bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facilitating Near‐Infrared Persistent Luminescence in Cr3+‐Doped Gadolinium Gallium Garnets
Authors: Wang Xiaomeng , Du Jiaren , Lin Hengwei
Published: November 2023

Near‐infrared persistent luminescence (NIR PersL) materials provide great potential in the fields of night vision, biological imaging, and information encryption. However, among various crystal structures, Cr3+‐doped gallium garnets show inferior PersL property, which turns out to be the bottleneck of their versatile applications. The rational design and facile preparation of high‐performance NIR PersL materials are crucial for the emerging applications. In this work, a series of Gd3MgxGexGa5‐2xO12:Cr3+ (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1) is investigated by microwave‐assisted solid‐state (MASS) approach. Furthermore, by employing chemical composition co‐substitution, PersL performance is further improved and the optimum working temperature is adjusted to the lower temperature at 10 °C. Trap level distribution of Gd3Mg0.5Ge0.5Ga4O12:Cr3+ phosphor is revealed based on the temperature and fading‐time dependent PersL and thermoluminescence property. Further study demonstrates the reduction of the bandgap and the trap distribution forwards at shallow‐lying trap energy levels. The synergistic effect, from both energy‐band manipulation and trap‐level optimization, facilitates NIR PersL in Cr3+‐doped gadolinium gallium garnets. These findings confirm the applicability of MASS‐based bandgap and defect level engineering for improving the PersL properties in non/inferior‐PersL materials. This burgeoning MASS method may facilitate a wide range of PersL materials for various emerging applications.
Unveiling Atomic‐Scale Product Selectivity at the Cocatalyst‐TiO2 Interface Using X‐Ray Techniques: Insights into Interface Reactivity
Authors: Liu Yin , Li Hanqi , Han Rong , Ouyang Qin , Guo Yuzheng , Zhang Zhaofu , Mu Linqin , Sainio Sami , Nordlund Dennis , Zan Ling , Jiang Zhuo
Published: November 2023

The microstructure at the interface between the cocatalyst and semiconductor plays a vital role in concentrating photo‐induced carriers and reactants. However, observing the atomic arrangement of this interface directly using an electron microscope is challenging due to the coverings of the semiconductor and cocatalyst. To address this, multiple metal‐semiconductor interfaces on three TiO2 crystal facets (M/TiO2─N, where M represents Ag, Au, and Pt, and N represents the 001, 010, and 101 single crystal facets). The identical surface atomic configuration of the TiO2 facets allowed us to investigate the evolution of the microstructure within these constructs using spectroscopies and DFT calculations. For the first time, they observed the transformation of saturated Ti6c─O bonds into unsaturated Ti5c─O and Ti6c─O─Pt bonds on the TiO2─010 facet after loading Pt. This transformation have a direct impact on the selectivity of the resulting products, leading to the generation of CO and CH4 at the Ti6c─O─Pt and Pt sites, respectively. These findings pinpoint the pivotal roles played by the atomic arrangement at the M/TiO2─N interfaces and provide valuable insights for the development of new methodologies using conventional lab‐grade equipment.
Unveiling the Biologically Dynamic Degradation of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles via a Continuous Flow System
Authors: Yang Zhe , Wu Shuwang , Gao Yun , Kou Dandan , Lu Kuan , Chen Can , Zhou Yi , Zhou Dandan , Chen Lei , Ge Jianxian , Li Cang , Zeng Jianfeng , Gao Mingyuan
Published: November 2023

Nanomaterials are increasingly being employed for biomedical applications, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of their degradation behavior and potential toxicity in the biological environment. This study utilizes a continuous flow system to simulate the biologically relevant degradation conditions and investigate the effects of pH, protein, redox species, and chelation ligand on the degradation of iron oxide nanoparticles. The morphology, aggregation state, and relaxivity of iron oxide nanoparticles after degradation are systematically characterized. The results reveal that the iron oxide nanoparticles degrade at a significantly higher rate under the acidic environment. Moreover, incubation with bovine serum albumin enhances the stability and decreases the dissolution rate of iron oxide nanoparticles. In contrast, glutathione accelerates the degradation of iron oxide nanoparticles, while the presence of sodium citrate leads to the fastest degradation. This study reveals that iron oxide nanoparticles undergo degradation through various mechanisms in different biological microenvironments. Furthermore, the dissolution and aggregation of iron oxide nanoparticles during degradation significantly impact their relaxivity, which has implications for their efficacy as magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents in vivo. The results provide valuable insights for assessing biosafety and bridge the gap between fundamental research and clinical applications of iron oxide nanoparticles.
Effect of Austenite Reversion and Its Stability on the Tensile and Impact Transition Behavior of High‐Strength Naval Steel
Authors: Biswal Sankalp , Sk Md. Basiruddin , Barik Rakesh Kumar , Rarhi Nirmalya , Balamuralikrishnan Ramalingam , Chakrabarti Debalay
Published: November 2023

