bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adaptive phase contrast microscopy to compensate for the meniscus effect
Authors: Nienhaus Florian , Piotrowski Tobias , Nießing Bastian , König Niels , Schmitt Robert H.
Published: April 2023

Phase contrast is one of the most important microscopic methods for making visible transparent, unstained cells. Cell cultures are often cultivated in microtiter plates, consisting of several cylindrical wells. The surface tension of the culture medium forms a liquid lens within the well, causing phase contrast conditions to fail in the more curved edge areas, preventing cell observation. Adaptive phase contrast microscopy is a method to strongly increase the observable area by optically compensating for the meniscus effect. The microscope’s condenser annulus is replaced by a transmissive LCD to allow dynamic changes. A deformable, liquid-filled prism is placed in the illumination path. The prism’s surface angle is adaptively inclined to refract transmitted light so that the tangential angle of the liquid lens can be compensated. Besides the observation of the phase contrast image, a beam splitter allows to simultaneously view condenser annulus and phase ring displacement. Algorithms analyze the displacement to dynamically adjust the LCD and prism to guarantee phase contrast conditions. Experiments show a significant increase in observable area, especially for small well sizes. For 96-well-plates, more than twelve times the area can be examined under phase contrast conditions instead of standard phase contrast microscopy.
Association of legumes and nuts consumption with metabolic health status in Iranian overweight and obese adolescents
Authors: Heshmatipour Houri , Hajhashemy Zahra , Mirzaei Saeideh , Asadi Ali , Akhlaghi Masoumeh , Saneei Parvane
Published: April 2023

Limited data are available on the association of legumes and nuts consumption with health status in pediatrics. So, we assessed the relation of legumes and nuts intake with metabolic health status in Iranian adolescents. A random sample of overweight/obese adolescents aged 12 to 18 years was included in this cross-sectional study. Dietary intakes were gathered using a validated 147-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). We measured metabolic indices including blood pressure, lipid profile, glycemic and anthropometrics indices. Two strategies were used for classification of adolescents to metabolically healthy obese (MHO) or unhealthy obese (MUO): International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and combination of IDF with Homeostasis Model Assessment Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Information on 203 overweight/obese adolescents (50.2% girls and 49.8% boys) with an average age of 13.98 (± 1.61) years and a mean weight of 73.48 (± 11.60) kg/m2 was evaluated. Based on the IDF and IDF/HOMA-IR definition, higher consumption of legumes and nuts consumption was related to a 66% and 61% decreased odds of MUO in crude model (OR = 0.34, 95%CI 0.17–0.69), (OR = 0.39, 95%CI 0.19–0.80); but in fully-adjusted model, these relations disappeared. After adjustment for potential cofounders, an inverse association was found between legumes and nuts consumption and odds of hyperglycemia (OR = 0.35, 95%CI 0.16–0.78). Moreover, although inverse significant associations were found between legumes and nuts consumption and odds of MUO in girls and overweight subjects in crude models, these associations disappeared after adjustment for all confounders. After taking potential confounders into account, no significant association was found between consumption of legumes and nuts and MUO in Iranian adolescents. The findings should be affirmed by further prospective studies.
Psychological inoculation protects against the social media infodemic
Authors: McPhedran Robert , Ratajczak Michael , Mawby Max , King Emily , Yang Yuchen , Gold Natalie
Published: April 2023

Misinformation can have a profound detrimental impact on populations’ wellbeing. In this large UK-based online experiment (n = 2430), we assessed the performance of false tag and inoculation interventions in protecting against different forms of misinformation (‘variants’). While previous experiments have used perception- or intention-based outcome measures, we presented participants with real-life misinformation posts in a social media platform simulation and measured their engagement, a more ecologically valid approach. Our pre-registered mixed-effects models indicated that both interventions reduced engagement with misinformation, but inoculation was most effective. However, random differences analysis revealed that the protection conferred by inoculation differed across posts. Moderation analysis indicated that immunity provided by inoculation is robust to variation in individuals’ cognitive reflection. This study provides novel evidence on the general effectiveness of inoculation interventions over false tags, social media platforms’ current approach. Given inoculation’s effect heterogeneity, a concert of interventions will likely be required for future safeguarding efforts.
Biotechnological enhancement of lactic acid conversion from pretreated palm kernel cake hydrolysate by Actinobacillus succinogenes 130Z
Authors: Rahim Nuraishah Abd , Luthfi Abdullah Amru Indera , Bukhari Nurul Adela , Tan Jian Ping , Abdul Peer Mohamed , Manaf Shareena Fairuz Abdul
Published: April 2023

