bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the effect of accelerated ultraviolet aging on mini‐PV modules encapsulated with different poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) formulations
Authors: Desai Umang , Sharma Bhuwanesh Kumar , Singh Aparna
Published: September 2023

One of the hindering issues for the long‐term reliability of the photovoltaic (PV) modules is the degradation of poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) (PEVA)—a popular encapsulant material. As a globally accepted practice, PEVA is required to have the vinyl acetate (VA) content between 28–33% by weight for encapsulation application in the PV modules. Recent studies have indicated stability improvements in the bare encapsulant layer when the VA content is reduced up to 18%. However, effect of UV aging on the PEVA films encapsulated using these VA contents have not been studied at the module level. Therefore, in this work, we have fabricated mini‐modules containing PEVA films that contain 18, 24 or 33% VA content and have subsequently been subjected to UV aging (1000 hours at 340 nm wavelength and 65C). The assessment of the durability at both the mini‐module and materials level has been made using various characterization techniques such as current–voltage characteristics, adhesion strength measurement, fluorescence imaging and spectra, FTIR, Raman spectra, volume resistivity and TGA. YI for the free‐standing films of PEVA18, PEVA24 and PEVA33 after 1000 hours of UV aging was slightly less than the YI values for the corresponding laminated films of PEVAs in mini‐PV modules after similar hours of aging. This work shows for the first time that increasing the VA content in PEVA increases the fluorescence intensity and contour size in the encapsulated polymer after UV aging. FTIR analysis indicates deacetylation of PEVA33 which resulted in discoloration (increased ΔYI) and has adversely affected the adhesion strength and power output after UV aging. Compared to PEVA33, the modules containing PEVA18 and PEVA24 are resilient against UV aging for all the properties. Hence, this study recommends using PEVA with 24% VA content as an encapsulant as it presents best combination of the adhesion strength and the environmental stability.
Elevated risk for developmental disabilities in children with congenital heart defects
Authors: Delgado Christine , Ullery Mary Anne , Zeng Guangyu , Simpson Elizabeth A. , Tanner J. P. , Kirby Russell S. , Duclos Chris , Lowry Joseph , Salemi Jason L.
Published: September 2023

Background

This study examined risk for developmental disabilities in preschool‐aged children with a congenital heart defect (CHD) at the population level.

Methods

Statewide birth, birth defects, and preschool developmental disability records were integrated. The final sample included 1,966,585 children (51.0% male). Children were grouped by type(s) of CHD: critical CHD, noncritical CHD, atrial septal defect, or no major birth defects (groups were mutually exclusive).

Results

Children with a CHD (any type) were at increased risk for developmental disability (any type) (RR 2.08, 95% CI 2.03–2.14, P < .001). Children in the critical CHD, noncritical CHD, and atrial septal defect groups were at increased risk for developmental delay, intellectual disability, language impairment, other health impairment, and any disability. Children in the atrial septal defect group were at increased risk for autism spectrum disorder and speech impairment. For all CHD groups, risk was greatest for other health impairment and intellectual disability.

Conclusions

Increased risk for developmental disabilities was identified for children with less severe CHDs as well as for children with more severe (critical) CHDs. All children with CHDs should be closely monitored so that appropriate interventions can be initiated as early as possible to maximize learning outcomes.
The ups and downs in perceived societal appreciation of the teaching profession during COVID‐19: A longitudinal trajectory analysis
Authors: Kim Lisa E. , Owusu Keziah , Asbury Kathryn
Published: September 2023

Given the disruptions the COVID‐19 pandemic has engendered in people's professional lives, the importance and contribution of certain workforces has been under particular scrutiny. In England, the teaching profession has been under particularly close public scrutiny, with concerns that teachers’ perceived social appreciation may have decreased throughout the pandemic. Thus, the current study examined the trajectory of teachers’ perceptions of how much society, policymakers and the media had valued the teaching profession throughout this time. With an initial sample of 24 primary and secondary teachers in mainstream state schools in England, 54 online interviews took place at three time points: when school buildings were partially reopened for the first time (June 2020), when they were partially closed for the second time (February 2021) and when they were fully reopened for 16 months (July 2022). Three themes were identified in the data using a longitudinal trajectory analysis based on reflexive thematic analysis: ‘initial admiration from local communities progressively waned’, ‘continuous government disrespect towards teachers’ and ‘initial media vitriol towards teachers was sustained’. Implications for how teachers and other stakeholders in education can most effectively work together for the benefit of the health and effectiveness of the teaching profession and the educational system are considered in the context of the associated risks when teachers have low levels of perceived social appreciation.
Introducing high school biology students to biochemistry with a short, content‐oriented module
Authors: Harrold Archer , Cruikshank Allison , Penas Bryan , Roston Rebecca L.
Published: September 2023

Many STEM disciplines are underrepresented to High School students. This is problematic as many students' decisions for college are shaped by their experiences and achievements in high school. Short content‐oriented modules have been shown to encourage science identity and otherwise benefit the students' learning. Following the ASBMB's outreach protocol, we developed a short content‐oriented module aimed at a high school biology classroom. Students interacted with 3D models of DNA and transcription factors while exploring structure–function relationships and introductory biochemistry topics. The high school teacher was impressed with the students' response to the module, specifically the ease with which students learned, their enthusiasm, and their recall of the experience. We provide all materials necessary to use this module, including student worksheet and printable model coordinates. We encourage both high school instructors and professional biochemists to consider similar module using physical models.
Enhanced rich club connectivity in mild or moderate depression after nonpharmacological treatment: A preliminary study
Authors: Long Zhiliang , Chen Danni , Lei Xu
Published: September 2023

Introduction

It has been suggested that the rich club organization in major depressive disorder (MDD) was altered. However, it remained unclear whether the rich club organization could be served as a biomarker that predicted the improvement of clinical symptoms in MDD.

