bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is it really paid for sustainable development? The economic significance of firms' green practice
Authors: Liu Chang , Deng Bowen
Published: October 2022

Firm's green practices and sustainable development strategies are considered to have controversial impacts on its economic performance. Exploring the precise relationship between them can provide a theoretical dimension to the long‐term development of firms and the achievement of national sustainable development goals (SDGs). In this study, the authors apply the recently developed methods to test the economic significance of Chinese firms' sustainable strategies. Specifically, the authors first adopted the ESG score constructed for corporate environmental sustainability management (ESGEnv) as a proxy variable for corporate sustainability strategies and the firms' stock returns as a proxy for corporate economic effects to investigate the economic significance of firms' strategies for sustainable development. The study then confirmed that there has a positive relationship between ESGEnv and the future stock return of firms in general. Finally, the study concluded that ESGEnv can be explained by stochastic volatility, jump risk, short selling restrictions, and arbitrage risk. Furthermore, the robustness tests based on subsample and scenario grouping analysis confirmed the inconsistency in the relationship between the economic returns for the firms and the firms' green practices based their sustainable development strategies. As a result, the study contributed the literatures by clarifying the circumstances in which the firms' sustainable development strategies do have positive impacts on their economic benefits and also by providing the academy even more fuel to the already fierce debates over the firms' economic significances because of their green practices
Efficient Multi‐walled Carbon Nanotubes/Iron Oxide Nanocomposite for the Removal of the Drug Ketoprofen for Wastewater Treatment Applications
Authors: Badran Ismail , Al‐Ejli Maan Omar
Published: October 2022

Current environmental restrictions, such as the zero liquid discharge policy, require developing new methods to completely remove micropollutants from wastewater. Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are major component of such pollutants. The adsorptive removal of ketoprofen (KP), a widely prescribed NSAID, was studied using a newly synthesized magnetic adsorbent. The maximum adsorption capacity was determined to be 39.2 mg/g with almost 98 % removal for 50 mg/L KP at neutral pH. The adsorption of KP was found to be pH dependent and more efficient in acidic media. The isothermal behavior of the adsorbent followed a sigmoidal behavior and was best fitted to the corresponding‐states equation (CSE). The adsorption was found to follow second‐order kinetics with a half‐life of 4.4 min. The adsorption was also found to be exothermic and therefore it is favorable at low temperatures. The study also showed that the adsorbent can be regenerated for several adsorption‐desorption cycles. The adsorption mechanism was also explored by state‐of‐the‐art periodic quantum theoretical calculations.
Highly Flexible All‐Polymer Solar Cells Processed without Post‐Treatment Achieving 13.56% Efficiency
Authors: Liao Zhihui , Yu Weiyang , Li Haojie , Yang Ke , Kang Jihang , Li Delong , Tang Hua , Huang Peihao , Hu Dingqing , Yang Jianguo , Han Deman , Lu Shirong , Hu Xiaotian , Kan Zhipeng , Xiao Zeyun
Published: October 2022

The many merits of organic solar cells such as light weight, flexibility, and printability rely heavily on flexible devices. In this regard, all‐polymer solar cells (PSCs) are the primary choices due to the superior flexibility and mechanical properties of polymers over small molecule and fullerene materials. However, the polymer batch discrepancy and the multifarious post‐treatment steps are serious obstacles to practical applications. Herein, highly efficient and mechanically robust all‐PSCs based on a new polymer acceptor PYSe‐2FT and polymer donor D18 are developed. Without any post‐treatment, the flexible all‐PSC exhibits high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 13.56%, which stands among the best values in flexible all‐PSCs so far. Bending tests reveal that the flexible device maintains 86% efficiency of the original PCE after 1000 bending cycles with a narrow curvature radius of 3 mm. More importantly, the all‐PSC efficiencies are insensitive to the molecular weight of the newly developed acceptor polymer, which possesses favorable universality and stability when working together with various donors. The superior mechanical properties and the ease of process make this all‐PSC a promising candidate for applications in flexible and portable devices.
High‐Performance Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells Enhanced via Partial Replacement of Dimethyl Sulfoxide with N‐Methyl‐2‐Pyrrolidinone
Authors: Li Yuheng , Fan Hua , Xu Feiyang , Wang Teng , Shan Chengwei , Li Wenhui , Gu Xiaoyu , Lai Xue , Luo Dou , Sun Zonghao , Zhao Mengshuai , Li Xuehui , Cui Kun , Li Gongqiang , Kyaw Aung Ko Ko
Published: October 2022

Herein, a very simple but efficient method is developed to concurrently improve the quality of perovskite film and enhance the interfaces of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) concurrently via partially replacing dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) with N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone (NMP) in inverted planar PSCs. With the systematic investigations, it is found that the perovskite films fabricated with this simple method demonstrate higher crystallinity, larger grain size with less grain boundaries, and better perovskite–substrate interface with very rare voids. All of these lead to efficient all‐round defects suppression and high performance of the corresponding PSCs. As a result, the tri‐mixed solvent (DMF:DMSO:NMP = 4:0.75:0.25) processing renders a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 21.53%, which is much higher than that of PSCs fabricated with traditional bi‐mixed solvent (DMF:DMSO = 4:1) (only 17.05%). Notably, the simple‐method‐fabricated PSCs demonstrate remarkable humidity and thermal stabilities even without any encapsulation (90.6% and 75.2% of initial PCE are retained after more than 511 h in air with relative humidity (RH) ≈ 50% at room temperature and 216 h in air with RH 70% at continuous heating of 70 °C, respectively). All these results demonstrate that the simple method by partially replacing DMSO with NMP is very efficient to improve the quality of perovskite layer and yield high‐performance PSCs.
Postripening Fabrication and Self‐Driven Narrowband Photoresponse of Large‐Grain, Phase‐Pure CsPbBr3 Films
Authors: Guo Fumin , Wang Jian , Li Yu , Yu Shanshan , Xu Xiuwen , Cai Xin , Fang Yueping , Vayssieres Lionel , Saidaminov Makhsud I. , Yang Shihe
Published: October 2022