The aim of this study was to establish an improved pretreatment and fermentation method i.e. immobilized cells for high recovery of fermentable sugars from palm kernel cake (PKC) and its effects on fermentability performance by Actinobacillus succinogenes 130Z in the conversion of the fermentable sugar to lactic acid. The effects of oxalic acid concentrations (1–6% w/v) and residence times (1–5 h) on the sugar recovery were initially investigated and it was found that the highest mannose concentration was 25.1 g/L at the optimum hydrolysis conditions of 4 h and 3% (w/v) oxalic acid. The subsequent enzymatic saccharification of the pretreated PKC afforded the highest enzymatic digestibility with the recovered sugars amounting to 25.18 g/L and 9.14 g/L of mannose and glucose, respectively. Subsequently, the fermentability performance of PKC hydrolysate was evaluated and compared in terms of cultivation phases (i.e. mono and dual-phases), carbonate loadings (i.e. magnesium and sodium carbonates), and types of sugars (i.e. glucose and mannose). The highest titer of 19.4 g/L lactic acid was obtained from the fermentation involving A. succinogenes 130Z in dual-phase cultivation supplemented with 30 g/L of magnesium carbonate. Lactic acid production was further enhanced by using immobilized cells with coconut shell-activated carbon (CSAC) of different sizes (A, B, C, and D) in the repeated batch cultivation of dual-phase fermentation producing 31.64 g/L of lactic acid. This work sheds light on the possibilities to enhance the utilization of PKC for lactic acid production via immobilized A. succinogenes 130Z.
Heat-inactivated Factor B inhibits alternative pathway fluid-phase activation and convertase formation on endothelial cell-secreted ultra-large von Willebrand factor strings
Authors: Turner Nancy A. , Moake Joel L.
Published: April 2023

Defective regulation of the alternative complement pathway (AP) causes excessive activation and promotes the inflammation and renal injury observed in atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome (aHUS). The usefulness of heat-inactivated Factor B (HFB) in reducing AP activation was evaluated in: fluid-phase reactions, using purified complement proteins and Factor H (FH)-depleted serum; and in surface-activated reactions using human endothelial cells (ECs). C3a and Ba levels, measured by quantitative Western blots, determined the extent of fluid-phase activation. In reactions using C3, FB, and Factor D proteins, HFB addition (2.5-fold FB levels), reduced C3a levels by 60% and Ba levels by 45%. In reactions using FH-depleted serum (supplemented with FH at 12.5% normal levels), Ba levels were reduced by 40% with HFB added at 3.5-fold FB levels. The effectiveness of HFB in limiting AP convertase formation on activated surfaces was evaluated using stimulated ECs. Fluorescent microscopy was used to quantify endogenously released C3, FB, and C5 attached to EC-secreted ultra-large VWF strings. HFB addition reduced attachment of C3b by 2.7-fold, FB by 1.5-fold and C5 by fourfold. Our data indicate that HFB may be of therapeutic value in preventing AP-mediated generation of C3a and C5a, and the associated inflammation caused by an overactive AP.
Possible frequent multiple mitochondrial DNA copies in a single nucleoid in HeLa cells
Authors: Pavluch Vojtěch , Špaček Tomáš , Engstová Hana , Dlasková Andrea , Ježek Petr
Published: April 2023

Previously, a number of ~ 1.4 of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) molecules in a single nucleoid was reported, which would reflect a minimum nucleoid division. We applied 3D-double-color direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM), i.e. nanoscopy with ~ 25–40 nm x,y-resolution, together with our novel method of Delaunay segmentation of 3D data to identify unbiased 3D-overlaps. Noncoding D-loops were recognized in HeLa cells by mtDNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (mtFISH) 7S-DNA 250-bp probe, containing biotin, visualized by anti-biotin/Cy3B-conjugated antibodies. Other mtFISH probes with biotin or Alexa Fluor 647 (A647) against ATP6-COX3 gene overlaps (1,100 bp) were also used. Nucleoids were imaged by anti-DNA/(A647-)-Cy3B-conjugated antibodies. Resulting histograms counting mtFISH-loci/nucleoid overlaps demonstrated that 45% to 70% of visualized nucleoids contained two or more D-loops or ATP6-COX3-loci, indicating two or more mtDNA molecules per nucleoid. With increasing number of mtDNA per nucleoid, diameters were larger and their distribution histograms peaked at ~ 300 nm. A wide nucleoid diameter distribution was obtained also using 2D-STED for their imaging by anti-DNA/A647. At unchanged mtDNA copy number in osteosarcoma 143B cells, TFAM expression increased nucleoid spatial density 1.67-fold, indicating expansion of existing mtDNA and its redistribution into more nucleoids upon the higher TFAM/mtDNA stoichiometry. Validation of nucleoid imaging was also done with two TFAM mutants unable to bend or dimerize, respectively, which reduced both copy number and nucleoid spatial density by 80%. We conclude that frequently more than one mtDNA molecule exists within a single nucleoid in HeLa cells and that mitochondrial nucleoids do exist in a non-uniform size range.
Influence of deformation banding instabilities on small scale yielding of a Mg–Nd alloy revealed by in-situ digital image correlation
Authors: Vasilev Evgenii , Wang Jie , Zhu Gaoming , Knezevic Marko
Published: April 2023

Propagating deformation bands are observed to accommodate the initial plasticity in an as-extruded Mg–1.5Nd alloy under tension using digital-image-correlation. The propagating bands cause an uncommon plateau in the stress–strain response of the alloy prior to restoring a common decreasing work hardening with further straining. Effects of the deformation banding and underlying plateau in the flow stress on small scale yielding are investigated during low cycle fatigue (LCF) and tension of notched specimens. Alternating formation/disappearance of deformation bands in the gauge section of as-extruded LCF specimens during testing is observed to reduce life compared to annealed specimens exhibiting no instabilities. In contrast, the bands deflect the plastic zone ahead of the notch from the principal plane orthogonal to the applied loading inducing positive effect on toughness of the alloy.
Spin-defect characteristics of single sulfur vacancies in monolayer MoS2
Authors: Hötger A. , Amit T. , Klein J. , Barthelmi K. , Pelini T. , Delhomme A. , Rey S. , Potemski M. , Faugeras C. , Cohen G. , Hernangómez-Pérez D. , Taniguchi T. , Watanabe K. , Kastl C. , Finley J. J. , Refaely-Abramson S. , Holleitner A. W. , Stier A. V.
Published: April 2023

