bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Refractive Index Sensor Based on Four-Wave Mixing in D-Shaped Tellurite Photonic Crystal Fiber
Authors: Gao Yuanhongliu , Yan Xin , Chen Xiaoyu , Li Bin , Cheng Tonglei
Published: April 2023

In this study, we design a refractive index (RI) sensor using a novel cadmium telluride photonic crystal fiber (TPCF). Based on four-wave mixing (FWM), the changes in RI can be accurately detected, and RI sensing in the mid-infrared region (MIR) can be achieved by detecting wavelength shifts in the Stokes and anti-Stokes spectra caused by the changes in RI of the liquid to be measured. When the pump wavelength of FWM lies in the normal and abnormal dispersion regions of the TPCF, the RI response of the idler frequency wave and the signal wave are analyzed by numerical simulation methods. The simulation results show that the RI sensitivity of the sensor can be as high as 7692 nm/RIU with a linearity is up to 99.9% at the pump wavelength of 3380 nm. To our knowledge, the RI sensing sensitivity of the MIR is presented for the first time in this study by using FWM in the non-silicon PCF.
Mental Health Service Users and Their Caregivers Perspectives on Personal Recovery from Severe Mental Health Conditions in Cape Town, South Africa: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Gamieldien Fadia , Galvaan Roshan , Myers Bronwyn , Sorsdahl Katherine
Published: April 2023

Severe mental health conditions (SMHCs) significantly contribute to the global disease burden. In low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) like South Africa, the long-term impact of SMHCs on individuals and their families is serious. However, mental health services focus on clinical recovery, with little attention given to the personal recovery needs of mental health service users (MHSUs) and their caregivers. The CHIME framework outlines five domains characterising personal recovery: connectedness, hope and optimism about the future, identity, meaning in life, and empowerment. This qualitative, descriptive study sought insights from male MHSUs and their caregivers on their perspectives of personal recovery from SMHCs. Four male MHSUs and three of their caregivers were purposively selected from Cape Flats communities in the Western Cape. Data were collected using visual participatory methods, including photovoice, life graphs, community maps, and photo-elicitation interviews with MHSUs. In addition, semi-structured interviews were held with caregivers. Data were thematically analysed, and two main themes emerged: Finding meaningful participation and affirming agency. These themes describe how diverse contextual, socioeconomic, political, demographic, cultural, and spiritual factors help and hinder personal recovery. MHSUs and their caregivers sought support from mental health non-profit organisations (MH-NPOs) because of stigmatising attitudes from their communities. MH-NPOs provided MHSUs with long-term relational support and opportunities to build their capacities which helped them access living, learning, working and socialising opportunities. Understanding the diverse needs of MHSUs and including MH-NPOs in scaling up community-based mental health services in LMICs will enable more accessible services that support personal recovery.
Collaborative optimization of task scheduling and multi-agent path planning in automated warehouses
Authors: Honglin Zhang , Yaohua Wu , Jinchang Hu , Yanyan Wang
Published: April 2023

Task scheduling (TS) and multi-agent-path-finding (MAPF) are two cruxes of pickup-and-delivery in automated warehouses. In this paper, the two cruxes are optimized simultaneously. Firstly, the system model, task model, and path model are established, respectively. Then, a task scheduling algorithm based on enhanced HEFT, a heuristic MAPF algorithm and a TS- MAPF algorithm are proposed to solve this combinatorial optimization problem. In EHEFT, a novel rank priority rule is used to determine task sequencing and task allocation. In MAPF algorithm, a CBS algorithm with priority rules is designed for path search. Subsequently, the TS-MAPF algorithm which combines EHEFT and MAPF is proposed. Finally, the proposed algorithms are tested separately against relevant typical algorithms at different scales. The experimental results indicate that the proposed algorithms exhibited good performance.
A note on badly approximable systems of linear forms over a field of formal series
Authors: Hussain Mumtaz , Shulga Nikita
Published: April 2023

We prove that the set of badly approximable systems of M linear forms in N variables over the field of formal power series is hyperplane absolute winning. A consequence of this winning property is that the set has full Hausdorff dimension.
Persistent extensions and analogous bars: data-induced relations between persistence barcodes
Authors: Yoon Hee Rhang , Ghrist Robert , Giusti Chad
Published: April 2023

A central challenge in topological data analysis is the interpretation of barcodes. The classical algebraic-topological approach to interpreting homology classes is to build maps to spaces whose homology carries semantics we understand and then to appeal to functoriality. However, we often lack such maps in real data; instead, we must rely on a cross-dissimilarity measure between our observations of a system and a reference. In this paper, we develop a pair of computational homological algebra approaches for relating persistent homology classes and barcodes: persistent extension, which enumerates potential relations between homology classes from two complexes built on the same vertex set, and the method of analogous bars, which utilizes persistent extension and the witness complex built from a cross-dissimilarity measure to provide relations across systems. We provide an implementation of these methods and demonstrate their use in comparing homology classes between two samples from the same metric space and determining whether topology is maintained or destroyed under clustering and dimensionality reduction.
Topological properties of quasiconformal automorphism groups
Authors: Biersack Florian , Lauf Wolfgang
Published: April 2023

