bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between inter-arm blood pressure difference and cardiovascular disease: result from baseline Fasa Adults Cohort Study
Authors: Sharafi Mehdi , Amiri Zahra , Haghjoo Elham , Afrashteh Sima , Dastmanesh Siavash , Moghaddam Maryam Talebi , Dehghan Azizallah , Tabibzadeh Helma Al-Sadat , Mouseli Ali
Published: June 2023

The inter-arm blood pressure difference has been advocated to be associated with cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Our study aimed to investigate the association between Inter-arm systolic and diastolic blood pressure differences and Cardio Vascular Disease (CVD). A total of 10,126 participants aged 35–70 years old were enrolled in a prospective Fasa Persian Adult Cohort. In this cross-sectional study, the cutoff values for inter-arm blood pressure difference were less than 5, greater than 5, greater than 10, and greater than 15 mm Hg. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Based on the results the prevalence of ≥ 15 mmHg inter-arm systolic and diastole blood pressure difference (inter-arm SBPD and inter-arm DBPD) were 8.08% and 2.61%. The results of logistic regression analysis showed that inter-arm SBPD ≥ 15 and (OR<5/≥15 = 1.412; 95%CI = 1.099–1.814) and inter-arm DBPD ≥ 10 (OR<5/≥10 = 1.518; 95%CI = 1.238–1.862) affected the risk of CVD. The results showed that the differences in BP between the arms had a strong positive relationship with CVD. Therefore, inter-arm blood pressure could be considered a marker for the prevention and diagnosis of CVD for physicians.
High endemicity of Opisthorchis viverrini infection among people in northern Cambodia confirmed by adult worm expulsion
Authors: Jung Bong-Kwang , Hong Sooji , Chang Taehee , Cho Jaeeun , Ryoo Seungwan , Lee Keon Hoon , Lee Jeonggyu , Sohn Woon-Mok , Hong Sung-Jong , Khieu Virak , Huy Rekol , Chai Jong-Yil
Published: June 2023

Opisthorchis viverrini infection is an emerging disease in Cambodia, especially in central and southeastern areas. However, its status in northern areas bordering Lao PDR has been relatively unknown. The present study was performed to investigate the status of O. viverrini infection among people in Preah Vihear and Stung Treng provinces through fecal examination to detect eggs and recovery of adult flukes from some of the egg-positive cases. Fecal examinations were performed on a total of 1101 people from 10 villages in the 2 provinces using the Kato-Katz thick smear technique. For recovery of adult flukes and other helminth parasites 10 volunteers positive for eggs of Opisthorchis viverrini and/or minute intestinal flukes (Ov/MIF), in Kampong Sangkae village, Preah Vihear province, were administered a single oral dose of 40 mg/kg praziquantel plus 5–10 mg/kg of pyrantel pamoate and purged with 40–50 g magnesium salts. Adult trematodes, together with nematodes and cestodes expelled in diarrheic stools were collected under a stereomicroscope or with the naked eye. The proportion of egg-positive cases for overall liver and intestinal helminths was high but not notably different between the 2 provinces, 65.5% in Preah Vihear versus 64.7% in Stung Treng. The average proportion of Ov/MIF egg-positive cases was 59.8%. A total of 315 adult specimens of O. viverrini were recovered from the 10 volunteers (4–98 specimens per individual; mean, 32). A smaller number of Haplorchis taichui adults, an intestinal fluke, were found mixed-infected in 7 (103 specimens in total; 1–31 per individual; mean, 15) of the 10 volunteers. Adult specimens of hookworms, Enterobius vermicularis, Trichostrongylus sp., and a Taenia tapeworm strobila were recovered in some cases. Based on the results, it has been confirmed that the surveyed areas in Preah Vihear and Stung Treng provinces, Cambodia, are highly endemic areas of O. viverrini infection with a low-grade mixed infection with H. taichui.
Network analysis of pig movement data as an epidemiological tool: an Austrian case study
Authors: Puspitarani Gavrila A. , Fuchs Reinhard , Fuchs Klemens , Ladinig Andrea , Desvars-Larrive Amélie
Published: June 2023

Animal movements represent a major risk for the spread of infectious diseases in the domestic swine population. In this study, we adopted methods from social network analysis to explore pig trades in Austria. We used a dataset of daily records of swine movements covering the period 2015–2021. We analyzed the topology of the network and its structural changes over time, including seasonal and long-term variations in the pig production activities. Finally, we studied the temporal dynamics of the network community structure. Our findings show that the Austrian pig production was dominated by small-sized farms while spatial farm density was heterogeneous. The network exhibited a scale-free topology but was very sparse, suggesting a moderate impact of infectious disease outbreaks. However, two regions (Upper Austria and Styria) may present a higher structural vulnerability. The network also showed very high assortativity between holdings from the same federal state. Dynamic community detection revealed a stable behavior of the clusters. Yet trade communities did not correspond to sub-national administrative divisions and may be an alternative zoning approach to managing infectious diseases. Knowledge about the topology, contact patterns, and temporal dynamics of the pig trade network can support optimized risk-based disease control and surveillance strategies.
Poor glycemic control and associated factors among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Yahaya James J. , Doya Irene F. , Morgan Emmanuel D. , Ngaiza Advera I. , Bintabara Deogratius
Published: June 2023

