bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nitrogen Concentration Dependence of Two‐Step Photocurrent Generation by Below‐Gap Excitation in GaPN Alloys
Authors: Qayoom Abdul , Yagi Shuhei , Yaguchi Hiroyuki
Published: February 2024

Two‐step photocurrent generation and its dependence on nitrogen concentration in GaPN alloys using two‐wavelength excited photocurrent (TWEPC) measurements are investigated. External quantum efficiency (EQE) measurements show an increase in the two‐step absorption of below‐gap excitation light through tail states at longer wavelengths and that the quasi‐direct gap redshifts as the nitrogen concentration increases. The improvement in the EQE at longer wavelengths is explained by the increased density of the tail states in GaPN with higher nitrogen concentrations. In contrast, the EQE decreases at shorter wavelengths with increasing nitrogen content. TWEPC results show that differential photocurrent density , which shows the synergy effect of multiple‐wavelength light, reduces with the addition of nitrogen. It is found from rate–equation analysis that the decrease in the EQE at shorter wavelengths and in is mainly due to the increased nonradiative recombination in GaPN with higher nitrogen concentration. The use of lattice‐matched alloys and a p‐type GaP capping layer as well as the optimization of the growth conditions can improve the EQE at shorter wavelengths and .
Underlying physical mechanisms of winter precipitation extremes over India's high mountain region
Authors: Nischal  , Attada Raju , Hunt Kieran M. R. , Barlow Mathew
Published: February 2024

Extreme precipitation events (EPEs) are among the most pervasive weather hazards in the western Himalayan region (WHR), posing widespread damage to life, infrastructure, and agriculture. This study investigates the synoptic and large‐scale characteristics linked to winter precipitation extremes over the WHR. EPEs are identified as events surpassing the 95th percentile threshold. A composite analysis is employed using two reanalyses—the fifth‐generation European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis (ERA5) and the Indian Monsoon Data Assimilation and Analysis (IMDAA)—to elucidate the synoptic conditions conducive to EPEs. Our findings suggest that EPEs in the WHR are linked to an intensified subtropical westerly jet, characteristically shifted to south than normal. Enhanced kinetic energy in the upper troposphere, attributed to increased baroclinic instability, reinforces moisture convergence and strengthens synoptic‐scale circulation, triggering deep convection and supporting EPEs. Notably, the interplay of pronounced Rossby waves sinking over the WHR and regional orography significantly modulates the intensity of western disturbances (WDs). Employing clustering analysis, we observed that the strongest EPEs are linked to anomalous vorticity in the upper to middle troposphere, together with deep convection via strengthened WDs, suggesting the potential role of large‐scale influences. Using Lagrangian method, we identify that the Arabian Sea is the primary moisture source for EPEs in the WHR. We further delved into the role of large‐scale connections and EPEs through quasi‐resonant amplification (QRA) analysis. The findings unveil distinct QRA fingerprints in meridional temperature gradients along with notably magnified, quasi‐stationary midlatitude planetary waves characterized by zonal wave numbers 6/7/8 (baroclinic waves) contributing to EPEs. Overall, our results highlight the underlying physical mechanisms for winter precipitation extremes, emphasizing QRA's role in amplifying planetary waves and promoting EPEs, underscoring the WHR's vulnerability to evolving climatic conditions.
Oligomeric Zinc Thiolates Tethering Multidentate Carboxylates for Nondestructive Aqueous Phase Transfer of Quantum Dots
Authors: Han Jisu , Choi Yeongho , Lee Hyeonjun , Lee Doh C. , Lim Jaehoon
Published: February 2024

Functionalization of quantum dots (QDs) via ligand exchange is prone to debase their photoluminescence quantum yield (PL QY) owing to the unavoidable surface damage by excess reactants, and even worse in aqueous medium. Herein, the oligomeric zinc thiolate as the multidentate hydrophilic ligand featuring facile synthetic protocol is proposed. A simple reaction between ZnCl2 and 3‐mercaptopropionic acid produces oligomeric ligands containing 3–6 zinc thiolate units, where the terminal moieties provide multidentate anchoring to the surface as well as hydrophilicity. 2D proton nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (2D 1H NOESY) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) reveal that the oligomeric zinc thiolate ligands adsorb on the surface via multidentate metal carboxylate bindings without destruction of molecular structure, regardless of partial dissociation of thiolate branches in aqueous phase. Enhanced binding affinity granted by the multidentate nature allows for the effective exchange of original surface ligands without considerable surface deterioration. The zinc thiolate‐capped Cd‐free aqueous QDs exhibit a high photoluminescence quantum yield of ≈90% and extended stability against long‐term storage and photochemical stress.
Pasting Characteristics and In Vitro and In Vivo Digestibility of Low‐, Medium‐, and High‐Amylose Types of Mung Bean Flour after Heat‐Moisture Treatment
Authors: Phi Nguyen Thi Lan , Han Nguyen Duong Ngoc , Tien Nguyen Ngoc Thanh , Huong Nguyen Thi Mai , Van Hung Pham
Published: February 2024

Mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) flour varieties of varying amylose content are heat‐moisture treated at 100 °C for 6 h, and changes in their pasting properties and digestibility are investigated. Amylose content of the low‐amylose (LAM MB), medium‐amylose (MAM MB), and high‐amylose mung bean flour (HAM MB) is 16.1%, 23.2%, and 31.7%, respectively. Mung bean flour after heat‐moisture treatment (HMT) shows significantly reduced peak and breakdown viscosities and swelling power compared to those in native flours. However, pasting temperature, final and setback viscosities, and solubility of the mung bean flour significantly increase after HMT. The treated mung bean flour also contains higher amounts of resistant starch (RS, 19.6%–30.6%) than that in the corresponding untreated flour (14.9%–17.5%). Consequently, mung bean flour subjected to HMT induces a lower blood glucose response in mice and exhibits lower glycemic index (GI) values than that of untreated flour. Among all mung flour types subjected to HMT, the HAM MB exhibits the highest viscosity, solubility, and swelling power and has the highest RS content (30.64%), and the lowest blood glucose response and GI value. Thus, mung bean flour after HMT with desirable properties and digestibility can be used in the production of low‐carbohydrate foods.
Minimizing the Health Issues by Potentiating the Sweetness of Sugars Through Mid‐Infrared Application
Authors: kanthan Uma , Mathi Madhu
Published: February 2024

Sugar in the natural state contains fibers, vitamins, and minerals, but these are absent in commonly used white sugar. Icing sugar is prepared by mixing corn starch and sugar and is used for confections. White and icing sugars, however, have been implicated in causing the rapid rise of several chronic diseases, e.g., diabetics, hence face slow market strangulation. It is possible that by potentiating the inherent sweetness of sugars, intake can be reduced, and thereby, the pronicity and risk of chronic diseases will also be reduced. In fact this is a present challenge to multi‐faculty science. It subjects the white and icing sugars to 2–6 µm mid‐infrared (mid‐IR) ray generated through recently invented mid‐IR generating atomizer (MIRGA). This technique enhances the sweetness, and thereby, 15%–30% reduce the sugar quantity requirement in prepared recipes. This method is found to be safe and economical, saves resources and chance for better health.
Interfacial engineering for high‐performance garnet‐based solid‐state lithium batteries
Authors: Wang Lingchen , Wu Jiaxin , Bao Chengshuai , You Zichang , Lu Yan , Wen Zhaoyin
Published: February 2024

Solid‐state batteries represent the future of energy storage technology, offering improved safety and energy density. Garnet‐type Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) solid‐state electrolytes‐based solid‐state lithium batteries (SSLBs) stand out for their appealing material properties and chemical stability. Yet, their successful deployment depends on conquering interfacial challenges. This review article primarily focuses on the advancement of interfacial engineering for LLZO‐based SSLBs. We commence with a concise introduction to solid‐state electrolytes and a discussion of the challenges tied to interfacial properties in LLZO‐based SSLBs. We deeply explore the correlations between structure and properties and the design principles vital for achieving an ideal electrode/electrolyte interface. Subsequently, we delve into the latest advancements and strategies dedicated to overcoming these challenges, with designated sections on cathode and anode interface design. In the end, we share our insights into the advancements and opportunities for interface design in realizing the full potential of LLZO‐based SSLBs, ultimately contributing to the development of safe and high‐performance energy storage solutions.
Developments and applications of the HYDRUS computer software packages since 2016
Authors: Šimůnek Jiří , Brunetti Giuseppe , Jacques Diederik , van Genuchten Martinus Th. , Šejna Miroslav
Published: February 2024

The HYDRUS codes have become standard tools for addressing many soil, agricultural, environmental, and hydrological problems requiring the evaluation of various subsurface physical, chemical, and biological processes. There are now many thousands of HYDRUS users worldwide, with thousands of applications of the HYDRUS models appearing in the peer‐reviewed literature. In this manuscript, we provide an overview of the capabilities of the most recent Version 5 of HYDRUS, focusing primarily on features implemented since 2016. We briefly describe the standard HYDRUS model and its standard and nonstandard specialized add‐on modules that significantly expand the capabilities of the software packages. The standard add‐on modules include HPx, UNSATCHEM, Wetland, Furrow, PFAS, COSMIC, DPU, SLOPE Cube, and Particle Tracking. Recent developments of the HYDRUS Package for MODFLOW are also described, along with additional capabilities incorporated into the graphical user interface supporting HYDRUS. Also discussed are new or improved options to simulate the fate and transport of environmental isotopes, multi‐cropping systems, compensated root water uptake, and hydraulic redistribution within the rootzone, which will be implemented in upcoming add‐on modules. Another objective is to review selected applications of the HYDRUS models, such as evaluations of various irrigation, low‐impact development (LID), and managed aquifer recharge (MAR) schemes.
Luftqualität und Klimawandel
Authors: Wahner Andreas , Kiendler-Scharr Astrid , Klemp Dieter , Schultz Martin G.
Published: February 2024

Die Qualität der Luft beeinflusst in besonderer Weise die menschliche Gesundheit und hat auch Auswirkungen auf die Landwirtschaft und Ökosysteme. Viele Luftschadstoffe absorbieren oder streuen zudem die Sonnen- oder Wärmestrahlung und sind daher klimawirksam. Luftchemische Prozesse hängen, ebenso wie die Emissionen, von klimatischen Faktoren wie Sonneneinstrahlung, Temperatur und Niederschlag ab. Deshalb ist zu erwarten, dass die projizierten Klimaänderungen für Deutschland die Luftschadstoffkonzentrationen ebenfalls beeinflussen werden, auch wenn dieser Zusammenhang noch nicht gut erforscht ist. Dieses Kapitel vermittelt einen Überblick über die Zusammenhänge und weist zumindest qualitativ auf mögliche künftige Entwicklungen hin. Im Vordergrund stehen die Entwicklungen bei Feinstaub und Ozon.
Biodiversität und Naturschutz im Klimawandel
Authors: Klotz Stefan , Henle Klaus , Settele Josef , Sukopp Ulrich
Published: February 2024