Let $$G \subsetneq \mathbb {C}$$

G
⊊
C

be a bounded, simply connected domain in $$\mathbb {C}$$
C
, and denote by $$\begin{aligned} Q(G):= \left\{ f: G \longrightarrow G \ |\ f \text { is a quasiconformal mapping of } G \text { onto } G \ \right\} \end{aligned}$$

Q

(
G
)

:
=

f
:
G
⟶
G

|

f

is a quasiconformal mapping of

G

onto

G

the quasiconformal automorphism group of G. In a canonical manner, the set Q(G) carries the structure of a (non–abelian) group with respect to composition of mappings. Moreover, we endow the set Q(G) with the topology of uniform convergence by the supremum metric $$\begin{aligned} d_{\sup }(f, g):= \sup \limits _{z \in G} \left| f(z) - g(z) \right| , f, g \in Q(G). \end{aligned}$$

d
sup

(
f
,
g
)

:
=

sup

z
∈
G

f
(
z
)
-
g
(
z
)

,
f
,
g
∈
Q

(
G
)

.

In this paper, we present results concerning topological properties of Q(G) such as completeness, separability, path–connectedness, discreteness and compactness.
How to Improve Others’ Emotions: Reappraise and be Responsive
Authors: Jurkiewicz Olivia , McGarrigle C. Blair , Oveis Christopher
Published: April 2023

People often try to improve others’ emotions. However, it is unclear which interpersonal emotion regulation strategies are most effective and why. In 121 candid dyadic conversations between undergraduate students via video conferencing, target participants recounted a stressful event to regulator participants. Three strategies used by regulators during these conversations to change targets’ emotions were obtained from the regulator after the conversation: extrinsic reappraisal, extrinsic suppression, and extrinsic acceptance. Perceived regulator responsiveness was obtained from targets to examine the social consequences of extrinsic emotion regulation and its mediating role in successful extrinsic emotion regulation. We found that regulators’ extrinsic reappraisal use was associated with improved target emotions measured across two distinct classes of outcomes: targets’ emotions during the conversation and targets’ perception that the regulator improved their emotions. Regulators’ extrinsic suppression and acceptance, in contrast, were not related with improved target emotions or perceptions of improvement. Instead, all extrinsic regulatory strategies were associated with improved targets’ emotions when mediated by targets’ perceptions of regulator responsiveness. Finally, observer-ratings of regulators’ extrinsic reappraisal and suppression use were found to be consistent with regulators’ self-ratings and follow the same pattern of results on the outcome measures. These findings provide insight into why the social regulation of emotions can succeed or fail and hold implications for interventions aimed at guiding people toward more successfully improving others’ emotions.
How useful is pre-referral pediatric spine imaging?
Authors: Kim Dorothy J. , Dermott Jennifer A. , Howard Andrew W. , Lebel David E.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Primary care physicians rely on radiology reports to confirm a scoliosis diagnosis and inform the need for spine specialist referral. In turn, spine specialists use these reports for triage decisions and planning of care. The objectives were to determine (1) the adequacy of index images to inform treatment decisions at the initial consultation and (2) the utility of index radiology reports for appropriate triage decisions.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted including all idiopathic scoliosis patients seen for initial consultation, aged three to 18 years, between January 1 and April 30, 2021. A score out of five was generated based on the adequacy of index images to provide accurate Cobb angle measurements and determine skeletal maturity. Index images were considered inadequate if repeat imaging was necessary. Index radiology reports, associated imaging, and new imaging, if obtained at the initial consultation, were compared.

Results

Of the 94 patients reviewed, 79% (n = 74) required repeat imaging at the initial consultation, of which 74% (n = 55) were due to insufficient quality and/or limited field of view. Of index images available for review at the initial consult (n = 80), 41.2% scored five out of five, and 32.5% scored two or below. Comparing index radiology reports to initial visit evaluation with ≤ 60 days between imaging (n = 49), discrepancies in Cobb angle were found in 24.5% (95% CI 14.6, 38.1) of patients. The Risser stage was reported in 14% of index radiology reports.

Conclusion

Although pre-referral pediatric spine radiographs serve a diagnostic purpose, most are inadequate for comprehensive idiopathic scoliosis evaluation.

Level of evidence

III.
From Teacher to Trainer
Authors: Ellman Matthew T. , Lucantoni Peter
Published: April 2023

From Teacher to Trainer helps new trainers and experienced teachers to develop the knowledge and skills they need to successfully train and develop language teachers, including teachers of English. It combines theory with practical guidance to explore a range of techniques and strategies that can be applied in any training context. It outlines the theoretical background of teacher training and key concepts and goes on to discuss the processes of training practice in more detail, with sections on planning and delivering training sessions, mentoring, observing, assessing and giving feedback to teachers, planning training programmes, and professional development for trainers. Each chapter sets out the key principles alongside practical tools and examples that support trainers to apply what they've learned, including tasks and activities, case studies from experienced trainers and videos that demonstrate key concepts.
Leading Technological Change
Authors: Hockley Andy , Butler Lenise
Published: April 2023

This book brings together both theory and practice surrounding change management in the specific context of language schools and language teaching programs, and in particular focuses on the introduction of, or updating of, technology in those programs. In doing so, it deals with the fundamental processes in order to successfully choose, introduce, develop and maintain technological change in language teaching organisations.
Modifications to Three‐Dimensional Turbulence Parameterization for Tropical Cyclone Simulation at Convection‐Permitting Resolution
Authors: Ye Gengjiao , Zhang Xu , Yu Hui
Published: April 2023

