bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent sex work and associations with psychosocial outcomes among women living with HIV: findings from a longitudinal Canadian cohort study
Authors: Logie Carmen H. , Sokolovic Nina , Kazemi Mina , Smith Stephanie , Islam Shaz , Lee Melanie , Gormley Rebecca , Kaida Angela , de Pokomandy Alexandra , Loutfy Mona ,   the CHIWOS Research Team
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Sex workers are disproportionately impacted by the HIV pandemic across global contexts, in part due to social and structural contexts of stigma and criminalization. Among women living with HIV, there is a dearth of longitudinal information regarding dynamics of sex work engagement and associated social and health outcomes. In order to better understand the social contexts and health needs of sex working women living with HIV, this study aimed to understand recent sex work prevalence and its longitudinal associations with stigma, psychosocial and clinical HIV outcomes among women living with HIV in Canada.

Methods

We conducted a three‐wave prospective cohort survey at 18‐month intervals with women living with HIV aged 16 and older in three Canadian provinces between 2013 and 2018. We used generalized estimating equations to examine longitudinal associations between recent (past 6‐month) sex work with three types of outcomes: psychosocial (recent violence, recent injection drug use, hazardous alcohol use, clinical depression and post‐traumatic stress disorder), clinical HIV (CD4 count and viral load) and stigma (HIV‐related stigma, racial discrimination and gender discrimination). Equations were adjusted for socio‐demographic factors associated with sex work across all three waves: province, age, income, gender identity, sexual orientation, education level, ethnicity and housing security.

Results and Discussion

Of 1422 participants, 129 (9.1%) reported recent sex work during at least one wave (82 at baseline, 73 at first follow‐up and 32 at second follow‐up). In adjusted analyses, recent sex work was associated with psychosocial outcomes, including: past 3‐month violence (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.70, 3.60), past 6‐month injection drug use (AOR = 3.49, 95% CI = 2.21–5.52), hazardous alcohol use (AOR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.04–3.89) and depression (AOR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.06–2.15). In unadjusted analyses, sex work was also associated with clinical HIV outcomes and gender discrimination, but not racial discrimination/HIV‐related stigma.

Conclusions

Among women living with HIV in Canada, sex work engagement is dynamic, and sex workers are more likely to report recent violence, recent injection drug use, problematic alcohol use and clinical depression. Violence prevention and support, harm reduction, mental health promotion and sex work‐affirming programs could be employed to optimize health and rights for sex working women living with HIV.
SARS‐CoV‐2, SARS‐CoV, and MERS‐CoV encode circular RNAs of spliceosome‐independent origin
Authors: Yang Shaomin , Zhou Hong , Liu Mingde , Jaijyan Dabbu , Cruz‐Cosme Ruth , Ramasamy Santhamani , Subbian Selvakumar , Liu Dongxiao , Xu Jiayu , Niu Xiaoyu , Li Yaolan , Xiao Lizu , Tyagi Sanjay , Wang Qiuhong , Zhu Hua , Tang Qiyi
Published: March 2022

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a newly recognized component of the transcriptome with critical roles in autoimmune diseases and viral pathogenesis. To address the importance of circRNA in RNA viral transcriptome, we systematically identified and characterized circRNAs encoded by the RNA genomes of betacoronaviruses using both bioinformatical and experimental approaches. We predicted 351, 224, and 2764 circRNAs derived from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), SARS‐CoV, and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, respectively. We experimentally identified 75 potential SARS‐CoV‐2 circRNAs from RNA samples extracted from SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected Vero E6 cells. A systematic comparison of viral and host circRNA features, including abundance, strand preference, length distribution, circular exon numbers, and breakpoint sequences, demonstrated that coronavirus‐derived circRNAs had a spliceosome‐independent origin. We further showed that back‐splice junctions (BSJs) captured by inverse reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction have different level of resistance to RNase R. Through northern blotting with a BSJ‐spanning probe targeting N gene, we identified three RNase R‐resistant bands that represent SARS‐CoV‐2 circRNAs that are detected cytoplasmic by single‐molecule and amplified fluorescence in situ hybridization assays. Lastly, analyses of 169 sequenced BSJs showed that both back‐splice and forward‐splice junctions were flanked by homologous and reverse complementary sequences, including but not limited to the canonical transcriptional regulatory sequences. Our findings highlight circRNAs as an important component of the coronavirus transcriptome, offer important evaluation of bioinformatic tools in the analysis of circRNAs from an RNA genome, and shed light on the mechanism of discontinuous RNA synthesis.
Direct measurement of reaction rate for decomposition of diisopropyl methylphosphonate at high temperature using shock tube and laser absorption
Authors: Rahman Ramees K. , Higgs Jacklyn , Ninnemann Erik , Baker Jessica , Masunov Artëm E. , Vasu Subith S.
Published: March 2022

Diisopropyl methylphosphonate (DIMP) is an organophosphorus compound used as a simulant for the chemical weapon Sarin. One of the means of destruction of Sarin is incineration at high temperature, which requires a clear understanding of the high‐temperature reaction kinetics of Sarin. In this work, we study the reaction rate for thermal decomposition of DIMP in the temperature range of 762–1059 K at a pressure near 1 atm. Test conditions are carefully chosen to minimize interferences from other reactions and intermediates formed during the decomposition process. The experimental rates obtained have been fitted for the Arrhenius rate expression to get the rate parameters of the reaction r1, DIMP (C7H17O3P) = IMP (C4H11O3P) + propene (C3H6) as
The rate obtained in this work extended the temperature range of previous measurements (up to 800 K) and can be used in reaction kinetic models for combustion of DIMP.
Microbial iron reduction does not release microplastics from organo‐metallic aggregates
Authors: Leiser Rico , Wendt‐Potthoff Katrin
Published: March 2022

