bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Significant Effect of Carbon and Oxygen Contaminants at Pd/p‐GaN Interface on Its Ohmic Contact Characteristics
Authors: Li Zhengcheng , Huang Rong , Chen Xiao , Wang Hu , Feng Boyuan , He Gaohang , Huang Zengli , Li Fangsen , Liu Jianping , Zhang Liqun , Liu Tong , Ding Sunan
Published: December 2020

A low‐resistance Ohmic contact of Pd/Pt/Au metallization scheme is formed on a p‐type GaN film grown by metal‐organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). Two samples are prepared to explore the effect of contaminations at the metal and GaN interface on the properties of the Ohmic contact. One directly transfers the fresh GaN film from MOCVD to the metal deposition chamber through an ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) tube, without exposing the GaN surface to air; the other transfers the GaN film from MOCVD to metal deposition through the atmosphere. The results show a lower specific contact resistance (6.2 ± 0.9) × 10−5 Ω cm2 for the directly UHV‐transferred sample than the air‐transferred sample (2.1 ± 0.9) × 10−4 Ω cm2. Once exposed to air, carbonaceous particles and an amorphous oxide layer easily adhere to the p‐type GaN surface, which not only increase the Schottky barrier height but also generate more grain boundaries in the Pd/Pt/Au stacks. The grain boundaries, acting as diffusion channels, make Au atoms diffuse easily into the Pd layer and propagate to the p‐GaN surface layer after annealing. Therefore, the Ohmic contact fabricated in UHV ambience with lower oxygen and carbon contaminations at the interface shows superior characteristics than the samples prepared by the traditional method.
Charge Transport Mechanism and Trap Origin in Methyl‐Terminated Organosilicate Glass Low‐κ Dielectrics
Authors: Perevalov Timofey V. , Gismatulin Andrei A. , Dolbak Andrei E. , Gritsenko Vladimir A. , Trofimova Elena S. , Pustovarov Vladimir A. , Seregin Dmitry S. , Vorotilov Konstantin A. , Baklanov Mikhail R.
Published: December 2020

The charge transport and trap nature responsible for the leakage current through thermally cured methyl‐terminated organosilicate low‐κ dielectric films are studied. It is found that the Frenkel emission does not describe correctly the charge transport in the studied films. The charge transport occurs via the phonon‐assisted electron tunneling between neutral traps as described in the Nasyrov–Gritsenko model. The obtained thermal trap energy value 1.2 eV is close to that for the oxygen divacancy (SiSiSi cluster) in SiO2. The electron energy loss spectra, photoluminescence excitation of 2.7 eV blue band spectra, and data from the simulation within the density functional theory for the model SiCOH low‐κ structure confirm the presence of oxygen vacancy and divacancy in the studied films. The thermal trap energy value estimated as half the Stokes shift of the blue luminescence also gives a value close to 1.2 eV. It proves the correctness of the Nasyrov–Gritsenko model for describing the charge transport mechanism and the conclusion that oxygen divacancies are traps responsible for the leakage current in the studied low‐κ films.
Photovoltaic Performance Enhancement of All‐Inorganic CsPbBr3 Perovskite Solar Cells Using In2S3 as Electron Transport Layer via Facile Reflux‐Condensation Process
Authors: Huang Caiyou , Chen Jianlin , Liu Zhuang , Chen Shu , Qiu Wei , Liu Chang , Peng Zhuoyin , Chen Jian
Published: December 2020

All‐inorganic perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted tremendous attention over the past few years owing to their outstanding thermal and moiture stability. Electron transport layers (ETLs) in PSCs play a prominent role of electron extraction and transportation as well as hole blocking for a high power conversion efficiency (PCE). Indium sulfide (In2S3) films have been introduced as a promising ETL of PSCs recently due to their high carrier mobility, appropriate band gap, and controllable electrical characteristics. Herein, a facile wet chemistry method is proposed to prepare In2S3 films for the ETLs of all‐inorganic CsPbBr3 PSCs with an architecture of fluorine‐doped tin oxide/In2S3/CsPbBr3/carbon. The resultant compact In2S3 films show a certain visible light absorption with a bandgap of 2.51 eV. With the optimal 3000 rpm speed of In2S3 spin‐coating, the best‐performing In2S3 based device presents a higher champion PCE of 5.83% with open circuit voltage of 1.34 V, a short circuit current density of 6.74 mA cm−2 and a fill factor of 0.65. The better performance of devices based on In2S3 ETLs is attributed to their more suitable energy level matching with less open circuit voltage loss, better light harvesting, and electron extraction capability enhancement.
Electrical Tuning of MoOx/Ag Hybrids and Investigation of their Surface‐Enhanced Raman Scattering Performance
Authors: Xu Yinghao , Lai Kui , Gu Chenjie , Jiang Tao , Shen Xiang , Zeng Shuwen , Ho Aaron Ho-Pui , Ang Diing Shenp , Zhou Jun
Published: December 2020

Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technology is a cutting‐edge analytical tool for molecule detection. Attractive SERS performance has been achieved on noble metal nanostructures; however these substrates usually suffer from difficulties of direct adjusting of the physical structures to achieve tunable SERS performance. Studies on semiconductor oxides have revealed that attractive SERS performance can be obtained on them, but strategies of engineering material properties for SERS performance improvement still pose a challenge. Here, an electrically programmable SERS substrate is prepared by depositing hydrothermally synthesized MoOx/Ag hybrids within electrodes as the SERS active region. In the experiment, an electrical field is applied on the electrodes to regulate Ag+ ion migration and redeposition in the MoOx solid electrolyte. Through adjusting the leakage current level, the size of the Ag nanoparticles in the MoOx/Ag hybrids is electrically controlled. The SERS performance of the substrate is evaluated using rhodamine 6G as the Raman reporter. The results evidence that Raman enhancement factors of 1.13 × 105, 4.75 × 105, and 1.04 × 106 can be obtained by programming the leakage current level to 10−7, 10−5, and 10−3 A, respectively. A maximum detection limit of 10−8 m is achieved on the 10−3 A substrate.
The Role of Charge and Recombination‐Enhanced Defect Reaction Effects in the Dissociation of FeB Pairs in p‐Type Silicon under Carrier Injection
Authors: Sun Chang , Zhu Yan , Juhl Mattias , Yang Wenjie , Rougieux Fiacre , Hameiri Ziv , Macdonald Daniel
Published: December 2020

The dissociation of FeB pairs in p‐type silicon under injection is often explained by the charge state change of interstitial Fe (Fei) from positive to neutral. It is also sometimes interpreted as a recombination‐enhanced defect reaction (REDR) mechanism. The charge effect and the REDR have fundamentally different impacts on the dissociation/association reactions: the former changes the concentration of Fei+, whereas the latter changes the reaction rate constants. Herein, the two effects are investigated and compared through measuring and analyzing the dynamics of the reactions. The results confirm that the dissociation of FeB under carrier injection cannot be purely attributed to the change of charge states. The extracted dissociation/association rate constant ratio shows an approximately linear dependence on the recombination rate on each FeB pair, indicating the REDR effect. The results allow the two effects to be directly compared, highlighting the dominant role of the REDR effect in dissociating the pairs.
Microsolvation of heavy halides
Authors: Chamorro Yuly , Flórez Edison , Maldonado Alejandro , Aucar Gustavo , Restrepo Albeiro
Published: December 2020

The fundamental question of how intermolecular interactions lead to the stabilization of heavy halides (Br−, I−, At−) microsolvated with up to six explicit water molecules is addressed here. An exhaustive exploration of the potential energy surfaces using a random search algorithm followed by optimization of molecular geometries using pseudopotentials and at the full four component relativistic levels of theory, affords a good number of structures with high probabilities of occurrence, highlighting the important role of local minima to reproduce experimentally measured properties. Sequential hydration enthalpies for astatide are reported here for the first time in the scientific literature. Closed shell (ionic, long range) as well as intermediate character interactions (contributions from closed shell and covalent) are at play stabilizing the clusters. The ability of water molecules to either donate or to accept electron density dictates the nature and strength of the corresponding hydrogen bonds in solvation shells. Binding energies and molecular geometries are shown to be more sensitive to electron correlation than to relativistic effects.
Proteomes, kinases and signalling pathways in virus‐induced filopodia, as potential antiviral therapeutics targets
Authors: Aliyu Isah Abubakar , Kumurya Abdulhadi Sale , Bala Jamilu Abubakar , Yahaya Hassan , Saidu Hayatu
Published: December 2020

Filopodia are thin finger‐like protrusions at the surface of cells that are internally occupied with bundles of tightly parallel actin filaments. They play significant roles in cellular physiological processes, such as adhesion to extracellular matrix, guidance towards chemo‐attractants and in wound healing. Filopodia were recently reported to play important roles in viral infection including initial viral attachment to host cells, cell surfing, viral trafficking, internalization, budding, virus release and spread to other cells in a form that would avoid the host immune system. The detailed virus‐host protein interactions underlying most of these processes remain to be elucidated. This review will describe some reported virus‐host protein interactions on filopodia with the aim of identifying potential new anti‐virus therapeutic targets. Exploring this research area may lead to the development of novel classes of anti‐viral therapeutics that can block signalling pathways used by the virus to trigger filopodia formation. Successful compounds would inhibit initial virus attachment, formation of filopodia, expression of putative virus binding protein, extracellular virus trafficking, and budding.
Perovskite/Silicon Tandem Solar Cells: Effect of Luminescent Coupling and Bifaciality
Authors: Jäger Klaus , Tillmann Peter , Katz Eugene A. , Becker Christiane
Published: December 2020

The power conversion efficiency of the market‐dominating silicon photovoltaics approaches its theoretical limit. Bifacial solar operation with harvesting additional light impinging on the module back and the perovskite/silicon tandem device architecture are among the most promising approaches for further increasing the energy yield from a limited area. Herein, the energy output of perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells in monofacial and bifacial operation is calculated, for the first time considering luminescent coupling (LC) between two sub‐cells. For energy yield calculations, idealized solar cells are studied at both standard testing as well as realistic weather conditions in combination with a detailed illumination model for periodic solar panel arrays. Typical experimental photoluminescent quantum yield values reveal that more than 50% of excess electron–hole pairs in the perovskite top cell can be utilized by the silicon bottom cell by means of LC. As a result, LC strongly relaxes the constraints on the top‐cell bandgap in monolithic tandem devices. In combination with bifacial operation, the optimum perovskite bandgap shifts from 1.71 eV to the range 1.60–1.65 eV, where already high‐quality perovskite materials exist. The results are very important for developing optimal perovskite materials for tandem solar cells.
Mechanical responses of bell‐and‐spigot joints in buried prestressed concrete cylinder pipe under coupled service and surcharge loads
Authors: Zhai Kejie , Zhang Chongbo , Fang Hongyuan , Ma Huihuan , Ni Pengpeng , Wang Fuming , Li Bin , He Hang
Published: December 2020