Problematisch im Gesamtkontext des Klimawandels ist auch eine sich verändernde Biodiversität in Deutschland. Biodiversität umfasst weit mehr als „Artenvielfalt“: die genetische Vielfalt innerhalb von Arten sowie die Vielfalt physiologischer Leistungen und biologischer Wechselwirkungen, z. B. Nahrungsnetze, Konkurrenz und Symbiosen. Sie schließt auch die Vielfalt an Lebensgemeinschaften und Ökosystemen ein. Der Klimawandel beeinflusst alle Elemente der Biodiversität. Auf allen Organisationsstufen des Lebens, vom Biomolekül bis zur Biosphäre, findet man Reaktionen auf klimatische Veränderungen. Wenn es weniger Arten gibt, dann verringern sich beispielsweise auch die ökologischen Leistungen für den Menschen, etwa die Produktion von Biomasse oder die Kohlenstoff- und Stickstoffbindung. In diesem Beitrag werden die direkten und indirekten Wirkungen des Klimawandels charakterisiert und Reaktionsmöglichkeiten beschrieben. Indirekte Auswirkungen auf die biologische Vielfalt ergeben sich aus gesellschaftlichen Reaktionen auf den Klimawandel, die entweder dem Klimaschutz (z. B. Eingriffe in den Naturhaushalt im Zuge eines verstärkten Ausbaus erneuerbarer Energien, insbesondere beim großflächigen Biomasseanbau) oder der Anpassung an den Klimawandel dienen und zu veränderten Landnutzungen führen (z. B. Waldumbau, Maßnahmen zum Schutz vor Extremwetterereignissen wie Deichausbau aus Hochwasserschutzgründen). Da direkte und indirekte Wirkungen des Klimawandels auf die biologische Vielfalt weiter zunehmen werden, steht auch der Naturschutz vor neuen großen Herausforderungen.
Klimawirkungen und Anpassung in der Landwirtschaft
Authors: Lotze-Campen Hermann , Conradt Tobias , Ewert Frank , Frühauf Cathleen , Gömann Horst , Michaelis Peggy , Lüttger Andrea , Nendel Claas , Weigel Hans-Joachim
Published: February 2024

Die Änderungen wichtiger Klimakenngrößen wie Temperatur und Niederschlag sowie der Konzentration von Spurengasen in der Atmosphäre beeinflussen unmittelbar physiologische Prozesse in Kulturpflanzen und damit die Ernte und die Landwirtschaft insgesamt. Zudem wirken sich Klimaänderungen indirekt auf die Pflanzenproduktion aus, indem sie strukturelle und funktionelle Eigenschaften von Agrarökosystemen verändern. Zu erwarten sind sowohl negative als auch positive Konsequenzen für die deutsche Landwirtschaft. Betrachtet werden neben direkten Auswirkungen auch mögliche Folgen für Schadorganismen und Nutztiere sowie die zu erwartende Entwicklung der Agrarproduktion. Entscheidend dafür, wie diese Effekte ausfallen, sind zum einen die Art und Intensität der Klimaveränderungen selbst, zum anderen die Empfindlichkeit der jeweils betrachteten Produktionssysteme und die Implementierung von Anpassungsmaßnahmen, mit deren Hilfe sich die Folgen des Klimawandels nutzen, vermeiden oder mildern lassen.
Kaskadeneffekte und kritische Infrastrukturen im Klimawandel
Authors: Groth Markus , Bender Steffen , Olfert Alfred , Schauser Inke , Viktor Elisabeth
Published: February 2024

Vor dem Hintergrund der großen gesellschaftlichen Relevanz kritischer Infrastrukturen diskutiert und verdeutlicht der Beitrag die bereits spürbaren sowie zukünftig zu erwartenden Auswirkungen des Klimawandels auf ihre Funktionsfähigkeit kritischer Infrastrukturen. So kann vor allem die zunehmende Vernetzung von Teilsystemen verschiedener Sektoren dazu führen, dass sich entsprechende Abhängigkeiten verstärken, die neue beziehungsweise bislang wenig betrachtete Kaskadeneffekte erzeugen können. Diesbezüglich bestehen insbesondere bei den Auswirkungen von Kaskadeneffekten in energieabhängigen und intelligenten Netzwerken noch Forschungsbedarfe und politische Handlungsnotwendigkeiten, um den derzeit verhältnismäßig guten Ausbaugrad von vielen Infrastruktursystemen in Deutschland zu erhalten und die Risiken eines großräumigen Ausfalls mit weitreichenden Kaskadeneffekten zu minimieren.
Die Bewertung von Gefahren, Expositionen, Verwundbarkeiten und Risiken
Authors: Birkmann Jörn , Bouwer Laurens M. , Greiving Stefan , Serdeczny Olivia M.
Published: February 2024

