bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fully automated segmentation of prostatic urethra for MR‐guided radiation therapy
Authors: Xu Di , Ma Ting Martin , Savjani Ricky , Pham Jonathan , Cao Minsong , Yang Yingli , Kishan Amar U. , Scalzo Fabien , Sheng Ke
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Accurate delineation of the urethra is a prerequisite for urethral dose reduction in prostate radiotherapy. However, even in magnetic resonance‐guided radiation therapy (MRgRT), consistent delineation of the urethra is challenging, particularly in online adaptive radiotherapy. This paper presented a fully automatic MRgRT‐based prostatic urethra segmentation framework.

Methods

Twenty‐eight prostate cancer patients were included in this study. In‐house 3D half fourier single‐shot turbo spin‐echo (HASTE) and turbo spin echo (TSE) sequences were used to image the Foley‐free urethra on a 0.35 T MRgRT system. The segmentation pipeline uses 3D nnU‐Net as the base and innovatively combines ground truth and its corresponding radial distance (RD) map during training supervision. Additionally, we evaluate the benefit of incorporating a convolutional long short term memory (LSTM‐Conv) layer and spatial recurrent convolution layer (RCL) into nnU‐Net. A novel slice‐by‐slice simple exponential smoothing (SEPS) method specifically for tubular structures was used to post‐process the segmentation results.

Results

The experimental results show that nnU‐Net trained using a combination of Dice, cross‐entropy and RD achieved a Dice score of 77.1 ± 2.3% in the testing dataset. With SEPS, Hausdorff distance (HD) and 95% HD were reduced to 2.95 ± 0.17 mm and 1.84 ± 0.11 mm, respectively. LSTM‐Conv and RCL layers only minimally improved the segmentation precision.

Conclusion

We present the first Foley‐free MRgRT‐based automated urethra segmentation study. Our method is built on a data‐driven neural network with novel cost functions and a post‐processing step designed for tubular structures. The performance is consistent with the need for online and offline urethra dose reduction in prostate radiotherapy.
Designing rewards‐based crowdfunding campaigns for strategic (but distracted) contributors
Authors: Chakraborty Soudipta , Ma Anyi , Swinney Robert
Published: September 2022

In rewards‐based crowdfunding, entrepreneurs solicit donations from a large number of individual contributors. If total donations exceed a prespecified funding target, the entrepreneur distributes nonmonetary rewards to contributors; otherwise, their donations are refunded. We study how to design such campaigns when contributors choose not just whether to contribute, but also when to contribute. We show that strategic contribution behavior—when contributors intentionally delay until campaign success is likely—can arise from the combination of nonrefundable (potentially very small) hassle costs and the risk of campaign failure, and can explain pledging patterns commonly observed in crowdfunding. Furthermore, such delays do not hurt the entrepreneur if contributors are perfectly rational, but they do if contributors are distracted, that is, if they might fail to return to the campaign after an intentional delay. To mitigate this, we find that an entrepreneur can use a simple menu of rewards with a fixed number of units sold at a low price, and an unlimited number sold at a higher price; this segments contributors over time based on the information they observe upon arrival. We show that, despite its simplicity, such a menu performs well compared to a theoretically optimal menu consisting of an infinite number of different rewards and price levels under many conditions.
Reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the instrument of health literacy competencies for health professionals
Authors: Qi Huan , Chen Shengguang , Chen Ting , Gan Wei , Yang Dan , Wang Yujie , Zhang Qinghua
Published: September 2022

Aims

This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of an instrument of health literacy competencies for health professionals.

Design

This study utilized a cross‐sectional design.

Methods

Authorization was obtained from the authors of the original scale to translate the scale and perform cross‐cultural debugging. From August 2020 to November 2020, 573 health professionals were randomly selected from primary, secondary and tertiary hospitals in Huzhou to examine the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of an instrument of health literacy competencies for health professionals.

Results

The Chinese version of the scale contains 49 items. The internal consistency Cronbach's α was 0.958 for the total scale and 0.791–0.956 for each dimension. The test–retest reliability was 0.973. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the fitness degree of the model is good (χ2/df = 1.347, IFI = 0.924, TLI = 0.913, CFI = 0.922, GFI = 0.841, AGFI = 0.815, RMR = 0.011, RMSEA = 0.035).

Conclusion

The Chinese version of an instrument of health literacy competencies is reliable and valid, which is a credible and effective tool to assess the level of health literacy competencies in Chinese health professionals.

Patient or public contribution

Health professionals with good health literacy competencies can provide patient‐specific treatment and guidance to promote healthy outcomes for patients.
Beyond the ecocentric: Diverse values and attitudes influence engagement in pro‐environmental behaviours
Authors: Sockhill Nicola J. , Dean Angela J. , Oh Rachel R. Y. , Fuller Richard A.
Published: September 2022

Changing human behaviour and social systems are key to reversing the global biodiversity crisis. Pro‐environmental behaviour is guided by values and connection with nature, but because they have mostly been studied separately, the interplay between values and nature connection in influencing pro‐environmental behaviour remains unclear.

In particular, it is uncertain whether people who hold anthropocentric values have a less positive connection with nature than those who hold ecocentric values, and whether nature protection behaviours differ between people with different values or strengths of connection to nature.

