bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrative analysis of PTEN‐related hub genes and validating drug targets for colorectal cancer
Authors: Wang Gang , Zhu Zhi Min , Wang Kun
Published: February 2024

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a heterogeneous disease and one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide. Previous research has indicated that phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)‐related genes found in CRC may serve as potential biomarkers for individualized treatment options. The present study aimed to examine the association between PTEN‐related genes and the prognosis of CRC patients by evaluating the significance of PTEN‐related hub genes and determining potential mechanisms and genes associated with them. Gene expression profiles and clinical information were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. At present, PTEN mutations have been identified in 7% of CRC patients, according to the most recent TCGA data. Differential expression analysis revealed 54 genes as differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between PTEN‐related genes and GEO databases (GSE39582 and GSE6263). Further gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were conducted on PTEN‐related DEGs. The prognostic efficacy of the PTEN‐related DEG signature was assessed using Kaplan–Meier survival and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses. Bioinformatics methods were utilized to analyze the correlation between PTEN‐related DEGs and CRC prognosis, survival, and drug efficacy. Through these analyses, eight prognostic‐related PTEN‐related hub genes (PPARGC1A, NTRK2, ANK2, PLCB4, STC2, PLAU, CDKN1A, and HPGDS) were identified and a risk prognosis model was constructed. Notably, NTRK2 and HPGDS were found to affect drug treatment response in CRC. Targeting these prognostic‐related PTEN‐related hub genes can regulate cell death signaling, which may benefit the prognosis of CRC patients and improve drug sensitivity.
A chylothorax in a young woman: The difficulties of medical management
Authors: Barton Eleanor C. , Johnson Simon , Collin Neil , Bhatt Nidhi , Maskell Nick A.
Published: February 2024

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis is a rare pulmonary disease affecting women of childbearing age. Whilst chylothorax is a well‐recognized complication of the condition, management strategies aren't well‐defined, have low success rates and are often only available at tertiary or specialist centres. We describe a case of a young woman referred to pleural clinic with a chylous effusion found to be secondary to lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Initial medical management was unsuccessful and recurrent drainages caused significant complications. Remission was ultimately achieved with a combination of mTOR inhibitors and interventional radiology techniques.
On policy iteration‐based discounted optimal control
Authors: Dong Botao , Huang Longyang , Ma Xiwen , Zhang Weidong
Published: February 2024

This article investigates the policy iteration (PI) method for the discounted optimal control (DOC) problem of continuous‐time linear systems. We show the properties and convergence of the PI method. The theory analysis shows that the convergence of PI can be ensured without requiring the initial admissible control gain. The convergence rate of the PI method is provided. An iteration‐termination criterion is established for detecting the stability of the closed‐loop system under the control gain obtained by executing PI. Two kinds of data‐driven implementations are constructed without using prior information of the system dynamics. A simulation example is presented to validated the properties of the PI method.
Adaptive finite‐time control for a class of stochastic nonlinear systems with input saturation constraints: A new approach based on multidimensional Taylor network
Authors: Han Yu‐Qun , Sun Jing‐Jing
Published: February 2024

This article proposes a novel multidimensional Taylor network (MTN)‐based adaptive finite‐time control approach for stochastic nonlinear systems with input saturation constraints. First, by introducing the hyperbolic tangent function, a piecewise smooth function is proposed to approximate the input saturation constraints, which can solve the problem caused by input saturation. Then, with the aid of MTN approximation theorem, a novel adaptive finite‐time control approach is proposed, which can guarantee that all signals of the closed‐loop system are semi‐globally finite‐time stability in probability (SGFTSP), the system output follows the given reference signal, meanwhile, the tracking error converges to a small neighborhood of the origin in finite‐time. Compared with the existing results, the proposed approach has the characteristics of simple structure and low calculation, which can achieve the satisfactory control performance with a reduced computational burden. In the end, the effectiveness of the proposed approach is validated by Lyapunov stability theory and two simulation experiments.
Integration of water and sanitation facilities programs for menstruation management: a focus on university planning and budgeting processes at Kyambogo University, Uganda
Authors: Nassozi Pomlet , Opit Elizabeth , Kebirung Harriet , Muweesi Charles , Sserwadda Lawrence
Published: February 2024

This study investigated the integration of water and sanitation facilities' programs for menstruation management with a focus on university planning and budgeting processes at Kyambogo University. The study employed qualitative methods of data collection and analysis from students and members of the university's top management. Findings revealed that there is limited engagement of female and male students in the budgeting and planning of water and sanitation facilities for menstruation management by the estates department; more so, the generic budget does not adequately cover all the requirements for menstruation management by female students, and female students perceive water and sanitation facilities for menstruation management as generally available but inaccessible and unacceptable in various ways. Thus, the study generates knowledge about the status of water and sanitation facilities for menstruation management to enable female students to participate in academic activities in higher education institutions by recommending that the Directorate of Planning and Development at Kyambogo University should promote a participatory and gender‐equity inclusive plan and budget that ensures that water and sanitation facilities for menstruation management become an integral aspect in planning and budgeting processes of the estates department. The university should equitably improve the current status of water and sanitation facilities for menstruation management by providing specific water in toilet rooms including changing rooms, replacement of broken doors to provide privacy, and other required facilities to enhance effective menstruation management.
Experimental determination of reference intensity ratio essential for accurate thickness measurement of HfO2 ultrathin films by XPS
Authors: Zhang Lulu , Azuma Yasushi , Kurokawa Akira , Matsuzaki Hiroyuki
Published: February 2024

