bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of lipid metabolism disorder on patients with hyperuricemia using Multi-Omics analysis
Authors: Ma Lili , Wang Jing , Ma Li , Ge Yan , Wang Xian Min
Published: October 2023

A multiomics study was conducted to investigate how lipid metabolism disorders affect the immune system in Xinjiang patients with hyperuricemia. The serum of 60 healthy individuals and 60 patients with hyperuricemia was collected. This study used LC–MS and HPLC to analyze differential lipid metabolites and enrichment pathways. It measured levels of immune factors tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT1), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), glucose (Glu), lactic acid (LD), interleukin 10 (IL-10), and selenoprotein 1 (SEP1) using ELISA, as well as to confirm dysregulation of lipid metabolism in hyperuricemia. 33 differential lipid metabolites were significantly upregulated in patients with hyperuricemia. These lipid metabolites were involved in arachidonic acid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)—anchor biosynthesis, and alpha-Linolenic acid metabolism pathways. Moreover, IL-10, CPT1, IL-6, SEP1, TGF-β1, Glu, TNF-α, and LD were associated with glycerophospholipid metabolism. In patients with hyperuricemia of Han and Uyghur nationalities, along with healthy individuals, significant differences in CPT1, TGF-β1, Glu, and LD were demonstrated by ELISA (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the levels of SEP1, IL-6, TGF-β1, Glu, and LD differed considerably between groups of the same ethnicity (P < 0.05). It was found that 33 kinds of lipid metabolites were significantly different in patients with hyperuricemia, which mainly involved 5 metabolic pathways. According to the results of further studies, it is speculated that CPT1, TGF-β1, SEP1, IL-6, Glu and LD may increase fatty acid oxidation and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in patients through glycerophospholipid pathway, reduce the rate of glycolysis, and other pathways to change metabolic patterns, promote different cellular functions, and thus affect the disease progression in patients with hyperuricemia.
Structural insights for selective disruption of Beclin 1 binding to Bcl-2
Authors: Pan Yun-Zu , Liang Qiren , Tomchick Diana R. , De Brabander Jef K. , Rizo Josep
Published: October 2023

Stimulation of autophagy could provide powerful therapies for multiple diseases, including cancer and neurodegeneration. An attractive drug target for this purpose is Bcl-2, which inhibits autophagy by binding to the Beclin 1 BH3-domain. However, compounds that preclude Beclin 1/Bcl-2 binding might also induce apoptosis, which is inhibited by binding of Bcl-2 to BH3-domains of pro-apoptosis factors such as Bax. Here we describe the NMR structure of Bcl-2 bound to 35, a compound that we recently found to inhibit Beclin 1/Bcl-2 binding more potently than Bax/Bcl-2 binding. The structure shows that 35 binds at one end of the BH3-binding groove of Bcl-2. Interestingly, much of the 35-binding site is not involved in binding to Bcl-2 inhibitors described previously and mediates binding to Beclin 1 but not Bax. The structure suggests potential avenues to design compounds that disrupt Beclin 1/Bcl-2 binding and stimulate autophagy without inducing apoptosis.
Colorimetric sweat analysis using wearable hydrogel patch sensors for detection of chloride and glucose
Authors: Li Tuqiang , Chen Xiaofeng , Fu Ying , Liao Caizhi
Published: October 2023

Portable hydrogel-based wearable patch sensors were facilely prepared for colorimetric, real-time, rapid sweat analysis.
Studies on the selectivity of the SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease reveal the importance of the P2′ proline of the viral polyprotein
Authors: Chan H. T. Henry , Brewitz Lennart , Lukacik Petra , Strain-Damerell Claire , Walsh Martin A. , Schofield Christopher J. , Duarte Fernanda
Published: October 2023

Computational modeling of how SARS-CoV-2 PLpro binds viral polyprotein-derived oligopeptide substrates reveals that a proline located at the P2′ position promotes catalysis, validated by residue substitutions and mass spectrometry-based analyses.
Highly efficient rare-earth free vanadate phosphors for WLEDs
Authors: Liu Zhaojiang , Dong Yujuan , Fu Man , Wang Chuang
Published: October 2023

The performance of CMV phosphors is improved after replacing V with Ta.
Energy transfer in metal-exchange binuclear complexes covalently linked by asymmetric ligands
Authors: Dai Weijun , Yu Shiwen , Xu Wen , Kong Ci , Liu Zining , Yin Hongju , He Chixian , Liu Jian-Jun , Cheng Feixiang
Published: October 2023

The asymmetric heterometallic C5 polymer presents photo-induced intramolecular energy transfer from the high energy Ru-based 3MLCT state to the low energy Os-based unit.
Natural cationic polymer-derived injectable hydrogels for targeted chemotherapy
Authors: Das Sabya Sachi , Sharma Devanshi , Rao Balaga Venkata Krishna , Arora Mandeep Kumar , Ruokolainen Janne , Dhanka Mukesh , Singh Hemant , Kesari Kavindra Kumar
Published: October 2023

Injectable hydrogels have the potential to revolutionize therapeutics.
Rheological study of Hall current and slip boundary conditions on fluid–nanoparticle phases in a convergent channel
Authors: Nazeer Mubbashar , Khan M. Ijaz , Abdullaev Sherzod , Awwad Fuad A. , Ismail Emad A. A.
Published: October 2023

