bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimating the optimal value of diameter of the inlet to the impeller of a centrifugal blood pump
Authors: Bobkov Alexandr
Published: April 2023

The article is devoted to the optimization of the design of the inlet zone of a centrifugal blood pump. One of the disadvantages of such pumps is the generation of turbulence in the flow of the pumped fluid, which contributes to high blood hemolysis. The reason for turbulence lies in a combination of geometric and kinematic factors, in particular, a 90 degree turn of the flow in the inlet part of the impeller channels and a high circumferential speed of rotation of its channels. The hydrodynamic consequence of this is an increase in the hydraulic resistance of the pump flow path and separation of the boundary layer from the streamlined surface. As a result, the non-uniformity of the flow velocity field increases and separation flow zones appear, stimulating vortex formation and turbulence of the blood flow. The article provides the derivation of an equation for calculating the optimal diameter of the impeller D1, which does not have a bushing in the inlet. This design is typical for centrifugal blood pumps. As a criterion for the optimal value of D1, the minimum level of hydraulic resistance in the inlet zone of the pump was considered. Based on the derived formula, a graph of D1 values was constructed in the range of parameters: blood volume flow 3…6 liters per minute, speed 4000-10000 rpm. With an increase in blood flow and a decrease in the number of revolutions of the impeller, the diameter of the inlet to the impeller must be increased from 6.4 mm to 13.8 mm.
Engineering-psychological and ergonomic design of the aircraft crew workplace
Authors: Fominykh Daniil , Levin Dmitry
Published: April 2023

The article discusses various aspects of the engineering and psychological design of the cockpit of advanced aircraft as an integral part of the overall design of aviation technics. The design process and factors that should be taken into account when solving the problem of designing the crew workplace are described. The issues of constructing the information control field of the cabin, various ways of receiving and entering information are discussed, promising methods of human-machine interaction are described. It is concluded that the issues of obtaining and entering information by the crew in the process of performing a flight task should be resolved taking into account multimodality.
Selection of design parameters of the system for changing the supply of power supplies for hydraulic systems of aircraft
Authors: Petrovichev Vladimir , MiShchenko Viktor , Sorokin Konstantin , Shipova Svetlana
Published: April 2023

The article develops a mathematical model of the variable flow pump of the aircraft power supply, designed to simulate the operation of the power supply depending on the speed of the sustainer engine, oil temperature, pressure and supply (removable power). In addition, a control algorithm has been developed that provides the required quality of the transient process, which is achieved by installing additional hydraulic resistances between the servo piston cavity, the drain hydraulic line and the control spool, which change the flow characteristic of the pump and contribute to the fastest attenuation of the transient process and reduce its oscillation.
L’approche ethics-by-design et sa pertinence pour l’éthique des biotechnologies
Authors: Gaillard Maxence
Published: April 2023

L’approche ethics-by-design est proposée depuis peu aux développeurs de techniques pour s’assurer que leurs produits se conforment à un certain nombre de valeurs. Cette approche présente l’intérêt d’anticiper les retombées des nouvelles techniques et de proposer des étapes précises pour leur évaluation et leur conception, conformément à des normes éthiques. L’application de cette approche soulève des questions sur la nature des biotechnologies en tant qu’objets destinés à circuler dans la société. La réflexion bioéthique pourrait donc partiellement s’inspirer de cette approche.
Bioinspired Total Syntheses of Secologanin-Related Natural Products: A Demonstration of the Power of Secologanin in the Flask
Authors: Ishikawa Hayato , Sakamoto Jukiya
Published: April 2023

The preparation of natural product libraries by total synthesis has become an extremely important and attractive research topic in organic chemistry. In higher plants, secologanin, which belongs to the monoterpene family, is the starting point for derivation into natural products with different skeletons and biological activities. This Account presents a practical total synthesis of secologanin using an asymmetric organocatalytic cascade reaction. In addition, a collective total synthesis of secologanin-related natural products, such as monoterpenoid indole alkaloids and hetero-oligomeric iridoid glycosides, is described from the synthesized secologanin and its derivatives. To date, we have successfully synthesized 39 secologanin-related natural products using bioinspired strategies with reference to biosynthesis, and in this Account, details of the synthetic strategies for 20 of them are presented. By combining these total syntheses into a single Account, we hope to provide a better view of how the pieces connect to one another and how each piece fits together into the overall body of work.

1 Introduction

2 A Practical Total Synthesis of Secologanin

3 Total Syntheses of 5-Carboxystrictosidine and Related Indole Alkaloid Glycosides

4 Total Syntheses of Strictosidine and Related Indole Alkaloid Glycosides

5 Total Syntheses of β-Carboline-Type Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloid Glycosides

6 Total Syntheses of Non-Glycosylated Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloids

7 Total Syntheses of Hetero-Oligomeric Iridoid Glycosides

8 Conclusion and Future Prospects
Post-craniotomy Pain: An Update
Authors: Samagh Navneh , Jangra Kiran , Dey Ankita
Published: April 2023

