bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustainability of photovoltaic technologies in future net‐zero emissions scenarios
Authors: Urbina Antonio
Published: October 2022

Photovoltaic installed cumulative capacity reached 849.5 GW worldwide at the end of 2021, and it is expected to rise to 5 TW by 2030. The sustainability of this massive deployment of photovoltaic modules is analysed in this article. A literature review, completed with our own research for emerging technologies has been carried out following life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology complying with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards. Different impact categories have been analysed for five commercial photovoltaic technologies comprising more than 99% of current market (crystalline silicon ~94% and thin film ~6%) and a representative of an emerging technology (hybrid perovskite). By using data from LCA inventories, a quantitative result for 15 impact categories has been calculated at midpoint and then aggregated in four endpoint categories of damage following ReCiPe pathways (global warming potential, human health damage, ecosystems damage and resources depletion) in order to enable a comparison to other renewable, fossil fuel and nuclear electricity production. In all categories, solar electricity has much lower impacts than fossil fuel electricity. This information is complemented with an analysis of the production of minerals with data from the British Geological Survey; the ratio of world production to photovoltaic demand is calculated for 2019 and projected to 2030, thus quantifying the potential risks arising from silver scarcity for c‐Si technology, from tellurium for CdTe technology and from indium for CIGS and organic or hybrid emerging technologies. Mineral scarcity may pose some risk for CdTe and CIGS technologies, while c‐Si based technology is only affected by silver dependence that can be avoided with other metals replacement for electrodes. When the risks grow higher, investment in recycling should boost the recovery ratio of minerals and other components from PV module waste.
Evaluating the rationale and evidence supporting executive functions skills instruction in the classroom: A critical review
Authors: D'Intino Joseph
Published: October 2022

Executive functions are widely considered as an umbrella term for the higher order cognitive processes that contribute to goal‐directed behavior. In addition, executive functions are highly correlated with positive academic outcomes. To promote the development of executive functions among youth within educational settings, some theorists and clinicians have proposed methods of explicitly instructing executive functioning skills, such as planning, organization, time management, and self‐regulation skills. This critical review serves to evaluate the theoretical rationale and the supporting evidence of the six most cited handbooks for improving executive functions skills among elementary and high school students via class‐wide instruction. Research that cited these handbooks and that addressed whole‐class instruction of executive skills was evaluated and critiqued according to the four levels of the Every Students Succeeds Act. The overall evidence supporting each handbook was then critiqued as lacking, emerging, or sufficient. Although the handbooks are informed by theory and clinical experience, the supporting research is limited to mostly Level 3 and 4 evidence, as defined by the ESSA framework, including only a handful of case studies and small sampled quasi‐experimental studies. Overall, the evidence supporting the explicit instruction of executive functioning skills through a class‐wide approach is lacking and more rigorous research is still required. Best practices for instructing executive functioning skills to students and directions for future research are discussed.
Sustainable production of ectomycorrhizal fungi in the Mediterranean region to support the European Green Deal
Authors: Ferreira Inês , Corrêa Ana , Cruz Cristina
Published: October 2022

Societal Impact Statement

The planet faces a climate crisis with severe health, economic and environmental consequences. Political actions such as the European Green Deal aim to mitigate climate change by shifting production and consumption patterns, and the production of mycorrhizal sporocarps—the fruiting body of fungi—is no exception. The production of mycorrhizal sporocarps has a high economic, cultural and environmental impact in the Mediterranean region. With a key role in forest ecosystems, ectomycorrhizal fungi provide services and goods essential to maintain soil quality, ecosystem functions and food, contributing to the achievement of sustainable production and the European Green Deal goals—a climate‐neutral Europe.

Ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECMF) cultivation is an important economic activity in the Mediterranean region. Sporocarps from ECMF species such as Terfezia claveryi, Tuber melanosporum, Tuber aestivum and Lactarius delicious have been successfully cultivated. Due to biotechnological advances, a considerable evolution in ECMF cultivation techniques was observed in the last decade. New technologies and intensified Research and Development allow for a better understanding of the physiology of the plant‐fungi symbioses and how climate change affects them. Studying forest management practices is also essential to optimise the natural production of ectomycorrhizal sporocarps and help develop sustainable production practices. This knowledge revealed the importance of ECMF and their role in the rural bioeconomy and highlighted the need to establish sustainable cultivation practices. A successful example of ECMF cultivation is the production of Terfezia species, namely, Terfezia claveryi and Terfezia boudieri. Terfezia truffles are traditional delicacies with high socioeconomic relevance and numerous biotechnological applications. Furthermore, these Mediterranean native species are an important tool to develop the bioeconomy in rural areas by creating new production strategies. Furthermore, exploiting these and other native Mediterranean species can promote sustainable practices in line with new European Green Deal strategies, such as the Farm to Fork strategy, the EU Biodiversity strategy for 2030 and the Climate Law. This work reviews ECMF cultivation practices and forest management studies, presenting the case of Terfezia cultivation and how the sustainable production of wild and planted ECMF may contribute to achieving the European Green Deal objectives and to a more resilient Europe.
Continuity or change? How the onset of COVID‐19 affected internal migration in Australia
Authors: Perales Francisco , Bernard Aude
Published: October 2022