Methods

The current study included 29 mild or moderate patients with MDD, who were grouped into a treatment group (receiving cognitive behavioral therapy or real‐time fMRI feedback treatment) and a no‐treatment group. Resting‐state MRI scans were obtained for all participants. Graph theory was employed to investigate the treatment‐related changes in network properties and rich club organization.

Results

We found that patients in the treatment group had decreased depressive symptom scores and enhanced rich club connectivity following the nonpharmacological treatment. Moreover, the changes in rich club connectivity were significantly correlated with the changes in depressive symptom scores. In addition, the nonpharmacological treatment on patients with MDD increased functional connectivity mainly among the salience network, default mode network, frontoparietal network, and subcortical network. Patients in the no‐treatment group did not show significant changes in depressive symptom scores and rich club organization.

Conclusions

Those results suggested that the remission of depressive symptoms after nonpharmacological treatment in MDD patients was associated with the increased efficiency of global information processing.
Can action tendencies be counteracted by inducing incompatible emotions? Considering instances of anxiety and anger
Authors: Elkjær Emma , Kuppens Peter , Mikkelsen Mai B. , O'Toole Mia S.
Published: September 2023

Background

The incompatible response hypothesis suggests that emotions and other affective states can counteract each other when incompatible. With the present study, we focused on two negative emotions (anger and anxiety) associated with different action tendencies (approach vs. avoidance). Specifically, we wanted to investigate if an anxiety manipulation, subsequent to an anger manipulation, would show a counteracting effect of the approach action tendencies associated with the initial anger manipulation and vice versa for anxiety and avoidance tendencies.

Methods

We conducted a preregistered online experiment (N = 173). We evaluated changes from when the individual (1) was presented with a task in relation to a specific goal (e.g., anxiety induction: recordings of students’ view on climate changes), (2) received a subsequent emotion induction framed within an unrelated task and goal (e.g., anger induction: student feedback on changes to the economic student compensation system), (3) after which they were asked to return to the initial task (e.g., from the anger induction back to the anxiety induction). Primary outcomes included visual and verbal measures of action tendencies, and secondary outcomes included appraisals and emotion experience.

Results

The results showed no evidence of a counteractive effect by inducing emotions unrelated to the initial task and with incompatible action tendencies. Rather, results pointed to spill‐over effects, which should be seen in light of the anger conditions resulting not only in increase anger and irritability but also anxiety and nervousness.

Conclusions

The lack of counteractive effects could be due to either the mixed emotions induced by the anger condition or the compatibility of motivational context (i.e., threat) of anxiety and anger. Future research needs to refine the incompatible response hypothesis, honing the ways in which incompatibility is needed for emotion alteration, for instance by investigating the role of the motivational context.
Beta IV spectrin inhibits the metastatic growth of melanoma by suppressing VEGFR2‐driven tumor angiogenesis
Authors: Kwak Eun‐A. , Ahmed Tasmia , Flores Paola Cruz , Ortiz Hannah R. , Langlais Paul R. , Mythreye Karthikeyan , Lee Nam Y.
Published: September 2023

Background

Tumor‐associated angiogenesis mediates the growth and metastasis of most solid cancers. Targeted therapies of the VEGF pathways can effectively block these processes but often fail to provide lasting benefits due to acquired resistance and complications.

Results

Recently, we discovered βIV‐spectrin as a powerful regulator of angiogenesis and potential new target. We previously reported that βIV‐spectrin is dynamically expressed in endothelial cells (EC) to induce VEGFR2 protein turnover during development. Here, we explored how βIV‐spectrin influences the tumor vasculature using the murine B16 melanoma model and determined that loss of EC‐specific βIV‐spectrin dramatically promotes tumor growth and metastasis. Intraperitoneally injected B16 cells formed larger tumors with increased tumor vessel density and greater propensity for metastatic spread particularly to the chest cavity and lung compared to control mice. These results support βIV‐spectrin as a key regulator of tumor angiogenesis and a viable vascular target in cancer.
When consumers have difficulty understanding ads: How technical language lowers purchase intention
Authors: Liu Jiayao , Hong Xinyue , Zheng Zhixing , Zhong Jianan
Published: September 2023

