bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cross‐Sectional Carrier Lifetime Profiling and Deep Level Monitoring in Silicon Carbide Films Exhibiting Variable Carbon Vacancy Concentrations
Authors: Galeckas Augustinas , Karsthof Robert , Gana Kingsly , Kok Angela , Bathen Marianne Etzelmüller , Vines Lasse , Kuznetsov Andrej
Published: November 2022

The carrier lifetime control over 150 μm thick 4H‐SiC epitaxial layers via thermal generation and annihilation of carbon vacancy (VC) related Z1/2 lifetime killer sites is reported. The defect developments upon typical SiC processing steps, such as high‐ and moderate‐temperature anneals in the presence of a carbon cap, are monitored by combining electrical characterization techniques capable of VC depth‐profiling, capacitance–voltage (CV) and deep‐level transient spectroscopy (DLTS), with a novel all‐optical approach of cross‐sectional carrier lifetime profiling across 4H‐SiC epilayer/substrate based on imaging time‐resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) spectroscopy in orthogonal pump‐probe geometry, which readily exposes in‐depth efficacy of defect reduction and surface recombination effects. The lifetime control is realized by initial high‐temperature treatment (1800 °C) to increase VC concentration to ≈1013 cm−3 level followed by a moderate‐temperature (1500 °C) post‐annealing of variable duration under C‐rich thermodynamic equilibrium conditions. The post‐annealing carried out for 5 h in effect eliminates VC throughout the entire ultra‐thick epilayer. The reduction of VC‐related Z1/2 sites is proven by a significant lifetime increase from 0.8 to 2.5 μs. The upper limit of lifetimes in terms of carrier surface leakage and the presence of other nonradiative recombination centers besides Z1/2, possibly related to residual impurities such as boron are discussed.
Building Academic Resilience in Literacy: Digital Reading Practices and Motivational and Cognitive Engagement
Authors: Jang Eunjee , Seo Young S. , Brutt‐Griffler Janina
Published: November 2022

In this study, we used an academic resilience framework to explore how adolescents from low socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds overcame adversity and achieved high levels of reading proficiency. Our main aim was to investigate whether digital reading practices and reading engagement (reading motivation and metacognitive strategies) could act as protective factors, individually and collectively, promoting academic resilience among students with low SES. We conducted a multi‐group structural equation model analysis with serial mediators to identify the characteristics of resilient students and their resilience pathways. We used a nationally representative sample of US adolescents from the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2018 data. The results indicated that engaged readers—internally motivated and strategic—were resilient readers. Reading engagement was a source of resilience and helped them achieve high proficiency in reading as a consequence. Reading motivation and metacognitive strategies worked in tandem and sequentially to build resilient and strong readers and were also important mechanisms for linking digital reading practices to reading achievement. We thus highlight simultaneous motivational and strategic development in reading for low‐SES students. It is particularly critical to increase students' overall level of reading motivation and to strengthen its pathways to metacognitive strategies and reading achievement. This process would be enhanced further by incorporating digital reading practices into instruction for engaged reading. Digital reading was related to reading motivation, and then to better awareness of metacognitive strategies, which in turn was shown to be linked to increased reading achievement for all students.
Irrigation water use efficiency: A water balance approach
Authors: Reinders Felix B.
Published: November 2022

Irrigated agriculture plays a major role in the livelihoods of nations all over the world and with the agricultural water use sector being the largest of all water use sectors, there have been increased expectations that the sector should increase efficiency. Irrigation efficiency should be assessed by applying a water balance and the purpose of an irrigation system is to apply the desired amount of water, at the correct application rate and uniformly to the whole field, at the right time, with the least amount of nonbeneficial water consumption (losses), and as economically as possible. The fraction of the water abstracted from the source that can be utilized by the plant, can be called the beneficial water use component, and optimized irrigation water supply is therefore aimed at maximizing this component. A water use framework that covers four levels of water management infrastructure: the water source, bulk conveyance system, the irrigation scheme, and the irrigation farm can be used to improve irrigation efficiency. The water balance approach can be applied at any level, within defined boundaries, or across all levels to assess performance within the whole Water Management Area.
Local context and post‐crisis social venture creation
Authors: Anokhin Sergey , Morgan Todd , Jones Christensen Lisa , Schulze William
Published: November 2022

Research summary

We investigate the effects of local market and government failure on the creation of social ventures in the context of post‐crisis recovery during the period following the dot‐com crisis and ending before the housing bubble burst across all Ohio counties. Drawing on social embeddedness theory, we posit that social venture creation rates vary across local contexts and are higher in communities characterized by market and government failures. Longitudinal contextual data from 88 Ohio counties indicates that situations characterized by failures of both types are especially conducive to the creation of local social enterprises. We address the shortage of longitudinal quantitative studies focused on the emergence of social entrepreneurship and identify conditions where the relationship between local context and social venture creation is important.

