bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biomimetic Stimulus Responsiveness: From Materials Design to Device Integration
Authors: Yang Shenglin , Yang Yixuan , Xia Xiaohu , Zou Bingsuo , Wang Ben , Zhang Yabin
Published: April 2024

Intelligent actuators have attracted intensive attention due to their broad application scenarios, ranging from precision manufacturing and autonomous robotics to adaptive medical devices. Therein, simplifying structure design and streamlining fabrication processes for responsive materials is crucial for achieving multifunctionality in intelligent actuators. Drawing inspiration from nature, diverse stimuli‐responsive materials have been developed, enabling the creation of a broad spectrum of intelligent actuators. Herein, the study aims to provide a systematic overview of smart actuators with different stimuli‐responsive materials based on biomimetic strategies. The study commences by describing typical stimulus‐response organisms in nature, subsequently categorizing nascent stimuli‐responsive materials, and summarizing their respective responsive mechanisms. Potential applications of smart actuators integrated into all‐in‐one systems are presented for grippers, soft robots, and sensors. Finally, the study ends with an advancement summary together with personal insight into current challenges and future directions.
Band Engineering of ErAs:InGaAlBiAs Nanocomposite Materials for Terahertz Photoconductive Switches Pumped at 1550 nm
Authors: Acuna Wilder , Wu Weipeng , Bork James , Doty Mathew F , Jungfleisch M. Benjamin , Gundlach Lars , Zide Joshua M. O.
Published: April 2024

Terahertz technology has the potential to have a large impact in myriad fields, such as biomedical science, spectroscopy, and communications. Making these applications practical requires efficient, reliable, and low‐cost devices. Photoconductive switches (PCS), devices capable of emitting and detecting terahertz pulses, are a technology that needs more efficiency when working at telecom wavelength excitation (1550 nm) to exploit the advantages this wavelength offers. ErAs:InGaAs is a semiconductor nanocomposite working at this energy; however, high dark resistivity is challenging due to a high electron concentration as the Fermi level lies in the conduction band. To increase dark resistivity, ErAs:InGaAlBiAs material is used as the active material in a PCS detecting Terahertz pulses. ErAs nanoparticles reduce the carrier lifetime to subpicosecond values required for short temporal resolution, while ErAs pins the effective Fermi level in the host material bandgap. Unlike InGaAs, InGaAlBiAs offers enough freedom for band engineering to have a material compatible with a 1550 nm pump and a Fermi level deep in the bandgap, meaning low carrier concentration and high dark resistivity. Band engineering is possible by incorporating aluminum to lift the conduction band edge to the Fermi level and bismuth to keep a bandgap compatible with 1550 nm excitation.
Direct Observation of Carbonate Chemisorption on Barium Titanate Surfaces by Tip‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Bakhtbidar Mohammad , Amaechi Ifeanyichukwu , Dörfler Andreas , Merlen Alexandre , Ruediger Andreas
Published: April 2024

Surface chemistry significantly influences the physicochemical and functional properties of nanoparticles, thus necessitating the investigation of surfaces, especially when subjected to chemisorption. Seeking a method that delivers both high‐resolution imaging and precise chemical information, tip‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) emerges as a critical technique. By the combination of scanning probe microscopy with Raman spectroscopy, TERS effectively addresses the limitations of traditional optical microscopes in the study of nanoparticles. The results provide detailed nanoscale structural insights, shed light on surface chemistry, and enable the detection of Raman‐forbidden modes caused by the substantial electric field at the tip apex (≈3 × 108 V m−1). This electric field plays a crucial role in altering selection rules, thereby broadening the scope of TERS beyond merely detecting Raman modes. By combining topographical with TERS mapping, the presence of a carbonate monolayer on the barium titanate (BaTiO3) nanoparticle surface is unveiled – an observation elusive to common characterization techniques.
Acid‐Mediated Condensation of 2‐Aminoaryl Cyclopropyl Ketones with Aldehydes for the Synthesis of 2,3‐Dihydrofuro[3,2‐c]quinolines
Authors: Cai Wenbo , Zhang Cong , Wang Xin , Song Chuanjun
Published: April 2024

A method for the synthesis of 2,3‐dihydrofuro[3,2‐c]quinolines via TfOH or TMSOTf mediated condensation of 2‐aminoaryl cyclopropyl ketones with aldehydes has been developed. The reaction proceeds under transition metal or halogen free conditions, giving access to the target molecules in 27–90% isolated yields. Mechanistic study indicates that the reaction sequence involves imine formation, intramolecular Mannich condensation, Cloke‐Wilson rearrangement, and auto‐oxidation.
Chemical Synthesis of Secretoglobin 3A2 Covalent Homodimer and Photocaged Monomeric Variants
Authors: Gazzi Thais , Heinke Maria , Landolt Fabienne , Bode Jeffrey W.
Published: April 2024

