bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reticular Chemistry and In Situ “One‐Pot” Strategy: A Dream Combination to Construct Metal–Organic Frameworks
Authors: Fang Pu‐Hao , Xing Kai , Qu Lu‐Lu , Ma Zhen‐Sha , Zhou Kang , Liu Xiao‐Yuan
Published: August 2024

The establishment of reticular chemistry has significantly facilitated the development of porous materials, especially for metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). On the other hand, as an alternative approach, in situ “one‐pot” strategy has been explored as a promising approach to constructing MOFs, in which the synthesis of organic linkers and the sequential construction of MOFs are integrated into one solvothermal condition. This strategy can efficiently avoid the limitations faced in the traditional construction method, such as time‐consuming organic synthesis and multiple separation and purification. Herein, inspired by the reaction of aldehydes and o‐phenylenediamine and deep structural analysis of UiO‐68, a series of tetra‐, hexa‐, and octa‐topic carboxylic acids are synthesized using 2′,3′‐diamino‐[1,1′:4′,1′“‐terphenyl]‐4,4′”‐dicarboxylic acid and di‐, tri‐, and tetra‐topic aldehydes as precursor. Then nine multicarboxylate‐based zirconium MOFs (Zr‐MOFs) are successfully constructed via the combination of reticular chemistry and in situ “one‐pot” strategy. The resultant Zr‐MOFs can be regarded as the partial face decoration of UiO‐68. More importantly, the emission properties of resultant Zr‐MOFs can be well controlled using aldehydes with tunable electronic structures. This work provides a new path to rational design and construction of porous materials with specific structures guided by reticular chemistry and conducted using in situ “one‐pot” strategy.
Kirkendall Effect‐Induced Ternary Heterointerfaces Engineering for High Polarization Loss MOF‐LDH‐MXene Absorbers
Authors: Sun Chunhua , Lan Di , Jia Zirui , Gao Zhenguo , Wu Guanglei
Published: August 2024

Heterogeneous interfacial engineering has garnered widespread attention for optimizing polarization loss and enhancing the performance of electromagnetic wave absorption. A novel Kirkendall effect‐assisted electrostatic self‐assembly method is employed to construct a metal–organic framework (MOF, MIL‐88A) decorated with Ni‐Fe layered double hydroxide (LDH), forming a multilayer nano‐cage coated with Ti3C2Tx. By modulating the surface adsorption of Ti3C2Tx on LDH, the heterointerfaces in MOF‐LDH‐MXene ternary composites exhibit excellent interfacial polarization loss. Additionally, the Ni‐Fe LDH@Ti3C2Tx nano‐cage exhibits a large specific surface area, abundant defects, and a large number of heterojunction structures, resulting in excellent electromagnetic wave absorption performance. The MIL‐88A@Ni‐Fe LDH@Ti3C2Tx‐1.0 nano‐cage achieves a reflection loss value of −46.7 dB at a thickness of 1.4 mm and an effective absorption bandwidth of 5.12 GHz at a thickness of 1.8 mm. The heterojunction interface composed of Ni‐Fe LDH and Ti3C2Tx helps to enhance polarization loss. Additionally, Ti3C2Tx forms a conductive network on the surface, while the cavity between the MIL‐88A core and the Ni‐Fe LDH shell facilitates multiple attenuations by increasing the transmission path of internal incident waves. This work may reveal a new structural design of multi‐component composites by heterointerfaces engineering for electromagnetic wave absorption.
Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells: A Futuristic IoTs Powering Solar Cell Technology, Short Review
Authors: Tiwari Jai Prakash
Published: August 2024

The perovskite solar cells (PSCs) technology translated on flexible substrates is in high demand as an alternative powering solution to the Internet of Things (IOTs). An efficiency of ∼26.1% on rigid and ∼25.09% on flexible substrates has been achieved for the PSCs. Further, it is also reported that F‐PSC modules have a surface area of ∼900 cm2, with a PCE of ∼16.43%. This performance is a world record for an F‐PSC device more significant than ∼100 cm2. The process optimization, and use of new transport materials, interface, and compositional engineering, as well as passivation, have helped in achieving such kind of performance of F‐PSCs. Hence, the review focuses mainly on the progress of F‐PSCs and the low‐temperature fabrication methods for perovskite films concerning their full coverage, morphological uniformity, and better crystallinity. The transmittance, band gap matching, carrier mobility, and ease of low‐temperature processing are the key figures of merit of interface layers. Electrode material's flexible and transparent nature has enhanced the device's mechanical stability. Stability, flexibility, and scalable F‐PSC fabrication challenges are also addressed. Finally, an outlook on F‐PSC applications for their commercialization based on cost will also be discussed in detail.
GaAs//CuInGaSe‐Based Multijunction Solar Cells with 30% Efficiency Under Low Concentrated Sunlight
Authors: Makita Kikuo , Kamikawa Yukiko , Mizuno Hidenori , Oshima Ryuji , Shoji Yasushi , Ishizuka Shogo , Müller Ralph , Lackner David , Dimroth Frank , Sugaya Takeyoshi
Published: August 2024

