bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alignments between e‐waste legislation and the Sustainable Development Goals: the United Kingdom, Brazil, and Ghana case studies
Authors: Lopes dos Santos Kauê , Jacobi Pedro Roberto
Published: March 2022

The first two decades of the 21st century had a significant increase in e‐waste generation. While improper recycling technologies applied to this type of waste pose severe risks to the environment and human health, several e‐waste management legislation has been recently enforced worldwide, reaching 78 countries and covering 71% of the global population. In common, most of them aim to recycle minerals and plastic from the disposed waste of electric and electronic equipment (WEEE) to reinsert them in the industry, promoting the so‐called circular economy. From the comparative case study of countries that integrate the world‐system in different social and economic conditions – the United Kingdom (as core or developed country), Brazil (as semi‐periphery or emergent country), and Ghana (as periphery or developing country) –, this article aims to understand to what extent the national legislation on e‐waste management in these territories align with the Sustainable Development Goals 3, 6, 8, 11, 12, 14, and 15. This research has an exploratory approach and is methodologically structured as a controlled comparison of most different cases. Results reveal that selected legislation has different levels of alignment with SDG, ranging from generic mentions of social‐environmental topics to description of legal instruments to be enforced regarding environmental preservation, improvement of population's life quality, and changes in the unsustainable production, consumption, and disposal patterns. The article also seeks to contribute to the geographical debate by establishing the relation between e‐waste legislation and SDG, considering the territorial particularities of the case studies.
Geochronology and geochemistry of Beilou granitic pluton: Identification of early Palaeozoic arc magmatic rock in the Dabie Orogen, central China
Authors: Wang Yongsheng , Jiang Cong , Yang Juanhao , Bai Qiao
Published: March 2022

The Dabie Orogen constitutes the eastern part of the Qinling‐Tongbai‐Hong'an‐Dabie orogenic belt, however, whether it has involved into the early Palaeozoic subduction–related event as well‐recorded in the western part is still in debate. This study provides new petrological, geochronological and geochemical data for the Beilou and Mafan plutons in the Dabie‐Hong'an orogens. The Beilou pluton is dominated by granite, some of which have been strongly deformed to form mylonites. The Beilou pluton was emplaced at ca. 490 and ca. 450 Ma, whereas the Mafan pluton was emplaced at 450–430 Ma. The whole‐rock major‐ and trace‐element analyses results indicate that both plutons are depleted in high‐field‐strength elements and heavy rare earth elements. The Beilou pluton also has positive whole‐rock εNd(t) values and generally positive zircon εHf(t) values, whereas all but one of the Mafan pluton samples yield positive whole‐rock εNd(t) and consistently positive zircon εHf(t) values. All of the samples have low (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios. These data indicate that these plutons are formed from magmas generated by the partial melting of metasomatized mantle wedge material with minor additions of crustal materials, representing arc magmatic rocks associated with subduction. Detailed detrital zircon dating of flysch sequences of the Foziling Group within the Dabie Orogen indicates that the early Palaeozoic magmatic rocks had once been distributed in the whole Orogen, although only the Beilou pluton now is exposed in the western Dabie Orogen.
Fibrinogen regulates lesion border‐forming reactive astrocyte properties after vascular damage
Authors: Conforti Pasquale , Mezey Szilvia , Nath Suvra , Chu Yu‐Hsuan , Malik Subash C. , Martínez Santamaría Jose C. , Deshpande Sachin S. , Pous Lauriane , Zieger Barbara , Schachtrup Christian
Published: March 2022

Reactive astrocytes at the border of damaged neuronal tissue organize into a barrier surrounding the fibrotic lesion core, separating this central region of inflammation and fibrosis from healthy tissue. Astrocytes are essential to form the border and for wound repair but interfere with neuronal regeneration. However, the mechanisms driving these astrocytes during central nervous system (CNS) disease are unknown. Here we show that blood‐derived fibrinogen is enriched at the interface of lesion border‐forming elongated astrocytes after cortical brain injury. Anticoagulant treatment depleting fibrinogen reduces astrocyte reactivity, extracellular matrix deposition and inflammation with no change in the spread of inflammation, whereas inhibiting fibrinogen conversion into fibrin did not significantly alter astrocyte reactivity, but changed the deposition of astrocyte extracellular matrix. RNA sequencing of fluorescence‐activated cell sorting‐isolated astrocytes of fibrinogen‐depleted mice after cortical injury revealed repressed gene expression signatures associated with astrocyte reactivity, extracellular matrix deposition and immune‐response regulation, as well as increased gene expression signatures associated with astrocyte metabolism and astrocyte‐neuron communication. Systemic pharmacologic depletion of fibrinogen resulted in the absence of elongated, border‐forming astrocytes and increased the survival of neurons in the lesion core after cortical injury. These results identify fibrinogen as a critical trigger for lesion border‐forming astrocyte properties in CNS disease.
Single‐cell profiling of human CD127+ innate lymphoid cells reveals diverse immune phenotypes in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: He Yuanlin , Luo Jiajing , Zhang Guannan , Jin Yu , Wang Nanxi , Lu Jinying , Li Changxian , Guo Xiaohuan , Qin Na , Dai Juncheng , Chen Yun
Published: March 2022

Background and Aims

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are tissue‐resident lymphocytes that play critical roles in cytokine‐mediated regulation of homeostasis and inflammation. However, relationships between their immune phenotypic characteristics and HCC remain largely unexplored.