Despite anecdotal evidence of a COVID‐19 induced decline in the intensity of interstate migration in Australia, population‐level evidence is limited. The recent release of the 2020 wave of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey provides a unique opportunity to robustly assess the effect of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the level, direction, determinants, and reasons for migration in Australia. By applying a series of regression models to individual‐level longitudinal microdata, and measuring migration at a range of spatial scales, this paper shows that COVID‐19 has somewhat accelerated the long‐term decline in the intensity of internal migration—particularly for residential mobility, short‐distance migration, and migration due to employment and involuntary reasons. The socio‐demographic determinants of migration have remained broadly stable, despite a slight increase in the deterring effect of duration of residence and a reduction in the impact of education. Finally, we show that the increase in net migration gains in regional areas is underpinned by a decrease in outflows. Juxtaposing these results with aggregate‐level migration statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics from 2021, we conclude that the effect of COVID‐19 on internal migration to date has been minimal and is likely to be short‐lived. However, it may still be too soon to make a definitive judgement, as shifts in work patterns stemming from the pandemic may further transform the level, direction, and composition of internal migration.
Comparison of ultrasound scanning for scoliosis assessment: Robotic versus manual
Authors: Victorova Maria , Lau Heidi Hin Ting , Lee Timothy Tin‐Yan , Navarro‐Alarcon David , Zheng Yongping
Published: October 2022

Background

Ultrasound (US) imaging for scoliosis assessment is challenging for a non‐experienced operator. The robotic scanning was developed to follow a spinal curvature with deep learning and apply consistent forces to the patient's back.

Methods

Twenty three scoliosis patients were scanned with US device both, robotically and manually. Two human raters measured each subject's spinous process angles on robotic and manual coronal images.

Results

The robotic method showed high intra‐ (ICC > 0.85) and inter‐rater (ICC > 0.77) reliabilities. Compared with the manual method, the robotic approach showed no significant difference (p < 0.05) when measuring coronal deformity angles. The mean absolute deviation for intra‐rater analysis lies within an acceptable range from 0 to 5° for the minimum of 86% and maximum 97% of a total number of the measured angles.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that scoliosis deformity angles measured on ultrasound images obtained with robotic scanning are comparable to those obtained by manual scanning.
Unexpected High‐Performance Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution in Co@NCNT@ZnIn2S4 Triggered by Directional Charge Separation and Transfer
Authors: Tan Mengxi , Huang Chao , Yu Chengye , Li Cui , Yin Ruowei , Liu Chuanbao , Dong Wenjun , Meng Huimin , Su Yanjing , Qiao Lijie , Gao Lei , Lu Qipeng , Bai Yang
Published: October 2022

The structural design of photocatalysts is highly related to the separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers, which is essential for the improvement of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance. Here, the hybrid photocatalyst M@NCNT@ZIS (M: Fe, Co, Ni; NCNT: nitrogen‐doped carbon nanotube; ZIS: ZnIn2S4) with a hierarchical structure is rationally designed and precisely synthesized. The unique hollow structure with a large specific surface area offers abundant reactive sites, thus increasing the adsorption of reactants. Importantly, the properly positioned metal nanoparticles realize the directional charge migration from ZIS to M@NCNT, which significantly improves the efficiency of charge separation. Furthermore, the intimate interface between M@NCNT and ZIS effectively facilitates charge migration by shortening the transfer distance and providing numerous transport channels. As a result, the optimized Co@NCNT@ZIS exhibits a remarkable photocatalytic hydrogen evolution efficiency (43.73 mmol g−1 h−1) without Pt as cocatalyst. Experimental characterizations and density functional theory calculations demonstrate that the synergistic effect between hydrogen adsorption and interfacial charge transport is of great significance for improving photocatalytic hydrogen production performance.
Tuning the Layered Thickness of MoTe2 Thin Film for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells, UV and Visible Spectrum Photodetectors, and Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Vikraman Dhanasekaran , Hussain Sajjad , Abbas Jaffery Syed Hassan , Liu Hailiang , Karuppasamy Karuppasamy , Sanmugam Anandhavelu , Jung Jongwan , Kim Hyun-Seok
Published: October 2022

Atomically thick van der Waals (VdW)‐bonded layered transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) structures have influenced the investigation of novel phenomena for modern electronics and energy devices immensely. Herein, the fabrication of atomically thick tunable mollybednum ditelluride thin films on substrates through a chemical bath methodology is shown for the first time. The proposed methodology can be used to fine tune the atomic layer thickness of MoTe2 with highly modified surface characteristics, which is a greatly interesting feature for multifunctional nanodevice fabrication. Microscopic images confirm the atomic layer thickness‐tuned MoTe2. Furthermore, a photodetector assembled using few‐layer‐thick (S4) MoTe2 shows a high photoresponsivity of 3.21 A W−1 under ultraviolet light and an excellent detectivity of 5.4 × 1011 Jones, and a dye‐sensitized solar cell constructed using a photocathode made from S4 MoTe2 atomic layers shows a high power conversion efficiency of 8.44%, which is much greater than that of many other layered TMD structures. In addition, synthesized S4 MoTe2 atomic layers exhibit excellent hydrogen evolution characteristics in alkaline and acidic media. The resulting outcomes obviously establish the advantages of developed layered thick MoTe2 to produce the outstanding interface characteristics between the vdW‐bonded atomic layers to achieve outstanding energy and semiconductor devices.
Numerische Analyse von Zweifeld‐Sandwichträgern unter Punktlasten
Authors: Ardelmann Niklas , Naujoks Bernd , Kischkewitz Fabian
Published: October 2022