Prestressed concrete cylinder pipe (PCCP) is widely used in hydraulic engineering. The bell‐and‐spigot joint is a weak point along a PCCP pipeline, since damage of joint can affect the operation of the whole pipeline. In this paper, a three‐dimensional numerical model of buried PCCP, considering the simulation of rubber gasket in bell‐and‐spigot joint is established. The fluid–structure coupling of PCCP is accomplished using the Mesh‐based parallel Code Coupling Interface (MpCCI), where the pipe and the surrounding soil are characterized in the software ABAQUS, and the pressurized water is modeled in the software FLUENT. The force and rotation angle at joints of PCCP under different conditions, including surcharge load, loading location, cover depth, and internal pressure, are analyzed. It is shown that the rotation angle of joint exceeds the allowable value, when the surcharge load is greater than 180 kPa. Compared with the effect of surcharge load, the offset distance (i.e., distance between the loading position and the pipe axis) has a greater influence on the development of horizontal displacement and rotation angle. As the offset distance increases, both the horizontal displacement and rotation angle at joints increase first, and they decrease after the peak.
Integrated textile effluent treatment method
Authors: Bapat Shreyas , Jaspal Dipika , Malviya Arti
Published: December 2020

Textile wastewater purification is a challenging process. Conventional wastewater treatment methods either lack in efficiency, cost‐effectiveness or leads to the generation of secondary pollutants. Additionally, some treatment methods are time‐consuming. The research presented in the manuscript is a blend of filtration, biosorption, aeration, solar energy‐assisted electrolytic precipitation, pH balance, and germicidal treatments with an aim of reducing the suspended solids, intense color, odor, pH, chemical oxygen demand (COD), total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), and heavy metal content of textile effluent. Use of environmentally sustainable surface activated biosorbents derived from waste weeds Water Hyacinth (WH) and Parthenium Hysterophorus (PH) as an alternative to commercial grade Activated Charcoal (AC), comparison of adsorption capacities of proposed adsorbents against AC for effluent decolorization, the application of solar energy to run an electrolytic precipitator, and the unique sequential design of various unit processes like coarse and fine filtration, biosorption, aeration, electrolytic precipitation, pH treatment and germicidal UV‐C treatment to treat the effluent are some of the novel methodologies explored in the present study. The invented process provides almost completely decolorized (about 90%–94%), particle‐free and odorless treated water, with the acceptable levels of heavy metals (Lead—not detected, Arsenic—not detected, Zinc—0.5–0.8 mg/L), TDS (1,500–1,850 mg/L), COD (149–169 mg/L) pH (7.1–7.15), and EC (2.5–2.8 mMhos/cm) as some of the important parameters, fitting well within the standard pollution limits. Performance efficiency estimation and statistical modeling were done for the data using the t test and f test. The values obtained were (t = 2.78 and f = 4.99 for treated WH against AC) and (t = 3.00 and f = 5.38 for treated PH against AC at 0.05 level of significance) as an essential part of the manuscript, proving the supremacy of the proposed process to achieve the standard pollution norms. Cost‐effectiveness was an integral factor addressed in the proposed design, recorded a 1.7 USD per 1,000 L of input effluent, which was well below than most of the reported studies. The invented method in the present investigation thus provides an integrated, efficient, eco‐friendly, and cost‐effective solution to wastewater treatment.

Practitioner Points

Effluent decolorization is about 68% in comparison with conventional activated carbon.

The adsorbent was found to be three times more active than activated carbon.

COD value decreased from 2,352 mg/L to about 150 mg/L on treatment with the novel adsorbent.
Effect of different diets on reproductive performance of skunk clownfish, Amphiprion akallopisos (Bleeker 1853) and water policy from Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Authors: Thakur Venkatesh Ramrao , Verma Ajit Kumar , Roy Sibnarayan Dam , Chadha Narinder Kumar , Prakash Chandra , Saharan Neelam
Published: December 2020

The skunk clownfish, Amphiprion akallopisos was studied to access the effect of different wet feeds on reproductive performance such as no. of eggs, spawning frequency, fertilization rate, and hatchability etc. for the first time from Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The wet feeds such as cuttlefish meat, squid meat, fish meat, and prawn meat as control were used. The result from the present study showed that the number of eggs was significantly influenced by the given feed. The fishes served with cuttlefish meat provided the maximum number of eggs (448 ± 5.88) whereas, others are given fewer numbers in comparison with cuttlefish meat. However, fertilization and hatchability were not affected by the tested diets. There was no significant difference in egg length and tasted diets as the capsule had maximum width 1mm in cuttlefish fed group, whereas the highest larval length was observed with squid meat‐fed group. It is revealed that the maximum number of spawning was observed in the brooder fishes fed cuttlefish and showed higher reproductive efficiency than others. Hence results from the present study will be helpful for researchers to work on deeper aspects of broodstock nutrition, entrepreneurs, and hobbyists for captive spawning. The law and policy for conservation and management of corals such as tourism, mining, as well as over fishing have been studied for the sustainable production of this species for the marine ornamental fish trade.
Kidney inflammaging is promoted by CCR2+ macrophages and tissue-derived micro-environmental factors
Authors: Lefèvre Lise , Iacovoni Jason S. , Martini Hélène , Bellière Julie , Maggiorani Damien , Dutaur Marianne , Marsal Dimitri J. , Decaunes Pauline , Pizzinat Nathalie , Mialet-Perez Jeanne , Cussac Daniel , Parini Angelo , Douin-Echinard Victorine
Published: December 2020