Iron flocculants play a major role in the remediation of water bodies, removing particulate pollutants such as microplastics through floc formation. Such flocs are prone to microbial iron reduction while lying on top of anoxic sediments, which possibly leads the release of bound microplastics. In this study, Shewanella oneidensis was employed to simulate the impact of microbial iron reduction on the release of polyethylene spheres from sunken flocs in 120 d batch experiments. Most of the flocs iron (oxyhydr)oxides were reduced (70–90%), but this did not affect their integrity. Only a negligible proportion (0.2–2.7%) of polyethylene spheres was released, while the majority remained bound inside the floc matrix. This study exemplifies that flocs are quite stable, even when experiencing microbial iron reduction under anoxic conditions. Thereby incorporation into such aggregates may display a potential mode of long‐term microplastics storage in freshwater sediments.
Analysis and numerical simulation of a supercell tornado at the Hong Kong adjacent waters
Authors: Chan P. W. , Hon K. K. , Robinson P. , Kosiba K. , Wurman J. , Li Q. S.
Published: March 2022

A tornado/waterspout associated with a supercell thunderstorm was observed in the adjacent waters of southern China on the evening of 18 April 2019. The case was documented using surface weather observations and Doppler radar data. A weather station near the tornado/waterspout, recorded wind gusts corresponding to hurricane intensity for a few seconds, never observed before in the region. The Doppler velocity associated with the tornado/waterspout was analysed and the vertical profile of the velocity could be very useful for wind engineering applications in the region. Dual‐polarization observations also were analysed and exhibited some similar signatures documented in supercell tornadoes in other parts of the world. Predictability of the tornado/waterspout was studied using a numerical weather prediction model. It showed that the location and timing of the waterspout/tornado could be roughly reproduced, and the model might be used to give earlier alerting to the vessels operating in the south China coastal waters.
Optimum buffer stock during preventive maintenance in an imperfect production system
Authors: Sana Shib Sankar
Published: March 2022

The paper investigates a production‐inventory model where regular preventive maintenance starts at the end of production for smooth functioning in the next cycle. During production run time, the manufacturing system may shift from “in‐control” state to “out‐of‐control” state after a certain time. The manufacturing system produces imperfect quality products during “in‐control” state and “out‐of‐control” state with different rates, and these imperfect quality products are reworked at costs in parallel system. The whole items are sold with free minimal repair warranty if any fault arises after sale. This study extends and corrects the Sana's production‐inventory model and derives optimal buffer inventory to minimize the expected costs per unit item. A numerical illustration with its sensitivity analysis of the key parameters is studied to justify the proposed model.
The powder X‐band electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy of septet pyridyl‐2,4,6‐trinitrene
Authors: Chapyshev Sergei V. , Korchagin Denis V. , Costa Paulo , Sander Wolfram
Published: March 2022

The first X‐band EPR spectrum containing only non‐overlapping signals of septet pyridyl‐2,4,6‐trinitrene and triplet pyridylnitrenes is reported. This spectrum was recorded after photolysis of 2,4,6‐triazidopyridine in solid argon at 5 K. The zero‐field splitting (ZFS) parameters of this trinitrene as well as of intermediate triplet mononitrenes and quintet dinitrenes formed at early stages of the photolysis were determined using the combination of modern computer line‐shape spectral simulations and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. It was found that septet pyridyl‐2,4,6‐trinitrene has the record negative parameter DS = −0.1031 cm−1 among all known to date septet pyridyl‐2,4,6‐trinitrenes and may be of interest as a model multi‐qubit spin system for investigations of quantum computation processing.
The 8K Ecosystem is Maturing
Authors: Chinnock Chris
Published: March 2022

Technology is increasing while costs are decreasing, making 8K a more viable option for many applications.
Needs of older persons undergoing cardiac surgery: Exploring the perceptions of nurses, patients waiting for and patients having had surgery
Authors: Rodrigues Soraia Filipa Nicola Martins , Henriques Helga Marília da Silva Rafael , Henriques Maria Adriana Pereira
Published: March 2022

Aims

The purpose of this research was to identify the needs of older persons waiting for elective open‐heart surgery.

Design

A qualitative exploratory design methodology, using Focus Groups.

Methods

A purposive sampling technique was used. Three interviews were conducted with experienced nurses, individuals waiting for open‐heart surgery (≥65years) and individuals having had open‐heart surgery (≥65years); enrolling up to 17 participants from October 2019 to January 2020. Qualitative data analysis was conducted using the iteractive model and MaxQDA® software, and EQUATOR COREQ guidelines were followed.

