bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Verteporfin Loaded Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanosheets for Combined Photo‐Chemotherapy
Authors: Singh Geetanjali , Imtiyaz Khalid , Saumya  , Rizvi Moshahid A. , Nenavathu Bhavani P.
Published: February 2023

Verteporphin loaded g‐C3N4 represents a multifunctional therapeutic platform for synchronous cancer imaging and treatment through the synergistic effect of phototherapy and chemotherapy. A biocompatible nanocarrier using g‐C3N4 nanosheets for high loading and anticancer activity of photosensitizer drug verteporfin (VP) is designed. The drug encapsulation efficiency (%) of optimized mannose functionalized g‐C3N4 formulation was observed to be 68.5 % for 5 mg of nanocarrier. It was found that 63.3 % and 81 % of the total bound drug was released from the nanocarrier at pH 5.4 and pH 1.2 respectively after 48 h. Under neutral conditions (pH 7.4), 45.2 % of the drug was released from the nanocarrier in the first 48 h. The % cytotoxicity of the free drug, the drug loaded nanocarrier against human breast cancer cell line (MCF‐7) was found to be 91.47 % and 91.23 % respectively at the dose of 40 μg/mL and 5 mg/mL after 48 h. IC50 values also manifest the significantly lower cytotoxicity of drug loaded nanocarriers (IC50=0.195 mg/mL) as compared to free‐drug (IC50=0.156 μg/mL). For mannosylated graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4), verteporfin and man‐g‐C3N4@VP the values of mean ± std. deviation were found to be 4.14±2.46; 55.39±2.76; 63.27±1.74 respectively. Terephthalic acid assay confirmed formation of hydroxyl radicals in the solution treated with nanocarrier. This study suggests that g‐C3N4 is a promising use in drug carrier, cancer diagnosis and therapy. The combined effects of the high efficacy of ROS generation under UV light irradiation, low toxicity, and bio‐compatibility highlight the potential of verteporphin loaded g‐C3N4 for PDT.
When few give to many and many give to few: Corporate social responsibility strategies under India's legal mandate
Authors: Gatignon Aline , Bode Christiane
Published: February 2023

Research Summary

We investigate firms' corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies under India's 2013 legal mandate. We study 12,086 firms and 86,755 projects from 2014 to 2017. Using an abductive approach, we examine firms’ choices of social causes, geographic locations, implementation channels, and number of projects through four theoretical lenses. Firms adopt two main CSR strategies: the first and most common has a narrow focus, while the second, pursued by few (typically leading firms and State‐owned enterprises), is broader. Both strategies appear primarily driven by instrumental stakeholder concerns. While the second leads to stronger differentiation and holds greater potential for social impact, neither strategy leverages firms’ comparative efficiency over nonprofit actors. These insights shed light on how firms address grand challenges and can inform CSR regulations.

Managerial Summary

After India passed a law making corporate social responsibility (CSR) mandatory in 2013, firms had to decide how to spend the funds they were required to disburse. We examine their choices regarding their projects' target social causes, geographies, implementation channels, and how many projects to pursue. We find that they typically adopted one of two strategies: most firms chose a narrow focus on similar projects, whereas leading firms and State‐owned enterprises typically adopted a broader and more distinctive approach. Both choices appear primarily driven by the desire to satisfy firms' stakeholders rather than efficiency considerations, but the broader strategy holds greater potential for social impact. Our paper identifies actions firms and governments can take to enhance the benefits of legal mandates for CSR.
Recent Progress in Emerging Novel MXenes Based Materials and their Fascinating Sensing Applications
Authors: Khan Karim , Tareen Ayesha Khan , Iqbal Muhammad , Ye Zhang , Xie Zhongjian , Mahmood Asif , Mahmood Nasir , Zhang Han
Published: February 2023

Early transition metals based 2D carbides, nitrides and carbonitrides nanomaterials are known as MXenes, a novel and extensive new class of 2D materials family. Since the first accidently synthesis based discovery of Ti3C2in 2011, more than 50 additional compositions have been experimentally reported, including at least eight distinct synthesis methods and also more than 100 stoichiometries are theoretically studied. Due to its distinctive surface chemistry, graphene like shape, metallic conductivity, high hydrophilicity, outstanding mechanical and thermal properties, redox capacity and affordable with mass‐produced nature, this diverse MXenes are of tremendous scientific and technological significance. In this review, first we'll come across the MXene based nanomaterials possible synthesis methods, their advantages, limitations and future suggestions, new chemistry related to their selected properties and potential sensing applications, which will help us to explain why this family is growing very fast as compared to other 2D families. Secondly, problems that help to further improve commercialization of the MXene nanomaterials based sensors are examined, and many advances in the commercializing of the MXene nanomaterials based sensors are proposed. At the end, we'll go through the current challenges, limitations and future suggestions.
Structural Analysis and Intrinsic Enzyme Mimicking Activities of Ligand‐Free PtAg Nanoalloys
Authors: Chen Lizhen , Klemeyer Lars , Ruan Mingbo , Liu Xin , Werner Stefan , Xu Weilin , Koeppen Andrea , Bücker Robert , Gonzalez Marta Gallego , Koziej Dorota , Parak Wolfgang J. , Chakraborty Indranath
Published: February 2023

