bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Family Processes and Problem Behaviors in Middle‐Class African American Adolescents
Authors: Smetana Judith G. , Crean Hugh F. , Daddis Christopher
Published: March 2003

This study examined the joint association between mothers’ and adolescents’ ratings of parental behavioral control and adolescents’ and observers’ ratings of mother – adolescent communication with adolescent problem behaviors in a sample of 86 middle‐class African American early adolescent boys and girls (age: M= 13.08 years, SD= 1.32) and their mothers. Consistent with hypotheses, greater adolescent‐rated parental behavioral control and better observer‐rated mother – adolescent communication were associated with lower levels of adolescent problem behavior, as examined using structural equation modeling. Furthermore, interrelationships between age and adolescent problem behavior were partially mediated by adolescents’ reports of parental behavioral control and observers’ ratings of positive mother – adolescent communication, which both decreased with adolescents’ age. Although the sample was primarily middle class, higher socioeconomic status was associated with more positive mother – adolescent communication, as rated by observers. Problem behavior was greater among boys than girls, but the hypothesized indirect effect of gender on problem behavior through associations with parenting was not observed. The findings demonstrate the utility of conceptually distinguishing between parenting and parent – adolescent relationships, and suggest that both have unique influences on middle‐class African American adolescents’ problem behavior.
Intake Fraction for Multimedia Pollutants: A Tool for Life Cycle Analysis and Comparative Risk Assessment
Authors: Bennett Deborah H. , Margni Manuele D. , McKone Thomas E. , Jolliet Olivier
Published: March 2003

We employ the intake fraction (iF) as an effective tool for expressing the source‐to‐intake relationship for pollutant emissions in life cycle analysis (LCA) or comparative risk assessment. Intake fraction is the fraction of chemical mass emitted into the environment that eventually passes into a member of the population through inhalation, ingestion, or dermal exposure. To date, this concept has been primarily applied to pollutants whose primary route of exposure is inhalation. Here we extend the use of iF to multimedia pollutants with multiple exposure pathways. We use a level III multimedia model to calculate iF for TCDD and compare the result to one calculated from measured levels of dioxin toxic equivalents in the environment. We calculate iF for emissions to air and surface water for 308 chemicals. We correlate the primary exposure route with the magnitudes of the octanol‐water partition coefficient, Kow, and of the air‐water partitioning coefficient (dimensionless Henry constant), Kaw. This results in value ranges of Kow and Kaw where the chemical exposure route can be classified with limited input data requirements as primarily inhalation, primarily ingestion, or multipathway. For the inhalation and ingestion dominant pollutants, we also define empirical relationships based on chemical properties for quantifying the intake fraction. The empirical relationships facilitate rapid evaluation of many chemicals in terms of the intake. By defining a theoretical upper limit for iF in a multimedia environment we find that iF calculations provide insight into the multimedia model algorithms and help identify unusual patterns of exposure and questionable exposure model results.
Incremental and Average Cost‐Effectiveness Ratios: Will Physicians Make a Distinction?
Authors: Hershey John C. , Asch David A. , Jepson Christopher , Baron Jonathan , Ubel Peter A.
Published: March 2003

Physicians are increasingly asked to use cost‐effectiveness information when evaluating alternative health care interventions. Little is known about how the way such information is presented can influence medical decision making. We presented physicians with hypothetical screening scenarios with multiple options, varying the type of cost‐effectiveness ratios provided as well as whether the scenarios described cancer screening settings that were familiar or unfamiliar. Half the scenarios used average cost‐effectiveness ratios, as commonly reported, calculating benefits and costs relative to a no‐screening option. The other half used the preferred incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios, with each option's benefits and costs calculated relative to the next best alternative. Relative to average cost‐effectiveness ratios, incremental cost‐effectiveness information significantly reduced preference for the most expensive screening strategies in two of three unfamiliar scenarios. No such difference was found for familiar scenarios, for which physicians likely have established practice patterns. These results suggest that, in unfamiliar settings, average cost‐effectiveness ratios as reported in many analyses reported in the literature can hide the often high price for achieving incremental health care goals, potentially causing physicians to choose interventions with poor cost effectiveness.
Focusing on Phonology to Teach Morphological Form in French
Authors: Arteaga Deborah , Herschensohn Julia , Gess Randall
Published: March 2003

Much recent research in language pedagogy has advocated a form–focused approach, noting that input can be tailored to promote acquisition of specific phenomena (R. Ellis, 1990; Harley, 1993; Herschensohn, 1990; Lee & Valdman, 2000; Leeman, Arteagoitia, Fridman, & Doughty, 1995; VanPatten, 1996). In this article, we argue for the importance of phonological form in the second language (L2) classroom, proposing that a thorough grounding in L2 phonological patterns is essential for language learners; we use as evidence for our position the importance of phonological information for the auditory detection of morphological form in French. We offer a pedagogical means by which the morphological rule of gender agreement for adjectives, which involves final consonant alternation, can be imitated in a L2 context through a context–based focus on phonological form. We present empirical evidence that such a focus produces statistically significant results in a classroom experiment that tests listening discrimination of gender alternation in adjectives. Our results also have implications for the effectiveness of an explicit, meaning–oriented focus on form for listening comprehension, inasmuch as the auditory discrimination of contrasts contributes to that process.
“How Come Nobody Told Me?” Fostering Self‐Realization Through a High School English Curriculum
Authors: Eisenman Laura T. , Tascione Linda
Published: March 2003