The purpose of this theoretical study was to analyze the heat transfer in the fluid–particle suspension model under the effects of a porous medium, magnetic field, Hall effects, and slip boundary conditions in a convergent channel with the addition of electrokinetic phenomena.
Catalytic dehydration of glycerol over Cu–Fe–Al-based oxides: understanding changes in active sites throughout the reaction
Authors: Barbosa Felipe Fernandes , Tavares João Edson , Albuquerque Anderson dos Reis , Morales Torres Marco Antonio , Rodríguez-Castellón Enrique , Pergher Sibele B. C. , Braga Tiago Pinheiro
Published: October 2023

The glycerol conversion into acetol using Fe, Al and Cu-based oxides was investigated.
Polyether-based waterborne synergists: effect of polymer topologies on pigment dispersion
Authors: Kang Hansol , Kim Si Eun , Park Young Il , Kim Jin Chul , Jeong Ji-Eun , Jung Hyocheol , Lee Hyosun , Hwang Sung Yeon , Cheong In Woo , Lee Sang-Ho , Seo Eunyong
Published: October 2023

In this study, we studied the effect of polymer topologies on pigment dispersion. This study suggests the widespread potential application of the topology-controlled polyglycidol based water-borne synergists for various dispersion applications.
The semisynthesis of nucleolar human selenoprotein H
Authors: Dardashti Rebecca Notis , Laps Shay , Gichtin Jacob S. , Metanis Norman
Published: October 2023

The human selenoprotein H is the only selenocysteine-containing protein that is located in the cell's nucleolus.
Mechanistic understanding of 3d-metal phthalocyanine catalysts: heterostructure regulation of dz2 orbitals for efficient CO2 reduction
Authors: Xiao Jiayong , Masana Jofrey J. , Dong Hao , Zhang Hui , Yang Haolan , Qiu Ming , Yu Ying
Published: October 2023

The heterostructure strategy modulates the dz2 orbital of central active sites effectively and thus promotes the performance of electrocatalytic CO2 reduction of the 3d-TMPc molecular catalyst.
On the mechanism to suppress dark current via blending with an all-inorganic perovskite precursor in colloidal quantum dot photodetectors
Authors: Wu Ying , Yang Shengyi , Sun Feiyang , Liu Xiaoxuan , Zhang Zhenheng , Tang Yi , Jiang Yurong , Zou Bingsuo
Published: October 2023

The heightened injection barrier for charge carriers after blending PbS CQDs with CsPbBr3 plays the dominant role in suppressing the dark current.
Electrical conductivity and DFT investigations of a 2D CuI-TCNQII− framework
Authors: Sutton Ashley L. , Abrahams Brendan F. , Commons Christopher J. , Dharma A. David , Goerigk Lars , Hardin Simon G. , Hudson Timothy A. , Robson Richard
Published: October 2023

A stacked 2D Cu(i) coordination polymer displays electrical conductivity with DFT calculations revealing a band structure comprised of donor TCNQII− and acceptor 2,5-dimethylpyrazine p-orbitals.
Subambient passive radiative cooling effects of barium sulfate and calcium carbonate paints under Malaysia's tropical climate
Authors: Joseph William Raphael , Tan Jun Yeang , Koyande Apurav Krishna , Khoiroh Ianatul , Joynson Jerry , Willis Steve
Published: October 2023

Global cooling requirements are increasing at an unprecedented rate due to rapid urbanization and population growth, further aggravating climate concerns.
An Approach to Increase Power‐Added Efficiency in a 5 GHz Class E Power Amplifier in 0.18 µm CMOS Technology
Authors: Jobaneh Hemad Heidari
Published: October 2023

A new approach to increasing the power‐added efficiency (PAE) of a class E power amplifier (PA) is proposed in this paper. The PA operates at a 5 GHz frequency and a reactance compensation technique is utilized to maximize the bandwidth at the operating frequency. The driver stage creates either a half‐wave rectified sine wave or a half‐wave rectified sawtooth wave. By applying each one of the waves, the performance of the PA is examined and PAE = 70% and PAE = 50% is achieved. Plus, the output power of the PA is about 26 dBm when the DC voltage supply is 1.8 V. Advanced design system and TSMC 0.18 µm CMOS process are utilized to carry on the simulation.
Generative Target Tracking Method with Improved Generative Adversarial Network
Authors: Yang Yongping , Chen Hongshun
Published: October 2023

Multitarget tracking is prone to target loss, identity exchange, and jumping problems in the context of complex background, target occlusion, target scale, and pose transformation. In this paper, we proposed a target tracking algorithm based on the conditional adversarial generative twin networks, using the improved you only look once multitarget association algorithm to classify and detect the position of the target to be detected in the current frame, constructing a feature extraction model using generative adversarial networks (GANs) to learn the main features and subtle features of the target, and then using GANs to generate the motion trajectories of multiple targets, finally fuzing the motion and appearance information of the target to obtain the optimal match. The optimal matching of the tracked targets is obtained. The experimental results under OTB2015 and IVOT2018 datasets demonstrate that the proposed multitarget tracking algorithm has high accuracy and robustness, with 65% less jumps and 0.25% more accuracy than the current algorithms with minimal identity exchange and jumps.
The current state of disk wind observations in BHLMXBs through X-ray absorption lines in the iron band
Authors: Parra M. , Petrucci P.-O. , Bianchi S. , Gianolli V. E. , Ursini F. , Ponti G.
Published: October 2023

