bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GO‐TiO2 Nanocomposite: An Efficient Catalyst for the Conventional and Ultrasonically Mediated Multicomponent Synthesis of 2, 4, 5‐Trisubstituted Imidazole Derivatives**
Authors: Samal Kanyanjali , Swain Manas Ranjan , Pati Anita
Published: September 2023

A flexible, reliable, and effective method for the synthesis of a wide variety of highly functionalized 2, 4, 5‐trisubstituted imidazole derivatives are reported. It involves a one‐pot, multicomponent process using a variety of aldehydes, ammonium acetate, and benzil /benzoin in the presence of non‐toxic, readily accessible, affordable, reusable and unexplored catalysts, GO‐TiO2. This one‐pot synthesis method has numerous benefits, including benign reaction conditions, a quick reaction time, low catalyst loading, efficient productivity with better atom economy and functional group tolerance, which makes this methodology realistic. TiO2 is known for its excellent catalytic activity for many organic reactions, however GO‐TiO2 nanocomposite is yet to be explored in the field of heterocyclic synthesis. In the present work GO‐TiO2 nanocomposite has been introduced as a catalyst for the synthesis of imidazole derivatives and among the TiO2 and GO‐TiO2 catalysts, GO‐TiO2 exhibited better catalytic efficiency and provided great substrate scope with α‐hydroxy ketone (benzoin) as well as 1, 2‐diketone (benzil). Both the conventional method as well as ultrasonically mediated method has been adopted to find out the best possible methodology for the synthesis of 2, 4, 5‐trisubstituted imidazole derivatives.
Adsorption Characteristics of Water Ciprofloxacin on Co‐Pyrolysis Biochar Derived from Rubber and Ginkgo Biloba Leaves
Authors: Zhang Penghui , Li Yanchun , Qi Huili , Li Xiaoju
Published: September 2023

Taking rubber and ginkgo biloba leaves as raw materials (the mass ratio is 5 : 2), this study prepared biochar by co‐pyrolysis at 700–900 °C and explored its adsorption performance on the emerging water pollutant ciprofloxacin. The pyrolysis behaviors of rubber, ginkgo biloba leaves, and their mixture were investigated using a thermogravimetric analyzer. The microstructure and physicochemical properties of the co‐pyrolysis biochar prepared in this study were probed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) and element analysis. Meanwhile, the internal mechanism of prepared co‐pyrolysis biochar adsorbing ciprofloxacin was investigated using adsorption kinetics models and isotherm adsorption models. The results show that there is a synergistic effect between rubber and ginkgo biloba leaves during the co‐pyrolysis process. Due to the addition of ginkgo biloba leaves, the maximum mass loss rate of rubber reduces from −5.80 %/min to −4.98 %/min, the corresponding pyrolysis temperature decreases from 335.11 °C to 319.57 °C, and the calculated thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and differential thermogram (DTG) curves after mixing the two raw materials deviate from the experimental curves. As the pyrolysis temperature increases from 700 °C to 900 °C, the yields of biochars decrease from 28.62 % to 19.21 %, while the specific surface area significantly increases (337.5042 m2/g). The processes of co‐pyrolysis biochars prepared at different temperatures absorbing ciprofloxacin conform to the pseudo‐second‐order model (R2=0.9847, 0.9404 and 0.9772, respectively). The Langmuir‐Freundlich model describes the isotherm adsorption behaviors of co‐pyrolysis biochars prepared at different temperatures on ciprofloxacin excellently (R2=0.9976, 0.9995 and 0.9993). The co‐pyrolysis biochar prepared at 900 °C has the highest adsorption capacity for ciprofloxacin, 306.6 mg/g. This study provides an essential reference for the application of co‐pyrolysis biochar of low‐cost and environment‐friendly in the removal of water pollutants.
A Facile Synthetic Approach for Zn2TiO4@NiCo2O4 Core‐Shell Nanoparticles Using Layered Double Hydroxide Precursors and Studies on Their Peroxidase‐Like Activity
Authors: Rana Pankaj , Jeevanandam Pethaiyan
Published: September 2023

In the present work, a facile synthetic approach has been developed for Zn2TiO4@NiCo2O4 core‐shell nanoparticles (NPs) using layered double hydroxide (LDH) as precursors. The Zn2TiO4 microspheres (ZTS) constitute the core and the shell consists of NiCo2O4 nanoparticles. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) results confirm presence of both Zn2TiO4 and NiCo2O4 phases in Zn2TiO4@NiCo2O4 core‐shell nanoparticles. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses indicate formation of hierarchical porous shell structure of NiCo2O4 with varying thickness (132±20 nm to 171±35 nm) on the Zn2TiO4 spheres. Optical studies indicate bandgap of ~2.2 eV corresponding to NiCo2O4 nanoparticles in the Zn2TiO4@NiCo2O4 core‐shell nanoparticles. The Zn2TiO4@NiCo2O4 core‐shell nanoparticles possess high surface area (124 m2/g to 160 m2/g) as measured from Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) analysis. Magnetic studies of Zn2TiO4@NiCo2O4 core‐shell nanoparticles indicate soft ferromagnetic and hard ferromagnetic behavior at 300 K and 5 K, respectively. The Zn2TiO4@NiCo2O4 core‐shell nanoparticles act as nanozyme and they exhibit better peroxidase‐like activity as compared to pure NiCo2O4 NPs and natural horseradish peroxidase (HRP).
CuCl2‐Catalyzed one‐step protocol for the synthesis of novel propargylamine analogs under ultrasound irradiation
Authors: Moghadam Fatemeh Azmian , Mokhtary Masoud
Published: September 2023