Nanozymes are nanomaterials with biocatalytic properties under physiological conditions and are one class of artificial enzymes to overcome the high cost and low stability of natural enzymes. However, surface ligands on nanomaterials will decrease the catalytic activity of the nanozymes by blocking the active sites. To address this limitation, ligand‐free PtAg nanoclusters (NCs) are synthesized and applied as nanozymes for various enzyme‐mimicking reactions. By taking advantage of the mutual interaction of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF‐8) and Pt precursors, a good dispersion of PtAg bimetal NCs with a diameter of 1.78 ± 0.1 nm is achieved with ZIF‐8 as a template. The incorporation of PtAgNCs in the voids of ZIF‐8 is confirmed with structural analysis using the atomic pair‐distribution function and powder X‐ray diffraction. Importantly, the PtAgNCs present good catalytic activity for various enzyme‐mimicking reactions, including peroxidase‐/catalase‐ and oxidase‐like reactions. Further, this work compares the catalytic activity between PtAg NCs and PtAg nanoparticles with different compositions and finds that these two nanozymes present a converse dependency of Ag‐loading on their activity. This study contributes to the field of nanozymes and presents a potential option to prepare ligand‐free bimetal biocatalysts with sizes in the nanocluster regime.
One‐Step Assembly of Versatile Multifunctional Coatings Based on Host‐Guest and Polyphenol Chemistry
Authors: Han Lulu , Ji Jiaxin , Zhang Chong , Sun Bingjian , Chao Zhenhua , Zhu Hua , Gao Xiaorong , Ren Jun , Ji Fangling , Ma Liming , Jia Lingyun
Published: February 2023

Developing a facile, efficient, and versatile polyphenol coating strategy and exploring its novel applications are of great significance in the fields of material surfaces and interfaces. Herein, a one‐step assembly strategy for constructing novel tannic acid (TA) coatings via a solvent evaporation method is reported using TA and polycyclodextrin (PCD) particles (TPP). TPP with a high phenolic group activity of 88% integrates the advantages of host‐guest and polyphenol chemistry. The former can drive TPP dynamically assemble into a large and collective aggregation activated by high temperature or density, and the latter provides excellent adhesion properties to substrates (0.9 mg cm−2). TPP can assemble into a coating (TPC) rapidly on various substrates within 1 h at 37 °C while with a high availability of feed TPP (≈90%). The resulting TPC is not only high‐temperature steam‐sensitive for use as an anti‐fake mask but also pH‐sensitive for transforming into a free‐standing film under physiological conditions. Moreover, various metal ions and functional particles can incorporate into TPC to extend its versatile properties including antibacterial activity, enhanced stability, and conductivity. This work expands the polyphenol coating strategy and builds up a one‐step and efficient preparation platform of polyphenol coating for multiapplication prospects in various fields.
Kinetic‐Modulated Crystal Phase of Ru for Hydrogen Oxidation
Authors: Zhang Juntao , Cao Maofeng , Li Xiaotong , Xu Yong , Zhao Wei , Chen Ligang , Chang Yu‐Chung , Pao Chih‐Wen , Hu Zhiwei , Huang Xiaoqing
Published: February 2023

Crystal‐phase‐engineering provides a powerful strategy for regulating the catalytic performance yet remains great challenge. Herein, the kinetic‐modulated crystal‐phase‐control of Ru nanosheet assemblies (Ru NAs) is demonstrated by simply altering the concentration of citric acid (CA). Detailed experimental results reveal that high concentration of CA retards the growth kinetics and thus leads to the formation of metastable face‐centered cubic (fcc) Ru NAs, while low concentration of CA results in the fast growth kinetics and the preferential formation of Ru NAs with stable hexagonal close packed (hcp) phase. Moreover, Ru NAs with different phases are used as catalyst for hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) to evaluate the effects of crystal phase on catalytic performance. Impressively, Ru NAs with fcc phase display a mass activity of 2.75 A mgRu−1 at 50 mV, which is much higher than those of Ru NAs with fcc/hcp (1.02 A mgRu−1) and hcp (0.74 A mgRu−1) phases. Theoretical calculations show that fcc Ru NAs display weaker adsorption toward *H and lower energy barrier toward the rate‐determining step (RDS) during HOR. This work provides a facile strategy for regulating the crystal phase of Ru nanocrystals, which may attract rapid interests of researchers in materials, chemistry, and catalysis.
Study on Flocculation Performance of New Cationic Starch‐Based Sludge Wastewater Flocculant
Authors: Luo Yulu , Lin Jiangli , Wang Xiaotian , Yeerken Aheyelikai , Ma Hongying
Published: February 2023

