bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anatomical study and proposed EMG technique for the cervical paraspinal muscles
Authors: Haig Andrew J. , McGuire Tyler J.
Published: July 2023

Paraspinal electromyography has proven to be the most sensitive component of the electrodiagnostic examination for lumbar spinal disorders. However, no standardized, anatomically validated technique has been proposed for the cervical region. This study reviewed the published textbooks on cervical paraspinal anatomy to develop a standardized electromyography technique and scoring system. A library search found 32 anatomy texts published between 2000 and 2021. Of these 11 were unique and appropriate. Most texts described the basic muscle anatomy similarly, but only one cited original research. When the spinous process is defined as the origin, the multifidus and deeper rotatores appear innervated by the posterior primary rami of single cervical roots. However, texts differ in the number of pennae, between two and five, traveling to transverse process regions below. These are crowded into a small area between the spinous processes and transverse processes. Based on this understanding, a proposed cervical paraspinal mapping technique involves skin insertions from 1 to 2 cm lateral to the C5, C7, and T2 spinous processes. The needle samples transversely and deep toward midline, contacts bone, then is withdrawn and redirected to sample medial and caudally to midline to bone, creating two scores of 0–4 at three levels, theoretically resulting in scores of 0–24. This technique must be validated by clinical research to determine the range of normal, reproducibility, and the spectrum of findings in various disorders.
Robust self‐healing waterborne polyurethane coatings via dynamic covalent Diels‐Alder bonds for corrosion protection
Authors: Yu Changjiang , Wang Zhanhua , Fei Guoxia , Zhang Xi , de Luna Martina Salzano , Lavorgna Marino , Xia Hesheng
Published: July 2023

For waterborne polyurethanes (PUs), balancing robust mechanical performances and excellent self‐healing ability is a great challenge. Here, we show that this goal can be achieved by a rational tuning of the PU chemistry. In particular, we synthesized an anionic self‐healing waterborne PU using acetone process, in which 2,2‐bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid (DMPA) serves as inner emulsifier, thermally dynamic Diels‐Alder bonds act as healing motifs and hexamethylene diisocyanate trimer is the crosslinker. The mechanical performance can be tuned by increasing DMPA concentration due to the gradually increased hard segment contents and ionic interactions. The tensile stress and elongation at break of films containing 5.6 wt% of DMPA are 24.9 MPa and 911.9%, respectively. Moreover, dynamic reversible Diels‐Alder bonds located in main chains and cross‐linking points ensure excellent self‐repairing capability. Upon mechanical damage, the tensile stress can be restored to 95% of its initial value. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy also points out an outstanding barrier ability and excellent corrosion protection performance of the coatings, which can be recovered even after serious damages.
The impact of Ag/Co nanocomposite on organic charge transport medium for improved photocurrent in polymer solar cell
Authors: Ike Jude N. , Jili Ncedo , Kumar Amit , Sharma Gaurav , Mola Genene Tessema
Published: July 2023

Tuning charge transport properties using silver‐cobalt bimetallic nanoparticles is investigated to enhance the photo‐current collection in polymer solar cells. The silver‐cobalt nanoparticles were not only augmenting the charge transport processes but also expected to trap light by way of reflection. The polymers blend consisting of poly‐(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT):[6,6]‐phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PC61BM) is used in the fabrication of polymer solar cells. The experimental results indicated that the solar cells' performance depended on the concentration of Ag/Co in the hole transport layer (HTL). Nevertheless, the high‐power conversion efficiency value of up to 4.21% was observed, at the concentration of 0.1% by weight, which is much higher than pristine solar cells due to improved measured photocurrents from the devices. This is a significant improvement in PCE by 66.4% compared to the undoped transport medium. Ag/Co nanocomposite is found to be more stable under ambient laboratory conditions.
Lipid‐induced polymorphic amyloid fibril formation by α‐synuclein
Authors: Singh Bhanu P. , Morris Ryan J. , Kunath Tilo , MacPhee Cait E. , Horrocks Mathew H.
Published: July 2023

Many proteins that self‐assemble into amyloid and amyloid‐like fibers can adopt diverse polymorphic forms. These forms have been observed both in vitro and in vivo and can arise through variations in the steric‐zipper interactions between β‐sheets, variations in the arrangements between protofilaments, and differences in the number of protofilaments that make up a given fiber class. Different polymorphs arising from the same precursor molecule not only exhibit different levels of toxicity, but importantly can contribute to different disease conditions. However, the factors which contribute to formation of polymorphic forms of amyloid fibrils are not known. In this work, we show that in the presence of 1,2‐dimyristoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phospho‐L‐serine, a highly abundant lipid in the plasma membrane of neurons, the aggregation of α‐synuclein is markedly accelerated and yields a diversity of polymorphic forms under identical experimental conditions. This morphological diversity includes thin and curly fibrils, helical ribbons, twisted ribbons, nanotubes, and flat sheets. Furthermore, the amyloid fibrils formed incorporate lipids into their structures, which corroborates the previous report of the presence of α‐synuclein fibrils with high lipid content in Lewy bodies. Thus, the present study demonstrates that an interface, such as that provided by a lipid membrane, can not only modulate the kinetics of α‐synuclein amyloid aggregation but also plays an important role in the formation of morphological variants by incorporating lipid molecules in the process of amyloid fibril formation.
An enzyme‐centric approach for constructing an amperometric l‐malate biosensor with a long and programmable linear range
Authors: Matthews Christopher J. , Patrick Wayne M.
Published: July 2023