Technical language refers to field‐specific professional terms that are unfamiliar to general consumers. Despite consumers' lack of familiarity with technical language, it is still used in advertisements for various products. Here, we find that technical language reduces consumers' willingness to purchase the advertised products because such language reduces their processing fluency (Study 1 and Study 2). We further show that (1) when consumers have relevant knowledge (Study 3) and (2) when the advertised product is a typical technology product (Study 4), the negative effect of technical language is attenuated. Together, these three findings constitute evidence that processing fluency is a mechanism by which consumers' purchase intention is decreased following their exposure to technical language in advertising, suggesting that using technical language in ads may not be the best option.
Impact of preprocedural anemia on in‐hospital and follow‐up outcomes of chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Rempakos Athanasios , Kostantinis Spyridon , Simsek Bahadir , Karacsonyi Judit , Alexandrou Michaella , Choi James W. , Poommipanit Paul , Khatri Jaikirshan J. , Young Laura , Davies Rhian , Benton Stewart , Jaffer Farouc A. , Chandwaney Raj , Azzalini Lorenzo , Alaswad Khaldoon , Jefferson Brian , Frizzell Jarrod , Abi‐Rafeh Nidal , Elguindy Ahmed , Goktekin Omer , Rangan Bavana V. , Mastrodemos Olga C. , Allana Salman S. , Sandoval Yader , Burke Nicholas M. , Brilakis Emmanouil S. , Gorgulu Sevket
Published: September 2023

Background

The impact of preprocedural anemia on the outcomes of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has received limited study.

Methods

We examined the clinical and angiographic characteristics and procedural outcomes of 8633 CTO PCIs performed at 39 US and non‐US centers between 2012 and 2023. Anemia was defined as a hemoglobin level of <13 g/dL in men and <12 g/dL in women.

Results

Anemia was present in 1652 (19%) patients undergoing CTO PCI. Anemic patients had a higher incidence of comorbidities, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral arterial disease. CTOs in anemic patients were more likely to have complex angiographic characteristics, including smaller diameter, longer length, moderate to severe calcification, and moderate to severe proximal tortuosity. Anemic patients required longer procedure (119 vs. 107 min; p < 0.001) and fluoroscopy (45 vs. 40 min; p < 0.001) times but received similar contrast volumes. Technical success was similar between the two groups. In‐hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE) rates were higher in patients with anemia; however, this association was no longer significant after adjusting for confounding factors. Baseline anemia was independently associated with follow‐up MACE (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.63; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07–2.49; p = 0.023) and all‐cause mortality (adjusted HR: 3.03; 95% CI: 1.41–6.49; p = 0.004).

Conclusions

Preprocedural anemia is associated with more comorbidities, higher lesion complexity, longer procedure times, and higher follow‐up MACE and mortality after CTO PCI.
Long‐term clinical outcomes following successful percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with extremely long coronary chronic total occlusion lesions
Authors: Ahn Jihun , Yu HyeYon , Rha Seung‐Woon , Choi Byoung Geol , Park Soohyung , Park Eun Jin , Kang Dong Oh , Choi Cheol Ung
Published: September 2023

Background

Lesion length is related to worse clinical outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for the treatment of chronic total occlusion (CTO). However, the data to confirm the association between extremely long lesions and clinical hard endpoints have been limited. Therefore, we investigated the impact of extremely long CTO lesions (≥50 mm, treated lesion length) on the long‐term clinical outcomes following successful PCI.

Methods

A total of 333 consecutive patients with CTO who underwent successful PCI with drug‐eluting stents (DESs) were allocated to either the extremely long or the short CTO group according to their CTO lesion length. The 5‐year clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. The incidence of myocardial infarction, cardiac death (CD), revascularization, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) was higher in the extremely long CTO group. The 5‐year clinical outcomes were analyzed using the Cox hazard ratio (HR) model.

Results

In the entire study population, the extremely long CTO lesion was an independent predictor for higher rate of revascularization, MACE, CD, or mortality.

Conclusions

In our study, CTO patients with extremely long lesions (≥50 mm) who underwent successful PCI were associated with a higher risk of worse long‐term clinical outcomes, including hard clinical endpoints such as CD and mortality even in the DESs era.
Hybrid approach to pulmonary vein stenting after Fontan palliation
Authors: Critchfield Daniel R. , Chamberlain Reid C. , Turek Joseph W. , Fleming Gregory A.
Published: September 2023

Pulmonary vein stenosis is poorly tolerated in patients who have undergone Fontan palliation and typically requires surgical or transcatheter intervention. Percutaneous transcatheter approaches to intervention can be technically difficult due to challenging anatomy. A hybrid per‐atrial transcatheter approach for stenting pulmonary veins provides a direct approach to the pulmonary veins and has the potential to improve safety and efficacy of this complex intervention. We describe our experience with hybrid per‐atrial pulmonary vein stenting in three patients with pulmonary vein stenosis following Fontan palliation.
Black oat as an alternative forage species for the US upper Midwest
Authors: Jaramillo David M. , Dubeux Jose C. B. , Blount Ann S. , Cavadini Jason , Harrison Stephen
Published: September 2023

