bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Green Binary Solvent Method to Control Organic Semiconductor Crystallization
Authors: Sun Li , Li Tianyu , Zhou Jiajian , Li Wenhao , Wu Zhongming , Niu Ruikun , Cheng Jinxiang , Asare‐Yeboah Kyeiwaa , He Zhengran
Published: January 2023

While solution‐processed small‐molecular organic semiconductors have been reported with significant research progress, their random crystal orientations and abundant defects at grain boundaries remain as a major obstacle to achieving high performance in organic electronic devices. In this paper, we demonstrate a binary solvent method that comprises a green solvent to manipulate the crystal alignment, morphology and charge transport of organic semiconductors. 6,13‐bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl) pentacene (TIPS pentacene) was studied as an example to showcase the enlargement of grain width and millimeter‐scale alignment of organic crystals based on the toluene/n‐amyl acetate binary solvents. At an optimized volume ratio of 3 : 1, the toluene/n‐amyl acetate binary solvent gave rise to a 4‐fold reduction in misorientation angle and approximately 40 % increase in the grain width. UV‐visible spectroscopy confirmed strong H‐aggregations with more favorable intrachain interaction and charge transport in TIPS pentacene. X‐ray diffraction showed enhanced peak intensities in (00 l) type of reflections and improved film crystallinity. Finally, thin film transistors were demonstrated to test the charge transport in the TIPS pentacene organic crystals. This work demonstrates the binary green solvent method can effectively regulate the organic semiconductor crystallization and alignment even in the absence of external alignment techniques such as solution shearing, and thereby sheds light on advancing facile organic electronic applications.
Preventive Effect of 3,3′‐Dimethoxy‐4,4′‐dihydroxystilbene Triazole against Alzheimer's Disease by Inhibition of Neuronal Apoptosis
Authors: Li Qi , Alotaibi Saad H. , Wei Yan , Lone Ali Mohd
Published: January 2023

The present study investigated 3,3′‐dimethoxy‐4,4′‐dihydroxy‐stilbene triazole (DMDHSB) in vitro for alleviation of β‐amyloid mediated damage to the PC12 neuronal cells. Exposure of PC12 cells to DMDHSB significantly (P<0.05) reversed β‐amyloid induced loss of viability of PC12 cells in dose‐dependent manner. Moreover, DMDHSB exposure significantly (P<0.05) inhibited over production of PGE2 activated by β‐amyloid in PC12 cells. The β‐amyloid promoted higher levels of COX‐2 and NO were also down‐regulated in PC12 cells on exposure to DMDHSB. The exposure to DMDHSB led to a significant (P<0.05) inhibition of β‐amyloid promoted higher expression of iNOS. The β‐amyloid promoted higher release of iNOS was effectively alleviated by DMDHSB exposure in PC12 cells. In DMDHSB exposed PC12 cells, the β‐amyloid promoted elevation of NF‐κB nuclear translocation was effectively prevented compared to the control. It was observed from the docking studies that one‐pose of DMDHSB interacted with COX‐2 protein at binding affinity of −9.6 kcal/mol at 0‐rmsd. Thus, β‐amyloid promoted loss of PC12 cell viability is prevented on DMDHSB exposure through targeting inflammatory response. Therefore, DMDHSB may be developed as therapeutic candidate for investigation in detail against Alzheimer's disease.
Experimental and Computational Characterisation of the Molecular Interactions between 1‐Butyl‐1‐methyl‐pyrrolidin‐1‐ium bis(trifluoromethanesulphonyl)imide and Human Serum Albumin
Authors: Saraswat Juhi , Kumar Shiv , Alzahrani Khalid Ahmed , Malik Maqsood Ahmad , Patel Rajan
Published: January 2023

Recently, ionic liquids (ILs) have emerged as a therapeutic agent for industrial‐based pharmacology. In this regard, the current study highlights the key aspects of IL, (1‐butyl‐1‐methyl‐pyrrolidine‐1‐ium bis(trifluoromethanesulphonyl)imide), [Pyr C4 NTf3−] such as pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. We performed a detailed experimental and computational analysis of [Pyr C4 NTf3−] with human serum albumin (HSA) using various spectroscopic techniques viz. UV‐vis, steady‐state fluorescence, synchronous fluorescence, time‐resolved fluorescence, steady‐state anisotropy and tensiometry study along with molecular docking. Absorption and emission spectral studies revealed the complex formation between [Pyr C4 NTf3−] and HSA where the binding constant (Kb) was found to be 5.5×103 Lmol−1. Thermodynamic parameters, Gibb's free energy change (ΔG), molar enthalpy change (ΔH), and molar entropy change (ΔS) revealed that the complex formation process is spontaneous, and enthalpy driven where involvement of hydrogen bond and van der Waal forces play a major role. Further, CD spectroscopy and ANS experiment showed the stability of HSA in presence of [Pyr C4 NTf3−]. A site marker study suggested that the binding of [Pyr C4 NTf3−] occurred at site II in HSA which is well supported by a molecular docking study. Also, MD simulation was done which revealed the stability of the complex formed between HSA and [Pyr C4 NTf3−]. The study might help in utilizing [Pyr C4 NTf3−], IL as a therapeutic agent in the pharmaceutical industries.
Immunomodulation with Nucleic Acid Nanodevices
Authors: Ding Fei , Zhang Shuangye , Chen Qian , Feng Hao , Ge Zhilei , Zuo Xiaolei , Fan Chunhai , Li Qian , Xia Qiang
Published: January 2023