When measuring the thickness of ultrathin overlayer films using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), accurate values of the reference intensity ratio (R0) and the effective attenuation length (L) are essential. By definition, R0 is the peak intensity ratio for an overlayer and the substrate in “bulk” phases. Two issues need to be addressed in experimental determining R0 for ultrathin films: (i) How might a contamination layer on the sample used for measuring peak intensities impact R0? And (ii) do differences in the structure or chemistry of an ultrathin film make it inappropriate to determine R0 using bulk forms of the overlayer? In this study, we demonstrate the experimental determination of the R0 for an ultrathin HfO2 film on a Si(100) substrate with a 2 nm SiO2 layer. The values of R0 were determined using (i) the bulk materials of the HfO2 film and substrate and (ii) the ultrathin HfO2 films after different cleaning treatments. The results show that the R0 determined by the ultrathin films is higher than that determined by the bulk materials. Also, keeping the same level of carbonaceous contamination on the sample surface by cleaning as much as possible is essential for an accurate experimental determination of R0. In addition, the effective attenuation length was obtained using samples with known thicknesses measured by X‐ray reflectometry. The thicknesses and uncertainty budget of the ultrathin HfO2 films were then evaluated.
Tailoring Nitrogen‐Doped Activated Carbons: Central Composite Design for Enhanced CO2 Adsorption
Authors: Rangel‐Sequeda Jair F. , Loredo‐Cancino Margarita , Águeda‐Maté Vicente Ismael , Martínez‐Vargas Daniela Xulú
Published: February 2024

In a single step, nitrogen‐doped activated carbons have been synthesized using walnut shells and urea as precursors by chemical activation with K2CO3. The textural and elemental properties such as surface area, micropore volume, nitrogen content, and yield were optimized in a multivariable way using a central composite design of experiments 23, varying the urea‐nutshell ratio, K2CO3 ratio, and activation temperature. Activated carbon doped with the highest nitrogen presented a surface area of 895 m2 g−1, a micropore volume of 0.22 cm3 g−1, and a nitrogen content of 4.11 %. Furthermore, the yield of 13.85 % at urea impregnation ratio 1.56 gUrea gNutshell−1, activating agent ratio 1.4 gK2CO3 gCarbon−1, and temperature of 591 °C, being the temperature and the urea impregnation ratio the significant variables in the responses evaluated. The best‐activated carbon doped with nitrogen presented a CO2 adsorption capacity of 2.78 mol kg−1, reversible adsorption‐desorption, and selectivity against nitrogen of 33.2 molCO2/molN2, superior to a commercial activated carbon with similar textural properties at the same experimental conditions and being in the order of magnitude as activated carbons synthesized under similar conditions.
3He@C60 as a Concise Probe in Complex Systems: Diels‐Alder Reac‐tions of Fullerene with Different Bis Anthracene Compounds
Authors: Zhao Siqi , Wang Xiang , Xiong Xuewei , Zhou Jinrong , Liang Yong , Zhang Yanfei , Lin Yulin , Cross R. James , Su Peifeng , Sauders Martin , Haixu H. X.
Published: February 2024

Three bis‐anthracene (BA) compounds, characterized by varying alkyl chain lengths between the two anthracene groups, were synthesized and investigated using 3He NMR spectroscopy on He@C60 derivatives. The Diels‐Alder reaction of these BAs with fullerene was comprehensively explored. Findings disclosed that BAs with shorter linkers formed mono‐adducts with 3He@C60 at lower concentrations. Conversely, the BA compound with the longest linker (1 c) yielded both mono‐adducts and bis‐para‐adducts with C60, marked by a distinct 3He NMR signal peak for bis‐adducts at −12.84 ppm. Importantly, the versatility of the 3He@C60 probe was exemplified in characterizing intricate fullerene reactions that conventionally pose challenges. Theoretical analyses validated reaction products, with computational models substantiating experimental results.
Progress in Cobalt Complexes for Enabling Asymmetric Hydrogenation, H2 Production Catalysis and Alkene/Alkyne Hydro‐functionalization: A Review
Authors: Kumari Shalima , Thakur Maridula , Kumari Meena
Published: February 2024

The use of hydrogen as an alternate clean fuel over conventional fuels, in addition to its role in chemical industries giving rise to useful products like hydrocarbons, has been the subject of research for many years. The need for hydrogen gas production methods has ever since been in demand. This review offers a comprehensive exploration of applications of cobalt complexes in asymmetric hydrogenation, H2 production catalysis and the hydro‐functionalization of alkenes and alkynes. Cobalt metal stands out, particularly due to its distinctive involvement in potential single‐electron processes. The main objective of this review is to provide an insight into the role of cobalt‐based coordination complexes as catalysts in hydrogenation reactions. It delves into models for enantio‐induction and extensively investigates the role of cobalt complexes in hydrogen evolution and associated reactions. Cobalt selection as the central metal is attributed to its beneficial (II)/(III) redox couple state, which proves valuable in hydride transfer reactions. While the review is structured based on substrate types, its core focus lies in the mechanism‐driven exploration of catalytic systems. These catalytic systems exhibit versatility in facilitating the hydrogenation and hydro‐functionalization of various types of double bonds through the utilization of tridentate ligands.
Assessment of Electromagnetic Shielding Efficacy of Magnetic Metal Oxide Nanoparticles and their Application in Electromagnetic Shielding Paints
Authors: Demirci Gülay , Okuyucu Serdar , Hoda Numan , Topel Önder
Published: February 2024