Sandwichelemente aus außenliegenden dünnwandigen Stahldeckschichten mit innenliegendem Dämmkern stellen mittlerweile die Standardlösung für den Raumabschluss im Hallenbau dar. Für die Wandverkleidung werden üblicherweise Elemente mit beidseitig flachen Deckschichten verwendet. Bei Dachelementen ist mindestens eine Deckschicht profiliert. In der Praxis werden sowohl Wand‐ als auch Dachelemente als Mehrfeldträger verlegt, um die Bauausführung zu beschleunigen und die Anzahl der Fugen zu reduzieren. Im Folgenden soll nun das Tragverhalten von zweifeldrigen Sandwich‐Dachelementen unter Punktlasten, welche bspw. infolge von Photovoltaikaufbauten (PV) auftreten, numerisch untersucht werden. Hierzu werden Modellierungsvarianten für das auf Querdruck und Biegung belastete Mittelauflager sowie der Einfluss verschiedener Kerneigenschaften verglichen. Ziel soll es sein, die Querschnittsaktivierung infolge der lokalen Belastung zu quantifizieren und rein rechnerische Nachweise für PV auf Sandwich‐Dachelementen zu ermöglichen.
Digitalisierung im Metallleichtbau
Authors: Mehrtens Peter , Kuhnhenne Markus
Published: October 2022

Die Digitalisierung der Planung, Konstruktion und Bauausführung führt zu einer Transformation des Berufsbilds bei Architekten und Ingenieuren. In diesen Fachbereichen unterstützen digitale Werkzeuge schon seit vielen Jahren die Entwurfs‐ und Designprozesse, doch gerade in der heutigen Zeit wird der Einsatz effizienter, digitaler und innovativer Technologien auf allen Arbeitsbereichen als unabdingbar betrachtet. Das Lehr‐ und Forschungsgebiet Nachhaltigkeit im Metallleichtbau an der RWTH Aachen University untersucht den Mehrwert des integrativen Einsatzes solcher Technologien im Metallleichtbau. Dieser Aufsatz gibt in diesem Kontext einen Einblick in Forschung und Lehre und stellt Projekte aus der Praxis vor.
“The Road Not Taken” in Language Testing: Sociocultural Implications of Test and Teaching Contents
Authors: Noori Mahdieh
Published: October 2022

Shifting focus of asocial language tests toward social considerations recalls their ideological basis (Mirhosseini, De Costa, 2020). The recurrent exposure to and involvement in discursive constructions of high stakes' contents, may bring along certain sociocultural conceptualizations and values by test audiences (van Dijk, 1998). Thus, unless a clear perception of their contents is gained, any discussions on test misuses, fairness, and negative consequences seem ungrounded. To complement prior findings on sociocultural meanings of the IELTS test contents (Noori & Mirhosseini, 2021), and as another phase of triangulated approach to my dissertation study, the mediated contents through IELTS teachings were recorded through a micro‐ethnography of 22 online IELTS classes offered by an IELTS center in Iran. Bridging critical views of language testing and critical discourse analysis, qualitative content analysis was conducted in search of reflected topics. The emerging 89 codes sat together in four prominent categories outlining the whole content of IELTS pedagogical practices: Entertainment, Money, Education, Immigration, and a Miscellaneous set of minor topics. The findings reflected a homogeneous conceptual flow through inclusion/exclusion/contrast of certain limited value‐laden topics restricted to core communities in the contents of IELTS tests, preparation materials, and pedagogical practices. I suggest inclusion of sociocultural content‐wise considerations in language teaching and testing contents including test and content validity perspectives, and as new test facet to be accounted for in washback, fairness, and consequential validity frameworks. Reconsideration of test content validity is also put forwarded in terms of included test topics and their value implications. These perspectives which account for inclusive views and long wished glocalization, will manifest“the road not taken”(Frost, 1916, p.9)/wrongly takenin language assessment and teaching and will further their literacy.
Solution of variable‐order partial integro‐differential equation using Legendre wavelet approximation and operational matrices
Authors: Biswas Chetna , Das Subir , Singh Anup , Altenbach Holm
Published: October 2022

