bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oxidative profile and protease regulator potential to predict sperm functionality in donkey (Equus asinus)
Authors: Cecchini Gualandi Stefano , Giangaspero Brunella , Di Palma Tommaso , Macchia Giuseppe , Carluccio Augusto , Boni Raffaele
Published: October 2021

Seminal plasma (SP) of donkey stallions was evaluated using various oxidative stress parameters as well as protease and protease inhibitor activities. SP was obtained by nine donkey stallions. In addition, one donkey stallion with non-obstructive azoospermia was enrolled in this study. Free radical scavenging activity (FRSA), the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and total thiol level (TTL) were highly correlated with each other and with the protease inhibitor activity. However, only FRAP, TAC, and the nitrate/nitrite concentration (NOx) were significantly correlated with sperm concentration, production, and kinetics. Protease inhibitor activity was highly correlated with sperm concentration and production; however, it did not correlate with sperm kinetics. The azoospermic stallion produced a lower amount of semen than the normospermic stallions and its SP showed a lower antioxidant activity when evaluated with FRAP, TAC, and TTL as well as a higher NOxand a lower protease inhibitor activity. In conclusion, the evaluation of SP oxidative profile by FRAP, TAC, and NOxmay provide reliable information on donkey sperm quality whereas protease inhibitor activity may play a role as a marker of the sperm concentration in this species.
The influence of emissions scenarios on future Antarctic ice loss is unlikely to emerge this century
Authors: Lowry Daniel P. , Krapp Mario , Golledge Nicholas R. , Alevropoulos-Borrill Alanna
Published: October 2021

Of all the components of the global sea-level budget, the future contribution of the Antarctic Ice Sheet is the most uncertain in sea-level rise projections. Dynamic ice sheet model simulations show considerable overlap in the projected Antarctic Ice Sheet sea-level contribution under various greenhouse gas emissions scenarios and the timescale at which scenario dependence will emerge is unclear. With historically constrained ice sheet simulations and a statistical emulator, we demonstrate that a high-emissions signature of the Antarctic Ice Sheet sea-level contribution will not unambiguously emerge from the wide potential range of low-emission sea-level projections for over 100 years due to current limitations in our understanding in ice flow and sliding. However, the results also indicate that the total global warming that occurs over the 21st century controls the resulting long-term Antarctic Ice Sheet sea-level commitment, with multi-meter differences between the highest and lowest emissions scenarios in subsequent centuries.
Cyanolichen microbiome contains novel viruses that encode genes to promote microbial metabolism
Authors: Ponsero Alise J , Hurwitz Bonnie L , Magain Nicolas , Miadlikowska Jolanta , Lutzoni François , U’Ren Jana M
Published: October 2021

Lichen thalli are formed through the symbiotic association of a filamentous fungus and photosynthetic green alga and/or cyanobacterium. Recent studies have revealed lichens also host highly diverse communities of secondary fungal and bacterial symbionts, yet few studies have examined the viral component within these complex symbioses. Here, we describe viral biodiversity and functions in cyanolichens collected from across North America and Europe. As current machine-learning viral-detection tools are not trained on complex eukaryotic metagenomes, we first developed efficient methods to remove eukaryotic reads prior to viral detection and a custom pipeline to validate viral contigs predicted with three machine-learning methods. Our resulting high-quality viral data illustrate that every cyanolichen thallus contains diverse viruses that are distinct from viruses in other terrestrial ecosystems. In addition to cyanobacteria, predicted viral hosts include other lichen-associated bacterial lineages and algae, although a large fraction of viral contigs had no host prediction. Functional annotation of cyanolichen viral sequences predicts numerous viral-encoded auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs) involved in amino acid, nucleotide, and carbohydrate metabolism, including AMGs for secondary metabolism (antibiotics and antimicrobials) and fatty acid biosynthesis. Overall, the diversity of cyanolichen AMGs suggests that viruses may alter microbial interactions within these complex symbiotic assemblages.
Multivalent nanobody–biotin amplified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the environmental detection of 3-phenoxybenzoic acid
Authors: He Jinxin , Zhu Mi , Chen Xiaorong , Shi Shengrui , Tang Fang , Gu Shaopeng
Published: October 2021

Schematic illustration of development multivalent nanobody-biotin amplified ELISA for detection of 3-PBA.
Nickel-catalyzed cyclization of 1,7-enynes for the selective synthesis of dihydrocyclobuta[c]quinolin-3-ones and benzo[b]azocin-2-ones
Authors: Li Qiao , Cai Yun , Hu Yuanyuan , Jin Hongwei , Chen Fener , Liu Yunkui , Zhou Bingwei
Published: October 2021

The nickel-catalyzed cyclization of 1,7-enynes enables the selective synthesis of dihydrocyclobuta[c]quinolin-3-ones and benzo[b]azocin-2-ones.
A kit-based aluminium-[18F]fluoride approach to radiolabelled microbubbles
Authors: Teh Jin Hui , Braga Marta , Allott Louis , Barnes Chris , Hernández-Gil Javier , Tang Meng-Xing , Aboagye Eric O. , Long Nicholas J.
Published: October 2021

