. Also, a quantitative analysis of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Cd, and Pb) and a qualitative investigation of organic pollutants and pesticides were performed. The results demonstrated that pyrolysis at 400°C increased the stability of SS and strongly affected its surface area, resulting in a high pore structure with a developed surface charge. Simultaneously, the relative content of organic matter and nutrients remained nearly unchanged. All heavy metals analyzed in SS and SSB400 were within limits set by the International Biochar Initiative for soil application. Moreover, organic pollutants and pesticides were detected in the SS but were partially degraded or immobilized after pyrolysis > 400°C. In conclusion, the production of SSB proved to be an effective method for removing toxic elements from SS while enhancing its properties for soil remediation and crop productivity.
“Why Do You Think That?” Exploring Disciplinary Literacy in Elementary Science, History and Visual Arts
Authors: Burke Patrick , Kennedy Eithne
Published: February 2024

Teaching disciplinary literacy in the elementary classroom provides rich potential for bridging the literacy‐content divide, building background knowledge, extending learning, and deepening student thinking. This article explores how six elementary teachers tried and tested approaches to embedding literacy in three very different subjects: science, history, and visual arts. Drawing on data from a design‐based research project, we provide suggestions for how teachers can embed high‐quality literacy instruction in multiple disciplines.
Administration of meloxicam before rather than after castration on eating, defecation and pain indicators in pet rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
Authors: Liles Marina , Brown Susan , Di Girolamo Nicola
Published: February 2024

Background

Rabbits are extremely sensitive to pain. There is evidence on whether non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory medication should be administered before or after surgery in rabbits.

Objectives

In this study, we compared the pain scores and behaviours of rabbits administered meloxicam before or after routine castration.

Methods

Forty‐two healthy rabbits undergoing castration were randomly assigned to receive meloxicam (1 mg/kg SC) 1 h before or upon recovery from anaesthesia. Several parameters were recorded, including the occurrence of eating, defecating and pain scores postoperatively and change in heart rate intraoperatively.

Results

At 4 h after surgery, eating was observed in 43% (9/21) of rabbits that received meloxicam before neutering and in 29% (6/21) of rabbits that received meloxicam after. The morning after the surgery, eating was observed in 62% (13/21) of rabbits that received meloxicam before neutering and in 57% (12/21) of rabbits that received meloxicam after. The odds of not eating increased by 1.16 times (1.03–1.29; p = 0.01) per month of age, whereas there was no significant association between eating and administration of meloxicam before or after surgery, body weight and time. Similarly, defecation, pain score and change in heart rate did not differ in animals receiving meloxicam before or after surgery.

Conclusions

Administration of meloxicam in rabbits undergoing castration before or after surgery does not have a relevant effect on eating, defecating or pain score. Younger rabbits show less obvious signs of pain and are more likely to resume eating habits sooner after surgery compared to older rabbits.
The effect of reducing dietary energy on performance, intestinal morphology and intestinal peptide and amino acid transporters in broiler chicks
Authors: Mahdavi Reza , Ghazi Harsini Shahab , Piray Ali Hossein
Published: February 2024

Background

Previous research has investigated the impact of different factors such as gender and age of birds, protein and amino acid levels, protein origin and the physical form of the diet, on the mRNA expression of intestinal peptides and amino acid transporters. Nevertheless, there have been no attempts to examine the impact of dietary energy density on the mRNA abundance of intestinal amino acid and peptide transporters in humans or animals. This is the first reported case in both humans and animals.

Objectives

This experiment aimed to evaluate the influence of two levels of metabolizable energy ([ME]; 2950 and 2850 kcal ME/kg diet) on performance and jejunal morphology and mRNA expression of amino acid (B0AT, b0,+AT, CAT1 and y+LAT1) and peptide (PepT1) transporters in broiler chickens during the starter period (0–10 days of age).

Methods

Two hundred and seventy day‐old male Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments with nine replicates and fifteen birds in each replicate. At 10 days of age, the outcome variables were measured, which included the assessment of the mRNA abundance of PepT1, b0,+AT, B0AT, y+LAT1 and CAT1 in the jejunal section using real‐time PCR.

