bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
N‐acetylcysteine absorption and its potential dual effect improve fitness and fruit yield in Xylella fastidiosa infected plants
Authors: Picchi Simone C. , Rebelatto Daniele , Martins Paula M.M. , Blumer Silvia , Mesquita Geisa L. , Hippler Franz W. R. , Mattos Jr Dirceu , Boaretto Rodrigo M. , Machado Marco A. , Takita Marco A. , Coletta‐Filho Helvécio D. , de Souza Alessandra A.
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND

Xylella fastidiosa is a multi‐host bacterium that can be detected in hundreds of plant species including several crops. Diseases caused by X. fastidiosa are considered a threat to global food production. The primary method for managing diseases caused by X. fastidiosa involves using insecticides to control the vector. Hence, it is necessary to adopt new and sustainable disease management technologies to control not only the insect but also the bacteria and plant health. We demonstrated that N‐acetylcysteine (NAC), a low‐cost cysteine analogue, is a sustainable molecule that can be used in agriculture to decrease the damage caused by X. fastidiosa and improve plant health.

RESULTS

Using 15N‐NAC we proved that this analogue was absorbed by the roots and transported to different parts of the plant. Inside the plant, NAC reduced the bacterial population by 60‐fold and the number of xylem vessels blocked by bacterial biofilms. This reflected in a recovery of 0.28‐fold of the daily sap flow compared to health plants. In addition, NAC‐treated citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC) plants decreased the oxidative stress by improving the activity of detoxifying enzymes. Moreover, the use of NAC in field conditions positively contributed to the increase in fruit yield of CVC‐diseased plants.

CONCLUSION

Our research not only advances the understanding of NAC absorption in plants, but also indicates its dual effect as an antimicrobial and antioxidant molecule. This, in turn, negatively affects bacterial survival while improving plant health by decreasing oxidative stress. Overall, the positive field‐based evidence supports the viability of NAC as a sustainable agricultural application. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Moving up and down the urban hierarchy: Age‐specific internal migration patterns in Japan based on the 2020 census
Authors: Kotsubo Masaki , Nakaya Tomoki
Published: April 2024

This study aimed to understand the age‐specific internal migration patterns in Japan where more than a quarter of the population is aged ≥65 years and the national population is on the decline, focusing on the urban hierarchy. Demographic efficiency, which is the ratio of net to gross migration, was calculated for each migration flow between the levels of urban hierarchy in Japan based on the 2020 census. The results showed that the overall upward migration, which is a movement from lower to higher levels in the urban hierarchy, was dominant. A variation in migration patterns by age confirmed that young adults, especially those aged 20–24 years, moved up the urban hierarchy unidirectionally, while people of preretirement and retirement age moved down. The older adults (aged 75 and over) were inclined to move up. Regarding sex‐based differences, the demographic efficiency of women was higher than that of men. Additionally, the upward movement of women was predominant in almost all age groups. These findings suggest the possibility that aggregated migration behaviours may vary by sex, which has received little attention in previous migration studies focusing on urban hierarchies in other countries. Furthermore, this study discussed policy implications based on the observed patterns, such as the impacts of older adults' migration on social security at each hierarchy level and a possible relationship between women's upward migration patterns and future fertility decline.
Fabrication of Ultralow‐Bevel Angle Mesa Structures for Vertical GaN Devices
Authors: Tarenko Jarosław , Kamiński Maciej , Taube Andrzej , Ekielski Marek , Kruszka Renata , Zadura Magdalena , Szerling Anna , Prystawko Paweł , Boćkowski Michał , Król Krystian , Jankowska‐Śliwińska Joanna , Komorowska Katarzyna , Grzegory Izabella
Published: April 2024

Low‐angle bevel mesa structures are the key technological ideas needed to produce high‐quality vertical GaN devices. Nevertheless, the literature lacks sufficient information regarding the techniques that can yield the best results for obtaining the bevel angles smaller than approximately 5°.[1] Notably, for high p–n junctions NA/ND ratios, such low angles are necessary for the application of negative beveled edge termination and the efficient lowering of electric field at the surface.[1–6] In this work, the optimization of the beveled‐mesa fabrication technique for vertical GaN devices is demonstrated employing a plasma etching of the photoresist mask fabricated using a reflow process. By adjusting the resist reflow process parameters, in particular various BCl3 Cl2−1 ratios and inductively coupled plasma–reactive ion etching plasma power, a range of beveled mask angles as low as 10°–12° is achieved. However, those processes all show etching selectivity close to 1:1 between GaN and the photoresist. Even lower bevel mesa angles are reported for a novel process optimization that resulted in improving GaN to photoresist selectivity by a factor of 5–10. As a result, even smaller bevel mesa angles close to 1°–2° are able to be attained. The developed approach has the advantage of being relatively simple and cost effective.
Metal–Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition of n‐AlGaN Grown on Strain‐Relaxed Distributed Bragg Reflector Buffer Layers
Authors: Yamada Hisashi , Kumagai Naoto , Yamada Toshikazu
Published: April 2024