In this work, twenty new polysubstituted propargylamine analogs were produced in good to excellent yields via one‐step reaction of alkynes, aromatic aldehydes, and cyclic secondary amines using CuCl2 in DMF under ultrasound irradiation at 80 °C. Twelve compounds having both quinazoline building block and propargylamine scaffolds were synthesized.
An Enzymatic Biosensor Based on MgO Nanoparticles Grafted on Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanoflakes for the Ultrasensitive Detection of Phenolic Compounds from Wastewater
Authors: Verma Sakshi , Mouli Pandey Chandra , Kumar Devendra
Published: September 2023

In the present work, an enzymatic biosensor has been fabricated using reduced graphene‐magnesium oxide nanoflakes (rGO‐MgONf). For the fabrication of the bioelectrode, the synthesized rGO‐MgONf were electrophoretically deposited onto indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrate, followed by the covalent immobilization of the Laccase (lac) enzyme. Electrochemical studies show an enhanced diffusion coefficient (10.29×10−12 cm2 s−1), and exchange current per geometric unit area (3.66 μA cm−2) on using the rGO‐MgONf/ITO electrode compared to the GO/ITO and MgO/ITO electrode. Further, the fabricated biosensor (lac/rGO‐MgONf/ITO) displayed excellent performance towards hydroquinone (Hq) detection, with a low limit of detection (0.15 μM), wide linear range (1.0–100.0 μM), and high sensitivity (10.0 μA μM−1 cm−2). The selectivity study suggests that the fabricated biosensor efficiently detects Hq in wastewater. Additionally, the fabricated biosensor shows good stability and reproducibility for detecting Hq in tap and river water with an excellent recovery rate.
2D Coordination Polymers Based on Isoquinoline‐5‐Carboxylate and Cu(II)
Authors: Maffeis Mattia , Draghi Lorenza , Cametti Massimo
Published: September 2023

By combining isoquinoline‐5‐carboxilic acid with Cu(II) ions under several different conditions, we were able to obtain novel metallorganic materials, among which two 2D coordination polymers, CP 1 and CP 2 which were also characterized by SC‐XRD. Ratio of solvents (EtOH : DMF) in the mixture employed during their synthesis has a marked effect in selecting the formation of one species or the other, which basically differ in the coordination at the Cu(II) center due to k1/k2 denticity of the carboxylate ligands.
Cross‐Coupling Reactions between Arenediazonium o‐Benzenedisulfonimides and Organolithium Reagents in a Deep Eutectic Solvent
Authors: Antenucci Achille , Dughera Stefano
Published: September 2023

A deep eutectic solvent (DES) based on glycerol and KF is successfully exploited as a solvent medium in cross‐coupling reactions between arenediazonium o‐benzenedisulfonimides and organolithium reagents (Muharashi‐Feringa coupling). The reactions were carried out in open air and in mild conditions. The target products were obtained in fairly good yield (15 examples; average yield: 60 %). This is, on the best of our knowledge, the first example of Muharashi‐Feringa coupling carried out with diazonium salts. A tentative hypothesis of the reaction mechanism was also proposed.
Aflibercept Loaded Eye‐Drop Hydrogel Mediated with Cell‐Penetrating Peptide for Corneal Neovascularization Treatment
Authors: Zhou Jianan , Cai Yuting , Li Tingting , Zhou Haixiang , Dong Huilei , Wu Xia , Li Zenghui , Wang Wenjie , Yuan Dan , Li Yun , Shi Junfeng
Published: September 2023

Corneal neovascularization (CoNV) is a major cause of visual impairment worldwide. Currently, available treatment options have limited efficacy and are associated with adverse effects due to biological barriers and clearance mechanisms. To address this challenge, a novel topical delivery system is developed—Gel 2_1&Eylea—an aflibercept‐loaded eye‐drop hydrogel mediated with cell‐penetrating peptide 1. Gel 2_1&Eylea demonstrates superior membrane permeability, increased stability, and prolonged drug retention time on the ocular surface, and thus may improve drug efficacy. In a rabbit CoNV model, Gel 2_1&Eylea significantly reduces the density of neovascularization with no adverse effects on normal corneoscleral limbal vessels, demonstrating high efficacy and biocompatibility. This work identifies a promising treatment for CoNV which has the potential to benefit other ocular neovascular diseases.
Luminescence‐Based Infrared Thermal Sensors: Comprehensive Insights
Authors: Fahad Shah , Li Song , Zhai Yufei , Zhao Cong , Pikramenou Zoe , Wang Min
Published: September 2023

