bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving bonding strength by non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma-assisted technology for A5052/PEEK direct joining
Authors: Takenaka Kosuke , Jinda Akiya , Nakamoto Soutaro , Koyari Ryosuke , Toko Susumu , Uchida Giichiro , Setsuhara Yuichi
Published: December 2023

The direct bonding of A5052 aluminum (Al) alloy to the engineering polymer poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) using an atmospheric pressure plasma-assisted process was demonstrated. The effect of plasma irradiation on the bonding surface of metal resin on the bonding strength following thermal press fitting method was investigated. Specimens bonded by plasma irradiation on the PEEK surface only showed a high tensile shear stress of 15.5 MPa. With increasing plasma irradiation time, the bond strength of the samples bonded to the PEEK surface by plasma irradiation increased. The increase in the bond strength between metals and polymers following direct bonding is caused by the addition of oxygen functional groups on the polymer. In contrast, specimens in which only the Al was exposed to the plasma showed a decrease in bond strength compared with unirradiated samples. This reduction in bond strength is attributed to the forming magnesium oxide, which forms in the early stages of participation due to plasma irradiation.
“If this is what it means to be old…”: a mixed methods study on the effects of age simulation on views on aging and perceptions of age-related impairments
Authors: Schmidt Laura I. , Gerhardy Thomas H. , Carleton-Schweitzer Leslie , Wahl Hans-Werner , Jekel Katrin
Published: December 2023

Age simulation suits are a promising tool to increase empathy and to promote positive attitudes toward older adults. However, studies have largely focused on (young) healthcare professionals, are probably biased by social desirability, and have not addressed participants’ views of the aging process triggered by the simulation. The current work combines two studies addressing effects of aging suits on both general and personal views on aging among heterogeneous samples, and exploring spontaneous associations during the simulation. In study 1, N = 165 adults (M = 37.1 years, SD = 15.4, range 18–74 years) answered questionnaires containing general views regarding older adults (“old people are…”) as well as personal perceptions (”aging means to me…”) before and after wearing an aging suit. In study 2, young adults (N = 22; M = 24.8 years, SD = 4.3, range 20–38 years) and middle-aged adults (N = 41; M = 60.8 years, SD = 6.9, range 40–75 years) carried out established geriatric assessments with and without aging suit, and spontaneous impressions on the instant aging experience were recorded. Findings indicated negative shifts in both general and personal views on aging measures in both age groups (d = .30 to d = .44). Analyses of qualitative data resulted in seven main themes, e.g., “strain/coordination”, “future me”, “empathy/insight”. Group comparisons revealed higher frequencies of future-self related thoughts among middle-aged adults, whereas younger adults mentioned predominantly physical effects of the suit. In conclusion, applying age simulation suits might evoke unintended negative views on aging. In comparison with young adults, middle-aged adults showed broader reflections including thoughts related to emotions, future-self, and potential struggles of older people.
Phylogenetic analyses reveal multiple new stem-boring Tetramesa taxa (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae): implications for the biological control of invasive African grasses
Authors: van Steenderen Clarke J. M. , Sutton Guy F. , Yell Liam D. , Canavan Kim , McConnachie Andrew J. , Day Michael D. , Paterson Iain D.
Published: December 2023

Many native South African grass species have become invasive elsewhere in the world. The application of biological control to invasive grasses has been approached with trepidation in the past, primarily due to concerns of a perceived lack of host specific herbivores. This has changed in recent times, and grasses are now considered suitable candidates. The Tetramesa Walker genus (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) has been found to contain species that are largely host specific to a particular grass species, or complex of closely related congeners. Very little taxonomic work exists for Tetramesa in the southern hemisphere, and the lack of morphological variability between many Tetramesa species has made identification difficult. This limits the ability to assess the genus for potential biological control agents. Species delimitation analyses indicated 16 putative novel southern African Tetramesa taxa. Ten of these were putative Tetramesa associated with Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees and Sporobolus pyramidalis Beauv. and S. natalensis Steud., which are alien invasive weeds in Australia. Of these ten Tetramesa taxa, eight were only found on a single host plant, while two taxa were associated with multiple species in a single grass genus. The Tetramesa spp. on S. pyramidalis and S. africanus were deemed suitably host-specific to be used as biological control agents. Field host range data for the Tetramesa species on E. curvula revealed that the wasp may not be suitably host specific for use as a biological control agent. However, further host specificity testing on non-target native Australian species is required.
On spatially correlated observations in importance sampling methods for subsidence estimation
Authors: Kim Samantha S. R. , Vossepoel Femke C.
Published: December 2023

The particle filter is a data assimilation method based on importance sampling for state and parameter estimation. We apply a particle filter in two different quasi-static experiments with models of subsidence caused by a compacting reservoir. The first model considers uncorrelated model state variables and observations, with observed subsidence resulting from a single source of strain. In the second model, subsidence is a summation of subsidence contributions from multiple sources which causes spatial dependencies and correlations in the observed subsidence field. Assimilating these correlated subsidence fields may trigger weight collapse. With synthetic tests, we show in a model of subsidence with 50 independent state variables and spatially correlated subsidence a minimum of $$\varvec{10^{13}}$$