Glycemic control is of paramount importance in care and management for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Poor glycemic control is a major health problem that greatly contributes to the development of diabetes related complications. This study aims to assess the prevalence of poor glycemic control and associated factors among outpatients with T2DM attending diabetes clinic at Amana Regional Referral Hospital in Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania from December 2021 to September 2022. A face to face interviewer semi-structured questionnaire was administered during data collection. Binary logistic regression under multivariable analysis was used to determine the independent predictors of poor glycemic control. A total of 248 patients with T2DM were included in the analysis with mean age of 59.8 ± 12.1 years. The mean fasting blood glucose was 166.9 ± 60.8 mg/dL. The prevalence of poor glycemic control was 66.1% (fasting blood glucose > 130 mg/dL or < 70 mg/dL). Failure to adhere to regular follow-up (AOR = 7.53, 95% CI = 2.34–19.73, p < 0.001) and alcoholism (AOR = 4.71, 95% CI = 1.08–20.59, p = 0.040) were the independent predictors of poor glycemic control. The prevalence of poor glycemic control observed in this study was significantly high. Emphasis should be placed on ensuring that patients have regular follow-up for their diabetes clinics and they should also continue modifying some of lifestyle behaviors including refraining from alcoholism, this can help them to have good glycemic control.
Variable food alters responses of larval crown-of-thorns starfish to ocean warming but not acidification
Authors: Mos Benjamin , Mesic Naomi , Dworjanyn Symon A.
Published: June 2023

Phytoplankton abundance is decreasing and becoming more variable as the ocean climate changes. We examine how low, high, and variable phytoplankton food supply affected the survival, development, and growth of larval crown-of-thorns starfish,Acanthastersp. exposed to combined warming (26, 30 °C) and acidification (pH 8.0, 7.6). Larvae fed a low food ration are smaller, and develop slower and with more abnormalities than larvae fed a high ration. Larvae fed a variable food supply (low, followed by high ration) overcome the negative effects of low food on development rate and occurrence of abnormalities, but are 16–17% smaller than larvae fed the high ration continuously. Acidification (pH 7.6) slows growth and development and increases abnormalities regardless of the food regime. Warming slows growth and development, but these effects are mitigated by high food availability. As tropical oceans warm, the success of crown-of-thorns starfish larvae may depend on the abundance of their phytoplankton prey.
Continuous heralding control of vortex beams using quantum metasurface
Authors: Liang Hong , Ahmed Hammad , Tam Wing Yim , Chen Xianzhong , Li Jensen
Published: June 2023

Metasurfaces utilize engineered nanostructures to achieve control on all possible dimensions of light, encouraging versatile applications, including beam steering, multifunctional lensing, and multiplexed holograms. Towards the quantum optical regime for metasurfaces, although significant efforts have been put into generating and analyzing specific quantum states, control schemes to further manipulate these quantum states or information are still limited. Here, based on a metasurface, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a continuous heralding scheme to remotely control a vortex beam with high robustness to noise using polarization-entangled photon pairs. Our metasurface entangles polarization and orbital angular momentum (OAM) and the polarization selection on heralding photon erases the which-OAM information on signal photon. It induces an interference of two different OAM states remotely, manifesting a continuous orbital rotation. Our results show that metasurfaces have potential applications in quantum communication and information processing in entangling information with increasing complexity in the content.
Lignin and Its Composites: A Sustainable Tool for Health Care and Medical Applications – Introduction
Authors: Sethulekshmi A. S. , Appukuttan Saritha , George Gejo , Wilson Runcy , Joseph Kuruvilla
Published: June 2023

Biomaterials are gaining tremendous interest in research and industry due to the increasing problems associated with the usage of non-renewable materials. Among various biopolymers, lignin has gained huge scientific interest because of its outstanding properties such as good mechanical properties, thermal stability, availability, low-cost and environmental benefits. Lignin-based composites and nanocomposites are considered as a hotspot today. Recently, lignin-based composite materials have gained tremendous popularity in medical applications including wound dressing, tissue engineering, drug delivery, antimicrobial applications and other medical purposes. This book comprehensively discusses the role of lignin and its composites in health care and medical applications.
Chemical Modifications of Lignin for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Spiridon Iuliana , Anghel Narcis Catalin
Published: June 2023

Lignin is a natural aromatic renewable biopolymer which can be chemically changed to make it acceptable for varied uses. This is possible due to its numerous active groups, such as hydroxyl groups (phenolic and alcoholic), as well as its carbon–carbon double bonds. Unfortunately, the heterogeneity of lignin makes it difficult to produce lignin derivatives with biomedical applications. Extraction and chemical modification techniques need to be improved to obtain homogeneous lignin macromolecules. On the other hand, lignin presents high levels of antioxidant and antimicrobial activity and low cytotoxicity, which strongly recommends it as a candidate for medical applications. This chapter provides a brief overview of the chemical modifications of lignin for biomedical applications, especially as antimicrobial agents, as delivery systems, and in tissue engineering, along with innovative concepts for the use of lignin in life sciences.
Lignin-based Materials for Biomedical Applications: Basic Requirements and Properties
Authors: Radotić Ksenija , Spasojević Dragica , Zmejkoski Danica
Published: June 2023

