bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biosorption of acid brown 14 dye to mandarin-CO-TETA derived from mandarin peels
Authors: Eldeeb Tarek M. , Aigbe Uyiosa O. , Ukhurebor Kingsley E. , Onyancha Robert B. , El-Nemr Mohamed A. , Hassaan Mohamed A. , Osibote Otolorin A. , Ragab Safaa , Okundaye Benedict , Balogun Vincent A. , El Nemr Ahmed
Published: April 2022

Several agronomic waste-materials are presently being widely used as bio-adsorbents for the treatment of toxic wastes such as dyes and heavy metals from industrial activities, which has resulted in critical global environmental issues. Therefore, there is a need to continue searching for more effective means of mitigating these industrial effluents. Synthetic aromatic dyes such as Acid Brown (AB14) dye are one such industrial effluent that is causing a serious global issue owing to the huge amount of these unsafe effluents released into the ecosystem daily as contaminants. Consequently, their confiscation from the environment is critical. Hence, in this study, Mandarin-CO-TETA (MCT) derived from mandarin peels was utilized for the removal of AB14 dyes. The synthesized biosorbent was subsequently characterized employing FTIR, TGA, BET, and SEM coupled with an EDX. The biosorption of this dye was observed to be pH-dependent, with the optimum removal of this dye being noticed at pH 1.5 and was ascribed to the electrostatic interaction between the positively charged sites on the biosorbent and the anionic AB14 dye. The biosorption process of AB14 dye was ideally described by employing the pseudo-second-order (PSO) and the Langmuir (LNR) models. The ideal biosorption capacity was calculated to be 416.67 mg/g and the biosorption process was indicative of monolayer sorption of AB14 dye to MCT biosorbent. Thus, the studied biosorbent can be employed as a low-cost activated biomass-based biosorbent for the treatment of AB14 dyes from industrial activities before they are further released into the environment, thus mitigating environmental contamination.
How companies improve critical raw material circularity: 5 use cases
Authors: Hool Alessandra , Schrijvers Dieuwertje , van Nielen Sander , Clifton Andrew , Ganzeboom Sophia , Hagelueken Christian , Harada Yasushi , Kim Hendy , Y. Ku Anthony , Meese-Marktscheffel Juliane , Nemoto Takeshi
Published: April 2022

This report showcases five examples of industries applying circular strategies for CRMs: (1) recycling of tungsten carbide scrap by H.C. Starck Tungsten, (2) recycling of battery cathode materials by SungEel Hitech, (3) recovery of rare earth elements from hard disk drives by Hitachi Group, (4) closed rhenium loops by Rolls-Royce, and (5) recovery of platinum group metals by Umicore. The adaptation of business models appears to be one of the biggest enablers of raw material circularity. Ideally, all involved stakeholders (including the manufacturers, the users, and the recyclers) have a common interest in, and are incentivized by retaining the material’s value, which stimulates transparent material flows and close cooperation. This is enabled by retained ownership and with long-term, well-defined relationships between the value chain actors. Such relationships can be enhanced by vertical integration, or by long-term contractual agreements. The benefits of implementing circularity provide a mandate for governmental intervention in stimulating circularity strategies, for example via regulations and subsidies, to overcome initial investment thresholds.
Comparison of Deep Space Navigation Using Optical Imaging, Pulsar Time-of-Arrival Tracking, and/or Radiometric Tracking
Authors: Ely Todd , Bhaskaran Shyam , Bradley Nicholas , Lazio T. Joseph W. , Martin-Mur Tomas
Published: April 2022

Recent advances with space navigation technologies developed by NASA in space-based atomic clocks and pulsar X-ray navigation, combined with past successes in autonomous navigation using optical imaging, brings to the forefront the need to compare space navigation using optical, radiometric, and pulsar-based measurements using a common set of assumptions and techniques. This review article examines these navigation data types in two different ways. First, a simplified deep space orbit determination problem is posed that captures key features of the dynamics and geometry, and then each data type is characterized for its ability to solve for the orbit. The data types are compared and contrasted using a semi-analytical approach with geometric dilution of precision techniques. The results provide useful parametric insights into the strengths of each data type. In the second part of the paper, a high-fidelity, Monte Carlo simulation of a Mars cruise, approach, and entry navigation problem is studied. The results found complement the semi-analytic results in the first part, and illustrate specific issues such as each data type’s quantitative impact on solution accuracy and their ability to support autonomous delivery to a planet.
Diagnostic dilemma between angular and interstitial ectopic pregnancy: 3D ultrasound features
Authors: Durand Y. G. , Capoccia-Brugger R. , Vial Y. , Balaya V.
Published: April 2022

Angular pregnancy is a rare entity which is commonly confused with interstitial or cornual pregnancies. A lack of consensus about the specific ultrasound features of these 3 entities leads to inappropriate interchange between them among the literature. An angular pregnancy should be considered as a potentially viable intra-uterine eccentric pregnancy as it might be carried to term and result in a live-born baby whereas interstitial or cornual pregnancies should be considered as ectopic pregnancies which should be interrupted. We report here two cases of women at 8 weeks of pregnancy with an angular pregnancy diagnosed by vaginal 2D and 3D ultrasound and discuss about specific ultrasound features and alternative imaging modalities to distinguish it from interstitial and cornual pregnancies.
Altering Appearance of Fetal Enteric Duplication Cysts: The Gut Signature Sign and Other Indications for Prenatal Diagnosis
Authors: Tsurane Kotoi , Ozawa Katsusuke , Matsuda Minako , Kuriyama Mayu , Honda Izumi , Shimojima Naoki , Matsuoka Kentaro , Miyasaka Naoyuki
Published: April 2022