Die Risiken und möglichen Folgen des Klimawandels für Menschen, Infrastruktur, Produktions- und Ökosysteme sind eng mit sozioökonomischen Entwicklungen und Rahmenbedingungen verflochten. Es wird deutlich gemacht, dass die komplexen Auswirkungen des Klimawandels und die Entwicklung möglicher Anpassungsmaßnahmen über die reine Gefahrenbetrachtung hinaus ein tieferes Verständnis über die Exposition, die Vulnerabilität und die Risiken erfordern. Diesbezüglich wird das Risikokonzept vom Vulnerabilitätskonzept unterschieden. In den Fokus rücken Gefahr, Exposition und Vulnerabilität als zentrale Determinanten von Klimarisiken. Auch die Frage, was unter Ungewissheit und Bandbreiten möglicher Entwicklungen des Klimas und sogenannter sozioökonomischer Entwicklungspfade zu verstehen ist, spielt dabei eine wichtige Rolle. Bisherige Untersuchungsmethoden zu Risiken im Kontext des Klimawandels und darauf aufbauende Entscheidungsprozesse werden im Hinblick auf künftige Anpassungsmaßnahmen diskutiert.
Entscheidungen unter Unsicherheit in komplexen Systemen
Authors: Held Hermann
Published: February 2024

Das Kapitel nimmt Fragen des Umgangs mit Unsicherheiten und Bandbreiten der Klimafolgenprojektionen in den Blick, die vor allem angesichts hoher Schadens-, aber auch Vermeidungskosten eine große Herausforderung für die gesellschaftliche Meinungsfindung und das Handeln von Entscheidungsträgern und -trägerinnen darstellen. Wichtige gesellschaftliche Entscheidungen betreffen üblicherweise Handlungen, deren Ziel es ist, Veränderungen an komplexen Systemen vorzunehmen, um das System noch besser auf die Herausforderungen der Zukunft auszurichten. In der Regel lassen sich jedoch die Folgen solcher Entscheidungen nicht genau vorhersagen. Bei den meisten Entscheidungen, die komplexe Umweltsysteme betreffen, spielt Unsicherheit deshalb eine entscheidende Rolle. Das Kapitel stellt verschiedene Methoden vor, unter Unsicherheit zu entscheiden, und plädiert für Risikominderung durch breite und offene Dialogprozesse.
Emissionsreduktionen durch ökosystembasierte Ansätze
Authors: Hansjürgens Bernd , Bolte Andreas , Flessa Heinz , Heidecke Claudia , Nordt Anke , Osterburg Bernhard , Pongratz Julia , Rock Joachim , Schäfer Achim , Stümer Wolfgang , Wichmann Sabine
Published: February 2024

Eine Reduzierung von Treibhausgasen kann durch eine veränderte Landnutzung erfolgen. Dies ist dann der Fall, wenn Landnutzung vermieden wird sowie wenn Landwirtschaft und Forstwirtschaft dazu beitragen, dass Treibhausgase der Atmosphäre entzogen werden. Die entscheidenden Größen hierfür sind Aufforstung statt Entwaldung, eine veränderte Landwirtschaft und der Schutz kohlenstoffreicher Böden (Moore). In Deutschland machen Emissionen aus der Landwirtschaft und aus der Trockenlegung kohlenstoffreicher Böden rund ein Achtel der Treibhausgasemissionen aus. Die Wälder waren in der Vergangenheit Kohlenstoffsenken, doch angesichts steigender Holznachfrage und der Erkrankung großer Waldgebiete ist es fraglich, ob dies auch zukünftig so bleibt. Die Wiedervernässung von Mooren, Aufforstungen, geänderte Viehhaltung und andere Maßnahmen besitzen hohe Emissionsminderungspotenziale. Die aktuellen Klimaschutzziele machen daher umfangreiche Maßnahmen und eine Transformation der Landnutzung notwendig.
Auswirkungen des Klimawandels auf Starkniederschläge, Gewitter und Schneefall
Authors: Kunz Michael , Karremann Melanie K. , Mohr Susanna
Published: February 2024

Bereits heute sind in Deutschland Änderungen der langjährigen Niederschlagsaktivität zu beobachten. Die globale Erwärmung intensiviert den Wasserkreislauf und verändert die saisonalen Niederschlagsmengen und -muster. Außerdem verändert sich die Häufigkeit bestimmter Wetterlagen, die das Niederschlagsgeschehen grundsätzlich bestimmen. Dieses Kapitel beschäftigt sich neben sommerlichen und winterlichen Starkniederschlagsereignissen auch mit Gewittern, Hagelereignissen und Schneefall. Neben einer Zusammenfassung bereits beobachteter Änderungen dieser Niederschlagsformen und Ereignisse in der Vergangenheit wird der Frage nachgegangen, inwieweit belastbare Aussagen für die Zukunft getroffen werden können.
Multi-component Dark Matter and small scale structure formation
Authors: Deal Robert Wiley , Sankharva Kishan , Sinha Kuver , Watson Scott
Published: February 2024

Abstract

We consider the evolution of non-thermal dark matter perturbations in models which contain both Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) and axions. Using constraints from existing observations we examine the percentage of WIMPs and axions that may comprise the cosmological dark matter budget in models with an Early Matter Dominated Epoch (EMDE) — where entropy production is important. After carefully tracking the thermal evolution of the various species by solving the Boltzmann equations, we consider the enhancement of perturbations that may have led to early structure formation for axions and WIMPs. We investigate the impact of enhanced perturbations on the parameter space of both species, after imposing existing constraints from indirect detection experiments. Given these constraints we establish the feasibility of axions to form miniclusters in the early universe in EMDEs for a given percentage of allowed WIMPs. We find that EMDEs with low reheat temperatures near the BBN limit are preferred for axion minicluster formation. When the EMDE is caused by string moduli, the WIMP contribution to the relic density is set by the moduli branching to dark matter at the level of ≲ $$ \mathcal{O} $$
O
(10−4).
Gauged global strings
Authors: Niu Xuce , Xue Wei , Yang Fengwei
Published: February 2024