The material selected for biomedical application must be biocompatible, stable against physiological media, non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, corrosion-resistant, bio-inert, and stimuli-responsive, and have a low wear rate. Lignin is the most abundant aromatic polymer on Earth with a complex, recalcitrant structure. A lot of knowledge is acquired on its pre-treatments and processing for biomedical uses in the forms of hydrogels, films, composite materials, nanoparticles, and aerogels. To avoid the potential toxicity and to control the cytotoxicity of lignin-based materials, it is necessary to increase the purity of the starting source materials and understand their reactivity. The poor water solubility, broad molecular weight (MW) distribution, and highly complex structure of lignin restrict its wider clinical applications. These limitations may be effectively improved by chemical modifications or by using lignin fractions with a narrow MW range. Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties allow lignin to be used in pharmaceuticals, drug delivery, and wound healing. It is also reported as a good candidate for composite materials intended for bone regeneration scaffolds in tissue engineering. Future challenges for lignin-based materials for biomedical applications include achieving a better understanding of the structure, isolation, and batch properties of lignin, as well as structure–function relationships in its applications.
Lignin-based UV-protective Materials
Authors: Shikinaka K. , Otsuka Y.
Published: June 2023

Protecting living organisms and organic compounds from ultraviolet (UV) radiation is important due to its harmfulness to them. In this chapter, we describe the usefulness of lignin, a plant aromatic polymer, as a UV absorber (UVA). Here, different procedures like simple mixing, chemical reaction with organic/inorganic molecules, and nanoparticulation of lignin derivatives are introduced for its utilization as a UV-absorber. Especially, the nanoparticulated lignin extracted by simultaneous enzymatic saccharification and comminution of plants gives an excellent UV-protective material by combination with a poly(vinyl alcohol) or clay mineral matrix without dramatically affecting the transparency of the matrix. Lignin-based UV-absorbers never need toxic reagents; i.e., lignin is ideal for application as a UVA of packaging films for organic materials. The UV-absorption nature of lignin not only encourages us to treat plant biomass as a high-value organic material, but also decreases the environmental impact because many current UV-absorbers are obtained from toxic petroleum-based reagents.
Extraction of diazinon, haloxyfop-R-methyl, hexaconazole, diniconazole, and triticonazole in cheese samples using a ferrofluid based liquid phase extraction method prior to gas chromatography
Authors: Rouhi Mahdi , Abolhassani Jafar , Afshar Mogaddam Mohammad Reza , Vardini Mohammad Taghi
Published: June 2023

A new sample preparation method was developed for extraction of several pesticides from cheese samples. Extraction procedure was done based on DES-based ferrofluids.
Firefly luciferin methyl ester illuminates the activity of multiple serine hydrolases
Authors: Mohammad Innus , Liebmann Kate L. , Miller Stephen C.
Published: June 2023

Firefly luciferin methyl ester shines bioluminescent light on cellular “esterase activity”. It's not just the canonical esterase CES1 – multiple serine hydrolases can hydrolyze this ester, including MAGL, FAAH, ABHD11, LYPLA1(APT1), and LYPLA2(APT2).
The largest fullerene
Authors: Gatchell Michael , Zettergren Henning , Hansen Klavs
Published: June 2023

The lowest energy carbon cluster composed of 3840 atoms is a single shell fullerene. Above size N = 104 onions have lower ground state energies.
Self-assembled multilayers direct a buffer interphase for long-life aqueous zinc-ion batteries
Authors: Li Dongmin , Tang Yan , Liang Shuquan , Lu Bingan , Chen Gen , Zhou Jiang
Published: June 2023

A self-assembled multilayer was used to homogenize ion flux and accelerate charge transfer through area-induced deposition effects and strong dipole moments. The molecular domains act as a buffer interphase to achieve long-term stability.
An efficient photocatalysis-self-Fenton system based on Fe(ii)-MOF/g-C3N4for direct hydroxylation of benzene to phenol
Authors: Jia Xu , Xu Xuetong , Liu Cong , Wang Fuying , Zhang Liuxue , Jiao Shuyan , Zhu Genxing , Yu Guomin , Wang Xiulian
Published: June 2023

With the synergistic effect of photocatalysis and the Fenton effect, the Fe(ii)-MOF/g-C3N4 could achieve efficient direct hydroxylation of benzene to phenol.
Vacancy-plane-mediated exfoliation of sub-monolayer 2D pyrrhotite
Authors: Lee Jian-Jhang , Chu Yi-Hung , Yen Zhi-Long , Muthu Jeyavelan , Ting Chu-Chi , Huang Ssu-Yen , Hofmann Mario , Hsieh Ya-Ping
Published: June 2023

Exfoliation along vacancy planes enables novel 2D materials with versatile morphological and compositional variability.
Removal of Cd2+ from zinc smelter wastewater using graphene oxide foam cross-linked with epichlorohydrin: comprehensive optimization, isotherms, kinetics, and real water column studies
Authors: Lingamdinne Lakshmi Prasanna , Angaru Ganesh Kumar Reddy , Jeon Yeeun , Lee Suhyun , Koduru Janardhan Reddy , Yang Jae-Kyu , Chang Yoon-Young
Published: June 2023