Managerial summary

The purpose of this article is to examine how local context affects the rate of social venture creation in the United States. We study these rates in every county in Ohio in the aftermath of a crisis and find that local government responses and local market conditions singly and in combination lead to increased rates of local social venture creation. Fewer social ventures emerge when transfer (welfare) payments are high. However, rates rise in response to high unemployment, even when welfare payments are high, and are greater when welfare payments are low. This means the extent and type of local market and government failures influence the rate of local social venture creation. Findings advance the study of domestic social entrepreneurship in the aftermath of crises.
Reusable Plasma‐Sprayed Transition Metal Oxide Catalyst for Catalytic Wet Oxidation of Organic Waste
Authors: Sarkar Subhasree Bhaskar , Matthews Steven J. , Jones Mark I. , Baroutian Saeid
Published: November 2022

Catalytic wet oxidation (CWO) is an efficient and environmentally friendly method for decomposing organic wastes. This work uses transition metal oxide powders of FeO, MnO2, NiO and the novel mixed oxide Co1.5Mn1.5O4, for plasma‐spraying on stainless‐steel substrates to prepare catalyst plates. These catalysts were used to treat d‐glucose as a model compound for organic waste, using CWO process reactions at temperatures from 150 °C to 170 °C and in the presence of oxygen (20 bar and 40 bar). The catalysts were pre‐oxidised to their suitable phases for better catalytic activity. The plasma‐sprayed Fe2O3 catalysts showed the highest chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction of 72 %. At high reaction severity the catalyst performances were similar improving the overall performance compared to non‐catalytic wet oxidation reactions. Plasma‐sprayed Fe2O3 was found to be the best catalyst for future CWO trials due to its ability to withstand the reaction severity and acetic acid production.
Does CEO emotion matter? CEO affectivity and corporate social responsibility
Authors: Wang Linlin , Lin Ya , Jiang Wan , Yang Haibin , Zhao Huazhong
Published: November 2022

Research Summary

While prior research has generated meaningful insights into the antecedents of firms' corporate social responsibility (CSR), little attention has been devoted to examining the influence of CEO affectivity—a relatively stable tendency to experience positive or negative emotions. This study explores how CEO positive affectivity (PA) and negative affectivity (NA) may be related to firms' CSR activities. Specifically, we contend that CEO PA is positively related to CSR, whereas CEO NA is negatively related to CSR. We further investigate how CEO social capital may moderate the relationship between CEO affectivity and CSR. Our results support our hypotheses, suggesting the unique role of CEO emotions in CSR research.

Managerial Summary

Does CEO emotion affect firms' CSR activities? Our study finds that CEO PA increases a firm's engagement in CSR, while CEO NA decreases a firm's engagement in CSR. The above relationships are also subject to the influence of CEO social capital. Our findings suggest that CEOs should be aware of how their affective tendencies can influence their firm's CSR strategy and consider avenues to utilize emotional influence advantageously while avoiding potential affective bias.
Amphiphilic Metallodrug Assemblies with Red‐Light‐Enhanced Cellular Internalization and Tumor Penetration for Anticancer Phototherapy
Authors: Zeng Xiaolong , Wang Yufei , Huang Yun‐Shuai , Han Jianxiong , Sun Wen , Butt Hans‐Jürgen , Liang Xing‐Jie , Wu Si
Published: November 2022

Metallodrugs are widely used in cancer treatment. The modification of metallodrugs with polyethylene glycol (PEGylation) prolongs blood circulation and improves drug accumulation in tumors; it represents a general strategy for drug delivery. However, PEGylation hinders cellular internalization and tumor penetration, which reduce therapeutic efficacy. Herein, the red‐light‐enhanced cellular internalization and tumor penetration of a PEGylated anticancer agent, PEGylated Ru complex (Ru‐PEG), are reported upon. Ru‐PEG contains a red‐light‐cleavable PEG ligand, anticancer Ru complex moiety, and fluorescent pyrene group for imaging and self‐assembly. Ru‐PEG self‐assembles into vesicles that circulate in the bloodstream and accumulate in the tumors. Red‐light irradiation induces dePEGylation and changes the Ru‐PEG vesicles to large compound micelles with smaller diameters and higher zeta potentials, which enhance tumor penetration and cellular internalization. Red‐light irradiation also generates intracellular 1O2, which induces the death of cancer cells. This work presents a new strategy to enhance the cellular internalization and tumor penetration of anticancer agents for efficient phototherapy.
Molecular Oligomerization and Donor Engineering Strategies for Achieving Superior NIR‐II Fluorescence Imaging and Thermotherapy under 1064 nm Laser Irradiation
Authors: Liu Jiawei , Xiong Yanwei , Gao Yicong , Xu Xingpeng , Chen Kai , Shen Qingming , Huang Wei , Fan Quli , Wang Qi
Published: November 2022

An enormous challenge still exists for designing molecules with the second near‐infrared (NIR‐II, 1000–1700 nm) window absorption, NIR‐II fluorescence emission, and batch‐to‐batch reproducibility, which is the premise for high‐performance NIR‐II phototheranostics. Although organic small molecules and polymers have been largely explored for phototheranostics, it is difficult to satisfy the above three elements simultaneously. In this work, molecular oligomerization (the general structure is S‐D‐A‐D′‐A‐D‐S) and donor engineering (changing the donor linker D') strategies are applied to design phototheranostic agents. Such strategies are proved to be efficient in adjusting molecular configuration and energy level, affecting the optical and thermal properties. Three oligomers (O–T, O–DT, and O–Q) are further prepared into water‐soluble nanoparticles (NPs). Particularly, the O‐T NPs exhibit a higher molar extinction coefficient at 1064 nm (≈4.3‐fold of O‐DT NPs and ≈4.8‐fold of O‐Q NPs). Furthermore, the O–T NPs show the highest NIR‐II fluorescence brightness and heating capacity (PCE = 73%) among the three NPs under 1064 nm laser irradiation and served as agents for NIR‐II imaging guided in vivo photothermal therapy. Overall, by using molecular oligomerization and donor engineering strategies, a powerful example of constructing high‐performance NIR‐II phototheranostics for clinical translation is given.
A learning analytics case study: On class sizes in undergraduate writing courses
Authors: Levine Richard A. , Rivera Patricia E. , He Lingjun , Fan Juanjuan , Bresciani Ludvick Marilee J.
Published: November 2022