Approach and Results

We performed single‐cell RNA sequencing analysis on sorted hepatic ILC cells from human patients with HCC and validated using flow cytometry, multiplex immunofluorescence staining, and functional experiments. Moreover, we applied selection strategies to enrich ILC populations in HCC samples to investigate the effects of B cells on the immune reaction of inducible T cell costimulator (ICOS)+ ILC2 cells. Dysregulation of ILCs was manifested by the changes in cell numbers or subset proportions in HCC. Seven subsets of 3433 ILCs were identified with unique properties, of which ICOS+ ILC2a were preferentially enriched in HCC and correlated with poor prognosis. Mechanistically, we report that B cells, particularly resting naïve B cells, have a previously unrecognized function that is involved in inflammatory differentiation of ILC2 cells. B cell–derived ICOSL signaling was responsible for exacerbating inflammation through the increased production of IL‐13 in ICOS+ ILC2a cells. Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) genes Heat Shock Protein Family A Member 1A (HSPA1A) and Heat Shock Protein Family A Member 1B (HSPA1B) were highly expressed in ILC2s in late‐stage HCC, and targeting to ICOS and its downstream effector HSP70 in ILC2s suppressed tumor growth and remodeled the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.

Conclusions

This in‐depth understanding sheds light on B cell‐driven innate type 2 inflammation and provides a potential strategy for HCC immunotherapy.
A multi‐analyte cell‐free DNA–based blood test for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Lin Nan , Lin Yongping , Xu Jianfeng , Liu Dan , Li Diange , Meng Hongyu , Gallant Maxime A. , Kubota Naoto , Roy Dhruvajyoti , Li Jason S. , Gorospe Emmanuel C. , Sherman Morris , Gish Robert G. , Abou‐Alfa Ghassan K. , Nguyen Mindie H. , Taggart David J. , Van Etten Richard A. , Hoshida Yujin , Li Wei
Published: March 2022

The limited performance of guideline‐recommended abdominal ultrasound and serum alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) highlights the urgent, unmet need for new biomarkers for more accurate detection of early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To this end, we have conducted a prospective clinical validation study to evaluate the performance of the HelioLiver Test, a multi‐analyte blood test combining cell‐free DNA methylation patterns, clinical variables, and protein tumor markers. A blinded, multicenter validation study was performed with 247 subjects, including 122 subjects with HCC and 125 control subjects with chronic liver disease. The performance of the HelioLiver Test was compared with AFP and the GALAD score as established HCC surveillance blood tests. The performance of the HelioLiver Test (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC] = 0.944) was superior to both AFP (AUROC = 0.851; p < 0.0001) and GALAD (AUROC = 0.899; p < 0.0001). Using a prespecified diagnostic algorithm, the HelioLiver Test showed sensitivities of 85% (95% confidence interval [CI], 78%–90%) for HCC of any stage and 76% (95% CI, 60%–87%) for early stage (American Joint Committee on Cancer [AJCC] I and II) HCC. In contrast, AFP (≥20 ng/mL) alone and the GALAD score (≥−0.63) showed lower sensitivities of 62% (95% CI, 54%–70%) and 75% (95% CI, 67%‐82%) for HCC overall, and 57% (95% CI, 40%–71%) and 65% (95% CI, 49%–79%) for early stage (AJCC I and II) HCC, respectively. The specificities of the HelioLiver Test (91%; 95% CI, 85%–95%), AFP (97%; 95% CI, 92%–99%), and the GALAD score (94%; 95% CI, 88%–97%) were similar for control subjects. The HelioLiver Test showed superior performance for HCC detection compared to with both AFP and the GALAD score and warrants further evaluation in HCC surveillance settings.
Research progress of the CXCR4 mechanism in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Wang Qiu‐Lin , Fang Chang‐Le , Huang Xue‐Yan , Xue Lu‐Lu
Published: March 2022

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a degenerative brain disease with complex clinical manifestations and pathogeneses such as abnormal deposition of beta‐amyloid protein and inflammation caused by the excessive activation of microglia. CXC motif chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) is a type of G protein‐coupled receptor that binds to CXC motif ligand 12 (CXCL12) to activate downstream signaling pathways, such as the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription and the renin–angiotensin system (Ras)/RAF proto‐oncogene serine (Raf)/mitogen‐activated protein kinase/extracellular‐regulated protein kinase; most of these signaling pathways are involved in inflammatory responses. CXCR4 is highly expressed in the microglia and astrocytes; this might be one of the important causes of inflammation caused by microglia and astrocytes. In this review, we summarize the mechanism and therapeutics of AD, the structures of CXCR4 and the CXCL12 ligand, and the mechanisms of CXCR4/CXCL12 that are involved in the occurrence and development of AD. The possible treatment of AD through microglia and astrocytes is also discussed, with the aim of providing a new method for the treatment of AD.
Renoprotective potential of myo‐inositol on diabetic kidney disease: Focus on the role of the PINK1/Parkin pathway and mitophagy receptors
Authors: Sherkhane Bhoomika , Kalvala Anil Kumar , Arruri Vijay Kumar , Khatri Dharmendra kumar , Singh Shashi Bala
Published: March 2022

