bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrathin Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Encapsulated Ni Nanoparticles for Highly Efficient Electrochemical CO2 Reduction and Aqueous Zn‐CO2 Batteries
Authors: Wang Fangyuan , Wang Guan , Deng Peilin , Chen Yao , Li Jing , Wu Daoxiong , Wang Zhitong , Wang Chongtai , Hua Yingjie , Tian Xinlong
Published: March 2023

Electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR), powered by renewable electricity, has attracted great attention for producing high value‐added fuels and chemicals, as well as feasibly mitigating CO2 emission problem. Here, this work reports a facile hard template strategy to prepare the Ni@N‐C catalyst with core–shell structure, where nickel nanoparticles (Ni NPs) are encapsulated by thin nitrogen‐doped carbon shells (N‐C shells). The Ni@N‐C catalyst has demonstrated a promising industrial current density of 236.7 mA cm−2 with the superb FECO of 97% at −1.1 V versus RHE. Moreover, Ni@N‐C can drive the reversible Zn‐CO2 battery with the largest power density of 1.64 mW cm−2, and endure a tough cycling durability. These excellent performances are ascribed to the synergistic effect of Ni@N‐C that Ni NPs can regulate the electronic microenvironment of N‐doped carbon shells, which favor to enhance the CO2 adsorption capacity and the electron transfer capacity. Density functional theory calculations prove that the binding configuration of N‐C located on the top of Ni slabs (Top‐Ni@N‐C) is the most thermodynamically stable and possess a lowest thermodynamic barrier for the formation of COOH* and the desorption of CO. This work may pioneer a new method on seeking high‐efficiency and worthwhile electrocatalysts for CO2RR and Zn‐CO2 battery.
Dimensional Tuning of Perylene Diimide‐Based Polymers for Perovskite Solar Cells with Over 24% Efficiency
Authors: Fu Qiang , Tang Xingchen , Gao Yuping , Liu Hang , Chen Mingqian , Wang Rui , Song Zonglong , Yang Yang , Wang Jian , Liu Yongsheng
Published: March 2023

The hygroscopic dopants used in Spiro‐OMeTAD hole transport material (HTM) in state‐of‐the‐art perovskite solar cells (PSCs) inevitably induce premature degradation of the devices. Here, two multifunctional polymer interface materials based on the perylene diimides (PDI) unit are developed. It is found that quasi‐two‐dimensional (2D) polymer 2DP‐PDI can form a denser film and exhibit better hydrophobicity than linear polymer P‐PDI. Importantly, 2DP‐PDI can passivate the surface defects and extract hole carriers of perovskite film more effectively, leading to much reduced nonradiative recombination loss. With polymer interface material between the perovskite and HTM layers, the optimized device using 2DP‐PDI and P‐PDI yields a champion PCE of 24.20% and 23.09%, respectively, along with significantly improved stability, whereas the control device shows a lower efficiency of 22.23%. These results suggest that developing multifunctional polymer interface materials can be a promising strategy to improve the efficiency and stability of PSCs.
Superior Thermoelectric Properties of Twist‐Angle Superlattice Borophene Induced by Interlayer Electrons Transport
Authors: Song Jizhe , Cao Yi , Dong Jun , Sun Mengtao
Published: March 2023

In this paper, the energy bands, interlayer interactions and thermoelectric effects of twisted bilayer borophene (TBB) synthesized on Ag (111) are studied theoretically. The results manifest the advantages of twistronics, where the high electrical conductivity and the large Seebeck coefficient are regulated to the same range, which lead to the significantly increase of figure of merit ZT than that of bilayer borophene (BB) without twist, where the BB without twist is successfully synthesized on Ag (111) film is recently experimental report [Nat. Mater. 2022, 21, 35]. For the TBB synthesized of on Ag (111) film, theoretical analysis demonstrates that TBB and Ag are relatively strongly coupled, and TBB becomes a metallic 2D material, where the top and bottom borophene layers are semiconducting and metallic, respectively. TBB exhibits excellent thermoelectric efficiency due to the charge transfer bonding between the layers, less electron localization, and the regulation of Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and ZT at the same region of chemical potential and the same temperature by twistronics. The structure‐property relationship offers the possibility of applying TBB in thermoelectric devices.
Oxygenated Triazine‐Heptazine Heterostructure Creates an Enormous Ascension to the Visible Light Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Performance of Porous C3N4 Nanosheets
Authors: Chang Jing , Zhang Tong , Qiu Shengchuang , Huang Na , Pang Dawei , Li Haoran , Masese Titus , Zhang Haijiao , Li Ziquan , Huang Zhen‐Dong
Published: March 2023

A highly efficient g‐C3N4 photocatalyst is developed by a novel one‐pot thermal polymerization method under a salt fog environment generated by heating the aqueous solution of urea and mixed metal salts of NaCl/KCl, namely SF‐CN. Thanks to the synergistic effect of the oxygenation and chemical etching of the salt fog, the obtained SF‐CN is an oxygenated ultrathin porous carbon nitride with an intermolecular triazine‐heptazine heterostructure, meanwhile, shows enlarged specific surface area, greatly enhanced absorption of visible light, narrowed band gap with a lower conduction band, and an increased photocurrent response due to the effective separation of photogenerated holes and electrons, comparing to those of pristine g‐C3N4. The theoretical simulations further reveal that the triazine‐heptazine heterostructure possesses better photocatalytic hydrogen evolution (PHE) capability than pure triazine and heptazine carbon nitrides. In turn, SF‐CN demonstrates an excellent visible light PHE rate of 18.13 mmol h−1 g−1, up to 259.00 times of that of pristine g‐C3N4.
Organic quantum materials: A review
Authors: Wang Xin , Zhang Qichun
Published: March 2023

