bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Psychological Distress on Treatment Timeliness in Oncology Patients at a Safety-Net Hospital
Authors: Madhusudhana Sheshadri , Gates Michelle , Singh Daulath , Grover Punita , Indaram Mahathi , Cheng An-Lin
Published: October 2021

Background: Psychological distress is common in patients with cancer. Distress can affect patients’ engagement with treatment. We examined the relationship between psychological distress and treatment timeliness in a sample of adult oncology patients at a safety-net hospital. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of all patients screened for distress at a first outpatient oncology visit between March 1, 2014, and December 31, 2015 (n=500). The analytic sample (n=96) included patients with a new cancer diagnosis and a curative-intent treatment plan for lymphoma (stage I–IV), solid tumor malignancy (stage I–III), or head and neck cancer (stage I–IVb). Distress was measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Using Poisson regression, we determined the effects of depression and anxiety on treatment timeliness. Patient age, sex, race/ethnicity, insurance type, cancer site, and cancer stage were included as covariates. Results: Mean patient age was 54 years. The median treatment initiation interval was 28 days. Clinically significant anxiety was present in 34% of the sample, and clinically significant depression in 15%. Greater symptom severity in both anxiety and depression were associated with a longer treatment initiation interval after controlling for demographics and disease factors. The average days to treatment (DTT) was 4 days longer for patients with elevated anxiety scores and for those with elevated depression scores compared with those without. Overall survival was not associated with anxiety, depression, or DTT. Conclusions: In this safety-net patient sample, greater psychological distress was associated with slower time to treatment. As of writing, this is a new finding in the literature, and as such, replication studies utilizing diverse samples and distress measurement tools are needed.
INFLUENCE OF INTERCROPPING MAIZE WITH CLIMBING BEAN ON FORAGE YIELD AND QUALITY
Authors: UHER Darko , SVEČNJAK Zlatko , DUJMOVIĆ-PURGAR Dubravka , JAREŠ Dario , HORVATIĆ Ivan
Published: October 2021

Maize forage is poor in protein content which shows its low quality and nutritive value. Regarding to high feed costs of protein supplementations, legumes can be used in livestock nutrition for their high protein content and, thus, providing cost savings. Since legumes have low dry matter yield, acceptable forage yield and quality can obtained from intercropping cereals and legumes compared with their sole crops. In this study, maize (Zea mays L.) and climbing bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were intercropped in different sowing densities and their monocropping equivalents were tested to determine the best intercropping system on forage yield and quality. Maize was cultivated alone (75 000 plants ha-1) and intercropped with bean as follows: 75 000 plants ha-1 of maize and 37 500 plants ha-1 of bean (MB1), 75 000 plants ha-1 of maize and 50 000 plants ha-1 of bean (MB2) and 75 000 plants ha-1 of maize and 75 000 plants ha-1 of bean (MB3), in rows alternating with maize. The highest dry matter yield was produced by MB3 (20.9 t ha-1), and the lowest by maize (16.9 t ha-1). All intercropped systems had higher crude protein contents, MB1 (92 g kg-1 DM), MB2 (99 g kg-1 DM) and MB3 (110 g kg-1 DM), than the maize (77 g kg-1 DM). Intercropping of maize with bean reduced neutral and acid detergent fiber, resulting in increased forage digestibility. Therefore, maize intercropping with bean could substantially increase forage quantity and quality, and decrease requirements for protein supplements as compared with maize.
EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT (YCAD) PROGRAMME AMONG RURAL YOUTH IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: FILUSI Olajide Julius , AYINDE Julius Olatunde
Published: October 2021

The study described the socio-economic characteristics of the beneficiaries of the Youth Commercial Agricultural Development (YCAD) Programme in Ekiti State, Nigeria.Specifically, it identified type of enterprises in YCAD programme and isolated the factors influencing the effectiveness of the programme in the state. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 174 beneficiaries/respondents for the study. A validated interview schedule was used to collect data which were summarised with percentages, means and standard deviation while chi-square and correlation were used to draw inferences. Also, factor analysis was used to isolate factors influencing the programme effectiveness. Results showed that the mean age of respondents was 37±5years, mean household size was 5±2 persons, mean year of formal education was 15±2 years and mean monthly income was ₦41,000±23,000. Results, also, showed that arable crop enterprises (47.7%) and poultry (27%) were the most preferred enterprises by the beneficiaries in the study area followed by tree crops enterprise (12.6%) and aquaculture (12.6%)respectively. In addition, five crucial factors such as Institutional factor (26.672%), Personnel factor (16.345%), Socio-economicfactor (10.626%), Experience factor (9.243%) and Constraints factor (7.506%) were isolated. Further results showed that household size (r = 0.224; p ≤ 0.01) and years of formal education (r = 0.211; p ≤ 0.01) had positive and significant relationship with effectiveness of the YCAD programme. It was concluded from the study that YCAD was highly effective in employment generation, provision of incentives and creation of market for agricultural produce among the beneficiaries.
N. D. Neustroev – the Yakut classic writer
Authors: Okorokova Varvara Borisovna , Alekseeva Aiyyna Arkad'evna
Published: October 2021