Results

The findings of this study revealed no significant impact of the dietary treatments on feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and the jejunal mRNA abundance of PepT1, CAT1 and y+LAT1 (p > 0.05). However, a reduction in dietary ME level from 2950 to 2850 kcal ME/kg diet resulted in a decrease in the mRNA level of B0AT and b0,+AT (p ≤ 0.05). The reduction in dietary energy level did not lead to any significant changes in villus width, villus height, crypt depth, villus surface area and villus height to crypt depth ratio (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The results demonstrated that decreasing dietary energy density may alter the expression of amino acid transporters in the intestine while having no impact on the growth performance and morphometric structure of the intestine.
Using an intersectionality framework to assess gender inequities in food security: A case study from Uganda
Authors: Barak Farzaneh , Musiimenta Peace , Melgar‐Quiñonez Hugo
Published: February 2024

Prior research in health equity, including food security, indicates that disadvantaged groups, such as women with limited resources, face many obstacles in achieving food security. One of the first of its kind to draw on intersectionality and the social determinants of health frameworks, this study identified and tested gender differences in experiencing food security inequities using nationally representative data from the Gallup World Poll, Uganda 2019 (N = 951). Binary logit models disaggregated by gender were estimated to identify gender differences in food security. Three points of intersection were categorized: individual characteristics (gender, age, region, marital status, household number of children and adults); available resources (education, income, employment, shelter, social support); and the socio‐political context (community infrastructures, corruption within the business). Testing the moderation effect of gender with each variable (difference‐in‐difference) showed that although most variables correlated with a difference in experiencing food security by gender, only two—marital status, and social support—presented a statistically significant difference. Accounting for this moderation effect, the final model showed that lacking shelter and residing in Eastern Uganda decreased food security. More adults in the household, higher education, higher income, available social support, and satisfaction with community infrastructures enhanced the odds of food security. Results suggest that (a) conventional food security quantitative approaches may not suffice to model inequities when gender is a control variable rather than a foundation to explain inequities; and (b) gendered‐centered analysis helps better identify disadvantaged groups and inform policies that target associated inequities.
Deep Learning-Based Pulmonary Artery Surface Mesh Generation
Authors: Krüger Nina , Brüning Jan , Goubergrits Leonid , Ivantsits Matthias , Walczak Lars , Falk Volkmar , Dreger Henryk , Kühne Titus , Hennemuth Anja
Published: February 2024

Properties of the pulmonary artery play an essential role in the diagnosis and treatment planning of diseases such as pulmonary hypertension. Patient-specific simulation of hemodynamics can support the planning of interventions. However, the variable complex branching structure of the pulmonary artery poses a challenge for image-based generation of suitable geometries. State-of-the-art segmentation-based approaches require an interactive 3D surface reconstruction to prepare the simulation geometry. We propose a deep learning approach to generate a 3D surface mesh of the pulmonary artery from CT images suitable for simulation. The proposed method is based on the Voxel2Mesh algorithm and includes a voxel encoder and decoder as well as a mesh decoder to deform a prototype mesh. An additional centerline coverage loss facilitates the reconstruction of the branching structure. Furthermore, vertex classification allows for the definition of in- and outlets. Our model was trained with 48 human cases and tested on 10 human cases annotated by two observers. The differences in the anatomical parameters inferred from the automatic surface generation correspond to the differences between the observers’ annotations. The suitability of the generated mesh geometries for numerical flow simulations is demonstrated.
TwinStore – Online-Plattform für Simulationsmodelle
Authors: Scheifele Christian
Published: February 2024

Komponentenhersteller suchen zunehmend nach Lösungen zur Bereitstellung Digitaler Zwillinge ihrer Hardwareprodukte, um ihren Kunden eine Virtuelle Inbetriebnahme (VIBN) von Automatisierungskonzepten und -lösungen zu ermöglichen. Die Verfügbarkeit eines Digitalen Zwillings entwickelt sich zum entscheidenden Verkaufsmerkmal eines Komponentenherstellers. Ziel der Verwendung vorgefertigter Komponentenmodelle ist die Reduzierung von Modellierungszeiten bei gleichzeitig sehr realitätsnaher virtueller Abbildung der Hardwareprodukte für die virtuelle Auslegung, den Test und die Optimierung von Steuerungssystemen im digitalen Engineering. In diesem Beitrag wird die Online-Plattform „TwinStore“ für den Austausch von Simulationsmodellen zur Virtuellen Inbetriebnahme vorgestellt. Digitale Zwillinge aus dem TwinStore, die hinsichtlich der Schnittstellen, Parameter und Eigenschaften das Verhalten der realen Hardware abbilden, können nahtlos in ein Simulationswerkzeug für die Virtuelle Inbetriebnahme eingebunden werden. Die Bibliotheken umfassen Roboter- und Greifsysteme, Antriebs- und Fördertechnik bis hin zu Sensorikkomponenten.
Konzept für die automatisierte Planung von Montagesystemen
Authors: Brovkina Daniella , Riedel Oliver
Published: February 2024