A facile, kit-based method for18F-labelling of ultrasound microbubble contrast agents is reported using the IEDDA ligation between atrans-cyclooctene modified phospholipid and a [18F]AlF-tetrazine tracer, enablingin vivotracking of microbubbles.
Enhanced syngas production from CO2 photoreduction over CoPd alloy modified NiAl-LDH under visible light
Authors: Yang Lan , Li Lei , Xia Pengfei , Li Huiyi , Yang Jingjing , Li Xiaohong , Zeng Xiaodi , Zhang Xiaodong , Xiao Chong , Xie Yi
Published: October 2021

A bimetallic CoPd alloy modified NiAl-LDH achieved enhanced syngas production by adjusting the Schottky barrier height to facilitate the separation and transfer of charge carriers and optimize the active sites for CO2 and H2O activation.
Iridium-catalyzed enantioselective addition of an N-methyl C–H bond to α-trifluoromethylstyrenes via C–H activation
Authors: Yamauchi Daisuke , Nakamura Ikumi , Nishimura Takahiro
Published: October 2021

The Ir-catalyzed enantioselective addition of an N-methyl C–H bond of 2-(methylamino)pyridine derivatives to α-trifluoromethylstyrenes proceeded via C–H activation to give chiral γ-branched amines having a trifluoromethyl-substituted stereocenter.
Finding the catalytically active sites on the layered tri-chalcogenide compounds CoPS3 and NiPS3 for hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Alam Khorsed , Das Tisita , Chakraborty Sudip , Sen Prasenjit
Published: October 2021

Electronic structure calculations based on density functional theory are used to identify the catalytically active sites for the hydrogen evolution reaction on single layers of the two transition metal tri-chalcogenide compounds CoPS3 and NiPS3.
Enhanced mechano-responsive fluorescence in polydiacetylene thin films through functionalization with tetrazine dyes: photopolymerization, energy transfer and AFM coupled to fluorescence microscopy studies
Authors: Polacchi Luca , Brosseau Arnaud , Guillot Régis , Métivier Rémi , Allain Clémence
Published: October 2021

By comparing energy transfer-based systems with tetrazine fluorophore and polydiacetylene backbone to a simple polydiacetylene, we show that introducing tetrazine fluorophore improves force detectability by fluorescence.
Photoluminescence of monolayer MoS2 modulated by water/O2/laser irradiation
Authors: Hou Chao , Deng Jingwen , Guan Jianxin , Yang Qirong , Yu Zhihao , Lu Yilin , Xu Zihan , Yao Zefan , Zheng Junrong
Published: October 2021

The photoluminescence of monolayer MoS2 can be enhanced by two approaches: physically adsorbing H2O molecules, and through 532 nm laser irradiation in the presence of O2.
Identification of intermediates of a molecular ruthenium catalyst for water oxidation using in situ electrochemical X-ray absorption spectroscopy
Authors: Li Lin , Yan Huacai , Li Fusheng , Kong Qingyu , Yuan Chunze , Weng Tsu-Chien
Published: October 2021

This is the first study on a Ru(bda) (bda: 2,2′-bipyridine-6,6′-dicarboxylic acid) catalyst in solution using a home-built electrochemical cell, in combination with an energy-dispersive X-ray absorption spectroscopy setup.
Crystal structure of silver pentazolates AgN5 and AgN6
Authors: Williams Ashley S. , Nguyen Cong Kien , Gonzalez Joseph M. , Oleynik Ivan I.
Published: October 2021

Crystal structure of silver pentazolates AgN5 and AgN6 has been predicted using first-principles evolutionary crystal structure searching. AgN5 and AgN6 were found to be metastable at ambient conditions.
MXene titanium carbide synthesized by hexagonal titanium aluminum carbide with high specific capacitance and low impedance
Authors: Wu Qiong , Wang Yihao , Li Pengfei , Chen Shunhua , Wu Fufa
Published: October 2021

The MXene Ti3C2 is synthesized efficiently by microwave-assisted etching with hexagonal Ti3AlC2 with high specific capacitance and low impedance.
Impact of aliphatic acyl and aromatic thioamide substituents on the anticancer activity of Ru(ii)-p-cymene complexes with acylthiourea ligands—in vitro and in vivo studies
Authors: Swaminathan Srividya , Haribabu Jebiti , Mohamed Subarkhan Mohamed Kasim , Gayathri Dasararaju , Balakrishnan Nithya , Bhuvanesh Nattamai , Echeverria Cesar , Karvembu Ramasamy
Published: October 2021

Six acylthiourea-based Ru(ii)-p-cymene complexes (P1–P6) were designed to explore the structure–activity relationship of the complexes under the influence of aliphatic chain length and aromatic conjugation on the C- and N-terminals, respectively.
Synthesis of a monocationic μ-nitrido-bridged iron porphycene dimer and its methane oxidation activity
Authors: Yamada Yasuyuki , Miwa Yusuke , Toyoda Yuka , Yamaguchi Tomoo , Akine Shigehisa , Tanaka Kentaro
Published: October 2021

Herein, we synthesized a monocationic μ-nitrido-bridged iron porphycene dimer, a structural analogue of a monocationic μ-nitrido-bridged iron phthalocyanine dimer, which is known as one of the most potent molecule-based catalysts for methane oxidation.
Atomic/molecular layer deposition of Ni-terephthalate thin films
Authors: Philip Anish , Vasala Sami , Glatzel Pieter , Karppinen Maarit
Published: October 2021