Gatrointestinal duplication cysts are congenital anomalies that can be associated with severe adverse outcomes, such as hemorrhage, intestinal obstruction, or intestinal torsion. Despite their substantial postnatal impact, antenatal scans have been reported to identify only 20–30% of such cases. Although the gut signature sign is considered to be relatively specific in the diagnosis of enteric duplication cysts, the classic five-layered appearance is not always easy to demonstrate in the prenatal setting. We present a case of a fetal enteric duplication cysts that presented as a migrating, peristaltic cyst prenatally with the positive ‘bilayer sign.’ Given the challenging circumstances for diagnosis, we also provide a few insights on the altering appearance of the gut signature sign and describe other practical ultrasonic features used to diagnose enteric duplication cysts.
Re-situations of scientific knowledge: a case study of a skirmish over clusters vs clines in human population genomics
Authors: Griesemer James , Barragán Carlos Andrés
Published: April 2022

We track and analyze the re-situation of scientific knowledge in the field of human population genomics ancestry studies. We understand re-situation as a process of accommodating the direct or indirect transfer of objects of knowledge from one site/situation to (one or many) other sites/situations. Our take on the concept borrows from Mary S. Morgan’s work on facts traveling while expanding it to include other objects of knowledge such as models, data, software, findings, and visualizations. We structure a specific case study by tracking the re-situation of these objects between three research projects studying human population diversity reported in three articles inScience,Genome ResearchandPLoS Geneticsbetween 2002 and 2005. We characterize these three engagements as a unit of analysis, a “skirmish,” in order to compare: (a) the divergence of interests in how life-scientists answer similar research questions and (b) to track the challenging transformation of workflows in research laboratories as these scientific objects are re-situated individually or in bundles. Our analysis of the case study shows that an accurate understanding of re-situation requires tracking the whole bundle of objects in a project because they interact in particular key ways. The absence or dismissal of these interactions opens the door to unforeseen trade-offs, misunderstandings and misrepresentations about research design(s) and workflow(s) and what these say about the questions asked and the findings produced.
Das punktgenaue Ende der Moderne oder: 1977 als Übergang zur Gegenwart
Authors: Dipper Christof
Published: April 2022

Der Essay bespricht Philipp Sarasins höchst eindrucksvolles Buch über den Beginn der Postmoderne und diskutiert die Tragfähigkeit seines Konzepts. Er hebt die bemerkenswerte schriftstellerische Leistung, die ungewöhnliche Breite der behandelten Gebiete und die stupende Literaturkenntnis des Verfassers hervor. Kritisch gesehen wird die weitgehende Beschränkung auf Diskurse zu Lasten ihrer gesellschaftlichen Gestaltungskraft und der Verzicht auf Werturteile (womit sich der Rezensent natürlich angreifbar macht, denn er hat ja auf Seite 235 gelesen, dass in der Postmoderne Schuldsprüche unmöglich geworden sind – eigentlich).
Ruminant keeping around mangrove forests in Benin (West Africa): herders’ perceptions of threats and opportunities for conservation of mangroves
Authors: Ahouangan Bidossessi Syntiche Chiméi Mérimée , Koura Bossima Ivan , Sèwadé Clément , Toyi Mireille Scholastique , Lesse Armel Dodji Paolo , Houinato Marcel Romuald Benjamin
Published: April 2022

In the Republic of Benin, mangroves are an essential resource for the coastal populations who use them for firewood, salt production, and ruminant feeding. However, little information exists on livestock keepers’ particular threats to mangroves. This study aims to understand the use of mangrove species by ruminant keepers to identify sustainable actions for mangroves conservation in the coastal area of Benin. Ethno-botanical and socio-economical surveys were conducted on ninety (90) ruminant farmers in fifteen (15) villages close to mangroves along the coastal belt using a semi-structured questionnaire. The herders provide their animals with different mangrove plant species for feeding and health care. Rhizophora racemosa, Avicennia africana, Paspalum vaginatum, Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides and Blutaparon vermiculare were the primary species used for ruminants. Local communities of herders were aware of the need to restore and ensure the sustainable use of mangrove ecosystems. The main restoration and conservation strategy suggested was planting the true mangroves plant species. Others strategies were rational use of mangroves resources and avoiding burning mangroves. These strategies varied with the ethnical group of the herder and the mangrove status (degraded or restoring) in their location. The study also revealed the willingness of ruminant breeders to participate in actions to conserve mangroves. This participation in mangrove restoration was influenced by the ethnical group and age of the herder. Therefore, it is important to involve more ruminant farmers in activities and projects for mangroves restoration. Further study could evaluate whether grazing could enhance the other ecosystem services of mangroves.
Human Technological Enhancement and Theological Anthropology
Authors: Lorrimar Victoria
Published: April 2022