l‐Malate is a key flavor enhancer and acidulant in the food and beverage industry, particularly winemaking. Enzyme‐based amperometric biosensors offer convenience for monitoring its concentration. However, only a small number of off‐the‐shelf malate‐oxidizing enzymes have been used in previous devices. These typically have linear ranges poorly suited for the l‐malate concentrations found in fruit processing and winemaking, making it necessary to use precisely diluted samples. Here, we describe a pipeline of database‐mining, gene synthesis, recombinant expression, and spectrophotometric assays to characterize previously untested enzymes for their suitability in biosensors. The pipeline yielded a bespoke biocatalyst—the Ascaris suum malic enzyme carrying mutation R181Q [AsME(R181Q)]. Our first prototype with AsME(R181Q) had an ultra‐wide linear range of 50–200 mM l‐malate, corresponding to concentrations found in undiluted fruit juices (including grape). Changing the dication from Mg2+ to Mn2+ increased sensitivity five‐fold and adding citrate (100 mM) increased it another six‐fold, albeit decreasing the linear range to 1–10 mM. To our knowledge, this is the first time an l‐malate biosensor with a tuneable combination of sensitivity and linear range has been described. The sensor response was also tested in the presence of various molecules abundant in juices and wines, with ascorbate shown to be a potent interferent. Interference was mitigated by the addition of ascorbate oxidase, allowing for differential measurements on an undiluted, untreated wine sample that corresponded well with commercial l‐malate testing kits. Overall, this work demonstrates the power of an enzyme‐centric approach for designing electrochemical biosensors with improved operational parameters and novel functionality.
Genetic basis and origin of resistance to acetolactate synthase inhibitors in Amaranthus palmeri from Spain and Italy
Authors: Manicardi Alfredo , Scarabel Laura , Llenes Josep María , Montull José María , Osuna María Dolores , Torra Farré Joel , Milani Andrea
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND

Amaranthus palmeri is an aggressive annual weed native to the United States, which has become invasive in some European countries. Populations resistant to acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors have been recorded in Spain and Italy, but the evolutionary origin of the resistance traits remains unknown. Bioassays were conducted to identify cross‐resistance to ALS inhibitors and a haplotype‐based genetic approach was used to elucidate the origin and distribution of resistance in both countries.

RESULTS

Amaranthus palmeri populations were resistant to thifensulfuron‐methyl and imazamox, and the 574‐Leu mutant ALS allele was found to be the main cause of resistance among them. In two Spanish populations, 376‐Glu and 197‐Thr mutant ALS alleles were also found. The haplotype analyses revealed the presence of two and four distinct 574‐Leu mutant haplotypes in the Italian and Spanish populations, respectively. None was common to both countries, but some mutant haplotypes were shared between geographically close populations or between populations more than 100 km apart. Wide genetic diversity was found in two very close Spanish populations.

CONCLUSION

ALS‐resistant A. palmeri populations were introduced to Italy and Spain from outside Europe. Populations from both countries have different evolutionary histories and originate from independent introduction events. ALS resistance then spread over short and long distances by seed dispersal. The higher number and genetic diversity among mutant haplotypes from the Spanish populations indicated recurrent invasions. The implementation of control tactics to limit seed dispersal and the establishment of A. palmeri is recommended in both countries. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Risk mitigation measures for pesticide runoff: How effective are they?
Authors: Klein Michael , Klein Judith , Flade Jens , Großmann Dietlinde , Türkowsky Dominique , O'Connor Isabel , Spycher Simon , Reichenberger Stefan , Sittig Stephan , Multsch Sebastian , Thomas Kai
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND

One of the most important sources of pesticide pollution of surface waters is runoff and erosion from agricultural fields after rainfall. This study analyses the efficacy of different risk mitigation measures to reduce pesticide runoff and erosion inputs into surface waters from arable land excluding rice fields.

RESULTS

Three groups of risk mitigation measures were quantitatively analyzed: vegetative filter strips, micro‐dams in row crops and soil conservation measures. Their effectiveness was evaluated based on a meta‐analysis of available experimental data using statistical methods such as classification and regression trees, and exploratory data analysis. Results confirmed the effectiveness of vegetative filter strips and micro‐dams. Contrary to common assumption, the width of vegetative filter strips alone is not sufficient to predict their effectiveness. The effectiveness of soil conservation measures (especially mulch‐tillage) varied widely. This was in part due to the heterogeneity of the available experimental data, probably resulting from the inconsistent implementation and the inadequate definitions of these measures.