The present investigation correlates the austenite reversion and its stability during intercritical annealing (IA) with the tensile and Charpy impact properties of a low‐C naval grade steel. The as‐received steel is subjected to water quenching after austenitization at 950 °C, followed by IA at 620, 650, and 680 °C for 2 h. DICTRA simulation is used to predict the austenite reversion kinetics during the IA. Incorporation of cementite phase in the simulation correlates well with the experimental dilatometry results on the austenite growth kinetics. DICTRA simulation predicts a continuous rise in the reverted austenite fraction with increasing IA temperature. However, the percentage of reverted austenite, that gets retained after the subsequent quenching, decreases with increasing annealing temperature due to the reduction of austenite stability at elevated IA temperature. In other words, the amount of fresh untempered martensite increases rapidly with increasing IA temperature. Consequently, the sample annealed at an intermediate temperature of 650 °C (IA650) shows the best combination of strength, elongation, and low‐temperature impact properties as compared to the IA620 and IA680 steels due to an optimum balance of mechanically stable austenite and relatively lower untempered martensite fractions.
MXene‐enhanced environmentally stable organohydrogel ionic diode toward harvesting ultralow‐frequency mechanical energy and moisture energy
Authors: Yin Jianyu , Liu Nishuang , Jia Peixue , Ren Ziqi , Zhang Qixiang , Lu Wenzhong , Yao Qianqian , Deng Mingfang , Gao Yihua
Published: November 2023

With the accelerating advancement of distributed sensors and portable electronic devices in the era of big data, harvesting energy from the surrounding environment to power electrical devices has become increasingly attractive. However, most mechanical energy harvesters often require high operating frequencies to function properly. Moreover, for practical applications, the survivability of devices in harsh operating environments is a vital issue which must be addressed. Besides, the single‐stimulus responsiveness limits their further applications in complex external environments. Here, a pressure and moisture dual‐responsive ionic diode consisting of two organohydrogels with opposite charges as an energy harvester is proposed. The organohydrogel ionic diode utilizes the migration of cations and anions to form the depletion zone and followed by an enhancement of the built‐in potential along the depletion zone as a result of mechanical stress or humidity, converting ultralow‐frequency mechanical energy or moisture energy into electrical energy. Meanwhile, this mechanism is further confirmed by the finite element analysis. With the increased rectification ratio due to the introduction of MXene, the ionic diode exhibits a relatively large output current (∼10.10 μA cm−2) and power density (∼0.10 μW cm−2) at a mechanical pressure of 0.01 Hz, outperforming most currently available mechanical energy harvesters. More impressively, the incorporation of ethylene glycol provides the hydrogel ionic diode with excellent temperature tolerance and long‐term environmental stability. The organohydrogel ionic diode can also be applied as a moisture‐driven power generator and self‐powered humidity sensor. This study presents promising prospects for the efficient collection of renewable and sustainable energy and the practical application of hydrogel‐based energy harvesters in extreme environments.
MicroRNA‐140‐3p inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis in non‐small cell lung cancer by targeting MDIG
Authors: Yu Miaomiao , Fan Yueren , Zhao Yihang , Tang Yu
Published: November 2023

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are associated with cancer progression. MiR‐140‐3p is a tumor suppressor. Nevertheless, its function in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is unclear.

Methods

MiR‐140‐3p expression in NSCLC clinical specimens was examined using the TCGA database and real‐time PCR. NSCLC cell proliferation and apoptosis were investigated after the miRNA overexpression. Then, mineral dust‐induced gene (MDIG) levels in NSCLC clinical specimens were monitored by real‐time PCR and western blotting. Bioinformatics predicated the binding of miR‐140‐3p to MDIG, and their relationship was validated by luciferase reporter assay. The miR‐140‐3p/MDIG axis was further validated through rescue experiments. The involvement of STAT3 signaling in the actions of miR‐140‐3p/MDIG axis was investigated.

Results

MiR‐140‐3p was decreased in NSCLC tissues and negatively correlated with MDIG expression. Additionally, it was also lower in high‐grade specimens than in low‐grade ones. MiR‐140‐3p restrained cell proliferation, facilitated apoptosis, and inhibited STAT3 signaling in NSCLC. Interestingly, MDIG was a target of this miRNA. Furthermore, MDIG upregulation abolished miR‐140‐3p's effect on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and STAT3 pathway in NSCLC cells.

Conclusion

MiR‐140‐3p restrained NSCLC development through the regulation of the STAT3 pathway by targeting MDIG. This axis may be a promising target for NSCLC treatment.
Jellyfish: A modular code for wave function‐based electron dynamics simulations and visualizations on traditional and quantum compute architectures
Authors: Langkabel Fabian , Krause Pascal , Bande Annika
Published: November 2023

Ultrafast electron dynamics have made rapid progress in the last few years. With Jellyfish, we now introduce a program suite that enables to perform the entire workflow of an electron‐dynamics simulation. The modular program architecture offers a flexible combination of different propagators, Hamiltonians, basis sets, and more. Jellyfish can be operated by a graphical user interface, which makes it easy to get started for nonspecialist users and gives experienced users a clear overview of the entire functionality. The temporal evolution of a wave function can currently be executed in the time‐dependent configuration interaction method (TDCI) formalism, however, a plugin system facilitates the expansion to other methods and tools without requiring in‐depth knowledge of the program. Currently developed plugins allow to include results from conventional electronic structure calculations as well as the usage and extension of quantum‐compute algorithms for electron dynamics. We present the capabilities of Jellyfish on three examples to showcase the simulation and analysis of light‐driven correlated electron dynamics. The implemented visualization of various densities enables an efficient and detailed analysis for the long‐standing quest of the electron–hole pair formation.

