bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Microplastic Size Range and Ingestion Intensity by Gmelinoides fasciatus Stebbing, an Invasive Species of Lake Onego
Authors: Kalinkina Nataliia Michailovna , Zobkov Mikhail Borisovich , Zobkova Maria Valentinovna , Galakhina Natalia Evgenievna
Published: December 2021

To indicate the potential role of Gmelinoides fasciatus, an invasive species of Lake Onego, in the inclusion of microplastics into food webs, several indicators were evaluated: its ability to ingest microplastics, the preferred size ranges, and the ingestion intensity. For this purpose, irregularly shaped polystyrene copolymer particles (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastics, artificially crushed) of four size classes (<50, 50–100, 100–250, >250 µm) were used. Gmelinoides fasciatus actively ingested microplastic particles, and in treatment with particles of 100–250 µm in size, the consumption rate was the highest. The crustaceans that survived the experiment ingested smaller particles than the deceased ones. Based on the size–frequency distributions of the ingested particles and the same in the suspension, crustaceans preferred smaller particles than those in suspension. The mean size of the ingested particles was 100 ± 5 µm. However, considering the actual concentration of microplastic fragments in the sediments of Lake Onego, in natural conditions, a negative effect of microplastic fragments on the G. fasciatus population is unlikely. At the same time, the ability of the invasive species G. fasciatus to consume microplastics and their active integration into the food webs of Lake Onego through consumption by fish can be considered reliable factors of the entry of microplastics in the fish of Lake Onego. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:184–192. © 2021 SETAC
BER performance of MIMO based NOMA‐VLC system with imperfect SIC
Authors: Dixit Vipul , Kumar Atul
Published: December 2021

In this article, multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) technique is employed with non‐orthogonal multiple access‐visible light communication (NOMA‐VLC) systems, namely MIMO‐NOMA‐VLC, to develop a low error and high data rate network. In particular, a multi‐user downlink MIMO‐NOMA‐VLC system with equal gain combiner (EGC) at the receiver is proposed. The on‐off keying (OOK) and L‐pulse position modulation (L‐PPM) is adopted for performance analysis. The imperfect successive interference cancellation (SIC) scenario is also considered to emphasize the practicability of the system. The closed‐form expressions for bit‐error‐rate (BER) of the proposed MIMO‐NOMA‐VLC system are derived with perfect and imperfect SIC. Specifically, two and three‐user scenarios are considered for detailed analysis. The MIMO‐NOMA‐VLC system with EGC combiner at the receiver completely outperforms the single‐input single‐output (SISO‐NOMA‐VLC) system. The proposed MIMO‐NOMA‐VLC system provides the best error performance at the power allocation co‐efficient assigned to far user of 0.3. Further, the error performance of the proposed MIMO‐NOMA‐VLC system is investigated for the system parameters such as diversity order, modulation order, user count and so forth. The derived analytical results are verified with the Monte‐Carlo simulation results.
Expanding the IPAT identity to quantify backcasting sustainability scenarios
Authors: Skånberg Kristian , Svenfelt Åsa
Published: December 2021

This paper builds on four qualitative backcasting scenarios that illustrate sustainable futures in a Swedish setting. The paper complements the originally qualitative scenarios by developing an eight‐step modified and expanded IPAT model—originally describing environmental impact as a product of population, affluence, and technology—that also enables quantitative descriptions of the scenarios. The modified and expanded IPAT model is used to show how the scenarios can stay within the climate aspect of sustainability. The result is quantified descriptions of the development paths of energy‐related carbon dioxide emissions, working hours, man‐made capital stocks, recycled and nonrecycled materials used, and different types of energy used in the four scenarios. The four main findings are (a) the back‐bone instrument in making the energy system fossil‐free will, in all scenarios, substitute fossil energy with renewable energy; (b) however, to succeed with that it is necessary to use different mixes of many complementary climate policy instruments; (c) IPAT models can be modified and expanded in many different ways to act as quantitative descriptions of different technological developments and social changes in scenario exercises; (d) by disregarding gross domestic product as a proxy for affluence, and replacing it with labor and capital, behavioral concepts like sharing and prolonged product lifetimes can more easily be introduced as climate policy options in a modified and expanded IPAT model.
Forgetting‐by‐not‐doing: The case of surgeons and cesarean sections
Authors: Facchini Gabriel
Published: December 2021

This paper provides new evidence on the link between patient outcome and physician experience. Using birth certificates data from a large hospital in Italy, I analyze whether cesarean section surgeons who have performed more procedures in the recent past observe an improvement in performance. By using data from the Italian health care system, where patients are not allowed to choose their physician, I lower concerns of potential reverse causality (selective referral). I find evidence indicating a strong learning‐by‐doing effect: for emergent cases, a one standard deviation increase in recent experience reduces the likelihood of neonatal intensive care unit admission by nearly 3.2 percentage points (13.8%) and of being born with a low Apgar Score by about 1.9 percentage points (13.2%), all else equal. This effect is not present for the case of elective C‐sections.
Anakinra reduces lung inflammation in experimental acute lung injury
Authors: Engeroff Paul , Belbézier Aude , Monsel Antoine , Klatzmann David
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe form of acute lung injury (ALI) resulting in life‐threatening hypoxaemia. Although ARDS can be caused by a variety of pathogens or major trauma, it is best known as the major cause of mortality in COVID‐19 patients. Since ARDS is often associated with dysregulated inflammatory immune responses, immunomodulatory approaches represent a possible treatment option. The objective of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of interleukin (IL)‐1 blockade using Anakinra in a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced ALI.