Through collaboratively designed qualitative inquiry, we investigated the responses of high school students with learning disabilities to a teacher’s intervention intended to promote self‐realization, a fundamental component of self‐determination. Activities were embedded within the general English curriculum and delivered in a special education classroom over the course of an academic year. Several themes emerged from analysis of student interviews, student responses to writing prompts and surveys, a teacher journal, and student portfolio pieces. Silence and misconceptions were prevalent in student experiences. However, through the intervention students acquired information that helped them make sense of their school experiences, redefine themselves in positive ways, and take small steps toward greater self‐advocacy within their current school setting. The mediating influence of positive adult voices and concerns about social stigma were evident in students’ responses, which prompted us to question teachers’ and families’ responsibilities for engaging young people in dialogue about special education and disability.
Appendix A: Event Sequences Used
Authors: Bauer Patricia J. , Wenner Jennifer , Dropik Patricia L. , Wewerka Sandi S.
Published: March 2003

Presented here are descriptions of the three‐step and four‐step event sequences used in the present research. Materials necessary to produce the event sequences are included in parentheses.
Dealing with Uncertain Budget Forecasts
Authors: Penner Rudolph G.
Published: March 2003

The article reviews the history of past budget projections by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The projections have been extremely inaccurate because of errors in the choice of economic and technical assumptions. The errors grow rapidly as the projection’s period is lengthened. The projections are unlikely to get better soon. Therefore, the question becomes how CBO, the Congress, and the media should react to the extraordinary uncertainty that must be attached to the budget outlook. Among other things, the author suggests de‐emphasizing projections made for periods longer than five years, because such projections are only a little better than random noise. He also points out the futility of aiming for rigorously enforced numerical targets for the budget balance, as was done in Gramm‐Rudman and as has been proposed in various types of “lock box” legislation. The targets move around too rapidly to ever be hit.
State Rainy Day Funds and Fiscal Crises: Rainy Day Funds and the 1990–1991 Recession Revisited
Authors: Douglas James W. , Gaddie Ronald Keith
Published: March 2003

The recession of the early 1980s prompted many states to establish budget stabilization (rainy day) funds. Initial examinations of rainy day funds find a limited impact by the funds in alleviating fiscal stress. In this article, we propose an enhanced model of rainy day fund impact. Using data from 48 states for the 1990–1991 recession, our analysis indicates that the presence of a number of structural factors and the maintenance of generally large balances in other funds entering recession helps to alleviate fiscal stress when a state’s economy is in recession.
A Strategy to Prevent Losses in Local Government Investment Pools
Authors: Lynch Thomas D. , Shamsub Hannarong , Onwujuba Christie
Published: March 2003

In the first half of the 1990s, some local government investment pools (LGIPs) suffered losses from derivatives investments. Although the losses came from derivatives, the actual cause of the losses was the violation of public‐fund prudent investment practices. This article provides a strategy to prevent future losses for LGIPs’ participants by looking at the pattern of return on investment of the pools. Our proposal is that rates of return on state pools that co‐move with market rates are generally an indication of adherence to prudent investment practices. We demonstrate the viability of this proposal by using co‐integration methodology. The implication is that if rates of return on a state pool do not co‐move with market rates, they may indicate the violation of prudent investment practices.
Do Investors Look Beyond Insured Triple–A Rating? An Analysis of Standard & Poor’s Underlying Ratings
Authors: Peng Jun
Published: March 2003

This article demonstrates that for insured municipal bonds, revelation of underlying ratings can be an effective mechanism for further alleviating the information asymmetry problems found in the municipal bond market. Due to the prevalence of municipal bond insurance, investors are increasingly relying on the underlying ratings of insured bonds in gauging the relative riskiness of these bonds. For a sample of 697 municipal bonds issued in 1998, the results indicate that Standard & Poor’s underlying ratings are able to reduce borrowing cost by four basis points, due to the additional information provided through these ratings.
Platform‐Driven Development of Product Families: Linking Theory with Practice
Authors: Halman Johannes I. M. , Hofer Adrian P. , Van Vuuren Wim
Published: March 2003

Firms in many industries increasingly are considering platform‐based approaches to reduce complexity and to better leverage investments in new product development, manufacturing, and marketing. However, a clear gap in literature still exists when it comes to discussing the problems and risks related to implementing and managing product families and their underlying platforms. Using a multiple‐case approach, we compare three technology‐driven companies in their definition of platform‐based product families, investigate their reasons for changing to platform‐driven development, and analyze how they implemented platform thinking in their development process and which risks they encountered in the process of creating and managing platform‐based product families. The field study shows that the companies involved in the study use a homogeneous concept of platform‐based product families and that they have similar reasons to turn to platform thinking and to encounter comparable risks. However, the companies analyzed use mainly product architecture as a basis for their platforms (and ignore many of the platform types advocated in literature), while on the other hand they show divergent applications of the platform concept regarding the combinations of product families and market applications. Through this exploratory study, some important white spots in literature became evident as well. In the discussion part of this article these white spots are discussed and directions for future platform research are proposed. The article concludes that given its importance, platform‐driven development of product families clearly deserves further research to provide more insight into strategic planning for new products.
What to Do When Stakeholders Matter: The Case of Problem Formulation for the African American Men Project of Hennepin County, Minnesota
Authors: Bryson John M. , Cunningham Gary L. , Lokkesmoe Karen J.
Published: March 2003