Approximately two-thirds of patients experience moderate to severe intensity pain following craniotomy. It is often undertreated due to fear of unfavorable side effects of commonly used analgesic drugs. The objectives of this review are to discuss the various aspects of acute and chronic post-craniotomy pain including its incidence, pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria, preventive strategies, and management in adult patients. The data have been consolidated based on our literature search from 1978 to 2021 using various databases including Google Scholar, Medline, and PubMed Central. We conclude that one must act at the earliest using various treatment modalities for post-craniotomy pain management.
Emergency Neurosurgery in a Patient with a Large Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm: Sitting on a Bomb
Authors: Lingareddy Vyshnavi , Vattipalli Sameera , Chavali Siddharth , Kanasani Suresh , Raju Subodh
Published: April 2023

Thoracic aortic aneurysms larger than 5 cm are associated with a fatal risk of rupture, and their diagnosis is usually followed by urgent surgical repair. Other complications associated with this condition include heart failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Literature regarding management of these patients for emergency noncardiac surgeries is scarce, with anecdotal reports advising both surgeries in the same sitting. However, neurosurgical procedures present a unique challenge in this situation, since systemic anticoagulation may be associated with a rebleed within the cranial vault. In this case report, we present an extremely rare and challenging scenario, wherein a patient with a 6.2-cm thoracic aortic aneurysm underwent subdural hematoma evacuation prior to aneurysmal repair.
The Peroxidative Changes in Rat Brain Tissue Homogenates by Vitamin C and Deferoxamine against Vanadium-Stimulated Lipid Peroxidation
Authors: El-Shaari Fatum A. , Haider Syed Saleem , M-El-Fakhri Rehab
Published: April 2023

Objectives Vanadium (V) metal induces lipid peroxidation (LPO) and this has been proposed as a cause for its neurotoxicity.

Aim This study aimed to evaluate the effects of vitamin C (VC) and deferoxamine (DF) against V-induced LPO in brain tissue homogenates in vitro.

Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Brains were removed and dissected into hypothalamus, hippocampus, brain stem, and medulla pons. They were homogenized in150mM potassium chloride (KCl), and incubated for 1 hour with V, VC, and DF in a micromolar concentration of 20 and 100. Aliquots were used for the estimation of LPO in spectrophotometer. Data analysis were done by one-way analysis of variance.

Results V exposure (20 and 100μM) demonstrated statistically significant (p < 0.001) enhancement of LPO (average increase with 20μMV was by +105% and with 100μMV was by +130%), respectively, in brain tissue homogenates compared with water controls. Hypothalamus exhibited maximum enhancement (average increase with 20μMV was by +145% and with 100μMV was by +175%, respectively), in LPO than other regions. Coexposure of brain tissue homogenates to V + VC (20 and 100μM) further accelerated the LPO (+24% and +16%, respectively) compared with V alone. Brain stem exhibited highest increases (+54% with 20μMV and +21% with 100μMV; p < 0.001), respectively. V-induced oxidative consequences were remarkably inhibited (average -55%; p < 0.001) by DF + V (20μM + 100μM) exposure. Hypothalamus and medulla pons exhibited inhibition, by −66% and −60% (p < 0.001) respectively.

Conclusion V exposure in vitro resulted in oxidative damage with significant regional variations in brain tissue homogenates. VC is pro-oxidative in vitro reactions and DF chelates V-ion moiety.
Metacognitive Processes in Cancer: A Review
Authors: Rashmi Rekha , Vanlalhruaii Chhakchhuak
Published: April 2023

When diagnosed with cancer, the patients and their family go through emotional turmoil across the different phases: diagnosis, assessment, treatment, and aftercare, which decrease their quality of life and well-being. Previously, many studies have highlighted the association of metacognition with the development and maintenance of mental health conditions. Several recent studies have pointed out the significant role of dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs in the context of chronic disease. Thus, the present study aims to explore the role of metacognitive processes in cancer. The researchers conducted a narrative review of literature using PubMed, Semantic Scholar, and Science Direct. A total of 31 articles were selected and analyzed. This review article established that patients with cancer and caregivers experience metacognitive beliefs, which are associated with emotional distress, and the effectiveness of metacognitive therapy in reducing distress. This study also provides insight into the broader scope to advance research in this field.
Voyage of Measurable Residual Disease Assessment in Multiple Myeloma Using Multiparametric Flow Cytometry
Authors: Das Nupur , Gupta Ritu
Published: April 2023

Measurable residual disease (MRD) in multiple myeloma (MM) has emerged as one of the strongest and independent biomarkers to evaluate therapeutic response for the prediction of long-term treatment outcome. With the incorporation of MRD in response assessment criterion by International Myeloma Working Group, it has become the routine parameter to be assessed at various time points after therapy. Among various techniques to assess MRD, multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC)-based MRD estimation has evolved dramatically over the last two decades achieving sensitivity comparable to molecular methods. Next-generation flow cytometry with the incorporation of innovative tools in MRD detection including consortium-based guidelines for preanalytical and analytical factors led to the overall improvement in MFC-based MRD detection. However, flow cytometry assays suffer from inherent challenges ranging from procedural hemodilution to lack of harmonization and standardization across the centers.