The precise regulation of interactions of specific immunological components is crucial for controllable immunomodulation, yet it remains a great challenge. With the assistance of advanced computer design, programmable nucleic acid nanotechnology enables the customization of synthetic nucleic acid nanodevices with unprecedented geometrical and functional precision, which have shown promising potential for precise immunoengineering. Notably, the inherently immunologic functions of nucleic acids endow these nucleic acid‐based assemblies with innate advantages in immunomodulatory engagement. In this review, the roles of nucleic acids in innate immunity are discussed, focusing on the definition, immunologic modularity, and enhanced bioavailability of structural nucleic acid nanodevices. In light of this, molecular programming and precise organization of functional modules with nucleic acid nanodevices for immunomodulation are emphatically reviewed. At last, the present challenges and future perspectives of nucleic acid nanodevices for immunomodulation are discussed.
Charge Steering in Heterojunction Photocatalysis: General Principles, Design, Construction, and Challenges
Authors: Eshete Mesfin , Li Xiyu , Yang Li , Wang Xijun , Zhang Jinxiao , Xie Liyan , Deng Linjie , Zhang Guozhen , Jiang Jun
Published: January 2023

Steering charge kinetics is a key to optimizing quantum efficiency. Advancing the design of photocatalysts (ranging from single semiconductor to multicomponent semiconductor junctions) that promise improved photocatalytic performance for converting solar to chemical energy, entails mastery of increasingly more complicated processes. Indeed, charge kinetics become more complex as both charge generation and charge consumption may occur simultaneously on different components, generally with charges being transferred from one component to another. Capturing detailed charge dynamics information in each heterojunction would provide numerous significant benefits for applications and has been needed for a long time. Here, the steering of charge kinetics by modulating charge energy states in the design of semiconductor–metal‐interface‐based heterogeneous photocatalysts is focused. These phenomena can be delineated by separating heterojunctions into classes exhibiting either Schottky/ohmic or plasmonic effects. General principles for the design and construction of heterojunction photocatalysts, including recent advances in the interfacing of semiconductors with graphene, carbon quantum dots, and graphitic carbon nitride are presented. Their limitations and possible future outlook are brought forward to further instruct the field in designing highly efficient photocatalysts.
Boost the Efficiency of Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 Solar Cell by Using Mn2+‐Induced Ultrathin CdS Buffer Layer
Authors: Xu Haoyu , Gao Haifeng , Ma Yujiao , Zhou Qing , Sun Yuzhou , Gao Chao , Yu Wei
Published: January 2023

In this article, the efficiency of CZTSSe solar cell is improved by adding manganese chloride in the deposition solution of the CdS buffer layer. The mechanisms behind the experimental results are investigated. On one hand, the MnCl2 can facilitate the deposition of an ultrathin (≈10 nm) CdS buffer layer. The decreased thickness of the buffer layer can reduce the parasitic absorption loss of the solar cell. As the result, the short‐circuit current density of the solar cell is increased. On the other hand, the Mn2+ in the deposition solution can diffuse into the CZTSSe layer during the deposition of the buffer layer. The incorporation of Mn in CZTSSe would decrease the acceptor level of CZTSSe, reduce the defects at the CZTSSe/CdS interface, and increase the activation energy for the main recombination path in CZTSSe solar cell. These can lead to the reduction of the carrier recombination in the depletion region of the solar cell. As the result, the open‐circuit voltage of CZTSSe solar cell is improved. By using the ultrathin CdS buffer layers, the efficiency of CZTSSe solar cell is improved from 10.0% to 12.0% (active area efficiency).
Mechanisms for Radiation Resistance of InP Photovoltaic Cells: A First Principle Study
Authors: Chen Xiaochi , Li Lei , Ren Hao
Published: January 2023

Herein, the mechanisms for radiation resistance of InP are investigated using first‐principle computational methods. It is found that the substantial recovery of post‐irradiated solar cells is attributed to the minority‐carrier‐injection‐enhanced annealing of the negative‐U defects, phosphorus vacancies, which produce the (0/−) and (+/0) level corresponding to the deep‐level transient spectroscopy signature H4 and E11, respectively. P vacancies can annihilate with P interstitials at low temperature, where by alternately capturing carrier with opposite sign P, interstitials become highly mobile upon minority‐carrier injection. By such Bourgoin diffusion mechanism, the calculated barrier for P interstitial migration and P Frenkel pair recombination are lowered to 0.04 and 0.16 eV, respectively. The results agree fairy well with experimental observations.
Atomically Dispersed Alkaline‐Earth Metals as Active Centers for CO2 Electroreduction to Exclusively Produce Formate
Authors: Wu Donghai , Wu Jiarui , Lv Peng , Li Haobo , Chu Ke , Ma Dongwei
Published: January 2023

Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) to produce formate (HCOOH) attracts special interest in the upgrade of waste CO2. For the selective CO2 conversion into HCOOH, the preferable binding of *OCHO compared with *COOH is a prerequisite, which presents a great challenge to the rational design of the catalytic active center. Recently, alkaline‐earth (AE) metals as active centers have been reported for electrocatalysis. Herein, the feasibility of AE metals as active centers in heterogeneous catalysis for electrocatalytic CO2RR toward HCOOH based on a series of AE metal single‐atom catalysts (SACs) is theoretically studied. High‐throughput first‐principles calculations reveal that, for all the studied systems, the AE metal active centers preferably adsorb *OCHO, enabling exclusive HCOOH production. Especially, Mg SACs embedded in graphene and Ca SAC anchored in g‐C2N can efficiently convert CO2 into HCOOH under near‐zero potential, and both systems exhibit high stability. Mechanistic investigation indicates that the AE metal active centers are highly ionic, which can strongly bind *OCHO mainly through the electrostatic attraction interaction. This study lays a theoretical foundation for the rational design of AE metal SACs for efficient CO2 electroreduction with exclusive HCOOH selectivity, and further emphasizes the potential of AE metals as active centers in heterogeneous catalysis.
A new Bayesian lasso and ridge regression with a practically meaningful parameterization and a simple weakly informative prior
Authors: Liao Jiangang
Published: January 2023

Bayesian lasso mimics the regular lasso penalty by placing a double‐exponential prior on the regression coefficients. It automatically provides integrated interval estimates that the regular lasso does not do. Bayesian lasso has found many applications from genetics and genomics to text categorization to traffic safety. The difficulty in specifying a sensible prior for the rate of the double exponential distribution for a particular application, however, is a significant barrier for the wider use of this methodology. This paper proposes a new Bayesian lasso formulation. Instead of using the rate of the double exponential distribution, the new formulation uses a standardized total effect size as the parameter that determines the level of shrinkage with several significant advantages. First, an informative prior is more effectively constructed and understood for this practically meaningful parameter. Second, a weakly informative prior for this new parameter is derived, which allows a practicing statistician to carry out the analysis in an automated way when an informative prior is difficult to elucidate. Third, it is more flexible in modelling prior distributions. A parallel new formulation for Bayesian ridge regression is also provided. A simple and efficient Stan implementation is supplied that can be readily used.
Design of advanced aerogel structures for oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalysis
Authors: Peles‐Strahl Leigh , Persky Yeela , Elbaz Lior
Published: January 2023

Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is considered the bottleneck reaction in fuel cells. Its sluggish kinetics requires the use of scarce and expensive platinum group metal (PGM) catalysts. Significant efforts have been invested in trying to find a PGM‐free catalyst to replace Pt for this reaction or reduce its loadings. One interesting family of materials that has shown great promise in doing so is aerogels, which are based on covalent frameworks. The aerogels’ high surface area and porosity enable good mass transport and high catalyst utilization that is expected to lower PGM loadings or replacing them completely. This review summarizes recent research in this field, introducing methods of using aerogels as cathodes for ORR, from carbon to metal aerogels. The catalytic sites vary from nanoparticles to atomically dispersed metal ions embedded in carbon aerogels that form all‐in‐one platform which can serve as both the support and the catalyst.
Cadmium modulates steatosis, fibrosis, and oncogenic signaling in liver cancer cells by activating notch and AKT/mTOR pathways
Authors: Niture Suryakant , Gadi Sashi , Lin Minghui , Qi Qi , Niture Samiksha S. , Moore John T. , Bodnar Wanda , Fernando Reshan A. , Levine Keith E. , Kumar Deepak
Published: January 2023

Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental pollutant that increases hepatotoxicity and the risk of liver diseases. In the current study, we investigated the effect of a physiologically relevant, low concentration of Cd on the regulation of liver cancer cell proliferation, steatosis, and fibrogenic/oncogenic signaling. Exposure to low concentrations of Cd increased endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and enhanced cell proliferation in a human bipotent progenitor cell line HepaRG and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines. Acute exposure of Cd increased Jagged‐1 expression and activated Notch signaling in HepaRG and HCC cells HepG2 and SK‐Hep1. Cd activated AKT/mTOR signaling by increasing phosphorylation of AKT‐S473 and mTOR‐S‐4448 residues. Moreover, a low concentration of Cd also promoted cell steatosis and induced fibrogenic signaling in HCC cells. Chronic exposure to low concentrations of Cd‐activated Notch and AKT/mTOR signaling induced the expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNFα) and its downstream target TNF‐α‐Induced Protein 8 (TNFAIP8). RNA‐Seq data revealed that chronic exposure to low concentrations of Cd modulated the expression of several fatty liver disease‐related genes involved in cell steatosis/fibrosis in HepaRG and HepG2 cells. Collectively, our data suggest that low concentrations of Cd modulate steatosis along with fibrogenic and oncogenic signaling in HCC cells by activating Notch and AKT/mTOR pathways.
Syngas production from thermochemical conversion of mixed food waste: A review
Authors: Yadav Sanjeev , Katiyar Priyanka , Mesfer Mohammed K. Al , Danish Mohd
Published: January 2023