From the perspective of ecological environment and human health, efficient and easily biodegradable starch‐based flocculants for replacing the currently used polyacrylamide (PAM) and cationic PAM (CPAM) flocculants are the future development trend. In this paper, starch graft polymerization of acrylamide‐allyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (St‐g‐ATMAC) is prepared by grafting and copolymerizing acrylamide and the short‐chain quaternary ammonium cationic monomer ATMAC onto the molecular chain of soluble starch. Compared with PAM and CPAM, this flocculant has a lower water content in the filter cake after treating wastewater, making the subsequent treatment easier. Moreover, the flocculant is resistant to high temperature. Specifically, at 40 °C, the filter cake moisture content (FCMC) is still lower than those of PAM and CPAM. Furthermore, the flocculant is resistant to acid and alkali. In the over‐acidic and over‐alkaline environment after treatment, the FCMC remains lower than that of the PAM‐ and CPAM‐treated mud cake. In summary, St‐g‐ATMAC is a new type of water treatment flocculant that can effectively treat wastewater with low dosage, wide temperature, and pH range and has the potential to be widely used in water treatment.
Multiline Fault Current Limiter for DC Line Fault in Multi‐terminal DC Grids
Authors: Han Peng , Qin Bing , Zhao Xinchen , Zhou Zhiyu , Huang He
Published: February 2023

The current‐limiting reactor is currently the most used fault current limiting technique to ensure the fault ride‐through of the multi‐terminal dc grid. However, its configuration will significantly prolong the fault current clearance time and increase the dissipated energy of dc circuit breakers. Therefore, this paper proposes a cost‐effective multiline fault current limiter for multiport application in multi‐terminal dc grids, which can effectively limit the rising speed of fault current through the integrated current‐limiting reactors without time delay and significantly reduce their negative impacts on the performance of dc circuit breakers by bypassing the current‐limiting reactors through the solid‐state switch units during the fault current interruption process. The topology and operation process of the multiline fault current limiter are introduced at first. Then, the economic comparison of the proposed device with the existing solutions is presented. Finally, the feasibility and superiorities of the proposed device are verified by extensive simulations and scaled‐down experiments. © 2023 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Design of Wearable Intelligent Monitoring and Early Warning Clothing for Power Workers
Authors: Chen Chang
Published: February 2023

Aiming at the problems existing in the application of traditional power workers' work clothes, an early warning system for power transmission and distribution workers based on ZigBee is designed. The system completes the real‐time collection and monitoring of human body temperature information, heart rate information, blood pressure information and location information of power workers. It can give early warning according to human body information, and automatically dial 120 alarm telephone according to human heart rate signal to transmit location information, so that workers can be rescued as soon as possible. In order to increase the accuracy and reliability of transmission information, the system adopts distributed fusion algorithm for signal transmission, which makes the life safety of power workers better guaranteed. © 2023 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Dialogic Instruction in a Chinese EFL Classroom: A Practitioner Perspective
Authors: Cui Ruiguo , Teo Peter
Published: February 2023

Dialogic instruction, a form of instruction that engages students in meaningful and substantive classroom dialogue, has been shown to benefit students in many ways. However, few studies on dialogic instruction have focused on the role and agency of classroom teachers as they navigate and negotiate the vagaries of classroom talk, especially in contexts such as China where students are more accustomed to a more monologic mode of instruction. This practitioner research was conceived to address this gap in the literature by exploring the implementation of dialogic instruction in an English as a foreign language (EFL) classroom by the first author. A 15‐week instructional programme based on the principles of dialogic instruction was implemented in an intact English reading class in a Chinese university. Video‐recordings of all 15 lessons were transcribed and analysed using a coding system specifically designed to identify and examine the quality of dialogic moves made. The analysis shows the potential of dialogic instruction in the EFL classroom but also reveals some missed opportunities and challenges. The potential, challenges and other pedagogical implications are discussed with a view towards facilitating EFL teachers' implementation of dialogic instruction.
The pan‐cancer analysis of the oncogenic role of FAM72A as a BRCA prognostic biomarker and immunotherapeutic target
Authors: Xu Yiying , Hirachan Suzita , Shen Yanyan , Huang Qidi , Bhandari Adheesh , Xia Erjie
Published: February 2023

In this study, we first comprehensively investigated the expression profile, mutation status, and survival analysis of FAM72A as well as the correlation between FAM72A and DNA damage repair, methylation, and cell stemness analysis using bioinformatics techniques. In addition, we also analyzed the relationship between FAM72A and immune cell infiltration and pathway enrichment. The role of FAM72A in breast cancer (BC) was so conspicuous that we analyzed the prognostic significance and clinicopathological parameter's relevance of FAM72A in BC. We also validated biological functions by applying in vitro experiments. FAM72A was highly expressed in 26 types of a total of 31 cancers, while it expressed low levels in only five cancers. FAM72A expression was relative to clinical stages in nine cancers and has a significant difference in disease‐free survival among 31 kinds of cancers. In addition, FAM72A has negatively correlated with cancer‐associated fibroblast and endothelial cells in BC but positively correlated with follicular helper T cells. Univariate and multivariate cox regression analyses identified T, N, M, age, and FAM72A expression as independent influences on BC prognosis, so we created a nomogram to predict patient survival benefits. In in vitro experiments, we verified that downregulation of FAM72A not only inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, cell migration, cell invasion, and G2/M cell cycle transition but also promoted apoptosis of breast invasive carcinoma cells. Our study discovered FAM72A as a clinically meaningful biomarker for prognostic predicting and a guiding target for immune treatment in BC.
If Not Now, When?
Authors: Murray Brittany , Brill-Carlat Matthew , Höhn Maria
Published: February 2023