This review article outlines and summarizes the essential laboratory prerequisites for reproducible MRD analysis by flow cytometry. Furthermore, a brief account of the utility of MRD evaluation in clinical practice as predictor of response and long-term treatment outcome has also been discussed. Considering the evolution of MFC-based MRD over two decades from a scientific research tool to a routine clinical diagnostic assay, it needs to be explored further in studying complex phenomenon like clonal evolution, clonal switches, and identification of treatment refractory clones for guiding more effective therapies improving overall survival.
Surviving Colorectal Cancer: More Than Treatment
Authors: Xavier Belsiyal C.
Published: April 2023

The main aim of this article is to contribute to a complete patient perspective on the psychosocial impact of colorectal cancer. The details included patient personal experience of being a colorectal cancer survivor and perception regarding psychosocial support during management of the illness. Health professionals should assume that patients may have difficulty in illness management and should encourage a discussion of patients' concerns.
Self-Limited Epilepsy with Autonomic Seizures (SeLEAS): A Retrospective Case Series
Authors: Anand Aakanksha , Kumar Ashna , Garg Divyani , Kansal Bhavya , Saluja Simar , Sharma Suvasini
Published: April 2023

Objective Self-Limited Epilepsy with Autonomic Seizures (SeLEAS), previously known by the eponymous Panayiotopoulos syndrome, is a benign focal epilepsy of the pediatric age group. It is characterized by nocturnal seizures with dominant autonomic features. Limited data from India exists on SeLEAS. We aimed to describe the clinical, demographic, and treatment-related features of SeLEAS.

Methods In this descriptive retrospective cohort study, we reviewed record of children who met criteria for SeLEAS. Each patient's clinical, demographic, electroencephalographic, neuroimaging, and treatment details were reviewed. Response to antiseizure medications was also recorded.

Results Twenty-three children with SeLEAS were enrolled (males = 18; 78.2%). Median age at onset was 4 (interquartile range: 2.5–10) years and median age at presentation was 6 (2.5–11) years. Focal seizures were observed in 65.2% (n = 15) and 30% (n = 7) had history of status epilepticus. Ictal/postictal emesis was observed in all patients. Occipital spikes on electroencephalography were seen in 78% (n = 17). Four children had poor scholastic performance. Most (70%) of patients were well controlled on monotherapy, even with older antiseizure medications.

Conclusion This cohort shows the spectrum of clinical heterogeneity associated with SeLEAS. Although considered benign, occurrence of status epilepticus and poor scholastic performance among some of our patients suggests that some caution may be appropriate while prognosticating such patients. Seizures were well controlled with monotherapy.
Approach to Biliary Malignancies
Authors: Lee Louise , Rajesh Arumugam
Published: April 2023

Biliary malignancies arise from anywhere along the biliary tract and broadly encompass gallbladder cancer and cholangiocarcinoma. Surgical resection with curative intent remains the mainstay treatment for biliary tract malignancies, but despite advances in treatment and management over the years, prognosis remains poor. The majority of patients present with nonspecific clinical symptoms and are diagnosed at late-stage disease when surgical resection is no longer an option. In the minority of patients presenting with early-stage disease, it is particularly important to determine accurate radiological staging and take a multidisciplinary approach to determine patients suitable for curative surgical resection. A range of imaging modalities is often used in combination, each providing complementary information to characterize and stage disease. Gallbladder cancer and cholangiocarcinoma are distinct entities and the approach to each of these will be discussed separately.
Role of Indocyanine Green Angiography in Free Flap Surgery: A Comparative Outcome Analysis of a Single-Center Large Series of 877 Consecutive Free Flaps
Authors: Choudhary Sunil , Khanna Soumya , Mantri Raghav , Arora Prateek
Published: April 2023

Purpose This study aims to assess and validate the role and cost-effectiveness of indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) in free flap surgery outcomes. A new intraoperative protocol of whole-body surface warming (WBSW) for all free flap surgeries during the strategic “microbreaks” is also described.

Methods A retrospective analysis of 877 consecutive free flaps, performed over 12 years, is presented. The results of the ICGA group (n = 438) were compared with the historical No-ICGA group (n = 439), and statistical significance was calculated for three crucial flap-related adverse outcomes and cost-effectiveness. ICGA was also used as a tool to show the effect of WBSW on free flaps.

Results ICGA showed a notably strong statistical significance in decreasing two outcome parameters, namely, partial flap loss and re-exploration rate. It was also cost-effective. ICGA also demonstrated the positive role of WBSW in increasing flap perfusion.

Conclusions Our study shows that the usage of ICGA for intraoperative assessment of flap perfusion can significantly reduce the partial flap loss and re-exploration rate in free flap surgeries in a cost-effective manner. A new protocol of WBSW is also described and recommended to increase flap perfusion in all free flap surgeries.
Spatial dimensions of water quality value in New England river networks
Authors: Johnston Robert J. , Moeltner Klaus , Peery Seth , Ndebele Tom , Yao Zhenyu , Crema Stefano , Wollheim Wilfred M. , Besedin Elena
Published: April 2023