Adequate representation of the subgrid‐scale (SGS) turbulent fluxes associated with convective clouds in the eyewall and rainbands above the boundary layer is important for simulating the formation of tropical cyclone (TC) dynamic and thermal structure, as well as the evolution and intensification of the TC. Two sets of benchmark large‐eddy simulations (LESs) for an idealized TC during the rapid intensification and mature stages were conducted. The turbulent transport above the boundary layer in the TC eyewall and rainbands exhibits a remarkable countergradient characteristic, which is poorly represented by the traditional eddy‐diffusivity closure. In contrast, the H‐gradient closure based on the horizontal gradients of the resolved variables is capable of accurately capturing the countergradient features and exhibiting a spatial distribution of SGS fluxes that mimics much better the coarse‐grained fluxes from the LES benchmarks. Moreover, the H‐gradient closure allows for the backscatter transfer of energy. By implementing the H‐gradient closure into a three‐dimensional turbulence parameterization, the TC simulated using the modified parameterization bears closer resemblance to the LES benchmarks in terms of the spatial distribution of SGS fluxes, TC intensity, primary and secondary circulations, and cloud morphology.
Scattering Attenuation Images of the Control of Thrusts and Fluid Overpressure on the 2016–2017 Central Italy Seismic Sequence
Authors: Gabrielli Simona , Akinci Aybige , De Siena Luca , Del Pezzo Edoardo , Buttinelli Mauro , Maesano Francesco Emanuele , Maffucci Roberta
Published: April 2023

Deep fluid circulation likely triggered the large extensional events of the 2016–2017 Central Italy seismic sequence. Nevertheless, the connection between fault mechanisms, main crustal‐scale thrusts, and the circulation and interaction of fluids with tectonic structures controlling the sequence is still debated. Here, we show that the 3D temporal and spatial mapping of peak delays, proxy of scattering attenuation, detects thrusts and sedimentary structures and their control on fluid overpressure and release. After the mainshocks, scattering attenuation drastically increases across the hanging wall of the Monti Sibillini and Acquasanta thrusts, revealing fracturing and fluid migration. Before the sequence, low‐scattering volumes within Triassic formations highlight regions of fluid overpressure, which enhances rock compaction. Our results highlight the control of thrusts and paleogeography on the sequence and hint at the monitoring potential of the technique for the seismic hazard assessment of the Central Apennines and other tectonic regions.
Irradiation plus myeloid-derived suppressor cell-targeted therapy for overcoming treatment resistance in immunologically cold urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Yamamoto Shoma , Kato Minoru , Takeyama Yuji , Azuma Yukari , Yukimatsu Nao , Hirayama Yukiyoshi , Otoshi Taiyo , Yamasaki Takeshi , Fujioka Masaki , Gi Min , Wanibuchi Hideki , Uchida Junji
Published: April 2023

Background

Radiotherapy (RT) has recently been highlighted as a partner of immune checkpoint inhibitors. The advantages of RT include activation of lymphocytes while it potentially recruits immunosuppressive cells, such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of overcoming treatment resistance in immunologically cold tumours by combining RT and MDSC-targeted therapy.

Methods

The abscopal effects of irradiation were evaluated using MB49 and cisplatin-resistant MB49R mouse bladder cancer cells, with a focus on the frequency of immune cells and programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in a xenograft model.

Results

MB49R was immunologically cold compared to parental MB49 as indicated by the fewer CD8+ T cells and lower PD-L1 expression. Polymorphonuclear MDSCs increased in both MB49 and MB49R abscopal tumours, whereas the infiltration of CD8+ T cells increased only in MB49 but not in MB49R tumours. Interestingly, PD-L1 expression was not elevated in abscopal tumours. Finally, blocking MDSC in combination with RT remarkably reduced the growth of both MB49 and MB49R abscopal tumours regardless of the changes in the frequency of infiltrating CD8+ T cells.

Conclusions

The combination of RT and MDSC-targeted therapy could overcome treatment resistance in immunologically cold tumours.
Stable endocytic structures navigate the complex pellicle of apicomplexan parasites
Authors: Koreny Ludek , Mercado-Saavedra Brandon N. , Klinger Christen M. , Barylyuk Konstantin , Butterworth Simon , Hirst Jennifer , Rivera-Cuevas Yolanda , Zaccai Nathan R. , Holzer Victoria J. C. , Klingl Andreas , Dacks Joel B. , Carruthers Vern B. , Robinson Margaret S. , Gras Simon , Waller Ross F.
Published: April 2023