CONCLUSION

Both vegetative filter strips and micro‐dams are effective and suitable, and can therefore be recommended for quantitative assessment of environmental pesticide exposure in surface waters. However, the processes of infiltration and sedimentation in vegetative filter strips should be simulated with a mechanistic model like Vegetative Filter Strip Modeling System, VFSMOD. The reduction effect of micro‐dams can be modelled by reducing the runoff curve number, e.g., in the pesticide root zone model, PRZM. Soil conservation measures are in principle promising, but further well‐documented data are needed to determine under which conditions they are effective. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Optimization of a‐Si Thin‐Film Solar‐Cell Performance with Passivation and c‐Si Cap Layer
Authors: Verma Manish , Routray Soumyaranjan , Sahoo Girija Shanker , Mishra Guru Prasad
Published: July 2023

A modified design of the a‐Si thin‐film solar cell (TFSC) is presented. The c‐Si cap layer is introduced to increase the photon absorption and hence the enhanced photo carriers increase the overall short‐circuit current. Whereas, the highly doped a‐Si passivation layer reduces the minority carrier flow and recombination at the rear side of the cell, and therefore the passivation layer is used to improve the open‐circuit voltage (). The performance optimization and investigation of the cell characteristic is executed using the numerical simulation methodology. To further enhance the cell efficiency, the thickness and doping concentration of the c‐Si cap and a‐Si passivation layer are optimized. The improvement in absorption and passivation quality of the cell leads to the enhancement of in short‐circuit current density and improvement in the , respectively. The designed a‐Si TFSC absorbs the incoming solar spectrum from to of wavelength and rest of the spectrum is transmitted. The external and internal quantum efficiency of the cell is well over . The optimized efficiency of is obtained for the designed cap layered a‐Si passivated cell in AM1.5 G environment using ray‐tracing methodology.
High‐precision zinc isotope measurement of chemically different geostandards by multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Authors: Liu Sheng‐Ao , Li Dandan , Liu Wan , Wu Tianhao , Yang Chun
Published: July 2023

Rationale

Zinc isotopes are becoming increasingly applicable in high‐temperature geochemistry, for example in crust–mantle interaction and volatilization‐related processes. The published zinc isotope data for some commonly used reference materials, however, show large interlaboratory offsets. In addition, there is still limited data for zinc isotope compositions of many widely used geological reference materials.

Methods

For precise and accurate zinc isotopic ratio analysis of chemically diverse geostandards, including ultramafic to felsic igneous rocks, carbonatites, sediments and soils, an improved procedure for chemical purification of zinc was introduced in this study. The factors potentially affecting zinc isotopic ratio measurement were assessed. The accuracy and long‐term reproducibility were obtained by measurements on both synthetic solutions and well‐characterized geostandards.

Results

Purification of geologic samples with different zinc concentrations and matrix compositions yields consistent elution curves with nearly 100% recovery. Acidity and concentration mismatches and the presence of some matrix elements (e.g., Mg, Ti and Cr) have significant impacts on the precision and accuracy of zinc isotopic ratio measurement. The zinc isotope compositions of a suite of reference materials were measured using this method.

Conclusions

The present study describes methods for the chemical purification of zinc and high‐precision and accurate zinc isotopic ratio measurements using multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (MC‐ICP‐MS). The long‐term external reproducibility for δ66Zn values is ±0.04‰ (2SD). High‐quality zinc isotope data of chemically different geostandards were reported to stimulate future interlaboratory calibrations.
Functional heterophasic liquid metals
Authors: Peng Yan , Xin Yumeng , Zhang Jiuyang , Dickey Michael D. , Li Quan
Published: July 2023

Liquid metals (LMs) have compelling applications in stretchable electronics, wearable devices, and soft robotics ascribing to the unique combination of room temperature fluidity and metallic electrical/thermal conductivity. Adding metallic elements in gallium‐based LMs can produce heterophasic (i.e., solid and liquid) LMs with altered properties including morphology, surface energy, rheology, electrical/thermal conductivity, and chemical reactivity. Importantly, heterophasic LMs can respond to external stimuli such as magnetic fields, temperature, and force. Thus, heterophasic LMs can broaden the potential applications of LMs. This report reviews the recent progress about heterophasic LMs through metallic elements in the periodic table and discusses their functionalities. The heterophasic LMs are systematically organized into four categories based on their features and applications including electrical/thermal conductivity, magnetic property, catalysis/energy management, and biomedical applications. This comprehensive review is aimed to help summarize the field and identify new opportunities for future studies.
A finely tuned deep transfer learning algorithm to compare outsole images
Authors: Jang Moonsoo , Park Soyoung , Carriquiry Alicia
Published: July 2023