Recent studies have emphasized the role of mitochondria in renal function as well as in renal injury. Poor mitochondrial quality control mechanisms including mitochondrial fusion, fission and mitophagy are major contributors for progression of diabetic renal injury. The current study is aimed to evaluate the protective role of myo‐inositol (MI) against diabetic nephropathy (DN) by utilizing high glucose exposed NRK 52E cell and streptozotocin (STZ) induced DN model. MI supplementation (at doses 37.5 and 75 mg/kg) ameliorated albuminuria and enhanced the renal function as indicated significant improvement in urinary creatinine and urea levels. On the other hand, the western blot analysis of both in vitro and in vivo studies has revealed poor mitophagy in renal cells which was reversed upon myo‐inositol treatment. Apart from targeting the canonical PINK1/Parkin pathway, we also focused on the role mitophagy receptors prohibitin (PHB) and NIP3‐like protein (NIX). A significant reduction in expression of NIX and PHB2 was observed in renal tissue of diabetic control rats and high glucose exposed NRK 52E cells. Myo‐inositol treatment resulted in positive modulation of PINK1/Parkin pathway as well as PHB2 and NIX. Myo‐inositol also enhanced the mitochondrial biogenesis in renal tissue of diabetic rat by upregulating Nrf2/SIRT1/PGC‐1α axis. The current study thus underlines the renoprotective effect myo‐inositol, upregulation of mitophagy proteins and mitochondrial biogenesis upon myo‐inositol treatment.
Estimation of homocysteine concentration as an indicator of foetal death in pregnant Chinese women with preeclampsia: A case–control study
Authors: Qin Wanyuan , Hu Xuehua , Fu Chunyun , Lu Xiangjun , Deng Zuoxin , Wang Junlong , Jing Junpeng
Published: March 2022

Introduction

This study evaluated whether changes in homocysteine concentrations in pregnant women with preeclampsia (PE) might be useful for predicting foetal death.

Materials and methods

This study evaluated 1,368 PE women at two Chinese centres. Medical records were reviewed to collect data regarding maternal age, homocysteine concentrations and other clinical parameters.

Results

Maternal serum homocysteine concentrations were significantly higher in the group with PE than control. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were also observed between the foetal death and survival groups in terms of body mass index, neonatal weight, previous deliveries, gestation length and adverse pregnancy history. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that upper‐quartile homocysteine concentration was a significant risk factor of foetal death in the group with PE, and overall survival rate of patients with high homocysteine concentrations during pregnancy was significantly lower than those with low level (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Our results indicate that foetal death was associated with upper‐quartile homocysteine concentrations in the group with PE, it can be an indicator of foetal death throughout the pregnancy.
Challenges and opportunities for manureshed management across U.S. dairy systems: Case studies from four regions
Authors: Dell Curtis J. , Baker John M. , Spiegal Sheri , Porter Sarah A. , Leytem April B. , Flynn K. Colton , Rotz C. Alan , Bjorneberg David L. , Bryant Ray B. , Hagevoort G. Robert , Williamson Jeb C. , Slaughter Amalia , Kleinman Peter J. A.
Published: March 2022

The manureshed represents cropland needed to safely assimilate manure nutrients from an animal feeding operation. Dairy manuresheds can be contained on‐farm but may need to involve additional farms that can assimilate excess nutrients. We present case studies reviewing challenges and opportunities to manureshed management in four major dairy‐producing states using available information on local manuresheds. Additionally, geographic information system software was used with data from regulated Minnesota dairies to assess cropland assimilative capacities and transport needs surrounding large dairies. Manureshed requirements vary across regions, but increased import of feed and soil phosphorus accumulation constrain on‐farm manure utilization across the United States. In Minnesota, a growing proportion of Jersey cattle and differences in continuous corn (Zea mays L.) vs. corn–alfafa (Medicago sativa L.) rotations contribute to the amount of land needed to absorb dairy manure nutrients. Farm‐gate budgets reveal that N‐based manuresheds can be contained within Idaho dairies, but P‐based manuresheds extend beyond the farm. In New Mexico, relocation of surplus manure nutrients off the farm is common via informal networks, but incentives to strengthen these networks could ensure sustainable manureshed management. Evaluation of manureshed requirements in Pennsylvania is often complicated by the need for additional nutrient management planning and greater understanding of nutrient balances on the preponderance of small dairies. Nutrient imbalances with highly concentrated dairy production often lead to the need for manure transport off‐farm. However, advances in herd and cropland management offer opportunities to improve on‐farm nutrient efficiencies, and emerging networks and technologies promise to facilitate manure export when needed.
Facile synthesis, antimicrobial, and anti‐inflammatory activities of novel isoxazolyl imidazo[1,2‐b]isoxazoles
Authors: Rama Krishna Saini , Nagaraju Dharavath , Srinivas Reddy Malladi , Rajanarendar Eligeti
Published: March 2022

