bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancement of energy storage properties of Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-based relaxor ferroelectric under moderate electric field
Authors: Shi Peng , Hong Zhengkai , Zhu Xiaopei , Liu Qida , Yang Bian , Li Tangyuan , Kang Ruirui , Zhao Jiantuo , Kong Chuncai , Hu Yanhua , Ke Xiaoqin , Yang Sen , Lou Xiaojie
Published: March 2022

Dielectric capacitors, as one of the important electronic devices, are widely used in various fields. However, most ferroelectric capacitors with high energy storage density require excessively high electric fields. In this work, we have prepared 0.9(Bi0.5Na0.5)0.7Sr0.3TiO3-0.1 Bi(Mg2/3Nb1/3)O3 relaxor ferroelectric ceramics with different BaZrO3 doping levels. A high energy storage (Wr) of 4.07 J/cm3 and efficiency (η) of 91% are simultaneously obtained in 0.94[0.9(Bi0.5Na0.5)0.7Sr0.3TiO3-0.1 Bi(Mg2/3Nb1/3)O3]-0.06BaZrO3 ceramic under a medium electric field of 260 kV/cm. Additionally, the ceramic also exhibits excellent temperature and frequency stability. Furthermore, the phase field simulation is used to simulate the evolution of domain structure and hysteresis loops of the ceramics with different doping levels. The results of phase field simulation explicitly explain the influence of different relaxation degrees on energy storage density and efficiency of the ceramics. We believe that the ceramic prepared in this work is one of the most promising candidate materials for some miniaturized energy storage devices operating under low or medium electric fields.
Ultra-broadband mid-infrared frequency combs produced by optical subharmonic generation
Authors: Vodopyanov K.L.
Published: March 2022

Optical frequency combs have revolutionised accurate frequency and time measurements and have enabled broadband and simultaneously high resolution spectroscopic measurements that were not previously possible. This paper is an overview of the main results of the previously performed work, describing a new approach to extending frequency combs to the mid-infrared ‘molecular signature’ range using a subharmonic generator based on an optical parametric oscillator operating in degenerate mode. Such an instrument acts as an efficient frequency divider that rigorously down-converts and augments the spectrum of a pump laser frequency comb while maintaining its coherence. Our recent result is the demonstration of a subharmonic system with a two-octave spectrum, 3 – 12 μm, which covers vibrational resonances for most molecular species. Potentially, through frequency division in the coherent subharmonic optical parametric amplifier regime, this method can be used to obtain intense long-wavelength pulses for high-field physics applications.
Semiconductor disk laser with a wavelength of 780 nm based on a MOCVD-grown Al
x
Ga1–x
As/Al
y
Ga1–y
As heterostructure with optical and electron beam pumping
Authors: Butaev M.R. , Skasyrsky Ya.K. , Kozlovsky V.I. , Andreev A.Yu. , Yarotskaya I.V. , Marmalyuk A.A.
Published: March 2022

A pulsed semiconductor disk laser based on the Al
x
Ga1 – x
As/Al
y
Ga1 – y
As structure with resonantly periodic gain and a built-in Bragg mirror emitting at a wavelength near 780 nm is studied. The laser characteristics are presented both for pumping by an electron beam and for optical pumping by laser diode radiation with a wavelength of 450 nm. Under pumping by an electron beam, a peak power of 4.4 W is achieved with a slope efficiency of over 10 %, while under optical pumping, the power is 0.2 W with a slope efficiency of 2.2 % and approximately the same cavity parameters. Possible reasons for the lower powers and efficiency under optical pumping are discussed.
Comparison of field shifts in an atomic clock based on the effect of coherent population trapping in 87Rb atoms under modulation of laser pump current at frequencies of 3.4 and 6.8 GHz
Authors: Ignatovich S.M. , Skvortsov M.N. , Mesenzova I.S. , Kvashnin L.N. , Vishnyakov V.I. , Brazhnikov D.V. , Bagayev S.N.
Published: March 2022

Experimental parameters of the resonance of coherent population trapping (CTP) on D1 line in 87Rb and light shifts are compared under modulation of the laser pump current at frequencies of 3.4 and 6.8 GHz. Reproducibility of the parameters of a laser with a vertical cavity needed for long-term stability of an atomic clock is considered. The instabilities of atomic CPT-clock obtained for 1 s are 1.2 × 10−11 and 3 × 10−12 for frequencies of 3.4 GHz and 6.8 GHz, respectively.
Efficient two-stage laser enrichment up to 99% of carbon-13 isotope by IR multiphoton dissociation of Freon molecules
Authors: Laptev V.B. , Pigul’skii S.V.
Published: March 2022

A new method for two-stage laser enrichment of carbon-13 (13C) by isotope-selective IR multiphoton dissociation of Freon molecules is considered, which makes it possible to achieve a concentration of 13C up to 99 % or higher with high productivity. At the first stage, as a result of the selective dissociation of CF2HCl (Freon-22) molecules, it is expected to obtain a C2F4 dissociation product enriched in 13C up to 30 % – 50 %. At the second stage, CF2Br2 (Freon-12B2) is proposed to be used as a working substance, which is synthesised from enriched C2F4, and the enrichment process is carried out by selective deep ‘burning-out’ of the 12C-containing component. Experiments on multiphoton dissociation of Freon-12B2 with an initial 13CF2Br2 concentration of 30 % in a mixture with oxygen by pulsed CO2 laser radiation are performed. It is shown that reaching a 13CF2Br2 concentration of no lower than 99 % is possible at high values of the elementary separation act parameters: 15 % – 18 % dissociation yield and 40 – 75 selectivity for 12CF2Br2 molecules.
Soil carbon stock and biological activity in silvopastoral systems planted with
Authors: Moreira Elwira Daphinn Silva , Oliveira Alan Figueiredo de , Santos Claudinei Alves dos , Gonçalves Lúcio Carlos , Viana Maria Celuta Machado , Marriel Ivanildo Evódio , Gontijo Neto Miguel Marques , Alvarenga Ramon Costa , Lana Ângela Maria Quintão
Published: March 2022