Removal of Cd2+ from zinc smelter wastewater using epichlorohydrin-cross-linked chitosan-GO (EPCSGO).
Synthesis and evaluation of an agrocin 84 toxic moiety (TM84) analogue as a malarial threonyl tRNA synthetase inhibitor
Authors: Buitrago Jhon Alexander Rodriguez , Leitis Gundars , Kaņepe-Lapsa Iveta , Rudnickiha Anastasija , Parisini Emilio , Jirgensons Aigars
Published: June 2023

An analogue of natural product TM84 as an inhibitor of ThRS.
Insights into the interaction between bis(aryloxide)alkylaluminum and N-heterocyclic carbene: from an abnormal Lewis adduct to a frustrated Lewis pair for efficient polymerizations of biomass-derived acrylic monomers
Authors: Wang Xing , Zhang Yanping , Hong Miao
Published: June 2023

This contribution reports the development of a new and stable frustrated Lewis pair catalyst which is general for efficient/controlled polymerizations of inert biomass-derived acrylic monomers.
Sustainable and selective Ni-catalyzed allylation of 2-oxindoles and 2-coumaranones in batch and flow chemistry
Authors: Mouhsine Bouchaib , Saint Pol Anthony , Karim Abdallah , Penhoat Maël , Dumont Clément , Suisse Isabelle , Sauthier Mathieu
Published: June 2023

Nickel catalysis under batch conditions has been developed for the clean allylation of 2-oxindoles and 2-coumaranones. Flow chemistry allows the control of the selective synthesis of C,C-bisallylated products.
Simulation study of membrane bending by protein crowding: a case study with the epsin N-terminal homology domain
Authors: Mandal Taraknath , Gupta Shivam , Soni Jatin
Published: June 2023

Mechanisms of membrane curvature generation by peripheral membrane proteins.
Cancer and sepsis
Authors: Williams Jeroson C. , Ford Mandy L. , Coopersmith Craig M.
Published: June 2023

Sepsis is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. While mortality is high regardless of inciting infection or comorbidities, mortality in patients with cancer and sepsis is significantly higher than mortality in patients with sepsis without cancer. Cancer patients are also significantly more likely to develop sepsis than the general population. The mechanisms underlying increased mortality in cancer and sepsis patients are multifactorial. Cancer treatment alters the host immune response and can increase susceptibility to infection. Preclinical data also suggests that cancer, in and of itself, increases mortality from sepsis with dysregulation of the adaptive immune system playing a key role. Further, preclinical data demonstrate that sepsis can alter subsequent tumor growth while tumoral immunity impacts survival from sepsis. Checkpoint inhibition is a well-accepted treatment for many types of cancer, and there is increasing evidence suggesting this may be a useful strategy in sepsis as well. However, preclinical studies of checkpoint inhibition in cancer and sepsis demonstrate results that could not have been predicted by examining either variable in isolation. As sepsis management transitions from a ‘one size fits all’ model to a more individualized approach, understanding the mechanistic impact of cancer on outcomes from sepsis represents an important strategy towards delivering on the promise of precision medicine in the intensive care unit.
Diverse mycotoxin threats to safe food and feed cereals
Authors: Latham Rosie L. , Boyle Jeremy T. , Barbano Anna , Loveman William G. , Brown Neil A.
Published: June 2023

Toxigenic fungi, including Aspergillus and Fusarium species, contaminate our major cereal crops with an array of harmful mycotoxins, which threaten the health of humans and farmed animals. Despite our best efforts to prevent crop diseases, or postharvest spoilage, our cereals are consistently contaminated with aflatoxins and deoxynivalenol, and while established monitoring systems effectively prevent acute exposure, Aspergillus and Fusarium mycotoxins still threaten our food security. This is through the understudied impacts of: (i) our chronic exposure to these mycotoxins, (ii) the underestimated dietary intake of masked mycotoxins, and (iii) the synergistic threat of cocontaminations by multiple mycotoxins. Mycotoxins also have profound economic consequences for cereal and farmed-animal producers, plus their associated food and feed industries, which results in higher food prices for consumers. Climate change and altering agronomic practices are predicted to exacerbate the extent and intensity of mycotoxin contaminations of cereals. Collectively, this review of the diverse threats from Aspergillus and Fusarium mycotoxins highlights the need for renewed and concerted efforts to understand, and mitigate, the increased risks they pose to our food and feed cereals.
Tumour-associated macrophages as a potential target to improve natural killer cell-based immunotherapies
Authors: Kitamura Takanori
Published: June 2023

Adoptive transfer of natural killer (NK) cells has been proposed as a novel immunotherapy for malignant tumours resistant to current therapeutic modalities. Several clinical studies have demonstrated that the NK cell-infusion is well tolerated without severe side effects and shows promising results in haematological malignancies. However, patients with malignant solid tumours do not show significant responses to this therapy. Such disappointing results largely arise from the inefficient delivery of infused NK cells and the impairment of their functions in the tumour microenvironment (TME). Tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the most abundant stromal cells in the TME of most solid tumours, and a high TAM density correlates with poor prognosis of cancer patients. Although our knowledge of the interactions between TAMs and NK cells is limited, many studies have indicated that TAMs suppress NK cell cytotoxicity against cancer cells. Therefore, blockade of TAM functions can be an attractive strategy to improve NK cell-based immunotherapies. On the other hand, macrophages are reported to activate NK cells under certain circumstances.

