bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiac amyloidosis is not a single disease: a multiparametric comparison between the light chain and transthyretin forms
Authors: Neculae Gabriela , Adam Robert , Jercan Andreea , Bădeliță Sorina , Tjahjadi Catherina , Draghici Mirela , Stan Claudiu , Bax Jeroen J. , Popescu Bogdan A. , Marsan Nina Ajmone , Coriu Daniel , Jurcuț Ruxandra
Published: May 2024

Aims

Systemic amyloidosis represents a heterogeneous group of diseases resulting from amyloid fibre deposition. The purpose of this study is to establish a differential diagnosis algorithm targeted towards the two most frequent subtypes of CA.

Methods and results

We prospectively included all consecutive patients with ATTR and AL evaluated between 2018 and 2022 in two centres in a score derivation cohort and a different validation sample. All patients had a complete clinical, biomarker, electrocardiographic, and imaging evaluation. Confirmation of the final diagnosis with amyloid typing was performed according to the current international recommendations. The study population included 81 patients divided into two groups: ATTR (group 1, n = 32: 28 variant and 4 wild type) and AL (group 2, n = 49). ATTR patients were younger (50.7 ± 13.9 vs. 60.2 ± 7.3 years, P = 0.0001), and significantly different in terms of NT‐proBNP [ATTR: 1472.5 ng/L (97–4218.5) vs. AL 8024 ng/L (3058–14 069) P = 0.001], hs‐cTn I [ATTR: 10 ng/L (4–20) vs. AL 78 ng/L (32–240), P = 0.0002], GFR [ATTR 95.4 mL/min (73.8–105.3) vs. AL: 68.4 mL/min (47.8–87.4) P = 0.003]. At similar left ventricular (LV) wall thickness and ejection fraction, the ATTR group had less frequently pericardial effusion (ATTR: 15% vs. AL: 33% P = 0.0027), better LV global longitudinal strain (ATTR: −13.1% ± 3.5 vs. AL: −9.1% ± 4.3 P = 0.04), RV strain (ATTR: −21.9% ± 6.2 vs. AL: −16.8% ± 6 P = 0.03) and better reservoir function of the LA strain (ATTR: 22% ± 12 vs. AL: 13.6% ± 7.8 P = 0.02). Cut‐off points were calculated based on the Youden method. We attributed to 2 points for parameters having an AUC > 0.75 (NT‐proBNP AUC 0.799; hs‐cTnI AUC 0.87) and 1 point for GFR (AUC 0.749) and TTE parameters (GLS AUC 0.666; RV FWS AUC 0.649, LASr AUC 0.643). A score of equal or more than 4 points has been able to differentiate between AL and ATTR (sensitivity 80%, specificity 62%, AUC = 0.798). The differential diagnosis score system was applied to the validation cohort of 52 CA patients showing a sensitivity of 81% with specificity of 77%.

Conclusions

CA is a complex entity and requires extensive testing for a positive diagnosis. This study highlights a series of non‐invasive checkpoints, which can be useful in guiding the decision‐making process towards a more accurate and rapid differential diagnosis.
Direct Arylation of Benzoxazoles with Benzoyl Chlorides under Mild Conditions
Authors: Wang Feifei , Yang Zhiyong , Yan Jiaqi , Xue Qiuyan
Published: May 2024

A mild and convenient method for the arylation of benzoxazoles with benzoyl chlorides is reported. This facile protocol used only N,N‐diisopropylethylamine (DIPEA) as an additive. Under the optimal reaction conditions, a wide range of benzoxazoles and benzoyl chlorides were tolerated. With this strategy, benzothiazoles and benzoyl chlorides also reacted well to afford the desired product 2‐aryl benzothiazoles in moderate yields.
Synthesis, Stability, Meisenheimer Complex Formation, and Charge‐Transfer Properties of Ultra‐Electron‐Deficient Tetracyano‐Naphthalene Diimides
Authors: Yadav Devendra , Kumar Yogendra , Husain Ch. Mudasar , Mahiya Kuldeep , Mukhopadhyay Pritam
Published: May 2024

Tetra‐cyano substituted naphthalene diimides (TCNDIs) with calculated LUMO of −5.2 eV, form one of the strongest electron‐acceptors known to date. However, the synthesis and isolation of this class of molecules remain challenging due to its reactivity emanating from its ultra‐electron‐deficiency. Herein we have established an improved synthetic methodology of TCNDIs with cost‐effective reagents and circumventing metallic catalysts. The synthesis is amenable to TCNDIs with the shortest axial alkyl groups, i. e., methyl group and also longer alkyl chains. We also gained insight on how axial alkyl chain lengths influence electron‐deficiency, Meisenheimer complex formation, reactivity, and charge‐transfer of TCNDIs from computation, spectroscopy, and electrochemical studies. The TCNDIs with Me/Et axial groups were found to be more susceptible to moist solvents vis‐à‐vis the TCNDIs with longer alkyl groups. The single crystal structures of the TCNDIs show infinitely π‐stacked structure, and a new C=O ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ C≡N or C≡N ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ π motif is discerned. Finally, toluene‐mediated charge‐transfer properties of TCNDIs in the single crystals as well as in solution have been examined.
Advancements and challenges in brain cancer therapeutics
Authors: Bai Fan , Deng Yueyang , Li Long , Lv Ming , Razzokov Jamoliddin , Xu Qingnan , Xu Zhen , Chen Zhaowei , Chen Guojun , Chen Zhitong
Published: May 2024