Interests in organic quantum materials (OQMs) have been explosively growing in the field of condensed physics of matter due to their rich chemistry and unique quantum properties. They are strongly correlated systems and show novel electromagnetic performance such as high‐temperature superconducting, quantum sensing, spin electronics, quantum dots, topological insulating, quantum Hall effects, spin liquids, qubits, and so forth, which exhibit promising prospects in information communication and thus facilitate the construction of a modern intelligent society. This article reviews recent developments in the research on the electromagnetic characteristics of OQMs. We mainly give an overview on the progress of superconductors and quantum spin liquids based on organic materials and describe their possible mechanisms. Numerous experimental findings exhibit new exciton interactions and provide insights into exotic electronic properties. Finally, their association and strategies for realizing multiple quantum states in one system are discussed.
Contact Engineering and In Situ Formation of 2D Perovskite Via Solid‐Phase Growth for Efficient Hole‐Transport‐Layer‐Free Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Liu Changjiang , Shen Xiaolong , Liao Jing , Chen Xu , Duan Gongtao , Wang Xin , Wu Congcong , Li Haijin
Published: March 2023

Carbon‐based perovskite solar cells (C‐PSCs) without hole transport layer have piqued the interest of researchers due to their low‐cost fabrication processes and exceptional stability. However, the efficiency of C‐PSCs lags far behind that of state‐of‐the‐art metal‐based devices, owing to an energy‐level mismatch and poor interfacial contact at the interface between carbon electrode and perovskite layer. Herein, a simple method for performing a solid‐phase reaction at the perovskite/carbon interface using a hot‐pressing process is presented. Unlike the solution processes commonly used in PSCs to obtain 2D halide perovskite layers, butylammonium iodide (BAI) is introduced into carbon electrodes, which are then hot pressed onto 3D perovskite in this work. During hot pressing, BAI in the carbon electrode reacts with the 3D perovskite layer to form a 2D perovskite layer at the perovskite/carbon interface through a solid‐phase reaction, resulting in a contiguous contact perovskite/carbon interface and better energy‐level alignment. Charge recombination at the perovskite/carbon interface is greatly reduced thanks to the seamless contact and the in situ formed 2D perovskite layer as passivation and electron blocking layer. This strategy results in a high power conversion efficiency of up to 16.86% and significantly improved the device stability for C‐PSCs.
An industry survey on approaches, success factors, and barriers for technology transfer in software engineering
Authors: Daun Marian , Brings Jennifer , Aluko Obe Patricia , Tenbergen Bastian
Published: March 2023

One central aspect of software engineering research is the transfer of the proposed approaches into industrial practice. In the past, a number of technology transfer approaches and experiences from technology transfer projects in software engineering have already been reported. However, many researchers still struggle to get their research results noticed by practitioners. To investigate what is important to practitioners, we conducted a mixed‐methods study that provides us with reliable quantitative data as well as deeper insights from qualitative data. Our results show that there is a mismatch between industry professionals' needs and commonly proposed technology transfer approaches in the software engineering field. For instance, collaboration between industry and academia as well as participation in empirical evaluations is not deemed important from an industry point of view. In contrast, industry professionals emphasize the use of company‐specific pilot projects conducted by industry and the need for experts to be available in every phase of technology transfer.
Impact of in Situ Heat Treatment Effects during Laser‐Based Powder Bed Fusion of 1.3343 High‐Speed Steel with Preheating Temperatures up to 700 °C
Authors: Moritz Sarah , Schwanekamp Tobias , Reuber Martin , Lentz Jonathan , Boes Johannes , Weber Sebastian
Published: March 2023

For laser‐based powder bed fusion (PBF‐LB) of high carbon steels, preheated build platforms can reduce thermal stresses and crack formation inside the generated material. Furthermore, the heat distribution during PBF‐LB is affected by laser energy input and heat transfer into the surrounding area. Depending on the preheating temperature and the thermal conditions during PBF‐LB, thermal gradients and different thermal exposure times of the manufactured layers can lead to in situ heat treatment effects. As a result, gradients in microstructures and properties are observed in the manufactured material. The effects are investigated on AISI M2 high‐speed steel (1.3343). Specimens are manufactured at platform preheating temperatures between 200 and 700 °C. Base plate and surface temperatures in the building layer are monitored by thermocouples and pyrometry. Local variations in the material microstructure and properties are determined and the effects of temperature distribution on microstructure and hardness are discussed.
Tumor‐associated macrophages‐derived exo‐let‐7a promotes osteosarcoma metastasis via targeting C15orf41 in osteosarcoma
Authors: Yan Chen‐Fei , Xia Jun , Qun Wang‐Si , Bing Wei‐Yi , Guo Wu‐Jian , Yong Huang‐Gang , Chen‐Jie  , Sheng Shi‐Jing , Lei Zhao‐Guang , Huang‐Xin
Published: March 2023

Background

Osteosarcoma (OS) immune environment is complexed and the immune factors‐related to OS progression need to be explored. Tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) are regarded as immune suppressive and tumor‐promoting cells. However, the underlying mechanisms through which TAMs function are still fragmentary. Here, we aim to explore the underlying mechanisms by which TAMs regulate OS progression.