In this book, Victoria Lorrimar explores anthropologies of co-creation as a theological response to the questions posed by technologically enhanced humans, a prospect that is disturbing to some, but compelling for many. The centrality the imagination for moral reasoning, attested in recent scholarship on the imagination, offers a fruitful starting point for a theological engagement with these envisioned technological futures. Lorrimar approaches the topic under the purview of a doctrine of creation that affirms a relationship between human and divine creativity. Traditionally, theological treatments of creativity have been almost exclusively applied to artistic endeavours. Here, Lorrimar breaks new ground by extending such theological accounts to include technology, and uniting them with the strengths of scientific accounts of co-creation. She draws on metaphor studies, cognitive sciences, as well as literary studies, to develop an account of human creativity in relation to divine creativity, which is then applied to various enhancement scenarios.
Banking on Beijing
Authors: Dreher Axel , Fuchs Andreas , Parks Bradley , Strange Austin , Tierney Michael J.
Published: April 2022

China is now the lender of first resort for much of the developing world, but Beijing has fueled speculation among policymakers, scholars, and journalists by shrouding its grant-giving and lending activities in secrecy. Introducing a systematic and transparent method of tracking Chinese development projects around the world, this book explains Beijing's motives and analyzes the intended and unintended effects of its overseas investments. Whereas China almost exclusively provided aid during the twentieth century, its twenty-first century transition from 'benefactor' to 'banker' has had far-reaching impacts in low-income and middle-income countries that are not widely understood. Its use of debt rather than aid to bankroll big-ticket infrastructure projects creates new opportunities for developing countries to achieve rapid socio-economic gains, but it has also introduced major risks, such as corruption, political capture, and conflict. This book will be of interest to policymakers, students and scholars of international political economy, Chinese politics and foreign policy, economic development, and international relations.
Interpreting Discrete Choice Models
Authors: Glasgow Garrett
Published: April 2022

In discrete choice models the relationships between the independent variables and the choice probabilities are nonlinear, depending on both the value of the particular independent variable being interpreted and the values of the other independent variables. Thus, interpreting the magnitude of the effects (the “substantive effects”) of the independent variables on choice behavior requires the use of additional interpretative techniques. Three common techniques for interpretation are described here: first differences, marginal effects and elasticities, and odds ratios. Concepts related to these techniques are also discussed, as well as methods to account for estimation uncertainty. Interpretation of binary logits, ordered logits, multinomial and conditional logits, and mixed discrete choice models such as mixed multinomial logits and random effects logits for panel data are covered in detail. The techniques discussed here are general, and can be applied to other models with discrete dependent variables which are not specifically described here.
DNS of passive scalars in turbulent pipe flow
Authors: Pirozzoli Sergio , Romero Joshua , Fatica Massimiliano , Verzicco Roberto , Orlandi Paolo
Published: April 2022

We study the statistics of passive scalars at

$Pr=1$

, for turbulent flow within a smooth straight pipe of circular cross section up to

$Re_{\tau } \approx 6000$

using direct numerical simulation (DNS) of the Navier–Stokes equations. While featuring a general organisation similar to the axial velocity field, passive scalar fields show additional energy at small wavenumbers, resulting in a higher degree of mixing and in a

$k^{-4/3}$

spectral inertial range. The DNS results highlight logarithmic growth of the inner-scaled bulk and mean centreline scalar values with the friction Reynolds number, implying an estimated scalar von Kármán constant

$k_{\theta } \approx 0.459$

, which also nicely fits the mean scalar profiles. The DNS data are used to synthesise a modified form of the classical predictive formula of Kader & Yaglom (Intl J. Heat Mass Transfer, vol. 15 (12), 1972, pp. 2329–2351), which points to some shortcomings of the original formulation. Universality of the mean core scalar profile in defect form is recovered, with very nearly parabolic shape. Logarithmic growth of the buffer-layer peak of the scalar variance is found in the Reynolds number range under scrutiny, which well conforms with Townsend's attached-eddy hypothesis, whose validity is also supported by the spectral maps. The behaviour of the turbulent Prandtl number shows good universality in the outer wall layer, with values

$Pr_t \approx 0.84$

, as also found in previous studies, but closer to unity near the wall, where existing correlations do not reproduce the observed trends.
GLOBAL OCEAN RADIOCARBON PROGRAMS
Authors: McNichol Ann P , Key Robert M , Guilderson Thomas P
Published: April 2022

The importance of studying the radiocarbon content of dissolved inorganic carbon (DI14C) in the oceans has been recognized for decades. Starting with the GEOSECS program in the 1970s, 14C sampling has been a part of most global survey programs. Early results were used to study air-sea gas exchange while the more recent results are critical for helping calibrate ocean general circulation models used to study the effects of climate change. Here we summarize the major programs and discuss some of the important insights the results are starting to provide.
STADL Up! The Spatiotemporal Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model for TSCS Data Analysis
Authors: COOK SCOTT J. , HAYS JUDE C. , FRANZESE ROBERT J.
Published: April 2022