This article is categorized under:

Theoretical and Physical Chemistry > Spectroscopy

Software > Simulation Methods
Roles of the CCR4‐Not complex in translation and dynamics of co‐translation events
Authors: Collart Martine A. , Audebert Léna , Bushell Martin
Published: November 2023

The Ccr4‐Not complex is a global regulator of mRNA metabolism in eukaryotic cells that is most well‐known to repress gene expression. Delivery of the complex to mRNAs through a multitude of distinct mechanisms accelerates their decay, yet Ccr4‐Not also plays an important role in co‐translational processes, such as co‐translational association of proteins and delivery of translating mRNAs to organelles. The recent structure of Not5 interacting with the translated ribosome has brought to light that embedded information within the codon sequence can be monitored by recruitment of the Ccr4‐Not complex to elongating ribosomes. Thereby, the Ccr4‐Not complex is empowered with regulatory decisions determining the fate of proteins being synthesized and their encoding mRNAs. This review will focus on the roles of the complex in translation and dynamics of co‐translation events.

This article is categorized under:

Translation > Mechanisms

Translation > Regulation
Mistranslation-associated perturbations of proteostasis do not promote accumulation of amyloid beta and plaque deposition in aged mouse brain
Authors: Santhosh Kumar Harshitha , Moore James , Steiner Adrian C. , Sotirakis Emmanuel , Schärli Benjamin , Isnard-Petit Patricia , Thiam Kader , Wolfer David P. , Böttger Erik C.
Published: November 2023

A common perception in age-related neurodegenerative diseases posits that a decline in proteostasis is key to the accumulation of neuropathogenic proteins, such as amyloid beta (Aβ), and the development of sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (AD). To experimentally challenge the role of protein homeostasis in the accumulation of Alzheimer’s associated protein Aβ and levels of associated Tau phosphorylation, we disturbed proteostasis in single APP knock-in mouse models of AD building upon Rps9 D95N, a recently identified mammalian ram mutation which confers heightened levels of error-prone translation together with an increased propensity for random protein aggregation and which is associated with accelerated aging. We crossed the Rps9 D95N mutation into knock-in mice expressing humanized Aβ with different combinations of pathogenic mutations (wild-type, NL, NL-F, NL-G-F) causing a stepwise and quantifiable allele-dependent increase in the development of Aβ accumulation, levels of phosphorylated Tau, and neuropathology. Surprisingly, the misfolding-prone environment of the Rps9 D95N ram mutation did not affect Aβ accumulation and plaque formation, nor the level of phosphorylated Tau in any of the humanized APP knock-in lines. Our findings indicate that a misfolding-prone environment induced by error-prone translation with its inherent perturbations in protein homeostasis has little impact on the accumulation of pathogenic Aβ, plaque formation and associated phosphorylated Tau.
The anterior insula and its projection to amygdala nuclei modulate the abstinence-exacerbated expression of conditioned place preference
Authors: Agoitia Andrés , Cruz-Sanchez Apolinar , Balderas Israela , Bermúdez-Rattoni Federico
Published: November 2023

Rationale

Relapse into substance use is often triggered by exposure to drug-related environmental cues. The magnitude of drug seeking depends on the duration of abstinence, a phenomenon known as the incubation of drug craving. Clinical and preclinical research shows that the insular cortex is involved in substance use disorders and cue-induced drug seeking. However, the role of the insula on memory retrieval and motivational integration for cue-elicited drug seeking remains to be determined.

Objectives

We investigated the role of the anterior insular cortex (aIC) and its glutamatergic projection to amygdala nuclei (aIC-AMY) on the expression of conditioned place preference (CPP) during early and late abstinence.

Methods

Male adult C57BL/6J mice underwent amphetamine-induced CPP, and their preference was tested following 1 or 14 days of abstinence. aIC and aIC-AMY functional role in CPP expression was assessed at both abstinence periods by employing optogenetic silencing and behavioral pharmacology.

Results

Compared to a single day, an exacerbated preference for the amphetamine-paired context was observed after 14 days of abstinence. Photoinhibition of either aIC or aIC-AMY projection reduced CPP expression following late but not early abstinence. Similarly, the antagonism of aIC NMDA receptors reduced CPP expression after 14 days of abstinence but not 1 day.

Conclusions

These results suggest that aIC and its glutamatergic output to amygdala nuclei constitute critical neurobiological substrates mediating enhanced motivational cue reactivity during the incubation of amphetamine craving rather than contextual memory recall. Moreover, cortical NMDA receptor signaling may become sensitized during abstinence, ultimately modulating disproportioned drug seeking.
Refining accuracy of RV–PA coupling in patients undergoing transcatheter tricuspid valve treatment
Authors: Sugiura Atsushi , Tanaka Tetsu , Kavsur Refik , Öztürk Can , Silaschi Miriam , Goto Tadahiro , Weber Marcel , Zimmer Sebastian , Nickenig Georg , Vogelhuber Johanna
Published: November 2023

Background

Assessing right ventricular (RV) function is paramount for risk stratification, which remains challenging in patients with tricuspid regurgitation (TR). We assessed RV–pulmonary artery (PA) coupling and its predictability of outcomes after transcatheter tricuspid valve repair (TTVR).