Black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb.) is a cool‐season annual grass with Mediterranean origin. In contrast to other cool‐season grasses, black oat is more heat tolerant and disease resistant, making it an attractive option for the US upper Midwest, since it can be utilized during summer, when there is decreased productivity of cool‐season forages due to photorespiration. Black oat is recommended for USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 8b–10a, far away from the upper Midwest (zones 2a‐5b). The objective was to evaluate 10 black oat breeding lines (referred to as ‘UF1’ through ‘UF10’) for herbage accumulation, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM) concentrations. The experiment was carried out on May–July 2021 and 2022 in Stratford, WI. Triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack cv. ‘TriCal 342′) and ‘Legend 567′ oat (Avena sativa L.) were included as controls, as well as ‘Ogle’ oat as a regionally recommended cultivar. Herbage accumulation differed by treatment (P = 0.002) and averaged 5900 lb acre−1 among black oat lines, with ‘UF3’ and ‘UF10’ having greater herbage accumulation than oat checks Ogle and Legend 567, and Trical 342 triticale. Crude protein concentration of UF7 and UF3 was 8.5 to 9.5%, respectively. The IVDOM concentrations were above 58% for all black oat. Results indicate certain black oat have the potential to provide forage resources during the early summer in the upper Midwest, but further studies are warranted to evaluate how to best manage this species into cropping or pasture systems in the region.
Linearbis‐Coordinate Silver(I) and Iodine(I) Complexes with R3R2R1N Tertiary Amines
Authors: Kumar Parveen , Komulainen Joonas , Frontera Antonio , Ward Jas S. , Schalley Christoph , Rissanen Kari , Puttreddy Rakesh
Published: September 2023

Homoleptic [L−I−L]+iodine(I) complexes (where L is a R3R2R1N tertiary amine) were synthesized via the [L−Ag−L]+→ [L−I−L]+cation exchange reaction. In solution, the amines form [R3R2R1N−Ag−NR1R2R3]+silver(I) complexes, which crystallize out from solution as themeso‐[L−Ag−L]+complexes, as characterized by X‐ray crystallography. The subsequent [L−I−L]+iodine(I) analogues were extremely reactive and could not be isolated in the solid state. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to study the Ag+−N and I+−N interaction energies in silver(I) and iodine(I) complexes, with the former ranging from −80 to −100 kJ mol−1and latter from −260 to −279 kJ mol−1. The X‐ray crystal structures revealed Ag+⋅⋅⋅Cπand Ag+⋅⋅⋅H−C short contacts between the silver(I) cation and flexible N‐alkyl/N‐aryl groups, which are the first of their kind in such precursor complexes.
Photoinduced α‐Aminoalkylation of Sulfonylarenes with Alkylamines
Authors: Yonekura Kyohei , Aoki Kohei , Nishida Tomoya , Ikeda Yuko , Oyama Ryoko , Hatano Sayaka , Abe Manabu , Shirakawa Eiji
Published: September 2023

α‐Aminoalkylation of sulfonylarenes with alkylamines was found to be induced by photoirradiation. Here various types of alkylamines, such as trialkylamines, dialkylamines, N,N‐dialkylanilines and N‐alkylanilines as well as sulfonylarenes containing an azole, azine, heterole or benzene ring are available. The reaction proceeds through a homolytic aromatic substitution (HAS) process consisting of addition of an α‐aminoalkyl radical to a sulfonylarene and elimination of the sulfonyl radical to give the α‐arylalkylamine, where photoirradiation is considered to induce homolysis of sulfonylarenes leading to the generation of α‐aminoalkyl radicals that make a radical chain operative.
Antiprogrammed death ligand 1 therapy failed to reduce the risk of developing brain metastases in patients with extensive‐stage small cell lung cancer: A retrospective analysis
Authors: Lu Shuangqing , Guo Xiaokang , Li Yuying , Liu Haoyu , Zhang Yan , Zhu Hui
Published: September 2023

Background

Immunotherapy (IO) has demonstrated promising results in treating extensive‐stage small cell lung cancer (ES‐SCLC), and the management of ES‐SCLC brain metastases (BMs) is now receiving significant clinical attention. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of IO in the clinical management of BMs.

Methods

Between January 2020 and December 2021, the study included the records of 250 patients who were diagnosed with ES‐SCLC. Overall survival (OS), progression‐free survival, intracranial progression‐free survival, and the cumulative incidence of BMs were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method and were compared using the log‐rank test. In addition, the Cox regression model was used to analyze prognostic factors.

Results

In the entire group, 85 patients had baseline BMs (IO plus chemotherapy [IO + ChT], n = 38; ChT alone, n = 47), and 165 patients (IO + ChT, n = 86; ChT alone, n = 79) did not have BMs at the time of initial diagnosis. The median follow‐up was 22.4 months. The OS benefit with first‐line antiprogrammed death ligand 1 therapy was maintained regardless of whether patients had BMs (with BMs, 17.97 vs. 13.14 months [p = .03]; without BMs, 18.46 vs. 15.05 months [p = .047]). However, in patients without BMs, IO did not delay the median time to developing brain progression (10.84 vs. 10.74 months; p = .84), and it did not significantly reduce the risk of developing intracranial metastases (the 2‐year actuarial risk of developing BMs was 57.0% vs. 50.6%, respectively).

