bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of dead ice in transforming glacier forelands under the rapid climate warming of recent decades, OscarIILand, Svalbard
Authors: Błaszkiewicz Mirosław , Andrzejewski Leon , Dudek Justyna , Sobota Ireneusz , Czarnecki Kamil
Published: June 2023

The rapid climate changes of recent decades are causing rapid glacier recession in the high Arctic and the loss of large patches and blocks of dead ice. Their temporally differentiated melting is very significantly transforming the relief of marginal zones, creating dead‐ice landscapes. The article focuses on dead‐ice degradation processes in the forelands of two glaciers (Erikkabreen and Haakenbreen) on Oscar II Land in Spitsbergen. Detailed in‐field geomorphological mappings have been conducted twice (in 1989 and 2022) in the two glaciers' forelands. These were combined with analysis of available photogrammetry and Digital Elevation Models, allowing the authors to describe the dynamics of dead‐ice melting processes within various landforms and the effect of those processes on the forms' ultimate morphology. This provided a broad view of the trajectory of melt processes depending on local geomorphological and hydrological conditions. Particular attention was paid to the interactions between the evolution of permafrost and the course of melting of dead ice. In light of the highly dynamic thermokarst processes in the forelands of Svalbard glaciers, the term ‘dead‐ice‐rich permafrost’ is proposed. It was found that global climate changes are increasing the role of dead ice in transforming the relief of glacier forelands, thereby increasing the occurrence of dead‐ice landscapes. The conclusions confirmed those for other contemporary glaciation areas and may significantly help in interpreting the morphogenesis of glacial relief formed during past continental glaciations.
Dislocation Suppresses Sidewall‐Surface Recombination of Micro‐LEDs
Authors: Park Jeong‐Hwan , Pristovsek Markus , Cai Wentao , Cheong Heajeong , Kang Chang‐Mo , Lee Dong‐Seon , Seong Tae‐Yeon , Amano Hiroshi
Published: June 2023

Nonradiative recombination rate that consists of dislocation‐related nonradiative recombination rate (A0) and surface recombination rate (As) is one of the major parameters determining the performance of microlight‐emitting diodes (µLEDs). Recent demonstrations improving the efficiency of blue InGaN or red AlGaInP µLEDs using specific methods such as atomic layer deposition or chemical treatment confirm the suppression of As. However, it is hardly found that those methods effectively improve the efficiency of red InGaN µLEDs so far. Here, it is discovered that the dislocation leads to an ineffective As. First, an intrinsic As degrades the external quantum efficiency (EQE) of blue InGaN µLEDs, resulting in EQE decreases with shrinking size. Second, panchromatic cathodoluminescence finds evidence that most of the carriers can be trapped before reaching the sidewall due to high A0. This results in shortened diffusion length of carriers and reduces the number of carriers reaching the sidewall. Consequently, the opposite trend of increasing EQE with shrinking size occurs in the case of red InGaN µLEDs due to an ineffective As. Furthermore, an 8.3 nm quantum well of InGaN with 13% Indium content that can reach a ≈690 nm wavelength at the low current is shown.
Effect of Grafted Spiropyran on the Solubility and Film Properties of Photochromic Amylose
Authors: Barsi David , Buratti Elena , Tarantino Antonio , Dinelli Franco , Castelvetro Valter , Bertoldo Monica
Published: June 2023

Four photochromic spiropyran‐amylose (ASP) biobased polymers with different spiropyran (SP) grafting density, DS, ASP10 (DS = 0.12), ASP40 and ASP40PA60 (DS = 0.40), and ASP100 (DS = 0.97), are synthesized through azide‐alkyne cycloaddition of an alkynyl‐functional SP derivative onto C6‐azidated‐amylose (AN3), where the unconverted azide in ASP40PA60, ASP100, and the AN3 precursor are quenched by clicking with propargyl alcohol (PA). All ASPs are poorly soluble in trifluoroethanol, ethanol, and water but soluble in dimethyl sulfoxide, N,N‐dimethylformamide, and hexafluoroisopropanol irrespective of UV irradiation, switching reversibly the grafted SP into zwitterionic merocyanine (MC). Only ASP10 and ASP40 are slightly soluble in the low polarity tetrahydrofuran, with ASP40 showing a marked photochromism and reduction of solubility on SP→MC switching. The photochromism in solution is preserved in the solid state, although with significant differences between the still relatively fast SP→MC photoisomerization and the much slower thermal retro‐isomerization. The dynamics of both processes, evaluated in a thin spin–coated ASP100 film and a thicker ASP40 photoswitchable coating on glass and paper, is more clearly affected than in solution by the grafting density. Switching the nearly apolar SP into the zwitterionic MC does not significantly affect wettability of the slightly hydrophobic ASP40 coating.
Visualization and comparison of CT dose distribution between axial and helical acquisitions
Authors: Yang Kai , Li Xinhua , Yu Lifeng , Li Baojun , Marschall Theodore A. , Liu Bob
Published: June 2023

Background

It is challenging to assess the accuracy of volume CT Dose Index (CTDIvol) when the axial scan modes corresponding to a helical scan protocol are not available. An alternative approach was proposed to directly measure using helical acquisitions and relatively small differences (< 20%) from CTDIvol were observed.

Purpose

To visually demonstrate the 3D dose distribution for both axial and helical CT acquisitions and quantitively compare and CTDIvol.