10
13

particles are required to have information in the posterior distribution identical to that in a model with 50 independent and spatially uncorrelated observations. Spatial correlations cause an information loss which can be quantified with mutual information. We illustrate how a stronger spatial correlation results in lower information content in the posterior and we empirically derive the required ensemble size for the importance sampling to remain effective. We furthermore illustrate how this loss of information is reflected in the log likelihood, and how this depends on the number of model state variables. Based on these empirical results, we propose criteria to evaluate the required ensemble size in data assimilation of spatially correlated observation fields.
Identifying Sexual Abuse in Same-Sex Relationships: Turning Points and Meta-Narratives
Authors: Øverlien Carolina
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Youth intimate partner violence (YIPV) is an under-researched topic within the field of domestic violence. This is particularly true of same-sex YIPV. In this article, the words of one young man, Philip, are analyzed to explore how he narrates his process of defining his sexual experiences as abuse and, consequently, himself as a possible victim of IPV.

Methods

The qualitative in-depth interview with Philip was conducted as part of a larger study on YIPV in Norway, with a specific focus on sexual YIPV. The article is framed both theoretically and methodologically by the assumption that narratives give meaning to our experiences. Meta-narratives and turning points are used as tools for narrative analysis.

Results

Important contextual issues in Philip’s storyline include his prior exposure to severe homophobic bullying, being forced to return to the closet as his partner had not yet come out, and no prior experience of serious romantic relationship. Influential cultural meta-narratives regarding IPV and gender that complicate his process of identifying his experiences as abuse include the violence of adult men towards adult women, the ever-present male sex drive, and the importance of physical violence and bodily size and strength. The findings are discussed in light of the theory of the ideal victim.

Conclusion

Schools need to include sexual minority youth when teaching about sex and relationships, and professionals working with youth need to actively ask them about experiences of violence and abuse in their relationships, regardless of their sexuality.
Sedimentary Processes on Venus
Authors: Carter Lynn M. , Gilmore Martha S. , Ghail Richard C. , Byrne Paul K. , Smrekar Suzanne E. , Ganey Terra M. , Izenberg Noam
Published: December 2023

The sedimentary cycle, including the processes of erosion, transport, and lithification, is a key part of how planets evolve over time. Early images of Venus’s vast volcanic plains, numerous volcanoes, and rugged tectonic regions led to the interpretation that Venus is a volcanic planet with little sediment cover and perhaps few processes for generating sedimentary rocks. However, in the years since the Magellan mission in the 1990s we have developed a better understanding of sedimentary process on Venus. Impact craters are the largest present-day source of sediments, with estimates from the current crater population suggesting an average sediment layer 8–63 cm in thickness if distributed globally. There is clear evidence of fine-grained material in volcanic summit regions that is likely produced through volcanism, and dune fields and yardangs indicate transport of sediments and erosion of rocks through wind. Landslides and fine-grained materials in highland tessera regions demonstrate erosive processes that move sediment downhill. It is clear that sediments are an important part of Venus’s geology, and it is especially important to realize that they mantle features that may be of interest to future landed or low-altitude imaging missions. The sinks of sediments are less well known, as it has been difficult to identify sedimentary rocks with current data. Layering observed in Venera images and in Magellan images of some tessera regions, as well as calculated rock densities, suggest that sedimentary rocks are present on Venus. New data is needed to fully understand and quantify the present-day sedimentary cycle and establish with certainty whether sedimentary rock packages do, in fact, exist on Venus. These data sets will need to include higher-resolution optical and radar imaging, experimental and geochemical measurements to determine how chemical weathering and lithification can occur, and topography to better model mesospheric winds. Sediments and sedimentary rocks are critical to understanding how Venus works today, but are also extremely important for determining how Venus’s climate has changed through time and whether it was once a habitable planet.
Suffering is bad: experiential understanding and the impossibility of intrinsically valuing suffering
Authors: Gularte Louis
Published: December 2023

Suffering, I argue, is bad. This paper supports that claim by defending a somewhat bolder-sounding one: namely that if anyone—even a sadistic ‘amoralist’—fully understands the fact that someone else is suffering, then the only evaluative attitude they can possibly form towards the person’s suffering as such is that of being intrinsically against it. I first argue that, necessarily, everyone is disposed to be intrinsically against their own suffering experiences, holding fixed their specific overall degree of emotional aversiveness, because any evaluative attitude other than ‘being against’—including mere indifference—would in certain key circumstances make our suffering less emotionally aversive and thus different from the suffering experience (stipulatively) at issue. Second, fully understanding that someone else is having a given experience—Mary’s experiencing a vividly blue sky, say, or Job’s experiencing heart-rending grief—requires that we represent experientially their very instance of that experience-type (it requires, in other words, token phenomenal concepts). The result is that what goes for our own suffering goes for others’, too: maintaining an accurate experiential representation of the fact that someone else is having a suffering experience with a specific degree of overall emotional aversiveness is only compatible with coming to be intrinsically against their suffering. So suffering is—‘objectively’—bad: it’s only possible to respond with indifference towards anyone’s suffering if we don’t fully understand that they are suffering in the first place.
Environmental monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 in the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil
Authors: Dutra Leticia Batista , Stein Janaína Francieli , da Rocha Bruna Seixas , Berger Andresa , de Souza Beatriz Andrade , Prandi Bruno Aschidamini , Mangini Arthur Tonietto , Jarenkow André , Campos Aline Alves Scarpellini , Fan Fernando Mainardi , de Almeida Silva Maria Cristina , Lipp-Nissinen Katia Helena , Loncan Manuel Rodrigues , Augusto Matheus Ribeiro , Franco Ana Cláudia , de Freitas Bueno Rodrigo , Rigotto Caroline
Published: December 2023