Single spin-defects in 2D transition-metal dichalcogenides are natural spin-photon interfaces for quantum applications. Here we report high-field magneto-photoluminescence spectroscopy from three emission lines (Q1, Q2, and Q*) of He-ion induced sulfur vacancies in monolayer MoS2. Analysis of the asymmetric PL lineshapes in combination with the diamagnetic shift of Q1 and Q2 yields a consistent picture of localized emitters with a wave function extent of ~3.5 nm. The distinct valley-Zeeman splitting in out-of-plane B-fields and the brightening of dark states through in-plane B-fields necessitates spin-valley selectivity of the defect states and lifted spin-degeneracy at zero field. Comparing our results to ab initio calculations identifies the nature of Q1 and Q2 and suggests that Q* is the emission from a chemically functionalized defect. Analysis of the optical degree of circular polarization reveals that the Fermi level is a parameter that enables the tunability of the emitter. These results show that defects in 2D semiconductors may be utilized for quantum technologies.
Tailoring the dielectric screening in WS2–graphene heterostructures
Authors: Tebbe David , Schütte Marc , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Stampfer Christoph , Beschoten Bernd , Waldecker Lutz
Published: April 2023

The environment contributes to the screening of Coulomb interactions in two-dimensional semiconductors. This can potentially be exploited to tailor material properties as well as for sensing applications. Here, we investigate the tuning of the band gap and the exciton binding energy in the two-dimensional semiconductor WS2 via the external dielectric screening. Embedding WS2 in van der Waals heterostructures with graphene and hBN spacers of thicknesses between one and 16 atomic layers, we experimentally determine both energies as a function of the WS2-to-graphene interlayer distance and the charge carrier density in graphene. We find that the modification to the band gap as well as the exciton binding energy are well described by a one-over-distance dependence, with a significant effect remaining at several nanometers distance, at which the two layers are electrically well isolated. This observation is explained by a screening arising from an image charge induced by the graphene layer. Furthermore, we find that the effectiveness of graphene in screening Coulomb interactions in nearby WS2 depends on its doping level and can therefore be controlled via the electric field effect. We determine that, at room temperature, it is modified by approximately 20% for charge carrier densities of 2 × 1012 cm−2.
High-resolution Nanopore methylome-maps reveal random hyper-methylation at CpG-poor regions as driver of chemoresistance in leukemias
Authors: Magi Alberto , Mattei Gianluca , Mingrino Alessandra , Caprioli Chiara , Ronchini Chiara , Frigè Gianmaria , Semeraro Roberto , Bolognini Davide , Rambaldi Alessandro , Candoni Anna , Colombo Emanuela , Mazzarella Luca , Pelicci Pier Giuseppe
Published: April 2023

Aberrant DNA methylation at CpG dinucleotides is a cancer hallmark that is associated with the emergence of resistance to anti cancer treatment, though molecular mechanisms and biological significance remain elusive. Genome scale methylation maps by currently used methods are based on chemical modification of DNA and are best suited for analyses of methylation at CpG rich regions (CpG islands). We report the first high coverage whole-genome map in cancer using the long read nanopore technology, which allows simultaneous DNA-sequence and -methylation analyses on native DNA. We analyzed clonal epigenomic/genomic evolution in Acute Myeloid Leukemias (AMLs) at diagnosis and relapse, after chemotherapy. Long read sequencing coupled to a novel computational method allowed definition of differential methylation at unprecedented resolution, and showed that the relapse methylome is characterized by hypermethylation at both CpG islands and sparse CpGs regions. Most differentially methylated genes, however, were not differentially expressed nor enriched for chemoresistance genes. A small fraction of under-expressed and hyper-methylated genes at sparse CpGs, in the gene body, was significantly enriched in transcription factors (TFs). Remarkably, these few TFs supported large gene-regulatory networks including 50% of all differentially expressed genes in the relapsed AMLs and highly-enriched in chemoresistance genes. Notably, hypermethylated regions at sparse CpGs were poorly conserved in the relapsed AMLs, under-represented at their genomic positions and showed higher methylation entropy, as compared to CpG islands. Analyses of available datasets confirmed TF binding to their target genes and conservation of the same gene-regulatory networks in large patient cohorts. Relapsed AMLs carried few patient specific structural variants and DNA mutations, apparently not involved in drug resistance. Thus, drug resistance in AMLs can be mainly ascribed to the selection of random epigenetic alterations at sparse CpGs of a few transcription factors, which then induce reprogramming of the relapsing phenotype, independently of clonal genomic evolution.
The role of RNF149 in the pre-emptive quality control substrate ubiquitination
Authors: Legesse Aster , Kaushansky Nathali , Braunstein Ilana , Saad Haddas , Lederkremer Gerardo , Navon Ami , Stanhill Ariel
Published: April 2023