Abstract

We investigate the string solutions and cosmological implications of the gauge U(1)Z × global U(1)PQ model. With two hierarchical symmetry-breaking scales, the model exhibits three distinct string solutions: a conventional global string, a global string with a heavy core, and a gauge string as a bound state of the two global strings. This model reveals rich phenomenological implications in cosmology. During the evolution of the universe, these three types of strings can form a Y-junction configuration. Intriguingly, when incorporating this model with the QCD axion framework, the heavy-core global strings emit more axion particles compared to conventional axion cosmic strings due to their higher tension. This radiation significantly enhances the QCD axion dark matter abundance, thereby opening up the QCD axion mass window. Consequently, axions with masses exceeding ~ 10−5 eV have the potential to constitute the whole dark matter abundance. Furthermore, in contrast to conventional gauge strings, the gauge strings in this model exhibit a distinctive behavior by radiating axions.
Local infrared safety in time-ordered perturbation theory
Authors: Sterman George , Venkata Aniruddha
Published: February 2024

Abstract

We develop a general expression for weighted cross sections in leptonic annihilation to hadrons based on time-ordered perturbation theory (TOPT). The analytic behavior of the resulting integrals over spatial momenta can be analyzed in the language of Landau equations and infrared (IR) power counting. For any infrared-safe weight, the cancellation of infrared divergences is implemented locally at the integrand level, and in principle can be evaluated numerically in four dimensions. We go on to show that it is possible to eliminate unphysical singularities that appear in time-ordered perturbation theory for arbitrary amplitudes. This is done by reorganizing TOPT into an equivalent form that combines classes of time orderings into a “partially time-ordered perturbation theory”. Applying the formalism to leptonic annihilation, we show how to derive diagrammatic expressions with only physical unitarity cuts.
The dark bubbleography
Authors: Banerjee Souvik , Danielsson Ulf , Zemsch Maximilian
Published: February 2024

Abstract

We present the holographic construction of the dark bubble model of dark energy and highlight the pivotal role played by the non-normalizable modes. Following the route of holographic renormalization, we show that the non-normalizable modes are essential for having a vanishing mass for the induced graviton in any braneworld model. We then apply this idea in the computation of the propagator on the wall of the dark bubble introduced in [1].
Factorizing two-loop vacuum sum-integrals
Authors: Davydychev Andrei I. , Navarrete Pablo , Schröder York
Published: February 2024

Abstract

We derive analytic results for scalar massless bosonic vacuum sum-integrals at two loops. Building upon a recent factorization proof of massive two-loop vacuum integrals, we are able to solve the corresponding Matsubara sums and map the result onto one-loop structures, thereby proving factorization also in the sum-integral setting. Analytic results are provided for generic integer-valued propagator- and numerator-powers of the class of sum-integrals under consideration, allowing to eliminate them from any perturbative expansion, dramatically simplifying the evaluation of some observables encountered e.g. in hot QCD.
Rounding out the story of higher derivative consistent truncations
Authors: Liu James T. , Saskowski Robert J.
Published: February 2024

Abstract

At the two-derivative order, the group manifold reduction of heterotic supergravity on S3 results in a half-maximal 7D gauged supergravity coupled to three vector multiplets, and a further truncation can be taken to remove the vector multiplets. We demonstrate that this truncation remains consistent at the four-derivative level; we do so both by analysis of the equations of motion and the supersymmetry variations.
Asian entrepreneurship in the coronavirus era
Authors: Amuedo-Dorantes Catalina , Borra Cristina , Wang Chunbei
Published: February 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a deleterious impact on the world economy. Studies have documented the disproportional impact of the pandemic on minorities, immigrants, and business owners in the USA. In this study, we use Current Population Survey monthly data spanning from January 2014 through December 2021 to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic affected Asian entrepreneurship. We show that the pandemic disproportionally hurt Asian entrepreneurship, particularly among immigrants, up until the end of 2020. A detailed analysis of Asian business dynamics reveals a substantial increase in self-employment exits during the first year of the pandemic. We fail to find convincing evidence of differential industry/job-type concentration, individual preferences, majority-minority disparities, narrower clientele, or differential access to government support as primary drivers for such patterns. Instead, we find suggestive evidence of discrimination playing a non-negligible role that subsided in 2021, coinciding with the rollout of vaccines.
The effects of paid family leave—does it help fathers’ health, too?
Authors: Kim Jiyoon
Published: February 2024

I investigate the effects of California’s paid family leave (CA-PFL) program, the first state-mandated paid leave available to both mothers and fathers in the US. I examine the effects on the overall health of mothers and fathers during two distinct periods: health immediately around childbirth and health following childbirth. To do so, I leverage the variation in the timing of the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) health care topical module relative to the exact year and month of childbirth. I find that CA-PFL has improved mothers’ health during pregnancy and immediately after childbirth. This improvement in health is accompanied by a reduced likelihood of mothers not working or taking unpaid work absence. Some improvements manifest in fathers’ health too during the same period. However, I observe that fathers report more instances of feeling sick, starting around 5 months after childbirth. Further analysis reveals that the share of fathers not working or taking unpaid work absence rises temporarily when the leave period ends. Understanding the effects on fathers’ health and leave utilization is pivotal to evaluating the program’s overall benefits and potential unintended consequences given the growing focus on enhancing equal access to paid leave for both mothers and fathers.
Design of a torsional stiffener for a cable-driven hyper-redundant robot composed of gear transmission joints
Authors: Poka Ardit , Manara Federico , Ludovico Daniele , Pistone Alessandro , Dal Verme Lorenzo De Mari Casareto , Berselli Giovanni , Caldwell Darwin G. , Canali Carlo
Published: February 2024