Methods

Study participants comprised patients undergoing transcatheter tricuspid valve repair to treat symptomatic TR from June 2015 to July 2021. We calculated an RV–PA coupling ratio using a formula, which is dividing tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) by echocardiographically estimated (ePASP) or invasively measured PASP (iPASP) at baseline. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality or heart failure rehospitalization within one year.

Results

The study participants (n = 206) were at high surgical risk (EuroSCORE II: 7.4 ± 4.8%). The primary outcome occurred in 57 patients within one year. The c-statistics for the outcome were 0.565 (95% CI 0.488–0.643) for TAPSE/ePASP and 0.695 (95% CI 0.631–0.759) for TAPSE/iPASP. The correlation between the ePASP and iPASP was attenuated in patients with massive/torrential TR compared to those with severe TR (interaction p = 0.01). In the multivariable Cox proportional model, TAPSE/iPASP was inversely associated with the risk of the primary outcome (per 0.1-point increase: adjusted-HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.56–0.82, p < 0.001), independent of baseline demographics. According to the TAPSE/iPASP quartiles (i.e., ≤ 0.316; 0.317–0.407; 0.408–0.526; ≥ 0.527), the event-free survival was 43.4%, 48.3%, 77.9%, and 85.4% at one year after TTVR.

Conclusion

RV–PA coupling predicts one-year mortality and heart failure rehospitalization after TTVR in patients with TR. The predictability is improved if invasively-measured PA pressure is included.

Graphical abstract

Assessing right ventricular (RV) function is paramount for risk stratification. The present analysis confirms that RV–PA coupling, measured as TAPSE/PASP, predicts one-year mortality and heart failure rehospitalization in patients undergoing TTVR. There is a significant interaction between TR severity and the correlation of ePASP with iPASP, and therefore the correlation is attenuated in patients with massive to torrential TR. The predictability of RV–PA coupling is improved if PA pressure is measured invasively and included in the formula.
SNP array genomic analysis of matched pairs of brain and liver metastases in primary colorectal cancer
Authors: Brandt Vivian-Pascal , Holland Heidrun , Wallenborn Marco , Koschny Ronald , Frydrychowicz Clara , Richter Mandy , Holland Lydia , Nestler Ulf , Sander Caroline
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Brain metastasis formation is a rare and late event in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and associated with poor survival. In contrast to other metastatic sites, the knowledge on chromosomal aberrations in brain metastases is very limited.

Methods

Therefore, we carried out single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array analyses on matched primary CRC and brain metastases of four patients as well as on liver metastases of three patients.

Results

Brain metastases showed more chromosomal aberrations than primary tumors or liver metastases. Commonly occurring aberrations were gain of 8q11.1-q24.3 (primary CRC), gain of 13q12.13-q12.3 (liver metastases), and gain of 20q11.1-q13.33 (brain metastases). Furthermore, we found one copy-neutral loss of heterozygosity (cn-LOH) region on chromosome 3 in primary CRC, three cn-LOH regions in liver metastases and 23 cn-LOH regions in brain metastases, comprising 26 previously undescribed sites.

Conclusion

The more frequent occurrence of cn-LOHs and subsequently affected genes in brain metastases shed light on the pathophysiology of brain metastasis formation. Further pairwise genetic analyses between primary tumors and their metastases will help to define the role of affected genes in cn-LOH regions.
Complexity Issues on of Secondary Domination Number
Authors: Raczek Joanna
Published: November 2023

In this paper we study the computational complexity issues of the problem of secondary domination (known also as (1, 2)-domination) in several graph classes. We also study the computational complexity of the problem of determining whether the domination and secondary domination numbers are equal. In particular, we study the influence of triangles and vertices of degree 1 on these numbers. Also, an optimal algorithm for finding a minimum secondary dominating set in trees is presented.
Automatisierte Textilsortierung – Status quo, Herausforderungen und Perspektiven
Authors: Tischberger-Aldrian Alexia , Stipanovic Hana , Kuhn Nikolai , Bäck Tanja , Schwartz Daniel , Koinig Gerald
Published: November 2023

