bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantum Topological Photonics
Authors: Yan Qiuchen , Hu Xiaoyong , Fu Yulan , Lu Cuicui , Fan Chongxiao , Liu Qihang , Feng Xilin , Sun Quan , Gong Qihuang
Published: April 2021

Quantum topological photonics is a new research field with great potential that is based on developments in both quantum optics and topological photonics. Topological photonics offers unique properties, including topological robustness and an anti‐backscattering property, and these advantages are strongly required in quantum optics. Quantum technology, which includes quantum optics, represents an important direction for future technological development. However, existing quantum light sources are unstable and quantum information may easily be lost during transmission. These disadvantages have troubled researchers for a long time and no perfect solution is available thus far. Fortunately, application of topological photonics to quantum optics can help to generate robust quantum light sources and protect photons from decoherence during photon propagation. This allows the correlation and entanglement to be maintained even when photons travel over long distances. To date, quantum topological photonics has provided major breakthroughs in certain quantum devices. This Review presents the basic concepts of quantum topological photonics and summarizes how the topological protection property works in quantum light sources, quantum information transmission, and other quantum devices. Finally, an outlook is provided on the remaining challenges and potential future directions of quantum topological photonics, which can aid in exploration of additional new phenomena.
Evidence for a sensitive period of plasticity in brown adipose tissue during early childhood among indigenousSiberians
Authors: Levy Stephanie B. , Klimova Tatiana M. , Zakharova Raisa N. , Fedorov Afanasiy I. , Fedorova Valentina I. , Baltakhinova Marina E. , Leonard William R.
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Evolutionary theorists have debated the adaptive significance of developmental plasticity in organisms with long lifespans such as humans. This debate in part stems from uncertainty regarding the timing of sensitive periods. Does sensitivity to environmental signals fluctuate across development or does it steadily decline? We investigated developmental plasticity in brown adipose tissue (BAT) among indigenous Siberians in order to explore the timing of phenotypic sensitivity to cold stress.

Methods

BAT thermogenesis was quantified using infrared thermal imaging in 78 adults (25 men; 33 women). Cold exposure during gestation, infancy, early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence was quantified using: (1) the average ambient temperature across each period; (2) the number of times daily temperature dropped below −40°F during each period. We also assessed past cold exposure with a retrospective survey of participation in outdoor activities.

Results

Adult BAT thermogenesis was significantly associated with the average temperature (p = 0.021), the number of times it was below −40°F (p = 0.026), and participation in winter outdoor activities (p = 0.037) during early childhood.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that early childhood represents an important stage for developmental plasticity, and that culture may play a critical role in shaping the timing of environmental signals. The findings highlight a new pathway through which the local consequences of global climate change may influence human biology, and they suggest that ambient temperature may represent an understudied component of the developmental origins of health and disease.
Rheological, thermal and morphological properties of polyethylene terephthalate/polyamide 6/rice husk ash composites
Authors: de Matos Costa Anna Raffaela , Lima Juliana Cysneiros , dos Santos Raquel , Barreto Lhaira Souza , Henrique Mariana Alves , de Carvalho Laura Hecker , de Almeida Yêda Medeiros Bastos
Published: April 2021

This work deals with the rheological, morphological, and thermal properties of composites having poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), polyamide‐6 (PA6), and their blends as matrices, and rice husk ash (RHA) as a filler. The study determines the effect of composition on the change in viscosity and rate of degradation during processing in a torque rheometer. Our data indicates that thermal stability and degradation during processing depend on matrix composition and filler concentration. SEM micrographs show both partial adhesion of the filler to the matrices and filler pullout. Optical microscopy shows particle agglomeration and that agglomerate size increased with filler content. FTIR investigates the shifting of absorption bands of PET/PA6 composite after the addition of RHA and attributes the selective dispersion of RHA to the formation of hydrogen bonds. Our data supports the idea that filler employed here is an option to develop polymer composites with improved properties.
Enhanced Peroxidase‐mimicking Activity of Plasmonic Gold‐modified Mn3O4 Nanocomposites through Photoexcited Hot Electron Transfer
Authors: Han Xiaoxuan , Liu Rong , Zhang Hui , Zhou Quan , Feng Wei , Hu Ke
Published: April 2021

Enzyme‐mimicking artificial nanomaterials often termed nanozymes have broad applications in many fields, including biosensing, pollutant degradation and cancer diagnosis. Herein, we introduce a plasmonic gold nanoparticle‐modified Mn3O4 nanozyme (Mn3O4‐Au). Visible or near infrared light excitation into the plasmonic absorption band of the surface‐bound gold nanoparticles enhances the catalytic oxidation of tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). The mechanism of light‐enhanced peroxidase activity is proposed based on the Mn3O4 conduction band mediated hot electron transfer from photoexcited gold nanoparticles to H2O2 which undergoes further oxygen‐oxygen bond cleavage to yield hydroxyl radical. The surface decoration of plasmonic gold nanoparticles endows Mn3O4‐Au to be a light‐regulated nanozyme.
Influence of Intermolecular Hydrogen Bonding Interactions on the Electrocatalytic Reduction of CO2 to CO by 6,6′‐Amine Substituted Rhenium Bipyridine Complexes
Authors: Hellman Ashley N. , Haiges Ralf , Marinescu Smaranda C.
Published: April 2021