Results

Three themes were identified from the analysis of all three Focus Groups: (i) Needing health information; (ii) Needing emotional support; and (iii) Needing access to care.
Molecular dynamics simulation for chlorinated butyl rubber composite reinforced by dendritic amino‐terminated aromatic polyamide
Authors: Lan Yunrui , Song Weijin , Wang Jincheng
Published: March 2022

In this study, we explore the application of dendrimers in damping modification of chlorinated butyl rubber (CIIR) through molecular dynamics simulation. The dendrimer is dendritic polyamide G2 with polar end groups. The results showed that the composite with 9‐equivalent of G2 exhibited significant damping characteristics. The small difference of solubility indicates that G2 had good compatibility with CIIR. The cohesive energy density and bonding energy are improved. Under the same external force, the hydrogen bond consumes more energy. Besides, the maximum free volume fraction also decreased. The molecular chains of G2/CIIR (9/91) were closer. Thus, the internal friction increased and damping performance was enhanced. In terms of the mechanical properties, the elastic stiffness tensors of the material were almost constant. The glass transition temperature moved to the low‐temperature region. This may indicate a better damping performance in the low‐temperature environment. This study provides a basis for improving CIIR damping performance by using dendrimer.
Investigation of excited‐state deactivation processes in benzofluorenones using time‐resolved transient absorption spectroscopy
Authors: Dickson‐Karn Nicole M. , Celius Tevye C. , Williams Brian Wesley , Napoli Joseph , Black Rhys , Colley Kiser Z. , Dunn Timothy F. , Shi Yutong
Published: March 2022

Three benzofluorenone derivatives, benzo[a]fluorenone (BFA), benzo[b]fluorenone (BFB), and benzo[c]fluorenone (BFC), were studied spectroscopically in comparison with 9‐fluorenone (9‐FL) in solvents of various polarities to better understand the solvatochromism and excited‐state deactivation processes in these molecules. Time‐resolved transient absorption, steady‐state absorption, emission, and fluorescence lifetimes were utilized in this endeavor. Differences in the excited‐state deactivation processes are observed which can be attributed to the varied characters of the singlet and triplet excited states in these molecules which arise from structural differences and solvatochromism. The main deactivation pathway in all of the studied molecules was internal conversion (IC). Ignoring IC, the competition between intersystem crossing (ISC) and fluorescence is highly dependent on the molecule‐solvent system. BFA was found to decay mainly via a triplet state in cyclohexane but via fluorescence in ethyl acetate and acetonitrile. BFB was found to decay via both ISC to a triplet state and emission from the singlet state in cyclohexane but only via ISC in ethyl acetate and acetonitrile. Only emission from the singlet state was observed in BFC in all solvents.
Resolution of lobe collapse in a child with cystic fibrosis with Mycobacterium abscessus using serial intrabronchial rhDNase
Authors: Xuereb John , Sammut Patrick , Vella Chiara , Balfour‐Lynn Ian M.
Published: March 2022

An eight‐year‐old girl with cysticfibrosis (CF) developed a left upper lobe collapse failing to resolve withinitial conventional antibiotic treatment, mucolytics and intensifiedphysiotherapy. Mycobacterium abscessus was isolated from her sputum. Bronchoscopy revealed thick viscousmucus plugging of the left upper lobe bronchus with complete obliteration.Three bronchoscopies with saline lavage and Dornase alfa, a rhDNase, at the endof each procedure resulted in removal of this mucus plug and the re‐inflationof the affected lobe, with clinical and radiological resolution. The use of flexible bronchoscopy as a ‘secondary’ treatment with 0.9% saline lavage and instillation of rhDNase isdescribed sparsely in the literature. This is the first reported successfultherapeutic resolution of a lung collapse in a CF patient with Mycobacteriumabscessus, with sequential therapeutic bronchoscopies with instillation ofDornase alfa. This should be considered for lobar collapse in CF not respondingto the standard therapeutic regime.
Temperature dependence of isotopic fractionation in the CO2‐O2 isotope exchange reaction
Authors: Adnew Getachew Agmuas , Workman Evelyn , Janssen Christof , Röckmann Thomas
Published: March 2022

Rationale

Oxygen isotope exchange between O2 and CO2 in the presence of heated platinum (Pt) is an established technique for determining the δ17O value of CO2. However, there is not yet a consensus on the associated fractionation factors at the steady state.

Methods

We determined experimentally the steady‐state α17 and α18 fractionation factors for Pt‐catalyzed CO2‐O2 oxygen isotope exchange at temperatures ranging from 500 to 1200°C. For comparison, the theoretical α18 equilibrium exchange values reported by Richet et al. (1997) have been updated using the direct sum method for CO2 and the corresponding α17 values were determined. Finally, we examined whether the steady‐state fractionation factors depend on the isotopic composition of the reactants, by using CO2 and O2 differing in δ18O value from −66 ‰ to +4 ‰.

Results

The experimentally determined steady‐state fractionation factors α17 and α18 are lower than those obtained from the updated theoretical calculations (of CO2‐O2 isotope exchange under equilibrium conditions) by 0.0024 ± 0.0001 and 0.0048 ± 0.0002, respectively. The offset is not due to scale incompatibilities between isotope measurements of O2 and CO2 nor to the neglect of non‐Born‐Oppenheimer effects in the calculations. There is a crossover temperature at which enrichment in the minor isotopes switches from CO2 to O2. The direct sum evaluation yields a θ value of ~0.54, i.e. higher than the canonical range maximum for a mass‐dependent fractionation process.