Die Textil- und Bekleidungsindustrie wird in Zukunft im Sinne einer Kreislaufwirtschaft zu gestalten sein. Für Textilien stehen bereits unterschiedliche Recyclingverfahren zur Verfügung, wenngleich die Kapazitäten in Europa derzeit noch gering sind. Für alle Recyclingverfahren sind jedoch textile Inputströme erforderlich, die bestimmte Spezifikationen (z. B. Zusammensetzung, Störstoffgehalt, Farbe) erfüllen müssen. Für die Sortierung von Alttextilien (Post Industrial, Pre Consumer, Post Consumer) ergeben sich daraus eine Reihe von Herausforderungen (z. B. Textilprodukte sind extrem vielseitig und individuell gestaltet, verfügen über mehrere Lagen, bestehen aus einem Gemisch verschiedenster Fasertypen und/oder enthalten eine Vielzahl von Störstoffen). Manuelle Sortierung allein kann dieser Aufgabe nicht gerecht werden, da die Recyclingindustrie Informationen benötigt, die über die Angaben auf Pflegeetiketten hinausgehen und diese Sortierung personal- und kostenintensiv ist. Zum jetzigen Zeitpunkt spielt die manuelle Sortierung eine tragende Rolle und wird – gemeinsam mit der Sammlung – in den nächsten Jahren eine wichtige Unterstützungsfunktion der automatisierten Sortierung übernehmen (müssen). Sensorgestützte – und damit automatisierte – Sortierung kann Merkmale und Eigenschaften erfassen, die sortierendem Personal aus unterschiedlichsten Gründen nicht zugänglich sind. Einige wenige automatisierte Sortieranlagen auf Basis von NIR wurden in Europa bereits umgesetzt. Technologien wie RFID, NFC, Fluoreszenzmarker oder Digitale Wasserzeichen erfordern stets auch die flächendeckende Einbindung der textilherstellenden Unternehmen und können – wenn überhaupt – erst in Zukunft eine Rolle spielen. Auch die Objekterkennung mithilfe von Künstlicher Intelligenz getriebenen Algorithmen und Modellen stellt noch eine Zukunftstechnologie der automatisierten Sortierung dar. Die Verwendung einer einzigen Technologie zur Sortierung von Textilien wird und kann in Zukunft nicht ausreichend sein, um den vielfältigen Sortieraufgabenstellungen in diesem Bereich zu begegnen.
Longstanding Auditory Sensory and Semantic Differences in Preterm Born Children
Authors: Retsa Chrysa , Turpin Hélène , Geiser Eveline , Ansermet François , Müller-Nix Carole , Murray Micah M.
Published: November 2023

More than 10% of births are preterm, and the long-term consequences on sensory and semantic processing of non-linguistic information remain poorly understood. 17 very preterm-born children (born at < 33 weeks gestational age) and 15 full-term controls were tested at 10 years old with an auditory object recognition task, while 64-channel auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) were recorded. Sounds consisted of living (animal and human vocalizations) and manmade objects (e.g. household objects, instruments, and tools). Despite similar recognition behavior, AEPs strikingly differed between full-term and preterm children. Starting at 50ms post-stimulus onset, AEPs from preterm children differed topographically from their full-term counterparts. Over the 108-224ms post-stimulus period, full-term children showed stronger AEPs in response to living objects, whereas preterm born children showed the reverse pattern; i.e. stronger AEPs in response to manmade objects. Differential brain activity between semantic categories could reliably classify children according to their preterm status. Moreover, this opposing pattern of differential responses to semantic categories of sounds was also observed in source estimations within a network of occipital, temporal and frontal regions. This study highlights how early life experience in terms of preterm birth shapes sensory and object processing later on in life.
Assessing carbon cycle projections from complex and simple models under SSP scenarios
Authors: Melnikova Irina , Ciais Philippe , Boucher Olivier , Tanaka Katsumasa
Published: November 2023

Both full-fledged Earth system models (ESMs) and simple climate models (SCMs) have been used to investigate climate change for future representative CO2 concentration pathways under the sixth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project. Here, we explore to what extent complex and simple models are consistent in their carbon cycle response in concentration-driven simulations. Although ESMs and SCMs exhibit similar compatible fossil fuel CO2 emissions, ESMs systematically estimate a lower ocean carbon uptake than SCMs in the historical period and future scenarios. The ESM and SCM differences are especially large under low-concentration and overshoot scenarios. Furthermore, ESMs and SCMs deviate in their land carbon uptake estimates, but the differences are scenario-dependent. These differences are partly driven by a few model outliers (ESMs and SCMs) and the procedure of observational constraining that is present in the majority of SCMs but not applied in ESMs. The differences in land uptake arise from the difference in the way land-use change (LUC) emissions are calculated and different assumptions on how the carbon cycle feedbacks are defined, possibly reflecting the treatment of nitrogen limitation of biomass growth and historical calibration of SCMs. The differences in ocean uptake, which are especially large in overshoot scenarios, may arise from the faster mixing of carbon from the surface to the deep ocean in SCMs than in ESMs. We also discuss the inconsistencies that arise when converting CO2 emissions from integrated assessment models (IAMs) to CO2 concentrations inputs for ESMs, which typically rely on a single SCM. We further highlight the discrepancies in LUC emission estimates between models of different complexity, particularly ESMs and IAMs, and encourage climate modeling groups to address these potential areas for model improvement.
Unlocking Local Union Meeting Attendance for Employees Identified by Gender, Minority Status, and Language of Origin: Psychological Safety and Meeting Effectiveness
Authors: Mellor Steven
Published: November 2023

Viewing the problem of chronic low local union meeting attendance through a psychological lens, we sampled employees from 22 unions and 64 locals who attended meetings in the last 12 months (N = 130) to replicate a mediation model presented in Mellor (Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal,35, 189–208, 2023), in which psychological safety at meetings is linked to meeting attendance through rated meeting effectiveness. Support for replication was shown, in which employees who experienced more safety at meetings were more likely to rate meetings as effective, and in turn were more likely to indicate meeting attendance in the next 12 months. Because gender, minority status, and language of origin were linked to model variables in the Mellor study, and because discussions with local officers (“local reps”) about the problem of low attendance indicated interest in these demographics, the demographics were positioned as moderators in the mediation model. Test results for the expanded model indicated support, in which mediation was stronger for minority employees and for employees for which English is a Second Language, specifically links between safety and effectiveness ratings and between safety and attendance through effectiveness ratings. Model relationships are discussed in relation to future sampling, modeling, and intervention.
Operationalising the concept of recontextualisation: leveraging pedagogy and learning strategies in higher education practical courses
Authors: Hockham David , Wallis Jillian
Published: November 2023