The introduction of biologically inspired motifs into electrocatalysts is an attractive strategy for efficiently transforming harmful fossil fuel combustion products such as carbon dioxide into useful chemical fuels. Herein, we present a series of Re(bpy)(CO)3Cl electrocatalysts with pendant primary, secondary, and tertiary amines with the aim of determining the effect of available pendant protons on the reduction of CO2 to CO. Cyclic voltammetry studies indicate that the availability of pendant protons leads to intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions, altering the electrochemical behavior of the complexes. Further, controlled potential electrolysis studies show a clear trend in the catalytic activity of these complexes based on the availability of pendant protons. For the NMe2‐substituted complex with no pendant protons, the Faradaic efficiency (FE) remains quite stable with changing potential (41–65 % FECO), but for the NH2‐substituted complex with maximum available pendant protons, the FECO increases with more negative potentials, peaking at 83 % FECO. Together with the formation of H2 by the NH2‐substituted Re(bpy)(CO)3Cl complex, this suggests a change in electrocatalytic behavior due to the intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions that occur with additional pendant protons.
Electrochemical Reduction of 4‐Nitrobenzyl Phenyl Thioether for Activation and Capture of CO2
Authors: Mena Silvia , Louault Cyril , Mesa Verónica , Gallardo Iluminada , Guirado Gonzalo
Published: April 2021

In this work, a new simple molecule, 4‐nitrobenzyl phenyl thioether (1), is prepared and used for controlling and tuning CO2 reactivity in function of the electrode potential. The first part of the study is devoted to determining the electrochemical reduction mechanism of 1 in N,N‐dimethylformamide under nitrogen. The compound shows a first reversible one‐electron transfer process, whereas the reaction cleavage of the C−S bond takes place after a second electron transfer process through a stepwise mechanism (thermodynamic and kinetic parameters are conveniently determined). In the second part of the study, the inert atmosphere was replaced by a CO2 atmosphere. At low potential values, compound 1 acts as a redox mediator that allows the reduction of CO2 at ca. −1.2 V vs. SCE. The electrochemical generation of 12− at more negative potential values leads to a C−S bond cleavage reaction that yields the corresponding nitrobenzyl and thiosulfate anions, which react with CO2. The nitro aromatic anion derivative makes it possible to obtain electrocarboxylated derivatives, whereas the thiophenolate anion captures CO2 reversibly. Hence, this research opens a new way of tuning and controlling the reaction processes associated with CO2 from homogenous catalysis at low negative potentials, to electrocarboxylation processes passing to CO2 reversible electrochemically triggered adsorption processes.
How professional engineers can contribute to attraction and retention of minority groups into the engineering profession through equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization efforts
Authors: Vandenberghe Jessica
Published: April 2021

Diversity leads to innovation, better project delivery efficiency, and improved quality management in terms of technical engineering work. Current statistics show that there is still underrepresentation of minority groups such as females in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, implying that diversity amongst engineering companies and within the profession is still low. In order to support diversity within the engineering workforce, inclusivity and equitable practises are key to encourage attraction and retention, along with understanding decolonization. Professional engineers have an ethical obligation to contribute both through personal and professional development of skills that will build inclusive organizational cultures and to influence equitable policies and practises.
Autoantibodies against complement component C1q in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Trendelenburg Marten
Published: April 2021

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the archetype of a systemic autoimmune disease, but the multifaceted pathogenic mechanisms leading to inflammation and organ damage are not fully understood. Homozygous deficiency of complement C1q, the first component of the classical pathway of complement, is strongly associated with the development of SLE, thus pointing at a primarily protective role of C1q. However, while most SLE patients do not have hereditary C1q deficiency, there is indirect evidence for the importance of C1q in the inflammatory processes of the disease, including hypocomplementemia as a result of activation via the classical pathway, deposition of C1q in affected tissues and the occurrence of autoantibodies against C1q (anti‐C1q). The growing body of knowledge on anti‐C1q led to the establishment of a biomarker that is used in the routine clinical care of SLE patients. Exploring the binding characteristics of anti‐C1q allows to understand the mechanisms, that lead to the expression of relevant autoantigenic structures and the role of genetic as well as environmental factors. Lastly, the analysis of the pathophysiological consequences of anti‐C1q is of importance because C1q, the target of anti‐C1q, is a highly functional molecule whose downstream effects are altered by the binding of the autoantibody. This review summarises current study data on anti‐C1q and their implications for the understanding of SLE.
Exposure to air pollution and COVID-19 severity: A review of current insights, management, and challenges
Authors: Ali Nurshad , Fariha Khandaker A. , Islam Farjana , Mishu Moshiul A. , Mohanto Nayan C. , Hosen Mohammad J. , Hossain Khaled
Published: April 2021