The incidence of disorders associated with low inflammatory state, such as chronic kidney disease, increases in the elderly. The accumulation of senescent cells during aging and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype, which leads to inflammaging, is known to be deleterious and account for progressive organ dysfunction. To date, the cellular actors implicated in chronic inflammation in the kidney during aging are still not well characterized. Using the DECyt method, based on hierarchical clustering of flow cytometry data, we showed that aging was associated with significant changes in stromal cell diversity in the kidney. In particular, we identified two cell populations up-regulated with aging, the mesenchymal stromal cell subset (kMSC) expressing CD73 and the monocyte-derived Ly6C+ CCR2+ macrophage subset expressing pro-inflammatory cytokines. Aged CD73+ kMSCs depicted senescence associated features with low proliferation rate, increased DNA damage foci and Ccl2 expression. Using co-cultures experiments, we showed that aged CD73+ kMSC promoted monocyte activation and secretion of inflammatory cytokines albeit less efficiently than young CD73+ kMSCs. In the context of ageing, increased frequency of CD73+ kMSC subpopulations could provide additional niche factors to newly recruited monocytes favoring a positive regulatory loop in response to local inflammation. Interfering with such partnership during aging could be a valuable approach to regulate kidney inflammaging and to limit the risk of developing chronic kidney disease in the elderly.
Zukunft der akutstationären Rheumatologie in Deutschland
Authors: Lakomek H.-J. , Krause A. , Braun J. , Hellmich B. , Klass M. , Lorenz H. , Schneider M. , Schulze-Koops H. , Specker C.
Published: December 2020

Im September 2019 wurde vom Ministerium für Arbeit, Gesundheit und Soziales (MAGS) in NRW ein Gutachten zur Krankenhausplanung veröffentlicht. Hierin wurde eine grundlegende Reform der Krankenhausplanung empfohlen, indem zukünftig eine Bedarfsplanung auf der Grundlage einer detaillierten Ausweisung von Leistungsbereichen und Leistungsgruppen erfolgen soll. Nach Aufforderung durch das MAGS NRW hat auch die Deutsche Gesellschaft für Rheumatologie (DGRh) mit Unterstützung des Verbandes Rheumatologischer Akutkliniken (VRA) hierzu Stellung genommen.
Mesh moving techniques in fluid-structure interaction: robustness, accumulated distortion and computational efficiency
Authors: Shamanskiy Alexander , Simeon Bernd
Published: December 2020

An important ingredient of any moving-mesh method for fluid-structure interaction (FSI) problems is the mesh moving technique (MMT) used to adapt the computational mesh in the moving fluid domain. An ideal MMT is computationally inexpensive, can handle large mesh motions without inverting mesh elements and can sustain an FSI simulation for extensive periods of time without irreversibly distorting the mesh. Here we compare several commonly used MMTs which are based on the solution of elliptic partial differential equations, including harmonic extension, bi-harmonic extension and techniques based on the equations of linear elasticity. Moreover, we propose a novel MMT which utilizes ideas from continuation methods to efficiently solve the equations of nonlinear elasticity and proves to be robust even when the mesh undergoes extreme motions. In addition to that, we study how each MMT behaves when combined with the mesh-Jacobian-based stiffening. Finally, we evaluate the performance of different MMTs on a popular two-dimensional FSI benchmark reproduced by using an isogeometric partitioned solver with strong coupling.
Does the genetic diversity among pubescent white oaks in southern Italy, Sicily and Sardinia islands support the current taxonomic classification?
Authors: Di Pietro Romeo , Conte Antonio Luca , Di Marzio Piera , Fortini Paola , Farris Emmanuele , Gianguzzi Lorenzo , Müller Markus , Rosati Leonardo , Spampinato Giovanni , Gailing Oliver
Published: December 2020

Molecular diversity analysis of deciduous pubescent oaks was conducted for populations from Calabria, Sicily and Sardinia. The aims of this study were twofold. First, to provide data on the genetic diversity of pubescent oaks from an understudied area which currently exhibits one of the highest concentrations of pubescent oak species in Europe. Second, to verify if these groups of oaks are genetically distinct and if their identification is in accordance with the current taxonomic classification. Molecular analyses of leaf material of 480 trees from seventeen populations belonging to putatively different pubescent oak species (Quercus amplifolia,Q. congesta,Q. dalechampii,Q. ichnusae,Q. leptobalanos,Q. virgiliana) were performed. Twelve gene-based Expressed Sequence Tag-Simple Sequence Repeat markers were selected, and genetic diversity and differentiation were calculated. The results showed relatively high values of allelic richness, heterozygosity and number of private alleles for the populations investigated. A weak but positive correlation between geographical and genetic distance was detected. Genetic assignment (STRUCTURE) and principle coordinate analyses exhibited a weak separation into two genetic groups which, however, did not correspond to the taxonomic, chorological and ecological features of the populations investigated. Sardinian populations formed one group which was separated from the Calabrian and Sicilian populations. In light of the results obtained, the taxonomic classification for the pubescent white oaks currently reported in the major Italian floras and checklists for the study area was not confirmed by molecular analyses.
Synthesis and Structure of [Fe(TPA)Cl2](ClO4) and [{Fe(TPA)Cl}2O](ClO4)2 Where TPA = Tris-(2-pyridylmethyl)amine
Authors: Xue Jia , Xie Ming , Nadir Shamila , Lewis Justin Cody , Jayaratna Naleen B. , Arachchilage Harshani J. , Norman Richard E.
Published: December 2020