Recent chronological breakthroughs in materials innovation, their fabrication, and structural designs for disparate applications have paved transformational ways to subversively digitalize infrared (IR) thermal imaging sensors from traditional to smart. The noninvasive IR thermal imaging sensors are at the cutting edge of developments, exploiting the abilities of nanomaterials to acquire arbitrary, targeted, and tunable responses suitable for integration with host materials and devices, intimately disintegrate variegated signals from the target onto depiction without any discomfort, eliminating motional artifacts and collects precise physiological and physiochemical information in natural contexts. Highlighting several typical examples from recent literature, this review article summarizes an accessible, critical, and authoritative summary of an emerging class of advancement in the modalities of nano and micro‐scale materials and devices, their fabrication designs and applications in infrared thermal sensors. Introduction is begun covering the importance of IR sensors, followed by a survey on sensing capabilities of various nano and micro structural materials, their design architects, and then culminating an overview of their diverse application swaths. The review concludes with a stimulating frontier debate on the opportunities, difficulties, and future approaches in the vibrant sector of infrared thermal imaging sensors.
Preload‐Induced Switchable Adhesion
Authors: Tu Chongwen , Ji Keju , Zhao Jiahui , Wang Xipeng , Wu Jianming , Huo Tingwei , Ji Yuanming , Chen Jian , Deng Kai , Dai Zhendong
Published: September 2023

Animals with robust attachment abilities commonly exhibit stable attachment and convenient detachment. However, achieving an efficient attachment–detachment function in bioinspired adhesives is challenging owing to the complexity and delay of actuators. In this study, a class of multilayer adhesives (MAs) comprising backing, middle, and bottom layers is proposed to realize rapid switching by only adjusting the preload. At low preload, the MAs maintain intimate contact with the substrate. By contrast, a sufficiently large preload results in significant deformation of the middle layer, causing underside buckling and reducing adhesion. By optimizing the structural parameters of the MAs, a high switching ratio (up to 136×) can be achieved under different preloads. Furthermore, the design of the MAs incorporates a film‐terminated structure, which prevents the embedding of dirt particles, simplifies cleaning, and maintains the separation and uprightness of the microstructures. Consequently, the MAs demonstrate practical potential for simple and efficient transportation applications, as they achieve switchable adhesion through their structure, exhibiting a high switching ratio and fast switching.
Efficient and Stable Inverted Perovskite Solar Cell using Potassium Fluoroborate Doped PEDOT:PSS
Authors: Liu Nian , Wu Xianhu , Cui Guanglei , Yan Huihui , Xu Mengdi , Huang Haidong , Bi Jieyu , Xia Gaojie , Gu Min
Published: September 2023

Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is widely used as a hole transport layer in inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs) due to its simple fabrication process and high stability. However, there are severe interface defects between PEDOT:PSS and the perovskite layer, leading to poor power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the inverted devices. Herein, a hole transport layer (PEDOT:PSS) doped with potassium fluoroborate is introduced. The aqueous solution of KBF4 diluted with PEDOT:PSS is cleverly utilized to compare with PEDOT:PSS diluted with deionized aqueous solution. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy of PEDOT:PSS confirms the reduction of PSS chains and an increase in conductivity after KBF4 doping. Moreover, KBF4 doping promotes crystal growth, resulting in larger grain size of the perovskite film. Additionally, the defects at the PEDOT:PSS/perovskite interface are effectively passivated, suppressing nonradiative recombination. The results show improved short‐circuit current density, open‐circuit voltage, and fill factor, resulting in a PCE of 19.76%, which is a 17.9% enhancement compared to the original device's 16.75%. The optimized device also exhibits long‐term stability exceeding 1000 h, providing a simple and effective strategy for improving the PCE and stability of inverted PSCs.
Influence of Fabrication Route and Copper Content on Nature and Kinetics of 475 °C‐ Embrittlement in Cu‐Containing Super Duplex Stainless Steels
Authors: Hosseini Vahid A , Thuvander Mattias , Lindgren Kristina , Oliver James , Folkeson Nicklas , Gonzalez Daniel , Cengiz Sezgin , Karlsson Leif
Published: September 2023

The influence of hot‐rolling, hot isostatic pressing (HIP), welding, as well as copper content on 475 °C‐embrittlement is studied in super duplex stainless steels. The as‐received samples are solution annealed and quenched. Then, to study the kinetics and nature of phase transformations during fabrication, the samples are aged for a very short duration of 5 min at 475 °C. Atom probe tomography results reveal that the processes involving more plastic deformation such as hot rolling and HIP accelerate chromium and iron phase separation and cause precipitation of copper‐rich particles (CRPs) in ferrite, resulting in significant toughness loss. In contrast, the weld does not show a high level of chromium and iron phase separation or CRPs precipitation, preserving its toughness after the short aging. The experiment and the inverse interdiffusion calculations reveal that raising the copper content slow down chromium and iron phase separation but significantly increase the CRP number density and decrease the toughness of the HIPed material. Precipitation simulation of CPRs show that the model must be modified based on each processing condition. It is concluded that hot rolling and HIP accelerate 475 °C‐embrittlement, which cannot be prevented by raising the copper content.
Numerical Investigation of the Influence of Nonmetallic Inclusions on the Local Hydrogen Concentration under Consideration of Residual Stress Fields
Authors: Dölz Michael , Tekkaya Berk , Münstermann Sebastian
Published: September 2023