Several epidemiological studies have suggested a link between air pollution and respiratory tract infections. The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses a great threat to public health worldwide. However, some parts of the globe have been worse affected in terms of prevalence and deaths than others. The causes and conditions of such variations have yet to be explored. Although some studies indicated a possible correlation between air pollution and COVID-19 severity, there is yet insufficient data for a meaningful answer. This review summarizes the impact of air pollution on COVID-19 infections and severity and discusses the possible management strategies and challenges involved. The available literature investigating the correlation between air pollution and COVID-19 infections and mortality are included in the review. The studies reviewed here suggest that exposure to air pollution, particularly to PM2.5 and NO2, is positively correlated with COVID-19 infections and mortality. Some data indicate that air pollution can play an important role in the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2. A high percentage of COVID-19 incidences has been reported in the most polluted areas, where patients needed hospital admission. The available data also show that both short-term and long-term air pollution may enhance COVID-19 severity. However, most of the studies that showed a link between air pollution and COVID-19 infections and mortality did not consider potential confounders during the correlation analysis. Therefore, more specific studies need to be performed focusing on some additional confounders such as individual age, population density, and pre-existing comorbidities to determine the impact of air pollution on COVID-19 infections and deaths. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:1114–1122. © 2021 SETAC

KEY POINTS

COVID-19 infections and mortality are more frequent in highly air polluted areas. PM2.5 and NO2 are more closely correlated with COVID-19 infections and mortality than other air pollutants. Air pollution can play an important role in the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2. More specific studies are needed focusing on additional confounders in exploring the interactions between air pollution and SARS-CoV-2 and their adverse effects on human health.
A framework for evaluating island restoration performance: A case study from the Chesapeake Bay
Authors: Davis Jenny , Whitfield Paula , Szimanski Danielle , Golden Becky R. , Whitbeck Matt , Gailani Joe , Herman Brook , Tritinger Amanda , Dillon Sally C. , King Jeffrey
Published: April 2021

The use of natural habitats for coastal protection (also known as Nature-Based Solutions or NBS) in place of engineered structures like breakwaters and seawalls can yield a wide range of ecological and economic benefits. Despite these advantages, NBS are not commonly implemented for shoreline protection due to uncertainty over the amount of protection afforded by each unique feature and how protective capacity and ecological benefits are likely to change over time as NBS mature and adapt to changing environmental drivers. Here, we highlight the recent restoration of Swan Island in the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, USA, and the collaborative approach used to evaluate post-construction performance, as a framework for quantitative evaluation of NBS projects. At Swan Island, 60 000 cubic yards of dredged sediment were used to elevate and restore the island's footprint with an emphasis on increasing its protective and ecological benefits and long-term resilience to sea-level rise. Five entities have leveraged resources to quantify the benefits and efficacy of island restoration by conducting pre- and post-restoration monitoring, which supports the development of an integrated, simulation model that includes three “measured” system parameters: wave height, vegetative biomass, and island profile (i.e., elevations). The model will be used to predict island performance under a range of different system scenarios and used to inform adaptive management options. Results will demonstrate the efficacy of leveraging natural and engineered processes to restore island systems while providing a framework for quantifying NBS. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:42–48. © 2021 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC). This article has been contributed to by US Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.

KEY POINTS

Evaluations of NBS performance at the scale of the individual project are needed to address uncertainties about when and where natural solutions can afford adequate levels of coastal protection. A consistent approach to NBS project evaluation will help to foster confidence in the use of natural approaches.
A machine learning classification approach based glioma brain tumor detection
Authors: Mathiyalagan Gomathi , Devaraj Dhanasekaran
Published: April 2021

This article develops a computer aided fully automated method for detecting and classifying the glioma brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using machine learning classification approach. The noise contents in source brain MRI image are detected and removed using ridgelet filter and then the edges in noise removed image are detected using fuzzy logic and then contrast adaptive local histogram equalization is applied on the edge detected brain image for enhancing the edge pixels. The Gabor transformation is applied on the enhanced brain image and the features are computed from this transformed image. The computed features are optimized using feature optimization technique genetic algorithm (GA) and the optimized features are classified using adaptive neurofuzzy inference system (ANFIS) classification method, which classifies the source brain MRI image into either glioma or non‐glioma brain image. Finally, fuzzy C means algorithm is applied on the glioma brain image to segment the tumor regions. The segmented tumor regions in glioma brain image is compared with manually tumor segmented brain image in order to evaluate the performance efficiency of the proposed system and the simulation results shows that the proposed works in this article achieves optimum performance with state of the art methods.
Discovery of a complex sclerotized sperm pump in Monotomidae (Coleoptera): Functional morphology and phylogenetic value
Authors: Jałoszyński Paweł , Ruta Rafał
Published: April 2021