Methods

We evaluated the effects of a daily subcutaneous Anakinra treatment in a mouse model of LPS‐induced ALI. We monitored body weight to assess the general health status of the mice. Two days after ALI induction, we evaluated the inflammatory cytokine MIP‐2 as well as protein levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids. Two and nine days after ALI induction, we evaluated infiltrating leukocytes in BAL fluid and lung tissue.

Results

Anakinra treatment reduced ALI‐induced weight loss compared to nontreated groups. At Day 2, Anakinra treatment reduced levels of MIP‐2 and protein in BAL fluids and reduced frequencies of NK cells and neutrophils in the lung tissue. Nine days after ALI induction, Anakinra treated mice displayed reduced levels of neutrophils and alveolar macrophages in BAL fluids.

Conclusions

IL‐1 blockade using Anakinra reduced classical hallmarks of inflammation in a mouse model of ALI. Our data support ongoing and future research on the evaluation of Anakinra as a potential treatment option in ARDS.
Light and scanning electron microscopy‐based foliar morpho‐anatomical comparison of selected family Rosaceae members distributed in District Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Shaheen Shabnum , Sharifi‐Rad Javad , Ali Muhammad , Shamim Zeeshan , Rasool Bilal , Ashfaq Muhammad , Mukhtar Hanan , Harun Nidaa , Hanif Uzma , Siddique Riffat
Published: December 2021

In the present study morpho‐anatomical characterization of selected Rosaceae members distributed in District Lahore was performed. Light and scanning electron microscopy was used for systematic characterization of the selected 19 species. Distinguished morpho‐anatomical features such as size and shape of epidermal cells, size and type of stomatal cells, size and shape of trichomes, oil droplets, and silica bodies were contrasted. Results reported remarkable variations which could be taxonomically useful in identification of these members. Polygonal epidermal cells were observed in Eriyobotraya japonica, Potentilla bifurca, Potentilla supina, and Prunus amygdalus. However, Prunus cerasus possessed irregular‐shaped epidermal cells that can be distinguished from hexagonal epidermal cells of Prunus persica. Similarly, stomatal type varied among some members. Paracytic or perisocytic stomata were observed in E. japonica whereas P. bifurca observed paracytic and anisocytic stomata. Lengths of guard cells were also of variable sizes. The average length of guard cells ranged from 53 (52–54) μm to 74 (73–75) μm in abaxial view. Potentilla supina had biggest, while Rosmarinus officinalis had tiny guard cells. Trichomes were tubular, stellate, cylindrical, ribbon‐like, glandular, and nonglandular. Silica bodies in the present investigation were bilobed, rounded, and oval‐shaped. It is inferred that diverse anatomical features proved to be valuable taxonomic tools that could be fruitfully helpful in identification of plants at specific as well as generic level.
Kindlin-3 maintains marginal zone B cells but confines follicular B cell activation and differentiation
Authors: Härzschel Andrea , Li Lixia , Krenn Peter W , Szenes-Nagy Eva , Andrieux Geoffroy , Bayer Elisabeth , Pfeifer Dietmar , Polcik Laura , Denk Ursula , Höpner Jan P , Karabatak Elif , Danner Danielle-Justine , Tangermann Simone , Kenner Lukas , Jumaa Hassan , Greil Richard , Börries Melanie , Ruppert Raphael , Maity Palash C , Hartmann Tanja Nicole
Published: December 2021

Integrin-mediated interactions between hematopoietic cells and their microenvironment are important for the development and function of immune cells. Here, the role of the integrin adaptor Kindlin-3 in B cell homeostasis is studied. Comparing the individual steps of B cell development in B cell-specific Kindlin-3 or alpha4 integrin knockout mice, we found in both conditions a phenotype of reduced late immature, mature, and recirculating B cells in the bone marrow. In the spleen, constitutive B cell-specific Kindlin-3 knockout caused a loss of marginal zone B cells and an unexpected expansion of follicular B cells. Alpha4 integrin deficiency did not induce this phenotype. In Kindlin-3 knockout B cells VLA-4 as well as LFA-1-mediated adhesion was abrogated, and short-term homing of these cells in vivo was redirected to the spleen. Upon inducible Kindlin-3 knockout, marginal zone B cells were lost due to defective retention within 2 weeks, while follicular B cell numbers were unaltered. Kindlin-3 deficient follicular B cells displayed higher IgD, CD40, CD44, CXCR5, and EBI2 levels, and elevated PI3K signaling upon CXCR5 stimulation. They also showed transcriptional signatures of spontaneous follicular B cell activation. This activation manifested in scattered germinal centers in situ, early plasmablasts differentiation, and signs of IgG class switch.
Omicron variant genome evolution and phylogenetics
Authors: Kandeel Mahmoud , Mohamed Maged E. M. , Abd El‐Lateef Hany M. , Venugopala Katharigatta N. , El‐Beltagi Hossam S.
Published: December 2021