Halide perovskites have shown high potential for developing self‐driven filterless narrowband photodetectors with the advantages of excellent color recognition, low cost, and simple design. Among the various perovskites, all‐inorganic perovskites are most promising for optoelectronic devices due to their unmatched thermal stability, but they are often more difficult to be fabricated into a phase‐pure form with large grain sizes. Herein, for the first time, a self‐driven all‐inorganic perovskite narrowband photodetector (PNPD) fabricated by a scalable postripening aerosol–liquid–solid deposition method in ambient conditions is reported. Significantly, simply applying a short thermal stress to a pristine film with heterogeneous phases and small grain sizes triggers Ostwald ripening and leads to more than tenfold enlarged grains of phase‐pure CsPbBr3 with considerably improved optoelectronic properties. The self‐driven CsPbBr3‐based all‐inorganic PNPD shows a narrowband response, with a peak responsivity of 106.6 mA W−1, specific detectivity of 2.2 × 1012 Jones at 535 nm, and a narrow full width at half maximum of only 15 nm, placing it among the best of its kind. The PNPD is also fast (trise/tfall = 3.9/3.21 ms) and stable (above 10 000 on/off switches). This work opens the path of tapping all‐inorganic perovskites for next‐generation optoelectronics with high performance and reliability.
Effect of Microstructure on the Granule Strength of Hollow Granulated Mold Fluxes for Continuous Casting
Authors: Han Funian , Wen Guanghua , Zhang Fei , Wang Zhe , Yu Liang
Published: October 2022

During the automatic powder‐feeding process, the hollow granulated mold fluxes are easily broken due to insufficient granule strength, which leads to dust pollution and the deterioration of the properties of mold fluxes during the continuous casting. Herein, a drum‐type granule strength testing device, laser granule size analyzer, and scanning electron microscope are used to analyze the attrition mechanism of three kinds of hollow granulated mold fluxes and the effect of microstructure on the attrition mechanism. The results show that: 1) the result of the drum‐type granule strength test is in good agreement with the practical application effect of mold fluxes; 2) abrasion has dominated the breakage of three kinds of mold fluxes and the dust pollution is caused by the generation of a large number of granules with granule sizes ranging from 20 to 80 μm; 3) the uniform and dense surface film structure on the surface of mold flux effectively inhibits the abrasion and improves the granule strength of mold flux; and 4) the difference in granule size and solubility of different raw materials in the spray granulation process leads to the deposition of Na2CO3, binder, and carbon black on the surface to form the film structure.
Hydrogen Diffusion and Hydrogen Embrittlement Failure Behavior of AH36 Marine Steel Subjected to High Heat Input Welding
Authors: Zhang Dazheng , Cui Changzhi , Li Weijuan , Xu Jiakai
Published: October 2022

AH36 marine steel processed through high heat‐input welding is subjected to microstructural characterization, hydrogen permeation test, internal friction test, and slow strain rate tensile test to reveal its hydrogen diffusion and hydrogen embrittlement failure behaviors. Compared with the base metal, the coarse‐grained heat‐affected zone (CGHAZ) exhibits a significantly coarsened microstructure and decreased hydrogen trap density, resulting in a high hydrogen diffusion coefficient and short hydrogen permeation time. The presence of hydrogen yields a hydrogen‐induced Snoek internal friction peak and promotes the movement of the Snoek–Kê–Köster internal friction peak to the low‐temperature region. In addition, B and Kê peaks, which are not found in the base metal, appear in the CGHAZ. With increasing hydrogen content, the plastic loss and brittle fracture of the AH36 marine steel become increasingly significant, and the hydrogen embrittlement sensitivity of the heat‐affected zone increases compared with that of the base metal. The discontinuous yield phenomenon gradually disappears under slow strain rate tension owing to the weak pinning effect of the Cottrell atmosphere on mobile dislocations.
Effects of Periodic Pore Ordering on Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation with Mesoporous Semiconductor Oxides
Authors: Weller Tobias , Timm Jana , Deilmann Leonie , Doerr Tobias S. , Greve Christopher , Cherevan Alexey S. , Beaucage Peter A. , Wiesner Ulrich B. , Herzig Eva M. , Eder Dominik , Marschall Roland
Published: October 2022