Time-series cross-section (TSCS) data are prevalent in political science, yet many distinct challenges presented by TSCS data remain underaddressed. We focus on how dependence in both space and time complicates estimating either spatial or temporal dependence, dynamics, and effects. Little is known about how modeling one of temporal or cross-sectional dependence well while neglecting the other affects results in TSCS analysis. We demonstrate analytically and through simulations how misspecification of either temporal or spatial dependence inflates estimates of the other dimension’s dependence and thereby induces biased estimates and tests of other covariate effects. Therefore, we recommend the spatiotemporal autoregressive distributed lag (STADL) model with distributed lags in both space and time as an effective general starting point for TSCS model specification. We illustrate with two example reanalyses and provide R code to facilitate researchers’ implementation—from automation of common spatial-weights matrices (W) through estimated spatiotemporal effects/response calculations—for their own TSCS analyses.
Toward Early Modern Archivality: The Perils of History in the Age of Neo-Eurocentrism
Authors: Burak Guy , Rothman E. Natalie , Ferguson Heather
Published: April 2022

This essay addresses the revival of culturalist assumptions in historical archival studies and suggests an alternative framework. Rather than provenance, it privileges textual circulation; rather than civilizational divides between supposedly distinct “European” and “Islamic” archivalities, it highlights mutability and commensurability as defining elements of a broadly shared, if inherently dynamic, internally complex, and transactionally defined early modern archivality. We first show how the historiography on early modern archives has inadvertently perpetuated a myopic Eurocentric view of the centralized archive as a key aspect of European archivality. We analyze how the construct “Islamic archivality,” when proffered as a comparative counterpoint to such European archivality, not only promotes an outdated understanding of “Islam” (and, indeed “Europe”) as a discrete, transhistorical phenomenon, but rests on a limited set of mostly pre-Ottoman, medieval examples. By positing “Islam” as fundamentally premodern, this historiography sidesteps significant shared late antique genealogies of textual practices and mobilities across a vast early modern region that traverses modern continental/civilizational configurations. In lieu of the prevalent comparative mode, which juxtaposes civilizational blocs and then selectively contrasts specific archival institutions and practices, we suggest concentrating on intersections and circulations of documents and practices across ethnolinguistic, territorial, and juridical boundaries. Drawing on examples from our research in Ottoman diplomatic archives, we challenge scholars of early modern archivality to move beyond fixed notions of “European,” and “non-European,” “centralized” and “decentralized” archives, and “original” and “copy,” as primary indices of comparison, and attend to the social life of documents and their mutability through circulation.
ASYMMETRIC JURISDICTION CLAUSES AND THE ANOMALY CREATED BY ARTICLE 31(2) OF THE BRUSSELS I RECAST REGULATION
Authors: Marshall Brooke
Published: April 2022

The English Court of Appeal and GermanBundesgerichtshofrecently decided that Article 31(2) of the Brussels I Recast Regulation applies to asymmetric jurisdiction clauses. This article contends that while this conclusion is sound, separating the ‘clause’ into two ‘agreements’ to reach it is not. This disaggregation prevents a solution to the anomaly that Article 31(2) creates for asymmetric clauses, where a lender sues under its option and the borrower subsequently sues in the anchor court. This article proposes a solution, based on a uniform characterisation of the clause as a whole, which protects the lender's option and mitigates the risk of parallel proceedings.
Penalizing Atrocities
Authors: Kydd Andrew H.
Published: April 2022

The Syrian Civil War that began in 2011 killed more than 400,000 civilians. Could a limited intervention motivated by humanitarian concerns have reduced the death toll at an acceptable cost to the intervenors? I distinguish between two approaches to intervention:penalizing atrocities, by raising the cost and lowering the benefit of killing civilians; andfostering a balance of power, to convince the two sides that they cannot win on the battlefield and so must negotiate an end to the war. I show, using a game-theoretic model, that fostering a balance of power causes the government to commit more atrocities and prolongs the war. Penalizing atrocities, while it increases the likelihood of war, can reduce the expected level of atrocities. The model helps account for the failure of US efforts to promote negotiations by aiding Syrian rebels, and the success of efforts to deter Syrian chemical weapons use through threats and limited strikes.
The role of precedent in the jurisprudence of the International Court of Justice: A constructive interpretation
Authors: Devaney James Gerard
Published: April 2022

In cases that come before the International Court of Justice (‘the ICJ’, or ‘the Court’), its own jurisprudence looms large. This is despite the fact that no rule of stare decisis operates before the ICJ. The juxtaposition of the facts expressed in these two statements has generated significant doctrinal and theoretical debate. In this article I propose a novel theoretical framework for understanding the role that precedent has traditionally played in proceedings before the Court, and that which it should play in the future.

This theoretical framework rests upon a constructive interpretation of the doctrine of stare decisis. I examine the historical institutional practice of the Court in order to determine the range of possible versions of the doctrine which, in Dworkin’s words, ‘fit’ this practice. Noting that there is more than one potential version of stare decisis which fits the Court’s practice, I next consider which is justified as the version which best reflects the value of this doctrine. Having shown that the value that stare decisis strives to achieve is contextual justice, I argue that only a weak version of horizontal stare decisis can justify this doctrine. My ultimate claim is that the Court’s principal concern when considering whether to follow or depart from its own jurisprudence should be that of achieving justice in the context of that particular case, and not merely ensuring consistency, predictability or efficiency.
Never Just Save the Few
Authors: Sung Leora Urim
Published: April 2022

