bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acquiring Bulk Anomalous Photovoltaic Effect in Single Crystals of a Lead‐Free Double Perovskite with Aromatic and Alkali Mixed‐Cations
Authors: Hua Lina , Tang Liwei , Liu Yi , Han Shiguo , Xu Haojie , Guo Wuqian , Ma Yu , Liu Xitao , Luo Junhua , Sun Zhihua
Published: January 2023

The bulk anomalous photovoltaic (BAPV) effect of acentric materials refers to a distinct concept from traditional semiconductor‐based devices, of which the above‐bandgap photovoltage hints at a promise for solar‐energy conversion. However, it is still a challenge to exploit new BAPV‐active systems due to the lacking of knowledge on the structural origin of this concept. BAPV effects in single crystals of a 2D lead‐free double perovskite, (BBA)2CsAgBiBr7 (1, BBA = 4‐bromobenzylammonium), tailored by mixing aromatic and alkali cations in the confined architecture to form electric polarization are acquired here. Strikingly, BAPV effects manifested by above‐bandgap photovoltage (VOC) show unique attributes of directional anisotropy and positive dependence on electrode spacing. The driving source stems from orientations of the polar aromatic spacer and Cs+ ion drift, being different from the known built‐in asymmetry photovoltaic heterojunctions. As the first demonstration of the BAPV effect in the double perovskites, the results will enrich the family of environmentally green BAPV‐active candidates and further facilitate their new optoelectronic application.
Achieving Ultralong‐Cycle Zinc‐Ion Battery via Synergistically Electronic and Structural Regulation of a MnO2 Nanocrystal–Carbon Hybrid Framework
Authors: Xu Xilian , Chen Ye , Li Wanrui , Yin Ruilian , Zheng Dong , Niu Xinxin , Dai Xiaojing , Shi Wenhui , Liu Wenxian , Wu Fangfang , Wu Min , Lu Shengli , Cao Xiehong
Published: January 2023

Aqueous rechargeable zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) have attracted burgeoning interests owing to the prospect in large‐scale and safe energy storage application. Although manganese oxides are one of the typical cathodes of ZIBs, their practical usage is still hindered by poor service life and rate performance. Here, a MnO2–carbon hybrid framework is reported, which is obtained in a reaction between the dimethylimidazole ligand from a rational designed MOF array and potassium permanganate, achieving ultralong‐cycle‐life ZIBs. The unique structural feature of uniform MnO2 nanocrystals which are well‐distributed in the carbon matrix leads to a 90.4% capacity retention after 50 000 cycles. In situ characterization and theoretical calculations verify the co‐ions intercalation with boosted reaction kinetics. The hybridization between MnO2 and carbon endows the hybrid with enhanced electrons/ions transport kinetics and robust structural stability. This work provides a facile strategy to enhance the battery performance of manganese oxide‐based ZIBs.
Metal‐oxo Cluster Mediated Atomic Rh with High Accessibility for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Dong Hai , Zhao Zhenyang , Wu Zihe , Cheng Chong , Luo Xianglin , Li Shuang , Ma Tian
Published: January 2023

Achieving single‐atom catalysts (SACs) with high metal content and outstanding performance as well as robust stability is critically needed for clean and sustainable energy. However, most of the synthesized SACs are undesired on the loading content of the metal due to the anchored metals and the supports as well as the synthesizing methods. Herein, a Rh‐SAC with high accessibility by loading it on the metal nodes of metal‐porphyrin‐based PCN MOFs (PCN‐224) as supporting material is reported. Significantly, the PCN‐Rh15.9/KB catalyst with a high Rh content of 15.9 wt% exhibits excellent hydrogen evolution activity with a low overpotential of 25 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 and a mass activity of 7.7 A mg−1Rh at overpotential of 150 mV, which is much better than that of the commercial Rh/C. Various characterizations reveal the Rh species is stabilized by the metal nodes bearing −O/OHx in MOFs, which is of importance for the high loading amount and the good activity. This work establishes an efficient approach to synthesize high content SACs on the nodes of MOFs for wide catalyst design.
Dispersible SnO2:Sb and TiO2 Nanocrystals After Calcination at High Temperature
Authors: Klein Jonas , Philippi Michael , Alarslan Fatih , Jähnichen Tim , Enke Dirk , Steinhart Martin , Haase Markus
Published: January 2023

High‐temperature treatment of functional nanomaterials, through postsynthesis calcination, often represents an important step to unlock their full potential. However, such calcination steps usually severely limit the preparation of colloidal solutions of the nanoparticles due to the formation of sintered agglomerates. Herein, a simple route is reported to obtain colloidal solutions of calcined n‐conductive antimony doped tin oxide (ATO) as well as titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles without the need for additional sacrificial materials. This is achieved by making use of the reduced contact between individual nanoparticles when they are assembled into aerogels. Following the calcination of the aerogels at 500 °C, redispersion of the nanoparticles into stable colloidal solutions with various solvents can be achieved. Although a slight degree of sintering is inevitable, the size of the resulting aggregates in solution is still remarkably small with values below 30 nm.
Achieving Ultrahigh Energy‐Density Aqueous Supercapacitors via a Novel Acidic Radical Adsorption Capacity‐Activation Mechanism in Ni(SeO3)/Metal Sulfide Heterostructure
Authors: Song Jinyue , Fan Hongguang , Bai Lichong , Wang Yanpeng , Jin Yongcheng , Liu Shuang , Xie Xiaohui , Zheng Wansu , Liu Wei
Published: January 2023