Protein quality control is a process in which a protein’s folding status is constantly monitored. Mislocalized proteins (MLP), are processed by the various quality control pathways, as they are often misfolded due to inappropriate cellular surroundings. Polypeptides that fail to translocate into the ER due to an inefficient signal peptide, mutations or ER stress are recognized by the pre-emptive ER associated quality control (pEQC) pathway and degraded by the 26 S proteasome. In this report we reveal the role of RNF149, a membrane bound E3 ligase in the ubiquitination of known pEQC substrates. We demonstrate its selective binding only to non-translocated proteins and its association with known pEQC components. Impairment in RNF149 function increases translocation flux into the ER and manifests in a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) phenotype, a pathological condition associated with pEQC impairment. Finally, the dynamic localization of RNF149 may provide a molecular switch to regulate pEQC during ER stress.
Proton boron capture therapy (PBCT) induces cell death and mitophagy in a heterotopic glioblastoma model
Authors: Cammarata Francesco Paolo , Torrisi Filippo , Vicario Nunzio , Bravatà Valentina , Stefano Alessandro , Salvatorelli Lucia , D’Aprile Simona , Giustetto Pierangela , Forte Giusi Irma , Minafra Luigi , Calvaruso Marco , Richiusa Selene , Cirrone Giuseppe Antonio Pablo , Petringa Giada , Broggi Giuseppe , Cosentino Sebastiano , Scopelliti Fabrizio , Magro Gaetano , Porro Danilo , Libra Massimo , Ippolito Massimo , Russo Giorgio , Parenti Rosalba , Cuttone Giacomo
Published: April 2023

Despite aggressive therapeutic regimens, glioblastoma (GBM) represents a deadly brain tumor with significant aggressiveness, radioresistance and chemoresistance, leading to dismal prognosis. Hypoxic microenvironment, which characterizes GBM, is associated with reduced therapeutic effectiveness. Moreover, current irradiation approaches are limited by uncertain tumor delineation and severe side effects that comprehensively lead to unsuccessful treatment and to a worsening of the quality of life of GBM patients. Proton beam offers the opportunity of reduced side effects and a depth-dose profile, which, unfortunately, are coupled with low relative biological effectiveness (RBE). The use of radiosensitizing agents, such as boron-containing molecules, enhances proton RBE and increases the effectiveness on proton beam-hit targets. We report a first preclinical evaluation of proton boron capture therapy (PBCT) in a preclinical model of GBM analyzed via μ-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (μPET-CT) assisted live imaging, finding a significant increased therapeutic effectiveness of PBCT versus proton coupled with an increased cell death and mitophagy. Our work supports PBCT and radiosensitizing agents as a scalable strategy to treat GBM exploiting ballistic advances of proton beam and increasing therapeutic effectiveness and quality of life in GBM patients.
Suramin binds and inhibits infection of SARS-CoV-2 through both spike protein-heparan sulfate and ACE2 receptor interactions
Authors: Kwon Paul S. , Xu Shirley , Oh Hanseul , Kwon Seok-Joon , Rodrigues Andre L. , Feroz Maisha , Fraser Keith , He Peng , Zhang Fuming , Hong Jung Joo , Linhardt Robert J. , Dordick Jonathan S.
Published: April 2023

SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domains (RBDs) interact with both the ACE2 receptor and heparan sulfate on the surface of host cells to enhance SARS-CoV-2 infection. We show that suramin, a polysulfated synthetic drug, binds to the ACE2 receptor and heparan sulfate binding sites on the RBDs of wild-type, Delta, and Omicron variants. Specifically, heparan sulfate and suramin had enhanced preferential binding for Omicron RBD, and suramin is most potent against the live SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) when compared to wild type and Delta (B.1.617.2) variants in vitro. These results suggest that inhibition of live virus infection occurs through dual SARS-CoV-2 targets of S-protein binding and previously reported RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibition and offers the possibility for this and other polysulfated molecules to be used as potential therapeutic and prophylactic options against COVID-19.
Quintet formation, exchange fluctuations, and the role of stochastic resonance in singlet fission
Authors: Collins Miles I. , Campaioli Francesco , Tayebjee Murad J. Y. , Cole Jared H. , McCamey Dane R.
Published: April 2023

Singlet fission describes the spin-conserving production of two triplet excitons from one singlet exciton. The existence of a spin-2 (quintet) triplet-pair state as a product of singlet fission is well established in the literature, and control of quintet formation is an important step towards applying singlet fission in photovoltaics and quantum information. However, a definitive mechanism for quintet formation is yet to be established, which makes it difficult to design materials for optimal quintet formation. Here we outline a mechanism in which inter-triplet exchange-coupling fluctuations drive fast and efficient quintet formation. We show that quintet formation is possible even in the strong-exchange regime, in accordance with recent experimental prediction. We evaluate the performance of this quintet formation mechanism in two regimes of conformational freedom, and relate quintet dynamics to material properties of singlet fission molecules.
Driving force and nonequilibrium vibronic dynamics in charge separation of strongly bound electron–hole pairs
Authors: Somoza Alejandro D. , Lorenzoni Nicola , Lim James , Huelga Susana F. , Plenio Martin B.
Published: April 2023