Crystalline and 3D continuous mesoporous quaternary CsTaWO6 semiconductors are prepared with different degrees of long‐range periodic order and local order, respectively, to investigate the influence of periodic pore order on the photocatalytic performance in hydrogen evolution of mesoporous photocatalysts. The degree of long‐range order of the mesopores is changed by modifying the ratio between metal precursors and soft polymer template poly(isoprene‐b‐styrene‐b‐ethylene oxide) (PI‐b‐PS‐b‐PEO; ISO) in the sol–gel synthesis. Long‐range periodic order is found to have no appreciable advantage compared with an only locally ordered continuous pore system. On the contrary, nonperiodically ordered mesopores result in higher activity toward photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, even with slightly smaller pore diameter and lower cumulative pore volume. Most importantly, it is shown that pore connectivity and heterogeneous pore systems in mesoporous photocatalysts play a major role for hydrogen evolution when other parameters are confirmed to be not rate limiting.
Adaptive supervised learning on data streams in reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces with data sparsity constraint
Authors: Wang Haodong , Li Quefeng , Liu Yufeng
Published: October 2022

Data are generated at an unprecedented rate and scale these days across many disciplines. The field of streaming data analysis has emerged as a result of new data collection and storage technologies in various areas, such as air pollution monitoring, detection of traffic congestion, disease surveillance, and recommendation systems. In this paper, we consider the problem of model estimation for data streams in reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces. We propose an adaptive supervised learning method with a data sparsity constraint that uses limited storage spaces and can handle nonstationary models. We demonstrate the competitive performance of the proposed method using simulations and analysis of the bike sharing dataset.
Local‐distortional interaction in cold‐formed steel lipped channel beams: Experimental investigation
Authors: Dias Martins André , Camotim Dinar , Borges Dinis Pedro , Chen Man‐Tai , Young Ben
Published: October 2022

Nominee Professor Eduardo de Arantes e Oliveira Award 2021

This paper reports an experimental investigation on the behaviour and strength of cold‐formed high‐strength steel (G450–G500) lipped channel beams susceptible to local–distortional interaction. The experimental campaign comprised 36 tests involving simply supported beams bent about the major axis, exhibiting various ratios between their distortional and local critical buckling moments (from 1.09 to 1.46) and acted by either uniform (20 tests) or non‐uniform (trapezoidal: 16 tests) bending diagrams. The results presented and discussed consist of equilibrium paths, photos providing the evolution of the beam deformed configurations and failure moments. The paper also includes a few remarks on the design, using the Direct Strength Method, of the beams under consideration.
Alfalfa genomic selection for different stress‐prone growing regions
Authors: Annicchiarico Paolo , Nazzicari Nelson , Bouizgaren Abdelaziz , Hayek Taoufik , Laouar Meriem , Cornacchione Monica , Basigalup Daniel , Monterrubio Martin Cristina , Brummer Edward Charles , Pecetti Luciano
Published: October 2022

Alfalfa (Medicago sativaL.) selection for stress‐prone regions has high priority for sustainable crop–livestock systems. This study assessed the genomic selection (GS) ability to predict alfalfa breeding values for drought‐prone agricultural sites of Algeria, Morocco, and Argentina; managed‐stress (MS) environments of Italy featuring moderate or intense drought; and one Tunisian site irrigated with moderately saline water. Additional aims were to investigate genotype × environment interaction (GEI) patterns and the effect on GS predictions of three single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) calling procedures, 12 statistical models that exclude or incorporate GEI, and allele dosage information. Our study included 127 genotypes from a Mediterranean reference population originated from three geographically contrasting populations, genotyped via genotyping‐by‐sequencing and phenotyped based on multi‐year biomass dry matter yield of their dense‐planted half‐sib progenies. The GEI was very large, as shown by 27‐fold greater additive genetic variance × environment interaction relative to the additive genetic variance and low genetic correlation for progeny yield responses across environments. The predictive ability of GS (using at least 37,969 SNP markers) exceeded 0.20 for moderate MS (representing Italian stress‐prone sites) and the sites of Algeria and Argentina while being quite low for the Tunisian site and intense MS. Predictions of GS were complicated by rapid linkage disequilibrium decay. The weighted GBLUP model, GEI incorporation into GS models, and SNP calling based on a mock reference genome exhibited a predictive ability advantage for some environments. Our results support the specific breeding for each target region and suggest a positive role for GS in most regions when considering the challenges associated with phenotypic selection.
Evaluating the association between blood genotype or phenotype and haemoplasma infection in UK and Italian cats
Authors: Spada Eva , Galluzzo Paola , Torina Alessandra , Loria Guido R. , Perego Roberta , Grippi Francesca , Blanda Valeria , Baggiani Luciana , D'Amico Alessia , Pennisi Maria G. , Helps Chris R. , Malik Richard , Westman Mark , Gandolfi Barbara , Spencer Sarah , Proverbio Daniela , Tasker Séverine
Published: October 2022

Background

In humans, blood groups are associated with varying prevalence of infections. The aim of this study was to determine if associations exist between the feline AB blood group system and haemoplasma infection.

Methods

Data from two studies were combined. In the first study, DNA samples from 131 haemoplasma‐infected and 132 haemoplasma‐uninfected UK cats underwent pyrosequencing to determine their blood genotype asAA,Aborbb. In the second study, blood samples from 160 Italian cats of known blood phenotype A, B or AB underwent PCR testing for feline haemoplasma species DNA.

Results

Haemoplasma infection was demonstrated in cats of all phenotypes and genotypes. A significantly higher number ofAbgenotype cats tested positive for overall haemoplasma infection status (p= 0.04) and forMycoplasma haemofelisinfection (p= 0.03).