Methods

3D dose distribution within the standard CTDI phantoms (16 and 32 cm diameter) from a single CT projection, Dp(x,y,z) was first generated using Monte Carlo simulation (GEANT4) with 9×108 photons per combination of tube voltage (80–140 kV), collimation width (1–8 cm), and z‐axis location of the central ray of the x‐ray beam, with a spatial resolution of 1 mm3. These dose distributions from one single projection were analytically ensembled to simulate 3D dose volumes DA(x,y,z) and DH(x,y,z) for axial and helical scans, respectively, with different helical pitches (0.3–2) and scan lengths (100–150 mm). 2D planar dose distributions were obtained by integrating the inside 100 mm of the dose volumes. CTDIvol and were calculated using the planar dose data at corresponding pencil chamber locations and the percentage differences (PD) were reported.

Results

High spatial resolution 3D CT dose volumes were generated and visualized. PDs between and CTDIvol had strong dependency on scan length and peripheral chamber locations, with subtle dependency on collimation width and pitch. PDs were mostly within the range of ± 3% for a scan length of 150 mm with four peripheral chamber locations.

Conclusions

With a scan length covering the entire phantom length, directly measured from helical scans can serve as an alternative to CTDIvol only if all four peripheral locations were measured.
Deep learning–based Lorentzian fitting of water saturation shift referencing spectra in MRI
Authors: Mohammed Ali Sajad , Yadav Nirbhay N. , Wirestam Ronnie , Singh Munendra , Heo Hye‐Young , van Zijl Peter C. , Knutsson Linda
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Water saturation shift referencing (WASSR) Z‐spectra are used commonly for field referencing in chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI. However, their analysis using least‐squares (LS) Lorentzian fitting is time‐consuming and prone to errors because of the unavoidable noise in vivo. A deep learning–based single Lorentzian Fitting Network (sLoFNet) is proposed to overcome these shortcomings.

Methods

A neural network architecture was constructed and its hyperparameters optimized. Training was conducted on a simulated and in vivo–paired data sets of discrete signal values and their corresponding Lorentzian shape parameters. The sLoFNet performance was compared with LS on several WASSR data sets (both simulated and in vivo 3T brain scans). Prediction errors, robustness against noise, effects of sampling density, and time consumption were compared.

Results

LS and sLoFNet performed comparably in terms of RMS error and mean absolute error on all in vivo data with no statistically significant difference. Although the LS method fitted well on samples with low noise, its error increased rapidly when increasing sample noise up to 4.5%, whereas the error of sLoFNet increased only marginally. With the reduction of Z‐spectral sampling density, prediction errors increased for both methods, but the increase occurred earlier (at 25 vs. 15 frequency points) and was more pronounced for LS. Furthermore, sLoFNet performed, on average, 70 times faster than the LS‐method.

Conclusion

Comparisons between LS and sLoFNet on simulated and in vivo WASSR MRI Z‐spectra in terms of robustness against noise and decreased sample resolution, as well as time consumption, showed significant advantages for sLoFNet.
B1+$$ {\mathrm{B}}_1^{+} $$ inhomogeneity correction of volumetric brain NOEMTR via high permittivity dielectric padding at 7 T
Authors: Jacobs Paul S. , Benyard Blake , Cao Quy , Swain Anshuman , Wilson Neil , Nanga Ravi Prakash Reddy , Tisdall M. Dylan , Detre John , Elliott Mark A. , Haris Mohammad , Reddy Ravinder
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Nuclear Overhauser effect magnetization transfer ratio (NOEMTR) is a technique used to investigate brain lipids and macromolecules in greater detail than other techniques and benefits from increased contrast at 7 T. However, this contrast can become degraded because of inhomogeneities present at ultra‐high field strengths. High‐permittivity dielectric pads (DP) have been used to correct for these inhomogeneities via displacement currents generating secondary magnetic fields. The purpose of this work is to demonstrate that dielectric pads can be used to mitigate inhomogeneities and improve NOEMTR contrast in the temporal lobes at 7 T.

Methods

Partial 3D NOEMTR contrast images and whole brain field maps were acquired on a 7 T MRI across six healthy subjects. Calcium titanate DP, having a relative permittivity of 110, was placed next to the subject's head near the temporal lobes. Pad corrected NOEMTR images had a separate postprocessing linear correction applied.

Results

DP provided supplemental to the temporal lobes while also reducing the magnitude across the posterior and superior regions of the brain. This resulted in a statistically significant increase in NOEMTR contrast in substructures of the temporal lobes both with and without linear correction. The padding also produced a convergence in NOEMTR contrast toward approximately equal mean values.

Conclusion

NOEMTR images showed significant improvement in temporal lobe contrast when DP were used, which resulted from an increase in homogeneity across the entire brain slab. DP‐derived improvements in NOEMTR are expected to increase the robustness of the brain substructural measures both in healthy and pathological conditions.
The relationship between body mass index and sleep in women with risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Reyes Pamela Acosta , Immanuel Jincy , Hague William M. , Teede Helena , Hibbert Emily , Nolan Christopher J. , Peek Michael J. , Wong Vincent , Flack Jeffrey R. , McLean Mark , Dalal Raiyomand , Harreiter Jürgen , Kautzky–Willer Alexandra , Rajagopal Rohit , Sweeting Arianne , Ross Glynis P. , Cheung Ngai Wah , Simmons David
Published: June 2023

Background

Both obesity and sleep disorders are common among women during pregnancy. Although prior research has identified a relationship between obesity and sleep disorders, those findings are from women later in pregnancy.