Secretoglobin (SCGB) 3A2 belongs to an intriguing family of small, secreted proteins present only in mammals. Although members of the SCGB protein family have distinct amino acid sequences, they share structural similarities. Of particularly interest is the not yet fully understood self‐assembly ability of SCGBs, which arise from covalent disulfide dimerization and non‐covalent oligomerization. Recently, SCGB3A2 has attracted attention for its singular expression profile in airways. However, the knowledge on SCGB3A2 (patho)physiology derives exclusively from in vivo and complex ex vivo mixtures, which hampers characterization of the mechanisms driving SCGB3A2 structural behavior. Herein, we document the chemical synthesis of SCGB3A2 in multi‐milligram quantities. Key to access both monomeric and homodimeric SCGB3A2 analogues was the use of KAHA ligation and enabled masking of the cysteine residue. The synthetic proteins were used to investigate the SCGB3A2 self‐assembly profile, confirming their high propensity to dimerization even in the absence of the key Cys residue.
Forensic psychological procedures in cases of technology‐facilitated sexual abuse among adolescents: A scoping review
Authors: Vale Maria , Gomes João P. , Matos Marlene
Published: April 2024

Technology‐facilitated sexual abuse refers to the use of information and communication technologies to facilitate both virtual and in‐person sexual crimes. Research on this topic has focused on rates, risk factors, and consequences. This scoping review aims to understand whether and how forensic psychological procedures are adapted to assess adolescent victims and how Internet‐based information might be useful as complementary data. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses extensions for Scoping Reviews guidelines, searches were conducted in April 2023 in five electronic databases to include Portuguese, Spanish, or English quantitative, qualitative, or mixed‐method peer‐reviewed studies. Of the 2523 studies, six were considered eligible. Identified procedures include forensic interviews following the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development Protocol, and risk and trauma assessments. While discussing technology's role in abuse during interviews was informative, confronting adolescents with evidence of their abuse had adverse effects on their testimony and recovery. The assessment tools often had a narrow focus or overlooked the abuse unless explicitly disclosed, implied a referral, or when safeguarding concerns were raised. Clinical, forensic, and criminal implications are elaborated.
Use of endoscopic hand‐suturing to treat refractory bleeding from a gastric ulcer in a patient with a left ventricular assist device
Authors: Kondo Masahiro , Nagasue Tomohiro , Torisu Takehiro , Miyazono Satoshi , Matsuno Yuichi , Nagahata Takahisa , Hashimoto Toru , Fujino Takeo , Shiose Akira , Kitazono Takanari
Published: April 2024

We herein describe a 49‐year‐old man with severe heart failure due to fulminant myocarditis who underwent left ventricular assist device implantation and received clopidogrel and warfarin as antithrombotic agents. The patient developed anemia secondary to chronic bleeding gastric hyperplastic polyps, necessitating endoscopic mucosal resection. Despite attempts to manage post‐endoscopic mucosal resection bleeding from a gastric ulcer by endoscopic hemostasis using hemostatic forceps, local hemostatic agents, and polyglycolic acid sheets, the bleeding persisted. Hemostasis of the refractory bleeding was finally achieved by endoscopic hand‐suturing of the ulcer. One month later, the ulcer was almost completely scarred. This case has important clinical value in that it demonstrates the efficacy of endoscopic hand‐suturing even in challenging cases such as refractory bleeding gastric ulcers in patients with left ventricular assist devices.
Delving into the determinants of plant community patterns in Rivers — A case study of Hydrological Basin of Sebou (HBS)
Authors: Maissour Abdellah , Benamar Saad
Published: April 2024

The critical role of macrophytes in aquatic environments cannot be overstated, but little attention has been paid to macrophytes in Moroccan rivers. This study aims to investigate the environmental factors that affect the presence and distribution of macrophytes in the Hydrological Basin of Sebou (HBS) in Morocco. The study focused on 39 hydrological stations, distributed across the five hydro‐ecoregions of the basin. The results show that the number of aquatic species is limited and significantly lower than that of riparian species, which are more diverse. Analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) revealed that there is a significant difference in the riparian species communities between the various hydro‐ecoregions (R = 0.1853, Bonferroni corrected α = 0.0022). However, when only aquatic species were considered, ANOSIM showed no significant difference (R = 0.05524, Bonferroni corrected α = 0.1453), and the results were confirmed by the PERMANOVA test. Furthermore, ANOSIM did not reveal a clear difference in the composition of aquatic species between stations with low and high nutrients (R = 0.01348, p = 0.4245). The Student's t‐test also showed no significant difference in the variation of riparian and aquatic species numbers between the two groups (all species combined: t = 0.1639, p = 0.8723; riparian species: t = 0.4740, p = 0.6434; aquatic species: t = 0.9869, p = 0.3417).