The strain relaxation, surface morphology, and reflectivity of AlGaN‐distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) grown via metal–organic chemical vapor deposition on AlN/Al2O3 templates are investigated. Strain relaxation begins in a 10‐period Al0.50Ga0.50N (27 nm)/Al0.75Ga0.25N (29 nm) DBR, and the degree of strain relaxation (DSR) increases with the number of DBR periods. The 30‐period DBR exhibits a peak reflectivity of 0.82 at 279 nm, with a stopband of 12 nm. The DSR of n‐Al0.62Ga0.38N on the 30‐period DBR increases from 70% to 100% as the n‐Al0.62Ga0.38N thickness increases from 0.4 to 2.5 μm. Although the surface of a DBR comprises numerous spiral hillocks, n‐Al0.62Ga0.38N grown on an AlGaN DBR exhibits a step‐flow growth. A DSR of 100% with threading screw dislocations of 2.0 × 108 cm−2 and threading edge dislocations of 1.2 × 109 cm−2 is obtained for a 2.5 μm‐thick n‐Al0.62Ga0.38N on a 30‐period AlGaN DBR.
Theoretical Study of Carbon K‐Edge Energy‐Loss Near‐Edge Structure Spectra in the Ordered Mo2TiAlC2 MAX and Mo2TiC2 MXene
Authors: Derikvandi Zahra , Dadsetani Mehrdad
Published: April 2024

By means of density functional theory, the energy‐loss near‐edge structure (ELNES) of carbon K‐edge of Mo2TiAlC2 and corresponding MoTiC2 Mxene at orientational‐independent condition is dealt with. Compared to the MAX (M is transition metal, A is an elment from group 13–16, X is C or N) phase, the energy separations increase between the main spectral features at the C K edge of Mo2TiC2 MXene owing to the structural change and decreased bond length. The dispersions of the C K edge in both systems are similar to p‐symmetry densities of states. It is indicated that the source of the first fine structure at the C 1s edge in both phases mainly comes from the electron transfer to px + py‐like character. The other fine structures result from the transition to hybridization of pz and px + py states with the prominent contribution of px + py‐like character. Moreover, the comparison of C K‐edge ELNES spectra in three Mo‐based compounds reveals that, ongoing from Mo2TiAlC2 to Mo2TiC2 and then to Mo2C, the energy position of the fine structures is shifted to higher energies (blueshifted), due to the quantum confinement effects and the change of the chemical environment around the excited carbon.
Current‐Induced Spin and Orbital Polarization in Magnetic Sliding Ferroelectrics
Authors: Dong Haoxiang , Zhou Jian
Published: April 2024

One of the main challenges for modern information read and write technology is how to effectively and precisely modulate the interconversion between electricity and magnetism with a high data density. Herein, it is proposed that two‐dimensional magnetic sliding ferroelectrics can serve as a prototypical material platform with tunable electric current‐induced magnetization variation, a typical nonequilibrium magnetoelectric coupling process. Using a CrI3 bilayer as the exemplary material, first‐principles calculations are performed to enumerate the monopole values, toroidal vectors, and quadrupole moment tensors. Their switching is also elucidated under a short distance sliding between the two layers, which can effectively flip the electric dipole moment. In addition to spin polarization which is usually studied for magnetic systems, the orbital moment contribution to the magnetoelectric coupling is also evaluated. They are found to be comparable in their magnitude and neither should be omitted, as opposed to equilibrium states. The work helps to reveal the underlining mechanisms among electronics, spintronics, and orbitronics in low‐dimensional multiferroic materials.
Quantifying the related precipitation and moisture sources in the lifecycle of subtropical cyclones in the South Atlantic basin
Authors: Pérez‐Alarcón Albenis , Coll‐Hidalgo Patricia , Fernández‐Alvarez José C. , Sorí Rogert , da Rocha Rosmeri Porfírio , Reboita Michelle Simões , Nieto Raquel , Gimeno Luis
Published: April 2024

This study applies a Lagrangian approach to identify the origin of moisture for subtropical cyclones (SCs) along their tracks in the South Atlantic Ocean (SAO) basin from 1980 to 2015. The analysis shows that the local evaporation cannot fully explain the moisture gained by SCs, highlighting the role of external sources in moisture support, mainly through the northeasterly winds associated with the South Atlantic Subtropical Anticyclone. Overall, the northwestern SAO was the principal moisture source for SCs. It was noticeable that its contribution (~40%–45%) remained quasi‐constant during the year. Conversely, the moisture supplied from the northeastern SAO, southwestern SAO and the terrestrial source southeastern Brazil exhibited a marked seasonal variability. While contributions from the southwestern SAO intensify (weaken) in austral winter (summer), the southeastern Brazil source is more intense (weak) in summer (winter). In addition, SCs predominantly gain atmospheric humidity from sources close to their position, which reduces the mean water vapor residence time to ~3.2 days. Interestingly, we also found that ~42%–47% of the moisture that reached the SCs precipitates. These findings constitute a further step toward improving our knowledge of mechanisms underlying SC activity in the SAO basin.
Robust Topological Feature against Non‐Hermiticity in Jaynes–Cummings Model
Authors: Ying Zu‐Jian
Published: April 2024

The Jaynes–Cummings Model (JCM) is a fundamental model and building block for light‐matter interactions, quantum information and quantum computation. The present work analytically analyzes the topological feature manifested by the JCM in the presence of non‐Hermiticity which may arise from dissipation and decay rates. Indeed, the eigenstates of the JCM are topologically characterized by spin windings in 2D plane. The non‐Hermiticity tilts the spin‐winding plane and induces an out‐of‐plane component, while the topological feature is maintained. In particular, besides the invariant spin texture nodes, the study reveals a non‐Hermiticity‐induced reversal transition of the tilting angle and spin winding direction with a fractional phase gain at gap closing, a partially level‐independent reversal transition without gap closing, and a completely level‐independent super‐invariant point with untilted angle and also without gap closing. The result demonstrates that the topological feature is robust against non‐Hermiticity, which may be favorable in practical applications. On the other hand, one may conversely make use of the disadvantageous dissipation and decay rates to reverse the spin winding direction, which may add a controlled way for topological manipulation of quantum systems in light‐matter interactions.
Perceived stress and personal growth following the transition to military service: The role of sense of coherence and perceived social support
Authors: Weiss‐Dagan Shlomit , Taubman – Ben‐Ari Orit
Published: April 2024