People are continuously exposed to electromagnetic waves emitted by mobile phones, base stations, computers, household electrical appliances, and nearby devices. Shielding against electromagnetic radiation is of great importance to avoid potential adverse effects on human health. This study addresses the development of electromagnetic shielding paints containing magnetic metal oxide nanoparticles. Magnetic metal oxide nanoparticles with a spinel ferrite structure, namely Fe3O4, CoFe2O4, and SnFe2O4, were synthesized using the co‐precipitation method. Their structural, morphological, and magnetic properties were characterized through FTIR, XRD, TEM, and VSM measurements. Electromagnetic shielding efficacy was assessed within the 3.5–12.5 GHz frequency range using waveguide measurements. Notably, pure magnetic metal oxide nanoparticles exhibited limited shielding efficiency, but incorporating conductive materials like multi‐walled carbon nanotubes improved the efficacy. Optimization studies, involved adjusting the nanoparticle‐to‐carbon nanotube ratios and coating thickness, demonstrated the best shielding to be with 50 : 10 [MFe2O4:PEG]:mwcnt ratio (M : Fe, Co, Sn) and 0.720 mm thickness, achieving up to 99 % of radiation shielding. The subsequent incorporation of the optimized magnetic composites into a water‐based wall paint at a 1 : 2 weight ratio demonstrated their effectiveness in shielding, successfully blocking 84 % of incoming radiation.
1,3‐Diynes as Precursors for the Synthesis of Triazene‐ and Diethylaniline‐Bearing Push‐Pull NLOphores
Authors: Can Inyurt Fevzi , Dengiz Cagatay
Published: February 2024

Within the scope of this study, a total of eight new NLOphores of the D‐π‐A‐π‐D type have been synthesized. This was achieved by applying click‐type [2+2] cycloaddition‐retroelectrocyclization reactions of unsymmetrical 1,3‐diynes with well‐known electron‐deficient alkenes, TCNE, and TCNQ. Furthermore, essential insights into the optical properties of the synthesized NLOphores were obtained from comparisons with four model compounds synthesized separately within this study. The thermal stability of the NLOphores was assessed through thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). NLOphores synthesized using two distinct electron‐deficient alkenes exhibit low energy absorption bands covering most of the visible region with λmax values ranging from 466 nm to 723 nm. Theoretical studies, including time–dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) investigations, frontier orbital visualizations, and electrostatic potential maps, have been utilized to further investigate the intramolecular charge transfer properties of chromophores. The NLO responses of the chromophores were determined through DFT calculations. It is worth noting that the average polarizability and first hyperpolarizability values (α(tot)=106.392–159.709×10−24 esu; β(tot)=387.552–417.359×10−30 esu) obtained from these calculations show significant promise compared to literature data.
New Tritopic Terpyridine‐based Fluorescent Probe for the Efficient Determination of Th4+, Zn2+ and F− Ions
Authors: Pavankumar B. B. , Ranjan Prabodh , Panicker Rakesh R. , Jha Prakash C. , Brahmananda Rao C. V. S. , Desikan Rajagopal , Sivaramakrishna Akella
Published: February 2024

The present work demonstrates the determination of thorium (Th4+), zinc (Zn2+) and fluoride (F−) ions by employing a substituted tripodal terpyridine (TP) as a fluorescence sensor. The distinct fluorescence intensities of the free TP and TP‐M complexes (M=Zn2+or Th4+) with the same emission wavelength at 468 nm were observed in steady‐state photoluminescence (PL) spectra at pH 7.0 with a 1 : 3 ratio of metal to the ligand. A ratiometric dual fluorescence signals for Zn2+ and Th4+ were displayed by the probe TP at varied concentrations. Furthermore, the quantitative determination of F− ions was achieved through the addition of F− to the tripod‐terpyridine‐zinc complex (TP‐Zn2+) where the fluorescence intensity decreases gradually. Notably, the present work facilitates the LOD (limit of detection) as 1.1×10−10 M, 1.01×10−8 M and 3.18×10−10 M and further LOQ (limit of quantification) as 0.37×10−9 M, 0.33×10−7 M and 5.26×10−9 M for Zn2+, Th4+ and F− ions, respectively. The predicted absorption spectra of TP show HOMO to LUMO+2 electronic excitation at 358 nm whereas the complex TP‐Th4+ exhibits HOMO to LUMO+1 electronic excitation at 568 nm.
Effect of 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) as Bridged Spacer on DSSC and Non Linear Optical (NLO) Properties: A DFT Approach
Authors: Kumari Shukla Vandana , Sekar Nagaiyan
Published: February 2024

Density functional theory (DFT) and time dependent DFT (TD‐DFT) techniques are used to explore six donor‐pi‐acceptor (D−A) type sensitizers that comprise coumarin as the donor unit and cyanoacrylic acid as the acceptor unit. It is examined how adding a spacer bridge like 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) affects the system. The introduction of EDOT leads to destabilization of highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) in both bare and TiO2 anchored sensitizers. The frontier molecular orbital (FMO) also depicts an effective intramolecular charge transfer from the EDOT unit to the acceptor unit in bare sensitizers and to the TiO2 core in TiO2 anchored sensitizers respectively. The FMO diagram of TiO2 anchored non‐bridged sensitizers reveals an electron‐deficient sensitizer unit coupled to an electron‐rich TiO2 core resulting in a poor charge transfer. The calculated Voc values are also found to be more for EDOT based sensitizers and hence making the EDOT bridged sensitizers efficient for DSSC application. According to the TD‐DFT investigation, the EDOT bridging sensitizers exhibit red‐shifted vertical excitation when compared to the corresponding non bridged sensitizers, which is consistent with the experimental data reported previously.
Sweeping it under the rug: Positioning and managing pollution‐intensive activities in organizational hierarchies
Authors: Lee Juyoung , Bansal Pratima
Published: February 2024