Multijunction (MJ) solar cells have demonstrated very high efficiencies (>30%) owing to the effective use of solar energy. Among these, the GaAs//CuInGaSe(CIGSe)‐based MJ solar cell is unique owing to its features, such as being lightweight owing to the combination of thin cells and allowing the use of flexible substrates such as thin metal plates and polymer films. Furthermore, low‐concentration solar cells offer a practical solution with high efficiency and low cost. Previously, an efficiency of more than 30% was attained for an InGaP/GaAs//CIGSe three‐junction solar cell fabricated via mechanical stacking using Pd nanoparticle arrays and a silicone adhesive (modified smart stack). In this study, the potential of GaAs//CIGSe‐based MJ solar cells is examined for application under low‐concentration sunlight. The fabricated InGaP/Al0.06Ga0.94As//CIGSe three‐junction solar cell demonstrates a maximum efficiency of 29.73% at 2.8 suns and maintained a high efficiency of ≈30% in the low‐concentration region (<10 suns). For the in‐vehicle deployment, an efficiency of 30% is sufficient to enable independent travel for 1 day in Japan. These results demonstrate the potential of smart‐stack GaAs//CIGSe‐based MJ solar cells as next‐generation solar cells.
Perovskite Nanocomposite: A Step Toward Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Dyes
Authors: Minguez‐Avellan Miriam , Farinós‐Navajas Noemi , Noguera‐Gómez Jaume , Sagra Rodríguez Víctor , Vallés‐Pelarda Marta , Momblona Cristina , Ripolles Teresa S. , Boix Pablo P. , Abargues Rafael
Published: August 2024

Metal halide perovskites offer a promising opportunity for transforming solar energy into chemical energy, thereby addressing pressing environmental challenges. While their excellent optoelectronic properties have been successfully applied in photovoltaics, their potential in photocatalysis remains relatively unexplored. Herein, we report a novel humidity‐driven approach for the in situ synthesis of MAPbI3 nanocrystals (NCs) within a nickel acetate matrix, forming a nanocomposite thin film that enhances the system's stability and enables its use in photochemical reactions. UV‐Vis spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction confirm the rapid and effective synthesis of NCs within the matrix after 1 min at 80% relative humidity (RH). Optimal photoconversion conditions are attained after 60 min of exposure at 80% RH, due to the increased porosity and nanocrystal size over time as revealed by electron microscopy. The MAPbI3‐Ni(AcO)2 nanocomposite exhibits superior photocatalytic activity compared to standard polycrystalline MAPbI3 films for the decomposition of Sudan III under simulated sunlight. Furthermore, the nanocomposite demonstrates good recyclability over multiple cycles. Overall, this work highlights the potential of MHP‐based nanocomposites for solar‐driven catalytic systems in pollution mitigation.
A declarative approach and benchmark tool for controlled evaluation of microservice resiliency patterns
Authors: Aderaldo Carlos M. , Costa Thiago M. , Vasconcelos Davi M. , Mendonça Nabor C. , Cámara Javier , Garlan David
Published: August 2024

Microservice developers increasingly use resiliency patterns such as Retry and Circuit Breaker to cope with remote services that are likely to fail. However, there is still little research on how the invocation delays typically introduced by those resiliency patterns may impact application performance under varying workloads and failure scenarios. This article presents a novel approach and benchmark tool for experimentally evaluating the performance impact of existing resiliency patterns in a controlled setting. The main novelty of this approach resides in the ability to declaratively specify and automatically generate multiple testing scenarios involving different resiliency patterns, which one can implement using any programming language and resilience library. The article illustrates the benefits of the proposed approach and tool by reporting on an experimental study of the performance impact of the Retry and Circuit Breaker resiliency patterns in two mainstream programming languages (C# and Java) using two popular resilience libraries (Polly and Resilience4j), under multiple service workloads and failure rates. Our results show that, under low to moderate failure rates, both resiliency patterns effectively reduce the load over the application's target service with barely any impact on the application's performance. However, as the failure rate increases, both patterns significantly degrade the application's performance, with their effect varying depending on the service's workload and the patterns' programming language and resilience library.
Decoupling Volatile and Nonvolatile Response in Reliable Halide Perovskite Memristors
Authors: Pendyala Naresh‐Kumar , Gonzales Cedric , Guerrero Antonio
Published: August 2024

Halide perovskite is very attractive for the fabrication of energy‐efficient memristors for neuromorphic applications. However, reproducibility, stability, and understanding the switching behavior still lag in comparison to other technologies. Herein, a deep‐level understanding of perovskite memristors is obtained by the development of highly reproducible devices. The approach is based on a highly stable perovskite formulation (MAPbBr3) and the use of preoxidized silver (AgI) as a buffer layer. Here, reliable perovskite memristors with device yields approaching 100%, stabilities of >104 cycles for volatile response, and adequate conditions for linear potentiation/depression for nonvolatile response are demonstrated. Using these devices, the nature of the dual volatile and nonvolatile response is understood. It is shown that applying short SET voltage (VSET) pulses leads to ion displacement inside the perovskite material with the formation of an ionic double layer close to the contacts. The displacement of the ions contributes to the series resistance of the device and to a volatile response with ions diffusing back to the perovskite at V < VSET. Alternatively, long VSET pulses lead to a gradual increase in current, the appearance of a chemical inductor, and a nonvolatile response. The observed nonvolatile regime is related to the formation of Ag+ conductive filaments.
Seasonal movements between main stem and tributaries may facilitate the persistence of Roundtail Chub and Flannelmouth Sucker within an altered stream system
Authors: Magruder Alissa C. , Barrile Gabriel M. , Siddons Stephen , Walrath John , Walters Annika W.
Published: August 2024

Objective

Movement enables animals to complete their life history by responding to changing environmental conditions. Linking movement behaviors to life history characteristics can allow more targeted management applications for declining native fish populations. We identified seasonal movement patterns of Roundtail Chub Gila robusta and Flannelmouth Sucker Catostomus latipinnis, two understudied species that currently occupy only a portion of their historical range in the Colorado River basin.