We used a stratified survey of 2100 respondents across Australia to measure orientation towards nature. We created segments based on individual values and connection with nature and characterised each segment based on demographics, nature‐exposure, pro‐environmental behaviours, support for environmental policies and political alignment.

We discovered that a quarter of respondents had anthropocentric values alongside a strong connection with nature. Moreover, of those with a strong connection with nature, people with anthropocentric values more frequently undertook certain pro‐environmental behaviours than those with ecocentric values.

Our findings indicate that the strong expression of pro‐environmental behaviour is not limited to people with ecocentric values. Rather, people with different values and strengths of connection to nature engage in different types of impactful nature protection behaviours, challenging stereotypes about those with anthropocentric values.

These results further suggest that behavioural intervention strategies could be tailored to reach sectors of society with various combinations of values and strengths of connection to nature, thus maximising the expression of pro‐environmental behaviour across the entire population.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Interface‐engineered polypropylene/cellulose nanofibril composites with enhanced thermal stability, mechanical modulus, and impact strength
Authors: Tang Feng , Jeong Young Gyu
Published: September 2022

To attain interface‐engineered polypropylene/cellulose nanofibril (PP/CNF) composites with improved thermal and mechanical performance, PP was grafted with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and styrene via direct melt‐mixing and GMA/styrene‐grafted PP (PGMA) was reinforced with 1–10 wt% CNF content through a mass‐producible melt‐compounding process. The spectroscopic analyses confirmed the existence of specific hydrogen‐bonding interactions between CNF and PGMA in the composites. The melt‐rheological measurement revealed the occurrence of chemical reactions between the hydroxy group of CNF and the glycidyl group of PGMA of the composites. Accordingly, the dispersion and interfacial adhesion of CNF in the PGMA matrix was improved. β‐form PP crystals were also developed by accelerating the crystallization of PGMA and PGMA/CNF composites, unlike PP with only α‐form crystals. The storage modulus of PGMA/CNF composites was enhanced noticeably with increasing CNF content. Moreover, the impact strength of PGMA composite with 1 wt% CNF was found to be 29.2% higher than that of neat PP.
The relationship between residual limb health, motion within the socket, and prosthetic suspension
Authors: Baumann Molly , Price Ciera , Brousseau Lauren , Loftsgaarden Megan , Powell Jordan , Sanders Joan , Childers W. Lee
Published: September 2022

Residual limb health is critical for continued prosthesis use; however, many prosthesis users experience skin‐related breakdown. The interface between the residual limb and the prosthetic socket sets the local mechanical environment and plays a role in skin stresses. Motion of the residual limb in the socket adds additional mechanical strain on the limb. This article explores the relationship between motion of the limb in the socket and residual limb health. We evaluated current methods for assessing residual limb health and motion of the residual limb in the socket and compared these evaluations across different prosthetic suspension systems. While few direct studies comparing residual limb health and motion exist, it has been shown that elevated vacuum suspension systems result in both improved residual limb health compared to passive suction and pin‐lock systems and decreased motion compared to passive suction, pin‐lock, knee sleeve, and anatomical suspension systems. While motion and health have not been directly linked, elevated vacuum suspension may demonstrate a relationship that reduced motion of the residual limb in the socket improves residual limb health. Further evaluation in this area is necessary to more completely and directly understand the relationship between residual limb motion and residual limb health.
Real‐world efficacy and safety outcomes of imatinib treatment in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia: An Australian experience
Authors: Adattini Josephine A. , Gross Annette S. , Wong Doo Nicole , McLachlan Andrew J.
Published: September 2022

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) have revolutionized the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), but patients still experience treatment‐limiting toxicities or therapeutic failure. To investigate the real‐world use and outcomes of imatinib in patients with CML in Australia, a retrospective cohort study of patients with CML commencing imatinib (2001–2018) was conducted across two sites. Prescribing patterns, tolerability outcomes, and survival and molecular response were evaluated. 86 patients received 89 imatinib treatments. Dose modifications were frequently observed (12‐month rate of 58%). At last follow‐up, 62 patients (5‐year rate of 55%) had permanently discontinued imatinib treatment, of which 44 switched to another TKI (5‐year rate of 46%). Within 3 months of starting imatinib, 43% (95% CI, 32%–53%) of patients experienced imatinib‐related grade ≥3 adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Higher comorbidity score, lower body weight, higher imatinib starting dose, and Middle Eastern or North African ancestry were associated with a higher risk of grade ≥3 ADR occurrence on multivariable analysis (MVA). Estimated overall survival and event‐free survival rates at 3 years were 97% (95% CI, 92%–100%) and 81% (95% CI, 72%–92%), respectively. Cumulative incidence of major molecular response (MMR) at 3 years was 63% (95% CI, 50%–73%). On MVA, imatinib starting dose, ELTS score, BCR‐ABL1 transcript type, pre‐existing pulmonary disease, and potential drug–drug interactions were predictive of MMR. In conclusion, imatinib induced deep molecular responses that translated to good survival outcomes in a real‐world setting, but was associated with a higher incidence of ADRs, dose modifications and treatment discontinuations than in clinical trials.
Multiple Second‐Order Topological Photonic Systems for Multichannel Beam Splitting and Wavelength Demultiplexing
Authors: Om Kwang-Kwon , Kim Kwang-Hyon
Published: September 2022

