bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Specific Structure on the Dielectric and Thermal Performance of Bulk Polymers: Atomistic Molecular Dynamics Simulations of XNBR
Authors: Lu Ling , Zhao Chen , Zhang Hao , Cai Fei , Wu Sizhu
Published: March 2022

The influence of the molecular structure of carboxylated acrylonitrile‐butadiene rubber (XNBR) on the dielectric properties through nonequilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) simulations is investigated here. The NEMD simulations are performed for calculating the permittivity (ε) of XNBR under different alternating electric field strength (Ei), alternating electric field frequency (Ef), and temperature. The simulation results show a similar change trend with the reported experimental consequence of dielectric elastomer. Interestingly, a critical alternating Ei at which the dielectric properties of XNBR with different acrylonitrile contents change seriously is found. Moreover, a deep insight into the mechanisms of the dielectric and thermal performance of XNBR is explored through the analysis from the atomistic level, including intermolecular interaction, fractional free volume, molecular chain migration ability, hydrogen bonds breaking and reformation, dipole autocorrelation function, phonon vibration power spectrum, and kinetic energy. The research results will inspire the design of polymer structures to obtain high‐performance polymer materials.
Attitudes Toward Telehealth Services Among People Living With Parkinson's Disease: A Survey Study
Authors: Xu Yaqian , Feeney Megan P. , Surface Matthew , Novak Dan , Troche Michelle S. , Beck James C. , Alcalay Roy N.
Published: March 2022

Background

Telehealth has been widely adopted in providing Parkinson's disease care during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Objective

The aim of this study was to survey people living with Parkinson's disease (PwPD) about their attitudes toward and utilization of telehealth services.

Methods

A survey was administered to PwPD via Parkinson's Foundation and Columbia University mailing lists.

Results

Of 1,163 responses, 944 complete responses were analyzed. Telehealth awareness was 90.2% (850/942), and utilization was 82.8% (780/942). More than 40% of PwPD were equally or more satisfied with telehealth compared with in‐person visits in all types of services used. The highest satisfaction was observed in speech‐language pathology appointments (78.8%, 52/66) followed by mental health services (69.2%, 95/137).

Conclusions

In selected circumstances and indications, such as speech‐language pathology and mental health services, telehealth may be a useful tool in the care of PwPD beyond the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. © 2022 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson Movement Disorder Society.
“Reverse tensor fascia latae perforator flap for reconstruction of knee defect: Anatomic study by computed tomographic angiography and a case report”
Authors: Boucher Fabien , Abihannah Michel , Chauvel‐Picard Julie , Mojallal Ali A. , Rouviere Olivier , Brosset Sophie
Published: March 2022

Background

Reverse anterolateral thigh perforator (ALTp) pedicle flap can be used to reconstruct perigenicular defect thanks to the anastomoses between the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA) and the perigenicular network. In a few cases, however, patients do not present any ALTp. We hypothesized that, in such cases, an adjacent perforator, the tensor fascia latae perforator (TFLp), emerging from the LCFA ascending branch, could be used instead. To assess the feasibility of this technique, a radiological study was conducted. A first patient was treated using this option.

Methods

Sixty lower limb computed tomography were analyzed. The first treated patient was a 50‐years‐old man suffering from a 5‐mm chronic bone exposure and osteomyelitis. Other reconstructive options were not indicated since he presented a multiscarry leg, severe arteriopathy, and no ALTp. A TFLp flap was raised, and the LCFA ascending and descending branches were dissected in continuity. After ligation of the LCFA, the blood flow reversed in the descending branch to irrigate the flap through the ascending branch.

Results

A TFL perforator was observed in all the cases of the radiological study. The LCFA branching pattern was compatible with achieving a reverse TFL perforator flap in 43 cases (72%). The average pedicle length was 32 cm (22–38 cm). In the first clinical case, the flap covered the defect easily. After three months, the patient showed no evidence of infection recurrence and recovered a painless walk.

Conclusion

The reverse TFLp flap can be a suitable option for perigenicular reconstruction.
Drug Repurposing for Newly Emerged Diseases via Network‐based Inference on a Gene‐disease‐drug Network
Authors: Qin Li , Wang Jiye , Wu Zengrui , Li Weihua , Liu Guixia , Tang Yun
Published: March 2022

Identification of disease‐drug associations is an effective strategy for drug repurposing, especially in searching old drugs for newly emerged diseases like COVID‐19. In this study, we put forward a network‐based method named NEDNBI to predict disease‐drug associations based on a gene‐disease‐drug tripartite network, which could be applied in drug repurposing. The novelty of our method lies in the fact that no negative data are required, and new disease could be added into the disease‐drug network with gene as the bridge. The comprehensive evaluation results showed that the proposed method had good performance, with AUC value 0.948±0.009 for 10‐fold cross validation. In a case study, 8 of the 20 predicted old drugs have been tested clinically for the treatment of COVID‐19, which illustrated the usefulness of our method in drug repurposing. The source code and data of the method are available at https://github.com/Qli97/NEDNBI.
Synergistic impact of motion and acquisition/reconstruction parameters on18F‐FDG PET radiomic features in non‐small cell lung cancer: Phantom and clinical studies
Authors: Hosseini Seyyed Ali , Shiri Isaac , Hajianfar Ghasem , Bahadorzadeh Bahador , Ghafarian Pardis , Zaidi Habib , Ay Mohammad Reza
Published: March 2022

Objectives

This study is aimed at examining the synergistic impact of motion and acquisition/reconstruction parameters on18F‐FDG PET image radiomic features in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, and investigating the robustness of features performance in differentiating NSCLC histopathology subtypes.