Methods

TAMs from OS tissues were isolated by flow cytometry. Exosomes derived from TAMs were separated using ultracentrifugation and western blotting. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and flow cytometry were constructed to characterize TAMs‐derived exosomes. Additionally, the differential MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and genes were detected through RNA sequencing, and further validated using real‐time PCR (RT‐PCR). OS cell metastasis ability was assessed using transwell invasion and scratch wound healing assays. MiRNAs mimic and lentiviral vectors were utilized to explore the effects on OS progression.

Results

Exosome secreted by TAMs accelerated the OS metastasis. Let‐7a level was upregulated in TAMs derived exosomes, which downregulated C15orf41 by targeting 3′‐untranslated region (UTR). Furthermore, overexpressing let‐7a enhanced invasion and migration by blocking the transcription of C15orf41. In consistent, up‐regulating let‐7a promoted OS progression and made the prognosis to be worse, which can be reversed by C15orf41 overexpression.

Conclusion

This study highlighted the critical role of TAMs‐derived exosomes in OS progression and explored the potential value of the let‐7a/C15orf41 axis as an indicator or target for OS.
Evaluation of the in vitro and in vivo effect of liposomal doxorubicin along with oncolytic Newcastle disease virus on 4T1 cell line: Animal preclinical research
Authors: Faranoush Pooya , Jahandideh Alireza , Nekouian Reza , Mortazavi Pejman
Published: March 2023

Background

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies in women, with one in 20 globally. Oncolytic viruses have recently been the first step in the biological treatment of cancer, either genetically engineered or naturally occurring. They increase specifically inside cancer cells and destroy them without damaging normal tissues or producing a host immune response against tumour cells or expressing transgenes. One of the most known members of this family is the Newcastle disease virus (NDV), a natural oncolytic virus that selectively induces apoptosis and DNA fragmentation in human cancer cells.

Methods

This study performed biochemical and molecular investigations with variable doses of NDV (32, 64, 128 HAU) and liposomal doxorubicin (9 mg/kg) on mouse triple‐negative mammary carcinoma cell line 4T1 and BALB/c models tumours for the first time.

Results

Real‐time quantitative PCR analysis in NDV‐treated animal tumours showed increased expression of P21, P27 and P53 genes and decreased expression of CD34, integrin Alpha 5, VEGF and VEGF‐R genes. Additional assessments in treated mouse models also showed that NDV increased ROS production, induced apoptosis, reduced tumour size and significantly improved prognosis, with no adverse effect on normal tissues.

Conclusions

These findings all together might indicate that NDV in combination with chemotherapy drugs could improve prognosis in cancer patients although many more conditions should be considered.
In‐situ growth of layered double hydroxide on montmorillonite nanosheets to improve the flame retardant performance of ABS resin
Authors: Wang Bainian , Wu Bo , Zhang Gaoshi , Yang Baojun
Published: March 2023

Layered double hydroxide (LDH) is a widely used flame retardant in polymer materials; however, the poor dispersion due to its high hydrophilic nature results in disappointing thermal stability and fire safety. In this work, LDH was in‐situ grown on the disordered montmorillonite (MMT) nanosheets to obtain the hybrid of LDH and MMT nanosheets (LDH@MMT, simplified as LM). Various techniques, including X‐ray diffraction, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscope were used to characterize the microstructure of LM. In addition, the acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS) composite containing LM and intumescent flame retardant (IFR) was prepared, and its mechanical and flame‐retardant properties were also measured. The characterization results demonstrate that the LM exhibits a periodically alternating layered structure. The Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) of the ABS composite reaches 27.2% with a V‐0 rating in the UL‐94 vertical burning test, while its flexural strength and tensile strength decrease by only 17.82% and 13.45%, respectively. Furthermore, the heat release rate, total heat release, smoke production rate, and carbon monoxide production rate of the ABS composite present a significant decline in cone calorimeter tests compared with those of pure ABS. The results further indicate that the hybridization could effectively improve the flame‐retardant performance of ABS composites and perform lesser impacts on their mechanical properties.
Torsional Control of Frustrated Lewis Pair Behaviour Involving PNP‐type Phosphines
Authors: Guo Yanhui , Zulkifly Ili , Soderman Jennifer , Protchenko Andrey V. , Kolychev Eugene L. , Fuentes M. Ángeles , Aldridge Simon
Published: March 2023