We propose a series of stakeholder analyses designed to help organizations—especially governments—think and act strategically during the process of problem formulation in order to advance the common good. Specifically, we argue that at least five sets of analyses are necessary, including the creation of (1) a power versus interest grid; (2) a stakeholder influence diagram; (3) bases of power–directions of interest diagrams; (4) a map for finding the common good and structuring a winning argument; and (5) diagrams indicating how to tap individual stakeholder interests to pursue the common good. What the analyses do is help to transform a seemingly “wicked problem”—for example, how to produce better outcomes for African American men aged 18–30—into something more tractable, and therefore amenable to collective action. In other words, stakeholder analysis can be used to link political rationality with technical rationality so that support can be mobilized for substantive progress.
American Public Administration and Impacts of International Governance
Authors: O’Toole Jr. Laurence J. , Hanf Kenneth I.
Published: March 2003

Increasingly, public administration in the United States operates in a densely interconnected international system in which local decisions and actions may trigger global repercussions—and vice versa—and the fate of communities in one region is bound to the choices of decision makers elsewhere. Administrative actors have become enmeshed in a complicated, interwoven pattern of governance in ways that shape actions, issues, and opportunities for influencing administrative agencies at national, state, and local levels. These developments call for a critical reappraisal of our inherited notions of governance, management, and accountability. Terrorist tragedy and responses to it call attention to these themes, but they apply broadly across the spectrum of governance challenges. To demonstrate this point, we analyze some implications of transnational governance for the institutions and practices of U.S. public management, with particular attention to another subject: environmental policy and management. A conclusion is that the public administration community must adjust traditional practices to facilitate the effective management of the global processes that, in turn, reshape the world.
Research Dissemination and Impact: Evidence from Web Site Downloads
Authors: Pinkowitz Lee
Published: March 2003

The Journal of Finance Web site disseminates research expediently to a broad audience. Papers were downloaded 284,170 times from November 1997 to November 1999. The average paper receives 85 downloads per month and is available 10 months before publication. Articles are downloaded more than shorter papers. Lead articles are downloaded more than other articles because they are of greater interest, and they receive an endorsement as the lead. Downloads are positively correlated with citations and may be a useful measure of research impact. Finally, placing forthcoming articles online does not adversely affect subscriptions and may increase the SSCI impact factor.
Financial Distress and Bank Lending Relationships
Authors: Dahiya Sandeep , Saunders Anthony , Srinivasan Anand
Published: March 2003

We use a unique data set of bank loans to examine the wealth effects on lead lending banks when their borrowers suffer financial distress. We find a significant negative announcement return for the lead lending bank when a major corporate borrower announces default or bankruptcy. Banks with higher exposure to the distressed firm have larger negative announcement‐period returns. The existence of a past lending relationship with the distressed firm results in larger wealth declines for the bank shareholders. Finally, financial distress also has a significant negative effect on borrower's returns.
Fcγ Receptor-Mediated Suppression of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Replication in Primary Human Macrophages
Authors: Perez-Bercoff Danielle , David Annie , Sudry Hugues , Barré-Sinoussi Françoise , Pancino Gianfranco
Published: March 2003

Permissiveness of monocytes and macrophages to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is modulated by various stimuli. In this study we demonstrate that stimulation of primary monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) through the receptors for the Fc portion of immunoglobulin G (IgG) (FcγR) inhibits HIV type 1 (HIV-1) replication. Viral p24 production was decreased by 1.5 to 3 log units in MDM infected with both R5 and X4 HIV-1 strains upon stimulation by immobilized IgG but not upon stimulation by soluble IgG or by F(ab′)2IgG fragments. Although MDM activation by immobilized IgG induced high levels of macrophage-derived chemokine secretion as well as a sustained down-regulation of CD4 and a transient decrease in CCR5 expression, these factors did not appear to play a major role in the suppression of HIV-1 replication. Single-cycle infection of FcγR-stimulated MDM with HIV-1 virions pseudotyped with either HIV-1 R5 or vesicular stomatitis virus G envelopes was inhibited, suggesting a postentry restriction of viral replication. PCR analyses of HIV-1 DNA intermediate replication forms suggested that reverse transcription is not affected by stimulation with immobilized human IgG, at least during the first replication cycle. The accumulation of PCR products corresponding to nuclear unintegrated two-long-terminal-repeat circles and the relative decrease of integrated HIV-1 DNA signals suggest an inhibition of proviral integration. Our data, showing that FcγR-mediated activation of MDM is a potent mechanism of HIV-1 suppression, raise the possibility that FcγR cross-linking by immune complexes may contribute to the control of viral replication in macrophages.
Hepatitis C Virus RNA Replication Occurs on a Detergent-Resistant Membrane That Cofractionates with Caveolin-2
Authors: Shi Stephanie T. , Lee Ki-Jeong , Aizaki Hideki , Hwang Soon B. , Lai Michael M. C.
Published: March 2003