High-quality nickel-terephthalate thin films can be grown through gas-phase atomic/molecular layer deposition using Ni(thd)2 and terephthalic acid as precursors.
Organometallic chemistry and application of palladacycles in asymmetric hydrophosphination reactions
Authors: Seah Jeffery Wee Kiong , Teo Ronald Hong Xiang , Leung Pak-Hing
Published: October 2021

A number of palladacycles containing chiral chelating auxiliaries have been utilized as efficient catalysts for asymmetric hydrophosphination reactions.
Spatiotemporal profiles of ultrafine particles differ from other traffic-related air pollutants: lessons from long-term measurements at fixed sites and mobile monitoring
Authors: Gani Shahzad , Chambliss Sarah E. , Messier Kyle P. , Lunden Melissa M. , Apte Joshua S.
Published: October 2021

We use long term fixed site measurements along with extensive mobile monitoring data to evaluate the spatiotemporal correlation of UFP and NOx.
A pH-universal ORR catalyst with single-atom iron sites derived from a double-layer MOF for superior flexible quasi-solid-state rechargeable Zn–air batteries
Authors: Zhao Meiqi , Liu Haoran , Zhang Hongwei , Chen Wen , Sun Hanqin , Wang Zhenhua , Zhang Biao , Song Lin , Yang Yong , Ma Chao , Han Yunhu , Huang Wei
Published: October 2021

The pH-universal ORR performance and reaction-mechanism scheme of the Fe1/d-CN catalyst, which acts as the cathode for flexible quasi-solid-state alkaline/neutral rechargeable Zn–air batteries.
Using a vapor-fed anode and saline catholyte to manage ion transport in a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer
Authors: Rossi Ruggero , Hall Derek M. , Shi Le , Cross Nicholas R. , Gorski Christopher A. , Hickner Michael A. , Logan Bruce E.
Published: October 2021

Saline water represents an inexhaustible source of water for hydrogen production from electrolysis.
Recent advances in silver nanoparticle-based electrochemical sensors for determining organic pollutants in water: a review
Authors: Zahran Moustafa , Khalifa Ziad , Zahran Magdy A.-H. , Abdel Azzem Magdi
Published: October 2021

Silver nanoparticles as promising electrochemical probes have been studied for detecting pesticides, drugs, organic dyes, mycotoxins, and explosives in water based on the electrochemical responses of the silver nanoparticles and the pollutant.
Combined theoretical and experimental investigation of a DNA interactive poly-hydroxyl enamine tautomer exhibiting “turn on” sensing for Zn2+ in pseudo-aqueous medium
Authors: Saha Urmila , Mabhai Subhabrata , Das Bhriguram , Kumar Gopinatha Suresh , Brandão Paula , Dolai Malay
Published: October 2021

Crystallographically established (solid state structure at 150 K temperature) synthesized enamine ligand (H4L) showed interconvertible equilibrium (ΔE = 7.37 kcal) of its tautomers, displayed zinc sensing and also found to exhibit DNA binding activity at the minor groove of double-stranded (ds) DNA.
Multisequential reversible phase transition materials with semiconducting and fluorescence properties: (C8H18BrN)2SnBr6
Authors: Liu Yao , Li Yu-Kong , Ying Ting-Ting , Tan Yu-Hui , Tang Yun-Zhi , Han Ding-Chong , Du Peng-kang , Zhang Hao
Published: October 2021

A novel organic–inorganic hybrid metal halide has synthesized, namely (C8H18BrN)2SnBr6 (1), which have excellent switchable dielectric properties, narrow band gap and broadband yellow fluorescence characteristics.
Rich grain boundaries endow networked PdSn nanowires with superior catalytic properties for alcohol oxidation
Authors: You Huaming , Gao Fei , Wang Cheng , Li Jie , Zhang Kewang , Zhang Yangping , Du Yukou
Published: October 2021

PdSn NNWs catalysts with abundant grain boundaries exhibited excellent behaviors toward the EOR and MOR.
High-performance polyamides with engineered disorder
Authors: Candau Nicolas , Galland Sylvain , Cretenoud Julien , Balog Sandor , Michaud Véronique , Chenal Jean-Marc , Lame Olivier , Plummer Christopher J. G. , Frauenrath Holger
Published: October 2021

Introducing molecular scale defects into semiaromatic polyamides by high-temperature melt compounding with aliphatic polyamides provides a simple means of tailoring the balance of microstructural order and disorder in these materials and achieving unusual property profiles.
When SF5 outplays CF3: effects of pentafluorosulfanyl decorated scorpionates on copper
Authors: Noonikara-Poyil Anurag , Muñoz-Castro Alvaro , Boretskyi Andrii , Mykhailiuk Pavel K. , Dias H. V. Rasika
Published: October 2021

Copper–ethylene and carbonyl complexes of the newly developed [Ph2B(3-(SF5)Pz)2]− enable the study of ligand steric and electronic effects caused by the –SF5 group (dubbed “super CF3”), and a comparison to the –CF3 bearing analogs.
A service‐aware transport layer framework for SDN‐enabled cellular core networks
Authors: Xia Nian , Tsai Pang‐Wei , Ling Teck Chaw , Yang Chu‐Sing
Published: October 2021