In insects, a long ductus ejaculatorius surrounded by a muscular sheath transfers seminal fluids and sperms from the testes into the male copulatory organ, the aedeagus. In several unrelated coleopteran families, a section of the ductus has evolved to form a specialized pumping organ. The most complex forms of this “sperm pump” was known in Lepiceridae and two subfamilies of evolutionary distant Staphylinidae; in these groups two sclerotized funnels situated on ends of the sperm pump provide attachment sites for a remarkably robust compressor muscle. A sperm pump with two funnels and a previously unknown spiral ridge, representing the most complex sperm pumping apparatus among Coleoptera, is for the first time reported to occur in the superfamily Cucujoidea, family Monotomidae. The compressor muscle is particularly large, and the pump shows features more advanced than those in any other beetle. Not the entire section between funnels is compressed, but only a pair of specialized thin‐walled, unsclerotized and resilin‐rich regions within the pump. The spiral ridge stores mechanical energy to decompress the pump when the muscle relaxes, and provides a sclerotized scaffold for the entire structure. The pumps do not occur in all Monotomidae, but seem to be restricted to the subfamily Monotominae. Two distinct forms were found, each in a different tribe (with one notable exception;Mimemodeshaving a sperm pump typical of Monotomini, not Europini). Moreover, the shapes of the pumps were found to be species‐specific. The phylogenetic value of this structure is discussed, as sperm pumps may help defining monophyletic lineages within this poorly studied family. An evolutionary scenario for a development of sperm pumps in Coleoptera from an undifferentiated ductus ejaculatorius to the most complex “monotomid form” is proposed, assuming several distinct stages exemplified by structures found in other beetle families.
Station‐based non‐linear regression downscaling approach: A new monthly precipitation downscaling technique
Authors: Shen Zexi , Zhang Qiang , Singh Vijay P. , Sun Peng , He Chunyang , Cheng Changxiu
Published: April 2021

Statistical downscaling is an effective way to downscale General Circulation Model (GCM) outputs to a finer temporal and spatial scale. Here, we proposed and trained a new station‐based non‐linear regression downscaling (SNRD) approach, and quantitatively demonstrated its better performance than linear regression model. In addition, we also compared the SNRD method with the Bias Correction Spatial Disaggregation (BCSD) method, which has been widely applied on downscaling precipitation. Results indicated that RMSEs and residuals of the BCSD method are 4.6–31 times as ones of SNRD in each region of China during validation period (2004–2015). Besides, with historical in‐situ observed monthly mean precipitation as the benchmark, SNRD downscaled model modified the over‐estimation (1.25–2 times as observed precipitation) flaw of BCSD model in rainy season (June–August) of China, which could provide assistance on the further researches on drought events in rainy season in future. Further, we also surprisingly found that the 2,500 m was the threshold height for statistical downscaling models. Both BCSD and SNRD downscaled precipitation displayed more steadily and accurately above 2,500 m, since there are less intense human activities in China. Thus, we recommend further studies should fully consider the height element in downscaling models to improve the accuracies.
A real‐time interactive rendering method for 360° tabletop integral imaging 3D display
Authors: Ma Xiao‐Ming , Xing Yan , Zheng Jia‐Chen , Li Xiao‐Wei , Wang Qiong‐Hua
Published: April 2021

In this paper, a rendering method for interactive tabletop integral imaging 3D display is proposed to present interactive 3D graphics to users 360° around the display in real‐time. By transforming the viewpoint plane and the elemental image array (EIA) plane with a parallel backward ray‐tracing technique according to the recognized gestures, a high‐efficient rendering for interactive 3D contents can be achieved, thus, the 3D graphics can be manipulated to be displayed on the tabletop in real‐time. Compared with the previous methods that all viewpoint images should be generated first, the proposed method can generate the interactive EIAs that contain all viewpoint information directly, which makes the interactive rendering more efficient. A gesture‐based interactive tabletop integral imaging 3D display prototype is built using an 8‐K (7680 × 4320) pixel resolution LCD. Experimental results show that the proposed interactive rendering method can achieve a short response time of less than 40 ms and high recognition accuracy of over 95% for different spatial hand gestures.
A nonintrusive nonlinear model reduction method for structural dynamical problems based on machine learning
Authors: Kneifl Jonas , Grunert Dennis , Fehr Joerg
Published: April 2021

Model order reduction (MOR) has become one of the most widely used tools to create efficient surrogate models for time‐critical applications. For nonlinear models, however, linear MOR approaches are only practicable to a limited extent. Nonlinear approaches, on the contrary, often require intrusive manipulations of the used simulation code. Hence, nonintrusive MOR approaches using classic model order reduction along with machine learning (ML) algorithms can provide remedy. Such approaches have drawn a lot of attention in the recent years. They rely on the idea to learn the dynamics not in a high dimensional but in a reduced space, that is, they predict the discrete sequence of reduced basis' coefficients. Open questions are the suitability of such methods in the field of structural dynamics and the best choice of the used ML algorithm. Both are addressed in this article in addition to the integration of the methodology into a modular and flexible framework that can effortless be adapted to various requirements. By applying the methodology to a dynamic mechanical system, accurate surrogate models are received, which can speed up the simulation time significantly, while still providing high‐quality state approximations.
TOMATOMET: A metabolome database consists of 7118 accurate mass values detected in mature fruits of 25 tomato cultivars
Authors: Ara Takeshi , Sakurai Nozomu , Takahashi Shingo , Waki Naoko , Suganuma Hiroyuki , Aizawa Koichi , Matsumura Yasuki , Kawada Teruo , Shibata Daisuke
Published: April 2021

