bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decentralization and tax independence in OECD countries: GDP per capita analysis from 1995–2018
Authors:   WSB University, Semmerling Anna , Paczoski Andrzej ,   University of Gdansk, Cirella Giuseppe T ,   University of Gdansk
Published: September 2022

The association of local and regional self-government is examined in regard to the decentralization of state administration. This study extrapolated data from 36 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries and analyzed whether decentralization of the state assists in economic growth and development. Administrative decentralization is explored through defining a precedence from the literature. A systematic literature review was conducted and macroeconomic OECD data using nominal gross domestic product was analyzed for the period of 1995–2018. The results confirmed that decentralization does not positively correlate with the level of tax independence of local government and, in eff ect, is not an advantage. Territorial administration is highlighted throughout the paper as a key factor behind tax autonomy in relation to fiscal decentralization levels.
Gender Stereotypes and Family Decision-Making: Comparative Study of Central Europe and Central Asia
Authors:   Independent Agency for Accreditation and Rating, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, Yanovskaya Olga , Lipovka Anastassiya ,   Almaty Management University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Published: September 2022

Purpose: The article aims to examine the impact of women’s decision-making power in families on their gender stereotypes about business executives in the promising but insufficiently explored regions of Central Europe (CE) and Central Asia (CA). Methodology: The study utilized multiple linear regression and Spearman’s correlation coefficients to analyze survey data (No=6,869) from Central European (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia) and Central Asian states (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan). Findings: Central Asian women demonstrated stronger gender stereotypes about business executives compared to the Central European sample. Equally shared power in decision-making with a part-ner has a positive impact on weakening women’s gender stereotypes about top managers. Men’s unilateral decision-making correlates with their spouses’ higher gender bias, whereas independent women’s decisions do not reveal a relationship with their gender stereotypes. Research limitations: The study does not control respondents’ marital and mother’s status and excludes one of the Central Asian states, namely Turkmenistan. Research implications: Policymakers can use the present findings to forecast how familialist pol-icies reproduce gender stereotypes and inhibit gender equality. The research complements the specificity of the vicious cycle linking gender roles and stereotypes in the context of CE and CA and expands the “family cage” phenomenon. Originality/value: First massive research on gender stereotypes about business executives embrac-ing the Visegrad Group and four Central Asian states. The study discovers the internal aspect of family impact on women’s views of top managers that has been neglected before.
The Nationwide Water Budget Estimation in the light of the New Permeability Map of Italy
Authors: Braca Giovanni , Bussettini Martina , Gafà Rossella Maria , Monti Gennaro Maria , Martarelli Lucio , Silvi Angelantonio , La Vigna Francesco
Published: September 2022

The hydrological budget is one of the fundamental tools for the sustainable management of water resources. In the last decades, the knowledge of the distribution of freshwater resources in space and time is becoming of great concern due to the growing pressure related to increasing population, water pollution, and climate change. Furthermore, in the scope of hydrological balance, the estimation of aquifer assumes particular concern in Italy. In fact, more than 80% of water withdrawal for domestic and drinkable use is derived from groundwater. In this context, the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) has developed a mathematical model for estimating the hydrological budget components at a national and macro-regional scale called BIGBANG. The aquifer recharge is estimated as a percentage of the monthly soil water surplus by the potential infiltration coefficient defined as a function of the permeability of the hydrogeological complexes beneath the soil layer. In this paper, a comparison highlighting the differences between the estimations of the long-term annual average of two of the main hydrological budget components, aquifer recharge and surface runoff, at national and sub-national levels, is carried out. The estimations are based on the new and more detailed Permeability Map of Italy produced by ISPRA and on the old map of the hydrogeological complexes currently used at national level used so far in the BIGBANG budget model.
De novo apical domain formation inside the Drosophila adult midgut epithelium
Authors: Chen Jia , St Johnston Daniel
Published: September 2022

In the adult Drosophila midgut, basal intestinal stem cells give rise to enteroblasts that integrate into the epithelium as they differentiate into enterocytes. Integrating enteroblasts must generate a new apical domain and break through the septate junctions between neighbouring enterocytes, while maintaining barrier function. We observe that enteroblasts form an apical membrane initiation site (AMIS) when they reach the septate junction between the enterocytes. Cadherin clears from the apical surface and an apical space appears between above the enteroblast. New septate junctions then form laterally with the enterocytes and the AMIS develops into an apical domain below the enterocyte septate junction. The enteroblast therefore forms a pre-assembled apical compartment before it has a free apical surface in contact with the gut lumen. Finally, the enterocyte septate junction disassembles and the enteroblast/pre-enterocyte reaches the gut lumen with a fully formed brush border. The process of enteroblast integration resembles lumen formation in mammalian epithelial cysts, highlighting the similarities between the fly midgut and mammalian epithelia.
Phosphoproteomic mapping reveals distinct signaling actions and activation of muscle protein synthesis by Isthmin-1
Authors: Zhao Meng , Banhos Danneskiold-Samsøe Niels , Ulicna Livia , Nguyen Quennie , Voilquin Laetitia , Lee David E , White James P , Jiang Zewen , Cuthbert Nickeisha , Paramasivam Shrika , Bielczyk-Maczynska Ewa , Van Rechem Capucine , Svensson Katrin J
Published: September 2022