Conclusions

Antiprogrammed death ligand 1 therapy improved OS regardless of the presence of BMs. However, IO did not delay the median time to brain progression or reduce the risk of intracranial metastasis in patients without baseline BMs. The findings of this study have important clinical implications for the future management of BMs from ES‐SCLC.
Strong Metal‐support Interactions in Photocatalysis: Fundamentals and Design Methods
Authors: Quach Vien‐Duong , Wojcieszak Robert , Ghazzal Mohamed Nawfal
Published: September 2023

Engineering the composition and geometry of metallic sites has become a popular manner to boost reaction rate and control reaction selectivity in heterogeneous catalysis. Many studies have been devoted to enhancing the stability of metallic nanoparticles during catalytic reactions by dispersion on metal oxide supports such as TiO2, CeO2or Nb2O5. These supports not only modulate electronic properties and dispersion/stabilization of metallic nanoparticle but also influence catalytic selectivity, resulting in the so‐called “strong metal‐support interaction” (SMSI). In this minireview, we outlined the discovery and fundamentals of SMSI, as well as its extensive development over years. In addition, we summarized recent approaches developed to induce the construction of SMSI between different metal nanoparticles and metal oxide supports. Associated characterization microscopic and spectroscopic techniques were emphasized. Despite being a prevalent concept in catalysis, the number of studies on SMSI in heterogeneous photocatalysis has been even in limitation. Herein, we highlighted the beneficial effects of SMSI on boosting photocatalytic activity for CO2reduction and H2evolution reactions. In general, despite some controversial aspects of the SMSI, this concept offers wide opportunities ahead and encourages researchers to rethink the local active site localization and photocatalyst design.
Optimized design of patrol path for offshore wind farms based on genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimization with traveling salesman problem
Authors: Kou Lei , Wan Junhe , Liu Hailin , Ke Wende , Li Hui , Chen Jie , Yu Zhen , Yuan Quande
Published: September 2023

With the rapid expansion of global offshore wind power market, the research on improving the full life cycle income and reducing the construction and operation and maintenance costs has attracted the attention of scholars in the industry. In view of the different aging degree and maintenance cycle of wind turbines, this paper studies the optimized design of patrol path for offshore wind farms based on genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) with traveling salesman problem (TSP). Firstly, the problem of patrol routing planning in offshore wind farms is described as the traveling salesman problem of shortest route optimization. Secondly, the GA and PSO algorithms are simulated and verified separately, and the patrol path distance is taken as the objective function. Finally, through simulation experiments, the optimized patrol path performances of PSO and GA are compared, which can help to find a shortest route and reduce the operation and maintenance costs.
Medical profile of patients referred to an Australian postgraduate oral surgery clinic
Authors: Ngu Anthony Chu Seng , Arora Sitanshu , Reher Peter
Published: September 2023

Background and Objectives

Thorough knowledge of a patient's medical history and medications is necessary for providing safe oral surgery care, and may be considered a form of risk management. This study investigated the prevalence of medical conditions and medication types in patients referred to an Australian postgraduate oral surgery clinic over 2 years.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective cross‐sectional study of the clinical records of 233 randomized patients referred to the Griffith University (Queensland, Australia) postgraduate oral surgery clinic in 2018 and 2019 was performed. Medical conditions and medications were counted and categorized, and descriptive statistics were generated.

Results

In all, 133 patients (57%) had at least one medical condition. 58% of them (77) had two or more categories of medical conditions, representing nearly a third (33.0%) of all sampled patients. The most prevalent category of medical conditions was psychiatric (25.3%), followed closely by cardiovascular (24.5%) diseases. Cardiovascular medications were the most prevalent, comprising 23.6% of all medications recorded, followed by psychotropics (18.3%).

Conclusion

Over half of patients referred to the postgraduate oral surgery clinic had at least one systemic medical condition. Nearly a third of patients referred had at least two distinct systemic medical conditions. With an ageing population and the accompanying rise in multimorbidity globally, dental school curricula must adapt to prepare students to meet these challenges in their careers.
Tailoring Chemical Absorption‐Precipitation to Lower the Regeneration Energy of a CO2 Capture Solvent
Authors: Jang Gyoung Gug , Jung Gang Seob , Seo Jiho , Keum Jong K. , Yoon Mina , Damron Josh T. , Naskar Amit K. , Custelcean Radu , Kasturi Abishek , Yiacoumi Sotira , Tsouris Costas
Published: September 2023

Solvent‐based CO2 capture consumes significant amounts of energy for solvent regeneration. To improve energy efficiency, this study investigates CO2 fixation in a solid form through solvation, followed by ionic self‐assembly‐aided precipitation. Based on the hypothesis that CO32− ions may bind with monovalent metal ions, we introduced Na+ into an aqueous hexane‐1,6‐diamine solution where CO2 forms carbamate and bicarbonate. Then, Na+ ions in the solvent act as a seed for ionic self‐assembly with diamine carbamate to form an intermediate ionic complex. The recurring chemical reactions lead to the formation of an ionic solid from a mixture of organic carbamate/carbonate and inorganic sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), which can be easily removed from the aqueous solvent through sedimentation or centrifugation and heated to release the captured CO2. Mild‐temperature heating of the solids at 80–150 °C causes decomposition of the solid CO2‐diamine‐Na molecular aggregates and discharge of CO2. This sorbent regeneration process requires 6.5–8.6 GJ/t CO2. It was also found that the organic carbamate/carbonate solid, without NaHCO3, contains a significant amount of CO2, up to 6.2 mmol CO2/g‐sorbent, requiring as low as 2.9–5.8 GJ/t CO2. Molecular dynamic simulations support the hypothesis of using Na+ to form relatively less stable, yet sufficiently solid, complexes for the least energy‐intensive recovery of diamine solvents compared to bivalent carbonate–forming ions.
Space as a lens for teacher agency: A case study of three beginning teachers in England, UK
Authors: Rushton Elizabeth A. C. , Bird Amy
Published: September 2023