The presence of blueshifted absorption lines in the X-ray spectra of black hole low-mass X-ray binaries is the telltale mark of massive outflows called winds. These signatures are found almost exclusively in soft states of high-inclined systems, hinting at equatorial ejections originating from the accretion disk and deeply intertwined with the evolution of the outburst patterns displayed by these systems. In the wake of the launch of the new generation of X-ray spectrometers, studies of wind signatures remain mostly restricted to single sources and outbursts, with some of the recent detections departing from the commonly expected behaviors. We thus give an update to the current state of iron band absorption line detections through the analysis of all publicly available XMM-Newton-pn and Chandra-HETG exposures of known black hole low-mass X-ray binary candidates. Our results agree with previous studies, as our wind detections are exclusively found in dipping, high-inclined sources and almost exclusively in bright (LX > 0.01LEdd) soft (HR < 0.8) states with blueshift values generally restricted to a few 100 km s−1. The line parameters indicate similar properties between objects and outbursts of single sources, and despite more than 20 yr of data, very few sources have the HID sampling necessary to properly study the evolution of the wind during a single outburst. We provide an online tool with details of the wind signatures and outburst evolution data for all sources in our sample.
Impacts des espaces verts sur la répartition des températures de l’air pendant la saison chaude dans l’agglomération de Sfax (centre-est de la Tunisie)
Authors: Ghribi Marwen , Dahech Salem
Published: October 2023

La présente étude montre l’impact de la végétation sur les températures en général et le confort thermique en ville. La présence de la végétation dans les secteurs périurbains accélère le refroidissement nocturne et explique en partie les écarts thermiques significatifs de l’ordre de 5,5°C calculés entre le centre-ville et la campagne environnante notamment après minuit (îlot de chaleur urbain - ICU). Des chutes de températures sont souvent enregistrées en passant à côté des espaces verts dans l’agglomération de Sfax. En calculant l’indice de confort Heat Index dans la partie centrale de l’agglomération de Sfax, un écart de 4°C est mesuré entre les alentours du parc Taparura et les endroits densément construits du centre-ville. Au niveau des températures de l’air, une différence d’environ 3°C est observée entre le périmètre du parc Taparura et les quartiers avoisinants, ce qui corrobore les constatations des mesures fixes indiquant une baisse des températures au niveau de ce parc par rapport au centre-ville et à la périphérie. Les méthodes et les résultats issus de ce travail sont reproductibles et permettent d’étudier l’effet de la végétation sur les températures en fonction de la taille des espaces verts et leur arrosage en milieu urbain, notamment en Méditerranée.
Vulnérabilité et îlot de chaleur urbain : les facteurs du risque thermique nocturne à Strasbourg
Authors: Kastendeuch Pierre , Massing Naïs , Schott Elsa , Philipps Nathalia , Lecomte Karen
Published: October 2023

L’objectif de cette étude est de proposer une carte du risque thermique nocturne en relation avec la vulnérabilité de la population face à l’îlot de chaleur dans l’Eurométropole de Strasbourg (EMS). Dans un premier temps, un indice a été mis au point pour traduire la vulnérabilité de la population urbaine face à la chaleur à travers l’influence de l’exposition, la sensibilité et l’adaptation. Ces trois facteurs ont été estimés pour chaque « Îlot Regroupé pour l’Information Statistique » (IRIS) de l’agglomération, grâce à une combinaison d’une dizaine de variables de substitution (proxy) issues des bases de données de l’INSEE et de l’EMS. Dans un second temps, une carte a été mise au point pour identifier l’intensité de l’îlot de chaleur urbain nocturne (ICU) pour chaque IRIS, en appliquant une méthode qui consiste à relier statistiquement l’intensité de l’ICU à des paramètres morphométriques. Enfin, dans un troisième temps, cette information thermique a été croisée avec l’indice de vulnérabilité pour obtenir le niveau du risque thermique nocturne.
Impact de la topographie et de la circulation atmosphérique sur l’îlot de chaleur urbain en situation de canicule (Dijon, France)
Authors: Crétat Julien , Richard Yves , Planchon Olivier , Emery Justin , Poupelin Melissa , Rega Mario , Pergaud Julien , Joly Daniel , Diallo-Dudek Julita , Roy Damien , Granjon Ludovic , Pohl Benjamin
Published: October 2023

Canicules et fortes chaleurs induisent un stress thermique potentiellement accru en milieu urbain. Nous examinons ici la combinaison de ces différents éléments à Dijon, à partir d’un réseau dense de stations avec des mesures horaires sur la période 2014-2021. Pour cela, nous mettons en œuvre une analyse (i) de la circulation atmosphérique synoptique et locale et (ii) des déterminants géophysiques (occupation du sol et topographie). Les cinq canicules détectées persistent 4 à 5 jours et sont associées à des situations de blocage atmosphérique de large échelle favorisant le développement d’inversions thermiques. Sur les 24 nuits étudiées : 60% sont caractérisées par un Îlot de Chaleur Urbain (ICU) excédant +3°C, une inversion thermique souvent supérieure à 0,5°C/100 m et un vent faible (<2 m/s); 30% par un ICU plafonnant à +2°C, un gradient adiabatique et un vent non négligeable (>2 m/s); 10% par un faible ICU, une faible inversion thermique et des conditions de vent variables. Des statistiques comparables sont obtenues par jours de fortes chaleurs (105 jours). Canicules et fortes chaleurs sont associées à deux structures contrastées en fonction des conditions de vent. Un vent non négligeable (>2 m/s) contribue à ventiler l’excès de chaleur de la ville et à limiter le contrôle de la topographie. En résultent des températures très homogènes sur l’ensemble de l’aire d’étude. Au contraire, un vent faible (<2 m/s) maximise le contrôle de l’occupation du sol et de la topographie sur la température de l’air. En résulte un excès de chaleur en ville. La plaine, à l’est, est relativement plus fraîche que le plateau à l’ouest, de même qu’un axe traversant l’agglomération le long du talweg et du cours d’eau (vallée de l’Ouche). Cet axe frais naturel limite l’ICU ou, a minima, favorise de relatifs Îlots de Fraîcheur Urbains nocturnes. Cette étude montre la pertinence de l’analyse combinée d’un réseau de mesures de la température de l’air, de la circulation atmosphérique et des descripteurs géophysiques pour mettre à jour les déterminants de la température de l’air et la spatialiser.
Eosinophilic esophagitis and duodenal food challenge – evaluation through endoscopic confocal laser endomicroscopy
Authors: Frieling Thomas , Gjini Besmir , Melchior Ilka , Hemmerlein Bernhard , Kiesslich Ralf , Kuhlbusch-Zicklam Rita
Published: October 2023