Limitations

Haemoplasma‐infected Italian cats were few, possibly increasing the chance of type II error, and the presence of purebred cats in the sample population may have had a confounding effect.

Conclusions

Feline haemoplasmas do not appear to preferentially use either blood type A or B antigens as attachment sites for erythrocyte colonisation. Further investigations in a larger number of haemoplasma‐infected cats of known blood phenotype are warranted to explain the association between genotypeAband haemoplasma infection.
Makerspace Methodologies & Design Principles
Authors: Bjørn Pernille , Menendez-Blanco Maria , Borsotti Valeria
Published: October 2022

Thefour FemTech design principleswhich underscore all our work are that design artefacts must (1) produce alternative narratives of computer science, which (2) challenge the taken-for-granted assumptions about computer science, by (3) embedding a story into the design while (4) allowing for surprising interactive opportunities. However, before we dive into the details of these principles, we contextualize the principles in the design practices by which they were made.
Application of ARIMA-LSTM for Manufacturing Decarbonization Using 4IR Concepts
Authors: Adenuga Olukorede Tijani , Mpofu Khumbulani , Modise Ragosebo Kgaugelo
Published: October 2022

Increasing climate change concerns call for the manufacturing sector to decarbonize its process by introducing a mitigation strategy. Energy efficiency concepts within the manufacturing process value chain are proportional to the emission reductions, prompting decision makers to require predictive tools to execute decarbonization solutions. Accurate forecasting requires techniques with a strong capability for predicting automotive component manufacturing energy consumption and carbon emission data. In this paper we introduce a hybrid autoregressive moving average (ARIMA)-long short-term memory network (LSTM) model for energy consumption forecasting and prediction of carbon emission within the manufacturing facility using the 4IR concept. The method could capture linear features (ARIMA) and LSTM captures the long dependencies in the data from the nonlinear time series data patterns, Root means square error (RMSE) is used for data analysis comparing the performance of ARIMA which is 448.89 as a single model with ARIMA-LSTM hybrid model as actual (trained) and predicted (test) 59.52 and 58.41 respectively. The results depicted RMSE values of ARIMA-LSTM being extremely smaller than ARIMA, which proves that hybrid ARIMA-LSTM is more suitable for prediction than ARIMA.
Intelligent Robotic Arm Path Planning (IRAP2) Framework to Improve Work Safety in Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC) Workspace Using Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG) Algorithm
Authors: Wu Xiangqian , Yi Li , Klar Matthias , Hussong Marco , Glatt Moritz , Aurich Jan C.
Published: October 2022

Industrial robots are widely used in manufacturing systems. The places that humans share with robots are called human-robot collaboration (HRC) workspaces. To ensure the safety in HRC workspaces, a collision-avoidance system is required. In this paper, we regard the collision-avoidance as a problem during the robot action trajectory design and propose an intelligent robotic arm path planning (IRAP2) framework. The IRAP2framework is based on the deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG) algorithm because the path planning is a typical continuous control problem in a dynamic environment, and DDPG is well suited for such problems. To test the IRAP2framework, we have studied a HRC workspace in which the robot size is larger than humans. At first, we have applied a physics engine to build a virtual HRC workspace including digital models of a robot and a human. Using this virtual HRC workspace as the environment model, we further trained an agent model using the DDPG algorithm. The trained model can optimize the motion path of the robot to avoid collision with the human.
Energy Efficiency for Manufacturing Using PV, FSC, and Battery-Super Capacitor Design to Enhance Sustainable Clean Energy Load Demand
Authors: Adenuga Olukorede Tijani , Mpofu Khumbulani , Mathenjwa Thobelani
Published: October 2022

Energy efficiency (EE) are recognized globally as a critical solution towards reduction of energy consumption, while the management of global carbon dioxide emission complement climate change. EE initiatives drive is a key factor towards climate change mitigation with variable renewable technologies. The paper aimed to design and simulate photovoltaic (PV), fuel cell stack (FCS) systems, and battery-super capacitor energy storage to enhance sustainable clean energy load demand and provide significant decarbonization potentials. An integration of high volume of data in real-time was obtained and energy mix fraction towards low carbon emission mitigation pathway strategy for grid linked renewables electricity generation was proposed as a solution for the future transport manufacturing energy supplement in South Africa. The interrelationship between energy efficiency and energy intensity variables are envisaged to result in approximately 87.6% of global electricity grid production; electricity energy demand under analysis can reduce the CO2emissions by 0.098 metric tons and CO2savings by 99.587 per metric tons. The scope serves as a fundamental guideline for future studies in the future transport manufacturing with provision of clean energy and sufficient capacity to supply the demand for customers within the manufacturing.
The Circular Economy Competence of the Manufacturing Sector — A Case Study
Authors: Adlin Nillo , Lanz Minna , Lohtander Mika
Published: October 2022