Hydrogen as an energy carrier is politically supported and essential for the planned energy turnaround, but requires infrastructure for transport and storage of hydrogen on a large scale, which in turn requires the development of steels resistant to hydrogen‐induced damage. Since the experimental characterization of local hydrogen concentration is nearly impossible, but microstructure level effects are significant for damage initiation, it becomes essential to further develop accompanying numerical evaluation methods. These have to be able to quantitatively describe the effect of nonmetallic inclusions on the local hydrogen concentration as the detrimental effect of nonmetallic inclusions governs the resistance against hydrogen‐induced cracking. To capture this influence, the modeling approaches available in the literature are extended and made usable for tetrahedral elements. Validation is performed using numerical studies with specimens of different stress states. Submodels are exposed to a virtual cooling and then to a hydrogen loading. Based on the resulting residual stress fields, the local hydrogen concentrations around nonmetallic inclusions with different chemical compositions and geometry are investigated and evaluated. Herein, it can be shown that especially the hydrostatic stress has a large influence on the development of the local hydrogen concentration and that the influence is particularly strong for Al2O3‐inclusions.
Model‐based standards authoring: ISO 15288 as a case in point
Authors: Dori Dov
Published: September 2023

ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288:2015 is one of the most fundamental systems engineering international standards. In this work, the major system lifecycle processes specified in 15288 and, equally importantly, the objects interacting through them, are modeled meticulously using OPM ISO 19450. The conceptual model, based on this standard's text, reflects the implied authors’ intent, bringing up ambiguities that arise from the informality of natural language text and reference to related figures. The resulting OPM model is an exact, formal, and detailed expression of the processes and related objects in the first part of 15288, making it machine interpretable. The gaps discovered during the modeling process are testimony to the value of the model‐based standards authoring approach and the centrality of a formal yet humanly accessible model as the underlying backbone of international standards and key technical documents in general.
Roy Arthur Leonard Batt
Authors: Wilson Julian , Cargill Peter
Published: September 2023

A researcher who contributed to science, the veterinary profession and the arts.
Multifield positivity bounds for inflation
Authors: Freytsis Marat , Kumar Soubhik , Remmen Grant N. , Rodd Nicholas L.
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Positivity bounds represent nontrivial limitations on effective field theories (EFTs) if those EFTs are to be completed into a Lorentz-invariant, causal, local, and unitary framework. While such positivity bounds have been applied in a wide array of physical contexts to obtain useful constraints, their application to inflationary EFTs is subtle since Lorentz invariance is spontaneously broken during cosmic inflation. One path forward is to employ a Breit parameterization to ensure a crossing-symmetric and analytic S-matrix in theories with broken boosts. We extend this approach to a theory with multiple fields, and uncover a fundamental obstruction that arises unless all fields obey a dispersion relation that is approximately lightlike. We then apply the formalism to various classes of inflationary EFTs, with and without isocurvature perturbations, and employ this parameterization to derive new positivity bounds on such EFTs. For multifield inflation, we also consider bounds originating from the generalized optical theorem and demonstrate how these can give rise to stronger constraints on EFTs compared to constraints from traditional elastic positivity bounds alone. We compute various shapes of non-Gaussianity (NG), involving both adiabatic and isocurvature perturbations, and show how the observational parameter space controlling the strength of NG can be constrained by our bounds.
Feynman integrals from positivity constraints
Authors: Zeng Mao
Published: September 2023

Abstract

We explore inequality constraints as a new tool for numerically evaluating Feynman integrals. A convergent Feynman integral is non-negative if the integrand is non-negative in either loop momentum space or Feynman parameter space. Applying various identities, all such integrals can be reduced to linear sums of a small set of master integrals, leading to infinitely many linear constraints on the values of the master integrals. The constraints can be solved as a semidefinite programming problem in mathematical optimization, producing rigorous two-sided bounds for the integrals which are observed to converge rapidly as more constraints are included, enabling high-precision determination of the integrals. Positivity constraints can also be formulated for the ϵ expansion terms in dimensional regularization and reveal hidden consistency relations between terms at different orders in ϵ. We introduce the main methods using one-loop bubble integrals, then present a nontrivial example of three-loop banana integrals with unequal masses, where 11 top-level master integrals are evaluated to high precision.
The proper interplay between the expression of Spo11 splice isoforms and the structure of the pseudoautosomal region promotes XY chromosomes recombination
Authors: Giannattasio Teresa , Testa Erika , Faieta Monica , Lampitto Matteo , Nardozi Daniela , di Cecca Stefano , Russo Antonella , Barchi Marco
Published: September 2023