This work describes the advancement in developing a cable-driven gear transmission joint designed as a basic element for a long-reach hyper-redundant robot. Hyper-redundancy allows the robot to perform auxiliary tasks such as obstacle avoidance and joint limits satisfaction. This feature makes hyper-redundant robots particularly useful for performing tasks in confined and hazardous environments and areas that are not reachable by a human operator. The long-reach feature of the robot requires a detailed study of the overall structure and its components. The joint must be capable of transmitting forces and movements over a long distance without losing the precision and accuracy of the end-effector, so it is designed to optimise the robot’s performance in terms of stiffness, structural resistance, and functional characteristics. In light of the above considerations, the main focus of this work is to improve the structural performance of the entire robotic system. Consequently, since the most critical component of the robot in terms of torsional deformation is the gear transmission joint, this paper aims to design a torsional stiffener element to reduce its deformation and, thus, an increase of torsional stiffness of the overall robotic system. Tube-shaped and rectangular-shaped stiffener elements, which can fit the joint design satisfying its geometrical constraints, are proposed. A computer-aided engineering approach is implemented to improve the precision of positioning of the end-effector by adding stiffener elements in the joint. Two sensitivity analyses, varying the geometry of the proposed stiffener elements, are performed to evaluate their performance in terms of added mass and displacement reduction.
Bioremediation of hazardous heavy metals by marine microorganisms: a recent review
Authors: Alabssawy Ahmed N. , Hashem Amr H.
Published: February 2024

Heavy metals (HMs) like Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cd, and Hg, among others, play a role in several environmental problems. The marine environment is polluted by several contaminants, such as HMs. A variety of physico-chemical methods usually available for sanitation HMs remediation suffer from either limitation. Bioremediation is a promising way of dealing with HMs pollution. Microbes have the ability with various potencies to resist HMs tension. The current review discusses the main sources and influences of HMs, the role of marine microorganisms in HMs bioremediation, as well as the microbial mechanisms for HMs detoxification and transformation. This review paper aims to provide an overview of the bioremediation technologies that are currently available for the removal of HMs ions from industrial and urban effluent by aquatic organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and microalgae, particularly those that are isolated from marine areas. The primary goals are to outline various studies and offer helpful information about the most important aspects of the bioelimination techniques. The biotreatment practices have been primarily divided into three techniques based on this topic. They are biosorption, bioaccumulation, bioleaching, and biotransformation. This article gives the brief view on the research studies about bioremediation of HMs using marine microorganisms. The current review also deals with the critical issues and recent studies based on the HMs biodetoxification using aquatic microorganisms.
Rapid online analysis of n-alkanes in gaseous streams via APCI mass spectrometry
Authors: Wentrup Jonas , Bösing Ingmar , Dülcks Thomas , Thöming Jorg
Published: February 2024

Online monitoring of dynamic chemical processes involving a wide volatility range of hydrocarbon species is challenging due to long chromatographic measurement times. Mass spectrometry (MS) overcomes chromatographic delays. However, the analysis of n-alkane mixtures by MS is difficult because many fragment ions are formed, which leads to overlapping signals of the homologous series. Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) is suitable for the analysis of saturated hydrocarbons and is the subject of current research. Still, although APCI is a “soft ionization” technique, fragmentation is typically inevitable. Moreover, it is usually applied for liquid samples, while an application for online gas-phase monitoring is widely unexplored. Here, we present an automated APCI-MS method for an online gas-phase analysis of volatile and semi-volatile n-alkanes. Mass spectra for n-heptane and n-decane reveal [M-H]+, [M-3H]+ and [M-3H+H2O]+ as abundant ions. While [M-H]+ and [M-3H]+ show an excessive fragmentation pattern to smaller CnH2n+1+ and CnH2n-1+ cations, [M-3H+H2O]+ is the only relevant signal within the CnH2n+1O+ ion group, i.e., no chain cleavage is observed. This makes [M-3H+H2O]+ an analyte-specific ion that is suitable for the quantification of n-alkane mixtures. A calibration confirms the linearity of C7 and C10 signals up to concentrations of ~1000–1500 ppm. Moreover, validated concentration profiles are measured for a binary C7/C10 mixture and a five-alkane C7/C10/C12/C14/C20 mixture. Compared to the 40-min sampling interval of the reference gas chromatograph, MS sampling is performed within 5 min and allows dynamic changes to be monitored.

Graphical Abstract
Novel insights into the dependence of adsorption-desorption kinetics on particle geometry in chiral chromatography
Authors: De Luca Chiara , Compagnin Greta , Nosengo Chiara , Mazzoccanti Giulia , Gasparrini Francesco , Cavazzini Alberto , Catani Martina , Felletti Simona
Published: February 2024

The existence of slow adsorption-desorption kinetics in chiral liquid chromatography is common knowledge. This may significantly contribute to worsening the efficiency and kinetic performance of a chromatographic run, especially when high flow rates are employed. Many attempts and protocols have been proposed to access this term, the so-called $$c_{ads}$$

c

ads

, but they are based on different (theoretical) assumptions. As a consequence, no official method is available for the estimation of the adsorption-desorption kinetics term. In this work, a novel approach to access $$c_{ads}$$

c

ads

is presented. This procedure combines experimental results obtained with kinetic and thermodynamic measurements. The investigations have been performed on two zwitterionic teicoplanin chiral stationary phases (CSPs) based on 1.9 $$\mu $$
μ
m fully porous and 2.0 $$\mu $$
μ
m superficially porous particles (FPPs and SPPs), using Z-D,L-Methionine as probe molecule. Kinetic studies have been performed through the combination of both stop-flow and dynamic measurements, while adsorption isotherms have been calculated through Inverse Method. This study has confirmed that, on both particle formats, analyte diffusion on the surface of the particle is negligible, meaning that adsorption is localized, and it has been demonstrated that adsorption-desorption kinetics is strongly dependent on particle geometry and, in particular, on the loading of chiral selector. These findings are fundamental not only to unravel novel aspects of the complex enantiorecognition mechanism but also to optimize the employment of CSPs for ultra-fast and preparative applications.