[Fe(TPA)Cl2](ClO4), where TPA is tris-(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P212121 with Z = 4, a = 8.6264(10) Å, b = 15.459(3) Å, and c = 16.008(3) Å. The structure was determined at 110 K from 4333 reflections (3520 observed) with R = 0.041 (Rw = 0.082). The iron is pseudo-octahedral with the two chloride ions cis. The Fe-Cl bond trans to the tertiary amine is shorter. [{Fe(TPA)Cl}2O](ClO4)2 exhibits two polymorphic monoclinic forms, and the monohydrate also crystallizes in a monoclinic form. For the P21/c polymorph, Z = 2, a = 10.839(2) Å, b = 15.956(3) Å, c = 12.416(2) Å, β = 107.024(10)°, and the structure was determined at 95 K from 6514 reflections (3974 observed) with R = 0.052 (Rw = 0.099). For the C2/c polymorph, Z = 4, a = 20.5023(17) Å, b = 15.2711(13) Å, c = 16.1069(11) Å, β = 124.465(4)°, and the structure was determined at 161 K from 6250 reflections (3130 observed) with R = 0.0632 (Rw = 0.1229). For the hydrate, P21/n, Z = 4, a = 16.201(2) Å, b = 16.980(3), c = 16.451(3), β = 112.234(5)°, and the structure was determined at 100 K from 12,745 reflections (6600 observed) with R = 0.097 (Rw = 0.190). In each of the [{Fe(TPA)Cl}2O]2+ units, each iron is pseudo-octahedral with the chloride and oxide ions cis. The oxide bridge is linear, and the two chlorides are anti. The Fe-N distance for the pyridyl ring trans to the oxide bridge is quite long due to the trans influence of the oxide.

Graphic Abstract

The X-ray structures of [Fe(TPA)Cl2](ClO4), where TPA is tris-(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, and three polymorphs of dimeric [{Fe(TPA)Cl}2O](ClO4)2 are presented and discussed.
Grammar tests, de facto policy and pedagogical coercion in England’s primary schools
Authors: Cushing Ian
Published: December 2020

Since their introduction by the Conservative government in 2013, primary school children in England have taken a mandated grammar, punctuation and spelling assessment, which places an emphasis on decontextualised, standardised English and the identification of traditional grammatical terminology. Despite some concise criticisms from educational linguists, there remains no detailed and critical investigation into the nature of the tests, their effects on test takers, and the policy initiatives which led up to their implementation. This article contributes to this gap in knowledge, using critical language testing as a methodological framework, and drawing on a bricolage of data sources such as political speeches, policy documents, test questions and interviews with teachers. I discuss how the tests work as de facto language policy, implemented as one arm of the government’s ‘core-knowledge’ educational agenda, underpinned by a reductive conceptualisation of language and a problematic discourse of ‘right/wrong’ ways of speaking. I reveal how teachers talk about the ‘power’ of the tests, intimidating and coercing them into pedagogies they do not necessarily believe in or value, which ultimately position them as vehicles for the government’s conservative and prescriptive language ideologies.
Finding a context for objectivity
Authors: Montuschi Eleonora
Published: December 2020

Several and repeated attempts have been made to say what objectivity consists of and why it should be pursued in research. In the first part of this paper two main strategies are singled out, sharing the assumption that there is a way (or different ways) objectivity can be thought of in the abstract (which does not mean without content), and that it can be instantiated in context—and in enough contexts to justify the abstract case. But not only is this assumption open to the objection that objectivity so conceived does not admit of one clear definition (even a disjunctive one) that is appropriate in many or most contexts where we intend the term to do its work. It also does not seem to pay specific attention to what actually constitutes a context of practice, when we think of objectivity in some relation to such context. The aim of this paper is to question how context works both as a mechanism of meaning formation for the concept of objectivity, and as a practical framework for pursuing research objectively. To articulate a suitable notion of context some insight from recent literature in the philosophy of science is first introduced and then adapted to show how research practices successfully achieve objectivity as one of their aims. It will be argued that an idea of context that includes activities which (in a way to be qualified) are relevant and reliable towards a settled aim is the model of practice that makes objectivity a pursuable task in research. This contextual picture of objectivity, it will be suggested, might better serve the purpose of scientific research (including social research) than either of the two descriptive strategies outlined at the beginning of this paper can do.
Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio Emilia: A Comparative Analysis of Alternative Models of Early Childhood Education
Authors: Aljabreen Haifa
Published: December 2020

Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio Emilia education remain three of the most popular models for alternative early childhood education. Each of these approaches has developed globally, with a rich history of supporting children’s educational freedom. This narrative analysis provides a means for early childhood educators and scholars to understand the aims, philosophical and theoretical frameworks, historical development, benefits, and challenges in these models and their methods of practice. As early childhood education evolves with technology and as re-conceptualizations about early education occur, an understanding of these alternatives to traditional education models is important. While adaptive options of these models may emerge in education systems across national contexts, this review allows educators to consider their applications and cultural appropriateness in specific local and community contexts.
Increased prevalence of impulse control disorder symptoms in endocrine diseases treated with dopamine agonists: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Beccuti G. , Guaraldi F. , Natta G. , Cambria V. , Prencipe N. , Cicolin A. , Montanaro E. , Lopiano L. , Ghigo E. , Zibetti M. , Grottoli S.
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Impulse control disorders (ICDs) have been described as a side effect of dopamine agonists (DAs) in neurological as well as endocrine conditions. Few studies have evaluated the neuropsychological effect of DAs in hyperprolactinemic patients, and these have reported a relationship between DAs and ICDs. Our objective was to screen for ICD symptoms in individuals with DA-treated endocrine conditions.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 132 patients with pituitary disorders treated with DAs (DA exposed), as well as 58 patients with pituitary disorders and no history of DA exposure (non-DA exposed). Participants responded to the full version of the Questionnaire for Impulsive-Compulsive Disorders in Parkinson’s disease (QUIP).

Results

Compared with the non-DA-exposed group, a higher prevalence of DA-exposed patients tested positive for symptoms of any ICD or related behavior (52% vs. 31%, p < 0.01), any ICD (46% vs. 24%, p < 0.01), any related behavior (31% vs. 17%, p < 0.05), compulsive sexual behavior (27% vs. 14%, p < 0.04), and punding (20% vs. 7%, p < 0.02) by QUIP. On univariate analysis, DA treatment was associated with a two- to threefold increased risk of any ICD or related behavior [odds ratio (OR) 2.43] and any ICD (OR 2.70). In a multivariate analysis, independent risk factors for any ICD or related behavior were DA use (adjusted OR 2.22) and age (adjusted OR 6.76). Male gender was predictive of the risk of hypersexuality (adjusted OR 3.82).

Discussion

Despite the QUIP limitations, a clear sign of increased risk of ICDs emerges in individuals with DA-treated pituitary disorders. Our data contribute to the growing evidence of DA-induced ICDs in endocrine conditions.
Tissue-Specific Gene Expression Changes are Associated with Aging in Mice
Authors: Srivastava Akash , Barth Emanuel , Ermolaeva Maria A. , Guenther Madlen , Frahm Christiane , Marz Manja , Witte Otto W.
Published: December 2020

Aging is a complex process that can be characterized by functional and cognitive decline in an individual. Aging can be assessed based on the functional capacity of vital organs and their intricate interactions with one another. Thus, the nature of aging can be described by focusing on a specific organ and an individual itself. However, to fully understand the complexity of aging, one must investigate not only a single tissue or biological process but also its complex interplay and interdependencies with other biological processes. Here, using RNA-seq, we monitored changes in the transcriptome during aging in four tissues (including brain, blood, skin and liver) in mice at 9 months, 15 months, and 24 months, with a final evaluation at the very old age of 30 months. We identified several genes and processes that were differentially regulated during aging in both tissue-dependent and tissue-independent manners. Most importantly, we found that the electron transport chain (ETC) of mitochondria was similarly affected at the transcriptome level in the four tissues during the aging process. We also identified the liver as the tissue showing the largest variety of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) over time. Lcn2 (Lipocalin-2) was found to be similarly regulated among all tissues, and its effect on longevity and survival was validated using its orthologue in Caenorhabditis elegans. Our study demonstrated that the molecular processes of aging are relatively subtle in their progress, and the aging process of every tissue depends on the tissue’s specialized function and environment. Hence, individual gene or process alone cannot be described as the key of aging in the whole organism.
Gravity Does Not Exist
Authors: Icke Vincent
Published: December 2020

Every scientific fact was born as an opinion about the unknown - a hypothesis. Opinion gradually becomes fact as evidence piles up to support a theory. But what if there are two theories, each of which has produced a myriad of things that correspond perfectly to the phenomena but can't be combined into one? One theory replaced the mystery of gravity with a precise model of space and time. The other theory replaced the mystery of matter with a description of quantum particles. As we understand our universe, we keep each in its own domain: space and time for very large things, particles for the very small ones. However, 13.8 billion years ago, those two incompatible domains belonged to a single realm. Who in the current or future generations of physicists will crack this seemingly impossible puzzle? This, contends the author, is not just a big question, but the biggest question in physics in our century. Combining Ickes's first-hand knowledge with a robust argument and intellectual playfulness, this fascinating book succeeds in making a notoriously difficult subject accessible to all readers interested in a better grasp of our universe.
The Domestic Sources of European Foreign Policy
Authors: Serrano Omar
Published: December 2020

When it comes to formulating foreign and pan-European policies, the European Union faces myriad challenges. 'The Domestic Sources of European Foreign Policy' is an incisive study of these difficulties and their origins. It pays particular attention to the ways internal EU debates are influenced by domestic politics and political actors who legitimize or constrain support for shared policies. Ultimately revealing whether a democratic deficit exists in EU foreign policy, this book will be required reading for scholars and policy makers interested in European affairs and international relations.
Order, Materiality, and Urban Space in the Early Modern Kingdom of Sweden
Authors: Laitinen Riitta
Published: December 2020