Transitional metal chalcogenide (TMC) is considered as one promising high‐capacity electrode material for asymmetric supercapacitors. More evidence indicates that TMCs have the same charge storage mechanism as hydroxides, but the reason why TMC electrode materials always provide higher capacity is rare to insight. In this work, a NixCoyMnzS/Ni(SeO3) (NCMS/NSeO) heterostructure is prepared on Ni‐plated carbon cloth, validating that both NCMS and NSeO can be transformed into hydroxides in electrochemical process as accompanying with the formation of SeO32‐ and SOx2− in confined spaces of NCMS/NSeO/Ni sandwich structure. Based on density functional theory calculation and experimental results, a novel space‐confined acidic radical adsorption capacity‐activation mechanism is proposed for the first time, which can nicely explain the capacity enhancement of NCMS/NSeO electrode materials. Thanks to the unique capacity enhancement mechanism and stable NCMS/NSeO/Ni sandwich structure, the optimized electrodes exhibit a high capacity of 536 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 and the impressive rate capability of 140.5 mAh g−1 at the amazing current density of 200 A g−1. The assembled asymmetric supercapacitor achieves an ultrahigh energy density of 141 Wh Kg−1 and an impressive high‐rate capability and cyclability combination with 124% capacitance retention after 10 000 cycles at a large current density of 50 A g−1.
DNA Nanomaterials‐Based Platforms for Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Tian Run , Shang Yingxu , Wang Yiming , Jiang Qiao , Ding Baoquan
Published: January 2023

The past few decades have witnessed the evolving paradigm for cancer therapy from nonspecific cytotoxic agents to selective, mechanism‐based therapeutics, especially immunotherapy. In particular, the integration of nanomaterials with immunotherapy is proven to improve the therapeutic outcome and minimize off‐target toxicity in the treatment. As a novel nanomaterial, DNA‐based self‐assemblies featuring uniform geometries, feasible modifications, programmability, surface addressability, versatility, and intrinsic biocompatibility, are extensively exploited for innovative and effective cancer immunotherapy. In this review, the successful employment of DNA nanoplatforms for cancer immunotherapy, including the delivery of immunogenic cell death inducers, adjuvants and vaccines, immune checkpoint blockers as well as the application in immune cell engineering and adoptive cell therapy is summarized. The remaining challenges and future perspectives regarding the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, in vivo fate and immunogenicity of DNA materials, and the design of intelligent DNA nanomedicine for individualized cancer immunotherapy are also discussed.
Comparison of traditional and geometric morphometrics using Lake Huron ciscoes of the Coregonus artedi complex
Authors: Martin Benjamin E. , O'Malley Brian , Eshenroder Randy L. , Kao Yu-Chun , Olds Chris M. , O'Brien Timothy P. , Davis Chris L.
Published: January 2023

Objective

Here we determine how traditional morphometrics (TM) compares with geometric morphometrics (GM) in discriminating among morphologies of four forms of ciscoes of the Coregonus artedi complex collected from Lake Huron.

Methods

One of the forms comprised two groups of the same deepwater cisco separated by capture depth, whereas the other three forms were shallow-water ciscoes.

Result

Our three groups of shallow-water ciscoes were better separated (3% vs. 19% overlap) in principle component analysis (PCA) with TM data than with GM data incorporating semilandmarks (evenly spaced nonhomologous landmarks used to bridge between widely separated homologous landmarks). Our two deepwater cisco groups, comprising a putatively single form collected from different depths, separated more in PCAs with GM data (33% overlap) than in PCAs with TM data (66% overlap), an anomaly caused by greater decompression of the swim bladder and deformation of the body wall in the group captured at greater depths. Separation of the two deepwater cisco groups captured at different depths was not affected by the removal of semilandmarks. Assignment of forms using canonical variate analysis accurately assigned 86% of individuals using TM data, 98% of individuals using GM data incorporating semilandmarks, and 100% of individuals using GM data without semilandmarks. However, we considered assignments from the same form of deepwater cisco into separate groups as misassignments resulting from different capture depths, which reduced the accuracy of assignments with GM data incorporating semilandmarks to 66%.