The subject of this research is the creative path of N. D. Neustroev (1895–1929) – one of the first three founders of the Yakut literature. The object of this research is his literary works in the Russian and Yakut languages. The article examines such aspects of the topic as the pioneer of novella and comedy in the Yakut literature, and writing style. Special attention is given to the description of writer's contribution to development of the genres of Yakut literature, in which depicted the Yakut life and revealed the peculiarities of national character. The relevance of this research is substantiated by the fact that the works of N. D. Neustroev are poorly studied. The main results consists in determining the contribution of N. D. Neustroev to the development of Yakut literature; viewing him as the founder of the genres of novella and comedy in the Yakut literature; examining his works as continuation of the traditions of A. Kulakovsky and A. Sofronov in the area of problematic, themes and images. Analysis is conducted on the genre varieties of the novellas of N. D. Neustroev, beginning with the social and routine to the adventurous and philosophical. The novelty of this article consists in introduction of the essays and novellas of N. D. Neustroev into the scientific discourse for the first time.
Geospatial Analysis of the Impact of Flood and Drought Hazards on Crop Land and Its Relationship with Human Migration at the District Level in Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Islam Zubairul , Singh Sudhir Kumar
Published: October 2021

The main objective was to explore the connection between flood and drought hazards and their impact on crop land and human migration. The Flood and Drought effect on Cropland Index (FDCI), hot spot analysis and the Global Regression Analysis method was applied for the identification of the relationship between human migration and flood and drought hazards. The spatial pattern and hot and cold spots of FDCI, spatial autocorrelation and Getis-OrdGi* statistic techniques were used respectively. The FDCI was taken as an explanatory variable and human migration was taken as a dependent variable in the environment of the geographically weighted regression (GWR) model which was applied to measure the impact of flood and drought hazards on human migration. FDCI suggests a z-score of 4.9, which shows that the impact of flood and drought frequency on crop land is highly clustered. In the case of the hot spots analysis, out of seventy districts in Uttar Pradesh twenty-one were classified as hot spot and eight were classified as cold spots with a confidence level of 90 to 99%. Hot spot indicate maximum and cold spots show minimum impact of flood and drought hazards on crop land. The impact of flood and drought hazards on human migration show that there are fourteen districts where migration out is far more than predicted while there are ten districts where migration out is far lower.
The Hidden Life of the Basal Ganglia
Authors: Bergman Hagai
Published: October 2021

The anatomy and physiology of the basal ganglia and their relation to brain and behavior, disorders and therapies, and philosophy of mind and moral values.

The main task of the basal ganglia—a group of subcortical nuclei, located at the base of the brain—is to optimize and execute our automatic behavior. In this book, Hagai Bergman analyzes the anatomy and physiology of the basal ganglia, discussing their relation to brain and behavior, to disorders and therapies, and even to moral values. Drawing on his forty years of studying the basal ganglia, Bergman presents new information on physiology and computational models, Parkinson's disease and other ganglia-related disorders, and such therapies as deep brain stimulation.

Focusing on studies of nonhuman primates and human basal ganglia and relying on system physiology and in vivo extra-cellular recording techniques, Bergman first describes the major brain structures that constitute the basal ganglia, the morphology of their cellular elements, their synaptic connectivity and their physiological function in health and disease. He discusses the computational physiology of the healthy basal ganglia, describing four generations of computational models, and then traces the computational physiology of basal ganglia–related disorders and their treatments, including Parkinson's disease and its pharmacological and surgical therapies. Finally, Bergman considers the implications of these findings for such moral concerns as free will. Explaining this leap into domains rarely explored in neuroscientific accounts, Bergman writes that the longer he studies the basal ganglia, the more he is convinced that they are truly the base of both brain and mind.
Material Evolution with Nanotechnology, Nanoarchitectonics, and Materials Informatics: What will be the Next Paradigm Shift in Nanoporous Materials?
Authors: Chaikittisilp Watcharop , Yamauchi Yusuke , Ariga Katsuhiko
Published: October 2021

Materials science and chemistry have played a central and significant role in advancing society. With the shift toward sustainable living, it is anticipated that the development of functional materials will continue to be vital for sustaining life on our planet. In the recent decades, rapid progress has been made in materials science and chemistry owing to the advances in experimental, analytical, and computational methods, thereby producing several novel and useful materials. However, most problems in material development are highly complex. Here, the best strategy for the development of functional materials via the implementation of three key concepts is discussed: nanotechnology as a game changer, nanoarchitectonics as an integrator, and materials informatics as a super‐accelerator. Discussions from conceptual viewpoints and example recent developments, chiefly focused on nanoporous materials, are presented. It is anticipated that coupling these three strategies together will open advanced routes for the swift design and exploratory search of functional materials truly useful for solving real‐world problems. These novel strategies will result in the evolution of nanoporous functional materials.
Evaluation of electrochemically precipitated struvite as a fertilizer‐phosphorus source in flood‐irrigated rice
Authors: Omidire Niyi S. , Brye Kristofor R. , Roberts Trenton L. , Kekedy‐Nagy Laszlo , Greenlee Lauren , Gbur Edward E. , Mozzoni Leandro A.
Published: October 2021