Objective

To explore the relationships between self‐reported sleep duration, insufficient sleep and snoring with body mass index (BMI) among multiethnic women at risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)in early pregnancy.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study of baseline data from women at risk of GDM enrolled in the Treatment of BOoking Gestational diabetes Mellitus (TOBOGM) multicentre trial across 12 Australian/Austrian sites. Participants completed a questionnaire before 20 weeks’ gestation to evaluate sleep. BMI <25 kg/m2 served as the reference group in multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Among the 2865 women included, the prevalence of overweight and obesity classes I‐III was 28%, 19%, 11% and 12%, respectively. There was no relationship between sleep duration and BMI. The risk of insufficient sleep >5 days/month was higher in class II and class III obesity (1.38 (1.03–1.85) and 1.34 (1.01–1.80), respectively), and the risk of snoring increased as BMI increased (1.59 (1.25–2.02), 2.68 (2.07–3.48), 4.35 (3.21–5.88) to 4.96 (3.65–6.74), respectively)).

Conclusions

Obesity is associated with insufficient sleep among pregnant women at risk of GDM. Snoring is more prevalent with increasing BMI.
A pilot study evaluating the use of sirolimus in children and young adults with desmoid‐type fibromatosis
Authors: Weiss Aaron R. , Dry Sarah , Maygar Clara , Cutler Anya , Lary Christine W. , Khoo Carmen , Fergione Jillian E. , Hounchell Melanie M. , Glick Kathleen , Browning Meghen , Choo Sun Ha , Hawkins Douglas S. , Lagmay Joanne , Manalang Michelle , Skapek Stephen X. , Weigel Brenda , Verwys Stephanie , Federman Noah
Published: June 2023

Deregulation of the mTOR pathway may play an important role in tumor biology when the APC/β‐catenin pathway is disrupted in desmoid‐type fibromatosis (DT). A pilot study was conducted to determine whether sirolimus can block the mTOR pathway (primary aim) as well as determine whether it can safely be given in the preoperative setting, decrease tumor size/recurrence, and decrease tumor‐associated pain in children and young adults (secondary aims) with DT. Nine subjects ages 5–28 years were enrolled from 2014 to 2017 across four centers. Sirolimus was feasible and was associated with a nonstatistically significant decrease in pS706K activation.
Mechanical properties of carbon‐aramid hybrid fiber‐reinforced epoxy/poly(vinyl butyral) composites
Authors: Çakir Mustafa , Akin Emre , Renda Gökhan
Published: June 2023

Currently, it is important to manufacture fiber‐reinforced epoxy matrix composites with high impact resistance besides their high strength and modulus values for industries such as automotive, aerospace, and aviation due to the brittle structure of epoxy. In this regard, we found the attractive results of the 0.5 wt% poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB)‐containing epoxy blend in terms of strength, Young's modulus, and impact resistance. These results substantially motivated us to manufacture fiber‐reinforced advanced epoxy/PVB matrix composites with 30–60 vol% carbon‐aramid fiber ratios. Flexural (three‐point bending) and tensile tests were performed to obtain strength and modulus values by measuring the force required to break the fiber‐reinforced composite specimens and elongation at break points. Interlaminar shear strength tests were performed by the short beam bending method by measuring the resistance of the composite to delamination. The Charpy impact test was used to measure the energy absorbed during crack formation and fracture propagation. The composites with PVB were generally superior to those without PVB (EPCs). Two types of findings were observed. First, PVB increased the tensile and flexural strength values substantially for the 30 and 40 vol% ratios, but the modulus values slightly decreased. Second, PVB also substantially increased the modulus values for the 50 vol% ratio besides the strength values. It was thought that this result could be attributed to the increase in the compatibility of the fiber/matrix for the 50 vol% ratio. These decreases for EPCs could be derived from the micro‐cracks and weaker interface between fiber and matrix.
Comprehensive properties study of polyimide with fluorinated nanofillers
Authors: Zhang Jialin , Lai Xingwang , Li Jinhui , Wang Tao , Shan Liang , Niu Fangfang , Zhang Guoping , Sun Rong
Published: June 2023

There is an increasing demand for polyimide (PI) with excellent mechanical properties, good heat resistance, and low dielectric constant in integrated circuits and advanced packaging. Based on this, we report a strategy of tailoring the PI via fluorinated nanofillers modification to improve its mechanical properties, heat resistance, hydrophobicity, and reduce its dielectric constant. Specifically, different fluorinated nanofiller, including fluorinated graphene (FG), fluorinated carbon nanotubes (FCNT), fluorinated carbon black (FCB), and fluorinated graphene quantum dots (FGQD) were introduced into PI matrix to prepared composite films by a simple method of in‐situ polymerization, and the effect of different nanofillers on the properties of polyimide was systematically investigated. The results showed that the introduction of fluorinated nanofillers significantly improved the comprehensive performance of the composite films, especially the FGQD. FGQD/PI composite film with 0.5 wt% FGQD exhibits superior tensile strength (145.8 MPa), Young's modulus (2.83 GPa) and elongation at break (45.4%) the best comprehensive performance which are 10.0%, 19.4%, and 32.0% of those of pure PI, respectively. Most importantly, the FGQD/PI composite film shows decreased dielectric constant (from 3.38 to 2.93) at 1 MHz improved hydrophobicity and excellent heat resistance. The FGQD/PI composite film exhibits excellent comprehensive performance, thereby showing the potential in the future development of advanced packaging and microelectronics industry.
Heterogeneity after harmonisation: A retrospective cohort study of bleeding and stroke risk after the introduction of direct oral anticoagulants in four Western European countries
Authors: Komen J. J. , Hunt N. B. , Pottegård A. , Hjemdahl P. , Wettermark B. , Olesen M. , Bennie M. , Mueller T. , Carragher R. , Karlstad Ø. , Kjerpeseth L. J. , Klungel O. H. , Forslund T.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Database heterogeneity can impact effect estimates. Harmonisation provided by common protocols and common data models (CDMs) can increase the validity of pharmacoepidemiologic research. In a case study measuring the changes in the safety and effectiveness of stroke prevention therapy after the introduction of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), we performed an international comparison.