We present convenient syntheses of a range of PNP‐type phosphines which feature a pair of ortho‐functionalized ArPPh2 moieties linked via a central NMe unit, but which differ in the nature of the additional backbone ‘tether’ linking the aryl groups. These comprise the acyclic system bis(2‐diphenylphosphinophenyl)methylamine, together with related systems centred around 5‐, 6‐ and 7‐membered heterocycles. Structurally, contraction of the backbone tether causes the phosphine centres to be projected further apart, and to be more constrained torsionally to the plane containing the NMe unit. In terms of potential frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) reactivity, the conformationally more flexible systems based on an acyclic linker or a cyclic core featuring a 7‐membered ring, are capable of achieving P−B bond formation and generating a classical Lewis adduct with B(C6F5)3. The less flexible carbazole‐derived compound (featuring a five membered heterocyclic core) gives rise to an FLP at room temperature, and an equilibrium mixture of frustrated and classical Lewis pairs at lower temperatures. Most interestingly, the PNP system based on a central six‐membered acridine ring ‐ which gives rise to the shortest contacts in the solid state between phosphorus and the N‐bound methyl group – undergoes C−H activation in the presence of B(C6F5)3, resulting in the formation of B−H and P−C bonds.
Definiteness of certain differential operators obtained via moment expansion of non‐negative functions
Authors: Leck Jakob
Published: March 2023

Lower bounds are demonstrated for a specific quotient of differences of Taylor polynomials of functions whose inverse Fourier transform is non‐negative and additionally may be isotropic or decreasing. This provides insight on the spectra of differential operators obtained by using truncated moment expansions, especially their definiteness. Physical applications include the approximation of nonlocal elasticity or nonlocal electrostatics by gradient theories, and the Kramers–Moyal expansion.
From Heroic Exploration to Careful Control: Mobility, Health, and Medicine in the British African Empire
Authors: Hokkanen Markku
Published: March 2023

Nineteenth-century explorers epitomised, in their public image, heroic, energetic, and enduring Victorian masculinity. The demands of mobility in challenging conditions and facing high risks to health were central to this image. This was particularly the case in tropical Africa. Among many mid- to late Victorians there was a common idea that keeping active and on the move in tropical conditions was healthy and that conversely immobility or slowness could be perilous. However, as the exploration of the African interior gave way to conquest and colonisation, ideas advocated for controlled, disciplined, and careful mobility gained ground. Although the image of the enduring, risk-taking mobile explorer persisted, it gradually gave way to depictions of more careful, controlled colonisers. Markku Hokkanen’s chapter analyses the changing relations between mobility, health and medicine in the contexts of British exploration and early settlement in tropical Africa in images, theories, and practices. Authors studied include David Livingstone, Horace Waller, and John Buchanan on South-Central Africa, and Mary Kingsley on West Africa.
Drawing on the Delphi Technique to Explore Areas of Convergence and Divergence Among Expert Opinions in the Field of Teaching
Authors: Praetorius Anna-Katharina , Charalambous Charalambos Y.
Published: March 2023

The chapter brings together the individual chapter perspectives on theorizing teaching and thus initiating exchanges among the authors on outstanding issues and discrepancies to provide insights for how research on teaching may move forward. The Delphi study conducted for this aim was based on summaries of the answers of all individual chapters on three questions; authors were asked to rate and comment on each other’s ideas. Comparing ratings and comments exposed the variability in the contributors’ perspectives on (a) the existence, degree of development, and grain size of theories of teaching (first question), (b) the attributes of theories of teaching (second question), and (c) the process of developing theories of teaching (third question). We identify general trends with respect to these issues, leaving a more in-depth discussion for the next chapter.
Theorizing Teaching: Synthesizing Expert Opinion to Identify the Next Steps
Authors: Charalambous Charalambos Y. , Praetorius Anna-Katharina
Published: March 2023

This chapter is a synthesis of the views on theorizing teaching put forward in Chaps. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 and those that emerged from the Delphi study in Chap. 10. In considering these views, we discuss a number of questions: Do theories of teaching exist? If they do, how are they defined, what purpose do they serve, and what attributes do they have? How should theories be generated, and is it possible to develop a comprehensive theory of teaching? What role does content specificity and context sensitivity have in the generation of such theories? What role can teachers play in this process and how can theories of teaching inform practice? The chapter considers how and why the contributors’ views on these questions agreed or differed, and identifies pathways to resolving differences. The exercise demonstrates the importance of providing the research community with opportunities for focused and systematic discussion. As the capstone of this book, the chapter also proposes ways in which the field of theorizing teaching can be moved forward.
Creating Practical Theories of Teaching
Authors: Hiebert James , Stigler James W.
Published: March 2023

In this chapter we propose a way to create theories of teaching that are useful for teachers as well as researchers. Key to our proposal is a new model of teaching that treats sustained learning opportunities (SLOs) as a mediating construct that lies between teaching, on the one hand, and learning, on the other. SLOs become the proximal goal of classroom teaching. Rather than making instructional decisions based on desired learning outcomes, teachers could focus on the kinds of SLOs students need. Because learning research has established reliable links between specific types of learning opportunities and specific learning outcomes, theories of teaching no longer must connect teaching directly with learning. Instead, theories of teaching can become theories of creating SLOs linked to the outcomes teachers want their students to achieve. After presenting our rationale for moving from theories of teaching to theories of creating SLOs, we describe the benefits of such theories for researchersandteachers, explain the work needed to build such theories, and describe the conditions under which this work could be conducted. We conclude by peering into the future and acknowledging the challenges researchers would face as they develop these theories.
A Theory of Teaching
Authors: Schoenfeld Alan H.
Published: March 2023