This essay presents our current knowledge about mechanisms by which macrophages regulate NK cell functions and discusses possible therapeutic approaches to block macrophage-mediated NK cell suppression.
Three‐state pattern reconfigurable active antenna integrated with Gunn oscillator and switched‐line phase shifter
Authors: Hasan Maodudul , Nishiyama Eisuke , Tanaka Takayuki , Toyoda Ichihiko
Published: June 2023

In this paper, a novel active integrated array antenna (AIAA) is introduced for the purpose of enabling pattern switchable functionality. The AIAA includes a Gunn oscillator, four microstrip antennas, and two switched‐line phase shifters. The Gunn oscillator provides high‐output RF power to excite the antenna elements through the switched‐line phase shifters. The switched‐line phase shifter allows for switching the main beam direction of the radiation pattern among three states, specifically , and in the ‐plane without shifting its high resonance frequency. Besides, the AIAA requires fewer RF switching diodes in a compact, cheap, and simple layout when compared to previously reported AIAAs. An experimental evaluation of the proposed antenna's performance is conducted and the results indicate an effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) of +16.09 dBm at the frequency of 9.41 GHz. In all three states, the cross‐polarization suppression is better than 15 dB.
A current mode operational transconductance amplifier‐only half/full‐wave rectifier
Authors: Petrović Predrag Boško
Published: June 2023

This letter introduces a novel half/full‐wave rectifier architecture that utilizes only an operational transconductance amplifier (OTA), eliminating the need for external passive components. The proposed circuit can accurately process input current signals with frequencies of up to 1 MHz, within an operating range of ±270 μA. The design exhibits excellent zero‐crossing performance, linearity, and simplicity, making it highly suitable for implementation in modern IC technologies. The impact of non‐idealities and parasitic effects on the circuit performance was thoroughly investigated; however, the absence of passive elements ensured that any parasitic effects remained negligible. The simulation results obtained using 0.18‐μm CMOS technology and a ±0.9 V supply voltage were consistent with theoretical predictions, validating the efficacy of the proposed design.
Synthesis and characterisation of a novel poly(2‐hydroxyethylmethacrylate)‐chitosan hydrogels loaded cerium oxide nanocomposites dressing on cutaneous wound healing on nursing care of chronic wound
Authors: Luo Jingna , Liu Weijun , Xie Qiaoling , He Jianshu , Jiang Liyan
Published: June 2023

This study was designed to establish the composition of wound dressing based on poly(2‐hydroxyethylmethacrylate)‐chitosan (PHEM‐CS) hydrogels‐loaded cerium oxide nanoparticle (CeONPs) composites for cutaneous wound healing on nursing care of the chronic wound. The as‐synthesised PHEM‐CS/CeONPs hydrogels nanocomposites were characterised by using UV–visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and thermo gravimetric analysis. The influence of PHEM‐CS/CeONPs hydrogels nanocomposites on the gelation time, swelling ratio, in vitro degradation, and mechanical properties was investigated. The as‐prepared PHEM‐CS/CeONPs hydrogels nanocomposites dressing shows high antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Similar trends were observed for the treatment of biofilms where PHEM‐CS/CeONPs hydrogels nanocomposites displayed better efficiency. Furthermore, the biological properties of PHEM‐CS/CeONPs hydrogels nanocomposites had non‐toxic in cell viability and excellent cell adhesion behaviour. After 2 weeks, the wounds treated with the PHEM‐CS/CeONPs hydrogels nanocomposite wound dressing achieved a significant closure to 98.5 ± 4.95% compared with the PHEM‐CS hydrogels with nearly 71 ± 3.55% of wound closure. Hence, this study strongly supports the possibility of using this novel PHEM‐CS/CeONPs hydrogels nanocomposites wound dressing for efficient cutaneous wound healing on chronic wound infection and nursing care.
Time-resolved spectral catalogue of INTEGRAL/SPI gamma-ray bursts
Authors: Biltzinger Björn , Burgess J. Michael , Greiner Jochen
Published: June 2023

Since its launch in 2002, the International Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory (INTEGRAL) satellite has detected many gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), which are summarised in the INTEGRAL Burst Alert System (IBAS) catalogue. This catalogue combines triggers from the data of the Imager on Board the INTEGRAL (IBIS) and of the anti-coincident shield (ACS) of the SPectrometer on INTEGRAL (SPI). Since the Germanium detectors of SPI also serve as a valuable GRB detector on their own, we present an up-to-date time-resolved catalogue covering all GRBs detected by SPI through the end of 2021 in this work. Thanks to SPI’s high energy coverage (20 keV−8 MeV) and excellent energy resolution, it can improve the modelling of the curvature of the spectrum around the peak and, consequently, it could provide clues on the still unknown emission mechanism of GRBs. We split the SPI light curves of the individual GRBs in time bins of approximately constant signals to determine the temporal evolution of spectral parameters. We tested both the empirical spectral models as well as a physical synchrotron spectral model against the data. For most GRBs, the SPI data cannot constrain the high-energy power law shape above the peak energy, but the parameter distributions for the cut-off power law fits are similar to those of the time-resolved catalogue of gamma-ray burst monitor (GBM) GRBs. We find that a physical synchrotron model can fit the SPI data of GRBs well. While checking against detections of other GRB instruments, we identified one new SPI GRB in the SPI field of view that had not been reported before.
Redox state and interior structure control on the long-term habitability of stagnant-lid planets
Authors: Baumeister Philipp , Tosi Nicola , Brachmann Caroline , Grenfell John Lee , Noack Lena
Published: June 2023

Context. A major goal in the search for extraterrestrial life is the detection of liquid water on the surface of exoplanets. On terrestrial planets, volcanic outgassing is a significant source of atmospheric and surface water and a major contributor to the long-term evolution of the atmosphere. The rate of volcanism depends on the interior evolution and on numerous feedback processes between the atmosphere and interior, which continuously shape atmospheric composition, pressure, and temperature.