Die Digitalisierung und die Ideen von Industrie 4.0 treiben die Produktionssysteme voran. Die Virtuelle Inbetriebnahme ist bereits in der Engineering-Phase der Produktionsanlage eine etablierte Methode. Solche eng mit der Virtuellen Inbetriebnahme gekoppelten Methoden wie Model-in-the-Loop (MiL) und Software-in-the-Loop (SiL) Simulationen können bereits in der Planungsphase als Validierungswerkzeug den Planungsprozess unterstützen. Im Falle von Montagesystemen erfolgt die Planung in Iterationen mit geringem Automatisierungsgrad. In diesem Beitrag wird ein Konzept für einen modellbasierten Ansatz zur vollautomatisierten Planung von Montagesystemen vorgestellt, dass eine automatisierte Layout-Generierung in Kombination mit Simulationsmodellen zur Virtuellen Inbetriebnahme ermöglicht.
Anwendungsberichte über den Einsatz der Mixed Reality in der Aus- und Weiterbildung technischer Fachkräfte
Authors: Liewald Mathias , Hönig Jana , Schade Jochen , Weber Angelika , Clauß Philipp , von Bergen Timm , Schnierle Marc , Röck Sascha
Published: February 2024

Methoden der Mixed Reality (MR) bieten mit deren immersiven und intuitiven Visualisierungs- und Interaktionsformen vielfältige Potenziale in der Wissensvermittlung an Universitäten, Hochschulen sowie beruflichen Schulen. In diesem Beitrag werden praxisorientierte Mehrwerte für die Aus- und Weiterbildung technischer Fachkräfte aufgezeigt, die durch die Kopplung von Mixed Reality-Methoden mit Digitalen Zwillingen zur Mixed-Reality-in-the-Loop Simulation (MRiLS) ermöglicht werden. Das Institut für Umformtechnik der Universität Stuttgart thematisiert den praxisorientierten Einsatz der MRiLS in der universitären Lehre im Bereich der Umformtechnik, während das Virtual Automation Lab der Hochschule Esslingen die Mehrwerte der MRiLS in der Hochschulbildung vorstellt. Abschließend zeigt die gewerbliche Max-Eyth-Schule Kirchheim unter Teck die Potenziale der MRiLS in der beruflichen Aus- und Weitbildung im Bereich Robotik auf.
Teachers’ Research Thinking
Authors: Willison John
Published: February 2024

In a world of unpredictable change, we need preservice and in-service school teachers, and university educators who can respond dynamically to students’ diverse needs and the evolving demands on their lives. In this book, research thinking is used as an umbrella term for the raft of skills associated with such responsive teaching. Research thinking is needed so that teachers are both able to react quickly to contingencies and systematically adapt their practice through consolidation and change. The chapters of this book show how responsive research thinking in its various guises can help Preservice Teachers, In-Service Teachers, and University Educators to consolidate, change and connect through each chapter’s use of the Research Skill Development (RSD) conceptual framework. This chapter outlines the need for teachers’ research thinking, the nature of the RSD framework and what research thinking looks like with reference to the framework. This chapter then overviews how each chapter contributes to the book’s theme of research thinking for responsive teaching before concluding with implications of the book for educational theory and practice.
High School Student Experiences of Teacher Research Thinking
Authors: Home Jason , Snelling Tom , Willison John
Published: February 2024

This chapter reports a Participant Observation study of a teacher’s explicit facilitation of student research skills in a combined Year 9/10 subject that was designed to prepare students for a subsequent year-long Research Project. The Research Skill Development framework was used by the teacher to inform his planning for students’ learning when they conducted their research. The setting is a geographically remote Kindergarten to Year 12 school in Australia, with very limited resources. The data, collected by a Preservice Teacher, is presented as research vignettes, stories of student engagement in the classroom. The focus of the vignettes and subsequent discussion is the teacher’s research thinking and students’ experiences of the development of their research skills in the classroom.
Preservice Teachers’ Use of Social Media for the Development of Their Research Skills
Authors: Mataniari Raissa , Johari Asni , Rusdi Muhammad , Hariyadi Bambang , Matthiesen Finn Kristen
Published: February 2024