Our corporeality and immersion in the material world make us inherently spatial beings, and the fact that we all share everyday experiences in the global physical environment means that community is also spatial by nature. This book explores the relationship between the seventeenth-century townspeople of Turku, Sweden, and their urban surroundings. Riitta Laitinen offers a novel account of civil and social order in this early modern town, highlighting the central importance of materiality and spatiality and breaking down the dichotomy of public versus private life that has dominated traditional studies of the time period.
The Tesla Revolution
Authors: Middelkoop Willem , Koppelaar Rembrandt
Published: December 2020

Though oil prices have been on a downward trajectory in recent months, that doesn't obscure the fact that fossil fuels are finite, and we will eventually have to grapple with the end of their dominance. At the same time, however, skepticism about the alternatives remains: we've never quite achieved the promised 'too cheap to meter' power of the future, be it nuclear, solar, or wind. And hydrogen and bio-based fuels are thus far a disappointment. So what does the future of energy look like? The Tesla Revolution has the answers. In clear, unsensational style, Willem Middelkoop and Rembrandt Koppelaar offer a layman's tour of the energy landscape, now and to come. They show how rapid technological advances in batteries and solar technologies are already driving large-scale transformations in power supply, while economic and geopolitical changes, combined with a growing political awareness that there are alternatives to fossil fuels will combine in the coming years to bring an energy revolution ever closer. Within in our lifetimes, the authors argue, we will see changes that will reshape economics, the balance of political power, and even the most mundane aspects of our daily lives. Determinedly forward-looking and optimistic, though never straying from hard facts, The Tesla Revolution paints a striking picture of our global energy future.www.theteslarevolution.com
State-Induced Migration and the Creation of State Spaces in Early Chinese Empires: Perspectives from History and Archaeology
Authors: Korolkov Maxim , Hein Anke
Published: December 2020

In ancient China, as elsewhere, states did not simply occupy a given territory but actively engaged in the production of space by transforming landscapes, moving populations, and enacting territorial hierarchies, thus creating “state spaces,” to borrow a term coined by James C. Scott. In the case of the early Chinese empires of Qin (221–207 BCE) and Han (202 BCE–220 CE), state-induced migration and settlement were key instruments of military control, administrative incorporation, economic intensification, and other processes connected with spatial distribution of state power. This article combines insights from transmitted texts, excavated documents, and archaeological evidence to explore factors and effects of migration in early Chinese empires, discussing the interconnection between state-organized resettlement and private migration as well as their embeddedness in the local geography. As the situation varies according to location, the present article introduces the approach and tests it on a case study, the Guanzhong metropolitan region.
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the UK: the Oxford coronavirus explanations, attitudes, and narratives survey (Oceans) II
Authors: Freeman Daniel , Loe Bao S. , Chadwick Andrew , Vaccari Cristian , Waite Felicity , Rosebrock Laina , Jenner Lucy , Petit Ariane , Lewandowsky Stephan , Vanderslott Samantha , Innocenti Stefania , Larkin Michael , Giubilini Alberto , Yu Ly-Mee , McShane Helen , Pollard Andrew J. , Lambe Sinéad
Published: December 2020

Background

Our aim was to estimate provisional willingness to receive a coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine, identify predictive socio-demographic factors, and, principally, determine potential causes in order to guide information provision.

Methods

A non-probability online survey was conducted (24th September−17th October 2020) with 5,114 UK adults, quota sampled to match the population for age, gender, ethnicity, income, and region. The Oxford COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy scale assessed intent to take an approved vaccine. Structural equation modelling estimated explanatory factor relationships.

Results

71.7% (n=3,667) were willing to be vaccinated, 16.6% (n=849) were very unsure, and 11.7% (n=598) were strongly hesitant. An excellent model fit (RMSEA=0.05/CFI=0.97/TLI=0.97), explaining 86% of variance in hesitancy, was provided by beliefs about the collective importance, efficacy, side-effects, and speed of development of a COVID-19 vaccine. A second model, with reasonable fit (RMSEA=0.03/CFI=0.93/TLI=0.92), explaining 32% of variance, highlighted two higher-order explanatory factors: ‘excessive mistrust’ (r=0.51), including conspiracy beliefs, negative views of doctors, and need for chaos, and ‘positive healthcare experiences’ (r=−0.48), including supportive doctor interactions and good NHS care. Hesitancy was associated with younger age, female gender, lower income, and ethnicity, but socio-demographic information explained little variance (9.8%). Hesitancy was associated with lower adherence to social distancing guidelines.