Apicomplexan parasites have immense impacts on humanity, but their basic cellular processes are often poorly understood. Where endocytosis occurs in these cells, how conserved this process is with other eukaryotes, and what the functions of endocytosis are across this phylum are major unanswered questions. Using the apicomplexan model Toxoplasma, we identified the molecular composition and behavior of unusual, fixed endocytic structures. Here, stable complexes of endocytic proteins differ markedly from the dynamic assembly/disassembly of these machineries in other eukaryotes. We identify that these endocytic structures correspond to the ‘micropore’ that has been observed throughout the Apicomplexa. Moreover, conserved molecular adaptation of this structure is seen in apicomplexans including the kelch-domain protein K13 that is central to malarial drug-resistance. We determine that a dominant function of endocytosis in Toxoplasma is plasma membrane homeostasis, rather than parasite nutrition, and that these specialized endocytic structures originated early in infrakingdom Alveolata likely in response to the complex cell pellicle that defines this medically and ecologically important ancient eukaryotic lineage.
Asymmetric hydrogenation of 1,1-diarylethylenes and benzophenones through a relay strategy
Authors: Li Ke , Wu Wen-Qiang , Lin Yunzhi , Shi Hang
Published: April 2023

Homogenous transition-metal catalysts bearing a chiral ligand are widely used for asymmetric hydrogenation of unsaturated compounds such as olefins and ketones, providing efficient concise access to products with chiral carbon centers. However, distinguishing thereandsiprochiral faces of a double bond bearing two substituents that are sterically and electronically similar is challenging for these catalysts. Herein, we report a relay strategy for constructing compounds with a chiralgem-diaryl carbon center by means of a combination of selective arene exchange between 1,1-diarylethylenes or benzophenones with (naphthalene)Cr(CO)3and subsequent asymmetric hydrogenation. During the hydrogenation, the Cr(CO)3unit facilitate differentiation of the two prochiral faces of the substrate double bond via formation of a three-dimensional complex with one of the aromatic rings by selective arene exchange. Density functional theory calculations reveal that during the hydrogenation, chromium coordination affected π–π stacking of the substrate and the catalyst ligand, leading to differentiation of the prochiral faces.
Experimental warming causes mismatches in alpine plant-microbe-fauna phenology
Authors: Yin Rui , Qin Wenkuan , Wang Xudong , Xie Dong , Wang Hao , Zhao Hongyang , Zhang Zhenhua , He Jin-Sheng , Schädler Martin , Kardol Paul , Eisenhauer Nico , Zhu Biao
Published: April 2023

Long-term observations have shown that many plants and aboveground animals have changed their phenology patterns due to warmer temperatures over the past decades. However, empirical evidence for phenological shifts in alpine organisms, particularly belowground organisms, is scarce. Here, we investigate how the activities and phenology of plants, soil microbes, and soil fauna will respond to warming in an alpine meadow on the Tibetan Plateau, and whether their potential phenological changes will be synchronized. We experimentally simulate an increase in soil temperature by 2–4 °C according to future projections for this region. We find that warming promotes plant growth, soil microbial respiration, and soil fauna feeding by 8%, 57%, and 20%, respectively, but causes dissimilar changes in their phenology during the growing season. Specifically, warming advances soil faunal feeding activity in spring and delays it in autumn, while their peak activity does not change; whereas warming increases the peak activity of plant growth and soil microbial respiration but with only minor shifts in their phenology. Such phenological asynchrony in alpine organisms may alter ecosystem functioning and stability.
Calcifications in triple-negative breast cancer: Molecular features and treatment strategies
Authors: Lin Cai-Jin , Xiao Wen-Xuan , Fu Tong , Jin Xi , Shao Zhi-Ming , Di Gen-Hong
Published: April 2023

Despite the high prevalence of mammographic calcifications, our understanding remains limited regarding the clinical and molecular features of calcifications within triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). To investigate the clinical relevance and biological basis of TNBC with calcifications of high suspicion for malignancy, we established a study cohort (N = 312) by integrating mammographic records with clinical data and genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic profiling. Despite similar clinicopathological features, patients with highly suspicious calcifications exhibited a worse overall survival than those without. In addition, TNBC with highly suspicious calcifications was characterized by a higher frequency ofPIK3CAmutation, lower infiltration of immune cells, and increased abnormality of lipid metabolism. Overall, our study systematically revealed clinical and molecular heterogeneity between TNBC with or without calcifications of high suspicion for malignancy. These data might help to understand the clinical relevance and biological basis of mammographic calcifications.
Machine learning guided high-throughput search of non-oxide garnets
Authors: Schmidt Jonathan , Wang Hai-Chen , Schmidt Georg , Marques Miguel A. L.
Published: April 2023

Garnets have found important applications in modern technologies including magnetorestriction, spintronics, lithium batteries, etc. The overwhelming majority of experimentally known garnets are oxides, while explorations (experimental or theoretical) for the rest of the chemical space have been limited in scope. A key issue is that the garnet structure has a large primitive unit cell, requiring a substantial amount of computational resources. To perform a comprehensive search of the complete chemical space for new garnets, we combine recent progress in graph neural networks with high-throughput calculations. We apply the machine learning model to identify the potentially (meta-)stable garnet systems before performing systematic density-functional calculations to validate the predictions. We discover more than 600 ternary garnets with distances to the convex hull below 100 meV ⋅ atom−1. This includes sulfide, nitride, and halide garnets. We analyze their electronic structure and discuss the connection between the value of the electronic band gap and charge balance.
Ferroelectric order in hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite NH4PbI3 with non-polar molecules and small tolerance factor
Authors: Li Jia-Bin , Jiang Zhi-Kang , Wang Rui , Zhao Jin-Zhu , Wang Ruiqiang
Published: April 2023