Treating brain tumors requires a nuanced understanding of the brain, a vital and delicate organ. Location, size, tumor type, and surrounding tissue health are crucial in developing treatment plans. This review comprehensively summarizes various treatment options that are available or could be potentially available for brain tumors, including physical therapies (radiotherapy, ablation therapy, photodynamic therapy, tumor‐treating field therapy, and cold atmospheric plasma therapy) and non‐physical therapies (surgical resection, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy). Mechanisms of action, potential side effects, indications, and latest developments, as well as their limitations, are highlighted. Furthermore, the requirements for personalized, multi‐modal treatment approaches in this rapidly evolving field are discussed, emphasizing the balance between efficacy and patient safety.
Commodity price volatility, institutions and economic growth: An empirical investigation
Authors: Houndoga Fréjus‐Ferry , Picone Gabriel
Published: May 2024

This article investigates the role of institutional quality in transmitting effects of commodity price volatility to economic growth. To do so, we collect data on 107 primary commodity exporting countries in both developing and developed ones over the period 1976–2015. Our empirical approach is based on Solow growth model framework (Solow, R. M. (1956). The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 70(1), 65) and consists of estimating a dynamic panel model using the two‐step system GMM estimator. Our results show evidence that commodity price booms are associated with good economic performances that are unfortunately wiped out by the negative effects of price volatility in developing commodity‐dependent countries (CDCs). The main channel through which this volatility affects economic growth turns out to be through factor productivity. Finally, we have formally established that the negative effect of price volatility in CDCs is mainly due to the poor quality of institutions in these countries. These results suggest that it is important for commodity‐exporting economies, especially developing CDCs, to work on building strong economic and political institutions to guard against the risk of commodity price volatility.
Enhancing sleep health in urban American Indian/Alaska Native adolescents: Implications for culturally tailored interventions
Authors: Dong Lu , Brown Ryan A. , Palimaru Alina I. , D'Amico Elizabeth J. , Dickerson Daniel L. , Klein David J , Johnson Carrie L. , Troxel Wendy M.
Published: May 2024

Background

Urban American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) adolescents are vulnerable to sleep and other health‐related disparities due to numerous social drivers, including historical trauma and relocation to urban areas. This study aims to identify strategies to increase protective factors and culturally tailor sleep health interventions for this population.

Methods

Using community‐based participatory research, the NAYSHAW study conducted in‐depth interviews with urban AI/AN adolescents aged 12–19 years to understand critical components needed for developing a culturally sensitive sleep health intervention. Data from two qualitative subsamples (N = 46) and parent surveys (N = 110) were analyzed, focusing on factors that affect sleep health behaviors, including parental involvement, technology, and traditional practices.

Results

Key findings include the detrimental impact of electronics use at night and protective effects of traditional practices on sleep. Parental involvement in sleep routines varied by adolescent's age. Adolescents desired sleep health education in interactive formats, whereas parents preferred workshops and digital applications for sleep health strategies. Findings suggest that interventions need to address electronics use and should also be culturally tailored to address the unique experiences of urban AI/AN adolescents.

Conclusions

Results underscore the importance of utilizing community‐based strategies to develop culturally tailored sleep interventions for underserved populations, specifically urban AI/AN adolescents. Integrating traditional practices with evidence‐based sleep health strategies can provide a holistic approach to improving sleep and overall well‐being. Parental education and involvement will be critical to the success of such interventions.
Improvement on electrochemiluminescence properties of graphite carbon nitride by metal oxidation state regulation
Authors: Zou Rui , Guo Rui , Cheng Jinkui
Published: May 2024

Reasonable design is of great significance for improving the performance of electrochemiluminescence (ECL) co‐reactant accelerators. The different d‐band structure of metal single atoms will produce different oxidation states, which may change the adsorption of reaction intermediates to the catalyst and affect its catalytic activity. In this study, we have demonstrated that the ECL performances of graphite carbon nitride (CN) can be promoted by modulating the metal oxidation states of co‐reaction accelerator for the first time. The oxidation states of Au were modulated by the different electronic metal–support interaction (EMSI) between the co‐reaction accelerator (Au single atoms, Au nanoparticles [Au NPs]) and CN, and the effects of Au oxidation states on the ECL performances of CN were investigated. Comparison to pristine CN and CN nanosheets supported Au nanoparticles (Au NPs/CN), stronger and more stable ECL intensity of CN nanosheets supported Au single‐atoms (AuS/CN) was obtained. The ECL signal of AuS/CN was about 32.2 times that of the original CN, and 2.8 times that of Au NPs/CN in the same Au loading content (0.8%). Detailed mechanism revealed that AuS/CN with higher Au oxidation state has better conductivity and stronger catalytic activity, which promotes the electric reduction of CN and S2O82−, increases the lifetime of the excited state CN*, and significantly improves the ECL performance of CN. In addition, this work provides a detailed understanding of the essence of EMSI for the ECL intensity amplification and established a feasible method for the improvement of ECL capacities of co‐reactant accelerators.
Advancing the voice of women through doctoral education: Proposed models for dental hygienists and dental therapists
Authors: Bono Leciel K. , Gurenlian JoAnn
Published: May 2024