In forensic practice, evaluating shoeprint evidence is challenging because the differences between images of two different outsoles can be subtle. In this paper, we propose a deep transfer learning‐based matching algorithm called the Shoe‐MS algorithm that quantifies the similarity between two outsole images. The Shoe‐MS algorithm consists of a Siamese neural network for two input images followed by a transfer learning component to extract features from outsole impression images. The added layers are finely tuned using images of shoe soles. To test the performance of the method we propose, we use a study dataset that is both realistic and challenging. The pairs of images for which we know ground truth include (1) close non‐matches and (2) mock‐crime scene pairs. The Shoe‐MS algorithm performed well in terms of prediction accuracy and was able to determine the source of pairs of outsole images, even when comparisons were challenging. When using a score‐based likelihood ratio, the algorithm made the correct decision with high probability in a test of the hypothesis that images had a common source. An important advantage of the proposed approach is that pairs of images can be compared without alignment. In initial tests, Shoe‐MS exhibited better‐discriminating power than existing methods.
Supramolecular Polyaniline‐Metal Ion as Chiral Nanozymes for Enantioselective Catalysis
Authors: Yuan Ganyin , Wang Chu , Xi Zheng , Li Shixin , Sun Xiaohuan , Hang Pengyuan , Liu Xu , Han Jie , Guo Rong
Published: July 2023

Understanding origin of asymmetric information encoded on chiral nanozymes is important in mediating enantioselective catalysis. Herein, the supramolecular chiral nanozymes constructed from P/M‐polyaniline (P/M‐PANI) nanotwists and metal ions (M2+, M = Cu, Ni, Co, and Zn) are designed through thioglycolic acid (TA) without chiral molecules to show the regulated catalytic efficiency and enantioselectivity. With combination of chiral environment from supramolecular scaffolds and catalytic center from metal ions, the P‐PANI‐TA‐M2+ as nanozymes show preference to 3,4‐dihydroxy‐S‐phenylalanine (S‐DOPA) oxidation while the M‐PANI‐TA‐M2+ show better selectivity to R‐DOPA oxidation. Among them, though the Cu2+ doped supramolecular nanotwists show the highest catalytic efficiency, the Co2+ doped ones with moderate catalytic efficiency can exhibit the best enantioselectivity with select factor as high as 2.07. The molecular dynamic (MD) simulation clarifies the mechanism of enantioselective catalysis caused by the differential kinetics with S/R‐DOPA enantiomers adsorbed on chiral PANI surface and free in solution. This work systematically studies the synergistic effect between the chiral supramolecular nanostructures assembled by achiral species and metal ions as peroxidase‐like catalytic centers to regulate the enantioselectivity, providing deep understanding of the origin of asymmetric catalysis and serving as strong foundation to guide the design of nanozymes with high enantioselectivity.
Synthesis of Free‐Standing Tin Phosphide/Phosphate Carbon Composite Nanofibers as Anodes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries with Improved Low‐Temperature Performance
Authors: Belgibayeva Ayaulym , Rakhatkyzy Makpal , Rakhmetova Aiym , Kalimuldina Gulnur , Nurpeissova Arailym , Bakenov Zhumabay
Published: July 2023

Free‐standing tin phosphide/phosphate carbon composite nanofiber mats of unique nanostructure have been successfully synthesized by electrospinning and partially reducing the phosphate‐containing precursors. An unusual effect of the Sn:P molar ratio in the precursor solution on the structure and physical‐electrochemical properties of the material is observed. Physical characterizations, including X‐Ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X‐Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), confirm the formation of tin phosphide/phosphate nanoparticles of P‐rich inner SnxP layer and Sn‐rich outer layer uniformly distributed within carbon nanofiber matrix when the Sn:P=1:1. The prepared material is tested as an anode material for lithium‐ion batteries and it retains 1141 mAh g−1 charge capacity after 300 cycles at a current density of 250 mA g−1 with almost 100% Coulombic efficiency at room temperature. Furthermore, it demonstrates six times higher capacity (846 mAh g−1) at 0 °C compared to a commercial graphite anode and stable cyclability at −20 °C and 50 mA g−1. Post‐mortem ex situ XRD and SEM analyses confirm the structural stability of the designed material and the formation of a uniform stable solid electrolyte interphase layer even after 100 cycles at 50 mA g−1.
Stress, motivation, and performance in global software engineering
Authors: Suárez Julio , Vizcaíno Aurora
Published: July 2023

The objective of this study is to analyze the current perspective as regards knowledge related to what causes stress or motivates developers, how these two aspects are related to each other, and how this in turn affects their performance in the sphere of Global Software Development and how these can be controlled. This paper presents the results obtained after conducting a systematic mapping study of literature in order to analyze how stress, motivation, and performance affect the project members in Global Software Development teams. We carried out a systematic mapping of published studies dealing with stress, motivation, and performance in global software engineering. A total of 118 papers dealing with this subject were found. The literature analyzed provided a relatively significant quantity of data referring to the impact that the characteristics of distributed software development projects have on the performance and productivity of teams, along with the actions taken to improve that performance. However, when focusing on the analysis of the impact of this type of projects on team members' motivation, and on the actions that can be taken to improve that motivation, we discovered that the number of works decreases considerably and that works referring to the impact of this kind of development on developers' stress were virtually non‐existent, as were those concerning ways in which to improve that stress. We are, therefore, of the opinion that it is necessary to carry out in‐depth research into the aspects of working in distributed teams that may have a negative impact on developers' levels of motivation and stress, along with what could be beneficial in order to improve levels of motivation and decrease levels of stress.
Unraveling the Energetic Landscape of Perovskite Solar Cells: A Synergy of 2D Drift‐Diffusion Simulations and Tapered Cross‐Section Photoelectron Spectroscopy
Authors: Baretzky Clemens , Maheu Clément , Frericks Markus , Mayer Thomas , Würfel Uli
Published: July 2023