Lately, the generation of leftover food or cooked food waste has turned out to be a critical issue and its disposal in an environmental friendly way has been a challenge. This food waste is being sent for incineration and landfilling which results in a significant contribution to environmental pollution. Therefore, alternative methods for processing food waste in an environmentally benign way have been explored by many researchers. Thermochemical methods are one of those methods and are found to be promising for not only handling the food waste in an ecological way but also producing renewable energy efficiently in the form of bio‐oil and syngas along with a solid byproduct, that is, biochar. However, the generation of syngas is favored by only two thermochemical processes, fast pyrolysis, and gasification. Some derived processes such as co‐pyrolysis, and co‐gasification can also generate syngas. All these processes for syngas generation differ from each other in terms of process conditions (temperature, reaction agents, and residence time) and syngas quality generated (amount of syngas produced, syngas composition, and heating capacity). Additionally, supercritical water gasification is the latest process developed for processing food waste to generate syngas with much higher hydrogen fraction; however, it produces syngas with less yield and involves high operational costs.

This article is categorized under:

Sustainable Energy > Bioenergy

Emerging Technologies > New Fuels

Sustainable Development > Energy‐Water‐Food Nexus
Suez and the United States: Oil, Lifelines, and “All of Mankind” in the Cold War
Authors: Dietrich Christopher R. W.
Published: January 2023

This chapter analyzes the rhetoric and policy of U.S. officials regarding oil and the Suez Canal during the early Cold War. When William J. Casey warned experts that the 1970s energy crisis was “a strategy of progressive strangulation” and that American military power was the best response, he drew on a decades-long set of beliefs that identified the Suez Canal as an artery for the economic health of “the West.” According to that perspective—which took root after World War II and drew on earlier strategic discourses of the British Empire—the supply of cheap oil was crucial to the political-economic health and national security of the capitalist world. Beginning with the threat of economic nationalism and the creation of the concepts of a “world oil market” and interdependence, that powerfully ingrained perception is critical to our understanding of twentieth century international history.
A black hole solution in conformal supergravity
Authors: Alvarez Pedro D. , Corral Cristóbal , Zanelli Jorge
Published: January 2023

Abstract

We present a three-parameter family of analytic black-hole solutions in the bosonic sector of a four-dimensional supersymmetric model with matter fields in the adjoint representation. The solutions are endowed with a curvature and torsional singularities which are both surrounded by an event horizon. They are asymptotically Lorentz flat, representing the torsional generalization of the Riegert black hole in conformal gravity. We compute the partition function to first order in the saddle-point approximation which turns out to be finite without any reference to boundary counterterms. We find a non-maximmally symmetric thermalized ground state, whose existence is relevant when studying Hawking-Page phase transitions. Finally, we discuss future directions regarding its extended phase space.
Scalar-singlet assisted leptogenesis with CP violation from the vacuum
Authors: Barreiros D. M. , Câmara H. B. , Felipe R. G. , Joaquim F. R.
Published: January 2023

Abstract

In the vanilla type-I seesaw leptogenesis scenario, CP violation required to generate the lepton asymmetries in the heavy Majorana neutrino decays stem from complex Dirac-type Yukawa couplings. In this paper we explore the case in which that CP violation originates from the vacuum expectation value of a complex scalar singlet at a very high scale. This non-trivial CP-violating phase can be successfully communicated to the low-energy neutrino sector via the heavy neutrino portal. The new scalar-singlet degrees of freedom generate new contributions to the CP asymmetries relevant for leptogenesis not only at the one-loop level but also through tree-level three-body decays. These are computed here for an arbitrary number of heavy neutrinos, Higgs doublets and scalar singlets. We also take into account the new decays and scattering processes that enter the unflavoured Boltzmann equations governing the heavy-neutrino particle densities and the (B – L)-asymmetry evolution. Having established the framework of interest, we present a simple model with two RH neutrinos, two Higgs doublets and a complex scalar singlet, supplemented with aƵ8flavour symmetry. This symmetry minimises the number of free parameters without compromising the possibility of spontaneous CP violation and compatibility with neutrino data. In fact, the only viableƵ8charge assignment shows a preference for a non-trivial spontaneous CP-violating phase, which in turn leads to a non-vanishing CP asymmetry due to the direct link between high- and low-energy CP violation. An interesting feature of this simple setup is that the usual wave and vertex type-I seesaw contributions to the CP asymmetry vanish due to theƵ8symmetry. Thus, the observed baryon-to-photon ratio can be explained thanks to the new couplings among the heavy neutrinos and the new scalar degrees of freedom.
T-duality of D-brane versus O-plane actions
Authors: Hosseini Mohammad R. , Garousi Mohammad R.
Published: January 2023

Abstract

It is known that, in the static gauge, the world-volume and the transverse Kaluza-Klein (KK) reductions of the O-plane effective actions on a circle satisfy the T-duality constraint for arbitrary base space background. In this paper we show that due to the presence of the second fundamental form in the D-brane couplings at order α′ and higher, the T-duality is satisfied only for a subclass of the couplings for arbitrary base space background. They are m = 0 couplings where m is the number of $$ \overset{\sim }{B} $$

B
~

-field (without derivative on it). For m > 0 couplings, the base space metric must be block-diagonal and the momentum U(1) vector field in the transverse reduction must be zero. However, the derivatives of the metric and the vector field are arbitrary.