Methods

We coupled passive integrated transponder tag antenna systems with multistate capture–recapture models to quantify juvenile and adult movement between main-stem and tributary habitats in the Blacks Fork subbasin of southwestern Wyoming during 2019–2021. We also evaluated how flow and temperature may cue the timing of seasonal movements.

Result

Adults from both species made spring movements, likely associated with spawning, to reach upstream tributary habitat, though adult Flannelmouth Sucker movements were more common and longer. Roundtail Chub primarily moved into the Hams Fork, while Flannelmouth Sucker primarily moved into Muddy Creek, an intermittent tributary that was also identified as important for juvenile rearing. Juvenile movements occurred primarily during the fall months, with distance traveled comparable between species. Temperature and flow influenced the timing of spring movements for adult Flannelmouth Sucker, with rising temperatures triggering movement and low flow potentially limiting access to preferred spawning habitat.

Conclusion

Identified movements likely contribute to Roundtail Chub and Flannelmouth Sucker persistence in this highly altered stream system and ultimately provide insights for management and recovery strategies to prevent further population declines.
“Getting along” and “using evidence”: Elementary engineering as contentious practice
Authors: Carlone Heidi B. , Lancaster Megan
Published: August 2024

Elementary engineering, as an emergent or “contentious” practice, is fertile ground for cultural analysis. Contentious practice (Holland, D., & Lave, J. (2001). History in person: Enduring struggles, contentious practice, intimate identities. School of American Research Press) highlights how historically enduring narratives of science, engineering, schooling, and minoritized youth get taken up, figured, and refigured in local practice. The study's research questions were: What classroom cultural narratives of “good engineers” were important for fifth‐grade, minoritized children's engineering design work? How did local and macro‐level cultural narratives about science and engineering, elementary schooling, and minoritized students intersect? How were multi‐leveled cultural narratives consequential for children's engineering work? Using ethnographic methods, researchers analyzed videos, field notes, and interviews with 20 students and their teacher, focusing on engineering design discussion and activities. The authors identified two key narratives: good engineers (1) get along well with others and (2) use evidence to make design decisions. The banality of these narratives makes them ripe for deconstruction. By beginning with children's meanings of engineering competence and framing engineering as contentious practice, the authors: (1) identify the tensions in these seemingly innocuous narratives and practices; (2) illustrate children's creativity and labor in navigating tensions; (3) demonstrate the workings of macro‐level racialized, technocratic, and Western scientistic narratives and their reconfigurations in local practice; and (4) reject deficit‐based perspectives that would frame classroom struggles by assigning blame to the teacher or students. Recommendations for practice include normalizing disagreement, providing tools for joint decision‐making, broadening meanings of evidence, and co‐constructing meanings of kindness. A contentious practice lens highlights the ever‐presence of historicized narratives in local productions of practice and renders elementary engineering as an ongoing accomplishment, opening spaces of possibility less readily available to established practices of elementary schooling. However, without explicit attention to countering racialized narratives applied to minoritized youth in such settings, these spaces tighten up, limiting the potential for social change.
Improving complex agronomic and domestication traits in the perennial grain crop intermediate wheatgrass with genetic mapping and genomic prediction
Authors: Bajgain Prabin , Stoll Hannah , Anderson James A.
Published: August 2024

The perennial grass Thinopyrum intermedium (intermediate wheatgrass [IWG]) is being domesticated as a food crop. With a deep root system and high biomass, IWG can help reduce soil and water erosion and limit nutrient runoff. As a novel grain crop undergoing domestication, IWG lags in yield, seed size, and other agronomic traits compared to annual grains. Better characterization of trait variation and identification of genetic markers associated with loci controlling the traits could help in further improving this crop. The University of Minnesota's Cycle 5 IWG breeding population of 595 spaced plants was evaluated at two locations in 2021 and 2022 for agronomic traits plant height, grain yield, and spike weight, and domestication traits shatter resistance, free grain threshing, and seed size. Pairwise trait correlations were weak to moderate with the highest correlation observed between seed size and height (0.41). Broad‐sense trait heritabilities were high (0.68–0.77) except for spike weight (0.49) and yield (0.44). Association mapping using 24,284 genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphism markers identified 30 main quantitative trait loci (QTLs) across all environments and 32 QTL‐by‐environment interactions (QTE) at each environment. The genomic prediction model significantly improved predictions when parents were used in the training set and significant QTLs and QTEs used as covariates. Seed size was the best predicted trait with model predictive ability (r) of 0.72; yield was predicted moderately well (r = 0.45). We expect this discovery of significant genomic loci and mostly high trait predictions from genomic prediction models to help improve future IWG breeding populations.
Prevalence of tail damage and ear lesions in docked and undocked pigs during trials to find alternatives to tail docking on Spanish commercial farms
Authors: Teixeira Dayane Lemos , Bagaria Marc , Vidal Roger , Verdú Marçal , Parés Ricard , Fàbrega Emma
Published: August 2024

Background

Tail docking is widely used to control tail biting in pigs, but it is a painful and stressful procedure. The impact of non‐docking trials on tail damage (TD) and ear lesions (EL) from weaning to slaughter was assessed on four commercial farms.

