bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolutionary selection and morphological integration in the foot of modern humans
Authors: Arlegi Mikel , Pablos Adrián , Lorenzo Carlos
Published: January 2023

Objectives

To advance our understanding of the evolution of the hominin foot by quantifying integration and responses to selection in the foot of modern humans.

Materials and Methods

The sample includes 247 female and male adult individuals from Euro‐American, Afro‐American, European, and Amerindian populations. We collected 190 linear measurements from the 26 skeletal elements that constitute the modern human foot. With these data, we calculated the magnitudes of integration and the ability of the foot to respond to selection demands.

Results

The results revealed that distal phalanges are less integrated, more evolvable, and more flexible than proximal elements (i.e., proximal phalanges and metatarsals). Also, bones from the medial ray (e.g., hallux) show stronger integration and weaker evolvability than their counterparts from the lateral column (e.g., fifth ray), following this trend from medial to lateral positions. Among the tarsals, the talus and calcaneus are the most integrated, least evolvable, and flexible elements from that module.

Discussion

These results suggest that selection for bipedalism would have reorganized the variance/covariance matrix of the foot. The hallux might have been under strong functional selection pressures for bipedal requirements, resulting in a strong integration and low evolvability. Also, differences in the developmental process of each bone seem to have played an essential role in the degree of evolvability, showing those elements that develop earlier have less ability to respond to selection demands.
Lower myelin content is associated with more rapid cognitive decline among cognitively unimpaired individuals
Authors: Gong Zhaoyuan , Bilgel Murat , Kiely Matthew , Triebswetter Curtis , Ferrucci Luigi , Resnick Susan M. , Spencer Richard G. , Bouhrara Mustapha
Published: January 2023

Introduction

The influence of myelination on longitudinal changes in cognitive performance remains unclear.

Methods

For each participant (N = 123), longitudinal cognitive scores were calculated. Myelin content was probed using myelin water fraction (MWF) or longitudinal relaxation rate (R1); both are MRI measures sensitive to myelin, with MWF being specific.

Results

Lower MWF was associated with steeper declines in executive function (p < .02 in all regions) and lower R1 was associated with steeper declines in verbal fluency (p < .03 in all regions). Additionally, lower R1 was associated with steeper declines in executive function (p < .02 in all regions) and memory (p < .04 in occipital and cerebral white matter) but did not survive Bonferroni correction.

Discussion

We demonstrate significant relationships between myelin content and the rates of change in cognitive performance among cognitively normal individuals. These findings highlight the importance of myelin in cognitive functioning and suggest MWF and R1 as imaging biomarkers to predict cognitive changes.
Unraveling the Relevance of Tissue‐Specific Decellularized Extracellular Matrix Hydrogels for Vocal Fold Regenerative Biomaterials: A Comprehensive Proteomic and In Vitro Study
Authors: Brown Mika , Zhu Shirley , Taylor Lorne , Tabrizian Maryam , Li-Jessen Nicole Y. K.
Published: January 2023

Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) is a promising material for tissue engineering applications. Tissue‐specific dECM is seen as a favorable material that recapitulates a native‐like microenvironment for cellular remodeling. However, the minute quantity of dECM derivable from small organs like the vocal fold (VF) hampers manufacturing scalability. Small intestinal submucosa (SIS), a commercial product with proven regenerative capacity, may be a viable option for VF applications. This study aims to compare SIS and VF dECM hydrogels with respect to protein content and functionality using mass spectrometry‐based proteomics and in vitro studies. Proteomic analysis reveals that VF and SIS dECM share 75% of core matrisome proteins. Although VF dECM proteins have greater overlap with native VF, SIS dECM shows less cross‐sample variability. Following decellularization, significant reductions of soluble collagen (61%), elastin (81%), and hyaluronan (44%) are noted in VF dECM. SIS dECM contains comparable elastin and hyaluronan but 67% greater soluble collagen than VF dECM. Cells deposit more neo‐collagen on SIS than VF‐dECM hydrogels, but comparable neo‐elastin (≈50 μg scaffold−1) and neo‐hyaluronan (≈6 μg scaffold−1). Overall, SIS dECM possesses a reasonably similar proteomic profile and regenerative capacity to VF dECM. SIS dECM is a promising alternative for dECM‐derived biomaterials for VF regeneration.
Janus Metastructure Based on Magnetized Plasma Material with and Logic Gate and Multiple Physical Quantity Detection
Authors: Sui Junyang , Dong Ruiyang , Liao Siyuan , Zhao Zeyuan , Wang Yubo , Zhang Hai‐Feng
Published: January 2023