The burgeoning field of Refugee, Migration, and Displacement Studies has documented in great detail that displaced people face disproportionate educational, economic, and political barriers—whether in transit, in camps, or after resettling. Our community of academics can agree on defining these challenges, at least in broad strokes. Indeed, we know enough about the scope and challenges that forced migration and displacement present to our world to advance a simple but ambitious question: What comes next?
Place-Conscious Education: Teaching Displacement Using Oral Histories in Virtual Reality
Authors: Stone Heather N.
Published: February 2023

Deep in the bayous of Louisiana lies Isle de Jean Charles, home to the tribe of the Jean Charles Choctaw Nation, made up of the tribes of the Biloxi, Chitimacha, and Choctaw, since the early 1800s. At this time the three tribes were distinct and had kept much of their culture intact by isolating themselves from European contact, even if it meant ceding their land. They were seen as “invisible people,” those who kept to themselves to avoid contact with whites. As the remnants of the tribes of the Biloxi, Chitimacha, and Choctaw resettled in Terrebonne Parish, their land encompassed 22,000 acres (about half the size of Washington, DC). After their initial displacements, the tribe suffered loss of land again when oil companies dug more than 10,000 miles of canals straight through the wetlands and brought oil rigs to Isle de Jean Charles. Promised repair of wetlands never happened. Isle de Jean Charles has now been reduced to only 320 acres (which is about five and a half times the size of the National Cathedral in Washington, DC), and, in some places, is only a quarter of a mile wide. Virtual reality lessons have been implemented to teach others by documenting the residents’ voices using their history of place and ancestry and experiences of displacement due to the dramatic loss of land brought on by the destruction of wetlands in the Gulf of Mexico.
Rebuilding After War and Genocide: Learning with and from Refugees in the Transnational Digital Classroom
Authors: Brill-Carlat Matthew , Höhn Maria
Published: February 2023

The Covid-19 emergency spurred a flurry of teaching innovations as higher education institutions turned to online or blended learning models, and as international collaborations have moved nearly entirely online. These circumstances inspired us to revisit the digital transatlantic seminar, “Germany 1945: History and Memory in Germany after WWII,” taught by Höhn in Spring 2018 to a group of seven Vassar students (Brill-Carlat among them) and six advanced high-school students—between the ages of 17 and 22—who had come to Berlin as asylum seekers from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. The course dealt with history and memory of World War II and the Holocaust in Germany. As such, it reflected a core commitment of the Consortium on Forced Migration, Displacement, and Education (CFMDE), founded by Höhn at Vassar and partners (Bard, Bennington, Sarah Lawrence, the New School, and the Council for European Studies): the importance of providing opportunities for our undergraduate students to learn with and from refugees and displaced individuals if they are to understand and tackle the global, multidimensional challenges of forced migration. As institutional resistance to digital teaching necessarily vanished with the Covid-19 pandemic in Spring 2020 and the direction of future online-learning policies is up for debate, we revisit the 2018 class to examine lessons learned and how this project points the way to another digital venture: digitally “hosting” displaced scholars at liberal arts campuses.
Teaching Undergraduate Forced Migration Studies Through a Community-based Law and Policy Clinic During Covid: What Are the Crises and Opportunities?
Authors: Smith Doug , Bracamontes Alejandro
Published: February 2023

This is a story of how we sustained, through 2020, 2021, and now into 2022, a community-based law clinic where teachers and students, combining their relative subversive potentials, created a laboratory in which to experiment with ways for lawyers to work in impacted communities in an organizer’s voice. It is also a story of how the tragic opportunities created by a worldwide pandemic have led us to a still dimly envisioned model of resistance in communities constructed by legal constraints on migration in the age of Covid-19.
Hilbert series, the Higgs mechanism, and HEFT
Authors: Gráf Lukáš , Henning Brian , Lu Xiaochuan , Melia Tom , Murayama Hitoshi
Published: February 2023

Abstract

We expand Hilbert series technologies in effective field theory for the inclusion of massive particles, enabling, among other things, the enumeration of operator bases for non-linearly realized gauge theories. We find that the Higgs mechanism is manifest at the level of the Hilbert series, as expected for the partition function of an S-matrix that is subject to the Goldstone equivalence theorem. In addition to massive vectors, we detail how other massive, spinning particles can be studied with Hilbert series; in particular, we spell out the ingredients for massive gravity in general spacetime dimensions. Further methodology is introduced to enable Hilbert series to capture the effect of spurion fields acquiring vevs. We apply the techniques to the Higgs Effective Field Theory (HEFT), providing a systematic enumeration of its operator basis. This is achieved both from a direct and a custodial symmetry spurion-based approach; we compare and contrast the two approaches, and our results to those appearing in previous literature.
Investigating the collinear splitting effects of boosted dark matter at neutrino detectors
Authors: Li Jinmian , Pei Junle , Zhang Cong
Published: February 2023