Background Endoscopic confocal laser endomicroscopy (eCLE) is an established technique that allows clinical evaluation of mucosal integrity by fluorescein leaking through the mucosa upon duodenal food challenge (DFC). Analysis of eCLE with DFC in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) would be interesting to evaluate epithelial barrier dysfunction also in other regions of the gastrointestinal tract and to characterize potential individual food allergens that trigger the esophageal inflammation.

Methods In an observational and proof of concept study we evaluated 9 patients with histologically proven EoE by eCLE and DFC. Severity of symptoms were graduated according to the validated symptom-based EoE activity index. The endoscopic appearance of the esophagus was described according to the Endoscopic Reference Score System (ERERS). Spontaneous and food induced transfer of fluorescein into duodenal lumen were detected 10 minutes following intravenously application of fluorescein and 10 minutes after DFC. Food allergens were yeast, egg, soy, milk, and wheat, respectively. Local application of sodium chloride solution 10 % to the duodenal mucosa before DFC served as a control. Patients responding to DFC received a dietary exclusion therapy according to the results of DFC.

Results We investigated 9 patients with EoE (8 men, 49.7±13.8, 36–76 years). Symptom-based EoE activity index was 79±27.4, 33–100. In all patients EoE was confirmed by histology with number of esophageal mucosal eosinophilic granulocytes > 15/HPF, (91.4±77.4, 42–263). Mean ERERS score was 4.5±1.3, 3–7. None of the patients was aware of any food intolerance. eCLE revealed one patient with spontaneous transfer of i. v. fluorescein into duodenal lumen before DFC (“leaky gut”). 40 DFC were performed in the remaining 8 patients of whom 5 patients (61 %) responded to DFC. Rank order of fluorescein leakage upon DFC was wheat and milk in 37.5 % each, soy in 25 %, and egg in 12.5 %. The patients were treated by PPI (n=9), esophageal bouginage (n=5) and/or local corticoid therapy (n=3). The 5 patients responding to DFC received an additional food exclusion dietary advice focussed on the results of DFC. All patients reported a reduction of their symptoms. EoE activity indexes of patients with positive DFC were 73.7+28.6, 33–100 before and 22.7+37.9, 0–79 four weeks after food exclusion.

Conclusion The findings of our proof of concept study suggest that eCLE with DFC may be an interesting tool to further evaluate patients with EoE. This technique has the potential to identify patients who may benefit from an additional individual dietary therapy.
Intraneural lipoma of the median nerve: a case report
Authors: Zyluk Andrzej
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Intraneural lipomas and lipofibromas (also called lipofibromatous hamartomas) are
rare, benign tumours occurring in peripheral nerves in the forearm and wrist. They
usually present as asymptomatic masses, but if they are large enough, they may cause
symptoms of compression neuropathy. Intraneural lipomas and lipofibromas differ with
regard to anatomy and clinical behaviour: the former tumour has a well-defined
capsule and most commonly occurs within the median nerve in the forearm and wrist.
It is diagnosed in the fourth and fifth decades of life and seen more frequently in
women. The latter (lipofibroma) has no capsule, is infiltrative in nature, is
composed of fatty and fibrous tissue and also most commonly seen in the median
nerve. It occurs in a younger age group with no sexual predominance. Due to these
differences, these lesions are managed differently 1
2.
Impfquoten der Pneumokokken-Impfung bei Personen mit impfrelevanten Grunderkrankungen und Personen ab 60 Jahren – Eine Analyse von Sekundärdaten der Gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung (GKV)
Authors: Mihm Sarah , Schelling Jörg , Wölle Regine , Suck Andreas , Häckl Dennis , Weinke Thomas , Böllinger Timo
Published: October 2023

Hintergrund Die Ständige Impfkommission (STIKO) empfiehlt neben einer Standardimpfung für Personen ab 60 Jahren auch eine Indikationsimpfung gegen Pneumokokken, u.a. für Personen mit einer chronischen impfrelevanten Grunderkrankung – unabhängig vom Alter. In Deutschland werden durch das Robert-Koch Institut (RKI) regelmäßig Impfquoten für diese Gruppen publiziert, jedoch nicht nach zugrunde liegender Krankheit stratifiziert. Die Studie untersucht daher den Impfschutz von Personen mit chronischen Grundkrankheiten stratifiziert nach Krankheitsgruppen und -entitäten, die Rate von Wiederholungsimpfungen in dieser Population sowie die Impfquoten bei Personen ab 60 Jahren.