The increase in scientific knowledge, oral healthcare, new dental hygiene workforce models, and the latest clinical skills, have elevated the need for doctoral prepared dental hygienists and dental therapists. These oral care providers need to be empowered with advanced preparation in education, research, and leadership. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to present two curricular models for a doctorate of philosophy and a doctorate of oral health practice recognizing that students may have different goals and interests in educational pursuits. The doctoral program models support the conduct of research and scholarship, which supports the research infrastructure of the profession and emphasizes the dissemination of scholarly works. Creation of doctoral programs for dental hygienists and dental therapists provides opportunities to broaden choices and strive for autonomy throughout their careers. These programs may support the development of additional scholars and advanced practitioners who can contribute to the scientific body of knowledge and create policies and pathways to improve population oral health.
Uncover your inner power: Breaking leadership biases in global healthcare
Authors: Hachem Lea El , Garcia M. Nathalia , Brady Michelle , Cain Lisa , Lopez‐Fuentes Ana N.
Published: May 2024

Women currently represent approximately 70% of the global healthcare workforce, 60.9% of the global dental workforce, 77.6% of the US healthcare workforce, and 36.7% of the US dental workforce. The American Dental Association states that the number of practicing women dentists in the United States has increased by 2.25 times since 2001, with a projected trajectory to level off by 2040. Despite having a major impact on the healthcare sector globally, women earn 24% less than men and only serve in 25% of senior leadership positions. In the US dental schools, only 14% of faculty serve in administrative roles, and as of April 2022, 28.6% of the US dental school deans were women, indicating gender underrepresentation in the highest roles of academic leadership. This corresponds to the data on gender parity still not being the norm in many societies and workplaces and can be attributed to public policies, stereotypical perceptions, and individual factors. Five key factors have been identified to be crucial for women's entry or advancement in global health leadership: a) public policy, b) community, c) institutional, d) interpersonal, and e) individual. Individual self‐improvement and institutional practices may be used to overcome these barriers to women's leadership in healthcare and shift the power dynamics toward reinforcing gender equality. These transformative changes are measured through women's collective capacities and skills, relationship dynamics, community perceptions, and environmental practices. This article recognizes the present obstacles to women in healthcare leadership and proposes strategies to achieve gender equality both through individual and institutional practices.
Reasons for encounters, diagnoses, and admission rate among emergency referrals at an urban primary care clinic in Japan: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Satoi Yoshinao , Matsushima Masato , Iwata Hiroyoshi
Published: May 2024

Background

Comprehensive understanding of emergency referrals (EmR), encompassing reasons for encounters (RFEs) and diagnoses, is crucial for primary care physicians (PCPs). Comparing EmR rates and subsequent admission rates can potentially enhance the quality of primary care for EmR practice. However, no study has evaluated RFEs among patients with EmRs. This study aimed to identify RFE/diagnosis in relation to subsequent admission among patients receiving EmR.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study at an urban family physician teaching clinic in Kawasaki City, Japan. Our cohort recruited consecutive EmR episodes with their medical records and admissions confirmed through response letters from receiving hospitals. Using the 2nd edition of the International Classification of Primary Care, we explored the frequency of RFEs and diagnoses, calculating EmR rates and admission rates as primary outcomes. Bivariate analyses were employed to compare admission and non‐admission cases.

Results

The present study encompassed 162 EmR episodes out of 47,901 visits, yielding an EmR rate of 3.38/1000 visits. Among 153 completely followed episodes, 99 patients were emergently admitted, resulting in a 64.7% admission rate. The admission group exhibited significantly higher age and a greater prevalence of dementia. Descriptive analysis revealed fever and pneumonia as the most frequent RFE and diagnosis, respectively, with significant differences between admission and non‐admission groups.

Conclusions

The present study reports EmR and admission rates following EmR, highlighting differences in patient characteristics, RFEs, and diagnoses. The findings offer insights to enhance PCPs' EmR practices and serve as a benchmark for the scope of EmR practice.
The onset of Pliocene–Early Pleistocene fluvial aggradation in the Southeastern Alpine Foreland (Velenje Basin, Slovenia) and its paleoenvironmental implications
Authors: Mencin Gale Eva , Rupnik Petra Jamšek , Akçar Naki , Christl Marcus , Vockenhuber Christof , Anselmetti Flavio S. , Šmuc Andrej
Published: May 2024

In this study, we focused on the Pliocene–Early Pleistocene fluvial terraces in the Velenje Basin and reconstructed the morphostratigraphy, sedimentary depositional environment, provenance and age of the gravel deposits using geomorphological, sedimentological, petrographic and chronological analyses. Geomorphological mapping revealed the presence of two main river‐terrace groups. The terraces in the older terrace group are severely degraded and preserved only as remnants capping high ground, while in contrast the younger group is better preserved. Detailed lithofacies analyses of four selected stratigraphic sections of the older terrace group show that the gravel was deposited in a meandering and wandering environment. The gravel consists of metamorphic, igneous, volcaniclastic, clastic and carbonate lithologies derived from the north, east and west from the Paka River catchments. To determine the timing of deposition, we performed isochron‐burial dating using cosmogenic 26Al and 10Be. Our new age constraints date the deposition of the older terrace group to 2.7 ± 0.3 Ma. Establishing the aggradation and incision model of the Velenje Basin documents pronounced regional tectonic uplift during the Pliocene–Early Pleistocene, which led to incision and the subsequent formation of a terrace staircase.
Study on Oil–Water Separation Performance of PDA/ODA Composite–Modified Sponge
Authors: Chen Jianfeng , Hu Yuanjing , Zhang Zhiying , Li Xiaobing , Yu Xiong , Wu Zhenping , Chen Zewen
Published: May 2024