Graphical abstract
Premotor projections from the locus coeruleus and periaqueductal grey are altered in two rat models with inborn differences in emotional behavior
Authors: Shupe Elizabeth A. , Kerman Ilan A. , Clinton Sarah M.
Published: February 2024

Emotionally motivated behaviors rely on the coordinated activity of descending neural circuits involved in motor and autonomic functions. Using a pseudorabies (PRV) tract-tracing approach in typically behaving rats, our group previously identified descending premotor, presympathetic, and dual-labeled premotor-presympathetic populations throughout the central rostral-caudal axis. The premotor-presympathetic populations are thought to integrate somatomotor and sympathetic activity. To determine whether these circuits are dysregulated in subjects with altered emotional regulation, subsequent neuroanatomical analyses were performed in male subjects of two distinct genetic models relevant to clinical depression and anxiety: the Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rat and selectively bred Low Novelty Responder (bLR) rat. The present study explored alterations in premotor efferents from locus coeruleus (LC) and subdivisions of the periaqueductal grey (PAG), two areas involved in emotionally motivated behaviors. Compared to Sprague Dawley rats, WKY rats had significantly fewer premotor projections to hindlimb skeletal muscle from the LC and from the dorsomedial (DMPAG), lateral (LPAG), and ventrolateral (VLPAG) subdivisions of PAG. Relative to selectively bred High Novelty Responder (bHR) rats, bLR rats had significantly fewer premotor efferents from LC and dorsolateral PAG (DLPAG). Cumulatively, these results demonstrate that somatomotor circuitry in several brain areas involved in responses to stress and emotional stimuli are altered in rat models with depression-relevant phenotypes. These somatomotor circuit differences could be implicated in motor-related impairments in clinically depressed patients.
A study on the association between gut microbiota, inflammation, and type 2 diabetes
Authors: Liu Nannan , Yan Xuehua , Lv Bohan , Wu Yanxiang , Hu Xuehong , Zheng Chunyan , Tao Siyu , Deng Ruxue , Dou Jinfang , Zeng Binfang , Jiang Guangjian
Published: February 2024

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was reported to be associated with impaired immune response and alterations in microbial composition and function. However, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. To investigate the association among retinoic acid-inducible gene-I-like receptors (RLRs) signaling pathway, intestinal bacterial microbiome, microbial tryptophan metabolites, inflammation, and a longer course of T2DM, 14 patients with T2DM and 7 healthy controls were enrolled. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and untargeted metabolomics were utilized to analyze the stool samples. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was carried out on the peripheral blood samples. Additionally, C57BL/6J specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice were used. It was found that the longer course of T2DM could lead to a decrease in the abundance of probiotics in the intestinal microbiome. In addition, the production of microbial tryptophan derivative skatole declined as a consequence of the reduced abundance of related intestinal microbes. Furthermore, low abundances of probiotics, such as Bacteroides and Faecalibacterium, could trigger the inflammatory response by activating the RLRs signaling pathway. The increased level of the member of TNF receptor-associated factors (TRAF) family, nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) activator (TANK), in the animal colon activated nuclear factor kappa B subunit 2 (NFκB2), resulting in inflammatory damage. In summary, it was revealed that the low abundances of probiotics could activate the RLR signaling pathway, which could in turn activate its downstream signaling pathway, NF-κB, highlighting a relationship among gut microbes, inflammation, and a longer course of T2DM.

Key points

Hyperglycemia may suppress tryptophanase activity.

The low abundance of Bacteroides combined with the decrease of Dopa decarboxylase (DDC) activity may lead to the decrease of the production of tryptophan microbial derivative skatole, and the low abundance of Bacteroides or reduced skatole may further lead to the increase of blood glucose by downregulating the expression of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP1).

A low abundance of anti-inflammatory bacteria may induce an inflammatory response by triggering the RLR signaling pathway and then activating its downstream NF-κB signaling pathway in prolonged T2DM.
Applied microbiology of the phyllosphere
Authors: Rangel Lorena I. , Leveau Johan H. J.
Published: February 2024

The phyllosphere, or plant leaf surface, represents a microbial ecosystem of considerable size, holding extraordinary biodiversity and enormous potential for the discovery of new products, tools, and applications in biotechnology, agriculture, medicine, and elsewhere. This mini-review highlights the applied microbiology of the phyllosphere as an original field of study concerning itself with the genes, gene products, natural compounds, and traits that underlie phyllosphere-specific adaptations and services that have commercial and economic value for current or future innovation. Examples include plant-growth-promoting and disease-suppressive phyllobacteria, probiotics and fermented foods that support human health, as well as microbials that remedy foliar contamination with airborne pollutants, residual pesticides, or plastics. Phyllosphere microbes promote plant biomass conversion into compost, renewable energy, animal feed, or fiber. They produce foodstuffs such as thickening agents and sugar substitutes, industrial-grade biosurfactants, novel antibiotics and cancer drugs, as well as enzymes used as food additives or freezing agents. Furthermore, new developments in DNA sequence-based profiling of leaf-associated microbial communities allow for surveillance approaches in the context of food safety and security, for example, to detect enteric human pathogens on leafy greens, predict plant disease outbreaks, and intercept plant pathogens and pests on internationally traded goods.