Most people have the intuition that, when we can save the lives of either a few people in one group or many people in another group, and all other things are equal, we ought to save the group with the most people. However, several philosophers have argued against this intuition, most famously John Taurek, in his article ‘Should the Numbers Count?’ They argue that there is no moral obligation to save the greater number, and that we are permitted to save either the many or the few. I argue in this article that, even if we are almost completely persuaded by these ‘numbers sceptics’, we ought not to just save the few. If the choice is simply between saving the many or the few, we ought to save the many.
THE ECONOMICS OF BERNARD LONERGAN: CONTEXT, MODELING, AND ASSESSMENT
Authors: Oslington Paul
Published: April 2022

Bernard Lonergan S.J. (1904–1984) is unusual among major theologians in engaging deeply with economic theory. In the 1940s he developed his own dynamic multisectoral macroeconomic model, informed by readings of Adam Smith, Karl Marx, John Maynard Keynes, Friedrich Hayek, Joseph Schumpeter, and later Michal Kalecki. Lonergan’s economic research is little known because the economic manuscripts were not published in his lifetime and his interactions with professional economists were limited. In the 1970s, however, when he returned to economics he engaged with post-Keynesians and taught a graduate course on macroeconomics at Boston College until illness overtook him. This paper places Lonergan’s economic research in the context of his overall intellectual project, outlines his macroeconomic model and associated theory of the business cycle, then evaluates his contribution in relation to mid-twentieth-century macroeconomics and considers whether it has anything to offer contemporary economists. Whatever view we take of his theoretical contributions, Lonergan’s work opens up connections between economics and theology.
Roadmap for large-scale implementation of point-of-care testing in primary care in Central and Eastern European countries: the Hungarian experience
Authors: Dózsa Csaba , Horváth Krisztián , Cserni István , Cseh Borbála
Published: April 2022

Objective:

The aim of this study is to give a broad overview of the international best practices regarding the implementation of point-of-care testing (POCT) in primary care (PC) setting and to highlight the facilitators and barriers for widespread national uptake. The study focuses on the managerial and organizational side of POCT, offering a roadmap for implementation as well as highlighting the most important requirements needed to unlock the clinical and economical potential of POCT in the Hungarian healthcare system.

Methods:

We conducted an English language scoping literature review between January 2012 and June 2021 to assess the recent trends of POCT implementation in developed countries. Our research focuses on the recent publications of several European and Anglo-Saxon countries where POCT utilization is common. In parallel, we reviewed the Hungarian regulatory framework, ongoing governmental legislation, and strategies influencing the POCT dissemination in the Hungarian PC sector.

Results:

Among the possible POCT usage in PC, we identified several clinically relevant devices and tests (C-reactive protein, urine, blood glucose, D-dimer, prothrombin time) important in screening and early detection of morbidities representing high disease burden. Based on international literature, general practitioners (GPs) are interested in the shortened diagnostic times, portable devices, and better doctor–patient relations made possible by POCT. There are several concerns, however, regarding initial and operational costs and reimbursement, limited scientific evidence about quality and safety, unclear regulations on quality validation of tests, as well as managerial aspects like PC staff training and IT integration at the GP level.

Conclusion:

As our review highlights, there is considerable interest among GPs to implement POCT as it has the potential to improve quality of care; however, there are many obstacles to overcome before widespread uptake. Further investigation is recommended to elaborate management and quality insurance background and to develop appropriate regulatory framework and financial scheme for GP practices. Preferably this work should involve the local practicing GPs to better tailor the implementation roadmap to country-specific details.
Kenntnisse und Sichtweisen der Bevölkerung zu Leistungen bei Pflegebedarf
Authors: Schaal Tom , Schneiderat Götz , Rentzsch Katrin , Geithner Silke
Published: April 2022

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Wenn professionelle Unterstützung fehlt, erkennen pflegende Angehörige selten eigene Überlastungssituationen und nehmen Unterstützungsleistungen bei Pflegebedürftigkeit daher unzureichend in Anspruch. Ziel: Die Studie untersucht die Versorgung von Menschen mit Pflegebedarf, den Kenntnisstand zu Entlastungsleistungen sowie Belastungsfaktoren bei der Übernahme pflegerischer Leistungen aus Sicht informell Pflegender und Nicht-Pflegender. Methode: Es wurde eine Querschnittstudie mittels standardisierter Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI) mit Personen ab dem 18. Lebensjahr in Sachsen durchgeführt. Deskriptive und bivariate Statistiken wurden berechnet. Ergebnisse: Die Versorgung durch einen ambulanten Pflegedienst oder durch pflegende Angehörige bewerteten von 601 Teilnehmenden 259 informell Pflegende gegenüber 342 Nicht-Pflegenden signifikant besser ( N = 601). Weiterhin hatten die informell Pflegenden und die Nicht-Pflegenden unterschiedliche Kenntnisse über den nächstgelegenen Ort der Pflegeberatung und über Ausgleichzahlungen der Rentenversicherung. Schlussfolgerungen: In einzelnen Bereichen der abgefragten Beratungsleistungen und Entlastungsmöglichkeiten hat sich das Antwortverhalten von pflegenden Angehörigen gegenüber den anderen Teilnehmenden signifikant unterschieden. Es kann von einem geringen Informationsvorsprung der pflegenden Angehörigen bei der Inanspruchnahme von Unterstützungsleistungen ausgegangen werden.
Belastungen durch Fernlehre und psychische Gesundheit von Studierenden während der COVID-19-Pandemie
Authors: Weiss Elisabeth M. , Kaufmann Liane , Ninaus Manuel , Canazei Markus
Published: April 2022