With the collection and availability of data on student academic performance and academic background, higher education institutions have recently stepped up initiatives in and infrastructure for learning analytics, leveraging this deluge of data to inform student success. With definitions of student success varying from analyses of what predicts levels of specific career readiness competencies to degree completion, the environment is a fertile ground for statistical practice and collaboration among a statistically savvy yet diverse clientele of instructors, programme advisors and administrators. In this paper, we discuss our experiences to this end through a consulting project evaluating the impact of writing course class size on students achieving a graduation writing requirement. In detailing the workflow for and challenges in this project, we share aspects of statistical communication and reporting, applications of innovative statistical methodology developed by our research group for handling confounding factors and correlated inputs and training through an interdisciplinary applied institutional research professional development programme. This paper illustrates how instilling an appreciation for statistical inference through each of these components is invaluable for capturing institutional buy‐in for data‐informed decision‐making in general statistical practice.
Robotic large‐area optical biopsy imaging for automated detection of gastrointestinal cancers tested in tissue phantoms and ex vivo porcine bowel
Authors: Avila‐Rencoret Fernando B. , Mylonas George P. , Elson Daniel S.
Published: November 2022

Gastrointestinal endoscopy is a subjective procedure that frequently requires tissue samples for diagnosis. Contact optical biopsy (OB) techniques have the aim of providing direct diagnosis of endoscopic areas without excising tissue samples but lack the wide‐area coverage required for locating and resecting lesions. This article presents a large‐area robotically deployed OB imaging platform for endoscopic detection of colorectal cancer as an add‐on for conventional endoscopes. In vitro, in silicon colon phantoms, the platform achieves an optical resolution of 0.5 line pairs per millimeter, while resolving simulated cancer lesions down to 0.75 mm diameter across large‐area images (55‐103 cm2). Large‐area OB images were generated in an ex vivo porcine colon. The platform allows centimeter‐sized large‐area OB imaging in vitro and ex vivo with submillimeter resolution, including automatic data segmentation of simulated cancer areas. The ability for robotic actuation and spectrum collection is also shown for ex vivo animal colon. If successful, this technology could widen access to user‐independent high‐quality endoscopy and early detection of gastrointestinal cancers.
Protective mechanism of ferulic acid against neomycin‐induced ototoxicity in zebrafish
Authors: Cheng Hsin‐Lin , Lee Shan‐Chih , Chang‐Chien Ju , Su Tzu‐Rong , Yang Jiann‐Jou , Su Ching‐Chyuan
Published: November 2022

Ototoxicity refers to damage of sensory hair cells and functional hearing impairment following aminoglycosides exposure. Previously, we have determined that ferulic acid (FA) protected hair cells against serial concentrations of neomycin‐induced ototoxic damage. The aim of the present study is to assess the mechanism and effects of FA on neomycin‐induced hair cells loss and impact on mechanosensory‐mediated behaviors alteration using transgenic zebrafish (pvalb3b: TagGFP). We first identified the optimal protective condition as pre/co‐treatment method in early fish development. Pretreatment of the larvae with FA significantly protected against neomycin‐induced hair cells loss through preventing neomycin passed through the cytoplasm of hair cells, and subsequently decreased reactive oxygen species production and TUNEL signals in 4 day post‐fertilization (dpf) transgenic zebrafish larvae. Moreover, preservation of functional hair cells correlated directly with rescue of the altered swimming behavior, indicates FA pretreatment protects against neomycin ototoxic damage in 7‐dpf transgenic zebrafish larvae. Together, our findings unravel the otoprotective role of FA as an effective agent against neomycin‐induced ototoxic effects and offering the theoretical foundation for discovering novel candidates for hearing protection.
Impact on postoperative, neonatal and 2‐year neurodevelopmental outcomes of UA‐AREDF during and after fetal spina bifida repair
Authors: Ruegg L. , Vonzun L. , Latal B. , Moehrlen U. , Mazzone L. , Meuli M. , Krähenmann F. , Ochsenbein‐Kölble N.
Published: November 2022

Objective

Absent or reversed end‐diastolic flow (AREDF) in the umbilical artery (UA) on Doppler is a known phenomenon during fetal interventions, such as fetal open spina bifida (OSB) repair. We aimed to evaluate the clinical importance of these Doppler findings by investigating the impact of UA‐AREDF on postoperative, neonatal and 2‐year neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Methods

This was a prospective study of pregnancies undergoing fetal OSB repair at the Zurich Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy between 2010 and 2019. The group with UA‐AREDF during or immediately after the intervention was compared to the group with normal UA Doppler. Primary endpoint was the FIGO scores of cardiotocography (CTG) 1, 2 and 6 h postoperatively and on day 1 after surgery. Secondary endpoints were the neonatal parameters and 2‐year neurodevelopmental outcome assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition.