Phosphorus (P) is a major contaminant in many wastewater sources and has gained interest due to the role P has in eutrophication of receiving waters. Recycling P from wastewater as the mineral struvite (MgNH4PO4 · 6H2O) could be a promising option to reduce P discharge into receiving waters and could potentially provide an alternative fertilizer‐P source for crop production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of two struvite materials (i.e., electrochemically precipitated struvite [ECST] and chemically precipitated struvite [CPST]) relative to several other common fertilizer‐P sources (i.e., triple super phosphate [TSP], monoammonium phosphate [MAP], diammonium phosphate [DAP], and rock phosphate [RP]) on the response of a pureline rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar grown under flood‐irrigation in a P‐deficient, silt‐loam soil (Typic Glossaqualfs) in eastern Arkansas. In 2019, rice grain yield did not differ (P > .05) among fertilizer‐P sources, whereas in 2020, rice grain yield was greater from TSP (13.1 Mg ha−1) than that from ESCT (11.0 Mg ha−1) or CPST (12.7 Mg ha−1). Rice aboveground dry matter, aboveground and belowground tissue and grain P and N concentrations, aboveground and grain tissue P uptake, and aboveground tissue N concentration from ECST and CPST did not differ (P > .05) from those from TSP, MAP, DAP, RP, or an unamended control. The similarities in rice responses compared with other commonly used, commercially available fertilizer‐P sources suggest that struvite materials have the potential to be an alternative fertilizer‐P source option for flood‐irrigated rice production.
Plastic and quantitative genetic divergence mirror environmental gradients among wild, fragmented populations of Impatiens capensis
Authors: Toczydlowski Rachel H. , Waller Donald M.
Published: October 2021

Premise

Habitat fragmentation generates molecular genetic divergence among isolated populations, but few studies have assessed phenotypic divergence and fitness in populations where the genetic consequences of habitat fragmentation are known. Phenotypic divergence could reflect plasticity, local adaptation, and/or genetic drift.

Methods

We examined patterns and potential drivers of phenotypic divergence among 12 populations of jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) that show strong molecular genetic signals of isolation and drift among fragmented habitats. We measured morphological and reproductive traits in both maternal plants within natural populations and their self‐fertilized progeny grown together in a common garden. We also quantified environmental divergence between home sites and the common garden.

Results

Populations with less molecular genetic variation expressed less maternal phenotypic variation. Progeny in the common garden converged in phenotypes relative to their wild mothers but retained among‐population differences in morphology, survival, and reproduction. Among‐population phenotypic variance was 3–10× greater in home sites than in the common garden for 6 of 7 morphological traits measured. Patterns of phenotypic divergence paralleled environmental gradients in ways suggestive of adaptation. Progeny resembled their mothers less as the environmental distance between their home site and the common garden increased.

Conclusions

Despite strong molecular signatures of isolation and drift, phenotypic differences among these Impatiens populations appear to reflect both adaptive quantitative genetic divergence and plasticity. Quantifying the extent of local adaptation and plasticity and how these covary with molecular and phenotypic variation help us predict when populations may lose their adaptive capacity.
Engineered Bio‐inspired Multifunctional Peptide‐ and Protein‐based Therapeutic Biomolecules for Better Wound Care
Authors: Gayen Paramita , Jan Somnath , Chowdhury Nilkanta , Ghosh Snehasish , Hembram Monjuri , Bagchi Angshuman , Sinha Roy Rituparna
Published: October 2021

Developing non‐immunogenic therapeutic biomolecules for facilitating blood clotting followed by wound healing via therapeutic angiogenesis, still remains a formidable challenge. Excessive blood loss of accident victims and battalions cause a huge number of deaths worldwide. Patients with inherited bleeding disorders face acute complications during injury and post‐surgery. Biologically‐inspired peptide‐based hemostat can act as a potential therapeutic for handling coagulopathy. Additionally, non‐healing wounds for patients having ischemic diseases can cause severe clinical complications. Advancement in stabilized growth‐factor‐based proangiogenic therapy may offer effective possibilities for the treatment of ischemic pathology. This review will discuss nature‐inspired biocompatible stabilized peptide‐ and protein‐based molecular medicines to serve unmet medical challenges for handling traumatic coagulopathy and impaired wound healing.
National trends and survival outcomes of penile squamous cell carcinoma based on human papillomavirus status
Authors: Chipollini Juan , Pollock Grant , Hsu Chiu‐Hsieh , Batai Ken , Recio‐Boiles Alejandro , Lee Benjamin R.
Published: October 2021

Background

There are no series evaluating penile squamous cell carcinoma (pSCC) based on human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Herein, we present national registry data on clinical and survival outcomes for pSCC based on HPV status.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of 1224 pSCC patients with known HPV staining from the National Cancer Database. Patients with cM1 disease, those who did not receive treatment, or had missing follow‐up data were excluded. Logistic regression identified factors associated with locally aggressive disease. Univariable, multivariable, and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW)‐Cox proportional hazard modeling were used to assess hazard ratios (HR) associated with overall survival (OS).

Results

After exclusion criteria, we identified 825 cases of which 321 (38.9%) were HPV positive. The HPV‐positivity rate did not significantly change by year. HPV‐positive patients were younger, had lower Charlson‐Deyo performance score, and resided in areas with both lower median household income and lower school education completion. HPV‐positive tumors presented with lower American Joint Committee on Cancer clinical T‐stage (cT), poorer differentiation, lower rates of lymphovascular invasion (LVI), but more node‐positive disease (cN+). For those who underwent lymph node surgery, there were no differences in final pathologic stage, upstaging, or presence of extranodal extension. Only tumor differentiation, LVI, and performance score were independent predictors for locally aggressive disease. HPV status was not a predictor of OS (IPTW‐HR:0.89, p = 0.13).