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Die COVID-bedingten Restriktionen einschließlich der Umstellung auf Fernlehre führten bei Studierenden zu schlechteren akademischen Leistungen. Ziel der vorliegenden Untersuchung war die systematische Erfassung von pandemiebedingten Belastungsreaktionen bei Studierenden. Methoden: Insgesamt nahmen 187 Psychologiestudierende (davon 71% weiblich) an der Untersuchung teil. Die verwendeten Fragebogen erfassten psychische Reaktionen auf die COVID-19-Pandemie, subjektives Stresserleben, depressive Symptomatik, Sorgentendenz, soziale Unterstützung sowie studiumsbezogene Belastungen während der Fernlehre. Ergebnisse: Das subjektive Stresserleben, die Sorgentendenz und die depressive Symptomatik korrelierten (a) signifikant positiv mit dem Ausmaß der pandemiebedingten Belastungswerte und (b) signifikant negativ mit dem Ausmaß der sozialen Unterstützung. Im Vergleich zu männlichen Studierenden berichten weibliche Studierende fast durchwegs signifikant höhere Belastungswerte. Diskussion: Das Ausmaß von pandemiebedingten Belastungsreaktionen bei Studierenden ist hoch, wobei weibliche Studierende insgesamt höhere Werte berichten. Als protektiver Faktor erwies sich das Ausmaß der erlebten sozialen Unterstützung. Die Ergebnisse werden in Hinblick auf didaktische und therapeutische Implikationen diskutiert.
Statistical Comparison of Electron Loss and Enhancement in the Outer Radiation Belt During Storms
Authors: Walton S. D. , Forsyth C. , Rae I. J. , Meredith N. P. , Sandhu J. K. , Walach M.‐T. , Murphy K. R.
Published: April 2022

The near‐relativistic electron population in the outer Van Allen radiation belt is highly dynamic and strongly coupled to geomagnetic activity such as storms and substorms, which are driven by the interaction of the magnetosphere with the solar wind. The energy, content, and spatial extent of electrons in the outer radiation belt can vary on timescales of hours to days, dictated by the continuously evolving influence of acceleration and loss processes. While net changes in the electron population are directly observable, the relative influence of different processes is far from fully understood. Using a continuous 12 year data set from the Proton Electron Telescope on board the Solar Anomalous Magnetospheric Particle Explorer, we statistically compare the relative variations of trapped electrons to those in the bounce loss cone (BLC). Our results show that there is a proportional increase in flux entering the BLC outside the plasmapause during storm main phase and early recovery phase. Loss enhancement is sustained on the dawnside throughout the recovery phase while loss on the duskside is enhanced around minimum Sym‐H and quickly diminishes. Spatial variations are also examined in relation to geomagnetic activity, making comparisons to possible causal wave modes such as whistler‐mode chorus and plasmaspheric hiss.
Nutrient Limitations Lead to a Reduced Magnitude of Disequilibrium in the Global Terrestrial Carbon Cycle
Authors: Wei Ning , Xia Jianyang , Wang Ying‐Ping , Zhang Xuanze , Zhou Jian , Bian Chenyu , Luo Yiqi
Published: April 2022

The terrestrial carbon (C) cycle is shifting to a state of dynamic disequilibrium under a rapid global climate change. However, the magnitude of such disequilibrium is inherently hard to measure directly. Abundant studies have revealed that the availability of nutrients, particularly nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), constrains ecosystem productivity and carbon stocks across the globe. However, whether and how nutrient limitation affects the disequilibrium magnitude of the terrestrial C cycle (Xp) has never been evaluated. Here, we developed an approach by combining a process‐based numerical model and an analytical framework to evaluate the role of nutrient limitation on Xp. We found that nutrient limitation did have significant impacts on the Xp. Over the modeled period of 1901–2013, absolute change in Xp was 497.6 PgC under the C‐only run, while it decreased to 155.6 and 124.3 PgC under N and NP limitations, respectively. To understand the underlying reasons, we further disaggregated the changes of Xp into changes in steady‐state C storage and transit C storage with the former being decomposed into a productivity‐driven change, an ecosystem‐C‐residence‐time‐driven (τE‐driven) change, and a change induced by productivity‐τE interactions. We found that nutrient constrained the increase in Xp primarily by dampening the productivity‐driven changes in the steady‐state C storage. Reductions in the productivity‐driven term under N and NP limitations accounted for 94.7% and 94.9%, respectively, of the reductions in the steady‐state C storage. These results indicate that nutrient limitations have profound impacts on future climate‐biosphere feedback by reducing the disequilibrium magnitude of the terrestrial C cycle.
Hydrodynamic metasurface for programming electromagnetic beam scanning on the Azimuth and elevation planes
Authors: Naqvi Aqeel Hussain , Lim Sungjoon
Published: April 2022