Interfaces are crucial elements that define the electronic properties of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, obtaining the band structure of a full PSC and accessing its buried layers and interfaces without modifying the device is challenging. A tapered cross section (TCS) of a PSC (i.e., a PSC polished under a very shallow angle) offers access to these buried parts on a width one or two orders of magnitude larger than the lateral resolution of a photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) set‐up. Herein, 2D numerical drift‐diffusion simulations are combined with TCS‐PES measurements to access the electrostatic potential profile with high spatial resolution along the PSC, allowing us to construct the band diagram of device. Thus, it is confirmed experimentally that the presence of a band bending at the interfaces between perovskite and charge‐transport layers and quantified under various conditions relevant to solar cell operation. Such synergy between the TCS‐PES approach and numerical simulation provides substantial information about the energetic landscape at the interfaces in PSCs and is essential for devices without mostly field‐free layers. These insights for dark and illuminated conditions are central to understand the nature of interfaces within PSCs.
Stereolithgraphy of Metallic Electrode with Janus Porosity toward Controllable Bubble Behavior and Ultra‐Stable Water Electrolysis
Authors: Fu Gangwen , Sun Xing , Zheng Zhicheng , Wang Yuxuan , Qiu Jingwen , Wu Zhuozhao , Chen Gen , Xu Xi
Published: July 2023

The catalytic performance and the stability of the water electrolysis system have perplexed the practical splitting water. Herein, 3D‐printed metallic electrodes with Janus porosity are reported, which can achieve the efficient bubble emission and provide high surface area. After a further one‐step treatment, the catalysts of Ru–Ni(OH)2 and Fe–Ni(OH)2 nanoarrays are in situ grown on the electrodes. Theoretical calculations and systematical experiments confirm the synergistic effect of the gradient morphology and the in situ grown catalysts. The electrolyzer shows unprecedented activity with an overpotential of 98 mV for hydrogen evolution reaction and 343 mV for oxygen evolution reaction at the current density of 500 mA cm−2 and outperformed stability, which can deliver 500 mA cm−2 at the voltage of 1.638 V for 2100 h with no significant decay, far exceedingly most state‐of‐the‐art electrolyzers. This 3D electrode with controllable bubble motions offers a viable solution for future industrial sustainable hydrogen production technology.
Epistemological beliefs and values as predictors of preservice science teachers' environmental moral reasoning
Authors: Tuncay‐Yüksel Büşra , Yılmaz‐Tüzün Özgül , Zeidler Dana L.
Published: July 2023

The purpose of this study was to test predictability of environmental moral reasoning patterns of preservice science teachers (PSTs) by their epistemological beliefs and values. Four environmental moral dilemma scenarios that reflect different environmental moral dilemma situations taking place in four outdoor recreation contexts (i.e., hiking, picnicking, fishing, camping) were used to trigger and examine environmental moral reasoning of PSTs. Centers of moral concerns (i.e., ecocentric, anthropocentric, egocentric) and underlying reasons of environmental moral considerations (e.g., aesthetical concerns, justice issues) were used to investigate PSTs' environmental moral reasoning patterns. Data were collected from 1524 PSTs enrolled in six universities located in Central Anatolia region of Türkiye. A path model was proposed to test relationships of PSTs' epistemological beliefs and values to their environmental moral reasoning for each environmental moral dilemma scenario. Results indicated good‐fit between study data and the path model tested for each environmental moral reasoning scenario. Variances in environmental moral reasoning scores that were explained by the path models had small to medium effect size values of 0.06 to 0.26. Statistical significance and direction of the tested relationships showed changes depending on the moral dilemma scenario context and focus of environmental moral reasoning. Nevertheless, path analyses consistently revealed positively significant relationships between environmental moral reasoning categories and epistemological beliefs in omniscient authority and self‐transcendence and tradition values. Implications for science education policy and practice are discussed.
Utilization of RNA sequencing to investigate olfactory dysfunction in chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps: A pilot study
Authors: Gutierrez Jorge A. , Barth Jeremy L. , Schlosser Rodney J. , Edwards Thomas S. , Smith Timothy L. , Soler Zachary M.
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Prior research on olfactory dysfunction in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) has focused on patients with polyps and suggests that direct inflammation of the olfactory cleft mucosa plays a contributory role. The purpose of this study was to evaluate gene expression in superior turbinate mucosal specimens, comparing normosmic and dysosmic CRS patients without polyps (CRSsNP).