This article is concerned with developing a method to find a numerical solution of a one‐dimensional variable‐order non‐linear partial integro‐differential equation (PIDE) viz., reaction–advection–diffusion equation with initial and boundary conditions. The proposed numerical scheme shifted Legendre collocation method is based on operational matrices. The operational matrices using one‐dimensional wavelets are derived to solve the said variable‐order model. First operational matrices have been introduced for integration and variable‐order derivatives using one‐dimensional Legendre wavelets (LWs). After that, using the shifted Legendre collocation points, the model is reduced to a system of algebraic equations, which are solved using Newton–Cotes method. The error is then calculated by comparing the numerical solution obtained from the system of algebraic equations and the known exact solution of an existing problem to validate the efficiency of the proposed numerical scheme. The main contribution of the article is the graphical exhibitions of the solution profile for different variable order derivatives in presence of different values of the parameters.
The radial distribution function reveals the underlying mesostructure of the AdS black hole
Authors: Liu Conghua , Wang Jin
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Based on the equations of state, one can infer the underlying interaction potentials among the black hole molecules in the case of Schwarzschild-AdS and charged AdS black holes. The microscopic molecules with the interaction potential arrange in a specific way to form the mesostructure, whose size is between the macro (black hole system) and the micro (black hole molecules). As a result, the mesostructure leads to the emergence of the macroscopic phase. However, the information about the mesostructure of the AdS black hole are still elusive. In this paper, the radial distribution function is introduced to probe the mesostructure of the AdS black hole. We find that the mesostructure of the Schwarzschild-AdS black hole behaves as the ideal gas when the temperature is high. Furthermore, we find the mesostructure for the liquid-like (gas-like) phase of the small (large) charged AdS black hole. A sudden change of the mesostructure emerges from the liquid-like phase to the gas-like phase when the charged AdS black hole undergoes a phase transition from the small to large black hole, consistent with the viewpoint that the phase transition of the charged AdS black hole is reminiscent of that of the vdW fluid. This study provides a new angle towards understanding the black hole from its mesostructure.
Gründerzeit. Hightech und Alternativen der Wissenschaft in West-Berlin
Authors: Stadler Max
Published: October 2022

Zu den diversen Unternehmungen sozialbewegter „Gegenwissenschaft“, die um 1980 auf der Bildfläche der BRD erschienen, zählte der 1982 gegründete Berliner Wissenschaftsladen e. V., kurz WILAB – eine Art „alternatives“ Spin-off der Technischen Universität Berlin. Der vorliegende Beitrag situiert die Ausgründung des „Ladens“ im Kontext zeitgenössischer Fortschritte der (regionalen) Forschungs- und Technologiepolitik. Gezeigt wird, wie der deindustrialisierenden Inselstadt, qua „innovationspolitischer“ Gegensteuerung, dabei sogar eine gewisse Vorreiterrolle zukam: über die Stadtgrenzen hinaus sichtbare Neuerungen wie die GründermesseBIG TECHoder das 1983 eröffneteBerliner Innovations- und Gründerzentrum(BIG), der erste „Incubator“ [sic] der BRD, etwa gingen auf das Konto der 1977/78 lancierten Technologie-Transferstelle der TU Berlin,TU-transfer.

Anders gesagt: tendenziell bekam man es hier nun mit Verhältnissen zu tun, die immer weniger mit den Träumen einer „kritischen“, nicht-fremdbestimmten (Gegen‑)Wissenschaft kompatibel waren. Latent konträr zur historiographischen Prominenz des wissenschaftskritischen Zeitgeists fristeten „alternativen“ Zielsetzungen verpflichtete Unternehmungen wie „WILAB“ ein relativ marginalisiertes Nischendasein. Dennoch wirft das am WILAB verfolgte, so gesehen wenig aussichtsreiche Anliegen, eine andere, nämlich „humanere“ Informationstechnologie in die Wege zu leiten, ein instruktives Licht auf die Aufbrüche „unternehmerischer“ Wissenschaft in der BRD um 1980.
Korneale Endothelzellfotografie: Vergleich von Smartphones
Authors: Wiedenmann Cornelius Jakob , Böhringer Daniel , Reinhard Thomas , Wacker Katrin
Published: October 2022

Hintergrund

Die Dokumentation ophthalmologischer Befunde mittels Smartphone-Fotografie kann in der ambulanten Patientenversorgung Diagnosen sichern und Verlaufsbeurteilungen ermöglichen. Die korneale Endothelzellfotografie (EZF) mittels Smartphone an der Spaltlampe ist sowohl für Smartphone als auch Untersucher*in komplex. Smartphone-Modelle unterscheiden sich hinsichtlich ihrer Fähigkeit, schnell und sicher Aufnahmen des Hornhautendothels anzufertigen.

Ziel der Arbeit

In dieser Arbeit werden verschiedene Smartphone-Modelle hinsichtlich ihrer Einsatzfähigkeit für die korneale EZF vorgestellt und Erfolgsfaktoren für gute Smartphone-Aufnahmen beschrieben.

Material und Methoden

In einer Querschnittstudie wurde eine Auswahl von 16 verschiedenen Smartphone-Modellen bezüglich des Einsatzes in der kornealen EZF miteinander verglichen. Die Smartphones wurden mittels eines verstellbaren Adapters am Okular der Spaltlampe befestigt. Es wurde getestet, ob innerhalb von 3 min qualitativ hochwertige EZF von gesunden Probanden mit der Standard-Foto-App des jeweiligen Smartphones gelang. Zusätzlich wurde die subjektive Schwierigkeit der Erstellung der Aufnahme erfasst. Faktoren, die zu einer erfolgreichen EZF beitragen, wurden in einer Abbildung zusammengefasst.

Ergebnisse und Diskussion

Es zeigten sich deutliche Unterschiede bei der EZF hinsichtlich Durchführbarkeit und Qualität der generierten Aufnahmen. Nicht jedes Smartphone eignet sich gleich gut für die EZF.
Hysterectomy in benign conditions: a 20-year single-center retrospective on the development of surgical techniques
Authors: Buderath Paul , Kimmig Rainer , Dominowski Lisa , Mach Pawel
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Minimally invasive (MI) surgery has long been established as a standard for hysterectomy in benign conditions. Robotic surgery is generally seen as equivalent to conventional laparoscopy in terms of patient outcome. However, robotics might facilitate an MI approach even in complex patients, rendering laparotomy unnecessary for almost all patients.