Circular economy refers to the intention to overcome the problems in the current production and consumption model. The current model is based on continuous growth and an increasing efficient resource utilization among the industry. Within the circular economy, an organizations are expected to minimize material and energy use, and by design and action reduce the environmental deterioration without restricting economic growth or social and technical progress. This development has been undertaken in many industries, especially in consumer-related businesses, many examples are well documented. However, there are only few studies available concerning the current circular economy activities in the manufacturing industry or their potential. The main goal of this paper is to identify and validate the circular economy readiness between communication and actual action in the circular economy business in manufacturing companies in a regional context. The results of this study will show the capabilities of the manufacturing industry to do business in regional circular economy activities. Two conclusions can be made. Firstly, the results of regional circular economy activities bring valuable information for academics, policymakers, and manufacturing companies. Secondly, the regional baseline of the circular economy can help highlight the current situation and identify the business areas which the next actions should be targeted at.
A Framework for Manufacturing System Reconfiguration Based on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Twin
Authors: Mo Fan , Chaplin Jack C. , Sanderson David , Rehman Hamood Ur , Monetti Fabio Marco , Maffei Antonio , Ratchev Svetan
Published: October 2022

The application of digital twins and artificial intelligence to manufacturing has shown potential in improving system resilience, responsiveness, and productivity. Traditional digital twin approaches are generally applied to single, static systems to enhance a specific process. This paper proposes a framework that applies digital twins and artificial intelligence to manufacturing system reconfiguration, i.e., the layout, process parameters, and operation time of multiple assets, to enable system decision making based on varying demands from the customer or market. A digital twin environment has been developed to simulate the manufacturing process with multiple industrial robots performing various tasks. A data pipeline is built in the digital twin with an API (application programming interface) to enable the integration of artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence methods are used to optimise the digital twin environment and improve system decision-making. Finally, a multi-agent program approach shows the communication and negotiation status between different agents to determine the optimal configuration for a manufacturing system to solve varying problems. Compared with previous research, this framework combines distributed intelligence, artificial intelligence for decision making, and production line optimisation that can be widely applied in modern reactive manufacturing applications.
Automating the Generation of MBD-Driven Assembly Work Instruction Documentation for Aircraft Components
Authors: Papadaki Aikaterini R. , Bacharoudis Konstantinos , Bainbridge David , Burbage Nick , Turner Alison , Sanderson David , Popov Atanas A. , Ratchev Svetan M.
Published: October 2022

The classical approach to the creation of assembly work instructions for high value, complex products is time-consuming and prone to error. It requires a process engineer to write the work instructions step-by-step and manually insert specific technical information, using an encompassing document of manufacturing parameters or life cycle management software. The latter offers synchronisation to design changes through updateable parameters, however major design modifications still require significant manual work to modify the text contents and structure of the work instructions. This leaves the work instruction documentation vulnerable to human error, as well as making the process time-consuming to fully synchronise. A methodology was therefore developed to resolve these issues, utilising JavaScript and VBA for Office to create a simple interface for rapid content generation for work instructions including text, MBD extracted parameters, images and formatting. The overall methodology speeds up the creation of assembly work instructions and reduces errors by implementing automatic insertion of parameters from an MBD model. The implementation and effectiveness of the suggested approach is demonstrated on a case study for the assembly of the joined wing configuration of the RACER helicopter, the latest generation of compound helicopters of Airbus Helicopter.
A first order description of a nonlinear SPDE in the spirit of rough paths
Authors: Kunick Florian
Published: October 2022

We consider a nonlinear stochastic partial differential equation (SPDE) in divergence form where the forcing term is a Gaussian noise, that is white in time and colored in space such that the gradient of the solution is Hölder-continuous, but not differentiable. Then, we prove a generalized Taylor expansion of the difference between the solution to the SPDE and the solution to its linearization around a fixed basepoint. The result is reminiscent of the theory of (controlled) rough paths and agrees with the general observation, that, in settings with a rough driver, subtracting the solution to the linearized equation yields a more regular object.
Genetic variation of glycophorins and infectious disease
Authors: Hollox Edward J. , Louzada Sandra
Published: October 2022

Glycophorins are transmembrane proteins of red blood cells (RBCs), heavily glycosylated on their external-facing surface. In humans, there are four glycophorin proteins, glycophorins A, B, C and D. Glycophorins A and B are encoded by two similar genes GYPA and GYPB, and glycophorin C and glycophorin D are encoded by a single gene, GYPC. The exact function of glycophorins remains unclear. However, given their abundance on the surface of RBCs, it is likely that they serve as a substrate for glycosylation, giving the RBC a negatively charged, complex glycan “coat”. GYPB and GYPE (a closely related pseudogene) were generated from GYPA by two duplication events involving a 120-kb genomic segment between 10 and 15 million years ago. Non-allelic homologous recombination between these 120-kb repeats generates a variety of duplication alleles and deletion alleles, which have been systematically catalogued from genomic sequence data. One allele, called DUP4, encodes the Dantu NE blood type and is strongly protective against malaria as it alters the surface tension of the RBC membrane. Glycophorins interact with other infectious pathogens, including viruses, as well as the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum, but the role of glycophorin variation in mediating the effects of these pathogens remains underexplored.
Is There Any Reliable Predictor of Functional Recovery Following Post‐thyroidectomy Vocal Fold Paralysis?
Authors: Revelli Luca , Gallucci Pierpaolo , Marchese Maria Raffaella , Voloudakis Nikolaos , Di Lorenzo Sofia , Montuori Claudio , D'Alatri Lucia , Pennestri Francesco , De Crea Carmela , Raffaelli Marco
Published: October 2022

Background

Predicting definitive outcomes of post‐thyroidectomy vocal fold paralysis (VFP) is challenging. We aimed to identify reliable predictors based on intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) and flexible fiberoptic laryngostroboscopy (FFL) findings.