Conclusions

Updated theoretical values of α18 for equilibrium isotope exchange are lower than those derived from previous work by Richet et al. (1997). The direct sum evaluation for CO2 yields θ values higher than the canonical range maximum for mass‐dependent fractionation processes. This demonstrates the need to include anharmonic effects in the calculation and definition of mass‐dependent fractionation processes for poly‐atomic molecules. The discrepancy between the theory and the experimental α17 and α18 values may be due to thermal diffusion associated with the temperature gradient in the reactor.
Investigating the Performance of Near‐Infrared Light Responsive Monometallic Gold and Bimetallic Gold‐Palladium Nanorattles towards Plasmonic Photothermal Therapy
Authors: Singh Prem , Jaiswal Amit
Published: March 2022

The effect of different sizes and shapes of nanomaterials on its extinction spectrum is well studied and accordingly researchers have designed various nanostructures having absorbance in the near infrared (NIR) region for plasmonic photothermal therapy (PPTT) applications. However, the comparative study between the NIR active nanomaterials having different elemental composition for PPTT applications is not well explored. Herein, we investigate the photothermal activity of two different NIR active nanorattles viz. gold nanorattle (Au NRT) and bimetallic gold‐palladium nanorattle (Au−Pd NRT) having identical morphology but different elemental composition. The prepared nanorattles were PEGylated to render biocompatibility and identical surface functionalities. The aqueous solution of both the NRTs displayed a significant rise in temperature upon NIR irradiation which was not compromised on repeated exposure to light. The PPTT applicability of both the nanorattles were evaluated which suggested that the bimetallic Au−Pd NRT have better photothermal conversion efficiency of 35.4 % and better photothermal killing ability towards breast cancer cell line (SK‐BR‐3) compared to that of monometallic Au NRT having photothermal conversion efficiency of only 19.8 %. Thus, the present study indicates that NIR active nanostructures based on palladium acts as a better phototransducing agent than that of gold with similar morphology.
Hybrid Nano‐Structured Pd Catalyst for Selective Hydrogenation of Phenol and the Insights of Deactivation Mechanism
Authors: Zhang Yanji , Zhou Jicheng
Published: March 2022

A catalyst composed of La2O3/AC and Pd nanoparticles is constructed for precise synthesis of cyclohexanone from phenol hydrogenation with high conversion (>99 %) and selectivity (>95 %). The special structure and the synergistic effect remarkably facilitate the high conversion of phenol. The stability test results of the used Pd/@‐La2O3/AC catalyst showed that the phenol conversion decreased from 100 % to 24.5 %. The deactivation reason for the used catalyst was the agglomeration of Pd nanoparticles and the adsorption of organics. Three treatment methods, heat treatment, ethanol wash, and water wash, were regenerated the catalytic activity of the used Pd/@‐La2O3/AC catalyst. The regenerated method of water wash solved the problem of organic matter blockage and residue to a certain extent, but still can not fully recover its high activity. This deactivation mechanism provides important guidance to develop high stable Pd‐based catalyst for the selective hydrogenation of phenol.
Synthesis and Optimization of Diphenyl Ether‐Based Receptors for the Selective Detection of Cyanide Ions in Neutral Semi‐Aqueous Medium
Authors: Kumar Ashok , Chhibber Manmohan
Published: March 2022

The discharge of toxic cyanide ions in the environment and their uptake by life is inevitable due to industrialization. Therefore, its detection below the permissible limit is significant. Diphenyl ether‐based chromophores have been synthesized and optimized to highlight the proton abstraction mechanism for detecting anions. Absorption studies in the presence of different solvents (H2O, MeOH, ACN, DMSO, CHCl3 and semi‐aqueous ACN) and pH (10 to 4) confirmed the proton abstraction mechanism validated using 1H NMR titration, IR studies and DFT calculations. The effect of substituents on the diphenyl ether motifs highlighted the selectivity of anions under different solvent conditions. Finally, compound‐2 [2‐(2‐methoxyphenoxy)‐5‐nitrobenzoic acid] and compound‐2 c [3‐methoxy‐4‐(2‐nitrophenoxy) benzoic acid] in ACN medium detected F− (280 nM, 17 μM) AcO− (41 nM, 40 μM) and CN− (50 nM. 1.5 μM) ions in nM and μM range respectively. However, the semi‐aqueous medium (5 % water in ACN) gave selective detection of the CN− ion up to 100 nM for the compound‐2 in a 1 : 1 stoichiometry. The use of an aqueous medium in the case of compound‐2 c did not show detection for any of the ions.
Ortho‐Functionalization of Benzimidates and Benzamidines
Authors: Borah Gongutri , Dam Binoyargha , Patel Bhisma K.
Published: March 2022

In recent years, benzimidates and benzamidines have received tremendous importance as starting materials owing to their electronic properties and high reactivity. Their application as directing groups for constructing biologically active molecules has been a hot topic of discussion. Because of the presence of nucleophilic nitrogen in both these moieties, they can easily provide a co‐ordinating site to catalysts to form metallocyclic complexes which activate the inert Csp2−H bond thereby producing desired N‐heterocycles. In this review, we have summarized the developments in ortho‐functionalization of benzimidates and benzamidines using several coupling partners. Reaction mechanisms of protocols, their substrate versatility and limitations of those procedures along with their uses have also been addressed.
A Sensitive Colorimetric Determination of Metformin Based on Gold Nanoparticles Aggregation in Salt Solution
Authors: Liu Wei , Li Yongyang , Li Lin , Shangguan Jingfang , Liu Yufei , Ni Tianjun , Wang Yaofeng , Kang Jing
Published: March 2022