The secreted protein isthmin-1 (Ism1) mitigates diabetes by increasing adipocyte and skeletal muscle glucose uptake by activating the PI3K-Akt pathway. However, while both Ism1 and insulin converge on these common targets, Ism1 has distinct cellular actions suggesting divergence in downstream intracellular signaling pathways. To understand the biological complexity of Ism1 signaling, we performed phosphoproteomic analysis after acute exposure, revealing overlapping and distinct pathways of Ism1 and insulin. We identify a 53% overlap between Ism1 and insulin signaling and Ism1-mediated phosphoproteome-wide alterations in ~450 proteins that are not shared with insulin. Interestingly, we find several unknown phosphorylation sites on proteins related to protein translation, mTOR pathway, and, unexpectedly, muscle function in the Ism1 signaling network. Physiologically, Ism1 ablation in mice results in altered proteostasis, including lower muscle protein levels under fed and fasted conditions, reduced amino acid incorporation into proteins, and reduced phosphorylation of the key protein synthesis effectors Akt and downstream mTORC1 targets. As metabolic disorders such as diabetes are associated with accelerated loss of skeletal muscle protein content, these studies define a non-canonical mechanism by which this antidiabetic circulating protein controls muscle biology.
High resolution thermal remote sensing and the limits of species’ tolerance
Authors: Ednie Gabrielle , Kerr Jeremy T.
Published: September 2022

Extinction risks for many insect species, particularly across very broad spatial extents, have been linked to the growing frequency and severity of temperatures that exceed the boundaries of their realized niches. Measurement and mitigation of such impacts is hindered by the availability of high-resolution measurements of species-specific severity of extreme weather, especially temperature. While techniques enabling interpolation of broad-scale remote sensing metrics are vital for such efforts, direct remote sensing measurements of thermal conditions could improve habitat management by providing detailed insights that interpolative approaches cannot. Advances in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology have created opportunities to better evaluate the role of microclimates in local species extinctions. Here, we develop a method to create high-resolution maps of microclimates using UAV and thermal imaging technology that use species’ realized niche boundaries to assess potential effects of severity of extreme temperatures. We generated air temperature maps (5 cm resolution) and canopy height maps (1 cm resolution) for 15 sites in a rare alvar ecosystem in eastern Ontario. We validated these remote sensing observations against independent,in situtemperature observations using iButtons. Temperature observations were accurate and related to physical heterogeneity in alvar habitats. We converted temperature measures into estimates of proximity of thermal niche boundaries for three butterfly species found during field surveys. This is the first time that this method has been applied to high resolution remote sensing observations and offers potential to assess the availability and adequacy of microclimates within habitats at resolutions relevant for conservation management.
Comparative mitogenome analysis reveals mitochondrial genome characteristics in eight strains of Beauveria
Authors: Bai Yu , Gao Xuyuan , Wang Hui , Ye Lin , Zhang Xianqun , Huang Wei , Long Xiuzhen , Yang Kang , Li Guoyong , Luo Jianlin , Wang Jiyue , Yu Yonghao
Published: September 2022

Despite the significant progress that has been made in the genome sequencing of Beauveria species, mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) used to examine genetic diversity within fungal populations. Complete mitogenomes of Beauveria species can be easily sequenced and assembled using various sequencing techniques. However, since mitogenome annotations are mainly derived from similar species comparison and software prediction, and are not supported by RNA-seq transcripts data, it leads to problems with the accuracy of mitochondrial annotations and the inability to understand RNA processing. In this study, we assembled and annotated the mitogenome of eight Beauveria strains using Illumina DNA and RNA sequencing data. The circular mitogenome of eight Beauveria strains ranged from 26,850 bp (B. caledonica strain ATCC 64970) to 35,999 bp (B. brongniartii strain GYU-BMZ03), with the intronic insertions accounting for most of the size variation, thus contributing to a total mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) size of 7.01% and 28.95%, respectively. Intron number variations were not directly related to the evolutionary relationship distance. Besides ribosomal protein S3 (rps3), most introns are lost too quickly and lack the stability of protein-coding genes. The short RNA-seq reads from next-generation sequencing can improve the mitochondrial annotation accuracy and help study polycistronic transcripts and RNA processing. The transcription initiation sites may be located in the control region. Most introns do not serve as taxonomic markers and also lack open reading frames (ORFs). We assumed that the poly A tail was added to the polycistronic transcript before splicing and one polycistronic transcript (trnM(1)-trnL(1)-trnA-trnF-trnK-trnL(2)-trnQ-trnH-trnM(2)-nad2-nad3-atp9-cox2-trnR(1)-nad4L-nad5-cob-trnC-cox1-trnR(2)-nad1-nad4-atp8-atp6-rns-trnY-trnD-trnS-trnN-cox3-trnG-nad6-trnV-trnI-trnS-trnW-trnP-rnl(rps3)-trnT-trnE-trnM(3)) was first processed from the mitogenome and was subsequently processed into smaller mono-, di-, or tricistronic RNAs.
A content analysis of the reliability and quality of Youtube videos as a source of information on health-related post-COVID pain
Authors: Ozduran Erkan , Büyükçoban Sibel
Published: September 2022

Background

The use of the internet as a source of information has increased during the pandemic, and YouTube has become an increasingly important source of information on Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In the long COVID picture, which occurs when symptoms related to COVID-19 last longer than 1 month, pain involving the musculoskeletal system affects the quality of life quite negatively. The aim of this study was to investigate the informational value and quality of YouTube videos related to post-COVID pain.