Methods

Among 1172 thyroid operations performed from April to December 2021, all patients who exhibited vocal fold paralysis (VFP) at post‐operative laryngoscopy were included. IONM data, including type of loss of signal (LOS), were collected. Patients underwent FFL, with arytenoid motility assessment, at 15, 45 and 120 days post‐operatively. Patients were divided into two groups: those who recovered vocal fold motility (VFM) by the 120th post‐operative day (recovery group) and those who did not (non‐recovery group).

Results

Fifty‐nine VFP cases (5.0% of total patients) met the inclusion criteria. Eight patients were lost at follow‐up and were excluded. Overall, 9 patients were included in the non‐recovery group (0.8% of total patients) and 42 in the recovery group. Among various predictive factors, only arytenoid fixation (AF) at the 15th post‐operative day and Type I LOS were significant predictors for no VFM recovery (p = 0.007, RR = 9.739, CI:1.3–72.3 and p = 0.001, RR = 9.25, CI:2.2–39.3 for AF and Type I injury, respectively). The combination of type of LOS and arytenoid motility at the 15th post‐op day yielded satisfactory predictive values for the progression of transient VFP to permanent.

Conclusions

Arytenoid motility at the 15th post‐op day and type II LOS are associated with recovery of VFM. Type of LOS and FFL could be included in the follow‐up protocols of patients with VFP to reliably predict clinical outcomes.
Evaluation der Aufklärungsbroschüre Normal? Was ist das schon! zu psychischen Störungen und Psychotherapie für Jugendliche
Authors: Pfeiffer Simone , Kircher Andrea , Schlatt Lisa , In-Albon Tina
Published: October 2022

Hintergrund

Fehlendes Wissen über psychische Störungen und Psychotherapie sowie die Angst vor Stigmatisierung stellen zwei der meistgenannten Hemmschwellen zur Aufnahme einer Psychotherapie unter Jugendlichen dar.

Ziel der Arbeit

Evaluation der Aufklärungsbroschüre Normal? Was ist das schon! zu Psychotherapie und psychischen Störungen für Jugendliche und Psychotherapeut:innen.

Methode

Die Stichprobe bestand aus 190 Teilnehmer:innen im Alter zwischen 15 und 21 Jahren (M = 18,2 Jahre, SD ± 1,81 Jahre, 80 % weiblich). Zu 3 Messzeitpunkten (prä, post, Vier-Wochen-Follow-up) wurden Wissen, Stigma und die antizipierte Bereitschaft zur Aufnahme einer Psychotherapie sowie die Akzeptanz der Broschüre erfasst. Die Akzeptanz wurde zusätzlich von 30 Psychotherapeut:innen erhoben.

Ergebnisse

Jugendliche zeigten nach dem Lesen der Broschüre im Vergleich zur Prämessung einen signifikanten Wissenszuwachs bezüglich Psychotherapie und psychischen Störungen mit einem starken Effekt in der Post- (d = 1,32) und in der Follow-up-Erhebung (d = 1,13). Die Bereitschaft zur Aufnahme einer Psychotherapie im Fall von psychischen Problemen stieg zum Postzeitpunkt (d = 0,58) und blieb in der Follow-up-Erhebung stabil, wenn auch mit kleinem Effekt (d = 0,33). Stigmabewusstheit (d = 0,38) und -anwendung (d = 0,42) reduzierten sich zum Postzeitpunkt jeweils mit einem kleinen Effekt, jedoch blieb die Reduktion zum Follow-up-Zeitpunkt nicht stabil. Die Akzeptanzwerte bei Jugendlichen und Expert:innen waren überwiegend hoch.

Diskussion

Die Studienergebnisse zeigen die Eignung dieser Aufklärungsbroschüre, Hemmschwellen zur Aufnahme einer Psychotherapie mithilfe der Wissensvermittlung zu Psychotherapie und psychischen Störungen abzubauen. Ein nachhaltiger Abbau von stigmatisierenden Einstellungen gegenüber Psychotherapie zeigte sich nicht. Die hohe Akzeptanz spricht für ein gutes Disseminationspotenzial.
Cross-domain fusion in smart seafloor sensor networks
Authors: Zainab Tayyaba , Karstens Jens , Landsiedel Olaf
Published: October 2022

Many of the socio-economic and environmental challenges of the 21st century like the growing energy and food demand, rising sea levels and temperatures put stress on marine ecosystems and coastal populations. This requires a significant strengthening of our monitoring capacities for processes in the water column, at the seafloor and in the subsurface. However, present-day seafloor instruments and the required infrastructure to operate these are expensive and inaccessible. We envision a future Internet of Underwater Things, composed of small and cheap but intelligent underwater nodes. Each node will be equipped with sensing, communication, and computing capabilities. Building on distributed event detection and cross-domain data fusion, such an Internet of Underwater Things will enable new applications. In this paper, we argue that to make this vision a reality, we need new methodologies for resource-efficient and distributed cross-domain data fusion. Resource-efficient, distributed neural networks will serve as data-analytics pipelines to derive highly aggregated patterns of interest from raw data. These will serve as (1) a common base in time and space for fusion of heterogeneous data, and (2) be sufficiently small to be transmitted efficiently in resource-constrained settings.
High Salinity Stimulates the Adaptive Response to Potassium Deficiency Through the Antioxidant and the NADPH-Generating Systems in the Roots and Leaves of the Halophyte Cakile maritima
Authors: Houmani Hayet , Palma José M. , Corpas Francisco J.
Published: October 2022