Whether one can claim to have a theory of teaching depends on what one takes to constitute teaching and what one means by theory. This chapter characterizes both. Given those characterizations, I claim that we already have a theory of teaching, which specifies that teachers’ in-the-moment classroom decisions can be modeled by attending to three major factors: the resources at the teachers’ disposal (both their knowledge and material resources), their orientations (beliefs, preferences, values, etc.), and their goals (which exist at multiple levels and change dynamically according to evolving events). Beyond that, the Teaching for Robust Understanding (TRU) framework indicates that the following five dimensions of learning environments are consequential and comprehensive – the degree to which the environment: (1) offers affordances for rich engagement with content; (2) operates within the students’ zone of proximal development; (3) supports all students in engaging with core content; (4) provides opportunities for students to contribute to classroom discourse and develop a sense of agency and disciplinary identity; and, (5) reveals and responds to student thinking. Combining these two theoretical frames yields a theoretical specification of what has been called “ambitious teaching.” There is much more to be concerned with, however. In general, the field’s understanding of relevant knowledge and resources for ambitious teaching is weak, a problem exacerbated by the widespread adoption of virtual instruction due to the presence of Covid-19. Moreover, little is understood regarding teachers’ developmental trajectories. Such knowledge will be necessary to establish effective long-term professional development efforts.
Keeping Theorizing in Touch with Practice: Practical Rationality as a Middle Range Theory of Mathematics Teaching
Authors: Herbst Patricio G. , Chazan Daniel
Published: March 2023

This chapter characterizes the practical rationality of mathematics teaching as a middle range theory, a theory that is developed through the practice of research. We argue that a middle range theory of teaching permits theorizing that keeps in touch with practice, the exploration of complementarities and mutual sharpening of competing constructs, and the pursuit of an agenda of scientific research on mathematics teaching. We illustrate how empirical research on practical rationality has enabled not only the progressive characterization of phenomena hypothesized by the basic concepts of the theory (e.g., what are the norms of instructional situations) or the uncovering of relationships among those concepts (e.g., complementarities and tensions among contractual and situational norms) but also the drawing of relationships with other constructs (e.g., teachers’ beliefs and knowledge). We use this example to argue that progress in theorizing teaching can benefit from a middle-range theory, to illustrate in what way subject-specificity and subject-genericity can complement each other in theorizing, and to speculate on what the field needs from different theorizations to advance toward better understanding of the practice of teaching.
Theory for Teaching and Teaching for Theory: Artifacts as Tangible Entities for Storing and Improving Professional Knowledge for Teaching
Authors: Cai Jinfa , Hwang Stephen , Melville Matthew , Robison Victoria
Published: March 2023

In discussing theories of teaching, we take the position that there is a two-way street between what we calltheory for teachingandteaching for theory. We articulate the linkages between these two dynamic processes through a particular conceptualization of professional knowledge for teaching carried by tangible artifacts. Within this context we have tried to answer a set of questions about theory and teaching: (1) What is a theory (of teaching)? (2) What should it contain and why? (3) Can such a theory accommodate differences across subject matters and student populations taught? If so, how? If not, why? (4) Do we already have a theory or theories on teaching? If so, which are they? (5) In the future, in what ways might it be possible, if at all, to create a (more comprehensive) theory of teaching? To answer these questions, we draw on the lens of Confucian learning as well as examples from Chinese and U.S. mathematics education to elaborate on understanding, assessing, and accumulating professional knowledge for teaching.
From a ‘Decent Work’ Approach to a Marxist Analysis of Labour Control and Labour Agency in Global Production: Reviewing Research on Labour in GPNs
Authors: López Tatiana
Published: March 2023

This chapter reviews literature on labour in GVCs and GPNs. It argues that within the interdisciplinary literature on labour issues in GVCs/GPNs, two parallel research strands have emerged that are characterised by very different conceptual approaches: (1) a ‘Decent Work’ approach underpinned by the institutionalist perspective of the ILO Decent Work Agenda and (2) a ‘Marxist Political Economy’ approach, which is based on the assumption that the exploitation of labour is an inherent structural feature of capitalist production systems. Situating this study within the second research strand, this chapter then reviews the contributions and shortcomings of existing literature on labour control and labour agency in GVCs/GPNs. In doing so, the chapter highlights the limitations of existing scalar approaches for studying labour control and labour agency in GVCs/GPNs, which have not paid enough attention to how dynamics of labour control and labour agency at different levels influence each other. Against this background, this chapter argues that to gain a more nuanced understanding of the ‘architectures of labour control’ underpinning specific GPNs as well as of workers’ and unions’ networked agency strategies, a relational analytical approach can be beneficial.
Spin 2 spectrum for marginal deformations of 4d $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 2 SCFTs
Authors: Roychowdhury Sourav , Roychowdhury Dibakar
Published: March 2023