Methods

In this study, 180 videos were listed using the search terms “pain after COVID,” “post-COVID pain,” and “long COVID and pain”(15 April 2022). Videos were classified according to video parameters and content analysis. Quality, reliability and accuracy of the videos were determined with the Global Quality Score (GQS), the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) Benchmark Criteria and the Modified DISCERN Questionnaire, respectively.

Results

One hundred videos that met the inclusion criteria were included in the assessment. Of these videos, 74 were found to be of low quality, 14 of moderate quality, and 12 of high quality; 21% contained insufficient data, 73% contained partially sufficient data, and 6% contained completely sufficient data. Videos uploaded by academic sources (66.7%) and physicians (12.5%) made up the majority of the high-quality group. A statistically significant correlation was found between the source of upload and number of views (p = 0.014), likes (p = 0.030), comments (p = 0.007), and video duration (p = 0.004). Video duration was found to have a poor positive correlation with GQS (r = 0.500), JAMA (r = 0.528), and modified DISCERN (r = 0.470) scores (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The findings of this study revealed that the majority of YouTube videos on post-COVID pain had low quality and partially sufficient data. High-quality videos were found to have longer durations and were uploaded by academic sources and physicians. The fact that only videos with English content at a certain time can be counted among the limitations. For patients suffering from post-COVID pain whose access to healthcare services was interrupted during the COVID pandemic, YouTube can be considered as an alternative source as well as a means of telerehabilitation. It can be argued that higher quality videos created by healthcare professionals could aid in patient education in the future.
Do pheromone traps help to reduce new attacks ofIps typographusat the local scale after a sanitary cut?
Authors: Kuhn Alexandre , Hautier Louis , San Martin Gilles
Published: September 2022

The spruce bark beetle,Ips typographus, is causing severe economic losses during epidemic phases triggered by droughts and/or windstorms. Sanitation felling and salvage logging are usually the most recommended strategies to limit the damages. However, any additional control method to limit the economic impact of an outbreak would be welcome. In this respect, the efficiency of pheromone trapping is still controversial or poorly documented. In this 2-year study (2020–2021), at the peak of a severe outbreak in Belgium, we quantified the wood volume and presence/absence of new attacks at 126 sites attacked during the previous year and within 100 m from the initial attack. Each site was randomly allocated to one of three treatments: (1) three crosstraps baited with pheromones, (2) one tree-trap baited with pheromones and treated with an insecticide and (3) control sites with no trapping device. The attacked trees of the previous year were all cut and removed before the start of the experiment and newly attacked trees were removed as they were detected. The trapping devices were only active during spring to target overwintering bark beetles that might have escaped the sanitation cuts and to limit the risk of attracting dispersing beetles from outside the patch during the summer. We found a strong decrease of the attacks relative to the previous year in all treatments, including the controls (more than 50% of the control sites had no new attacks). There was no relationship between the new attacks and the attacks of the previous year. In both years, new attacks were more frequent (presence/absence) in sites with crosstraps (95% Confidence Interval [56–84%] of the sites with new attacks) than in sites with a tree-trap (26–57% -p= 0.02) and to a lesser extent than in control sites (32–63%,p= 0.08). In 2020, the attacked volumes were slightly higher in sites with crosstraps (95% Confidence Interval [3.4–14.2 m³]) than in control sites (0.2–3.5 m³,p= 0.04) and no significant difference was found with tree-trap sites (1.1–6.2 m³,p= 0.38). In 2021, there were no significant differences between the volumes attacked in the control sites (1.8–9.4 m³), crosstraps sites (0.9–6.4 m³) and tree-trap sites (0–2.5 m³). Overall, we found no evidence in favor of the efficacy of pheromone trapping during spring to reduce economic damages at the local scale when combined with sanitation felling and during a severe outbreak. The use of baited crosstraps could even be hazardous as it seemed to increase the occurrence of new attacks probably by attracting bark beetles but failing to neutralize them.
Descenso y ascenso del alma poética por las esferas celestes en Altazor
Authors:   Universidad Autónoma del Estado de (México), Rosas Martínez Alfredo
Published: September 2022

Este artículo se centra en la siguiente idea: la influencia de Mallarmé es importante en Altazor, de Vicente Huidobro, en relación con los diversos niveles de sentido en el poema extenso. En Altazor se distinguen tres niveles de sentido: astronómico, astrológico y poético. El nivel astronómico permite situar al sujeto lírico en el cosmos; en el astrológico se realiza un viaje de Anábasis por los siete planetas de la antigüedad del sistema mitraico; en el poético, dicho viaje revela una doble perspectiva: a) el poeta desciende, junto con el lenguaje de la poesía, hacia la muerte y la destrucción; b) el mago, por medio de un sortilegio, aspira a crear el nuevo lenguaje poético desde una perspectiva ascendente.
Geografías invisibles de la globalización: Bolaño, Almada y Zuñiga
Authors:   Universidad de Playa Ancha (Chile), González González Daniuska , Candia-Cáceres Alexis ,   Universidad de Playa Ancha (Chile)
Published: September 2022