The appropriate theoretical picture of describing the ferroelectric order in hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite remains attractive and under intense debate. We rationalize the interaction between organic molecule sublattice and inorganic frame from first-principles. Through systematic investigations on the NH4PbI3, we show that the non-polar octahedral rotation dominates the process of stabilizing of the lattice with small value of tolerance factor. The direct coupling between molecules is negligible. With the help of hydrogen bonding to the inorganic cage, molecule sublattice will eventually build long-range ferroelectric or anti-ferroelectric order under the constrain of the inorganic cage and further polarize the inorganic frame as the feedback. These results also clarify that to build ferroelectricity the polar molecule is helpful but not crucial. As the general rule for hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite, we identified the fundamental mechanism that can be considered as a critical pre-step forward to further controlling the related physics in functional materials.
Role of segregation behavior of Cu and Sb in the region of inclusions on initial corrosion
Authors: Li Zhaoliang , Chen Junhang , Xue Wei , Yin Chenghui , Song Jialiang , Xiao Kui
Published: April 2023

The distribution characteristics of corrosion-resistant elements in low-alloy steel affected the initial corrosion behavior of the matrix. In this article, the segregation behaviors of elements at grain boundaries and pearlite defects in low-alloy steel Q500 and the precipitation behavior of Cu in inclusions were studied. Cu, Ni and Sb had segregation behavior at the boundary of the inclusions, which was beneficial for reducing grain boundary segregation. Cu had the ability to capture Sb and Ni. Cu and Sb involvement in local corrosion process of inclusions were observised by multi-cycle 3.5% NaCl immersion test, during which Cu and Sb were oxidized to corresponding Cu2O and Sb2O3. Under the influences of the segregation of elements at the grain boundaries, the internal part of the crystal was preferentially corroded. Cr was enriched in the pearlite cementite, formed (Cr,Fe)7C3 and contributed to the corrosion process, forming Cr2O3 and CrO3.
Structural and immunological differences in Plasmodium falciparum sexual stage transmission-blocking vaccines comprised of Pfs25-EPA nanoparticles
Authors: MacDonald Nicholas J. , Singh Kavita , Reiter Karine , Nguyen Vu , Shimp Richard , Gittis Apostolos G. , Chen Beth , Burkhardt Martin , Zhang Baoshan , Wang Zhixiong , Herrera Raul , Moler Mackenzie , Lee Duck-Yeon , Orr-Gonzalez Sachy , Herrod Jessica , Lambert Lynn E. , Rausch Kelly M. , Muratova Olga , Jones David S. , Wu Yimin , Jin Albert J. , Garboczi David N. , Duffy Patrick E. , Narum David L.
Published: April 2023

Development of a malaria vaccine that blocks transmission of different parasite stages to humans and mosquitoes is considered critical for elimination efforts. A vaccine using Pfs25, a protein on the surface of zygotes and ookinetes, is under investigation as a transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV) that would interrupt parasite passage from mosquitoes to humans. The most extensively studied Pfs25 TBVs use Pichia pastoris-produced recombinant forms of Pfs25, chemically conjugated to a recombinant carrier protein, ExoProtein A (EPA). The recombinant form of Pfs25 first used in humans was identified as Pfs25H, which contained a total of 14 heterologous amino acid residues located at the amino- and carboxyl-termini including a His6 affinity tag. A second recombinant Pfs25, identified as Pfs25M, was produced to remove the heterologous amino acid residues and conjugated to EPA (Pfs25M-EPA). Here, monomeric Pfs25M was characterized biochemically and biophysically for identity, purity, and integrity including protein structure to assess its comparability with Pfs25H. Although the biological activities of Pfs25H and Pfs25M, whether generated by monomeric forms or conjugated nanoparticles, appeared similar, fine-mapping studies with two transmission-blocking monoclonal antibodies detected structural and immunological differences. In addition, evaluation of antisera generated against conjugated Pfs25H or Pfs25M nanoparticles in nonhuman primates identified polyclonal IgG that recognized these structural differences.
Bifunctional hole-shuttle molecule for improved interfacial energy level alignment and defect passivation in perovskite solar cells
Authors: You Shuai , Eickemeyer Felix T. , Gao Jing , Yum Jun-Ho , Zheng Xin , Ren Dan , Xia Meng , Guo Rui , Rong Yaoguang , Zakeeruddin Shaik M. , Sivula Kevin , Tang Jiang , Shen Zhongjin , Li Xiong , Grätzel Michael
Published: April 2023

Perovskite solar cells have reached a power conversion efficiency over 25%, and the engineering of the interface between the perovskite and hole transport layer (HTL) has been crucial to achieve high performance. Here we design a bifunctional molecule CBz-PAI with carbazole-triphenylamine and phenylammonium iodide units to passivate defects at the perovskite/HTL interface. Owing to a favourable energy level alignment with the perovskite, the CBz-PAI acts as a hole shuttle between the perovskite layer and the HTL. This minimizes the difference between the quasi-Fermi level splitting of the perovskite, or ‘internal’ Voc, and the external device Voc, thus reducing voltage losses. As a result, solar cells incorporating CBz-PAI reach a stabilized power conversion efficiency of 24.7% and maintain 92.3% of the initial efficiency after 1,000 h under damp heat test (85 °C and 85% relative humidity) and 94.6% after 1,100 h under maximum power point-tracking conditions.
An inventory of native-alien populations in South Africa
Authors: Nelufule Takalani , Robertson Mark P. , Wilson John R. U. , Faulkner Katelyn T.
Published: April 2023