These findings highlight the need for further research into environmental factors limiting aquatic species diversity and nutrient thresholds affecting macrophyte abundance. Understanding these elements is crucial for addressing species distribution constraints and elucidating nutrient dynamics that influence macrophyte populations, enriching ecosystem management and conservation strategies.
Hydrodenitrogenation of 1, 2, 3, 4‐Tetrahydroquinoline Over CoMoS/Mesostructured TiO2 Catalysts
Authors: Brunet Sylvette , Roy Teddy , Lebeau Bénédicte , Michelin Laure , Blin Jean‐Luc
Published: April 2024

Herein, the design of new catalysts obtained by the dispersion of the CoMoS active phase on mesostructured titania having different pore size and kind of porosity (monomodal vs. dual) for hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) of 1, 2, 3, 4‐tetrahydroquinoline (1234THQ) is reported. Obtained results show that with a selectivity around 93%, the hydrogenated pathway is by far the main route for 1234THQ hydrodenitrogenation. It is also demonstrated that the catalytic activities depend on the mesopore diameter: the larger the size of the mesopores is, the higher the HDN activity is. Comparing with the conventional CoMoP/Al2O3 catalyst, a slightly higher activity is obtained for the mesostructured TiO2‐based catalyst due to the promoter effect of titania.
Field pilots of carbon dioxide huff and puff method at a shale oil field
Authors: Gao Chang Hong , Liu Guang
Published: April 2024

CO2 huff and puff is a widely used enhanced oil recovery method in many oil fields, but its implementations in shale fields is scarce. This paper reports trials of CO2 huff and puff in a shale field in China. Laboratory studies revealed that CO2 effectively reduced oil viscosity, increased oil volume, and improved oil recovery under miscible conditions. For the three wells that received CO2 huff and puff treatments, one well showed satisfactory results, while the other two wells demonstrated poor economics. Discussions and recommendations are made based on field experiences. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Organizational socialization strategies and newcomers' identity development: A social identity perspective
Authors: Awan Nadeem Ahmed , Abbas Muhammad
Published: April 2024

Based on social identity theory, the current study investigated the effects of organizational socialization strategies on newcomers' team identity and organizational identity. The study also examined the mediating role of perceived social validation and the moderating role of person‐group fit. Using a time‐lagged (three‐wave) field survey, data were collected from 350 newcomers working in numerous organizations. The findings suggested that organizational socialization of newcomers was positively related to their perceived social validation (2 months later), which in turn was positively related to team identity and organizational identity (4 months later). Moreover, person‐group fit significantly moderated the relationship of social validation with team identity, such that the relationship was stronger when person‐group fit was high. The findings indicate that team identity and organizational identity can be developed among newcomers through the use of effective socialization strategies and social validation.
Diagnostic value of Achilles tendon shear wave elastography in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: A case–control study
Authors: Atik Irfan , Atik Seda , Gul Enes
Published: April 2024

Objectives

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) can cause peripheral arthritis, tendinitis, enthesitis, and axial skeletal involvement. This study aims to determine early tendon damage by shear wave elastography (SWE) for the Achilles tendon in AS patients.

Methods

48 AS patients and 48 asymptomatic individuals were included in the study. Participants were systematically examined with B‐mode, power Doppler, and SWE using a high‐resolution linear 6–15 MHz probe. Bilateral Achilles tendon stiffness, thickness, and vascularity were evaluated. Measurements were taken from the middle third of the Achilles tendon in the sagittal plane. Difference between the two groups was evaluated with statistical methods. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to test the diagnostic performance of Achilles tendon stiffness. Additionally, the Spearman correlation test examined the relationship between Achilles tendon stiffness and disease duration.

Results

The difference between the two groups regarding Achilles tendon stiffness was statistically significant (p < 0.05). It was observed that Achilles tendon stiffness decreased in the patient group compared with the control group. The diagnostic value of Achilles tendon stiffness measured by SWE was found to be high. A negative correlation was detected between disease duration and tendon stiffness (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

In patients diagnosed with AS, deterioration in the Achilles tendon structure was observed, and a significant decrease in tendon stiffness compared with the healthy population. It has been determined that these changes in the Achilles tendon are related to the duration of the disease.
Unraveling the immune response of the spleen in sepsis using green‐synthesized silver nanoparticles from pomegranate peel extracts
Authors: Marey Amal M. , Dkhil Mohamed A. , Abdel‐Moneim Ahmed E. , Santourlidis Simeon , Abdel‐Gaber Rewaida , Abdalla Mohga S.
Published: April 2024

Sepsis is a serious disease characterized by an inappropriate host response to infection, resulting in widespread inflammation and systemic organ failure. The aim of this research is to investigate the possibility of pomegranate peel‐derived silver nanoparticles (PGNP) as a potential alternative therapy for sepsis. Characterization using transmission electron microscopy revealed 10–30 nm spherical nanoparticles. In a rat model of sepsis, PGNP treatment improved spleen health, histology, and immune response as compared with septic rats. In rats treated with PGNP during sepsis, significant alterations in oxidative stress markers (p < .01) were observed. These included elevated levels of glutathione (0.63 ± 0.08 mmol/mg protein), reduced concentrations of nitric oxide (8.7 ± 0.8 μ mol/mg protein) and malondialdehyde (2.2 ± 0.3 nmol/mg protein), as well as increased activity of superoxide dismutase (159 ± 33 U/mg protein). Following PGNP administration, gene expression analysis revealed a decrease in spleen IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α, highlighting its anti‐inflammatory potential. Furthermore, PGNP effectively controlled apoptosis‐related genes (Bax, Bcl‐2, and Casp3), indicating its role in cellular survival pathways. This study sheds light on the immunological regulation of the spleen during sepsis using PGNP, demonstrating its potential as a new effective treatment approach. The study emphasizes the necessity of continuing to investigate and develop alternative medicines, particularly in light of antibiotic resistance and the global impact of sepsis.