A copper iodide promoted cyclization for the synthesis of isoxazolyl imidazo[1,2‐b]isoxazoles 3 in a one‐pot procedure has been investigated by interaction of 3‐aminoisoxazole 1 with nitrostyrylisoxazoles 2 under aerial oxidation condition. The newly synthesized compounds 3a–l were screened for their in vitro antimicrobial and anti‐inflammatory activities.
Algae‐based biostimulants increase yield and quality of mini tomatoes under protected cultivation
Authors: de Paula Bruno Santos , Feltrim Daniela , Engel Daniele Caroline Hörz , Baptistella João Leonardo Corte , Rodrigues Mayara , Engel Eduardo , Mazzafera Paulo
Published: March 2022

Background

Plant biostimulants are organic products primarily based on algae, microorganisms, fulvic and humic acids, proteins, and amino acids, which improve physiological plant performance, leading to increased crop productivity. In this work, commercial algae extract of Ascophyllum nodosum were sprayed on Sweet Heaven mini tomato variety [algae extract 0.5 L ha−1 (AE1) and 2 L ha−1 (AE2); aqueous solution prepared with A. nodosum powder at 1% (w/v) (DA1) and 3% (w/v) (DA2)] growing under greenhouse conditions.

Results

Algae treatment significantly affected the yield, diameter, length, color, and Brix degree of the fruits. Fruit volume and weight and the number of cracked fruits did not change. The treatment of mini tomato plants with DA1 led to a higher fruit yield compared to other treatments and untreated plants.

Conclusion

Therefore, A. nodosum extract can be an interesting sustainable practice to increase the productivity of mini tomatoes growing under protected conditions.
Assessment of spatiotemporal variations of ecosystem service values and hotspots in a dryland: A case‐study in Pakistan
Authors: Akhtar Mobeen , Zhao Yuanyuan , Gao Guanglei , Gulzar Qudsia , Hussain Azfar
Published: March 2022

Ecosystem services (ES) provided by dryland ecosystems store nearly half and one‐third of the Earth's terrestrial biomass and biodiversity, respectively. Pakistan is a typical dryland region with significant land degradation and dramatic changes in ES in recent decades, which has not been sufficiently investigated. This study explored the spatiotemporal variations in ecosystem service values (ESV) over Pakistan (2001–2018) by combining land use/cover data, economic modeling, and hotspot analysis. From the achieved results, the total ESV indicated an improvement in ES before 2012 and then showed a declining trend. The largest contribution was attributed to the increase in forest/shrubland by 16.17% (2001–2006) and 10.36% (2006–2012). However, the ESV decreased to 7.76% from 2012 to 2018, which was mainly attributed to the decrease in cropland and grassland. Heterogeneous changes were observed in ESV. The hotspot of ESV change (approximately an area of 32,578 km2) was mainly located in the southern and southeastern parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), the northeastern part of Balochistan and the central and western parts of Sindh Province. The cold spot (approximately an area of 24,491 km2) showed a distribution in the northern part of KPK and Gilgit Baltistan, northeastern Punjab, coastal regions, and southeastern Sindh Province. We also found that although the total ESV and gross domestic product (GDP) indicated growth, the proportion of ESV from the total ESV and GDP (%ESV) exhibited a negative trend. The Provinces of Punjab and Balochistan retained the highest value of %ESV, while Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan were much lower. These results reflected the spatial imbalance of ecosystem protection and economic development in Pakistan. We recommend that necessary actions for conserving ES are important to strengthen ecological conservation in Pakistan. Additionally, further interdisciplinary research is needed to fully explore synergies in conserving ES and economical conservation.
Reselling or agency model under markdown pricing policy in the presence of strategic customers
Authors: Zhang Qiaoke , Chen Hongzhuan , Wan Liangqi
Published: March 2022

This paper establishes a game‐theoretic model to investigate the effect of strategic customers on the business model choice between the reselling and the agency models under a markdown pricing policy. We find that the supplier always prefers the agency model whereas the retailer's preference depends on the commission rate, the proportion of strategic customers, and the supplier's inventory level. Results also reveal that regardless of the business model, the proportion of strategic customers, the patience level of strategic customers, and the supplier's inventory level are three driving forces in the markdown pricing policy. Finally, different from the conventional wisdom that suggests the centralized decisions always outperform the decentralized decisions, we find that the decentralized decisions under the agency model can achieve the same performance as the centralized decisions when the supplier has a relatively small inventory level. Surprisingly, when the supplier has a relatively large inventory level, the agency model outperforms the centralized model since the former leads to lower prices and stimulates more demand.
Cystic fibrosis lung transplant recipients 10 years of age or younger: Predisposing factors for end‐stage disease
Authors: Melicoff Ernestina , Ruiz Fadel E. , Hosek Kathleen , Mallory George B.
Published: March 2022

Background

The largest age group among children and adolescents referred for lung transplantation for cystic fibrosis (CF) have been those in the pubertal or postpubertal age range. However, over 100 younger patients with CF have undergone lung transplantation over the last three decades in the United States.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of our experience with 18 children with CF who underwent lung transplantation in our center before the age of 11 years and compared them to our older CF lung transplant recipients and our larger CF Center population.