The total number of low‐molecular‐weight compounds in the plant kingdom, most of which are secondary metabolites, is hypothesized to be over one million, although only a limited number of plant compounds have been characterized. Untargeted analysis, especially using mass spectrometry (MS), has been useful for understanding the plant metabolome; however, due to the limited availability of authentic compounds for MS‐based identification, the identities of most of the ion peaks detected by MS remain unknown. Accurate mass values of peaks obtained by high accuracy mass measurement and, if available, MS/MS fragmentation patterns provide abundant annotation for each peak. Here, we carried out an untargeted analysis of compounds in the mature fruit of 25 tomato cultivars using liquid chromatography‐Orbitrap MS for accurate mass measurement, followed by manual curation to construct the metabolome database TOMATOMET (http://metabolites.in/tomato‐fruits/). The database contains 7,118 peaks with accurate mass values, in which 1,577 ion peaks are annotated as members of a chemical group. Remarkably, 71% of the mass values are not found in the accurate masses detected previously in Arabidopsis thaliana, Medicago truncatula or Jatropha curcas, indicating significant chemical diversity among plant species that remains to be solved. Interestingly, substantial chemical diversity exists also among tomato cultivars, indicating that chemical profiling from distinct cultivars contributes towards understanding the metabolome, even in a single organ of a species, and can prioritize some desirable metabolic targets for further applications such as breeding.
Activation Strategy of WS2 as an Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Cocatalyst through Co2+ Doping to Adjust the Highly Exposed Active (100) Facet
Authors: Zhong Tao , Yu Zebin , Jiang Ronghua , Huang Jun , Hou Yanping , Chen Jianhua , Zhang Yongqing , Zhu Hongxiang , Wang Bing , Ding Ling
Published: April 2021

As an effective method to improve the surface catalytic activity of catalysts, crystal plane engineering has become a research hot spot in recent years. Doping regulation of the highly exposed facet with low surface energy is helpful to expand their applications in the field of photocatalysis. Therefore, low concentration transition metal ions (Co2+) in the high exposure surface (100) of WS2 by one‐pot hydrothermal method are doped. Moreover, density functional theory (DFT) calculation shows that after Co2+ in WS2 (100) crystal replaces W4+, the surface charge is rearranged, and the local charge near Co2+ is enhanced, which accelerates the electron transfer rate, makes the electron transfer rapidly to (100) facet through the secondary transfer process, and finally promotes proton reduction. Therefore, the hydrogen production efficiency of 7% (Co–WS2)/Cd0.4Zn0.6S (CZS) Schottky junction (21 000 μmol g−1 h−1) is 9.3 times and 1.3 times higher than that of CZS (2265 μmol g−1 h−1) and 7% WS2/CZS heterojunction (17 000 μmol g−1 h−1). This study has certain reference and guiding significance for the study of new cocatalysts, not only on pristine semiconductor but also for semiconductor‐based hybrid structures.
Recycling Mine Tailings for a Sustainable Future Built Environment
Authors: Maruthupandian Surya , Chaliasou Napoleana Anna , Kanellopoulos Antonios
Published: April 2021

The future sustainable built environment focuses mainly on environmental conservation and technological innovation and development. However, with infrastructure development, the consumption of raw materials such as cement, gypsum, sand, and stones increases. Therefore, use of industrial waste as raw material in construction shall be proposed as a sustainable and environment friendly alternative. Also, the higher demand for mineral commodities have led to increased mining and hence increased mining waste. The mine tailings being the wastes from rocks and minerals processing, are generally rich in Si, Ca, Al, Mg, and Fe, and also have considerable amounts of heavy metals and metalloids such as Pb, As, Co, Cu, Zn, V, and Cr. When tailings contain sulphide minerals, it may also lead to acid mine drainage. This makes the effective and efficient recycling and reuse of mine waste a major environmental concern. However, the physical, mineralogical and chemical composition of the mine tailings renders it a suitable material for use in civil engineering applications. This paper discusses the use of mine tailings of different origins for different civil engineering applications such as bricks, ceramics, fine aggregates, coarse aggregate and cementitious binders. This approach has a potential to reduce the demand on existing natural resources to face the demands of the exponentially developing infrastructure.
Structural, spectroscopic and electrical properties of dc magnetron sputtered NiO thin films and an insight into different defect states
Authors: Salunkhe Parashurama , A.V Muhammed Ali , Kekuda Dhananjaya
Published: April 2021