Methods

Using data from Stockholm, Denmark, Scotland and Norway, harmonised with a common protocol and CDM, two calendar‐based cohorts were created: 2012 and 2017. Patients with a diagnosis code of atrial fibrillation 5 years preceding the 1‐year cohort window were included. DOAC, vitamin K antagonist and aspirin treatment were assessed in the 6 months prior to the start of each year while strokes and bleeds were assessed during the year. A Poisson regression generated incidence rate ratios (IRRs) to compare outcomes from 2017 to 2012 adjusted for changes in individual‐level baseline characteristics.

Results

In 280 359 patients in the 2012 cohort and 356 779 in the 2017 cohort, treatment with OACs increased on average from 45% to 65%, while treatment with aspirin decreased from 30% to 10%. In all countries except Scotland, there were decreases in the risk of stroke and no changes in bleeding risk, after adjustment for changes in baseline characteristics. In Scotland, major bleeding (IRR 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.00; 1.18]) and intracranial haemorrhage (IRR 1.31, 95% CI [1.13; 1.52]) increased from 2012 to 2017.

Conclusions

Stroke prevention therapy improved from 2012 to 2017 with a corresponding reduction in stroke risk without increasing the risk of bleeding in all countries, except Scotland. The heterogeneity that remains after methodological harmonisation can be informative of the underlying population and database.
Membrane material based on acrylic emulsion and terry cloth for medical drapes
Authors: Rafikov Adham Salimovich , Shirinova Mamura Xikmatullayevna , Nigmatova Fotima Usmonovna , Abdusamatova Dilfuza Ozotovna
Published: June 2023

Waterproof “breathable” membrane materials were obtained using acrylic emulsion for the polymer layer and cotton terry cloth for the textile layer. Excellent physical, mechanical, and hygienic properties of polymer‐textile materials obtained by spraying the emulsion on the wrong side of the terry cloth, allow them to be used for medical and prophylactic bed linen. The resulting materials absorb a large amount of water (350%–366%), at the same time do not let liquid water through (water resistance—395–470 mm ), but have sufficient air and vapor permeability. The water‐absorbing and membrane properties of the obtained materials are due to their nature (hydrophilicity of cellulose fibers, hydrophobicity of polymethylacrylate) and structure (terry weaving of a textile fabric, the presence of micropores). Scanning electron microscope studies of the surface and cross section showed the capillary‐porous structure of the polymer layer and the material as a whole. When spraying an acrylic emulsion, a continuous polymer film is not formed; a hydrophobic polymer layer is located on the surface of individual fibers of a textile fabric. Another important advantage of the obtained membrane materials is that their water absorption, water resistance, and “breathing” properties are preserved after repeated washings.
Functional improvements of patients admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation facility after bilateral lung transplant due to severe COVID‐19 pulmonary disease
Authors: Goodman Daniel A. , Jensen Alexandra , Fahey Kyle , Walaszek Erin , Vail Caroline , Nassiri Kian , Jayabalan Prakash , Oswald Matthew , Rydberg Leslie
Published: June 2023

Background

Coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) has introduced a new subset of patients with acute end‐stage lung damage for which lung transplantation has been successfully performed.

Objective

To describe the inpatient rehabilitation course of patients who underwent bilateral lung transplant due to severe COVID‐19 pulmonary disease.

Design

Retrospective chart review.

Setting

Free‐standing, academic, urban inpatient rehabilitation hospital.

Participants

Seventeen patients aged 28–67 years old (mean 53.9 ± 10.7) who developed COVID‐19 respiratory failure and underwent bilateral lung transplant.

Interventions

Patients participated in a comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation program including physical, occupational, and speech therapy tailored to the unique functional needs of each individual.

Main Outcome Measures

Primary outcome measures of functional improvements, include mobility and self‐care scores on section GG of the Functional Abilities and Goals of the Improving Post‐Acute Care Transformation Act, as defined as quality measures by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Other functional measures included 6 minute walk test, Berg balance scale, Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability (MASA), and Cognition and Memory Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores. Wilcoxon signed rank sum test was used to evaluate statistical significance of change between admission and discharge scores.

Results

Fourteen patients completed inpatient rehabilitation. Self‐care (GG0130) mean score improved from 20.9 to 36.1. Mobility (GG0170) mean score improved from 30.7 to 70.7. Mean 6‐minute walk distance improved from 174.1 to 467.6 feet. Mean Berg balance scores improved from 18.6/56 to 36.3/56. MASA scores improved from 171.3 to 182.3. All functional measures demonstrated statistically significant improvements with p value ≤ .008, except for cognition and memory FIM scores, which did not show a statistically significant difference. A majority (76%) of patients discharged home.