Methods

An in‐house developed thoracic phantom incorporating lesions with different sizes was used with different reconstruction settings, including various reconstruction algorithms, number of subsets and iterations, full‐width at half‐maximum of post‐reconstruction smoothing filter and acquisition parameters, including injected activity and test–retest with and without motion simulation. To simulate motion, a special motor was manufactured to simulate respiratory motion based on a normal patient in two directions. The lesions were delineated semi‐automatically to extract 174 radiomic features. All radiomic features were categorized according to the coefficient of variation (COV) to select robust features. A cohort consisting of 40 NSCLC patients with adenocarcinoma (n= 20) and squamous cell carcinoma (n= 20) was retrospectively analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed to discriminate robust features in differentiating histopathology subtypes of NSCLC lesions.

Results

Overall, 29% of radiomic features showed a COV ≤5% against motion. Forty‐five percent and 76% of the features showed a COV ≤ 5% against the test–retest with and without motion in large lesions, respectively. Thirty‐three percent and 45% of the features showed a COV ≤ 5% against different reconstruction parameters with and without motion, respectively. For NSCLC histopathological subtype differentiation, statistical analysis showed that 31 features were significant (p‐value < 0.05). Two out of the 31 significant features, namely, the joint entropy of GLCM (AUC = 0.71, COV = 0.019) and median absolute deviation of intensity histogram (AUC = 0.7, COV = 0.046), were robust against the motion (same reconstruction setting).

Conclusions

Motion, acquisition, and reconstruction parameters significantly impact radiomic features, just as their synergies. Radiomic features with high predictive performance (statistically significant) in differentiating histopathological subtype of NSCLC may be eliminated due to non‐reproducibility.
Carbon and oxygen stable isotopic evidence for diverse sheep and goat husbandry strategies amid a Final Bronze Age farming milieu in the Kyrgyz Tian Shan
Authors: Hermes Taylor R. , Schmid Clemens , Tabaldiev Kubatbek , Motuzaite Matuzeviciute Giedre
Published: March 2022

The mountains of Central Asia during the Bronze and Iron Ages are increasingly being reconceived as an important zone for intensive crop cultivation in combination with pastoralist herding. However, very little information is known about how farming practices intersected with livestock husbandry, especially at high‐elevation sites. This paper presents the first insights to ancient animal management strategies in the Tian Shan through incremental carbon and oxygen stable isotope analysis of domesticated caprine teeth recovered from the Chap‐1 farmstead located at 2000 m.a.s.l. in Kyrgyzstan (1065 to 825 cal BCE). We implemented a fully reproducible analysis of time‐series isotope data in the R programming language. Results show subtle but variable manipulation of domesticated caprine diets at subannual scales, suggesting mixed strategies of providing access to a small amount of C4 plant biomass, in addition to summer movements to high pastures where the overall carbon isotopic composition of graze was depleted in 13C compared with that of the environs of the site or lowland pastures. Nevertheless, caprine dietary intake was overwhelmingly dominated by C3 plants. Analysis of domesticated caprine birth seasonality reveals off‐season fall and winter births, which represent a common strategy employed by ancient producers in Central Asia to improve herd security and extend meat and milk availability. This study illustrates a well‐integrated system of agro‐pastoralist production that can help clarify the social dynamics underlying food systems in the mountain regions of Central and Inner Asia in the Final Bronze Age. It further reveals the capability for more sedentary agro‐pastoralist communities to facilitate wider interregional cultural connections, through limited seasonal herding mobility and investment in highland settlement.
A rare case of prostate cancer with spontaneous gingival bleeding as the initial manifestation of underlying disseminated intravascular coagulation
Authors: Tanaka Takuya , Fukuma Daiki , Yuno Akira , Nakamoto Masafumi , Imamura Takahisa , Nakayama Hideki
Published: March 2022

Background

Gingival bleeding is uncommon in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), rarely caused by prostate cancer (PC).

Case presentation

A 69‐year‐old man complained of uncontrollable gingival bleeding. A low platelet count and prolonged bleeding and prothrombin times were observed. Elevated levels of fibrin degradation products, D‐dimer, thrombin‐antithrombin‐complex, plasmin‐α2‐plasmin inhibitor‐complex, and prostate‐specific antigen suggested PC‐associated DIC with hyperfibrinolysis. Computed tomography revealed prostate tumor with metastasis to the regional lymph nodes and vertebrae. By treatment with heparin, anti‐androgenic agents, and tranexamic acid, gingival bleeding resolved.