Households’ willingness to pay (WTP) for water quality improvements—representing their economic value—depends on where improvements occur. Households often hold higher values for improvements close to their homes or iconic areas. Are there other areas where improvements might hold high value to individual households, do effects on WTP vary by type of improvement, and can these areas be identified even if they are not anticipated by researchers? To answer these questions, we integrated a water quality model and map-based, interactive choice experiment to estimate households’ WTP for water quality improvements throughout a river network covering six New England states. The choice experiment was implemented using a push-to-web survey over a sample of New England households. Voting scenarios used to elicit WTP included interactive geographic information system (GIS) maps that illustrated three water quality measures at various zoom levels across the study domain. We captured data on how respondents maneuvered through these maps prior to answering the value-eliciting questions. Results show that WTP was influenced by regionwide quality improvements and improvements surrounding each respondent’s home, as anticipated, but also by improvements in individualized locations identifiable via each respondent’s map interactions. These spatial WTP variations only appear for low-quality rivers and are focused around particular areas of New England. The study shows that dynamic map interactions can convey salient information for WTP estimation and that predicting spatial WTP heterogeneity based primarily on home or iconic locations, as typically done, may overlook areas where water quality has high value.
Machine learning estimation of human body time using metabolomic profiling
Authors: Woelders Tom , Revell Victoria L. , Middleton Benita , Ackermann Katrin , Kayser Manfred , Raynaud Florence I. , Skene Debra J. , Hut Roelof A.
Published: April 2023

Circadian rhythms influence physiology, metabolism, and molecular processes in the human body. Estimation of individual body time (circadian phase) is therefore highly relevant for individual optimization of behavior (sleep, meals, sports), diagnostic sampling, medical treatment, and for treatment of circadian rhythm disorders. Here, we provide a partial least squares regression (PLSR) machine learning approach that uses plasma-derived metabolomics data in one or more samples to estimate dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) as a proxy for circadian phase of the human body. For this purpose, our protocol was aimed to stay close to real-life conditions. We found that a metabolomics approach optimized for either women or men under entrained conditions performed equally well or better than existing approaches using more labor-intensive RNA sequencing-based methods. Although estimation of circadian body time using blood-targeted metabolomics requires further validation in shift work and other real-world conditions, it currently may offer a robust, feasible technique with relatively high accuracy to aid personalized optimization of behavior and clinical treatment after appropriate validation in patient populations.
Using the Veil of Ignorance to align AI systems with principles of justice
Authors: Weidinger Laura , McKee Kevin R. , Everett Richard , Huang Saffron , Zhu Tina O. , Chadwick Martin J. , Summerfield Christopher , Gabriel Iason
Published: April 2023

The philosopher John Rawls proposed the Veil of Ignorance (VoI) as a thought experiment to identify fair principles for governing a society. Here, we apply the VoI to an important governance domain: artificial intelligence (AI). In five incentive-compatible studies (

N

 = 2, 508), including two preregistered protocols, participants choose principles to govern an Artificial Intelligence (AI) assistant from behind the veil: that is, without knowledge of their own relative position in the group. Compared to participants who have this information, we find a consistent preference for a principle that instructs the AI assistant to prioritize the worst-off. Neither risk attitudes nor political preferences adequately explain these choices. Instead, they appear to be driven by elevated concerns about fairness: Without prompting, participants who reason behind the VoI more frequently explain their choice in terms of fairness, compared to those in the Control condition. Moreover, we find initial support for the ability of the VoI to elicit more robust preferences: In the studies presented here, the VoI increases the likelihood of participants continuing to endorse their initial choice in a subsequent round where they know how they will be affected by the AI intervention and have a self-interested motivation to change their mind. These results emerge in both a descriptive and an immersive game. Our findings suggest that the VoI may be a suitable mechanism for selecting distributive principles to govern AI.
The motor domain of the kinesin Kip2 promotes microtubule polymerization at microtubule tips
Authors: Chen Xiuzhen , Portran Didier , Widmer Lukas A. , Stangier Marcel M. , Czub Mateusz P. , Liakopoulos Dimitris , Stelling Jörg , Steinmetz Michel O. , Barral Yves
Published: April 2023

Kinesins are microtubule-dependent motor proteins, some of which moonlight as microtubule polymerases, such as the yeast protein Kip2. Here, we show that the CLIP-170 ortholog Bik1 stabilizes Kip2 at microtubule ends where the motor domain of Kip2 promotes microtubule polymerization. Live-cell imaging and mathematical estimation of Kip2 dynamics reveal that disrupting the Kip2–Bik1 interaction aborts Kip2 dwelling at microtubule ends and abrogates its microtubule polymerization activity. Structural modeling and biochemical experiments identify a patch of positively charged residues that enables the motor domain to bind free tubulin dimers alternatively to the microtubule shaft. Neutralizing this patch abolished the ability of Kip2 to promote microtubule growth both in vivo and in vitro without affecting its ability to walk along microtubules. Our studies suggest that Kip2 utilizes Bik1 as a cofactor to track microtubule tips, where its motor domain then recruits free tubulin and catalyzes microtubule assembly.
Room-temperature ferromagnetic half metal in (C, Mn) co-doped orthorhombic ZnO with large magneto-crystalline anisotropy energy
Authors: Zhang Ruotong , Fang Yimei , Lü Tie-Yu , Cao Xinrui , Zhou Yinghui , Zhu Zi-Zhong , Wu Shunqing
Published: April 2023