This interdisciplinary paper brings together scholarship from the fields of education, psychology, sociology and performance to shed light on three pedagogy and learning strategies to support learners recontextualise knowledge between higher education and work contexts. These strategies include offering multiple different types of performance activities and modes of engagement with different types of people (learners/experts, different cultures, ages, etc.). Secondly, it provides spaces to fail and enables testing of personal strategies with limited risk. Finally, it supports students in connecting ideas and experiences from the past, across educational experiences of different performance practices and into wider contexts such as professional work.

The research, which is a pilot, recognises the ways in which these strategies align with and operationalise Guile’s (2010) concept of recontextualisation, offering pedagogues tools to support learning in a similar way in which the concept of scaffolding might be seen to operationalise Vygotsky’s notion of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD).

This pilot study uses semi-structured interviews and a thematic analysis approach with five graduates from an undergraduate drama degree programme in London. We recognise drama as a practical degree subject and as such consider our findings as generalisable to wider practical fields and disciplines, such as engineering and nursing education, and as having international relevance. The work offers a novel approach to conceptualising and evaluating the ways in which students deploy taught knowledge beyond the classroom, in work. It offers and augments arguments around the ways in which students bridge practice and learning from within the HEI and beyond it.
Modeling Thermodynamic Properties of Mixtures of CO2 + O2 in the Allam Cycle by Equations of State
Authors: Staubach Jens , Schwarz Gerhard , Möbius Stephan , Hasse Hans , Stephan Simon
Published: November 2023

Different equations of state (EOS) were applied for describing thermodynamic properties of the system $$\text {CO}_{2} + \text {O}_{2},$$

CO
2

+

O
2

,

which is important for the Allam cycle: cubic EOS (Soave–Redlich–Kwong, Peng–Robinson), molecular-based EOS (PC-SAFT, PCP-SAFT, SAFT-VR Mie, polar soft-SAFT, BACKONE, sCPA), and multiparameter EOS (GERG-2008, EOS-CG). The pure component models were taken from the literature. The results for the mixture were compared to experimental data from the literature for two cases: (i) the thermodynamic properties of the mixture were modeled using predictive mixing and combination rules; (ii) additional binary interaction parameters were fitted to experimental data for improving the performance. In the predictive mode (i), the best results were obtained with molecular-based EOS. In the adjusted mode (ii) the best results were obtained with the multi-parameter GERG-2008 EOS and EOS-CG.
Tweet acts and quote-tweetable acts
Authors: Cousens Chris
Published: November 2023

Online communication can often seem different to offline talk. Structural features of social media sites can shape the things we do with words. In this paper, I argue that the practice of ‘quote-tweeting’ can cause a single utterance that originally performed just one speech act to later perform several different speech acts. This describes a new type of illocutionary pluralism—the view that a single utterance can perform multiple illocutionary acts. Not only is this type more plural than others (if one utterance can acquire many kinds of illocutionary force), but it also shows how illocutionary forces can be accumulated over time. This is not limited to online utterances—some offline contexts are similarly structured, and so offline utterances can also come to perform many different speech acts.
Polymorphisms in LRP2 and CUBN genes and their association with serum vitamin D levels and sleep apnea
Authors: Anatolou Dimitra , Steiropoulos Paschalis , Zissimopoulos Athanasios , Chadia Konstantina , Archontogeorgis Kostas , Kolios George , Manolopoulos Vangelis G. , Ragia Georgia
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with the occurrence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Megalin (LRP2) and cubilin (CUBN) are implicated in vitamin D metabolism, whereas LRP2 and CUBN polymorphisms have been previously associated with variable serum vitamin D levels. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of LRP2 rs2228171 c.8614C > T and CUBN rs1801222 c.758A > G polymorphisms in OSAS susceptibility, independently or in synergy with vitamin D levels.

Methods

Vitamin D serum concentration of consecutive individuals was measured. PCR–RFLP was used for LRP2 rs2228171 and CUBN rs1801222 genotyping.

Results

A total of 176 individuals was enrolled, including 144 patients with OSAS and 32 controls. Frequency of LRP2 rs2228171 c.8614 T and CUBN rs1801222 c.758G alleles was estimated at 22.4% and 79.8%, respectively. LRP2 and CUBN polymorphisms were not associated with OSAS occurrence (rs2228171Τ allele: 22.9% in OSAS group vs. 20.3% in controls, p = 0.651; rs1801222A allele 19.4% in OSAS group vs. 23.4% in controls, p = 0.471). Frequency of CUBN rs1801222A allele carriers was increased in patients with moderate or severe OSAS compared to mild OSAS (p = 0.028). Patients with OSAS homozygous for LRP2 CC and CUBN GG genotypes had lower vitamin D serum concentration compared to controls carrying the same genotype (18.0 vs 27.0 ng/mL, p = 0.006 and 19.0 vs 27.5 ng/mL, p = 0.007, respectively).