Materials and methods

We identified 1939 patients who underwent hysterectomy for benign conditions between 2002 and 2020 at the University Hospital of Essen. Peri- and postoperative data as well as patient characteristics were collected retrospectively.

Results

Robotic surgery, implemented at our institution in 2010, was the most common approach (n = 771; 39.8%). 60.2% of all hysterectomies (1168/1938) were performed using MI techniques. However, there was a significant shift in the methods used for hysterectomy over time. While in 2002 51.4% of all hysterectomies were performed via an open abdominal approach, this percentage dropped to 1.4% in the year 2020. Accordingly, the use of MI approaches increased from 18.9% in 2002 to 98.6% in 2020. The introduction of robotic surgery in 2010 marked a significant shift towards more MI procedures. MI surgery resulted in shorter hospital stay and less postoperative complications compared to laparotomy.

On a special note, our cohort includes the largest uterus myomatous uterus in the scientific literature with a specimen weight of 54.8 kg.

Conclusion

Our data support the hypothesis that the implementation of robotic surgery leads to an improved capability to perform MI surgery and avoid laparotomy in almost all patients. The known benefits of MI surgery could be confirmed.
ConvMOS: climate model output statistics with deep learning
Authors: Steininger Michael , Abel Daniel , Ziegler Katrin , Krause Anna , Paeth Heiko , Hotho Andreas
Published: October 2022

Climate models are the tool of choice for scientists researching climate change. Like all models they suffer from errors, particularly systematic and location-specific representation errors. One way to reduce these errors is model output statistics (MOS) where the model output is fitted to observational data with machine learning. In this work, we assess the use of convolutional Deep Learning climate MOS approaches and present the ConvMOS architecture which is specifically designed based on the observation that there are systematic and location-specific errors in the precipitation estimates of climate models. We apply ConvMOS models to the simulated precipitation of the regional climate model REMO, showing that a combination of per-location model parameters for reducing location-specific errors and global model parameters for reducing systematic errors is indeed beneficial for MOS performance. We find that ConvMOS models can reduce errors considerably and perform significantly better than three commonly used MOS approaches and plain ResNet and U-Net models in most cases. Our results show that non-linear MOS models underestimate the number of extreme precipitation events, which we alleviate by training models specialized towards extreme precipitation events with the imbalanced regression method DenseLoss. While we consider climate MOS, we argue that aspects of ConvMOS may also be beneficial in other domains with geospatial data, such as air pollution modeling or weather forecasts.
Evaluation of Mass Spectrometric Methods for Screening Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Particulate Phase of Wildfire/Biomass Smoke
Authors: Benefield Virginia L. , Perna Shruthi , Pham Steven , Chong Ngee Sing , Li Zhuangjie , Zhang Mengliang
Published: October 2022

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of compounds containing multiple aromatic rings formed during incomplete combustion. Since many of them are known mutagens and carcinogens, PAHs found in the particulate matter (PM) from the wildfire smoke may pose significant health risks to the wildland firefighters. It is pivotal to determine the levels of PAHs in the PM to evaluate the health effects of their inhalation exposure. However, the determination of PAHs using the conventional chromatographic approaches is often time-consuming and laborious. Herein, we describe a novel method for screening nonpolar and polar PAHs in the PM of smoke by direct analysis in real-time mass spectrometry (DART-MS). PM2.5 and PM10 samples were collected on the quartz filters with a sampling system consisting of a cascade impactor with a portable sampling pump. Various indoor and outdoor experiments from biomass burns were conducted to evaluate the PM sampling systems. PAHs were analyzed by DART-MS and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) methods. The PM samples were collected in California during the wildfire season of fall 2020, and significant levels of multiple nonpolar PAHs and polar PAHs were detected. Overall, the DART-MS method has shown promising ability for high-throughput screening of PAHs in the PM of smoke. Further studies are currently under way to apply this method to study the particulate phase PAH exposures of wildland firefighters during their firefighting activities.
Too much information: exploring technology-mediated abuse in higher education online learning and teaching spaces resulting from COVID-19 and emergency remote education
Authors: Bovill Helen
Published: October 2022

During COVID-19, universities across the globe experienced a rapid requirement to move to online learning and teaching provision. This rapid move has been explored as emergency remote education (ERE). This paper reviews and presents some emerging literature regarding ERE, demonstrating how this created an environment where technology-mediated abuse could arise within the university context. Intentional and unintentional forms of technology-mediated abuse, within a global context, are considered with account of how intersectional characteristics can impact. The paper concludes with a set of provocations explored within an example framework. The provocations are given to situate ways of thinking which are facilitative of safer and more respectful use of technological spaces. Both the provocations and example framework aim to be useful critical tools for program and module teams to adapt in higher education institutions within the online sphere. The phenomenon of ERE is an opportunity to consider what can be learned with regard to management of technology-mediated abuse. However, a focus on ERE presents limitations in the paper because of the smaller number of academic sources at this time, due to recency of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Taxonomic investigation of the zooplanktivorous Lake Malawi cichlids Copadichromis mloto (Iles) and C. virginalis (Iles)
Authors: Turner G. F. , Crampton D. A. , Rusuwa B. , Hooft van Huysduynen A. , Svardal H.
Published: October 2022