Research Highlights

The study explored the potential medicinal benefits of pomegranate peel‐derived silver nanoparticles (PGNP) in the treatment of sepsis.

PGNP suppressed pro‐inflammatory cytokines and enhanced the immune response.

The study recommends PGNP as a viable substitute treatment.
The development and pilot of a novel mobile application to assess clinician perception of workload and work environment
Authors: Burden Marisha , McBeth Lauren , Keniston Angela
Published: April 2024

Background

Traditional measures of workload such as wRVUs may not be adequate to understand the impact of workload on key outcomes.

Objective

The objective of this study was to develop a mobile application to assess, in near real time, clinicians' perception of workload and work environment.

Designs, Settings and Participants

We developed the GrittyWork™ application (GW App) using the Chokshi and Mann process model for user‐centered digital development. Study occured at a single academic medical center with hospitalist clinicians.

Main Outcome Measures and Measures

Measures included the System Usability Scale (SUS), use measures from GW App, electronic health record (EHR) event log data and note counts, and qualitative interviews.

Results

From October 28, 2022 to November 3, 2022, six hospitalist clinicians provided feedback on the early prototype of the GW App, and from February 28, 2023 to June 8, 2023, 30 hospitalist clinicians participated in the pilot while on clinical service. All 30 clinicians (100%) participated in the pilot submitting data for a total of 122 shifts. Participants reported working 10 ± 1 h per day (mean ± SD) and were responsible for an average of 11 ± 3 patients per day. The postpilot evaluation of the GW App showed a SUS score of 86 ± 11 and a participant preference toward mobile application‐based surveys (73% of participants). Regarding workload measures, EHR event log data and notes data correlated with physician‐reported workloads. Applying user‐centered design techniques, we successfully developed a mobile application with high usability. These data can be paired with EHR event log data and outcomes to provide insights into the impact of workloads and work environments on outcomes.
Decoupling of functional and household income distribution by economic growth: new findings from analysing the three‐way growth‐equity nexus
Authors: Lee Juneyoung , Lee Keun
Published: April 2024

This study analyses the three‐way relationship between economic growth and the two aspects of income distribution, namely, functional income distribution (labour income share) and household income distribution (Gini coefficient). One contribution of such three‐way analysis is to reveal the ‘decoupling’ pattern of the growth‐equity nexus, namely decoupling between functional income distribution and household income distribution, as it finds that economic growth tends to increase labour income share but worsen household income inequality, and also to confirm the reverse relationship that that higher labour income shares and household income inequality lead to a higher rate of economic growth. We show that these findings co‐exist with the traditional belief in the literature about the directly reinforcing relationship between functional and household income distribution. These findings are consistent with skilled labour compensated by performance‐based higher wages, which is often associated with a skill‐biassed technological change. The study confirms the same three‐way relationship in both developed and developing countries, but with several different determinants and different trends in the key variables. Given this nuanced trade‐off between economic growth and household income equality, coupled with no such trade‐off between growth and labour income share, a sensible policy prescription may be a combination of growth‐enhancing policy of increasing pre‐tax labour income share and a separate redistribution policy to decrease disposable household income inequality, which can mitigate income inequality without harming economic growth.
Drawing on memory: A meta‐analytic review
Authors: Maddox Georgina A. , Bodner Glen E. , Christian Matthew W. , Williamson Paul
Published: April 2024

Drawing is commonly used to facilitate event recall in eyewitness and therapeutic settings. Building on Derksen and Connolly’s (2022) review, we meta‐analytically examined how drawing affects memory relative to purely verbal methods of communication (e.g. ‘talk only’ interviews). Database searches identified 36 randomised controlled trials of the effect of drawing‐based interventions on event memory (N = 2013). Our memory outcome measures were amount and accuracy of information reported, errors and confabulations. Random‐effects analysis indicated drawing was favoured relative to verbal controls across these four outcomes. Drawing enhanced the amount (g = 0.63, p < .001) and accuracy (g = 0.29, p = .014) of information reported, but did not reduce errors (g = 0.05, p = .633) or confabulations (g = 0.22, p = .488) relative to control. The memory benefits of drawing were not moderated by age (children vs. adults), event type (autobiographical vs. live/staged vs. video), control type (visual‐active vs. verbal‐only) or task timing (immediate vs. delay). Two potential moderators could not be analysed due to the paucity of studies: event focus (trauma‐related vs. non‐trauma‐related) and drawing focus (event‐focused vs. non‐event‐focused). Our meta‐analysis indicates that drawing is a valuable facilitator of event recall relative to traditional methods of communication. However, our review also highlights the need for more trauma‐specific studies. We address and offer practical recommendations for future studies to address potential risks that may result from using drawing in applied settings.
Wireless Sensing System Based on Biodegradable Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Evaluating Sports and Sleep Respiratory
Authors: Zhang Mengqi , Wen Yuzhang , Xie Zhenning , Liu Bing , Sun Fengxin , An Zida , Zhong Ya , Feng Qingyang , Zhao Tianming , Mao Yupeng
Published: April 2024