Los sinsabores del verdadero policía (2011), Chicas Muertas (2014) y Racimo (2014) abordan los es- tragos de la globalización en pueblos fronterizos o en provincias situadas en México, Argentina y Chile. Roberto Bolaño, Selva Almada y Diego Zúñiga evidencian los efectos de la industrialización en espacios dañados por la explotación económica y la violencia, configurando, en definitiva, regiones atravesadas por el horror. Precisamente, el horror es simbolizado en los cuerpos destrozados de mujeres que aparecen desde la frontera norte de México hasta el centro del territorio argentino. Para esto, se efectúa un análisis comparativo basado en diversos recursos teóricos que permite concluir que estos textos construyen una geografía del horror
Limítrofe, La pastora del sol, de Bosco Cayo, Un drama andino
Authors:   Universidad de Concepción (Chile), Henríquez Puentes Patricia , Ostria González Mauricio , Figueroa Salgado Elizabeth ,   Universidad de Concepción (Chile),   Universidad de Concepción (Chile)
Published: September 2022

Limítrofe, la pastora del sol de Bosco Cayo es dramaturgia chilena actual de temática indígena aimara representativa de uno de los tres rostros culturales del Norte Grande: el de la precordillera andina. La obra muestra como el Estado chileno se empeña en implementar estrategias homogeneizadoras en un espacio geográicamente diverso y culturalmente plural. El resultado de ello es el más absoluto fracaso. El indígena aimara explora entonces, formas extremas de comunicación que basadas en una cultura del espectáculo asume la automutilación como la enica vía para ser escuchado. Para ello, la obra integra referencias vinculadas a la realidad con recursos teatrales actuales: predominio de la narratividad por sobre el dialogismo; convivencia de multiplicidad de voces discursivas; reapropiación de diversos códigos funcionales; y privilegio de lo visual
Celia López-Chávez. Épics of Empire and Frontier. Alonso de Ercilla and Gaspar de Villagrá as Spanish Colonial Chroniclers
Authors:   Universidad de Buenos Aires/Conicet (Argentina), Pérez Ezequiel
Published: September 2022

Sin Resumen
Effect of Matrix Rhythm Therapy on Subjects with Asymptomatic Hamstring Tightness: A Quasi-experimental Study
Authors: Naik Varun Chandrakant , Parekh Vanshi , Patil Shivani
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Hamstring tightness is a decreased range of motion at the knee with an associated feeling of restriction in the posterior thigh. The hamstrings are a group of muscles that control hip and knee joint mobility as well as pelvis and spine alignment. Because hamstring tightness impacts body posture and causes musculoskeletal pain, finding a new effective approach to restore hamstring flexibility is critical. Matrix rhythm therapy is a class IIA medical device that enhances an increase in microcirculation and tissue flexibility and elasticity. Aim: To determine the immediate effect of Matrix Rhythm Therapy (MaRhyThe©) on an individual with asymptomatic hamstring tightness between the age group of 18-25 years on an active knee extension test and ultrasonography. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental single session study was conducted in KAHER Institute of Physiotherapy (tertiary care hospital), Belagavi, Karnataka, India, from November 2020 to January 2021. A total of 63 people were screened for the study out of which 30 were included (17 Female and 13 Male) and were recruited using the Active Knee Extension (AKE) test and ultrasonographic assessment. The age criterion was 18-25 years. MaRhyThe© was given for only one session of 60 minutes on both legs (30 minutes on each leg). After the session, the immediate effect of the treatment was noted by comparing the active knee extension test of both legs and conducting the ultrasonographic assessment. The pretest and post-test scores were analysed using the Kolmogorov Smirnov test. Results: The results showed that there was a 41.39% reduction in the AKE of the right leg and a 42.40% reduction in the AKE on the left leg of the participants which was statistically significant. Post-intervention statistically significant differences were found in an increase in the length, blood flow, and decrease in thickness of the hamstring muscle (p-value ≤0.001) after a 60 minute session of MaRhyThe©. Conclusion: MaRhyThe©for 60 minutes duration (30 minutes each leg) produces beneficial effects such as improved tissue extensibility, increased blood microcirculation, and decreased tissue thickness in subjects with asymptomatic hamstring tightness.
Risk Factors for Breast Malignancy among Women Presenting with Breast Masses in a Teaching Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Mirian Akujuobi, Obianuju , Angela Ayonote, Uzoramaka , Nneamaka Ogbonna, Adaobi
Published: September 2022

Background: Breast cancer is the commonest female malignancy globally with increasing prevalence in Nigeria. This study aimed at identifying factors associated with malignant breast masses among women with breast masses receiving care at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

Materials: This cross-sectional, descriptive study investigated 100 women with breast masses by history-taking, clinical breast examination and biopsy for histopathology assessment. Sociodemographic characteristics, family, social, gynecologic, and obstetric history were obtained, and features of breast mass on examination were documented and histology specimens were taken for assessment. The proportion of women with malignant breast masses by biopsy was calculated. Using binary logistic regression analysis, factors associated with malignant breast masses were identified. Significance level was set at p < 0.05.

Results: The mean age of participants was 39.4±13.4 years. Most were married (63.0%), overweight (53.0%) and had tertiary level of education (58.0%). The right breast was affected in 56% of women, while most breast masses were oval (49.0%). History of breast pain, exclusive breast feeding and nipple retraction was reported in 76.0%, 35.0% and 17.0% respectively. Malignant breast masses were identified in 46.0% of women and associated factors included increasing age (OR=10.95 – 442.00; p<0.05), married women (OR=6.96; p: 0.001), obesity (OR= 16.20; p: 0.003). Clinical symptoms associated with malignant breast mass included history of previous breast mass (OR = 3.93; p: 0.028), breast pain (OR = 3.07; p: 0.023), nipple retraction (OR=7.44;0.003) and nipple discharge (OR = 10.24; 0.003).