Aims. We explore how key planetary parameters, such as planet mass, interior structure, mantle water content, and redox state, shape the formation of atmospheres that permit liquid water on the surface of planets.

Methods. We present the results of a comprehensive 1D model of the coupled evolution of the interior and atmosphere of rocky exoplanets that combines central feedback processes between these two reservoirs. We carried out more than 280 000 simulations over a wide range of mantle redox states and volatile content, planetary masses, interior structures, and orbital distances in order to robustly assess the emergence, accumulation, and preservation of surface water on rocky planets. To establish a conservative baseline of which types of planets can outgas and sustain water on their surface, we focus here on stagnant-lid planets.

Results. We find that only a narrow range of the mantle redox state around the iron-wüstite buffer allows the formation of atmospheres that lead to long-term habitable conditions. At oxidizing conditions similar to those of the Earth's mantle, most stagnant-lid planets end up in a hothouse regime akin to Venus due to strong CO2 outgassing. At more reducing conditions, the amount of outgassed greenhouse gases is often too low to keep surface water from freezing. In addition, Mercury-like planets with large metallic cores are able to sustain habitable conditions at an extended range of orbital distances as a result of lower volcanic activity.
Quantifying the energetics of molecular superbubbles in PHANGS galaxies
Authors: Watkins E. J. , Kreckel K. , Groves B. , Glover S. C. O. , Whitmore B. C. , Leroy A. K. , Schinnerer E. , Meidt S. E. , Egorov O. V. , Barnes A. T. , Lee J. C. , Bigiel F. , Boquien M. , Chandar R. , Chevance M. , Dale D. A. , Grasha K. , Klessen R. S. , Kruijssen J. M. D. , Larson K. L. , Li J. , Méndez-Delgado J. E. , Pessa I. , Saito T. , Sanchez-Blazquez P. , Sarbadhicary S. K. , Scheuermann F. , Thilker D. A. , Williams T. G.
Published: June 2023

Context. Star formation and stellar feedback are interlinked processes that redistribute energy, turbulence, and material throughout galaxies. Because young and massive stars form in spatially clustered environments, they create pockets of expanding gas termed superbubbles, which retain information about the physical processes that drive them. As these processes play a critical role in shaping galaxy discs and regulating the baryon cycle, measuring the properties of superbubbles provides important input for galaxy evolution models.

Aims. With the wide coverage and high angular resolution (∼50–150 pc) of the PHANGS–ALMA 12CO (J = 2−1) survey, we can now resolve, identify and characterise a statistically representative number of superbubbles using molecular gas in nearby galaxies.

Methods. We identify superbubbles by requiring spatial correspondence between shells in CO with stellar populations identified in PHANGS–HST. Then, by combining the properties of the stellar populations with the CO, we quantify the energetics of the stars and constrain feedback models. We visually find 325 cavities across 18 PHANGS–ALMA galaxies, 88 of which have clear superbubble signatures (unbroken shells, central clusters, kinematic signatures of expansion). We measure their radii and expansion velocities using CO (2–1) to dynamically derive their ages and the mechanical power driving the bubbles, which we use to compute the expected properties of the parent stellar populations driving the bubbles.

Results. We find consistency between the predicted and derived stellar ages and masses of the stellar populations if we use a supernova (SN) model that injects energy with a coupling efficiency of ∼10%. Not only does this confirm that molecular gas accurately traces superbubble properties, but it also provides key observational constraints for superbubble models. We also find evidence that the bubbles are sweeping up gas as they expand, and speculate that these sites have the potential to host new generations of stars.

Conclusions. This work demonstrates that molecular superbubbles provide novel quantitative constraints on SNe feedback efficiencies and gas clearing times, and represent a promising environment to search for the propagation of star formation, all of which are needed to understand what sets the observed star formation rates in galaxies.
Shape-based clustering of synthetic Stokes profiles using k-means and k-Shape
Authors: Moe Thore E. , Pereira Tiago M. D. , Calvo Flavio , Leenaarts Jorrit
Published: June 2023

Context. The shapes of Stokes profiles contain a great deal of information about the atmospheric conditions that produced them. However, a variety of different atmospheric structures can produce very similar profiles. Thus, it is important for a proper interpretation of the observations to have a good understanding of how the shapes of Stokes profiles depend on the underlying atmosphere. An excellent tool in this regard is forward modeling, namely, computing and studying synthetic spectra from realistic simulations of the solar atmosphere. Modern simulations routinely produce several hundred thousand spectral profiles per snapshot. With such numbers, it becomes necessary to use automated procedures in order to organize the profiles according to their shape. Here, we illustrate the use of two complementary methods, k-means and k-Shape, to cluster similarly shaped profiles and demonstrate how the resulting clusters can be combined with knowledge of the simulation’s atmosphere to interpret spectral shapes.