The mechanism and machinery of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA replication are still poorly understood. In this study, we labeled de novo-synthesized viral RNA in situ with bromouridine triphosphate (BrUTP) in Huh7 cells expressing an HCV subgenomic replicon. By immunofluorescence staining using an anti-BrUTP antibody and confocal microscopy, we showed that the newly synthesized HCV RNA was localized to distinct speckle-like structures, which also contain all of the HCV nonstructural (NS) proteins. These speckles are distinct from lipid droplets and are separated from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where some HCV NS proteins also reside. Membrane flotation analysis demonstrated that almost all of the NS5A and part of the NS5B proteins and all of the viral RNA were present in membrane fractions which are resistant to treatment with 1% NP-40 at 4°C. They were cofractionated with caveolin-2, a lipid-raft-associated intracellular membrane protein, in the presence or absence of the detergent. In contrast, the ER-resident proteins were detergent soluble. These properties suggest that the membranes on which HCV RNA replication occurs are lipid rafts recruited from the intracellular membranes. The protein synthesis inhibitors cycloheximide and puromycin did not inhibit viral RNA synthesis, indicating that HCV RNA replication does not require continuous protein synthesis. We suggest that HCV RNA synthesis occurs on a lipid raft membrane structure.
MOTION OF A VECTOR PARTICLE IN A CURVED SPACETIME I: LAGRANGIAN APPROACH
Authors: TURAKULOV ZAFAR , SAFONOVA MARGARITA
Published: March 2003

The equations of motion for a particle with spin are derived from a simple Lagrangian. The spin is shown to be conserved on the particle's worldline. In the absence of a spin the equation coincides with that of a geodesic. The equations of motion are valid for massless particles as well, since mass does not enter the equations explicitly.
YANG–MILLS DUALITY AS THE ORIGIN OF FERMION GENERATIONS
Authors: CHAN HONG-MO
Published: March 2003

A non-Abelian extension of electric-magnetic duality implies that dual to confined colour SU(3), there also ought to be a broken threefold symmetry which can play the role of fermion generations. A model constructed on these premises not only gives a raison d'être for 3 and only 3 generations as observed but also offers a natural explanation for the distinctive fermion mass and mixing patterns seen in experiment. A calculation to one-loop order in this model with only 3 fitted parameters already gives correct values, all within present experimental errors, for the following quantities: the mass ratios mc/mt, ms/mb, mμ/mτ, all 9 matrix elements of the CKM mixing matrix |Vrs| for quarks, plus the lepton MNS mixing matrix elements |Uμ3| and |Ue3| studied in neutrino oscillation experiments with respectively atmospheric and reactor neutrinos.
THE SCIENCE OF CONFINEMENT AND THE GLUEX/HALL D PROJECT AT JEFFERSON LAB
Authors: Dzierba Alex R.
Published: March 2003

One of the outstanding and fundamental questions in physics is the quantitative understanding of the confinement of quarks and gluons in quantum chromodynamics (QCD). Confinement is a unique feature of QCD. Exotic hybrid mesons manifest gluonic degrees of freedom and their spectroscopy will provide the crucial data needed to test assumptions in lattice QCD and phenomenology leading to confinement. Photo-production is expected to be particularly effective in producing exotic hybrids but data using photon probes are sparse. At Jefferson Lab, plans are underway to use the coherent bremsstrahlung technique to produce a linearly polarized photon beam. A solenoid-based hermetic detector will be used to collected data on meson production and decays with statistics that will exceed the current photoproduction data in hand by several orders of magnitude after the first year of running. In order to reach the ideal photon energy of 9 GeV/c for this mapping of the exotic spectra, the energy of the Jefferson Lab electron accelerator, CEBAF, will be doubled from its current maximum of 6 GeV to 12 GeV. The physics and project are described.
NONRESONANT HADRON-HADRON INTERACTIONS AND FINAL STATE INTERACTIONS IN THE π-η SYSTEM
Authors: Szczepaniak Adam
Published: March 2003

We discuss the current theoretical and experimental status of exotic mesons and a possible interpretation of the π1(1400) exotic meson as a final state interaction effect.
Nighttime Outdoor Artificial Light and Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Kim Su Hwan , Kim Young Kook , Shin Young In , Kang Goneui , Kim Seong Pyo , Lee Hajoung , Hong In Hwan , Chang In Boem , Hong Soon-Beom , Yoon Hyung-Jin , Ha Ahnul
Published: January 2024

Importance

Light pollution’s impact on human health is increasingly recognized, but its link to exudative age-related macular degeneration (EAMD) remains unclear.

Objective

To investigate the association between exposure to outdoor artificial light at night (OALAN) and the risk of incident EAMD.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this nationwide population-based case-control study, all individuals 50 years or older with newly diagnosed EAMD between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2011, were identified with reference to the Korean National Health Insurance Service registration program database for rare and intractable diseases. Birth year– and sex-matched controls (with no EAMD diagnosis until 2020) were selected at a 1:30 ratio. Data were acquired from May 1 to December 31, 2021, and analyzed from June 1 to November 30, 2022.