The rapid growth of the Internet of Things and wearable sensors has led to advancements in monitoring technology in the field of health. One such advancement is the development of wearable respiratory sensors, which offer a new approach to real‐time respiratory monitoring compared to traditional methods. However, the energy consumption of these sensors raises concerns about environmental pollution. To address the issue, this study proposes the use of a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) as a sustainable energy source. The electrical conductivity of the TENG is improved by incorporating chitosan and carbon nanotubes, with the added benefit of chitosan's biodegradability reducing negative environmental impact. A wireless intelligent respiratory monitoring system (WIRMS) is then introduced, which utilizes a degradable triboelectric nanogenerator for real‐time respiratory monitoring, diagnosis, and prevention of obstructive respiratory diseases. WIRMS offers stable and highly accurate respiratory information monitoring, while enabling real‐time and nondestructive transmission of information. In addition, machine learning technology is used for sleep respiration state analysis. The potential applications of WIRMS extend to wearables, medical monitoring and sports monitoring, thereby presenting innovative ideas for modern medical and sports monitoring.
Quantifying the cooperative evolution of microphase segregation and nanostructural order in annealed polyurethanes of MDI‐BDO‐PTHF
Authors: Terban Maxwell W. , Pöselt Elmar , Malfois Marc , Schulz Armin , Schander Edgar , Abeykoon A. M. Milinda , Hinrichsen Bernd , Dinnebier Robert E.
Published: April 2024

Here, we quantify the relationship between microphase segregation and local structure development in thermoplastic polyurethanes. Samples were prepared with varying ratios of 4,4′‐methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and 1,4‐butanediol (BDO) to polytetrahydrofuran (PTHF) and annealed at temperatures between RT–140 °C for 20 h each. Distinct populations of smaller and larger ordered domains are distinguished by pair distribution function analysis. The intermediate‐range order of nanoscale hard domains in the paracrystalline state (form I) is directly extracted and characterized. The results suggest that form I of the MDI‐BDO:PTHF system presents a conformational and packing order similar to the form III structure, typically obtained from stretching/annealing, but with limited spatial coherence of 3–7 nm. Heating above of the hard segments is necessary to achieve a substantial structural response from the annealing treatment. Increasing promotes purification of the soft phase via microphase segregation, coalescence of the hard blocks, and growth of paracrystalline phase, while a minority fraction of longer‐range ordered domains left over from production remains relatively constant. We observe a composition‐dependent decrease in the average nearest‐neighbor distance that can be correlated with the greater number of CC, CN, and CO bonds with increased hard segment content. A non‐linear deviation in the trend is observed to correlate with sample densification. The mechanical and thermal behavior of the samples is intimately tied to the segregation state.
Sophoridine exerts anti‐arthritic effects on fibroblast‐like synoviocytes and collagen‐induced arthritis in rats
Authors: Chen Gang , Xia Yehua , Shi Xiaotian , You Qiuyi , Dou Wenwen , Zhang Yudie , Yang Xue , Mao Yuhang , Diao Li , Wang Jing , Zhou Lin , Liu Mei
Published: April 2024

The discovery of alternative medicines with fewer adverse effects is urgently needed for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Sophoridine (SR), the naturally occurring quinolizidine alkaloid isolated from the leguminous sophora species, has been demonstrated to possess a wide range of pharmacological activities. However, the effect of SR on RA remains unknown. In this study, the collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) rat model and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα)‐induced fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLSs) were utilized to investigate the inhibitory effect of SR on RA. The anti‐arthritic effect of SR was evaluated using the CIA rat model in vivo and TNFα‐stimulated FLSs in vitro. Mechanistically, potential therapeutic targets and pathways of SR in RA were analyzed through drug target databases and disease databases, and validation was carried out through immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot. The in vivo results revealed that SR treatment effectively ameliorated synovial inflammation and bone erosion in rats with CIA. The in vitro studies showed that SR could significantly suppress the proliferation and migration in TNFα‐induced arthritic FLSs. Mechanistically, SR treatment efficiently inhibited the activation of MAPKs (JNK and p38) and NF‐κB pathways in TNFα‐induced arthritic FLSs. These findings were further substantiated by Immunohistochemistry results in the CIA rat. SR exerts an anti‐arthritic effect in CIA rats through inhibition of the pathogenic characteristic of arthritic FLSs via suppressing NF‐κB and MAPKs (JNK and p38) signaling pathways. SR may have a great potential for development as a novel therapeutic agent for RA treatment.
Water entry locomotion strategy for a stranding bionic robotic fish
Authors: Dong Huijie , Ji Zhipeng , Meng Yan , Chen Di , Qiao Tiezhu , Yu Junzhi
Published: April 2024