Methoden Der deskriptiven retrospektiven Kohortenstudie über den Zeitraum von 2014 bis 2019 liegt eine hinsichtlich Alter und Geschlecht für die deutsche Bevölkerung repräsentative Stichprobe des Instituts für angewandte Gesundheitsforschung (InGef) von etwa 4 Mio. GKV-Versicherten ab 16 Jahren zugrunde.

Ergebnisse Hochgerechnet auf die GKV-Grundgesamtheit betrug die Pneumokokken-Impfquote bei Personen ab 60 Jahren insgesamt 45,9% (von n= InGef-Standard-Impfkohorte: 1 009 763). Von allen Patienten mit chronischen Grunderkrankungen ab 16 Jahren besaßen nur 17,1% einen Impfschutz (von n= InGef-Indikationsimpfkohorte: 1 379 680). Stratifiziert nach Krankheitsentitäten wiesen Versicherte mit einem zugrunde liegenden Lungenemphysem mit 39,0% die höchste Impfquote auf (von n= 28 121). Von den Versicherten, die eine indizierte Erstimpfung erhalten haben, ließen sich nach 6 Jahren nur 23,9% erneut impfen (von n= InGef-Wiederholungsimpfkohorte: 12 328). Über alle Impfkohorten hinweg nahmen die Impfquoten mit zunehmendem Alter zu.

Diskussion Die Empfehlungen der STIKO zur Pneumokokken-Impfung bei Risikopatienten werden in Deutschland nicht in ausreichendem Maße umgesetzt. Obwohl die STIKO eine ausdrückliche Empfehlung bereits für Patienten mit 60 Jahren ausspricht, wies die Altersgruppe der 60- bis 64- Jährigen eine auffällig niedrige Impfquote auf (13,0% von n = 268 862). Darüber hinaus erhielt nicht einmal jede 5. Person ab 16 Jahren mit einer chronischen Grunderkrankung die empfohlene Indikationsimpfung. Um potenziellen Erkrankungen angemessen vorzubeugen, sollten höhere Impfraten angestrebt werden. Dies könnte vermutlich erzielt werden durch ein stringenteres Impfmanagement, geeignete Softwarelösungen mit Impferinnerung, monetäre Anreize für das Erreichen höherer Impfquoten sowie die Dokumentation des Impfstatus im Rahmen von Disease-Management-Programmen.
Knowledge and sources of information on COVID-19 among children in Ghana
Authors: Kyei-Gyamfi Sylvester , Kyei-Gyamfi Zita
Published: October 2023

The few works on COVID-19 in Ghana have a strong emphasis on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of adults regarding the disease. As a supplement to the inadequate knowledge, this study examined children’s knowledge and sources of information regarding COVID-19. It was a cross-sectional study that employed mixed research methods for data collection and analysis. The study utilized remote research methods, including a web survey and phone interviews, for data collection from a sample of 385 children in two COVID-19 hotspot cities, Accra and Tema, in Ghana. The results show that almost all children sampled were aware of COVID-19. The qualitative aspects, however, reveal that some children do not have accurate knowledge about the causes and prevention of the virus and disease. This is evident from some children’s claims that bacteria, mosquitoes, and insect bites are the causes of the transmission of the virus and disease. The study reveals the internet, social media, and television are the most common methods for children to learn about COVID-19. The findings also show differences in the information sources across the major subgroups of sex, age, and educational attainment. The study further concludes that precautions should be taken by parents and carers regarding information consumed by children on social media. Hence, there is a need for the government and its partners to increase educational drives aimed at strengthening children’s knowledge about the transmission and prevention of the virus in educational institutions and in settings where children and young people are the dominant groups.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: The unified theory of acceptance and use of DingTalk for educational purposes in China: an extended structural equation model
Authors: Hou Yukun , Yu Zhonggen
Published: October 2023

With educational technology growing by leaps and bounds, synchronous online learning platforms have become a prevalent practice worldwide. Although numerous studies unraveled the behavioral intention of educational technologies with statistical methodology, there is a paucity of that of DingTalk, one of China’s most popular online platforms for synchronous learning. This study aimed to extend the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) by incorporating new constructs and examining the factors that affect users’ behavioral intention and use behavior of DingTalk. The study collected 856 valid responses from China, which were analyzed using SPSS 23.0 and Amos 24.0. The findings indicated that (1) effort expectancy (EE), performance expectancy (PE), facilitating conditions (FC), self-efficacy (SE), and received feedback (RF) could significantly impact users’ attitudes toward behavior (ATB); (2) social influence (SI), FC, RF, and ATB could be significant predictors of user behavioral intention (BI); (3) FC, RF, and BI were found to have a significant effect on use behavior (UB); (4) the extended UTAUT model could explain 60.9% of the variance of users’ behavioral intention of DingTalk in China; (5) the study identified ATB and BI as joint mediators between certain variables in the model. The study presented a robust theoretical underpinning to explain the acceptance and use of educational technologies in China and provided insights into the future enhancement of E-learning platforms.
Influence of cracks on nonlinear motion of high-temperature superconducting magnetic levitation system
Authors: Li Hui , Huang Liao-Liao , Huang Yi
Published: October 2023