Exposures

Mean levels of OALAN at participants’ residential addresses during 2008 and 2009 were estimated using time-varying satellite data for a composite view of persistent nighttime illumination at an approximate scale of 1 km2.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs of the association between residential OALAN and risk of incident EAMD were determined based on maximum likelihood estimation after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, and area-level risk factors (ie, nighttime traffic noise and particulate matter of aerodynamic diameter ≤10 μm in each participant’s administrative district of residence).

Results

A total of 126 418 participants were included in the analysis (mean [SD] age, 66.0 [7.9] years; 78 244 men [61.9%]). Of these, 4078 were patients with newly diagnosed EAMD and 122 340 were EAMD-free matched controls. In fully adjusted models, an IQR (55.8 nW/cm2/sr) increase in OALAN level was associated with an HR of 1.67 (95% CI, 1.56-1.78) for incident EAMD. The exposure-response curve demonstrated a nonlinear, concave upward slope becoming more pronounced at higher levels of light exposure (ie, at approximately 110 nW/cm2/sr). In a subgroup analysis, an IQR increase in OALAN was associated with increased risk of incident EAMD in urban areas (HR, 1.46 [95% CI, 1.33-1.61]) but not in rural areas (HR, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.84-1.22]).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this nationwide population-based case-control study, higher levels of residential OALAN were associated with an increased risk of incident EAMD. Future studies with more detailed information on exposure, individual adaptive behaviors, and potential mediators are warranted.
SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination and Neuroimmunological Disease
Authors: Willison Alice Grizzel , Pawlitzki Marc , Lunn Michael Peter , Willison Hugh John , Hartung Hans-Peter , Meuth Sven Günther
Published: January 2024

Importance

The temporal association between the occurrence of neurological diseases, many autoimmune diseases, and vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 has been topically interesting and remains hotly debated both in the medical literature and the clinic. Given the very low incidences of these events both naturally occurring and in relation to vaccination, it is challenging to determine with certainty whether there is any causative association and most certainly what the pathophysiology of that causation could be.

Observations

Data from international cohorts including millions of vaccinated individuals suggest that there is a probable association between the adenovirus-vectored vaccines and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Further associations between other SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and GBS or Bell palsy have not been clearly demonstrated in large cohort studies, but the possible rare occurrence of Bell palsy following messenger RNA vaccination is a topic of interest. It is also yet to be clearly demonstrated that any other neurological diseases, such as central nervous system demyelinating disease or myasthenia gravis, have any causative association with vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 using any vaccine type, although it is possible that vaccination may rarely trigger a relapse or worsen symptoms or first presentation in already-diagnosed or susceptible individuals.

Conclusions and Relevance

The associated risk between SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and GBS, and possibly Bell palsy, is slight, and this should not change the recommendation for individuals to be vaccinated. The same advice should be given to those with preexisting neurological autoimmune disease.
The trade‐off between deaths by infection and socio‐economic costs in the emerging infectious disease
Authors: Watanabe Akira , Matsuda Hiroyuki
Published: January 2024

COVID‐19, caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS‐CoV‐2), is an emerging infectious disease (EID) with a relatively high infectivity and mortality rate. During the state of emergency announced by the Japanese government in the spring of 2020, citizens were requested to stay home, and the number of infected people was drastically reduced without a legally‐binding lockdown. It is well‐acknowledged that there is a trade‐off between maintaining economic activity and preventing the spread of infectious diseases. We aimed to reduce the total loss caused by the epidemic of an EID like COVID‐19 in the present study. We focused on early and late stages of the epidemic and proposed a framework to reduce the total loss resulted from the damage by infection and the cost for the countermeasure. Mathematical epidemic models were used to estimate the effect of interventions on the number of deaths by infection. The total loss was converted into the monetary base and different policies were compared. In the early stage, we calculated the damage by infection when behavioral restrictions were implemented. The favorable intensity of the intervention depended on the basic reproduction number, infection fatality rate, and the economic impact. In the late stage, we calculated indicators and showed it depended on the ratio of the cost to maintain the hospitalization system to the monetary loss per deaths caused by infection to determine which strategy should be adopted.
Importance of restoration of dung beetles in the maintenance of ecosystem services
Authors: Torabian Shiva , Leffler A. Joshua , Perkins Lora
Published: January 2024

Dung beetles have key roles in ecosystems including accelerating dung decomposition, improving nutrient cycling and influencing physical (such as structure) and chemical (such as pH and available nutrients) soil properties. Without dung beetles, dung decomposition slows, nutrient cycling is impaired, and water infiltration decreases.

Dung beetles face various threats, including climate change, anthropogenic chemicals and habitat degradation. However, there is limited information on the restoration of dung beetles in areas where they have been lost.

The restoration framework utilized in this review considers three primary facets: environmental conditions, which encompass crucial abiotic features; biotic characteristics, which involve all other species; and focal species, which denote all native functional groups of species that require reintroduction or re‐establishment.