Results

Data of 130 patients were analyzed. None of the fetuses had UA‐AREDF before OSB repair. Normal UA Doppler was observed in 107 (82%) patients and UA‐AREDF was observed in 23 (18%) during or immediately after OSB surgery. UA‐AREDF was more often observed after version of the fetus (P = 0.045). Seventeen (13%) cases had absent end‐diastolic flow (UA‐AEDF) and six (5%) cases had reversed end‐diastolic flow (UA‐REDF). UA‐AREDF disappeared in all 23 cases within the first day after OSB surgery. One‐third of all CTGs were restricted in oscillation after surgery, but no significant difference in CTG 1, 2 and 6 h postoperatively or on the first postoperative day was found between the UA‐AREDF and normal‐Doppler groups (P > 0.05). Gestational age at delivery, UA pH, 5‐min Apgar score and birth weight were comparable between the two groups, and there was no difference in the 2‐year neurodevelopmental outcome (P > 0.05). The neonatal and 2‐year neurodevelopmental outcomes also did not differ significantly between the UA‐REDF and UA‐AEDF groups.

Conclusions

Postoperative CTG abnormalities occur and recover at a similar rate in fetuses with transitory UA‐AREDF and those with normal Doppler during fetal OSB repair. UA‐AREDF during fetal OSB repair did not negatively influence postnatal or 2‐year neurodevelopmental outcomes. © 2022 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Marginalization Through Mobility and Porosity: How Social Housing Dwellers See and Live the City
Authors: Capanema-Alvares Lucia
Published: November 2022

Urban mobility in its broader meaning has become fundamental in neoliberal times, for it determines who gets what, how often, and at what cost. While motility is a component of mobility—together with connectivity and reversibility—defined by Kaufmann (2014) as a quality of the actor and/or of the dialectical relation between the self and the field of the possible, and accessibility concerns the structures necessary to take part in this possible, porosity is a quality of the territory and/or of the dialectical relation between space and society. The three of them inseparably carry the city dwellers’ possibilities of fulfilling their projects and wishes in the city territory. In order to start picturing how the society–space dialectic based on motility, accessibility, and porosity shapes daily social relations, especially where spatial justice is at stake, this study—part of the all-encompassing Action Research Project Mapping San Siro—surveyed 100 inhabitants of the Milanese neighbourhood. The resulting picture is a snapshot, a working scenario which helps bottom-up initiatives understand and focus on the most problematic, sometimes underlying aspects of marginality. While the quantitative results point to low-income inhabitants who work hard, use public transportation on an everyday basis, have few, if any, professional dreams, and feel reasonably welcome in a city they did not choose to live in, a number of qualitative results show that mobility (as a whole social phenomenon) problems can be deeper, not yet surfaced or voiced.
Peterbos: Living in the Park, Inhabiting the City
Authors: Viganò Paola , Plewinski Bertrand , Vanneste Guillaume , Willemet Nicolas
Published: November 2022

This paper explores the urban issues underlying the design experience in the Peterbos neighbourhood, Anderlecht, Brussels-Capital Region. It presents four themes, based on the living experiment of this urban project, which consists of a master plan for the renovation of public spaces (Studio Paola Viganò and vvv architecture urbanisme 2020). It starts with the critical perspective of a ‘project for the ground’. As an embodiment of modernity, collective living in high-rise buildings has made it possible to free up a large area of ground for use as a shared landscape. In Peterbos, this large ground has aged, deteriorated, and become disconnected from the city. Up until now, these characteristics have made Peterbos a place where all the ‘misery in the world’ (Bourdieu, La misère du Monde. Seuil, 1993) has been concentrated. A long transformation process is now underway: the renovation of housing and public spaces proposes new living conditions and a new image for the district. However, there are still questions about the appropriateness of such an investment in the absence of a radical rediscussing of what makes Peterbos an enclave for the poorest. Our analysis starts with the ground of Peterbos and its relationship with water flows, biodiversity, and the rest of the city. The modern project focuses on the liberation of the public ground. We see the Peterbos project as an opportunity for critical reinterpretation. Second, we reconsider the district’s position in the city and the need to reverse feelings inside and outside, aiming to renew relations with the metropolis. Third, a broader understanding of the environment is necessary in order to take part in an ecological transition. The notion of diversity and mixed-use as a fertile framework for emancipation and individual initiative is then discussed. Finally, in the conclusions, having explored the progetto di suolo as a manifold agent and pushed it to its limits, we conclude by examining the ‘stone guest’. Indeed, urbanism and investment in urban renewal do not represent an autonomous and self-responsible solution to the social and urban challenges society is currently facing. The design of public space represents a wide, but also a narrow, space for manoeuvre. When structural changes are implied, they do not tackle the basis of inequality concentrated at this site, linked to decisions made in the past that do not show the expected results. Interaction with economic policies is still too weak. We choose to use clear but sometimes burdensome vocabulary to discuss these spatial and social matters, not escaping the difficulty of the topic. All the same, urban and landscape designers have a responsibility and the possibility to assert the original meaning of politics as the organization of public life in the city, more broadly addressing actions in space and measures to reduce inequality and restore the dignity of the people who live there.
Governing with Urban Living Labs
Authors: Wachter Serge
Published: November 2022