The study involved the modification of a melamine sponge (SP) through the introduction of polydopamine (PDA) and octadecylamine (ODA), resulting in the creation of three distinct sponge types: PDA/ODA@SP, PDA@SP and ODA@SP. The successful modification of PDA and ODA onto the surface of the sponge was confirmed through the utilisation of scanning electron microscopy and x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Consequently, the resulting sponges exhibited a unique micro–nano composite structure. Wettability testing was conducted to assess the properties of the sponges, revealing that the PDA/ODA@SP sponge demonstrated hydrophobic superlipophilic characteristics. Moreover, a series of 10 repeated oil–water separation experiments indicated that the PDA/ODA@SP sponge achieved an impressive separation efficiency of up to 97%, demonstrating its exceptional oil–water separation capabilities and reusability. Additionally, investigations utilising soybean oil and engine oil demonstrated the composite sponge's superior absorption capabilities for fatty acids and hydrocarbons.
Parkinson's Disease Associated with G2019S LRRK2 Mutations without Lewy Body Pathology
Authors: Jackson Lauren M. , Woodruff Bryan K. , Tremblay Cecilia , Shill Holly A. , Beach Thomas G. , Serrano Geidy E. , Adler Charles H.
Published: May 2024

Background

The G2019S leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene mutation is an important and commonly found genetic determinant of Parkinson's disease (PD). The neuropathological findings associated with this mutation have thus far been varied but are most often associated with Lewy body (LB) pathology.

Objective

Describe a case of clinical Parkinson's disease with levodopa responsiveness found to have LRRK2 mutations and the absence of Lewy bodies.

Method

We present an 89‐year‐old man with a 10‐year history of slowly progressive parkinsonism suspected to be secondary to Parkinson's disease.

Results

Neuropathological evaluation revealed nigral degeneration without Lewy bodies or Lewy neurites, but there were frequent tau‐immunopositive neurites and astrocytes in the putamen and substantia nigra, neocortical glial tau positive astrocytes associated with aging‐related tau astrogliopathy (ARTAG), as well as neurofibrillary tangles, beta amyloid plaques, and amyloid angiopathy typical of advanced Alzheimer's disease. G2019S LRRK2 homozygous mutations were found.

Conclusion

This case illustrates that levodopa‐responsive clinical PD caused by G2019S LRRK2 mutations can occur without Lewy bodies.
HHS final rule promotes community integration, civil rights protections
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: May 2024

More than 50 years after the implementation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 — a federal law prohibiting disability discrimination in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance — the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) earlier this month issued a final rule to clarify several crucial areas not explicity addressed in the current rule.
PINOID‐centered genetic interactions mediate auxin action in cotyledon formation
Authors: Zeng Wei , Wang Xiutao , Li Mengyuan
Published: May 2024

Auxin plays a key role in plant growth and development through auxin local synthesis, polar transport, and auxin signaling. Many previous reports on Arabidopsis have found that various types of auxin‐related genes are involved in the development of the cotyledon, including the number, symmetry, and morphology of the cotyledon. However, the molecular mechanism by which auxin is involved in cotyledon formation remains to be elucidated. PID, which encodes a serine/threonine kinase localized to the plasma membrane, has been found to phosphorylate the PIN1 protein and regulate its polar distribution in the cell. The loss of function of pid resulted in an abnormal number of cotyledons and defects in inflorescence. It was interesting that the pid mutant interacted synergistically with various types of mutant to generate the severe developmental defect without cotyledon. PID and these genes were indicated to be strongly correlated with cotyledon formation. In this review, PID‐centered genetic interactions, related gene functions, and corresponding possible pathways are discussed, providing a perspective that PID and its co‐regulators control cotyledon formation through multiple pathways.
Project ChemicalBlooms: Collaborating with citizen scientists to survey the chemical diversity and phylogenetic distribution of plant epicuticular wax blooms
Authors: Nguyen Le Thanh Dien , Groth Nicole , Mondloch Kylie , Cahoon Edgar B. , Jones Keith , Busta Lucas
Published: May 2024