Methods

A total of 898 docked pigs (396 DP) or undocked pigs (502 UP) were assessed for tail damage and ear lesions at the beginning and end of the weaner stage, during fattening and at the abattoir during slaughter.

Results

The percentage of UP with shortened tails increased significantly from weaning to fattening, but the percentage of non‐inflamed tails and tails without fresh lesions increased. In terms of severity of lesion, a lower percentage of pigs scored as ‘no visible lesion’ at the end of weaning compared to fattening, both for UP and DP (p < 0.05). DP always had a lower percentage of TD, whereas UP had a lower percentage of EL at the end of weaning.

Limitation

It was not possible to statistically compare different preventive strategies trialed on farms as alternatives to docking.

Conclusion

This study highlights that combining tail length and lesion score at slaughter could be a reliable on‐farm welfare indicator.
Considerations and future perspectives for the vibrational spectroscopic analysis of forensic cosmetic evidence
Authors: Bruce Katy A. , Arnold Donna C. , Sauzier Georgina , Lewis Simon W.
Published: August 2024

Cosmetics such as makeup or other personal products are widely used and easily transferred upon physical contact. As such, they may be used as trace evidence to link people to each other or to places in criminal investigations. To maximize their probative value, it is important to understand the variability among representative market products and the way in which they transfer to, or persist on various surfaces. Additionally, it is required that analysis techniques be non‐destructive, readily available and relatively inexpensive. Raman spectroscopy and attenuated total reflectance—Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) are powerful tools for probing the chemistry of trace cosmetics. As well as fitting the criteria above, they offer the capability of studying a wide range of sample types with minimal prior preparation. The complementary information derived from these techniques can help analysts to understand and visualize spectral variability, potentially enabling discrimination between samples. However, the move from academic research toward forensic casework is not without challenges. In this article, we provide a focused exploration of the current state‐of‐the‐art in forensic cosmetic research; providing context for how we may begin to address these challenges to more effectively exploit cosmetic traces for criminal investigation.

This article is categorized under:

Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence > Emerging Technologies and Methods

Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence > Trace Evidence
Stable vacua with realistic phenomenology and cosmology in heterotic M-theory satisfying Swampland conjectures
Authors: Deffayet Cédric , Ovrut Burt A. , Steinhardt Paul J.
Published: August 2024

Abstract

We recently described a protocol for computing the potential energy in heterotic M-theory for the dilaton, complex structure and Kähler moduli. This included the leading order non-perturbative contributions to the complex structure, gaugino condensation and worldsheet instantons assuming a hidden sector that contains an anomalous U(1) structure group embedded in E8. In this paper, we elucidate, in detail, the mathematical and computational methods required to utilize this protocol. These methods are then applied to a realistic heterotic M-theory model, the B − L MSSM, whose observable sector is consistent with all particle physics requirements. Within this context, it is shown that the dilaton and universal moduli can be completely stabilized at values compatible with every phenomenological and mathematical constraint — as well as with ΛCDM cosmology. We also show that the heterotic M-theory vacua are consistent with all well-supported Swampland conjectures based on considerations of string theory and quantum gravity, and we discuss the implications of dark energy theorems for compactified theories.
Note on warped compactification. Finite brane potentials and non-Hermiticity
Authors: Girmohanta Sudhakantha , Nakai Yuichiro , Suzuki Motoo , Wang Yaoduo , Xu Junxuan
Published: August 2024

Abstract

We study radius stabilization in the Randall-Sundrum model without assuming any unnaturally large stabilizing scalar potential parameter at the boundary branes (γ) by the frequently used superpotential method. Employing a perturbative expansion in 1/γ2 and the backreaction parameter, we obtain approximate analytical expressions for the radion mass and wavefunction. We validate them through a dedicated numerical analysis, which solves the linearized coupled scalar and metric field equations exactly. It is observed that the radion mass decreases with decreasing γ. Below a critical value of γ, the radion becomes tachyonic, suggesting destabilization of the extra dimension. We also address the issue of non-Hermiticity of the differential operator that determines the radion and Kaluza-Klein (KK) mode wavefunctions in the finite γ limit. It is accomplished by finding an explicit form of the general scalar product that re-establishes the orthogonality in the KK decomposition.
Functional determinants of lysophospholipid- and voltage-dependent regulation of TRPC5 channel
Authors: Ptakova Alexandra , Zimova Lucie , Barvik Ivan , Bon Robin S. , Vlachova Viktorie
Published: August 2024

Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) is a bioactive lipid present at high concentrations in inflamed and injured tissues where it contributes to the initiation and maintenance of pain. One of its important molecular effectors is the transient receptor potential canonical 5 (TRPC5), but the explicit mechanism of the activation is unknown. Using electrophysiology, mutagenesis and molecular dynamics simulations, we show that LPC-induced activation of TRPC5 is modulated by xanthine ligands and depolarizing voltage, and involves conserved residues within the lateral fenestration of the pore domain. Replacement of W577 with alanine (W577A) rendered the channel insensitive to strong depolarizing voltage, but LPC still activated this mutant at highly depolarizing potentials. Substitution of G606 located directly opposite position 577 with tryptophan rescued the sensitivity of W577A to depolarization. Molecular simulations showed that depolarization widens the lower gate of the channel and this conformational change is prevented by the W577A mutation or removal of resident lipids. We propose a gating scheme in which depolarizing voltage and lipid-pore helix interactions act together to promote TRPC5 channel opening.
The module structure of a group action on a ring
Authors: Symonds Peter
Published: August 2024