Conclusion: The study found that a high percentage of breast masses assessed by biopsy were malignant among the studied populace. Factors significantly associated with increased risk of malignant breast mass included increasing age, obesity, and marital status. We recommend lifestyle modification as well as adoption of primordial and primary prevention measures in tackling problems related with breast cancer among Nigerian women. This should also include the improvement of access to such services.
Reevaluating Corticosteroid Classification Models in Patient Patch Testing
Authors: Chen Joyce Y. , Yiannias James A. , Hall Matthew R. , Youssef Molly J. , Drage Lisa A. , Davis Mark D. P. , Yang Yul W.
Published: September 2022

Importance

Individuals with allergic contact dermatitis to one topical corticosteroid may also react to other corticosteroids. Corticosteroid classification models have been proposed to predict such copositivity, recommend representative screening corticosteroids, and guide allergen avoidance.

Objective

To use patient data to determine copositivity patterns between corticosteroids and evaluate against previous corticosteroid classification models.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This qualitative study included a retrospective analysis of the Mayo Clinic Contact Dermatitis Group corticosteroid patch test data from 2010 to 2019. Among patients undergoing patch testing with the Mayo Clinic’s standard or steroid series who consented to research participation, 5637 patients were included in the analysis. Copositivity rates were determined between corticosteroids and analyzed by hierarchical clustering for comparison to previous classification models.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The frequency of patch test positivity to each of the analyzed corticosteroids was noted and compared with previously published patch test positivity rates. Copositivity rates between each pair of corticosteroids were determined, and overall copositivity patterns were analyzed and evaluated against known steroid classes.

Results

A total of 49 472 individual patches were applied to 5637 patients, testing 18 corticosteroids. Patch test positivity rates ranged between 0.3% and 4.7%. The fluocinonide positivity rate corresponded to the highest copositivity rate with other corticosteroids (mean [SD], 50.7% [26.1%]). Tixocortol-21-pivalate, 0.1%, and tixocortol-21-pivalate, 1%, positivity rates corresponded to the lowest copositivity rates (mean [SD], 4.1% [1.7%] and 3.6% [1.4%], respectively). Hierarchical clustering elucidated patterns that did not support previous corticosteroid classification models.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this qualitative study, copositivity rates were variable between corticosteroids, and overall patch test positivity for allergy to topical corticosteroids was rare. Previously published corticosteroid classifications are not supported by real patient-derived data and may not be accurate in predicting corticosteroid copositivity.
Effects of Magnetic Fields in Arc Welding, Laser Welding, and Resistance Spot Welding: A Review
Authors: Xu Tao , Shi Yonghua , Cui Yanxin , Liang Zhuoyong
Published: September 2022

The application of magnetic field in welding process has been proved to be effective in improving the mechanical properties of welded joints and is regarded as a practicable auxiliary welding method. Although the theoretical research on magnetic field‐assisted welding is quite abundant, there is still a long way to go before a stable industrial application is achieved. Therefore, to clarify magnetic field and compare its roles in various welding techniques, this work carefully examines the use of magnetic field in recent welding techniques such as laser welding, laser‐melt inert gas hybrid welding, gas metal arc welding, tungsten inert gas welding, and resistance spot welding. Based on previous experiments and simulation research results, the effects of the Lorentz force on the arc, molten pool, and dendrite solidification during welding as well as the microstructure and mechanical properties of welded joints are discussed. The purpose of this work is to give a superficial introduction to the magnetic field‐assisted welding method in recent years, hoping to improve the welding practitioners’ understanding of the magnetic‐assisted welding method and provide a reference for researchers who use different welding methods.
Self‐Powered Wearable Micropyramid Piezoelectric Film Sensor for Real‐Time Monitoring of Blood Pressure
Authors: Kim Yunjeong , Lee JiYong , Hong Hyeonaug , Park SeungHyun , Ryu WonHyoung
Published: September 2022

Cardiovascular diseases can be prevented in advance by noninvasive and continuous real‐time measurement of blood pressure using a wearable sensor. Among many recent developments, piezoelectric sensors demonstrate the possibility to monitor blood pressure continuously without relying on an external energy input. However, most of the piezoelectric‐sensor research focuses on the property enhancement of piezoelectric materials without systematic investigations of how sensor performance is influenced by the microgeometry and electrode configuration of piezoelectric sensor. Herein, the micropyramid‐assisted piezoelectric film (MPF) sensors are designed and constructed and their performances are investigated both experimentally and by finite‐element modeling (FEM) simulations. The sensor signal that is strongly coupled to both stress amplification and capacitance change because of the micropyramids and electrode configuration is identified. After comparing the different designs of MPF sensors, it is confirmed that polydimethylsiloxane micropyramids covered with the highly compliant Ecoflex show the highest sensitivity. The MPF sensor shows the sensitivity of 685 mV N−1in a range between 50 and 400 mN. MPF sensors are attached to the wrist and neck to measure pulse pressure signals. Using the pulse pressure signals and linear regression, blood pressures are estimated and compared with the values measured with a commercial cuff device.
Impact of Ferroelectric Layer Thickness on Reliability of Back‐End‐of‐Line‐Compatible Hafnium Zirconium Oxide Films
Authors: Sünbül Ayse , Lehninger David , Hoffmann Raik , Olivo Ricardo , Prabhu Aditya , Schöne Fred , Kühnel Kati , Döllgast Moritz , Haufe Nora , Roy Lisa , Kämpfe Thomas , Seidel Konrad , Eng Lukas M.
Published: September 2022