This chapter explores the facilitation of preservice teachers’ (PSTs’) research thinking through the use of social media for designing their future lessons. In this study of 64 undergraduate PSTs in a second-year biology unit, the PSTs identified, reported and researched plants using Instagram. In the unit, the Research Skill Development (RSD) framework was integrated with social media-based learning in order to guide PSTs into research skills-rich activities, to frame assessment and feedback and to evaluate the impact of social media-based learning on the PSTs. This research aimed to develop PSTs’ research skills through the use of Instagram and determine the effectiveness of the approach. This chapter promotes digital learning strategies for interactive learning through widely used online platforms. Outcomes of the study suggest potential for PSTs, as future curriculum designers, to innovate with social media-based interactive instructional design models that enable improvements in their teaching-oriented research skills.
$$ \overline{B}\to \overline{D}D $$ decays and the extraction of fd/fu at hadron colliders
Authors: Davies Jonathan , Jung Martin , Schacht Stefan
Published: February 2024

Abstract

We perform a detailed model-independent phenomenological analysis of

$$ \overline{B}\to \overline{D}D $$

B
¯

→

D
¯

D

decays. Employing an SU(3)
F
analysis including symmetry-breaking contributions together with a conservative power counting for various suppression effects, we obtain updated Standard Model predictions for all branching fractions and CP asymmetries from a fit to the available experimental data, testable at Belle II and the LHC experiments. These results include all relevant suppressed contributions, thereby providing upper limits on subleading Standard Model (SM) effects like “penguin pollution”, enabling searches for physics beyond the SM. Importantly, allowing in the same fit for the production fractions of charged and neutral B mesons to be different, we find f

d
/f

u
= 0.86 ± 0.05, which is 2.5σ away from unity, which, if confirmed, would have important phenomenological consequences.
A string-theoretical analog of non-maximal chaos in some Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev-like models
Authors: Tian Chushun , Ma Chen , Chen Jin
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Very recently two of the present authors have studied the chaos exponent of some Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev (SYK)-like models for arbitrary interaction strength [1]. These models carry supersymmetric (SUSY) or SUSY-like structures. Namely, bosons and Majorana fermions are both present and each of them interacts with (q − 1) particles, but the model is not necessarily supersymmetric. It was found that the chaos exponents in different models, no matter whether they carry SUSY(-like) structures or not, all follow a universal single-parameter scaling law for large q, and by tuning that parameter continuously a flow from maximally chaotic to completely regular motion results. Here we report a string-theoretical analog of this chaotic phenomenon. Specifically, we consider closed string scattering near the two-sided AdS black hole, whose amplitude grows exponentially in the Schwarzschild time, with a rate determined by the Regge spin of the Pomeron exchanged during string scattering. We calculate the Pomeron Regge spin for strings of different types, including the bosonic string, the type II superstring and the heterotic superstring. We find that the Pomeron Regge spin also displays a single-parameter scaling behavior independent of string types, with the parameter depending on the string length and the length scale characterizing the spacetime curvature; moreover, the scaling function has the same limiting behaviors as that for the chaos exponent of SYK-like models. Remarkably, the flow from maximally chaotic to completely regular motion in SYK-like models corresponds to the flow of the Pomeron Regge spin from 2 to 1.
Combinatorial regulation by ERK1/2 and CK1δ protein kinases leads to HIF-1α association with microtubules and facilitates its symmetrical distribution during mitosis
Authors: Arseni Christina , Samiotaki Martina , Panayotou George , Simos George , Mylonis Ilias
Published: February 2024