Electron-hole pairs in organic photovoltaics efficiently dissociate although their Coulomb-binding energy exceeds thermal energy at room temperature. The vibronic coupling of electronic states to structured vibrational environments containing multiple underdamped modes is thought to assist charge separation. However, non-perturbative simulations of such large, spatially extended, electronic-vibrational (vibronic) systems remain an unmet challenge which current methods bypass by considering effective one-dimensional Coulomb potentials or unstructured environments where the effect of underdamped modes is ignored. Here we address this challenge with a non-perturbative simulation tool and investigate the charge separation dynamics in one, two and three-dimensional donor-acceptor networks to identify under what conditions underdamped vibrational motion induces efficient long-range charge separation. The resulting comprehensive picture of ultrafast charge separation differentiates electronic or vibronic couplings mechanisms for a wide range of driving forces and identifies the role of entropic effects in extended systems. This provides a toolbox for the design of efficient charge separation pathways in artificial nanostructures.
Evidence of Arctic methane emissions across the mid-Pleistocene
Authors: Panieri Giuliana , Knies Jochen , Vadakkepuliyambatta Sunil , Lee Amicia L. , Schubert Carsten J.
Published: April 2023

During the Pleistocene, Earth’s climate changed dramatically. The mid-Pleistocene transition (MPT; ~1.3–0.7 million years (Ma)) featured an important ice volume increase at both poles. The evolution of large Arctic ice sheets caused the sequestration of methane as free gas and hydrates in subseabed sediments. Ice volume changes, associated with variable pressures and temperatures, perturbed those giant reservoirs, causing methane leakages. Here, we present borehole data from the Arctic–Atlantic gateway region, providing foraminiferal stable carbon isotope and source-specific biomarker evidence that reveals three main seafloor leakage episodes that occurred prior to and across the mid-Pleistocene transition. By combining borehole data with hydrate stability modelling, we propose that tectonic stress changes associated with large ice volume early build-up and wastage during the mid-Pleistocene controlled episodic methane leakages from subsurface reservoirs. Our data indicate methane release, showing a potential scenario for vast Arctic areas storing methane that are now affected by ongoing ice volume decrease.
Similarities and differences in Alzheimer’s dementia comorbidities in racialized populations identified from electronic medical records
Authors: Woldemariam Sarah R. , Tang Alice S. , Oskotsky Tomiko T. , Yaffe Kristine , Sirota Marina
Published: April 2023

Background

Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that is disproportionately prevalent in racially marginalized individuals. However, due to research underrepresentation, the spectrum of AD-associated comorbidities that increase AD risk or suggest AD treatment disparities in these individuals is not completely understood. We leveraged electronic medical records (EMR) to explore AD-associated comorbidities and disease networks in racialized individuals identified as Asian, Non-Latine Black, Latine, or Non-Latine White.

Methods

We performed low-dimensional embedding, differential analysis, and disease network-based analyses of 5664 patients with AD and 11,328 demographically matched controls across two EMR systems and five medical centers, with equal representation of Asian-, Non-Latine Black-, Latine-, and Non-Latine White-identified individuals. For low-dimensional embedding and disease network comparisons, Mann-Whitney U tests or Kruskal-Wallis tests followed by Dunn’s tests were used to compare categories. Fisher’s exact or chi-squared tests were used for differential analysis. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients were used to compare results between the two EMR systems.

Results

Here we show that primarily established AD-associated comorbidities, such as essential hypertension and major depressive disorder, are generally similar across racialized populations. However, a few comorbidities, including respiratory diseases, may be significantly associated with AD in Black- and Latine- identified individuals.

Conclusions

Our study revealed similarities and differences in AD-associated comorbidities and disease networks between racialized populations. Our approach could be a starting point for hypothesis-driven studies that can further explore the relationship between these comorbidities and AD in racialized populations, potentially identifying interventions that can reduce AD health disparities.
Ternary-structured graphite carbon nitride quantum dots/TiO2 nanotubes/3D SiO2 photonic crystals for enhanced dye photodegradation
Authors: Li Ping , Jiang Huaiyuan , Wang Qing , Liu Ruizhen , Fan Yutian , Chi Ru’an , Cheng Jian , Lyu Renliang
Published: April 2023

The synergistic effect of quantum dots and PCs contributed to higher photodegradation efficiency of dye wastewater.
Design of a robust rod-packing scandium–organic framework for C2Hx/CO2 separation, CO2 storage, and catalytic CO2 cycloaddition
Authors: Lv Hong-Juan , Fan Shu-Cong , Jiang Yu-Cheng , Li Shu-Ni , Zhai Quan-Guo
Published: April 2023

Reported herein is a highly stable rod-packing Sc-MOF with Lewis basic bare N sites and two types of open channels demonstrating a superior CO2 storage capacity, a remarkable separation ability for CO2 mixtures, and prominent catalytic CO2 cycloaddition.
Constructing Ni–Co PBA derived 3D/1D/2D NiO/NiCo2O4/NiMn-LDH hierarchical heterostructures for ultrahigh rate capability in hybrid supercapacitors
Authors: Gao Dongyan , Liu Renning , Han Dandan , Xu Pengcheng , Wang Ping , Wei Yen
Published: April 2023