Abstract

We compute spin 2 spectrum associated with massive graviton fluctuations in γ-deformed Gaiotto-Maldacena background those are holographically dual to marginal deformations of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 SCFTs in four dimensions. Under the special circumstances, we analytically estimate the spectra both for the γ-deformed Abelian T dual (ATD) as well as the non-Abelian T dual (NATD) cases where we retain ourselves upto leading order in the deformation parameter. Our analysis reveals a continuous spectra which is associated with the breaking of the U(1) isometry (along the directions of the internal manifold) in the presence of the γ-deformation. We also comment on the effects of adding flavour branes into the picture and the nature of the associated spin 2 operators in the dual $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 SCFTs.
Mesenchyme-derived vertebrate lonesome kinase controls lung organogenesis by altering the matrisome
Authors: Brütsch Salome M. , Madzharova Elizabeta , Pantasis Sophia , Wüstemann Till , Gurri Selina , Steenbock Heiko , Gazdhar Amiq , Kuhn Gisela , Angel Peter , Bellusci Saverio , Brinckmann Jürgen , auf dem Keller Ulrich , Werner Sabine , Bordoli Mattia R.
Published: March 2023

Vertebrate lonesome kinase (VLK) is the only known secreted tyrosine kinase and responsible for the phosphorylation of a broad range of secretory pathway-resident and extracellular matrix proteins. However, its cell-type specific functions in vivo are still largely unknown. Therefore, we generated mice lacking the VLK gene (protein kinase domain containing, cytoplasmic (Pkdcc)) in mesenchymal cells. Most of the homozygous mice died shortly after birth, most likely as a consequence of their lung abnormalities and consequent respiratory failure. E18.5 embryonic lungs showed a reduction of alveolar type II cells, smaller bronchi, and an increased lung tissue density. Global mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics identified 97 proteins with significantly and at least 1.5-fold differential abundance between genotypes. Twenty-five of these had been assigned to the extracellular region and 15 to the mouse matrisome. Specifically, fibromodulin and matrilin-4, which are involved in extracellular matrix organization, were significantly more abundant in lungs from Pkdcc knockout embryos. These results support a role for mesenchyme-derived VLK in lung development through regulation of matrix dynamics and the resulting modulation of alveolar epithelial cell differentiation.
Growth responses of mixotrophic giant clams on nearshore turbid coral reefs
Authors: Mills Kimberley , John Eleanor H. , Muir Duncan D. , Santodomingo Nadiezhda , Johnson Kenneth G. , Hussein Muhammad Ali Syed , Sosdian Sindia
Published: March 2023

Increasing evidence suggests that nearshore turbid coral reefs may mitigate bleaching of reef building calcifiers and play a critical role in the future of marine biodiversity in coastal areas. However, biomineralization processes on turbid reefs are relatively understudied compared to clear water counterparts and most published work focuses on corals. Here, we investigate how the mixotrophic giant clam Tridacna squamosa, a bivalve with ecological, cultural and economic significance, grows across a mosaic of less turbid to turbid reefs in the Coral Triangle. We construct growth chronologies from live and dead collected shells by measuring daily growth increments with petrography and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to gain insight into growth rate on daily, seasonal and annual scales. We find annual growth is not significantly different across a turbidity gradient when scaled to ontogeny, while seasonal growth highly varies. Kd(490) (a measurement positively correlated with turbidity) and chlorophyll-a are likely important factors driving seasonal growth on a turbid reef near a river, compared to sea surface temperature (SST), cloud cover and rainfall on a less turbid reef. On a daily scale, we investigate increment microstructure and spectral characteristics of chronologies, finding a relationship between tidal range and daily increments. Overall, our results indicate that light-enhanced calcification is likely most important in the less turbid reef, compared to heterotrophic feeding in the turbid reef. The trophic plasticity of T. squamosa may allow for its sustained growth in marginal conditions, supporting evidence that these habitats serve as important conservation hotspots for diverse reef building taxa.
FTO-mediated m6A modification promotes malignant transformation of gastric mucosal epithelial cells in chronic Cag A+ Helicobacter pylori infection
Authors: Cheng Sha , Li Huan , Chi Jingshu , Zhao Wenfang , Lin Jiahui , Liu Xiaoming , Xu Canxia
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Cag A+Helicobacter pylorichronic infection cause malignant transformation of the human gastric mucosa. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modifications are the most common and abundant mRNA modifications and one of the pathways affecting tumorigenicity and tumor progression. However, the role of m6A modification in the process of chronicH. pyloriinfection leading to malignant transformation of gastric mucosa is unclear.

Methods

In this study, we used Cag A−and Cag A+H. pylorichronic infection to establish cellular models in GES-1 cells and analyzed the cellular morphology, proliferation, apoptosis, invasiveness and tumorigenicity of gastric mucosal epithelial cells. The m6A expression levels of GES-1 cells after chronic infection with Cag A−and Cag A+H. pyloriwere examined, and modifying effect of FTO (the fat mass and obesity-associated protein) on CD44 was verified by MeRIP–qPCR. Finally, the FTO expression changes and m6A expression levels were further validated in clinical gastric cancer tissues.

Results

Chronic Cag A+H. pylori-infected GES-1 cells exhibit altered cell morphology, apoptosis inhibition, abnormal proliferation, enhanced migration, colony formation, and increased stem cell-like properties. Meanwhile, FTO and CD44 expression was enhanced, and FTO may induce malignant transformation of gastric mucosa by regulating CD44 mRNA m6A methylation modifications.