Consider a finite group G acting on a graded Noetherian k-algebra S, for some field k of characteristic p; for example S might be a polynomial ring. Regard S as a kG-module and consider the multiplicity of a particular indecomposable module as a summand in each degree. We show how this can be described in terms of homological algebra and how it is linked to the geometry of the group action on the spectrum of S.
Maßnahmen gegen Einsamkeit – Beispiele aus einer international vergleichenden Perspektive
Authors: Wendt Claus
Published: August 2024

Das Ausmaß von Einsamkeit unterscheidet sich im internationalen Vergleich. Vor allem in den entwickelten Wohlfahrtsstaaten Nordeuropas sind die Einsamkeitswerte in der Bevölkerung vergleichsweise gering. Der Anstieg an Einsamkeit in vielen Ländern zeigt allerdings, dass bestehende Konzepte für einen wirksamen Schutz vor Einsamkeit nicht ausreichen. Auch jüngere Menschen müssen gestärkt werden, damit sie sich bei Ausgrenzungserfahrungen und Einsamkeit nicht zurückziehen. Hierfür werden qualifizierte Fachkräfte in Kindergärten, Schulen, Vereinen und weiteren Freizeiteinrichtungen benötigt, die Kindern und Jugendlichen helfen, soziale Kontakte aufzubauen. Bei den Strategien gegen Einsamkeit haben sich Freundschafts- und Nachbarschaftsmodelle als erfolgreich erwiesen. Eine höhere Identifikation mit der Nachbarschaft und ein Gefühl der Sicherheit tragen zum Aufbau sozialer Netzwerke bei und reduzieren die Einsamkeit. Für ältere Menschen ist es wichtig, dass sie in ihrem gewohnten sozialen Umfeld wohnen bleiben und ihre sozialen Kontakte aufrechterhalten können. Hierfür sind erreichbare öffentliche Plätze mit Pflegeangeboten und Unterstützungsleistungen zu verbinden, die auf die Bedürfnisse und Wünsche älterer Menschen zugeschnitten sind.
Wissen über humane Papillomaviren unter Studierenden in Deutschland: eine Querschnittstudie belegt dringenden Handlungsbedarf
Authors: Aksoy Cem , Schneidewind Laila , Butea-Bocu Marius , Reimold Philipp , Schönburg Sandra , Huber Johannes , Alexa Radu , Saar Matthias , Kranz Jennifer
Published: August 2024

Hintergrund und Fragestellung

Humane Papillomaviren (HPV) zählen zu den häufigsten durch Intimkontakte übertragenen Erregern und verursachen viele gut- und bösartige Erkrankungen. Eine Impfung gegen diese Viren schützt sehr sicher vor diesen Erkrankungen. Trotz einer durch die Ständige Impfkommission (STIKO) empfohlenen HPV-Impfung sind das Wissen und die Impfrate in Deutschland sehr niedrig. Ziel der Studie war es daher, das HPV-Wissen unter deutschen Studierenden zu erheben.

Material und Methoden

Zwischen 06/2019 und 01/2024 wurde eine deutschlandweite Online-Umfrage über den HPV-Wissensstand unter Studierenden über die jeweiligen Fachschaften verteilt. Die Umfrage beinhaltete 2 Aspekte: 1) Grundcharakteristika der Teilnehmer und 2) Wissensfragen über HPV (z. B. Übertragungswege, Effektivität und Nebenwirkungen der Impfung, Wissen über die HPV-Subtypen). Die Datenerhebung erfolgte anonym.

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt haben 459 Studierende an der Studie teilgenommen. Hiervon waren 335 (72,98 %) Frauen, 122 (26,57 %) Männer und 2 (0,45 %) haben keine Angabe über ihr Geschlecht gemacht. Das Durchschnittsalter betrug 24,02 Jahre und die meisten Teilnehmer befanden sich im 6. (23,31 %/n = 107) Semester. 75,82 % (n = 348) der Teilnehmer waren Medizinstudierende und am zweithäufigsten mit 19,61 % (n = 90) nahmen Studierende der Rechtswissenschaften teil. Der häufigste vertretene Studienort war Aachen mit 270 (58,82 %) Teilnehmern. Nur die Hälfte (48,80 %/n = 223) der Studierenden wusste, dass jährlich ca. 8000 neue Krebserkrankungen in Deutschland HPV-assoziiert sind. Bezüglich der HPV-Impfung wusste mehr als ein Drittel (35,82 %/n = 163) der Teilnehmer nicht, dass diese auch vor Genitalwarzen schützt, während 21,93 % (n = 100) der Teilnehmer nicht wussten, dass von der HPV-Impfung auch Jungen profitieren können und diese nicht nur vor Gebärmutterhalskrebs schützt.