Results

The transplant population was demographically distinct from our CF center in terms of ethnicity, country of origin, and insurance status. Other notable findings were a high prevalence of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a high prevalence of CF‐related diabetes mellitus, and a high prevalence of consolidated lobar or whole lung disease. Posttransplant outcomes were comparable to those older than 10 years of age in our center until 5 years after transplant after which the younger cohort showed a superior enduring survival.

Conclusions

In an era of increasingly effective medications modifying the natural history of CF, identification of risk factors for early severe lung disease in CF remains relevant to permit interventions to prevent or postpone the time of future lung transplantation.
Study on the Viscoelastic Damage Properties of NEPE Solid Propellant with Different Cyclic Stress Ratios
Authors: Hu Qinwei , Fang Qin‐Zhi , Sha Baolin , Jin Li
Published: March 2022

Viscoelastic damage properties of NEPE (Nitrate Ester Plasticized Polyether) solid propellant have been studied in this work. This work focuses on the creep and fatigue damage evolution. Cyclic loading tests for NEPE solid propellants are conducted with different stress ratios. Then a modified model incorporating viscoelasticity and damage evolution is presented and used to fit the experimental data. The fitting results show that the model is suitable to characterize the viscoelastic damage properties of NEPE propellants with different stress ratios. Based on the model with parameters for NEPE propellants, the damage parameter D are obtained. The damage evolution curves under different loading conditions are given. It is shown that, from the predicted damage evolution curves, the critical damage parameter Dcr at the fracture points can be used to predict the fatigue lives under different loading conditions.
Structural Properties of Nanometer‐Sized Gold Nanoparticles on a Silicon Substrate
Authors: Pussi Katariina , Barbiellini Bernardo , Ohara Koji , Yamada Hiroki , Carbo-Argibay Enrique , Sousa Viviana , Kolen'ko Yury V. , Bansil Arun , Kamali Saeed
Published: March 2022

Properties of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) supported on Si substrates, which have been the focus of recent attention, depend sensitively on the size, structure, and coordination of Au NPs as well as on the processes of interdiffusion and chemical bonding at the Au–Si interface. There is a great need, therefore, for developing structural techniques capable of imaging such nanosystems in atomic detail. Here, it is discussed how the atomic structure of nanometer‐sized Au NPs deposited on a silicon surface can be determined by using high‐energy X‐ray diffraction measurements in combination with an analysis based on atomic‐pair‐distribution functions and advanced reverse Monte Carlo methods. This approach delivers simple and incisive pictures of the structure of Au clusters on Si and reveals direct structural evidence for the emergence of a Au‐silicide interface following room temperature deposition of Au NPs on Si. This study will contribute to designing Au/Si nanostructures with desirable properties.
First‐Principles Investigation About Different Sequence of Stereochemical Activity and Birefringence in Antimony Halides
Authors: Li Lu , Qian Yanyan , Leng Xudong , Cui Xiuhua , Duan Haiming , Lee Ming-Hsien , Cao Haibin , Jing Qun
Published: March 2022

Birefringent compounds play an indispensable role in modern optoelectronics and information communication. In this article, the electronic structures and birefringence of binary and ternary antimony halides are investigated using the first‐principles method. The results show that the stereochemical activity of antimony cations in these compounds gradually decreases from Cl to I, and the birefringence of these compounds gradually increases from Cl to I. The degree of stereochemical activity of lone pairs is determined by the energy difference between the s‐state of the cation and the p‐state of the halogen, implying the revised model about stereochemical activity of lone‐pairs in metal oxides is also appropriate for metal halides. The real‐space atomic cutting and Born effective charges show that the antimony cations and halogen closer to Fermi level give main contribution to birefringence. And the occupied p‐states of antimony and halogen atoms play an important role in determining the birefringence.
Brick Shaped Vanadium Nitride/Graphene Nanocomposite as Highly Efficient Counter Electrode Catalyst for Pt Free Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cell
Authors: Karunagaran Jhanani Raji , Janakiraman Manokaran , Mathew Asha , Natesan Balasubramanian
Published: March 2022

A Platinum free hybrid counter electrode (CE) Vanadium nitride/graphene (VNGp) for dye‐sensitized solar cell (DSSC) was synthesized by hydrothermal method. The surface morphology and chemical composition of the as‐prepared VNGp composite were analyzed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Raman spectroscopy, high‐resolution electron transmission microscopy (HR‐TEM), and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The VNGp hybrid counter electrode displayed an adsorption‐controlled process towards the (I−/I3−) redox couple at CE/electrolyte interface and the value was calculated to be 3.16×10−9 mol/s by varying the scan rate. The exchange current density (Jo) was calculated as 6.59 mA/cm2 from the Tafel slope. The VNGp hybrid counter shows a maximum fill factor (FF) of 66.28 with high efficacy of 8.15 % under the illumination of 100 mW/cm2 as compared to the Pt CE for DSSC.
Triflic‐Acid‐Catalyzed Tandem Epoxide Rearrangement and Annulation with Alkynes: An Efficient Approach for Regioselective Synthesis of Naphthalenes
Authors: Rao Chinthu Joginarayana , Sudheer Mokhamatam , Battula Venkateswara Rao
Published: March 2022