This review aims to examine the ecosystem services provided by dung beetles, highlight the threats they face and conceptualize a restoration framework for these crucial organisms.
Plasmonic‐Pyroelectric Materials and Structures
Authors: Wang Qingping , Bowen Chris R. , Valev Ventsislav K.
Published: January 2024

With the growing global energy crisis, research into new energy materials that can potentially transfer heat into electricity has become a worldwide imperative. Pyroelectric materials are polar materials that are able to produce electrical charge in response to temperature change. These materials are of interest for infrared sensing, energy harvesting, and emerging applications in chemistry and biology. However, unlocking their potential requires the temperature changes to be both large and rapid. To achieve this goal, pyroelectric materials can be used in synergy with plasmonic nanomaterials, which provide highly localized and rapid heating upon illumination at the plasmonic resonances. Plasmonic‐pyroelectric combinations are therefore being used for a variety of electrical, thermal, electrochemical, and biological studies and are inspiring new technological applications. In this review, the underlying mechanisms of the pyroelectric and plasmonic effects are introduced and the benefits of combining them are outlined. A range of applications is then overviewed. Critical challenges and future perspectives to further develop the underlying science of these systems and to create highly efficient plasmonic‐pyroelectric materials and structures are discussed.
Multisensory Ferroelectric Semiconductor Synapse for Neuromorphic Computing
Authors: Zeng Jinhua , Feng Guangdi , Wu Guangjian , Liu Jianquan , Zhao Qianru , Wang Huiting , Wu Shuaiqin , Wang Xudong , Chen Yan , Han Suting , Tian Bobo , Duan Chungang , Lin Tie , Ge Jun , Shen Hong , Meng Xiangjian , Chu Junhao , Wang Jianlu
Published: January 2024

Integrated multifunctionality in visual information processing is crucial in the artificial intelligence era. Compared to the parallel human vision system, current bionic vision devices exhibit a complex structure with single functionality, challenging intelligent processing and integration. Here, a multisensory artificial synapse with a crossbar structure comprising graphene/α‐In2Se3/graphene layers is demonstrated, merging sensing, memory, and computing while mimicking various synaptic properties. The Schottky barrier height is modulated by the polarization of ferroelectric semiconductor α‐In2Se3, enabling reconfigurable device conductance and photoresponsivity. This conductance emulates synaptic short‐term and long‐term plasticity through electrical pulse modulation, boasting a rapid 40 ns programming speed. The device also exhibits linearly regulated photoresponsivity under illumination, with synaptic plasticity from optical pulses. The fusion of electronic and optoelectronic devices enables both image front‐end processing and advanced post‐processing. In‐sensor front‐end processing enhances subsequent processing efficiency, with pattern recognition accuracy reaching 97%. This design fosters the advancement of multisensory and highly integrated neuromorphic vision systems.
MXene Boosted Ultrasensitive Electrochemical Detection of 5‐Hydroxymethylcytosine in Genomic DNA from Complex Backgrounds
Authors: Xu Zhenzhen , Wang Zhigang , Hu Dingmeng , Chen Huiqin , Yan Yufei , Li Yuan , Tu Mengjing , Shen Qiaofeng , Liu Xuanyi , Li Rui , Lu Cheng , Xue Fei , Xie Congying , Yang Gen
Published: January 2024

5‐Hydroxymethylcytosine in genomic DNA (5hmC‐DNA), a predominant epigenetic mark, plays key roles in a broad range of bioprocesses such as cancer progression. However, efficient detection of 5hmC‐DNA, especially from highly complex biological specimens, remains a harsh challenge due to its low abundance as well as the serious disturbance of non‐targets. Leveraging MXene as the signal booster, an electrochemical biosensing technique is presented here for ultrasensitive detection of 5hmC‐DNA from complex biological samples. The developed technique integrates enzyme‐catalyzed transform of the hydroxyl group of 5hmC, sequence‐specific recognition of the 5hmC‐DNA targets, and facile electrochemical reaction. Remarkably, nanosized Ti3C2Tx MXene is introduced as a highly conductive agent, managing to greatly boost the signals. Exhibiting outstanding consistency and robustness, the technique not only achieves excellent linear responses in a broad range of 5hmC‐DNA (1.0 × 10−13–1.0 × 10−9 m) with the lowest detection limit of 59 fM but also possesses excellent selectivity against 5hmC analogs of including cytosine (C)‐ and 5‐methylcytosine (5mC). More importantly, a proof‐of‐concept validation demonstrates the extraordinary ability of this technique for directly detecting 5hmC‐DNA from complex backgrounds including cellular genomic extracts and serum of irradiated or non‐irradiated mice, suggesting its highly promising potential for diverse applications such as early cancer screening.
A Novel 3D‐Printed Bi‐Layer Cranial‐Brain Patch Promotes Brain Injury Repair and Bone Tissue Regeneration
Authors: Zhou Liming , Liu Huiling , Zhang Borui , Wei Chengxiu , Zhou Shihao , Huang Xiaoying , Zhong Xiaoxuan , Zhang Li , Bi Wei , Liu Jianghui , Liang Yizhi , Jin Long , Guo Rui
Published: January 2024