Research Summary

Many corporate groups have multiple layers with parent companies owning subsidiaries, which own other subsidiaries, and so forth, in a pyramid‐like ownership structure. We argue that corporate groups perform their pollution‐intensive activities at the lower levels of the corporate hierarchy to buffer the parent from pollution‐related regulatory risks. Our analysis of 7400 US‐based business establishments owned by the 67 largest US‐headquartered chemical manufacturing corporate groups supported this argument. We also found that they were even more likely to do so in states with greater environmental stringency, whether it be in the home state of the parent or the host state of the subsidiary. Our research calls into question the effectiveness of environmental regulations if companies have the opportunity to shift polluting activities lower in their corporate hierarchy.

Managerial Summary

Many commentators assert that firms offshore or outsource pollution‐intensive activities to avoid environmental regulations. In this research, we suggest a third approach in avoiding environmental regulations: locating pollution lower in the hierarchy of multilayered corporate groups, which are companies that own subsidiaries that own other subsidiaries and so on. By analyzing data on the 67 largest US‐headquartered chemical manufacturing corporate groups, we found support for this assertion. We also found that pollution is more likely to be located lower in multilayered corporate groups when they are subject to stringent environmental regulations. The multilayered corporate form allows parent companies to insulate themselves from the regulatory risks of pollution‐intensive activities of their subsidiaries through their limited liability status.
Single Transition‐Metal Atom Anchored on a Rhenium Disulfide Monolayer: An Efficient Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen Evolution and Oxygen Reduction Reactions
Authors: Pan Meiling , Cui Xiuhua , Jing Qun , Duan Haiming , Ouyang Fangping , Wu Rong
Published: February 2024

Developing efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) bifunctional electrocatalysts is attractive for rechargeable metal–air batteries. Meanwhile, single metal atoms embedded in 2D layered transition metal chalcogenides (TMDs) have become a very promising catalyst. Recently, many attentions have been paid to the 2D ReS2 electrocatalyst due to its unique distorted octahedral 1T’ crystal structure and thickness‐independent electronic properties. Here, the catalytic activity of different transition metal (TM) atoms embedded in ReS2 using the density functional theory is investigated. The results indicate that TM@ReS2 exhibits outstanding thermal stability, good electrical conductivity, and electron transfer for electrochemical reactions. And the Ir@ReS2 and Pd@ReS2 can be used as OER/ORR bifunctional electrocatalysts with a lower overpotential for OER (ηOER) of 0.44 V and overpotentials for ORR (ηORR) of 0.26 V and 0.27 V, respectively. The excellent catalytic activity is attributed to the optimal adsorption strength for oxygen intermediates coming from the effective modulation of the electronic structure of ReS2 after Ir/Pd doping. The results can help to deeply understand the catalytic activity of TM@ReS2 and develop novel and highly efficient OER/ORR electrocatalysts.
Multilayer Ti3C2‐CNTs‐Au Loaded with Cyclodextrin‐MOF for Enhanced Selective Detection of Rutin
Authors: Chen Jia , Fei Maoheng , Ni Meijun , Wang Yilin , Liu Zhifang , Xie Yixi , Zhao Pengcheng , Zhang Zhiyong , Fei Junjie
Published: February 2024

In this work, multi‐layer Ti3C2 – carbon nanotubes – gold nanoparticles (Ti3C2‐CNTs‐Au) and cyclodextrin metal‐organic framework – carbon nanotubes (CD‐MOF‐CNTs) have been prepared by in situ growth method and used to construct the ultra‐sensitive rutin electrochemical sensor for the first time. Among them, the large number of metal active sites of Ti3C2, the high electron transfer efficiency of CNTS, and the good catalytic properties of AuNPs significantly enhance the electrochemical properties of the composite carbon nanomaterials. Interestingly, CD‐MOF has a unique host–guest recognition and a large number of cavities, molecular gaps, and surface reactive groups, which gives the composite outstanding accumulation properties and selectivity for rutin. Under the optimized conditions, the constructed novel sensor has satisfactory detection performance for rutin in the range of 2 × 10−9 to 8 × 10−7 M with a limit of detection of 6.5 × 10−10 M. In addition, the sensor exhibits amazing anti‐interference performance against rutin in some flavonoid compounds and can be used to test natural plant samples (buckwheat, Cymbopogon distans, and flos sophorae immaturus). This work has promising applications in the field of environmental and food analysis, and exploring new directions for the application of Mxene‐based composites.
High‐Performance Bioinspired Microspheres for Boosting Dental Adhesion
Authors: Yao Chenmin , Liang Shengjie , Yu Miaoyang , Wu Hongling , Ahmed Mohammed H. , Liu Yingheng , Yu Jian , Zhao Yan , Van der Bruggen Bart , Huang Cui , Van Meerbeek Bart
Published: February 2024