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is the key transcriptional mediator of the cellular response to hypoxia and is also involved in cancer progression. Regulation of its oxygen-sensitive HIF-1α subunit involves post-translational modifications that control its stability, subcellular localization, and activity. We have previously reported that phosphorylation of the HIF-1α C-terminal domain by ERK1/2 promotes HIF-1α nuclear accumulation and stimulates HIF-1 activity while lack of this modification triggers HIF-1α nuclear export and its association with mitochondria. On the other hand, modification of the N-terminal domain of HIF-1α by CK1δ impairs HIF-1 activity by obstructing the formation of a HIF-1α/ARNT heterodimer. Investigation of these two antagonistic events by expressing double phospho-site mutants in HIF1A−/− cells under hypoxia revealed independent and additive phosphorylation effects that can create a gradient of HIF-1α subcellular localization and transcriptional activity. Furthermore, modification by CK1δ caused mitochondrial release of the non-nuclear HIF-1α form and binding to microtubules via its N-terminal domain. In agreement, endogenous HIF-1α could be shown to co-localize with mitotic spindle microtubules and interact with tubulin, both of which were inhibited by CK1δ silencing or inhibition. Moreover, CK1δ expression was necessary for equal partitioning of mother cell-produced HIF-1α to the daughter cell nuclei at the end of mitosis. Overall, our results suggest that phosphorylation by CK1δ stimulates the association of non-nuclear HIF-1α with microtubules, which may serve as a means to establish a symmetric distribution of HIF-1α during cell division under low oxygen conditions.
CE-MS/MS and CE-timsTOF to separate and characterize intramolecular disulfide bridges of monoclonal antibody subunits and their application for the assessment of subunit reduction protocols
Authors: Schairer Jasmin , Römer Jennifer , Lang Dietmar , Neusüß Christian
Published: February 2024

Characterization at the subunit level enables detailed mass spectrometric characterization of posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). The implemented reduction often leaves the intramolecular disulfide bridges intact. Here, we present a capillary electrophoretic (CE) method based on a neutral-coated capillary for the separation of immunoglobulin G-degrading enzyme of Streptococcus pyogenes (IdeS) digested and reduced mAb subunits followed by mass spectrometry (MS), MS/MS identification, and trapped ion mobility mass spectrometry (timsTOF). Our CE approach enables the separation of (i) different subunit moieties, (ii) various reduction states, and (iii) positional isomers of these partly reduced subunit moieties. The location of the remaining disulfide bridges can be determined by middle-down electron transfer higher energy collisional dissociation (EThcD) experiments. All these CE-separated variants show differences in ion mobility in the timsTOF measurements. Applying the presented CE-MS/MS method, reduction parameters such as the use of chaotropic salts were studied. For the investigated antibodies, urea improved the subunit reduction significantly, whereas guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl) leads to multiple signals of the same subunit in the CE separation. The presented CE-MS method is a powerful tool for the disulfide-variant characterization of mAbs on the subunit level. It enables understanding disulfide bridge reduction processes in antibodies and potentially other proteins.
How body postures affect gaze control in scene viewing under specific task conditions
Authors: Backhaus Daniel , Engbert Ralf
Published: February 2024

Gaze movements during visual exploration of natural scenes are typically investigated with the static picture viewing paradigm in the laboratory. While this paradigm is attractive for its highly controlled conditions, limitations in the generalizability of the resulting findings to more natural viewing behavior have been raised frequently. Here, we address the combined influences of body posture and viewing task on gaze behavior with the static picture viewing paradigm under free viewing as a baseline condition. We recorded gaze data using mobile eye tracking during postural manipulations in scene viewing. Specifically, in Experiment 1, we compared gaze behavior during head-supported sitting and quiet standing under two task conditions. We found that task affects temporal and spatial gaze parameters, while posture produces no effects on temporal and small effects on spatial parameters. In Experiment 2, we further investigated body posture by introducing four conditions (sitting with chin rest, head-free sitting, quiet standing, standing on an unstable platform). Again, we found no effects on temporal and small effects on spatial gaze parameters. In our experiments, gaze behavior is largely unaffected by body posture, while task conditions readily produce effects. We conclude that results from static picture viewing may allow predictions of gaze statistics under more natural viewing conditions, however, viewing tasks should be chosen carefully because of their potential effects on gaze characteristics.
Danger Zones of the Gluteal Anatomy: Improving the Safety Profile of the Gluteal Fat Grafting
Authors: Seabra Robalo Gomes Jorge Ana Cristina , Feng You-Shan , Santos Stahl Adelana , Grözinger Gerd , Nikolaou Konstantin , Glanemann Matthias , Daigeler Adrien , Stahl Stéphane
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Knowledge of the vascular anatomy is critical to performing safe gluteal surgery. To date, only the course of the main blood vessels within the muscles has been outlined. These findings are based on MRI and CTA images that do not conform to a topographically standardized and normalized probability distribution.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to develop a three-dimensional mapping of the gluteal zones of high vascular density in relation to anatomical landmarks.