Plants use chemistry to overcome diverse challenges. A particularly striking chemical trait that some plants possess is the ability to synthesize massive amounts of epicuticular wax that accumulates on the plant's surfaces as a white coating visible to the naked eye. The ability to synthesize basic wax molecules appears to be shared among virtually all land plants, and our knowledge of ubiquitous wax compound synthesis is reasonably advanced. However, the ability to synthesize thick layers of visible epicuticular crystals (“wax blooms”) is restricted to specific lineages, and our knowledge of how wax blooms differ from ubiquitous wax layers is less developed. Here, we recruited the help of citizen scientists and middle school students to survey the wax bloom chemistry of 78 species spanning dicot, monocot, and gymnosperm lineages. Using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, we found that the major wax classes reported from bulk wax mixtures can be present in wax bloom crystals, with fatty acids, fatty alcohols, and alkanes being present in many species' bloom crystals. In contrast, other compounds including aldehydes, ketones, secondary alcohols, and triterpenoids were present in only a few species' wax bloom crystals. By mapping the 78 wax bloom chemical profiles onto a phylogeny and using phylogenetic comparative analyses, we found that secondary alcohol and triterpenoid‐rich wax blooms were present in lineage‐specific patterns that would not be expected to arise by chance. That finding is consistent with reports that secondary alcohol biosynthesis enzymes are found only in certain lineages but was a surprise for triterpenoids, which are intracellular components in virtually all plant lineages. Thus, our data suggest that a lineage‐specific mechanism other than biosynthesis exists that enables select species to generate triterpenoid‐rich surface wax crystals. Overall, our study outlines a general mode in which research scientists can collaborate with citizen scientists as well as middle and high school classrooms not only to enhance data collection and generate testable hypotheses but also to directly involve classrooms in the scientific process and inspire future STEM workers.
Pulsed Sputtering Epitaxy of Coherent AlN/Al0.5Ga0.5N/AlN Multichannel Structures
Authors: Kozaka Takao , Maeda Ryota , Ueno Kohei , Fujioka Hiroshi
Published: May 2024

In this article, the advantages of AlN low‐temperature interface protective layer (LT‐IPL) prepared by sputtering epitaxy for the fabrication of AlN/Al0.5Ga0.5N/AlN multichannel device structures are discussed. In this study, it is found that the use of LT‐IPL enhances the AlN/AlGaN interface surface morphology and reduces AlN/Al0.5Ga0.5N/AlN multichannel structure misfit dislocations. This approach results in a coherent four‐channel AlN/AlGaN/AlN structure with considerably improved crystallinity. Moreover, consistent with predictions from 1D simulations, reductions in sheet resistance are inversely proportional to the number of channels. These advancements are pivotal for the development of sophisticated AlN/AlGaN/AlN multichannel structures, which are tailored for applications that require low resistance and high voltage.
Assessment of short‐range forecast error atmosphere–ocean cross‐correlations from the Met Office coupled numerical weather prediction system
Authors: Wright Azin , Lawless Amos S. , Nichols Nancy K. , Lea Daniel J. , Martin Matthew J.
Published: May 2024

Operational data assimilation systems for coupled atmosphere–ocean prediction are usually “weakly coupled”, in which there is no explicit interaction between the atmosphere and ocean within the data assimilation step. Explicitly allowing for cross‐correlations between the ocean and the atmosphere may have potential benefits in improving the consistency of atmosphere and ocean analyses, as well as allowing a better use of observations at the interface. To understand whether such correlations are significant on the time‐scales of numerical weather prediction, we investigate the atmosphere–ocean cross‐correlations of short‐term forecast errors from the Met Office coupled prediction system, considering their temporal and spatial variability. We find that significant correlations exist between atmosphere and ocean forecast errors on these time‐scales, and that these vary diurnally, from day to day, spatially and synoptically. For correlations between errors in the atmospheric wind and ocean temperature, positive correlations in the North Atlantic region are found to be synoptically dependent, with correlation structures extending into the ocean throughout the deep mixed layer, beyond a depth of 100 m. In contrast, negative correlations over the Indian Ocean are very shallow and are associated with the diurnal cycle of solar radiation. The significance and variability of cross‐correlations indicates that there should be a benefit from including them in data assimilation systems, but it will be important to allow for some flow‐dependence in the correlations. Furthermore, the differing vertical extents of the cross‐correlations in different regions implies the need for situation‐dependent localisation of ensemble correlations when including them in coupled data assimilation systems.
Probabilistic LCF life prediction framework for turbine discs considering random load history
Authors: Bai Song , Zeng Ying , Huang Tudi , Li Yan‐Feng , Huang Hong‐Zhong
Published: May 2024

The load history exerts a considerable impact on the low cycle fatigue (LCF) life of turbine discs. Thus, oversimplifying the load history leads to substantial errors in fatigue life prediction. This study introduces a probabilistic fatigue life prediction method for turbine discs, accounting for the randomness inherent in LCF load history. The method involves quantifying the randomness of load history through numerical simulation and employing a surrogate model enhanced with learning functions to balance computational efficiency and accuracy. The probabilistic LCF life prediction of full‐scale turbine disc was conducted, demonstrating that the fatigue life scatter predicted by the proposed method more closely aligns with experimental data compared to the original approach. By refining the numerical simulation process, the proposed method better accounts for uncertainties in load history while maintaining computational efficiency, offering significant insights for the fatigue reliability design of turbine discs.
Robust retrieval of forest canopy structural attributes using multi‐platform airborne LiDAR
Authors: Zhang Beibei , Fischer Fabian J. , Prober Suzanne M. , Yeoh Paul B. , Gosper Carl R. , Zdunic Katherine , Jucker Tommaso
Published: May 2024