Room-temperature ferromagnetic (FM) half-metallic materials are essential for spintronics applications. Here, we find that (C, Mn) co-doped orthorhombic ZnO (termed (C, Mn) @Orth-ZnO) is a room-temperature FM half-metal with a magnetic moment of 3μ
B per Mn atom. A detailed investigation of the electronic structure of the (C, Mn) @Orth-ZnO system demonstrates that the FM interaction originates mainly from the p–d exchange hybridization between the C2p and Mn3d states. Moreover, the induced extended spin-polarized states of nonmetallic C can mediate the long-range FM exchange interactions beyond the nearest-neighbor situation. The Curie temperature T
C of the (C, Mn) @Orth-ZnO system is 371 K based on the mean-field approximation. The (C, Mn) @Orth-ZnO system also has a large magnetic anisotropy energy of 0.63 meV, which is mainly attributed to (dyz, dz

2) orbitals of the Mn atom. Finally, we discuss the influence of carrier concentration and external strain on the stability of the ferromagnetism of the (C, Mn) @Orth-ZnO system. We highlight the application prospects of (C, Mn) @Orth-ZnO in practical spintronic nano-devices.
Abrupt change reflected by the van Hove singularity in the optical spectra of CaMn2P2
Authors: Zheng P , Man X X , Li Y J , Wu W , Xu Y S , Liu K , Li G , Luo J L
Published: April 2023

The trigonal CaAl2Si2-type structure CaMn2P2 has been reported undergoing an exotic first order phase transition at the critical temperature T

N

=
69.5

K. In this paper, we present the optical spectra for the ab-plane of CaMn2P2 single crystal from 300 K to 10 K for the first time. In the real part of the optical conductivity spectra σ
1(ω), a direct gap could be determined at all temperatures without any Drude term visible, i.e., the sample goes through the first order phase transition from one insulator state to the other insulator state. At higher energy, an asymmetric sharp interband transition peak appears in all σ
1(ω) spectra, which indicates a divergence of the joint density of states. This sharp peak could be well described by the two dimensional van Hove singularity function. In particular, this peak is very sensitive to the first order phase transition, especially the peak position E

t

whose the most prominent blue shift occurs only when the first order transition happens. Our data and analysis reveal that the first order phase transition leads to a weak partial re-normalization of the band structure. Our study will be useful in further investigations about the mechanism of the first order phase transition in the insulator.
Layered K0.37MnO2·0.25H2O as cathode material for potassium ion batteries
Authors: Liu Chang , Chao Feiyang , Huang Zhen , Qu Zhuo , Liu Gangyuan , Xiao Yao , Zhang Wenwei , Tang Han , Dong Shijie , Luo Ping
Published: April 2023

Lithium supply shortages have prompted the search for alternatives to widespread grid system applications. Potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) have emerged to promising candidates for this purpose. Nonetheless, the large radius of K+ (1.38 Å) impedes the march of satisfactory cathode materials. Here, we used solid-phase synthesis to prepare a layered K0.37MnO2·0.25H2O (KMO) cathode, comprising alternately connected MnO6 octahedra with a large interlayer spacing (0.71 nm) to accommodate the migration and transport of K+ ions. The cathode material achieved initial specific capacities of 102.3 and 88.1 mA h g−1 at current densities of 60 mA g−1 and 1 A g−1, respectively. The storage mechanism of K+ ions in PIBs was demonstrated ex situ using x-ray diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy measurements. Overall, our proposed KMO was confirmed as an auspicious cathode material for potential use in PIBs.
CuCl2-modified SnO2 electron transport layer for high efficiency perovskite solar cells
Authors: Han Liang , Hu Haihua , Yuan Min , Lin Ping , Wang Peng , Xu Lingbo , Yu Xuegong , Cui Can
Published: April 2023

SnO2 film is one of the most widely used electron transport layers (ETL) in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, the inherent surface defect states in SnO2 film and mismatch of the energy level alignment with perovskite limit the photovoltaic performance of PSCs. It is of great interesting to modify SnO2 ETL with additive, aiming to decrease the surface defect states and obtain well aligned energy level with perovskite. In this paper, anhydrous copper chloride (CuCl2) was employed to modify the SnO2 ETL. It is found that the adding of a small amount of CuCl2 into the SnO2 ETL can improve the proportion of Sn4+ in SnO2, passivate oxygen vacancies at the surface of SnO2 nanocrystals, improve the hydrophobicity and conductivity of ETL, and obtain a good energy level alignment with perovskite. As a result, both the photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability of the PSCs based on SnO2 ETLs modified with CuCl2 (SnO2-CuCl2) is improved in comparison with that of the PSCs on pristine SnO2 ETLs. The optimal PSC based on SnO2-CuCl2 ETL exhibits a much higher PCE of 20.31% as compared to the control device (18.15%). The unencapsulated PSCs with CuCl2 modification maintain 89.3% of their initial PCE after exposing for 16 d under ambient conditions with a relative humidity of 35%. Cu(NO3)2 was also employed to modify the SnO2 ETL and achieved a similar effect as that of CuCl2, indicating that the cation Cu2+ plays the main role in SnO2 ETL modification.
Proton–boron fusion passes milestone
Authors: Cartlidge Edwin
Published: April 2023

Researchers have managed to confine the exotic fuel magnetically, but doubts remain over its potential as an energy source. Edwin Cartlidge investigates.
Sound mimics gravity’s role in convection within stars and planets
Authors: Jarman Sam
Published: April 2023