XY chromosome missegregation is relatively common in humans and can lead to sterility or the generation of aneuploid spermatozoa. A leading cause of XY missegregation in mammals is the lack of formation of double-strand breaks (DSBs) in the pseudoautosomal region (PAR), a defect that may occur in mice due to faulty expression of Spo11 splice isoforms. Using a knock-in (ki) mouse that expresses only the single Spo11β splice isoform, here we demonstrate that by varying the genetic background of mice, the length of chromatin loops extending from the PAR axis and the XY recombination proficiency varies. In spermatocytes of C57Spo11βki/− mice, in which loops are relatively short, recombination/synapsis between XY is fairly normal. In contrast, in cells of C57/129Spo11βki/− males where PAR loops are relatively long, formation of DSBs in the PAR (more frequently the Y-PAR) and XY synapsis fails at a high rate, and mice produce sperm with sex-chromosomal aneuploidy. However, if the entire set of Spo11 splicing isoforms is expressed by a wild type allele in the C57/129 background, XY recombination and synapsis is recovered. By generating a Spo11αki mouse model, we prove that concomitant expression of SPO11β and SPO11α isoforms, boosts DSB formation in the PAR. Based on these findings, we propose that SPO11 splice isoforms cooperate functionally in promoting recombination in the PAR, constraining XY asynapsis defects that may arise due to differences in the conformation of the PAR between mouse strains.
Molecular evidence and environmental niche evolution at the origin of the disjunct distribution in three mountain endemic Tephroseris (Asteraceae) of the Mediterranean basin
Authors: Adamo Martino , Skokanová Katarina , Bobo-Pinilla Javier , Giaccone Elisa , Peñas de Giles Julio , Mucciarelli Marco
Published: September 2023

Studies on the origin and evolutionary history of closely related plants help to understand patterns of diversity of the mountain flora in addition to providing the basis for their identification. The genus Tephroseris includes three endemic taxa with small and disjoint distributions in the high mountains of the Iberian Peninsula and on the Maritime Alps. Tephroseris balbisiana is native to the Southwestern Alps, Tephroseris elodes to Sierra Nevada, and Tephroseris coincyi to Sierra de Gredos. These taxa have been treated under different combinations of species or subspecies due to limited morphological differentiation, but comprehensive studies have not been published so far. By combining information from phylogeny, molecular dating and genome size, we demonstrated the taxonomic distinctiveness between T. balbisiana and the two Iberian taxa. Although the lack of variability in plastid DNA hampered the precise estimation of the diversification events, some of the recovered patterns suggested a recent divergence of T. balbisiana, T. elodes and T. coincyi dating back to the Pleistocene (0.5–2.8 Mya). However, niche modeling supported a geographical overlap between the three taxa during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Moreover, the fragmentation of their ancient larger distribution range, particularly in the lower elevations of the Iberian Peninsula, and migration to glacial refuges in the south-western Alps, provide the most plausible explanations for the current disjoint distribution within the Mediterranean mountains. Furthermore, based on the evidence we gathered, we inferred that the alpine T. balbisiana, as well as the Iberian taxa, should be considered as three distinct subspecies.
The effect of initialisation on 20 year multi-decadal climate predictions
Authors: Düsterhus André , Brune Sebastian
Published: September 2023

This study investigates initialised decadal predictions of 2-m air temperature over lead times of up to 20 years and compares them against uninitialised simulations in the time period 1960–2019. We demonstrate that in the North and South Atlantic, as well as in the Northeast Pacific, the effect of initialisation within the prediction persists for longer than 10 lead years. In these regions, the skill of the initialised decadal predictions does not necessarily regress back to the skill of the uninitialised simulations, which is indeed the case for other regions. We analyse the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) and show that within the first 10 years after initialisation, it drifts towards a state, which is different from both the initial state and the state of the uninitialised simulations. We show that the AMOC stays within this new state for at least another 10 years. We find that in our decadal predictions, the correct determination of future external forcings plays an important role on the global scale, while correct initialisation increases prediction skill on the regional scale.
The choroidal nervous system: a link between mineralocorticoid receptor and pachychoroid
Authors: Leclercq Bastien , Weiner Allon , Zola Marta , Mejlacowicz Dan , Lassiaz Patricia , Jonet Laurent , Gélizé Emmanuelle , Perrot Julie , Viengchareun Say , Zhao Min , Behar-Cohen Francine
Published: September 2023

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) belongs to the pachychoroid spectrum, a pathological phenotype of the choroidal vasculature, in which blood flow is under the choroidal nervous system (ChNS) regulation. The pathogenesis of CSCR is multifactorial, with the most recognised risk factor being intake of glucocorticoids, which activate both the gluco- and the mineralocorticoid (MR) receptors. As MR over-activation is pathogenic in the retina and choroid, it could mediate the pathogenic effects of glucocorticoids in CSCR. But the role of MR signalling in pachychoroid is unknown and whether it affects the ChNS has not been explored. Using anatomo-neurochemical characterisation of the ChNS in rodents and humans, we discovered that beside innervation of arteries, choroidal veins and choriocapillaris are also innervated, suggesting that the entire choroidal vasculature is under neural control. The numerous synapses together with calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) vesicles juxtaposed to choroidal macrophages indicate a neuro-immune crosstalk. Using ultrastructural approaches, we show that transgenic mice overexpressing human MR, display a pachychoroid-like phenotype, with signs of choroidal neuropathy including myelin abnormalities, accumulation and enlargement of mitochondria and nerves vacuolization. Transcriptomic analysis of the RPE/choroid complex in the transgenic mice reveals regulation of corticoids target genes, known to intervene in nerve pathophysiology, such as Lcn2, rdas1/dexras1, S100a8 and S100a9, rabphilin 3a (Rph3a), secretogranin (Scg2) and Kinesin Family Member 5A (Kif5a). Genes belonging to pathways related to vasculature development, hypoxia, epithelial cell apoptosis, epithelial mesenchymal transition, and inflammation, support the pachychoroid phenotype and highlight downstream molecular targets. Hypotheses on the imaging phenotype of pachychoroid in humans are put forward in the light of these new data. Our results provide evidence that MR overactivation causes a choroidal neuropathy that could explain the pachychoroid phenotype found in transgenic mice overexpressing human MR. In patients with pachychoroid and CSCR in which systemic dysautonomia has been demonstrated, MR-induced choroidal neuropathy could be the missing link between corticoids and pachychoroid.
Surgical management of complicated Descemet’s membrane detachment in corneas without prior endothelial keratoplasty
Authors: Berger Tim , Seitz Berthold , Flockerzi Elias , Suffo Shady , Flockerzi Fidelis A. , Berger Maximilian , Szentmáry Nóra , Daas Loay
Published: September 2023