Dental adhesives are widely used in daily practice for minimally invasive restorative dentistry but suffer from bond degradation and biofilm attack. Bio‐inspired by marine mussels having excellent surface‐adhesion capability and high chemical affinity of polydopamine (PDA) to metal ions, herein, experimental zinc (Zn)‐containing polydopamine‐based adhesive formulation, further being referred to as “Zn–PDA@SiO2”‐incorporated adhesive is proposed as a novel dental adhesive. Different Zn contents (5 and 10 mm) of Zn–PDA@SiO2 are prepared. Considering the synergistic effect of Zn and PDA, Zn–PDA@SiO2 not only presents excellent antibacterial potential and notably inhibits enzymatic activity (soluble and matrix‐bound proteases), but also exhibits superior biocompatibility and biosafety in vitro/vivo. The long‐term bond stability is substantially improved by adding 5 wt% 5 mm Zn–PDA@SiO2 to the primer. The aged bond strength of the experimentally formulated dental adhesives applied in self‐etch (SE) bonding mode is 1.9 times higher than that of the SE gold‐standard adhesive. Molecular dynamics calculations indicate the stable formation of covalent bonds, Zn‐assisted coordinative bonds, and hydrogen bonds between PDA and collagen. Overall, this bioinspired dental adhesive provides an avenue technology for innovative biomedical applications and has already revealed promising perspectives for dental restorative dentistry.
All‐Inorganic Perovskite NiTiO3/Cs3Sb2I9 Heterostructure for Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction to CH4 with High Selectivity
Authors: Fan Shuhan , Yang Qu , Yin Guilin , Qi Xiaosi , Feng Yuyu , Ding Junfei , Peng Qiong , Qu Yunpeng , Wang Qinglong , Shen Yan , Wang Mingkui , Gong Xiu
Published: February 2024

Developing efficient and stable halide perovskite‐based photocatalysts for highly selectivity reduction CO2 to valuable fuels remains a significant challenge due to their intrinsic instability. Herein, a novel heterostructure featuring 2D Cs3Sb2I9 nanosheets on a 3D flower‐like mesoporous NiTiO3 framework using a top‐down stepwise membrane fabrication technique is constructed. The unique bilayer heterostructure formed on the 3D mesoporous framework endowed NiTiO3/Cs3Sb2I9 with sufficient and close interface contact, minimizing charge transport distance, and effectively promoting the charge transfer at the interface, thus improving the reaction efficiency of the catalyst surface. As revealed by characterization and calculation, the coupling of Cs3Sb2I9 with NiTiO3 facilitates the hydrogenation process during catalytic, directing reaction intermediates toward highly selective CH4 production. Furthermore, the van der Waals forces inherent in the 3D/2D heterostructure with face‐to‐face contact provide superior stability, ensuring the efficient realization of photocatalytic CO2 reduction to CH4. Consequently, the optimized 3D/2D NiTiO3/Cs3Sb2I9 heterostructure demonstrates an impressive CH4 yield of 43.4 µmol g−1 h−1 with a selectivity of up to 88.6%, surpassing most reported perovskite‐based photocatalysts to date. This investigation contributes to overcoming the challenges of commercializing perovskite‐based photocatalysts and paves the way for the development of sustainable and efficient CO2 conversion technologies.
TADF polymer enables over 20% EQE in solution‐processed green fluorescent OLEDs
Authors: Yan Libing , Su Ning , Yang Ying , Li Xue , Sun Jie , Wang Shumeng , Zhao Lei , Ding Liming , Ding Junqiao
Published: February 2024

Solution‐processed fluorescent organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) are believed to be favorable for low‐cost, large‐area, and flexible displays but still suffer from the limited external quantum efficiency (EQE) below 5%. Herein, we demonstrate the EQE breakthrough by introducing a donor–acceptor type thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) polymer as the sensitizer for the typical green‐emitting fluorescent dopants. Benefitting from their matched energy alignment, the unwanted trap‐assisted recombination directly on fluorescent dopant is prevented to avoid the additional loss of triplet excitons. Indeed, triplet excitons are mainly formed on the polymeric TADF sensitizer via a Langevin recombination and then spin‐flipped to singlet excitons due to the good upconversion capability. Followed by an efficient Förster energy transfer, both singlet and triplet excitons can be harvested by fluorescent dopants, leading to a promising solution‐processed green hyperfluorescence with a record‐high EQE of 21.2% (72.2 cd/A, 59.7 lm/W) and Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage coordinates of (0.32, 0.59). The results clearly highlight the great potential of solution‐processed fluorescent OLEDs based on TADF polymers as the sensitizer.
Smart molecular crystal switches
Authors: Hou Ian Cheng‐Yi , Li Liang , Zhang Hongyu , Naumov Panče
Published: February 2024

The multifaceted switches are part of our everyday life from the macroscopic to the molecular world. A molecular switch operating in the solution and in the crystalline state is very different. In this review, we summarize the state‐of‐the‐art of smart molecular crystal switches based on molecular martensites. These crystal switches respond to external stimuli and reversibly change between states, retaining their macroscopic integrity. The operation of the switches predominantly relies on temperature alterations or mechanical stress, with emerging methods based on photothermal effects, photoisomerization, and host‐guest chemistry. The capability of changing the molecular orientation and interaction in smart molecular crystal switches offers opportunities in several applications, including actuators, reversibly shaping structural materials, optoelectronic and magnetic materials, as well as switchable porous materials. Smart molecular crystal switches have vast potential in modern scientific and technological progress. The ongoing research shapes a rich landscape for innovation and future scientific exploration across diverse disciplines.
Elementary preservice teachers' pedagogical decisions about socioscientific issues instruction
Authors: Kinskey Melanie , Zeidler Dana
Published: February 2024