Although second‐order topological photonic systems have been extensively investigated in the last several years, topological edge and corner states have been considered mainly in the systems with single topology. Herein, multiple topological photonic systems consisting of two different types of topologically nontrivial unit cells and their trivial counterparts which are related to each other under a relevant continuous transformation are presented. The dispersing characteristics of edge states are diverse at different topological interfaces of the system and can be controlled with relevant structural parameters, resulting in novel mechanism for multichannel topological beam splitting. Interestingly enough, second‐order topological corner states exist even in the structure of nontrivial photonic crystals surrounded by another nontrivial one unlike the previous cases with trivial surroundings, which can be confirmed from the spectral charge distributions. This enables us to obtain both spatially and spectrally separated multiband‐like corner states as well as edge ones in a multiple topological photonic system, which can be used for wavelength demultiplexer. The results in this work will trigger extensive studies on multiple topology for wide photonic applications.
Heilaohuacid G, a new triterpenoid from Kadsura coccinea inhibits proliferation, induces apoptosis, and ameliorates inflammation in RA‐FLS and RAW 264.7 cells via suppressing NF‐𝜅B pathway
Authors: Yang Yu‐pei , Jian Yu‐qing , Liu Yong‐bei , Xie Qing‐ling , Yu Huang‐he , Wang Bin , Li Bin , Peng Cai‐yun , Wang Wei
Published: September 2022

Heilaohu, the roots of Kadsura coccinea, has been used in Tujia ethnomedicine to treat rheumatic arthritis (RA). Heilaohuacid G (1), a new 3,4‐seco‐lanostane type triterpenoid isolated from the ethanol extract of Heilaohu, whose structure was determined using HR‐ESI‐MS data, NMR spectroscopic analyses, and ECD calculations. In this study, our purpose is to elucidate the mechanisms of Heilaohuacid G in the treatment of RA by inhibited proliferation of rheumatoid arthritis‐fibroblastoid synovial (RA‐FLS) cells and inhibited the inflammatory reactions in LPS‐induced RA‐FLS and RAW 264.7 cell lines via inhibiting NF‐κB pathway. The biological activity screening experiments indicated that Heilaohuacid G significantly inhibited proliferation of RA‐FLS cells with IC50 value of 8.16 ± 0.47 μM. CCK‐8 assay, ELISA, flow cytometry assay, and Western blot were used to measure the changes of cell viability, apoptosis, and the release of inflammatory cytokines. Heilaohuacid G was found not only induced RA‐FLS cell apoptosis, but also inhibited the inflammatory reactions in LPS‐induced RA‐FLS and RAW 264.7 cell lines via inhibiting NF‐κB pathway. Furthermore, Heilaohuacid G (p.o.) at doses of 3.0, 6.0, and 12.0 mg/kg and the ethanol extracts of Heilaohu (p.o.) at doses of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg both were confirmed antiinflammatory effects on xylene‐induced ear mice edema model.
Parameter andqasymptotics of Lq‐norms of hypergeometric orthogonal polynomials
Authors: Sobrino Nahual , Dehesa Jesus S.
Published: September 2022

The three canonical families of the hypergeometric orthogonal polynomials in a continuous real variable (Hermite, Laguerre, and Jacobi) control the physical wavefunctions of the bound stationary states of a great number of quantum systems [Correction added after first online publication on 21 December, 2022. The sentence has been modified.]. The algebraic ‐norms of these polynomials describe many chemical, physical, and information theoretical properties of these systems, such as, for example, the kinetic and Weizsäcker energies, the position and momentum expectation values, the Rényi and Shannon entropies and the Cramér‐Rao, the Fisher‐Shannon and LMC measures of complexity. In this work, we examine review and solve theq‐asymptotics and the parameter asymptotics (i.e., when the weight function's parameter tends towards infinity) of the unweighted and weighted ‐norms for these orthogonal polynomials. This study has been motivated by the application of these algebraic norms to the energetic, entropic, and complexity‐like properties of the highly excited Rydberg and high‐dimensional pseudo‐classical states of harmonic (oscillator‐like) and Coulomb (hydrogenic) systems, and other quantum systems subject to central potentials of anharmonic type (such as, e.g., some molecular systems) [Correction added after first online publication on 21 December, 2022. Oscillatorlike has been changed to oscillator‐like.].
Method optimization of the simultaneous detection of B12 congeners leading to the detection of a novel isomer of hydroxycobalamin in seawater
Authors: Möller Kristof , Krock Bernd , Koch Florian
Published: September 2022

Rationale

More than half of surveyed microalgae and over 90% of harmful algae have an obligate requirement for vitamin B12, but methods for directly measuring dissolved B12 in seawater are scarce due to low concentrations and rapid light‐induced hydrolysis.

Methods

We present a method to detect and measure the four main congeners of vitamin B12 dissolved in seawater. The method includes solid‐phase extraction, separation by ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography and detection by triple‐quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry utilizing an electrospray ion source. This method was applied to coastal field samples collected in the German Bay, Baltic Sea and the Danish Limfjord system.

Results

The total dissolved B12 pool ranged between 0.5 and 2.1 pM. Under ambient conditions methyl‐B12 and adenosyl‐B12 were nearly fully hydrolyzed to hydroxy‐B12 in less than 1 h. Hydroxy‐B12 and a novel, corresponding isomer were the main forms of B12 found at all field sites. This isomer eluted well after the OH‐B12 peak and was also detected in commercially available OH‐B12. Both compounds showed very high similarity in their collision‐induced dissociation spectra.