Materials and Methods

This single-center retrospective cohort analysis comprised all consecutive patients who underwent cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans between January 2016 and October 2021. The location of blood vessels in the gluteal region was allometrically normalized in relation to anatomical landmarks. Moreover, the caliber and area of the blood vessels were assessed.

Results

CBCT scans of 32 patients with an average age of 64 ± 12 years (range 34–87 years) were included. Fifty-three percent were female. The median [IQR] caliber of the intramuscular gluteal vessels was 1.47 [1.15–1.88] mm, significantly greater than that of the subcutaneous vessels 1.09 [0.72–1.44] mm (p < 0.001). Vascular density was higher intramuscularly, as 4.5% of the area of the muscle was occupied by blood vessels, as opposed to 0.3% in the adipose tissue.

Conclusion

The analysis of the CBCT scans showed a higher vascular density and larger vessels intramuscularly. We, therefore, recommend the injection of autologous fat merely to the subcutaneous plane.

Level of Evidence II

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
Glucocorticoid discontinuation rate and risk factors for relapses in a contemporary cohort of patients with giant cell arteritis
Authors: Tsalapaki Christina , Lazarini Argyro , Argyriou Evaggelia , Dania Vassiliki , Boki Kyriaki , Evangelatos Gerasimos , Iliopoulos Alexios , Pappa Maria , Sfikakis Petros P. , Tektonidou Maria G. , Georgountzos Athanasios , Kaltsonoudis Euripidis , Voulgari Paraskevi , Drosos Alexandros A. , Theotikos Evaggelos , Papagoras Charalampos , Dimitroulas Theodoros , Garyfallos Alexandros , Kataxaki Evaggelia , Vosvotekas Georgios , Boumpas Dimitrios , Hadziyannis Emilia , Vassilopoulos Dimitrios
Published: February 2024

The rates of relapses and therapy discontinuation in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) in the modern therapeutic era have not been defined. We aimed to evaluate the glucocorticoid (GC) discontinuation rate and the factors associated with relapses in a contemporary GCA cohort. Patient and treatment data were collected cross-sectionally at first evaluation and 2 years later (second evaluation), in a multicenter, prospective GCA cohort. Predictors of relapses were identified by logistic regression analyses. 243 patients with GCA were initially included (67% women, mean age at diagnosis: 72.1 years, median disease duration: 2 years) while 2 years later complete data for 160 patients were available and analyzed. All patients had received GCs at diagnosis (mean daily prednisolone dose: 40 mg) while during follow-up, 37% received non-biologic and 16% biologic agents, respectively. At second evaluation, 72% of patients were still on therapy (GCs: 58% and/or GC-sparing agents: 29%). Relapses occurred in 27% of patients during follow-up; by multivariable logistic regression analysis, large vessel involvement at diagnosis [odds ratio (OR) = 4.22], a cardiovascular event during follow-up (OR = 4.60) and a higher initial GC daily dose (OR = 1.04), were associated with these relapses. In this large, real-life, contemporary GCA cohort, the rates of GC discontinuation and relapses were 40% and 27%, respectively. Large vessel involvement, a higher GC dose at diagnosis and new cardiovascular events during follow-up were associated with relapses.
Topographic analysis of local OCT biomarkers which predict progression to atrophy in age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Manafi Navid , Mahmoudi Alireza , Emamverdi Mehdi , Corradetti Giulia , Corona Stephanie Trejo , Wykoff Charles C. , Sadda SriniVas R.
Published: February 2024

Purpose

To define optical coherence tomography (OCT) biomarkers that precede the development of complete retinal pigment epithelium and outer retinal atrophy (cRORA) at that location in eyes with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods

In this retrospective case–control study, patients with dry AMD who had evidence of cRORA and OCT data available for 4 years (48 ± 4 months) prior to the first visit with evidence of cRORA were included. The visit 4 years prior to the development of cRORA was defined as the baseline visit, and the region on the OCT B-scans of future cRORA development was termed the case region. A region in the same eye at the same distance from the foveal center as the case region that did not progress to cRORA was selected as the control region. OCT B-scans at the baseline visit through both the case and control regions were evaluated for the presence of soft and cuticular drusen, drusen with hyporeflective cores (hcD), drusenoid pigment epithelial detachments (PED), subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDD), thick and thin double-layer signs (DLS), intraretinal hyperreflective foci (IHRF), and acquired vitelliform lesions (AVL).