Following the discovery of the SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529), the global COVID‐19 outbreak has resurfaced after appearing to be relentlessly spreading over the past 2 years. This new variant showed marked degree of mutation, compared with the previous SARS‐CoV‐2 variants. This study investigates the evolutionary links between Omicron variant and recently emerged SARS‐CoV‐2 variants. The entire genome sequences of SARS‐CoV‐2 variants were obtained, aligned using Clustal Omega, pairwise comparison was computed, differences, identity percent, gaps, and mutations were noted, and the identity matrix was generated. The phylogenetics of Omicron variants were determined using a variety of evolutionary substitution models. The ultrametric and metric clustering methods, such as UPGMA and neighbor‐joining (NJ), using nucleotide substitution models that allowed the inclusion of nucleotide transitions and transversions as Kimura 80 models, revealed that the Omicron variant forms a new monophyletic clade that is distant from other SARS‐CoV‐2 variants. In contrast, the NJ method using a basic nucleotide substitution model such as Jukes–Cantor revealed a close relationship between the Omicron variant and the recently evolved Alpha variant. Based on the percentage of sequence identity, the closest variants were in the following order: Omicron, Alpha, Gamma, Delta, Beta, Mu, and then the SARS‐CoV‐2 USA isolate. A genome alignment with other variants indicated the greatest number of gaps in the Omicron variant's genome ranging from 43 to 63 gaps. It is possible, given their close relationship to the Alpha variety, that Omicron has been around for much longer than predicted, even though they created a separate monophyletic group. Sequencing initiatives in a systematic and comprehensive manner is highly recommended to study the evolution and mutations of the virus.
Probabilistic El Niño effect on flood damages assessment
Authors: Hooshyaripor Farhad
Published: December 2021

Flood ranks as the first natural disaster that causes economic losses to human societies. Meanwhile, Iran was reported to be the third country in the world with a high number of affected populations from the flood. In this article, a risk base analysis has been performed to investigate the probable influence of El Niño on the flood damages in Kan River basin (KRB). Doing so, annual precipitation data and Southern Oscillation Index values were gathered for 66 years from 1951 to 2017, then the precipitation change (PC) factor was calculated for every El Niño year. Using a cumulative distribution function of Gumble type fitted on the PC values El Niño changes the precipitation by −10, 8.2, and 31% with 30, 60, and 90% probability levels, respectively. It means that in limited cases El Niño has decreased the flood severity. Also, it could be interpreted that El Niño's influence on the precipitation intensity has been less than +31% by 90% probability and it is less than +8.2% by 60% probability. Considering the PC values with different probabilities, hydrologic and hydraulic models were used to evaluate the runoff, inundation areas, and economic losses to different properties located in the KRB. To have estimates of economic losses as a result of changed precipitation due to El Niño, the damage‐depth curves method was used. Flood damage assessment showed that the expected damage cost of a 50‐year flood has been reduced as much as −21.77% by a 30% probability. On the other hand, the flood damages may grow up to 40.94 and 73.74%, respectively, by 60 and 90% probability.
Reverse‐Bayes methods for evidence assessment and research synthesis
Authors: Held Leonhard , Matthews Robert , Ott Manuela , Pawel Samuel
Published: December 2021

It is now widely accepted that the standard inferential toolkit used by the scientific research community—null‐hypothesis significance testing (NHST)—is not fit for purpose. Yet despite the threat posed to the scientific enterprise, there is no agreement concerning alternative approaches for evidence assessment. This lack of consensus reflects long‐standing issues concerning Bayesian methods, the principal alternative to NHST. We report on recent work that builds on an approach to inference put forward over 70 years ago to address the well‐known “Problem of Priors” in Bayesian analysis, by reversing the conventional prior‐likelihood‐posterior (“forward”) use of Bayes' theorem. Such Reverse‐Bayes analysis allows priors to be deduced from the likelihood by requiring that the posterior achieve a specified level of credibility. We summarise the technical underpinning of this approach, and show how it opens up new approaches to common inferential challenges, such as assessing the credibility of scientific findings, setting them in appropriate context, estimating the probability of successful replications, and extracting more insight from NHST while reducing the risk of misinterpretation. We argue that Reverse‐Bayes methods have a key role to play in making Bayesian methods more accessible and attractive for evidence assessment and research synthesis. As a running example we consider a recently published meta‐analysis from several randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the association between corticosteroids and mortality in hospitalised patients with COVID‐19.
Supercritical fluid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry employed with evaporation‐free liquid–liquid extraction for the rapid analysis of cinnarizine in rat plasma
Authors: Zhang Jiaming , Zhang Yu , Liu Xiaoyu , Xu Xiaolan , Li Yingchao , Zhang Tianhong
Published: December 2021