Due to its ferroelectricity, hafnium oxide has attracted a lot of attention for ferroelectric memory devices. Amongst different dopant elements, zirconium is found to be beneficial due to the relatively low crystallization temperature of hafnium‐zirconium‐oxide (HZO), thus it is back‐end‐of‐line (BEoL) compatible. The thickness of HZO has a significant impact on ferroelectric device reliability. High operation temperatures and high endurance are important criteria depending on the application. Herein, various HZO thicknesses (7, 8, and 10 nm) in MFM (metal‐ferroelectric‐metal) capacitors are investigated at varying operation temperatures (25 to 175 °C) at varying electric fields (±3 to ±5.4 MV cm−1) with respect to polarization, leakage current, endurance, and retention. 7 nm HZO showed promising results with an endurance of 107 cycles, with a low leakage current density, and almost no retention loss after 10 years. Extrapolated results at operation conditions (±2 MV cm−1 and 10 MHz) showed an endurance of 1010 cycles.
Superstructure Variation and Improved Cycling of Anion Redox Active Sodium Manganese Oxides Due to Doping by Iron
Authors: Qi Xiaodong , Wu Langyuan , Li Zhiwei , Xiang Yuxuan , Liu Yunan , Huang Kangsheng , Yuval Elias , Aurbach Doron , Zhang Xiaogang
Published: September 2022

Anionic redox provides an effective way to overcome the capacity bottleneck of sodium‐ion batteries. A dominant role is played by the arrangement of alkali A and transition metal M in the NaxAyM1‐yO2 superstructure. Here, in situ X‐ray diffraction and ex situ 7Li nuclear magnetic resonance of P2 type Na0.6Li0.2Mn0.8O2 with ribbon‐ordered superstructure illustrate structural changes and explain the evolution of the electrochemical behavior of electrodes comprising this active mass, during cycling. Upon substitution of a small amount of manganese by iron, Na0.67Li0.2Mn0.73Fe0.07O2 is formed with a honeycomb‐ordered superstructure. Experimental characterizations and theoretical calculations elucidate the effect of iron on oxygen redox activity. The iron‐doped material considerably outperforms the undoped Na0.6Li0.2Mn0.8O2 as a cathode material for rechargeable Na‐ion batteries. This research reveals the effect of superstructure transformation on the electrochemical properties and offers a new perspective on element substitution in anionic redox active cathode materials.
Effects of stocking density on the performance of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in small‐scale lettuce‐Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) aquaponic system
Authors: Sabwa Josiah A. , Manyala Julius O. , Masese Frank O. , Fitzsimmons Kevin , Achieng Alfred O. , Munguti Jonathan M.
Published: September 2022

Aquaponics incorporates aquaculture with hydroponics, whose principles and operations largely remain untested. Currently, there is a knowledge gap on the performance of aquaponic systems used for fish production under different stocking densities. This may hinder adoption and generally retard the development of aquaponic culture systems for fish and vegetation production in Kenya. The objective of the current study was to determine the effect of fish stocking density on the growth performance of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) reared in a coupled aquaponic system. We used three fish stocking densities of 150, 300 and 450 fish m−3, each replicated five times. For each treatment or fish stocking density, 16 lettuces were planted m−2 as the planting density. We monitored the following water quality parameters to determine the effects of fish stocking density on water quality; pH, total ammonium–nitrogen (TAN), nitrates , . In the different stocking densities (450, 300 and 150 fish m−3), the water quality parameters ranged from dissolved oxygen: 4–7 mg L−1; pH: 6.3–7.3; TAN: 0.32–0.57 mg L−1; : 0.13–0.36 mg L−1 and : 0.020–0.046 mg L−1. The final weight of the Nile tilapia fingerlings was 25.2 ± 4.2, 32.0 ± 3.8 and 42.6 ± 3.1 g for 450, 300 and 150 fish m−3, respectively. The biomass of lettuce was statistically different (p < 0.005) and increased with increasing stocking density as 166.4 ± 9.8, 276.8 ± 23.2 and 304.6 ± 23.2 g for 150, 300 and 450 fish m−3, respectively. Adopting the intermediate stocking density of 300 fish m−3, which gave the best performance of the aquaponic system, is therefore highly recommended.
Interactive soybean variable‐rate seeding simulator for farmers
Authors: Correndo Adrian , McArtor Brett , Prestholt Aaron , Hernandez Carlos , Kyveryga Peter M. , Ciampitti Ignacio A.
Published: September 2022