Relying on personal growth and structuration theories, we aimed to examine the internal (sense of coherence/SOC and help‐seeking/HS) and external (perceived social support) resources that contribute to soldiers' personal growth following the transition to military service. We also investigated the role that perceived social support plays in moderating the relationship between SOC and personal growth, and between HS and personal growth. Two‐hundred‐and‐seventy‐one compulsory service soldiers (of whom 135 were men and 136 were women) completed self‐report questionnaires between 6 and 12 months post‐recruitment. The results showed both linear and curvilinear associations between soldiers' perceived stress and personal growth; SOC, HS, and perceived social support were positively correlated with personal growth; and perceived social support moderated both SOC and HS correlations with personal growth. Empirical evidence of personal growth in the transition to military service has been scant. Transitioning from civilian life to military service can be stressful and even traumatic but it can also provide opportunities for personal development. Our findings shed light on contributors to personal growth in the transition to military service, with both internal and external resources found to help one gain personal growth. It is evident that in order for soldiers to thrive, both perceived social support and active help‐seeking are key factors.
Autonomous Underwater Self‐Healable Adhesive Elastomers Enabled by Dynamical Hydrophobic Phase‐Separated Microdomains
Authors: Wu Xiankun , Li Min , Li Haonan , Gao Huihui , Wang Zhongkai , Wang Zhong
Published: April 2024

High‐efficient underwater self‐healing materials with reliable mechanical attributes hold great promise for applications in ocean explorations and diverse underwater operations. Nevertheless, achieving these functions in aquatic environments is challenging because the recombination of dynamic interactions will suffer from resistance to interfacial water molecules. Herein, an ultra‐robust and all‐environment stable self‐healable polyurethane‐amide supramolecular elastomer is developed through rational engineering of hydrophobic domains and multistrength hydrogen bonding interactions to provide mechanical and healing compatibility as well as efficient suppression of water ingress. The coupling of hydrophobic chains and hierarchical hydrogen bonds within a multiphase matrix self‐assemble to generate dynamical hydrophobic hard‐phase microdomains, which synergistically realize high stretchability (1601%), extreme toughness (87.1 MJ m−3), and outstanding capability to autonomous self‐healing in various harsh aqueous conditions with an efficiency of 58% and healed strength of 12.7 MPa underwater. Furthermore, the self‐aggregation of hydrophobic clusters with sufficient dynamic interactions endows the resultant elastomer with effective instantaneous adhesion (6.2 MPa, 941.9 N m−1) in extremely harsh aqueous conditions. It is revealed that the dynamical hydrophobic hard‐phase microdomain composed of hydrophobic barriers and cooperative reversible interactions allows for regulating its mechanical enhancement and underwater self‐healing efficiency, enabling the elastomers as intelligent sealing devices in marine applications.
Anion/Cation Co‐Doping to Improve the Thermoelectric Performance of Sn‐Enriched n‐Type SnSe Polycrystals with Suppressed Lattice Thermal Conductivity
Authors: Nisar Mohammad , Abbas Adeel , Zhang Junze , Li Fu , Zheng Zhuanghao , Liang Guangxing , Fan Ping , Chen Yue‐Xing
Published: April 2024

Enhancing the thermoelectric performance of n‐type polycrystalline SnSe is essential, addressing challenges posed by elevated thermal conductivity and compromised power factor inherent in its intrinsic p‐type characteristics. This investigation utilized solid‐state reactions and spark plasma sintering techniques for the synthesis of n‐type SnSe. A significant improvement in the figure of merit (ZT) is achieved through strategic reduction in Se concentration and optimization of crystal orientation. The co‐doping with Br and Ge further improves the material; Br amplifies carrier concentration, enhancing electrical conductivity, while Ge introduces effective phonon scattering centers. In the Br/Ge co‐doped SnSe sample, thermal conductivity dropped to 0.38 Wm⁻¹K⁻¹, yielding a remarkable power factor of 662 µW mK−2 at 773 K, culminating in a ZT of 1.34. This signifies a noteworthy 605% improvement over the pristine sample, underscoring the pivotal role of Ge doping in enhancing n‐type material thermoelectric properties. The enhancement is attributed to Br doping introducing additional electronic states near the valence band, and Ge doping modifying the band structure, fostering resonant states near the conduction band. The Br/Ge co‐doping further transforms the band structure, influencing electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity, advancing the understanding and application of n‐type SnSe materials for superior thermoelectric performance.
Rapid In‐Plane Pattern Growth for Large‐Area Inverse Replication Through Electrohydrodynamic Instability of Polymer Films
Authors: Park Hyunje , Hwang Jaeseok , Chae Heejoon , Kang Dae Joon
Published: April 2024

Nanopatterning driven by electrohydrodynamic (EHD) instability can aid in the resolution of the drawbacks inherent in conventional imprinting or other molding methods. This is because EHD force negates the requirement of physical contact and is easily tuned. However, its potential has not examined owing to the limited size of the pattern replica (several to tens of micrometers). Thus, this study proposes a new route for large‐area patterning through high‐speed evolution of EHD‐driven pattern growth along the in‐plane axis. Through the acceleration of the in‐plane growth, while selectively controlling a specific edge growth, the pattern replica area can be extended from the micro‐ to centimeter scale with high fidelity. Moreover, even in the case of nonuniform contact mode, the proposed rapid in‐plane growth mode facilitates uniform large‐scale replication, which is not possible in conventional imprinting or other molding methods.
Solution Processing Silicon Heterojunction Photocathode for Efficient and Stable Hydrogen Production
Authors: Chen Xiaoming , Li Yuexiang
Published: April 2024