Conclusions

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is relatively evenly spread across the population. Willingness to take a vaccine is closely bound to recognition of the collective importance. Vaccine public information that highlights prosocial benefits may be especially effective. Factors such as conspiracy beliefs that foster mistrust and erode social cohesion will lower vaccine up-take.
Preformed Properties for Marine Organic Matter and Carbonate Mineral Cycling Quantification
Authors: Carter B. R. , Feely R. A. , Lauvset S. K. , Olsen A. , DeVries T. , Sonnerup R.
Published: December 2020

We estimate preformed ocean phosphate, nitrate, oxygen, silicate, and alkalinity by combining a reconstruction of ventilation pathways in the ocean interior with estimates of submixed layer properties. These new preformed property estimates are intended to aid biogeochemical cycling studies and validation of modeled preformed property distributions and are available online. Analyses of net property accumulations (observed minus preformed properties) indicate net remineralization ratios in the ocean interior of [1 P]: [14.1 ± 0.6 N]: [−141 ± 12 O2]: [95 ± 25 Si]: [89 ± 9 TA]. These ratios imply that the interior ocean stores 1,300 (±230) PgC through organic matter remineralization and 540 (±60) PgC through carbonate mineral dissolution and that apparent oxygen utilization can overestimate the interior ocean oxygen consumption by ~25%. Further, only 4 (±1%) and 46 (±5%) of the total alkalinity accumulated from carbonate mineral dissolution are found in seawater that is supersaturated with respect to the aragonite and calcite mineral forms of calcium carbonate, respectively. These small excess alkalinity inventories are due to smaller volumes of the supersaturated water masses and shorter ventilation timescales, as carbonate mineral dissolution rates appear nearly independent of depth and saturation state.
H2O Windows and CO2 Radiator Fins: A Clear‐Sky Explanation for the Peak in Equilibrium Climate Sensitivity
Authors: Seeley Jacob T. , Jeevanjee Nadir
Published: December 2020

Recent explorations of the state‐dependence of Earth’s equilibrium climate sensitivity (ECS) have revealed a pronounced peak in ECS at a surface temperature of ∼310 K. This ECS peak has been observed in models spanning the model hierarchy, suggesting a robust physical source. Here, we propose an explanation for this ECS peak using a novel spectrally resolved decomposition of clear‐sky longwave feedbacks. We show that the interplay between spectral feedbacks in H2O‐dominated and CO2‐dominated portions of the longwave spectrum, along with moist‐adiabatic amplification of upper‐tropospheric warming, conspire to produce a minimum in the feedback parameter, and a corresponding peak in ECS, at a surface temperature of 310 K. Mechanism‐denial tests highlight three key ingredients for the ECS peak: (1) H2O continuum absorption to quickly close spectral windows at high surface temperature; (2) moist‐adiabatic tropospheric temperatures to enhance upper‐tropospheric warming; and (3) energetically consistent increases of CO2 with surface temperature.
Seismic Imaging of the Subducted Australian Continental Margin Beneath Timor and the Banda Arc Collision Zone
Authors: Zhang Ping , Miller Meghan S.
Published: December 2020

Detailed crustal and uppermost mantle structure is imaged for the first time utilizing ∼4 years of broadband seismic data newly collected in the Timor‐Leste and Nusa Tenggara Timor region of Indonesia. We apply three techniques, ambient noise tomography, teleseismic P wave receiver function, and coda autocorrelation, to resolve a 3D Vs model and Moho structure. Our tomographic images show low‐velocity anomalies (<30 km) beneath Timor related to underthrusted Gondwana sequence from the Australian plate, which are vertically offset by the high‐velocity backstop of the Banda forearc terrane. The structure progressively changes along strike, reflecting different collisional stages developed as a result of the oblique convergence. At greater depth, we detect seismically fast lithospheric mantle (>30 km) and the arc‐ward dipping Moho beneath Timor, both interpreted to be from the Australian plate. Our findings provide direct structural evidence of the Australian continental margin at lithospheric depths beneath the Banda Arc collisional zone.
Solitary Magnetic Structures at Quasi‐Parallel Collisionless Shocks: Formation
Authors: Chen Li‐Jen , Wang Shan , Ng Jonathan , Bessho Naoki , Tang Jian‐Ming , Fung Shing F. , Le Guan , Gershman Daniel , Giles Barbara , Russell Christopher T. , Torbert Roy , Burch James
Published: December 2020

Solitary magnetic structures known as SLAMS (short large‐amplitude magnetic structures) have been considered as essential elements of collisionless shocks with quasi‐parallel geometries. Yet the physics underlying their formation remains an open question. In this paper, we use measurements from the magnetospheric multiscale mission combined with fully kinetic simulations to study the formation of SLAMS. We find that gyro‐resonance between solar wind ions and right‐hand circularly polarized electromagnetic waves results in magnetic field amplification. Gyro‐trapping by the growing magnetic field buildup the plasma density that further enhances the current and field. The solitary nature of SLAMS stems from a beat‐like magnetic field envelope where the maximum sets the initial location for nonlinear growth. Our results present a conceptual advance on SLAMS, and may shed new light on the open question of magnetic field amplification at astrophysical shocks.
African Low‐Level Jets and Their Importance for Water Vapor Transport and Rainfall
Authors: Munday Callum , Washington Richard , Hart Neil
Published: December 2020

Uncertainty in the future evolution of tropical rainfall is linked to circulation changes under warming. In Africa, a key barrier to interpreting rainfall changes is our limited understanding of water vapor transport across the continent. Here, we show that a series of nocturnal easterly Low‐Level Jets (LLJs), which form in the valleys punctuating the East African rift system, transport the majority of water vapor to central Africa from the Indian Ocean. There is a robust connection between strengthened LLJs and drought in eastern and southern Africa at interannual timescales, mediated by an increase in low‐level divergence and water vapor export. Analysis of climate model simulations at a wide range of resolutions (250–4.5 km) suggests that grid lengths <60 km are needed to simulate the salient structures of LLJs. The failure of coarse resolution models to capture LLJs is linked with biases in rainfall climatology and variability across the continent.