Conclusions

The high instability of the biologically active forms of Me‐B12 and Ado‐B12 towards hydrolysis was shown, highlighting the importance of reducing the duration of the extraction protocol. In addition, the vitamin B12 pool in the study area was mostly comprised of a previously undescribed isomer of OH‐B12. Further studies into the structure of this isomer and its bioavailability are needed.
Charcoal maker's pneumoconiosis
Authors: Watanabe Hiroki , Sumi Toshiyuki , Keira Yoshiko
Published: September 2022

Key message

Negligence of health safety is common cause for occupational hazards such as charcoal maker's pneumoconiosis. This case report highlights such a case where the condition developed because of not wearing a dust mask due to the heat during production. As the condition is mostly asymptomatic, preventive measures must be encouraged.
Fire risk communication in the urban informal sector: Evidence from traditional marketplaces in Accra, Ghana
Authors: Abunyewah Matthew , Okyere Seth A. , Frimpong Louis K. , Diko Stephen K. , Erdiaw‐Kwasie Michael O. , Boateng Victor
Published: September 2022

Urban marketplace fires in Ghana are chronic, devasting in economic losses and disproportionately impacting informal sector workers. Yet, the scholarly works on urban disasters have focused on hydrometeorological and other man‐made disasters to the neglect of marketplace fires, particularly the challenges in risk communication between emergency management agencies and urban marketplace workers. In seeking to extend the emerging but scant work on urban marketplace fires in Ghana, this paper analysed fire risk communication to understand how socio‐cultural factors influence the perceptions and protective behavioral strategies of traders in two traditional urban marketplaces of Accra. In‐depth interviews with both public agencies and traders showed that traders’ social networks and interactions are important sources and channels for fire risk communication, albeit unharnessed by formal emergency management agencies. It also revealed how cultural elements such as religious beliefs about fire risks affect proactiveness in fire risk preparedness and response. To ensure effective risk communication about marketplace fires, this paper calls attention to and mainstreaming of socio‐cultural aspects of everyday life in marketplaces into disaster risk planning and management.
Contrast weighted learning for robust optimal treatment rule estimation
Authors: Guo Xiaohan , Ni Ai
Published: September 2022

Personalized medicine aims to tailor medical decisions based on patient‐specific characteristics. Advances in data capturing techniques such as electronic health records dramatically increase the availability of comprehensive patient profiles, promoting the rapid development of optimal treatment rule (OTR) estimation methods. An archetypal OTR estimation approach is the outcome weighted learning, where OTR is determined under a weighted classification framework with clinical outcomes as the weights. Although outcome weighted learning has been extensively studied and extended, existing methods are susceptible to irregularities of outcome distributions such as outliers and heavy tails. Methods that involve modeling of the outcome are also sensitive to model misspecification. We propose a contrast weighted learning (CWL) framework that exploits the flexibility and robustness of contrast functions to enable robust OTR estimation for a wide range of clinical outcomes. The novel value function in CWL only depends on the pairwise contrast of clinical outcomes between patients irrespective of their distributional features and supports. The Fisher consistency and convergence rate of the estimated decision rule via CWL are established. We illustrate the superiority of the proposed method under finite samples using comprehensive simulation studies with ill‐distributed continuous outcomes and ordinal outcomes. We apply the CWL method to two datasets from clinical trials on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and COVID‐19 to demonstrate its real‐world application.
Synthesis and Characterization of Dialkylthio Side Chains Modified Benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b’]dithiophene‐Based Conjugated Polymer for Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Chen Bin , Miao Wentao , Zhou Anqi , Wang Qian , Guo Pengzhi , Xia Yangjun
Published: September 2022

In this paper, two conjugated polymers named PBDT‐OT‐BT and PBDT‐DST‐BT, derived from 4,8‐bis(4,5‐dioctylthiophen‐2‐yl)benzo[1,2‐b : 4,5‐b’]dithiophene (BDT‐OT) or 4,8‐bis(4,5‐bis(octylthio)thiophene‐2‐yl)benzo[1,2‐b : 4,5‐b’]dithiophene (BDT‐DST) as the electron‐donating unit and benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (BT) as electron‐withdrawing unit were synthesized and characterized. It was found that compared to the alkyl side chain substituted polymer PBDT‐OT‐BT, the two alkylthio side chain modified polymer PBDT‐DST‐BT exhibited lower highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy level, weaker crystallinity characteristic, and higher dielectric constant (ϵr) at 1 kHz. However, PBDT‐DST‐BT also presented relatively poor miscibility with Y6 in comparison with PBDT‐OT‐BT, which had a negative effect on the bulk heterojunction morphology and hindered the exciton dissociation and carrier collection. Eventually, the PBDT‐DST‐BT : Y6 based polymer solar cells (PSCs) achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 2.27 % much lower than that of the PBDT‐OT‐BT : Y6 based device (PCE=9.46 %). These results would provide a deep understanding of the influence of alkylthio side groups on the properties of polymer donors in PSCs.
Carbon Monoxide Desorption and Reduction Studies of Graphitic Carbon Nitride Supported Nickel Catalysts for CO Methanation
Authors: Naim Ahmad Khairul , Samidin Salma , Salleh Fairous , Nor Roslam Wan Isahak Wan , Al‐Amiery Ahmed , Shahbudin Masdar Mohd , Rahimi Yusop Muhammad , Khalid Al‐Azzawi Waleed , Irwan Rosli Masli , Ambar Yarmo Mohd
Published: September 2022

Graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) has attracted much attention due to its unique polymeric structure of carbon and nitrogen in the form of heptazine units. In this study, a nickel catalyst supported on graphitic carbon nitride was prepared by a facile impregnation method. Ni/g‐C3N4 desorption and reduction behaviors with carbon monoxide (CO) were investigated by temperature‐programmed desorption (TPD) and reduction (TPR). The chemisorption study of reduction and desorption behaviors of CO molecules on Ni/g‐C3N4 catalyst is essential for CO methanation reaction. The as‐prepared Ni/g‐C3N4 catalyst was also characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), N2 physisorption, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It was found that the utilization of g‐C3N4 as a catalyst support enhances the complete reduction of Ni species and CO desorption. This can be attributed to the role of g‐C3N4 support as a reducing agent for Ni, as well as its basicity owing to the richness of nitrogen functional group. The good performance of Ni/g‐C3N4 catalyst towards CO methanation can be ascribed to the improvement in adsorption and activation of CO molecules on the active sites and the number of surface basic sites.
A Type‐II Heterostructure with a KBiFe2O5 Brownmillerite Core and a ZnO Nanoparticle Shell for Enhanced Optoelectronic Performance
Authors: Nag Riya , Paul Subir , Bera Abhijit
Published: September 2022

We formed a core‐shell heterostructure with a brownmillerite multiferroic KBiFe2O5 core and a wurtzite ZnO nanoparticle shell by sol‐gel technique. The KBiFe2O5 behaves as a p‐type semiconductor when coupled with n‐type ZnO nanoparticles. The heterostructure and the individual materials were characterized by various microscopy and spectroscopy techniques. From scanning tunneling spectroscopy and correspondingly the density of states spectra, we locate the band edges to infer the nature of the individual semiconductors. The energy level diagram of the heterostructure shows the type‐II band alignment at the interface, which facilitates charge separation upon illumination. In consequence, the heterostructure reveals a better degradation yield (82.5 %) of methylene blue under sunlight and photovoltaic response compared to the individual semiconductors. The ZnO nanoparticle shell plays an important role in enhancing catalytically active sites including photogenerated charge carriers to disintegrate chemical disposal from the wastewater. All oxide heterostructures thus provide a perfect combination to maximize solar light absorption, including improved charge carrier separation at the junction by appropriate core‐shell interface band alignment.
High Emission Zinc Metal‐Organic Framework for Sensitive and Selective Detection of Fe3+, Cr6+ and Nitrofurazone Antibiotic
Authors: Yin Bei B. , Gao Ning N. , Xu An R. , Liang Jing , Wang Li J. , Wang Yan
Published: September 2022

Based on 3‐bpmh ligand (3‐bpmh=N, N’‐bis‐pyridin‐3‐ylmethylene‐hydrazine) and H2HPA (H2HPA=Homophthalic acid), a new complex, namely, [Zn(HPA)(3‐bpmh)]n (1), was synthesized. Powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), infrared spectroscopy (IR) and elemental analysis (EA) were used to characterize the crystal structure. Complex 1 presents a 2D planar structure, which accumulates into a 3D spatial structure through C‐H…π interactions. Complex 1 has multi‐response photoluminescence sensing characteristic. It has excellent selectivity and sensitivity to Fe3+, CrO42− and Cr2O72− in domestic sewage and Nitrofurazone (NFZ) antibiotic. In addition, the fluorescence quenching mechanisms were also discussed.
Revisiting the pyrolysis of 1,5‐diaryl‐1,2,5‐triazapentadienes: A computational reaction mechanism study
Authors: Fıstıkçı Meryem , Eşsiz Selçuk
Published: September 2022

A computational study of the pyrolysis of 1,5‐diaryl‐1,2,5‐triazapentadiene derivatives is carried out employing density functional theory (DFT) and high‐level coupled‐cluster methods, such as coupled‐cluster singles and doubles with perturbative triples [DLPNO‐CCSD(T)]. Our results demonstrate that the reaction proceeds through the products formed by the electrocyclization, as opposed to the mechanism suggested by Mcnab (J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun. 1980, 422–423), in which the reaction proceeds by starting via formation of the iminyl radicals. Our results demonstrate that the products formed by electrocyclization are responsible for the formation of iminyl radicals, contrary to homolysis of N−N bond of 1,5‐diaryl‐1,2,5‐triazapentadiene derivatives proposed by Mcnab. Besides, our results showing that the reaction starts with the electrocyclization very well clarify why the formation of ortho‐cyclization product, contrary to ipso‐cyclization from 1,5‐diaryl‐1,2,5‐triazapentadiene derivatives as the main product. Therefore, our results are in agreement with the experimental results for pyrolysis of 1,5‐diaryl‐1,2,5‐triazapentadiene derivatives.
Chiral‐Solvent‐Mediated Manganese‐Based Hierarchical Supraparticles with Chiroptical Activity
Authors: Zhang Hongyu , Hao Changlong , Xu Liguang , Xu Chuanlai , Kuang Hua
Published: September 2022