Since starts the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic identified the presence of genomic fragments of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in various environmental matrices: domestic sewage, surface waters, and contaminated freshwater. Environmental monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 is a tool for evaluating trend curves over the months, compared to several clinical cases of the disease. The objective of this study was to monitor the SARS-CoV-2 in environmental samples collected in different sites in a metropolitan area of Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil. During 10 months from 2020 to 2021, 300 samples were collected weekly and biweekly from nine points located in 3 cities: one point from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in São Leopoldo (fortnightly collection), two points in Dilúvio Stream in Porto Alegre (fortnightly collection), two points in Pampa and Luiz Rau Streams (weekly collection), and two points in public fountains (fortnightly collection) in Novo Hamburgo. After collection, samples were concentrated by ultracentrifugation, and viral nucleic acids were extracted using MagMax® Core Nucleic Acid Purifications kits and submitted to RT-qPCR, using E, N1, and N2 gene targets of SARS-CoV-2. Only 7% (3/41) samples from public fountains were positive, with a mean viral load (VL) of SARS-CoV-2 RNA of 5.02 × 101 gc/l (2.41~8.59 × 101 gc/l), while the streams had average VL of 7.43 × 105 gc/l (Pampa), 7.06 × 105 gc/l (Luiz Rau), 2.01 × 105 gc/l (Dilúvio), and 4.46 × 105 cg/l (WWTP). The results showed varying levels of viral presence in different sample types, with a demonstrated correlation between environmental viral load and clinical COVID-19 cases. These findings contribute to understanding virus persistence and transmission pathways in the environment. Continuous monitoring, especially in less developed regions, is crucial for early detection of vaccine resistance, new variants, and potential COVID-19 resurgence.
Green innovation and environmental quality in OECD countries: the mediating role of renewable energy and carbon taxes
Authors: Kafeel Kafeel , Zhou Jing , Phetkhammai Monmala , Heyan Lu , Khan Sher
Published: December 2023

The exceptional rise in overall economic activities has deteriorated environmental sustainability around the world. However, countries around the globe are implementing strategies for reaching the global climate objective. For this purpose, OECD countries committed many efforts, although their pledges and results are not parallel to the level of the Paris Agreement’s ambition. This study examines the impact of eco-innovation, environmental taxes, and renewable energy consumption on the environmental performance of selected OECD countries over the period of 2006 to 2020. This study uses the generalized method of moments (GMM) and instrumental variables 2 stage least square (2SLS) methods. For robustness checks, this study uses a quantile regression approach. We conclude that an increase in the adoption of renewable energy and green innovation has a statistically significant impact on controlling CO2 emissions. Moreover, the empirical model is expanded by incorporating environmental taxes as an explanatory variable. The expanded model showed that the imposition of environmental taxes has a detrimental impact on the reduction of CO2 emissions. Moreover, on the contrary, an increase in economic activities, measured by GDP, is responsible for rising CO2 emissions in OECD countries. In light of the results we obtained, policy recommendations are provided.
Does Sponsorship Promote Equity in Career Advancement in Academic Medicine? A Scoping Review
Authors: Schwartz Rachel , Williams Mia F. , Feldman Mitchell D.
Published: December 2023

Sponsorship describes a set of actions wherein an influential champion (sponsor) uses their position to actively support a colleague’s career by helping them gain visibility, recognition, and/or positions. There is growing awareness of the importance of sponsorship for career advancement in academic medicine, particularly for women and those who are historically underrepresented and excluded in medicine (UIM). This scoping review examines the current landscape of evidence, and knowledge gaps, on sponsorship as it relates to career advancement in academic medicine for women and UIM faculty. We searched peer-reviewed literature in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science (WoS) over the past 50 years (from 1973 through July 2023). Sixteen studies were included in the final review. We found relative consensus on sponsorship definition and value to career advancement. Heterogeneity in study design limited our ability to directly compare study outcomes. All included studies focused on gender differences in sponsorship: two of four quantitative studies found men were more likely to receive sponsorship, one reported no gender differences, and one was insufficiently powered. All but one of the qualitative studies reported gender differences, with women less likely to access or be identified for sponsorship. The mixed-methods studies suggested sponsorship may vary by career stage. Only two studies analyzed sponsorship for UIM populations. The existing data are inconclusive regarding best ways to measure and assess sponsorship, what institutional support (e.g., structured programs, formal recognition, or incentives for sponsorship) should look like, and at what career stage sponsorship is most important. Addressing this knowledge gap will be critically important for understanding what sponsorship best practices, if any, should be used to promote equity in career advancement in academic medicine. We advocate for commitment at the institutional and national levels to develop new infrastructure for transparently and equitably supporting women and UIM in career advancement.
Risk of binge eating disorder in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease
Authors: Brodosi Lucia , Stecchi Michele , Marchignoli Francesca , Lucia Elisabetta , Magnani Lucia , Guarneri Valeria , Petroni Maria Letizia , Marchesini Giulio , Pironi Loris
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Very few data exist on the association between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and eating disorders. The study aimed to evaluate the presence of binge eating disorder (BED), in MASLD subjects.