Conclusions

In the largest series evaluating pSCC based on HPV status, HPV‐positive tumors were associated with lower cT stages, less LVI, but more cN + disease. More studies on prognostic factors are needed, and time may still be immature to use HPV information for risk stratification.
Discovery of Isatin‐Based Carbohydrazones as Potential Dual Inhibitors of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase and Monoacylglycerol Lipase
Authors: Jaiswal Shivani , Ayyannan Senthil Raja
Published: October 2021

Using ligand‐based design strategy, a set of isatin‐3‐carbohydrazones was designed, synthesized and evaluated for dual fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibition properties. Compound 5‐chloro‐N′‐(5‐chloro‐2‐oxoindolin‐3‐ylidene)‐2‐hydroxybenzohydrazide (13 b) emerged as a potent MAGL inhibitor with nanomolar activity (IC50=3.33 nM), while compound 5‐chloro‐N′‐(1‐(4‐fluorobenzyl)‐2‐oxoindolin‐3‐ylidene)‐2‐hydroxybenzohydrazide (13 j) was the most potent selective FAAH inhibitor (IC50=37 nM). Compound 5‐chloro‐N′‐(6‐chloro‐2‐oxoindolin‐3‐ylidene)‐2‐hydroxybenzohydrazide (13 c) showed dual FAAH‐MAGL inhibitory activity with an IC50of 31 and 29 nM respectively. Enzyme kinetics studies revealed that the isatin‐based carbohydrazones are reversible inhibitors for both FAAH and MAGL. Further, blood‐brain permeability assay confirmed that the lead compounds (13 b,13 c,13 g,13 mand13 q) are suitable as CNS candidates. Molecular dynamics simulation studies revealed the putative binding modes and key interactions of lead inhibitors within the enzyme active sites. The lead dual FAAH‐MAGL inhibitor13 cshowed significant antioxidant activity and neuroprotection in the cell‐based cytotoxicity assay. In summary, the study yielded three potent FAAH/MAGL inhibitor compounds (13 b,13 cand13 j) with acceptable pharmacokinetic profile and thus can be considered as promising candidates for treating neurological and mood disorders.
Development of an Off‐Grid Solar‐Powered Autonomous Chemical Mini‐Plant for Producing Fine Chemicals
Authors: Masson Tom M. , Zondag Stefan D. A. , Kuijpers Koen P. L. , Cambié Dario , Debije Michael G. , Noël Timothy
Published: October 2021

Photochemistry using inexhaustible solar energy is an eco‐friendly way to produce fine chemicals outside the typical laboratory or chemical plant environment. However, variations in solar irradiation conditions and the need for an external energy source to power electronic components limits the accessibility of this approach. In this work, a chemical solar‐driven “mini‐plant” centred around a scaled‐up luminescent solar concentrator photomicroreactor (LSC‐PM) was built. To account for the variations in solar irradiance at ground level and passing clouds, a responsive control system was designed that rapidly adapts the flow rate of the reagents to the light received by the reaction channels. Supplying the plant with solar panels, integrated into the module by placing it behind the LSC to utilize the transmitted fraction of the solar irradiation, allowed this setup to be self‐sufficient and fully operational off‐grid. Such a system can shine in isolated environments and in a distributed manufacturing world, allowing to decentralize the production of fine chemicals.
Mechanisms of oligodendrocyte progenitor developmental migration
Authors: Xia Wenlong , Fancy Stephen P. J.
Published: October 2021

Oligodendrocytes, the myelinating cells of the central nervous system (CNS), develop from oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) that must first migrate extensively throughout the developing brain and spinal cord. Specified at particular times from discrete regions in the developing CNS, OPCs are one of the most migratory of cell types and disperse rapidly. A variety of factors act on OPCs to trigger intracellular changes that regulate their migration. We will discuss factors that act as long‐range guidance cues, those that act to regulate cellular motility, and those that are critical in determining the final positioning of OPCs. In addition, recent evidence has identified the vasculature as the physical substrate used by OPCs for their migration. Several new findings relating to this oligodendroglial–vascular signaling axis reveal new insight on the relationship between OPCs and blood vessels in the developing and adult brain.
Using seminatural and simulated habitats for seed germination ecology of banana wild relatives
Authors: Kallow Simon , Quaghebeur Katrijn , Panis Bart , Janssens Steven B. , Dickie John , Gueco Lavernee , Swennen Rony , Vandelook Filip
Published: October 2021

Ecologically meaningful seed germination experiments are constrained by access to seeds and relevant environments for testing at the same time. This is particularly the case when research is carried out far from the native area of the studied species.

Here, we demonstrate an alternative—the use of glasshouses in botanic gardens as simulated‐natural habitats to extend the ecological interpretation of germination studies. Our focal taxa were banana crop wild relatives (Musa acuminata subsp. burmannica, Musa acuminata subsp. siamea, and Musa balbisiana), native to tropical and subtropical South‐East Asia. Tests were carried out in Belgium, where we performed germination tests in relation to foliage‐shading/exposure to solar radiation and seed burial depth, as well as seed survival and dormancy release in the soil. We calibrated the interpretation of these studies by also conducting an experiment in a seminatural habitat in a species native range (M. balbisiana—Los Baños, the Philippines), where we tested germination responses to exposure to sun/shade. Using temperature data loggers, we determined temperature dynamics suitable for germination in both these settings.