Abstract

We study the probing prospects of cosmic ray boosted dark matter (DM) in the framework of simplified electron-philic dark photon model. Focusing on the dark matter and dark photon masses around keV ~ MeV scale, we consider the bounds obtained from the XENON1T and Super-K experiments. The electron bound state effects are treated carefully in calculating the XENON1T constraint. As for the detection at neutrino detector where the energy threshold is relatively higher, the large logarithmic effects induced by the scale hierarchy between the masses and momentum transfer are considered by introducing the DM parton distribution function (PDF). The logarithmic effects will reduce the electron recoil rate for DM scattering in neutrino detectors. Moreover, we find the DUNE and JUNO experiments provide high sensitivities for probing the dark photon component in the DM PDF through the dark Compton process. We also check the Bullet Cluster constraint on the DM self-scattering cross section.
One-loop string amplitudes in AdS5×S5: Mellin space and sphere splitting
Authors: Aprile F. , Drummond J. M. , Glew R. , Santagata M.
Published: February 2023

Abstract

We study string corrections to one-loop amplitudes of single-particle operators $$ \mathcal{O} $$
O
p in AdS5×S5. The tree-level correlators in supergravity enjoy an accidental 10d conformal symmetry. Consequently, one observes a partial degeneracy in the spectrum of anomalous dimensions of double-trace operators and at the same time equality of many different correlators for different external charges pi=1,2,3,4. The one-loop contribution is expected to lift such bonus properties, and its precise form can be predicted from tree-level data and consistency with the operator product expansion.

Here we present a closed-form Mellin space formula for $$ \left\langle {\mathcal{O}}_{p1}{\mathcal{O}}_{p2}{\mathcal{O}}_{p3}{\mathcal{O}}_{p4}\right\rangle $$

O

p
1

O

p
2

O

p
3

O

p
4

at order (α′)3, valid for arbitrary external charges pi. Our formula makes explicit the lifting of the bonus degeneracy among different correlators through a feature we refer to as ‘sphere splitting’. While tree-level Mellin amplitudes come with a single crossing symmetric kernel, which defines the pole structure of the AdS5× S5 amplitude, our one-loop amplitude naturally splits the S5 part into two separate contributions. The amplitude also exhibits a remarkable consistency with the corresponding flat space IIB amplitude through the large p limit.
On extended supersymmetry of 4d Galileons and 3-brane effective actions
Authors: Elvang Henriette , Mitchell Matthew Dominique
Published: February 2023

Abstract

We use on-shell amplitude methods to systematically analyze the possibility of extended supersymmetry for 4d Galileon models, expanding on previous $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 results. Assuming spins ≤ 1, we prove that there exists no $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 supersymmetric extension of 4d Galileons with a single vector multiplet. Thus the Galileons cannot be part of the effective action of a single flat maximally supersymmetric D3-brane, and that explains why such terms do not appear in the α′-expansion of the abelian open superstring amplitude. For $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 Galileons, we show that the complex scalar Z = ϕ + iχ of the vector supermultiplet cannot have ϕ and χ both enjoy enhanced shift symmetry; instead, χ can at best be an R-axion with constant shift symmetry. Using the soft bootstrap, we demonstrate that the quartic DBI-Galileon is incompatible with $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 supersymmetry. A similar analysis performed at 7-point shows that a 2-parameter family of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 supersymmetric quintic Galileons coupled with DBI passes the soft bootstrap. Finally, we show how supersymmetric couplings between Galileons and gravitons arise in generalizations of our constructions, and we conclude with a discussion of Galileons and DBI-Galileons in the context of UV-completability vs. the Swampland.
Fractional conformal descendants and correlators in general 2D SN orbifold CFTs at large N
Authors: Burrington Benjamin A. , Peet A. W.
Published: February 2023

Abstract

We consider correlation functions in symmetric product (SN) orbifold CFTs at large N with arbitrary seed CFT. Specifically, we consider correlators of descendant operators constructed using both the full Virasoro generators Lm and fractional Virasoro generators $$ {\ell}_{m/{n}_i} $$

ℓ

m
/

n
i

. Using covering space techniques, we show that correlators of descendants may be written entirely in terms of correlators of ancestors, and further that the appropriate set of ancestors are those operators that lift to conformal primaries on the cover. We argue that the covering space data should cancel out in such calculations. To back this claim, we provide some example calculations by considering a three-point function of the form (4-cycle)-(2-cycle)-(5-cycle) that lifts to a three-point function of arbitrary primaries on the cover, and descendants thereof. In these examples we show that while the covering space is used for the calculation, the final descent relations do not depend on covering space data, nor on the details of which seed CFT is used to construct the orbifold, making these results universal.
Rescue of High Glucose Impairment of Cultured Human Osteoblasts Using Cinacalcet and Parathyroid Hormone
Authors: Shahen V. A. , Schindeler A. , Rybchyn M. S. , Girgis C. M. , Mulholland B. , Mason R. S. , Levinger I. , Brennan-Speranza T. C.
Published: February 2023