Similar to other underwater robots, bionic robotic fish face entrapment risks when stranded due to wave action or water level drop. In this paper, we propose a locomotion strategy for a whale shark‐inspired robotic fish, enabling it to autonomously return to aquatic environments after being stranded on land. This strategy is informed by the terrestrial locomotion capabilities of mudskippers and is particularly significant given the considerable mass of such robotic fish, which compounds the difficulty of land‐based movement. First, we introduce a lightweight YOLOv5 model‐based algorithm for deep‐water area recognition, which identifies the direction for the bionic robot fish to re‐enter the water. Subsequently, pectoral fin‐based crawling gaits are designed by the innate two degrees of freedom within the existing pectoral fin structure of the robot. These gaits empower the robotic fish to move on a multitude of terrestrial terrains. Extended field experiments have validated the effectiveness of our water recognition algorithm and locomotion strategy, confirming the ability of the whale shark‐inspired robotic fish to perform successful water entry maneuvers from the shore. Additionally, the capability to traverse various landforms are also verified. This work provides valuable insights into self‐rescue mechanisms for stranding underwater robots and promotes practical applications of bionic robotics.
Variance‐components tests for genetic association with multiple interval‐censored outcomes
Authors: Choi Jaihee , Xu Zhichao , Sun Ryan
Published: April 2024

Massive genetic compendiums such as the UK Biobank have become an invaluable resource for identifying genetic variants that are associated with complex diseases. Due to the difficulties of massive data collection, a common practice of these compendiums is to collect interval‐censored data. One challenge in analyzing such data is the lack of methodology available for genetic association studies with interval‐censored data. Genetic effects are difficult to detect because of their rare and weak nature, and often the time‐to‐event outcomes are transformed to binary phenotypes for access to more powerful signal detection approaches. However transforming the data to binary outcomes can result in loss of valuable information. To alleviate such challenges, this work develops methodology to associate genetic variant sets with multiple interval‐censored outcomes. Testing sets of variants such as genes or pathways is a common approach in genetic association settings to lower the multiple testing burden, aggregate small effects, and improve interpretations of results. Instead of performing inference with only a single outcome, utilizing multiple outcomes can increase statistical power by aggregating information across multiple correlated phenotypes. Simulations show that the proposed strategy can offer significant power gains over a single outcome approach. We apply the proposed test to the investigation that motivated this study, a search for the genes that perturb risks of bone fractures and falls in the UK Biobank.
Controlling Nanoparticle Distance by On‐Surface DNA‐Origami Folding
Authors: Liu Zhe , Wang Zunhao , Guckel Jannik , Akbarian Ziba , Seifert Tim J. , Park Daesung , Schlickum Uta , Stosch Rainer , Etzkorn Markus
Published: April 2024

DNA origami is a flexible platform for the precise organization of nano‐objects, enabling numerous applications from biomedicine to nano‐photonics. Its huge potential stems from its high flexibility that allows customized structures to meet specific requirements. The ability to generate diverse final structures from a common base by folding significantly enhances design variety and is regularly occurring in liquid. This study describes a novel approach that combines top‐down lithography with bottom‐up DNA origami techniques to control folding of the DNA origami with the adsorption on pre‐patterned surfaces. Using this approach, tunable plasmonic dimer nano‐arrays are fabricated on a silicon surface. This involves employing electron beam lithography to create adsorption sites on the surface and utilizing self‐organized adsorption of DNA origami functionalized with two gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The desired folding of the DNA origami helices can be controlled by the size and shape of the adsorption sites. This approach can for example be used to tune the center‐to‐center distance of the AuNPs dimers on the origami template. To demonstrate this technique's efficiency, the Raman signal of dye molecules (carboxy tetramethylrhodamine, TAMRA) coated on the AuNPs surface are investigated. These findings highlight the potential of tunable DNA origami‐based plasmonic nanostructures for many applications.
Broadband Emission Induced by Band‐Edge Carrier Reconfiguration in 2D Hybrid Lead Halide Perovskites
Authors: Li Zhi‐Gang , Dong Xiao‐Hui , Song Hai‐Peng , Huang Shi‐Shuang , Hu Huan , Li Wei , Yu Mei‐Hui , Even Jacky , Bu Xian‐He
Published: April 2024

Broadband emission in hybrid lead halide perovskites (LHPs) has gained significant attention due to its potential applications in optoelectronic devices. The origin of this broadband emission is primarily attributed to the interactions between electrons and phonons. Most investigations have focused on the impact of structural characteristics of LHPs on broadband emission, while neglecting the role of electronic mobility. In this work, the study investigates the electronic origins of broadband emission in a family of 2D LHPs. Through spectroscopic experiments and density functional theory calculations, the study unveils that the electronic states of the organic ligands with conjugate effect in LHPs can extend to the band edges. These band‐edge carriers are no longer localized only within the inorganic layers, leading to electronic coupling with molecular states in the barrier and giving rise to additional interactions with phonon modes, thereby resulting in broadband emission. The high‐pressure photoluminescence measurements and theoretical calculations reveal that hydrostatic pressure can induce the reconfiguration of band‐edge states of charge carriers, leading to different types of band alignment and achieving macroscopic control of carrier dynamics. The findings can provide valuable guidance for targeted synthesis of LHPs with broadband emission and corresponding design of state‐of‐the‐art optoelectronic devices.
Calling for a Humanizing Turn in Language Teacher Education: Problematizing Content and Language Instruction
Authors: Peercy Megan Madigan , Troyan Francis John , Fredricks Daisy E. , Hardy‐Skeberdis Melanie
Published: April 2024