This research attempts to explore a simple and sensitive colorimetric method to detect metformin by using synthesized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Spherical AuNPs were synthesized by reducing HAuCl4 with EDTA. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Zeta potential were used to observe AuNPs size and solution stability before and after the addition of metformin. AuNPs became unstable and aggregated after the addition of metformin, and the absorption peak changed from 520 to 654 nm after adding metformin. NaCl concentration is an important factor in AuNPs aggregation, as low as 70 nM metformin can induce the aggregation of AuNPs under 40 mM NaCl. The linear relationship of metformin detecting was gained in the range of 150 nM∼500 nM (R2=0.955). The application of this method to the detection of metformin in actual samples has been verified. Therefore, AuNPs is considered to be a potential multidrug detection tool based on AuNPs surface modifiers.
An Eco‐Friendly Polyvinyl Alcohol/Graphene Oxide‐Based Hydrogel as a Methylene Blue Adsorbent
Authors: Goodarzi Reyhaneh , Ghanbari Hajar , Sarpoolaky Hossein
Published: March 2022

Recently, hydrogels have been introduced for wastewater treatments as eco‐friendly and efficient adsorbents. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)‐based hydrogel reinforced with graphene oxide (GO) can be used for methylene blue (MB) removal from water. PVA/GO hydrogels (5 wt. % PVA and 0.5–2 wt. % GO) were prepared via the freeze‐thaw method, and the effect of GO weight percentage, freezing time, and cycle numbers were investigated. Regarding the results, the composite containing 1 wt. % GO, prepared by six‐hour freezing, and five cycles of freeze‐thawing, had the highest compressive strength (1.6±0.1 MPa) among the studied samples. Furthermore, by adding aloe vera to the PVA/GO composite containing 2 wt. % GO, the removal efficiency of MB was increased from 96 % to 99 % after 72 h, although the surface area was decreased from 31.6 m2 g−1 to 3.9 m2 g−1. Adsorption investigations were also highlighted PVA/GO and PVA/GO/aloe vera hydrogel composites follow the pseudo‐second‐order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm models.
Novel Intrinsic Self‐Healing Poly‐Silicone‐Urea with Super‐Low Ice Adhesion Strength
Authors: Chen Jun , Luo Zhenyang , An Rong , Marklund Pär , Björling Marcus , Shi Yijun
Published: March 2022

Accumulation of snow and ice often causes problems and even dangerous situations for both industry and the general population. Passive de‐icing technologies, e.g., hydrophobic, liquid‐infused bionic surfaces, have attracted more and more attention compared with active de‐icing technologies, e.g., electric heating, hot air heating, due to the passive de‐icing technology's lower energy consumption and sustainability footprint. Using passive de‐icing coatings seems to be one of the most promising solutions. However, the previously reported de‐icing coatings suffer from high ice adhesion strength or short service life caused by wear. An intrinsic self‐healing material based on poly‐silicone‐urea is developed in this work to address these problems. The material is prepared by introducing dynamic disulfide bonds into the hard phase of the polymer. Experimental results indicate that this poly‐silicone‐urea has a self‐healing efficiency of close to 99%. More interestingly, it is found that the coating prepared from this poly‐silicone‐urea has a super low ice adhesion force, only 7 ± 1 kPa, which is almost the lowest value compared with previous intrinsic self‐healing de‐/anti‐icing reports. This material can maintain low ice adhesion strength after healing. This intrinsic self‐healing poly‐silicone‐urea can meet several practical applications, opening the door for future sustainable anti‐/de‐icing technologies.
Ultrafast Random‐Pyramid Texturing for Efficient Monocrystalline Silicon Solar Cells
Authors: Zhu Lei , Zou Shuai , Ni Mengfei , Ding Jianming , Wu Chengkun , Lu Zheng , Zeng Yulian , Ye Xiaoya , Wang Xusheng , Fan Ronglei , Sun Hua , Liao Baochen , Xu Yadong , Shen Mingrong , Su Xiaodong
Published: March 2022

Herein, an ultrafast random‐pyramid texturing process is proposed for monocrystalline silicon (mono‐Si) solar cells by combining metal‐catalyzed chemical etching (MCCE) and the standard alkaline texturing process. Namely, large numbers of artificial defects are introduced on the wafer surface in 3 min by MCCE; therefore, the process duration of alkaline texturing is largely shortened from 420 s for the as‐cut wafer to 180 s for the wafer with artificial defects due to its high surface reactivity. Moreover, those tiny artificial defects are apt to form small pyramids, resulting in a better light‐trapping performance. As a demonstration, the passivated emitter rear contact solar cell with ultrafast random pyramid texture achieves a power conversion efficiency of 23.02%. Therefore, such a cost‐effective ultrafast texturing strategy can open a promising new route toward the mass production of high‐efficiency industrial mono‐Si solar cells.
English language development specialists' views on emergency remote teaching
Authors: Leider Christine Montecillo , Tigert Johanna M.
Published: March 2022