Conclusion

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons should be aware that gingival bleeding may be a sign of PC‐associated DIC.
Durable remission for four pediatric patients with high‐risk relapsed classical Hodgkin lymphoma treated with brentuximab vedotin plus gemcitabine but without autologous stem cell transplantation: A report from the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Buhtoiarov Ilia N. , Mba Nkechi I. , Santos Crystal D. L. , McCarten Kathleen M. , Metzger Monika L. , Pei Qinglin , Bush Rizvan , Baker Kayla , Kelly Kara M. , Cole Peter D.
Published: March 2022

Patients with therapy‐refractory or high‐risk relapsed classical Hodgkin lymphoma are typically treated with the high‐dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (HDC/ASCT) to consolidate the response to salvage therapy. The combination of brentuximab vedotin with gemcitabine has recently been shown to be an effective and safe salvage regimen. While the majority of patients with complete responses to this regimen ultimately underwent HDC/ASCT consolidation, four subjects, reported herein, achieved durable complete remissions lasting more than 4 years after the study treatment but without ASCT consolidation. Further investigation of treatment strategies incorporating targeted agents may allow omission of HDC/ASCT for select patients.
A spatial distribution effect of almond shell bio filler on physical, mechanical, thermal deflection and water absorption properties of vinyl ester polymer composite
Authors: Palaniyappan Sabarinathan , Veiravan Annamalai , Kaliyamoorthy Rajkumar , Kumar Vishal , Veeman Dhinakaran
Published: March 2022

The present work deals with the effective utilization of almond shell bio‐waste fillers in the production of vinyl ester polymer composites. The almond shell particle surface was chemically modified by alkaline treatment. The almond shell particles with varying weight percentages of 5%–30% were used to prepare the vinyl ester polymer composite. The experimental results show that a 25% addition of alkaline‐treated almond shell particles significantly improved the mechanical properties of the composite when compared to pure vinyl ester and untreated almond‐filled composite samples. The highest tensile, flexural, impact strength, and Shore D hardness of the 25% alkaline‐treated almond shell composite were 54, 142 MPa, 31, and 79 kJ/m2, respectively. This was due to the alkaline treatment of almond shell particles, which improved the interfacial adhesion between the vinyl ester matrix and almond particles. The heat deflection temperature of the 25% alkaline treated almond shell particle‐filled vinyl ester matrix composite was 72°C. The thermal insulating characteristics of alkali‐treated almond shells were improved due to the reduction of quickly thermal degradable materials such as hemicelluloses and lignin, as indicated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic data, and more exposure of minerals to the surface, as confirmed by energy dispersive X‐ray analysis. The addition of alkaline‐treated almond shell particles improves the characteristics of the vinyl ester matrix and allows the development of biocomposites.
Nanosecond‐pulsed microbubble plasma reactor for plasma‐activated water generation and bacterial inactivation
Authors: Man Chenxi , Zhang Cheng , Fang Haiqin , Zhou Renwu , Huang Bangdou , Xu Yuanzhong , Zhang Xiaoxing , Shao Tao
Published: March 2022

In this study, a microbubble‐enabled plasma reactor driven by a nanosecond‐pulsed generator was developed to provide an effective means for transferring highly reactive plasma species into liquids for plasma‐activated water (PAW) production. The physicochemical characteristics of PAW at different temperatures were evaluated, and the corresponding antimicrobial effects of PAW against Escherichia coli cells were investigated. Results show that the microbubble‐enabled PAW at a lower temperature (10°C) had the highest antimicrobial activity, resulting in a 2.43 ± 1.02‐log10 reduction of E. coli in PAW. The excellent energy efficiency of the total reactive oxygen and nitrogen species production in PAW is 10.37 g kW−1 h−1. Overall, this study provides much‐needed insights into the microbubble‐enabled plasma chemistries for optimizing the biochemical activity of PAW.
The effects of apixaban on clot characteristics in atrial fibrillation: A novel pharmacodynamic biomarker
Authors: Lawrence Matthew J. , Evans Vanessa , Whitley Janet , Pillai Suresh , Williams Phylip R. , Coulson James , Krishnan Manju , Slade Peter , Power Kieron , Morris Roger H.K. , Evans Phillip A.
Published: March 2022

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major risk factor for stroke. We aim to characterize AF patients and the effects of apixaban therapy in terms of clot microstructure using gel point analysis, a novel biomarker. Seventy‐eight patients were included in the study, 50 Stroke with AF (AF‐S), and 28 AF without stroke (AF). Pre‐ and post‐anticoagulation samples were collected: gel point (GP) analysis was performed to obtain (i) TGP (the time taken to reach the GP or the clot formation time) and (ii) df, the fractal dimension of the clot, a quantification of clot fibrin microstructure at the GP. At baseline, the AF‐S group had a df = 1.70 (±0.05) and TGP = 306 (±73 s). The AF group had a df = 1.70 ± 0.05 and TGP = 346 ± 78 s, showing a significantly shortened TGP in the stroke group (p = .008). For both groups, apixaban significantly prolonged TGP, p = .005, but resulted in no change in df. Apixaban prolonged clotting time while having no significant impact on the blood’s ability to form stable clots (no change in df). This indicates that apixaban provides protection from the formation of thrombi by reducing clotting kinetics.
Suitable areas for invasive insect pests in Brazil and the potential impacts for eucalyptus forestry
Authors: Mota Juliana dos Santos , Barbosa Leonardo Rodrigues , Marchioro Cesar Augusto
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