In this study, manganese‐based multiply hierarchical chiral supraparticles (SPs), with an anisotropy factor (g‐factor) of 0.102 and circular dichroism (CD) intensity of 260 mdeg at 530 nm, are successfully synthesized with polar‐solvent‐mediated strategies. Notably, the g‐factor of the SPs is further enhanced to 0.121 by the addition of an external chiral solvent, generating a chiral biased environment, which increases their CD intensity to 320 mdeg at 500 nm. The mechanism underlying the different chirality is proposed to be a difference in the angle of tilt of ±33° between the two enantiomers of the chiral SPs, which involves a difference of ±7° between the orientation of individual nanoplatelets. Chiral solvents induce the angle between adjacent nanoplatelets to get smaller than the original structure that leads to their higher anisotropic value. These findings potentially provide a practical method for the construction of complex chiral superstructures and the regulation of chiroptical activity.
Synergistic Chaotropic Effect and Cathode Interface Thermal Release Effect Enabling Ultralow Temperature Aqueous Zinc Battery
Authors: Dong Qi , Ao Huaisheng , Qin Zili , Xu Zhibin , Ye Jiajia , Qian Yitai , Hou Zhiguo
Published: September 2022

Although rechargeable zinc‐ion batteries are promising candidates for next‐generation energy storage devices, their inferior performance at subzero temperatures limits their practical application. Here, a strategy to destroy the H‐bond network by adding synergistic chaotropic regents is reported, thus reducing the freezing point of the aqueous electrolyte below −90 °C. Owing to the synergistic chaotropic effect between urea and Zn(ClO4)2 and the thermal release effect on the cathode interface during charging, Zn//VO2 batteries feature a specific capacity of 111.4 mAh g−1 and stability after ≈1000 cycles with 81.9% capacity retention at −40 °C. This work demonstrates that the synergistic chaotropic effect and the thermal effect on the interface can effectively widen the operation range of temperature of aqueous electrolytes and maintain fast kinetics, which provides a new design strategy for all‐weather aqueous zinc batteries.
Magnetic Field Manipulation of Tetrahedral Units in Spinel Oxides for Boosting Water Oxidation
Authors: Lyu Xiao , Zhang Yanan , Du Zhengwei , Chen Hao , Li Sicheng , Rykov Alexandre I. , Cheng Chen , Zhang Weina , Chang Ling , Kai Wang , Wang Junhu , Zhang Liang , Wang Qiang , Huang Chengxi , Kan Erjun
Published: September 2022

Magnetic field enhanced electrocatalysis has recently emerged as a promising strategy for the development of a viable and sustainable hydrogen economy via water oxidation. Generally, the effects of magnetic field enhanced electrocatalysis are complex including magnetothermal, magnetohydrodynamic and spin selectivity effects. However, the exploration of magnetic field effect on the structure regulation of electrocatalyst is still unclear whereas is also essential for underpinning the mechanism of magnetic enhancement on the electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) process. Here, it is identified that in a mixed NiFe2O4 (NFO), a large magnetic field can force the Ni2+ cations to migrate from the octahedral (Oh) sites to tetrahedral (Td) sites. As a result, the magnetized NFO electrocatalyst (NFO‐M) shows a two‐fold higher current density than that of the pristine NFO in alkaline electrolytes. The OER enhancement of NFO is also observed at 1 T (NFO@1T) under an operando magnetic field. Our first‐principles calculations further confirm the mechanism of magnetic field driven structure regulation and resultant OER enhancement. These findings provide a strategy of manipulating tetrahedral units of spinel oxides by a magnetic field on boosting OER performance.
Design of Large Poly‐Si on Oxide Interdigitated Back Contact (POLO IBC) Silicon Solar Cells with Local Al–p+Contacts in the Constraints of Measurement and Module Integration
Authors: Haase Felix , Hollemann Christina , Wehmeier Nadine , Bothe Karsten , Min Byungsul , Schulte-Huxel Henning , Brendel Rolf , Peibst Robby
Published: September 2022

Interdigitated back contact (IBC) silicon solar cells with a passivating n‐type poly‐Si on oxide emitter and an aluminum‐doped p+base contact on M2‐sized Ga‐doped p‐type Cz wafers are reported. The Al‐doped base contact forms during the firing of the printed contacts and allows for a lean process flow. The device optimization balances recombination at the base contacts against resistive losses and respects constraints set by the need of interconnecting cells in a module and contacting the cells temporally by a measurement chuck. A special sample holder is designed for measuring theIsc–Voccurve of the IBC cell with a busbar‐less metal grid. The pseudo‐efficiency is 24.7%. All fingers of each polarity are connected with wires and an efficiency of 22.3% is measured. The comparison of simulations and measurements reveals that the cell has 23.4% efficiency without the series resistance losses due to the wires. A huge part of the resistive losses in the cell are the transport losses of the majorities in the base dissipating a power that corresponds to 0.76%absefficiency and the resistive losses at the Al‐doped base contact (0.29%abs).
Relational holon science and Popper's 3 worlds in engineering practice
Authors: Blockley David , Smith Gary , Godfrey Patrick , Kineman John J.
Published: September 2022