Conclusion

This new and unique patient population can successfully participate in a comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation program and achieve functional improvements despite medical complications.
Oviposition substrate location by the invasive woodwasp Sirex noctilio: the combined effect of chemical cues emitted by its obligate symbiont Amylostereum areolatum and different host‐tree species
Authors: Masagué Santiago , Fernández Patricia C. , Devescovi Francisco , Segura Diego F. , De La Vega Gerardo J. , Corley Juan C. , Villacide José M. , Martínez Andrés S.
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND

Sirex noctilio is an invasive forest wasp that affects pines and can result in severe economic losses. The use of semiochemicals offers an opportunity to develop sensitive and specific capturing systems to mitigatenegative impacts. Previous research showed that female S. noctilio would use volatiles emitted by its fungal symbiont, Amylostereum areolatum, but little is known about how these modulate behaviour when combined with pine‐wood emissions. Our aim was to understand the relevance of fungal volatiles grown on artificial media and wood from two hosts trees, Pinus contorta and Pinus ponderosa, on behavioural and electroantennographic responses of wasp females. Because background odours can modify an insect's response towards resource‐indicating semiochemicals, we propose that the behaviour towards the symbiont (resource) will be modulated by host pine emissions (background odours).

RESULTS

Olfactometric assays showed that both host species with fungus were attractive when contrasted against air (P. contorta versus Air, χ2 = 12.19, P < 0.001; P. ponderosa versus Air, χ2 = 20.60, P < 0.001) and suggest a clear hierarchy in terms of female preferences towards the tested stimuli, with response highest towards the fungus grown on P. contorta (olfactory preference index: 5.5). Electrophysiological analyses indicate that females detect 62 volatile compounds from the tested sources.

CONCLUSION

Results indicate a strong synergy between symbiont and host semiochemicals, suggesting that the pine species could play a fundamental role in the interaction. Further understanding of the chemical basis of this, could guide the development of specific and attractive lures, in order to maximize attraction of wasps in surveillance programmes. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Traversability analysis for autonomous driving in complex environment: A LiDAR‐based terrain modeling approach
Authors: Xue Hanzhang , Fu Hao , Xiao Liang , Fan Yiming , Zhao Dawei , Dai Bin
Published: June 2023

For autonomous driving, traversability analysis is one of the most basic and essential tasks. In this paper, we propose a novel LiDAR‐based terrain modeling approach, which could output stable, complete, and accurate terrain models and traversability analysis results. As terrain is an inherent property of the environment that does not change with different view angles, our approach adopts a multiframe information fusion strategy for terrain modeling. Specifically, a normal distributions transform mapping approach is adopted to accurately model the terrain by fusing information from consecutive LiDAR frames. Then the spatial‐temporal Bayesian generalized kernel inference and bilateral filtering are utilized to promote the stability and completeness of the results while simultaneously retaining the sharp terrain edges. Based on the terrain modeling results, the traversability of each region is obtained by performing geometric connectivity analysis between neighboring terrain regions. Experimental results show that the proposed method could run in real‐time and outperforms state‐of‐the‐art approaches.
Meaningful participation of schools in scientific research through contributory citizen science projects
Authors: Atias Osnat , Kali Yael , Shavit Ayelet , Baram‐Tsabari Ayelet
Published: June 2023

School‐based citizen science offers a way for students and teachers to collaborate with scientists and take part in multiple facets of research such as data collection and analysis, and sometimes research initiation, co‐design, and reporting of findings. However, most citizen science projects offered to schools are of the contributory type, often regarded as a lesser form of participation since the role of nonscientific participants lies mostly in data collection. The current study set out to examine the potential of contributory projects to afford—despite their limitations—more equitable power relations between schools and scientists and a meaningful participation of schools in scientific research. We view meaningful participation as such that embodies students' and teachers' responsibility over scientific processes or outcomes. Nine pairs of teachers and scientists who collaborated in contributory‐based projects were asked to think aloud as they answered a questionnaire regarding their experiences, resulting with rich commentary on how they perceived relationships between the schools and the scientists. Analysis of the think‐aloud data, using a framework based on the notion of reciprocity in university‐community partnerships, indicated that most teachers and scientists developed a sense of reciprocal relations where both sides are acknowledged contributors, some even deeply so. We discuss factors influencing the emergence of reciprocity and implications towards the premise of school‐based citizen science to democratize science and change traditional power relations in school‐based citizen science collaborations.
Knowledge seeking and anonymity in digital work settings
Authors: Mickeler Maren , Khashabi Pooyan , Kleine Marco , Kretschmer Tobias
Published: June 2023

Research Summary

Employees often need knowledge from colleagues to complete tasks successfully. With distributed and remote work becoming more common, organizations increasingly rely on digital technologies, such as organizational platforms, to support members' knowledge exchange. We study factors that hinder employees from seeking knowledge from others on such platforms. We argue that individuals' seeking decisions depend on expected social‐psychological costs and economic considerations and posit that both can be muted by anonymizing seekers. In two experiments, we test our conjectures and find that both types of expected costs reduce knowledge seeking. Social‐psychological costs decrease individuals' knowledge seeking, while adding economic costs further reduces seeking. Moreover, in digital settings, female knowledge seekers are more sensitive to their identity being known than males and thus benefit more from anonymity.