Efficient and stable photocathodes are crucial for the development of photoelectrochemical (PEC) water‐splitting devices. Silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cell is one of the most advanced photovoltaic cells. However, due to the instability of its outermost indium tin oxide (ITO) layers in the electrolyte, a protective layer needs to be introduced on its surface. Previously reported high‐quality protective layers almost all involved the use of expensive thin film manufacturing techniques such as atomic layer deposition (ALD). In this work, for the first time, a new strategy is proposed of modifying SHJ‐based photocathode with yttrium hydroxide (Y(OH)3) through two‐step solution methods to simultaneously improve the stability and activity. The optimized SHJ photocathode exhibits a high applied bias photon‐to‐current efficiency (ABPE) of 8.4% under simulated 100 mW cm−2 (1 Sun) with an AM 1.5G filter in 0.5 m KOH. Furthermore, the obtained SHJ photocathode demonstrates excellent stability of at least 110 h at 0.3 V versus RHE. In this work, combining facile direct current magnetron sputtering with a solution treatment technique provides a novel design strategy, which lowers the threshold for preparing high‐quality protective layer, and paves the way for developing economic, efficient, and stable SHJ‐based PEC devices.
Spontaneous Rise of Hydrogen Microbubbles in Interfacial Gas Evolution Reaction
Authors: Kalita Kangkana , Zeng Binglin , You Jae Bem , Li Yifan , Moyo Anotidaishe , Xu Ben Bin , Zhang Xuehua
Published: April 2024

Liquid organic hydrogen carrier is a promising option for the transport and storage of hydrogen as a clean energy source. This study examines the stability and behavior of organic drops immobilized on a substrate during an interfacial hydrogen‐evolution reaction (HER) at the drop surface and its surrounding aqueous solution. Hydrogen microbubbles form within the drop and rise to the drop apex. The growth rate of the hydrogen in‐drop bubble increases with the concentration of the reactant in the surrounding medium. The drop remains stable till the buoyancy acting on the in‐drop bubble is large enough to overcome the capillary force and the external viscous drag. The bubble spontaneously rises and carries a portion drop liquid to the solution surface. These spontaneous rising in‐drop bubbles are detected in measurements using a high‐precision sensor placed on the upper surface of the aqueous solution, reversing the settling phase from phase separation in the reactive emulsion. The finding from this work provides new insights into the behaviors of drops and bubbles in many interfacial gas evolution reactions in clean technologies.
Heterostructures Assembled from Bi2O2CO3 and MXene for Boosted Potassium‐Ion Storage by Arousing the Built‐in Electric Field
Authors: Chen Song , Ma Heping , Du Yibo , Tian Miao , Wang Zhitao , Fan Shuang , Zhang Wenming , Yang Hui Ying
Published: April 2024

Bismuth‐based materials have been recognized as the appealing anodes for potassium‐ion batteries (PIBs) due to their high theoretical capacity. However, the kinetics sluggishness and capacity decline induced by the structure distortion predominately retard their further development. Here, a heterostructure of polyaniline intercalated Bi2O2CO3/MXene (BOC‐PA/MXene) hybrids is reported via simple self‐assembly strategy. The ingenious design of heterointerface‐rich architecture motivates significantly the interior self‐built‐in electric field (IEF) and high‐density electron flow, thus accelerating the charge transfer and boosting ion diffusion. As a result, the hybrids realize a high reversible specific capacity, satisfying rate capability as well as long‐term cycling stability. The in/ex situ characterizations further elucidate the stepwise intercalation‐conversion‐alloying reaction mechanism of BOC‐PA/MXene. More encouragingly, the full cell investigation further highlights its competitive merits for practical application in further PIBs. The present work not only opens the way to the design of other electrodes with an appropriate working mechanism but also offers inspiration for built‐in electric‐field engineering toward high‐performance energy storage devices.
Characterizing Prion‐Like Protein Aggregation: Emerging Nanopore‐Based Approaches
Authors: Meyer Nathan , Torrent Joan , Balme Sébastien
Published: April 2024

Prion‐like protein aggregation is characteristic of numerous neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. This process involves the formation of aggregates ranging from small and potentially neurotoxic oligomers to highly structured self‐propagating amyloid fibrils. Various approaches are used to study protein aggregation, but they do not always provide continuous information on the polymorphic, transient, and heterogeneous species formed. This review provides an updated state‐of‐the‐art approach to the detection and characterization of a wide range of protein aggregates using nanopore technology. For each type of nanopore, biological, solid‐state polymer, and nanopipette, discuss the main achievements for the detection of protein aggregates as well as the significant contributions to the understanding of protein aggregation and diagnostics.
All‐in‐One Self‐Assembled Donor–Acceptor Dyad Reaching over 8% Efficiency in Single‐Molecular Organic Photovoltaics
Authors: Gao Yuan , Wang Wei , Li Shuwei , Chen Mingxia , Yang Xinrong , Shao Yiming , Sun Rui , Min Jie
Published: April 2024