The magnetic levitation system of a high-temperature superconductor (HTSC) has nonlinear vibration under external excitation, in which the HTSC is subjected to a sizable electromagnetic force. The high-temperature superconducting block is a brittle material, which will crack when subject to heavy pressure. Microfracture of superconductors is inevitable, especially in superconducting magnetic levitation systems. Our paper studies the fracture behavior of a YBaCuO superconducting magnetic levitation system under a large electromagnetic force based on nonlinear bifurcated motions. The E − J constitutive model and the current vector T method are applied to obtain the electromagnetic force of the bulk superconductor during vibration. We analyze the effects of five lengths of the central crack on vibration displacements, the electric field distribution, and the electromagnetic force of superconductors. Without damages, the system does not have apparent bifurcation motion. For the inner cracks, the system has obvious bifurcation motions. The results show that the cracks have a meaningful influence on the nonlinear vibration of the superconducting magnetic levitation system. The displacement of the suspended permanent magnet in bifurcation motion increases with the increase in the crack length, and the collision occurs when the crack length reaches 15 mm.
Ion-acoustic cnoidal waves in a non-Maxwellian plasma with regularized κ-distributed electrons
Authors: Hammad Ma’mon Abu , Khalid Muhammad , Alrowaily Albandari W. , Tiofack C. G. L. , El-Tantawy S. A.
Published: October 2023

This study examines how regularized kappa distributed (RKD) electrons affect the characteristics of the ion-acoustic cnoidal waves (IACWs) in normal plasma. The RKD is a generalized form of the standard kappa distribution that accounts for the impacts of thermal broadening and finite size effects on the plasma particles. By employing the reductive perturbation technique, the Korteweg–de Vries equation is derived, and its nonlinear cnoidal wave (CW) solution is obtained and analyzed both analytically and numerically. It is found that the amplitude of compressive IACWs increases with an enhanced cutoff parameter α and decreases with increasing superthermality κ. Rarefactive IACWs yield opposing results as compared to compressive IACWs under the impact of κ and α. The results provide insight into the behavior of CWs in normal plasmas with non-Maxwellian distributions and contribute to the understanding of wave-particle interactions in laboratory and space plasmas.
Synergistic mitigation of nickel toxicity in pepper (Capsicum annuum) by nitric oxide and thiourea via regulation of nitrogen metabolism and subcellular nickel distribution
Authors: Uğurlar Ferhat , Kaya Cengiz
Published: October 2023

Nickel (Ni) contamination hinders plant growth and yield. Nitric oxide (NO) and thiourea (Thi) aid plant recovery from heavy metal damage, but their combined effects on pepper (Capsicum annuum) plant tolerance to Ni stress need more study. Sodium nitroprusside (0.1 mM, SNP) and 400 mg L−1 Thi, alone and combined, were studied for their impact on pepper growth under Ni toxicity. Ni stress reduces chlorophyll, PSII efficiency and leaf water and sugar content. However, SNP and Thi alleviate these effects by increasing leaf water, proline and sugar content. It also increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and peroxidase. Nickel stress lowered nitrogen assimilation enzymes (nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, glutamine synthetase, glutamate synthase and glutamate dehydrogenase) and protein content, but increased nitrate, ammonium and amino acid content. SNP and Thi enhanced nitrogen assimilation, increased protein content and improved pepper plant growth and physiological functions during Ni stress. The combined treatment reduced Ni accumulation, increased Ni in leaf cell walls and potentially in root vacuoles, and decreased Ni concentration in cell organelles. It effectively mitigated Ni toxicity to vital organelles, surpassing the effects of SNP or Thi use alone. This study provides valuable insights for addressing heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils and offers potential strategies for sustainable and eco-friendly farming practices.
“Britain was already cherry-picking from the European tree without bothering to water the soil or tend to its
branches”
Authors: Milizia Denise
Published: October 2023

Starting from the ambivalent discursive constructions of belongings and attachments, this paper is a description
of the uneasy and uncomfortable relation between the UK and the ‘continent’. It discusses the historical British insular attitude
looking at the metaphorical language used around Brexit, with a special emphasis on the metaphor “have one’s cake and eat it”,
referring to the “cherry-picking” attitude that the British government wishes to have, retaining EU membership benefits without
its obligations. Boris Johnson admitted that his policy on cake was “pro having it and pro eating it”, expressing an argument
that, on withdrawing from the European Union, Britain would still retain many of the benefits that it had enjoyed as a member,
since Britain was already “cherry-picking from the European tree without bothering to water the soil or tend to its branches”.
Pb10−x
Cu
x
(PO4)6O: a Mott or charge transfer insulator in need of further doping for (super)conductivity
Authors: Si Liang , Wallerberger Markus , Smolyanyuk Andriy , di Cataldo Simone , Tomczak Jan M , Held Karsten
Published: October 2023

We briefly review the status quo of research on the putative superconductor Pb9Cu(PO4)6O also known as LK-99. Further, we provide ab initio derived tight-binding parameters for a two- and five-band model, and solve these in dynamical-mean-field theory. The interaction-to-bandwidth ratio makes LK-99 a Mott or charge transfer insulator. Electron or hole doping (which is different from substituting Pb by Cu and thus differs from LK-99) is required to make it metallic and potentially superconducting.
Research on the mechanism of electromagnetic ultrasonic energy transfer based on dynamic multi-magnetic vector coupling
Authors: Zhang Jia , Xing Yan-hao , Pang Hai-bo
Published: October 2023