Conclusion

Our study implies that TM will continue to have an important role in morphological discrimination within Coregonus and other fishes similarly shaped.
Genomic selection and genome‐wide association studies in tetraploid chipping potatoes
Authors: Pandey Jeewan , Scheuring Douglas C. , Koym Jeffrey W. , Endelman Jeffrey B. , Vales M. Isabel
Published: January 2023

Potato is a major food crop in the United States and around the world. Most potatoes grown in the United States are destined for processing. Genomic selection can speed up breeding progress for important traits, including those with complex inheritance by guiding the identification of the best parents and guiding selection to advance clones in the breeding program. However, the application of genomic selection in polyploid species has been challenging. In this study, we obtained breeding values of 384 chipping clones evaluated in Texas between 2017 and 2020. The mean reliability of the genomic‐estimated breeding values obtained were 0.77, 0.41, 0.61, 0.71, and 0.24 for chip color, chip quality, specific gravity, vine maturity, and total yield, respectively. Potato clones with good chip quality, high yield, high specific gravity, and light‐color chips were identified using a multi‐trait selection index based on weighted standardized genomic‐estimated breeding values. Genome‐wide association studies identified quantitative trait loci on chromosome 5 for vine maturity and chromosomes 1, 3, and 7 for chip color. This research has laid the groundwork for implementing genomic selection in tetraploid potato breeding and understanding the genetic basis of chip processing traits in potatoes.
Genome‐wide diversity analysis suggests divergence among Upper Guinea and the Dahomey Gap populations of the Sisrè berry (Syn: miracle fruit) plant (Synsepalum dulcificum [Schumach. & Thonn.] Daniell) in West Africa
Authors: Tchokponhoué Dèdéou A. , Achigan‐Dako Enoch G. , Sognigbé N'Danikou , Nyadanu Daniel , Hale Iago , Odindo Alfred O. , Sibiya Julia
Published: January 2023

Although Synsepalum dulcificum is viewed as one of the most economically promising orphan tree crops worldwide, its genetic improvement and sustainable conservation are hindered by a lack of understanding of its evolutionary history and current population structure. Here, we report for the first time the application of genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping to a diverse panel of S. dulcificum accessions to depict the genetic diversity and population structure of the species in the Dahomey Gap (DG) and Upper Guinea (UG) regions to infer its evolutionary history. Our findings suggest low overall genetic diversity but strong population divergence within the species. Neighbor‐joining analysis detected two genetic groups in the UG and DG regions, while STRUCTURE distinguished three genetic groups, corresponding to the UG, Western DG, and Central DG regions. Application of Monmonier's algorithm revealed the existence of a barrier disrupting connectivity between the UG and DG groups. The Western DG group consistently exhibited the highest levels of nucleotide and haplotype diversities, while that of the Central DG exhibited the lowest. Analyses of Tajima's D, Fu's Fs, and Achaz Y* statistics suggest that while both UG and Central DG groups likely experienced recent expansions, the Western DG group is at equilibrium. These findings suggest a geographical structuring of genetic variation which supports the conclusion of differential evolutionary histories among West African groups of S. dulcificum. These results provide foundational insights to guide informed breeding population development and design sustainable conservation strategies for this species.
Functional connectivity and mild behavioral impairment in dementia‐free elderly
Authors: Ghahremani Maryam , Nathan Santhosh , Smith Eric E. , McGirr Alexander , Goodyear Bradley , Ismail Zahinoor
Published: January 2023

Background

Mild behavioral impairment (MBI) is a syndrome that uses later‐life emergent and persistent neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) to identify a group at high risk for incident dementia. MBI is associated with neurodegenerative disease markers in advance of syndromic dementia. Functional connectivity (FC) correlates of MBI are understudied and could provide further insights into mechanisms early in the disease course. We used resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI) to test the hypothesis that FC within the default mode network (DMN) and salience network (SN) of persons with MBI (MBI+) is reduced, relative to those without (MBI–).

Methods

From two harmonized dementia‐free cohort studies, using a score of ≥6 on the MBI Checklist to define MBI status, 32 MBI+ and 63 MBI– individuals were identified (mean age: 71.7 years; 54.7% female). Seed‐based connectivity analysis was implemented in each MBI group using the CONN fMRI toolbox (v20.b), with the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) as the seed region within the DMN and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) as the seed within the SN. The average time series from the PCC and ACC were used to determine FC with other regions within the DMN (medial prefrontal cortex, lateral inferior parietal cortex) and SN (anterior insula, supramarginal gyrus, rostral prefrontal cortex), respectively. Age, sex, years of education, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores were included as model covariates. The false discovery rate approach was used to correct for multiple comparisons, with a p‐value of .05 considered significant.

Results

For the DMN, MBI+ individuals exhibited reduced FC between the PCC and the medial prefrontal cortex, compared to MBI–. For the SN, MBI+ individuals exhibited reduced FC between the ACC and left anterior insula.

Conclusion

MBI in dementia‐free older adults is associated with reduced FC in networks known to be disrupted in dementia. Our results complement the evidence linking MBI with Alzheimer's disease biomarkers.

Highlights

Resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging was completed in 95 dementia‐free persons from FAVR and COMPASS‐ND studies.

Participants were stratified by informant‐rated Mild Behavioral Impairment Checklist (MBI‐C) score, ≥6 for MBI+.

MBI+ participants showed reduced functional connectivity (FC) within the default mode network and salience network.

These FC changes are consistent with those seen in early‐stage Alzheimer's disease.