Traumatic brain injury (TBI), recognized as the world's most serious public health problem, currently lacks effective treatment options. The development of the patch has great clinical significance whether it is used as a skull implant material or TBI repair. In response to this critical health challenge, a novel 3D‐printed bi‐layer cranial‐brain patch (SMB6) with dual functionality, addressing both TBI repair and skull regeneration, is developed. In the first layer, the incorporation of high concentrations of mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles establishes a microenvironment for bone regeneration. Meanwhile, the second layer, comprised of methacrylated silk fibroin hydrogel, provides essential mechanical support for nanocell membrane vesicles loaded with macrophage colony‐stimulating factor and interleukin‐6. This innovative design aims to interrupt the cascade of secondary brain injury. In experimental models of TBI, SMB6 demonstrates remarkable efficacy in inhibiting brain edema, exerting therapeutic effects on blood vessels, nerves, and inflammation. Additionally, promising outcomes are observed in promoting bone regeneration in skull defect models. This work not only introduces a potential therapeutic patch for TBI‐related diseases but also provides novel insights for the clinical translation of cranial patches.
Enhancing Zn‐Metal Anode Stability: Key Effects of Electrolyte Additives on Ion‐Shield‐Like Electrical Double Layer and Stable Solid Electrolyte Interphase
Authors: Weng Jianqiang , Zhu Wenqi , Yu Kun , Luo Jing , Chen Meixin , Li Liuyan , Zhuang Yuhang , Xia Kailai , Lu Zhixing , Hu Yajie , Yang Chengkai , Wu Mingmao , Zou Zhigang
Published: January 2024

Owing to zinc dendrites and parasitic reactions, aqueous Zn‐metal batteries often suffer from poor reversibility and cyclability. Electrolyte additives present a promising strategy to improve Zn anode stability. However, the ever‐evolving perspectives and mechanisms, paradoxically, complicate battery design, causing a scenario where any electrolyte additive seems to be effective. Herein, it is taken ionic liquid (IL) additives as an example and detailed explored the impact of three typical IL anions, namely OTF−, TFA−, and BF4−. It is identified that the primary determinant of electrolyte additives as their electrical double layer (EDL) structures and their subsequent solid‐electrolyte interface (SEI) composition. An advantageous EDL structure, akin to an ion‐shield, can reduce the absorption of H2O molecules, which further enrich the SEI with zincophilic and hydrophobic components, thereby mitigating parasitic reactions and Zn dendrite formation. As a result, the Zn||Zn cell with optimal [EMIM]OTF additives demonstrates an exceptional cycling life under challenging conditions, its cumulative plated capacity surpasses most previously reported results by utilizing different IL additives. This work extends beyond performance enhancements, representing a valuable exploration of key criteria for electrolyte additives is believed. These insights are expected to offer fundamental guidance for future research and electrolyte design.
Construction of Fe Nanoclusters/Nanoparticles to Engineer FeN4 Sites on Multichannel Porous Carbon Fibers for Boosting Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Wang Zhe , Lu Zhe , Ye Qitong , Yang Zhenbei , Xu Ruojie , Kong Kexin , Zhang Yifan , Yan Tao , Liu Yipu , Pan Zhijuan , Huang Yizhong , Lu Xuehong
Published: January 2024

Fe–N–C catalysts are emerging as promising alternatives to Pt‐based catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), while they still suffer from sluggish reaction kinetics due to the discontented binding affinity between the Fe‐N4 sites and oxygen‐containing intermediates, and unsatisfactory stability. Herein, a flexible multichannel carbon fiber membrane immobilized with atomically dispersed Fe‐N4 sites and neighboring Fe nanoclusters/nanoparticles (FeN4‐FeNCP@MCF) is synthesized. The optimized geometric and electronic structures of the Fe atomic sites brought by adjacent Fe nanoclusters/nanoparticles and hierarchically porous structure of the carbon matrix endow FeN4‐FeNCP@MCF with outstanding ORR activity and stability, considerably outperforming its counterpart with FeN4 sites only and the commercial Pt/C catalyst. Liquid and solid‐state flexible zinc–air batteries employing FeN4‐FeNCP@MCF both exhibit outstanding durability. Theoretical calculation reveals that the Fe nanoclusters can trigger remarkable electron redistribution of the FeN4 sites and modulate the hybridization of central Fe 3d and O 2p orbitals, facilitating the activation of O2 molecules and optimizing the adsorption capacity of oxygen‐containing intermediates on FeN4 sites, and thus accelerating the ORR kinetic. This work offers an effective approach to constructing coupling catalysts that have single atoms coexisting with nanoclusters/nanoparticles for efficient ORR catalysis.
3D Niche‐Inspired Scaffolds as a Stem Cell Delivery System for the Regeneration of the Osteochondral Interface
Authors: Camarero‐Espinosa Sandra , Beeren Ivo , Liu Hong , Gomes David B. , Zonderland Jip , Lourenço Ana Filipa H , van Beurden Denis , Peters Marloes , Koper David , Emans Pieter , Kessler Peter , Rademakers Timo , Baker Matthew B. , Bouvy Nicole , Moroni Lorenzo
Published: January 2024