Species can be both native and alien to a given administrative region. Here we present the first consolidated inventory of these ‘native-alien populations’ for South Africa, and provide an overview of the data it contains. To gather data, literature searches were performed and experts were consulted both directly and via an on-line survey. Putative native-alien populations were then scored based on a newly developed protocol. The final inventory contains information on 77 native species from 49 families across nine classes that have formed 132 native-alien populations across the terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments. The phenomenon is rare when compared to the prevalence of related phenomena, such as alien species introduced from other countries (2033 alien species in South Africa), but is under-reported. However, they pose a specific problem for regulators and managers and their importance will likely increase with global change. These data will be integrated with an existing alien species list and, we hope, will provide a useful foundation to address the issue. We encourage those working on biodiversity to contribute more records.
The specific core fucose-binding lectin Pholiota squarrosa lectin (PhoSL) inhibits hepatitis B virus infection in vitro
Authors: Ouchida Tsunenori , Maeda Haruka , Akamatsu Yuka , Maeda Megumi , Takamatsu Shinji , Kondo Jumpei , Misaki Ryo , Kamada Yoshihiro , Ueda Masahiro , Ueda Keiji , Miyoshi Eiji
Published: April 2023

Glycosylation of proteins and lipids in viruses and their host cells is important for viral infection and is a target for antiviral therapy. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major pathogen that causes acute and chronic hepatitis; it cannot be cured because of the persistence of its covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in hepatocytes. Here we found that Pholiota squarrosa lectin (PhoSL), a lectin that specifically binds core fucose, bound to HBV particles and inhibited HBV infection of a modified human HepG2 cell line, HepG2-hNTCP-C4, that expresses an HBV receptor, sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide. Knockout of fucosyltransferase 8, the enzyme responsible for core fucosylation and that aids receptor endocytosis, in HepG2-hNTCP-C4 cells reduced HBV infectivity, and PhoSL facilitated that reduction. PhoSL also blocked the activity of epidermal growth factor receptor, which usually enhances HBV infection. HBV particles bound to fluorescently labeled PhoSL internalized into HepG2-hNTCP-C4 cells, suggesting that PhoSL might inhibit HBV infection after internalization. As PhoSL reduced the formation of HBV cccDNA, a marker of chronic HBV infection, we suggest that PhoSL could impair processes from internalization to cccDNA formation. Our finding could lead to the development of new anti-HBV agents.
Unsteady hybrid nanofluid ($$UO_2$$, MWCNTs/blood) flow between two rotating stretchable disks with chemical reaction and activation energy under the influence of convective boundaries
Authors: Qayyum Mubashir , Afzal Sidra , Ali Mohamed R. , Sohail Muhammad , Imran Naveed , Chambashi Gilbert
Published: April 2023

Hybrid nanofluids are extensively analyzed in recent studies due to their better performance in numerous areas such as heat and mass transfer enhancement, biological fluid movement, medical equipment, heat exchangers, electronic cooling and automotive industry. In current study the nanoparticle concentration utilized is much important in biomedical industry. Major applications include drug delivery, radio-pharmaceuticals, centrifuging blood to obtain red blood cells and plasma, medical implants, onco therapeutics and photo thermal cancer therapy. In this regard, the primary focus of this study is to simulate a blood based unsteady hybrid nanofluid flow between two rotating, stretching disks and convective boundaries. The two nanoparticles in this study are uranium dioxide $$UO_{2}$$

U

O
2

and multi-walled carbon nanotubes MWCNTs. The hybrid nanofluid is under the influence of magnetohydrodynamic effects and chemical reaction with activation energy. The governing partial differential equations (PDEs) are transformed into ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using suitable similarity transform. Homotopy analysis method is used to solve the non-linear system of ODEs and $$\hbar $$
ħ
-curves are plotted to find suitable region of $$\hbar _{i}$$

ħ
i

for convergent series solution. Velocity profile is examined for axial, radial and tangential direction against various fluid parameters. Temperature and concentration profiles are analyzed for both convective and non-convective cases. It is observed that convective boundaries result in elevated temperature when compared with non-convective case. Moreover, skin friction, heat and mass transfer rates are also examined with respect to changing volume fraction $$\varphi _{UO_{2}}$$

φ

U

O
2

.The results revealed that skin friction and rate of heat transfer increases with increase in volume fraction of both nanoparticles $$UO_{2}$$

U

O
2

and MWCNTs while the mass transfer rate depicts contrasting behavior.
Simultaneous green TLC determination of nirmatrelvir and ritonavir in the pharmaceutical dosage form and spiked human plasma
Authors: Imam Mohamed S. , Abdelazim Ahmed H. , Batubara Afnan S. , Gamal Mohammed , Almrasy Ahmed A. , Ramzy Sherif , Khojah Hanan , Hasanin Tamer H. A.
Published: April 2023