MBI may help identify persons with early‐stage neurodegenerative disease.
A Guide Toward Multi-scale and Quantitative Branching Analysis in the Mammary Gland
Authors: Hannezo Edouard , Scheele Colinda L. G. J.
Published: January 2023

The mammary gland consists of a bilayered epithelial structure with an extensively branched morphology. The majority of this epithelial tree is laid down during puberty, during which actively proliferating terminal end buds repeatedly elongate and bifurcate to form the basic structure of the ductal tree. Mammary ducts consist of a basal and luminal cell layer with a multitude of identified sub-lineages within both layers. The understanding of how these different cell lineages are cooperatively driving branching morphogenesis is a problem of crossing multiple scales, as this requires information on the macroscopic branched structure of the gland, as well as data on single-cell dynamics driving the morphogenic program. Here we describe a method to combine genetic lineage tracing with whole-gland branching analysis. Quantitative data on the global organ structure can be used to derive a model for mammary gland branching morphogenesis and provide a backbone on which the dynamics of individual cell lineages can be simulated and compared to lineage-tracing approaches. Eventually, these quantitative models and experiments allow to understand the couplings between the macroscopic shape of the mammary gland and the underlying single-cell dynamics driving branching morphogenesis.
Analysis of Vascular Morphogenesis in Zebrafish
Authors: Hubert Marvin , Herzog Wiebke
Published: January 2023

Analysis of cardiovascular development in zebrafish embryos has become a major driver of vascular research in recent years. Imaging-based analyses have allowed the discovery or verification of morphologically distinct processes and mechanisms of, e.g., endothelial cell migration, angiogenic sprouting, tip or stalk cell behavior, and vessel anastomosis. In this chapter, we describe the techniques and tools used for confocal imaging of zebrafish endothelial development in combination with general experimental approaches for molecular dissection of involved signaling pathways.
Robustness of Image-Based Malware Analysis
Authors: Tran Katrina , Di Troia Fabio , Stamp Mark
Published: January 2023

In previous work, “gist descriptor” features extracted from images have been used in malware classification problems and have shown promising results. In this research, we determine whether gist descriptors are robust with respect to malware obfuscation techniques, as compared to Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) trained directly on malware images. Using the Python Image Library (PIL), we create images from malware executables and from malware that we obfuscate. We conduct experiments to compare classifying these images with a CNN as opposed to extracting the gist descriptor features from these images to use in classification. For the gist descriptors, we consider a variety of classification algorithms including k-nearest neighbors, random forest, support vector machine, and multi-layer perceptron. We find that gist descriptors are more robust than CNNs, with respect to the obfuscation techniques that we consider.
Twitter Bots’ Detection with Benford’s Law and Machine Learning
Authors: Bhosale Sanmesh , Di Troia Fabio
Published: January 2023

Online Social Networks (OSNs) have grown exponentially in terms of active users and have now become an influential factor in the formation of public opinions. For this reason, the use of bots and botnets for spreading misinformation on OSNs has become a widespread concern. Identifying bots and botnets on Twitter can require complex statistical methods to score a profile based on multiple features. Benford’s Law, or the Law of Anomalous Numbers, states that, in any naturally occurring sequence of numbers, the First Significant Leading Digit (FSLD) frequency follows a particular pattern such that they are unevenly distributed and reducing. This principle can be applied to the first-degree egocentric network of a Twitter profile to assess its conformity to such law and, thus, classify it as a bot profile or normal profile. This paper focuses on leveraging Benford’s Law in combination with various Machine Learning (ML) classifiers to identify bot profiles on Twitter. In addition, a comparison with other statistical methods is produced to confirm our classification results.
A Blockchain-Based Retribution Mechanism for Collaborative Intrusion Detection
Authors: Fan Wenjun , Kumar Shubham , Chang Sang-Yoon , Park Younghee
Published: January 2023

Collaborative intrusion detection approach uses the shared detection signature between the collaborative participants to facilitate coordinated defense. In the context of collaborative intrusion detection system (CIDS), however, there is no research focusing on the efficiency of the shared detection signature. The inefficient detection signature costs not only the IDS resource but also the process of the peer-to-peer (P2P) network. In this paper, we therefore propose a blockchain-based retribution mechanism, which aims to incentivize the participants to contribute to verifying the efficiency of the detection signature in terms of certain distributed consensus. We implement a prototype using Ethereum blockchain, which instantiates a token-based retribution mechanism and a smart contract-enabled voting-based distributed consensus. We conduct a number of experiments built on the prototype, and the experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Impact of Location Spoofing Attacks on Performance Prediction in Mobile Networks
Authors: Kanuri Nikhil Sai , Chang Sang-Yoon , Park Younghee , Kim Jonghyun , Kim Jinoh
Published: January 2023

Performance prediction in wireless mobile networks is essential for diverse purposes in network management and operation. Particularly, the position of mobile devices is crucial to estimating the performance in the mobile communication setting. With its importance, this paper investigates mobile communication performance based on the coordinate information of mobile devices. We analyze a recent 5G data collection and examine the feasibility of location-based performance prediction. As location information is key to performance prediction, the basic assumption of making a relevant prediction is the correctness of the coordinate information of devices given. With its criticality, this paper also investigates the impact of position falsification on the ML-based performance predictor, which reveals the significant degradation of the prediction performance under such attacks, suggesting the need for effective defense mechanisms against location spoofing threats.
Four-fermion deformations of the massless Schwinger model and confinement
Authors: Cherman Aleksey , Jacobson Theodore , Shifman Mikhail , Ünsal Mithat , Vainshtein Arkady
Published: January 2023