Single‐molecular organic photovoltaics (SMOPVs), which are based on monadic systems containing donor (D) and acceptor (A) molecule blocks that facilitate exciton dissociation, offer obvious advantages over binary or multicomponent bulk‐heterojunction (BHJ) systems, including simplified cell fabrication, stabilized morphology of the D/A interface, and extended device operation lifetime. However, limited by the development of A blocks, the power conversion efficiency (PCE, ≈5%) of SMOPVs based on molecular D–A dyads still lags conventional BHJ OPVs (over 19%). Herein, by introducing a narrow‐bandgap A–DA’D–A conjugated backbone as the A‐block, combined with the linear D‐block BDT‐3T‐R and flexible alkyl chain linker, two molecular dyads, SM‐1Y (one D‐block and one A‐block) and SM‐2Y (one D‐block and two A‐blocks), are designed and developed. Due to superior absorption spectra and better molecular stacking compared to SY‐1Y, SM‐2Y‐based SMOPV delivers a PCE of 8.13%, which is the highest value in the SMOPV reported thus far. Note that both SM‐1Y and SM‐2Y devices show much better storage and photostability stability as compared to the control BDT‐3T‐C6:Y18‐C3 binary system.
Hemicellulose‐Based Nanofibers Decorated In Situ with Silver Nanoparticles for Antibacterial Applications
Authors: Onditi Mariah , Bosire Geoffrey , Changamu Evans , Ngila Catherine
Published: April 2024

There is growing evidence that composites made up of nanomaterials and plant extracts are effective in combating drug‐resistant pathogens, which are increasing globally. In this study, a hemicellulose extract from cactus pads (Opuntia ficus indica) is blended with poly(vinyl) acetate and electrospun into fine nanofibers. Further, the electrospun nanofibers are encapsulated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), in situ, to form a nanocomposite, whose surface morphology are characterized using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The SEM images showed smooth nanofiber strands (average diameter = 240 nm), with AgNPs randomly dispersed on them. The antibacterial activity of the nanocomposite is tested against five bacterial species. The results obtained showed that the nanonomposite has strong inhibitory effects against Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria, whereas the pristine nanofibers showed minimal or no antibacterial activity. This study demonstrates i) successful electrospinning of hemicellulose extracts into fine nanofibers and ii) encapsulation with AgNPs to produce a rigid nanocomposite with antimicrobial characteristics for various applications, especially those that require protection against pathogenic bacteria.
Syntheses, Properties, and Applications of Aminated‐Starch: A Review
Authors: An Feng‐kun , Fu Zhen
Published: April 2024

Because aminated‐starch (AS) is an important chemical modification strategy of starch, much research on AS has been carried out. The present review summarizes the main synthetic strategies for AS. This review also outlines the changes in starch properties due to amination. The effects of amination on particle morphology, crystallinity, thermal properties, adhesion, and cytotoxicity are specifically reviewed. The main applications of AS are also detailed, including adsorbent and nano‐loaded particles.
Chemical, Mechanical, and Wettability Properties of Bioplastic Material from Manihot esculenta Cassava–Chitosan Blends as Plastic Alternative
Authors: Albar Norashikin , Anuar Sabiqah Tuan , Azmi Alyza Azzura , Soh Siti Kamilah Che , Bhubalan Kesaven , Ibrahim Yusof Shuaib , Khalik Wan Mohd Afiq Wan Mohd , Abdullah Nor Salmi , Yahya Nasehir Khan E.M.
Published: April 2024

The extensive use and disposal of various petroleum‐derived plastics has become a major cause of environmental pollution. The urgent need for sustainable materials to address plastic waste have resulted in the production of biodegradable plastics. In this study, a biodegradable plastic film is produced by incorporating chitosan with starch from Malaysian cassava (Manihot esculenta), utilizing the multihydroxyl properties of cassava starch. The results show that the addition of chitosan as a filler in cassava starch improves the physicochemical properties of the material, producing a bioplastic film with high compressive strength and resistance to water molecules. The contact angle of the developed biopolymer has been improved – from θ = 67.4° to θ = 97.8° – with the addition of the –NH functional group in the molecule, as confirmed by attenuated total reflectance Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (v = 1555 cm−1). The tensile strength of bioplastic increases with chitosan content, proving its greater rigidity compared to bioplastic without chitosan. Additionally, the fastest biodegradation rate (9 days) occurs in the composition with high amounts of cassava in a ratio of 6:4 (cassava:chitosan). The bioplastic produced in this study readily decomposes in the environment, making it more sustainable, eco‐friendlier, and providing an alternative to mitigate the use of single‐use thermoplastics.
Photo‐enhanced uranium recovery from spent fuel reprocessing wastewater via S‐scheme 2D/0D C3N5/Fe2O3 heterojunctions
Authors: Meng Qi , Wu Linzhen , Yang Xiaoyong , Xiong Ying , Kong Fanpeng , Duan Tao
Published: April 2024

Re‐extracting environmentally transportable hexavalent uranium from wastewater produced by spent fuel reprocessing using the photocatalytic technology is a crucial strategy to avoid uranium pollution and recover nuclear fuel strategic resources. Here, we have designed S‐scheme 2D/0D C3N5/Fe2O3 heterojunction photocatalysts based on the built‐in electric field and the energy band bending theory, and have further revealed the immobilization process of hexavalent uranium conversion into relatively insoluble tetravalent uranium in terms of thermodynamics and kinetics. According to the results, the hexavalent uranium removal and recovery ratios in wastewater are as high as 93.38% and 83.58%, respectively. Besides, C3N5/Fe2O3 heterojunctions also exhibit satisfactory catalytic activity and selectivity even in the presence of excessive impurity cations (including Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Sr2+, and Eu3+) or various organics (such as xylene, tributylphosphate, pyridine, tannic acid, citric acid, and oxalic acid). It is believed that this work can provide a potential opportunity for S‐scheme heterojunction photocatalysts to re‐enrich uranium from spent fuel wastewater.
Kinship Health Relationships: Reconfiguring the “Good Death” in Mixed Species Families
Authors: Ashall Vanessa , Hamilton Lindsay , Johnson Miriam , Latimer Joanna
Published: April 2024