In these seminatural and simulated‐natural habitats, seeds germinated in response to exposure to direct solar radiation. Seed burial depth had a significant but marginal effect by comparison, even when seeds were buried to 7 cm in the soil. Temperatures at sun‐exposed compared with shaded environments differed by only a few degrees Celsius. Maximum temperature of the period prior to germination was the most significant contributor to germination responses and germination increased linearly above a threshold of 23℃ to the maximum temperature in the soil (in simulated‐natural habitats) of 35℃.

Glasshouses can provide useful environments to aid interpretation of seed germination responses to environmental niches.
Water‐Induced Formation of α‐MoO3 Microcrystals as Anode Buffer Layer for Highly Efficient Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Gong Yongshuai , Yu Runnan , Wei Xueqi , Zhao Biao , Zou Cao , Hu Siqin , Tan Zhan'ao
Published: October 2021

Interfacial modification is an effective method to improve the performance of polymer solar cells (PSCs), and molybdenum oxide is one of the most widely used anode buffer layer (ABL) materials in PSCs. However, the complicated preparations with high‐temperature annealing or vacuum deposition make it uneconomic. Herein, a facile method to prepare MoOx solution in 1‐hexanol is proposed, and the component of the product can be simply adjusted by controlling the amount of introduced water. The added water facilitates the generation of α‐MoO3 microcrystals. To the best of our knowledge, this is also the first report to obtain α‐MoO3 through such a simple method. The obtained MoOx solutions are utilized to fabricate ABL in high efficiency PSCs to improve the performance. High temperature treatment is omitted, while the PCEs of binary and ternary devices can be enhanced to 16.09% and 16.81%, respectively, significantly higher than the devices with PEDOT:PSS ABL (15.55% and 15.93%). Herein, an efficient method to prepare MoOx solution in 1‐hexanol with controlled component is offered, and it is demonstrated that the MoOx ABL derived from the MoOx solution is a potential replacement to enhance the performance of high efficiency PSCs.
Chief executive officer power and initial public offering underpricing: Examining the influence of demand‐side cultural power distance
Authors: Krause Ryan , Chen Juanyi , Bruton Garry D. , Filatotchev Igor
Published: October 2021

Research Summary

Initial public offering (IPO) underpricing reflects the inability of early investors to capture the full value of an entrepreneurial firm. IPO firms can potentially limit underpricing by signaling wealth protection through lower chief executive officer (CEO) power. Such signaling is particularly challenging for many IPO firms, though, because for those doing business in high‐power‐distance cultures, CEO power can also signal wealth creation, making CEO power a mixed signal for IPO investors. Drawing on signaling theory, we argue that CEO power is positively associated with IPO underpricing, but this relationship weakens for IPO firms doing business in countries with high cultural power distance because the information signaled becomes less clear. The signaling impact of both CEO power and demand‐side cultural power distance weakens, however, when underwriter reputation offers a substitute signal.

Managerial Summary

This research offers new knowledge for IPO corporate governance practitioners, such as entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, underwriters, and regulators. Specifically, our research demonstrates that the power dynamic in the upper echelons has implications for demand‐side legitimacy or making U.S.‐listed firms more legitimate with international customers. As a result, stockholders and securities analysts who balk at the consolidation of CEO power should consider the potential benefits that such consolidation of power might grant the firm when competing in different cultural environments associated with foreign markets.
Highly Emissive and Stable Five‐Coordinated Manganese(II) Complex for X‐Ray Imaging
Authors: Meng Haixing , Zhu Wenjuan , Li Feiyang , Huang Xiaomeng , Qin Yanyan , Liu Shujuan , Yang Yang (Michael) , Huang Wei , Zhao Qiang
Published: October 2021

Nowadays, the development of X‐ray imaging has promoted the demand for new‐type scintillators, among which low‐toxic manganese(II) complexes have attracted burgeoning research interest. Herein, a highly stable manganese(II) complex with peculiar five‐coordinated modes is reported, which exhibits strong yellow emission peaked at 583 nm originating from d‐d transition of Mn2+ with high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) up to 93%. The five‐coordinated manganese(II) complex has been rarely reported so far which is an innovative spot in the field of photofunctional metal complex. Thanks to the high PLQY and relatively large stokes shift, the manganese(II) complex yields bright yellow emission under low‐dose X‐ray irradiation and delivers excellent linear response to X‐ray, highlighting its suitability for X‐ray contrast imaging. Based on this, highly resolved X‐ray imaging is successfully achieved that can meet the requirements of many application scenarios. In addition, this manganese(II) complex demonstrates excellent radiation hardness, humidity resistance, and heat stability, indicating the application potential of scintillators in harsh environments. This research not only provides guidance for the design and fabrication of highly luminescent manganese(II)‐based complexes, but also demonstrates the potential of manganese(II)‐based complexes as scintillators for X‐ray imaging technology.
Negative Thermal Expansion of Carbon Nanotube Bundles
Authors: Galiakhmetova Leysan Kh. , Korznikova Elena A. , Kudreyko Aleksey A. , Dmitriev Sergey V.
Published: October 2021