Conclusion

CUBN rs1801222 polymorphism may affect OSAS severity. Among other factors, low vitamin D concentration is associated with OSAS occurrence, irrespectively of LRP2 and CUBN polymorphisms.
Human health risk assessment of PM10-bound heavy metals and PAHs around the Latin America’s Largest opencast coal mine
Authors: Arregocés Heli A. , Bonivento Guillermo J. , Ladino Luis A. , Beristain-Montiel Erick , Restrepo Gloria , Miranda Javier , Alvarez-Ospina Harry , Rojano Roberto
Published: November 2023

Air pollution in opencast coal mine areas is a critical issue, resulting in harmful severe effects on human health. Therefore, it is essential to understand the air pollution factors and to assess the risks to humans. This study evaluated the potential risks (carcinogen and non-carcinogen) of inhalation exposure to PM10-bound heavy metals and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in an open pit mine in northern Colombia. During February-May 2022, PM10 samples were collected at eight sites. Heavy metals (i.e., Al, Cr(VI), Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Pb) and PAHs (thirteen priority PAHs, and one non-priority PAH) levels linked to PM10 were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, respectively. PM10 concentrations were found to range between 4.70 and 59.90 µg m−3. Out of the three different zones of the study area (i.e., North Zone, South Zone, and Populated Zone), the North Zone recorded the highest daily average concentrations of Cr(VI) (104.16 ng m−3), Mn (28.39 ng m−3), Cu (33.75 ng m−3), Zn (57.99 ng m−3), As (44.92 ng m−3), and Pb (27.13 ng m−3). The fraction of the analyzed heavy metals at all monitoring sites was 82%–89% for Al, followed by Cr(VI) with 3%–6%. Cr(VI) was the major contributor to the carcinogenic risk values, while Cu, Cr(VI), and As were the main drivers for the non-carcinogenic risk. The average cancer risk range for heavy metals was 3.30 × 10–04 –5.47 × 10–04. On the other hand, the cancer risk for PAHs exposure was acceptable. The average incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) values varied between 2.87 × 10–07 and 4.21 × 10–07. Benzo[a]pyrene contributed to 54%–56% of the total risk from inhalation of PM10-bound PAHs, while Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene contributed to 16%–19%. Based on the Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis, exposure to Cr(VI) was the main factor affecting cancer risk in the North, South, and Populated Zones. A suitable risk assessment and management plan requires understanding PM10-bound heavy metals and PAHs concentration levels as well as their potential health risks, mainly in open-cast coal mine zones. Our study found that people living near open-pit mines face potential health risks, so it is crucial to establish policies and regulations to control emission sources.
Microbial consortia degrade several widely used organic UV filters, but a number of hydrophobic filters remain recalcitrant to biodegradation
Authors: Fagervold Sonja K. , Rohée Clémence , Lebaron Philippe
Published: November 2023

Organic UV filters are important ingredients in many personal care products, including sunscreens. Evaluating the biodegradability of organic UV filters is key to estimate their recalcitrance and environmental fate and thus central to their overall environmental risk assessment. In order to further understand the degradation process, the aim was to investigate whether specific consortia could degrade certain UV filters. Several bacterial strains were isolated from enrichment cultures actively degrading octocrylene (OC), butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (BM), homosalate (HS), and 2-ethylhexyl salicylate (ES) and were utilized to construct an in-house consortium. This synthetic consortium contained 27 bacterial strains and degraded OC, BM, HS, and ES 60–80% after 12 days, but not benzophenone-3 (BP3), methoxyphenyl triazine (BEMT), methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol (MBBT), diethylhexyl butamido triazone (DBT), ethylhexyl triazone (EHT), or diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate (DHHB). Furthermore, several commercial microbial mixtures from Greencell were tested to assess their degradation activity toward the same organic UV filters. ES and HS were degraded by some of the commercial consortia, but to a lesser extent. The rest of the tested UV filters were not degraded by any of the commercial bacterial mixes. These results confirm that some organic UV filters are recalcitrant to biodegradation, while others are degraded by a specific set of microorganisms.
Understanding the educators’ practices in makerspaces for the design of education tools
Authors: Turakhia Dishita , Ludgin David , Mueller Stefanie , Desportes Kayla
Published: November 2023

Makerspaces persist as formal and informal spaces of learning for youth, promoting continued interest in studying how design can support the variety of learning opportunities within these spaces. However, much of the current research examining learning in makerspaces neglects the perspectives of educators. This not only hinders our understanding of educators’ goals and how educators navigate makerspaces but also constrains how we frame the design space of the learning experiences and environments. To address this, we engaged in a set of semi-structured interviews to examine the contexts, goals, values, and practices of seven educators across five makerspaces. A thematic analysis of the data identified six key categories of competencies that these educators prioritize including a range of skills, practices, and knowledge, such as technical proficiency, communication, and contextual reflection. The analysis also identified five categories of strategies to accomplish certain goals, such as scaffolding, collaboration, and relationship building. Last, it also shed light on three categories of challenges faced at the student-level, teacher-level, and institutional level. We conclude with a discussion on our insights into how we can broaden the problem space in the design of educational technologies to support learning in makerspaces.
A Network Approach of Gambling Disorder Profile with and Without Related Illegal Acts
Authors: Granero Roser , Fernández-Aranda Fernando , Ayala-Rojas Rocío-Elena , Tapia Javier , Nadal Roser , Vinet-Valdebenito Gastón , Rosinska Magda , Jiménez-Murcia Susana
Published: November 2023