Context There is little information on the effects of tree densities and ages of silvopastoral systems (SSPs) on total soil carbon stock (TSCS). Aims This study aimed to evaluate the TSCS, carbon and nitrogen fractionation and biological activity in SSPs planted with Eucalyptus grandis in different densities and ages. Methods Two SSPs (333 or 166 trees ha−1) and one full sun pasture (FSP) grown for 5 or 7 years and native vegetation (NV) were evaluated (seven treatments). Samples were collected up to 1 m deep to evaluate the variables. Key results Particulate organic carbon (POC) and particulate organic nitrogen (PON) were higher (P < 0.05) in FSP (14.1 and 0.725 g kg−1), intermediate in SSP (9.88 and 0.46 g kg−1) and lower in NV (6.12 and 0.29 g kg−1). TSCS was 44.8% (194 vs 134 Mg ha−1; P < 0.001) higher in SSP and FSP compared to NV. Higher tree density reduced TSCS in younger systems, but without effect on older systems. TSCS was 13.7% (207 vs 182 Mg ha−1; P = 0.026), POC was 52.0% (11.9 vs 7.83 g kg−1; P < 0.001) and PON was 54.4% (0.556 vs 0.360 g kg−1; P < 0.001) higher in SSP for 7 compared to 5 years, respectively. Conclusions Tree density had a limited effect on TSCS. Higher SSP age increased carbon sequestration, probably due to greater cycling in the particulate fraction and better biological activity. Implications The SSP and well-managed FSP are good strategies to increase TSCS compared to NV, and their use can improve environmental indicators.
Histone methylation-mediated microRNA-32-5p down-regulation in sensory neurons regulates pain behaviors via targeting Cav3.2 channels
Authors: Qi Renfei , Cao Junping , Sun Yufang , Li Yanping , Huang Zitong , Jiang Dongsheng , Jiang Xing-Hong , Snutch Terrance P. , Zhang Yuan , Tao Jin
Published: March 2022

Significance

In this study, we identify microRNA-32-5p (miR-32-5p) as a key functional noncoding RNA in trigeminal-mediated neuropathic pain. We report that injury-induced histone methylation attenuates the binding of glucocorticoid receptor to the promoter region of the
miR-32-5p
gene and decreases the expression of miR-32-5p, in turn promoting the development of neuropathic pain through regulation of Cav3.2 channels. miRNA-mediated gene regulation has been proposed as a therapeutic approach in neuropathic pain. Our findings identify miR-32-5p replenishment as a therapeutic strategy for treating chronic neuropathic pain.
The case and context for atmospheric methane as an exoplanet biosignature
Authors: Thompson Maggie A. , Krissansen-Totton Joshua , Wogan Nicholas , Telus Myriam , Fortney Jonathan J.
Published: March 2022

Methane has been proposed as an exoplanet biosignature. Imminent observations with the James Webb Space Telescope may enable methane detections on potentially habitable exoplanets, so it is essential to assess in what planetary contexts methane is a compelling biosignature. Methane’s short photochemical lifetime in terrestrial planet atmospheres implies that abundant methane requires large replenishment fluxes. While methane can be produced by a variety of abiotic mechanisms such as outgassing, serpentinizing reactions, and impacts, we argue that—in contrast to an Earth-like biosphere—known abiotic processes cannot easily generate atmospheres rich in CH
4
and CO
2
with limited CO due to the strong redox disequilibrium between CH
4
and CO
2
. Methane is thus more likely to be biogenic for planets with 1) a terrestrial bulk density, high mean-molecular-weight and anoxic atmosphere, and an old host star; 2) an abundance of CH
4
that implies surface fluxes exceeding what could be supplied by abiotic processes; and 3) atmospheric CO
2
with comparatively little CO.
Inositol hexakisphosphate kinase-2 non-catalytically regulates mitophagy by attenuating PINK1 signaling
Authors: Nagpal Latika , Kornberg Michael D. , Snyder Solomon H.
Published: March 2022

Significance

Inositol pyrophosphates are versatile messenger molecules containing the energetic pyrophosphate bond. One of the principal enzymes generating the inositol pyrophosphate IP
7
(5-diphosphoinositolpentakisphosphate) is inositol hexakisphosphate kinase 2 (IP6K2). Previous work has shown that IP6K2 is neuroprotective and maintains mitochondrial respiration. We now report that loss of IP6K2 leads to increased mitochondrial fission and mitophagy. Regulation of mitochondrial dynamics by IP6K2 depends on the protein PINK1 and, interestingly, is independent of IP6K2 enzymatic activity. These findings provide mechanistic insight into the regulation of mitochondrial function by IP6K2, which has implications for neuroprotection and mitochondrial physiology more generally.
Second language grammar learning in refugee children
Authors: Olioumtsevits Konstantina , Papadopoulou Despina , Marinis Theodoros
Published: March 2022