In this paper, a Janus metastructure (JMS) is proposed that can act both as a logic gate and detect multiple physical quantities. By adjusting the incident angle of electromagnetic waves, arranging the dielectrics asymmetrically, and using the anisotropy of the plasma, the Janus function can be obtained, which gives the metastructure a multiscale property. Sharp transmission peak (TP) is generated by located defect mode resonance. The AND logic gate on the positive and negative scales can be realized by judging the TP value. By locking the point frequency of the TP, the refractive index, magnetic field strength, incident angle, and plasma density can be detected simultaneously on the two scales in the GHz range, which is rarely studied. Good sensing performances are also owned, and the corresponding optimal sensitivities are 0.095 (2πc/d)/RIU, 9.42 × 10−3 (2πc/d)/T, 1.48 × 10−3 (2πc/d)/°, and 0.035 (2πc/d) m3/1019, respectively. Compared with the traditional sensors, the proposed JMS equipped with two scales not only can realize the logic gate but also measure multiple physical quantities, which has a certain application potential.
Nondipole Effects in Atomic Ionization Induced by an Intense Counter‐Rotating Bicircular Laser Field
Authors: Kahvedžić Rešad , Habibović Dino , Becker Wilhelm , Gräfe Stefanie , Milošević Dejan B.
Published: January 2023

Nondipole effects occurring in the process of atomic ionization by an intense, mid‐infrared, counter‐rotating bicircular laser field are investigated using the strong‐field approximation with leading‐order nondipole corrections. The time integrals appearing in the expression for the differential ionization rate are computed in two ways: numerically, and by applying the saddle‐point approximation. The nondipole corrections introduce an asymmetry in the photoelectron momentum distribution along the field propagation direction. The asymmetry is quantified by the partial average value of the propagation‐direction momentum component of the photoelectrons and by the normalized difference of the differential ionization rates computed including and excluding the nondipole corrections. Using the saddle‐point approximation, it is investigated how the nondipole corrections change the solutions for direct photoelectrons and how this affects the momentum spectra. The impact of nondipole corrections increases with increasing photoelectron energy. Analysis of the complete photoelectron spectra including both direct and rescattered photoelectrons shows that, in the low‐energy region, a shift against the propagation direction occurs. The partial average of the propagation–direction momentum component in the rescattering region exhibits a plateau structure and also a local minimum structure that was recently observed in an experiment with a linearly polarized laser field (Lin et al., Phys Rev. Lett. 128, 023201 (2022)).
Developing Reprocessable shape memory thermosetting resins with high thermal resistance and strength through building a crosslinked network based on bismaleimide and epoxy resins
Authors: Li Ying , Yuan Li , Liang Guozheng , Gu Aijuan
Published: January 2023

It is difficult to endow reprocessable shape memory thermosetting resins with outstanding heat resistance and high mechanical strength. Herein, a new kind of reprocessable shape memory thermosetting resins (DBE) are developed through building a crosslinked network based onN,N′‐4,4′‐diphenylmethane bismaleimide (BDM), bisphenol A epoxy resin and 4,4′‐dithiodiphenylamine. The influence of the composition of DBE resins on their structure and comprehensive properties was studied. Results show that DBE resins have multiple phase structures. With the increase of BDM content of DBE resin, the glass transition temperature (Tg), initial thermal decomposition temperature and flexural modulus increase, the impact strength and reprocessing efficiency decrease, while the flexural and tensile strengths increase initially and then decrease. 0.8DBE cannot be reprocessed, while 2DBE, 1.5DBE and 1DBE are reprocessable, and also have good shape reconfiguration and shape memory performances. Among them, 1DBE has the best integrated performance, which has attractively highTg(210°C), high tensile strength (76 ± 3.2 MPa), good reprocessability and excellent shape memory performance, its shape fixation rate and shape recovery rate reach 100% and 99.6%, respectively, overcoming the bottleneck problems of low heat resistance and insufficient mechanical strength of existing reprocessable shape memory thermosetting resins.
Dirac Bands in the Topological Insulator Bi2Se3 Mapped by Time‐Resolved Momentum Microscopy
Authors: Ponzoni Stefano , Paßlack Felix , Stupar Matija , Janas David Maximilian , Zamborlini Giovanni , Cinchetti Mirko
Published: January 2023

The energy dispersion of the unoccupied Dirac bands of the topological insulator Bi2Se3 has been studied up to large parallel momenta and intermediate state energies using a setup for laser‐based time‐resolved momentum microscopy with 6 eV probe‐photons. A strongly momentum‐dependent evolution of the topologically protected Dirac states into a conduction band resonance is observed, highlighting the anisotropy dictated by the symmetry of the surface. The results are in remarkable agreement with the theoretical surface spectrum obtained from a GW‐corrected tight‐binding model, suggesting the validity of the approach in the prediction of the quasiparticle excitation spectrum of large systems with non‐trivial topology. After photoexcitation with 0.97 eV photons, assigned to a bulk valence band‐conduction band transition, the out‐of‐equilibrium population of the surface state evolves on a multi‐picosecond time scale, in agreement with a simple thermodynamical model with a fixed number of particles, suggesting a significant decoupling between bulk and surface states.
Photoelectric Properties of Functional Materials under High Pressure
Authors: Li Zonglun , Liu Ran , Li Quanjun , Liu Bingbing
Published: January 2023