The purpose of this paper is to outline, briefly, Rosen's relational theory of biology engendered relational holon science and Popper's metaphysical ontology of ‘three worlds’ as the shared physical and non‐physical. We consider both theories, explore their similarities and to begin to interpret and integrate them into new ways of thinking about the processes of creating engineered systems We propose a model that consists of holons set in a holarchy that is based on a modern interpretation of Aristotle's four causes. Relational holon science is mathematically sound through the causal closure of a holon and formal consistency in category theory. The schema relates the material reality of Popper's world1 and the formal knowledge of world3 through the subjective/experiential world2. The overall aim is to help to improve engineering practice within a theoretical foundation for practical common‐sense schema such as Plan, Do Check and Act (PDCA) and Observe, Orient, Decide and Act (OODA) and a different worldview of our natural world.
A soft systems inquiry into the notion of ‘food deserts’ during the Covid‐19 pandemic
Authors: Kramarova Pavla , Stowell Frank , Ries Jana
Published: September 2022

The severe restrictions placed upon face‐to‐face meetings during the Covid pandemic in 2020/2021 created new challenges for the on‐going research into food systems in the Portsmouth community. The researchers had planned to use soft action research which involves participants meeting face‐to‐face. The restrictions that were imposed during the pandemic forbade such meetings and created a new set of issues for the researchers to overcome. In this paper, we describe how these shortcomings were addressed and introduce a novel way of adapting soft action research through the use of Information and Communication Technologies. The lessons learnt from our experiences will help inform researchers and professionals using Soft methods of inquiry and open opportunities for others to explore further the benefits and disadvantages of online investigation.
Limbs kinematics of dogs exercising at different water levels on the underwater treadmill
Authors: Bliss Megan , Terry Jade , de Godoy Roberta Ferro
Published: September 2022

Background

With hydrotherapy rising in the United Kingdom, before understanding the effect of hydrotherapy in animals with pathologies, kinematics data for healthy animals is required.

Objectives

To assess how different water levels on an underwater treadmill (UWTM) can affect joint kinematics.

Methods

Zinc oxide markers were placed on bony landmarks on the limbs of 10 healthy dogs, randomly split into five groups. An UWTM was used with water levels to the digits, tarsus, stifle and hip. The maximum flexion, extension and ROM were determined and a repeated measures ANOVA or Friedman's was used to determine significant differences.

Results

We have detected various changes in kinematics following exercise at different water levels, in comparison with a dry treadmill, including consistent increases in flexion of the elbow, stifle and tarsal joints, which were observed for all water levels. The carpal joint had increases in flexion all water levels apart from digit level. An increase in shoulder flexion was seen only with water on or above stifle level, while hip kinematics had the fewest changes with only ROM increasing at high water level (hip level). Extension of the limbs joints was not markedly affected, with only a few data being significant. The carpal joint had an overall decrease in extension with water at all levels, and the stifle joint had a decreased extension when water was at stifle height.

Conclusions

Water level can significantly affect joint kinematics, and knowledge of how each water level affects the joints is relevant to design tailored hydrotherapy protocols.
Thymoquinone improves folliculogenesis, sexual hormones, gene expression of apoptotic markers and antioxidant enzymes in polycystic ovary syndrome rat model
Authors: Alaee Sanaz , Mirani Maryam , Derakhshan Zahra , Koohpeyma Farhad , Bakhtari Azizollah
Published: September 2022

Background

Nowadays, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent cause of infertility affecting women of reproductive age around the world. Thymoquinone is a natural antioxidant, derived from Nigella sativa.

Objectives

The current study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of thymoquinone on the detrimental effects of PCOS rats induced with letrozole.

Methods

Thirty‐two female rats were randomly divided into four groups: (1) Control, (2) PCOS, (3) PCOS+5 mg/kg thymoquinone and (4) PCOS+10 mg/kg thymoquinone. Thymoquinone was administered every 3 days for 30 days. Ovaries were histopathologically and stereologically examined, and antioxidant and apoptotic enzymes gene expression in ovaries and sex hormones in serum were measured.

Results

The number of unilaminar, multilaminar, antral, and graffian follicles, volume density of corpus luteum (p < 0.01), and GPx1 gene expression in ovaries and level of FSH in the blood increased in both thymoquinone groups when compared to untreated PCOS (p < 0.05). Ovaries in thymoquinone groups showed a significant reduction in the number of atretic follicles, ovary weight and volume, volume density of cortex and ovarian cysts, Bax gene expression (p < 0.01) and Bax/Bcl2 ratio as well as levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), LH/FSH ratio and testosterone (p < 0.05) in the blood of female rats when compared to PCOS group. Administration of thymoquinone restored the most detrimental effects of PCOS on ovaries (p < 0.01) and sexual hormones (p < 0.05) in rats.