Diskussion

Trotz mehrjähriger HPV-Impfempfehlung durch die STIKO ist das Wissen über HPV unter Studierenden weiterhin sehr gering. Es bedarf zur Behebung der HPV-Wissenslücken weiterer Prävention- und Aufklärungsarbeit mit dem zusätzlichen Ziel, die HPV-Impfrate zu verbessern.
Comparative case study on NAMs: towards enhancing specific target organ toxicity analysis
Authors: Jochum Kristina , Miccoli Andrea , Sommersdorf Cornelia , Poetz Oliver , Braeuning Albert , Tralau Tewes , Marx-Stoelting Philip
Published: August 2024

Traditional risk assessment methodologies in toxicology have relied upon animal testing, despite concerns regarding interspecies consistency, reproducibility, costs, and ethics. New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), including cell culture and multi-level omics analyses, hold promise by providing mechanistic information rather than assessing organ pathology. However, NAMs face limitations, like lacking a whole organism and restricted toxicokinetic interactions. This is an inherent challenge when it comes to the use of omics data from in vitro studies for the prediction of organ toxicity in vivo. One solution in this context are comparative in vitro–in vivo studies as they allow for a more detailed assessment of the transferability of the respective NAM data. Hence, hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic pesticide active substances were tested in human cell lines and the results subsequently related to the biology underlying established effects in vivo. To this end, substances were tested in HepaRG and RPTEC/tERT1 cells at non-cytotoxic concentrations and analyzed for effects on the transcriptome and parts of the proteome using quantitative real-time PCR arrays and multiplexed microsphere-based sandwich immunoassays, respectively. Transcriptomics data were analyzed using three bioinformatics tools. Where possible, in vitro endpoints were connected to in vivo observations. Targeted protein analysis revealed various affected pathways, with generally fewer effects present in RPTEC/tERT1. The strongest transcriptional impact was observed for Chlorotoluron in HepaRG cells (increased CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 expression). A comprehensive comparison of early cellular responses with data from in vivo studies revealed that transcriptomics outperformed targeted protein analysis, correctly predicting up to 50% of in vivo effects.
Methanogenesis coupled hydrocarbon biodegradation enhanced by ferric and sulphate ions
Authors: Laczi Krisztián , Bodor Attila , Kovács Tamás , Magyar Balázs , Perei Katalin , Rákhely Gábor
Published: August 2024

Bioremediation provides an environmentally sound solution for hydrocarbon removal. Although bioremediation under anoxic conditions is slow, it can be coupled with methanogenesis and is suitable for energy recovery. By altering conditions and supplementing alternative terminal electron acceptors to the system to induce syntrophic partners of the methanogens, this process can be enhanced. In this study, we investigated a hydrocarbon-degrading microbial community derived from chronically contaminated soil. Various hydrocarbon mixtures were used during our experiments in the presence of different electron acceptors. In addition, we performed whole metagenome sequencing to identify the main actors of hydrocarbon biodegradation in the samples. Our results showed that the addition of ferric ions or sulphate increased the methane yield. Furthermore, the addition of CO2, ferric ion or sulphate enhanced the biodegradation of alkanes. A significant increase in biodegradation was observed in the presence of ferric ions or sulphate in the case of all aromatic components, while naphthalene and phenanthrene degradation was also enhanced by CO2. Metagenome analysis revealed that Cellulomonas sp. is the most abundant in the presence of alkanes, while Ruminococcus and Faecalibacterium spp. are prevalent in aromatics-supplemented samples. From the recovery of 25 genomes, it was concluded that the main pathway of hydrocarbon activation was fumarate addition in both Cellulomonas, Ruminococcus and Faecalibacterium. Chloroflexota bacteria can utilise the central metabolites of aromatics biodegradation via ATP-independent benzoyl-CoA reduction.

Key points

• Methanogenesis and hydrocarbon biodegradation were enhanced by Fe3+ or SO42−

• Cellulomonas, Ruminococcus and Faecalibacterium can be candidates for the main hydrocarbon degraders

• Chloroflexota bacteria can utilise the central metabolites of aromatics degradation

Graphical Abstract
Recommendations for strain elastography of the uterine cervix
Authors: Thomsen Christine Rohr , Jensen Maria Strandbo Schmidt , Bor Pinar , Hinge Mogens , Sandager Puk , Uldbjerg Niels
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Conventional vaginal strain ultrasound elastography, not based on shear-wave elastography imaging, can assess the biomechanical properties of the uterine cervix. This assessment may inform the risks of preterm birth and failed induction of labor. However, there is considerable variation in the approaches to strain elastography, including the placement of the region of interest (ROI). Therefore, our aim was to provide recommendations for cervical elastography.

Methods

We conducted a literature review on (1) elastography principles, and (2) the cervical anatomy. Subsequently, we performed elastography scanning using a Voluson™ E10 Expert scanner with the BT18 software of (3) polyacrylamide hydrogel simulators, and (4) pregnant women.

Results

Increasing the distance between the ROI and probe led to a decrease in the obtained strain value; a 53% decrease was observed at 17.5 mm. Similarly, an increased angle between the ROI and probe-centerline resulted in a 59% decrease for 40° angle. Interposition of soft tissue (e.g., cervical canal) between the ROI and the probe induced an artifact with values from the posterior lip being 54% lower than those from the anterior lip, even after adjusting for probe-ROI distance. Equipment and the recording conductance significantly influenced the results.

Conclusion

Our findings inform recommendations for future studies on strain cervical elastography.
Dynamic change of acetabular component position in total hip arthroplasty based on the spinopelvic classification: a prospective radiographic study
Authors: Hagiwara Shigeo , Kawarai Yuya , Nakamura Junichi , Shiko Yuki , Hirasawa Rui , Ohtori Seiji
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Recent studies have proposed optimizing the position of the acetabular component based on spinal deformity and stiffness classification to avoid mechanical complication after total hip arthroplasty (THA). The aim of this study was to characterize the dynamic changes in cup alignment post-THA based on the spinopelvic classification and to evaluate the efficacy of cup placement of preventing dislocation.