Within the European Union, Urban Living Labs now figure prominently in the urban governance toolbox. On the local stage, they are seen as auxiliaries that encourage citizen participation with a view to co-constructing policies designed to improve the quality of housing and the built environment. Their versatility is remarkable, and they are used both to boost new approaches to planning, such as tactical urbanism, and to renew the regeneration policies of large social housing areas. This text is the result of the SoHoLab research project and aims to provide a critical analysis of the roles and functions of Urban Living Labs as support tools for planning policies. Based on a review of the specialized literature and the work and experiments carried out within the framework of SoHoLab, it proposes an approach that strives to analyse ULLs as components of a new model of urban governance. From a critical perspective, it formulates the hypothesis that ULLs are not only tools of power aimed at promoting the empowerment of residents but also seeking to improve the legitimacy of planning policies and to impose a model of domination and forms of social control in accordance with the requirements of neoliberal city regulation.
Beyond the Presence: Dwelling with People and with Their Places
Authors: Fava Ferdinando
Published: November 2022

The author intends to indicate some epistemological and political nodes of ‘being there’ at the centre of ULLs, in different forms as implied by the SoHoLab project. At the root of the idea that urban sites can provide an arena of learning within which the co-creation of innovation can be pursued among research organisations, public institutions, the private sector and community actors, lies the possibility of establishing meaningful relationships as a medium to know these sites, construct social design, implement and govern local and national housing policies. In the light of the modus operandi of anthropological field research, on another way to ‘being there’, the author shows how ‘these meaningful social bonds’ to be epistemologically and politically relevant need to be coupled with a strong critical reflexivity able to deconstruct continuously the discursivities (of policies, of disciplinary as common and mainstreaming narratives) and practices of the ULL itself. A cognitive strabismus has to be developed to catch these place-based laboratories and contexts dependents, to make them ‘up close’, apprehend ‘from inside’ and ‘from below’. Analysis situ and analysis in situ are not disjointed: the third space of knowledge construction allows to join them and recognise the logics that govern these social bonds.
1,460 Days of Love and Hate: An Ethnographic Account of a Layered Job
Authors: Grassi Paolo
Published: November 2022

Building on four years of ethnographic fieldwork carried out in the office of the Mapping San Siro action-research group (Department of Architecture and Urban Studies, Polytechnic University of Milan) in one of the main social housing neighbourhoods of Milan, in this contribution I will investigate the role and meaning of the Urban Living Labs (ULL) from an ‘internal’ perspective. An ongoing process of building relationships and caring for a space has allowed me to develop a reflection on multifaceted dimensions of daily life in the neighbourhood. Moreover, through anthropological literature, I will critically analyse the frustrations often experienced by researchers involved in fieldwork and planning. These frustrations highlight issues that go beyond the neighbourhood, showing the territorial dimension of the space. I will then highlight some ethical implications as clues that offer a more grounded understanding of daily life, rather than solving those implications with ready-made answers.
Twisted Chiral Algebras of Class $${\mathcal {S}}$$ and Mixed Feigin–Frenkel Gluing
Authors: Beem Christopher , Nair Sujay
Published: November 2022

The correspondence between four-dimensional $${\mathcal {N}}=2$$

N
=
2

superconformal field theories and vertex operator algebras, when applied to theories of class $${\mathcal {S}}$$
S
, leads to a rich family of VOAs that have been given the monicker chiral algebras of class$${\mathcal {S}}$$
S
. A remarkably uniform construction of these vertex operator algebras has been put forward by Tomoyuki Arakawa in Arakawa (Chiral algebras of class $${\mathcal {S}}$$
S
and Moore–Tachikawa symplectic varieties, 2018. arXiv:1811.01577 [math.RT]). The construction of Arakawa (2018) takes as input a choice of simple Lie algebra $${\mathfrak {g}}$$
g
, and applies equally well regardless of whether $${\mathfrak {g}}$$
g
is simply laced or not. In the non-simply laced case, however, the resulting VOAs do not correspond in any clear way to known four-dimensional theories. On the other hand, the standard realisation of class $${{{\mathcal {S}}}}$$
S
theories involving non-simply laced symmetry algebras requires the inclusion of outer automorphism twist lines, and this requires a further development of the approach of Arakawa (2018). In this paper, we give an account of those further developments and propose definitions of most chiral algebras of class $${{{\mathcal {S}}}}$$
S
with outer automorphism twist lines. We show that our definition passes some consistency checks and point out some important open problems.
Evaluation of the costs of agricultural diffuse water pollution abatement in the context of Lithuania’s water protection goals and climate change
Authors: Plunge Svajunas , Gudas Mindaugas , Povilaitis Arvydas , Piniewski Mikołaj
Published: November 2022