Conclusions

These data suggest that thymoquinone has improved effects on ovarian function in the PCOS rat model. Therefore, thymoquinone might be useful as a protective agent and adjunct treatment in PCOS patients.
Vision Zero and Other Road Safety Targets
Authors: Edvardsson Björnberg Karin
Published: September 2022

Every year, around 1.3 million people are killed on the road and another 20–50 million are severely injured. This makes road safety one of the most critical global public health issues. To address the negative trend, the international community has responded with the adoption of road safety targets. Sustainable Development Goals 3.6 and 11.2 are two examples. Also at the national level, goals and targets are increasingly used to steer work towards improved road safety. The frequent use of goals and targets in road safety policy makes it interesting to investigate under what conditions the adopted goals can be expected to be achieved. This chapter summarizes the main themes and conclusions of research that have been conducted on goal-setting in road safety policy and management to date. Drawing on previous research, it outlines and discusses a set of criteria that road safety goals should meet in order to be achievement-inducing, that is, have the capacity to guide and induce efforts towards the vision of zero fatalities and serious injuries on the road.
Estimating Tropical Cyclone Vulnerability: A Review of Different Open-Source Approaches
Authors: Wilson Katy M. , Baldwin Jane W. , Young Rachel M.
Published: September 2022

Tropical cyclone (TC) risk assessments are critical for disaster preparedness and response. Alongside hazard and exposure, accurate TC risk assessment requires understanding the vulnerability of populations and assets. In this chapter, we examine multiple methods that have been used to assess and quantify TC vulnerability with a focus on open-source methods. We separately discuss structural, economic, and social (or demographic) vulnerability approaches. Structural vulnerability assesses the susceptibility of buildings to be affected by their exposure to hazards; in this section, we provide a detailed overview of how FEMA’s Hazus model quantifies damages by utilizing engineering principles. Economic vulnerability employs regression analysis to relate wind speeds to damages; this discussion explores typical functional forms used to represent vulnerability in such analysis and efforts to constrain parameters in these functions. Finally, social approaches use demographic data to characterize the varying susceptibility of populations to TC risk; we provide some representative examples of this methodology. We conclude with a comparative discussion of these three classes of methods, suggest directions for future work, and ask whether the different approaches can be combined to yield a more holistic view of both the human and structural aspects of TC vulnerability.
Downward Counterfactual Analysis in Insurance Tropical Cyclone Models: A Miami Case Study
Authors: Rye Cameron J. , Boyd Jessica A.
Published: September 2022

The insurance industry uses catastrophe models to assess and manage the risk from natural disasters such as tropical cyclones, floods, and wildfires. However, despite being designed to consider a credible range of future events, catastrophe models are ultimately calibrated on historical experience. This means that unexpected things can happen, either because risks that were overlooked or deemed immaterial turn out to be meaningful, or because black swans occur that scientists and insurers were not yet aware of. When faced with these types of extreme uncertainty, insurers can use downward counterfactual analysis to explore how historical events could have had more severe consequences (and help identify previously unknown or overlooked risks). In this chapter, we present a methodology for insurers to operationalise downward counterfactuals using tropical cyclone catastrophe models. The methodology is applied to three recent major hurricanes that were near misses for Miami—Matthew (2016), Irma (2017), and Dorian (2019). The results reveal downward counterfactuals that produce insured losses many times greater than what transpired, at up to 300x greater for Matthew, 25x for Irma, and 250x for Dorian. We argue that it is increasingly important for insurers to examine such near-miss events in a changing climate, particularly in disaster prone regions, like Miami, that might not have seen a large loss in recent years. By operationalising downward counterfactuals, insurers can increase risk awareness, stress-test risk management frameworks, and inform decision-making.
On the Kähler-Hodge structure of superconformal manifolds
Authors: Niarchos Vasilis , Papadodimas Kyriakos
Published: September 2022

Abstract

We show that conformal manifolds in d ≥ 3 conformal field theories with at least 4 supercharges are Kähler-Hodge, thus extending to 3d $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 and 4d $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 similar results previously derived for 4d $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 and $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 and various types of 2d SCFTs. Conformal manifolds in SCFTs are equipped with a holomorphic line bundle ℒ, which encodes the operator mixing of supercharges under marginal deformations. Using conformal perturbation theory and superconformal Ward identities, we compute the curvature of ℒ at a generic point on the conformal manifold. We show that the Kähler form of the Zamolodchikov metric is proportional to the first Chern class of ℒ, with a constant of proportionality given by the two-point function coefficient of the stress tensor, CT. In cases where certain additional conditions about the nature of singular points on the conformal manifold hold, this implies a quantization condition for the total volume of the conformal manifold.
Quantization conditions and the double copy
Authors: Emond William T. , Moynihan Nathan , Wei Liangyu
Published: September 2022

Abstract

We formulate Wilson loop observables as products of eikonal Wilson lines given in terms of on-shell scattering amplitudes. We derive the eikonal phases for dyons in both gauge theory and gravity, which we use to derive the Dirac-Schwinger-Zwanziger quantization condition and its relativistic gravitational (Taub-NUT) counterpart via the double copy. We also compute the Wilson loop for an anyon-anyon system, obtaining a relativistic generalisation of the Aharonov-Bohm phase for gravitational anyons.
Stable Vectors in Dual Vinberg Representations of F4
Authors: Romano Beth
Published: September 2022

This paper gives a classification of stable vectors in dual Vinberg representations coming from a graded Lie algebra of type F4 in a way that is independent of the field of definition. Relating these gradings to Moy–Prasad filtrations, we obtain the input for Reeder–Yu’s construction of epipelagic supercuspidal representations. As a corollary, this construction gives new supercuspidal representations of $F_{4}(\mathbb {Q}_{p})$

F

4

(

ℚ

p

)
when p is small.