LiDAR data acquired from airplanes and helicopters – known as airborne laser scanning (ALS) – are widely regarded as the gold standard for characterizing the 3D structure of forests at scale. But in the last decade, advances in unoccupied aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies have led to a rapid rise in the use of UAV laser scanning (ULS) for mapping forest structure. As both ALS and ULS data become increasingly available, they are being used to derive an ever‐growing number of metrics designed to measure different facets of canopy structure. However, which metrics can be robustly retrieved from both ALS and ULS platforms remains unclear. To address this question, we acquired coincident, high‐density ALS and ULS scans covering 115 plots (4‐ha in size) in an open‐canopy temperate ecosystem in Western Australia. Using this unique dataset, we quantified 32 canopy structural metrics related to canopy height, openness and heterogeneity, including metrics calculated directly from the point clouds and ones measured from derived canopy height models (CHM). Overall, we found that ALS and ULS‐derived metrics were strongly correlated (r2 = 0.90). However, this high degree of correlation masked considerable systematic differences between platforms. Specifically, point cloud metrics were less strongly (r2 = 0.87) correlated and had higher bias (10.7%) compared to CHM‐derived ones (r2 = 0.98; bias = 2.5%). Similarly, metrics of canopy openness and heterogeneity were less strongly correlated (r2 = 0.84 and 0.87) and exhibited greater bias (14.4 and 7.9%) than ones relating to canopy height (r2 = 0.96; bias = 3.8%). Our results indicate that only a small subset of the 32 metrics we tested were directly comparable between ALS and ULS platforms. Consequently, future efforts to combine laser scanning data across platforms and instruments should think carefully about which metrics are most appropriate, especially when working with point cloud data.
Selectfluor‐Mediated N‐Methylation, N‐Methylenesulfonylmethylation and Methylenethiomethylation of Isatins in Dimethyl Sulfoxide
Authors: Choudhari Dnyaneshwar J. , Babu Nanubolu Jagadeesh , Rode Haridas B.
Published: May 2024

Dimethyl sulfoxide as a reagent and solvent in Selectfluor mediated transformations of isatin is reported. The transformations includeN‐methylation andN‐methylenesulfonylmethylation of isatin at 100 °C whereasN‐methylenethiomethylation was observed at 140 °C in addition toN‐methylation andN‐methylenesulfonylmethylation of isatins. Electron withdrawing and releasing substituents on isatin were tolerated. Interestingly, dual (N‐ andC−)methylenethiomethylation was observed in case of 7‐Bromo‐ and 7‐Iodo isatins at 140 °C. This protocol efficiently afforded various isatin analogs using DMSO/Selectfluor system.
Unveiling the Role of BODIPY Dyes as Small‐Molecule Hole Transport Material in Inverted Planar Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Seoneray Isabel , Wu Jianchang , Rocha‐Ortiz Juan S. , Bornschlegl Andreas J. , Barabash Anastasia , Wang Yunuo , Lüer Larry , Hauch Jens , García Angélica , Zapata‐Rivera Jhon , Brabec Christoph J. , Ortiz Alejandro
Published: May 2024

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have become a research hotspot since their dramatic increase in power conversion efficiency (PCE), surpassing 26% due to advances in cell engineering and interfacial layers. Within the last factor, hole transporting materials play a crucial role in enhancing device performance and stability. Among several molecular building blocks, BODIPYs are attractive for the design of novel hole transporting material (HTMs) due to their outstanding photophysical and charge transport properties easily tuned by synthetic modifications. Herein, the synthesis of five new BODIPY‐based HTMs PyBDP 1–5 are reported, functionalized at the meso‐ and α‐ positions with pyrenyl and arylamino units, respectively. The resulting compounds exhibit broad absorption in the visible region, remarkable thermal stability, narrow bandgaps, suitable energy levels, and good hole extraction capability, as subtracted from experimental and computational characterizations. The performance of the BODIPY derivatives as HTMs is evaluated in planar inverted (p‐i‐n) PSCs and compared to commonly used PTAA, resulting in highly efficient systems, reaching PCEs very close to that obtained with the reference polymer (21.51%). The incorporation of these BODIPY‐based HTMs result in an outstanding PCE of 20.37% for devices including PyBDP‐1 and 19.97% for devises containing PyBDP‐3, thus demonstrating that BODIPY derivatives are a promising alternative to obtain simple and efficient organic HTMs.
The computational molecular technology for complex reaction systems: The Red Moon approach
Authors: Nagaoka Masataka
Published: May 2024

For dealing with complex reaction (CR) systems that show typical chemical phenomena in molecular aggregation states, the Red Moon (RM) approach is introduced based on a new efficient and systematic RM methodology. First, the theoretical background with my motivation to develop the RM approach is presented from the recent necessity to perform ‘atomistic’ molecular simulation of large‐scale and long‐term phenomena of (i) complex chemical reactions, (ii) stereospecificity, and (iii) aggregation structures. The RM methodology uses both the molecular dynamics (MD) method for molecular motions (translation, rotation, and vibration of molecules) that frequently occur on a short‐time scale and the Monte Carlo (MC) method for rare events such as chemical reactions that hardly do on that time scale. Then, under the transition rate using both the potential energy difference before and after a rare event trial and its chemical kinetic probability, it is tested and judged by the MC method whether the trial is possible (Metropolis method). Next, typical applications of the RM approach are reviewed in two main research fields, (i) polymerization and (ii) storage battery (rechargeable battery or secondary cell), with various examples of our successful studies. Finally, we conclude that the RM approach using the RM methodology should become an efficient new‐generation approach as one promising computational molecular strategy (CMT). We believe it will play an essential role in surveying, at the multilevel resolution, various specificities of CR systems in molecular aggregation states.