Abstract

We consider the massless charge-N Schwinger model and its deformation with two four-fermion operators. Without the deformations, this model exhibits chiral symmetry breaking without confinement. It is usually asserted that the massless Schwinger model is always deconfined and a string tension emerges only when a mass for the fermion field is turned on. We show that in the presence of these four-fermion operators, the massless theory can in fact confine. One of the four-fermion deformations is chirally neutral, and is a marginal deformation. The other operator can be relevant or irrelevant, and respects a ℤ2 subgroup of chiral symmetry for even N, hence forbidding a mass term. When it is relevant, even the exactly massless theory exhibits both confinement and spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking. The construction is analogous to QCD(adj) in 2d. While the theory without four-fermion deformations is deconfined, the theory with these deformations is generically in a confining phase. We study the model on ℝ2 using bosonization, and also analyze the mechanism of confinement on ℝ × S1, where we find that confinement is driven by fractional instantons.
A holographic inequality for N = 7 regions
Authors: Czech Bartłomiej , Wang Yunfei
Published: January 2023

Abstract

In holographic duality, boundary states that have semiclassical bulk duals must obey inequalities, which bound their subsystems’ von Neumann entropies. Hitherto known inequalities constrain entropies of reduced states on up to N = 5 disjoint subsystems. Here we report one new such inequality, which involves N = 7 disjoint regions. Our work supports a recent conjecture on the structure of holographic inequalities, which predicted the existence and schematic form of the new inequality. We explain the logic and educated guesses by which we arrived at the inequality, and comment on the feasibility of employing similar tactics in a more exhaustive search.
A placenta-on-a-chip model to determine the regulation of FKBPL and galectin-3 in preeclampsia
Authors: Ghorbanpour Sahar Masoumeh , Richards Claire , Pienaar Dillan , Sesperez Kimberly , Aboulkheyr Es. Hamidreza , Nikolic Valentina N. , Karadzov Orlic Natasa , Mikovic Zeljko , Stefanovic Milan , Cakic Zoran , Alqudah Abdelrahim , Cole Louise , Gorrie Catherine , McGrath Kristine , Kavurma Mary M. , Ebrahimi Warkiani Majid , McClements Lana
Published: January 2023

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific cardiovascular disorder, involving significant maternal endothelial dysfunction. Although inappropriate placentation due to aberrant angiogenesis, inflammation and shallow trophoblast invasion are the root causes of preeclampsia, pathogenic mechanisms are poorly understood, particularly in early pregnancy. Here, we first confirm the abnormal expression of important vascular and inflammatory proteins, FK506-binding protein-like (FKBPL) and galectin-3 (Gal-3), in human plasma and placental tissues from women with preeclampsia and normotensive controls. We then employ a three-dimensional microfluidic placental model incorporating human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and a first trimester trophoblast cell line (ACH-3P) to investigate FKBPL and Gal-3 signaling in inflammatory conditions. In human samples, both circulating (n = 17 controls; n = 30 preeclampsia) and placental (n ≥ 6) FKBPL and Gal-3 levels were increased in preeclampsia compared to controls (plasma: FKBPL, p < 0.0001; Gal-3, p < 0.01; placenta: FKBPL, p < 0.05; Gal-3, p < 0.01), indicative of vascular dysfunction in preeclampsia. In our placenta-on-a-chip model, we show that endothelial cells are critical for trophoblast-mediated migration and that trophoblasts effectively remodel endothelial vascular networks. Inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor-α (10 ng/mL) modulates both FKBPL and Gal-3 signaling in conjunction with trophoblast migration and impairs vascular network formation (p < 0.005). Our placenta-on-a-chip recapitulates aspects of inappropriate placental development and vascular dysfunction in preeclampsia.
Dentoskeletal effects of clear aligner vs twin block—a short-term study of functional appliances
Authors: Lombardo Elisabetta Cretella , Lione Roberta , Franchi Lorenzo , Gaffuri Francesca , Maspero Cinzia , Cozza Paola , Pavoni Chiara
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The twin block (TB) is one of the most widely used functional appliances for the correction of class II malocclusions. Align Technology (San Jose, CA, USA) developed the Invisalign® mandibular advancement (MA) that replicates the mechanism of action of a functional appliance. The aim of this study was to compare the changes produced by the TB versus those by MA.

Methods

The records of 56 class II patients treated with the TB (TB group: n = 35) or the MA (MA group: n = 21) were compared to a control sample of 15 untreated class II subjects (UC2).

Results

The TB and MA groups showed a significant reduction of the ANB angle, compared to the controls (TB group: −1.5°; MA group: −1.5°; UC2 group: +0.2°). For the Co-Gn values, the TB and MA groups showed significant differences when compared with the UC2 group with an increase of 8.4 mm in TB patients and of 8.3 mm in MA patients. The increase of the distance of Pg to the true vertical line (TVL) was the only measurement where significant differences between the three groups were found with a greater advancement of the soft tissue pogonion in the TB group compared with the MA group and the UC2 group (TB group: +3 mm; MA group: +0.9 mm; UC2 group: −1.6 mm). The angle between the palatal plane and mandibular plane revealed a more relevant reduction in the TB and MA groups. Both appliances were able to reduce overjet and vertical overbite values.