For teachers of English learners (ELs), especially English language development (ELD) specialists, navigating federal, state, and local policies guiding the content and language education of ELs is a regular part of their professional role. However, during the swift move to emergency remote teaching amid the COVID‐19 pandemic in early 2020, the policy structures that normally ensure equitable education for ELs were severely challenged. In the present study the researchers sought to understand how ELD specialists implemented and interpreted policy to uphold the educational rights of ELs during the emergency remote teaching. Four major themes emerged in the analysis: instructional and assessment decisions, the multifaceted role of an ELD specialist, commitment to equitable instruction, and multistakeholder accountability. Across all themes, ELD specialists expressed an equity‐focused orientation and the desire for more explicit policy and guidance to support ELs. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.
Effective action, spectrum and first law of wedge holography
Authors: Hu Peng-Ju , Miao Rong-Xin
Published: March 2022

Abstract

In this paper, we study the effective action, the mass spectrum and the first law of entanglement entropy for a novel doubly holographic model called wedge holography. We work out the effective action of quantum gravity on the branes. In the perturbative formulation, it is given by an infinite sum of Pauli-Fierz actions. In the non-perturbative formulation, the effective action is composed of a higher derivative gravity and a matter action. Usually, a higher derivative gravity can be renormalizable but suffers the ghost problem. For our case, since the effective theory on the brane is equivalent to Einstein gravity in the bulk, it must be ghost-free. We notice that the matter action plays an important role in eliminating the ghost. We also provide evidences that the higher derivative gravity on the brane is equivalent to a ghost-free multi-gravity. Besides, we prove that the effective action yields the correct Weyl anomaly. Interestingly, although the effective action on the brane is an infinite tower of higher derivative gravity, the holographic Weyl anomaly is exactly the same as that of Einstein gravity. We also analyze the mass spectrum of wedge holography. Remarkably, there is always a massless mode of gravitons on the end-of-the-world branes in wedge holography. This happens because one imposes Neumann boundary condition on both branes. On the other hand, the massless mode disappears if one imposes Dirichlet boundary condition on one of the branes as in brane world theory and AdS/BCFT. Finally, we verify the first law of entanglement entropy for wedge holography. Interestingly, the massive fluctuations are irrelevant to the first order perturbation of the holographic entanglement entropy. Thus, in many aspects, the effective theory on the brane behaves like massless Einstein gravity.
Numerical modeling of forming air impact thermoforming
Authors: Wagner Simon , Kayatz Fabian , Münsch Manuel , Sanjon Cedric W. , Hauptmann Marek , Delgado Antonio
Published: March 2022

Thermoforming is a complex process with numerous parameters that potentially have an influence on the wall thickness distribution of the end product. Test benches do not allow for measuring all potentially relevant influences. Numerical simulations therefore have proven to be a useful tool in order to obtain deeper insight into the process and the mutual interactions between the input parameters. Forming air impact thermoforming can be thought of as an extension to common negative thermoforming that takes advantage of the flow inside the pressure chamber to obtain a favorable deformation behavior, ultimately leading to an improved final wall thickness distribution. The purposeful interaction between flow field and plastic sheet implies a significantly more complex physical system when approaching the process with modeling techniques. This paper describes the setup of a structural simulation model for thermoforming, that in an approximative manner includes effects of the flow field within the pressure box on the deforming plastic sheet. Special focus is laid on the implementation of counter-pressure due to the air trapped between sheet and mold. Validation simulations presented yield satisfactory results and thus show the high potential of simulations in modeling the complex interactions occurring in forming air impact thermoforming.
Proportion and related factors of depression and anxiety for inpatients with lung cancer in China: a hospital-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Wang Xueqian , Ma Xuejiao , Yang Mo , Wang Yan , Xie Yi , Hou Wei , Zhang Ying
Published: March 2022

Background

Lung cancer was often accompanied by depression and anxiety. Nowadays, most investigations for depression and anxiety were concentrated in western medical hospitals, while few related studies have been carried out in the tradition Chinese medicine (TCM) ward. It was necessary to understand the proportion and related factors of depression and anxiety in the inpatients with lung cancer in TCM hospital.

Methods

This study adopted cross-sectional research method, which enrolled a total of 222 inpatients with lung cancer in TCM hospital. PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scales were used to assess depression and anxiety for the inpatients, respectively. Demographic and clinical data were also collected. Statistical methods of the univariate analysis and the multivariate logistic regression model were used.

Results

The proportion of depression and anxiety in the inpatients with lung cancer were 58.1% and 34.2%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis prompted that the common related factor of depression and anxiety was the symptom of insomnia(odds ratio [OR] 3.274, 95%CI 1.723–6.219; OR 2.201, 95%CI 1.132–4.277). Constipation and gender were the two anther-related factors of depression(OR 1.458, 95%CI 0.372–1.606; OR 1.298, 95%CI 0.151–1.588).

Conclusion

Depression and anxiety were common for the inpatients with lung cancer in TCM hospital. Gender, insomnia, and constipation were related factors for depression, and insomnia was related factor for anxiety. Therefore, medical workers should pay close attention to the emotional changes of these high-risk patients and intervene the symptoms as early as possible.
The standards of practice for delivery of polypharmacy and chronic disease medication reviews by general practice clinical pharmacists: a consensus study
Authors: Earle-Payne Katie , Forsyth Paul , Johnson Chris F. , Harrison Heather , Robertson Susan , Weidmann Anita E.
Published: March 2022