The development of multifunctional and reconfigurable metasurfaces capable of manipulating electromagnetic waves has created new opportunities for various exciting applications. Extensive efforts have been applied to exploiting active metasurfaces with properties that can be controlled by externally controlling active components. However, previous approaches have poor switch isolation, power handling limitations due to nonlinear effects, and complex biasing networks. Therefore, dynamically tunable metasurfaces have become a burgeoning field in many research areas. This paper reports a hydrodynamic metasurface (HMS) that can be programmed to realize electromagnetic beam scanning on the azimuth and elevation planes. The proposed HMS platform incorporates four micropumps, each controlling four metasurface elements via microfluidic channels, built into the HMS base. The proposed platform regulates microfluidic flow through micropumps, causing irregularities in incident wave transmission phase. An HMS was built as a proof of concept, and far-field scanning experiments were performed. Numerical and experimental results verify the feasibility of electromagnetic beam scanning using a hydrodynamic metasurface. This work advances metasurface research, with very high potential for wide-ranging application and a promising route for replacing bulky cascading active components.
A nanoforest-based humidity sensor for respiration monitoring
Authors: Chen Guidong , Guan Ruofei , Shi Meng , Dai Xin , Li Hongbo , Zhou Na , Chen Dapeng , Mao Haiyang
Published: April 2022

Traditional humidity sensors for respiration monitoring applications have faced technical challenges, including low sensitivity, long recovery times, high parasitic capacitance and uncalibrated temperature drift. To overcome these problems, we present a triple-layer humidity sensor that comprises a nanoforest-based sensing capacitor, a thermistor, a microheater and a reference capacitor. When compared with traditional polyimide-based humidity sensors, this novel device has a sensitivity that is improved significantly by 8 times within a relative humidity range of 40–90%. Additionally, the integration of the microheater into the sensor can help to reduce its recovery time to 5 s. The use of the reference capacitor helps to eliminate parasitic capacitance, and the thermistor helps the sensor obtain a higher accuracy. These unique design aspects cause the sensor to have an excellent humidity sensing performance in respiration monitoring applications. Furthermore, through the adoption of machine learning algorithms, the sensor can distinguish different respiration states with an accuracy of 94%. Therefore, this humidity sensor design is expected to be used widely in both consumer electronics and intelligent medical instrument applications.
Behaviour change intervention for smokeless tobacco (ST) cessation delivered through dentists within a dental setting: a feasibility study protocol
Authors: Rasool Shaista , Holliday Richard , Khan Zohaib , Dobbie Fiona , Bauld Linda
Published: April 2022

Objectives/Aim

To adapt a structured behavioural support intervention for smokeless tobacco (ST) cessation and to assess the feasibility and acceptability of delivering the intervention via dentists within dental settings in Pakistan.

Material and methods

The study will have 3 phases: (1) Adapt a previously developed intervention to make it suitable for delivery in a clinical/dental setting through qualitative interviews with dental patients and dentists; (2) A multi-centre, pilot randomised control trial in two teaching dental hospitals in Pakistan. Participants (dental patients) will be randomly assigned to intervention or control group in a 1:1 allocation ratio to receive either a structured behavioural support intervention involving face to face counselling or self-help material plus usual care. Each participant will be in the study for approximately 6 months and the overall study is expected to run for 12 months; (3) An embedded qualitative process evaluation. All trial participants will be followed up at 3 and 6 months to assess self-reported ST use. Outcome measures will include: rates of eligibility, recruitment and retention, randomisation group cross-over rates, the provision of data on ST use behaviour, fidelity to the intervention and qualitative assessment of acceptability and feasibility.

Discussion

Despite the high use of ST in Pakistan, users are offered negligible cessation support. The findings of this multi-centre, mixed-method feasibility study will inform the scope for a larger trial on ST cessation delivered through the existing dental health system.
Regorafenib inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition and suppresses cholangiocarcinoma metastasis via YAP1-AREG axis
Authors: Chang Yu-Chan , Li Chien-Hsiu , Chan Ming-Hsien , Chen Ming-Huang , Yeh Chun-Nan , Hsiao Michael
Published: April 2022

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a subtype of bile duct cancer usually diagnosed late with a low survival rate and no satisfactorily systemic treatment. Recently, regorafenib has been accepted as a second-line treatment for CCA patients. In this study, we investigated the potential signal transduction pathways mediated by regorafenib. We established a transcriptomic database for regorafenib-treated CCA cells using expression microarray chips. Our data indicate that regorafenib inhibits yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) activity in various CCA cells. In addition, we demonstrated that YAP1 regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes, including E-cadherin and SNAI2. We further examined YAP1 activity, phosphorylation status, and expression levels of YAP1 downstream target genes in the regorafenib model. We found that regorafenib dramatically suppressed these events in CCA cells. Moreover, in vivo results revealed that regorafenib could significantly inhibit lung foci formation and tumorigenicity. Most importantly, regorafenib and amphiregulin (AREG) neutralize antibody exhibited synergistic effects against CCA cells. In a clinical setting, patients with high YAP1 and EMT expression had a worse survival rate than patients with low YAP1, and EMT expression did. In addition, we found that YAP1 upregulated the downstream target amphiregulin in CCA. Our findings suggest that AREG neutralizing antibody antibodies combined with regorafenib can reverse the CCA metastatic phenotype and EMT in vitro and in vivo. These findings provide novel therapeutic strategies to combat the metastasis of CCA.
Novel sarbecovirus bispecific neutralizing antibodies with exceptional breadth and potency against currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants and sarbecoviruses
Authors: Wang Yingdan , Liu Meiqin , Shen Yaping , Ma Yunping , Li Xiang , Zhang Yuanyuan , Liu Mei , Yang Xing-Lou , Chen Jun , Yan Renhong , Luan Die , Wang Yanqun , Chen Ying , Wang Qimin , Lin Haofeng , Li Yaning , Wu Kaiyue , Zhu Tongyu , Zhao Jincun , Lu Hongzhou , Wen Yumei , Jiang Shibo , Wu Fan , Zhou Qiang , Shi Zheng-Li , Huang Jinghe
Published: April 2022