Conclusions

Treatment with the MA and TB appliances produced a significant elongation of the mandible with an improvement in sagittal relationship, overjet, and vertical overbite and with good control of the vertical relationship. TB subjects showed a greater advancement of the soft tissue chin.
Post-exposure Period as a key Factor to Assess Cadmium Toxicity: Lethal vs. Behavioral Responses
Authors: Alonso Álvaro
Published: January 2023

The exposure of animals to pollution in ecosystems is not always chronic. Toxicants can remain in aquatic ecosystems for a short-term. To improve the extrapolation of laboratory results to natural scenarios the inclusion of post-exposure periods is a relevant issue. The present study focuses on the assessment of cadmium toxicity on survival and behavior of the aquatic snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Tateidae, Mollusca) during exposure and post-exposure. Animals were exposed for 48 h to cadmium (0.05, 0.14, 0.44 and 1.34 mg Cd/L) and 168 h of post-exposure. During the post-exposure period an increase in mortality in all concentrations was observed. The effects observed during the post-exposure period on the LC50 and EC50 were significant. During the post-exposure, behavior showed a clear recovery in surviving animals exposed to 0.44 mg Cd/L. Animals exposed to 0.05 mg Cd/L did not show differences with control. Therefore, mortality after exposure should be included in the ecotoxicological bioassays for a more realistic estimation of the cadmium effects. To assess the degree of animal recovery after cadmium exposure, behaviour has been shown as an adequate parameter.
Artificial intelligence: a “promising technology”
Authors: Hirsch-Kreinsen Hartmut
Published: January 2023

This paper addresses the question of how the ups and downs in the development of artificial intelligence (AI) since its inception can be explained. It focuses on the development of artificial intelligence in Germany since the 1970s, and particularly on its current dynamics. An assumption is made that a mere reference to rapid advances in information technologies and the various methods and concepts of artificial intelligence in recent decades cannot adequately explain these dynamics, because from a social science perspective, this is an oversimplified, technology-centred explanation. Drawing on ideas from social scientific innovation research, the hypothesis is rather that artificial intelligence should be understood as a “promising technology”. Its various stages of development have always been driven by technological promises about its special powers and capabilities when applied to solving economic and societal challenges.
Stacking sequence optimisation of an aircraft wing skin
Authors: Ntourmas Georgios , Glock Florian , Deinert Sebastian , Daoud Fernass , Schuhmacher Gerd , Chronopoulos Dimitrios , Özcan Ender , Ninić Jelena
Published: January 2023

This paper demonstrates a stacking sequence optimisation process of a composite aircraft wing skin. A two-stage approach is employed to satisfy all sizing requirements of this industrial sized, medium altitude, long endurance drone. In the first stage of the optimisation, generic stacks are used to describe the thickness and stiffness properties of the structure while considering both structural requirements and discrete guidelines such as blending. In the second stage of the optimisation, mathematical programming is used to solve a Mixed Integer Linear Programming formulation of the stacking sequence optimisation. The proposed approach is suitable for real-world thick structures comprised of multiple patches. Different thickness discretisation strategies are examined for the retrieval of the discrete stacking sequences, with each one having a different influence on the satisfaction of all structural constraints across the various sub-components of the wing. The weight penalty introduced between the continuous and final discrete design of the proposed approach is negligible.
The Rayleigh–Bénard Problem for Compressible Fluid Flows
Authors: Feireisl Eduard , Świerczewska-Gwiazda Agnieszka
Published: January 2023

We consider the physically relevant fully compressible setting of the Rayleigh–Bénard problem of a fluid confined between two parallel plates, heated from the bottom, and subjected to gravitational force. Under suitable restrictions imposed on the constitutive relations we show that this open system is dissipative in the sense of Levinson, meaning there exists a bounded absorbing set for any global-in-time weak solution. In addition, global-in-time trajectories are asymptotically compact in suitable topologies and the system possesses a global compact trajectory attractor $$\mathcal {A}$$
A
. The standard technique of Krylov and Bogolyubov then yields the existence of an invariant measure—a stationary statistical solution sitting on $$\mathcal {A}$$
A
. In addition, the Birkhoff–Khinchin ergodic theorem provides convergence of ergodic averages of solutions belonging to $$\mathcal {A}$$
A
a.s. with respect to the invariant measure.
The contribution of high-resolution GC separations in plastic recycling research
Authors: Zanella Delphine , Romagnoli Monica , Malcangi Sofia , Beccaria Marco , Chenet Tatiana , De Luca Chiara , Testoni Fabio , Pasti Luisa , Visentini Ugo , Morini Giampiero , Cavazzini Alberto , Franchina Flavio A.
Published: January 2023