Cinnarizine is a weak base, which can produce supersaturation and precipitation during gastrointestinal transit, affecting its absorption in vivo. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate whether the oral bioavailability of cinnarizine can be improved after co‐administration with precipitation inhibitors or not. In order to evaluate the pharmacokinetic behavior of cinnarizine in rats, a simple, rapid, sensitive, and environmentally friendly supercritical fluid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometric method was established and validated. In this method, flunarizine, a structural analogue of cinnarizine, was selected as the internal standard, and cinnarizine was extracted from rat plasma using evaporation‐free liquid–liquid extraction method. The analytes were separated on a Torus 1‐AA column (3.0 mm × 100 mm, 1.7 μm) within 2.0 min, using a gradient elution procedure. The transitions of cinnarizine and flunarizine were m/z 369.1 → 167.1 and m/z 405.1 → 203.1, respectively. Cinnarizine showed good linear correlation in the range of 1–500 ng/ml with a lower limit of quantification of 1 ng/ml. The intra‐ and interday precision and accuracy of all quality control samples were within ±15%. This high‐throughput, accurate, sensitive, and reproducible method has been successfully applied to study the effects of the precipitation inhibitor cinnarizine on the pharmacokinetics in rats.
Fiber Optofluidic Microlasers: Structures, Characteristics, and Applications
Authors: Yang Xi , Gong Chaoyang , Zhang Chenlin , Wang Yanqiong , Yan Guo‐Feng , Wei Lei , Chen Yu‐Cheng , Rao Yun‐Jiang , Gong Yuan
Published: December 2021

Herein, recent progress in fiber optofluidic lasers and their applications in biochemical detection are reviewed. The unique properties of optical fibers are introduced for the development of optofluidic microlasers, including high quality factor, small mode volume, high aspect ratio, high reproducibility, and low cost. Optical fiber microresonators based on Fabry–Pérot cavity, microring resonator or photonic bandgap cavity are highlighted to provide optical feedback for optofluidic lasing. For applications, the capability of fiber optofluidic lasers is emphasized to perform biochemical analysis with ultrahigh sensitivity, fast response, high throughput, and disposable optical biodetection. The challenges and prospects for fiber optofluidic lasers are also discussed.
Microstructure and corrosion resistance characteristics of Ti–AlN composite produced by selective laser melting
Authors: Chlewicka Monika , Dobkowska Anna , Sitek Ryszard , Adamczyk‐Cieślak Bogusława , Mizera Jarosław
Published: December 2021

The aim of this study is to produce Ti–AlN via selective laser melting. The results show that the microstructure of the produced alloy is not uniform. The X‐ray diffraction measurements show that the Ti–AlN composite is composed of a Ti matrix, AlN compounds, as well as (TiN)0.88, Al6Ti19, and Al1.1Ti0.9 intermetallics. The as‐printed Ti–AlN is also composed of dendrites of two typical titanium nitrides (TiN and Ti2N) and titanium aluminum nitride (Ti2AlN). Subsequent quenching and annealing slightly change the phase composition of the alloy and is the main reason for their different corrosion behaviors in acidic and chloride‐containing solutions. The results of this study show that the formation of Al‐rich ternary phases improved the corrosion resistance of the three‐dimensional‐printed Ti–AlN after quenching.
Multiplicity of positive solutions for singular elliptic problems
Authors: Orpel Aleksandra
Published: December 2021

We consider the following nonlinear singular elliptic equation
where , . Our main purpose is to prove the existence of a large number of positive solutions with the asymptotic decay as . We also investigate the rate of decay of . These results are based on the sub and supersolution method and cover both sublinear and superlinear cases of f.
U.S. Surgeon general urges immediate action for ‘devastating’ youth MH crisis
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: December 2021

In an unprecedented move, the U.S. surgeon general's office issued a new advisory calling for a swift, coordinated response to address the children's mental health crisis amid COVID‐19. The advisory follows a recent declaration of a national mental health emergency for children and teens by three leading health organizations.
Partnership with hospital reduces wait times for student MH services
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: December 2021

A partnership that was piloted in five New York school districts in early 2020 to offer students more rapid access to needed mental health services has now expanded to 17 districts in Nassau County and Queens and two clinic sites, and participants say it could not have come at a better time amid continually soaring demand for youth mental health care.
On‐chip near‐infrared absorption enhancement of liquid water using chalcogenide waveguide with silver island film
Authors: Pi Mingquan , Ji Jialin , Zheng Chuantao , Li Xiuying , Zhao Huan , Peng Zihang , Lang Jiaming , Zhang Yu , Wang Yiding , Tittel Frank K.
Published: December 2021

For optical waveguide sensor based on evanescent field, the limitation of the light intensity caused by the waveguide loss leads to a short interaction length. Increasing external confinement factor can increase absorbance to overcome this problem. A chalcogenide waveguide was proposed for water absorption measurement, whose core layer was fabricated by lift‐off method. Silver island film was fabricated on the surface of core layer by oblique angle deposition method, which was used to introduce surface‐enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) effect. The surface morphology of the metal island structure with different thicknesses were characterized. Liquid water was used as the analyte. The sensor with 1.8 nm thick silver island film had the largest absorbance enhancement factor (>2.1) with an increased waveguide loss of only 1 dB/cm. The SEIRA effect using metal island film can also be used in slot waveguide or suspended waveguide to further achieve better performance.
Myonuclear apoptosis via cleaved caspase‐3 upregulation is related to macrophage accumulation underlying immobilization‐induced muscle fibrosis
Authors: Tanaka Natsumi , Honda Yuichiro , Kajiwara Yasuhiro , Kataoka Hideki , Origuchi Tomoki , Sakamoto Junya , Okita Minoru
Published: December 2021

Introduction/Aims

Although macrophage accumulation plays a key role in the development of immobilization‐induced muscle fibrosis, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, we focused on the alterations of myonuclear apoptosis via cleaved caspase‐3, and investigated whether these changes may be related to macrophage accumulation.