Methods

Demographic, clinical investigation, anthropometric measurements and laboratory were collected in 129 patients with MASLD (34.1% males; age, 53.7 years; BMI, 34.4 kg/m2) addressed by general practitioners to a hospital-based unit of metabolic disorders. The risk of binge eating was tested by the binge eating scale (BES); values in the range 17–26 were considered “possible” BED, values > 26 were considered “probable” BED. Hepatic steatosis and fibrosis were tested by surrogate biomarkers and imaging (transient elastography). Calorie intake and lifestyle were self-assessed by questionnaires.

Results

Possible BED was present in 17.8% of cases, probable BED in another 7.6%, and were neither associated with gender, obesity class, diabetes, features of metabolic syndrome, nor with presence and severity of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis. Also steatosis grade by CAP and fibrosis stage by liver stiffness did not correlate with BES. However, an association was present between the daily caloric intake and “possible” BED (odds ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.05–1.24; “probable” BED, 1.21; 1.07–1.37), after adjustment for confounders.

Conclusion

Binge eating, as scored by BES, is present in a significant proportion of MASLD cases screened for metabolic disorders in a specialized center. It may impact behavioral treatment, reducing the chance of weight loss without systematic psychological support.

Level of Evidence: Level III, cohort analytic study
Machine learning approach for the prediction of mining-induced stress in underground mines to mitigate ground control disasters and accidents
Authors: Vinay Lingampally Sai , Bhattacharjee Ram Madhab , Ghosh Nilabjendu , Kumar Shankar
Published: December 2023

The bord and pillar method is commonly employed in Indian underground coal mines, and the extraction rate varies between 30 and 65%. During pillar extraction, pillars are subjected to severe stress conditions. Due to this, the natural state of stress equilibrium is disturbed, resulting in severe strata control problems leading to sudden, unpredictable failure such as a premature collapse of pillars, severe roof or side fall, and sometimes leading to serious/fatal injury or burial of machinery. This paper deals with the prediction of mining-induced stress during pillar extraction using Machine Learning (ML) techniques like Random Forest and Multilayer Perceptron. The various factors used for the formulation of the models for predicting the mining-induced stresses are Depth of the workings (H), Panel width/length (W/L), Pillar width/working height (w/h), Goaf length, and Area of extraction. This paper highlights the importance of operational parameters rather than geological parameters. The Correlation coefficient ($${R}^{2}$$

R

2

) of mining-induced stresses for the case studies discussed in the paper is 0.85 for Random Forest and 0.76 for Multilayer Perceptron, which shows Random Forest results have a comparative edge over Multilayer perceptron. With this developed prediction models, the stress conditions of pillars can be predicted.

Graphic abstract
Intermediäre Akteure und ihre Bedeutung für die historische Formierung von spezifischen Berufsbildern und Arbeitsmärkten in der öffentlichen Erwachsenenbildung
Authors: Alke Matthias , Uhl Laura , Troidl Kilian
Published: December 2023

Die Erwachsenenbildung ist durch vielfältige Berufsbilder und Beschäftigungsverhältnisse geprägt, aus denen sich zugleich die Existenz heterogener Teilarbeitsmärkte für diesen Sektor erklärt. Am Beispiel des öffentlich verantworteten Erwachsenenbildungsbereichs der Volkshochschulen behandelt der Beitrag die historische Genese von spezifischen Berufsbildern und dazugehörigen (Teil‑)Arbeitsmärkten. Der Schwerpunkt liegt auf dem Berufsbild für hauptberufliche pädagogische Mitarbeitende (HPM) und Leitungskräfte, das als Referenzmodell in der Reformära der 1960er und 1970er-Jahre vor dem Hintergrund neuer Förderungsstrukturen für hauptberufliche Stellen konzipiert wurde. Es wird untersucht, welche Akteure und rechtlichen Normierungen die Formierung dieses spezifischen Berufsbilds beeinflusst und zu seiner Verbreitung und Durchsetzungsfähigkeit geführt haben. Dazu werden Ergebnisse aus einer historischen Stellenanzeigen- und Dokumentenanalyse vorgestellt, die sich u. a. auf Verbände, bildungspolitische Akteure und gesetzliche Grundlagen beziehen. Für die Analyse der empirischen Befunde wird theoretisch an die Konzepte Situation, Intermediäre und Forminvestition aus der konventionensoziologischen Forschung zur Genese von Berufskategorien und Arbeitsmärkten angeknüpft. Die Ergebnisse beleuchten nicht nur die Bedeutung von Intermediären für die Etablierung von Berufsbildern und Arbeitsmärkten, sondern zeigen auch die Auswirkungen auf die Organisationsebene und die impliziten Handlungsspielräume für die einzelnen Volkshochschulen im Untersuchungszeitraum.
MXenes-mining: a decade of discovery
Authors: Georgantas Yiannis , Moissinac Francis Peter , Bissett Mark
Published: December 2023