Managerial Summary

Distributed and remote work arrangements, often subsumed under the label “new work”, often rely on digital technologies to enable the exchange of relevant knowledge among colleagues. For example, in the US, two‐thirds of S&P 500 firms already maintain some form of digital platform for knowledge exchange, although with mixed success. Employees may avoid seeking knowledge on these platforms both for social‐psychological (a fear of appearing incompetent to their peers) and economic (fear of suffering career consequences) reasons. In a series of (lab and vignette) experiments, we show that both can reduce knowledge seeking and that these implicit costs can be minimized especially in digital contexts through anonymity (to minimize social‐psychological consequences) and separating knowledge seeking platforms by hierarchical levels (to minimize potential economic consequences).
Surface Self‐Transforming FeTi‐LDH Overlayer in Fe2O3/Fe2TiO5 Photoanode for Improved Water Oxidation
Authors: Fouemina Juliette Chancellevie Nalouzebi , Li Guoqing , She Xiaojie , Yan Duan , Lv Xiaoxin , Nie Kaiqi , Deng Jiujun , Xu Hui
Published: June 2023

Integrating hematite nanostructures with efficient layer double hydroxides (LDHs) is highly desirable to improve the photoelectrochemical (PEC) water oxidation performance. Here, an innovative and facile strategy is developed to fabricate the FeTi‐LDH overlayer decorated Fe2O3/Fe2TiO5 photoanode via a surface self‐transformation induced by the co‐treatment of hydrazine and NaOH at room temperature. Electrochemical measurements find that this favorable structure can not only facilitate the charge transfer/separation at the electrode/electrolyte interface but also accelerate the surface water oxidation kinetics. Consequently, the as‐obtained Fe2O3/Fe2TiO5/LDH photoanode exhibits a remarkably increased photocurrent density of 3.54 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) accompanied by an obvious cathodic shift (≈140 mV) in the onset potential. This work opens up a new and effective pathway for the design of high‐performance hematite photoanodes toward efficient PEC water oxidation.
Single‐Ion Polymer Electrolyte Based on Lithium‐Rich Imidazole Anionic Porous Aromatic Framework for High Performance Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Zhangnan , Wang Liying , Liu Yuhan , Yu Mengxuan , Liu Baijun , Men Yongfeng , Sun Zhaoyan , Hu Wei , Zhu Guangshan
Published: June 2023

The low ionic conductivity and Li+ transference number () of solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) seriously hinder their application in lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). In this study, a novel single‐ion lithium‐rich imidazole anionic porous aromatic framework (PAF‐220‐Li) is designed. The abundant pores in PAF‐220‐Li are conducive to the Li+ transfer. Imidazole anion has low binding force with Li+. The conjugation of imidazole and benzene ring can further reduce the binding energy between Li+ and anions. Thus, only Li+ moved freely in the SPEs, remarkably reducing the concentration polarization and inhibiting lithium dendrite growth. PAF‐220‐quasi‐solid polymer electrolyte (PAF‐220‐QSPE) is prepared through solution casting of Bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide lithium (LiTFSI) infused PAF‐220‐Li and Poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene)(PVDF‐HFP), and possessed excellent electrochemical performance. The electrochemical property are further improved by preparing all‐solid polymer electrolyte (PAF‐220‐ASPE) via pressing‐disc method, which has a high Li+ conductivity of 0.501 mS cm−1 and of 0.93. The discharge specific capacity at 0.2 C of Li//PAF‐220‐ASPE//LFP reached 164 mAh g−1, and the capacity retention rate is 90% after 180 cycles. This study provided a promising strategy for SPE with single‐ion PAFs to achieve high‐performance solid‐state LIBs.
Trend filtering for functional data
Authors: Wakayama Tomoya , Sugasawa Shonosuke
Published: June 2023

Despite increasing accessibility to function data, effective methods for flexibly estimating underlying functional trend are still scarce. We thereby develop a functional version of trend filtering for estimating trend of functional data indexed by time or on general graph by extending the conventional trend filtering, a powerful nonparametric trend estimation technique for scalar data. We formulate the new trend filtering by introducing penalty terms based on ‐norm of the differences of adjacent trend functions. We develop an efficient iteration algorithm for optimizing the objective function obtained by orthonormal basis expansion. Furthermore, we introduce additional penalty terms to eliminate redundant basis functions, which leads to automatic adaptation of the number of basis functions. The tuning parameter in the proposed method is selected via cross validation. We demonstrate the proposed method is locally adaptive and can identify change points through simulation studies and applications to real‐world datasets.
Physico‐chemical characterization of Residual Household Waste for energy recovery in insular territories: Case study of Reunion Island
Authors: Maillot Mathilde , Morau Dominique
Published: June 2023

Waste‐to‐energy is a promising approach to face the current challenge of waste overproduction in Reunion Island, a French territory. In this particular context of an isolated and tropical territory, it is essential to study the properties of potential feedstocks to choose the most appropriate conversion process. This article reports on the composition of Residual Household Waste from Reunion Island and its physico‐chemical parameters. Twelve representative samples of Residual Household Waste were subjected to thermal and elemental analysis. The results showed that their composition had a significant influence on the physico‐chemical properties, including calorific value. Residual Household Waste from the selective sorting (rich in wood, plastic, and sanitary textiles) as well as dry mixed RHW are the most interesting for energy recovery. Due to their high volatile matter and high carbon content, and their low moisture content, these types of waste have a high calorific value exceeding 18 MJ/kg. Furthermore, the RHW sample comply with the environmental and health criteria applied by French regulations concerning halogen and heavy metal. Thus, it seems that Residual Household Waste can be an alternative to conventional fuels used in incineration or pyro‐gasification processes. However, the study also points the need for a pre‐treatment process for these wastes. Indeed, it is necessary to sort them correctly in order to avoid the risks of pollution and important maintenance. And more importantly, drying beforehand is unavoidable to improve combustibility and obtain optimal energy conversion.
Brucella abortus antigen omp25 vaccines: Development and targeting based on Lactococcus lactis
Authors: Gouran Somaye Tirbakhsh , Doosti Abbas , Jami Mohammad Saeid
Published: June 2023

Background

Most Brucella infections take place on mucosal membranes. Therefore, creating vaccinations delivered through the mucosa may be crucial for managing brucellosis. Consequently, we assessed the efficacy of a recombinant oral antigen delivery system based on Lactococcus lactis for Brucella abortus omp25 antigen.