This exploratory study aims to investigate the effectiveness of group dictation in primary school children with a refugee background. More specifically, running dictation was employed in the teaching of two grammatical phenomena in L2 Greek, tense and gender agreement. Two studies were conducted to investigate each grammatical structure separately. Each study consisted of a pre-test that investigated the pupils’ performance on the grammatical structure, the teaching intervention via running dictation, and a post-test that explored its efficiency on pupils’ accuracy. All pupils that participated in the studies were enrolled in formal Greek education and their L1s were Arabic, Farsi or Kurdish. According to the results from both studies, the children’s post-intervention performance did not improve significantly. However, the pupils’ accuracy on some of the grammatical forms tested as well as their error patterns indicated that running dictation helped the pupils notice the target grammatical phenomena and thus become more aware of them. Moreover, some data showed that older pupils benefited more from the target-activity than younger ones. Therefore, the present study provides evidence that running dictation may have a positive qualitative rather than quantitative impact on learners’ grammatical development and is dependent on the pupils’ age.
Boosting the electro-mechanical coupling of piezoelectric polyvinyl alcohol–polyvinylidene fluoride blends by dispersing nano-graphene platelets
Authors: Valadorou Dimitra , Papathanassiou Anthony N , Kolonelou Eirini , Sakellis Elias
Published: March 2022

Water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) mixed with piezo-active polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) micro-grains constitute hybrid blends for transfusing mechanical energy to electrical energy. In principle, the value of the piezoelectric coefficient is a portion of the value that neat PVdF exhibits. In the present work, we investigate the possibility of augmenting the total electromechanical coupling by dispersing nano-graphene platelets (NGPs). Mechanical stress applied on structurally and compositionally heterogeneous solids results in increased values of the internal local stress field: NGPs are likely to amplify the local stress exercised on the surface of individual piezoelectric polymer grains. PVA–PVdF (3:1 w/w), cast from a water solution, loaded with various fractions of NGPs boost the value of the overall piezoelectric coefficient by 150% per weight fraction of NGPs and becomes superior to values reported for neat electro-active PVdF.
MXene-contact enhanced broadband photodetection in centimeter level GeS films
Authors: Yin Shiqi , Zhao Bingtian , Wan Jiajie , Wang Siliang , Yang Jiyong , Wang Xi , Zeng Longhui , Han Wei , Chen Lijie , Chen Jiawang , Li Gang , Zhang Hanlin , Li Liang
Published: March 2022

The persistent pursuit of broadband photodetectors derives from their unique properties for promising applications such as optoelectronic devices, imaging sensors, and neuromorphic computing. Here, we fabricated high-performance, ultra-wide spectral response (250–1064 nm) and easy-processing spin-deposition photodetector based on amorphous germanium sulfide (a-GeS) films by using Ti3C2T
x
transparent electrodes as contacts. In addition, photodetectors based MXenes contacts have larger photocurrent compared with Au contacts because MXenes conductive films have larger photo-responsive active areas and the surface plasmon-assisted hot carriers generated by the laser irradiation on MXenes. As-prepared photodetectors based on MXenes electrodes exhibit a photo-to-dark current ratio of up to 3.91 × 102 under a bias of 8 V, coupled with the response speed of 59 ms, photoresponsivity (166 mA W−1) and high detectivity (4.41 × 1010 Jones). This work combining amorphous materials with highly conductive MXene film has excellent application prospects for ultra-wide spectral response optoelectronic devices.
Modeling surface spin polarization on ceria-supported Pt nanoparticles
Authors: Kang Byungkyun , Vincent Joshua L , Lee Yongbin , Ke Liqin , Crozier Peter A , Zhu Qiang
Published: March 2022

In this work, we employ density functional theory simulations to investigate possible spin polarization of CeO2-(111) surface and its impact on the interactions between a ceria support and Pt nanoparticles. With a Gaussian type orbital basis, our simulations suggest that the CeO2-(111) surface exhibits a robust surface spin polarization due to the internal charge transfer between atomic Ce and O layers. In turn, it can lower the surface oxygen vacancy formation energy and enhance the oxide reducibility. We show that the inclusion of spin polarization can significantly reduce the major activation barrier in the proposed reaction pathway of CO oxidation on ceria-supported Pt nanoparticles. For metal-support interactions, surface spin polarization enhances the bonding between Pt nanoparticles and ceria surface oxygen, while CO adsorption on Pt nanoparticles weakens the interfacial interaction regardless of spin polarization. However, the stable surface spin polarization can only be found in the simulations based on the Gaussian type orbital basis. Given the potential importance in the design of future high-performance catalysts, our present study suggests a pressing need to examine the surface ferromagnetism of transition metal oxides in both experiment and theory.
Shock absorber lateral and impact force measurement using a column-type sensor
Authors: Zheng Guofeng , Chen Wen , Chen Baixian , Zhao Shuen , Wang Qiongyao
Published: March 2022