In this article, we report a detailed study on the influence of sputter power on physical properties of the NiO films grown by DC magnetron sputtering. Structural studies carried out by Grazing Incidence X-ray diffraction (XRD) reveals the polycrystalline nature of the films with FCC phase. The crystallographic orientation (111) plane followed by (200), (220), and (311) plane were evident from the XRD spectra. The average crystallites sizes were estimated from the spectra, and the values were compared using three different plots such as Scherrer, Williamson–Hall and size–strain plot. The surface morphology was carried out by atomic force microscopy. The deposited samples show semitransparent behavior in the visible region and the estimated band gap increased from 2.70 to 3.34 eV with an increase in sputter power. Furthermore, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) core-level Ni2p spectra were deconvoluted and the observed $${\text{Ni}}2{\text{p}}_{{{\text{3/2}}}}$$

Ni
2

p
3/2

, $${\text{Ni}}2{\text{p}}_{{1/2}}$$

Ni
2

p

1
/
2

domain along with their satellite’s peaks were analyzed. Most importantly, XPS quantification data and Raman spectra confirm the presence of both $${\rm{Ni}}^{2+}$$

Ni

2
+

and $${\rm{Ni}}^{3+}$$

Ni

3
+

states in the NiO films. The electrical properties carried at room temperature revealed that the resistivity of the film significantly increased and a mobility of ~ 84 $${\rm{cm}}^{2}{\rm{V}}^{-1}{s}^{-1}$$

cm

2

V

-
1

s

-
1

was obtained.
Physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of urban aerosols in Krakow (Poland) and their potential health impact
Authors: Wilczyńska-Michalik Wanda , Różańska Anna , Bulanda Małgorzata , Chmielarczyk Agnieszka , Pietras Bartłomiej , Michalik Marek
Published: April 2021

Eight aerosol samples were collected in Krakow using a low-volume sampler in February and March 2019 during variable meteorological conditions and times of the day, to study their single particles’ properties (size, morphology and chemical composition analyzed using a scanning electron microscope fitted with an energy-dispersive spectrometer) and microbiological characteristics. The content of particles of different chemical compositions larger than 2.5 μm was low. Considering the number of the particles, submicron particles strongly dominated with a high content of ultrafine particles (nanoparticles). Tar ball-type particles were relatively common in the studied samples, while soot was the dominant component. Soot was present as small agglomerates composed of few particles, but also as bigger agglomerates. Metal-containing particles of various chemical characteristics were abundant, with transition metals commonly occurring in these particles. The physicochemical characteristics of aerosols indicate that despite a relatively low mass concentration, their adverse health impact could be very strong because of the high content of nanoparticles, the abundance of soot and other fuel combustion-related particles, and the high incidence of transition metal-rich particles. Microbiological analysis was based on cultures on both solid and liquid agar. The MALDI-TOF method was used for species identification—for bacteria and fungi. Twelve different species of bacteria were isolated from the collected samples of aerosols. The most frequently isolated species was Gram-positive sporulating Bacillus licheniformis. The isolated mold fungi were of the genus Aspergillus.
Bundling ecosystem services at a high resolution in the UK: trade-offs and synergies in urban landscapes
Authors: Karimi James D. , Corstanje Ron , Harris Jim A.
Published: April 2021

Context

Ecosystem service bundles can be defined as the spatial co-occurrence of ecosystem services in a landscape. The understanding of the delivery of multiple ecosystem services as bundles in urban areas is limited. This study modelled ecosystem services in an urban area comprising the towns of Milton Keynes, Bedford and Luton.

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to assess (1) how ecosystem service bundles scale at a 2 m spatial resolution and (2) identify and analyse the composition of ecosystem service bundles.

Methods

Six ecosystem services were modelled with the InVEST framework at a 2 m resolution. The correlations between ecosystem services were calculated using the Spearman rank correlation coefficient method. Principal Component Analysis and K-means cluster analysis were used to analyse the distributions, spatial trade-offs and synergies of multiple ecosystem services.

Results

The results showed that regulating services had the tendency to form trade-offs and synergies. There was a significant tendency for trade-offs between supporting service Habitat quality and Pollinator abundance. Four bundle types were identified which showed specialised areas with prevalent soil erosion with high levels in water supply, areas with high values in nutrient retention, areas with high levels in carbon storage and urban areas with pollinator abundance.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the existence of synergies and trade-offs between ecosystem services and the formation of ecosystem service bundles in urban areas. This study provides a better understanding of the interactions between services and improve the management choices in ecosystem service provision in urban and landscape planning.
A Multidimensional Approach to Measuring Quality of Employment (QoE) Deprivation in Six Central American Countries
Authors: González Pablo , Sehnbruch Kirsten , Apablaza Mauricio , Méndez Pineda Rocío , Arriagada Veronica
Published: April 2021