This study aimed at evaluating the scale and costs of an environmentally and economically optimal set of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for agricultural pollution abatement in Lithuania in order to reach water protection goals in both inland and marine waters by distributing BMPs optimally in space, while taking climate change impacts into consideration. The assessment of BMPs impact involved the use of the SWAT model by applying two climate change representative concentration pathways (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) and two time horizons (mid-century and end-century), as well as five BMPs (arable land conversion to grasslands, reduced fertilization, no-till farming, catch-crops, and stubble fields throughout winter). The optimization of the set of BMPs employed a genetic algorithm. The results suggest that the need for BMPs application will increase from 52% of agricultural areas in the historical period up to 65% by the end of century in the RCP8.5 scenario. This means less arable land could actually be used for crop production in the future if water protection targets are met. The high costs for reaching water targets would rise even more, i.e. by 173% for RCP4.5, and by 220% for the RCP8.5 scenario, reaching approximately 200 million euros/year. In such a context, the BMP optimization approach is essential for significant reduction of the costs. Winter cover crops and reduced fertilization show the best effectiveness and cost balance, and will therefore be essential in pursuing water protection targets.
Ibrutinib in mantle cell lymphoma: a real-world retrospective multi-center analysis of 77 patients treated in the Czech Republic
Authors: Obr Ales , Benesova Katerina , Janikova Andrea , Mocikova Heidi , Belada David , Hruskova Andrea , Vockova Petra , Salek David , Sykorova Alice , Furst Tomas , Malarikova Diana , Papajik Tomas , Trneny Marek , Klener Pavel
Published: November 2022

Ibrutinib revolutionized therapy for relapsed/refractory (R/R) mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Real-world data on the outcome of unselected patients are still limited. We analyzed 77 R/R MCL patients receiving ibrutinib with at least one prior systemic anti-lymphoma therapy. After a median follow-up of 14.0 months, 56 patients relapsed/progressed, and 45 died. The overall response rate was 66%, with 31% of complete metabolic remissions on PET/CT. The median progression-free and overall survival (OS) rates were 10.3 and 23.1 months, respectively. The median OS from ibrutinib failure was 3.7 months. High proliferation rate by Ki67 (≥ 30%) and two or more previous therapy lines both negatively correlated with outcome (HR = 2.2, p = 0.04, and HR = 2.06, p = 0.08, respectively). Female gender borderline correlated with better outcome (HR = 0.53, p = 0.08). In multivariate analysis, Ki67 and response to ibrutinib both correlated with OS (p < 0.05). Importantly, ibrutinib appeared to better control nodal and extranodal lymphoma than bone marrow (BM) involvement. From 20 patients with detectable BM infiltration (before ibrutinib initiation) achieving complete (n = 13) or partial (n = 7) metabolic remission, none achieved remission in BM. We confirmed good efficacy of ibrutinib in unselected heavily pre-treated MCL patients. Our findings support the use of a combination of ibrutinib and rituximab in patients with BM involvement.
Impact of adding vanadium pentoxide to Mn-doped magnetite for technological uses
Authors: Ramadan Rania , Ahmed M. K.
Published: November 2022

Nanocomposites containing different contributions of vanadium oxide (V2O5) and magnetite (Fe3O4) modified with manganese (Mn) ions were fabricated upon the formula of xMn0.4Fe2.6O4/(1-x)V2O5, whereas x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0. The obtained compositions were characterized upon their structure, morphology, besides their magnetic susceptibility. The TEM micrographs depicted that V2O5 was formed as rod shapes with diameters of 20–30 nm and length of 450 nm, while Mn–magnetite was configured in ellipsoidal shapes with dimensions 25–40 nm. Moreover, the Maximum height of the roughness(Rt) changed from 507.0 to 220.6 nm, while the skewness (Rsk) increased from 0.104 to 0.122 for (x = 0.2, and x = 1.0), respectively. Furthermore, Curie Weiss constant (θ) increased from 830 to 890 K and then decreased to 520 K, for x = 0.2, 0.5, and x = 1.0, respectively. The photo-activated antibacterial activity was examined and showed that the inhibition zone increased significantly by increasing the V2O5 content as well as it increased also from dark to light conditions. It was changed from 17.4 ± 1.1 and 16.9 ± 1.3 mm to 19.2 ± 1.4 and 18.9 ± 1.5 mm for pure V2O5 (x=0.0) against E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. The degradation of methylene blue (MB) was tested, and the efficiency of removal reached around 97.1% for the highest contribution of V2O5 after 35 min of visible light exposure. Hence, the fabricated nanocomposites can be suggested for a deep investigation to be highlighted for disinfection and water treatment applications.
Are there differences in revision stapes surgery outcomes between university and county clinics? A study from the quality register for otosclerosis surgery in Sweden
Authors: Pauli Nina , Finizia Caterina , Lundman Lars , Björsne Andreas , Dahlin-Redfors Ylva
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The aim of the study was to investigate hearing outcomes in stapes revision surgery with regard to the type of clinic (university clinic or county clinic). Furthermore, the aim was to investigate the risk of complications with a focus on tinnitus, hearing deterioration, and taste disturbance 1 year after surgery.

Methods

The study is based on data from the Swedish Quality Register for Otosclerosis Surgery (SQOS). Two study protocols were completed by the surgeon, and a questionnaire was distributed to the patients 1 year after surgery. A total of 156 revisions were available for analysis with both preoperative and postoperative audiometry data.

Results

Seventy-five percent of the patients reported better to much better hearing 1 year after revision surgery. An air bone gap ≤ 20 dB postoperatively was seen in 77% of the patients. Four percent had hearing deterioration ≥ 20 dB PTA4AC. Eleven percent had worsened or newly developed tinnitus, 5% had taste disturbance, and 3% had dizziness 1 year after surgery. Preoperative and postoperative hearing did not differ between patients operated on in university vs. county clinics.