Gambling disorder (GD) is a complex mental health condition that can cause many severe psychological, physical, and social impairment. Illegal acts have been recognized in quite a few cases because of the debts related with the gambling activity. This study used network methodology to visualize the relationships among patients seeking treatment for gambling related problems, separately for the patients with and without illegal behaviors. The aim is to identify the diverse and differentiate mechanisms, as well as the central nodes, that occur within GD patients depending on the presence/absence of illegal acts. The sample included N = 401 patients (age range 18 to 80 years). Network analysis was performed considering the nodes that measure gambling features (the core symptoms based on the DSM-5 taxonomy, global symptom severity, and forms of gambling), psychopathology distress, substance use (tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs), and personality traits. Two separate networks were adjusted for patients with illegal acts (n = 105) and without these behaviors (n = 296). The most relevant nodes among patients with GD plus illegal acts were self-transcendence and the GD DSM-5 symptom “A7-lies to conceal the extent of gambling” (these variables were also identified as the bridge nodes, those with the highest linkage capacity). Among the patients with GD without illegal acts, the node with the greatest authority was the GD DSM-5 symptom “A5-often gambles when feeling distressed” (this was also the variable with the highest linkage capacity). The study provides empirical evidence of the most relevant features and the linkage capacity among patients seeking treatment for problematic gambling, which can support the development of precise plans for treatment and prevention of the risk of GDRIA.
Multinational Corporations’ Interactions with Host Institutions: Taking Stock and Moving Forward
Authors: Svystunova Liudmyla , Muratova Yulia , Fortwengel Johann , Edwards Tony
Published: November 2023

Over more than 30 years, research on the interactions between multinational corporations (MNCs) and their institutional host environments has produced rich but scattered insights, which this review organises and integrates. We map the current state of knowledge and build an integrative model involving motivation and host context as antecedents; interaction strategy and actors as the phenomenon; and consequences, especially at the organisational level, as outcomes. By reviewing 176 articles published in leading journals, we reveal previously hidden relationships between host-country institutional context, proactive and reactive strategies, and positive and negative outcomes for the focal organisation. We also identify three future research frontiers focused on understudied aspects of interactions between MNCs and institutions: dynamics of strategies, dynamics of impact, and microfoundational dynamics. We suggest that combining organisational institutionalism and comparative institutionalism offers a pathway to push the outlined research frontiers.
Influence of demographic factors on the occurrence of motion artefacts in HR-pQCT
Authors: Benedikt Stefan , Rieser Lukas , Schmidle Gernot , Stock Kerstin , Horling Lukas , Degenhart Gerald , Arora Rohit
Published: November 2023

Summary

The study shows a high incidence of motion artefacts in a central European population and a significant increase of those artefacts with higher age. These findings may impact on the design and conduct of future in vivo HR-pQCT studies or at least help to estimate the potential number of drop outs due to unusable image quality.

Purpose

Motion artefacts in high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) are challenging, as they introduce error into the resulting measurement data. The aim of this study was to assess the general occurrence of motion artefacts in healthy distal radius and to evaluate the influence of demographic factors.

Methods

The retrospective study is based on 525 distal radius second-generation HR-pQCT scans of 95 patients. All stacks were evaluated by two experienced observers and graded according to the visual grading scale recommended by the manufacturer, ranging from grade 1 (no visible motion artefacts) to grade 5 (severe motion artefacts). Correlations between demographic factors and image quality were evaluated using a linear mixed effects model analysis.

Results

The average visual grading was 2.7 (SD ± 0.7). Age and severity of motion artefacts significantly correlated (p = 0.026). Patients aged 65 years or above had an average image quality between grades 1 and 3 in 72.7% of cases, while patients younger than 65 had an average image quality between grades 1 and 3 in 91.9% of cases. Gender, smoking behaviour, and handedness had no significant influence on motion artefacts.

Conclusion

This study showed a high incidence of motion artefacts in a representative central European population, but also a significant increase of motion artefacts with higher age. This could impact further study designs by planning for a sufficiently large and if possible a more selective study population to gain a representative amount of high-quality image data.
Quality aspects of annotated data
Authors: Beck Jacob
Published: November 2023

The quality of Machine Learning (ML) applications is commonly assessed by quantifying how well an algorithm fits its respective training data. Yet, a perfect model that learns from and reproduces erroneous data will always be flawed in its real-world application. Hence, a comprehensive assessment of ML quality must include an additional data perspective, especially for models trained on human-annotated data. For the collection of human-annotated training data, best practices often do not exist and leave researchers to make arbitrary decisions when collecting annotations. Decisions about the selection of annotators or label options may affect training data quality and model performance.

In this paper, I will outline and summarize previous research and approaches to the collection of annotated training data. I look at data annotation and its quality confounders from two perspectives: the set of annotators and the strategy of data collection. The paper will highlight the various implementations of text and image annotation collection and stress the importance of careful task construction. I conclude by illustrating the consequences for future research and applications of data annotation. The paper is intended give readers a starting point on annotated data quality research and stress the necessity of thoughtful consideration of the annotation collection process to researchers and practitioners.