This paper proposes a methodology for measuring Quality of Employment (QoE) deprivation from a multidimensional perspective in six Central American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama) using a dataset specifically designed to measure employment conditions. Building on previous work on multidimensional poverty and employment indicators, the paper uses the Alkire/Foster (AF) method to construct a synthetic indicator of the QoE at an individual level. It selects four dimensions that must be considered as essential to QoE deprivation: income, job stability, job security and employment conditions. These dimensions then subdivide into several indicators, a threshold for each indicator and dimension is established before defining an overall cut-off line that allows for the calculation of composite levels of deprivation. The results generated by this indicator show that Central American countries can be divided into three distinct and robust performance groups in terms of their QoE deprivation. Overall, approximately 60% of the deprivation levels are attributable to non-income variables, such as occupational status and job tenure. The methodology used can allow policymakers to identify and focus on the most vulnerable workers in a labour market and highlights the fact that having a formal written contract is no guarantee of good job quality, particularly in the case of women.
In planta test system for targeted cellular mutagenesis by injection of oligonucleotides to apical meristem of maize seedlings
Authors: Rádi Feríz , Nagy Bettina , Ferenc Györgyi , Török Katalin , Nagy István , Zombori Zoltán , Dudits Dénes , Ayaydin Ferhan
Published: April 2021

Genome-editing tools from Oligonucleotide-Directed Mutagenesis (ODM) to CRISPR system use synthetic oligonucleotides for targeted exchange of nucleotides. Presently, majority of genome-editing protocols are dependent on the in vitro cell or tissue culture systems with somaclonal variation, and limitations in plant regeneration. Therefore, here, we report an alternative in planta cellular test system for optimization of the ODM, based on the injection of oligonucleotide solution into the apical meristematic region of haploid maize seedlings. Using 5′-fluorescein-labeled oligonucleotides, we detected accumulation of synthetic DNA molecules in cells of the shoot apical meristem and of the vascular bundles of leaf primordia. For silencing or knocking down of the phytoene desaturase gene in somatic cells, 41-mer long single-stranded oligonucleotides with TAG stop codon were injected into maize seedlings. We detected out-growing M1 plantlets that developed leaves with white stripes or pale-green color. Confocal microscopy of white stripes showed that in addition to the chlorophyll fluorescence-deficient tissue region, chlorophyll containing cells are present in white stripes. The Ion Torrent sequencing of DNA samples from the white stripes indicated 0.13–1.50% read frequency for the TAG stop codon in the phytoene desaturase gene. Appearance of chlorotic abnormalities supports the mutagenic nature of oligonucleotide molecules after injection into the shoot apical meristem region of maize seedling. The described protocol provides basis for early seedling stage characterization of functionality of a mutagenic oligonucleotide with different chemistry and testing efficiency of various treatment combinations at plant level.
CSNK2B contributes to colorectal cancer cell proliferation by activating the mTOR signaling
Authors: Yu Shijun , Hu Qingqing , Fan Kailing , Yang Chen , Gao Yong
Published: April 2021

The function of Casein kinase 2 beta (CSNK2B) in human malignancies has drawn increasing attention in recent years. However, its role in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. In the present study, we aimed to explore the expression and biological functions of CSNK2B in CRC. Public gene expression microarray data from online database and immunohistochemistry analysis demonstrated that CSNK2B was highly expressed in CRC tissues than in normal tissues. In vitro and in vivo cellular functional experiments showed that increased CSNK2B expression promoted CRC cell viability and tumorigenesis of CRC. Further western blots and rescue experiments confirmed that CSNK2B promoted CRC cell proliferation mainly by activating the mTOR signaling pathway. These findings identified CSNK2B as a novel oncogene contributing to the development of CRC.
Saving Up for a Rainy Day? Savings Groups and Resilience to Flooding in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Authors: Panman Alexandra , Madison Ian , Kimacha Nyambiri Nanai , Falisse Jean-Benoît
Published: April 2021

This paper explores the role of savings groups in resilience to urban climate-related disasters. Savings groups are a rapidly growing phenomenon in Africa. They are decentralized, non-institutional groups that provide millions of people excluded from the formal banking sector with a trusted, accessible, and relatively simple source of microfinance. Yet there is little work on the impacts of savings groups on resilience to disasters. In this paper, we use a combination of quantitative and qualitative evidence from Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) to shed new light on the role that savings groups play in helping households cope with climate-related shocks. Drawing on new data, we show that approximately one-quarter of households have at least one member in a group, and that these households recover from flood events faster than those who do not. We further argue that the structure of savings groups allows for considerable group oversight, reducing the high costs of monitoring and sanctioning that often undermine cooperative engagement in urban areas. This makes the savings group model a uniquely flexible form of financing that is well adapted to helping households cope with shocks such as repeated flooding. In addition to this, we posit that they may provide a foundation for community initiatives focusing on preventative action.
On equilibrium Metropolis simulations on self-organized urban street networks
Authors: Benoit Jérôme G. M. , Jabari Saif Eddin G.
Published: April 2021