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) experience a higher risk of fractures despite paradoxically exhibiting normal to high bone mineral density (BMD). This has drawn into question the applicability to T2DM of conventional fracture reduction treatments that aim to retain BMD. In a primary human osteoblast culture system, high glucose levels (25 mM) impaired cell proliferation and matrix mineralization compared to physiological glucose levels (5 mM). Treatment with parathyroid hormone (PTH, 10 nM), a bone anabolic agent, and cinacalcet (CN, 1 µM), a calcimimetic able to target the Ca2+-sensing receptor (CaSR), were tested for their effects on proliferation and differentiation. Strikingly, CN+PTH co-treatment was shown to promote cell growth and matrix mineralization under both physiological and high glucose conditions. CN+PTH reduced apoptosis by 0.9-fold/0.4-fold as measured by Caspase-3 activity assay, increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression by 1.5-fold/twofold, increased the ratio of nuclear factor κ-B ligand (RANKL) to osteoprotegerin (OPG) by 2.1-fold/1.6-fold, and increased CaSR expression by 1.7-fold/4.6-fold (physiological glucose/high glucose). Collectively, these findings indicate a potential for CN+PTH combination therapy as a method to ameliorate the negative impact of chronic high blood glucose on bone remodeling.
Technical note–in situ laminotomy: preserving posterior tension band in surgery of pediatric multilevel spinal tumor
Authors: Frassanito Paolo , Noya Carolina , Ducoli Giorgio , Massimi Luca , Bianchi Federico , Verdolotti Tommaso , Tamburrini Gianpiero
Published: February 2023

Background

Laminotomy has been introduced in surgical practice to reduce complications of laminectomy after surgery of tumors in the spinal canal. However, the posterior ligament complex, which is routinely interrupted to remove the laminoplasty segment and gain access to the spinal canal, has a tendency not to heal and can lead to progressive kyphosis and collapse.

Case presentation

A 5-month-old boy affected by a thoracolumbar extradural tumor extending along seven spinal levels was operated on. The tumor was exposed and completely resected by a one-piece laminotomy with preservation of the integrity of the posterior tension band at both extremities. After 1-year radiological examination ruled out spinal deformity.

Conclusion

The technique herein presented, which we named in situ laminotomy, allows to fully preserve the posterior tension band without reducing the exposure of the spinal canal in multilevel tumors. Additionally, the technique makes also the reconstruction of the spine elements very easy and rapid. However, longer follow-up is necessary to prove the effectiveness of this procedure in preventing long-term deformity and instability.
The nonpathogenic strain of Fusarium oxysporum FO12 induces Fe deficiency responses in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants
Authors: Aparicio Miguel A. , Lucena Carlos , García María J. , Ruiz-Castilla Francisco J. , Jiménez-Adrián Pablo , López-Berges Manuel S. , Prieto Pilar , Alcántara Esteban , Pérez-Vicente Rafael , Ramos José , Romera Francisco J.
Published: February 2023

Main conclusion

FO12 strain enhances Fe deficiency responses in cucumber plants, probably through the production of ethylene and NO in the subapical regions of the roots.

Rhizosphere microorganisms can elicit induced systemic resistance (ISR) in plants. This type of resistance involves complex mechanisms that confer protection to the plant against pathogen attack. Additionally, it has been reported by several studies that ISR and Fe deficiency responses are modulated by common pathways, involving some phytohormones and signaling molecules, like ethylene and nitric oxide (NO). The aim of this study was to determine whether the nonpathogenic strain of Fusarium oxysporum FO12 can induce Fe deficiency responses in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants. Our results demonstrate that the root inoculation of cucumber plants with the FO12 strain promotes plant growth after several days of cultivation, as well as rhizosphere acidification and enhancement of ferric reductase activity. Moreover, Fe-related genes, such as FRO1, IRT1 and HA1, are upregulated at certain times after FO12 inoculation either upon Fe-deficiency or Fe-sufficient conditions. Furthermore, it has been found that this fungus colonizes root cortical tissues, promoting the upregulation of ethylene synthesis genes and NO production in the root subapical regions. To better understand the effects of the FO12 strain on field conditions, cucumber plants were inoculated and cultivated in a calcareous soil under greenhouse conditions. The results obtained show a modification of some physiological parameters in the inoculated plants, such as flowering and reduction of tissue necrosis. Overall, the results suggest that the FO12 strain could have a great potential as a Fe biofertilizer and biostimulant.
Deformation of salt structures by ice-sheet loading: insights into the controlling parameters from numerical modelling
Authors: Lang Jörg , Hampel Andrea
Published: February 2023