Method

Oral vaccinations with L. lactis transformed with pNZ8148 variants encoding for omp25 (pNZ8148:omp25) and free‐pNZ8148 were administered to mice. On day 30, following immunization in animal groups, anti‐omp25‐specific IgG1 antibodies were assessed by the ELISA test. Additionally, nasal and bronchoalveolar lavages containing omp25‐specific secretory IgA (sIgA) were analysed by ELISA. ELISA test and real‐time PCR were also used to analyse cytokine responses up to 28 days following the last boost. In addition, the protective potential of L. lactis pNZ8148:omp25 vaccines was assessed in BALB/c mice by exposing them to the B. abortus strain.

Results

Based on the initial screening results, the omp25 protein was identified for immunogenicity because it had the maximum solubility and flexibility and antigenic values of 0.75. The produced plasmid was digested using KpnI and XbaI. By electrophoretic isolation of the digestion fragments at 786 bp, the omp25 gene, the successful production of the recombinant plasmid, was confirmed. Antigen expression at the protein level revealed that the target group generated the 25 kDa‐sized omp25 protein, but there was no protein expression in the control group. Fourteen days after priming, there was a considerable amount of omp25‐specific IgG1 in the sera of mice vaccinated with pNZ8148–Usp45–omp25–L. lactis (p < 0.001 in target groups compared to the phosphate‐buffered saline control group). IFN‐γ and TNF‐α levels were more significant in samples from mice that had been given the pNZ8148–Usp45–omp25–L. lactis and IRBA vaccinations, in samples taken on days 14 and 28, respectively (p < 0.001). The pNZ8148–Usp45–omp25–L. lactis and IRBA immunization groups had significantly greater IL‐4 and IL‐10 transcription levels than the other groups. The spleen portions from the pNZ8148–Usp45–omp25–L. lactis and IRIBA vac group had less extensive spleen injuries, alveolar oedema, lymphocyte infiltration and morphological damage due to the inflammatory process.

Conclusion

Our study offers a novel method for using the food‐grade, non‐pathogenic and noncommercial bacterium L. lactis as a protein cell factory to produce the novel immunogenic fusion candidate romp25. This method offers an appealing new approach to assessing the cost‐effective, safe, sustainable, simple pilot development of pharmaceutical products.
Surgical removal of an orbital liposarcoma in a dog using the cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator
Authors: Rawicka Aleksandra , Corlazzoli Daniele , Giudice Chiara , Teodori Simone , D'Anna Nunzio
Published: June 2023

A 9‐year‐old boxer presented with unilateral exophthalmos, reduced globe retropulsion and central exposure keratitis in the right eye. On the superolateral orbital quadrant, a firm, well‐limited mass in close proximity to the globe was detected. Ultrasonic and computed tomography examinations confirmed a retrobulbar mass. The biopsy examination revealed the presence of a tumour of adipocytes, consistent with hibernoma. The retrobulbar mass was surgically removed using dorsal orbitotomy with a cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator. Complete retrobulbar mass removal was achieved with minimal and transient postoperative complications. The histopathological examination of the mass fragment obtained during surgery showed liposarcoma. Controlled computed tomography performed 4 months after surgery did not reveal signs of recurrence or metastasis. Ophthalmic examination was within normal limits during 1 year of follow‐up. The cavitation ultrasonic surgical aspirator allows precise mass excision with preservation of delicate orbital structures and is particularly useful in cases with challenging anatomical access.
MultiPsi: A python‐driven MCSCF program for photochemistry and spectroscopy simulations on modern HPC environments
Authors: Delcey Mickaël G.
Published: June 2023

We present MultiPsi, an open‐source MCSCF program for the calculation of ground and excited states properties of strongly correlated systems. The program currently implements a general MCSCF code with excited states available using either state‐averaging or linear response. It is written in a highly modular fashion using Python/C++ which makes it well suited as a development platform, enabling easy prototyping of novel methods, and as a teaching tool using interactive notebooks. The code is also very efficient and designed for modern high‐performance computing environments using hybrid OpenMP/MPI parallelization. This efficiency is demonstrated with the calculation of the CASSCF energy and linear response of a molecule with more than 700 atoms as well as a fully optimized conventional CI calculation on more than 400 billion determinants.