A bundle of aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) under lateral loading and heating is considered under plane strain conditions within the framework of a molecular dynamics model with a reduced number of degrees of freedom. Bundles of CNTs of sufficiently large diameter exhibit negative lateral thermal expansion. The coefficient of thermal expansion is practically constant up to a temperature of 1500 K and practically does not depend on biaxial lateral compression up to a volumetric compressive strain of 0.06. This anomalous behavior is explained by the two mechanisms: elliptization of the CNT cross section and bending of the CNT walls by thermal fluctuations. Elliptization leads to a decrease in the cross‐sectional area of the CNT, and the bending of the CNT wall leads to a decrease in the effective diameter of the CNT. A bundle with CNTs of the largest investigated diameter demonstrates a large negative coefficient of linear thermal expansion,  K−1, which is weakly dependent on temperature.
Thermal Processes and their Impact on Surface‐Related Degradation
Authors: Hamer Phillip , Chen Daniel , Bonilla Ruy Sebastian
Published: October 2021

Surface‐related degradation (SRD) is a phenomenon whereby recombination in the near‐surface region of silicon wafers increases under elevated temperatures with or without carrier injection. Because of its importance for solar cell processing and operation, SRD occurring under light soaking at temperatures between 80 and 200 °C has recently attracted great interest. In this work, two post‐firing processes that can affect the formation of SRD are investigated. The first is the replacement of the passivating dielectric layers and the second is the use of thermal annealing between 300 and 400 °C. Post‐firing etching and redeposition of dielectric layers have minimal impact on subsequent degradation. In contrast, a thermal anneal at 400 °C for 30 min can reduce the extent of SRD by a factor of 6. These results imply that the interface between silicon and the dielectric itself is not the critical factor in the formation of SRD. The most likely explanation is that thermal processing causes an alteration in the silicon substrate that affects the subsequent formation of SRD.
A Carry‐On Kit Containing Electrospun Nanofibrous Affinity Membranes by Surface Grafting Phenylboronic Acid for Quantitative Enrichment of Nucleotides in Urine
Authors: Zhai Xinhui , Lin Lulu , Wang Yongxing , An Haoyu , Shen Weiyang , Chen Rong
Published: October 2021

It has great potential to develop a carry‐on kit for quantitatively enrich nucleotide biomolecules in biological urine. In this study, the electrospun nanofibrous membranes were fabricated on and tailored along the circular coverslips for 6‐well orifice plates with specific surface area. After hydrophilic modification by plasma, the orifice membranes were grafted with phenylboronic acids as functional groups by EDC‐NHS reaction. Various morphological characterization showed effective introduction of quantitative phenylboronic acid groups onto the surface of the membranes. The sampling and chromatographic conditions were optimized for quantitative enrichment of nucleotides in urine by the affinity membranes in the orifice plate well. The carry‐on kit containing the affinity membranes exhibit considerable sensitivity (LOD 5.0 ng mL−1) and quantification (recoveries: 78.5 %–93.1 %) for spiked nucleotides in urine. It is low‐cost, convenient, and has great potential for developing standard operation procedure of quantitative enrichment of nucleotides in complex uric matrix with controllable adsorption capacities.
Optimal Allocation Method for a Fair Distribution of the Benefits in an Energy Community
Authors: Casalicchio Valeria , Manzolini Giampaolo , Prina Matteo Giacomo , Moser David
Published: October 2021

Since their introduction in the EU RED II Directive in 2018, energy communities are a key topic for distributed photovoltaic systems. However, the distribution of the economic benefit among participants and the evaluation of the best composition of the energy community are still to be fully understood. Herein, a method for the optimal distribution of the benefit among participants based on their own contribution to the system is proposed. This method will be compared to other possible allocation methods and to achieve this, an energy community model which considers energy exchanges and economic expenditures is used. This model is a linear programming model based on a single‐objective optimization approach. The user economic contribution to the community can be quantified through sequential optimizations. The composition of energy communities affects the result of the optimization, as well as the contribution of each user: the total effective contribution of the participants is higher when the composition is more heterogeneous and the overall payoff in the analyzed case study increases by 12% passing from the lowest to the highest possible heterogeneity. In this latter scenario, users contribute differently as well, and their contribution is measured and ranges between 10% and 97%.
Efficiency Improvement of All‐Small‐Molecule Organic Solar Cells Through Fused‐Aromatic‐Ring Side‐Chained Donors
Authors: Hu Chao , Xu Jingjing , Cai Songming , Huang Peihao , Oh Jiyeon , Yang Changduk , Chen Shanshan , Sun Kuan , Yang Ke , Lu Shirong
Published: October 2021

Side‐chain engineering influences the organic solar cell (OSC) devices active layer morphology fundamentally and it is an efficient strategy to improve device performances. A novel small molecular donor with conjugated fused‐aromatic‐ring side chain on a benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene core is developed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example where fused‐aromatic‐ring units are being utilized as conjugated side chains to extend the conjugation system of small molecular donor materials. The material property, OSC device performance, active layer morphology, and photovoltaic mechanism are investigated. This molecular design strategy has proven to be effective in fine‐tuning and enhancing the molecular stacking/orientation and phase separation, which led to the enhanced charge separation and transportation, suppressed charge recombination, and as a result, devices with an improved short‐circuit current density of 24.9 mA cm−2, fill factor of 69.9%, and power conversion efficiency of 13.6% are achieved. The results reveal that a fused‐aromatic‐ring utilized as conjugated side chain strategy can potentially be an effective way for molecular rational design, aiming to improve the OSC performances.
Exact equilibrium distributions in statistical quantum field theory with rotation and acceleration: Dirac field
Authors: Palermo A. , Buzzegoli M. , Becattini F.
Published: October 2021