MXenes are a material family of transition metal carbides and/or nitrides that include more than 48 different chemical compounds, with different synthesis and post-processing routes, enabling them to be exploited in a variety of applications. Consequentially, the permutability of such materials has led to the publication of several thousand articles that either mention MXenes or specifically focus on them. This results in a common challenge shared by many large research domains, where researchers often face significant obstacles in obtaining a swift and all-encompassing macro-perspective. Herein, we have utilized data mining tool to gather 25.355 articles from the inception of MXenes in 2011 up until 31 December 2022. Accordingly, we processed the collated data by using clustering, link analysis and frequent itemset analysis in a variety of ways to visualize the results in a range of plots and figures to ascertain trends and correlations to identify the gaps that this research domain may have for future investigations.
Die politische Kultur in Berlin: Ergebnisse des Berlin-Monitors
Authors: Pickel Gert , Celik Kazim , Decker Oliver
Published: December 2023

Die politische Kultur in Berlin zeichnet sich durch eine hohe Legitimität der Demokratie und eine limitierte Gruppe überzeugter Antidemokraten aus. Etwas seltener sind Berliner demgegenüber mit der aktuellen Demokratie zufrieden. Aber es handelt sich noch immer um eine Mehrheit. Neben einem kleinen harten Kern von Antidemokraten finden sich deutlich öfter Zustimmungen zu antidemokratischen Brückenideologien, wie Verschwörungserzählungen oder antimuslimischen Einstellungen. Sammelbecken solcher Überzeugungen ist die Wählerschaft der AfD. Variationen in der Systemunterstützung können durch die Einschätzung der Wirtschaftslage, politische Unzufriedenheit, aber vor allem durch sozialpsychologische Erklärungsmuster erklärt werden. Unter ihnen besitzen eine Verschwörungsmentalität, autoritäre Überzeugungen und Vorstellungen sozialer Abwertung (Rassismus, Sexismus, Klassismus), sowie soziales Vertrauen die größte Wirkung. Differenzen zwischen West- und Ostberlin in der politischen Kultur sind noch erkennbar, sie sind aber nur begrenzt als Merkmale einer regionalen politischen Kultur in Berlin zu interpretieren. Eher findet sich eine regionale Variation der bundesdeutschen politischen Kultur.
Review on Low-Temperature Electrolytes for Lithium-Ion and Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Tan Sha , Shadike Zulipiya , Cai Xinyin , Lin Ruoqian , Kludze Atsu , Borodin Oleg , Lucht Brett L. , Wang Chunsheng , Hu Enyuan , Xu Kang , Yang Xiao-Qing
Published: December 2023

Among various rechargeable batteries, the lithium-ion battery (LIB) stands out due to its high energy density, long cycling life, in addition to other outstanding properties. However, the capacity of LIB drops dramatically at low temperatures (LTs) below 0 °C, thus restricting its applications as a reliable power source for electric vehicles in cold climates and equipment used in the aerospace. The electrolyte engineering has proved to be one of the most effective approaches to mitigate LIB performance degradation at LTs. In this review, we summarize the important factors contributing to the deterioration in Li+ transport and capacity utilization at LTs while systematically categorize the solvents, salts and additives reported in the literature. Strategies to improve the Li+ transport kinetics, in the bulk electrolyte and across the interphases, are discussed. In particular, the formation mechanism of solid electrolyte interphase and its functionality for LT electrolytes are analyzed. Perspectives on the future evolution of this area are also provided.

Graphical abstract
Understanding steric hindrance effect of solvent molecule in localized high-concentration electrolyte for lithium metal batteries
Authors: Li Xinpeng , Pan Yuxue , Liu Yue , Jie Yulin , Chen Shunqiang , Wang Shiyang , He Zixu , Ren Xiaodi , Cheng Tao , Cao Ruiguo , Jiao Shuhong
Published: December 2023

High energy density lithium metal batteries (LMBs) have garnered significant research interests in the past decades. However, the growth of lithium dendrites and the low Coulombic efficiency (CE) of Li metal anode pose significant challenges for the development of LMBs. Herein, we report a triethyl orthoformate (TEOF)-based localized high-concentration electrolyte (LHCE) that facilitates a highly reversible Li metal anode with dendrite-free deposition morphologies and an average Coulombic efficiency of 99.1% for 450 cycles. Mechanistic study reveal that the steric hindrance caused by the terminal ethyl groups in the TEOF solvent molecule results in a weak solvating ability, leading to the formation of anion-dominant solvation structures. The anion-dominant solvation sheaths play an essential role in the formation of a LiF-rich solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI), which effectively suppresses the growth of Li dendrites. Furthermore, the TEOF-based electrolyte demonstrates the stable cycling of high-voltage Li||NMC811 cells. These results provide insights into understanding of steric hindrance effect on electrolyte solvation structure and offer valuable guidance for the design of electrolyte solvents in the development of lithium metal batteries.
Upper Paleocene–lower Eocene calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy at Nukhul, West Central Sinai, Egypt
Authors: Kasem Atef M. , Kassab Walid G.
Published: December 2023