Sound waves have been used in the lab to mimic the role that gravity plays in driving convection in huge rotating bodies such as stars and planets.
NASA puts UK physicist in charge of $7.8bn science programme
Authors: Banks Michael
Published: April 2023

The UK-born physicist Nicola Fox has become head of science at NASA, one of the highest-profile positions at the US space agency.
Let the viva voce live up to its name
Authors: Mehta Pruthvi
Published: April 2023

Pruthvi Mehta wonders if the standard viva is really the best way to assess PhDs for all students.
A load of old wind
Authors: Rez Peter
Published: April 2023

A reply to Amory Lovins’ letter about wind energy and James McKenzie’s Transactions column on wind-powered ships.
A periodic table for topological materials
Authors: Harris Margaret
Published: April 2023

Topological insulators are a relatively new discovery, with the first theoretical studies taking place in the 1980s. But now, a team has identified tens of thousands of these unusual materials. Maia Vergniory talks to Margaret Harris about the database her group has compiled.
A tale of catastrophe and complexity
Authors: Kakalios James
Published: April 2023

James Kakalios reviews The Phantom Scientist by Robin Cousin (translated by Edward Gauvin).
Stakeholders’ perceptions of urban regeneration: the case of Kis-Pongrác in Budapest
Authors: Nzimande Ntombifuthi Precious
Published: April 2023

Urban regeneration has been seen as the saving grace for cities, bringing hopes of rejuvenating their social environment, renovating their dilapidated buildings and revitalising local urban economies. To implement urban regeneration programs, governments have collaborated with various stakeholders for area-based initiatives. The paper aims to investigate the participatory, integrated approach in Hungary from the perspective of the key stakeholders directly and indirectly involved in a localised case study. Thus, the main objective is to identify the challenges within urban governance of a post-socialist which hindered the development of an integrated and participatory stakeholder engagement approach. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders that were then subject to thematic analysis. In the case study, findings provided critical insights into the interaction between stakeholders’ engagement and these projects. The findings also included the challenges that stakeholders experienced with the project and the need for long-term stakeholder collaboration between the residents, civil society and the government. It is hoped that the findings of this study are not only of interest to urban planners and how beneficial it is for the long-term to include local people in all the different stages of the program, but also to local academia to realise the significant role they can play in contributing towards the success of urban regeneration in their local communities plus in other regions through the sharing of their local urban regeneration outcomes to other academics.
Appropriately representing convective heating is critical for predicting catastrophic heavy rainfall in 2021 in Henan Province of China
Authors: Xu Mingyue , Zhao Chun , Gu Jun , Feng Jiawang , Li Gudongze , Guo Jianping
Published: April 2023

An unprecedented heavy rainfall event occurred in Henan Province of central China during 19–20 July 2021 with the maximum hourly rainfall rate of 201.9 mm, which broke the historical record in mainland China. To investigate the impacts of predicted atmospheric circulation on the regional convection-permitting prediction of this event, two sets of nested experiments with different convective parameterizations (GF and MSKF) in the outer domain and at convection-permitting resolution in the inner domain are performed with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. The analysis found the prediction of ‘21.7’ rainstorm at convection-permitting resolution in the inner domain is largely affected by convective scheme in the outer domain. The atmospheric circulation forcing from the outer domain with different convective schemes is significantly different, which ultimately affects the regional synoptic pattern and precipitation in the refined region through lateral boundary forcing. The difference in regional prediction at convection-permitting resolution can be mitigated by adjusting convective latent heat parameterization in the outer domain. This work highlights that appropriately parameterizing convective latent heat is the key to provide reasonable large-scale forcing for regionally predicting this catastrophic heavy rainfall event at convection-permitting resolution, which may also be applicable to other events and other regions.
Magnetic Li–M (M = Ni, Ni0.8Cu0.2, Cr) layered oxides nanoparticles for Li-ion batteries electrodes
Authors: Solzi M , Cugini F , Scaravonati S , Galli G , Pontiroli D , Attolini G , Besagni T , Delgado G E , Sagredo V
Published: April 2023

Nanoparticles of Li–Ni, Li–(Ni, Cu) and Li–Cr layered oxides, with potential applications as cathode materials in lithium batteries, were prepared by solid-state reaction and sol-gel method. The combination of structural analysis and magnetic characterization allowed the clear identification of the phases present in the synthesized nanoparticles. The main component of Li–Ni oxide nanoparticles is the electrochemically active and ferrimagnetic phase Li1−z
Ni1+z
O2, whereas those of Li–Cr oxide are the antiferromagnetic phases LiCrO2 and Cr2O3. A small substitution of Cu for Ni in Li–Ni oxide determines the formation of nanoparticles in which the main phase is the antiferromagnetic phase Li1−z
Ni1+z
O2. Operation tests in lithium batteries and post-mortem analysis, aimed at assessing the potential of metal oxide nanoparticles as cathode materials, were performed on all samples.
Investigations on mechanical and durability properties for pavement quality concrete using hybrid fibres
Authors: Mahto Shiva Kumar , Sinha Sanjeev , Venkataramana Vavitikalva , Chakravarty Hillol
Published: April 2023