Since futuristic cellular core networks are envisioned to accommodate emerging vertical domain applications with diverse QoS requirements, software‐defined networking (SDN) technology has played a vital role in improving the scalability and flexibility of network management. This paper presents the design and development of a service‐aware transport layer framework in SDN‐enabled cellular core networks. It aims to study and accommodate three typical traffic types: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra‐reliable and low latency communications (URLLC), and massive machine‐type communications (mMTC) in optimal path selection. The proposed framework is able to dynamically allocate network resources to corresponding traffic of above types for satisfying the requirements of each identified flow, using a multi‐level queue management mechanism to alleviate the flow dropping problem when the network becomes congested. For experiment and verification, a testbed platform was built to evaluate the functionalities of developed modules, the performance of the diffserv‐based optimal path selection, and the operation of multi‐level queue management. The experiment results demonstrate that the proposed algorithms could obtain a higher accepting ratio than the other ones in different network conditions.
Recent advances of integrated microfluidic suspension cell culture system
Authors: Kerk Yi Jing , Jameel Aysha , Xing Xin‐Hui , Zhang Chong
Published: October 2021

Microfluidic devices with superior microscale fluid manipulation ability and large integration flexibility offer great advantages of high throughput, parallelisation and multifunctional automation. Such features have been extensively utilised to facilitate cell culture processes such as cell capturing and culturing under controllable and monitored conditions for cell‐based assays. Incorporating functional components and microfabricated configurations offered different levels of fluid control and cell manipulation strategies to meet diverse culture demands. This review will discuss the advances of single‐phase flow and droplet‐based integrated microfluidic suspension cell culture systems and their applications for accelerated bioprocess development, high‐throughput cell selection, drug screening and scientific research to insight cell biology. Challenges and future prospects for this dynamically developing field are also highlighted.
A new theory of driver vision pressure energy field and its application in driver behaviour decision‐making model
Authors: Li Yi , Yu Bo , Chen Yuren , Hu Zhihua
Published: October 2021

The interpretation of driver behaviour decisions is an essential part of driver behaviour research. Unlike previous studies that use driver's vision indicators or behaviour indicators as the basis for behaviour decision‐making models, this paper proposes a new concept of vision pressure energy field to describe driver's vision perception. Driver behaviours are regarded as the results of the energy fluctuation of the “Potential Energy‐Field Energy‐Kinetic Energy” cycle. The energy field model and corresponding classification method of driving risk level are presented. The micro‐effect and macro‐effect of driver behaviour decisions are considered in the decision effect evaluation process. These models are integrated into an RNN (Recurrent Neural Network) framework. After the field test data training, the model results show that the decision‐making framework with a hidden layer can successfully describe the car‐following and lane‐changing behaviours. The phenomenon of continuous behaviour change can be explained by the prediction result of decision effect level. The vision pressure energy field theory integrates the driver behaviour into the physical energy field theory. It presents a new way to interpret driver's vision perception results. The driver behaviour changes can also be successfully predicted through this theory.
Constraining the properties of the potential embedded planets in the disk around HD 100546
Authors: Pyerin Max Ackermann , Delage Timmy N. , Kurtovic Nicolás T. , Gárate Matías , Henning Thomas , Pinilla Paola
Published: October 2021

Context. The protoplanetary disk around the star HD 100546 displays prominent substructures in the form of two concentric rings. Recent observations with the Atacama Large Millimeter/sub-millimeter Array (ALMA) have revealed these features with high angular resolution and have resolved the faint outer ring well. This allows us to study the nature of the system further.

Aims. Our aim is to constrain some of the properties of potential planets embedded in the disk, assuming that they induce the observed rings and gaps.

Methods. We present the self-calibrated 0.9 mm ALMA observations of the dust continuum emission from the circumstellar disk around HD 100546. These observations reveal substructures in the disk that are consistent with two rings, the outer ring being much fainter than the inner one. We reproduced this appearance closely with a numerical model that assumes two embedded planets. We varied planet and disk parameters in the framework of the planet-disk interaction code FARGO3D and used the outputs for the gas and dust distribution to generate synthetic observations with the code RADMC-3D.

Results. From this comparison, we find that an inner planet located at r1 = 13 au with a mass M1 = 8 MJup and an outer planet located at r2 = 143 au with a mass M2 = 3 MJup leads to the best agreement between synthetic and ALMA observations (deviation less than 3σ for the normalized radial profiles). To match the very low brightness of the outer structure relative to the inner ring, the initial disk gas surface density profile needs to follow an exponentially tapered power law (self-similar solution), rather than a simple power-law profile.
High resolution LAsMA 12CO and 13CO observation of the G305 giant molecular cloud complex
Authors: Mazumdar P. , Wyrowski F. , Urquhart J. S. , Colombo D. , Menten K. M. , Neupane S. , Thompson M. A.
Published: October 2021

Context. Understanding the effect of feedback from young massive stars on the star-forming ability of their parental molecular clouds is of central importance for studies of the interstellar medium and star formation.