Brazil is among the world's largest producers of eucalyptus and the damage caused by native and invasive insect pests is one of the main factors affecting eucalyptus yield. The recent history of biological invasions of eucalyptus pests in Brazil prompts demand for phytosanitary measures to prevent new invasions. This study used ecological niche models to estimate suitable areas for nine eucalyptus pests. This information was used to assess the potential ports of entry, generate invasion risk maps considering the likelihood of introducing invasive species, and estimate the eucalyptus producing municipalities and areas within the species' suitable range.

RESULTS

A large distribution range was predicted forEucalyptolyma maideni(Hempitera: Aphalaridae),Orgya postica(Lepidoptera: Erebidae),Sinoxylon anale(Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), andTrachymela sloanei(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Brazil, while a comparatively smaller distribution was predicted forOphelimus maskelli(Hymenoptera: Eulophidae),Mnesampela privata(Lepidoptera: Geometridae),Paropsis atomaria(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae),Paropsisterna beata, andP. cloelia(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). High‐risk areas of invasion near airports and seaports were predicted mainly in southern, southeastern, and northeastern Brazil. A large proportion of the municipalities (24.4% to 93.7%) and areas with eucalyptus plantations (31.9% to 98.3%) are within the climatically suitable areas estimated for the pests, especially in southern and southeastern regions, which comprises 61.5% of the Brazilian eucalyptus production.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that eucalyptus forestry may be significantly impacted by biological invasion. The findings provided by our study can assist decision‐makers in developing phytosanitary measures to prevent new invasions of forest pests in Brazil. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Prediction schemes for disturbance attenuation of discrete‐time linear systems with delayed input and delay‐free input
Authors: Wang Yu , Wu Ai‐Guo
Published: March 2022

In this article, a predictor is developed for discrete‐time linear systems with delayed input and delay‐free input to attenuate external disturbances. This predictor is designed to estimate a quantity related to the future state and input. The ultimate bounds of the state of the closed‐loop system are derived when the predictor‐based state feedback control laws are utilized to this class of delayed systems. Based on the expressions of the ultimate bounds, the disturbance attenuation performance is analyzed for the proposed prediction scheme. Moreover, the robustness to model uncertainties is analyzed when the systems are controlled by the traditional predictor‐based and the proposed predictor‐based control laws. Finally, three numerical examples are employed to show the effectiveness and the robustness of the proposed predictor.
Omnibus testing approach for gene‐based gene‐gene interaction
Authors: Hébert Florian , Causeur David , Emily Mathieu
Published: March 2022

Genetic interaction is considered as one of the main heritable component of complex traits. With the emergence of genome‐wide association studies (GWAS), a collection of statistical methods dedicated to the identification of interaction at the SNP level have been proposed. More recently, gene‐based gene‐gene interaction testing has emerged as an attractive alternative as they confer advantage in both statistical power and biological interpretation. Most of the gene‐based interaction methods rely on a multidimensional modeling of the interaction, thus facing a lack of robustness against the huge space of interaction patterns. In this paper, we study a global testing approaches to address the issue of gene‐based gene‐gene interaction. Based on a logistic regression modeling framework, all SNP‐SNP interaction tests are combined to produce a gene‐level test for interaction. We propose an omnibus test that takes advantage of (1) the heterogeneity between existing global tests and (2) the complementarity between allele‐based and genotype‐based coding of SNPs. Through an extensive simulation study, it is demonstrated that the proposed omnibus test has the ability to detect with high power the most common interaction genetic models with one causal pair as well as more complex genetic models where more than one causal pair is involved. On the other hand, the flexibility of the proposed approach is shown to be robust and improves power compared to single global tests in replication studies. Furthermore, the application of our procedure to real datasets confirms the adaptability of our approach to replicate various gene‐gene interactions.
The psychological response and perception of stress during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Slovenia: Three‐wave repeated cross‐sectional study
Authors: Kozina Ana , Peras Igor , Veldin Manja , Pivec Tina
Published: March 2022