Hybrid fiber reinforced concrete was used to develop pavement quality concrete (PQC) to overcome the disadvantages associated with rigid pavements prepared with plain cement concrete. Hooked-end steel (ST) fiber of 60 mm in length and polypropylene (PP) fiber with a length of 36 mm were used as reinforcement for the hybrid fiber concrete mix. The proportion of ST and PP fibers used was upto 1% with which PP fibers varied from 0 to 0.45% at a 0.15% increment in the total mix. This study aims to assess the various strength workability and durability issues of the concrete mixes. Significant improvement in the properties of mechanical and durability characteristics was observed in the results with the addition of these fibers as compared to control cement concrete. Among all the mix proportions, the overall performance of the mixture by adding steel fiber at 0.85% and polypropylene fiber at 0.15% contents was found to be the best. However, a slight increase in water absorption value was observed by the incorporation of fibers into concrete due to increased thickness in the transition zone and porosity.
Alternative Abdominal Wall Plication Techniques: A Review of Current Literature
Authors: Gilbert Michael M , Anderson Spencer R , Abtahi Ali R
Published: April 2023

Abdominoplasty is one of the most common procedures performed in plastic surgery. By removing redundant skin and fat tissue, body contouring narrows the waist and achieves a naturally flattened appearance. To achieve this, one technique frequently utilized is plication of the abdominal rectus sheath. Although abdominal wall plication is commonly performed during abdominoplasty, there is a lack of consensus regarding which plication method provides the best outcomes. Each variation addresses some of the common intraoperative and postoperative complications of abdominoplasty. These include extended operating time, rupture of the plication, epigastric bulging, and patient postoperative dissatisfaction. Many plication techniques have been described in the literature, but no single technique has been adopted by plastic surgeons as the gold standard. Here we present a narrative comparison of current published literature reporting novel or modified abdominoplasty plication techniques. This includes diagrams of each procedure, sutures utilized, and key concepts of each plication technique. Discussion regarding how these modifications change operating time, alter epigastric bulging, and improve the ability to narrow the waist is provided. The purpose of this paper is to provide a concise source document for plastic surgeons to reference when choosing a plication method to use during abdominoplasty.

Level of Evidence: 4
Cortico-limbic disruption, material-specificity, and deficits in cognitive-affective theory of mind
Authors: Singh Varsha , Grewal Kirat S , Vibha Deepti , Singh Rajesh K , Ramanujam Bhargavi , Nehra Ashima , Chandra Sarat P , Gaikwad Shailesh , Babu Indupriya , Tripathi Manjari
Published: April 2023

The Theory of Mind deficit due to cognitive-affective disintegration is a poorly understood cognitive consequence of cortical and subcortical disruption in right temporal lobe epilepsy. Following Marr's trilevel approach, we used the material-specific processing model to understand the Theory of Mind deficit in drug-resistant epilepsy (N = 30). We examined pre- and post-surgery changes in first-order (somatic-affective, non-verbal component) and second-order Theory of Mind (cognitive-verbal component) in three groups formed using: (i) seizure side (right versus left), (ii) right temporal epilepsy (right temporal lobe epilepsy versus non-right temporal lobe epilepsy), and (iii) right temporal lobe epilepsy with amygdalohippocampectomy (right temporal lobe epilepsy versus left temporal lobe epilepsy amygdalohippocampectomy versus non-amygdalohippocampectomy). We observed a marked deficit in the first-order Theory of Mind in the right temporal lobe amygdalohippocampectomy group; we mapped this deficit to decline in the non-verbal component of Theory of Mind (somatic-affective component). Preliminary results support using a material-specific processing model to understand the Theory of Mind deficits in right temporal lobe epilepsy amygdalohippocampectomy. Malleability of verbal processing in presence of deterioration of non-verbal processing might have clinical relevance for post-surgery recovery in right temporal lobe epilepsy amygdalohippocampectomy. Documenting the material-specific nature of deficits (verbal versus non-verbal) in non-western, linguistically, and socioeconomically diverse country enables us to understand the problem of heterogeneity in post-surgery cognitive consequences in the right amygdalohippocampectomy.
Perfusion gradients promote delayed perihaematomal oedema in intracerebral haemorrhage
Authors: Fainardi Enrico , Busto Giorgio , Scola Elisa , Casetta Ilaria , Mizutani Katsuhiro , Consoli Arturo , Boulouis Gregoire , Padovani Alessandro , Morotti Andrea
Published: April 2023

Perihaematomal oedema is a potential therapeutic target to improve outcome of patients with intracerebral haemorrhage, but its pathophysiology remains poorly elucidated. We investigated the longitudinal changes of cerebral perfusion and their influence on perihaematomal oedema development in 150 patients with intracerebral haemorrhage who underwent computed tomography perfusion within 6 h from onset, at 24 h and at 7 days. Perfusion parameters were measured in haemorrhagic core, perihaematomal rim, surrounding normal appearing and contralateral brain tissue. Computed tomography perfusion parameters gradually improved from the core to the periphery in each time interval with an early increase at 24 h followed by a delayed decline at 7 days compared with admission values (P < 0.001). Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that haematoma volume and cerebral blood flow gradient between normal appearing and perihaematomal rim were independently associated with absolute perihaematomal oedema volume in the different time points (within 6 h, B = 0.128, P = 0.032; at 24 h, B = 0.133, P = 0.016; at 7 days, B = 0.218, P < 0.001). In a secondary analysis with relative perihaematomal oedema as the outcome of interest, cerebral blood flow gradient between normal appearing and perihaematomal rim was an independent predictor of perihaematomal oedema only at 7 days (B = 0.239, P = 0.002). Our findings raise the intriguing hypothesis that perfusion gradients promote perihaematomal oedema development in the subacute phase after intracerebral haemorrhage.
Glucocorticoid metabolites in an ex situ nocturnal bird, the tropical screech owl Megascops choliba: effects of sex, activity period and inter-individual variation
Authors: Barbosa-Moyano Heriberto , Sobral Gisela , de Oliveira Claudio Alvarenga
Published: April 2023