Aims. We observed the G305 star-forming complex in the J = 3−2 lines of 12CO and 13CO to investigate whether feedback from the central OB stars was triggering star formation in G305 or actually disrupting this process.

Methods. The region was decomposed into clumps using dendrogram analysis. A catalog of the clump properties such as their positions, luminosities, masses, radii, velocity dispersions, volume densities, and surface mass densities was created. The surface mass densities of the clumps were plotted as a function of the incident 8 μm flux. A mask of the region with 8 μm flux > 100 MJy sr−1 was created and clumps were categorized into three classes based on their extent of overlap with the mask, namely mostly inside (>67% overlap), partly inside (>10 and <67% overlap), and outside (<10% overlap). The surface mass density distribution of each of these populations was separately plotted. This was followed by comparing the G305 clumps with the Galactic average taken from a distance-limited sample of ATLASGAL and CHIMPS clumps. Finally, the cumulative distribution functions (CDFs) of the clump masses in G305 and their L∕M ratios were compared to that of the Galactic sample to determine which mechanism of feedback was dominant in G305.

Results. The surface mass densities of clumps showed a positive correlation with the incident 8 μm flux. The data did not have sufficient velocity resolution to discern the effects of feedback on the linewidths of the clumps. The subsample of clumps labeled mostly inside had the highest median surface mass densities followed by the partly inside and outside subsamples. The difference between the surface mass density distribution of the three subsamples were shown to be statistically significant using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. The mostly inside sample also showed the highest level of fragmentation compared to the other two subsamples. These prove that the clumps inside the G305 region are triggered. The G305 clump population is also statistically different from the Galactic average population, the latter approximating that of a quiescent population of clumps. This provided further evidence that redistribution was not a likely consequence of feedback on the giant molecular cloud. The CDFs of clump masses and their L∕M ratios are both flatter than that of the Galactic average, indicating that clumps are heavier and more efficient at forming stars in G305 compared to the Galactic average.

Conclusions. Feedback in G305 has triggered star formation. The collect and collapse method is the dominant mechanism at play in G305.
Results of development of a stand for evaluation of the accuracy characteristics of absolute trackers
Authors: Lesnichenko Vadim
Published: October 2021

The paper analyzes the existing means of metrological support for absolute trackers, outlines the proposed solutions to the identified shortcomings of existing methods and means of metrological support for absolute trackers, and presents the results of the development of a stand layout for metrological support for absolute trackers.
Low-cost thermo-chemical process of TiO2powder purification: study of iterative gettering effect
Authors: Jaouabi Nesrine , Medfai Wala , Khalifa Marouan , Benabderrahmane Zaghouani Rabia , Ezzaouia Hatem
Published: October 2021

The titanium dioxide (TiO2) purity is very important for the TiO2-based applications making essential the impurities density reduction. In this study, we propose an efficient purification process of TiO2powder in order to reduce impurities. The low-cost proposed approach is based on an iterative gettering (IG) process combining three main steps: (1) a porous TiO2sacrificial layer formation (p-TiO2), (2) a rapid thermal annealing (RTA) of p-TiO2powder in an infrared oven at 950 °C under air permitting the residual impurities diffusion to the porous layer surface and (3) etching in acid solution to remove the porous layer. Effect of the proposed gettering process on purification efficiency was evaluated by different characterization techniques such as the transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), the UV–Visible-NIR spectroscopy, the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The obtained results showed the efficient removal of metal impurities, such as Cu, Al, P, and Fe confirming the efficiency of the process improving the purity from 89% to 99.96%.
Desert pumpkinseed: diet composition and breadth in a Moroccan river
Authors: Gkenas Christos , Magalhães Maria Filomena , Campos-Martin Nazaret , Ribeiro Filipe , Clavero Miguel
Published: October 2021

The widely invasive North American pumpkinseed sunfish, Lepomis gibbosus, is currently established in desert rivers in Morocco. The success of pumpkinseed in novel ecosystems has been associated with its generalist diet, but this trait remains unevaluated in arid regions. Desert rivers are harsh environments with limited water and prey availability which may adversely constrain the diet of fish. Here we studied the diet of pumpkinseed across 4 sites in the Draa River, embracing a 450 m elevational gradient covering from extremely dry lowlands to relatively humid highlands. We described pumpkinseed diet through the analysis of stomach contents of 82 individuals, collected in the fall of 2013. Pumpkinseed diet was dominated by Chironomidae in dry lowlands, while Ephemeroptera, Heteroptera, Trichoptera and Odonata were relevant prey in more humid highlands. Population diet breadth expanded with elevation, but individual specialization in diet was low among all sites. Our results highlight considerable changes in diet composition and breadth with aridity, suggesting that feeding plasticity and use of exclusive, locally abundant prey rather than generalized feeding may be associated with the success of pumpkinseed in most arid areas in desert rivers.
Heat pumps in the future
Authors: Gresz Tímea , Faragó Dávid , Bencs Péter
Published: October 2021