Purpose

To provide insights into morphologic and functional features of eyes with complicated Descemet's membrane detachment (DMD) and report clinical outcomes after surgical intervention.

Methods

Retrospective study of 18 eyes with complicated DMD between 2010 and 2022. Complicated DMD was defined if any of the following criteria applied: prior penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), corneal thinning, total DMD or persistent DMD after Air/Gas-Descemetopexy. Causes, surgical management, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Scheimpflug tomography, anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and histologic examination were performed to characterize corneas with DMD.

Results

Fourteen eyes with prior PKP developed spontaneous DMD after 24.2 ± 12.9 years (range = 18 months – 47 years, median = 25.7 years). Complicated DMD without prior PKP was associated in three eyes after cataract surgery and in one eye after infectious keratitis. In cases with previous PKP, AS-OCT demonstrated rupture of Descemet’s membrane (DM) in five eyes and spontaneous reattachment was found in four eyes within 8 weeks of initial diagnosis, with no rupture of DM in any of the cases. There was no rupture of DM in corneas without previous PKP. After prior keratoplasty, definitive surgical treatment was repeat PKP in 13 eyes and Air/Gas-Descemetopexy in one eye. In corneas without prior keratoplasty, three eyes underwent PKP and one eye Air/Gas-Descemetopexy. Histological examination of two corneal explants revealed a severely thinned graft-host junction and a disrupted DM close to the graft-host junction. Visual acuity improved from 1.80 ± 0.58 logMAR to 0.75 ± 0.69 logMAR after prior PKP and from 1.45 ± 0.65 logMAR to 0.85 ± 1.13 logMAR without prior PKP. The postoperative course was uneventful in 16 of 18 eyes.

Conclusion

PKP is an effective treatment option for complicated DMD, especially in ectatic corneas, whereas Air/Gas-Descemetopexy or Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty do not address the primary issue of the curvature anomaly.
Genotyping tool for salmonid gill pox virus (SGPV) obtained from farmed and wild Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Authors: Nylund Are , Kloster-Jensen Thomas , Mohammadi Faezeh , Lagadec Erwan , Plarre Heidrun
Published: September 2023

Poxviruses are common viruses found in vertebrate species. In 2006, the first poxvirus associated with salmon, salmonid gill poxvirus (SGPV), was identified during an outbreak of gill disease at a smolt production site in northern Norway and at two marine farms in western Norway. Poxviruses had previously been detected in ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis) and koi carp (Cyprinus carpio). In all three fish species, poxviruses are associated with gill disease. It has not been possible to culture SGPV from Norway, and little is known about its virulence. However, the association between SGPV and gill disease in salmon has shown the need for molecular tools to identify reservoirs and transmission routes. Sequencing the genome of a second isolate of SGPV has made it possible to compare variable regions between two strains of the virus, showing the presence of a large number of variable regions that exhibit both variable numbers of tandem repeats and intra-ORF variation. We present eight regions that are suitable for distinguishing strains of SGPV and determining their phylogenetic relationship, and these were used to compare SGPV isolates obtained from both farmed and wild salmon in fresh and sea water. The prevalence of the virus was found to be higher in wild salmon in rivers than in returning wild salmon collected from traps in Norwegian fjords. Genotyping based on the eight selected variable regions, suggests the presence of geographically distinct isolates in freshwater among both farmed and wild salmon, while SGPV from marine farms shows high local diversity and a wide geographical distribution of similar strains of the virus.
Interlingual live subtitling: the crossroads between translation, interpreting and accessibility
Authors: Alonso-Bacigalupe Luis , Romero-Fresco Pablo
Published: September 2023

Whereas prototypical conceptions of translation and interpreting as two separate and distinct entities are still being upheld in different contexts, the professional reality shows a less clear-cut picture. Given the relentless advancement of technological innovation and the important role played by (media) accessibility in society, translation, interpreting and accessibility are in a state of flux, with increasingly blurring boundaries between them. Interpreting is not only concerned with spoken and signed modalities, but also with written target texts, which links it to audio–visual translation. In turn, audio–visual translation is no longer only about dubbing and subtitling films from one language to another. It now covers the provision of intra- and interlingual translation for live programmes and live events for users who have no access to the original version (be it for linguistic, sensory-related or other reasons). Speech-to-text interpreting (STTI), also referred to as live subtitling, is a communication-enabling service that allows the production of written access to live events or programmes for people with and without hearing loss. It thus brings together translation, interpreting and accessibility. The aim of this paper is to introduce STTI for readers who may not be familiar with it and to delve into interlingual live subtitling (ILS), and more specifically to explore the research carried out to date about this new technique, its professional development and the way in which it is being trained.
Context Matters Less Than Leadership in Preventing Unethical Behaviour in International Business
Authors: Antunez Marlond , Ramalho Nelson , Marques Tânia M. G.
Published: September 2023