Methods

Tissue samples were obtained from the superior turbinates of patients with CRSsNP at the time of endoscopic sinus surgery. Samples subsequently underwent RNA sequencing and functional analysis to investigate biological pathways associated with differentially expressed genes between dysosmic (n = 7) and normosmic (n = 4) patients.

Results

Differential gene expression analysis comparing dysosmic and normosmic CRSsNP patients showed upregulation of 563 genes and downregulation of 327 genes. Using stringent criteria for multiple comparisons, one upregulated gene (Immediate Early Response 3 [IER3]) had an false discovery rate (FDR) correction adjusted P value considered statistically significant (P < 0.001, fold change 2.69). Reactome functional analysis revealed eight biological pathways significantly different between dysosmic and normosmic patients (P < 0.05, FDR correction) including IL‐4 and IL‐13 signaling, IL‐10 signaling, and rhodopsin‐like receptors.

Conclusions

RNA sequencing of the superior turbinates in patients with CRSsNP can provide valuable information regarding biological pathways and genes involved in olfactory dysfunction. This study supports literature suggesting that Type 2 inflammation may play a role in olfactory dysfunction in at least some patients with CRSsNP. This study also prompts questions regarding the role of IL‐10, rhodopsin‐like receptors, and IER3 in the pathogenesis of olfactory dysfunction.
RETRACTION: Top 100 cited articles on anosmia and COVID‐19: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Tan Denise Jia Yun , Ko Tsz Ki
Published: July 2023

Retraction: Tan, DJY, Ko, TK. Top 100 cited articles on anosmia and COVID‐19: a bibliometric analysis. World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2023; 1–8. doi:10.1002/wjo2.125.

The above article, published online on 28 July 2023 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the journal's Editor‐in‐Chief Da‐Qing Li, the Chinese Medical Association, and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Following publication, concerns were raised about the article by a third party. Whilst investigating the concerns raised, the authors found that there were significant flaws in the study's methodology. As a result, the journal therefore no longer has confidence in the reported results and conclusions and is issuing this retraction.
Mentoring in the young water professionals' training program: Lessons for effective capacity development
Authors: Maheshwari Basant , Atkins Debbie , Hagare Dharmappa , Spencer Ricky , Dillon Peter , Jain Sharad , Rollason Russell , Reynolds Jason , Dollin Jen , Batelaan Okke , Packham Roger , Patel Jayanti Bhai , Purkait Mihihr Kumar , Bhaduri Anik , Mailapalli Damodhara , Ashok Alaknanda , Prasad Jyothi
Published: July 2023

Training young water professionals in India and many other countries often focuses primarily on technical skills, leaving them ill‐prepared to deal with complex challenges and changing water management practices of the 21st century. Mentoring programs need to be designed to address the gap in competency development by incorporating transdisciplinary projects and activities, team building, professional networking, and relationship‐building. This will equip young professionals with the necessary leadership and managerial skills. Here, we present a case study of the Young Water Professionals (YWP) training program for participants from India, which developed transdisciplinary thinkers capable of leading positive change in the water industry. The YWP training program involved 20 participants under 35 years of age, paired with mentors from Australia and India who were experienced professionals in the water sector. The Mentor role was diverse and included positioning as an educator, sponsor, advisor, advocating agent, role model, coach, and confidante. This diversity of roles and attributes was necessary to support the mentees in their personal and professional development. The transdisciplinarity of the YWP training approach combined mentoring with technical training, experiential learning through situation understanding and improvement (SUIP), and working with client and project partners is expected to benefit the participants' professional outcomes significantly. The mentoring program aided in facilitating the achievement of career goals and improved the ability of participants to manage workplace challenges providing a clearer path for career progression. There were several learnings for future YWP mentoring, including; a hybrid mentoring mode, making online mentoring more interactive and productive and strengthening lines of communication. Overall, the YWP program reinforced the value of mentoring, especially the role of mentoring in enhancing the skills and capabilities of young water professionals and preparing them for future leadership roles in the water industry.
Uniform anti‐plane stress field within two nonlinear elastic non‐elliptical inhomogeneities
Authors: Wang Xu , Schiavone Peter
Published: July 2023

We investigate the uniformity of anti‐plane stresses inside two interacting p‐Laplacian nonlinear elastic non‐elliptical inhomogeneities embedded in an infinite linear elastic matrix subjected to uniform remote anti‐plane stresses. In our discussion, the two inhomogeneities have a common nonlinear shear modulus. The uniformity of the internal stresses is accomplished through the numerical solution of a single non‐linear equation.
Introducing the Future of Work: Key Trends, Concepts, Technologies and Avenues for Future Research
Authors: Lynn Theo , Rosati Pierangelo , Conway Edel , van der Werff Lisa
Published: July 2023