It has been discovered long ago that geothermal energy can be used to substitute various types of fossil fuels. Heat pumps are devices that can transfer the earth’s thermal energy from a cooler to a warmer space. Their deployment would not only benefit large companies but could even reduce the everyday costs of individuals. Among their many advantages, possibly the most important one is that it is environmentally friendly. Their power demand can ideally be satisfied using other renewable energy sources. In this article, the current situation of heat pumps and geothermal energy in Hungary, Sweden and Germany are examined including incentives and grants. Afterwards, the current situation and operation of hybrid systems in Sweden and Egypt are studied.
Software for hydraulic design of axial-flow pump impellers and its manufacturing documentations
Authors: Kalmár László , Hegedűs György , Fáy Árpád , Szaszák Norbert
Published: October 2021

This article presents a hydraulic design procedure for axial-flow pump impellers, followed by their manufacturing documentations, all in one easy-to-use software named AXPHD V2.0 (AXial Pump Hydraulic Design) developed by one of the authors (Kalmár). After the user determined pump duty, the software offers input data which may be changed interactively. The hydrodynamic singularity method is used to compute the blade profiles on cylindrical surfaces. If the velocity and pressure distributions are accepted, then the body model of the impeller is produced by AUTODESK INVENTOR PROFESSIONAL 2019. Full manufacturing documentation is prepared including shop-drawings for traditional production, numeric modules for CAM, and files for 3D printing. A photo of an impeller made by 3D printing closes the paper.
Design of an experimental device for preheating combustion air
Authors: Martvoňová Lucia , Polačiková Mária , Drga Juraj , Backa Alexander
Published: October 2021

The principle of the proposed device is to use part of the waste heat, which otherwise leaves through the chimney unused into the air, to preheat the combustion air. reducing chimney losses and preheating the combustion air will increase the efficiency of the heat source. the device is actually a gravity loop heat pipe with an evaporating part located behind the furnace and a condensing part in the combustion air supply duct. Heat transfer is realized by means of phase transformation of the working medium in the proposed device.
Issue of heat mirror films overheating
Authors: Pospíšilík Václav , Honus Stanislav
Published: October 2021

The study focuses on the issue of coated thin plastic films overheating due to the absorption of solar radiation. These films are suspended within the sealed space of dual-pane insulating glass units (IGU). Films are deformed due to thermal stress and the glazing ceases to carry out its function. The surface temperature of the glazing system was evaluated from energy balance during a sunny day. It was supposed the intensity of solar radiation 1000 W/m2. Solar radiation incidents perpendicular to the surface of the glazing. Spectroscopic measurement was performed and optical properties of glasses and films were evaluated. Finally, suitable glazing was designed, which partially prevents transmission of the solar radiation into the inner space of glazing and the thin plastic films are not significantly overheated.
Analysis of the secondary circuit of a gas-cooled fast reactor
Authors: Volf Michal , Pelikán Martin , Žitek Pavel
Published: October 2021

The article focuses on a power conversion system for a gas-cooled fast reactor working with helium. The power conversion system, i.e., secondary and possible tertiary system of a power plant, is used to convert heat generated by nuclear fission into electrical energy. The presented research deals with the conceptual design of this system, mainly its secondary circuit, which is assumed to be a Brayton cycle. Several concepts are evaluated, including single and staged compression and possible heat regeneration. The goal of the work is to select the main parameters of such a cycle that would not only be ideal in terms of efficiency, but would also allow decay heat to be used and further converted into electricity. In this way, the secondary cycle could be used as an additional safety system for the nuclear power plant.
Jaw osteonecrosis in patients treated with denosumab 120 mg with regular dental monitoring: 4-year retrospective study
Authors: Beaudouin Sophie , Scailteux Lucie-Marie , Lefeuvre Claudia , Gamby Romain , Cairon-Lejeune Sophie
Published: October 2021

Background: Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is an expected, but rare adverse effect of denosumab. There are few data denosumab 120 mg related MRONJ occurrence when regular dental monitoring is planned. International and French recommendations do not detail the schedule of the follow-up visits, allowing local interpretations. Methods: The aim of this retrospective study was to describe our local experience of regular dental monitoring in patients receiving denosumab 120 mg. We included all ≥18-year-old patients exposed to denosumab 120 mg, bisphosphonate- and denosumab-naive, and with regular dental monitoring (pre-treatment and every 4 months after denosumab initiation) at the University Hospital Center, France, from 2015 to 2019. The crude incidence of denosumab-related osteonecrosis of the jaw was estimated per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval). Results: During the study period, 251 patients were included, of whom 77 did not attend the 1st follow-up visit at 4 months. Almost all patients had osteonecrosis of the jaw risk factors. Ten MRONJ cases were reported (four stage 0 and six stage 1). The crude incidence rate was 5.1 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 1.9–8.2). Denosumab was stopped in all patients who developed MRONJ, with favorable outcome for 3 cases and stabilization in 4 cases after osteonecrosis of the jaw management. Conclusion: This study suggested that a regular dental follow-up every 4 months may be a suitable option for prevention and early detection/treatment of MRONJ. A randomized study should be performed to determine the best dental monitoring schedule.
The relationship between geographical region and perceptions of radiation risk after the Fukushima accident: The mediational role of knowledge
Authors: Kashiwazaki Y. , Takebayashi Y. , Murakami M.
Published: October 2021