Methods

Eight‐week‐old Wistar rats were divided into immobilization and control groups, and the soleus muscles were selected for analysis.

Results

The mRNA and protein expression of collagen and the number of CD11b‐positive cells were significantly higher in the immobilized rats than in the control rats at 1 and 2 weeks. TdT‐mediated dUTP nick end‐labeling (TUNEL)‐positive myonuclei counts in 1‐ and 2‐week control rats were 0.2 ± 0.1 and 0.2 ± 0.5, whereas they were 1.0 ± 0.6 and 1.1 ± 0.5 in 1‐ and 2‐week immobilized rats. The cleaved caspase‐3 protein expressions in 1‐ and 2‐week control rats were 0.2 ± 0.1 and 0.2 ± 0.1, whereas they were 0.5 ± 0.1 and 0.4 ± 0.2 in 1‐ and 2‐week immobilized rats. TUNEL‐positive myonuclei counts and cleaved caspase‐3 protein expression were significantly higher in immobilized rats than in control rats at 1 and 2 weeks. The numbers of myonuclei in 1‐ and 2‐week control rats were 2.8 ± 0.1 and 2.6 ± 0.4, whereas they were 2.2 ± 0.4 and 2.2 ± 0.2 in 1‐ and 2‐week immobilized rats. The numbers of myonuclei were significantly lower in immobilized than in control rats at both time‐points.

Discussion

Myonuclear apoptosis via the upregulation of cleaved caspase‐3 might induce macrophage accumulation. These alterations are related to immobilization‐induced muscle fibrosis.
Effects of COVID‐19 lockdown on lifestyle behaviors in children with obesity: Longitudinal study update
Authors: Pietrobelli Angelo , Fearnbach Nicole , Ferruzzi Alessandro , Vrech Massimiliano , Heo Moonseong , Faith Myles , Pecoraro Luca , Zoller Thomas , Antoniazzi Franco , Piacentini Giorgio , Heymsfield Steven B.
Published: December 2021

Objective

A previous report from our group identified directionally unfavorable dietary and lifestyle behavior trends in longitudinally monitored children and adolescents with obesity early in the COVID‐19 pandemic lockdown. The current study aimed at extending these previous observations in youths with obesity on the dietary and lifestyle behavioral consequences of the extended COVID‐19 lockdown in Verona, Italy.

Methods

The sample included 32 children and adolescents with obesity participating in the longitudinal OBELIX study. Diet and lifestyle information were collected pre‐pandemic, 3 weeks into the national lockdown, and 9 months later when home confinement continued to be mandatory. Changes in outcomes over the study time points were evaluated for significance using repeated‐measures ANOVA and post‐hoc pairwise t‐tests with Bonferroni corrections.

Results

As previously reported, meals/day, fried potato intake, and red meat ingestion increased significantly (p < 0.001) during the initial lockdown. Sleep time and screen time increased and sports participation decreased significantly (p < 0.001) during the initial lockdown. These changes in health behaviors remained significantly different from baseline at the second lockdown assessment, with the exception sleep time returned to baseline levels.

Conclusions

Unfavorable diet and lifestyle behavioral changes in response to the initial COVID‐19 lockdown in children and adolescents with obesity have largely been sustained over the course of the pandemic. There is an urgent need to intervene on these behaviors to prevent further deleterious effects on long‐term child health; access to weight management care is critically important for these children. In addition to intervening on these behaviors, our findings should help to inform ongoing lockdown policies.
Digitalization and e‐government in the lives of urban migrants: Evidence from Bogotá
Authors: Martin‐Shields Charles P. , Camacho Sonia , Taborda Rodrigo , Ruhe Constantin
Published: December 2021

Research on the role of information and communication technologies (ICT) to improve the lives of migrants is a growing field. However, studies in this area have been conducted mainly in wealthy countries, with municipalities that are capable of supporting migrants or refugees. There is less evidence from middle‐income host countries and how ICTs can help migrants in their resettlement efforts. To address this gap, this study examines ICT access and the use of e‐government services by Venezuelan migrants in Colombia and compares this group with short‐ and long‐term residents of Bogotá. The descriptive analysis of the data reveals that, after controlling for demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, foreign migrants are less likely to own ICT devices compared to short‐ and long‐term residents, but over time do acquire ICT access. In addition, Venezuelan migrants are less likely to use e‐government services than their local peers even after controlling for demographic characteristics and internet access, with the exception of address registration. The results indicate that ICT access is not a sufficient condition for migrants to access e‐government services and there is a need for policy coordination to reduce bureaucratic “red tape” that may diminish migrants’ likelihood of accessing to e‐government services.
A time‐varying network model for sexually transmitted infections accounting for behavior and control actions
Authors: Frieswijk Kathinka , Zino Lorenzo , Cao Ming
Published: December 2021