Twenty‐five years ago, Freeman and Johnson positioned language teacher education (LTE) and practice as a socially learned and sociohistorically situated activity. Although this shift substantially broadened and contextualized our understanding of educator learning and practice, further substantive work is needed in LTE to offer an equitable experience for multilingual students, through more attention to the practices that teachers and teacher educators can leverage to support humanizing pedagogies. To date, humanizing pedagogies that are oriented toward advocacy and social justice have not been deeply woven into the pedagogical content knowledge expected of ESOL teachers of multilingual students. One area that is rich for further development is how we address content and language instruction in ESOL teacher preparation and practice, arguably considered the bedrock of their content knowledge. Drawing upon the call to offer opportunities for teachers to foster humanizing approaches to teaching and learning by connecting “ways of being” with “ways of doing” (Ladson‐Billings, 2008), in this conceptual paper, we question current tenets of preparing teachers to engage in content and language instruction, and argue that we need to find ways of preparing teachers for content and language instruction that support their enactment of humanizing pedagogy.
Comment on “Modified expression for unsaturated hydraulic conductivity according to Mualem–van Genuchten to allow proper computations at low pressure heads” by M. Heinen
Authors: Batalha Marcia S. , Bezerra‐Coelho Camila R. , Pontedeiro Elizabeth M. , van Genuchten Martinus Th , Su Jian
Published: April 2024

This comment concerns evaluation of the Mualem–van Genuchten (MvG) unsaturated soil hydraulic functions at very low (negative) pressure heads as described recently in an important study by Heinen. He showed that below some critical pressure head, the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity should be approximated by a power function, even when evaluated using double precision computations. We show that a more precise approximation is possible when the approximation is formulated in terms of effective fluid saturation (Se) rather than the pressure head, h. More general constraints are also provided when the approximated hydraulic conductivity equation should be used. The alternative formulation and constraints were implemented earlier in the SOHYP and RETC software packages.
Legislation
Authors: Münster Sander , Apollonio Fabrizio Ivan , Bluemel Ina , Fallavollita Federico , Foschi Riccardo , Grellert Marc , Ioannides Marinos , Jahn Peter Heinrich , Kurdiovsky Richard , Kuroczyński Piotr , Lutteroth Jan-Eric , Messemer Heike , Schelbert Georg
Published: April 2024

This chapter is proposed to provide an overview of the different types of legal rights and legislation relating to 3D reconstruction. Since reconstructions originate from various sources and comprise intellectual work by multiple persons, they affect different levels of legal and property rights, although the specific legal situation greatly depends on national laws.
Scholarly Method
Authors: Münster Sander , Apollonio Fabrizio Ivan , Bluemel Ina , Fallavollita Federico , Foschi Riccardo , Grellert Marc , Ioannides Marinos , Jahn Peter Heinrich , Kurdiovsky Richard , Kuroczyński Piotr , Lutteroth Jan-Eric , Messemer Heike , Schelbert Georg
Published: April 2024

As this chapter shows, digital 3D reconstructions of historic architecture serve many purposes in research and related areas. This comprises answering research questions by creating a 3D model, preserving cultural heritage, communicating knowledge in education, and providing a structure for knowledge organization. The process of creating a 3D reconstruction is often challenging, for example, because of lacking or ambiguous sources. In order to create a 3D reconstruction based on scientific values, guidelines, and standards are needed.
Documentation
Authors: Münster Sander , Apollonio Fabrizio Ivan , Bluemel Ina , Fallavollita Federico , Foschi Riccardo , Grellert Marc , Ioannides Marinos , Jahn Peter Heinrich , Kurdiovsky Richard , Kuroczyński Piotr , Lutteroth Jan-Eric , Messemer Heike , Schelbert Georg
Published: April 2024

The documentation of the working steps, the decisions made in a reconstruction, the applied method, and the results form one of the cornerstones of scientific practice. Over the centuries, scientific publication established itself with fixed basic principles, such as verifiability of methods, objectivity, disclosure of sources, comprehensibility of argumentation, accessibility of results, accuracy, reliability, and uniformity [1]. In computer-aided, hypothetical 3D reconstruction of destroyed architecture, the application of the above basic principles faces an as yet unsolved challenge. The model creation process is rarely documented, and when it is, the documentation is usually not publicly available. The knowledge embedded in reconstructions, scientific interpretation, argumentation, and hypothesis, is in danger of being lost. Due to the lack of resources, diverse and rapidly developing software applications, modelling methods and types, no application-based method for documenting and publishing 3D models has been established. Three decades into the spread of computer-assisted 3D visualization in the research and mediation of cultural heritage, discussion of the question of what and how to document has intensified. The Internet as a publication venue seems to make sense to most. Web-based documentation requires technical infrastructures and services as well as defined scientific methods for comprehensible modeling and sustainable provision. The following chapter is dedicated to describing and clarifying these developments.
Framework
Authors: Barrientos Armando
Published: April 2024