Engineering hierarchical heterostructure materials has been recognised as a challenging but prepossessing strategy for developing hybrid supercapacitors.
Low-voltage organic single-crystal field-effect transistors and inverters enabled by a solution processable high-kdielectric
Authors: Ma Chunli , Li Bin , Zhang Yihan , Wang Jiamin , Liu Ying , Sun Lingjie , Tian Xinzi , Yao Jiarong , Wang Zhaofeng , Li Shuyu , Yang Fangxu , Li Rongjin , Hu Wenping
Published: April 2023

Low-voltage OFETs with excellent mobility, steep subthreshold swing, and low operating voltage were achieved simultaneously based on a novel solution-processable high-kdielectric.
Interfacial bond engineering for direct integration of functional oxides with Si and Ge
Authors: Averyanov Dmitry V. , Sokolov Ivan S. , Taldenkov Alexander N. , Kondratev Oleg A. , Parfenov Oleg E. , Tokmachev Andrey M. , Storchak Vyacheslav G.
Published: April 2023

A new route to oxide synthesis on semiconductors,viaoptimally oxidized metal superstructures, is established. The result is a radical transformation of the oxide film from a polycrystal to a single crystal.
Analysis of passive intermodulation in cascaded connectors with transmit‐receive systems
Authors: Jin Qiuyan , Feng Quanyuan , Wang Ziren
Published: April 2023

Passive intermodulation (PIM) is usually expressed by the third‐order intermodulation power excited by two‐tone signal, which has limitations in characterising nonlinear distortion of signal in actual communication system. The effect of PIM on modulated signals are analysed at both the transmit and receive port with multiple passive nonlinear sources. Four types of coaxial connectors are adopted to represent four different levels of PIM. The equivalent circuits of PIM sources in series or parallel are proposed. With the circuit simulations and theoretical modelling, the effect of PIM on the analog and the digital modulation signals are analysed respectively. Two indexes of adjacent channel leakage ratio and error vector magnitude are modelled, showing the PIM effect at transmit port. A system model of a transmit‐receiver is provided, investigating the effect of PIM on the symbol error rate in a receiver. The effects of PIM distortion on different modulated signals are observed both in experimental measurements and simulation tests, verifying the theoretical models.
Robust scheduling of power system considering social costs and environmental concerns
Authors: Arab Bafrani Alireza , Rezazade Alireza , Sedighizadeh Mostafa
Published: April 2023

One of the most significant problems of the modern electricity markets is to deal with renewable energy resources (RERs) scheduling. The RER generations face severe stochastic behaviour, such that short‐term scheduling of them is also complicated. To overcome this drawback, using hydro pumped storage units (HPSUs) as a fast response and eco‐friendly technology can help to smooth fluctuations of these types of generations and consequently to appropriately dispatch all generations in the energy and reserve market. This article suggests a stochastic optimisation model to optimally operate thermal power plants as well as HPSUs in the day ahead energy and reserve market. Optimisation aims to minimise operation costs, emissions, and social costs subject to several technical constraints. There is an intrinsic deviation between predicted and actual uncertainty variables in the power system. This article presents a stochastic optimal operation model based on robust optimisation. To improve the flexibility of the proposed market, the curtailed demand as a demand response programme (DRP) is taken into consideration. The CPLEX solver of the GAMS software is used to solve the proposed model which has been formulated as a robust mixed integer linear problem (RMILP). The effectiveness of the proposed model is evaluated by applying the offered model to the 9‐bus test power system.
Research and design of bridge distributed monitoring system based on LoRa technology
Authors: Hou Zhiwei , Bao Liqun
Published: April 2023

Bridges are a kind of infrastructure constructed to save urban space, to relieve traffic congestion, and to show urban modernisation. Therefore, bridge safety has become the focus of social attention. To know the structural condition of the bridge in real‐time, it is necessary to develop an intelligent and efficient bridge health monitoring system. However, the traditional bridge health monitoring system has poor real‐time performance, low efficiency, and a low degree of automation. The development of LoRa technology is expected to improve this situation. In this study, we designed a bridge‐distributed monitoring system based on LoRa technology, which has end nodes, relay nodes, a collect node, and a monitoring centre. In detail, the STM32H743XI processor is combined with the radio frequency SX1268 chip to form the above nodes. Furthermore, the end node contains the pulse vibration excitation circuit, and pick‐up signal conditioning circuit of the vibrating string crack metre, and the signal conditioning circuit of the temperature sensor AD590 and the humidity sensor HM1500LF. Finally, the data preprocessing of sensors and the communication performance of the two‐stage relay network of the LoRa module, which represent the key technologies to effectively and efficiently meet the real‐time monitoring of bridge conditions, are tested and discussed. This distributed monitoring system for the bridge can provide feasible solutions for the application field of bridge monitoring, which is helpful for the daily maintenance management and risk warning decision‐making of bridges.
Congenital Maxillomandibular Synechia with Multiple Malformations in a Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infant: A Case Report
Authors: Uchi Ryosuke , Koto Mayu , Nakao Atsushi , Hosokawa Miku , Ukawa Toshiko , Tsurisawa Chisa , Hisaeda Yoshiya , Amagata Shusuke
Published: April 2023