Salinity is one of the most constraining environmental factors that limits plant growth and productivity because it disturbs mineral nutrition by triggering interactions at the interface soil roots. It implies a notable competition between sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+), with this last mineral being a key nutrient for plants. Using the halophyte Cakile maritima as a model plant grown in hydroponic conditions, this study was aimed to analyze how the simultaneous stressful conditions of high salinity (400 mM NaCl) and K+ deficiency (0 mM) for 15 days affect plant growth, ion balance, and antioxidant and NADPH-generating systems. Among the parameters analyzed, the most remarkable changes were observed in leaves, with drastic increases in the Na+/K+, Na+/Ca2+ and Na+/Mg2+ ratios, an enhanced accumulation of anthocyanins, and the induction of 3 new copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) isozymes in plants simultaneously exposed to both stresses. Taken together, the data revealed that the combination of both, high salinity and K+ deficiency, caused oxidative stress and modulated the whole antioxidative response of C. maritima in leaves and roots. Besides the differential response underwent by both organs, considering the different parameters analyzed under these stressful conditions, the most notable traits were that the effect of both stresses seems to be not additive and that salinity appears to improve C. maritima response to K+, a behavior not manifested in glycophyte species. Taken together our data support that, under extreme conditions that lead to an excess of ROS production, the induction of several CuZn-SODs in C. maritima may be one of the most outstanding strategies for the adaptation of this plant species to survive.
Hormone Changes in Tolerant and Susceptible Grapevine Leaves Under Powdery Mildew Infection
Authors: Amaro Rute , Diniz Inês , Santos Helena , Pimentel Diana , Rego Cecília , Mithöfer Axel , Fortes Ana Margarida
Published: October 2022

The biotrophic fungus Erysiphe necator causes powdery mildew (PM) in grapevine. Phytohormones are major modulators of defensive responses in plants but the analysis of the hormonome associated with grapevine tolerance and susceptibility against this pathogen has not been elucidated. In this study, changes in hormonal profiling were compared between a tolerant (Vitis rupestris × riparia cv. 101-14 Millardet et de Grasset) and a susceptible (Vitis vinifera cv. Aragonêz) species upon E. necator infection. Control and PM-infected leaves were collected at 0, 6, 24, 96 h post-infection (hpi), and analysed through LC-MS/MS. The results showed a distinct constitutive hormonome between tolerant and susceptible species. Constitutive high levels of salicylic acid (SA) and indole-3- acetic acid together with additional fast induction of SA within the first 6 hpi as well as constitutive low levels of jasmonates and abscisic acid may enable a faster and more efficient response towards the PM. The balance among the different phytohormones seems to be species-specific and fundamental in providing tolerance or susceptibility. These insights may be used to develop strategies for conventional breeding and/or editing of genes involved in hormonal metabolism aiming at providing a durable resistance in grapevine against E. necator.
Exponential Integrators for Second-Order in Time Partial Differential Equations
Authors: Phan Duy , Ostermann Alexander
Published: October 2022

Two types of second-order in time partial differential equations, namely semilinear wave equations and semilinear beam equations are considered. To solve these equations with exponential integrators, we present an approach to compute efficiently the action of the matrix exponential as well as those of related matrix functions. Various numerical simulations are presented that illustrate this approach.
Wie kommt Inklusion in die Schulen? Einstellung zur Inklusion als Prädiktor der inklusionsbezogenen Fortbildungsmotivation von Lehrkräften
Authors: Wächter Tobias , Gorges Julia
Published: October 2022

Fortbildungen zur inklusionsbezogenen Kompetenz- und Organisationsentwicklung an Schulen sind zentrale Erfolgsfaktoren für die Umsetzung der UN-Behindertenrechtskonvention in Deutschland. Eine positive Einstellung zu schulischer Inklusion seitens der Lehrkräfte sollte eine zentrale Rolle für die engagierte Teilnahme daran spielen. Die vorliegende Studie untersucht die Rolle von Einstellung zu Inklusion für die Fortbildungsmotivation von Lehrkräften (N = 166) mit Blick auf eine bevorstehende Fortbildung zur Kooperation an inklusiven Sekundar- und Gesamtschulen. Die Ergebnisse mehrebenenanalytischer Regressionsmodelle zeigen, dass Einstellung zu Inklusion die fortbildungsbezogene Erfolgserwartung sowie den teilnahmeförderlichen und -hinderlichen Wert signifikant vorhersagt. Eine Prüfung der prädiktiven Validität der Interaktion von fachlicher/sozialer und persönlicher Einstellungsdimension (i. S. von Wert × Erwartung) zeigt außerdem, dass eine stark ausgeprägte persönliche Einstellungsdimension (i. S. der Selbstwirksamkeit) die teilnahmehinderlichen Wertüberzeugungen reduzieren kann. Die Diskussion thematisiert theoretische und praktische Implikationen der Befunde.
Lösliche Guanylatzyklase(sGC)-Stimulation mit Vericiguat
Authors: Haase Nadine , Kedziora Sarah M. , Müller Dominik Nikolaus , Dechend Ralf
Published: October 2022

Hintergrund

Aufgrund der neuen Leitlinien der European Society of Cardiology (ESC) zur Diagnostik und Behandlung der akuten und chronischen Herzinsuffizienz (McDonagh et al. 2021) kann Vericiguat (Verquvo®) zur Behandlung von erwachsenen Patienten mit symptomatischer, chronischer Herzinsuffizienz und reduzierter Ejektionsfraktion, die trotz Standardtherapie nach einem kürzlich aufgetretenen Dekompensationsereignis mit erforderlicher intravenöser (i.v.) Therapie stabilisiert wurden, mit in die Therapie aufgenommen werden.