A facile triflic acid catalyzed method to synthesize 1‐arylnaphthalenes from one‐pot annulation reaction of arylepoxides and arylalkynes has been reported. The annulation reaction involves a successive epoxide to carbonyl rearrangement, electrophilic attack of carbonyl on arylalkyne followed by cyclization catalyzed by triflic acid. The present catalyst effects this transformation at room temperature itself.
Exploring the relationship between refactoring and code debt indicators
Authors: Halepmollasi Rusen , Tosun Ayse
Published: March 2022

Refactoring, which aims to improve the internal structure of the software systems preserving their behavior, is the most common payment strategy for technical debt (TD) by removing the code smells. There exist many studies presenting code smell detection approaches/tools or investigating their impact on quality attributes. There are also studies that focus on refactoring techniques, their relation with quality attributes, tool supports, and opportunities for them. Although there are several studies addressing the gap between refactoring and TD indicators, the empirical evidence provided is still limited. In this study, we examine the distribution of 29 refactoring types among the different projects and their relation with code smells or faults. We explore the refactoring types that are most commonly performed together and other activities performed with refactorings. We conduct a large exploratory study with automatically detected 57,528 refactorings, 37,553 smells, 27,340 faults, and 134,812 commits of 33 Java projects. Results show that some refactoring types are more commonly applied by developers. Our analysis indicates that refactorings usually remove or do not affect the code smells, and this contradicts with the previous studies. Also, the commits in which refactoring(s) is performed are three times more fault inducing than those without refactoring.
Enabling the High‐Voltage Operation of Layered Ternary Oxide Cathodes via Thermally Tailored Interphase
Authors: Zhu Zhiqiang , Cao Shengkai , Ge Xiang , Xi Shibo , Xia Huarong , Zhang Wei , Lv Zhisheng , Wei Jiaqi , Chen Xiaodong
Published: March 2022

Layered ternary oxides LiNixMnyCozO2 are promising cathode candidates for high‐energy lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), but they usually suffer from the severe interfacial parasitic reactions at voltages above 4.3 V versus Li+/Li, which greatly limit their practical capacities. Herein, using LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 (NMC111) as the model system, a novel high‐temperature pre‐cycling strategy is proposed to realize its stable cycling in 3.0−4.5 V by constructing a robust cathode/electrolyte interphase (CEI). Specifically, performing the first five cycles of NMC111 at 55 °C helps to yield a uniform CEI layer enriched with fluorine‐containing species, Li2CO3 and poly(CO3), which greatly suppresses the detrimental side reactions during extended cycling at 25 °C, endowing the cell with a capacity retention of 92.3% at 1C after 300 cycles, far surpassing 62.0% for the control sample without the thermally tailored CEI. This work highlights the critical role of temperature on manipulating the interfacial properties of cathode materials, opening a new avenue for developing high‐voltage cathodes for Li‐ion batteries.
Electrodeposition as a Versatile Preparative Tool for Perovskite Photovoltaics: Aspects of Metallization and Selective Contacts/Active Layer Formation
Authors: Di Girolamo Diego , Dini Danilo
Published: March 2022

Perovskite‐based photovoltaics (PV) is expected to play a central role in sustainable energy production during the next decades. Several companies are investing intensively to develop a market‐ready product with efficiency and stability rapidly improving. The craft of making perovskite solar cells (PSCs) consists in the art of thin‐film deposition, with electrodeposition (ED) representing one of the most versatile techniques available. The ED's role in the development of perovskite PV with its advantages, drawbacks, and perspectives is analyzed herein. The ED of inorganic or organic/polymeric selective contacts enables high‐efficiency devices. Moreover, by exploiting properly designed functional barriers it is possible to rely on ED for the metallization of perovskite solar cells through the deposition of copper. The latter aspect could be particularly relevant for the development of silicon/perovskite tandem PV at the TW scale. On the other hand, the ED of the active layer is less successful to date mainly due to solubility issues of the perovskite in electrochemical polar solvents.
Experimental study on the joint bearing behavior of segmented tower structures subjected to normal and bending shear loads
Authors: Klein Fabian , Fürll Florian , Betz Thorsten , Marx Steffen
Published: March 2022

This article deals with the analysis and evaluation of the structural behavior of segmented tower constructions in large‐scale experimental investigations. For this purpose, a tower model with dry horizontal joints on a scale of approximately 1:10 is constructed and loaded. The objective of these large‐scale investigations is to determine the load‐bearing behavior of concrete segment towers subjected to normal force (external prestressing), bending, shear force and torsion and to derive more efficient and realistic design models. The transfer of shear stresses between individual segments is ensured by frictional resistance in the horizontal joints due to prestressing. The current design models are based on plane flange surfaces at the top and bottom of the segments as well as their ideal circular ring shape. This assumes a constant normal stress distribution for the compression connection. Within the large‐scale experimental tests, findings for uneven force distribution in the horizontal joints due to prestressing and shear bending were obtained, that have a significant impact on the design models. However, for the evaluation of the results and the projection onto the real construction components, the scale effects must be urgently taken into account.
Pneumonia in adult cattle
Authors: Otter Arthur , Brzozowska Anna
Published: March 2022