The traditional electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) in steel plate inspection has a problem of suboptimal energy transfer efficiency due to fixed static sensitivity. The dynamic sensitivity detection method with multi-magnetic vector coupling is proposed based on the principle of mutual conversion of electromagnetic fields inside and outside the workpiece. The conversion relationship of multi-magnetic vector coupling was analyzed, and then a mathematical model of rotational wave displacement between wave displacement and magnetic parameters was established. This approach theoretically guides the modeling, simulation, and design optimization of high energy conversion efficiency EMATs. The experiment shows that under the action of rotating magnetic field, different rotating directions and deflection angles have varied detection effects. The optimal energy transfer efficiency of the transducer under the dynamic multi-magnetic vector coupling mechanism is effectively improved compared with the static traditional form. The optimal signal amplitude of the dynamic sensitivity detection method is 3.73 times that of traditional detection signals. The electromagnetic ultrasonic dynamic multi-magnetic vector coupling detection method explores new ideas for the mechanism analysis from static to dynamic and guarantees high sensitivity detection and evaluation of steel plates.
Laser absorption tomography based on unstructured meshing
Authors: Liu Hecong , Peng Fan , Sanders Scott T , Cai Weiwei
Published: October 2023

Laser absorption tomography is an imaging technique used to monitor gas flow and combustion processes. The measurement plane is typically discretized using square pixels in which the flow field is assumed to be uniform. This approach can introduce large discretization errors compared to a finite element mesh with linear interpolation, especially when the domain has an irregular and non-rectangular boundary. In this work, we assess the influence of triangular mesh and quadrilateral mesh schemes on reconstruction accuracy. Our theoretical analysis and numerical studies demonstrate that linear interpolation yields superior performance compared to the conventional uniform-pixel method, and the error can be reduced from 0.250 to 0.097 and 0.160 to 0.105 for triangular and quadrilateral meshes, respectively. Non-body-fitted mesh can increase error by 70

%

–99

%

. The experiment also proves the superiority of body-fitted meshes with linear interpolation. Moreover, triangular mesh exhibits better noise immunity than quadrilateral mesh. The reconstruction quality appears to be insensitive to the mesh quality for the quadrilateral mesh.
LF-YOLOv4: a lightweight detection model for enhancing the fusion of image features of surface defects in lithium batteries
Authors: Chen Xiaoxin , Jiang Zhansi , Cheng Hao , Zheng Hongxin , Du Yixian
Published: October 2023

In response to the low accuracy of traditional methods for detecting surface defects in lithium batteries, as well as the problems of large model size and high computational complexity in current detection models, this article proposes a new lightweight LF-YOLOv4 model that enhances image feature fusion. Firstly, replace the CSPDarknet53 backbone network in YOLOv4 with a lightweight MobileNetv2 network, thereby greatly reducing the computational parameters of the network while ensuring the ability to extract features. Secondly, in order to further reduce the number of model parameters and computational complexity, and minimize potential accuracy loss as much as possible, an improved depthwise separable convolution (DSC-SE-HsId) in this article was studied, which replaced some ordinary convolutions in the Neck and Head networks. Finally, in order to compensate for the partial accuracy loss caused by lightweight operations, and also to fuse feature maps of different scales to obtain more complete feature information, a new lightweight adaptive spatial feature fusion module (LSE-ASFF) in this article was studied and embedded behind the existing path aggregation network (PANet). In order to verify the performance and widespread applicability of the improved model, we conducted tests using the self-built lithium battery surface defect dataset, and the steel surface defect dataset provided by Northeastern University. Moreover, in order to prevent the network training from over fitting due to too few defect samples in the self-built dataset, we also used image enhancement to expand the dataset. And the experiment results show that the improved model proposed in this article achieves the highest TOPSIS score in both experimental datasets. Among them, compared with YOLOv4 on the self-built dataset, our improved model not only increases mAP50 by 2.97%, reaching 97.83%, but also has model parameters of only 18.16% of the original model, floating point of operations of only 13.87% of the original model, model size of only 21.02% of the original model, and model training time shortened by 30.67% compared to the original model. At last, the effectiveness and superiority of the improved model in this article are demonstrated through example analysis and comparison.
High-precision voltammetry method for measuring the permeability of permalloy at ultra-low-frequency magnetic field
Authors: Lu Yan , Hong Zhihui , Qiu Shengjie , Zhang Lu , Sun Jinji
Published: October 2023

The permeability of permalloy at ultra-low-frequency magnetic field is a crucial and fundamental parameter for analyzing the low frequency shielding factor of magnetically shielded rooms. However, due to limitations in the accuracy of the existing magnetic flux signal measuring system, the permeability at ultra-low-frequency magnetic field is challenging to precisely determine. Therefore, a high-precision voltammetry method for measuring the permeability of permalloy at ultra-low-frequency magnetic field is proposed in this paper. First, the theory of the voltammetry method and the required level of induced voltage accuracy are derived and thoroughly analyzed. Then, the voltage acquisition module with ultra-low noise is designed by using four parallel instrumentation amplifiers, and the magnitude of the noise is quantified by establishing the noise analysis model for the voltage acquisition module. Finally, the system for measuring the permeability at ultra-low-frequency magnetic field is set up, and its feasibility is verified by comparing the measurement results of permeability at 10 Hz with the commercial soft magnetic instrument. The results show that the system is capable of measuring the permeability of permalloy at 0.01 Hz to 1 Hz, with repeatability error of less than 3%. The method can also be applied to measure the permeability of other soft magnetic materials.
On the potential of physics-informed neural networks to solve inverse problems in tokamaks
Authors: Rossi Riccardo , Gelfusa Michela , Murari Andrea ,   on behalf of JET contributors
Published: October 2023