Aims. We aim to showcase the use of clustering analysis for forward modeling. In particular, we wish to introduce the k-Shape clustering method to the solar physics community as a complement to the well-known k-means method.

Methods. We generated synthetic Stokes profiles for the Ca II 854.2 nm line using the Multi3D code from a Bifrost simulation snapshot. We then applied the k-means and k-Shape clustering techniques to group the profiles together according to their shape and investigated the within-group correlations of temperature, line-of-sight velocity, and line-of-sight magnetic field strengths.

Results. We show and compare the classes of profile shapes we retrieved from applying both k-means and k-Shape to our synthetic intensity spectra. We then show the structure of the underlying atmosphere for two particular classes of profile shapes retrieved by the clustering and demonstrate how this leads to an interpretation for the formation of those profile shapes. We applied both methods to the subset of our profiles containing the strongest Stokes V signals and we demonstrate how k-Shape can be qualitatively better than k-means at retrieving complex profile shapes when using a small number of clusters.
Environmental DNA captured on the fish skin mucus – a potential bias to molecular diet analyses
Authors: Števove Barbora , Arendt Darina , Slovák Švolíková Kristína , Szabóová Dana , Žitňanová Kristína , Gruľa Daniel
Published: June 2023

Molecular diet analyses from faeces appear to be an ideal alternative to traditional feeding ecology studies. Nevertheless, this method can carry a risk of contamination from the environment or from body surface of the fish itself. To tackle the contamination problem, an experiment was performed with the main aim to identify whether foreign DNA is present or absent on the fish skin mucus, and if so, the second aim was to find out if this environmental DNA (eDNA) can be removed by repeated wiping of the skin mucus. Specimens of fish were exposed to eDNA and then their fish skin mucus was wiped with two consecutive smears (using a forensic swab) that were subjected to molecular analysis. The results demonstrate that eDNA from other organisms can be captured and persist on the fish skin mucus, posing a potential risk of contamination of faeces samples. Repeated wiping of mucus reduces or eliminates foreign DNA. This study provides new insights that can contribute to the development of the molecular methods, reducing the bias and increasing the accuracy of the diet spectrum analyses.
Net-Zero transition in the steel sector: beyond the simple emphasis on hydrogen, did we miss anything?
Authors: Birat Jean-Pierre
Published: June 2023

There is an explosion of publications and of various announcements regarding the use of hydrogen in the steel sector as a way to arrive at Net-Zero steel production − particularly in Europe. Most of them describe process technologies on the one hand and commitment to implement them quickly in the steel sector in the form of roadmaps and agendas, on the other hand. The most popular process technology is H2 Direct Reduction (H2-DR) in a shaft furnace. Available technical literature, as abundant as it may be, is still fairly incomplete in making the pathway to Net-Zero explicit and credible. This paper tries to identify important issues which are not openly discussed nor analyzed in the literature, yet. Process-wise, open questions in technical papers are: (1) what are the best-fitted iron ores for H2-DR, (2) what downstream furnace, after H2-DR, can accommodate various raw materials, (3) how and how much carbon ought to be fed into the process, (4) what is the best design for the shaft, (5) should it be designed for both natural gas and H2 operations, or simply for H2, (6) how should the progress of R&D be organized from pilot plants up to full-scale FOAK plants and then to a broad dissemination of the technology, (7) what kind of refractories should be implemented in the various new reactors being imagined, etc. Cost issues are also widely open, as a function of green hydrogen, green electricity and carbon prices. How is hydrogen fed to the steel mill and what exactly is the connection to renewable electricity? Is the infrastructure that this calls for planned in sufficiently details? What is still missing is a full value chain picture and planning from mining to steel mills, including electricity and hydrogen grids. Two years after our last review paper on hydrogen, the overall picture has changed significantly. Countries beyond Europe, including China, have come up with roadmaps and plans to become net-zero by 2050, plus or minus 10 years. However, they do not rely as much on H2 alone, as Europe seems to be doing. What is most likely is that several process routes will develop in parallel, including, beyond H2-DR, Blast Furnace ironmaking and NG Direct Reduction with CCS, electrolysis of iron ore and scrap-based production in EAFs fed with green electricity, which would single-handedly support the largest part of production by the end of the century; as more and more scrap is to become available and be actually used. There is also a question for historians. The influence of Climate Change on Steel has been discussed continuously for more than 30 years. Why has the commitment to practical answers only solidified recently?
The Current Status of Central Bank Digital Currencies and Their Development
Authors: Cheng Yuhua
Published: June 2023

Relying on the big data era, economic growth is also undergoing an accelerated transformation towards digitalisation and has triggered digital changes in finance due to the accelerated development of information technology and the emergence of technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and big data. This is why the BIS (Bank for International Settlements) received worldwide attention when it introduced the concept of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in 2017. CBDC has many advantages, will inject new vitality into the global monetary and financial system, may become a new cornerstone of payment transactions and future de-velopment; But it also brings potential risks and complex policy issues. In this paper, through a review of the research literature on CBDC in recent years, with a specific example of China's central digital currency (DC/EP), this paper provides a concise demonstration of the current state of CBDC and its development.
Innovative Research on Digital New Media in Corporate Brand Communication
Authors: Ziyu Wang
Published: June 2023