Abstract

We derive the general exact forms of the Wigner function, of mean values of conserved currents, of the spin density matrix, of the spin polarization vector and of the distribution function of massless particles for the free Dirac field at global thermodynamic equilibrium with rotation and acceleration, extending our previous results obtained for the scalar field. The solutions are obtained by means of an iterative method and analytic continuation, which lead to formal series in thermal vorticity. In order to obtain finite values, we extend to the fermionic case the method of analytic distillation introduced for bosonic series. The obtained mean values of the stress-energy tensor, vector and axial currents for the massless Dirac field are in agreement with known analytic results in the special cases of pure acceleration and pure rotation. By using this approach, we obtain new expressions of the currents for the more general case of combined rotation and acceleration and, in the pure acceleration case, we demonstrate that they must vanish at the Unruh temperature.
Remarks on fermions in a dipole magnetic field
Authors: Murugan Jeff , Shock Jonathan P. , Slayen Ruach Pillay
Published: October 2021

Abstract

This work is a continuation of our recent study of non-relativistic charged particles, confined to a sphere enclosing a magnetic dipole at its center [1]. In this sequel, we extend our computations in two significant ways. The first is to a relativistic spin-$$ \frac{1}{2} $$

1
2

fermion and the second concerns the interpretation of the physics. Whereas in [1] we speculated on the possibility of observing such condensed matter systems in the astrophysics of extreme magnetic sources such as neutron stars, the physical systems in this study are more down-to-earth objects such as a C60 fullerine enclosing a current loop. We unpack some of the details of our previous analysis for the spinless fermion on the dipole sphere and adapt it to solve the eigenvalue problem for the single-particle Dirac Hamiltonian. In the strong-field/small-radius limit, the spectrum of the spin-$$ \frac{1}{2} $$

1
2

Hamiltonian, like the spinless case, exhibits a Landau level structure in the |m| ≪ Q regime. It features a new, additional (approximately) zero-energy lowest Landau level which persists into the |m| < Q regime. As in the spinless system, the spectrum exhibits level-crossing as the strength of the magnetic field increases, with the wavefunctions localising at the poles in the strong-field/small-radius limit.
The qT and ∆ϕ spectra in W and Z production at the LHC at N3LL′+N2LO
Authors: Ju Wan-Li , Schönherr Marek
Published: October 2021

Abstract

The production of weak gauge bosons, W± and Z, are at the core of the LHC precision measurement program. Their transverse momentum spectra as well as their pairwise ratios are key theoretical inputs to many high-precision analyses, ranging from the W mass measurement to the determination of parton distribution functions. Owing to the different properties of the W and Z boson and the different accessible fiducial regions for their measurement, a simple one-dimensional correlation is insufficient to capture the differing vector and axial-vector dynamics of the produced lepton pair. We propose to correlate them in two observables, the transverse momentum qT of the lepton pair and its azimuthal separation ∆ϕ. Both quantities are purely transverse and therefore accessible in all three processes, either directly or by utilising the missing transverse momentum of the event. We calculate all the single-differential qT and ∆ϕ as well as the double-differential (qT, ∆ϕ) spectra for all three processes at N3LL′+N2LO accuracy, resumming small transverse momentum logarithms in the soft-collinear effective theory approach and including all singlet and non-singlet contributions. Using the double-differential cross sections we build the pairwise ratios $$ {\mathrm{\mathcal{R}}}_{W^{+}/Z} $$

ℛ

W
+

/
Z

, $$ {\mathrm{\mathcal{R}}}_{W^{-}/Z} $$

ℛ

W
−

/
Z

, and $$ {\mathrm{\mathcal{R}}}_{W^{+}/{W}^{-}} $$

ℛ

W
+

/

W
−

and determine their uncertainties assuming fully correlated, partially correlated, and uncorrelated uncertainties in the respective numerators and denominators. In the preferred partially correlated case we find uncertainties of less than 1% in most phase space regions and up to 3% in the lowest qT region.
On Baer cones in $$\mathrm {PG}(3, q)$$
Authors: Napolitano Vito
Published: October 2021

Recently, in Innamorati and Zuanni (J. Geom 111:45, 2020. 10.1007/s00022-020-00557-0) the authors give a characterization of a Baer cone of $$\mathrm {PG}(3, q^2)$$

PG
(
3
,

q
2

)

, q a prime power, as a subset of points of the projective space intersected by any line in at least one point and by every plane in $$q^2+1$$

q
2

+
1

, $$q^2+q+1$$

q
2

+
q
+
1

or $$q^3+q^2+1$$

q
3

+

q
2

+
1

points. In this paper, we show that a similar characterization holds even without assuming that the order of the projective space is a square, and weakening the assumptions on the three intersection numbers with respect to the planes.
Projective Metric Geometry and Clifford Algebras
Authors: Havlicek Hans
Published: October 2021

Each vector space that is endowed with a quadratic form determines its Clifford algebra. This algebra, in turn, contains a distinguished group, known as the Lipschitz group. We show that only a quotient of this group remains meaningful in the context of projective metric geometry. This quotient of the Lipschitz group can be viewed as a point set in the projective space on the Clifford algebra and, under certain restrictions, leads to an algebraic description of so-called kinematic mappings.
The geometric Burge correspondence and the partition function of polymer replicas
Authors: Bisi Elia , O’Connell Neil , Zygouras Nikos
Published: October 2021