One convenient strategy to reduce environmental impact and pollution involves the reuse and revalorization of waste produced by modern society. Nowadays, global plastic production has reached 367 million tons per year and because of their durable nature, their recycling is fundamental for the achievement of the circular economy objective. In closing the loop of plastics, advanced recycling, i.e., the breakdown of plastics into their building blocks and their transformation into valuable secondary raw materials, is a promising management option for post-consumer plastic waste. The most valuable product from advanced recycling is a fluid hydrocarbon stream (or pyrolysis oil) which represents the feedstock for further refinement and processing into new plastics. In this context, gas chromatography is currently playing an important role since it is being used to study the pyrolysis oils, as well as any organic contaminants, and it can be considered a high-resolution separation technique, able to provide the molecular composition of such complex samples. This information significantly helps to tailor the pyrolysis process to produce high-quality feedstocks. In addition, the detection of contaminants (i.e., heteroatom-containing compounds) is crucial to avoid catalytic deterioration and to implement and design further purification processes. The current review highlights the importance of molecular characterization of waste stream products, and particularly the pyrolysis oils obtained from waste plastics. An overview of relevant applications published recently will be provided, and the potential of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography, which represents the natural evolution of gas chromatography into a higher-resolution technique, will be underlined.
Is the Association of the Rare rs35667974 IFIH1 Gene Polymorphism With Autoimmune Diseases a Case of RNA Epigenetics?
Authors: Andreou Athena , Papakyriakou Athanasios , Zervou Maria I. , Goulielmos George N. , Eliopoulos Elias E.
Published: January 2023

Interferon induced with helicase C domain-containing protein 1 (IFIH1) gene encodes a cytoplasmic RNA helicase otherwise known as melanoma differentiation-associated 5 (MDA5), a RIG-1-like RNA helicase that recognizes viral RNA and is involved in innate immunity through recognition of viral RNA. Upon binding to double-stranded (ds) RNA, MDA5 forms a filamentous assembly along the length of dsRNA and utilizes molecular signatures to discriminate self, versus non-self on the basis of dsRNA length and methylation. Its missense variant rs35667974 is protective for type 1 diabetes, psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis, but is also found to be associated with an increased risk for ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. To gain insight into the complex role of this variant we performed a structural analysis of MDA5 in complex with dsRNA using molecular dynamics simulations. Our data suggest that while the Ile923Val mutation of the rs35667974 variant does not affect binding to native dsRNA significantly, it displays a destabilizing effect in the presence of 2′-O uridine methylation. Thus, the presence of 2′-O-methylation at the dsRNA introduces a sensing signature that leads to selective reduction of the overall MDA catalytic activity. This study represents an evaluation of the role of the shared rs35667974 variant of autoimmune locus IFIH1, reported to lead to selectively reduced catalytic activity of the modified MDA5 phenotype and, as a consequence, reduced negative feedback on cytokine and chemokine signaling and selectively protection against autoimmunity.
Eye Tracking in Virtual Reality: a Broad Review of Applications and Challenges
Authors: Adhanom Isayas Berhe , MacNeilage Paul , Folmer Eelke
Published: January 2023

Eye tracking is becoming increasingly available in head-mounted virtual reality displays with various headsets with integrated eye trackers already commercially available. The applications of eye tracking in virtual reality are highly diversified and span multiple disciplines. As a result, the number of peer-reviewed publications that study eye tracking applications has surged in recent years. We performed a broad review to comprehensively search academic literature databases with the aim of assessing the extent of published research dealing with applications of eye tracking in virtual reality, and highlighting challenges, limitations and areas for future research.
Green construction for low-carbon cities: a review
Authors: Chen Lin , Huang Lepeng , Hua Jianmin , Chen Zhonghao , Wei Lilong , Osman Ahmed I. , Fawzy Samer , Rooney David W. , Dong Liang , Yap Pow-Seng
Published: January 2023

The construction industry is a major user of non-renewable energy and contributor to emission of greenhouse gases, thus requiring to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Indeed, construction activities account for 36% of global energy consumption and 39% of global carbon dioxide emissions. Reducing carbon emissions requires adapted government policies, carbon emission analysis and calculation models, and sustainable materials. Here, we review green construction with focus on history, carbon emissions, policies, models, life cycle assessment, and sustainable materials such as biochar, bioplastic, agricultural waste, animal wool, fly ash and self-healing concrete. Analysis of carbon emissions over the building life cycle shows that the construction phase accounts for 20–50% of total carbon emissions. The average ratio of construction phase annual emissions to operation phase emissions is 0.62. We present national policy frameworks and technology roadmaps from the United States of America, Japan, China, and the European Union, highlighting plans to achieve carbon neutrality in the building sector.
Logic programming for deliberative robotic task planning
Authors: Meli Daniele , Nakawala Hirenkumar , Fiorini Paolo
Published: January 2023

Over the last decade, the use of robots in production and daily life has increased. With increasingly complex tasks and interaction in different environments including humans, robots are required a higher level of autonomy for efficient deliberation. Task planning is a key element of deliberation. It combines elementary operations into a structured plan to satisfy a prescribed goal, given specifications on the robot and the environment. In this manuscript, we present a survey on recent advances in the application of logic programming to the problem of task planning. Logic programming offers several advantages compared to other approaches, including greater expressivity and interpretability which may aid in the development of safe and reliable robots. We analyze different planners and their suitability for specific robotic applications, based on expressivity in domain representation, computational efficiency and software implementation. In this way, we support the robotic designer in choosing the best tool for his application.
Logical fallacies persist in invasion biology and blaming the messengers will not improve accountability in this field: a response to Frank et al.
Authors: Guiaşu Radu Cornel , Tindale Christopher W.
Published: January 2023