This study empirically tests a sequential mediation model that links ethical leadership with employees’ unethical behaviour. The corruption index for countries is used as the moderator, because it represents both the instrumental ethical climate and the employee displacement of responsibility embedded in society’s ethical standards. A total of 175 participants comprising 41 teams (134 dyads) across 13 countries participated in a dyadic two-wave survey. The findings show that ethical leadership has an indirect influence on the avoidance of unethical behaviour by reducing the instrumental ethical climate and by negating the displacement of individuals’ responsibility. In addition, the results also show that this process is not sensitive to the countries’ corruption levels. Such findings suggest that organizations are less prone to adjust their ethical standards to the environment than is usually expected. Accordingly, ethical leaders of MNCs may be instrumental in counteracting any corruptive pressure in the social environment, and likewise, non-ethical leaders may be a contributing factor to fostering corrupt organizations in a society that otherwise values ethical principles in business.
Meshing strategies for 3d geo-electromagnetic modeling in the presence of metallic infrastructure
Authors: Castillo-Reyes Octavio , Rulff Paula , Schankee Um Evan , Amor-Martin Adrian
Published: September 2023

In 3D geo-electromagnetic modeling, an adequate discretisation of the modeling domain is crucial to obtain accurate forward responses and reliable inversion results while reducing the computational cost. This paper investigates the mesh design for subsurface models, including steel-cased wells, which is relevant for many exploration settings but still remains a numerically challenging task. Applying a goal-oriented mesh refinement technique and subsequent calculations with the high-order edge finite element method, simulations of 3D controlled-source electromagnetic models in the presence of metallic infrastructure are performed. Two test models are considered, each needing a distinct version of approximation methods to incorporate the conductive steel casings of the included wells. The influence of mesh quality, goal-oriented meshing, and high-order approximations on problem sizes, computational cost, and accuracy of electromagnetic responses is investigated. The main insights of our work are: (a) the applied numerical schemes can mitigate the computational burden of geo-electromagnetic modeling in the presence of steel artifacts; (b) investigating the processes driving the meshing of models with embedded metallic infrastructures can lead to adequate strategies to deal with the inversion of such electromagnetic data sets. Based on the modeling results and analyses conducted, general recommendations for modeling strategies are proposed when performing simulations for challenging steel infrastructure scenarios.
A comprehensive analysis of all-cause and cause-specific excess deaths in 30 countries during 2020
Authors: Alicandro Gianfranco , La Vecchia Carlo , Islam Nazrul , Pizzato Margherita
Published: September 2023

The impact of COVID-19 on mortality from specific causes of death remains poorly understood. This study analysed cause-of-death data provided by the World Health Organization from 2011 to 2019 to estimate excess deaths in 2020 in 30 countries. Over-dispersed Poisson regression models were used to estimate the number of deaths that would have been expected if the pandemic had not occurred, separately for men and women. The models included year and age categories to account for temporal trends and changes in size and age structure of the populations. Excess deaths were calculated by subtracting observed deaths from expected ones. Our analysis revealed significant excess deaths from ischemic heart diseases (IHD) (in 10 countries), cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) (in 10 countries), and diabetes (in 19 countries). The majority of countries experienced excess mortality greater than 10%, including Mexico (+ 38·8% for IHD, + 34·9% for diabetes), Guatemala (+ 30·0% for IHD, + 10·2% for CVD, + 39·7% for diabetes), Cuba (+ 18·8% for diabetes), Brazil (+ 12·9% for diabetes), the USA (+ 15·1% for diabetes), Slovenia (+ 33·8% for diabetes), Poland (+ 30·2% for IHD, + 19·5% for CVD, + 26 1% for diabetes), Estonia (+ 26·9% for CVD, + 34·7% for diabetes), Bulgaria (+ 22·8% for IHD, + 11·4% for diabetes), Spain (+ 19·7% for diabetes), Italy (+ 18·0% for diabetes), Lithuania (+ 17·6% for diabetes), Finland (+ 13·2% for diabetes) and Georgia (+ 10·7% for IHD, + 19·0% for diabetes). In 2020, 22 out of 30 countries had a significant increase in total mortality. Some of this excess was attributed to COVID-19, but a substantial increase was also observed in deaths attributed to cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
Understanding the mechanisms underlying biological control of Fusarium diseases in cereals
Authors: Petrucci Arianna , Khairullina Alfia , Sarrocco Sabrina , Jensen Dan Funck , Jensen Birgit , Jørgensen Hans Jørgen Lyngs , Collinge David B.
Published: September 2023