Ziel der Arbeit

Die vorliegende Übersichtsarbeit fasst die Entwicklung von Vericiguat, einem löslichen Guanylatzyklase-Stimulator (sGC-Stimulator), als konsequente Umsetzung eines neuartigen pharmakologischen Therapieansatzes zur Behandlung der Herzinsuffizienz zusammen und bietet über die Charakterisierung dieses erstmalig untersuchten Patientenkollektivs wertvolle Ansätze für die praktische Verwendung.

Ergebnisse

Die beiden wesentlichen Studien in der klinischen Entwicklung von Vericiguat – SOCRATES-Reduced und VICTORIA – haben die Wirksamkeit und Sicherheit von Vericiguat eindrucksvoll belegt. Der primäre Wirksamkeitsendpunkt der VICTORIA-Studie „kardiovaskulärer Tod oder Herzinsuffizienz-bedingte Hospitalisierung“ wurde im Vericiguat-Arm signifikant im Vergleich zu Placebo reduziert. Relevante Subgruppenanalysen sowie Sicherheitsdaten bestätigen dieses Ergebnis und unterstützen die sichere Anwendung in diesem Hochrisikokollektiv.

Diskussion

Die vorliegenden Daten lassen die Schlussfolgerung zu, dass Vericiguat effektiv und sicher zu einer bestehenden Therapie mit den empfohlenen Herzinsuffizienzmedikamenten hinzugefügt werden kann. Es ist zu erwarten, dass im Praxisalltag die Zieldosis von 10 mg verlässlich erreicht und gehalten werden kann. Vericiguat stellt daher eine neuartige, einfache und sichere Therapieoption in einem vulnerablen Patientenkollektiv dar, für das es bisher kaum medikamentöse Behandlungsoptionen gab.
Pathogenic potential and antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolated from human and animals
Authors: Glajzner Paulina , Szewczyk Eligia M. , Szemraj Magdalena
Published: October 2022

Crossing of interspecies barriers by microorganisms is observed. In recent years, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius—a species formerly thought to be animal—has also been isolated from human clinical materials. Many virulence factors are responsible for the colonization, which is the first step an infection, of the new host organism. We analyzed the factors influencing this colonization as well as susceptibility to antibiotics in fourteen S. pseudintermedius strains isolated from clinical cases from humans and animals. The occurrence of genes responsible for binding elastin, fibronectin, and fibrinogen and some phenotypic features, although different between strains, is comparable in both groups. However, the animal isolates had more genes coding for virulence factors. All isolates tested had the exfoliating toxin gene and the leukotoxin determining genes, but only the human strains had enterotoxin genes. The assessment of antibiotic resistance of strains of both groups indicates their broad resistance to antibiotics commonly used in veterinary medicine. Antibiotic resistance was more common among animal isolates. The multilocus sequence typing analysis of the studied strains was performed. The results indicated a large diversity of the S. pseudintermedius population in both studied groups of strains. Equipped with important virulence factors, they showed the ability to infect animals and humans. The clonal differentiation of the methicillin-susceptible strains and the multidrug resistance of the strains of both studied groups should be emphasized. The considerable genetic diversity of strains from a limited geographical area indicates the processes of change taking place within this species. Thus, careful observation of the ongoing process of variation is necessary, as they may lead to the selection of S. pseudintermedius, which will pose a significant threat to humans.
Circulating Irisin Level as a Biomarker for Pure Aortic Stenosis and Aortic Valve Calcification
Authors: Wang Shan-shan , Li Jia-min , Hu Po , Guo Yu-chao , Liu Xian-bao , Wang Jian-an , Chen Han
Published: October 2022

Irisin, a myokine mainly secreted by skeletal and cardiac muscles, is actively involved in cardiovascular diseases. However, whether irisin is associated with aortic stenosis remains unknown. Two hundred ninety-three severe AS patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation were enrolled and followed-up for 35 months on average. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to measure circulating irisin levels. Patients were divided into two groups based on the median plasma irisin level. We found that high plasma irisin levels were independently associated with pure aortic stenosis (PAS) after adjusting for age, body mass index, history of peripheral vascular disease, and creatinine (OR = 3.015, 95% CI 1.775–5.119, P < 0.001). ROC curve analysis showed a significant predictive value of irisin for PAS (AUC = 0.647, 95% CI 0.583–0.711, P < 0.001). The severity of aortic valve calcification was negatively associated with plasma irisin levels (P < 0.05). In conclusion, irisin is an independent predictor for PAS and is negatively associated with the severity of aortic valve calcification.