A novel method for the lateral and impact force measurement of shock absorbers using a three-component column-type sensor is proposed in this study. The strain gauge configuration and the bridge connection were designed, and the outputs of each designed measuring bridge under both alignment and eccentric loading were theoretically analyzed. Simulations and experimental tests were conducted to validate the measuring bridge output of the theoretical analysis; the results from the theoretical analysis, simulation, and experiments agree well with one another. In accordance with the specifications put forth in the SAE J2570 standard, the designed sensor was calibrated to obtain its performance parameters and calibration coefficients, which were then applied to acquire the lateral and impact force of a shock absorber. The calibration results demonstrate that the maximum nonlinearity and hysteresis were 0.51% and 0.87% (full-scale), respectively, and the sensor had good linearity and weak coupling between dimensional characteristics.
An improved snow depth retrieval method with adaptive noise reduction for GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/BDS multi-frequency signals
Authors: Liu Shengnan , Yue Jianping , Chu Zhengwei , Zhu Shaolin , Liu Zhiqiang , Wu Jun
Published: March 2022

The Global Navigation Satellite System Interferometric Reflectometry (GNSS-IR) technique is an effective method of monitoring snow depth. The detrended signal-to-noise ratio (dSNR) series is analyzed by a Lomb–Scargle periodogram (LSP) to extract the characteristic frequency, which can be converted to the snow depth. However, the dSNR data are greatly affected by noise in the observation environment, which leads to an abnormal characteristic frequency and low accuracy of snow depth retrieval. In order to reduce the influence of noise and to ensure the correct extraction of the characteristic frequency, we present an improved adaptive retrieval method for the multi-constellation retrieval scenario. First, the dSNR sequences are decomposed adaptively into several singular spectrum components (SSCs) with different frequency scales by singular spectrum decomposition. Then, the corresponding SSCs are selected, according to the empirical scope of snow depth, to reconstruct the ‘pure’ dSNR series. Finally, the reconstructed signals are analyzed by LSP to derive the characteristic frequency, in order to obtain the snow depth. Multi-GNSS observations of site SG27 and site P351 from the plate boundary observation network in a representative period from winter 2019 to spring 2020 were used to validate the proposed method. The snow depths were estimated from individual signals, individual constellations and multi-GNSS combination using both the traditional and improved methods. The experimental results show that compared with the traditional method, the snow depth trend of the improved method is more consistent with the measured snow depth trend, especially in the early stage of snowfall. Furthermore, the proposed method shows a universal applicability to various signals of GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BDS and the retrieval accuracy of all signals is improved to different degrees. When using multi-GNSS combination signals, the mean bias and root mean square error (RMSE) of multi-GNSS snow depth retrieval at site SG27 are improved from 4.6 and 6.2 cm to 4.2 and 5.4 cm, respectively. The mean bias and RMSE at site P351 are improved from 10.5 and 12.4 cm to 9.5 and 11.5 cm, respectively.
Influence of substrate biasing on structural, chemical and electrical properties of Al2O3 thin films deposited by PEALD
Authors: Boubenia S , Lefevre G , Legallais M , Labau S , Bassani F , Hachemi M B , Ghibaudo G , Salem B
Published: March 2022

High-k materials are needed to minimise the gate leakage current in high-speed and high-power switching applications. In this regard, aluminium oxide (Al2O3) deposited by plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) is gaining extensive attention to be used as high-k material in microelectronics. In this work, we studied the effect of substrate biasing during the oxidizing plasma step on physical, chemical and electrical properties of Al2O3 thin films grown by PEALD on silicon substrate. We show that the structural and electrical properties such as the flat band voltage, and chemical composition can be tuned with the applied substrate bias. Indeed, we highlight that the dielectric constant of the MIS capacitor decreases from 8.5 to 6.5 and the charge polarity of the film is modulated from negative to positive when the applied substrate bias is increased. Using morphological and structural characterisations, we show that the substrate bias significantly affects the chemical composition of Al2O3 thin film layer. Moreover, we highlight by cross-sectional transmission electron the presence of an interfacial layer between Si and Al2O3 which could significantly influence the electrical properties of the deposited thin film. The chemical composition of this interfacial layer can be controlled by the applied substrate bias. Using a series of energy dispersive x-ray experiments, we further confirm the formation of aluminosilicate under low substrate bias condition while silicon oxide is formed under high bias. These findings show that the substrate biasing plays a critical role in defining physical, chemical as well as electrical properties of the PEALD Al2O3 thin films.
Ab initio study of the reactivity of ultracold RbSr + RbSr collisions
Authors: Man Marijn P , Karman Tijs , Groenenboom Gerrit C
Published: March 2022

We performed ab initio calculations in order to assess the reactivity of ultracold RbSr

(

Σ

+

2

)

+ RbSr

(

Σ

+

2

)

collisions occurring on the singlet as well as the triplet potential. At ultracold energies reactions are energetically possible if they release energy, i.e., they are exoergic. The exoergicity of reactions between RbSr molecules producing diatomic molecules are known experimentally. We extend this to reactions producing triatomic molecules by calculating the binding energy of the triatomic reaction products. We find that, in addition to the formation of Rb2 + 2Sr and Rb2 + Sr2 in singlet collisions, also the formation of Sr2Rb + Rb and Rb2Sr + Sr in both singlet and triplet collisions is exoergic. Hence, the formation of these reaction products is energetically possible in ultracold collisions. For all exoergic reactions the exoergicity is larger than 1000 cm−1. We also find barrierless qualitative reaction paths leading to the formation of singlet Rb2 + 2Sr and both singlet and triplet Rb2Sr + Sr and Sr2Rb + Rb reaction products and show that a reaction path with at most a submerged barrier exists for the creation of the singlet Rb2 + Sr2 reaction product. Because of the existence of these reactions we expect ultracold RbSr collisions to result in almost-universal loss even on the triplet potential. Our results can be contrasted with collisions between alkali-diatoms, where the formation of triatomic reaction products is endoergic, and with collisions between ultracold SrF molecules, where during triplet collisions only the spin-forbidden formation of singlet SrF2 is exoergic.
Thermal Cracking Mitigation in Mass Concrete on Preplacing Aggregate Concrete Method with Pozzolanic Materials
Authors: Daniel Lo’ong S , Chairunnisa N
Published: March 2022