This focus article has been prepared by Arthur Otter of the APHA Cattle Expert Group and Anna Brzozowska of the Surveillance Intelligence Unit.
Large charges on the Wilson loop in $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 4 SYM: matrix model and classical string
Authors: Giombi Simone , Komatsu Shota , Offertaler Bendeguz
Published: March 2022

Abstract

We study the large charge sector of the defect CFT defined by the half-BPS Wilson loop in planar N = 4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory. Specifically, we consider correlation functions of two large charge insertions and several light insertions in the double-scaling limit where the ’t Hooft coupling λ and the large charge J are sent to infinity, with the ratio J/$$ \sqrt{\lambda } $$

λ

held fixed. They are holographically dual to the expectation values of light vertex operators on a classical string solution with large angular momentum, which we evaluate in the leading large J limit. We also compute the two-point function of large charge insertions by evaluating the on-shell string action, supplemented by the boundary terms that generalize the one introduced by Drukker, Gross and Ooguri for the Wilson loop without insertions. For a special class of correlation functions, we reproduce the string results from field theory by using supersymmetric localization. The results are given by correlation functions in an “emergent” matrix model whose matrix size is proportional to J and whose spectral curve coincides with that of the classical string. Similar matrix models appeared in the study of extremal correlators in rank-1 $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 superconformal field theories, but our results hold also for non-extremal cases.
Toroidal tidal effects in microstate geometries
Authors: Čeplak Nejc , Hampton Shaun , Li Yixuan
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Tidal effects in capped geometries computed in previous literature display no dynamics along internal (toroidal) directions. However, the dual CFT picture suggests otherwise. To resolve this tension, we consider a set of infalling null geodesics in a family of black hole microstate geometries with a smooth cap at the bottom of a long BTZ-like throat. Using the Penrose limit, we show that a string following one of these geodesics feels tidal stresses along all spatial directions, including internal toroidal directions. We find that the tidal effects along the internal directions are of the same order of magnitude as those along other, non-internal, directions. Furthermore, these tidal effects oscillate as a function of the distance from the cap — as a string falls down the throat it alternately experiences compression and stretching. We explain some physical properties of this oscillation and comment on the dual CFT interpretation.
Neuroserpin, a crucial regulator for axogenesis, synaptic modelling and cell–cell interactions in the pathophysiology of neurological disease
Authors: Godinez Angela , Rajput Rashi , Chitranshi Nitin , Gupta Veer , Basavarajappa Devaraj , Sharma Samridhi , You Yuyi , Pushpitha Kanishka , Dhiman Kunal , Mirzaei Mehdi , Graham Stuart , Gupta Vivek
Published: March 2022

Neuroserpin is an axonally secreted serpin that is involved in regulating plasminogen and its enzyme activators, such as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). The protein has been increasingly shown to play key roles in neuronal development, plasticity, maturation and synaptic refinement. The proteinase inhibitor may function both independently and through tPA-dependent mechanisms. Herein, we discuss the recent evidence regarding the role of neuroserpin in healthy and diseased conditions and highlight the participation of the serpin in various cellular signalling pathways. Several polymorphisms and mutations have also been identified in the protein that may affect the serpin conformation, leading to polymer formation and its intracellular accumulation. The current understanding of the involvement of neuroserpin in Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, glaucoma, stroke, neuropsychiatric disorders and familial encephalopathy with neuroserpin inclusion bodies (FENIB) is presented. To truly understand the detrimental consequences of neuroserpin dysfunction and the effective therapeutic targeting of this molecule in pathological conditions, a cross-disciplinary understanding of neuroserpin alterations and its cellular signaling networks is essential.
Ethnic inequalities in clozapine use among people with treatment-resistant schizophrenia: a retrospective cohort study using data from electronic clinical records
Authors: de Freitas Daniela Fonseca , Patel India , Kadra-Scalzo Giouliana , Pritchard Megan , Shetty Hitesh , Broadbent Matthew , Patel Rashmi , Downs Johnny , Segev Aviv , Khondoker Mizanur , MacCabe James H. , Bhui Kamaldeep , Hayes Richard D.
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Clozapine is the most effective intervention for treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). Several studies report ethnic disparities in clozapine treatment. However, few studies restrict analyses to TRS cohorts alone or address confounding by benign ethnic neutropenia. This study investigates ethnic equity in access to clozapine treatment for people with treatment-resistant schizophrenia spectrum disorder.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study, using information from 11 years of clinical records (2007–2017) from the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust. We identified a cohort of service-users with TRS using a validated algorithm. We investigated associations between ethnicity and clozapine treatment, adjusting for sociodemographic factors, psychiatric multi-morbidity, substance misuse, neutropenia, and service-use.

Results

Among 2239 cases of TRS, Black service-users were less likely to be receive clozapine compared with White British service-users after adjusting for confounders (Black African aOR = 0.49, 95% CI [0.33, 0.74], p = 0.001; Black Caribbean aOR = 0.64, 95% CI [0.43, 0.93], p = 0.019; Black British aOR = 0.61, 95% CI [0.41, 0.91], p = 0.016). It was additionally observed that neutropenia was not related to treatment with clozapine. Also, a detention under the Mental Health Act was negatively associated clozapine receipt, suggesting people with TRS who were detained are less likely to be treated with clozapine.