Glucocorticoids mediate physiological processes to obtain energy, presenting daily variation in basal levels that may be related to behavioural activity pattern. Identification of plasticity in the secretion of these hormones is essential to understand their effects on physiology and behaviour of wild birds and, therefore, their success in their natural or artificial environment. Serial endocrine evaluations are facilitated by implementing non-invasive methodologies that minimize possible effects of manipulation on the animal’s physiological variables. However, non-invasive endocrine-behavioural studies in nocturnal birds, such as owls, are immature. The present work aimed to validate an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to quantify glucocorticoid metabolites (MGC) in Megascops choliba as well as to evaluate differences in their production at the individual, sexual or daily level. We recorded the behaviour of nine owls during three continuous days to establish activity budget under captive conditions and aiming to correlate with daily MGC variation. The EIA proved to be effective in analytical assays and in pharmacological testing with synthetic ACTH, validating this immunoassay for the species. Additionally, individual differences in MGC production were confirmed in relation to the time of day, especially at 1700 and 2100, but not in relation to sex. During night hours, the owls showed greater behavioural activity, positively related to MGC values. Higher MGC concentrations were significantly related to greater expressions of active behaviours, such as maintenance, while lower MGC concentrations were recorded during moments of higher alertness and resting. The results presented show daily MGC variation to be inversed in this nocturnal species. Our findings can aid future theoretical studies of daily rhythm and evaluations of challenging and/or disturbing situations that result in changes in behaviour or hormonal cascades of these changes in ex situ populations of owls.
Paravertebral block combined with serratus anterior plane block after video-assisted thoracic surgery: a prospective randomized controlled trial
Authors: Dusseaux Marie-Mélody , Grego Victor , Baste Jean-Marc , Besnier Emmanuel , Boujibar Fairuz , Koscianski Godefroy , Ben Yahia Mohamed Mehdi , Compere Vincent , Clavier Thomas , Vannier Margot , Selim Jean
Published: April 2023

OBJECTIVES

Adequate pain management after thoracoscopic surgery is a major issue in the prevention of respiratory complications. The combination of the paravertebral block (PVB) with the serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) may decrease postoperative pain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the combination of PVB and SAPB on the consumption of morphine and pain after video- or robot-assisted thoracic surgery.

METHODS

The main objective of this randomized controlled trial was to compare the cumulative postoperative morphine consumption at 24 h between a group having PVB (PVB group) and a group having PVB and SAPB (PV-SAPB group). Postoperative pain at 6 and 24 h and morphine-related complications were also assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 112 patients were included with 56 in each group. There was no difference in median cumulative morphine consumption at 24 h between the 2 groups (P = 0.1640). At 6 h, the median postoperative pain was higher in the PVB group compared to the PV-SAPB group (3 [0; 4] vs 2 [0; 3], P = 0.0231). There were no differences between the 2 groups for pain at 24 h and morphine-related complications.

CONCLUSIONS

We did not find any difference in morphine consumption between the 2 groups. Our results suggest that the combination of PVB and SAPB for video-assisted thoracic surgery or robot-assisted thoracic surgery is safe effective and reliable and could be an alternative to PVB alone in certain indications.
Acetylation of MLH1 by CBP increases cellular DNA mismatch repair activity
Authors: Zhang Mu , Zhao Jiawei , Glazer Peter M , Bai Wenlong , Bepler Gerold , Zhang Xiaohong Mary
Published: April 2023

The DNA mismatch repair (MMR) proteins recognize and repair DNA base pair mismatches and insertions/deletions of DNA that have occurred during DNA replication. Additionally, they are involved in regulation of the DNA damage response, including cell cycle checkpoints and apoptosis. Therefore, regulation of these proteins is essential for maintaining genomic integrity. It has been recognized that post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and acetylation, are being used as an important means to regulate the functions and stability of MMR proteins. Here, we report that a histone acetyltransferase CREB binding protein (CBP) interacts with and acetylates MLH1, a component of the MutLα complex (MLH1–PMS2). Moreover, CBP stabilizes MLH1 by preventing it from degradation via the ubiquitin–proteasome degradation pathway. Consistently, acetylation induced by a pan-histone deacetylase inhibitor, Trichostatin A, promotes the assembly between the MutSα (MSH2–MSH6) and MutLα complexes. Furthermore, overexpression of CBP enhances MMR activities in cells. Overall, our results suggest a novel role of CBP in prolonging MLH1 stability and enhancing MutSα–MutLα complex formation, leading to increased cellular MMR activity.