Fly ash is known as a waste from burning coal which has answered the issue of global warming to be an alternative constituent material for concrete. Casting on mass concrete has a major problem like the thermal cracking caused by the hydration process in the cement chemical component. The prevention solution is using fly ash for a mixed design. Moreover, the casting method using the preplacedd aggregate method could be able to control the heat of hydration which lowers the temperature of the concrete by minimalizing the friction between the coarse aggregate particles during the mixing operation. This study aims to analyze the behaviour of surface and core temperatures in mass concrete using the preplacedd aggregate concrete method and substituting part of the cement with fly ash. The result from the study showed that the temperature behaviour of preplacedd aggregate concrete for mass concrete decreased and slowed the temperature rise if compared to the conventional methods. Moreover, the partial substitution of class C fly ash in the concrete mixture leads to reduce the temperature of the mass concrete.
Utilization of Lime and Rice Husk Ash for Peat Soil Stabilization in Different Water Content Condition
Authors: Ma’ruf Muhammad Afief , Yulianto Faisal Estu , Wardani Mila Kusuma , Iswinarti  , Firmansyah Yerry Kahaditu
Published: March 2022

Peat soil is a soft soil with more than 75% organic content, very high void ratio, and very high water content. In recent times, the lack of land use has made peat soil as an option for agriculture, drainage channels, and also for construction. Utilization of peat soil usually causes the peat soil water content to decrease. Based on the condition of its water content, the condition of peat soil can be classified into several conditions, which is peat soil with constant water content, peat soil which affected by ambient water content, and dried peat soil. Some of the improvement efforts made include the method of improvement by means of stabilization. The stabilization material used was a mixture of lime (CaCO3) and rice husk ash with the combination of 70% rice husk ash and 30% lime. Based on those studies, the use of the stabilization method is not recommended if the peat soil water content has decreased more than 50%. Therefore, the peat soil water content needs to be maintained in order for the stabilization to be effective and also for the sake of environmental preservation.
Erdős-Rényi laws for exponentially and polynomially mixing dynamical systems
Authors: Haydn Nicolai , Nicol Matthew
Published: March 2022

Erdős-Rényi limit laws give the length scale of a time-window over which time-averages in Birkhoff sums have a non-trivial almost-sure limit. We establish Erdős-Rényi type limit laws for Hölder observables on dynamical systems modeled by Young Towers with exponential and polynomial tails. This extends earlier results on Erdős-Rényi limit laws to a broad class of dynamical systems with some degree of hyperbolicity.
Special Moufang sets coming from quadratic Jordan division algebras
Authors: Grüninger Matthias
Published: March 2022

The theory of Moufang sets essentially deals with groups having a split BN-pair of rank one. Every quadratic Jordan division algebra gives rise to a Moufang set such that its root groups are abelian and a certain condition called special is satisfied. It is a major open question if also the converse is true, i.e. if every special Moufang set with abelian root groups comes from a quadratic Jordan division algebra. De Medts and Segev [Amer. Math. Soc. 360 (2008), pp. 5831–5852] proved in Theorem 5.11 that this is the case for special Moufang set satisfying two conditions. In this paper we prove that these conditions are in fact equivalent and hence either of them suffices. Even more, we can replace them by weaker conditions.
The 1.5°C climate and energy scenarios: impacts on economic growth
Authors: Ekins Paul , Drummond Paul , Scamman Daniel , Paroussos Leonidas , Keppo Ilkka
Published: March 2022

In the context of calls for ‘de-growth’ (reduction in gross domestic product, [GDP]) in developed countries for them to be able to reduce emissions to ‘net zero’ in time for the temperature target in the Paris Agreement to be met, this article explores the various impacts on economic growth in the scenarios of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that limit the average global temperature increase in 2100 to 1.5°C. It finds that the impacts are generally small and that in no case is ‘degrowth’ required, although the requirements for the rate and nature of technological developments are challenging. The article then reports on a modelling exercise that investigates in more detail the economic dynamics of achieving the 1.5°C target. It finds that, as with the IPCC scenarios, and assuming the feasibility of at-scale deployment of carbon capture and negative emission technologies, economic growth continues throughout this century, with a major contribution coming from the investment required to decarbonise the energy system.
A novel approach for navigational safety evaluation of inland waterway ships under uncertain environment
Authors: Liu Jia , Jiang Xinchen , Huang Weina , He Yankang , Yang Zhisen
Published: March 2022