Magnetic confinement nuclear fusion holds great promise as a source of clean and sustainable energy for the future. However, achieving net energy from fusion reactors requires a more profound understanding of the underlying physics and the development of efficient control strategies. Plasma diagnostics are vital to these efforts, but accessing local information often involves solving very ill-posed inverse problems. Regrettably, many of the current approaches for solving these problems rely on simplifying assumptions, sometimes inaccurate or not completely verified, with consequent imprecise outcomes. In order to overcome these challenges, the present study suggests employing physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) to tackle inverse problems in tokamaks. PINNs represent a type of neural network that is versatile and can offer several benefits over traditional methods, such as their capability of handling incomplete physics equations, of coping with noisy data, and of operating mesh-independently. In this work, PINNs are applied to three typical inverse problems in tokamak physics: equilibrium reconstruction, interferometer inversion, and bolometer tomography. The reconstructions are compared with measurements from other diagnostics and correlated phenomena, and the results clearly show that PINNs can be easily applied to these types of problems, delivering accurate results. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of PINNs as a powerful tool for integrated data analysis. Overall, this study demonstrates the great potential of PINNs for solving inverse problems in magnetic confinement thermonuclear fusion and highlights the benefits of using advanced machine learning techniques for the interpretation of various plasma diagnostics.
Erosion estimates for the divertor and main wall components from STEP
Authors: Kirschner A. , Henderson S.S. , Brezinsek S. , Romazanov J. , Kovari M. , Baumann C. , Linsmeier Ch. , Flynn E. , Hess J. , Osawa R.T. , Newton S.L. , Moulton D. ,   the STEP Team
Published: October 2023

The tungsten erosion within Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) assuming tungsten main wall and tungsten divertor has been estimated with ERO at the inner and outer divertor, at the inner and outer midplane and at the outboard baffle entrance. Plasma parameters are based on SOLPS simulations applying argon puffing for edge cooling. The plasma parameter range covers peak electron temperatures T
e between 3 and 25 eV in the divertor. At the inner midplane T
e ∼ 13 eV, at the outer midplane ∼7 eV and at the outboard baffle entrance between 1 eV and 4 eV. The modelled peak gross erosion is highest in the divertor with up to 1E19 W m−2 s−1 within the inner and 7E19 W m−2 s−1 in the outer one for the plasma parameter range studied. At the main wall the gross erosion is about 2E18 W m−2 s−1 at the inner midplane and 1.3E17 W m−2 s−1 at the outer one. However, tungsten deposition within the divertor is much larger with amounts between 88% and 98% and only between 10% and 60% at the midplane. At all locations studied, tungsten erosion due to deuterium ions is negligibly small compared to the erosion by argon ions. Erosion due to deuterium atoms has been studied for the outer midplane and is there at least four times smaller than the erosion due to argon ions. The simulations have been performed considering singly ionised Ar. However, according to the SOLPS runs the mean charge of Ar impinging the surfaces is about two at the locations of largest erosion, which leads to an increase of the gross erosion by a factor between 1.5 and 5 with the largest increase occurring at the outer divertor target.
Optimization strategies for electron transport layer aiming at high efficiency perovskite solar cells
Authors: Chen Chunyu
Published: October 2023

Nowadays, the demand to find substantially renewable energy is increasing while perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are one of the most hopeful technologies to fulfill all the requirements. Therefore, the PSCs have already been the hottest domains in the photovoltaic research field, because of their excellent performance and low cost of raw materials and manufacture. To increase the performance of PSCs, lots of efforts on each functional layer of the PSCs have been spent, in which the optimization for the electron transport layer (ETL) is of great help to the improvement of PSCs. In this review, several strategies of optimization for the ETL were discussed, including interfacial engineering, bilayer ETL, elemental doping, manufacture crafts, and trap states passivation engineering. The functional bilayers were found quite important for power` conversion efficiency (PCE) enhancement, as interfacial tuning and trap state manipulating could be readily achieved. Our works could provide valuable guidance for further PCE optimization.
Strain-modulated band structure and high harmonic generations in two-dimensional MoS2
Authors: Sun Yuchen
Published: October 2023

Two-dimensional (2D) condensed matter is a material that is restricted in one direction while being periodic in the other. Since the restricted size of 2D materials is comparable to the wavelength of electrons, a quantum confinement effect may occur. Moreover, the absence of periodicity provides weak screening in 2D materials, which brings novel physical properties such as the quantum well, which is widely applied in quantum information, and the fine absorption structures in graphene. Among the 2D materials, the monolayer transition metal chalcogenides represented by MoS2 have attracted wide attention due to the direct band gap in the visible light region (1.8 eV) and valley polarizations, which are prospective for solar cells as well as photoelectric devices. High-harmonic generation (HHG) is a strong non-linear process during which a high-energy laser impulse is applied to materials and high-harmonic radiations are yielded. As a typical ultrafast dynamic, HHG has important applications in laser generation, such as EUV lithographic metrology and high-resolution coherent imaging. According to the Bloch oscillation model, HHG is highly dependent on band structure. Here, we report the strain-dependent HHG dynamics in MoS2. Further investigation reveals that the strain-dependence of HHG is caused by band modulation under different strains, which is dominant during HHG. Our research sheds light on ways to achieve effective modulations in ultrafast dynamics, implying an all-optical measurement band structure in strained materials.
The mechanism and application of chitin and chitosan
Authors: Wu Huiruo , Yi Tianyu
Published: October 2023

Chitin is an important raw material for making chitosan and glucosamine series products. Chitin and its ramifications have important applications in medicine, chemical industry, healthy food and so on, which makes it have broad application prospects. Chitosan is the product of natural polysaccharide chitin, which has a variety of physiological functions such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, bacteriostasis, anti-cancer and many other fields and daily-use chemical industry. This review summarizes chitin and chitosan’s structures, synthetic processes in insects and their ramifications’ applications in different fields.