Key points

• Applied phyllosphere microbiology concerns leaf-specific adaptations for economic value

• Phyllobioprospecting searches the phyllosphere microbiome for product development

• Phyllobiomonitoring tracks phyllosphere microbial profiles for early risk detection

Graphical Abstract
Balancing resources for dynamic vehicle routing with stochastic customer requests
Authors: Soeffker Ninja , Ulmer Marlin W. , Mattfeld Dirk C.
Published: February 2024

We consider a service provider performing pre-planned service for initially known customers with a fleet of vehicles, e.g., parcel delivery. During execution, new dynamic service requests occur, e.g., for parcel pickup. The goal of the service provider is to serve as many dynamic requests as possible while ensuring service of all initial customers. The allocation of initial services impacts the potential of serving dynamic requests. An allocation aiming on a time-efficient initial routing leads to minimal overall workload regarding the initial solution but may congest some vehicles that are unable to serve additional requests along their routes. An even workload division is less efficient but grants all vehicles flexibility for additional services. In this paper, we investigate the balance between efficiency and flexibility. For the initial customers, we modify a routing algorithm to allow a shift between efficient initial routing and evenly balanced workloads. For effective dynamic decision making with respect to the dynamic requests, we present value function approximations with different feature sets capturing vehicle workload in different levels of detail. We show that sacrificing some initial routing efficiency in favor of a balanced vehicle workload is a key factor for a flexible integration of later customer requests that leads to an average improvement of 10.75%. Further, we show when explicitly depicting heterogeneity in the vehicle workload by features of the value function approximation provides benefits and that the best choice of features leads to an average improvement of 5.71% compared to the worst feature choice.
The RIN4-like/NOI proteins NOI10 and NOI11 modulate the response to biotic stresses mediated by RIN4 in Arabidopsis
Authors: Contreras Estefania , Martinez Manuel
Published: February 2024

Key message

NOI10 and NOI11 are two RIN4-like/NOI proteins that participate in the immune response of the Arabidopsis plant and affect the RIN4-regulated mechanisms involving the R-proteins RPM1 and RPS2.

The immune response in plants depends on the regulation of signaling pathways triggered by pathogens and herbivores. RIN4, a protein of the RIN4-like/NOI family, is considered to be a central immune signal in the interactions of plants and pathogens. In Arabidopsis thaliana, four of the 15 members of the RIN4-like/NOI family (NOI3, NOI5, NOI10, and NOI11) were induced in response to the plant herbivore Tetranychus urticae. While overexpressing NOI10 and NOI11 plants did not affect mite performance, opposite callose accumulation patterns were observed when compared to RIN4 overexpressing plants. In vitro and in vivo analyses demonstrated the interaction of NOI10 and NOI11 with the RIN4 interactors RPM1, RPS2, and RIPK, suggesting a role in the context of the RIN4-regulated immune response. Transient expression experiments in Nicotiana benthamiana evidenced that NOI10 and NOI11 differed from RIN4 in their functionality. Furthermore, overexpressing NOI10 and NOI11 plants had significant differences in susceptibility with WT and overexpressing RIN4 plants when challenged with Pseudomonas syringae bacteria expressing the AvrRpt2 or the AvrRpm1 effectors. These results demonstrate the participation of NOI10 and NOI11 in the RIN4-mediated pathway. Whereas RIN4 is considered a guardee protein, NOI10 and NOI11 could act as decoys to modulate the concerted activity of effectors and R-proteins.
Risdiplam improves subjective swallowing quality in non-ambulatory adult patients with 5q-spinal muscular atrophy despite advanced motor impairment
Authors: Brakemeier S. , Lipka J. , Schlag M. , Kleinschnitz C. , Hagenacker T.
Published: February 2024

Background

5q-associated spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons with consecutive weakness and atrophy of the limb, respiratory, and bulbar muscles. While trunk and limb motor function improve or stabilize in adults with SMA under nusinersen and risdiplam treatment, the efficacy on bulbar function in this age group of patients remains uncertain. However, it is important to assess bulbar dysfunction, which frequently occurs in the disease course and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality.

Methods

Bulbar function was evaluated prospectively in 25 non-ambulatory adults with type 2 and 3 SMA before and 4 and 12 months after risdiplam treatment initiation using the Sydney Swallow Questionnaire (SSQ) and the bulbar subscore of the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale Revised (b-ALSFRS-R). Extremity function was assessed using the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded (HFMSE) and Revised Upper Limb Module (RULM).

Results

Subjective swallowing quality, measured with the SSQ, improved after 12 months of therapy with risdiplam. For the b-ALSFRS-R, a non-significant trend towards improvement was observed. The RULM score improved after 12 months of risdiplam therapy, but not the HFMSE score. HFMSE and RULM scores did not correlate with the SSQ but the b-ALSFRS-R score at baseline.

Conclusions

The improvement in subjective swallowing quality under risdiplam treatment, despite an advanced disease stage with severe motor deficits, strengthens the importance of a standardized bulbar assessment in addition to established motor scores. This may reveal relevant treatment effects and help individualize treatment decisions in the future.