This paper proposes a safety evaluation model of inland waterway ship navigation based on the fuzzy theory and evidential reasoning (ER) approach. The proposed model is a three-level hierarchical system consisting of 18 indicators that are identified and determined through literature review and expert surveys. By using fuzzy theory, the factors of the index level are converted into belief distributions, and the information of indicators within each level is merged by using the ER approach so that the evaluation of the ship's navigation safety can be realized. This model can deal with multi-source information and both qualitative and quantitative indicators in an integrated framework. Some case studies on the safety status of ships navigating in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River during dry season are conducted to validate the feasibility and practicability of the proposed model. The results show that the risk levels obtained from the proposed model are consistent with the real-life situation to a large extent. The novel model proposed in this study provides a useful reference for maritime safety management and will help managers and decision-makers in the risk prevention and early warning of inland waterway transportation accidents.
Psychosocial stress and cancer risk: a narrative review
Authors: Mohan Ananyaa , Huybrechts Inge , Michels Nathalie
Published: March 2022

Background

It is unclear which psychological factors (stressors, emotional correlates, and psychophysiological markers) induce cancer risk. This currently limits the potential for prevention strategies.

Purpose

The aim of this review is to bring forth evidence of stress as a determinant of cancer risk from a public health perspective, written for a broad public of practitioners and scientists.

Methods

Based on a semisystematic literature search, the impact of different aspects/types of stress and the potential physiological and behavioral pathways are summarized, while highlighting further research, public health and clinical implications.

Results

Between 2007 and 2020, 65 case–control or cohort studies have been identified. Apart from overall cancer (N = 24), 12 cancer types have been associated with psychological stress with most for breast (N = 21), colorectal (N = 11) and lung/prostate/pancreas cancer (N = 8 each). Although the evidence regarding the mechanisms is still scarce, cancer development in relation to stress might be due to interacting and combined effects of different stress(or) types, but such interaction has not really been tested yet. The path from stress towards cancer incidence consists of a biological pathway with endocrinology and immunology as well as stress-induced behavioral pathways, including smoking, alcoholism, sleep disruption, an unhealthy diet, and low physical activity together with the related phenomenon of obesity.

Conclusion

Not only the stress but also the stress-induced lifestyle should be targeted for cancer prevention and treatment. Future research should include a more diverse spectrum of cancer types (not only hormonal related like breast cancer) and of stress measures while also considering behavioral covariates.
Stigma, Intrusiveness, and Distress in Parents of Children with a Disorder/Difference of Sex Development
Authors: Traino Katherine A. , Roberts Caroline M. , Fisher Rachel S. , Delozier Alexandria M. , Austin Paul F. , Baskin Laurence S. , Chan Yee-Ming , Cheng Earl Y. , Diamond David A. , Fried Allyson J. , Kropp Bradley , Lakshmanan Yegappan , Meyer Sabrina Z. , Meyer Theresa , Buchanan Cindy , Palmer Blake W. , Paradis Alethea , Reyes Kristy J. , Tishelman Amy , Williot Pierre , Wolfe-Christensen Cortney , Yerkes Elizabeth B. , Mullins Larry L. , Wisniewski Amy B.
Published: March 2022

Objective:

The impact of parent-reported stigma due to their child's disorder/difference of sex development (DSD) on parent psychosocial adjustment is poorly understood. In other pediatric populations, perceived interference of medical conditions into daily activities (i.e., illness intrusiveness) mediates the relationship of stigma to adjustment. This study assessed relationships between parent-focused and child-focused stigma → illness intrusiveness → depressive and anxious symptoms. Exploratory analyses sought to identify patient characteristics associated with stigma.

Method:

Caregivers (59 women and 43 men) of 63 children diagnosed with a DSD up to age 4 years completed measures of demographics, parent-focused and child-focused stigma, illness intrusiveness, and depressive and anxious symptoms.

Results:

Increased parent-focused and child-focused stigma were associated with increased illness intrusiveness, which, in turn, was associated with increased depressive and anxious symptoms for parents nested within dyads. Among children with DSD family histories, parents reported greater child-focused stigma.

Conclusion:

Parents who experience DSD-related stigma report greater interference of their child's DSD into their daily activities, which is associated with poorer psychosocial adjustment. Findings support developing clinical interventions related to parents' perceptions of stigma and illness intrusiveness to improve parent adjustment.
Challenges in Interpreting the Ob/Gyn Literature: Studies of Screening
Authors: Prabhu Malavika , Riley Laura E.
Published: March 2022

Screening tests are critical to patient care. Screening tests must meet ten criteria established by the World Health Organization in order to be considered effective. Common types of studies on screening tests include those that establish test characteristics, such as sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value, as well as cost-effective analyses. In this paper, we review the criteria for effective screening tests, and discuss the strengths and pitfalls of common study designs evaluating screening tests
From Research to Practice in OBGYN: How to Critically Interpret Studies in Implementation
Authors: Hamm Rebecca F. , Moniz Michelle H.
Published: March 2022

There is a growing body of research that addresses implementation-focused questions within obstetrics and gynecology. With this document, we provide clinicians with the necessary tools to critically read and interpret literature evaluating an implementation endeavor. We describe the process of implementation research, as well as common study designs and outcomes. Furthermore, we detail pitfalls in the design and analysis of implementation studies, using examples within obstetrics and gynecology. Armed with this knowledge, clinicians may better be able to translate a paper on implementation into improvement efforts in their own clinical practice setting.
Efficacy of corticosteroids in reducing the renal scarring in acute pyelonephritis in children
Authors: Al-Amri Mohamad , Helal Mahmoud , Almaslamani Thuraya , Allah Hani Khalaf , Syyed Rafah , Bakir Ibrahim , Almoustafa Malek , Shikhmous Mosab , Haik Waddah , Alyafei Tahiya , Syed Ghulam , Abounahla Emad , Hammoudeh Samer
Published: March 2022

Background:

Renal scarring is a serious and chronic consequence of acute pyelonephritis in children, which may cause late complications in young adults, such as hypertension, chronic renal failure, and preeclampsia. Urinary tract infection is the most common serious infection in childhood, accounts for 5% to 14% of all pediatric emergency centers. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dexamethasone in reducing or preventing renal scarring in children who were treated with antibiotics for acute urinary tract infection.