In this article, we propose a stochastic network model for the spread of common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The model expands the standard susceptible–infected–susceptible model by incorporating asymptomatic infected individuals—who are unaware that they are posing a health threat to themselves and the population—and individuals' behavioral preferences with regard to the use of protective measures during encounters. Behavioral preferences evolve according to a nontrivial mechanism accounting for the cost of using protection, the perceived risk, and persuasive effects due to sexual encounters with different‐minded individuals. The disease spreads on a time‐varying network of sexual contacts, generated using a mechanism inspired by continuous‐time activity‐driven networks. Such a network accounts for regular partners and casual encounters, which are regulated by a negotiation process that accounts for the individuals' behavioral preferences. Finally, three control measures are included in the model: (i) condom (social) marketing campaigns, (ii) routine screening at STI clinics, and (iii) partner notification. We use a mean‐field approach to analytically derive the epidemic threshold in the limit of large‐scale populations, in the absence of a partner network, for two distinct negotiation processes. Our results indicate that routine screening is key to the eradication of local outbreaks, while condom marketing campaigns become effective only when combined with screening. Monte Carlo simulations are then employed to extend our analytical findings, casting lights on the role of the partner network and on partner notification as a control measure in the spread of STIs.
Nanostructured Conductive Metal Organic Frameworks for Sustainable Low Charge Overpotentials in Li–Air Batteries
Authors: Majidi Leily , Ahmadiparidari Alireza , Shan Nannan , Kumar Singh Sachin , Zhang Chengji , Huang Zhehao , Rastegar Sina , Kumar Khagesh , Hemmat Zahra , Ngo Anh T. , Zapol Peter , Cabana Jordi , Subramanian Arunkumar , Curtiss Larry A. , Salehi‐Khojin Amin
Published: December 2021

Lithium–oxygen batteries are among the most attractive alternatives for future electrified transportation. However, their practical application is hindered by many obstacles. Due to the insulating nature of Li2O2 product and the slow kinetics of reactions, attaining sustainable low charge overpotentials at high rates becomes a challenge resulting in the battery's early failure and low round trip efficiency. Herein, outstanding characteristics are discovered of a conductive metal organic framework (c‐MOF) that promotes the growth of nanocrystalline Li2O2 with amorphous regions. This provides a platform for the continuous growth of Li2O2 units away from framework, enabling a fast discharge at high current rates. Moreover, the Li2O2 structure works in synergy with the redox mediator (RM). The conductivity of the amorphous regions of the Li2O2 allows the RM to act directly on the Li2O2 surface instead of catalyst edges and then transport through the electrolyte to the Li2O2 surface. This direct charge transfer enables a small charge potential of <3.7 V under high current densities (1–2 A g−1) sustained for a long cycle life (100–300 cycles) for large capacities (1000–2000 mAh g−1). These results open a new direction for utilizing c‐MOFs towards advanced energy storage systems.
Engineering Bimodal Oxygen Vacancies and Pt to Boost the Activity Toward Water Dissociation
Authors: Shen Ruofan , Liu Yanyan , Wen Hao , Wu Xianli , Han Guosheng , Yue Xinzheng , Mehdi Sehrish , Liu Tao , Cao Huaqiang , Liang Erjun , Li Baojun
Published: December 2021

Water dissociation is the rate‐limiting step of several energy‐related reactions due to the high energy barrier required for breaking the oxygen–hydrogen bond. In this work, a bimodal oxygen vacancy (VO) catalysis strategy is adopted to boost the efficient water dissociation on Pt nanoparticles. The single facet‐exposed TiO2 surface and NiOx nanocluster possess two modes of VO different from each other. In ammonia borane hydrolysis, the highest catalytic activity among Pt‐based materials is achieved with the turnover frequency of 618 min−1 under alkaline‐free conditions at 298 K. Theoretical simulation and characterization analyses reveal that the bimodal VO significantly promotes the water dissociation in two ways. First, an ensemble‐inducing effect of Pt and VO in TiO2 drives the activation of water molecules. Second, an electron promoter effect induced by the electron transfer from VO in NiOx to Pt further enhances the ability of Pt to dissociate water and ammonia borane. This insight into bimodal VO catalysis establishes a new avenue to rationally design heterogeneous catalytic materials in the energy chemistry field.
Bacterially Synthesized Tellurium Nanorods for Elimination of Advanced Malignant Tumor by Photothermal Immunotherapy
Authors: Yao Yuzhu , Li Jianye , Li Puze , Wang Dongdong , Bao Wei , Xiao Yi , Chen Xue , He Shuaicheng , Hu Jun , Yang Xiangliang
Published: December 2021

Probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) are employed as a bioreactor for intracellularly synthesizing tellurium nanorods (TeNRs) providing a biohybrid therapeutic platform (Te@EcN) for the elimination of advanced malignant tumor by photothermal immunotherapy. Te@EcN is found to possess superior photothermal property upon near‐infrared irradiation, and can efficiently accumulate and retain in tumors, although EcN loses proliferation ability after the synthesis of TeNRs, thus inducing considerable immunogenic tumor cell death. Under co‐stimulation by EcN acting as immunoadjuvants, maturation of dendritic cells and priming of cytotoxic T cells are largely promoted. In addition, Te@EcN can reprogram tumor‐associated macrophages to ameliorate the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Thus, tumor metastasis and recurrence can be efficiently suppressed. Most importantly, owing to the non‐pathogenicity of probiotic EcN and their non‐proliferative characteristics after TeNRs synthesis, Te@EcN is found to be rapidly metabolized and cleared from the normal tissues, showing very slight acute side effects in healthy mice even at a relatively high administration dose. Therefore, the proposed combined therapeutic strategy based on bacteria‐synthesized TeNRs may find great potential in improving bacteria‐mediated tumor therapy with increased antitumor efficacy and reduced toxicity.
High‐Performance Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Battery Based on an Al0.35Mn2.52O4 Cathode: A Design Strategy from Defect Engineering and Atomic Composition Tuning
Authors: Wang Denghu , Zhang Siqi , Li Chunguang , Chen Xiaobo , Zhang Wei , Ge Xin , Lin Haibo , Shi Zhan , Feng Shouhua
Published: December 2021