Conclusions

We verified the effect of chronic stimulation of Cag A+H. pylorion malignant transformation of gastric mucosal epithelium. revealing the possibility of FTO in promoting malignant transformation of gastric mucosa by modifying CD44 mRNA methylation, suggesting that FTO expression is a potential molecule for malignant transformation of gastric mucosal epithelial cells.
Phase transition of the k-majority dynamics in biased communication models
Authors: Cruciani Emilio , Mimun Hlafo Alfie , Quattropani Matteo , Rizzo Sara
Published: March 2023

Consider a graph where each of thennodes is either in state$$\mathcal {R}$$Ror$$\mathcal {B}$$B. Herein, we analyze thesynchronousk-Majoritydynamics, where in each discrete-time round nodes simultaneously samplekneighbors uniformly at random with replacement and adopt the majority state among those of the nodes in the sample (breaking ties uniformly at random). Differently from previous work, we study the robustness of thek-Majorityinmaintaining a$$\mathcal {R}$$Rmajority, when the dynamics is subject to two forms ofbiastoward state$$\mathcal {B}$$B. The bias models an external agent that attempts to subvert the initial majority by altering the communication between nodes, with a probability of successpin each round: in the first form of bias, the agent tries to alter the communication links by transmitting state$$\mathcal {B}$$B; in the second form of bias, the agent tries to corrupt nodes directly by making them update to$$\mathcal {B}$$B. Our main result shows asharp phase transitionin both forms of bias. By considering initial configurations in which every node has probability$$q \in (\frac{1}{2},1]$$q∈(12,1]of being in state$$\mathcal {R}$$R, we prove that for every$$k\ge 3$$k≥3there exists a critical value$$p_{k,q}^\star $$pk,q⋆such that, with high probability, the external agent is able to subvert the initial majority either in$$n^{\omega (1)}$$nω(1)rounds, if$$p<p_{k,q}^\star $$pp_{k,q}^\star $$p>pk,q⋆. When$$k<3$$k<3, instead, no phase transition phenomenon is observed and the disruption happens inO(1) rounds for$$p>0$$p>0.
A giant raptor (Aves: Accipitridae) from the Pleistocene of southern Australia
Authors: Mather Ellen K. , Lee Michael S. Y. , Camens Aaron B. , Worthy Trevor H.
Published: March 2023

The giant accipitridDynatoaetus gaffaegen. et sp. nov. is described from existing and newly collected material. Initial fossil remains were collected from Mairs Cave (Flinders Ranges, South Australia) in 1956 and 1969, and comprised a sternum, distal humerus and two ungual phalanges. A further 28 bones from this individual—including the neurocranium, vertebrae, furculum, and additional wing and leg bones, most of which were incomplete—were discovered at the site in 2021. This allowed identification of additional fossils from the same species in collections from Cooper Creek (Lake Eyre Basin, SA), Victoria Fossil Cave (Naracoorte, SA) and Wellington Caves (Wellington, NSW).Dynatoaetushas variable similarity across elements to those of living species in the Perninae, Gypaetinae, Circaetinae and Aegypiinae. Parsimony and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of combined morphological and DNA data resolved it as the immediate sister-group to the Aegypiinae within the Circaetinae + Aegypiinae clade. The robust and eagle-like morphology of the lower hindlimbs suggest that the species was a predator, rather than a scavenger, and thus functionally similar to large circaetines such as the Philippine EaglePithecophaga jefferyi. Furthermore, this new species is the largest known bird of prey from Australia, much larger than the modern Wedge-Tailed EagleAquila audax. It is outsized in Australasia only by femaleHieraaetus moorei(the extinct Haast’s Eagle from New Zealand). It is inferred to have been Australia’s top terrestrial avian predator during the Pleistocene, ranging from arid inland Australia to the more temperate coast, and likely became extinct around the time of the megafaunal mass extinction which peaked around 50 Ka. Its extinction in the late Pleistocene, along with the recently described scavenging vultureCryptogyps lacertosus, marked a distinct decline in the diversity and function of Australia’s raptor guild.
Beyond a neoliberal critique of hunger: a genealogy of food charity in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Riol Katharine S. E. Cresswell , Connelly Sean
Published: March 2023

Since the 1980s, foodbanks have become a widespread solution to addressing hunger within high-income countries. The primary reason for their establishment has been widely recognised as neoliberal policies, particularly those that led to massive cuts in social welfare assistance. Foodbanks and hunger have subsequently been framed within a neoliberal critique. However, we argue that critiques of foodbanks are not unique to neoliberalism but have deeper historical roots, meaning that the part neoliberal policies have played is not as clear-cut. In order to understand the normalisation of foodbanks within society, and gain a more extensive understanding of hunger and appreciation as to how this issue could be addressed, it is therefore important to gain a historical understanding of food charity development. In this article, we achieve this by presenting a genealogy of food charity within Aotearoa New Zealand, which witnessed a fluctuation in the use of soup kitchens during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and a rise of foodbanks in the 1980s and ‘90 s. Highlighting the historical parallels and major economic and cultural shifts that have allowed for the institutionalisation of foodbanks, we explore the patterns, parallels and differences exposed, and how they yield an alternative understanding of hunger. Using this analysis, we then discuss the wider implications of the historical foundations of food charity and hunger to better understand the role neoliberalism has played in the entrenchment of foodbanks, and advocate the importance of looking beyond a neoliberal critique in order to entertain alternative solutions to addressing food insecurity.
Dissolved oxygen saturation is crucial for gas bladder inflation in turquoise killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri)
Authors: Žák Jakub , Anil Abhishek Nair , Dyková Iva
Published: March 2023