Subsurface salt flow is driven by differential loading, which is typically caused by tectonics or sedimentation. During glaciations, the weight of an ice sheet represents another source of differential loading. In salt-bearing basins affected by Pleistocene glaciations, such as the Central European Basin System, ice loading has been postulated as a trigger of young deformation at salt structures. Here, we present finite-element simulations (ABAQUS) with models based on a simplified 50-km long and 10-km-deep two-dimensional geological cross-section of a salt diapir subject to the load of a 300-m-thick ice sheet. The focus of our study is to evaluate the sensitivity of the model to material parameters, including linear and non-linear viscosity of the salt rocks and different elasticities. A spatially and temporarily variable pressure was applied to simulate ice loading. An ice advance towards the diapir causes lateral salt flow into the diapir and diapiric rise. Complete ice coverage leads to downward displacement of the diapir. After unloading, displacements are largely restored. The modelled displacements do not exceed few metres and are always larger in models with linear viscosity than in those with non-linear viscosity. Considering the low stresses caused by ice-sheet loading and the long time-scale, the application of linear viscosity seems appropriate. The elastic parameters also have a strong impact, with lower Young's moduli leading to larger deformation. The impact of both the viscosity and the elasticity highlights the importance of a careful parameter choice in numerical modelling, especially when aiming to replicate any real-world observations.
Injection-Induced Aseismic Slip in Tight Fractured Rocks
Authors: Ciardo Federico , Lecampion Brice
Published: February 2023

We investigate the problem of fluid injection at constant pressure in a 2D Discrete Fracture Network (DFN) with randomly oriented and uniformly distributed frictionally-stable fractures. We show that this problem shares similarities with the simpler scenario of injection in a single planar shear fracture, investigated by Bhattacharya and Viesca (2019); Viesca (2021) and whose results are here extended to include closed form solutions for aseismic moment as function of injected volume $$V_\mathrm{{inj}}$$

V
inj

. Notably, we demonstrate that the hydro-mechanical response of the fractured rock mass is at first order governed by a single dimensionless parameter $$\mathcal {T}$$
T
associated with favourably oriented fractures: low values of $$\mathcal {T}$$
T
(critically stressed conditions) lead to fast migration of aseismic slip from injection point due to elastic stress transfer on critically stressed fractures. In this case, therefore, there is no effect of the DFN percolation number on the spatio-temporal evolution of aseismic slip. On the other hand, in marginally pressurized conditions ($$\mathcal {T} \gtrsim 1$$

T
≳
1

), the slipping patch lags behind the pressurized region and hence the percolation number affects to a first order the response of the medium. Furthermore, we show that the aseismic moment scales $$\propto V_\mathrm{{inj}}^2$$

∝

V

inj

2

in both limiting conditions, similarly to the case of a single planar fracture subjected to the same injection condition. The factor of proportionality, however, depends on the DFN characteristics in marginally pressurized conditions, while it appears to be only mildly dependent on the DFN properties in critically stressed conditions.
Pathways to achieving nature-positive and carbon–neutral land use and food systems in Wales
Authors: Jones Sarah M. , Smith Alison C. , Leach Nicholas , Henrys Peter , Atkinson Peter M. , Harrison Paula A.
Published: February 2023

Land use and its management can play a vital role in carbon sequestration, but trade-offs may exist with other objectives including food security and nature recovery. Using an integrated model (the FABLE calculator), four pathways, co-created with colleagues at the Welsh Government, towards achieving climate and biodiversity targets in Wales were explored: status quo, improvements on current trends, land sparing and land sharing. We found that continuing as usual will not be sufficient to meet Wales’s climate and biodiversity targets. In contrast, the land use and agricultural sector became a net carbon sink in both the land sparing and land sharing pathways, through high afforestation targets, peatland restoration, reducing food waste and moving towards a healthier diet. Whilst both pathways released land for biodiversity, the gains were greater in the land sharing pathway, which was also less dependent on optimistic assumptions concerning productivity improvements. The results demonstrate that alternative approaches to achieving nature-positive and carbon–neutral land use and food systems may be possible, but they come with stringent and transformative requirements for policy changes, with an integrated approach necessary to maximise benefits for climate, food and nature.
Microanatomical study of arachnoid granulations and meningeal architecture around Meckel’s cave
Authors: Wysiadecki Grzegorz , Tubbs R. Shane , Iwanaga Joe , Radek Maciej , Walocha Jerzy , Brzeziński Piotr , Kobos Józef , Polguj Michał
Published: February 2023

Although the microanatomy of Meckel’s cave (MC) has been well studied, there are still controversies regarding the meningeal architecture of the space. Moreover, there are only general mentions of the arachnoid granulations near MC in just a few sources. This study is aimed at determining the frequency, location, and anatomical variability of the main clusters of arachnoid granulations around MC. The dissection involved 26 isolated specimens of MC fixed in formalin (neutral buffered, 10%). This number included five freshly harvested specimens examined histologically. Additional paraffin block with MC horizontal section was taken from our neuroanatomical collection. Carefully selected anatomical and histological techniques were applied to assess the complex relationships between the arachnoid granulations and adjacent structures. Arachnoid granulations were found around MC in all specimens with different anatomical variations. The main clusters of arachnoid granulations were close to the trigeminal ganglion and its divisions. The dorsolateral wall of MC was a thick layer formed by interweaving bundles of collagen fibers arranged in various directions. The entire MC was surrounded by a dural sleeve (envelope). This sleeve separated MC from the lateral sellar compartment. At its anterior (rostral) end, it formed a cribriform area pierced by individual fascicles of the trigeminal nerve’s primary divisions. The connective tissue forming the sleeve was not only continuous with the epineurium but also shifted to the perineuria surrounding individual nerve fascicles. The meningeal architecture around MC has a complex and multilayer arrangement with a collagenous sleeve closely related to the trigeminal ganglion. Arachnoid granulations are typically found around MC.
166% frequency tuning range power VCO using high-quality off-chip inductor
Authors: Mansour Islam , Mansour Marwa
Published: February 2023