We construct a geometric lifting of the Burge correspondence as a composition of local birational maps on generic Young-diagram-shaped arrays. We establish its fundamental relation to the geometric Robinson-Schensted-Knuth correspondence and to the geometric Schützenberger involution. We also show a number of properties of the geometric Burge correspondence, specializing them to the case of symmetric input arrays. In particular, our construction shows that such a mapping is volume preserving in log-log variables. As an application, we consider a model of two polymer paths of given length constrained to have the same endpoint, known aspolymer replica. We prove that the distribution of the polymer replica partition function in a log-gamma random environment is a Whittaker measure, and deduce the corresponding Whittaker integral identity. For a certain choice of the parameters, we notice a distributional identity between our model and the symmetric log-gamma polymer studied by O’Connell, Seppäläinen, and Zygouras (2014).
Der Europäische MSM Internet Survey als Grundlage für die Präventionsarbeit in Deutschland für Männer, die Sex mit Männern haben
Authors: Marcus Ulrich , Schink Susanne B.
Published: October 2021

Hintergrund

Sexuelle Minderheiten sind in hohem Maße anfällig für sexuell übertragbare Infektionen (STI), psychische Probleme wie Depressionen und Suizidalität sowie für gesundheitliche und soziale Probleme, die mit Substanzkonsum assoziiert sind.

Ziel der Arbeit

Wir beschreiben ausgewählte Ergebnisse aus dem Europäischen MSM Internet Survey (EMIS) 2017, eine der größten Onlinebefragungen von Männern, die Sex mit Männern haben (MSM), und diskutieren deren Implikationen für die Prävention in Deutschland.

Material und Methoden

Das übergeordnete Ziel von EMIS-2017 war es, Daten für die Planung von HIV- und STI-Präventions- und -Behandlungsprogrammen zu erheben. Die Zielpopulation waren in Europa lebende MSM. Der Fragebogen enthielt Fragen zu Demografie, Morbiditäten, Verhalten, Bedarfen und Interventionen. Die deutschen Teilnehmer wurden von 10/2017 bis 01/2018 vor allem über 2 große Onlinedatingplattformen rekrutiert.

Ergebnisse und Diskussion

EMIS-2017 zeigt, dass MSM stark von psychischen Belastungen und STI betroffen sind. Jüngere MSM leiden verstärkt unter depressiven Störungen und Suizidalität, während bei älteren MSM der Konsum von Alkohol und anderen psychoaktiven Substanzen bedeutsam ist.

MSM sind von STI stärker betroffen als Heterosexuelle. Viele STI verursachen keine oder nur untypische Beschwerden, daher wird ein Screening auf der Basis einer Risikoeinschätzung favorisiert. Für einen Teil der STI gibt es bislang keine medizinischen und/oder Public-Health-Erkenntnisse, die für eine Behandlung asymptomatischer Infektionen sprechen. EMIS-2017 identifizierte Bedarfe nach Untergruppen in Bezug auf Wissenslücken zu HIV-Post- und HIV-Präexpositionsprophylaxe (PEP, PrEP), Erreichbarkeit durch Informations- und Präventionsangebote sowie unzureichende Nutzung dieser Angebote.
Diversifizierung der Rauchentwöhnungsprogramme – die Rolle der E-Zigarette
Authors: Stöver Heino
Published: October 2021

Ob E‑Zigaretten ein nützliches Werkzeug zur Rauchentwöhnung sind, ist in der Wissenschaft bis heute hoch umstritten. In der Realität steigen aber kontinuierlich die Zahlen derer, die mithilfe dieses Produktes versuchen, sich den Tabakkonsum abzugewöhnen. Dieser Diskussionsbeitrag gibt einen Überblick über die aktuelle Forschung zur Frage, ob und inwiefern E‑Zigaretten tatsächlich beim Rauchausstieg helfen können.

Zwar besitzt die E‑Zigarette auch ein gewisses Schadenspotenzial, insbesondere dann, wenn der Nikotinkonsum unnötig verlängert wird. Dennoch kann sie einen wichtigen Beitrag zur Schadensminimierung bei einer Nikotinabhängigkeit leisten. Daher sollte das Produkt auch in der wissenschaftlichen Diskussion als eine ernsthafte Alternative zu Nikotinersatztherapien (NET) behandelt werden. Denn die E‑Zigarette bietet eine weniger schädliche Aufnahmeform für Nikotin an, die viele gesundheitliche Risiken des Tabakkonsums wie die Aufnahme karzinogener Stoffe stark reduziert. Aktuelle Studien und Übersichtsarbeiten deuten darauf hin, dass das Produkt mindestens genauso effektiv helfen kann wie NET. Einzelne Studien weisen sogar eine erhöhte Effektivität der E‑Zigarette bei der Unterstützung eines Rauchausstiegs nach.

Nichtsdestotrotz zeigt die Beschäftigung mit der aktuellen Literatur, dass weitere hochwertige Forschung notwendig ist, um das Produkt und seine Eigenschaften noch besser zu verstehen. Im Sinne des Ansatzes der Harm Reduction (Schadensminderung) wäre es allerdings schon heute vernünftiger, auch auf die E‑Zigarette zu setzen, anstatt die sofortige und vollständige Nikotinabstinenz erzwingen zu wollen. Denn beim Prozess des Rauchausstiegs ist eine schnellstmögliche Beendigung des stärker gesundheitsschädlichen Konsums von Tabak zu priorisieren, um unnötige gesundheitliche Risiken umgehend zu minimieren.