The past decade has seen enormous interest in emerging photodetectors owing to their diverse applications in daily life and military fields. Tremendous progress has been made in the exploration and optimization of photoelectric materials. In particular, high pressure has been successfully adopted as a significant means to tune photoelectric properties. The remarkable enhancement in photocurrent by several orders of magnitude, induces inverse photoconductivity, and even extends the spectral response range, which was achieved by using the pressure strategy in several functional materials. In this prospective article, recent advances in pressure‐regulated photoelectric properties of various functional materials are briefly elaborated on. In addition, the current challenges and possible research directions are discussed. It is sincerely hoped to inspire more new endeavors to promote further investigation of the photoelectric properties of functional materials under high pressure and provide more insights into exploring and optimizing novel photoelectric materials.
Autoantibodies to Disease‐Related Proteins in Joints as Novel Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Lönnblom Erik , Leu Agelii Monica , Sareila Outi , Cheng Lei , Xu Bingze , Viljanen Johan , Hafström Ingiäld , Andersson Maria L. E. , Bergström Göran , Hultgård Ekwall Anna‐Karin , Rudin Anna , Kastbom Alf , Sjöwall Christopher , Jacobsson Lennart T. H. , Kihlberg Jan , Gjertsson Inger , Holmdahl Rikard
Published: January 2023

Objective

This study was undertaken to develop and characterize a multiplex immunoassay for detection of autoantibodies against peptides derived from proteins known to play a role in development of arthritis and that are also expressed in joints.

Methods

We selected peptides from the human counterpart of proteins expressed in the joints, based on mouse models that showed these to be targeted by pathogenic or regulatory antibodies in vivo. Using bead‐based flow immunoassays measuring IgG antibodies, we selected triple helical or cyclic peptides, containing the epitopes, to avoid collinear reactivity. We characterized the analytical performance of the immunoassay and then validated it in 3 independent rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cohorts (n = 2,110), Swedish age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls, and patients with osteoarthritis (OA), patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Results

Screening assays showed 5 peptide antigens that discriminated RA patients from healthy controls with 99% specificity (95% confidence interval [CI] 98–100%). In our validation studies, we reproduced the discriminatory capacity of the autoantibodies in 2 other RA cohorts, showing that the autoantibodies had high discriminatory capacity for RA versus OA, PsA, and SLE. The novel biomarkers identified 22.5% (95% CI 19–26%) of early RA patients seronegative for anti–cyclic citrullinated peptide and rheumatoid factor. The usefulness of the biomarkers in identifying seronegative RA patients was confirmed in validation studies using 2 independent cohorts of RA patients and cohorts of patients with OA, PsA, and SLE.

Conclusion

A multiplex immunoassay with peptides from disease‐related proteins in joints was found to be useful for detection of specific autoantibodies in RA serum. Of note, this immunoassay had high discriminatory capacity for early seronegative RA.

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Rationally Designed Matrix‐Free Carbon Dots with Wavelength‐Tunable Room‐Temperature Phosphorescence
Authors: Qi Hetong , Cui Xiaofeng , Zhang Hengqi , Tong Yuxi , Qian Manping , Zhou Wenshuai , Ding Shujiang , Qi Honglan
Published: January 2023

We report the rational design of the matrix‐free carbon dots (C‐dots) with long wavelength and wavelength‐tunable room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP). Taking advantage of microwave‐assisted heating treatment, three RTP C‐dots in boric acid (BA) composites are synthesized by using diethylenetriaminepentakis (methylphosphonic acid) as a multiple‐sites crosslink agent, a moderately acid catalyst and P source; phenylenediamines (either o‐PD, m‐PD, or p‐PD, respectively) as building block while BA as a carbonization‐retardant matrix. After the water‐soluble BA matrix is removed by dialysis, three matrix‐free C‐dots are obtained with RTP emission at 540, 550 and 570 nm under an excitation wavelength of 365 nm. Alterations of RTP emission of three matrix‐free C‐dots are ascribed to the difference in their particle size and band gap from n‐π* transition. Furthermore, the application of three matrix‐free C‐dots are successfully performed in information encryption and decryption.
Surface magnetic field of the A‐type metallic‐line star omicron Pegasi revisited
Authors: Takeda Yoichi
Published: January 2023

The bright A‐type metallic‐line star Peg was reported in the early 1990 s to have a surface magnetic field of kG by analyzing the widths and strengths of spectral lines. Since those old studies were of rather empirical or approximate nature and the quality of observational data was not sufficient, this problem has been newly reinvestigated based on physically more rigorous simulations of line flux profiles, along with the observed equivalent widths () and full‐widths at half‐maximum () of 198 Feiand 182 Feiilines measured from the high‐quality spectra. Given the Fe abundance derived from the conventional analysis, theoretical and values calculated for various sets of parameters were compared with the observed ones, which lead to the following conclusion regarding (mean field strength). (1) An analysis of yielded 1–1.5 kG from Feiilines with the microturbulence of km s−1. (2) A comparison of resulted in 1.5–2 kG as well as the projected rotational velocity of km s−1. (3) Accordingly, the existence of mean magnetic field on the order of 1–2 kG in Peg was confirmed, which is almost consistent with the consequence of the previous work.
Testing relativistic accretion disk models with GRO J1655‐40
Authors: Yilmaz Anastasiya , Svoboda Jiří , Grinberg Victoria , Boorman Peter G. , Bursa Michal , Dovčiak Michal
Published: January 2023