Using the assumption that the effective actions at the critical dimension are background independent, we then show that the T-duality constraint for the couplings at order α′ and for m = 0, fixes completely both bulk and boundary actions. These couplings indicate that the propagators of the massless open string fields receive α′-correction. We have also imposed the T-duality constraint on m = 1, 2, 3, 4 couplings. Because of the above restriction on the base space background in these cases, however, the T-duality can only partially fix the couplings for m > 0. This study shows that the Dirac-Born-Infeld (DBI) factor appears in both bulk and boundary actions at order α′.
Age-dependent effects on palate volume and morphology during orthodontic RME treatment
Authors: Kinzinger Gero Stefan Michael , Lisson Jörg Alexander , Buschhoff Charlotte , Hourfar Jan
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) shows different age-dependent effects. It has been shown that RME leads to a parallel expansion prior to the age of 10, while later and especially from the age of 12, a V-shaped expansion happens (transverse, anterior > posterior; horizontal, inferior > superior). However, it is not clear to what extent these effects influence palatal volume and morphology and eventually maxillary functional space. The aim of the present study was to examine possible age-related effects of treatment with a dental anchored RME appliance upon volume and width/height ratio of the anterior and posterior palate.

Materials and methods

Sixty children and adolescents with documented treatment histories after RME were divided into three equal groups according to age at treatment begin (PG 1, < 10 years, n=20; PG 2, 10 ≤ 12 years, n=20; PG 3, > 12 years, n=20). Maxillary dental casts before and after therapy were digitised. Changes in palatal volume were determined using 3D analyses.

Results

In all patients, the palatal volume increases significantly after RME. Older patients experienced smaller increases in total and posterior volume in absolute and percentage terms. The anterior palate volume increases are almost equal in all patients. Since palatal width increases more markedly than palatal height, the width/height ratio always increases. Except for the posterior region in PG 3, its increase is significant in all groups, both anteriorly and posteriorly. After successful RME, the palatal morphology appears normal anteriorly in PG 1, PG 2 and PG 3 and rather steep posteriorly in PG 3.

Conclusions

RME treatment with identical force application causes different, age-dependent effects upon palate volume and morphology. Width changes have a greater influence on palate volume than height changes.

Clinical relevance

It is preferable to use an RME prior to the age of 10 if homogeneous changes of the anterior and posterior palate regarding maxillary symmetry and functional space are desired.
Ratings and experiences in using a mobile application to increase physical activity among university students: implications for future design
Authors: Figueroa Caroline A. , Gomez-Pathak Laura , Khan Imran , Williams Joseph Jay , Lyles Courtney R. , Aguilera Adrian
Published: January 2023

University students have low levels of physical activity and are at risk of mental health disorders. Mobile apps to encourage physical activity can help students, who are frequent smartphone-users, to improve their physical and mental health. Here we report students’ qualitative feedback on a physical activity smartphone app with motivational text messaging. We provide recommendations for the design of future apps. 103 students used the app for 6 weeks in the context of a clinical trial (NCT04440553) and answered open-ended questions before the start of the study and at follow-up. A subsample (n = 39) provided additional feedback via text message, and a phone interview (n = 8). Questions focused on the perceived encouragement and support by the app, text messaging content, and recommendations for future applications. We analyzed all transcripts for emerging themes using qualitative coding in Dedoose. The majority of participants were female (69.9%), Asian or Pacific Islander (53.4%), with a mean age of 20.2 years, and 63% had elevated depressive symptoms. 26% felt encouraged or neutral toward the app motivating them to be more physically active. Participants liked messages on physical activity benefits on (mental) health, encouraging them to complete their goal, and feedback on their activity. Participants disliked messages that did not match their motivations for physical activity and their daily context (e.g., time, weekday, stress). Physical activity apps for students should be adapted to their motivations, changing daily context, and mental health issues. Feedback from this sample suggests a key to effectiveness is finding effective ways to personalize digital interventions.
A cell-based framework for modeling cardiac mechanics
Authors: Telle Åshild , Trotter James D. , Cai Xing , Finsberg Henrik , Kuchta Miroslav , Sundnes Joakim , Wall Samuel T.
Published: January 2023

Cardiomyocytes are the functional building blocks of the heart—yet most models developed to simulate cardiac mechanics do not represent the individual cells and their surrounding matrix. Instead, they work on a homogenized tissue level, assuming that cellular and subcellular structures and processes scale uniformly. Here we present a mathematical and numerical framework for exploring tissue-level cardiac mechanics on a microscale given an explicit three-dimensional geometrical representation of cells embedded in a matrix. We defined a mathematical model over such a geometry and parametrized our model using publicly available data from tissue stretching and shearing experiments. We then used the model to explore mechanical differences between the extracellular and the intracellular space. Through sensitivity analysis, we found the stiffness in the extracellular matrix to be most important for the intracellular stress values under contraction. Strain and stress values were observed to follow a normal-tangential pattern concentrated along the membrane, with substantial spatial variations both under contraction and stretching. We also examined how it scales to larger size simulations, considering multicellular domains. Our work extends existing continuum models, providing a new geometrical-based framework for exploring complex cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions.
Effects of geometric individualisation of a human spine model on load sharing: neuro-musculoskeletal simulation reveals significant differences in ligament and muscle contribution
Authors: Meszaros-Beller Laura , Hammer Maria , Riede Julia M. , Pivonka Peter , Little J. Paige , Schmitt Syn
Published: January 2023