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern, including Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), Delta (B.1.617.2), and Omicron (B.1.1.529) has aroused concerns over their increased infectivity and transmissibility, as well as decreased sensitivity to SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) and the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines. Such exigencies call for the development of pan-sarbecovirus vaccines or inhibitors to combat the circulating SARS-CoV-2 NAb-escape variants and other sarbecoviruses. In this study, we isolated a broadly NAb against sarbecoviruses named GW01 from a donor who recovered from COVID-19. Cryo-EM structure and competition assay revealed that GW01 targets a highly conserved epitope in a wide spectrum of different sarbecoviruses. However, we found that GW01, the well-known sarbecovirus NAb S309, and the potent SARS-CoV-2 NAbs CC12.1 and REGN10989 only neutralize about 90% of the 56 tested currently circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2 including Omicron. Therefore, to improve efficacy, we engineered an IgG-like bispecific antibody GW01-REGN10989 (G9) consisting of single-chain antibody fragments (scFv) of GW01 and REGN10989. We found that G9 could neutralize 100% of NAb-escape mutants (23 out of 23), including Omicron variant, with a geometric mean (GM) 50% inhibitory concentration of 8.8 ng/mL. G9 showed prophylactic and therapeutic effects against SARS-CoV-2 infection of both the lung and brain in hACE2-transgenic mice. Site-directed mutagenesis analyses revealed that GW01 and REGN10989 bind to the receptor-binding domain in different epitopes and from different directions. Since G9 targets the epitopes for both GW01 and REGN10989, it was effective against variants with resistance to GW01 or REGN10989 alone and other NAb-escape variants. Therefore, this novel bispecific antibody, G9, is a strong candidate for the treatment and prevention of infection by SARS-CoV-2, NAb-escape variants, and other sarbecoviruses that may cause future emerging or re-emerging coronavirus diseases.
Niche expansion and adaptive divergence in the global radiation of crows and ravens
Authors: Garcia-Porta Joan , Sol Daniel , Pennell Matt , Sayol Ferran , Kaliontzopoulou Antigoni , Botero Carlos A.
Published: April 2022

The processes that allow some lineages to diversify rapidly at a global scale remain poorly understood. Although earlier studies emphasized the importance of dispersal, global expansions expose populations to novel environments and may also require adaptation and diversification across new niches. In this study, we investigated the contributions of these processes to the global radiation of crows and ravens (genusCorvus). Combining a new phylogeny with comprehensive phenotypic and climatic data, we show thatCorvusexperienced a massive expansion of the climatic niche that was coupled with a substantial increase in the rates of species and phenotypic diversification. The initiation of these processes coincided with the evolution of traits that promoted dispersal and niche expansion. Our findings suggest that rapid global radiations may be better understood as processes in which high dispersal abilities synergise with traits that, like cognition, facilitate persistence in new environments.
Toward azo-linked covalent organic frameworks by developing linkage chemistry via linker exchange
Authors: Zhou Zhi-Bei , Tian Peng-Ju , Yao Jin , Lu Ya , Qi Qiao-Yan , Zhao Xin
Published: April 2022

Exploring new linkage chemistry for covalent organic frameworks (COFs) provides a strong driving force to promote the development of this emerging class of crystalline porous organic materials. Herein we report a strategy to synthesize COFs with azo linkage, one of the most important functional unit in materials science but having not yet been exploited as a linkage of COFs. This strategy is developed on the basis of in situ linker exchange, by which imine-linked COFs are completely transformed into azo-linked COFs (Azo-COFs). Moreover, distinct properties of Azo-COFs from their corresponding imine-linked precursors are observed, indicating unique property of Azo-COFs. This strategy provides a useful approach to develop new linkage chemistry for COFs. It also has established a synthetic method for azo-linked COFs, which not only enriches the family of COFs but also offers a platform to explore properties and applications of this class of crystalline porous conjugated polymers.
Lateral growth of cylinders
Authors: Sun Hui , Chen Shuai , Li Xiao , Leng Ying , Zhou Xiaoyan , Du Jianzhong
Published: April 2022

The precise control of the shape, size and microstructure of nanomaterials is of high interest in chemistry and material sciences. However, living lateral growth of cylinders is still very challenging. Herein, we propose a crystallization-driven fusion-induced particle assembly (CD-FIPA) strategy to prepare cylinders with growing diameters by the controlled fusion of spherical micelles self-assembled from an amphiphilic homopolymer. The spherical micelles are heated upon glass transition temperature (Tg) to break the metastable state to induce the aggregation and fusion of the amorphous micelles to form crystalline cylinders. With the addition of extra spherical micelles, these micelles can attach onto and fuse with the cylinders, showing the living character of the lateral growth of cylinders. Computer simulations and mathematical calculations are preformed to reveal the total energy changes of the nanostructures during the self-assembly and CD-FIPA process. Overall, we demonstrated a CD-FIPA concept for preparing cylinders with growing diameters.