This chapter presents the structure of the argument in the book. It introduces, develops, and applies a framework capable of explaining the emergence, structure, and dynamics of social protection institutions understood in Latin America. The central argument is that social protection institutions are a mechanism of stratification of wage earners in the economies of Latin America. The emergence of social protection institutions is explained by industrialisation. Industrialisation creates a distinct class of dependent wage earners and in doing so it sets the conditions for the emergence of social protection institutions. Once in place, the shape and dynamics of social protection institutions is best explained by their stratification effects. There are three dimensions of stratification effects that are especially relevant to understanding social protection institutions: their effects on employment, their protection effects, and their effects on the political incorporation of wage earners. The confluence of diachronic, synchronic, and analytical perspectives facilitates a theoretical understanding of social protection institutions in the region.
Protection
Authors: Barrientos Armando
Published: April 2024

This chapter examines the protection effects of social protection institutions, by focusing on the main outcomes of the core institutions and of tax and transfer systems. The most significant outcome of social protection provision in Latin America is its stratification. Occupational pension schemes and individual retirement plans reach better off sections of the population while social assistance supports low-income groups dependent on informal employment. Analysis of the incidence of pension benefits, from occupational pensions and individual retirement savings plans, confirms they reach less than half the population aged 65 and over. Tracking income support for the population aged 65 and over reveals a ‘hockey stick’ picture, with a small proportion of pensioners receiving very generous pension benefits. Conditional income transfer programmes reduce poverty in the short term and facilitate investment in schooling and health with implications for the productive capacity of participants in the longer term. Evaluation studies largely confirm the short term positive effects of conditional income transfers. Studies evaluating the protective effects of old age transfers find reductions in poverty and vulnerability among recipients and their households. Tax-transfer systems in the countries in the region have limited effects of poverty and inequality.
Conclusion
Authors: Barrientos Armando
Published: April 2024

This Conclusion brings together the main strands of the argumentation in the book. It revisits its main findings and discusses their contribution to advancing a general theory of welfare institutions. It concludes by speculating on the implications of the analysis in the book for policy.
The Impact of Surface Loading on GNSS Stations in Africa
Authors: Usifoh Saturday E. , Le Nhung , Männel Benjamin , Sakic Pierre , Dodo Joseph , Schuh Harald
Published: April 2024

The movement of the Earth's surface mass, including the atmosphere and oceans, as well as hydrology and glacier melting, causes the redistribution of surface loads, deformation of the solid Earth, and fluctuations in the gravity field. Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) provide useful information about the movement of the Earth's surface mass. The impact of surface loading deformation over 145 GNSS sites in Africa was investigated using vertical height time series analysis. The study investigates and quantifies the impact of surface loading on the GNSS coordinates utilizing GNSS Precise Point Positioning (PPP) approach. The German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) EPOS.P8 software was used to process and analyze eleven years of GPS data from all the stations, as well as dedicated hydrological and atmospheric loading correction models given by the Earth System Modeling group at Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum (ESMGFZ). The results of the hydrological loading corrections arising from the surface-deformation were analysed to determine the extent of station improvements. The results revealed about 40% of the stations showed improvement with an average Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) residual of 7.3 mm before the application of the hydrological loading corrections and 7.1 mm Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) after the application of the hydrological loading corrections. Similarly, the atmospheric loading corrections gave an improvement of about 57%. Furthermore, the amplitude values decreased from 4.1–8.1 mm to 3.5–6.2 mm after atmospheric loading corrections. This finding presupposes that applying loading corrections to the derived time series reduces amplitude in some African regions.
Stereo-PIV measurements within the canopy in open-channel flows
Authors: Trevisson Michele , Akutina Yulia , Eiff Olivier
Published: April 2024

Measuring the flow field not just above but also inside the canopy of rough beds in open-channel flows is challenging when optical access from below or the side is not possible. To this end, a new stereo-PIV arrangement was implemented and tested. To optically access the area in between the roughness elements, a top-viewing stereo-PIV system was installed at a steep viewing angle of 70$$^{\circ }$$

∘

. Furthermore, a glass plate was installed at the water surface to avoid random image distortions from surface waves. Finally, in-house-produced low-cost fluorescent particles were used to filter out laser reflections on the canopy’s surface. To validate the stereo-PIV measurements with respect to the steep viewing angle of the stereo cameras, the instantaneous flow field above a bed of spheres was measured simultaneously with the stereo-PIV system and with a third side-looking camera for standard 2D-PIV processing. Two different water depths and two different Reynolds numbers were investigated under uniform flow conditions. Finally, to assess the influence of the glass plate on the flow, 2D-PIV measurements were performed with and without the glass plate. It is shown that the steep viewing stereo PIV can properly reconstruct the instantaneous, mean and turbulent statistics except for the vertical normal turbulent stresses, which are overestimated due to peak-locking errors. Also, the boundary layer developing below the glass plate induces a slight acceleration in the bulk flow, which can be considered negligible for higher water depths. In all instances, the flow acceleration does not affect the near-bed region.

Graphical abstract