In spine research, two possibilities to generate models exist: generic (population-based) models representing the average human and subject-specific representations of individuals. Despite the increasing interest in subject specificity, individualisation of spine models remains challenging. Neuro-musculoskeletal (NMS) models enable the analysis and prediction of dynamic motions by incorporating active muscles attaching to bones that are connected using articulating joints under the assumption of rigid body dynamics. In this study, we used forward-dynamic simulations to compare a generic NMS multibody model of the thoracolumbar spine including fully articulated vertebrae, detailed musculature, passive ligaments and linear intervertebral disc (IVD) models with an individualised model to assess the contribution of individual biological structures. Individualisation was achieved by integrating skeletal geometry from computed tomography and custom-selected muscle and ligament paths. Both models underwent a gravitational settling process and a forward flexion-to-extension movement. The model-specific load distribution in an equilibrated upright position and local stiffness in the L4/5 functional spinal unit (FSU) is compared. Load sharing between occurring internal forces generated by individual biological structures and their contribution to the FSU stiffness was computed. The main finding of our simulations is an apparent shift in load sharing with individualisation from an equally distributed element contribution of IVD, ligaments and muscles in the generic spine model to a predominant muscle contribution in the individualised model depending on the analysed spine level.
Gestörte Frühgravidität
Authors: Zippl Anna Lena , Aulitzky Anna , Braun Anne-Sophie , Feil Katharina , Toth Bettina
Published: January 2023

Eine Schwangerschaft kann intrauterin, ektop oder an einem unklaren Ort liegen und entwicklungsphysiologisch vital oder gestört sein. Die transvaginale Sonographie ermöglicht die Darstellung einer intrauterinen Schwangerschaft ab einem Schwellenwert des humanen Choriongonadotropins (hCG) von 1000 IU/l in der etwa sechsten Schwangerschaftswoche (SSW). Ektope Schwangerschaften sind abhängig von der SSW gegebenenfalls erschwert sonographisch erkennbar. Der Verlauf des hCG-Werts kann hilfreich dabei sein, eine physiologische von einer gestörten Frühschwangerschaft zu unterscheiden, muss aber immer in Zusammenschau mit der Klinik und dem Ultraschallbefund interpretiert werden. Bei einem frühen Abort kann abhängig von der Klinik exspektativ oder medikamentös vorgegangen werden. Die Indikation zur Kürettage sollte insgesamt zurückhaltend gestellt werden. Bei einer ektopen Schwangerschaft sollte abhängig von SSW und Klinik eine operative Therapie oder eine Methotrexattherapie durchgeführt werden.
Comparative Analysis of Water Extraction Mechanism in Roman Mines
Authors: Fortes-Garrido J. C. , Rodríguez-Pérez A. M. , Hernández-Torres J. A. , Caparrós-Mancera J. J. , Dávila-Martín J. M. , Castilla-Gutiérrez J.
Published: January 2023

The removal of water from mines was one of the key issues that former miners had to deal with. Roman colonists brought new technology to the Iberian Peninsula that addressed this problem. However, they did not invent this technology because it had already been applied to the growth of other endeavours in the Hellenistic society throughout the Eastern Mediterranean. In the mine, the Archimedes screw, waterwheels, bucket pulleys, and Ctesibius pumps were the primary drainage systems. In this essay, the primary characteristics, and modes of operation of machines are examined. Without leaving out the most significant finds made in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, one of the regions with the longest history of mining exploitation. To serve as a foundation for future research in this field, this work compares the primary mining mechanisms in ancient Huelva on a qualitative and quantitative level by the implementation of a TOPSIS methodology, a multi-criteria decision analysis method.
The productivity tax of new office concepts: a comparative review of open-plan offices, activity-based working, and single-office concepts
Authors: Gerlitz Andrea , Hülsbeck Marcel
Published: January 2023

This systematic review critically analyzes the relationship between office concepts and individual and organizational performance. Based on the current literature, we identify seven key dimensions to guide our understanding: office concept, work, personality fit, satisfaction, health, control paradigm, and enabling paradigm. Our systematic search yielded 429 published papers on office concepts and performance between 2005 and 2022. Rigorous selection criteria narrowed them down to 46 empirical articles included in this analysis. The results show that activity-based working not only negatively impacts performance but also affects employee satisfaction and health. Open-plan offices can reduce real-estate costs but lead to lower performance levels, thereby imposing a tax on productivity which outweighs the initial cost savings. Activity-based working has the potential to enhance collaboration and interaction but is dependent on a professional and proactive management. In most cases, especially for knowledge workers, the single office turns out to be the environment in which employees show the best individual and organizational performance.
Assessment of heavy metal pollution in marine sediments from southwest of Mallorca island, Spain
Authors: Ardila Pedro Agustín Robledo , Alonso Rebeca Álvarez , Valsero Juan José Durán , García Raquel Morales , Cabrera Flor Árcega , Cosío Elisabeth Lamas , Laforet Sergio Durán
Published: January 2023