The development of science and technology has brought us digital new media technology, which has led to the leapfrog development of brand communication methods and opened up new ideas and methods for corporate brand communication. The modern business environment is changing rapidly, and corporate brand communication is also facing huge challenges while welcoming its golden age of development.
The Factors Influencing Consumers’ Purchase Intention and Behavior of New Energy Vehicles in Beijing
Authors: Liu Qinrong , Song Jiuyan , Fu Jiaqi , Yuan Tianyi , Zhou Huiyu
Published: June 2023

Using Beijing as the research site, this paper is dedicated to exploring the factors influencing consumers' purchase intention in the field of new energy vehicles, collecting data by distributing questionnaires, constructing structural equation models, and using policy influence, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived value, and demographic variables as latent variables to explore their effects on purchase intention. The results show that: consumers' prediction of the development prospect of new energy vehicles and their recognition of new energy vehicles in terms of carbon reduction and environmental protection are the most important factors influencing purchase intention; policies affect purchase intention through two direct and indirect paths; women, lower income groups, and older age groups are more likely to be guided by policies and market future expectations. Based on the above findings, this paper proposes corresponding implications for government policies as well as enterprises.
Has China's OFDI promoted the upgrading of manufacturing structure-- Research based on interprovincial panel model
Authors: Guo Chunyang
Published: June 2023

With the take off of the Chinese economy, more and more enterprises are investing resources in OFDI, and OFDI and its related economic factors have also had a certain impact on the upgrading of the manufacturing industry. This article studies panel models of 31 provinces in China from 2014 to 2019 using relevant data sources such as the National Bureau of Statistics and the Guotai An Database, and explores the impact of OFDI and its related economic factors on the manufacturing structure. Research has found that OFDI and international trade factors can significantly inhibit the upgrading of manufacturing structure; The per capita income level will have a positive impact on the upgrading of the manufacturing industry structure; The impact of FDI and government fiscal expenditure on the upgrading of manufacturing structure is not significant. In view of the above research results, this paper suggests that the government should adopt appropriate policies to guide OFDI in the manufacturing industry, encourage it to focus on technology intensive or capital intensive industry, and avoid its negative impact leading to "hollowing out" of the manufacturing industry; Enterprises should also optimize their business structure, relocate unnecessary or outdated businesses, invest their main resources in local businesses, and focus on technological upgrades to avoid the adverse effects of OFDI.
Research on identifying main factors affecting building carbon reaching the peak based on DEMATEL-ISM method
Authors: Yuan Bing
Published: June 2023

This paper takes the influencing factors of peaking building carbon dioxide emissions as the research object, finds out 14 factors from 7 main bodies, including material suppliers, design units, owners, construction units, customers, governments and society and then analyzes the influencing factors of achieving the goal of carbon peak and carbon neutralization by using triangular fuzzy number, DEMATEL(Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory)and ISM (Interpreting structural models)methods. The results show that the formulation of relevant policies and regulations is the essential cause of peaking building carbon dioxide emissions; Low-carbon building materials, green logistics, green structure, low carbon energy consumption, low carbon construction party and contractor selection, low carbon operation, and low carbon technology innovation are the surface causes. The three factors that have a great impact on the target are consumer preference, formulation of relevant policies and regulations, and green building indicators. Finally, according to the research results, suggestions are put forward to achieve the goal of peaking building carbon dioxide emissions.
A Study on the Measurement of Provincial Carbon Emission Efficiency and Influencing Factors in China
Authors: Liao Peiyi , Ju Keyi , Li Hao , Xu Hanwei
Published: June 2023

Carbon emission efficiency (CEE) was measured by using Epsilon-based Measure (EBM) based on 30 provinces of China by panel data from 2005 to 2019. After that, the spatial stratified heterogeneity (SSH) of CEE was explored by Geodetector and ArcGIS. The results show that :(1) China's eastern provinces perform better in terms of carbon emission efficiency compared with inland provinces, and their carbon emission efficiency values are generally higher. Overall, the average CEE level in China from 2005 to 2019 shows a decreasing trend year by year, with a decrease of 8.33%; (2) the investigation of the influencing factors finds that the influence of energy structure, economic development, foreign trade, and science and technology on the spatial heterogeneity of CEE is most prominent; (3) the influence of single factor on CEE is significantly lower than that of two-factor interaction. And the two-factor interaction shows linear enhancement or non-linear enhancement.
Research on the Demand and Business Prospect of Informatization Based Digital Energy Use Service in Parks
Authors: Shi Hongming , lv yanan
Published: June 2023

With the in-depth development of digital technologies such as informatization, networking, big data, intelligence and intelligence, the digital management of energy consumption in the park has become the development direction of intelligent parks in the future. This paper analyzes the energy consumption and digital service demand of enterprises in the park, analyzes and prospects the business prospect of energy consumption digital service in the park, and puts forward suggestions from the perspective of market operation mode and technology, in order to provide reference for the development of energy consumption digital service in the park in the future.