This article is categorized under:

Theoretical and Physical Chemistry > Reaction Dynamics and Kinetics

Structure and Mechanism > Reaction Mechanisms and Catalysis

Molecular and Statistical Mechanics > Molecular Dynamics and Monte‐Carlo Methods
The Secularism Paradox of Interreligious Relations and International Relations
Authors: Khan Adil Hussain
Published: May 2024

This chapter attempts to address the role of secularism in the rise of the modern nation-state. It challenges the claim that secularism’s so-called separation of religion and politics remains well suited to address conflict resolution in a postcolonial world of multicultural nation-states. This draws attention to a paradox of secularism, which shows how false assumptions grounded in post-Reformation Europe preserve a power dynamic between Christians and non-Christians through liberalism and its underlying Enlightenment ideologies. This understanding of liberalism shapes how we frame contemporary dissent and whether we legitimize peacebuilding and conflict resolution through the religious sphere of interreligious relations or the political sphere of international relations, as strategies that emerged from secularism for managing difference and diversity. This chapter will problematize the discourse on the secular in terms of its contested boundaries between religion and politics and show how their presumed separation in secularism is used to authorize liberalism by reproducing it. The implications of this on how dissent is managed, both in interreligious relations and in international relations, provides a basis for disputing what we consider secular and for questioning the epistemology of how we determine it.
Love Your Enemy: Theology, Identity and Antagonism
Authors: Rose Marika
Published: May 2024

In the beginning, God created the world. According to classical Christian theology, God did not need to create the world. God was not bored or lonely; God did not have anything to learn, or any undeveloped capacities that could take shape along with God’s formation of the earth. God did not need anything that God did not already possess within Godself. God was not changed by the act of creation, was not diminished, nor enhanced, nor otherwise altered. The answer that Christians have traditionally given to the question, ‘why did God create the world?’ is essentially, because God chose to do so—which is to say, for no reason at all. God created not by necessity but out of freedom, a freedom that would have been no less real had God chosen not to create.
Dealing with Conflict and Dissent in the Roman Catholic Church. An Inventory from the Perspective of Canon Law
Authors: Anuth Bernhard Sven
Published: May 2024

The Roman Catholic Church is a highly organized legal community of faith. It has differentiated legal rules and procedures on how to deal with conflicts and dissent within the communion, and it also uses legal means to try to prevent deviations that endanger the community and the faith. These canonical regulations convey the self-understanding of the Catholic Church and therefore the theology of the legislator, especially its ecclesiology. The article examines at first the specific provisions of canon law which seek to avoid conflict and/or dissent as much as possible and then deals with different constellations and types of conflicts, along with the corresponding canonical procedures, whereby a distinction has to be made between conflicts that individual faithfuls have amongst each other, as well as conflicts between Catholics and institutions under church sponsorship, and those between Catholics and the church hierarchy. As a result, this chapter shows that the Roman Catholic Church offers only an extremely small space for conflict and dissent: Even disputes between the faithful are to be avoided as much as possible or are to be settled quickly, in a peaceful manner. Disobedience to church authority is punishable if necessary, and Catholics can never legally deviate from binding doctrinal guidelines. Since Pope Francis wants to give a more practical importance to penal law through its current revision, doctrinal dissent could also soon be punished more consistently than has been the case so far.
Dissent as Deviance: Sociological Observations on Structural Conflicts in Church
Authors: Hahn Judith
Published: May 2024

Over the past century, dissent has become increasingly apparent with regard to many institutional norms of the Roman Catholic Church, including the doctrinal, moral, and legal norms that determine behavioral expectations within the church as an institution. In the legal field, dissent often manifests as deviance, behavior which opposes or undermines the ecclesiastical norms. In my contribution, I explore dissent as deviance with regard to the current social structure of the church in the light of sociological considerations on anomie. To do this, I have divided my study into three steps. First, I refer briefly to the recent symptoms in church which reveal the deterioration of institutional norms. Second, I endeavour to identify the structural reasons that might be responsible for causing this effect by studying sociological findings on deviance and anomie, foremost among them Robert Merton’s strain theory. Third, I apply these considerations to recent phenomena in church to gain a better understanding of why the current social structure of the church is inducing certain groups to turn to deviant behavior. I conclude by linking these sociological observations with theological thought to show how a theory of non-reception might help the church to learn from deviance and improve its structure.
From Desktop to Dive: Assessing the Pollution Potential of SS Fernstream, USNS Mission San Miguel and SS Coast Trader
Authors: Delgado James P.
Published: May 2024

In 2010, the United States Congress appropriated one million dollars to identify the most ecologically and economically significant potentially polluting wrecks in US waters, a joint initiative between the U.S. Coast Guard and its Regional Response Teams, along with NOAA, through its Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, Office of Response and Restoration, and Maritime Heritage Program. Of some 20,000 US wrecks that postdated 1891, when most steam and motor vessels converted from coal to oil, the study focused on: vessels built of iron or steel (wooden wrecks would have deteriorated and already released their oil), cargo vessels over 1000 tons (smaller vessels would have small amounts of fuel), and any tank vessel. This resulted in a group of 600–1000 vessels. Ultimately 87 wrecks were identified as those that were the most likely potentially polluting threats in the U.S. This chapter focuses on three of those wrecks which were initially studied as part of that desktop exercise and subsequently evaluated through field study and assessment.
Universitäten brauchen Basisfinanzierung
Authors: Ramming Fortunat
Published: May 2024