Quantitative analysis of pharmaceutical compounds up to Nano gram levels is highly recommended to introduce feasible and sensitive tool for determination of the compounds in the pharmaceutical and biological samples. Nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir was recently approved in the US, the UK and Europe as a new co-packaged dosage form for the treatment of COVID-19. The objective of this work was to develop a more sensitive TLC method based on using β-cyclodextrin as a chiral selector additive in the mobile phase for simultaneous determination of nirmatrelvir and ritonavir in pure form, pharmaceutical formulation and spiked human plasma. The analysis procedures were developed using TLC aluminum silica gel plates and methanol–water- 2% urea solution of β-cyclodextrin (40:10:.5, by volume) as a mobile phase with UV detection at 215 nm. The developed method was successfully applied over a linearity range of 10–50 ng/band for both nirmatrelvir and ritonavir. The method was validated for limits of detection and quantitation, accuracy, precision, specificity, system suitability, and robustness. Furthermore, the eco-friendliness of the proposed method was assessed using the analytical eco-scale and the green analytical procedure index. The described method exhibited compliance with green analytical chemistry principles based on common green metric values.
The associations of socioeconomic status with incident dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are modified by leucocyte telomere length: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Lai Ka Yan , Webster Chris , Kumari Sarika , Gallacher John E. J. , Sarkar Chinmoy
Published: April 2023

Socio-economic status (SES) and biological aging are risk factors for dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, however, it is less clear if the associations with SES vary sufficiently across different biological age strata. We used data from 331,066 UK Biobank participants aged 38–73 with mean follow-up of 12 years to examine if associations between SES (assessed by educational attainment, employment status and household income) and dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are modified by biological age (assessed by leucocyte telomere length: LTL). Diagnosis of events was ascertained through hospital admissions data. Cox regressions were used to estimate hazard ratios [HRs]. A consistent dose–response relationship was found, with participants in low SES and shorter LTL strata (double-exposed group) reporting 3.28 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.57–4.20) and 3.44 (95% CI 2.35–5.04) times higher risks of incident dementia and Alzheimer’s disease respectively, compared to those of high SES and longer LTL (least-exposed group). Of interest is a synergistic interaction between SES and LTL to increase risk of dementia (RERI 0.57, 95% CI 0.07–1.06) and Alzheimer’s disease (RERI 0.79, 95% CI 0.02–1.56). Our findings that SES and biological age (LTL) are synergistic risk factors of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease may suggest the need to target interventions among vulnerable sub-groups.
α-D-Glucose as a non-radioactive MRS tracer for metabolic studies of the brain
Authors: Weng Guodong , Radojewski Piotr , Slotboom Johannes
Published: April 2023

Changes in brain glucose metabolism occur in many neurological disorders as well as during aging. Most studies on the uptake of glucose in the brain use positron emission tomography, which requires injection of a radioactive tracer. Our study shows that ultra-high-field 1H-MRS can be used to measure α-d-glucose at 5.22 ppm in vivo, and the α-d-glucose can be used as a radiation-free tracer in the human brain.
Hippocampal inactivation during rearing on hind legs impairs spatial memory
Authors: Layfield Dylan , Sidell Nathan , Blankenberger Kevin , Newman Ehren Lee
Published: April 2023

Spatial memory requires an intact hippocampus. Hippocampal function during epochs of locomotion and quiet rest (e.g., grooming and reward consumption) has been the target of extensive study. However, during navigation rats frequently rear up onto their hind legs, and the importance of hippocampal activity during these periods of attentive sampling for spatial memory is unknown. To address this, we tested the necessity of dorsal hippocampal activity during rearing epochs in the study phase of a delayed win-shift task for memory performance in the subsequent test phase. Hippocampal activity was manipulated with closed-loop, bilateral, optogenetic inactivation. Spatial memory accuracy was significantly and selectively reduced when the dorsal hippocampus was inactivated during rearing epochs at encoding. These data show that hippocampal activity during periods of rearing can be important for spatial memory, revealing a novel link between hippocampal function during epochs of rearing and spatial memory.
Environmental change or choice during early rearing improves behavioural adaptability in laying hen chicks
Authors: Skånberg Lena , Newberry Ruth C. , Estevez Inma , Keeling Linda J.
Published: April 2023

Laying hens are typically moved to a novel environment after rearing, requiring adaptability to cope with change. We hypothesized that the standard rearing of laying hen chicks, in non-changing environments with limited choices (a single variant of each resource), impairs their ability to learn new routines, use new equipment and exploit new resources. On the contrary, rearing in a changing environment that also offers a choice of resource variants could better prepare chicks for the unexpected. To explore this hypothesis, environmental change and choice were manipulated in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment. Compared to standard rearing, greater change during early rearing, through repeatedly swapping litter and perch types, reduced initial freezing when exposed to a novel environment suggesting a lower fear response. Greater choice during rearing, through simultaneous access to multiple litter and perch types, resulted in shorter latencies to solve a detour task, more movement in novel environments and less spatial clustering, suggesting improved spatial skills and higher exploration. However, combining both change and choice did not generally result in greater improvement relative to providing one or the other alone. We conclude that environmental change and choice during rearing have different positive but non-synergistic effects on later adaptability potential.
Physically informed machine-learning algorithms for the identification of two-dimensional atomic crystals
Authors: Zichi Laura , Liu Tianci , Drueke Elizabeth , Zhao Liuyan , Xu Gongjun
Published: April 2023