Black hole X‐ray binaries are ideal environments to test the accretion phenomena in the presence of strong gravitational potentials. KERRBB held an important place in the X‐ray spectral continuum method for measuring the black hole spin modeling the emission from the innermost regions of the accretion disk. In this work, we present the results of X‐ray spectral analysis using publicly available RXTE data of GRO J1655‐40 obtained during the 2005 outburst with the two relativistic accretion disk models, KERRBB and KYNBB. Our analysis showed that both models provide identical results with black hole spin measurements, disk temperature, and disk luminosity when the inner edge of the accretion disk is set at the innermost stable circular orbit (ISCO) for the same accretion rates. We could not obtain reasonable fits for ∼89% of the observations with a fixed black hole spin value at a* = 0.7 using both models. Allowing the spin parameter to vary improved the fit statistic significantly with reduced χ2 values being reduced from ∼10 to 100 to below 2. Both models revealed black hole spin values varying between 0.52 < a* < 0.94, which can be interpreted as a variable inner edge of the disk throughout different accretion states.
Solid‐State Batteries Based on Organic Cathode Materials
Authors: Gan Xiaotang , Yang Zihao , Song Zhiping
Published: January 2023

Organic cathode materials (OCMs) possess high resource sustainability, large structural diversity, high theoretical energy density, and potentially low cost, however, suffer from the dissolution problem in liquid non‐aqueous electrolyte. Solid‐state batteries (SSBs) are regarded as the final solution of Li and Na metal batteries because of the intrinsic safety, but hindered by many challenges including the poor contact with rigid inorganic cathode materials. Therefore, applying OCMs in SSBs is probably a win‐win strategy to compensate for their respective deficiency. In this review, some fundamental knowledge of OCMs and SSBs are briefly introduced at first, with emphasis on different types of solid‐state electrolytes (SSEs). Then the reported works on OCM‐based SSBs are summarized by classifying them into non‐ceramic, semi‐ceramic, and all‐ceramic ones. Finally, we conclude our understandings on the main scientific issues and possible solutions. To sum up, the combination of OCMs and SSBs brings about many new challenges but also opportunities towards their practical application.
James Cowles Prichard and the Linguistic Foundations of Ethnology**
Authors: Stewart Ian
Published: January 2023

This article examines the English scholar James Cowles Prichard's attention to language and comparative philology within his wider project on the natural history of man. It reveals that linguistic evidence was among the most important elements for Prichard in his overarching scientific aim of investigating human physical diversity, and served as the evidential foundation for his ethnology. His work on Celtic comparative philology made him not only one of the earliest British adopters of German comparative grammar, but a comparative philologist of European stature in his own right. More generally, linguistic evidence helped Prichard to keep his magnum opus, Researches into the Physical History of Mankind, as logically ordered as possible, and therefore to turn ethnology into a discipline with analytical aspirations on a global scale.
Can Views and Contact with Nature at Home Help Combat Anxiety and Depression during the Pandemic? Results of the GreenCOVID study
Authors: Garrido‐Cumbrera Marco , González‐Marín Alicia , Correa‐Fernández José , Braçe Olta , Foley Ronan
Published: January 2023

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic and the lockdown measures have had important consequences on the mental health of the population, although little is known about the role played by nature and its benefits.

Objectives

The present study aims to evaluate the risk of anxiety and depression during the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic in Spain and to identify the factors most strongly associated with anxiety and depression, including sociodemographic, household characteristics, and access to or contact with natural environment.

Methods

GreenCOVID is an online cross‐sectional study promoted by the Health & Territory Research (HTR) of the University of Seville in Spain, Maynooth University in Ireland, and the University of Winchester in the United Kingdom. This study includes only data from Spain which were collected between April 8, 2020 and April 27, 2020. Binary logistic regression was conducted to identify the factors associated with anxiety and depression through the HADS scale.

Results

Of the total of 2,464 adults who participated in GreenCOVID Spain, mean age was 38.1 years, 72.6% were female, 58.1% were at risk of anxiety, and 32.3% of depression. In the multivariable logistic regression, the factors associated with risk of anxiety were female: gender, being a student and problems at home. Regarding the risk of depression, the factors most associated were being a student, female gender, problems at home, worse evaluation of views from home and less help from outside views to cope with lockdown.

Conclusions

Our findings show that during COVID‐19 pandemic, in addition to sociodemographic factors female gender and being a student, problems at home, lack of natural elements in the home, and worse appreciation of views from home were associated with mental health problems. Thus, housing conditions and access to the natural environment were important for mental health during COVID‐19 lockdown.
Imitation is the sincerest form of institutionalization: Understanding the effects of imitation and competitive pressures on the reporting of sustainable development goals in an international context
Authors: Zampone Giovanni , García‐Sánchez Isabel‐María , Sannino Giuseppe
Published: January 2023

Companies integrate Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their sustainability reports for various reasons. This paper examines whether and how imitation and competitive pressures drive the SDG reporting in an international context. Drawing on institutional theory and employing data collected from 36 countries over 6 years (from 2015 to 2020), we found that, at the industry level, the extent of SDG reporting is associated with (a) the average extent of SDG reporting, (b) the extent of SDG reporting of the largest company, and (c) the average extent of SDG reporting of the companies awarded for their sustainability commitments. Additionally, we provide evidence of a positive effect exerted by competitive pressures, as well as evidence that the interaction between various forms of imitation and competition negatively affects SDG reporting. Our results are robust to different subsamples and have key implications for practitioners, regulators, and policymakers.
Interpersonal effectiveness in action: The therapeutic milieu for DBT assertiveness skills practice
Authors: Egolf Amy , Gold Andrea L.
Published: January 2023

Individuals with emotional dysregulation often struggle with assertiveness and interpersonal problem‐solving for a variety of reasons. Adolescence reflects a developmental period with well‐characterized changes in social processes that can be disrupted by affective psychopathology. In these situations, the expected challenges associated with typical adolescence can be amplified by inhibiting emotions, like anxiety and shame. Symptoms of common adolescent anxiety and mood disorders, such as social anxiety, generalized anxiety, obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD), and major depressive disorder, frequently exacerbate teens’ experiences of these dysregulated emotions, which in turn increase anxiety and mood symptoms. Such emotional disturbances present barriers to many important developmental tasks of adolescence. These include skillfully navigating social relationships, developing a sense of autonomy, and learning how to express and assert one's independence, while simultaneously asking for help when needed. Dialectical behavior therapy for adolescents (DBT‐A; Miller, Rathus, & Linehan, 2007; Linehan, 2015) is an empirically supported treatment developed for emotionally dysregulated youth with multiple, serious psychiatric problems, including suicidality. The treatment explicitly teaches skills to address these common challenges, while structuring the environment to support effective behaviors and ensure skills generalization across environments.
Keep your eye on…
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: January 2023

Brief parent training via telehealth to treat OCD symptoms

The dangers of alprazolam use during pregnancy

The small role of maltreatment in later mental health problems
NSDUH: More consumers reporting SUD, mental health problems
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: January 2023

In January, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released its 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data.
Modeling a Rotary Kiln Retrofitted by Energy Recovery for CO2 Capture
Authors: Wang Jiafeng , Yu Yunsong , Zhang Zaoxiao , Wang Geoff G. X.
Published: January 2023

Calcium looping has been used for CO2 capture. High‐temperature calcination is needed to decompose CaCO3. To reduce the energy consumption of CaCO3 decomposition in calcium looping, a CaCO3 decomposition system integrating a rotary kiln, waste heat recovery by a single‐atom fluid, and the CaO carbonization process is proposed. The waste heat recovery produces the electric field to intensify CO2 capture. A computational fluid dynamics model is established to study the effects of various parameters on the performance of the rotary kiln. It is found that the electric field enhances the mass transfer and CO2 capture. The system temperature is increased, resulting in significantly enhanced CO2 capture with increased feeding temperature. This provides an alternative way for CO2 capture.
Tightened 1D/3D carbon heterostructure infiltrating phase change materials for solar–thermoelectric energy harvesting: Faster and better
Authors: Tang Zhaodi , Cheng Piao , Liu Panpan , Gao Yan , Chen Xiao , Wang Ge
Published: January 2023

Extensive use of thermal energy in daily life is ideal for reducing carbon emissions to achieve carbon neutrality; however, the effective collection of thermal energy is a major hurdle. Thermoelectric (TE) conversion technology based on the Seebeck effect and thermal energy storage technology based on phase change materials (PCMs) represent smart, feasible, and research‐worthy approaches to overcome this hurdle. However, the integration of multiple thermal energy sources freely existing in the environment for storage and output of thermal and electrical energy simultaneously still remains a huge challenge. Herein, three‐dimensional (3D) nanostructured metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are in situ nucleated and grown onto carbon nanotubes (CNTs) via coordination bonding. After calcination, the prepared core–shell structural CNTs@MOFs are transformed into tightened 1D/3D carbon heterostructure loading Co nanoparticles for efficient solar–thermoelectric energy harvesting. Surprisingly, the corresponding composite PCMs show a record‐breaking solar–thermal conversion efficiency of 98.1% due to the tightened carbon heterostructure and the local surface plasmon resonance effect of Co nanoparticles. Moreover, our designed all‐in‐one composite PCMs are also capable of creating an electrical potential of 0.5 mV based on the Seebeck effect without a TE generator. This promising approach can store thermal and electrical energy simultaneously, providing a new direction in the design of advanced all‐in‐one multifunctional PCMs for thermal energy storage and utilization.
The Impact of Multiple Marginalized Social Statuses: How Being a Sexual Minority, a Woman, or Living with Low Income Relates to Workers' Well‐being
Authors: Cox Emily A. , Burchell Drew , Bonnell Kevin , Gauthier Carol‐Anne , Smilovsky Kyle , Meunier Sophie , Luc Sylvain , Coulombe Simon
Published: January 2023

Limited research explores the well‐being of multiply marginalized workers. Aiming to illustrate the application of intersectionality‐inspired analysis to the fields of management and occupational health, we examined how being a sexual minority (non‐heterosexual), having low income, and identifying as a woman are associated with well‐being outcomes (e.g., impaired performance, troublesome symptoms, positive mental health). A survey was completed by 331 Québec workers. We used regression analysis to examine individual, additive, and interactive relationships between marginalized statuses and outcomes. Having multiple marginalized statuses was associated with impaired performance, troublesome symptoms and less positive mental health. The most negative outcomes were reported by low‐income gay or bisexual workers. Organizational policies and managers should consider intersecting identities to better support marginalized workers' well‐being.
Unravelling the Effect of Activators used in The Synthesis of Biomass‐Derived Carbon Electrocatalysts on the Electrocatalytic Performance for CO2 Reduction
Authors: Fu Shilong , Li Ming , Asperti Simone , de Jong Wiebren , Kortlever Ruud
Published: January 2023

N‐doped carbon materials can be efficient and cost‐effective catalysts for the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). Activators are often used in the synthesis process to increase the specific surface area and porosity of these carbon materials. However, owing to the diversity of activators and the differences in physicochemical properties that these activators induce, the influence of activators used for the synthesis of N‐doped carbon catalysts on their electrochemical performance is unclear. In this study, a series of bagasse‐derived N‐doped carbon catalysts is prepared with the assistance of different activators to understand the correlation between activators, physicochemical properties, and electrocatalytic performance for the CO2RR. The properties of N‐doped carbon catalysts, such as N‐doping content, microstructure, and degree of graphitization, are found to be highly dependent on the type of activator applied in the synthesis procedure. Moreover, the overall CO2RR performance of the synthesized electrocatalysts is not determined only by the N‐doping level and the configuration of the N‐dopant, but rather by the overall surface chemistry, where the porosity and the degree of graphitization are jointly responsible for significant differences in CO2RR performance.
Design of high‐speed data transfer turbo code for body channel communication transceivers
Authors: Vijayalakshmi Sankaran , Paramasivam Alagumariappan , Sakthivel Sankaran , Kudiyarasan Swamynathan , Sankaran Esakky , Nagarajan Velmurugan
Published: January 2023

In this work, a digital differential transmitter based on low‐power wireless compensation transceiver for body channel communication (BCC) is proposed. Further, the proposed transceiver is composed of Touch Status Detection Unit (TSDU), Wireless Status Compensation Unit (WSCU), and a reconfigurable preamplifier. Initially, the human body channel environment for wireless communication is investigated based on properties from 1 to 100 MHz. Further, the turbo code‐based encoding scheme is used to encode the data before transferring the data on the transmitter side. Also, the proposed error‐correcting parallel turbo decoder using a modified step‐by‐step algorithm is presented. The turbo code‐based decoding scheme is used to recover the error‐free transmitted data at the receiver side. Results demonstrate that the proposed BCC transceiver is designed using 90 nm CMOS technology and it is observed that the proposed BCC transceiver has utilized an area of 600mm2. Also, the maximum data rate achieved by a proposed BCC transceiver was 100 Mbps, and the overall transceiver power consumption is 0.42 mW, and energy for communication is 0.02 nj/b.
Using environmental DNA to investigate avian interactions with flowering plants
Authors: Jønsson Knud Andreas , Thomassen Emil Ellegaard , Iova Bulisa , Sam Katerina , Thomsen Philip Francis
Published: January 2023

Animal pollination is an important and highly valued ecosystem function and the role of birds as pollinators is increasingly acknowledged. However, such interactions can be challenging to document and often require extensive field programs. Over the last decade, environmental DNA (eDNA) has been analyzed from several different contemporary sample types, such as water, soil, flowers, and air. The applications of these studies include biodiversity monitoring, detection of endangered species, community compositions, and more recently, flower–arthropod interactions. However, it remains unknown whether flower eDNA is applicable to other taxonomic groups interacting with plants, as well as the deposition and degradation of eDNA on flowers. Here, we test whether eDNA from flowers can be used for detecting bird pollinators. In a controlled environment (an aviary with great tits [Parus major]), we show that birds leave significant traces of DNA on the flowers without observed visits (airborne eDNA). We further show that when birds had been in contact with the flowers, DNA concentrations increased to levels significantly higher than airborne background DNA. Subsequently, we sampled five clusters of wild flowers in Papua New Guinea and detected four species of birds, two of which are nectar‐feeders, and one that is an insectivorous species known to visit flowers. These four bird species were regularly seen in the area and caught in mist‐nets in the days prior to sampling of the flowers. In total, 29 bird species were recorded (18 mist‐netted) in the area and of these, eight are nectarivorous. Our quantitative approach suggests that it is possible to distinguish airborne background bird DNA deposited on flowers from actual flower visits of birds in the wild, although this might be highly context‐specific. Our findings are of broad interest within research on ecosystem functioning, biotic interactions, and plant–animal mutualism.
Unconventional Designs for Functional Sodium‐Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Ni Jiangfeng , Liu Yichen , Zhu Sheng
Published: January 2023

Sodium‐sulfur (Na–S) batteries that utilize earth‐abundant materials of Na and S have been one of the hottest topics in battery research. The low cost and high energy density make them promising candidates for next‐generation storage technologies as required in the grid and renewable energy. In recent years, extensive efforts have been devoted to the diversity and functionalities of Na–S batteries, aiming to extend their potential applications across multiple temporal and spatial dimensions. Here, we summarize the unconventional designs for the functionalities of Na–S batteries such as flexible batteries, solid‐state cells, flame resistance, and operation at extreme temperatures. By highlighting these design strategies that help to realize the functionalities, we hope this review offers a pathway to foster the bright future of Na–S batteries in diverse applications.
Why we harm the organization for a perpetrator's actions: The roles of unforgiveness, group betrayal, and group embodiment in displaced revenge
Authors: Stackhouse Madelynn R. D. , Boon Susan D. , Paulin Melanie
Published: January 2023

The present article aims to elucidate whether offender unforgiveness predicts organizationally targeted displaced revenge and whether this effect occurs because offender‐directed feelings spill over to shape feelings towards the group. Two studies (Study 1a/1b) showed that unforgiveness predicts organizationally directed displaced revenge in the form of counterproductive workplace behaviours against an organization, mediated by perceived group betrayal. Study 2 investigated whether the relationships between unforgiveness, perceived group betrayal, and displaced revenge are moderated by group embodiment: the extent to which the offender is closely connected to, identified with, and in alignment with the group. With an experimental design that manipulated group embodiment and transgressor status, we found that unforgiveness and perceived group betrayal predict higher levels of displaced revenge under conditions of high rather than low group embodiment. Study 2 further showed that displaced revenge intentions operate in addition to, not in place of, revenge intentions towards the offender. Implications are discussed.
High‐throughput capillary electrophoresis analysis of biopharmaceuticals utilizing sequential injections
Authors: Kumar Ramesh , Sarin Deepika , Rathore Anurag S.
Published: January 2023

The complexity of biotherapeutic products implies an ever‐increasing list of product quality attributes that need to be monitored and characterized. In addition, the growing interest in implementing process analytical technology in biopharmaceutical production has further increased the testing burden, together with the need for rapid testing that can facilitate real‐time or near‐real‐time decision‐making. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) has made a place in biopharmaceutical analysis but is regarded as a low‐throughput method, with the instrument dead time constituting more than 80% of the total time of analysis. In this study, the dead time of CE was utilized to analyse 3 mAb samples in a single‐CE run. This approach resulted in an up to 77% reduction in the total analysis time and increased the productivity by up to 300%, compared to traditional single CE‐ultraviolet runs, without compromising resolution or relative peak areas. Additionally, good method reproducibility was observed. The compatibility of the method has been demonstrated with protein A eluate and cation exchange chromatography fractions. We, thus, propose that sequential injections can be applied for fast and robust CE analysis of biopharmaceuticals.
Quantitation of tryptophan and kynurenine in human plasma using 4‐vinylphenylboronic acid column by capillary electrochromatography coupled with mass spectrometry
Authors: Patel Vijay D. , Shamsi Shahab A. , Miller Andrew , Liu Aimin
Published: January 2023

Tryptophan (TRP) is an essential amino acid catabolized mainly through the kynurenine pathway, and part of it is catabolized in the brain. The abnormal depletion of TRP and production of kynurenine (KYN) by two enzymes, tryptophan 2,3‐dioxygenase (TDO) and indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO), have been linked to various neurological diseases. The ratio of TRP/KYN in plasma is a valuable measure for IDO/TDO activity and the prognosis of disease conditions. The 4‐vinylphenylboronic acid (4‐VPBA) was evaluated as a novel stationary phase for OT–CEC–MS/MS. TRP, KYN, and 3‐hydroxykynurenine were separated using optimum conditions of 15 mM (NH4)2CO3 at pH 8 as a background electrolyte and 25 kV separation voltage on a 90 cm column. The usefulness of the 4‐VPBA column for simple, fast, repeatable, and sensitive CEC–ESI–MS/MS application was demonstrated for the quantitation of TRP and KYN in the plasma of healthy human subjects and neuroinflammation subjects. The plasma sample was extracted on a zirconia‐based ion‐exchange cartridge for simultaneous protein precipitation and phospholipid removal. The method of standard addition, in combination with the internal standards approach, was used to prepare the calibration curve to overcome matrix matching and eliminate procedural errors. The developed quantitation method was validated according to FDA guidelines for sensitivity, accuracy, precision, and extraction recovery. The measured plasma level of TRP and KYN in healthy humans is aligned with the human metabolome database for the same two metabolites.
An integrated trapezoidal fuzzy FUCOM‐TOPSIS method to determine alternatives' ranking and utilization in the water treatment plant
Authors: Majumder Priyanka
Published: January 2023

World leaders continue to place a high premium on organizing sustainable and clean water sources. Due to the importance of water to both public health and industry, there is a significant demand for adequate quality water supplies, which many countries throughout the world are under pressure to offer. Water scarcity and poor water quality continue to be significant problems in both the home and industrial sectors, particularly in India. Therefore, it is crucial to assess the current water treatment plant's (WTP's) performance efficiency. There are numerous ways to assess the performance of WTPs. These methods, meanwhile, are absolute because they treat each parameter equally, which only partially mirrors reality. This study provides a hybrid decision‐making method that combines trapezoidal fuzzy FUCOM (TrF‐FUCOM) and trapezoidal fuzzy TOPSIS (TrF‐TOPSIS) to find the best option for enhancing a WTP's efficacy. TrF‐FUCOM is used to assess the weights of the criteria, as well as TrF‐TOPSIS is employed to rank the indicators. According to the results, improving the quality of incoming water is the most important parameter for improving the efficiency of WTPs. The outcomes of the suggested technique are contrasted with those of the already used technique. In addition, scenario analysis and sensitivity analysis are used to validate the suggested model.
Progressive myoclonus epilepsies due to SEMA6B mutations. New variants and appraisal of published phenotypes
Authors: Castellotti Barbara , Canafoglia Laura , Freri Elena , Tappatà Maria , Messina Giuliana , Magri Stefania , DiFrancesco Jacopo C. , Fanella Martina , Di Bonaventura Carlo , Morano Alessandra , Granata Tiziana , Gellera Cinzia , Franceschetti Silvana , Michelucci Roberto
Published: January 2023

Variants of SEMA6B have been identified in an increasing number of patients, often presenting with progressive myoclonus epilepsy (PME), and to lesser extent developmental encephalopathy, with or without epilepsy. The exon 17 is mainly involved, with truncating mutations causing the production of aberrant proteins with toxic gain of function. Herein, we describe three adjunctive patients carrying de novo truncating SEMA6B variants in this exon (c.1976delC and c.2086C > T novel; c.1978delC previously reported). These subjects presented with PME preceded by developmental delay, motor and cognitive impairment, worsening myoclonus, and epilepsy with polymorphic features, including focal to bilateral seizures in two, and non‐convulsive status epilepticus in one. The evidence of developmental delay in these cases suggests their inclusion in the “PME plus developmental delay” nosological group. This work further expands our knowledge of SEMA6B variants causing PMEs. However, the data to date available confirms that phenotypic features do not correlate with the type or location of variants, aspects that need to be further clarified by future studies.
Characterization of Gaseous and Particulate Phase Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Emitted During Preharvest Burning of Sugar Cane in Different Regions of Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
Authors: Geldenhuys G. , Orasche J. , Jakobi G. , Zimmermann R. , Forbes Patricia B. C.
Published: January 2023

Biomass burning is a significant anthropogenic source of air pollution, including the preharvest burning of sugar cane. These burn events result in atmospheric emissions, including semivolatile organic compounds, that may have adverse impacts on air quality and human health on a local, regional, and even a global scale. Gaseous and particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emissions from various sugar cane burn events in the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal in South Africa were simultaneously sampled using a portable denuder sampling technology, consisting of a quartz fiber filter sandwiched between two polydimethylsiloxane multichannel traps. Total gas and particle phase PAH concentrations ranged from 0.05 to 9.85 µg m–3 per individual burn event, and nine PAHs were quantified. Over 85% of all PAHs were found to exist in the gas phase, with smaller two- and three-ring PAHs, primarily naphthalene, 1-methyl naphthalene, and acenaphthylene, being the most dominant and causing the majority of variance between the burn sites. The PAH profiles differed between the different burn events at different sites, emphasizing the significant influence that the crop variety, prevailing weather conditions, and geographical location has on the type and number of pollutants emitted. The potential carcinogenicity of the PAH exposure was estimated based on toxic equivalency factors that showed varying risk potentials per burn event, with the highest value of 5.97 ng m–3. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:778–792. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Melatonin improved glucose homeostasis is associated with the reprogrammed gut microbiota and reduced fecal levels of short‐chain fatty acids in db/db mice
Authors: Ban Qiuyan , Chi Wenjing , Tan Yu , Wang Shiqiong , Li Ning , Song Lianjun , Huang Xianqing , Wang Dongxu , Peng Wanxi , Granato Daniel , Zhao Guangshan
Published: January 2023

Accumulated evidence shows that melatonin possesses the potential to improve lipid metabolism by modifying gut microbiota and glucose metabolism via regulating the melatonin receptor signaling pathway. However, the contribution of melatonin consumption on glucose homeostasis by affecting gut microbiota has not been investigated in diabetes. In the current work, we investigated the effect of melatonin administration on gut microbiota and glucose homeostasis in db/db mice, a type 2 diabetes model with leptin receptor deficiency. Administration of melatonin through drinking water (at 0.25% and 0.50%) for 12 weeks decreased diabetic polydipsia and polyuria, increased insulin sensitivity and impeded glycemia. The accumulated fecal levels of total short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and acetic acid are positively correlated with diabetes‐related parameters—homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) index and fasting blood glucose (FBG) level. The reprogramming of gut microbiota structure and abundance and the reduction of fecal levels of SCFAs, including acetic acid, butyric acid, isovaleric acid, caproic acid, and isobutyric acid, by melatonin may be beneficial for enhancing insulin sensitivity and lowering FBG, which were verified by the results of correlation analysis between acetic acid or total SCFAs and HOMA‐IR and FBG. In addition, the melatonin downregulated hepatic genes, including fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphatase 1, forkhead box O1 alpha, thioredoxin‐interacting protein, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxy‐kinase (PEPCK), PEPCK1 and a glucose‐6‐phosphatase catalytic subunit, that responsible for gluconeogenesis support the result that melatonin improved glucose metabolism. Overall, results showed that the melatonin supplementation reduced fecal SCFAs level via reprogramming of gut microbiota, and the reduction of fecal SCFAs level is associated with improved glucose homeostasis in db/db mice.