In addition to COVID‐19 being a health threat, its longevity and restrictions act as significant stressors and risk for mental health. In the current study, we take a look at how psychological response, both its positive aspects, for example, mental well‐being and life satisfaction, and its negative aspects, for example, anxiety and COVID‐19 anxiety, have changed as the pandemic has continued (first three waves in Slovenia). Additionally, we are interested in whether the psychological response is associated with the perception of stress level in waves 2 and 3 as less, equally or more stressful when compared to the stress level in wave 1 and what shapes these perceptions. An online questionnaire battery (COVID‐19 stress level comparison, Warwick‐Edinburgh Mental Well‐being Scale; LAOM Anxiety Scale; Global Life Satisfaction scale; COVID‐19 anxiety), with ANOVA and qualitative analysis of the open‐ended question on reasons for perceiving wave 2 and wave 3 as more stressful when compared to wave 1, was used on a Slovene convenience adult sample (wave 1: N = 364, 83.5% female; wave 2: N = 987, 85.5% female; wave 3: N = 467, 78.5% female). The findings show (a) a significant increase in COVID‐19 anxiety from wave 1 to wave 3, with a peak in wave 2, and a significant decrease in mental well‐being from wave 1 to wave 3; (b) the level of anxiety, mental well‐being, and life satisfaction differs significantly between individuals who perceive wave 2 and 3 as more stressful compared to individuals who perceive wave 2 and wave 3 as equally or less stressful when compared to wave 1; (c) reasons for perceiving the succeeding waves of the pandemic as more stressful compared to wave 1 are diverse, with some being reported in both succeeding waves (e.g., negative emotional response to the pandemic, negative perceptions of measures). The findings highlight the important role of stress analysis in identifying the support mechanisms for dealing with the challenges of the COVID‐19 pandemic.
From Bulk to Surface Passivation: Double Role of Chlorine‐Doping for Boosting Efficiency of FAPbI3‐rich Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Larini Valentina , Degani Matteo , Pica Giovanni , Ding Changzeng , Andaji-Garmaroudi Zahra , Faini Fabiola , Stranks Samuel D. , Ma Chang-Qi , Grancini Giulia
Published: March 2022

Defect‐mediated recombination losses limit the open‐circuit voltage (VOC) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), negatively affecting the device's performance. Bulk and dimensional engineering have both been reported as promising strategies to passivate shallow defects, thus improving the photovoltaic conversion efficiency (PCE). Here, a combined bulk and surface treatment employing chlorine‐based compounds is employed. Methylammonium chloride (MACl) is used as a bulk additive, while 4‐methylphenethylammonium chloride (MePEACl) is deposited onto the perovskite surface to produce a low‐dimensional perovskite (LDP) and reduce nonradiative recombination. Through structural and morphological investigations, it can be confirmed that bulk and surface doping have a beneficial effect on the film morphology and its overall quality, while electroluminescence (EL) and photoluminescence (PL) analyses demonstrate an increased and more homogeneous emission. Applying this double passivation strategy in PSC fabrication, a boost is observed in both the short‐circuit current density and the VOC of the devices, achieving a champion 21.4% PCE while improving device stability.
Experimental Characterization and Statistical Analysis of Water‐Based Gold Nanofluids for Solar Applications: Optical Properties and Photothermal Conversion Efficiency
Authors: Burgos Jorge , Mondragón Rosa , Elcioglu Elif Begum , Fabregat-Santiago Francisco , Hernández Leonor
Published: March 2022

Optimizing optical and photothermal properties of the solar nanofluids (NFs) to be used in direct absorption solar collectors is a key issue to maximize efficiencies in these collector types. This work both experimentally and statistically analyzes the influence of the size (5 and 20 nm) and concentration (5.1, 28.2, and 51.3 ppm) of gold nanoparticles (NPs) on several important variables for collector performance: NF stability, extinction coefficient, photothermal efficiency, etc. The research work shows that the addition of small amounts of gold NPs, whose surface plasmon resonance has wavelengths close to 520 nm, greatly improves the light absorption capacity of the base fluid (water). The statistical analysis confirms the influence of NP size and concentration on photothermal conversion efficiency (PTE), which lead to an increase of up to 121% for the smallest‐sized NF with the highest concentration.
Importance and Advancement of Modification Engineering in Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Wu Xiang , Wu Bo , Zhu Zhiguo , Tayyab Muhammad , Gao Deqing
Published: March 2022

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have achieved excellent power conversion efficiencies comparable to those of silicon‐based cells. However, there are still many deficiencies in device stability, performance reproducibility, and hysteresis effect. Some surface modifiers and additives have been introduced in the last few years. Among them, organic ionic materials have attracted much attention due to their advantages of wide selection, strong electronic interaction, and good solubility. In this review, various ionic materials utilized in PSCs during recent several years are summarized. Their mechanisms to improve the device performance are thoroughly discussed, including the defect passivation on the surfaces and grain boundaries, improvement of energy‐level alignment, modification of surface morphology, modulation of crystal structure, stabilization of perovskite phase, suppression of ion migration, protection against moisture, and formation of low‐dimensional perovskite species. Finally, an outlook on the future research trends is proposed.
Ionic Liquid‐Tuned Crystallization for Stable and Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Ran Junhui , Wang Hao , Deng Wen , Xie Haipeng , Gao Yongli , Yuan Yongbo , Yang Yingguo , Ning Zhijun , Yang Bin
Published: March 2022