Anthropogenic activities in urban, agrarian, or industrial areas are the main cause of heavy metals in sediments worldwide. Since the 1960s, there have been submarine discharges through outfalls of poorly treated or untreated wastewater on the south coast of Mallorca island (Mediterranean Sea). In this study, the pollution of marine sediments is analyzed at a great number of points on the south of the seacoast. Heavy metal concentrations of As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Se, V, and Zn, total inorganic carbon (TIC), sulfur, mineralogy, and grain size were analyzed. The objective is to evaluate the concentrations of toxic substances and their spatial distribution and ranges that can negatively affect marine ecosystems and human health. In addition, the results obtained have been compared with standardized indices for marine sediments, and a regional index has been developed with the background values of heavy metals obtained in the sediments of the study area. To obtain consistent conclusions, concentrations of heavy metals were classified with the Igeo Index. The concentrations of heavy metals obtained show that a great number of samples exceeded the limits considered for uncontaminated sediments according to the index applied. Elements such as Hg, Ba, Pb, and Cu showed high concentrations close to the outfalls and lower concentrations in zones far from these points. To support the assessment, chemical processes such as dissolution or chemical precipitation have been studied. The results also show that marine sediments can be a good trap for chemical elements and a good proxy to analyze the impact of anthropogenic activities in areas heavily pressured by humans, and the risk to the environment and human health.
Communication science in Türkiye: how communication research and education developed over the years
Authors: Alver Füsun , Sarısakaloğlu Aynur
Published: January 2023

In Türkiye, communication science falls under the category of social sciences and is regarded as an interdisciplinary scientific field focused on empirical research. The field is influenced by communication science developments of the West in terms of developing theories and methodology, and it faces challenges when it comes to the systematisation of theories and research methods created by different research traditions; their critical evaluation, development, and the failure to put theories to practical use. In order to ascertain the present condition of the field, this article explores the institutionalisation of communication science at universities and its potential tendencies as an academic field of study, its research trends, and the characteristics of communication science studies.
Moral Perfection as the Counterfeit of Virtue
Authors: Harris Thorian R.
Published: January 2023

It is sometimes assumed that the best people—those whom it would be appropriate to admire and emulate—ought to be free of all moral defects. Numerous contemporary scholars have attributed this assumption to the early Confucian philosophers with moral perfection said to be a necessary condition for sagehood. Drawing upon the early Confucian literature I will argue in support of two claims. The first is that the early Confucians did not insist on the moral perfection of the sage; on the contrary, the sage was explicitly understood to be morally fallible. The second claim is that the early Confucians were right to reject moral perfection as a suitable ideal. I conclude with a discussion of the relative merits of taking “love of learning” (haoxue好學)—rather than moral perfection—as one’s ideal.
Placebo effects during the waiting period for psychotherapy in patients with depression
Authors: Schienle Anne , Jurinec Nina
Published: January 2023

Patients with mental health problems typically have to wait for psychological therapies. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a placebo administered to patients with depression while they were waiting for cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sixty-seven patients were randomly assigned to a three-week waiting period with or without treatment with a take-home placebo for daily usage (herbal medicine to mobilize the body’s natural healing powers to be taken orally). Symptoms of depression (self-rated and clinician-rated) were assessed at the beginning and end of the waiting period. Moreover, each week the patients evaluated levels of energy, concentration, relaxation, well-being, and sleep quality. The placebo group showed a greater reduction in symptoms of depression (self-rated and clinician-rated) compared to the standard group. Moreover, placebo treatment was associated with improved overall well-being during the waiting period. In conclusion, placebo treatment can make the wait time for psychotherapy more tolerable for patients with depression.

Clinical trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00028118)
Machine learning-based social media bot detection: a comprehensive literature review
Authors: Aljabri Malak , Zagrouba Rachid , Shaahid Afrah , Alnasser Fatima , Saleh Asalah , Alomari Dorieh M.
Published: January 2023

In today’s digitalized era, Online Social Networking platforms are growing to be a vital aspect of each individual’s daily life. The availability of the vast amount of information and their open nature attracts the interest of cybercriminals to create malicious bots. Malicious bots in these platforms are automated or semi-automated entities used in nefarious ways while simulating human behavior. Moreover, such bots pose serious cyber threats and security concerns to society and public opinion. They are used to exploit vulnerabilities for illicit benefits such as spamming, fake profiles, spreading inappropriate/false content, click farming, hashtag hijacking, and much more. Cybercriminals and researchers are always engaged in an arms race as new and updated bots are created to thwart ever-evolving detection technologies. This literature review attempts to compile and compare the most recent advancements in Machine Learning-based techniques for the detection and classification of bots on five primary social media platforms namely Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Weibo. We bring forth a concise overview of all the supervised, semi-supervised, and unsupervised methods, along with the details of the datasets provided by the researchers. Additionally, we provide a thorough breakdown of the extracted feature categories. Furthermore, this study also showcases a brief rundown of the challenges and opportunities encountered in this field, along with prospective research directions and promising angles to explore.
Chaotic light scattering around extremal black holes
Authors: Kluitenberg Martijn , Roest Diederik , Seri Marcello
Published: January 2023