Seed expense is a critical component affecting soybean (Glycine maxL.) production cost. Achieving potential benefits of adjusting seeding rates by yield environment requires translation from theory to practice through decision support tools. This article introduces the soybean variable‐rate seeding (VRS) simulator, an interactive web‐tool designed to facilitate VRS decisions. A group of agronomists and farmers provided input and feedback to the tool's original design, usability, interactive features, and tool outputs. The simulator generates variable rate seeding recommendations by (a) aggregating and classifying 3 yr of historical soybean yield maps using either yield level (low, medium, or high) or temporal yield stability (stable or unstable) classes, and (b) estimating the difference between the farmers current uniform seeding rate and the optimal seeding rates calibrated for different yield environments of the U.S. Midwest region. For each yield environment, the tool suggests a seeding rate change accompanied by an expected yield increase. Marginal economic and break‐even price analyses of each VRS prescription choice are also provided considering soybean plant survival rate, seed cost, market price, and crop production costs. A step‐by‐step description is provided using a dataset of real, historical, on‐farm soybean yield maps to illustrate the tool's features and limitations. Simulated results indicate that compared to typical fixed seeding rate choices, following the tool's recommendations could improve profits between US$5 and 57 ha–1. The development of this tool contributes to a growing trend of user‐friendly interfaces that assist in translating core agronomic knowledge into practical solutions.
Contractility detection of isolated mouse papillary muscle using myotronic Myostation‐Intact device
Authors: Lian Hong , Qin Zhuyun , Wu Mengge , Zuo Peipei , Bai Lina , Lu Minjie , Li Lulu , Zhang Haitao
Published: September 2022

Background

To understand the relationship between myocardial contractility and external stimuli, detecting ex vivo myocardial contractility is necessary.

Methods

We elaborated a method for contractility detection of isolated C57 mouse papillary muscle using Myostation‐Intact system under different frequencies, voltages, and calcium concentrations.

Results

The results indicated that the basal contractility of the papillary muscle was 0.27 ± 0.03 mN at 10 V, 500‐ms pulse duration, and 1 Hz. From 0.1 to 1.0 Hz, contractility decreased with an increase in frequency (0.45 ± 0.11–0.10 ± 0.02 mN). The voltage‐initiated muscle contractility varied from 3 to 6 V, and the contractility gradually increased as the voltage increased from 6 to 10 V (0.14 ± 0.02–0.28 ± 0.03 mN). Moreover, the muscle contractility increased when the calcium concentration was increased from 1.5 to 3 mM (0.45 ± 0.17–1.11 ± 0.05 mN); however, the contractility stopped increasing even when the concentration was increased to 7.5 mM (1.02 ± 0.23 mN).

Conclusions

Our method guaranteed the survivability of papillary muscle ex vivo and provided instructions for Myostation‐Intact users for isolated muscle contractility investigations.
Quasi‐Blackbody, Bidirectional Super Reflection, and New Total Reflection Produced by Periodic Optical Waveguide Networks Based on Three‐Order PT‐Symmetric Substructures
Authors: Wang Qing , Yang Xiangbo , Deng Dongmei , Liu Hongzhan , Wei Zhongchao
Published: September 2022

In this paper, six kinds of periodic optical waveguide networks are designed to study the influence of three‐order parity–time‐symmetric (PT‐symmetric) substructures on the singular optical characteristics. It is found that different characteristics correspond to different PT‐symmetric substructures, and new singular optical characteristics are produced by adjusting the PT‐symmetric substructures. This work demonstrates that these six kinds of systems can create novel quasi‐blackbody, super reflection, and new total reflection, which are significantly different from the corresponding traditional properties and have not been reported yet. These findings may deepen the understanding of PT‐symmetric optical systems and optical waveguide networks, and these new characteristics may possess potential applications in the design of multifunctional optical structures with efficient information processing.
Bestimmung der spezifischen Aktivität von M−N−Cs und die intrinsische Aktivität von tetrapyrrolischen FeN4‐Zentren in der Sauerstoffreduktionsreaktion
Authors: Menga Davide , Guilherme Buzanich Ana , Wagner Friedrich , Fellinger Tim‐Patrick
Published: September 2022

M−N−C Elektrokatalysatoren gelten als wahrscheinlichster Ersatz für teure edelmetallbasierte Materialien in elektrokatalytischen Umwandlungen. Ihre Entwicklung wird jedoch mangels Methoden zur Bestimmung der intrinsischen Aktivität unterschiedlicher Aktivzentren, wie z. B. pyrrolischer FeN4‐Zentren in Fe−N−Cs, behindert. Mit neuen Syntheseverfahren, die auf der Prägung von Koordinationszentren mittels Templatreaktion und einer anschließenden Ionenaustauschreaktion Zn‐zu‐Fe basieren, werden seit kurzem isotrope M−N−Cs mit nur einem Aktivzentrum und hervorragender Aktivität hergestellt. Basierend auf diesem Austauschprinzips haben wir hier schonend und in unterschiedlichem Maß Eisen aus den N4‐Bindungsstellen in Fe−N−Cs extrahiert. Katalysatoren mit derselben Morphologie und denselben FeN4‐Zentren, die sich lediglich im Fe‐Gehalt unterscheiden, ermöglichen nun die einfache Bestimmung der Abnahme der Dichte der aktiven Zentren und ihrer spezifischen Wechselzahl. Auf diese Weise erhält man einen Einblick in die spezifische Aktivität von M−N−Cs und bei Single‐Site‐Katalysatoren wird die intrinsische Aktivität des aktiven Zentrums zugänglich. Der neue Ansatz umgeht die Beschränkungen von Methoden, die sich auf Sondenmoleküle stützen, und bietet zusammen mit diesen Techniken ein neues Instrument zur Entfaltung der Komplexität von Fe−N−C‐Katalysatoren und M−N−Cs im Allgemeinen.
Luciferase‐free Luciferin Electrochemiluminescence
Authors: Belotti Mattia , El‐Tahawy Mohsen M. T. , Yu Li‐Juan , Russell Isabella C. , Darwish Nadim , Coote Michelle L. , Garavelli Marco , Ciampi Simone
Published: September 2022