Long‐term operational stability is a significant challenge for perovskite solar cells to become a commercial photovoltaic technology. Herein, a feasible approach is presented to improve both thermal and environmental stability of organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites by introducing ionic liquid butylammonium acetate (BAAc) to coordinate the PbI2 precursor solution through strong bonding interactions to tune crystallization of perovskites. Inverted planar solar cells based on BAAc‐containing tri‐cation perovskites result in a high efficiency of over 20%. More importantly, after 700 h of aging at 85 °C in the nitrogen environment and 650 h storage in the ambient condition with a relative humidity of 35 ± 5%, the BAAc‐treated devices are shown to be much more stable as maintained 79.5% and 76.3% of the initial power conversion efficiency, respectively. This work provides a promising strategy to tune crystallization of perovskites to improve long‐term stability of perovskite solar cells.
Formation of Native Inx(O,S)yBuffer through Surface Oxidation of Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2Absorber for Significantly Enhanced Conversion Efficiency of Flexible and Cd‐Free Solar Cell by All‐Dry Process
Authors: Chantana Jakapan , Kawano Yu , Nishimura Takahito , Mavlonov Abdurashid , Negami Takayuki , Minemoto Takashi
Published: March 2022

Herein, flexible, Cd‐free, and all‐dry process Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2(CIGSSe) solar cells on stainless steel (SUS) substrates are developed with manufacturing CIGSSe absorbers fabricated in real production line with large sample size of 0.94 × 1.23 m2. Air‐annealing process under a temperature of 130 °C, 1 atmospheric pressure, and air humidity of about 50% (accelerated oxidizing process) is conducted on absorbers for their oxidized surface. It is demonstrated for the first time that oxidized surface of CIGSSe absorbers after air‐annealing process gives rise to considerable increases in photovoltaic performances of CIGSSe solar cells. This occurs because of formation of native Inx(O,S)ybuffer near CIGSSe surface formed after air‐annealing process, which yields self‐forming heterojunction, acting as charge separation and hole‐blocking barrier with increased valence band offset of native Inx(O,S)y/CIGSSe to 1.4 eV, thereby avoiding sputtering damage on CIGSSe surface. Therefore, carrier recombination rates at the interface and depletion regions of the solar cell are reduced, implying improvement of interface and near‐surface qualities. Ultimately, conversion efficiency of 16.7% for flexible, Cd‐free, and all‐dry process CIGSSe solar cell on SUS substrate is attained after the air‐annealing process (130 °C and 6 h) with potential toward Lab‐to‐Fab transition.
Experimental and Discrete Element Method Analysis of Galvanized Steel Scrap Particles Along and After an Inclined Chute
Authors: Georgakopoulos Evangelos , Hosseini Ashkan , Kerry Timothy , Hage Johannes , Meijer Koen , Offerman Erik , Yang Yongxiang
Published: March 2022

HIsarna is a novel ironmaking process with great raw materials versatility that is attractive for various secondary resources. Among the materials that can be recycled, there is steel scrap which is fed to the furnace bath through an inclined chute. The velocity distribution of the scrap particles along the chute affects the particles’ distribution on the liquid slag and, thereupon, the efficient operation of the reactor. In this study, the flow of steel scrap particles along an inclined chute with the same dimensions as those of the actual chute of the HIsarna plant is investigated experimentally and numerically. The simulations are validated using chute tip velocity and mass fractions collected at the different compartments of a sampling device. Translational and angular velocity distributions along and across the chute are reported, and the effect of different parameters are investigated. The impact of the shape of the particles on the simulation process is found to be negligible. The angular velocity distribution in cross‐sections of the chute exhibited a V‐shaped orientation, whereas the translational velocity displayed similar values across the cross‐sections. Moreover, translational velocity appeared to increase with increasing inclination angles, whereas angular velocity increased with decreasing batch size.
Electrochemically Activated Surface Reconstruction of PdCu Nanotubes for Improved Ethanol Oxidation Electrocatalysis
Authors: Fu Qi-Qi , Li Hui-Hui , Xu Liang , Li Yu-Da , Yu Shu-Hong
Published: March 2022

Boosting the stability of anodic electrocatalysts is of prominent importance for direct ethanol fuel cells. Precise control of the surface structure at the atomic level can effectively tune the electrocatalytic performance of materials. Here, an in situ electrochemical post‐treatment technique to rebuild a highly crystalline and stable multilayered Pd‐skin structure on Pd47Cu53 nanotubes (NTs) via dealloying and atomic rearrangement is reported. The structural and compositional evolution of Pd47Cu53 NTs is tracked through the whole post‐treatment process, involving sequential cyclic voltammetry (CV) and potentiostatic chronoamperometry (PC) treatments. The post‐treated Pd47Cu53 NTs not only preserve the original tubular structure of the pristine materials, as‐prepared Pd47Cu53 NTs, but also extensively improve the crystallinity of discrete nanoparticles (NPs) along the NTs. By comparing their catalytic performance toward ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR), the construction of a multilayered Pd‐skin surface is capable of greatly enhancing the catalytic stability of Pd47Cu53 NTs. Such in situ electrochemical processing features and significant stabilization effects show a bright future of being a universal surface reconstruction method for alloy electrocatalysts.
Numerical analysis of square concrete‐filled double‐skin tubular columns with outer stainless‐steel tube
Authors: Le Tuan Trung , Patel Vipulkumar Ishvarbhai , Liang Qing Quan , Huynh Phat , Ha Ngoc San
Published: March 2022