Socioscientific issues (SSI) have been found to improve scientific literacy skills among K—12 students. Existing literature shows, however, that elementary preservice teachers are reluctant to implement SSI due to a lack of confidence with subject matter knowledge and knowledge of instruction concerning SSI. Previous research has focused on helping elementary preservice teachers overcome these concerns through microteaching, adapting existing curricula, and experiencing SSI through methods courses. While it has been noted that formal preparation is required for preservice teachers to feel confident in their abilities to facilitate SSI, little has been done to prepare elementary preservice teachers to facilitate SSI during field experiences. In this study, we explored the factors that influenced elementary preservice teachers' instructional decision‐making while planning and enacting SSI‐based instruction in the classroom. Community of practice (CoP) meetings provided formal training to prepare these elementary preservice teachers to facilitate SSI. Recordings of the CoP meetings, reflective journals, observations, and interviews served as data sources. Our findings revealed knowledge of students, instructional knowledge, and context as most influential in these elementary preservice teachers' pedagogical reasoning concerning SSI‐based instruction, while subject matter knowledge was the least considered. We discuss these findings and offer recommendations for how to use these considerations when planning future research to study elementary preservice teachers' SSI‐based instructional practice.
Gender and Diversity in EFL Textbook Dialogues: Interactional Structure and Pedagogical Implications
Authors: Huang Shin‐Ying
Published: February 2024

Focusing on English‐as‐a‐foreign‐language (EFL) textbook dialogues, this study explores both gender equality and diverse identities from the perspective of interactional competence. The purpose of this study is twofold: first, to examine gender differences in textbook dialogues concerning interactional patterns, and second, to derive pedagogical implications for gender equality and diverse identities in English‐language teaching from the findings. This study proposes the initiation‐response‐follow‐up (IRF) model of discourse structure as both an analytical framework and a pedagogical framework for exploring and incorporating interactional competence related to gender and diversity. Findings reveal an overall balance in the interactional patterns between females and males in the textbook dialogues, although major differences were found in relation to particular discourse features in the context of a specific type of dialogue initiation. These findings are discussed in relation to possible classroom strategies for incorporating the IRF discourse structure to inform the teaching of interactional competence and sociolinguistic skills, particularly as relevant to the linguistic dimension of promoting diverse identities.
Unveiling hormone‐stimulated gene mechanisms in prostate cancer: A prognostic model, immune infiltration analysis, and drug sensitivity study
Authors: Fan Zhongru , Yu Qianqian , Deng Junpeng , Wang Ke , Yu Hongqi , Fan Xin , Xie Jianjun
Published: February 2024

Hormones promote the progression of prostate cancer (PRCA) through the activation of a complex regulatory network. Inhibition of hormones or modulation of specific network nodes alone is insufficient to suppress the entire oncogenic network. Therefore, it is imperative to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the occurrence and development of PRCA in order to identify reliable diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. To this end, we used publicly available data to analyze the potential mechanisms of hormone‐stimulated genes in PRCA, construct a prognostic model, and assess immune infiltration and drug sensitivity. The single‐cell RNA‐sequencing data of PRCA were subjected to dimensionality reduction clustering and annotation, and the cells were categorized into two groups based on hormone stimulus‐related scores. The differentially expressed genes between the two groups were screened and incorporated into the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator machine learning algorithm, and a prognostic model comprising six genes (ZNF862, YIF1A, USP22, TAF7, SRSF3, and SPARC) was constructed. The robustness of the model was validation through multiple methods. Immune infiltration scores in the two risk groups were calculated using three different algorithms. In addition, the relationship between the model genes and immune cell infiltration, and that between risk score and immune cell infiltration were analyzed. Drug sensitivity analysis was performed for the model genes and risk score using public databases to identify potential candidate drugs. Our findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms of hormone‐stimulated genes in PRCA progression, prognosis, and drug screening.
Social practice theory and household water demand: A review of literature and research evidence
Authors: Cahill Joseph , Hoolohan Claire , Browne Alison L.
Published: February 2024

The changing climate, rapid increases in global consumption, and shock events are increasing stress on water resources globally. For policy makers and water sector stakeholders tasked with reducing demand, and for academic researchers interested in understanding how these complex issues intertwine to create current and future water demand profiles, the shortcomings of individualized behavior change approaches driven by psycho‐econometric understandings of resource consumption is increasingly evident. Since the early 2000s, social practice theory has been increasingly recognized as deepening understandings of the complex ways water is consumed and the dynamic factors that influence household demands. This review examines evidence of how social practice ideas are deployed in academic research in scope (theory; geographical; practices entities/performances; sites, locations, and temporality of practices; infrastructural configurations); methods (historical; talk—interviews, focus groups; diaries; ethnography and home tours; surveys; living labs, experiments, design methods; mixed methods); and implications (co‐production; materiality; diversity; disruption and insecurity; inequalities) including for policy and practice. Emerging from the review is a set of ideas that demonstrate how to apply insights from social practice more effectively in water studies and in water management, aiding the exploration of new areas of enquiry, policies and mechanisms to enable less intensive patterns of water use. This review points to a need for increased collaboration across the water sector and wider stakeholders to enact deep and meaningful change to how water is supplied and consumed in society.