Congenital maxillomandibular synechia is a rare malformation that is characterized by a fusion of the maxilla and mandible. The fusion is fibrous or bony and prevents mouth opening, which causes difficulties in feeding and occasionally in breathing. Although extremely rare, neonatologists must understand the disease because it can be fatal and require emergency treatment after birth. We report the case of a very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infant with congenital maxillomandibular synechia and other malformations, including cleft palate, syndactyly, and cryptorchidism. The patient presented with extremely limited mouth opening, and endotracheal intubation seemed impossible; fortunately, the patient did not have respiratory distress syndrome. The patient underwent surgical release of the fibrous bands on days 10 and 17, and good mouth opening was achieved. The patient was able to consume breast milk orally and was discharged home at a corrected gestational age of 1 month without recurrence of difficulty in mouth opening or any sequelae. This is the first reported case of a VLBW infant with congenital maxillomandibular synechia who required more complicated management of feeding, surgical intervention, and anesthesia.
Miniplate Versus Reconstruction Bar Fixation for Oncologic Mandibular Reconstruction with Free Fibula Flaps
Authors: Cohen Zack , Graziano Francis D. , Shamsunder Meghana G. , Shahzad Farooq , Boyle Jay O. , Cohen Marc A. , Matros Evan , Nelson Jonas A. , Allen Robert J.
Published: April 2023

Background Fibula free flaps (FFF) are the gold standard tissue for the reconstruction of segmental mandibular defects. A comparison of miniplate (MP) and reconstruction bar (RB)-based fixation of FFFs has been previously described in a systematic review; however, long-term, single-center studies comparing the two plating methods are lacking. The authors aim to examine the complication profile between MPs and RBs at a single tertiary cancer center. We hypothesized that increased components and a lack of rigid fixation inherent to MPs would lead to higher rates of hardware exposure/failure.

Methods A retrospective review was performed from a prospectively maintained database at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. All patients who underwent FFF-based reconstruction of mandibular defects between 2015 and 2021 were included. Data on patient demographics, medical risk factors, operative indications, and chemoradiation were collected. The primary outcomes of interest were perioperative flap-related complications, long-term union rates, osteoradionecrosis (ORN), return to the operating room (OR), and hardware exposure/failure. Recipient site complications were further stratified into two groups: early (<90 days) and late (>90 days).

Results In total, 96 patients met the inclusion criteria (RB = 63, MP = 33). Patients in both groups were similar with respect to age, presence of comorbidities, smoking history, and operative characteristics. The mean follow-up period was 17.24 months. In total, 60.6 and 54.0% of patients in the MP and RB cohorts received adjuvant radiation, respectively. There were no differences in rates of hardware failure overall; however, in patients with an initial complication after 90 days, MPs had significantly higher rates of hardware exposure (3 vs. 0, p = 0.046).

Conclusion MPs were found to have a higher risk of exposed hardware in patients with a late initial recipient site complication. It is possible that improved fixation with highly adaptive RBs designed by computer-aided design/manufacturing technology explains these results. Future studies are needed to assess the effects of rigid mandibular fixation on patient-reported outcome measures in this unique population.
English pre-fortis clipping by L2 Saudi speakers
Authors: Algethami Ghazi
Published: April 2023

The current study is a partial replication of Flege and Port (Language Speech 24(2):125–146, 1981), which examined the production of pre-fortis clipping (i.e., vowel shortening before voiceless obstruents) by Saudi L2 English speakers. In addition, it examined whether language experience operationalized as the length of residence in an English-speaking country, had any positive effect on the production of the pre-fortis clipping by the Saudi L2 English speakers. 16 Saudi L2 English speakers were requested to produce the English vowels /æ/, /ɪ/ and /i:/ in a carrier word, once before the voiceless stop /t/ and once before the voiced stop /d/. The same vowels in the same context were also elicited from a reference group of native English speakers. Similar vowels in a similar context were also obtained in Arabic from Saudi native speakers. A durational ratio of each vowel before /t/ to the same vowel before /d/ was calculated for each speaker in the native and nonnative groups. Similar to the findings of Flege and Port (1981), both the Saudi native Arabic and L2 English speakers showed broadly less durational contrast between the vowels in the two contexts than did the native English speakers. However, the results varied across the three examined vowels. In addition, no significant correlation was found between the length of residence and the L2 speakers’ production.
The hedgehog, fox, and quasi-hedgehog approaches in Isaiah Berlin’s, David McLellan’s, and G. Stedman Jones’ Marx research
Authors: Ling Feixia
Published: April 2023

Isaiah Berlin divides thinkers into two categories—monist hedgehogs and the pluralist foxes; for him, Marx belongs to the first category. According to such distinction, the research approaches can be classified into the hedgehog approach and the fox approach, the former highlighting the unique essence of the objects and the latter striving to display various characteristics of the objects. Berlin, McLellan, and Stedman Jones are famous for their research on Marx, which relates to the composition of intellectual biography rather than to other scholarly projects and genres. Berlin’s research represents the hedgehog approach since he summarizes Marx’s thought as a monist conception of history, while McLellan’s research exemplifies the fox approach by covering multiple facets of Marx’s life and thought. Although both Berlin and McLellan begin to study Marx because of their interest in the hedgehog approach, Berlin adopts the hedgehog approach despite his opposition to it, and McLellan employs the fox approach while showing a great appreciation of the hedgehog one. Whether to hold fast to their own theoretical position or not is the crucial reason for which they study Marx and even intellectual history using different approaches. Accordingly, Stedman Jones’ Marx research embodies the quasi-hedgehog approach as it sees more facets of Marx than the hedgehog approach but is less comprehensive than the fox approach. In fact, the hedgehog (quasi-hedgehog) approach and the fox approach have their advantages and disadvantages, and the purpose of reflection is to clarify the scope of application for each.
Preliminary Efficacy of a Theory-Informed Intervention to Increase COVID-19 Testing Uptake Among People Who Inject Drugs in San Diego County: Findings From a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Bazzi Angela R , Abramovitz Daniela , Harvey-Vera Alicia , Stamos-Buesig Tara , Vera Carlos F , Artamonova Irina , Logan Jenna , Patterson Thomas L , Strathdee Steffanie A
Published: April 2023