Through an innovative interspecies analysis, this article explores narratives surrounding the medical treatment of humans and pet animals at the end of life among U.K. veterinary surgeons, medical practitioners, and members of the public. Contrasting the care options open to pet owners with those available to human patients, and through a thematic focus on treatments and medicines, euthanasia, and palliation, this article pays close attention to the ways that practitioners and members of the public make sense of—and express ideas about—interspecies family kinship at the end of life. We highlight the utility of interactionist approaches for understanding microsocial human‐animal kinship ties and argue that health policy and practice during end‐of‐life care should better reflect the lived reality of the multispecies family. In so doing, we highlight the significance and complexities of interspecies conversations for the development of contemporary end‐of‐life care debates.
Synthesis and characterization of TiO2 foam and SiO2@TiO2 core‐shell nanostructure for gnetin dye degradation from industrial effluent
Authors: Bora Neetu , Joshi Deepika P.
Published: April 2024

The current study intends to create TiO2 foam, SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs), and SiO2@TiO2 core‐shell nanostructure (CSN) with improved photocatalytic durability for the quick degradation of the textile industrial water pollutant in the presence of sunlight. The sol‐gel, Stöber, and chemical co‐precipitation methods have been used to synthesize TiO2 foam, SiO2 NPs, and SiO2@TiO2 CSN. X‐ray diffraction results have revealed the anatase phase of TiO2 foam, the amorphous nature of SiO2 NPs, and the amorphous nature of SiO2@TiO2 CSN due to equal wt.% of SiO2 NPs and TiO2 foam at 300 K. Field emission scanning electron microscope images show that the TiO2 foam, SiO2 NPs, and SiO2@TiO2 CSN exhibit cluster sheets, spherical, and spherical raspberry‐like homogeneous morphology. The ultraviolet spectrum confirmed that the TiO2 foam and SiO2@TiO2 CSN have a band gap of 2.9 eV and 3.4 eV. SiO2@TiO2 CSN has been shown an excellent decomposition rate of water pollutants (gentian dye) in comparison to TiO2 foam due to their better‐absorbing nature. Both NPs and CSN employed in the breakdown of gentian dye have been recycled and their original characteristics are preserved. The proposed SiO2@TiO2 CSN has a higher potential for application in developing self‐cleaning, long‐lasting, and air‐purifying materials.
Bioremediation of phenolic compounds in coal‐contaminated environments: Bio‐kinetic studies using a mixed bacterial culture
Authors: Sinha Pronoy Kumar , Ravindiran Gokulan , Datta Deepshikha , Das Bimal
Published: April 2024

Two distinct bacterial strains were combined in a mixed culture to investigate the degradation of phenol. The mixed cultures consisting of species like Rhodococcus and Bacillus, were isolated from the waste effluent collected from Dankuni coal complex (DCC) in West Bengal. The experimental phenol biodegradation were performed batch wise at an optimized temperature and pH conditions of 37°C and 7.0 for a wide range of phenol concentrations initially, with saline solutions which is not supplemented with nutrients initially. Experimental results concluded a highest possible specific growth rate at 150 mg/L for phenol biodegradation of 2400 mg/L within a span of 72 h. Several significant physicochemical parameters were investigated in order to determine the ideal conditions for phenol breakdown. It was also observed that a spectroscopic study of the intermediate at 260 nm of the phenol biodegradation commenced through the formation of a cis, cis intermediate, indicating ortho‐cleavage pathway. A simulated substrate utilization and growth profiles was obtained by using substrate inhibition model equation using MATLAB R2017a were used to compare for the validation of the obtained experimental growth and substrate characterization data.
Are Democrats or Republicans better for the Iraqi Kurds?
Authors: Hama Hawre Hasan
Published: April 2024

This piece offers an introduction to US foreign policy toward the Iraqi Kurds since the First World War by dividing that policy into seven discernible stages—from Wilson's Fourteen Points to the actions of the Trump administration. In doing so, I query whether the existence of US foreign policy toward the Kurds has been more active and supportive during Democratic Party administrations or Republican Party administrations. Are there any clear indications as to which party has been better for the Iraqi Kurds? Or is US foreign policy toward the Iraqi Kurds unequivocally dependent on regional dynamics and US interests, not on which political party is governing or the values they espouse? The central argument is that American policy toward the Iraqi Kurds has mostly been dependent on changing regional dynamics, particularly on the changing nature of the United States relationships with Iraq, Turkey, Iran, and Syria, and this does not seem to be affected strongly by which US party holds the presidency. Perhaps counter‐intuitively, there is no evidence to suggest the Democrats have been better for the Iraqi Kurds than the Republicans. While some of the most significant setbacks for the Kurds occurred during Republican administrations, their two most essential political achievements were also during Republican administrations.
Lab and Field Experimental Infrastructures
Authors: Wang J. , Chen L. , Su R. , Zhao X. G. , Liu Y. M. , Cao S. F. , Xie J. L. , Ma L. K.
Published: April 2024

Long-term safe disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) is a challenging task for countries with nuclear power production. Due to its high radioactivity and long half-life, the HLW needs to be permanently isolated from the human environment.
Synthesis and Outlook
Authors: Shao Haibing , Wang Ju , Schäfer Thorsten , Zhang Chun-Liang , Geckeis Horst , Nagel Thomas , Düsterloh Uwe , Kolditz Olaf , Shao Hua
Published: April 2024

This book provides a comprehensive overview of Chinese activities to establish a new underground laboratory for repository research.
Einführung
Authors: Steinmeister Nicolas
Published: April 2024