This work presents a complementary PMOS NMOS voltage-controlled power oscillator (VCO) based on a high quality (Q) factor off-chip inductor in 130 nm CMOS process. The proposed VCO achieves a frequency tuning range of 166% from 393 MHz to 4.17 GHz and this wide tuning range is divided into six bands where each band is also sub-divided into three bands using a single switching voltage. The proposed design takes into consideration the effect of the bond wire that is used to connect the off-chip inductor with the VCO core moreover, the measured SNP files of the off-chip inductors are utilized to ensure accurate results. This technique improves the figure of merit (FoM) by 4–25 dB compared to the conventional inductor VCO. Using six different values of the off-chip inductors, the proposed VCO works in six bands with a tuning range of 166%, and a minimum phase noise of − 127 dBc/Hz @ 1 MHz offset frequency 2.2 GHz carrier. Furthermore, the proposed VCO draws 1.37 mA from 1.1 V supply voltage and has a minimum achieved Figure-of-Merit (FOM) equal to -193 dBc/Hz with a maximum output power of 4.25 dBm. The VCO core area equals 0.07 $${\mathrm{mm}}^{2}$$

mm

2

, while the total chip area including RF pads and output buffers is $${0.437\mathrm{ mm}}^{2}$$

0.437
mm

2

.
Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité: a power study in signed networks
Authors: Rödder Wilhelm , Dellnitz Andreas , Reucher Elmar
Published: February 2023

Power in human societies is a central phenomenon. Even though, it took ages to understand it and – even more – to measure it. Only in the last decades attempts were made to model power relations and to assign respective power indices to actors in a network. The present work goes a step further. It measures power of actors and groups of actors in networks by means of conditional relations. In a probabilistic framework, such relations are specified as conditionals: Which actor receives power given that the adjacent actor has it, and which actor looses power given that the neighbour dominates. This pattern of power relations allows for an exact calculation of an actor’s and groups of actors’ power index. The new decision analytics tool for this is maximizing entropy for the whole net and evaluating each actor’s influence therein. The new concept is applied to a middle size Kronecker net of clans and subclans operating in a today’s society.
Displacement incompatibility shape functions between masonry infill wall panels and reinforced concrete frames
Authors: Pedone Livio , Pampanin Stefano
Published: February 2023

During an earthquake, the detachment and local interaction between infill wall panels and surrounding frame can occur, potentially leading to significant local damage to both structural and non-structural elements, if not global collapse. Yet, a procedure to assess the relative deformation mechanism in terms of detachment shape and values, rather than, and in addition to, the diagonal compression strut mechanism and associated internal panel strain and stress path, is still missing in the literature. Therefore, in this paper the concept of shape functions is proposed and adopted to assess the seismic displacement incompatibility between infill walls and the surrounding frame structure. A parametric study on different typologies of infilled frames is developed to investigate the key parameters affecting the infill-frame detachment. The proposed concept of shape functions can support the design/retrofit of improved construction details, such as shear keys and/or steel dowels, in view of either decoupling or strengthening retrofit/repair strategies. Moreover, as infill-frame detachment can lead to damage to energy enhancement rehabilitation solutions, such as external thermal insulation systems, which are becoming more common nowadays in view of the international target towards a significant reduction of energy consumption and CO2 emission, it is suggested to implement the proposed displacement-compatible design check to assess and detail for adequate displacement capacity.
Fragility curves of masonry buildings in aggregate accounting for local mechanisms and site effects
Authors: Angiolilli Michele , Brunelli Andrea , Cattari Serena
Published: February 2023

The seismic evaluation of masonry buildings in aggregate, largely diffused within the existing Italian and European building stock, represents a difficult and open task that has not been exhaustively investigated so far. The study proposes a procedure aimed at evaluating the potential impact of the combination of local mechanisms and site-amplification in terms of fragility curves on an existing unreinforced masonry (URM) aggregate which is made of five adjacent structural units mutually interacting with each other during seismic sequences. The case study is inspired by built heritage of the historic centre of Visso struck by the Central Italy 2016/2017 earthquakes. The in-plane (IP) response of URM buildings was simulated through nonlinear dynamic analyses performed on a 3D equivalent frame model of the structure, whereas out-of-plane (OOP) mechanisms were analysed by adopting the rigid-block assumption but assuming, as seismic input, the floor accelerations derived from the post-processing of data derived from the global 3D model. An innovative procedure considering the pounding effect to the global response of the building is also presented. Two soil conditions were assumed with (freefield) and without (bedrock) site amplification. The results showed that site effects strongly affected the seismic vulnerability of the aggregate, also altering the combination between IP and OOP mechanisms. In fact, for bedrock condition, especially for medium–high damage levels, local mechanisms were prevailing with respect to the IP response. Conversely, for freefield condition, IP mainly governed the overall behaviour for all the damage levels, consistently with the field evidence.