Since the Fukushima accident, radiation risk perception has been of public concern. Factors related to regional differences in radiation risk perception and the role that knowledge of radiation effects plays are still not clearly understood. Here, we first assessed the validity of the Lindell radiation risk perception scale by comparing it with the mortality rate of traffic accidents. We then investigated the relationship between the perceptions and both the geographical regions and the knowledge of genetic effects and, further, verified the mediating role of knowledge in the perception. The sample comprised of 832 participants who responded to an online questionnaire in August 2018 from Tokyo and Fukushima. There was a significant association between the Lindell scale and the perceived magnitude of genetic risk relative to traffic accident mortality. Knowledge of genetic effects, after the atomic bombs, was associated with perceptions of lower genetic risks. The relationship between geographical region and risk perception was mediated by knowledge. However, approximately 40% of those who had knowledge still perceived a high risk, indicating that perception is not governed by knowledge alone. In addition to efforts to share knowledge, it is important to interactively communicate regarding risk to alleviate the anxiety felt by individuals.
Das Kabinensystem von Georg Haas
Authors: Sander Ullrich
Published: October 2021

1924 führte der Gießener Internist Prof. Dr. Georg Haas (1986–1971) die weltweit erste Hämodialyse am Menschen durch. Er verwendete Kollodiumröhren, wie schon vor ihm die Amerikaner Abel, Rowntree und Turner bei ihren Tierversuchen. Er verbesserte deren System, indem er die Kollodiumröhren in 3–5 äußeren Glasröhren anordnete (Kabinensystem;
Abb. 1
). Hierdurch war es möglich, bei einem Blutleck die betroffene Röhre zu umgehen und die Dialyse fortzusetzen.
The Effects of Exercise Training on Plasma Volume Variations: A Systematic Review
Authors: Zouhal Hassane , Rhibi Fatma , Salhi Amal , Jayavel Ayyappan , Hackney Anthony C. , Saeidi Ayoub , Govindasamy Karuppasamy , Tourny-Chollet Claire , Clark Cain C.T. , Abderrahman Abderraouf Ben
Published: October 2021

The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the evidence on the acute and long-term effects of exercise training on PV, in both trained and untrained individuals and to examine associations between changes in %PVV and change in physical/physiological performance. Despite the status of participants and the exercise duration or intensity, all the acute studies reported a significant decrease of PV (effect size: 0.85<d<3.45, very large), and ranged between 7 and 19.9%. In untrained individuals, most of studies reported a significant increase of PV in response to different kind of training including endurance training and high intensity interval training (effect size: 0.19<d<3.52, small to very large), and ranged from 6.6 to 16%. However, in trained individuals the results are equivocal. We showed that acute exercise appears to induce a significant decrease of PV in both healthy untrained and trained individuals in response to several exercise modalities. Moreover, there is evidence that long-term exercise training induced a significant increase of PV in healthy untrained individuals. However, it seems that there is no consensus concerning the effect of long-term exercise training on PV in trained individuals.
Common good in the era of data-intensive healthcare
Authors: Grön Kirsikka
Published: October 2021

In recent years, scholars studying data-intensive healthcare have argued that data-driven technologies bind together new actors and goals as part of healthcare. By combining the expectation studies with justification theory, this article adopts a novel theoretical perspective to understand how these actors and goals are enroled in healthcare. Drawing on a case study of Apotti, a Finnish social services and healthcare information system renewal project, the article shows how new emerging health data assemblages stress the aims of producing the common good in public healthcare. The project is studied by analysing interviews of the project’s key actors and various documents produced in the project. The paper shows how, in the collective expectations, the new information system is justified by multiple understandings of the common good, which might be contradictory with each other. Along with the established goals of improving public healthcare operations, the new information system is expected to empower clients and patients, audit and manage personnel, promote national digital social and healthcare service markets, provide better data and tools for research, and promote Finnish research and business in international competition. These expectations are not all based on the settled understanding of the common good of public healthcare as promoting health; the common good is also defined in other terms such as improving research, promoting markets and business, and making Finland famous and a leading country in the digital social services and healthcare field. These goals and expectations are purposely ambiguous to be loose enough to gain attention and maintain it even when the promises are not met. The paper identifies the ambiguity and plurality of the common good as strategies of data-intensive healthcare and raises concerns of how this might shape public healthcare in the future. As the plural understandings of the common good might not support each other, the paper calls for further assessments of how this will affect public healthcare’s core objectives and for seeking solutions that carefully balance the goals of the current and evolving multi-stakeholder environment of data-intensive healthcare.
Media events, speech events and propagandistic techniques of legitimation: a multimodal analysis of the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ public addresses on the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic
Authors: Poulakidakos Stamatis
Published: October 2021

The increased information need after the outburst of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has led to the enhanced role of public addresses and press conferences that can broadcast important information simultaneously to a large number of people through a number of different media outlets (TV, radio, internet). Thus, government leaders worldwide have opted for the frequent broadcast of public addresses, reviving the rationale of media events as a way to disseminate their messages concerning the pandemic as widely as possible. The current paper focuses on the Greek case, scrutinizing the public addresses of the Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis in terms of both structural and content characteristics. Through the use of multimodal analysis, we figure out the visual and linguistic characteristics in K. Mitsotakis public addresses. At the same time, we setup a research framework for the qualitative and quantitative examination of similar public addresses in various countries, by combining the theories of media events, propaganda, and linguistic techniques of political legitimization. Our main findings suggest that K. Mitsotakis in his public addresses has made use of direct visual and verbal connections to aspects of “Greekness” in a nation-centric rationale. He relies predominantly on the evocation of positive sentiments and rationalization (as a means of legitimization), in order to achieve political benefits by incorporating the management of the pandemic into the Greek government’s nationalist agenda.
Climate change and food security in Sri Lanka: towards food sovereignty
Authors: Gunaratne Mahinda Senevi , Radin Firdaus R. B. , Rathnasooriya Shamila Indika
Published: October 2021