This research offers a comprehensive examination of calcareous nannofossils, isotopic ratios (δ18O and δ13C), and carbonate content spanning the critical Paleocene-Eocene transition at Gebel Nukhul. The study covers three lithostratigraphic formations: Tarawan, Esna, and Thebes. By meticulous analysis, we’ve identified five distinct calcareous nannofossil zones, including NP7/8 and NP9-12. Zone NP9 is further divided based on the lowest occurrences of specific nannofossils (Discoaster anartios, D. araneus, and/or Rhomboaster spp.), while Zone NP10 is subdivided using Tribrachiatus contortus as a marker. We discussed the significance of various calcareous nannofossil taxa in biostratigraphy, highlighting their role as valuable stratigraphic markers. Our research precisely locates the base of the Eocene at the onset of Subzone NP9b within the Esna Formation, revealing no discernible lithological changes coinciding with this boundary. Additionally, our findings align with the global record, indicating significant decreases in δ13C, δ18O, and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) content during the Paleocene–Eocene transition. These changes underscore the climatic and environmental perturbations during this pivotal geological phase. This study provides valuable insights into the stratigraphy and paleoclimatology of the Paleocene–Eocene transition, contributing to our understanding of past climatic variations on Earth.
Foliar application of strigolactones improves the desiccation tolerance, grain yield and water use efficiency in dryland wheat through modulation of non-hydraulic root signals and antioxidant defense
Authors: Guo Sha , Wei Xiaofei , Ma Baoluo , Ma Yongqing , Yu Zihan , Li Pufang
Published: December 2023

Non-hydraulic root signals (nHRS) are affirmed as a unique positive response to soil drying, and play a crucial role in regulating water use efficiency and yield formation in dryland wheat production. Strigolactones (SLs) can enhance plant drought adaptability. However, the question of whether strigolactones enhance grain yield and water use efficiency by regulating nHRS and antioxidant defense systems in dryland wheat remains unanswered. In this study, pot experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of strigolactones on nHRS, antioxidant defense system, and grain yield and water use efficiency in dryland wheat. The results showed that external application of SLs increased drought-induced abscisic acid (ABA) accumulation and activated an earlier trigger of nHRS at 73.4% field capacity (FC), compared to 68.5% FC in the control group (CK). This phenomenon was mechanically associated with the physiological mediation of SLs. The application of SLs significantly enhanced the activities of leaf antioxidant enzymes, reduced ROS production, and mitigated oxidative damage to lipid membrane. Additionally, root biomass, root length density, and root to shoot ratio were increased under strigolactone treatment. Furthermore, exogenous application of SLs significantly increased grain yield by 34.9% under moderate drought stress. Water use efficiency was also increased by 21.5% and 33.3% under moderate and severe drought conditions respectively, compared to the control group (CK). The results suggested that the application of strigolactones triggered earlier drought-sensing mechanism and improved the antioxidant defense ability, thus enhancing grain yield and water use efficiency in dryland wheat production.
Enhancements in Circle Rendering: An Improved Approach to the Midpoint Circle Drawing Algorithm
Authors: Nithya N. S. , Idrisi M. Javed
Published: December 2023

Rendering circles on digital platforms is essential in computer graphics. The widely adopted midpoint circle algorithm is a premier tool for this task. This article dives deep into the foundational aspects of this algorithm, highlighting its prowess in enabling accurate and effortless circle depiction on digital displays. It further contrasts its merits with alternative circle drawing techniques. Importantly, our research presents a refined technique aimed at minimizing inaccuracies inherent in the standard cartesian-based Midpoint Circle Drawing Algorithm (MPCDA). By incorporating an error-reduction strategy, we ensure greater accuracy in depicting circles. Comparative tests on diverse circle sizes and placements confirmed the efficacy of our enhanced method. When set against results from the traditional MPCDA, our approach showcases significant improvements.
Neuroendocrine carcinomas of the esophagus: clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of 43 cases
Authors: Geng Zi-Han , Liu Ya-Lan , Xu Chen , Zhu Yan , Zhou Ping-Hong , Cai Ming-Yan
Published: December 2023

Background

Neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) of the esophagus are extremely rare and poorly understood. This study aimed to delineate the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of esophageal NECs using a retrospective survey.

Methods

Patients with histologically proven esophageal neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) were recruited from Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, China, between 2006 and 2016. Clinical, endoscopic, pathological, and immunohistochemical data were collected retrospectively.

Results

Of 43 patients with NEC, older male patients were predominant. In total, 93.0% of the tumor masses were located in the middle or lower esophagus. Twenty-nine (67.4%) and 22 (51.2%) cases showed ulceration and esophageal stenosis, respectively. The average index of Ki-67 staining was 67.1% ± 21.4% with positive immunostaining for CD56 (88.4%), chromogranin A (51.2%), and synaptophysin (72.1%). Small cell carcinomas accounted for 95.3% of cases, and 16.3% of patients had mixed components with adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma.