This article is categorized under:

Human Water > Water Governance

Human Water > Methods

Human Water > Value of Water
Computational methods for unlocking the secrets of potassium channels: Structure, mechanism, and drug design
Authors: Wang Lingling , Zhang Qianqian , Tong Henry H. Y. , Yao Xiaojun , Liu Huanxiang , Li Guohui
Published: February 2024

Potassium (K+) channels play vital roles in various physiological functions, including regulating K+ flow in cell membranes, impacting nervous system signal transduction, neuronal firing, muscle contraction, neurotransmitters, and enzyme secretion. Their activation and switch‐off are directly linked to diseases like arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, and pain etc. Although the experimental methods play important roles in the studying the structure and function of K+ channels, they are still some limitations to enclose the dynamic molecular processes and the corresponding mechanisms of conformational changes during ion transport, permeation, and gating control. Relatively, computational methods have obvious advantages in studying such problems compared with experimental methods. Recently, more and more three‐dimensional structures of K+ channels have been disclosed based on experimental methods and in silico prediction methods, which provide a good chance to study the molecular mechanism of conformational changes related to the functional regulations of K+ channels. Based on these structural details, molecular dynamics simulations together with related methods such as enhanced sampling and free energy calculations, have been widely used to reveal the conformational dynamics, ion conductance, ion channel gating, and ligand binding mechanisms. Additionally, the accessibility of structures also provides a large space for structure‐based drug design. This review mainly addresses the recent progress of computational methods in the structure, mechanism, and drug design of K+ channels. After summarizing the progress in these fields, we also give our opinion on the future direction in the area of K+ channel research combined with the cutting edge of computational methods.

This article is categorized under:

Molecular and Statistical Mechanics > Molecular Dynamics and Monte‐Carlo Methods

Structure and Mechanism > Computational Biochemistry and Biophysics

Data Science > Chemoinformatics
Responsive Regulation, Trust, and Intrinsic Motivation Within the Nuclear Industry: Impacts of a Safety Culture Tool
Authors: Bernard Benoît
Published: February 2024

Safety culture has now a long history within the nuclear industry. Since the first appearance of the concept in the aftermath of the Chernobyl accident, growing attention has been paid to cultural issues with regard to safety. The concept is also highly contested and several authors suggested that regulatory bodies (RB) should stay away from safety culture. In contrast, this chapter intends to explore the impacts of a safety culture tool on the regulator–regulatee relationship, in particular, regarding a more responsive regulatory approach, the interactions between trust and control, and the motivation of licensees to be compliant.
The Regulator, the Regulatee, and the End of the World as We Knew It
Authors: Etienne Julien
Published: February 2024

The rapid breakdown of the climate has radical implications for hazardous industries and for the regulator–regulatee relationship. It will lead to an exponential increase in NaTech events, and as such will transform the scale and level of complexity of contingency planning. As most fossil-fuelled hazardous industries play an oversized role in overshooting planetary boundaries, these industries will need to transform radically or shut down. To tackle such challenges, the regulator–regulatee relationship needs to transform itself so as to still be relevant and impactful in a troubled future.
Standards, Certification, and Accreditation: Indispensable Tools for European Safety Regulations?
Authors: Galland Jean-Pierre
Published: February 2024

This chapter shows how standardisation, certification, and accreditation procedures are used for a few decades at the European level for ensuring consumers’ safety against medium-risk products. Despite some regulatory failures, such as in the Medical Devices’ sector, this way of regulating risks is becoming a European model which is both being superimposed on pre-existing older risk regulation regimes and being applied to new domains.
Auditism: Symptoms, Safety Consequences, Causes, and Cure
Authors: Størkersen Kristine Vedal
Published: February 2024

This text is a reflection on today’s organisational management, through an imagined disease, auditism. The empirical material for this reflection is collected mainly in the shipping and aquaculture industries, but other type of data suggest auditism may be prevalent in other industries too. Auditism is diagnosed when and where the idea of audits shapes how work is structured, performed, or talked about in a working environment. Symptoms of auditism are related to organisations’ management of quality and safety—safety clutter, illegitimate core tasks, and an experience of two realities in an organisation (one for ‘real work’ and the other for ‘bullshit’ tasks or administration). Causes are function-based regulations and shallow audit regimes, as well as societal trends of how to prove legitimacy, accountability, liability, and efficiency. A cure could come through improved methods for auditing and documentation, or through trust in professional judgement instead of audits. Still, the prognosis is that many organisations will suffer from auditism before prescribing to reliable remedies.
Globale Modellierung des Klimawandels
Authors: Schmidt Hauke , Eyring Veronika , Latif Mojib , Marotzke Jochem , Rechid Diana , Sausen Robert
Published: February 2024

Klimamodelle ermöglichen mathematisch-physikalisch basierte und quantitative Aussagen über die Änderungen des Klimas. Neben Atmosphäre und Ozean berücksichtigen sie auch das Eis, die Landoberflächen, biologische Prozesse und die Variabilität der Sonneneinstrahlung. Globale Klimamodelle tragen dazu bei, Natur und Ursachen des globalen Klimawandels zu verstehen und mögliche zukünftige Entwicklungen abzubilden. Diese Modelle beschreiben die Entwicklung des Klimas unter der Annahme eines Szenarios künftiger Emissionen von Treibhausgasen und Aerosolen. Das Kapitel gibt Einblick in die Historie, Möglichkeiten und Grenzen der globalen Klimamodellierung. Darüber hinaus präsentiert es Schlüsselergebnisse des aktuellen, sechsten Sachstandsberichts des Weltklimarats (IPCC) und Fortschritte gegenüber früheren Berichten. Im Vordergrund stehen die globalen Veränderungen im Klimasystem, die mithilfe von Projektionen – basierend auf unterschiedlichen Szenarien – bis zum Ende des 21. Jahrhunderts berechnet werden.
Kosten des Klimawandels und Auswirkungen auf die Wirtschaft
Authors: Schulze Sven , Bardt Hubertus , Biebeler Hendrik , Klepper Gernot , Mahammadzadeh Mahammad , Osberghaus Daniel , Rickels Wilfried , Schenker Oliver , Schwarze Reimund
Published: February 2024