The Future of Work is a projection of how work, working, workers and the workplace will evolve in the years ahead from the perspective of different actors in society, influenced by technological, socio-economic, political and demographic changes. In addition to defining the Future of Work, this chapter discusses some of the main trends, themes and concepts in the Future of Work literature before discussing the different topics covered in the remainder of the book. The chapter concludes with a call for greater inter- and multidisciplinary research, evidence to validate assumptions and hypotheses underlying extant Future of Work research and policy, greater use of futures methodologies and a future of research agenda that is even in its coverage of workspaces, population and employment cohorts, regions, sectors, and organisation types.
Digital Technologies and the Future of Work: An Agent-Centred Ethical Perspective Based on Goods, Norms, and Virtues
Authors: Rocchi Marta , Bernacchio Caleb
Published: July 2023

The ethical analysis related to the impact of digital technologies on the future of work needs to be conducted considering the theoretical diversity of ethics. After reviewing prominent existing approaches to ethics (utilitarianism, deontological ethics, virtue ethics), this chapter suggests the need for an agent-centred ethical perspective based on goods, norms, and virtues for the evaluation of ethical issues related to digital technologies and their impact on the future of work. Different examples illustrate the merits of this approach, helping to untangle complex issues concerning the relationship between the nature and scope of digital technologies, regulatory needs within the new social and technological context, and the intentions and attitudes of workers towards their work, their personal flourishing, and their contribution to the good of society.
Assessing the Impact of New Ways of Working on Individual and Organisational Well-Being
Authors: Monks Kathy , Freeney Yseult , Conway Edel
Published: July 2023

This chapter uses self-determination theory (SDT) as an organising framework to consider the impact of new ways of working (NWW) on employee well-being. We focus on the universal needs at the centre of SDT, namely autonomy, competence and relatedness, and explore how each has been impacted by NWW and the ramifications for employees’ well-being. Our chapter concludes with a framework encapsulating enablers and inhibitors of employee well-being in the context of NWW.
AI, Data Analytics and the Professions
Authors: Murphy Brid , Feeney Orla
Published: July 2023

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics are having a transformative effect on how work is performed. Research suggests that such technologies will wholly displace some professions while fundamentally changing where professionals expend time and effort in their day-to-day roles. The legal and accounting professions in particular are being transformed by AI and data analytics. This chapter discusses the nature of professions, the shift in use of AI and data analytics from process-oriented activities to knowledge-oriented activities, and how the legal and accounting professions are responding.
Higher Education and Skills for the Future(s) of Work
Authors: Davey Shirley , Harney Brian
Published: July 2023

This chapter takes a macro-level approach to explore key skills required for the future(s) of work in a digital era. It will explore how the future skills highlighted both impact on, and can be co-created and nurtured through, formal yet flexible higher education. Our focus is purposefully on skills for the future (not of the future) and on futures (plural). A key underpinning to our argument is the need for a narrative that moves away from a technical focus on skill development to a more holistic view of human-centred development. This is discussed with respect to the human aspects of digitalisation in virtual and real dimensions, the slow movement and elevated well-being. In providing an infrastructure which balances reflection and action while locating digital disruption in its socio-economic context, higher education can ultimately provide a platform for greater certainty and progress in an age of digital disruption and uncertainty.
International Migration as a World Issue
Authors: Wihtol de Wenden Catherine
Published: July 2023

In the twenty-first century, migration has become a global phenomenon, not only because of the sheer number of people involved in migratory flows throughout the world (284 million international migrants, or 3% of the world population), but above all because of its ubiquity: no region, no country in the world is unaffected by migratory flows, and all countries in the world are involved either in emigration, or in immigration, or as a transit country. Most countries are involved in all three of these processes to some extent.
Immigration Policies
Authors: Wihtol de Wenden Catherine
Published: July 2023

An international migrant is defined as somebody who lives in a different country from that in which they were born, irrespective of their nationality. According to this definition, there are 284 million international migrants in the world (UNDESA Report, 2021), a number which has rapidly grown since the 1990s (120 million). However, there is a far greater number of internal migrants, travelling within national borders, currently standing at 740 million. Whereas “migrants” are defined geographically (mobility across borders for more than 1 year), the “foreigner” is defined legally, as a non-national. There are therefore always more international migrants than there are foreigners, since some migrants are non-nationals in their place of residence, while others have naturalised to become nationals. Irregular migrants are not included in international and internal statistics. International migrants may belong to one of several categories, in a context of blurred categorisations and mixed migration flows. Foreign workers make up the largest group, although in old immigration countries, such as the US and certain European countries, family reunification makes up the largest group. There are increasing numbers of international students, as well as refugees. We can distinguish between voluntary migration (work, family reunification, studies) and forced migration (refugees, environmentally displaced persons), and observe patterns with regard to the gender of migrants (overall, men and women make up 52% and 48% of international migrants respectively), age (senior, economically active, and minor migrants), their degree of qualification (broadly, skilled and unskilled migrants), and their legal or irregular status. However, the increasing globalisation of migration is making it more and more difficult to distinguish between some profiles, especially between voluntary and forced migrants.
Refugees
Authors: Wihtol de Wenden Catherine
Published: July 2023