Rechargeable zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs), which adopt mild aqueous electrolytes with high power density and safety, have received significant interest. As the most widely used cathode material for ZIBs, manganese‐based oxide has poor rate performance owing to its low electronic conductivity and slow ion diffusion kinetics. In this study, using the synergistic regulation strategy of defect engineering and atomic composition tuning, a mesoporous Al0.35Mn2.52O4 with an ultrahigh surface area (up to 82 m2 g−1) is fabricated through Al substitution in the Mn3O4, followed by an Al‐selective leaching process. During the entire process, numerous defects are obtained in the spinel structure by removing ≈30% of the Al cations. Al substitution can improve the material conductivity, while cation defects can weaken the electrostatic effect and promote ion diffusion ability. Therefore, the Al0.35Mn2.52O4 cathode of ZIBs exhibits a high reversible capacity of 302 mAh g−1 at a current density of 100 mA g−1. Furthermore, the reversible capacity remains at 147 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles at a current density of 1500 mA g−1. This synergistic regulation of atomic composition tuning and defect engineering provides a new perspective for improving the performance of electrode materials in ZIBs.
Ultrathin and High‐Modulus LiBO2 Layer Highly Elevates the Interfacial Dynamics and Stability of Lithium Anode under Wide Temperature Range
Authors: Li Song , Wang Xian‐Shu , Han Bing , Lai Chen , Shi Pei‐Ran , Ma Jia‐Bin , Wang Shu‐Wei , Zhang Li‐Han , Liu Qi , Deng Yong‐Hong , He Yan‐Bing , Yang Quan‐Hong
Published: December 2021

Lithium (Li) metal batteries (LMBs) face huge challenges to achieve long cycling life at wide temperature range owing to the severe dendrite growth at subambient temperature and the intense side reactions with electrolyte at high temperature. Herein, an ultrathin LiBO2 layer with an extremely high Young's modulus of 8.0 GPa is constructed on Li anode via an in situ reaction between Li metal and 4,4,5,5‐tetramethyl‐1,3,2‐dioxa‐borolane (TDB) to form LiBO2@Li anode, which presents two times higher exchange current density than pristine Li anode. The LiBO2 layer presents a strong absorption to Li ions and greatly improves the interfacial dynamics of Li‐ion migration, which induces homogenous lithium nucleation and deposition to form a dense lithium layer. Consequently, the Li dendrite growth during cycling at subambient temperature and the side reactions with electrolyte at high temperature are simultaneously suppressed. The LiBO2@Li/LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811) full batteries with limited Li capacity and high cathode mass loading of 9.9 mg cm–2 can steadily cycle for 300 cycles with a capacity retention of 86.6%. The LiBO2@Li/NCM811 full batteries and LiBO2@Li/LiBO2@Li symmetric batteries also present excellent cycling performance at both −20 and 60 °C. This work develops a strategy to achieve outstanding performance of LMBs at wide working temperature‐range.
Effects of Nitrogen on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Fe–28Mn–10Al–0.8C Low‐Density Steel
Authors: Guo Shuai , Zhu Hangyu , Zhao Jixuan , Song Mingming , Li Jianli , Xue Zhengliang
Published: December 2021

Herein, the relationships among nitrogen content, inclusion characteristics, microstructure, and mechanical properties of low‐density steel are investigated. The austenite grain size is refined with nitrogen addition to the low‐density steel, and the ultimate tensile strength, plasticity, fracture toughness, and impact toughness are distinctly enhanced. However, the yield strength decreases due to a decrease in the ferrite content with nitrogen addition. AlN is determined to be the main inclusion in the high‐nitrogen low‐density steel, and the number percentage of AlN that is less than 2 μm reaches 84%, which promotes the refinement of austenite grains. In addition, aggregated AlN inclusions in the dimples of the steel are observed, which are generated during the smelting process, and the aggregated AlN inclusions tend to cause crack initiation in the low‐density steel.
Effects of Antler Point Restrictions on Deer Harvest in New York
Authors: Kellner Kenneth F. , Hurst Jeremy E. , Kramer David W. , Belant Jerrold L.
Published: December 2021