Methods:

This is a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial, which evaluates the efficacy of dexamethasone in preventing or reducing renal scarring in febrile children (2 months to 14 years) with a first-diagnosed urinary tract infection. A total of 120 participants will be enrolled over a 3-year period from 6 sites in Qatar. Participants will be randomized into a therapy arm and a placebo arm; each arm will comprise 60 participants. Participants were allocated to the therapy arm and received dexamethasone, while those who were allocated to the placebo arm received a placebo, orally in the same regime, twice daily for 3 days. Blood and urine investigations will be performed at presentation and after 3 days from beginning antibiotics, renal ultrasonography will be performed over the first month and DMSA scan will be performed 6 months after enrolment. Study medication will be administered in the first 48 hours of starting antibiotics. The DMSA scan for all participants will be read by 3 reference radiologists without knowledge of clinical features or trial arms.

Discussion:

The formation of renal scarring will be compared between participants in both arms, the severity of renal scars and all adverse events of the therapy is determined.

Trial registration:

This trial has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04654507 (December 4, 2020), https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04654507.
Atypical characteristics of COVID-19 infection on CT imaging with preexisting combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema: A case report
Authors: Zhang Wei , Wei Xiong , Li Yonghui , Chen Yong
Published: March 2022

Introduction:

Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) complicating Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a challenging clinical scenario.

Patient concerns:

We report the case of a 44-year-old Chinese man with a medical history of CPFE showing atypical characteristics of COVID-19 infection on computed tomography (CT) imaging.

Diagnoses:

The patient was reported to have had close contact with a COVID-19 patient, with 4 real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction tests for COVID-19 - all positive. CT imaging showed scattered mixed ground-glass nodules and small ground-glass lesions in the lower and posterior parts of the posterior segment of the left upper lobes.

Intervention:

The patient received antiviral therapy (ritonavir tablets twice-daily, Xiyanping injection, and oral delivery of Keke capsules).

Outcomes:

On follow-up, nodules near the hilar side of the lung showed shrinkage at 7th day and nearly disappeared after 15 days.

Conclusion:

Clinicians should be alert to the results of lung CT examination and atypical lesions should be diagnosed in time. Precise clinical evaluation, well-directed monitoring, and intervention can effectively improve prognosis.
A comparative study on nosocomial and community-acquired spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in patients with liver cirrhosis at a university hospital
Authors: ELshamy Rana M. , Oda Mervat S. , Saeed Maysaa A. , Ramadan Raghdaa A.
Published: March 2022

Background

The serious nature of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in patients with cirrhosis and the need for timely effective empirical antibiotic therapy in the context of the global surge of antimicrobial resistance and changing epidemiology necessitate a periodic review of the local epidemiologic features of the disease.

Aim

The aim of the study is to investigate the differences in bacterial profile and antibiotic resistance between nosocomial and community-acquired SBP in patients with liver cirrhosis to guide empirical antibiotic choices for better outcomes.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 95 ascitic cirrhotic patients diagnosed with SBP. According to the setting in which the infection was acquired, the patients were divided into two groups: nosocomial and community-acquired SBP. The bacterial profile and rates of multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype and the extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production among Gram-negative isolates in both groups were compared.

Results

Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated bacteria (60% of all isolates) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (11.4%). Gram-positive bacteria were only isolated from nosocomial SBP cases; the most common was Staphylococcus aureus (11.4%) followed by coagulase-negative staphylococci (5.7%). High rates of resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, the first-line empirical treatment of SBP, were detected (76.6–100% in nosocomial isolates and 25–87% in community isolates). Carbapenems, amikacin and gentamycin showed good activity against Gram-negative bacilli in both nosocomial and community-acquired isolates. MDR bacteria, including ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae, were significantly associated with nosocomial SBP.

Conclusion

The significant increase in MDR phenotype and ESBL production among nosocomial isolates necessitates a change in the initial empirical therapy for nosocomial SBP and carbapenems seem good alternatives.
Building Awareness of Diagnosis Together: Ambiguity During Progression-Free Survival Experienced by Patients With Lung Cancer and Caregivers in China
Authors: Yao Hong , Zhang Xinqian , Hou Yajie , Lai Angel Hor Yan , Zhang Qianqian
Published: March 2022

Background

Lung cancer, as a multistep and multifactorial disease, is among the most fatal cancers worldwide. As new therapies are developed and early screening increases, patients tend to experience progression-free survival (PFS) as a coexistence of living and dying simultaneously.

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore the awareness context experienced by Chinese elderly patients and family members.

Methods

Interviews were conducted with 20 interviewees, including 13 elderly patients with lung cancer and 7 caregivers that were recruited using purposive sampling. Semistructured, face-to-face, in-depth interviews were conducted using a qualitative descriptive approach.