We analyze the “Logical fallacies and reasonable debates in invasion biology: a response to Guiaşu and Tindale” article by Frank et al., and also discuss this work in the context of recent intense debates in invasion biology, and reactions by leading invasion biologists to critics of aspects of their field. While we acknowledge the attempt by Frank et al., at least in the second half of their paper, to take into account more diverse points of view about non-native species and their complex roles in ecosystems, we also find the accusations of misrepresenting invasion biology, for instance by “cherry-picking” and “constructing ‘straw people’”, directed at the Guiaşu and Tindale study to be unwarranted. Despite the sometimes harsh responses by leading invasion biologists to critics of their field, we believe that persistent and fundamental problems remain in invasion biology, and we discuss some of these problems in this article. Failing to recognize these problems, and simply dismissing or minimizing legitimate criticisms, will not advance the cause, or enhance the general appeal, of invasion biology and will prevent meaningful progress in understanding the multiple contributions non-native species can bring to various ecosystems worldwide. We recommend taking a more open-minded and pragmatic approach towards non-native species and the novel ecosystems they are an integral part of.
E-waste recycled materials as efficient catalysts for renewable energy technologies and better environmental sustainability
Authors: Seif Rania , Salem Fatma Zakaria , Allam Nageh K.
Published: January 2023

Waste from electrical and electronic equipment exponentially increased due to the innovation and the ever-increasing demand for electronic products in our life. The quantities of electronic waste (e-waste) produced are expected to reach 44.4 million metric tons over the next five years. Consequently, the global market for electronics recycling is expected to reach $65.8 billion by 2026. However, electronic waste management in developing countries is not appropriately handled, as only 17.4% has been collected and recycled. The inadequate electronic waste treatment causes significant environmental and health issues and a systematic depletion of natural resources in secondary material recycling and extracting valuable materials. Electronic waste contains numerous valuable materials that can be recovered and reused to create renewable energy technologies to overcome the shortage of raw materials and the adverse effects of using non-renewable energy resources. Several approaches were devoted to mitigate the impact of climate change. The cooperate social responsibilities supported integrating informal collection and recycling agencies into a well-structured management program. Moreover, the emission reductions resulting from recycling and proper management systems significantly impact climate change solutions. This emission reduction will create a channel in carbon market mechanisms by trading the CO2 emission reductions. This review provides an up-to-date overview and discussion of the different categories of electronic waste, the recycling methods, and the use of high recycled value-added (HAV) materials from various e-waste components in green renewable energy technologies.
Policy Narratives on Palliative Care in Sweden 1974–2018
Authors: Ågren Axel , Krevers Barbro , Cedersund Elisabet , Nedlund Ann-Charlotte
Published: January 2023

In Sweden, efforts to govern end-of-life care through policies have been ongoing since the 1970s. The aim of this study is to analyse how policy narratives on palliative care in Sweden have been formulated and have changed over time since the 1970s up to 2018. We have analysed 65 different policy-documents. After having analysed the empirical material, three policy episodes were identified. In Episode 1, focus was on the need for norms, standards and a psychological end-of-life care with the main goal of solving the alleged deficiencies within end-of-life care in hospital settings. Episode 2 was characterised by an emphasis on prioritising end-of-life care and dying at home, and on the fact that the hospice care philosophy should serve as inspiration. In Episode 3, the need for a palliative care philosophy that transcended all palliative care and the importance of systematic follow-ups and indicators was endorsed. Furthermore, human value and freedom of choice were emphasised. In conclusion, the increase of policy-documents produced by the welfare-state illustrate that death and dying have become matters of public concern and responsibility. Furthermore, significant shifts in policy narratives display how notions of good palliative care change, which in turn may affect both the practice and the content of care at the end of life.
Plasma Amino Acid Profile in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Southern China: Analysis of 110 Cases
Authors: Chen Wen-Xiong , Chen Yi-Ru , Peng Min-Zhi , Liu Xian , Cai Yan-Na , Huang Zhi-Fang , Yang Si-Yuan , Huang Jing-Yu , Wang Ruo-Han , Yi Peng , Liu Li
Published: January 2023

To retrospectively explore the characteristics of plasma amino acids (PAAs) in children with autism spectrum disorder and their clinical association via case-control study. A total of 110 autistic and 55 healthy children were recruited from 2014 to 2018. The clinical phenotypes included severity of autism, cognition, adaptability, and regression. Compared with the control group, autistic children had significantly elevated glutamate, γ-Amino-n-butyric acid, glutamine, sarcosine, δ-aminolevulinic acid, glycine and citrulline. In contrast, their plasma level of ethanolamine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, homocysteine, pyroglutamic acid, hydroxyproline, ornithine, histidine, lysine, and glutathione were significantly lower. Elevated neuroactive amino acids (glutamate) and decreased essential amino acids were mostly distinct characteristics of PAAs of autistic children. Increased level of tryptophan might be associated with severity of autism.