After graphene was first exfoliated in 2004, research worldwide has focused on discovering and exploiting its distinctive electronic, mechanical, and structural properties. Application of the efficacious methodology used to fabricate graphene, mechanical exfoliation followed by optical microscopy inspection, to other analogous bulk materials has resulted in many more two-dimensional (2D) atomic crystals. Despite their fascinating physical properties, manual identification of 2D atomic crystals has the clear drawback of low-throughput and hence is impractical for any scale-up applications of 2D samples. To combat this, recent integration of high-performance machine-learning techniques, usually deep learning algorithms because of their impressive object recognition abilities, with optical microscopy have been used to accelerate and automate this traditional flake identification process. However, deep learning methods require immense datasets and rely on uninterpretable and complicated algorithms for predictions. Conversely, tree-based machine-learning algorithms represent highly transparent and accessible models. We investigate these tree-based algorithms, with features that mimic color contrast, for automating the manual inspection process of exfoliated 2D materials (e.g., MoSe2). We examine their performance in comparison to ResNet, a famous Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), in terms of accuracy and the physical nature of their decision-making process. We find that the decision trees, gradient boosted decision trees, and random forests utilize physical aspects of the images to successfully identify 2D atomic crystals without suffering from extreme overfitting and high training dataset demands. We also employ a post-hoc study that identifies the sub-regions CNNs rely on for classification and find that they regularly utilize physically insignificant image attributes when correctly identifying thin materials.
Metabolomics profiling distinctively identified end-stage renal disease patients from chronic kidney disease patients
Authors: Dahabiyeh Lina A. , Nimer Refat M. , Sumaily Khalid M. , Alabdaljabar Mohamad S. , Jacob Minnie , Sabi Essa M. , Hussein Maged H. , Abdel Rahman Anas
Published: April 2023

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a serious public health problem characterized by progressive kidney function loss leading to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) that demands dialysis or kidney transplantation. Early detection can prevent or delay progression to ESRD. The study aimed to gain new insights into the perturbed biochemical reactions and to identify novel distinct biomarkers between ESRD and CKD. Serum samples of 32 patients with ESRD (n = 13) and CKD (n = 19) were analyzed using chemical isotope labeling liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry metabolomics approach. A total of 193 metabolites were significantly altered in ESRD compared to CKD and were mainly involved in aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) biosynthesis, taurine metabolism, and tryptophan metabolism. Three kynurenine derivatives, namely, 2-aminobenzoic acid, xanthurenic acid, and hydroxypicolinic acid were upregulated in ESRD compared to CKD due to the significant decrease in glomerular filtration rate with the progression of CKD to ESRD. N-Hydroxy-isoleucine, 2-aminobenzoic acid, and picolinic acid yielded AUC > 0.99 when analyzed using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis. Our findings suggest that inhibiting the kynurenine pathway might be a promising target to delay CKD progression and that metabolites with high discriminative ability might serve as potential prognostic biomarkers to monitor the progression of CKD to ESRD or used in combination with current markers to indicate the status of kidney damage better.
Cancer, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality in Iraqi- and Swedish-born individuals in Sweden: the MEDIM cohort study
Authors: Dhaher Nadine Fadhel , Pikkemaat Miriam , Shaat Nael , Nilsson Anton , Bennet Louise
Published: April 2023

Immigrants from the Middle East to Sweden have a twice as high prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity as native-born Swedes. Both obesity and T2D have been linked to increased incidence of cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality (ACM); however, data on differences between ethnicities are scarce. In a population-based cohort we aimed to study the impact of Middle Eastern and European ethnicity on ACM, cancer- and CVD related mortality, incidence of cancer and CVD in an eight-year follow-up study. Methods: People born in Iraq or Sweden, who were 30–75 years of age, were invited from 2010 to 2012 to participate in the population based MEDIM study including a health exam, fasting blood sampling, assessment of insulin secretion and action (through oral glucose tolerance test) and questionnaires assessing history of CVD, cancer and T2D. Register data were retrieved from baseline until the 31st of December 2018 from the Swedish National Patient Register and Cause of Death register regarding CVD diagnosis, cancer diagnosis and cause of death. Information regarding diabetes diagnosis was retrieved from the National Diabetes Register. Individuals with a history of cancer or CVD at baseline were excluded. Cox regression analysis was assessed to study the adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for the relationships between ethnicity and ACM, cancer events, CVD events, death from cancer, and death from CVD, with adjustments for age, sex, anthropometrical measures, T2D and lifestyle. A total of 1398 Iraqi- and 757 Swedish-born residents participated in the study. ACM was considerably lower in Iraqi- compared to Swedish-born individuals HR 0.32 (95% CI 0.13–0.79) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, cancer related morbidity and mortality HR 0.39 (0.22–0.69) (p < 0.01) as well as CVD related morbidity and mortality HR 0.56 (0.33–0.95) (p < 0.05) were lower in the Iraqi-born group compared to the Swedish-born group for. The differences in mortality and cancer rates across ethnicities are not fully explained by anthropometric, environmental or metabolic measures but lie elsewhere. Further studies are needed to increase the understanding of contributing mechanisms.