Conclusion

Esophageal NECs are rare and mainly affect men in their sixties or seventies. They show a similar endoscopic appearance to squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma and present with a proliferative mass with stenosis or ulcers. Therefore, esophageal NECs are difficult to diagnose by endoscopy. Esophageal NECs can be mixed with other subtypes of neoplasms, such as adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. In addition to chromogranin A, synaptophysin, and CD56, NSE, S100, and CKpan might be candidate biomarkers to diagnose esophageal NECs. Overall, we provide new insights into the biology of esophageal NECs.
Drugs, Money, and Secret Handshakes
Authors: Feldman Robin
Published: December 2023

In the warped world of prescription drug pricing, generic drugs can cost more than branded ones, old drugs can be relaunched at astronomical prices, and low-cost options are shut out of the market. In Drugs, Money and Secret Handshakes, Robin Feldman shines a light into the dark corners of the pharmaceutical industry to expose a web of shadowy deals in which higher-priced drugs receive favorable treatment and patients are channeled toward the most expensive medicines. At the center of this web are the highly secretive middle players who establish coverage levels for patients and negotiate with drug companies. By offering lucrative payments to these middle players (as well as to doctors and hospitals), drug companies ensure that inexpensive drugs never gain traction. This system of perverse incentives has delivered the kind of exorbitant drug prices - and profits - that everyone loves except for those who pay the bills.
Health System Change for Alzheimer’s Disease-Modifying Therapies in Canada: Beginning the Discussion
Authors: Frank Andrew , Ismail Zahinoor , Wilson Melanie , Gauthier Serge , Verret Louis , Hsiung Ging-Yuek Robin , Borrie Michael
Published: December 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that accounts for 60%–70% of patients with dementia, and it is estimated that over one million Canadians will be living with dementia by 2030. Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) targeting the underlying pathophysiology of AD are currently in development. Several models have demonstrated that the potential arrival of Alzheimer’s DMTs will most likely overwhelm the already-constrained Canadian healthcare system. Canada does not have a strategy to address the extensive requirements of using DMTs, including providing an early diagnosis of AD, confirming DMT eligibility via amyloid biomarkers, and conducting ongoing treatment monitoring. Thus, a multidisciplinary group of experts involved in AD care in Canada gathered to review (1) the current barriers to diagnosis and management of AD; (2) how existing clinic models, including those used in multiple sclerosis (MS), could be applied to address key barriers in AD; and (3) how to design and implement optimal care pathways in the future. The actions outlined in this review will help clinicians and healthcare systems improve readiness to integrate the use of disease-modifying therapies in Alzheimer’s disease, if such therapies are approved in Canada.
Theoretical analysis of frequency modulation-to-amplitude modulation on the final optics and target of the SG II-Up laser facility
Authors: Zhang Yujia , Fan Wei , Wang Jiangfeng , Wang Xiaochao , Lu Xinghua , Huang Dajie , Xu Shouying , Zhang Yanli , Sun Mingying , Jiao Zhaoyang , Zhou Shenlei , Jiang Xiuqing
Published: December 2023

Frequency modulation (FM)-to-amplitude modulation (AM) conversion is an important factor that affects the time–power curve of inertial confinement fusion (ICF) high-power laser facilities. This conversion can impact uniform compression and increase the risk of damage to optics. However, the dispersive grating used in the smoothing by spectral dispersion technology will introduce a temporal delay and can spatially smooth the target. The combined effect of the dispersive grating and the focusing lens is equivalent to a Gaussian low-pass filter, which is equivalent to 8 GHz bandwidth and can reduce the intensity modulation on the target to below 5% with 0.3 nm @ 3 GHz + 20 GHz spectrum phase modulation. The results play an important role in the testing and evaluating of the FM-to-AM on the final optics and the target, which is beneficial for comprehensively evaluating the load capacity of the facility and isentropic compression experiment for ICF.
Religious Freedom and Sacred Lands
Authors: Sikka Sonia
Published: December 2023

Taking Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia as a focal point, the author argues that the legal framing of Indigenous sacred land claims in terms of religious freedom carries significant costs. It impels courts to bracket consideration of sovereignty and territorial rights, while positioning Indigenous worldviews as nonrational rather than as dynamic intellectual traditions and ways of life that are respectably different from those embodied in settler systems of law. Genuinely fair adjudication of such claims requires not religious exemptions from general laws but recognition of the sui generis rights of Indigenous nations in relation to lands they never ceded (acknowledging historical injustice); deep differences between dominant European settler and Indigenous cultures (acknowledging that settler law is also cultural); and the validity of Indigenous environmental philosophies (acknowledging that they are no less rational than Western ones).
Embedded and exterior practices of cross-sector co-production: the impact of fields
Authors: Henriksen Lars Skov , Grubb Ane , Frederiksen Morten
Published: December 2023