Conclusions

Revision surgery in otosclerosis is a challenge for otologists, but no differences in hearing outcomes between university and county clinics were found in this nationwide study. The risk of hearing deterioration and deafness is higher than in primary stapes surgery, and revision surgery should be recommended primarily in cases with a large air–bone gap and moderate to severe preoperative hearing loss.
Growth of the upper crust in intra-oceanic island arcs by intrusion of basaltic magmas: the case of the Koloula Igneous Complex, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands (SW Pacific)
Authors: Sotiriou Paul , Haase Karsten M. , Schneider Kathrin P. , Grosche Anna , Noebel Kristina , Chivas Allan R.
Published: November 2022

The Pleistocene (2.2–1.5 Ma) Koloula Igneous Complex (KIC) on Guadalcanal in the Solomon island arc consists of a low-K calc-alkaline sequence of ultramafic to felsic plutonic rocks. We present whole-rock major and trace element and Sr–Nd-Pb isotope data, as well as mineral compositions that record the magmatic evolution of the complex. The intrusive sequence is grouped into two cycles, Cycle 1 and 2, comprising gabbroic or dioritic to granodioritic rocks. The major and trace element data of each cycle forms a single calc-alkaline fractional crystallisation trend. The distinct radiogenic isotope and incompatible element compositions of the Cycle 1 and 2 intrusions imply slightly different mantle sources. The KIC formed by shallow (0.1 GPa) fractional crystallisation of mantle-derived Al-rich basaltic parental magmas (6–8 wt.% MgO) that were formed by deeper-level (0.7 GPa) fractionation of olivine and pyroxene from Mg-rich (~ 11 wt.% MgO) primary magmas in the Solomon intra-oceanic island arc. Olivine, clinopyroxene, plagioclase, amphibole, biotite, apatite, and Fe–Ti oxides fractionated from the KIC’s high-Al basaltic parental magmas to form calc-alkaline magmas. Liquid line of descent trends calculated using mass balance calculations closely match major element trends observed in the KIC data. The KIC crystallised at shallow, upper crustal depths of ~ 2.0–3.0 km in ~ 20 km-thick island arc crust. This complex is typical of other Cenozoic calc-alkaline ultramafic to felsic plutons in Pacific intra-oceanic island arcs in terms of field relationships, petrology, mineral chemistry and whole-rock geochemistry. Hornblende fractionation played a significant role in the formation of the calc-alkaline felsic plutonic rocks in these Cenozoic arc plutons, causing an enrichment of SiO2 and light rare earth elements. These plutons represent the fossil magma systems of arc volcanoes; thus, the upper arc crust is probably generated by migration of magmatic centres.
Difference rewards policy gradients
Authors: Castellini Jacopo , Devlin Sam , Oliehoek Frans A. , Savani Rahul
Published: November 2022

Policy gradient methods have become one of the most popular classes of algorithms for multi-agent reinforcement learning. A key challenge, however, that is not addressed by many of these methods is multi-agent credit assignment: assessing an agent’s contribution to the overall performance, which is crucial for learning good policies. We propose a novel algorithm called Dr.Reinforce that explicitly tackles this by combining difference rewards with policy gradients to allow for learning decentralized policies when the reward function is known. By differencing the reward function directly, Dr.Reinforce avoids difficulties associated with learning the Q-function as done by counterfactual multi-agent policy gradients (COMA), a state-of-the-art difference rewards method. For applications where the reward function is unknown, we show the effectiveness of a version of Dr.Reinforce that learns an additional reward network that is used to estimate the difference rewards.
Circulating VEGF-A, TNF-α, CCL2, IL-6, and IFN-γ as biomarkers of cancer in cancer-associated anti-TIF1-γ antibody-positive dermatomyositis
Authors: Li Xiaomeng , Huang Yuan , Liu Yongmei , Yan Songxin , Li Liubing , Cheng Linlin , Li Haolong , Zhan Haoting , Zhang Fengchun , Li Yongzhe
Published: November 2022

Objectives

The objective of the current study was to detect plasma profiles of inflammatory cytokines for determining potential biomarkers indicating cancer presence among the anti-TIF1-γ antibody-positive dermatomyositis (DM) patients.

Methods

Twenty-seven cancer-associated anti-TIF1-γ antibody-positive DM (Cancer TIF1-γ-DM) patients were compared with 20 anti-TIF1-γ antibody-positive DM patients without cancer (Non-cancer TIF1-γ-DM) and 10 healthy controls (HC). The plasma levels of 17 cytokines were determined using the Luminex 200 system. The ability of plasma VEGF-A, TNF-α, CCL2, IL-6, and IFN-γ levels to distinguish the presence of cancer was evaluated through the area under the curve (AUC) analysis. Potential protein interactions of TIF1-γ and the five cytokines were analyzed using the STRING database.

Results

VEGF-A, TNF-α, CCL2, IL-6, and IFN-γ plasma levels were significantly higher in the Cancer TIF1-γ-DM group, especially those without any anticancer treatment, than those in the non-cancer TIF1-γ-DM and HC groups. Meanwhile, anti-TIF1-γ antibody and the five cytokines could distinguish cancer presence in anti-TIF1-γ antibody-positive DM patients. The STRING network indicated that TIF1-γ potentially interacted with the cytokines. Positive correlations of VEGF-A among CCL2, IL-6, and IFN-γ and between IFN-γ and IL-6 were observed in Cancer TIF1-γ-DM patients. VEGF-A, TNF-α, CCL2, and IL-6 were positively associated with muscle-associated enzymes among the Cancer TIF1-γ-DM patients.