We show that the scattering of light in the field of $$N\ge 3$$

N
≥
3

static extremal black holes is chaotic in the planar case. The relativistic dynamics of such extremal objects reduce to that of a classical Hamiltonian system. Certain values of the dilaton coupling then allow one to apply techniques from symbolic dynamics and classical potential scattering. This results in a lower bound on the topological entropy of order $$\log (N-1)$$

log
(
N
-
1
)

, thus proving the emergence of chaotic scattering for $$N \ge 3$$

N
≥
3

black holes.
Working Towards Prevention for Families At-Risk of Child Maltreatment—Meeting Families’ Needs through Community Response in Colorado
Authors: Allan Heather , Merkel-Holguin Lisa , Winokur Marc , Drury Ida
Published: January 2023

In the USA, there is a growing emphasis in child protective services (CPS) on prevention for families deemed at-risk of child maltreatment. The Colorado Community Response (CCR) program is one such effort in Colorado to support families to prevent future involvement with CPS. The CCR program is designed to meet family needs, with an explicit focus on economic self-sufficiency and stability. The pilot CCR program was implemented from 2014 through 2017 and evaluated to determine the effectiveness of CCR in preventing child welfare reinvolvement for participating families. By utilizing a pre-post design, it was found that for participating families, the short-term outcomes of protective factors and family functioning across 13 domains were enhanced. Using a matched comparison group, quasi-experimental design and long-term measures of child welfare re-involvement were found to be similarly impacted such that likelihood of subsequently founded assessments and out-of-home placements was significantly less for families who completed CCR services than their matched comparison counterparts. This study adds to a body of evidence that suggests programs and services that provide concrete and economic supports for families can be effective in preventing child welfare (re)involvement.
Stem Cell Treatment Trials for Regeneration of Testicular Tissue in Laboratory Animals
Authors: Ismail Hamdy Y. , Hussein Shaymaa , Shaker Nora A. , Rizk Hamdy , Wally Y. R.
Published: January 2023

Infertility is a serious medical, economic, and psychological problem in the society. Male factor infertility, due to defective spermatogenesis as a result of a failure in germ cell proliferation and differentiation, appears to be the cause of 25–50% of infertility cases. According to several surveys, testicular degeneration can be caused by a variety of physical, chemical, and microbial causes. A stem cell is a non-specialized cell which is characterized by self-renewal by mitotic cell division and able to differentiate to specialized cells for the various tissues of the body. The data were obtained and analyzed from different databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Egyptian Knowledge Bank, Elsevier, Medline, Embase, ProQuest, and BMC). This review discusses the causes, symptoms, and grades of testicular degeneration and the use of different types of stem cells in regeneration. And its conclusion based on previous researches and trials, MSCs are considered effective therapy for testicular degeneration.
Monitoring American Federalism
Authors: Fritz Christian G.
Published: January 2023

Monitoring American Federalism examines some of the nation's most significant controversies in which state legislatures have attempted to be active partners in the process of constitutional decision-making. Christian G. Fritz looks at interposition, which is the practice of states opposing federal government decisions that were deemed unconstitutional. Interposition became a much-used constitutional tool to monitor the federal government and organize resistance, beginning with the Constitution's ratification and continuing through the present affecting issues including gun control, immigration and health care. Though the use of interposition was largely abandoned because of its association with nullification and the Civil War, recent interest reminds us that the federal government cannot run roughshod over states, and that states lack any legitimate power to nullify federal laws. Insightful and comprehensive, this appraisal of interposition breaks new ground in American political and constitutional history, and can help us preserve our constitutional system and democracy.
EGFR-Directed Therapy in Lung Cancer
Authors: Kim So Yeon , Costa Daniel B. , Shibahara Daisuke , Kobayashi Susumu , Halmos Balazs
Published: January 2023

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a clinically important driver alteration affecting approximately one-third of lung cancer patients. Treatments for EGFR-exon 19 deletion and exon 21 L858R NSCLC have evolved over the last decade from first-generation reversible tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) to third-generation irreversible TKIs, of which osimertinib has been the widely accepted as first-line therapy. Despite survival improvement seen with osimertinib and its efficacy against acquired T790M mutation, resistance through on-target and off-target pathways eventually develop. This Element describes the structural biology and pathophysiology of EGFR-mutant NSCLC and discusses past, current, and future treatment options in the metastatic, neoadjuvant, and adjuvant settings. It describes the biology and recently approved treatment for EGFR-exon 20 insertion mutation and the treatment for the uncommon exon 18 (G719X), 20 (S768I), and 21 (L861Q) mutations. It also outlines the promising clinical applications of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA).