bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two-loop application of the Breitenlohner-Maison/’t Hooft-Veltman scheme with non-anticommuting γ5: full renormalization and symmetry-restoring counterterms in an abelian chiral gauge theory
Authors: Bélusca-Maïto Hermès , Ilakovac Amon , Kühler Paul , Mador-Božinović Marija , Stöckinger Dominik
Published: November 2021

Abstract

We apply the BMHV scheme for non-anticommuting γ5 to an abelian chiral gauge theory at the two-loop level. As our main result, we determine the full structure of symmetry-restoring counterterms up to the two-loop level. These counterterms turn out to have the same structure as at the one-loop level and a simple interpretation in terms of restoration of well-known Ward identities. In addition, we show that the ultraviolet divergences cannot be canceled completely by counterterms generated by field and parameter renormalization, and we determine needed UV divergent evanescent counterterms. The paper establishes the two-loop methodology based on the quantum action principle and direct computations of Slavnov-Taylor identity breakings. The same method will be applicable to nonabelian gauge theories.
Main macroinvertebrate community drivers and niche properties for characteristic species in urban/rural and lotic/lentic systems
Authors: Savić Ana , Zawal Andrzej , Stępień Edyta , Pešić Vladimir , Stryjecki Robert , Pietrzak Lech , Filip Ewa , Skorupski Jakub , Szlauer-Łukaszewska Agnieszka
Published: November 2021

The effect of urbanization is often reflected both in lotic and lentic habitats, through changes in diversity and structural and compositional changes in macroinvertebrate communities. In this study, we focused on macroinvertebrate assemblage in lotic and lentic ecosystems of the Krąpiel River catchment area (NW Poland) with the following aims: (1) to determine the main driver in structuring lotic and lentic macroinvertebrate communities and the factors that influence them in urban versus rural landscapes; (2) to test whether the diversity of macroinvertebrate assemblages in urban lotic/lentic ecosystems is lower than that in rural landscapes; (3) to identify characteristic macroinvertebrate species for urban and rural lotic/lentic ecosystems; to (4) determine species tolerance ranges and species optimums, with special emphasis on characteristic “urban” and “rural” species. Distance from study sites to built-up areas and conductivity were the main factors contributing to the separation of urban vs. rural habitats. For lotic sites, temperature, the percentage of built-up area, insolation, and oxygen concentration were the main factors significantly associated with changes in community composition. For lentic sites, insolation, temperature, and BOD5 were recognized as the main factors which are significantly associated with changes in community composition. The results for lentic habitats were as expected: average species richness was higher in rural than in urban habitats. The characteristic species for each of the four habitat groups included Mideopsis orbicularis for Lentic rural habitats; Hygrobates longipalpis for Lotic rural habitats; Piona sp. for Lentic urban habitats; Mideopsis crassipes for Lotic urban habitats. Hygrobates longipalpis and Piona sp. were at the opposite sides with respect to the degree of urbanization. Result of this investigation has shown that the impact of urbanization and consequently the implementation of conservation measures should be viewed separately within the lentic and lotic gradient.
Growth, inequality and poverty: a robust relationship?
Authors: Marrero Gustavo A. , Servén Luis
Published: November 2021

The consequences of poverty and inequality for growth have long preoccupied academics and policy-makers. This paper revisits the inequality-growth and poverty-growth links. Using a panel of 158 countries between 1960 and 2010, we find that the correlation of growth with poverty is consistently negative: A 10 p.p. decrease in the headcount poverty rate is associated with a subsequent increase in per capita GDP between 0.5 and 1.2% per year. In contrast, the correlation of growth with inequality is empirically fragile—it can be positive or negative, depending on the empirical specification and econometric approach employed. However, the indirect effect of inequality on growth through its correlation with poverty is robustly negative. Closer inspection shows that these results are driven by the sample observations featuring high poverty rates.
Optocollic responses in adult barn owls (Tyto furcata)
Authors: Wagner Hermann , Pappe Ina , Nalbach Hans-Ortwin
Published: November 2021

Barn owls, like primates, have frontally oriented eyes, which allow for a large binocular overlap. While owls have similar binocular vision and visual-search strategies as primates, it is less clear whether reflexive visual behavior also resembles that of primates or is more similar to that of closer related, but lateral-eyed bird species. Test cases are visual responses driven by wide-field movement: the optokinetic, optocollic, and optomotor responses, mediated by eye, head and body movements, respectively. Adult primates have a so-called symmetric horizontal response: they show the same following behavior, if the stimulus, presented to one eye only, moves in the nasal-to-temporal direction or in the temporal-to-nasal direction. By contrast, lateral-eyed birds have an asymmetric response, responding better to temporal-to-nasal movement than to nasal-to-temporal movement. We show here that the horizontal optocollic response of adult barn owls is less asymmetric than that in the chicken for all velocities tested. Moreover, the response is symmetric for low velocities (< 20 deg/s), and similar to that of primates. The response becomes moderately asymmetric for middle-range velocities (20–40 deg/s). A definitive statement for the complex situation for higher velocities (> 40 deg/s) is not possible.
Self-efficacy in relation to the use of complementary and alternative medicine, lifestyle choices and cancer aetiology
Authors: Josfeld Lena , Krüger Lara , Büntzel Jens , Zomorodbakhsch Bijan , Hübner Jutta
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This survey assesses cancer patients’ etiological concepts, lifestyle choices, use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and self-efficacy, as well as associations between those. It aims to find patterns which may facilitate communication and understanding between patients and physicians.

Methods

353 oncological patients attending lectures on CAM answered a questionnaire. Correlations were examined and an exploratory factor analysis conducted to identify comprehensive lay-etiological concepts among a list of potential carcinogenic factors.

Results

Patients considered scientifically proven agents as well as other non-carcinogenic influences to be responsible for their disease. An exploratory factor analysis yielded vague indications of possible underlying concepts but factors tend to include items that do not fit the pattern in terms of content. Higher self-efficacy correlated with healthy diet and sports, but not with use of CAM. No conclusive correlations emerged between lay-aetiological concepts and most other variables, but we found a tendency for higher self-efficacy among patients who assigned higher carcinogenic effects to tobacco and lower carcinogenic effects to fasting and physical trauma.

Conclusion

Interest in CAM can arise for many reasons that are not necessarily related to self-efficacy. Lay-aetiological concepts of cancer differ significantly from scientific ones. They are complex and presumably highly individualistic. Their connection to use of CAM methods, lifestyle choices and self-efficacy should be explored in more detail. Patient information and communication with clinicians need to address cancer patients’ individual aetiological concepts to further patient’s understanding not only of their diagnosis but also of the treatment as well.
12-month SARS-CoV-2 antibody persistency in a Tyrolean COVID-19 cohort
Authors: Deisenhammer Florian , Bauer Angelika , Kavelar Chiara , Rudzki Dagmar , Rössler Annika , Kimpel Janine , Borena Wegene , Reindl Markus
Published: November 2021

Background

Short-term antibody response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been shown previously. The further development remains to be determined.

Methods

We prospectively followed 29 coronavirus disease 2019 cases, mean age 44 ± 13.2 years. Except for one participant in whom rheumatoid arthritis existed, all other cases were previously healthy. We determined anti-viral binding antibodies at 2–10 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after disease onset as well as neutralizing antibodies (NAb) against wild type at 6 and 12 months and the B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants at month 12. Three binding antibody assays were used, targeting the nucleocapsid protein (NCP), the S1 subunit of the spike protein, and the receptor binding domain (RBD).

Results

Antibodies to the RBD persisted for 12 months in all cases with increasing concentrations, whereas antibodies to S1 dropped below cut-off point in 7 participants and NCP antibodies were above cut-off point in only 5 subjects at month 12. The NAb against wild type were detected in all but 2 samples at 12 months of follow-up but clearly less frequently when targeting the variants. In 5 participants who were vaccinated against COVID-19 there was a strong increase of antibodies against S1 and RBD as well as an increase of NAb titres against wild type and the variants.

Conclusion

There was a persisting antibody response against SARS-CoV‑2 up to 12 months after COVID-19 with declining concentrations except for RBD and a strong increase of all antibody concentrations after vaccination.
Examining guidelines and new evidence in oncology nutrition: a position paper on gaps and opportunities in multimodal approaches to improve patient care
Authors: Prado Carla M. , Laviano Alessandro , Gillis Chelsia , Sung Anthony D. , Gardner Maureen , Yalcin Suayib , Dixon Suzanne , Newman Shila M. , Bastasch Michael D. , Sauer Abby C. , Hegazi Refaat , Chasen Martin R.
Published: November 2021

Malnutrition, muscle loss, and cachexia are prevalent in cancer and remain key challenges in oncology today. These conditions are frequently underrecognized and undertreated and have devastating consequences for patients. Early nutrition screening/assessment and intervention are associated with improved patient outcomes. As a multifaceted disease, cancer requires multimodal care that integrates supportive interventions, specifically nutrition and exercise, to improve nutrient intake, muscle mass, physical functioning, quality of life, and treatment outcomes. An integrated team of healthcare providers that incorporates societies’ recommendations into clinical practice can help achieve the best possible outcomes. A multidisciplinary panel of experts in oncology, nutrition, exercise, and medicine participated in a 2-day virtual roundtable in October 2020 to discuss gaps and opportunities in oncology nutrition, alone and in combination with exercise, relative to current evidence and international societies’ recommendations. The panel recommended five principles to optimize clinical oncology practice: (1) position oncology nutrition at the center of multidisciplinary care; (2) partner with colleagues and administrators to integrate a nutrition care process into the multidisciplinary cancer care approach; (3) screen all patients for malnutrition risk at diagnosis and regularly throughout treatment; (4) combine exercise and nutrition interventions before (e.g., prehabilitation), during, and after treatment as oncology standard of care to optimize nutrition status and muscle mass; and (5) incorporate a patient-centered approach into multidisciplinary care.
Exploring the factors influencing adherence to oral anticancer drugs in patients with digestive cancer: a qualitative study
Authors: Nizet Pierre , Touchefeu Yann , Pecout Solange , Cauchin Estelle , Beaudouin Eva , Mayol Séverine , Fronteau Clémentine , Huon Jean-François
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study was to explore the beliefs, perceptions and representations of patients in order to identify the determinants of oral anticancer drugs adherence and to take action in current practice to improve patient support in digestive oncology.

Methods

We constructed a semi-directed interview guide which aimed to explore the patient’s relationship with medication, their health history, their experiences at the time of the announcement of treatment, their confidence, their fears, their motivations to adhere to their treatment and the constraints linked to their treatment. The data were analysed and discussed using a thematic approach.

Results

Seventeen patients agreed to participate in the study. The median age was 60 years. Ten patients had colorectal cancer, 3 patients had hepatocellular carcinoma, 3 patients had gastrointestinal stromal tumour and 1 patient had neuroendocrine pancreatic tumour. We identified five categories of factors influencing adherence: demographic and socioeconomic, disease-related, treatment-related, care system-related, and patient representation and pathways’ factors. A majority of patients emphasised the importance of family support in the adherence process and the convenience of per os treatment compared to other intravenous treatments. However, several negative determinants emerged such as the toxicity of the treatment, fears of forgetting to take the medication, difficulties with the galenic formulation and negative beliefs of the family.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the need to address the different dimensions of the patient in order to understand his or her behaviour with regard to adherence and to identify the levers for improvement.
How the COVID-19 pandemic impacts social scientific research on sustainability: questions of methodology, ethics and justice: comment on Santana et al. 2021
Authors: Otto Danny , Haase Annegret
Published: November 2021

In a highly relevant contribution, Santana et al. (2021) outlined the challenges for qualitative enquiries during the pandemic. We agree that overcoming these challenges is very important since qualitative research is vital for understanding both the impacts of COVID-19 on human communities around the globe and its significance for sustainable futures. However, we argue that a more fundamental approach is needed to address problems within scientific organisations, thinking and practices that directly affect qualitative research capabilities. In this comment, we focus on justice, research organisation, the ways social scientists position themselves and changed understandings of social worlds.
Autoallelopathic potential of aqueous extracts from Canadian goldenrod (Solidago canadensis L.) and giant goldenrod (S. gigantea Aiton)
Authors: Gala-Czekaj Dorota , Dziurka Michał , Bocianowski Jan , Synowiec Agnieszka
Published: November 2021

Production of allelopathic substances is a factor determining the ecological success of invasive plants—Canadian goldenrod (S. canadensis L.) and giant goldenrod (S. gigantea Aiton). This research aimed at evaluating the autoallelopathic effect of aqueous extracts (AEs) prepared from various parts of Canadian goldenrod and giant goldenrod against vegetative growth, and biomass accumulation of both goldenrods. In the stage of 5–6 leaves, goldenrod plants, were foliar sprayed with AEs, at concentrations of 5 or 10%. The biochemical properties of AEs, i.e., total phenolic content, total antioxidant potential and selected plant hormones, were examined. Two and ten days after spraying (DAS), damages to aboveground parts of goldenrods (necrosis and wilting) were visually assessed. The fresh mass of above- and belowground parts of goldenrods were measured 21 DAS. AEs from various parts of Canadian goldenrod or giant goldenrod displayed autoallelopathic properties of inhibitory nature. The phytotoxic potential of AEs varied depending on their source. Canadian goldenrod was more susceptible to the AEs, manifested by more significant damages to aboveground parts and a greater decrease in above- and belowground biomass. The most effective against growth and development of Canadian goldenrod and giant goldenrod were AEs from rhizomes, which caused a reduction of fresh biomass of goldenrods up to 42%, compared to water-treated control.
Climate change impacts on ticks and tick-borne infections
Authors: Nuttall Patricia A.
Published: November 2021

Evidence climate change is impacting ticks and tick-borne infections is generally lacking. This is primarily because, in most parts of the world, there are no long-term and replicated data on the distribution and abundance of tick populations, and the prevalence and incidence of tick-borne infections. Notable exceptions exist, as in Canada where the northeastern advance of Ixodes scapularis and Lyme borreliosis in the USA prompted the establishment of tick and associated disease surveillance. As a result, the past 30 years recorded the encroachment and spread of I. scapularis and Lyme borreliosis across much of Canada concomitant with a 2-3 °C increase in land surface temperature. A similar northerly advance of I. ricinus [and associated Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)] has been recorded in northern Europe together with expansion of this species’ range to higher altitudes in Central Europe and the Greater Alpine Region, again concomitant with rising temperatures. Changes in tick species composition are being recorded, with increases in more heat tolerant phenotypes (such as Rhipicephalus microplus in Africa), while exotic species, such as Haemaphysalis longicornis and Hyalomma marginatum, are becoming established in the USA and Southern Europe, respectively. In the next 50 years these trends are likely to continue, whereas, at the southern extremities of temperate species’ ranges, diseases such as Lyme borreliosis and TBE may become less prevalent. Where socioeconomic conditions link livestock with livelihoods, as in Pakistan and much of Africa, a One Health approach is needed to tackling ticks and tick-borne infections under the increasing challenges presented by climate change.
Constitutional Convergence in East Asia
Authors: Yap Po Jen , Lin Chien-Chih
Published: November 2021

This comparative study of the constitutional jurisprudence of three East Asian jurisdictions investigates how the rulings of the Constitutional Court of Taiwan, the Constitutional Court of Korea and the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal have converged. The unique political contexts of all three jurisdictions have led to strong courts using the structured proportionality doctrine and innovative constitutional remedies to address human rights issues. Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea have the only courts in Asia that regularly use a structured four-stage Proportionality Analysis to invalidate laws, and routinely apply innovative constitutional remedies such as Suspension Orders and Remedial Interpretation to rectify constitutionally flawed legislation. This volume explores how judges in these areas are affected by politics within their different constitutional systems. The latest developments in Asian constitutional law are covered, with detailed analysis of key cases.
Botswana’s 2019 General Elections: A Referendum on General Ian Khama
Authors: Seabo Batlang , Nyenhuis Robert
Published: November 2021

On October 23, 2019, Botswana held its twelfth free and fair election. For the first time in the history of Botswana’s electoral democracy, a former president (Ian Khama) defected from the ruling party and supported the opposition. The opposition coalition, working informally with Khama, mounted a spirited campaign against the well-oiled machine, the incumbent and long-ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). Seabo and Nyenhuis reflect on the 2019 general election, analyze the outcome, and consider the implications for the future of Botswana’s electoral democracy. They argue that barring other factors, the BDP’s resounding victory was mainly a result of Batswana’s rejection of former president Ian Khama.
Shaping liquid films by dielectrophoresis
Authors: Gabay Israel , Paratore Federico , Boyko Evgeniy , Ramos Antonio , Gat Amir D. , Bercovici Moran
Published: November 2021

We present a theoretical model and experimental demonstration of thin liquid film deformations due to a dielectric force distribution established by surface electrodes. We model the spatial electric field produced by a pair of parallel electrodes and use it to evaluate the stress on the liquid–air interface through Maxwell stresses. By coupling this force with the Young–Laplace equation, we obtain the deformation of the interface. To validate our theory, we design an experimental set-up which uses microfabricated electrodes to achieve spatial dielectrophoretic actuation of a thin liquid film, while providing measurements of microscale deformations through digital holographic microscopy. We characterize the deformation as a function of the electrode-pair geometry and film thickness, showing very good agreement with the model. Based on the insights from the characterization of the system, we pattern conductive lines of electrode pairs on the surface of a microfluidic chamber and demonstrate the ability to produce complex two-dimensional deformations. The films can remain in liquid form and be dynamically modulated between different configurations or polymerized to create solid structures with high surface quality.
Antibiotic spectrum index: A new tool comparing antibiotic use in three NICUs
Authors: Sullivan Brynne A. , Panda Aneesha , Wallman-Stokes Aaron , Sahni Rakesh , Fairchild Karen D. , Newland Jason G. , McPherson Christopher C. , Vesoulis Zachary A.
Published: November 2021

Background:

Antibiotics are widely used in very low-birth-weight infants (VLBW, <1500 g), and excess exposure, particularly to broad-spectrum antibiotics, is associated with significant morbidity. An antibiotic spectrum index (ASI) quantifies antibiotic exposure by relative antimicrobial activity, adding information to exposure measured by days of therapy (DOT). We compared ASI and DOT across multiple centers to evaluate differences in antibiotic exposures.

Methods:

We extracted data from patients admitted to 3 level-4 NICUs for 2 years at 2 sites and for 1 year at a third site. We calculated the ASI per antibiotic days and DOT per patient days for all admitted VLBW infants <32 weeks gestational age. Clinical variables were compared as percentages or as days per 1,000 patient days. We used Kruskal-Wallis tests to compare continuous variables across the 3 sites.

Results:

Demographics were similar for the 734 VLBW infants included. The site with the highest DOT per patient days had the lowest ASI per antibiotic days and the site with the highest mortality and infection rates had the highest ASI per antibiotic days. Antibiotic utilization varied by center, particularly for choice of broad-spectrum coverage, although the organisms causing infection were similar.

Conclusion:

An antibiotic spectrum index identified differences in prescribing practice patterns among 3 NICUs unique from those identified by standard antibiotic use metrics. Site differences in infection rates and unit practices or guidelines for prescribing antibiotics were reflected in the ASI. This comparison uncovered opportunities to improve antibiotic stewardship and demonstrates the utility of this metric for comparing antibiotic exposures among NICU populations.
Probing electrically driven nanojets by energy and mass analysis in vacuo
Authors: Perez-Lorenzo Luis Javier , Fernandez de la Mora Juan
Published: November 2021

Time of flight (TOF) and energy analysis in vacuum are used in series to determine jet velocity Uj, diameter dj, electrical potential Vj and energy dissipated ΔV at the breakup point of electrified nanojets of the ionic liquid 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate (EMI-FAP) (Ignat'ev et al., J. Fluorine Chem., vol. 126, issue 8, 2008, pp.1150–1159). The full spray is periodically gated by a grid held at a high voltage Vg, and received at a collector where the measured flight times provide the distribution of drop speeds u. Varying Vg provides the bivariate distribution of drop energies ξ and velocities. The collector plate, centred with the beam axis, is divided into eight concentric rings, yielding the angular distribution of the spray current, and high resolution (u,ξ) values in the whole spray. The energies of various particles of given u are all well defined, but depend uniquely on u, even though u and ξ are in principle independent experimental variables. Slow and fast particles have energies respectively well above and below the capillary voltage Ve (1.64 kV). As previously shown by Gamero-Castaño & Hruby (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 459, 2002, pp. 245–276), this behaviour is due to the 2-stage acceleration process, first jointly in the jet for all particles, and then separately for free flying drops or ions of different mass/charge. The measured two-dimensional distributions of u and ξ provide the jet velocity Uj (~0.44 km s−1) and electrical potential Vj (1.2 kV) at the breakup point. All molecular ions originate near the breakup point rather than the meniscus neck. A measurable fraction of anomalously fast drops is observed that must come from Coulomb fissions of the main drops.
Algorithmic Governance and the International Politics of Big Tech
Authors: Srivastava Swati
Published: November 2021

Big technology companies like Facebook, Google, and Amazon amass global power through classification algorithms. These algorithms use unsupervised and semi-supervised machine learning on massive databases to detect objects, such as faces, and to process texts, such as speech, to model predictions for commercial and political purposes. Such governance by algorithms—or “algorithmic governance”—has received critical scrutiny from a vast interdisciplinary scholarship that points to algorithmic harms related to mass surveillance, information pollution, behavioral herding, bias, and discrimination. Big Tech’s algorithmic governance implicates core IR research in two ways: (1) it creates new private authorities as corporations control critical bottlenecks of knowledge, connection, and desire; and (2) it mediates the scope of state–corporate relations as states become dependent on Big Tech, Big Tech circumvents state overreach, and states curtail Big Tech. As such, IR scholars should become more involved in the global research on algorithmic governance.
Offsetting the cost of community-supported agriculture (CSA) for low-income families: perceptions and experiences of CSA farmers and members
Authors: Jilcott Pitts Stephanie B. , Volpe Leah Connor , Sitaker Marilyn , Belarmino Emily H. , Sealey Amari , Wang Weiwei , Becot Florence , McGuirt Jared T. , Ammerman Alice S. , Hanson Karla L. , Kolodinsky Jane , Seguin-Fowler Rebecca
Published: November 2021

Community-supported agriculture (CSA) is an alternative food marketing model in which community members subscribe to receive regular shares of a farm's harvest. Although CSA has the potential to improve access to fresh produce, certain features of CSA membership may prohibit low-income families from participating. A ‘cost-offset’ CSA (CO-CSA) model provides low-income families with purchasing support with the goal of making CSA more affordable. As a first step toward understanding the potential of CO-CSA to improve access to healthy foods among low-income households, we interviewed 24 CSA farmers and 20 full-pay CSA members about their experiences and perceptions of the cost-offset model and specific mechanisms for offsetting the cost of CSA. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and coded using a thematic approach. Ensuring that healthy food was accessible to everyone, regardless of income level, was a major theme expressed by both farmers and members. In general, CSA farmers and CSA members favored member donations over other mechanisms for funding the CO-CSA. The potential time burden that could affect CSA farmers when administering a cost-offset was a commonly-mentioned barrier. Future research should investigate various CO-CSA operational models in order to determine which models are most economically viable and sustainable.
Knowledge Brings Us Together
Authors: Goss Heather
Published: November 2021

In our special double end-of-year issue, Eos looks at how scientists and communities partner to find answers to our toughest problems.
The Capital’s Waterways Could Be Swimmable by 2030
Authors: Betancourt Mark
Published: November 2021

Scientists, community groups, and the Clean Water Act are behind Washington, D.C.’s massive project to reduce combined sewer overflows by 96%.
Mars from the InSight Out
Authors: Cartier Kimberly
Published: November 2021

There’s a seismometer on Mars, and it’s been busy!
Photochemically driven solid electrolyte interphase for extremely fast-charging lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Baek Minsung , Kim Jinyoung , Jin Jaegyu , Choi Jang Wook
Published: November 2021

Extremely fast charging (i.e. 80% of storage capacity within 15 min) is a pressing requirement for current lithium-ion battery technology and also affects the planning of charging infrastructure. Accelerating lithium ion transport through the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) is a major obstacle in boosting charging rate; in turn, limited kinetics at the SEI layer negatively affect the cycle life and battery safety as a result of lithium metal plating on the electrode surface. Here, we report a γ-ray-driven SEI layer that allows a battery cell to be charged to 80% capacity in 10.8 min as determined for a graphite full-cell with a capacity of 2.6 mAh cm−2. This exceptional charging performance is attributed to the lithium fluoride-rich SEI induced by salt-dominant decomposition via γ-ray irradiation. This study highlights the potential of non-electrochemical approaches to adjust the SEI composition toward fast charging and long-term stability, two parameters that are difficult to improve simultaneously in typical electrochemical processes owing to the trade-off relation.
Intrareticular charge transfer regulated electrochemiluminescence of donor–acceptor covalent organic frameworks
Authors: Luo Rengan , Lv Haifeng , Liao Qiaobo , Wang Ningning , Yang Jiarui , Li Yang , Xi Kai , Wu Xiaojun , Ju Huangxian , Lei Jianping
Published: November 2021

The control of charge transfer between radical anions and cations is a promising way for decoding the emission mechanism in electrochemiluminescence (ECL) systems. Herein, a type of donor-acceptor (D-A) covalent organic framework (COF) with triphenylamine and triazine units is designed as a highly efficient ECL emitter with tunable intrareticular charge transfer (IRCT). The D-A COF demonstrates 123 folds enhancement in ECL intensity compared with its benzene-based COF with small D-A contrast. Further, the COF’s crystallinity- and protonation-modulated ECL behaviors confirm ECL dependence on intrareticular charge transfer between donor and acceptor units, which is rationalized by density functional theory. Significantly, dual-peaked ECL patterns of COFs are achieved through an IRCT mediated competitive oxidation mechanism: the coreactant-mediated oxidation at lower potential and the direct oxidation at higher potential. This work provides a new fundamental and approach to improve the ECL efficiency for designing next-generation ECL devices.
A general strategy for preparing pyrrolic-N4 type single-atom catalysts via pre-located isolated atoms
Authors: Li Junjie , Jiang Ya-fei , Wang Qi , Xu Cong-Qiao , Wu Duojie , Banis Mohammad Norouzi , Adair Keegan R. , Doyle-Davis Kieran , Meira Debora Motta , Finfrock Y. Zou , Li Weihan , Zhang Lei , Sham Tsun-Kong , Li Ruying , Chen Ning , Gu Meng , Li Jun , Sun Xueliang
Published: November 2021

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have been applied in many fields due to their superior catalytic performance. Because of the unique properties of the single-atom-site, using the single atoms as catalysts to synthesize SACs is promising. In this work, we have successfully achieved Co1 SAC using Pt1 atoms as catalysts. More importantly, this synthesis strategy can be extended to achieve Fe and Ni SACs as well. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) results demonstrate that the achieved Fe, Co, and Ni SACs are in a M1-pyrrolic N4 (M= Fe, Co, and Ni) structure. Density functional theory (DFT) studies show that the Co(Cp)2 dissociation is enhanced by Pt1 atoms, thus leading to the formation of Co1 atoms instead of nanoparticles. These SACs are also evaluated under hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and the nature of active sites under HER are unveiled by the operando XAS studies. These new findings extend the application fields of SACs to catalytic fabrication methodology, which is promising for the rational design of advanced SACs.
Epitachophoresis is a novel versatile total nucleic acid extraction method
Authors: Datinska Vladimira , Gheibi Pantea , Jefferson Keynttisha , Yang Jaeyoung , Paladugu Sri , Dallett Carolina , Voracova Ivona , Foret Frantisek , Astier Yann
Published: November 2021

Epitachophoresis is a novel next generation extraction system capable of isolating DNA and RNA simultaneously from clinically relevant samples. Here we build on the versatility of Epitachophoresis by extracting diverse nucleic acids ranging in lengths (20 nt–290 Kbp). The quality of extracted miRNA, mRNA and gDNA was assessed by downstream Next-Generation Sequencing.
Ability of dog owners to identify their dogs by smell
Authors: Přibylová Lucie , Pilná Vendula , Pinc Ludvík , Vostrá-Vydrová Hana
Published: November 2021

Several studies report that olfactory cues play an important role in human life; humans are essentially able to recognize other family members and friends by their odors. Moreover, recent studies report that humans are also able to identify odors of non-conspecifics. The aim of this study was to determine whether dog owners are able to identify their dogs by smell and distinguish the odor of their own dogs from those of other dogs. A total of 53 dog owners (40 females and 13 males of different ages) volunteered to take part in this study. A number of the participants (17) owned 2 dogs; these owners took part in the study twice (i.e., working with only one dog at a time). Sterile gauze pads were used to collect odor samples from the dogs. Each pad was placed in its own sterile glass jar (750 ml) with a twist off lid until the experiment commenced. Participants were asked to identify their own dog´s odor from a line-up of 6 glass containers. This experiment demonstrated that dog owners are capable of identifying their dogs by smell on a significant level. Results of this study additionally suggested that male owners outperformed their female counterparts in the identification process. Moreover, dog owners whose dogs were housed outside had a higher success rate in identification than did participants who kept their dogs indoors with them. The dog owners found it easier to identify dogs that had been neutered, fed dry dog food and bathed less frequently. In general, younger dog owners tended to have more success when attempting to identify their dogs than did their older counterparts.
Production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural from Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) in an ionic liquid, 1-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate
Authors: Ito Ryoya , Miyafuji Hisashi
Published: November 2021

Production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) from Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) using an ionic liquid, 1-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate ([MIM]HSO4), was investigated. 5-HMF can be produced from C. japonica at temperatures above 120 °C. The maximum yield of 5-HMF was about 9 wt% after 15 min of treatment at 160 °C. However, 5-HMF produced in this process tended to decompose as the treatment continued. To avoid decomposition and to provide a means of recovering 5-HMF from [MIM]HSO4, three reaction systems based on [MIM]HSO4 were investigated: biphasic [MIM]HSO4/organic solvent system, [MIM]HSO4 with vacuum distillation, and [MIM]HSO4 with vacuum steam distillation. The [MIM]HSO4 reaction system combined with vacuum steam distillation was most effective. The maximum yield of 5-HMF was 17.5 wt% after treatment for 45 min at 160 °C. The combination of [MIM]HSO4 treatment with vacuum steam distillation is suitable for 5-HMF production because it is a one-pot process without the need for catalysts or pretreatment.
Hydrothermal temperature-driven evolution of morphology and electrocatalytic properties of hierarchical nanostructured CoFe-LDHs as highly efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reactions
Authors: Tang Lin , Jiang Xiaoli , Zheng Qiaoji , Lin Dunmin
Published: November 2021

CoFe-LDH-120 with its unique wire-in-sheet micromorphology upon tuning hydrothermal conditions exhibits superior electrocatalytic OER performance.
Cu(ii), Mn(ii) and Zn(ii) complexes of hydrazones with a quaternary ammonium moiety: synthesis, experimental and theoretical characterization and cytotoxic activity
Authors: Stevanović Nevena , Zlatar Matija , Novaković Irena , Pevec Andrej , Radanović Dušanka , Matić Ivana Z. , Đorđić Crnogorac Marija , Stanojković Tatjana , Vujčić Miroslava , Gruden Maja , Sladić Dušan , Anđelković Katarina , Turel Iztok , Čobeljić Božidar
Published: November 2021

Herein, we synthesized, characterized and performed DFT calculations of Cu(ii), Mn(ii) and Zn(ii) complexes of Girard's T hydrazone. The biological activity of the complexes, their precursors and appropriate salts was evaluated.
Role of terminal groups in aromatic molecules on the growth of Al2O3-based hybrid materials
Authors: Muriqi Arbresha , Karppinen Maarit , Nolan Michael
Published: November 2021

First principles investigation of the molecular mechanism of Al2O3-based hybrid materials grown with homo- or hetero-bifunctional aromatic compounds with hydroxy (OH) and/or amino (NH2) terminal groups.
Tracking high-valent surface iron species in the oxygen evolution reaction on cobalt iron (oxy)hydroxides
Authors: Lee Seunghwa , Moysiadou Aliki , Chu You-Chiuan , Chen Hao Ming , Hu Xile
Published: November 2021

Multifold operando spectroscopy reveals an Fe4+-containing active site at the surface of cobalt iron oxyhydroxides for the oxygen evolution reaction.
Effects of strawberries on bone biomarkers in pre- and stage 1-hypertensive postmenopausal women: a secondary analysis
Authors: Feresin Rafaela G. , Johnson Sarah A. , Elam Marcus L. , Pourafshar Shirin , Navaei Negin , Akhavan Neda S. , Tenenbaum Gershon , Figueroa Arturo , Arjmandi Bahram H.
Published: November 2021

Daily consumption of 25 g freeze-dried strawberry powder increases IGF-1 in pre- and stage 1-hypertensive postmenopausal women. However, whether this increase in IGF-1 leads to an increase in BMD cannot be confirmed at this time.
Photoactive ultrathin molecular nanosheets with reversible lanthanide binding terpyridine centers
Authors: Tang Zian , Chulanova Elena , Küllmer Maria , Winter Andreas , Picker Julian , Neumann Christof , Schreyer Kristin , Herrmann-Westendorf Felix , Arnlind Andreas , Dietzek Benjamin , Schubert Ulrich S. , Turchanin Andrey
Published: November 2021

The synthesis of large scale and mechanically stable ∼1 nm thick molecular nanosheets showing reversible complexation of lanthanide ions is reported. Their tailored photoactive properties pave the way to novel devices concepts for energy conversion.
Rational design of metal oxide catalysts for electrocatalytic water splitting
Authors: Xu Yiming , Fan Kaicai , Zou Yu , Fu Huaiqin , Dong Mengyang , Dou Yuhai , Wang Yun , Chen Shan , Yin Huajie , Al-Mamun Mohammad , Liu Porun , Zhao Huijun
Published: November 2021

The review introduces the mechanisms of heterogeneous hydrogen evolution (HER) and oxygen evolution reactions (OER), summarizesin-situcharacterization techniques and surveys strategies to boost the activities of metal oxide electrocatalysts.
Recent advances in palladium-catalyzed C(sp3)/C(sp2)–H bond functionalizations: access to C-branched glycosides
Authors: Azeem Zanjila , Mandal Pintu Kumar
Published: November 2021

This review summarises recent developments in palladium-catalyzed directed and nondirected C–H functionalization approaches to access C-branched aryl/alkenyl/alkyl glycosides with reaction characteristics and proposed mechanisms.
Clustering-triggered emission of poly(vinyl) alcohol
Authors: Wang Jingfei , Xu Lifeng , Zhong Shuangling , Yang Yongyan , Feng Gangying , Meng Qingye , Gao Yan , Cui Xuejun
Published: November 2021

PVA can emit blue light under UV light and the mechanism of this fluorescence was studied in this paper. PVA can be added to other materials to broaden their properties. The fluorescence of PVA has great application prospects.
RNA-inspired intramolecular transesterification accelerates the hydrolysis of polyethylene-like polyphosphoesters
Authors: Haider Tobias P. , Suraeva Oksana , Lieberwirth Ingo , Paneth Piotr , Wurm Frederik R.
Published: November 2021

RNA-inspired degradation of polyethylene-like polyphosphoesters accelerates the backbone hydrolysis dramatically to guarantee seawater-degradable plastics.
Correction: A photoexcited halogen-bonded EDA complex of the thiophenolate anion with iodobenzene for C(sp3)–H activation and thiolation
Authors: Li Tao , Liang Kangjiang , Tang Jiaying , Ding Yuzhen , Tong Xiaogang , Xia Chengfeng
Published: November 2021

Correction for ‘A photoexcited halogen-bonded EDA complex of the thiophenolate anion with iodobenzene for C(sp3)–H activation and thiolation’ by Tao Li et al., Chem. Sci., 2021, DOI: 10.1039/d1sc03667j.
An embedded interface regulates the underwater actuation of solvent-responsive soft grippers
Authors: Meena Rajesh Kumar , Rapaka Sri Datta , Pratoori Raghunandan , Annabattula Ratna Kumar , Ghosh Pijush
Published: November 2021

In this work, we report the role of an embedded interface between two polymer thin films in determining the overall folding and actuation characteristics of a bilayer system applied for gripping submerged objects.
Elastocapillary interaction between a long rectangular membrane and a liquid drop
Authors: Samy R. A. , Satpathi N. S. , Sen A. K.
Published: November 2021

We report elastocapillary interaction between a long rectangular membrane fixed along its central axis and a liquid drop dispensed at one of its ends.
Image quality enhancement using hybrid attention networks
Authors: Wang Jiachen , Yang Yingyun , Hua Yan
Published: November 2021

Image quality enhancement aims to recover rich details from degraded images, which is applied into many fields, such as medical imaging, filming production and autonomous driving. Deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have enabled rapid development of image quality enhancement. However, most existing CNN‐based methods lack versatility when targeting different subtasks in terms of the design of networks. Besides, they often fail to balance precise spatial representations and necessary contextual information. To deal with these problems, this paper proposes a novel unified framework for low‐light image enhancement, image denoising and image super‐resolution. The core of this architecture is a residual hybrid attention block (RHAB), which consists of several dynamic down‐sampling modules (DDM) and hybrid attention up‐sampling modules (HAUM). Specifically, multi‐scale feature maps are fully interacted with each other with the help of nested subnetworks so that both high‐resolution spatial details and high‐level contextual information can be combined to improve the representation ability of the network. Further, a hybrid attention network (HAN) is proposed and evaluations on three separate subtasks demonstrate its good performance. Extensive experiments on the authors' synthetic dataset, a more complex version, show that the authors' method achieve better quantitative and visual results compared to other state‐of‐the‐art methods.
Power curve modelling of wind turbines‐ A comparison study
Authors: Al‐Quraan Ayman , Al‐Masri Hussein , Al‐Mahmodi Mohammed , Radaideh Ashraf
Published: November 2021

Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs) are the common types used for generating energy using wind farms. For energy estimation studies, these turbines are modelled by their manufacturer Power‐Speed (P–V) curves which are usually expressed using generic equations. In the literature, several formulas are used to represent the P–V characteristics of the wind turbines. However, no substantial comparisons between the accuracy of these models are presented in the these works. The main objective here is to provide detailed comparisons between the accuracy of several P–V models, using several goodness of fit tests, such as, root mean square error (RMSE), coefficient of determination (R2), root mean biased error (RMBE) and Chi‐square (χ2) tests. Several real wind turbines (around 150 wind turbines) with their experimental data are used in this study. The results shows that the exponential model q9 has the highest correlation with respect to the manufacturer models with around (0.1) RMSE. In order to test the suitability of the estimated P–V characteristics in real applications, they have been used in estimating the energy output of four real wind farms in Jordan: Tafila, Hofa, Al Rajef, and Deahan. The estimated energy output is compared with the measured values of these wind farms. The results obtained shows a good correlation between the estimated energy output and the measured output obtained by the operators of these wind farms.
A tri-phasic continuum model for the numerical analysis of biological tissue proliferation using the Theory of Porous Media: Application to cardiac remodelling in rheumatic heart disease
Authors: Mosam Adam , Skatulla Sebastian , Ntusi Ntobeko
Published: November 2021

This research is part of an on-going project aimed at describing the mechanotransduction of rheumatic heart disease (RHD), in order to study long-term effects of new therapeutic concepts to treat inflammatory heart diseases and ultimately, estimate their effectiveness to prevent heart failure. RHD is a condition which is mostly common amongst low-income countries and accounts for approximately 250 000 deaths per annum. The Theory of Porous Media (TPM) can represent the proliferative growth and remodelling processes related to RHD within a thermodynamically consistent framework and is additionally advantageous with application to biological tissue due to the ability to couple multiple constituents.

The research presented will extend an existing biphasic TPM model for the solid cardiac tissue (solid phase) saturated in a blood and interstitial fluid (liquid phase) [1], to a triphasic model with the inclusion of a third nutrient phase towards growth. This inclusion is motivated by the reason to constrain the volume of the liquid phase within the system in response to the description of growth, which is modelled through a mass exchange between the solid phase and liquid phase within the biphasic model. Although the nutrient phase acts as a source for growth, the proposed mass supply function used to correlate the deposition of sarcomeres in relation to growth is predominantly mechanically driven and bears no connection to any biochemical constituent, which therefore renders the nutrient phase as a physiologically arbitrary quantity. However, the provision of the nutrient phase is a platform for the inclusion of known constituents which actively contribute towards growth, which may be explored in future research.

The triphasic model is applied to a full cardiac cycle of a left ventricle model, extracted from cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) scans of patients diagnosed with RHD.