Background General practice in the UK is experiencing a crisis. Greater multidisciplinary working is a potential solution. The new general practice contract in Scotland encourages this and includes a new pharmacotherapy service to be delivered by General Practice Clinical Pharmacists (GPCPs). Consensus is lacking for the standards of practice for delivery of pharmacotherapy medication reviews (which are polypharmacy and chronic medication reviews) as part of this service. Aim To identify and validate standards of practice for polypharmacy and chronic disease medication (pharmacotherapy level 3) reviews conducted by GPCPs. Method A two-phased mixed-methods consensus methodology was used. Phase 1: An expert group of GPCPs (n = 4) and clinical pharmacist managers (n = 2) responsible for delivering the pharmacotherapy service used a Modified Nominal Group Technique to generate potential standards. Phase 2: Two-round Delphi survey involving GPCPs with ≥ 1 year of experience of working in general practice (n = 159). Results The expert group identified 44 potential standards of practice for polypharmacy and chronic disease reviews. Practicing GPCPs indicated during the Delphi phase that the 44 standards were applicable to practice. The standards of practice covered seven main categories: skills, environment, qualifications, qualities and behaviours, knowledge, process and experience. Conclusion Practicing GPCPs indicated that the standards identified by the expert group are acceptable and valid for current practice and the delivery of polypharmacy and chronic medication reviews. The application of these standards to practice may help GPCPs and general practices to ensure equitable delivery of patient care.
Kinderschutz zwischen Jugendhilfe und Medizin
Authors: Bohrer Anne-Kathrin , Lasch Katja , Haase Judith , Kindler Heinz , Schnorr Vanessa , Schrapper Christian , Witte Susanne
Published: March 2022

Der Beitrag gibt einen Einblick in das auf einer vielfältigen Datenbasis aufbauende Forschungsprojekt „Kinderschutzkarrieren“. Ziele der Studie waren die Rekonstruktion der Organisation von Kinderschutzarbeit in einer westdeutschen Großstadt an der Schnittstelle einer medizinischen Spezialeinrichtung zur Diagnostik und dem örtlichen Jugendamt. Untersucht wurden über 4000 Falldokumentationen aus 35 Jahren Kinderschutzarbeit, die Kooperationen von Medizin und Jugendamt in ausgewählten Fallverläufen, die Konstruktion des Kinderschutzkindes in den Diagnoseprozessen sowie die rückblickende Bewertung solcher Schutzmaßnahmen durch ehemalige „Kinderschutzkinder“.
Motherhood Experiences of Visually Impaired and Normally Sighted Women
Authors: Hankó Csilla , Pohárnok Melinda , Lénárd Katalin , Bíró Boglárka
Published: March 2022

The present study explores the characteristics of visually impaired mothers’ personal identities as reflected in their individual representations of motherhood taking account of the impact of the specific social context on these representations. The sample included 20 visually impaired (VI) and 21 normally sighted (NS) mothers. In line with the narrative psychological approach to motherhood, each participant gave a narrative account of her related experiences in a semi-structured interview. The transcribed responses were subjected to a thematic analysis aimed at comparing the narratives of visually impaired and normally sighted mothers’ for thematic composition in order to identify shared and impairment specific themes of motherhood experiences. The motherhood experiences were sorted into eight thematic categories: Emotions; Continuity; Personal Development; Connectedness; Challenges; Partner; Roles and Principles; and Calling/Career. While in some categories VI and NS mothers showed similar patterns of experience, such as finding a new purpose in life and developing a new role in the family with the advent of pregnancy (Personal Development), in other categories motherhood experiences were thematized differently, such as VI mothers focused on challenges posed by day-to-day situations, NS mothers were rather concerned with their children’s future (Challenges). The study presents the shared and non-shared aspects of disabled and non-disabled women’s motherhood experiences with the primary aim of demonstrating the potential impact of the prevailing sociocultural norms, and attitudes considering visually impaired mothers on their motherhood experiences.
Effects of low molecular weight organic acids on aggregation behavior of biochar colloids at acid and neutral conditions
Authors: Wang Yang , Wang Changxi , Xiong Jiayi , Zhang Qianru , Shang Jianying
Published: March 2022

Low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOAs), as active components in the rhizosphere carbon cycling, may influence the environmental behaviors of biochar colloids. This study selected the pine-wood and wheat-straw biochars (PB and WB) as two typical biochars. The effects of typical LMWOAs (oxalic acid, citric acid, and malic acid) on aggregation kinetics of PB and WB colloids were investigated under pH 4 and 6 conditions. Critical coagulation concentrations (CCCs) of both PB and WB colloids were decreased with the LMWOAs regardless of the types of biochar and the solution pH, and the most significant effect occurred in pH 4 due to more LMWOAs sorption on the biochar colloids. The different types of LMWOAs caused various CCCs changes. For example, the CCC values of PB colloids decreased from 75 mM to 56, 52, and 47 mM in the pH 4 NaCl solutions when 1 mM oxalic acid, citric acid, and malic acid were present in the suspensions, respectively. The chemical structure (functional groups) and molecular weight of LMWOAs, solution pH, and the electrophoretic mobility (EPM) of biochar co-influence the interactions between biochar colloids and LMWOAs, thus affecting the stability of biochar colloids in the presence of LMWOAs. The presence of LMWOAs accelerated the aggregation of colloidal biochar by increasing the interaction of surface bridging bonds (hydrogen bonding) and decreasing the repulsive force between colloidal biochar particles. This study showed that LMWOAs could accelerate the aggregation of biochar colloids in acidic or neutral environments and reduce the mobility of biochar colloids in soil rhizosphere.
A Combination of Residual Distribution and the Active Flux Formulations or a New Class of Schemes That Can Combine Several Writings of the Same Hyperbolic Problem: Application to the 1D Euler Equations
Authors: Abgrall R.
Published: March 2022