Urban street networks of unplanned or self-organized cities typically exhibit astonishing scale-free patterns. This scale-freeness can be shown, within the maximum entropy formalism (MaxEnt), as the manifestation of a fluctuating system that preserves on average some amount of information. Monte Carlo methods that can further this perspective are cruelly missing. Here we adapt to self-organized urban street networks the Metropolis algorithm. The “coming to equilibrium” distribution is established with MaxEnt by taking scale-freeness as prior hypothesis along with symmetry-conservation arguments. The equilibrium parameter is the scaling; its concomitant extensive quantity is, assuming our lack of knowledge, an amount of information. To design an ergodic dynamics, we disentangle the state-of-the-art street generating paradigms based on non-overlapping walks into layout-at-junction dynamics. Our adaptation reminisces the single-spin-flip Metropolis algorithm for Ising models. We thus expect Metropolis simulations to reveal that self-organized urban street networks, besides sustaining scale-freeness over a wide range of scalings, undergo a crossover as scaling varies—literature argues for a small-world crossover. Simulations for Central London are consistent against the state-of-the-art outputs over a realistic range of scaling exponents. Our illustrative Watts–Strogatz phase diagram with scaling as rewiring parameter demonstrates a small-world crossover curving within the realistic window 2–3; it also shows that the state-of-the-art outputs underlie relatively large worlds. Our Metropolis adaptation to self-organized urban street networks thusly appears as a scaling variant of the Watts–Strogatz model. Such insights may ultimately allow the urban profession to anticipate self-organization or unplanned evolution of urban street networks.
Recoverable Autonomous Sonde for subglacial lakes exploration: heating control system design
Authors: Yu Haibin , Zhu Tianxin , Jiang Xiao , Tang Yongzhen , Li Xiaodong , Li Chong , Huang Shengmiao , Shi Jianguang , Sun Youhong , Talalay Pavel , Fan Xiaopeng , Li Xiao , Li Yazhou , Peng Shilin
Published: April 2021

Drilling and sampling are the most direct and effective methods available to study Antarctic subglacial lakes. Based on the Philberth probe, a Recoverable Autonomous Sonde (RECAS) allows for in situ lake water measurement and sampling, through the addition of an upper thermal tip and a cable recoiling mechanism. RECAS-200, a prototype of RECAS, has a drilling depth of 200 m, a surface supply voltage of 800 VAC and a downhole power of ~9.6 kW during drilling. In this study, a heating control system for RECAS-200 was designed. The system avoids the need for high-power step-down converters, by separating heating power from control power, thereby reducing the overall weight of the probe and avoiding the need to increase cable diameter. We also introduce a self-developed, small, solid-state, 800 VAC power regulator and a fuzzy PID temperature control algorithm. Their purpose was to manage the power adjustment of each heating element and to provide closed-loop temperature control of certain heating elements which can easily burn out due to overheating. Test results indicated that the proposed RECAS-200 heating control system met all our design specifications and could be easily assembled into the RECAS-200 probe.
I Came, I Saw, I Voted: Distance to Polling Locations and Voter Turnout in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Garnett Holly Ann , Grogan Sean
Published: April 2021

How accessible are polling locations in Canada? This article explores, for the first time in the Canadian context, the distance that voters may travel to get to their polling stations. It assembles a new set of data from the province of Ontario, mapping the distance between polling locations and a representative point in the polling division, using a variety of measures, including walking, driving and public transit times. It estimates the relationship between these distances and travel times and socio-demographic characteristics of each polling division, finding noteworthy relationships between these distances and the percentage of minority populations (both immigrant and Indigenous) in the polling division. This article also presents a potential negative, but nonlinear, relationship between distances and travel times and turnout, contributing to our understanding of how voters’ rational calculus of voting may be related to the locations of polling stations.
Improving the management of suspected tonsillitis and peritonsillar abscess referred to ENT – a coronavirus disease 2019 service improvement
Authors: Cereceda-Monteoliva N , Devabalan Y , Lorenz H , Magill J C , Unadkat S , Rennie C
Published: April 2021

Background

The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on healthcare has led to rapid changes in otolaryngology service provisions. As such, new standard operating procedures for the management of suspected tonsillitis or quinsy were implemented in our centre.

Methods

A retrospective audit was performed of acute referrals to ENT of patients with suspected tonsillitis, peritonsillar cellulitis or quinsy, during the 10 weeks before (group 1) and 10 weeks after (group 2) implementation of the new standard operating procedures.

Results

Group 2 received fewer referrals. Fewer nasendoscopies were performed and corticosteroid use was reduced. The frequency of quinsy drainage performed under local anaesthetic increased, although the difference was not statistically significant. Hospital admission rates decreased from 56.1 to 20.4 per cent, and mean length of stay increased from 1.13 to 1.5 days. Face-to-face follow up decreased from 15.0 to 8.2 per cent, whilst virtual follow up increased from 4.7 to 16.3 per cent. There were no significant differences in re-presentation or re-admission rates.

Conclusion

Management of suspected tonsillitis or quinsy using the new standard operating procedures appears to be safe and effective. This management should now be applied to an out-patient setting in otherwise systemically well patients.