The taxonomic status of the zooplanktivorous cichlids Copadichromis mloto and C. virginalis has been confused since their original descriptions by lles in 1960. Whilst two forms of C. virginalis, ‘Kaduna’ and ‘Kajose’, were distinguished in the type material, C. mloto has not been positively identified since its original description. Here we re-examined the types as well as 54 recently collected specimens from multiple sampling locations. Genome sequencing of 51 recent specimens revealed two closely related but reciprocally monophyletic clades. Geometric morphological analysis indicated that one clade morphologically encompasses the type specimens of C. virginalis identified by Iles as the Kaduna form, including the holotype, whilst the other clade encompasses not only the paratypes identified as the Kajose form, but also the type series of C. mloto. Given that all three forms in Iles’s type series are from the same locality, that there are no meristic or character states to differentiate them and that there are no records of adult male C. mloto in breeding colours, we conclude that the Kajose form previously identified as C. virginalis represents relatively deeper bodied sexually active or maturing individuals of C. mloto.
Export of dietary lipids via emergent insects from eutrophic fishponds
Authors: Fehlinger Lena , Mathieu-Resuge Margaux , Pilecky Matthias , Parmar Tarn Preet , Twining Cornelia W. , Martin-Creuzburg Dominik , Kainz Martin J.
Published: October 2022

Fishponds, despite being globally abundant, have mainly been considered as food production sites and have received little scientific attention in terms of their ecological contributions to the surrounding terrestrial environment. Emergent insects from fishponds may be important contributors of lipids and essential fatty acids to terrestrial ecosystems. In this field study, we investigated nine eutrophic fishponds in Austria from June to September 2020 to examine how Chlorophyll-a concentrations affect the biomass of emergent insect taxa (i.e., quantity of dietary subsidies; n = 108) and their total lipid and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid content (LC-PUFA, i.e., quality of dietary subsidies; n = 94). Chironomidae and Chaoboridae were the most abundant emergent insect taxa, followed by Trichoptera, Ephemeroptera, and Odonata. A total of 1068 kg of emergent insect dry mass were exported from these ponds (65.3 hectares). Chironomidae alone exported 103 kg of total lipids and 9.4 kg of omega-3 PUFA. Increasing Chl-a concentrations were associated with decreasing biomass export and a decrease in total lipid and LC-PUFA export via emergent Chironomidae. The PUFA composition of emergent insect taxa differed significantly from dietary algae, suggesting selective PUFA retention by insects. The export of insect biomass from these eutrophic carp ponds was higher than that previously reported from oligotrophic lakes. However, lower biomass and diversity are exported from the fishponds compared to managed ponds. Nonetheless, our data suggest that fishponds provide crucial ecosystem services to terrestrial consumers by contributing essential dietary nutrients to consumer diets via emergent insects.
Reciprocal Relations Between Conflicted Student-teacher Relationship and Children’s Behavior Problems: Within-person Analyses from Norway and the USA
Authors: Husby Silje Merethe , Skalická Věra , Li Zhi , Belsky Jay , Wichstrøm Lars
Published: October 2022

Current evidence suggests that conflicted student-teacher relationships may increase behavior problems in children and vice-versa, but this may be due to confounding. We therefore analyzed their relation applying a within-person approach that adjusts for all time-invariant confounding effects, involving samples from Norway (n = 964, 50.9% females) and the USA (n = 1,150, 48.3% females) followed from age 4–12 years with similar measures. Increased parent-reported behavior problems forecasted increased student-teacher conflict to a similar extent in both countries(β = 0.07,p = .010), whereas teacher-reported behavior problems predicted increased student-teacher conflict more strongly in Norway (β = 0.14,p = .001) than in the US (β = 0.08,p = .050). Increased teacher-child conflict also predicted increased parent-reported(β = 0.07,p = .010), but not teacher-reported, behavior problems in both countries. Findings underscore the reciprocal relation between behavior problems and a conflictual student-teacher relationship.
Loneliness in Myanmar’s older population: A mixed-methods investigation
Authors: Akhter-Khan Samia C. , Wai Khin Myo , Drewelies Johanna
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Little is known about loneliness in lower- and middle-income countries. This study investigates loneliness in the older population of Myanmar using a mixed-methods approach.

Methods

To identify predictors of loneliness, hierarchical regression models were used to analyze data from the Myanmar Aging Survey 2012 (N = 3,618, 57% women). In a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design, quantitative data were integrated with qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with older adults in Myanmar in 2019.

Results

The prevalence of loneliness varied by between-person characteristics. Health impairments, lower income, being widowed, not having children, and living with fewer household members were each associated with loneliness. Qualitative findings suggested that the physical presence of family members was especially protective against loneliness. Religion had mixed associations with loneliness, depending on the type of religious practice, demographic characteristics, health status, and community engagement.