Conclusion

Black service-users with TRS were less likely to receive clozapine than White British service-users. Considering the protective effect of treatment with clozapine, these inequities may place Black service-users at higher risk for hospital admissions and mortality.
Peronealsehnenverletzungen
Authors: Hecht Verena , Krause Fabian , Anwander Helen
Published: March 2022

Hintergrund

Verletzungen der Peronealsehnen gelten als häufig unterdiagnostizierte Ursache lateraler Rückfußschmerzen. Prädisponierende Ursachen sind u. a. eine chronische laterale Instabilität sowie ein Rückfußvarus, da dies zu einer Überbelastung der Peronealsehnen führt. Klinisch äußern sich Peronealsehnenverletzungen meist unspezifisch mit lateralen Rückfußschmerzen.

Material und Methoden

In der Untersuchung zeigen sich Schmerzen bei Aktivierung der Sehnen gegen Widerstand. Die Sonographie zur Diagnostik bietet die Möglichkeit einer dynamischen Untersuchung, in der Magnetresonanztomographie (MRT) können gleichzeitig weitere Strukturen beurteilt werden. Zu unterscheiden sind eine Tendinopathie der Sehnen, eine Instabilität mit Luxation oder Subluxation verbunden mit Pathologien des superioren Peronealsehnenretinakulums sowie Längssplit und komplette Sehnenruptur. Bei Tendinopathien und Längsrissen erfolgt die Therapie primär konservativ. Ein kompletter Riss und eine Läsion über 50 % sollten operativ versorgt und, falls möglich, direkt genäht werden. Alternativ sind eine Tenodese oder ein Sehnenersatz mit einem Graft zu evaluieren.

Ergebnisse

Bei Patienten mit einer Peronealsehneninstabilität führen die Naht oder Rekonstruktion des superioren Peronealsehnenretinakulums zu guten Resultaten. Eine frühe Therapie zeigt eine bessere Heilungschance und kann somit zu einem besseren Outcome führen.

Schlussfolgerung

Zusammenfassend kann gesagt werden, dass bei chronischen lateralen Rückfußschmerzen an eine Peronealsehnenverletzung gedacht und bei Verdacht auf eine Läsion eine MRT oder eine Sonographie zur Bestätigung respektive Ausschluss der Diagnose durchgeführt werden sollte.
Regularized target encoding outperforms traditional methods in supervised machine learning with high cardinality features
Authors: Pargent Florian , Pfisterer Florian , Thomas Janek , Bischl Bernd
Published: March 2022

Since most machine learning (ML) algorithms are designed for numerical inputs, efficiently encoding categorical variables is a crucial aspect in data analysis. A common problem are high cardinality features, i.e. unordered categorical predictor variables with a high number of levels. We study techniques that yield numeric representations of categorical variables which can then be used in subsequent ML applications. We focus on the impact of these techniques on a subsequent algorithm’s predictive performance, and—if possible—derive best practices on when to use which technique. We conducted a large-scale benchmark experiment, where we compared different encoding strategies together with five ML algorithms (lasso, random forest, gradient boosting,k-nearest neighbors, support vector machine) using datasets from regression, binary- and multiclass–classification settings. In our study, regularized versions of target encoding (i.e. using target predictions based on the feature levels in the training set as a new numerical feature) consistently provided the best results. Traditionally widely used encodings that make unreasonable assumptions to map levels to integers (e.g. integer encoding) or to reduce the number of levels (possibly based on target information, e.g. leaf encoding) before creating binary indicator variables (one-hot or dummy encoding) were not as effective in comparison.
Effects of posture on cerebellar evoked potentials (CEPs) following brief impulsive stimuli at the mastoid and trunk
Authors: Govender Sendhil , Todd Neil P. M. , Colebatch James G.
Published: March 2022

Recordings from over the posterior fossa following impulsive acceleration stimuli have shown short latency evoked potentials of presumed cerebellar origin. In this study, we investigated the effect of posture on these cerebellar evoked potentials (CEPs) and their relationship to postural reflexes recorded from the leg muscles evoked by the same stimuli. Nine healthy subjects were tested during lying (supine and prone), sitting and standing. Impulsive accelerations were applied at the mastoid and to truncal (both C7 and sternal) stimulation sites. The effect of vision, eyes open or closed, was investigated for all three stimuli. For the truncal stimuli, the effect of differing leaning conditions during standing was also recorded. CEP amplitudes were correlated for the three stimuli. For C7 stimulation during standing, both CEPs and postural reflexes scaled as the threat to postural stability increased. However, CEPs for all stimuli were present during lying, sitting and standing with amplitude and latency parameters mainly unaffected by posture or vision. In contrast, postural reflexes from the leg muscles were attenuated when not standing, with the effect being more marked for truncal stimuli. We conclude that CEPs evoked by axial and vestibular stimuli are not systematically gated by posture, in contrast to the reflex responses evoked by the same stimuli.