Klimawandelbedingte Kosten entstehen in einer Kaskade von Wirkungsmechanismen und -kreisläufen, die jeweils mit zahlreichen Unsicherheiten verbunden sind. Die Menge der Treibhausgasemissionen bestimmt, wie sich Atmosphäre und Klima auf der Erde verändern. Die Reaktion des Klimasystems mit seinen zahlreichen Rückkopplungseffekten führt zu regional unterschiedlichen – positiven oder negativen – Wirtschafts- und Wohlfahrtseffekten. Bei der Reaktion auf diese Effekte durch Einflussnahme auf die Emissionen oder Anpassung an den Klimawandel schließt sich der Kreis. Hieran anknüpfend werden in diesem Kapitel Möglichkeiten und Grenzen der gesamtwirtschaftlichen Bewertung dargestellt und verschiedene Schadensschätzungen diskutiert. Potenzielle Probleme, Herausforderungen und Implikationen werden exemplarisch für den Bereich Gesundheit und Küstenschutz diskutiert. Darüber hinaus bietet das Kapitel einen Überblick über die Einschätzung von Unternehmen zu den Auswirkungen des Klimawandels.
Nachweis und Attribution von Änderungen in Klima und Wetter
Authors: Undorf Sabine
Published: February 2024

Der Wissenschaftszweig der Klimaattribution analysiert den Zusammenhang zwischen beobachteten Aspekten des Klimas und menschlichen Klimaeinflussfaktoren. Mit formalen, statistisch sorgfältigen Nachweis- und Attributionsmethoden sind globale Veränderungen im Klima unzweifelhaft nachgewiesen und erhöhten Treibhausgaskonzentrationen zugeordnet. Auch auf kontinentaler und nationaler Ebene ist dieser Nachweis für Änderungen in Temperaturmitteln sowie -extremen und manchen Niederschlagsindizes erbracht. Mit verwandten Methoden, vor allem denen der probabilistischen Ereignisattribution, werden beobachtete Ereignisse wie eine einzelne Hitzewelle oder ein einzelner Sturm untersucht. Dabei wird typischerweise quantifiziert, ob und wie sich die Auftrittswahrscheinlichkeit der Ereignisse durch den menschengemachten Klimawandel geändert hat. Attributionsergebnisse können Bewusstsein für den Klimawandel schaffen und für Fragen der Klimagerechtigkeit und möglicher Entschädigungen für Klimafolgen relevant sein.
Mögliche Beiträge geologischer und mariner Kohlenstoffspeicher zur Dekarbonisierung
Authors: Oschlies Andreas , Mengis Nadine , Rehder Gregor , Schill Eva , Thomas Helmuth , Wallmann Klaus , Zimmer Martin
Published: February 2024

Es werden mögliche Beiträge geologischer und mariner Kohlenstoffspeicher für die Vermeidung von CO2-Emissionen in die Atmosphäre oder für die Entnahme von bereits emittiertem CO2 aus der Atmosphäre vorgestellt. Neben der Einlagerung von CO2 in geologischen Speichern unter Land und unter dem Meeresboden werden eine forcierte CO2-Entnahme aus der Atmosphäre und Abgabe in den Ozean durch Erhöhung der Alkalinität, durch Ozeandüngung und durch das Management vegetationsreicher Küstenökosysteme untersucht. Alle Optionen können sowohl global als auch aus deutscher Perspektive eine Rolle für das Erreichen der Klimaziele spielen. Umweltverträglichkeit, Permanenz der Speicherung sowie infrastrukturelle und rechtliche Voraussetzungen, gesellschaftliche Akzeptanz und wirtschaftliche Realisierbarkeit bedürfen für alle Ansätze weiterer Klärung, bevor hieraus realisierbare Optionen werden können.
Die klimaresiliente Gesellschaft – Transformation und Systemänderungen
Authors: Hirschfeld Jesko , Hansen Gerrit , Messner Dirk , Opielka Michael , Peter Sophie
Published: February 2024

Es werden die Zusammenhänge zwischen Klimaschutz und Anpassung an den Klimawandel, die Chancen, Risiken und Grenzen der Anpassung sowie der nationale und globale Transformationsbedarf erörtert. Neben den einzel- und volkswirtschaftlichen Auswirkungen des Klimawandels stellt das Kapitel auch die sozialen, politischen und ökologischen Auswirkungen in einen systemischen Zusammenhang. Auf nationaler Ebene stehen gesellschaftlich und politisch Handelnde vor komplexen Analyse- und Steuerungsproblemen. Um Klimarisiken zu begegnen und Chancen der Klimaanpassung auszuschöpfen, müssen die verschiedenen Dimensionen wirtschaftlicher, sozialer, politischer und ökologischer Systeme, räumliche und zeitliche Skalenebenen berücksichtigt und Fachleute aus der Praxis einbezogen werden.