Many Fusarium species cause serious diseases for cereal cultivation. These include Fusarium head blight and crown rot on wheat and bakanae disease on rice. These represent a major concern both in terms of food security and food safety. The latter is connected with the risk of mycotoxin contamination of grains. Biological control has proven its potential for controlling head blight and crown rot diseases of cereals caused by Fusarium species in a number of studies, and indeed several commercial products are under development. We review current knowledge of the mechanisms underlying biological control with a focus on fungal biocontrol agents, and also include challenges related to co-occurrence of Fusarium species. Several of the established biological control mechanisms (antibiosis, competition, hyperparasitism and induced resistance) can act simultaneously, thus resulting in disease control and, consequently, reduction of mycotoxin contamination. We also review the biological roles of some of the many mycotoxins produced by Fusarium species, and the mechanisms by which they are detoxified by cereal enzymes or by other fungi and how biological control agents (BCAs) can stimulate their degradation. Finally, the effect of biocontrol agents on the resident microbiota, as well as the effect of the resident microbiota on the performances of BCAs, are discussed. New perspectives on the use of biocontrol agents for the management of Fusarium diseases on cereals.
Utilizing straw-derived hemicellulosic hydrolysates by Chlorella vulgaris: Contributing to a biorefinery approach
Authors: Kriechbaum Ricarda , Loaiza Sebastian Serna , Friedl Anton , Spadiut Oliver , Kopp Julian
Published: September 2023

With the growing human population, greenhouse gases and global temperature are increasing calling for sustainable biorefineries to convert low-value side streams into high-value products. In this study, the remaining hemicellulosic sugary waste fraction of a wheat straw biorefinery approach, without any pretreatment, was applied as a medium supplement for Chlorella vulgaris cultivation. Next to oligomeric and monomeric sugars, the waste stream contained hydrolysis by-products, such as furfural, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and acetic acid. Despite the presence of these growth inhibitors, C. vulgaris cultivation was possible. Addition of 2.5% (v/v) of wheat straw hydrolysate to BG11-medium boosted chlorophyll content in C. vulgaris by 40% compared to photoautotrophically grown cells solely cultivated on defined media. As of now, this is the highest chlorophyll content obtained from a cultivation of C. vulgaris on a medium supplemented with a waste stream. Overall, our results demonstrate that wheat straw hydrolysate increases chlorophyll biosynthesis, improving the nutritional value of C. vulgaris biomass for food and feed applications. Hence, valorization of this hemicellulosic sugary fraction results in an additional high-valued product contributing towards the wheat straw biorefinery.
Moving towards in pouch diagnostics for ostomy patients: exploiting the versatility of laser induced graphene sensors
Authors: McCann Conor , Gilpin Victoria , Scott Cameron , Pourshahidi L. Kirsty , Gill Chris. I. R. , Davis James
Published: September 2023

The development of a 3D printed sensor for direct incorporation within stoma pouches is described. Laser induced graphene scribed on either side of polyimide film served as the basis of a 2 electrode configuration that could be integrated within a disposable pouch sensor for the periodic monitoring of ileostomy fluid pH. The graphene sensors were characterised using electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, DekTak profilometry with the electrochemical properties investigated using both cyclic and square wave voltammetry. Adsorbed riboflavin was employed as a biocompatible redox probe for the voltammetric measurement of pH. The variation in peak position with pH was found to be linear over pH 3–8 with a sub Nernstian response (43 mV/pH). The adsorbed probe was found to be reversible and exhibited minimal leaching through repeated scanning. The performance of the system was assessed in a heterogeneous bacterial fermentation mixture simulating ileostomy fluid with the pH recorded before and after 96 h incubation. The peak profile in the bacterial medium provided an unambiguous signal free from interference with the calculated pH before and after incubation (pH 5.3 to 3.66) in good agreement with that obtained with commercial pH probes.

Graphical abstract
Assessment of anthropogenic impacts on the radioecological status of the Bakony region, Hungary
Authors: Csordás Anita , Novák Máté , Tóth-Bodrogi Edit , György Péter , Fehérvári Máté , Kovács Tibor
Published: September 2023

The Bakony is one of the most active areas in Hungary. Not only is the region home to several popular hiking destinations, but its industrial activity is also significant. On this basis, it is important to carry out a comprehensive study to assess the radioecological status of the Bakony. In this study, 12 monitoring points were selected to collect environmental samples over three different time periods. The samples were analyzed by gamma- and alpha spectrometry. Although the concentrations of Th-232, Ra-226 and K-40 closely resembled the worldwide averages, that of Po-210 in the vicinity of human activities was elevated.
Personalized subject lines in email marketing
Authors: Defau Laurens , Zauner Alexander
Published: September 2023

In the academic literature, there is a growing stream of publications that address how companies can use insights from behavioral economics in marketing. However, often the question remains if these results can be reproduced in another experimental setting. In this article, we use the work from (Sahni et al., Marketing Science 37:236–258, 2018) to test this thesis. In their paper, (Sahni et al., Marketing Science 37:236–258, 2018) show that adding the first name of the recipient to the subject line of an email increases the performance of email campaigns. But in the last years, this marketing trick has become a common practice in email marketing, and therefore, it might be that the behavior of recipients changed as they got used to it. In our empirical research, we find no indication that using the first name of the recipient in the subject line has a positive effect on opening rates or click-through rates; as such we are not able to reproduce the findings from (Sahni et al., Marketing Science 37:236–258, 2018). However, we do find that using the surname of the recipient has a positive effect on opening rates and click-through rates; an indication that similar marketing techniques still have potential, but that they need to be more creative and surprising.