Background

People who inject drugs (PWID) have low rates of COVID-19 testing yet are vulnerable to severe disease. In partnership with a mobile syringe service program (SSP) in San Diego County, CA, we developed the evidence-, community-, and Social Cognitive Theory-informed “LinkUP” intervention (tailored education, motivational interviewing, problem-solving, and planning) to increase COVID-19 testing uptake among PWID.

Purpose

To assess preliminary efficacy of LinkUP in increasing PWID COVID-19 testing in a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Methods

We referred participants (PWID, ≥18 years old, San Diego County residents who had not recently undergone voluntary COVID-19 testing) to mobile SSP sites that had been randomized (by week) to offer the active LinkUP intervention or didactic attention-control conditions delivered by trained peer counselors. Following either condition, counselors offered on-site rapid COVID-19 antigen testing. Analyses estimated preliminary intervention efficacy and explored potential moderation.

Results

Among 150 participants, median age was 40.5 years, 33.3% identified as Hispanic/Latinx, 64.7% were male, 73.3% were experiencing homelessness, and 44.7% had prior mandatory COVID-19 testing. The LinkUP intervention was significantly associated with higher COVID-19 testing uptake (p < .0001). Homelessness moderated intervention effects; LinkUP increased COVID-19 testing uptake more among participants experiencing homelessness (adjusted risk ratio [aRR]: 1.80; 95% CI: 1.56–2.09; p < .0001) than those not experiencing homelessness (aRR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.01–1.43; p = .04).

Conclusions

Findings from this pilot RCT support the preliminary efficacy of the “LinkUP” intervention to increase COVID-19 testing among PWID and underscore the importance of academic-community partnerships and prevention service delivery through SSPs and other community-based organizations serving vulnerable populations.
The Brick-Built Sea: Adapting the Odyssey in LEGO
Authors: Muchnick Justin
Published: April 2023

In the summer of 2014, a group of Adult Fans of LEGO (AFOLs) designed and constructed a massive LEGO model of Homer’s Odyssey—a model worth analysing as an artistic adaptation of a canonical work of classical literature. Drawing on recent scholarship in the field of LEGO studies, this article examines this model in the context of LEGO as an artistic medium. It then considers the ways in which this model engages with modern conceptions of the idea of ‘epic’, while also using Mikhail Bakhtin’s distinction between epic and novel to explore some of the model’s more novelistic qualities. Finally, this article seeks to position the model within—and in opposition to—a wider landscape of LEGO-centric classical engagement.
Intrinsic competition between 2 pupal parasitoids of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae)
Authors: Garcez Amanda Montandon , Krüger Alexandra Peter , Nava Dori Edson
Published: April 2023

The parasitoids Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae Rondani (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) and Trichopria anastrephae Costa Lima (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) have great potential in controlling Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura); however, both, compete for the same resources. In this study, we evaluated whether the different stages of development of the primary parasitoid reduce the negative effect of intrinsic competition. For this, we first defined the duration of each immature stage of both parasitoid species and then offered D. suzukii pupae containing the first parasitoid (P. vindemmiae or T. anastrephae) at different stages of development to the second parasitoid (P. vindemmiae or T. anastrephae). We also checked the second parasitoid’s preference (P. vindemmiae or T. anastrephae) for the primary parasitoid at different stages of development (P. vindemmiae or T. anastrephae) or D. suzukii pupae nonparasitized. Our evaluations showed that T. anastrephae preferred to parasitize pupae that were not previously parasitized and that had not parasitized puparia of D. suzukii when P. vindemmiae was in later stage to the 1st instar. However, P. vindemmiae preferred to parasitize pupae previously parasitized by T. anastrephae. In an environment of intrinsic competition, the first parasitoid to parasitize has an advantage, except when the pupal stage of T. anastrephae is parasitized by P. vindemmiae. The variation in the parasitoids’ oviposition time mitigates the competition effect; however, for use in biological control programs, the hyperparasitoids P. vindemmiae, does not prove to be advantageous, as they can affect the establishment of primary parasitoids such as T. anastrephae, and can act as competitors for resources.
Aesthetic Higher-Order Evidence for Subjectivists
Authors: Mag Uidhir Christy , Oliveira Luis
Published: April 2023

Aesthetic subjectivism takes the truth of aesthetic judgement to be relative to the individual making that judgement. Despite widespread suspicion, however, this does not mean that one cannot be wrong about such judgement. Accordingly, this does not mean that one cannot gain higher-order evidence of error and fallibility that bears on the rationality of the aesthetic judgement in question. In this paper, we explain and explore these issues in some detail.