Methods

This prospective study included a total of 169 consecutive patients awaiting THA who were classified into four groups based on spinal deformity (pelvic incidence minus lumbar lordosis) and spinal stiffness (change in sacral slope from the standing to seated positions). The cups were aligned based on the group with fluoroscopy. Additionally, postoperative radiographic inclination (RI), radiographic anteversion (RA) in standard anteroposterior radiograph, and lateral anteinclination (AI) in sitting and standing positions were measured. The cumulative incidence of dislocation was evaluated at a follow-up two years post-THA.

Result

RA was significantly greater in the group with normal spine alignment and stiff spine than in other groups (P = 0.0006), and AI in the sitting position was lower than in other groups (P = 0.012). Standing AI did not significantly differ between the groups. One posterior dislocation occurred during the study period (0.6%).

Conclusion

AI in the sitting position was lower in patients with normal spinal alignment and stiff spine despite larger RA in the standard anteroposterior radiographs. Consequently, with more anteversion in the normal spinal alignment and stiff spine group, spinopelvic parameters can help guide cup placement to prevent short-term dislocation post-THA.
Polypropylene vs. stainless-steel wire suture: short-term recurrence rate after shouldice primary inguinal hernia repair, a non-inferior analysis among 1120 patients. A case–control study
Authors: Paasch Christoph , Mainprize Marguerite , Hunger Richard , Netto Fernando A C Spencer
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Polypropylene material is commonly used for posterior wall reconstruction in hernia repair, in contrast with the classically described stainless-steel wire used at Shouldice Hospital. This study was conducted to evaluate possible differences in Shouldice Repair outcomes using polypropylene or stainless-steel wire sutures.

Methods

A prospective follow-up of consecutive patients who underwent elective unilateral Shouldice primary inguinal hernia repair at Shouldice Hospital between December 6, 2021, and September 1, 2022, was conducted. Data was collected from follow-up telephone calls as well as manually reviewing patient's charts. The primary objective was to determine whether the use of polypropylene was non-inferior to the use of stainless-steel wire, regarding the recurrence rate reported by the patients with a minimum follow-up of 1 year after Shouldice primary inguinal hernia repair.

Results

A total of 1120 patients were contacted by telephone (polypropylene: 560; stainless-steel wire: 560). The median follow-up period was 16 months (interquartile range: 15–18). In 22 (1.96%) cases a surgical site infection was diagnosed. There was a total of 18 recurrences reported by the patients (1.6%). There was no statistical difference between the groups (polypropylene: 7 (1.25%) vs. stainless steel wire: 11 (1.96%), p > 0.05) for the recurrence rate.

Conclusion

The use of polypropylene is non-inferior to the use of stainless-steel wire regarding recurrence rate at a median follow-up period of 16 months after elective unilateral Shouldice primary inguinal hernia repair. This finding may encourage other centers where stainless-steel wire is not easily available to perform the Shouldice Repair.
Assessment of the effectiveness of a polypropylene onlay mesh in the prevention of laparoscopic trocar-site incisional hernia in high-risk patients. A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Ciscar Ana , Sánchez-Sáez Emma , Vila Tura Marina , Ruiz de Leon Patricia , Gomez Pallarès Marta , Troyano Escribano Daniel , Abadal Prades Marta , Mans Muntwyler Esther , Pereira José-Antonio , Badia Josep M.
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Trocar site incisional hernia (TSIH) is a common complication of laparoscopic surgery. In the scientific literature there are few descriptions of methods or tools for its prevention. The aim of this report was to assess the effectiveness and safety of a prophylactic measure designed to lower rates of TSIH.

Methods

A multicenter randomized double-blinded clinical trial was performed in high-risk patients (diabetes mellitus and/or age ≥ 70 years and/or BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 and/or extended incision for specimen retrieval) who underwent either elective or emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients were assigned to prophylactic onlay polypropylene mesh fixation (intervention) or to standard trocar closure (control). The main aim was to analyze the efficacy of the intervention, taking occurrence of TSIH as the primary outcome. Clinical and radiological follow up lasted at least one year after surgery. Secondary endpoints were technique-related complications (surgical site occurrences).

Results

One hundred and forty-three patients were randomized and finally 116 were analyzed (64 in the intervention arm and 52 in the control arm). Groups were homogeneous. Mean [SD] age, 65 [18] years; 86 (60.6%) were women. The cumulative TSIH incidence was lower in the intervention group although the differences did not reach statistical significance, assessed either radiologically (16 [25.4%] vs 17 [31.5%], p = 0.538) or clinically (9 [16.1%] vs 9 [20], p = 0.613). No differences in surgical site infection, hematoma or seroma were detected. Mean follow-up was 670 days (range 223–1294).