Stainless steel has increasingly been utilized in concrete‐filled composite columns because of its high corrosion resistance and aesthetic appearance. However, there is little published information on the structural behavior of concrete‐filled double‐skin steel tubular (CFDST) columns made of square outer stainless‐steel skin and circular inner carbon steel tubes. The present study focuses on the nonlinear analysis of axially loaded CFDST short columns with outer square stainless steel tube and inner circular carbon steel tube. The explicit analysis methodology is adopted to develop the finite element model of CFDST columns. The verified model is employed to undertake a parametric study on the geometric and material effects on the performance of CFDST columns. The findings indicate that the outer tube diameter‐to‐thickness should be maintained <40 to ensure the required plastic resistance of CFDST columns with hollow ratio in range from 0.34 to 0.42. The design equation for calculating the ultimate axial strength of CFDST columns with outer stainless steel is proposed.
Epistemic orientation toward teaching science for knowledge generation: Conceptualization and validation of the construct
Authors: Suh Jee Kyung , Hwang Jihyun , Park Soonhye , Hand Brian
Published: March 2022

Research in science education has emphasized the importance of knowledge generation approaches to learning. Creating generative learning environments requires teachers to address the epistemic underpinning of science practices and shift their orientations toward knowledge generation approaches. This study aimed to propose epistemic orientation as a key component of teacher development for implementing knowledge generation approaches and develop an empirically grounded model of the construct through a mixed‐method approach. Epistemic orientation toward teaching science for knowledge generation (EOTS‐KG) was defined as a particular direction of thinking concerning how to deal with knowledge and knowledge generation processes when a teacher aims to create generative learning environments for teaching science. Building on the theoretical model of EOTS‐KG established through a critical literature review, we conducted a multiple case study of exemplary elementary teachers and designed an instrument called the Epistemic Orientation Survey. The model from the case study described four major subdimensions indicated by 11 essential elements that should be considered when preparing teachers for implementing a knowledge approach, suggesting that teachers' beliefs about learning should be a priority in teacher development. Using the instrument, we tested the dimensionality of the construct, leading to the suggestions that both unidimensional and multidimensional models are valuable for use in future research. We believe the model developed in this study would serve as a powerful framework to allow researchers to examine changes in teachers' epistemic orientation in various contexts.
The first 5 years of teaching science: The beliefs, knowledge, practices, and opportunities to learn of secondary science teachers
Authors: Luft Julie A. , Navy Shannon L. , Wong Sissy S. , Hill Kathleen M.
Published: March 2022

The early years of teaching are important for science teachers, but little is known about how science teachers develop professionally in their early years. This mixed methods study took a longitudinal view of the early years of teaching. Following 95 secondary science teachers over a 5‐year period, this study examined the beliefs, pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), and practices of the teachers during and after their induction programming. It drew upon the conceptual framework of opportunities to learn to contemplate the experiences of the teachers in relationship to their beliefs, PCK, and practices. Interviews and observations comprised the data in the study, which were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively and then integrated to understand the teachers' development. The quantitative analysis revealed that the early career teachers experienced no significant change in their beliefs over time but did experience significant change in their PCK and in some of their instructional practices. The qualitative analysis highlighted the difficulty in changing the instruction of the teachers, administrative decisions that constrained or contributed to the learning of the new teachers, and the different professional learning opportunities new teachers drew upon over time. These results suggest that early professional development experiences provided some support for the newly hired teachers, but not enough to challenge their beliefs or establish the instructional repertoires envisioned in the science education reforms. To better support the development of early career science teachers, they need strategic learning opportunities over time that involve administrators, colleagues, and science teacher educators.
Centering Language and Communicative Purpose in Writing Instruction for Bi/Multilingual Learners
Authors: Gort Mileidis , Hamm‐Rodríguez Molly
Published: March 2022

This article illustrates how two fourth‐grade bilingual teachers transformed their writing instruction for bi/multilingual learners by integrating a functional approach to language and literacy teaching and learning. The authors use a systemic functional linguistics genre pedagogy to explore and elucidate the teachers’ innovative instructional practices, revealing how the teachers supported bi/multilingual students in (1) preparing to write about a topic, (2) engaging with texts to understand the purpose, organizational structure, and linguistic features of a genre, and (3) making language choices to develop a topic. Through clear and explicit instruction that centers language and meaning, these pedagogical innovations support bi/multilingual students’ systematic engagement with and production of multiple text types for authentic and varied audiences across a range of communicative purposes and contexts.
Data availability and sector‐specific frameworks restrict drought impact quantification in the Intermountain West
Authors: Jennings Keith S. , Wlostowski Adam N. , Bash Rachel E. , Burkhardt Jesse , Wobus Cameron W. , Aggett Graeme
Published: March 2022

As is the case for many semi‐arid regions globally, drought in the Intermountain West of the United States is a recurrent, costly phenomenon that leaves few aspects of human and natural systems untouched. Here, we focus on drought impact data and evaluation challenges across four non‐agricultural sectors: water utilities, forest resources, public health, and recreation and tourism. There are marked commonalities in the way drought indicators—that is, hydrometeorological conditions—are tracked, but considerable differences in how impacts are measured, evaluated, and disseminated. For drought indicator data, researchers and practitioners have a veritable smorgasbord of data at their fingertips. Such data are often spatially and temporally continuous, available at a wide variety of scales, and readily accessible through government‐funded online portals. This is in stark contrast to drought impact data, which are typically collected opportunistically, if at all. These data are thus often limited in spatiotemporal scope and difficult to access relative to drought indicators. Concerningly, even within a given sector, the definition of drought impacts, quantitative or otherwise, can vary considerably, making it difficult to evaluate the true cost of drought. Far from being specific to the Intermountain West, these problems are found in most regions experiencing drought. We suggest such challenges are surmountable through the development of a common drought impact framework based around economic damages and purposeful, continuous, government‐funded drought impact data collection. These tractable changes will allow for a better quantification of drought's true impacts under both present conditions and climate change scenarios in the Intermountain West and beyond.