Providing optimal conditions for early-life gas bladder inflation of captive fish is one of the biggest challenges in fish culture. It also applies to laboratory fishes. Turquoise killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri Jubb, 1971) is a popular research model in biogerontology due to its short lifespan. Annual killifish in laboratory culture frequently suffer from an inability to inflate their gas bladder which may stem from suboptimal environmental conditions in captivity. Here, we investigate (1) the effect of dissolved oxygen (DO) saturation and (2) access to the water surface on gas bladder inflation and hatching success of turquoise killifish. We further histologically examine the gas bladder development from its primordial form to full inflation. In accordance with physoclistous nature of turquoise killifish, access to the water surface is not necessary for gas bladder inflation. We found that hatching success was highest in the treatment with constant or decreasing DO saturation. In contrast, the highest proportion of larvae with inflated gas bladders was found in the treatment with DO oversaturated water (130%) which was induced by the addition of an oxygen tablet. Larvae inflated their gas bladders within 2 to 48 h post-hatching. These findings represent a major step toward a solution to a persistent problem in laboratory culture of this increasingly important model organism.
Finite-trace and generalized-reactivity specifications in temporal synthesis
Authors: De Giacomo Giuseppe , Di Stasio Antonio , Tabajara Lucas M. , Vardi Moshe Y. , Zhu Shufang
Published: March 2023

Linear Temporal Logic (LTL) synthesis aims at automatically synthesizing a program that complies with desired properties expressed in LTL. Unfortunately it has been proved to be too difficult computationally to perform full LTL synthesis. There have been two success stories with LTL synthesis, both having to do with the form of the specification. The first is the GR(1) approach: use safety conditions to determine the possible transitions in a game between the environment and the agent, plus one powerful notion of fairness, Generalized Reactivity(1), or GR(1). The second, inspired by AI planning, is focusing on finite-trace temporal synthesis, with LTL$$_f$$

f

(LTL on finite traces) as the specification language. In this paper we take these two lines of work and bring them together. We first study the case in which we have an LTL$$_f$$

f

agent goal and a GR(1) environment specification. We then add to the framework safety conditions for both the environment and the agent, obtaining a highly expressive yet still scalable form of LTL synthesis.
Identification of a Female-Produced Sex Attractant Pheromone of the Winter Firefly, Photinus corruscus Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)
Authors: Lower Sarah E. , Pask Gregory M. , Arriola Kyle , Halloran Sean , Holmes Hannah , Halley Daphné C. , Zheng Yiyu , Collins Douglas B. , Millar Jocelyn G.
Published: March 2023

Firefly flashes are well-known visual signals used by these insects to find, identify, and choose mates. However, many firefly species have lost the ability to produce light as adults. These “unlighted” species generally lack developed adult light organs, are diurnal rather than nocturnal, and are believed to use volatile pheromones acting over a distance to locate mates. While cuticular hydrocarbons, which may function in mate recognition at close range, have been examined for a handful of the over 2000 extant firefly species, no volatile pheromone has ever been identified. In this study, using coupled gas chromatography - electroantennographic detection, we detected a single female-emitted compound that elicited antennal responses from wild-caught male winter fireflies, Photinus corruscus. The compound was identified as (1S)-exo-3-hydroxycamphor (hydroxycamphor). In field trials at two sites across the species’ eastern North American range, large numbers of male P. corruscus were attracted to synthesized hydroxycamphor, verifying its function as a volatile sex attractant pheromone. Males spent more time in contact with lures treated with synthesized hydroxycamphor than those treated with solvent only in laboratory two-choice assays. Further, using single sensillum recordings, we characterized a pheromone-sensitive odorant receptor neuron in a specific olfactory sensillum on male P. corruscus antennae and demonstrated its sensitivity to hydroxycamphor. Thus, this study has identified the first volatile pheromone and its corresponding sensory neuron for any firefly species, and provides a tool for monitoring P. corruscus populations for conservation and further inquiry into the chemical and cellular bases for sexual communication among fireflies.
Boltzmann’s Entropy During Free Expansion of an Interacting Gas
Authors: Chakraborti Subhadip , Dhar Abhishek , Kundu Anupam
Published: March 2023

In this work, we study the evolution of Boltzmann’s entropy in the context of free expansion of a one-dimensional interacting gas inside a box. Our interacting particle model is a gas of hard point particles with alternating masses, a system known to have good ergodicity properties. Boltzmann’s entropy is defined for single microstates and is given by the phase-space volume occupied by microstates with the same value of macrovariables which are coarse-grained physical observables. We demonstrate the idea of typicality in the growth of the Boltzmann’s entropy for two choices of macro-variables—the single particle phase space distribution and the hydrodynamic fields. Due to the presence of interactions, the growth curves for both these entropies are observed to converge to a monotonically increasing limiting curve, on taking the appropriate order of limits, of large system size and small coarse-graining scale. Moreover, we observe that the limiting growth curves for the two choices of entropies are identical as implied by local thermal equilibrium. We also discuss issues related to finite size and finite coarse gaining scale which lead to interesting features such as oscillations in the entropy growth curve. We also discuss shocks observed in the hydrodynamic fields.