Universitäten schaffen neues Wissen und bilden die grössten Talente aus. Die Grundlagenforschung soll allen nutzen, frei zugänglich sein, und braucht daher eine nachhaltige Basisfinanzierung. Die angewandte Forschung stiftet konkreten Nutzen für die Wirtschaft und trägt zur Drittmittelfinanzierung der Universitäten bei. Die Unternehmen müssen jedoch die Erträge schützen, damit ihre Investitionen in die Forschung rentieren.
Privatsphäre im Internet: Gewinner und Verlierer
Authors: Greber Nicolas
Published: May 2024

Seit 2018 gilt in der Europäischen Union die Datenschutz-Grundverordnung. Dadurch sollen persönliche Daten im Internet besser geschützt werden. Unternehmen müssen die Besucher ihrer Internetseite explizit fragen, welche Daten sie sammeln dürfen und müssen eine «Verzichtsoption» anbieten. Wie stark wird die neue Verzichtsoption genutzt? Und welchen Einfluss hat diese Verordnung auf datenbasierte Unternehmen? Die vorliegende Studie zeigt, dass viele Internetnutzer von der neuen Verzichtsoption Gebrauch machen und ihre persönlichen Daten besser schützen. Trotzdem können datenbasierte Unternehmen das Kaufverhalten der Nutzer nicht schlechter abschätzen als zuvor. Denn jene Nutzer, welche der Datensammlung zustimmen, sind mit der neuen Regelung meist einfacher nachzuverfolgen.
HMGA1 regulates trabectedin sensitivity in advanced soft-tissue sarcoma (STS): A Spanish Group for Research on Sarcomas (GEIS) study
Authors: Moura David S. , Mondaza-Hernandez Jose L. , Sanchez-Bustos Paloma , Peña-Chilet Maria , Cordero-Varela Juan A. , Lopez-Alvarez Maria , Carrillo-Garcia Jaime , Martin-Ruiz Marta , Romero-Gonzalez Pablo , Renshaw-Calderon Marta , Ramos Rafael , Marcilla David , Alvarez-Alegret Ramiro , Agra-Pujol Carolina , Izquierdo Francisco , Ortega-Medina Luis , Martin-Davila Francisco , Hernandez-Leon Carmen Nieves , Romagosa Cleofe , Salgado Maria Angeles Vaz , Lavernia Javier , Bagué Silvia , Mayodormo-Aranda Empar , Alvarez Rosa , Valverde Claudia , Martinez-Trufero Javier , Castilla-Ramirez Carolina , Gutierrez Antonio , Dopazo Joaquin , Hindi Nadia , Garcia-Foncillas Jesus , Martin-Broto Javier
Published: May 2024

HMGA1 is a structural epigenetic chromatin factor that has been associated with tumor progression and drug resistance. Here, we reported the prognostic/predictive value of HMGA1 for trabectedin in advanced soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) and the effect of inhibiting HMGA1 or the mTOR downstream pathway in trabectedin activity. The prognostic/predictive value of HMGA1 expression was assessed in a cohort of 301 STS patients at mRNA (n = 133) and protein level (n = 272), by HTG EdgeSeq transcriptomics and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The effect of HMGA1 silencing on trabectedin activity and gene expression profiling was measured in leiomyosarcoma cells. The effect of combining mTOR inhibitors with trabectedin was assessed on cell viability in vitro studies, whereas in vivo studies tested the activity of this combination. HMGA1 mRNA and protein expression were significantly associated with worse progression-free survival of trabectedin and worse overall survival in STS. HMGA1 silencing sensitized leiomyosarcoma cells for trabectedin treatment, reducing the spheroid area and increasing cell death. The downregulation of HGMA1 significantly decreased the enrichment of some specific gene sets, including the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. The inhibition of mTOR, sensitized leiomyosarcoma cultures for trabectedin treatment, increasing cell death. In in vivo studies, the combination of rapamycin with trabectedin downregulated HMGA1 expression and stabilized tumor growth of 3-methylcholantrene-induced sarcoma-like models. HMGA1 is an adverse prognostic factor for trabectedin treatment in advanced STS. HMGA1 silencing increases trabectedin efficacy, in part by modulating the mTOR signaling pathway. Trabectedin plus mTOR inhibitors are active in preclinical models of sarcoma, downregulating HMGA1 expression levels and stabilizing tumor growth.
Does gender of firm ownership matter? Female entrepreneurs and the gender pay gap
Authors: Kritikos Alexander S. , Maliranta Mika , Nippala Veera , Nurmi Satu
Published: May 2024

We examine how the gender of business owners is related to the wages paid to female relative to male employees working in their firms. Using Finnish register data and employing firm fixed effects, we find that the gender pay gap is—starting from a gender pay gap of 11 to 12%—two to three percentage points lower for hourly wages in female-owned firms than in male-owned firms. Results are robust to how the wage is measured, as well as to various further robustness checks. More importantly, we find substantial differences between industries. While, for instance, in the manufacturing sector, the gender of the owner plays no role in the gender pay gap, in several service sector industries, like ICT or business services, no or a negligible gender pay gap can be found, but only when firms are led by female business owners. Businesses with male ownership maintain a gender pay gap of around 10% also in the latter industries. With increasing firm size, the influence of the gender of the owner, however, fades. In large firms, it seems that others—firm managers—determine wages and no differences in the pay gap are observed between male- and female-owned firms.