Luciferin is one of Nature's most widespread luminophores, and enzymes that catalyze luciferin luminescence are the basis of successful commercial “glow” assays for gene expression and metabolic ATP formation. Herein we report an electrochemical method to promote firefly's luciferin luminescence in the absence of its natural biocatalyst—luciferase. We have gained experimental and computational insights on the mechanism of the enzyme‐free luciferin electrochemiluminescence, demonstrated its spectral tuning from green to red by means of electrolyte engineering, proven that the colour change does not require, as still debated, a keto/enol isomerization of the light emitter, and gained evidence of the electrostatic‐assisted stabilization of the charge‐transfer excited state by double layer electric fields. Luciferin's electrochemiluminescence, as well as the in situ generation of fluorescent oxyluciferin, are applied towards an optical measurement of diffusion coefficients.
Structural Engineering toward Gold Nanocluster Catalysis
Authors: Guan Zong‐Jie , Li Jiao‐Jiao , Hu Feng , Wang Quan‐Ming
Published: September 2022

Atomically precise gold nanoclusters provide great opportunities to explore the relationship between the structure and properties of nanogold catalysts. A nanocluster consists of a metal core and a surface ligand shell, and both the core and shell have significant effects on the catalytic properties. Thanks to their precise structures, the active metal site of the clusters can be readily identified and the effects of ligands on catalysis can be disclosed. In this Minireview, we summarize recent advances in catalytic research of gold nanoclusters, emphasizing four strategies for constructing open metal sites, including by post‐treatment, the bulky ligands strategy, the surface geometric mismatch method, and heteroatom doping procedures. We also discuss the effects of ligands on the catalytic activity, selectivity, and stability of gold cluster catalysts. Finally, we present future challenges relating to gold cluster catalysis.
The Role of Heme Peroxo Oxidants in the Rational Mechanistic Modeling of Nitric Oxide Synthase: Characterization of Key Intermediates and Elucidation of the Mechanism
Authors: Mondal Pritam , Ishigami Izumi , Yeh Syun‐Ru , Wijeratne Gayan B.
Published: September 2022

Mammalian nitric oxide synthase (NOS) mediates the two‐step O2‐dependent oxidative degradation of arginine, and has been linked to a medley of disease situations in humans. Nonetheless, its exact mechanism of action still remains unclear. This work presents the first NOS model system where biologically proposed heme superoxo and peroxo intermediates are assessed as active oxidants against oxime substrates. Markedly, heme peroxo intermediates engaged in a bioinspired oxime oxidation reaction pathway, converting oximes to ketones and nitroxyl anions (NO−). Detailed thermodynamic, kinetic, and mechanistic interrogations all evince a rate‐limiting step primarily driven by the nucleophilicity of the heme peroxo moiety. Coherent with other findings, 18O and 15N isotope substitution experiments herein suffice compelling evidence toward a detailed mechanism, which draw close parallels to one of the enzymatic proposals. Intriguingly, recent enzymatic studies also lend credence to these findings, and several relevant reaction intermediates have been observed during NOS turnover.
Evaluation of the Specific Activity of M−N−Cs and the Intrinsic Activity of Tetrapyrrolic FeN4 Sites for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Menga Davide , Guilherme Buzanich Ana , Wagner Friedrich , Fellinger Tim‐Patrick
Published: September 2022

M−N−C electrocatalysts are considered pivotal to replace expensive precious group metal‐based materials in electrocatalytic conversions. However, their development is hampered by the limited availability of methods for the evaluation of the intrinsic activity of different active sites, like pyrrolic FeN4 sites within Fe−N−Cs. Currently, new synthetic procedures based on active‐site imprinting followed by an ion exchange reaction, e.g. Zn‐to‐Fe, are producing single‐site M−N−Cs with outstanding activity. Based on the same replacement principle, we employed a conservative iron extraction to partially remove the Fe ions from the N4 cavities in Fe−N−Cs. Having catalysts with the same morphological properties and Fe ligation that differ solely in Fe content allows for the facile determination of the decrease in density of active sites and their turn‐over frequency. In this way, insight into the specific activity of M−N−Cs is obtained and for single‐site catalysts the intrinsic activity of the site is accessible. This new approach surpasses limitations of methods that rely on probe molecules and, together with those techniques, offers a novel tool to unfold the complexity of Fe−N−C catalyst and M−N−Cs in general.
Catalyst‐ and Base‐free One‐pot, Multicomponent, De Novo Assembly of Structurally Diverse Morpholine Glycoconjugates
Authors: Khanam Ariza , Lal Mohan , Mandal Pintu Kumar
Published: September 2022

A catalyst‐, metal‐ and base‐free unprecedented one‐pot multicomponent synthetic strategy has been established for the construction of various substituted morpholine glycoconjugates through four‐component reactions of glycosyl amino alcohol, chloroacetone, acid, and isocyanides. Unexpectedly, this one‐pot approach generates only the cyclized morpholine scaffolds rather than normal Ugi adduct without any external base. This reaction proceeds via in situ formations of Schiff‐base followed by an intramolecular halogen displacement process, finally the Joullie‐Ugi reaction takes place leading to the corresponding products with a mixture of diastereomers.