Results

A total of 57 eyes of 41 patients with dry AMD and evidence of cRORA were included. Mean time from the baseline visit to the first visit with cRORA was 44.7 $$\pm$$
±
6.5 months. The presence of soft drusen, drusenoid PED, AVL, thin DLS, and IHRF at the baseline visit was all associated with a significantly increased risk of cRORA at that location. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that IHRF (OR, 8.559; p < 0.001), drusenoid PED (OR, 7.148; p = 0.001), and a thin DLS (OR, 3.483; p = 0.021) were independent predictors of development of cRORA at that location.

Conclusions

IHRF, drusenoid PED, and thin DLS are all local risk factors for the development of cRORA at that same location. These findings would support the inclusion of these features within a more granular staging system defining specific steps in the progression from early AMD to atrophy.
Reclassifying BRCA1 c.4358-2A > G and BRCA2 c.475 + 5G > C variants from “Uncertain Significance” to “Pathogenic” based on minigene assays and clinical evidence
Authors: Ning Ying , Zhang Yu , Tian Tian , Chen Yu , Wang Jia , Lei Ke , Cui Zhumei
Published: February 2024

Background

Pathogenic variants in BRCA genes play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer. Intronic variants of uncertain significance (VUS) may contribute to pathogenicity by affecting splicing. Currently, the significance of many intronic variants in BRCA has not been clarified, impacting patient treatment strategies and the management of familial cases.

Method

A retrospective study was conducted to analyze BRCA intronic VUS in a cohort of 707 unrelated ovarian cancer patients at a single institution from 2018 to 2023. Three splicing predictors were employed to analyze detected intronic VUS. Variants predicted to have splicing alterations were selected for further validation through minigene assays. Patient and familial investigations were conducted to comprehend cancer incidence within pedigrees and the application of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) by the patients. In accordance with the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the intronic VUS were reclassified based on minigene assay results and clinical evidence.

Result

Approximately 9.8% (69/707) of patients were identified as carriers of 67 different VUS in BRCA1/2, with four intronic variants accounting for 6% (4/67) of all VUS. Splicing predictors indicated potential splicing alterations in splicing for BRCA1 c.4358-2A>G and BRCA2 c.475+5G>C variants. Minigene assays utilizing the pSPL3 exon trapping vector revealed that these variants induced changes in splicing sites and frameshift, resulting in premature termination of translation (p. Ala1453Glyfs and p. Pro143Glyfs). According to ACMG guidelines, BRCA1 c.4358-2A>G and BRCA2 c.475+5G>C were reclassified as pathogenic variants. Pedigree investigations were conducted on patients with BRCA1 c.4358-2A>G variant, and the detailed utilization of PARPi provided valuable insights into research on PARPi resistance.

Conclusion

Two intronic VUS were reclassified as pathogenic variants. A precise classification of variants is crucial for the effective treatment and management of both patients and healthy carriers.
Non-linear effects of non-host diversity on the removal of free-living infective stages of parasites
Authors: Welsh Jennifer E. , Markovic Mirjana , van der Meer Jaap , Thieltges David W.
Published: February 2024

Among the ecological functions and services of biodiversity is the potential buffering of diseases through dilution effects where increased biodiversity results in a reduction in disease risk for humans and wildlife hosts. Whether such effects are a universal phenomenon is still under intense debate and diversity effects are little studied in cases when non-host organisms remove free-living parasite stages during their transmission from one host to the next by consumption or physical obstruction. Here, we investigated non-host diversity effects on the removal of cercarial stages of trematodes, ubiquitous parasites in aquatic ecosystems. In laboratory experiments using response surface designs, varying both diversity and density at same time, we compared three combinations of two non-hosts at four density levels: predatory crabs that actively remove cercariae from the water column via their mouth parts and gills, filter feeding oysters that passively filter cercariae from the water column while not becoming infected themselves, and seaweed which physically obstructs cercariae. The addition of a second non-host did not generally result in increased parasite removal but neutralised, amplified or reduced the parasite removal exerted by the first non-host, depending on the density and non-host combination. These non-linear non-host diversity effects were probably driven by intra- and interspecific interactions and suggest the need to integrate non-host diversity effects in understanding the links between community diversity and infection risk.