Drawing on conceptualisations of space, we explored the ways three beginning teachers in England experienced and developed agency during the first three years of their careers. We completed a series of interviews with the same three teachers during their year of Initial Teacher Education and subsequent two years as Early Career Teachers; a total of 15 interviews over three years). Our findings demonstrated that the key barrier to agency beginning teachers experienced was a rigid curriculum, with reduced opportunities for innovation at a classroom and/or department level. Participants highlighted enablers of agency including demonstrations of professional trust; opportunities to develop their pedagogies and subject knowledge and their own recognition of the temporal and dynamic nature of agency. Through engaging with conceptualisations of space, we have shown how some teachers were able to identify spaces of agency, move between different spaces of agency and even create spaces of agency where none previously existed. We argue that in addition to the widely understood emergent, dynamic, and temporal facets, conceptualisations of teacher agency as a phenomenon can be extended through the lens of space. Space helps us understand agency as a messy entanglement of the cultural, material, and relational conditions and qualities of agency made explicit in the ecological approach. Through space, we can explore these entanglements as multiple, non‐linear, loose connections which teachers bring together when they achieve agency. We contend that the lens of space may support more nuanced understandings of teacher agency in research and policymaking worldwide.
Impact of interhospital transfer on patients with Alzheimer's disease and other related dementias
Authors: Glober Nancy , LaShell Alexandra , Montelauro Nicholas , Troyer Lindsay , Supples Michael , Unroe Kathleen , Tainter Christopher , Faris Greg , Fuchita Mikita , Boustani Malaz
Published: September 2023

Older adults are often transferred from one emergency department (ED) to another hospital for speciality care, but little is known about whether those transfers positively impact patients, particularly those with Alzheimer's disease and other related dementias (ADRD). In this study we aimed to describe the impact of interhospital transfer on older adults with and without ADRD. In a retrospective review of electronic medical records, we collected data on demographics, insurance type, initial code status, intensive care, length of stay, specialist consult, procedure within 48 hours, and discharge disposition for older adults (years). We included older adults with at least one ED visit, who were transferred to a tertiary care hospital. With logistic regression, we estimated odds of death, intensive care stay, or procedure within 48 hours by ADRD diagnosis. Patients with ADRD more often received a geriatrics (p < 0.001) or palliative care consult (p = 0.038). They were less likely to be full code at admission (p < 0.001) or to be discharged home (p < 0.001). Patients living with ADRD less often received intensive care or a procedure within 48 hours of transfer (odds ratio [OR] 1.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22–2.88). Patients with ADRD were less likely to receive intensive care unit admission or specialist procedures after transfer. Further study is indicated to comprehensively understand patient‐centered outcomes.
The presence of polycystic ovary syndrome increases the risk of maternal but not neonatal complications in women with type 2 diabetes in pregnancy
Authors: Atkins Paul , Tomlinson George , Feig Denice S. ,   MiTy Collaborative Group
Published: September 2023

Aims

Our aims were, in the setting of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in pregnancy, to investigate the association of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with perinatal outcomes and to examine whether treatment with metformin had a differential effect in those with and without PCOS.

Materials and Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study using the metformin in women with type 2 diabetes in pregnancy (MiTy) trial data. We examined differences in maternal and neonatal outcomes among MiTy participants with and without PCOS using linear and logistic regression to adjust for potential confounders. We additionally examined the relative difference in the effect of metformin treatment on pregnancy outcomes among MiTy participants with PCOS versus those without PCOS.

Results

Among women with T2DM in pregnancy, PCOS was significantly associated with higher excess gestational weight gain (unadjusted 12.0 vs. 11.4 kg, adjusted mean difference 2.1 kg [0.3, 3.9], p = 0.021) and higher total insulin dose at 34–36 weeks (unadjusted 172 vs. 124 units per day, adjusted mean difference 44 units [15, 73], p = 0.004), but no difference was seen in neonatal outcomes. Unlike the non‐PCOS subgroup, metformin treatment versus placebo in the PCOS subgroup was associated with an increase in extremely large‐for‐gestational‐age infants (28.6 vs. 14.0%, p = 0.008 for interaction) and an increase in worsened pre‐existing maternal hypertension (16.7 vs. 4.5%, p = 0.046 for interaction).

Conclusions

Clinicians should be alerted to the potential for high insulin requirements and excess weight gain in pregnant patients with T2DM and comorbid PCOS. Moreover, metformin may not be as beneficial in this population as previously understood.
Governing intersectional climate justice: Tactics and lessons from Barcelona
Authors: Amorim‐Maia Ana Terra , Anguelovski Isabelle , Chu Eric , Connolly James
Published: September 2023