This article is categorized under:

Human Water > Value of Water

Science of Water > Water Extremes

Water and Life > Stresses and Pressures on Ecosystems
Insertion of Ruthenium into an inorganic, cyclic biradicaloid
Authors: Oswald Jan , Scharnhölz Moritz T. , Coburger Peter , Beer Henrik , Bresien Jonas , Schulz Axel , Grützmacher Hansjörg
Published: March 2022

The reaction between [Ru2Cl2(μ2‐Cl)2(CO)6] and the biradicaloid [P(μ‐NTer)]2 proceeds under insertion of a Ru(II)Cl(CO)2 fragment into one P−N bond and addition of chloride to the adjacent phosphorus center. Thereby an unprecedented inorganic ruthenacycle is obtained that was investigated by single crystal X‐ray analysis, NMR and IR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. The reactivity of the complex in a halide‐pseudo‐halide exchange reaction and a coordination reaction were investigated.
Technology Acceptance and Adoption in Education
Authors: Granić Andrina
Published: March 2022

The chapter provides a comprehensive and up-to-date insight into main research findings in the area of educational technology acceptance, adoption, and usage. Over the past decades, a variety of theoretical perspectives have been advanced to provide an understanding of the determinants of adoption of various technologies used to support the process of knowledge transfer and acquisition. Although some prominent theoretical approaches in educational contexts include Innovation Diffusion Theory (IDT), Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), as well as Motivational Model (MM), research reveals the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as the most influential model and leading scientific paradigm in investigating acceptance of educational technology by students, teachers, and other stakeholders. Aiming to increase their predictive validity, in numerous empirical studies, models have been extended with different predictive factors, like the most often validated self-efficacy, subjective norm, perceived enjoyment, perceived playfulness, anxiety, social influence, system quality, and facilitating conditions. Research revealed electronic learning (e-learning) as the most common validated mode of delivery, followed by mobile learning (m-learning), learning management system (LMS), personal learning environment (PLE), and massive open online course (MOOC), along with different supportive facilitating technologies used in education such as social media platforms, teaching assistant robots, simulators, as well as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies. To enhance explanatory power, new developments in educational technology acceptance and adoption have suggested the need of integration of TAM and UTAUT with other contributing adoption and post-adoption theories and models, together with several established approaches from other fields.
Running Distance Education at Scale
Authors: Daniel John
Published: March 2022

Distance learning accelerated and diversified during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the result that individual teachers working with their normal classroom groups now account for most of the courses offered online. However, this provision of “closed distance learning” will not suffice for the needs of the hundreds of millions of people who will seek secondary schooling, degree studies, and continuing education in the next 20 years. We describe howopen distance learningcan be conducted at scale through open universities, open schools, and MOOCs, which are all designed to cope with mass demand. Our focus is on how these organizations are run. This embraces institutional design and organization, governance, management and administration, and leadership. The three types of providers have various corporate and governance structures: public open universities, open schools under the aegis of government, and commercial MOOCs companies. However, the challenges of management and administration, which are to sustain operations at scale around the clock worldwide, are rather similar. Their leadership requires a genuine commitment to serving the disadvantaged, an ability to secure the trust of governments, understanding of the opportunities that emerging technology offers for distance education, and thorough familiarity with the institutional dynamics of open and distance teaching and learning systems.
Synergies Among the Pillars
Authors: Hmelo-Silver Cindy E. , Jeong Heisawn
Published: March 2022

Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) research has become pervasive in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education over the last several decades. Guided by sociocultural and social constructivist theories of learning, CSCL focuses on shared meaning making and is influenced by the three pillars of CSCL: enabling technologies, pedagogical designs, and modes of collaboration. This chapter identifies different approaches to CSCL that involve different combinations of these pillars. Based on an extensive literature review, we identify four distinct clusters that represent these different combinations. Focusing on two of these clusters, this chapter (1) identifies robust themes in this field and (2) discusses the positive outcomes associated with these aspects of CSCL. Outcomes include learning gains, process improvements, and affective outcomes. Across clusters, results demonstrate that scaffolding and feedback in different combinations are important for positive outcomes. However, feedback that is poorly timed or excessive sometimes impedes learning and affective outcomes. Moreover, different combinations are used with learners at different ages and learning goals. Designing CSCL for different learning environments requires considering the complex system of learning environments that emerge from the interaction among the learning contexts, learner characteristics, and learning activities.