Im Jahr 2021 haben sich 137 Staaten mit Unterstützung der OECD auf ein Modellregelwerk zur effektiven Mindestbesteuerung großer multinationaler Konzerne geeinigt. Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht, ob eine Implementierung in Deutschland ohne dazwischengeschalteten EU-Harmonisierungsakt mit den Vorgaben des Grundgesetzes, des EU-Rechts und der nach völkerrechtlichen Rechtssätzen verbindlichen Doppelbesteuerungsabkommen vereinbar ist. Dies erfolgt auch unter Würdigung der bisher in diesem Zusammenhang erschienenen Literaturstimmen. Eine umfassende, auf die Modellregeln bezogene und für Deutschland spezifizierte Untersuchung ist zum Zeitpunkt der Erstellung dieser Arbeit in der Literatur jedoch noch nicht vorgenommen worden. Im letzten Abschnitt dieses Kapitels wird der Gang der Untersuchung dargestellt.
Vereinbarkeit mit dem Grundgesetz
Authors: Steinmeister Nicolas
Published: April 2024

Implementiert Deutschland die GloBE-Regeln eigenständig, ist der Bund zur Gesetzgebung befugt. Das entsprechende Gesetz bedarf der Zustimmung des Bundesrates. Das Steueraufkommen aus den neuen Mindeststeuervorschriften steht in der Regel Bund und Ländern hälftig zu. Für die Verwaltung der Mindeststeuer wären grundsätzlich die Landesfinanzbehörden zuständig. Führt Deutschland die GloBE-Regeln den Modellregeln entsprechend ein, begründet die Anwendung von IIR, UTPR und SOR in jedem Falle eine Durchbrechung des Trennungsprinzips, welche grundsätzlich den in Art. 3 Abs. 1 GG verankerten Grundsatz der Steuergerechtigkeit verletzt und damit rechtfertigungsbedürftig ist. Sollte die UTPR als Betriebsausgabenabzugsbeschränkung ausgestaltet werden, begründet dies zudem eine Durchbrechung des objektiven Nettoprinzips und damit ebenfalls eine rechtfertigungsbedürftige Ungleichbehandlung. Soweit im Rahmen der oben genannten Durchbrechungen gegen das Folgerichtigkeitsgebot verstoßen wird, kann dem nicht die Begründung eines Systemwechsels entgegengehalten werden. Die unterschiedlichen Verstöße gegen Art. 3 Abs. 1 GG durch die GloBE-Regeln können nach Auffassung des Autors jedoch gerechtfertigt werden, wobei strengere Anforderungen an die Rechtfertigung zu stellen sind, die eine Prüfung der Verhältnismäßigkeit erfordern. In diesem Rahmen führen die bislang vom BVerfG anerkannten Rechtfertigungsgründe – außerfiskalische Förderungs- und Lenkungszwecke, Vereinfachungs- und Typisierungszwecke und das Ziel der Missbrauchsabwehr – zwar nicht zur Rechtfertigung. Unter der nach Ansicht des Autors gebotenen Anerkennung der Begrenzung des internationalen Steuerwettbewerbs auf ein faires Mindestmaß im Rahmen eines internationalen Konsensprozesses als legitimen Zweck ist eine Rechtfertigung der verschiedenen verfassungsrechtlichen Durchgriffe jedoch unter Beachtung des Verhältnismäßigkeitsgrundsatzes möglich und vorliegend zu bejahen. Im Übrigen begründen etwaige mit der Einführung der GloBE-Regeln verbundene Treaty Overrides keine Verletzung des Grundgesetzes.
Tagesstationäre Behandlung: Innovation oder Irrweg?
Authors: Malzahn Jürgen , Stoof Lokiev
Published: April 2024

Der Beitrag befasst sich mit der im Zuge des Krankenhauspflegeentlastungsgesetzes Ende 2022 eingeführten tagesstationären Behandlung, die sich einreiht in eine bereits bestehende Vielzahl an Behandlungsmöglichkeiten im Krankenhaus, die keiner Übernachtung der Patienten und Patientinnen bedürfen. Es wird ein Überblick über die formalen Voraussetzungen, die Vergütung, medizinische und klinische Aspekte sowie die Patientenperspektive gegeben und eine rechtliche Abgrenzung zu anderen im Krankenhaus möglichen Behandlungsformen erörtert, die neben der tagesstationären Behandlung bestehen und ebenfalls keine Übernachtung erfordern. Das Zwischenfazit kommt zu dem Ergebnis, dass die tagesstationäre Behandlung in ihrer bestehenden Form nicht die mit ihr verbundenen Ziele erreichen kann und deswegen einer Weiterentwicklung bedarf. Im Folgenden werden Entwicklungsperspektiven dargestellt, die eine Komplexitätsreduzierung im Bereich der Vergütung ambulant im Krankenhaus erbrachter Leistungen sowie einen effizienteren Einsatz pflegerischer und auch apparativer Ressourcen zum Nutzen der Patienten und Patientinnen mit sich bringen. Dabei wird auch eine Möglichkeit beschrieben, die tagesstationäre Behandlung für den vertragsärztlichen Sektor zu öffnen, um eine sektorenunabhängige Versorgung von Patientinnen und Patienten auf Grundlage gleicher Vergütungsstrukturen bei sektorenübergreifender Versorgungsplanung zu ermöglichen.
Statistische Krankenhausdaten: Diagnosedaten der Krankenhauspatienten 2022
Authors: Schelhase Torsten
Published: April 2024

Die Diagnosen der Krankenhauspatienten bilden das gesamte vollstationäre Geschehen in den deutschen Krankenhäusern ab. Dieser Beitrag beschreibt die Ergebnisse der Diagnosedaten der Krankenhauspatienten für das Jahr 2022. Diese amtliche Statistik wird seit 1993 jährlich als Vollerhebung durchgeführt, alle Krankenhäuser in Deutschland sind auskunftspflichtig. Erfasst werden alle Patienten, die im Berichtsjahr aus der vollstationären Behandlung eines Krankenhauses entlassen werden. Im Jahr 2022 waren es mehr als 17 Mio. Patienten, damit ist die Fallzahl im Vorjahresvergleich leicht angestiegen.