Conclusion

The present study identified VEGF-A, TNF-α, CCL2, IL-6, and IFN-γ as significant potential biomarkers indicating the presence of cancer and demonstrated a more detailed cytokine profile during diagnosis. These biomarkers could provide better screening strategies and insight into the Cancer TIF1-γ-DM pathogenesis.

Key Points• VEGF-A, TNF-α, CCL2, IL-6, and IFN-γ are potential biomarkers of cancer in cancer-associated anti-TIF1-γ antibody-positive dermatomyositis.

Graphical abstract
CO2 price effects on the electricity market and greenhouse gas emissions levels: an application to the Spanish market
Authors: Arcos-Vargas A. , Núñez-Hernández F. , Ballesteros-Gallardo J. A.
Published: November 2022

This research proposes an empirical method to estimate the impact on the wholesale electricity market of an increase in the price of CO2 emission allowances. The current literature in this field is mainly focused on long-term simulation analyses, while this study carries out a short-term analysis with microdata from the electricity market. A higher price of CO2 implies an increase in the electricity generation costs of polluting units and therefore an increase in the price of the electricity market. When CO2 becomes more expensive, polluting electricity generators are shifted in the hourly electricity supply curve towards less competitive positions (in favour of less polluting/cheaper units). Displaced polluting units could even be taken out of the market, which would imply a reduction in CO2 emissions. These short-term movements can be reproduced with our microdata of the day-ahead electricity market –data Provided by the Spanish Market Operator (OMIE). According to our results, increases in the carbon price of 10, 20, or 30 € per ton, respectively, cause increases of 1.8%, 4.2% and 5.3% in the electricity price (year 2018), while the negative effect on emissions is relatively small. Our analysis concludes with the estimation of an ARIMA-SARIMA model that looks for the main determinants of the variations in the hourly energy prices and the carbon emissions. The estimations show that the marginal supply technology in the electricity market is important in explaining these variations.

Graphical abstract
From degrader to producer: reversing the gallic acid metabolism of Pseudomonas putida KT2440
Authors: Dias Felipe M. S. , Pantoja Raoní K. , Gomez José Gregório C. , Silva Luiziana F.
Published: November 2022

Gallic acid is a powerful antioxidant with multiple therapeutic applications, usually obtained from the acidic hydrolysis of tannins produced by many plants. As this process generates a considerable amount of toxic waste, the use of tannases or tannase-producing microorganisms has become a greener alternative over the last years. However, their high costs still impose some barriers for industrial scalability, requiring solutions that could be both greener and cost-effective. Since Pseudomonas putida KT2440 is a powerful degrader of gallic acid, its metabolism offers pathways that can be engineered to produce it from cheap and renewable carbon sources, such as the crude glycerol generated in biodiesel units. In this study, a synthetic operon with the heterologous genes aroG4, quiC and pobA* was developed and expressed in P. putida, based on an in silico analysis of possible metabolic routes, resulting in no production. Then, the sequences pcaHG and galTAPR were deleted from the genome of this strain to avoid the degradation of gallic acid and its main intermediate, the protocatechuic acid. This mutant was transformed with the vector containing the synthetic operon and was finally able to convert glycerol into gallic acid. Production assays in shaker showed a final concentration of 346.7 ± 0.004 mg L−1 gallic acid after 72 h.
Wildlife conservation in Myanmar: trade in wild sheep and goats for meat, medicine, and trophies, with links to China, India, and Thailand
Authors: Shepherd Chris R. , Gomez Lalita , Siriwat Penthai , Nijman Vincent
Published: November 2022

In Myanmar, the hunting and trade of wildlife are increasingly recognised as a major threat to the persistence of species. We here focus on the trade and conservation of wild sheep and goats (Caprinae; Antilopinae) as these species are indeed hunted and traded for a variety of reasons. Seizure reports from 2000 to 2020 and 20 visits to four wildlife markets between 1998 and 2017 resulted in records of ~ 2,000 body parts, the equivalent of ~ 1,200 wild sheep and goats. When combined with data from previous surveys conducted over the same period, the number of wild sheep and goats recorded in trade increase substantially, i.e. serow (the equivalent of 1,243 animals), goral (213 animals), takin (190 animals), blue sheep (37 animals), and Tibetan antelope (10 animals). With records from 10 out of 15 States, trade appears to be widespread and persistent over time. There was poor concordance between seizure data and trade observations, but data from various surveys are largely in agreement. The most prevalent body parts in trade were horns, followed by plates (the frontal portion of the skull with horns still attached) and heads of freshly killed animals. These parts are offered for sale both for decorations and for their purported medicinal properties. Meat, fat, and rendered oils were observed frequently but because of mixture with other wildlife, it was challenging to confirm species identify or to convert this to number of animal equivalents. Tongues and eyes were offered for sale as medicine. In order to better protect wild sheep and goats in Myanmar, it is imperative that the illegal trade in their parts is more effectively curbed than at present. This is the responsibility of both the Myanmar authorities and, given the high prevalence of trade in border towns, their international partners, including China and Thailand.