Conclusion

Our results show that, when properly assessed, the overall TSIH incidence is extremely high. Although polypropylene onlay mesh placement is safe, it does not appear to be effective in reducing the TSIH incidence rate. Radiological evaluation may be more accurate.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.org NCT03495557. Date of registration: April 12, 2018
The long and the short of it: inheritance and wealth in Ireland
Authors: Arrigoni Simone , Boyd Laura , McIndoe-Calder Tara
Published: August 2024

Inheritances matter for wealth accumulation and are often central to policy debates on wealth taxes. Using household level survey data, this paper shows that up to 2020 over one-third of households in Ireland had inherited wealth, the cumulative value of which (€97 billion) accounts for approximately one sixth of current net wealth for these households. However, the impact of inheritance extends beyond its direct value as inheritors tend to be wealthier, with a greater ownership of property. Our analysis shows that inheritances in Ireland contribute little to wealth inequality, and may even have reduced it over time, in line with existing findings for Britain and the United States. Tentative evidence suggests that mechanisms behind this wealth equalising effect may be (i) the importance of inheritances for the acquisition of property assets for middle-wealth households, (ii) the rise of asset prices, especially house prices, and (iii) substitution from employee income to rental income among inheritors.
Application of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) passive samplers for monitoring PAHs in groundwater
Authors: Ola Ibukun , Drebenstedt Carsten , Burgess Robert M. , Allan Ian J. , Hoth Nils , Külls Christoph
Published: August 2024

Equilibrium passive sampling continues to find increasing use for performing in situ assessments and monitoring of hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs). Although this method has been successfully used in several field studies including open surface waters and sediments, comparatively, their use in groundwater has been very limited. In this study, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) passive samplers were deployed for 80 days in three groundwater wells contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Prior to deployment, LDPE was loaded with performance reference compounds (PRCs) consisting of deuterated PAHs and their release used to ascertain system equilibrium. Within the 80-day deployment period, LDPE-groundwater equilibrium was confirmed for PAHs with molecular weights (MWs) in the range of 178 to 228 (i.e. anthracene, chrysene). Measured freely dissolved concentrations (Cw) were between one to three orders of magnitude lower than the total filtered concentrations (Ctotal) in the studied wells. The sum of PAHs (ΣPAHs) measured based on Cw and Ctotal were 2.05, 0.07 and 29.2 μg L−1 and 197, 59.7 and 1010 μg L−1, at wells 1, 2 and 3, respectively. A separate dataset, comprising long-term (2010 to 2022) concentrations of PAHs in total (i.e., unfiltered) groundwater, is also presented to provide insight into PAH contamination levels at the assessed groundwater wells based on conventional measurement. Estimated in situ LDPE daily clearance volumes (2.34 to 27.56 Ld−1) for the target analytes were far less than the daily turnover of ground water (144 to 348 Ld−1) encountered in the wells eliminating the possibility of depletive sampling of the groundwater by the passive samplers. These results represent the first published study on the practical application of equilibrium passive sampling using LDPE for monitoring and quantitatively assessing PAHs in groundwater. Also, this work demonstrates that LDPEs are a useful tool for measuring the Cw of PAHs in groundwater, a critical contaminant in many ecological and human health risk assessments.
Application of URANS Simulation and Experimental Validation of Axial Flow-Induced Vibrations on a Blunt-End Cantilever Rod for Nuclear Applications
Authors: Muhamad Pauzi Anas , Iacovides Hector , Cioncolini Andrea , Li Hao , Nabawy Mostafa R. A.
Published: August 2024

Fretting wear caused by flow-induced vibration (FIV) is a leading cause of fuel failure in light water nuclear reactors. This study describes a numerical methodology, validated with dedicated experiments, for predicting flow-induced vibrations in cantilever rods exposed to axial water flow, a paradigmatic configuration informative for fuel rods in water-cooled nuclear reactor cores. Utilising strong two-way fluid–structure interaction (FSI) simulations with an efficient computational approach, the study focuses on two key aspects of self-excited FIV: the dominant vibration frequency and the amplitude of the vibration. Correctly reproducing the former depends on optimising the solid domain and FSI coupling, while the latter hinges on the fluid solver’s ability to accurately replicate unsteady flow behaviour, especially in areas of flow separation. Two unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes turbulence models, both being high-Reynolds number versions, and several discretisation schemes for the convection transport are evaluated for their capacity to reproduce the correct unsteady flow behaviour. When the axial flow is directed from the free end to the fixed end of the rod, both the Eddy viscosity model k-$$\omega $$
ω
SST and the Reynolds stress model by Launder, Reece, and Rodi reliably predicted the frequency and amplitude of vibrations for a Reynolds number range between 16.4k and 61.7k. When the flow direction is reversed, while vibration frequencies were accurately modelled, replicating precise unsteady flow behaviour proved more challenging. The study underscores the importance of properly resolving the flow in areas of flow separation to achieve accurate simulation of unsteady flow behaviour.
Chemical looping gasification of biomass char in fluidized bed and CO2-enriched atmosphere
Authors: Miccio Francesco , Polchri Lucrezia , Murri Annalisa Natali , Landi Elena , Medri Valentina
Published: August 2024

Chemical looping gasification (CLG) of biomass is an emerging technology for producing synthetic gas with high content in H2, CO, and other valuable compounds in alternative to O2-enriched gasification, an oxygen carrier delivering O2 to the fuel. In the present paper, the results of CLG experiments at the bench scale are presented with a particular focus on the conversion of biomass char that is the least reactive but most energetic constituent of biomass. Synthetic Cu oxygen carrier and CO2-enriched atmosphere were used at temperatures of 900 and 945 °C in a fluidized bed. In inert conditions, the char conversion was not complete for the fixed equivalence ratio that was adopted. Conversely, char was fully converted in the presence of CO2, thanks to the inverse Boudouard reaction. The results show that higher temperature is preferable for thermodynamic reasons, although the related energy balance reduces the range of auto-thermal operability. The CO produced upon combined gasification by O2 and CO2 achieved a yield very close to the theoretical value of 78 mmol per gram of char at 100vol% CO2 and 945 °C.