Die Ergebnisse der Diagnosen werden nach wichtigen Indikatoren wie Hauptdiagnosen, Alter, Geschlecht und Verweildauer dargestellt. Aufgrund geschlechts- und altersspezifischer Morbiditätshäufigkeiten werden die Ergebnisse teilweise standardisiert und so um den demographischen Effekt bereinigt. Dadurch sind bevölkerungsunabhängige Aussagen möglich.
Spitalplanung in der Schweiz: Impulse für die deutsche Krankenhausreform
Authors: Subelack Jonas , Kuklinski David , Vogel Justus , Geissler Alexander
Published: April 2024

In Deutschland wird aktuell eine Krankenhausreform diskutiert, die insbesondere den Planungsmechanismus mithilfe von Leistungsgruppen (LG) grundlegend ändern soll. Da die Schweiz bereits im Jahr 2012 einen derartigen Mechanismus erfolgreich eingeführt hat, können hiervon einige Impulse abgeleitet werden.

Der Beitrag widmet sich einerseits den zentralen Elementen der Spitalplanung (insb. den Qualitätsvorgaben) und Fragen der Leistungsdifferenzierung auf Grundlage der Spitalplanungs-Leistungsgruppen (SPLG). Methodisch wurden hierfür die Schweizer Krankenhausfälle der Akutsomatik aus dem Jahr 2018/2019 sowie die Kenndaten Akutsomatik und die Spitalliste des Kantons Zürich analysiert. Diese Fälle wurden algorithmisch (via ICD-/CHOP Codes) den einzelnen LG zugeordnet. Zudem wurden die Leistungsdifferenzierung der Krankenhäuser sowie der Ressourceneinsatz auf Spital- und Leistungsgruppenebene im Kanton Zürich analysiert.

Es zeigt sich, dass schweizweit 60 % der Fälle spezifischen LG zugeordnet werden und die restlichen 40 % auf die LG Basispaket (BP) entfallen. Der Vergleich zwischen dem ländlichen Kanton Graubünden (49 % BP) und dem urbanen Kanton Zürich (33 % BP) zeigt eine Zentralisierung von komplexen und spezialisierteren Leistungen. Die Analyse der Leistungsaufträge und Fallzahlen im Kanton Zürich zeigt, dass die Anzahl der Leistungsaufträge mit zunehmender Komplexität sinkt und eine Spezialisierung der Spitäler zu erkennen ist. Die Betrachtung des Ressourceneinsatzes auf Spitalebene zeigt teilweise eine große Streuung (> 2 Case-Mix-Punkte) für basale und auch spezifische LG.

Insgesamt lässt sich ableiten, dass Krankenhausplanung und -finanzierung gemeinsam gedacht werden sollten. In der Schweiz tragen die Kantone 55 % der Kosten eines jeden Krankenhausfalls, was zu einem hohen Interesse an bedarfsorientierten und wirtschaftlichen Krankenhausstrukturen seitens der Kantone führt. Auch sollte die Vereinbarkeit von LG und DRGs kritisch betrachtet werden, da innerhalb einer LG eine große Variation der Kostengewichte zwischen den Krankenhäusern zu beobachten ist. Wichtig ist auch, dass der Aufbau und die Entwicklung der LG vollständig auf Diagnose- und Prozedurencodes basiert. Bezüglich der Leistungsdifferenzierung sollte das NRW-Modell in Leistungsbereichen mit unzureichender Differenzierung um weitere LG erweitert werden.
Dietary cysteine and methionine promote peroxisome elevation and fat loss by induction of CG33474 expression in Drosophila adipose tissue
Authors: Liu Meng , He Li
Published: April 2024

The high-protein diet (HPD) has emerged as a potent dietary approach to curb obesity. Peroxisome, a highly malleable organelle, adapts to nutritional changes to maintain homeostasis by remodeling its structure, composition, and quantity. However, the impact of HPD on peroxisomes and the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system, we discovered that HPD specifically increases peroxisome levels within the adipose tissues. This HPD-induced peroxisome elevation is attributed to cysteine and methionine by triggering the expression of CG33474, a fly homolog of mammalian PEX11G. Both the overexpression of Drosophila CG33474 and human PEX11G result in increased peroxisome size. In addition, cysteine and methionine diets both reduce lipid contents, a process that depends on the presence of CG33474. Furthermore, CG33474 stimulates the breakdown of neutral lipids in a cell-autonomous manner. Moreover, the expression of CG33474 triggered by cysteine and methionine requires TOR signaling. Finally, we found that CG33474 promotes inter-organelle contacts between peroxisomes and lipid droplets (LDs), which might be a potential mechanism for CG33474-induced fat loss. In summary, our findings demonstrate that CG33474/PEX11G may serve as an essential molecular bridge linking HPD to peroxisome dynamics and lipid metabolism.

Graphical abstract

HPD, with cysteine and methionine serving as key amino acids, specifically elevates peroxisome levels in the adipose tissues of Drosophila by inducing CG33474 expression. CG33474/PEX11G performs two essential biological roles in an evolutionarily conserved manner: firstly, overexpression of CG33474/PEX11G leads to increased peroxisome size; secondly, CG33474/PEX11G promotes the breakdown of LDs in a cell-autonomous manner (by strengthening peroxisome-LD interaction). Furthermore, TOR signaling is required for cysteine- and methionine-induced CG33474/PEX11G expression.