Cross-sector co-production involving voluntary organisations in the production and delivery of social services has been adopted across many welfare states. Economic and demographic changes have led to increased involvement of volunteer initiatives in different welfare policy fields. How different field properties enable, constrain, and shape co-production practices remains, however, under researched. In this article, we address this shortcoming in a comparative case design exploring the practices of co-production within the two fields of elderly services and refugee services. We develop a conceptual framework and demonstrate that differential distribution of resources leads to diverging outcomes and perspectives for co-production. Based on a two-year in-depth study of one large Danish municipality, we find two forms of co-production practices, which reflect different field conditions. In the field of elderly services, co-production takes the form of ‘embedded’ practices, and in the field of refugee services co-production takes the form of ‘exterior’ practices. We demonstrate that each of these co-production forms entail ambiguous outcomes and antagonistic positions for voluntary and public sector actors, depending on the policy field.
Expert consensus on digital guided therapy for endodontic diseases
Authors: Wei Xi , Du Yu , Zhou Xuedong , Yue Lin , Yu Qing , Hou Benxiang , Chen Zhi , Liang Jingping , Chen Wenxia , Qiu Lihong , Huang Xiangya , Meng Liuyan , Huang Dingming , Wang Xiaoyan , Tian Yu , Tang Zisheng , Zhang Qi , Miao Leiying , Zhao Jin , Yang Deqin , Yang Jian , Ling Junqi
Published: December 2023

Digital guided therapy (DGT) has been advocated as a contemporary computer-aided technique for treating endodontic diseases in recent decades. The concept of DGT for endodontic diseases is categorized into static guided endodontics (SGE), necessitating a meticulously designed template, and dynamic guided endodontics (DGE), which utilizes an optical triangulation tracking system. Based on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images superimposed with or without oral scan (OS) data, a virtual template is crafted through software and subsequently translated into a 3-dimensional (3D) printing for SGE, while the system guides the drilling path with a real-time navigation in DGE. DGT was reported to resolve a series of challenging endodontic cases, including teeth with pulp obliteration, teeth with anatomical abnormalities, teeth requiring retreatment, posterior teeth needing endodontic microsurgery, and tooth autotransplantation. Case reports and basic researches all demonstrate that DGT stand as a precise, time-saving, and minimally invasive approach in contrast to conventional freehand method. This expert consensus mainly introduces the case selection, general workflow, evaluation, and impact factor of DGT, which could provide an alternative working strategy in endodontic treatment.
Submonolayer biolasers for ultrasensitive biomarker detection
Authors: Gong Chaoyang , Yang Xi , Tang Shui-Jing , Zhang Qian-Qian , Wang Yanqiong , Liu Yi-Ling , Chen Yu-Cheng , Peng Gang-Ding , Fan Xudong , Xiao Yun-Feng , Rao Yun-Jiang , Gong Yuan
Published: December 2023

Biomarker detection is key to identifying health risks. However, designing sensitive and single-use biosensors for early diagnosis remains a major challenge. Here, we report submonolayer lasers on optical fibers as ultrasensitive and disposable biosensors. Telecom optical fibers serve as distributed optical microcavities with high Q-factor, great repeatability, and ultralow cost, which enables whispering-gallery laser emission to detect biomarkers. It is found that the sensing performance strongly depends on the number of gain molecules. The submonolayer lasers obtained a six-order-of-magnitude improvement in the lower limit of detection (LOD) when compared to saturated monolayer lasers. We further achieve an ultrasensitive immunoassay for a Parkinson’s disease biomarker, alpha-synuclein (α-syn), with a lower LOD of 0.32 pM in serum, which is three orders of magnitude lower than the α-syn concentration in the serum of Parkinson’s disease patients. Our demonstration of submonolayer biolaser offers great potentials in high-throughput clinical diagnosis with ultimate sensitivity.
Non-coding RNAs expression in SARS-CoV-2 infection: Pathogenesis, clinical significance and therapeutic targets
Authors: Liu Xiaoxing , Xiong Wandi , Ye Maosen , Lu Tangsheng , Yuan Kai , Chang Suhua , Han Ying , Wang Yongxiang , Lu Lin , Bao Yanping
Published: December 2023

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been looming globally for three years, yet the diagnostic and treatment methods for COVID-19 are still undergoing extensive exploration, which holds paramount importance in mitigating future epidemics. Host non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) display aberrations in the context of COVID-19. Specifically, microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) exhibit a close association with viral infection and disease progression. In this comprehensive review, an overview was presented of the expression profiles of host ncRNAs following SARS-CoV-2 invasion and of the potential functions in COVID-19 development, encompassing viral invasion, replication, immune response, and multiorgan deficits which include respiratory system, cardiac system, central nervous system, peripheral nervous system as well as long COVID. Furthermore, we provide an overview of several promising host ncRNA biomarkers for diverse clinical scenarios related to COVID-19, such as stratification biomarkers, prognostic biomarkers, and predictive biomarkers for treatment response. In addition, we also discuss the therapeutic potential of ncRNAs for COVID-19, presenting ncRNA-based strategies to facilitate the development of novel treatments. Through an in-depth analysis of the interplay between ncRNA and COVID-19 combined with our bioinformatic analysis, we hope to offer valuable insights into the stratification, prognosis, and treatment of COVID-19.