Discussion

The findings contribute to a better understanding of individuals’ experiences of loneliness and may inform the design of interventions to prevent loneliness in Myanmar and globally.
Graphene oxide incorporated cellulose acetate beads for efficient removal of methylene blue dye; isotherms, kinetic, mechanism and co-existing ions studies
Authors: Eltaweil Abdelazeem S. , Abd El-Monaem Eman M. , El-Subruiti Gehan M. , Ali Bassma M. , Abd El-Latif Mona M. , Omer Ahmed M.
Published: October 2022

In this investigation, new porous adsorbent beads were formulatedviathe incorporation of graphene oxide (GO) into cellulose acetate beads (CA) for the adsorptive removal of methylene blue (MB) dye. The experimental results signified that the adsorption of MB dye increased with the increase in the GO ratio from 10 to 25%. In addition, the adsorption process obeyed PSO kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model with a maximum adsorption capacity reaching 369.85 mg/g. More importantly, it was proposed that the adsorption mechanism of MB dye onto GO@CA proceeded via electrostatic interactions, H-bonding, van der Waals forces, n-π and π -π interactions. Besides, the fabricated beads exhibited an excellent ability to recycle and reuse after five successive cycles. In addition, there was a high selectivity of GO@CA beads towards MB molecules in the presence of co-existing cations such as Fe2+, Zn2+, Cu2+and Ni2+.
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Change Efforts for Young People in New Zealand: Demographics, Types of Suggesters, and Associations with Mental Health
Authors: Fenaughty John , Tan Kyle , Ker Alex , Veale Jaimie , Saxton Peter , Alansari Mohamed
Published: October 2022

Sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts (SOGICE) are harmful practices, yet who suggests them to young people and what impacts are associated with these suggestions have received limited attention in the literature. The present study explored whether certain suggesters, and the frequency of categories of suggesters (including religious leaders, family members, and health professionals), were associated with suicidality and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). The study also explored whether particular demographics of young people were more likely to report SOGICE experiences. Data were collected through an online survey of New Zealand gender- and sexuality-diverse youth. The sample (n = 3948) had an age range of 14–26 (mean age = 18.96), and approximately half (52.4%) were transgender or gender-diverse. Odds of suicidality and NSSI were highest when religious leaders suggested SOGICE and when more than one type of suggester was reported. SOGICE was more likely to be reported by transgender and gender-diverse youth, statutory care- and homelessness-experienced youth, and young people reporting current material deprivation. Implications for targeted mental health services and education for young people and the community are discussed.
Repurposing FDA-approved drugs as inhibitors of therapy-induced invadopodia activity in glioblastoma cells
Authors: Jones Dylan , Whitehead Clarissa A. , Dinevska Marija , Widodo Samuel S. , Furst Liam M. , Morokoff Andrew P. , Kaye Andrew H. , Drummond Katharine J. , Mantamadiotis Theo , Stylli Stanley S.
Published: October 2022

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most prevalent primary central nervous system tumour in adults. The lethality of GBM lies in its highly invasive, infiltrative, and neurologically destructive nature resulting in treatment failure, tumour recurrence and death. Even with current standard of care treatment with surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, surviving tumour cells invade throughout the brain. We have previously shown that this invasive phenotype is facilitated by actin-rich, membrane-based structures known as invadopodia. The formation and matrix degrading activity of invadopodia is enhanced in GBM cells that survive treatment. Drug repurposing provides a means of identifying new therapeutic applications for existing drugs without the need for discovery or development and the associated time for clinical implementation. We investigate several FDA-approved agents for their ability to act as both cytotoxic agents in reducing cell viability and as ‘anti-invadopodia’ agents in GBM cell lines. Based on their cytotoxicity profile, three agents were selected, bortezomib, everolimus and fludarabine, to test their effect on GBM cell invasion. All three drugs reduced radiation/temozolomide-induced invadopodia activity, in addition to reducing GBM cell viability. These drugs demonstrate efficacious properties warranting further investigation with the potential to be implemented as part of the treatment regime for GBM.
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated AtGATA25 mutant represents a novel model for regulating hypocotyl elongation in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Kim Kihwan , Shin Juhyung , Kang Tae-An , Kim Byeonggyu , Kim Won-Chan
Published: October 2022

Background

Plants have evolved to adapt to the ever-changing environments through various morphological changes. An organism anticipates and responds to changes in its environment via the circadian clock, an endogenous oscillator lasting approximately 24 h. The circadian clock regulates various physiological processes, such as hypocotyl elongation in Arabidopsis thaliana. Phytochrome interacting factor 4 (PIF4), a member of the bHLH protein family, plays a vital hub role in light signaling pathways and temperature-mediated growth response mechanisms. PIF4 is controlled by the circadian clock and interacts with several factors. However, the components that regulate PIF4 transcription and activity are not clearly understood.

Methods and Results

Here, we showed that the Arabidopsis thaliana GATA25 (AtGATA25) transcription factor plays a fundamental role in promoting hypocotyl elongation by positively regulating the expression of PIF4. This was confirmed to in the loss-of-function mutant of AtGATA25 via CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing, which inhibits hypocotyl elongation and decreases the expression of PIF4. In contrast, the overexpression of AtGATA25 in transgenic plants resulted in increased expression of PIF4 and enhanced hypocotyl elongation. To better understand AtGATA25-mediated PIF4 transcriptional regulation, we analyzed the promoter region of the target gene PIF4 and characterized the role of GATA25 through transcriptional activation analysis.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest a novel role of the AtGATA25 transcription factor in hypocotyl elongation.
Drift-implicit Euler scheme for sandwiched processes driven by Hölder noises
Authors: Di Nunno Giulia , Mishura Yuliya , Yurchenko-Tytarenko Anton
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we analyze the drift-implicit (or backward) Euler numerical scheme for a class of stochastic differential equations with unbounded drift driven by an arbitrary λ-Hölder continuous process, λ ∈ (0,1). We prove that, under some mild moment assumptions on the Hölder constant of the noise, the $L^{r}({\Omega };L^{\infty }([0,T]))$