We show how to combine in a natural way (i.e., without any test nor switch) the conservative and non-conservative formulations of an hyperbolic system that has a conservative form. This is inspired from two different classes of schemes: the residual distribution one (Abgrall in Commun Appl Math Comput 2(3): 341–368, 2020), and the active flux formulations (Eyman and Roe in 49th AIAA Aerospace Science Meeting, 2011; Eyman in active flux. PhD thesis, University of Michigan, 2013; Helzel et al. in J Sci Comput 80(3): 35–61, 2019; Barsukow in J Sci Comput 86(1): paper No. 3, 34, 2021; Roe in J Sci Comput 73: 1094–1114, 2017). The solution is globally continuous, and as in the active flux method, described by a combination of point values and average values. Unlike the “classical” active flux methods, the meaning of the point-wise and cell average degrees of freedom is different, and hence follow different forms of PDEs; it is a conservative version of the cell average, and a possibly non-conservative one for the points. This new class of scheme is proved to satisfy a Lax-Wendroff-like theorem. We also develop a method to perform non-linear stability. We illustrate the behaviour on several benchmarks, some quite challenging.
Sustainability and Financial Crime
Authors: Ruggiero Vincenzo
Published: March 2022

Sustainable development promises a wave of new approaches to environmental and social issues due to its perceived holistic nature. New ways of producing and consuming are purported to pave the way for smooth and consensual governance and the reduction of conflicts. The diversion of finance towards sustainable development may also impact on financial crime, at least in the views of optimists who focus on the connections between the two. It is felt that there is no really sustainable finance (the alignment of financial operations with sustainable development) without developing strong and efficient means to fight financial crime. This paper examines such optimistic views, providing, first, an account of institutional strategies relating to sustainable finance, and second, an analysis of some forms of financial crime. Focusing particularly but not exclusively on the UK, a final hypothesis is then formulated around the scenario we are likely to face in the near future if the financial sphere is coopted into the arena of sustainable development.
Predictors of humoral response to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 in patients receiving maintenance dialysis
Authors: Li Tingting , Gandra Sumanth , Reske Kimberly A. , Olsen Margaret A. , Bommarito Silvana , Miller Candace , Hock Karl G. , Ballman Claire A. , Su Christina , Le Dang Na , Kwon Jennie H. , Warren David K. , Fraser Victoria J. , Farnsworth Christopher W. ,   for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Epicenters Program
Published: March 2022

Objective:

Patients on dialysis are at high risk for severe COVID-19 and associated morbidity and mortality. We examined the humoral response to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 in a maintenance dialysis population.

Design:

Single-center cohort study.

Setting and participants:

Adult maintenance dialysis patients at 3 outpatient dialysis units of a large academic center.

Methods:

Participants were vaccinated with 2 doses of BNT162b2, 3 weeks apart. We assessed anti–SARS-CoV-2 spike antibodies (anti-S) ∼4–7 weeks after the second dose and evaluated risk factors associated with insufficient response. Definitions of antibody response are as follows: nonresponse (anti-S level, <50 AU/mL), low response (anti-S level, 50–839 AU/mL), and sufficient response (anti-S level, ≥840 AU/mL).

Results:

Among the 173 participants who received 2 vaccine doses, the median age was 60 years (range, 28–88), 53.2% were men, 85% were of Black race, 86% were on in-center hemodialysis and 14% were on peritoneal dialysis. Also, 7 participants (4%) had no response, 27 (15.6%) had a low response, and 139 (80.3%) had a sufficient antibody response. In multivariable analysis, factors significantly associated with insufficient antibody response included end-stage renal disease comorbidity index score ≥5 and absence of prior hepatitis B vaccination response.

Conclusions:

Although most of our study participants seroconverted after 2 doses of BNT162b2, 20% of our cohort did not achieve sufficient humoral response. Our findings demonstrate the urgent need for a more effective vaccine strategy in this high-risk patient population and highlight the importance of ongoing preventative measures until protective immunity is achieved.
Prevalence of COVID-19 in West Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia: A Population-Based Retrospective Study
Authors: Adane Tiruneh , Adugna Yonnas , Aynalem Melak
Published: March 2022

Objective:

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread rapidly around the world, affecting every community directly or indirectly. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the prevalence of COVID-19 infection in the population of the West Gondar zone.

Method:

A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2020 to January 2021, in the West Gondar zone, Northwest Ethiopia. Records of study participants with required information like age, gender, travel history, type of specimen taken, and site of specimen taken were included. For analysis, the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20 software was used. Descriptive statistics were summarized as percentages and means ± standard deviation. The chi-squared test is used to compare categorical data.

Results:

A total of 1,166 participants were enrolled in this study. Of them, 16 individuals had positive results, giving a prevalence of 1.37% (95% CI: 0.66-2.08). Living in an urban area (P-value = 0.035) and being female (P-value = 0.045) was statistically associated with the positive rate for COVID-19.

Conclusions:

This study revealed a low prevalence of COVID-19 infection in the study area despite the increasing and rapid dissemination of the disease. State-wide population prevalence study should be done to estimate the general prevalence of COVID-19 in Ethiopia.