Cities and local governments are important actors in the global governance of climate change; however, the specific governance principles and arrangements that enable urban climate plans and policies to realize commitments to social equity and justice remain largely unexplored. This article uses the City of Barcelona, Spain, as a critical case study of emerging “intersectional climate justice” practice, where plans to build resilience to climate change are pursued in conjunction with efforts to tackle structural inequalities in accessing the built environment, health services, energy, housing, and transportation experienced by frontline communities. The study illustrates how Barcelona and its community partners do this through four different categories of governance and decision‐making tactics, which include: (1) experimenting with disruptive planning strategies; (2) working transversally across agencies and actors to institutionalize climate justice over time; (3) putting care at the center of urban planning; and (4) mobilizing place‐based approaches to tackle intersecting vulnerabilities of frontline residents. These tactics seek to redistribute the benefits of climate‐resilient infrastructures more fairly and to enhance participatory processes more meaningfully. Finally, we assess the limitations and challenges of mobilizing these tactics in everyday urban politics. Barcelona's experience contributes to research on climate governance by challenging the notion of distinct waves of governance and revealing concurrent dimensions of climate urbanism that coexist spatially and temporally. Our research also illustrates lessons for fairer climate governance in the city, where different tactics are mobilized to address structural and intersecting socioeconomic vulnerabilities that exacerbate the experience of climate change of frontline residents.
Rational Design of Advanced Metal Organic Framework‐Based Nanostructured Catalysts toward Electrocatalytic CO2 Conversion: A Mini Review
Authors: Alghamdi Mohammed. I. , Al-Dolaimy Faraas , Abdulrahman Althobaiti Saja , Saleh Ebraheem Abdu Musad , Abdullaev Sherzod Shukhratovich , Sharma Kamal , Hasan Ali Khalaf , Qadir Kamran , Kadhim Sokaina Issa , Abdulhussien Alazbjee Adeeb Abdulally , Aminiona Abhar Waqasg , Shouhong Liango Xie
Published: September 2023

Carbon dioxide emission into the atmosphere, which originates from fossil fuels consumption, has led to a serious environmental and energy crisis. Electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) into valuable chemicals such as carbon monoxide, ethanol, ethylene, and methane not only help lower the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere but is also beneficial for sustainable energy production. Therefore, numerous works are assigned to improving efficient electrocatalytic materials for the selective CO2RR. Metal–organic framework (MOF)‐derived catalytic materials mostly based on transition metals demonstrate permissible CO2RR owing to their specific composition, tunable surface nanostructure and texture, and affordable market prices. In this work, the best effort is put to describe the most basic concept of electrochemical CO2RR to provide a consensus. The effect of MOF structure and surface analysis are discussed. This is reason that MOFs as catalysts for electrochemical CO2RR offers several advantages over traditional catalysts, such as tunable surface structure, multifunctionality, selectivity control, and stability under CO2RR operation. And then, some of the most recent reported works on MOF‐based catalysts are summarized, to provide and inspire further investigations and ideas in this research field. However, despite these advantages, there are still research gaps that need to be addressed. Some of these gaps include being cost‐effective and economical process for preparing MOF‐based catalysts, long‐term stability for industrial usage, and scalability of the catalyst. Thereby, further studies are essential to fully exploit the potential of MOFs in advancing CO2RR technologies.
Experimental Performance Evaluation of a Hybrid Parabolic Solar Lighting System for Use in Agricultural Environments
Authors: Karimi Yayshahri Ehsan , Gorjian Shiva , Minaei Saeid
Published: September 2023

This study presents a solar lighting system designed for indoor farming to provide natural light. The proposed system uses a parabolic dish concentrator integrating with polymethyl methacrylate optical fibers to direct concentrated light into a desired place. A water cooling mechanism is also used to prevent heat transmission to the optical fibers. The indoor sunlight's distribution is studied using a designed darkroom. The evaluation is carried out in 7 days, from November 23 to 29, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., to ensure the stability of the system under various weather conditions. The results of the experiments show that the receiver's temperature can remain at 63 °C on sunny days under a clear sky, even when the maximum value of solar radiation is about 982 W m−2with the highest air temperature of 19 °C. During the experiments, the solar illuminance ranges from a maximum of 118,821.85 lx to a minimum value of 374.9.6 lx. The overall optical efficiency of the system, considering optical components, ranges from 31% to 32% under various outdoor illuminance levels. Overall, it is confirmed that the developed solar lighting system offers a applicable method to naturally illuminate protected agricultural environments, enhancing the quality of the growing crops.
Carbon Dot/Ti3C2Tx MXene Hybrid on Carbon Cloth as a Flexible and Binder‐Free Supercapacitor Electrode with Commercial Scale Mass Loading
Authors: Ashok Anamika , Krishnapriya Thottathil Kuttykrishnan , Saseendran Swathy Beena , Wilson Merin Kuzhikkottaparambil , Niranjana Murali , Asha Arackal Sukumaran
Published: September 2023

Flexible and binder‐free carbon dot/titanium carbide (CD/Ti3C2Tx) MXene electrode for supercapacitor is fabricated at commercial scale mass loading. The decline in specific gravimetric capacitance due to high mass loading is compensated by the synergistic enhancement in properties of the prepared CD/Ti3C2Tx hybrid. The optimized hybrid electrode gives a specific gravimetric capacitance of 373 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1. The symmetric supercapacitor developed using the electrode has a specific gravimetric capacitance of 50 F g−1, energy density of 4.4 Wh kg−1, and power density of 66.6 W kg−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1. The device retains 90.8% capacitance after 5000 cycles when operated at a current density of 1 A g−1. Raman spectroscopy analysis provides an evaluation of the evolution of the electrochemical performance of the hybrid with the CD concentration. The work will open up new avenues in textile‐based supercapacitor technology for wearable electronics applications utilizing environment‐benign techniques.
Goldilocks and the home mathematics environment: Parents' rate activities ‘too easy,’ ‘just right,’ or ‘too hard’ across early development
Authors: Ehrman Patrick , Ellis Alexa , Purpura David J.
Published: September 2023