Results

Ambiguity was commonly experienced by patients with lung cancer with PFS. Three themes emerged from the data analysis: “ambiguity in cancer diagnosis,” “ambiguity in prognostic awareness,” and “ambiguity in identity.” In this case, ambiguity refers to a situation or context in which patients are uncertain about whether there will be a recurrence of their cancer and when it might occur.

Conclusions

The findings highlighted that patients experienced ambiguity in response to unclear diagnoses, uncertain prognoses, and identity crises during PFS.

Implications for Practice

Healthcare teams should be equipped with psychosocial knowledge and communication skills to manage ambiguity in diagnosis and prognosis for patients with PFS.
The Association of Psychological Stressors With Cannabis Use During Pregnancy
Authors: Vadukapuram Ramu , Chaudhari Gaurav , Trivedi Chintan , Vora Darshini , Memon Aksha , Giri Deepali , Tazin Faria , Reddy Preetam , Mansuri Zeeshan , Jain Shailesh Bobby
Published: March 2022

Even though marijuana is illegal on the federal level, it is one of the most used drugs in the United States during pregnancy. Our study investigates the relationship between numerous socioeconomic, demographic, and mental health risk variables and substance use during pregnancy. We examined data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2017 to 2019. Compared with the no serious psychological distress (SPD) group, the odds of using cannabis were higher in pregnant women with past-month SPD. In this study, in comparison with unmarried pregnant women, married pregnant women had a 67% lower chance of currently using cannabis. Racially, Hispanic pregnant women had 3 to 4 times higher odds for current use of cannabis as compared with the other races. Preventing cannabis use and its adverse effects by screening pregnant women could be part of the current strategy for reducing cannabis use.
Racial and Ethnic Differences in Ondansetron Use for Acute Gastroenteritis in Children
Authors: Dickerson-Young Tavis , Uspal Neil G. , Prince William B. , Qu Pingping , Klein Eileen J.
Published: March 2022

Objectives

There is limited research examining racial/ethnic disparities in antiemetic use for acute gastroenteritis (AGE). We assessed racial/ethnic differences in the care of children with AGE.

Methods

The Pediatric Health Information System was used to conduct a retrospective cohort study of children 6 months to 6 years old with AGE seen in participating emergency departments from 2016 to 2018. Cases were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes. The primary outcome was administration of ondansetron, secondary outcomes were administration of intravenous (IV) fluids and hospitalization, and primary predictor was race/ethnicity. Multivariable logistic regression followed by a mixed model adjusted for sex, age, insurance, and hospital to examine the association of race/ethnicity with each outcome.

Results

There were 78,019 encounters included; 24.8% of patients were non-Hispanic White (NHW), 29.0% non-Hispanic Black (NHB), 37.3% Hispanic, and 8.9% other non-Hispanic (NH) race/ethnicity. Compared with NHW patients, minority children were more likely to receive ondansetron (NHB: adjusted odds ratio, 1.36 [95% confidence interval, 1.2–1.55]; Hispanic: 1.26 [1.1–1.44]; other NH: 1.22 [1.07–1.4]). However, minority children were less likely to receive IV fluids (NHB: 0.38 [0.33–0.43]; Hispanic: 0.44 [0.36–0.53]; other NH: 0.51 [0.44–0.61]) or hospital admission (NHB: 0.37 [0.29–0.48]; Hispanic: 0.41 [0.33–0.5]; other NH: 0.52 [0.41–0.66]). Ondansetron use by hospital ranged from 73% to 95%.

Conclusions

This large database analysis of emergency departments around the nation found that NHW patients were less likely to receive ondansetron but more likely to receive IV fluids and hospital admission than minority patients. These findings are likely multifactorial and may represent bias, social determinants of health, access to care, or illness severity among other possible causes.
Using Quality Improvement to Improve Identification and Documentation of Malnutrition in Hospitalized Pediatric Patients
Authors: Osburn Shea T. , Towne-Merritt Mary , Baranda Roberta , Keosheyan Rhonda M.
Published: March 2022

Introduction:

Recent publications have highlighted the importance and impact of recognizing malnutrition in hospitalized children. After noting that patients with malnutrition frequently went unrecognized in our facility, we implemented an interprofessional intervention comprising hospital medicine physicians, dietitians, and the clinical documentation improvement team to improve recognition and documentation of malnutrition in these patients, thereby facilitating earlier intervention.

Methods:

We implemented three separate plan-do-study-act cycles to improve the identification and documentation of malnutrition among patients hospitalized at our facility. The cycles consisted of identifying malnutrition using z-scores, educating providers, and implementing smart text within the medical record to help with consistent documentation. In addition, real-time communication between the disciplines (nutrition services, clinical documentation improvement providers, and hospitalists) was also employed to improve documentation quality. After completing the plan-do-study-act cycles, charts were reviewed to evaluate the nutritional interventions received.

Results:

Baseline data revealed that only 13% of patients with z-scores indicative of malnutrition were identified as such in attending physicians’ documentation. Upon implementation of our plan-do-study-act cycles, documentation of these patients increased to greater than 64%. Patients with documented malnutrition received nutritional interventions at least 81% of the time, increasing from 35% at baseline.

Conclusion:

Our findings demonstrate that an interprofessional approach can dramatically enhance the identification and documentation of malnutrition in hospitalized children, leading to earlier intervention.