The management of refugees is perhaps the aspect of migration that has been most extensively viewed and approached from an international perspective. After a period when there was no public policy in place related to refugees, during which they were welcomed by churches and other private networks (such as French Protestants during the seventeenth century seeking refuge in Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands), and some individual elites went into exile in response to regime changes and revolutions (such as Chateaubriand, Louis Napoléon Bonaparte, and Victor Hugo, to mention the most well-known exiles from France), the topic became far more pressing on the international scene after the collapse of some of the Great Empires of the nineteenth century: the Russian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. The Nansen passport was created in 1922 in order to avoid a situation of statelessness for Armenians, Russians, and other populations of Eastern Europe, then to assist victims of fascism (the “fuorusciti” in Italy, and Spanish republicans from 1939). The Geneva Convention of 1951, written in the early years of the Cold War, defined refugees in terms of the persecution or fear of persecution of individuals, but definitions of refugees are now a matter of parallel processes of migration diplomacy.
Financing Building Renovation: Financial Technology as an Alternative Channel to Mobilise Private Financing
Authors: Cummins Mark , Lynn Theo , Rosati Pierangelo
Published: July 2023

Access to capital is one of the key barriers for deep renovation. This chapter presents the potential advantages and benefits that financial technology (FinTech) solutions such as crowdfunding and blockchain-based solutions such as tokenisation and smart contracts can provide to building owners and construction companies in terms of financing. Future avenues for research in this space are also presented.
Intelligent Construction Equipment and Robotics
Authors: Pracucci Alessandro , Vandi Laura , RazaviAlavi SeyedReza
Published: July 2023

With recent advancement in software, hardware, and computing technologies, applications of intelligent equipment and robots (IER) are growing in the construction industry. This chapter aims to review key advantages, use cases and barriers of adopting IER in construction and renovation projects. The chapter evaluates the maturity of available IER technologies in the market and discusses the key concerns and barriers for adopting IER such as the unstructured and dynamic nature of construction sites limiting mobility and communication of IER, hazards of human-robot interactions, training and skills required for operating and collaborating with IER, and cybersecurity concerns. Finally, the chapter proposes a framework for implementing IER that helps in their benefits by defining relevant metrics while considering their pitfalls in terms of quality, safety, time, and cost. This framework assists practitioners in decision-making for adopting IER in their construction operation.
Cybersecurity Considerations for Deep Renovation
Authors: Sonkor Muammer Semih , García de Soto Borja
Published: July 2023

Deep renovation efforts to improve the energy performance of buildings are of paramount importance for the overall energy reduction of nations. Like other construction projects, deep renovation ones are affected by the digital transformation of the construction industry. While this transformation involves the increasing utilisation of new technologies to optimise cost, time and quality at every stage, concerns emerge about how to maintain robust cybersecurity. This chapter summarises the cybersecurity research related to each deep renovation phase and provides an overview of relevant cybersecurity frameworks, standards, guidelines and codes of practice. The chapter also discusses the need for a contingency approach in deep renovation cybersecurity due to the varying requirements of each project and organisation.
Affine characters at negative level and elliptic genera of non-critical strings
Authors: Duque David Jaramillo , Kashani-Poor Amir-Kian
Published: July 2023

Abstract

We study the elliptic genera of the non-critical strings of six dimensional superconformal field theories from the point of view of the strings’ worldsheet theory. We formulate a general ansatz for these in terms of characters of the affine Lie algebra associated to the 6d gauge group at negative level, and provide ample evidence for the validity of this ansatz for 6d theories obtained via F-theory compactification on elliptically fibered Calabi-Yau manifolds over a Hirzebruch base. We obtain novel closed form results for many elliptic genera in terms of our ansatz, and show that our results specialize consistently when moving along Higgsing trees.
Quantum field theory of physical and purely virtual particles in a finite interval of time on a compact space manifold: diagrams, amplitudes and unitarity
Authors: Anselmi Damiano
Published: July 2023

Abstract

We provide a diagrammatic formulation of perturbative quantum field theory in a finite interval of time τ, on a compact space manifold Ω. We explain how to compute the evolution operator U(tf, ti) between the initial time ti and the final time tf = ti + τ, study unitarity and renormalizability, and show how to include purely virtual particles, by rendering some physical particles (and all the ghosts, if present) purely virtual. The details about the restriction to finite τ and compact Ω are moved away from the internal sectors of the diagrams (apart from the discretization of the three-momenta), and coded into external sources. Unitarity is studied by means of the spectral optical identities, and the diagrammatic version of the identity U†(tf, ti)U(tf, ti) = 1. The dimensional regularization is extended to finite τ and compact Ω, and used to prove, under general assumptions, that renormalizability holds whenever it holds at τ = ∞, Ω = ℝ3. Purely virtual particles are introduced by removing the on-shell contributions of some physical particles, and the ghosts, from the core diagrams, and trivializing their initial and final conditions. The resulting evolution operator Uph(tf, ti) is unitary, but does not satisfy the more general identity Uph(t3, t2)Uph(t2, t1) = Uph(t3, t1). As a consequence, Uph(tf, ti) cannot be derived from a Hamiltonian in a standard way, in the presence of purely virtual particles.