The regeneration of the osteochondral unit represents a challenge due to the distinct cartilage and bone phases. Current strategies focus on the development of multiphasic scaffolds that recapitulate features of this complex unit and promote the differentiation of implanted bone‐marrow derived stem cells (BMSCs). In doing so, challenges remain from the loss of stemness during in vitro expansion of the cells and the low control over stem cell activity at the interface with scaffolds in vitro and in vivo. Here, this work scaffolds inspired by the bone marrow niche that can recapitulate the natural healing process after injury. The construct comprises an internal depot of quiescent BMSCs, mimicking the bone marrow cavity, and an electrospun (ESP) capsule that “activates” the cells to migrate into an outer “differentiation‐inducing” 3D printed unit functionalized with TGF‐β and BMP‐2 peptides. In vitro, niche‐inspired scaffolds retained a depot of nonproliferative cells capable of migrating and proliferating through the ESP capsule. Invasion of the 3D printed cavity results in location‐specific cell differentiation, mineralization, secretion of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), and genetic upregulation of collagen II and collagen I. In vivo, niche‐inspired scaffolds are biocompatible, promoted tissue formation in rat subcutaneous models, and regeneration of the osteochondral unit in rabbit models.
Inhibition of Vanadium Cathodes Dissolution in Aqueous Zn‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Dai Yuhang , Zhang Chengyi , Li Jianwei , Gao Xuan , Hu Ping , Ye Chumei , He Hongzhen , Zhu Jiexin , Zhang Wei , Chen Ruwei , Zong Wei , Guo Fei , Parkin Ivan P. , Brett Dan J. L. , Shearing Paul R. , Mai Liqiang , He Guanjie
Published: January 2024

Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs) have experienced a rapid surge in popularity, as evident from the extensive research with over 30 000 articles published in the past 5 years. Previous studies on AZIBs have showcased impressive long‐cycle stability at high current densities, achieving thousands or tens of thousands of cycles. However, the practical stability of AZIBs at low current densities (<1C) is restricted to merely 50–100 cycles due to intensified cathode dissolution. This genuine limitation poses a considerable challenge to their transition from the laboratory to the industry. In this study, leveraging density functional theory (DFT) calculations, an artificial interphase that achieves both hydrophobicity and restriction of the outward penetration of dissolved vanadium cations, thereby shifting the reaction equilibrium and suppressing the vanadium dissolution following Le Chatelier's principle, is described. The approach has resulted in one of the best cycling stabilities to date, with no noticeable capacity fading after more than 200 cycles (≈720 h) at 200 mA g−1 (0.47C). These findings represent a significant advance in the design of ultrastable cathodes for aqueous batteries and accelerate the industrialization of aqueous zinc‐ion batteries.
Integrating Light Diffusion and Conversion Layers for Highly Efficient Multicolored Fiber‐Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Song Jiatian , Gu Yu , Lin Zhengmeng , Liu Jiuzhou , Kang Xinyue , Gong Xiaocheng , Liu Peiyu , Yang Yiqing , Jiang Hongyu , Wang Jiaqi , Cao Siwei , Zhu Zhengfeng , Peng Huisheng
Published: January 2024

Fiber solar cells as promising wearable power supplies have attracted increasing attentions recently, while further breakthrough on their power conversion efficiency (PCE) and realization of multicolored appearances remain urgent needs particularly in real‐world applications. Here, a fiber‐dye‐sensitized solar cell (FDSSC) integrated with a light diffusion layer composed of alumina/polyurethane film on the outmost encapsulating tube and a light conversion layer made from phosphors/TiO2/poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene) film on the inner counter electrode is designed. The incident light is diffused to more surfaces of fiber electrodes, then converted on counter electrode and reflected to neighboring photoanode, so the FDSSC efficiently takes advantage of the fiber shape for remarkably enhanced light harvesting, producing a record PCE of 13.11%. These efficient FDSSCs also realize color‐tunable appearances, improving their designability and compatibility with textiles. They are further integrated with fiber batteries as power systems, providing a power solution for wearables and emerging smart textiles.
Quantifying the Size‐Dependent Exciton‐Phonon Coupling Strength in Single Lead‐Halide Perovskite Quantum Dots
Authors: Zhu Chenglian , Feld Leon G. , Svyrydenko Mariia , Cherniukh Ihor , Dirin Dmitry N. , Bodnarchuk Maryna I. , Wood Vanessa , Yazdani Nuri , Boehme Simon C. , Kovalenko Maksym V. , Rainò Gabriele
Published: January 2024

Optimizing the performance of semiconductors in both classical and quantum applications, not only requires a solid understanding of elementary excitations such as electrons, holes, or bound electron–hole pairs (excitons), but also of their interaction with the host material's vibrational states (phonons). Exciton‐phonon coupling is particularly relevant in quantum dots (QDs) of APbX3 lead‐halide perovskite (where “A” can be Cs, formamidinium (FA), or methylammonium (MA), and X can be Cl, Br, or I), a new class of semiconductors with a soft crystal structure. Here, they quantify the strength of coupling to interband transitions for both FAPbBr3 and CsPbBr3 QDs, via the magnitude of phonon replicas in their photoluminescence (PL) spectra at cryogenic temperatures. CsPbBr3 QDs exhibit weaker exciton‐phonon coupling than similarly sized FAPbBr3 QDs. While the phonon energies are size‐independent, the exciton‐phonon coupling strength decreases with increasing QD size due to the decreased coupling of the transition to low‐energy surface‐enhanced phonon modes, consistent withab initio molecular‐dynamics (AIMD) simulations. Furthermore, within the harmonic approximation, the size‐dependent PL linewidth at room temperature can coarsely be estimated from the low‐temperature phonon replica spectrum, highlighting the crucial role of anharmonic effects. These findings contribute to realizing perovskite QD‐based devices with narrow and coherent emission for quantum technologies.