Research focusing on the home mathematics environment has shown mixed results across age groups. Using data from a large online survey, we explored parents' perceptions of the age appropriateness of home mathematics activities for their children. Children's ages ranged from one to 6 years old (N = 958). Activities spanned multiple domains of early mathematics including numeracy, geometry, patterning, spatial, and measurement domains. Descriptive statistics show there are clear developmental shifts in the appropriateness ratings for activities within and across these domains. Findings provide insight for future implications on the measurement of the home mathematics environment, as well as future research on age differences in the home mathematics environment.
Ethnically unique disease burden and limitations of current expanded carrier screening panels
Authors: Chen Chih‐Ling , Lee Ni‐Chung , Chien Yin‐Hsiu , Hwu Wuh‐Liang , Hung Miao‐Zi , Lin Yi‐Lin , Lin Shin‐Yu , Lee Chien‐Nan
Published: September 2023

Objectives

The purpose of the study is to identify the recessive diseases currently affecting real‐world pediatric patients in Taiwan, and whether current extended carrier screening panels have the coverage and detective power to identify the pathogenic variants in the carrier parents.

Methods

A total of 132 trio‐samples were collected from May 2017 to March 2022. The participants were parents of pediatric intensive care unit patients who were critically ill or infants with abnormal newborn screening results. A retrospective carrier screening scheme was applied to analyze only the carrier status of pathogenic or likely pathogenic recessive variants resulting in diseases in their children. The recessive disorders diagnosed in our cohort were compared with the gene content in commercial panels.

Results

Mutations in COQ4, PEX1, OTC, and IKBKG were the most frequently identified. In the parents of 44 children with confirmed diagnoses of recessive diseases, 47 (53.40%) screened positive for being the carriers of the same recessive disorders diagnosed in their children. The commercial panels covered 35.13% to 54.05% of the disorders diagnosed in this cohort.

Conclusion

Clinicians and genetic counselors should be aware of the limitations of current extended carrier screening and interpret negative screening results with caution. Future panels should also consider genes with ethnically unique mutations such as pathogenic variants of the COQ4 gene in the East Asian population.
Is there a “childless vote” in Europe?
Authors: Lönnqvist Jan‐Erik , Ilmarinen Ville‐Juhani
Published: September 2023

We examined associations between childlessness and voting in Europe. We used cross‐sectional European Social Survey data from 20 countries (n = 37,623). Our results suggest that there is a “childless vote” in Europe. Supporting our pre‐registered hypothesis, childless individuals voted for parties that had visibly positioned themselves at the Green‐Alternative‐Libertarian (GAL) pole of the GAL‐TAN (GAL vs. Traditional‐Authoritarian‐Nationalist) ideological dimension. The pre‐registered explorative analyses of associations between childlessness and economic left–right ideology or other policy positions of the party for which the individual had voted did not yield results. Explorative analyses suggested in the review process showed that self‐rated religiosity was independently associated with childlessness, but ideological left–right self‐placement or self‐ratings of political attitudes were not. Our results suggest a new demographic prognostic of vote choice, thus adding to the literature on demographic processes associated with political dynamics.
Accurate ab initio potential energy surface, rovibrational energy levels and resonance interactions of triplet (X~3B1) methylene
Authors: Egorov Oleg , Rey Michaël , Viglaska Dominika , Nikitin Andrei V.
Published: September 2023

In this work, we report rovibrational energy levels for four isotopologues of methylene (CH2, CHD, CD2, and 13CH2) in their ground triplet electronic state (3B1) from variational calculation up to ~10,000 cm−1 and using a new accurate ab initio potential energy surface (PES). Triplet methylene exhibits a large‐amplitude bending vibration and can reach a quasilinear configuration due to its low barrier (~2000 cm−1). To construct the ab initio PES, the Dunning's augmented correlation‐consistent core‐valence orbital basis sets were employed up to the sextuple‐ζ quality [aug‐cc‐pCVXZ, X = T, Q, 5, and 6] combined with the single‐ and double‐excitation unrestricted coupled cluster approach with a perturbative treatment of triple excitations [RHF‐UCCSD(T)]. We have shown that the accuracy of the ab initio energies is further improved by including the corrections due to the scalar relativistic effects, DBOC and high‐order electronic correlations. For the first time, all the available experimental rovibrational transitions were reproduced with errors less than 0.12 cm−1, without any empirical corrections. Unlike more “traditional” nonlinear triatomic molecules, we have shown that even the energies of the ground vibrational state (000) with rather small rotational quantum numbers are strongly affected by the very pronounced rovibrational resonance interactions. Accordingly, the polyad structure of the vibrational levels of CH2 and CD2 was analyzed and discussed. The comparison between the energy levels obtained from the effective Watson A‐reduced Hamiltonian, from the generating‐function approach and from a variational calculation was given.