Managing game species can require balancing multiple social and conservation goals. For many game species, including white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), harvest is the primary tool for management of population abundance. Hunter interest in harvesting older male deer has encouraged managers to find ways to protect younger deer and recruit them into older age classes. Antler point restrictions (APRs) that protect some yearling antlered deer from harvest can be implemented to increase the availability of older, larger‐antlered deer for hunters. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) implemented mandatory APRs in 2 adjacent areas of the state, one beginning in 2005 and the other in 2012. We predicted that APRs would decrease the proportion of yearling antlered deer in the harvest. We also predicted that APRs might result in an increase in the harvest of antlerless deer and harvest success on Deer Management Permits (DMPs), which are permits issued by the DEC that allow harvest of antlerless deer and are used to manage deer population size. We collected harvest information during 2003–2016 from the 2 areas with APRs and from adjacent areas that did not have APRs. The proportion of yearlings in the harvest was initially 51% and 58% in the 2005 and 2012 APR areas, respectively, and declined to 13% and 19% respectively after 5 years. Antler point restrictions did not affect the harvest of antlerless deer or DMP success. Although APRs successfully reduced the proportion of yearlings in the antlered harvest, we also observed a smaller decline (from 62% to 45%) over the same time period in the proportion of yearlings in the harvest in areas adjacent to the 2005 APR. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.
Making: Laboratory and Active Learning Perspectives
Authors: Di Stasio Margherita
Published: December 2021

In a world where technology is an ordinary part of everyday life, it is particularly important for making, coding, and educational robotics to feature in school programs. On one hand, the construction elements that are peculiar to digital fabrication make the pedagogical perspective active; on the other, they can support the development of active teaching practices. Although it appears to be a kind of revolution, something that is absolutely new, on deeper reflection, it is clear that making and coding can play a role in school as part of an important pedagogical tradition.
Scalar-tensor theories within Asymptotic Safety
Authors: Laporte Cristobal , Pereira Antonio D. , Saueressig Frank , Wang Jian
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Asymptotic Safety provides an elegant mechanism for obtaining a consistent high-energy completion of gravity and gravity-matter systems. Following the initial idea by Steven Weinberg, the construction builds on an interacting fixed point of the theories renormalization group (RG) flow. In this work we use the Wetterich equation for the effective average action to investigate the RG flow of gravity supplemented by a real scalar field. We give a non-perturbative proof that the subspace of interactions respecting the global shift-symmetry of the scalar kinetic term is closed under RG transformations. Subsequently, we compute the beta functions in an approximation comprising the Einstein-Hilbert action supplemented by the shift-symmetric quartic scalar self-interaction and the two lowest order shift-symmetric interactions coupling scalar-bilinears to the spacetime curvature. The computation utilizes the background field method with an arbitrary background, demonstrating that the results are manifestly background independent. Our beta functions exhibit an interacting fixed point suitable for Asymptotic Safety, where all matter interactions are non-vanishing. The presence of this fixed point is rooted in the interplay of the matter couplings which our work tracks for the first time. The relation of our findings with previous results in the literature is discussed in detail and we conclude with a brief outlook on potential phenomenological applications.
Construction of two-dimensional topological field theories with non-invertible symmetries
Authors: Huang Tzu-Chen , Lin Ying-Hsuan , Seifnashri Sahand
Published: December 2021

Abstract

We construct the defining data of two-dimensional topological field theories (TFTs) enriched by non-invertible symmetries/topological defect lines. Simple formulae for the three-point functions and the lasso two-point functions are derived, and crossing symmetry is proven. The key ingredients are open-to-closed maps and a boundary crossing relation, by which we show that a diagonal basis exists in the defect Hilbert spaces. We then introduce regular TFTs, provide their explicit constructions for the Fibonacci, Ising and Haagerup ℋ3 fusion categories, and match our formulae with previous bootstrap results. We end by explaining how non-regular TFTs are obtained from regular TFTs via generalized gauging.
Nonperturbative effects in the Standard Model with gauged 1-form symmetry
Authors: Anber Mohamed M. , Poppitz Erich
Published: December 2021

Abstract

We study the Standard Model with gauged $$ {\mathrm{\mathbb{Z}}}_{N=2,3,6}^{(1)} $$

ℤ

N
=
2
,
3
,
6

1

subgroups of its $$ {\mathrm{\mathbb{Z}}}_6^{(1)} $$

ℤ
6

1

1-form global symmetry, making the gauge group $$ \frac{\mathrm{SU}(3)\times \mathrm{SU}(2)\times \mathrm{U}(1)}{{\mathrm{\mathbb{Z}}}_N} $$

SU

3

×
SU

2

×
U

1

ℤ
N

. We show that, on a finite $$ {\mathbbm{T}}^3 $$

T
3

, there are self-dual instantons of fractional topological charge. They mediate baryon- and lepton-number violating processes. We compare their amplitudes to the ones due to the usual BPST-instantons. We find that the small hypercharge coupling suppresses the fractional-instanton contribution, unless the torus size is taken sub-Planckian, or extra matter is added above the weak scale. We also discuss these results in light of the cosmological bounds on the torus size.
Spherical gravitational waves and quasi-spherical waves scattered from black string in massive gravity
Authors: Zhang Hongsheng , Huang Yang
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Spherical gravitational wave is strictly forbidden in vacuum space in frame of general relativity by the Birkhoff theorem. We prove that spherical gravitational waves do exist in non-linear massive gravity, and find the exact solution with a special singular reference metric. Further more, we find exact gravitational wave solution with a singular string by meticulous studies of familiar equation, in which the horizon becomes non-compact. We analyze the properties of the congruence of graviton rays of these wave solution. We clarify subtle points of dispersion relation, velocity and mass of graviton in massive gravity with linear perturbations. We find that the graviton ray can be null in massive gravity by considering full back reaction of the massive gravitational waves to the metric. We demonstrate that massive gravity has deep and fundamental discrepancy from general relativity, for whatever a tiny mass of the graviton.