This study explored food security and climate change issues and assessed how food sovereignty contributes to addressing the climate change impacts on entire food systems. The study aimed to contextualise food security, climate change, and food sovereignty within Sri Lanka’s current development discourse by bringing global learning, experience, and scholarship together. While this paper focused on many of the most pressing issues in this regard, it also highlighted potential paths towards food sovereignty in the context of policy reforms. This study used a narrative review that relied on the extant literature to understand the underlying concepts and issues relating to climate change, food security and food sovereignty. Additionally, eight in-depth interviews were conducted to obtain experts’ views on Sri Lanka’s issues relating to the thematic areas of this study and to find ways forward. The key findings from the literature review suggest that climate change has adverse impacts on global food security, escalating poverty, hunger, and malnutrition, which adversely affect developing nations and the poor and marginalised communities disproportionately. This study argues that promoting food sovereignty could be the key to alleviating such impacts. Food sovereignty has received much attention as an alternative development path in international forums and policy dialogues while it already applies in development practice. Since the island nation has been facing many challenges in food security, poverty, climate change, and persistence of development disparities, scaling up to food sovereignty in Sri Lanka requires significant policy reforms and structural changes in governance, administrative systems, and wider society.
Study of system dynamics through recurrence analysis of regular windows
Authors: Rysak A. , Gregorczyk M.
Published: October 2021

In the recurrence quantification analysis of a dynamical system, the key parameters of the analysis significantly influence the qualitative changes in recurrence measures. Therefore, the values of these parameters must be selected carefully using appropriate rules. The embedding parameters provide rules and procedures for the determination of the above. However, rules for selecting the threshold parameter (ɛ) are still the subject of tests and studies. This study proposes a procedure for selecting appropriate values of ɛ and point density of a vector series based on variability and convergence criteria. A criterion for the linear convergence of recurrence results makes it possible to find a narrow range of the ɛ parameter that would be suitable for the analysis in question.
First investigation of additive engineering for highly efficient Cs2AgBiBr6-based lead-free inorganic perovskite solar cells
Authors: Yang Xiaoqing , Xie Amin , Xiang Huimin , Wang Wei , Ran Ran , Zhou Wei , Shao Zongping
Published: October 2021

Inorganic lead (Pb)-free Cs2AgBiBr6 double perovskite is one of the most promising light absorbers in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) to solve the instability and Pb toxicity problems of organic–inorganic perovskites. However, the intrinsic and extrinsic defects of Cs2AgBiBr6 films strongly limit the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of Cs2AgBiBr6-based PSCs. Herein, the first investigation of additive engineering in Cs2AgBiBr6-based PSCs is reported to achieve an outstanding efficiency. The introduction of guanidinium thiocyanate (GuaSCN) additive effectively controls the nucleation of Cs2AgBiBr6 crystals during the film formation process, improves the perovskite film quality, suppresses the charge carrier recombination, and accelerates the charge extraction simultaneously. Consequently, after optimizing the GuaSCN amount, the device shows a stable PCE of 3.02% under maximum power point tracking (MPPT) condition. Furthermore, the introduction of GuaSCN additive remarkably improves the ambient stability of the devices. This work provides insights on additive engineering for enhancing the efficiency and stability of inorganic Pb-free Cs2AgBiBr6-based PSCs toward future industrialization of this technology.
Estimation of module temperature for water-based photovoltaic systems
Authors: Niyaz Humaid Mohammed , Kumar Manish , Gupta Rajesh
Published: October 2021

Estimation of module temperature is important for the assessment of performance and reliability of photovoltaic (PV) modules. The objective of the present work is to develop a simple model for estimation of module temperature of water-based PV systems. In this paper, a new approach has been proposed to incorporate the effect of water on PV module temperature. PV modules experience differential heat exchange from their front and rear sides under the influence of water. Therefore, in the proposed approach, separate thermal loss coefficients have been calculated for the front and rear sides of PV modules. The experimentally measured data of a complete year has been utilized to determine the thermal loss coefficients of front and rear sides of PV modules. These coefficients have been used along with PV module technology parameters for predicting module temperature. The ratio of front and rear side thermal loss coefficient of hetro-junction with intrinsic thin layer (HIT), multi-crysalline Silicon (mc-Si), and Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) PV technologies is found to be 0.537, 0.556, and 0.363, respectively. The developed model has been validated using an experimental setup comprising of three different PV module technologies. The mean bias error and root mean square error for the developed model have been found to be less than 0.5 °C and approximately 3 °C, respectively. This shows that the developed model is accurate enough and consistent for temperature estimation of different PV module technologies on water bodies.