This article is categorized under:

Software > Quantum Chemistry

Electronic Structure Theory > Ab Initio Electronic Structure Methods

Theoretical and Physical Chemistry > Spectroscopy
siRNA screening reveals that SNAP29 contributes to exosome release
Authors: Hessvik Nina Pettersen , Sagini Krizia , Romero Silvana , Ramirez-Garrastacho Manuel , Rodriguez Marta , Tutturen Astrid Elisabeth V. , Kvalvaag Audun , Stang Espen , Brech Andreas , Sandvig Kirsten , Llorente Alicia
Published: June 2023

Cells release extracellular vesicles (EVs) of different sizes. Small EVs (< 200 nm) can originate from the fusion of multivesicular bodies with the plasma membrane, i.e. exosomes, and from budding of the plasma membrane, i.e. small ectosomes. To investigate the molecular machinery required for the release of small EVs, we developed a sensitive assay based on incorporation of radioactive cholesterol in EV membranes and used it in a siRNA screening. The screening showed that depletion of several SNARE proteins affected the release of small EVs. We focused on SNAP29, VAMP8, syntaxin 2, syntaxin 3 and syntaxin 18, the depletion of which reduced the release of small EVs. Importantly, this result was verified using gold standard techniques. SNAP29 depletion resulted in the largest effect and was further investigated. Immunoblotting analysis of small EVs showed that the release of several proteins considered to be associated with exosomes like syntenin, CD63 and Tsg101 was reduced, while the level of several proteins that have been shown to be released in ectosomes (annexins) or by secretory autophagy (LC3B and p62) was not affected by SNAP29 depletion. Moreover, these proteins appeared in different fractions when the EV samples were further separated by a density gradient. These results suggest that SNAP29 depletion mainly affects the secretion of exosomes. To investigate how SNAP29 affects exosome release, we used microscopy to study the distribution of MBVs using CD63 labelling and CD63-pHluorin to detect fusion events of MVBs with the plasma membrane. SNAP29 depletion caused a redistribution of CD63-labelled compartments but did not change the number of fusion events. Further experiments are therefore needed to fully understand the function of SNAP29. To conclude, we have developed a novel screening assay that has allowed us to identify several SNAREs involved in the release of small EVs.
Germanium and precious metals (Ag–Au–Pt–Pd) at low temperature: the hematite–carbonate–selenide vein system of Tilkerode, Harz Mountains, Germany
Authors: Lohmeier Stephanie , Cabral Alexandre Raphael , Ehling Bodo-Carlo , Zeh Armin
Published: June 2023

At the historical Eskeborner Berg underground workings at Tilkerode (Eastern Harz Mountains, Germany), Fe was mined from a carbonate–hematite vein system that was locally enriched in selenide minerals. Clausthalite [PbSe] was the most abundant selenide mineral in a carbonate matrix with laths of specular hematite. To date, the selenide-bearing carbonate–hematite vein system at Tilkerode has not been geochemically investigated. Here, we present the first whole-rock chemical data for a wide suite of trace elements. The following metals are enriched relative to bulk continental crust (orders of magnitude in parentheses): Se (>105), Hg (>104), Ag and Pb (103), Au, Bi, Pt, Ge, Te, Pd and Cd (102). Samples from Tilkerode have up to 2640 ppm Ag, 338 ppm Ge, 1560 ppb Au, 970 ppb Pt and 365 ppb Pd, with Pt/Pd > 1, and a significant positive correlation of Ge vs. (Pd+Pt). The selenide mineralisation took place below 112 °C, the maximum temperature stability of umangite [Cu3Se2]. Our data indicate there is potential for prospecting Ge and precious metals in low-temperature vein systems.
Experimentelle und numerische Untersuchung von Fluid-Partikel-Interaktionen in Wasser
Authors: Gold T. , Worf D. , Reiterer K. , Habersack H. , Sindelar C.
Published: June 2023

Für die Entwicklung verbesserter Modelle zur Beschreibung des Sedimenttransports in Fließgewässern ist das grundlegende Verständnis der Interaktion zwischen den festen Partikeln und dem bewegten Fluid (Wasser) bedeutend. In diesem Beitrag werden aktuelle Entwicklungen im Bereich der Fluid-Partikel-Interaktion anhand von zwei konkreten Forschungsarbeiten von Gold et al. (2023) und Worf et al. (2022) vorgestellt. Die experimentelle Forschungsarbeit von Gold et al. (2023) untersucht mithilfe von Messmethoden auf dem neuesten Stand der Technik die Strömung rund um Kugeln verschiedener Dichte, die in anfangs ruhendem Wasser oszillieren. Über den gesamten Dichtebereich ($$m^{*}=\rho _{S}/\rho _{F}=$$

m
*

=

ρ
S

/

ρ

F

=

1,14; 14,95; Dichteverhältnis von Solid und Fluid) konnte für das Kugelpendel eine vergleichbare Charakteristik der Wirbelablösung festgestellt werden. Ebenso wird eine neue Methode der Objektverfolgung (DOT) vorgestellt, welche eine zeitlich und räumlich aufgelöste Analyse der Strömungsstrukturen im Fluidfeld ermöglicht. Gold et al. (2023) zeigen, dass es während der ersten Periode zur Wirbelablösung kommt. Dieser Wirbel pflanzt sich in Richtung Beckenboden fort und dissipiert letztendlich. Weiters wurde ein Dämpfungsoptimum des Kugelpendels im Bereich von $$m^{*}=2{,}50$$

m

∗

=
2

,

50
beobachtet. Außerdem wurde ein Experiment von einem Zylinderpendel mit $$m^{*}=4{,}98$$

m
*

=
4,98
mittels Immersed-Boundary-Methode numerisch untersucht. Dabei wurde der Vorgang der Bildung und Ablösung bis hin zum Zerfall eines Wirbelrings beschrieben. Zusätzlich wurde bei dieser Untersuchung von Worf et al. (2022) die Bildung von Randwirbeln beobachtet, beschrieben und mit der anfänglichen Entwicklung der dreidimensionalen Strömung und „zusätzlichen Masse“ in Verbindung gebracht.