L

r

(
Ω
;

L

∞

(
[
0
,
T
]
)
)
-approximation error converges to 0 as O(Δλ), Δ → 0. To exemplify, we consider numerical schemes for the generalized Cox–Ingersoll–Ross and Tsallis–Stariolo–Borland models. The results are illustrated by simulations.
Delayed Gastric Emptying After Sleeve Gastrectomy Is Associated with Poor Weight Loss
Authors: Wickremasinghe Anagi Chethana , Johari Yazmin , Laurie Cheryl , Shaw Kalai , Playfair Julie , Beech Paul , Yue Helen , Becroft Louise , Hebbard Geoffrey , Yap Kenneth S. , Brown Wendy , Burton Paul
Published: October 2022

Background

Intermediate to long-term weight regain is a major challenge following sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Physiological changes that mediate the extent of weight loss remain unclear. We aimed to determine if there were specific esophago-gastric transit and emptying alterations associated with weight regain.

Material and Methods

Participants greater than 12 months post-SG were categorized into optimal (n = 29) and poor weight loss (PWL) (n = 72). All patients underwent a liquid contrast barium swallow demonstrating normal post-surgical anatomy and a protocolized nuclear scintigraphy designed specifically to characterize gastric emptying following SG.

Results

The %total weight loss in the optimal group was 26.2 ± 10.5 vs. 14.3 ± 8.8% in the PWL group (p = 0.001). Scintigraphy showed PWL had relatively increased gastric emptying half-time (GE 1/2t) 35 (IQR 23) min vs 19 (IQR 5.5) min (p = 0.001). The multivariate regressions delineated GE 1/2t as the best diagnostic measure for PWL (OR 1.16; CI 1.04–1.29, p-value 0.021). The probability of PWL increased by 16% for every 1-min increase above 21 min of GE 1/2t. A threshold of 21 min was found to have 88% sensitivity and 69% specificity predicting poor weight loss.

Conclusion

Gastric emptying half-times greater than 21 min appear to reliably correlate with poor weight loss following SG. Additionally, further elevations above 21 min in emptying half-time increase the risk of poor weight loss. We have shown nuclear scintigraphy represents a simple and accurate diagnostic tool in patients who experience poor weight loss after SG, provided substantially altered reporting references in interpreting nuclear scintigraphy are applied.

Graphical abstract
Peptide Tyrosine-Tyrosine Triggers GLP-2-Mediated Intestinal Hypertrophy After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
Authors: Pérez-Arana Gonzalo-Martín , Díaz-Gómez Alfredo , Camacho-Ramírez Alonso , Ribelles-García Antonio , Almorza-Gomar David , Gracia-Romero Manuel , Prada-Oliveira José-Arturo
Published: October 2022

Purpose 

Intestinal remodeling and adaptation of the alimentary limb after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) play an important role in the pathophysiological events that lead to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) improvement. Intestinal absorptive loop hypertrophy and growth following surgery have been related to GLP-2 secretion by ileal L-cells. The secretion of peptide tyrosine-tyrosine (PYY) enterohormone after a meal has been proposed as a trigger for ileal secretion of GLP-1. Our aim is to determine the role of PYY as a GLP-2 secretion modulator as an adaptation result in the alimentary limb after RYGB.

Method

We used a non-obese euglycemic rodent model. Circulating glucose, insulin, PYY, and GLP-2 were measured in the experimental and control groups. We used four groups: fasting control, Sham-operated, RYGB-operated (RYGB), and RYGB-operated and treated with BIIE0246 (RYGB + BII). BIIE0246 is a NPY2 receptor antagonist in L-cells. Intestinal glucose transporters and GLP-1 and PYY gut expression and hypertrophy were analyzed after 12 weeks of surgery.

Results

RYGB increased PYY3-36 plasma levels in rats with or without BII treatment. A high-insulin response was observed in the RYGB group but not in the control or RYGB + BII groups. BIIE0246 treatment limited plasma GLP-2 levels. In the alimentary intestinal limb, hypertrophy and SGLT1 and GLUT1 expression appeared to be reduced after RYGB compared to controls.

Conclusion

The postprandial ileal PYY secretion is enhanced after RYGB. This increase mediates GLP-2 release through its binding to the Y2 receptor on L-cells. This mechanism plays a role in alimentary limb hypertrophy after surgery.

Graphical abstract
The stochastic primitive equations with transport noise and turbulent pressure
Authors: Agresti Antonio , Hieber Matthias , Hussein Amru , Saal Martin
Published: October 2022

In this paper we consider the stochastic primitive equation for geophysical flows subject to transport noise and turbulent pressure. Admitting very rough noise terms, the global existence and uniqueness of solutions to this stochastic partial differential equation are proven using stochastic maximal $$L^2$$

L
2

-regularity, the theory of critical spaces for stochastic evolution equations, and global a priori bounds. Compared to other results in this direction, we do not need any smallness assumption on the transport noise which acts directly on the velocity field and we also allow rougher noise terms. The adaptation to Stratonovich type noise and, more generally, to variable viscosity and/or conductivity are discussed as well.