bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bilateral comparison of 10 pF and 100 pF standards (ongoing BIPM key comparisons BIPM.EM-K14.a and 14.b) between the SMD (Belgium) and the BIPM.
Authors: Moreno J A , Gournay P , Vlad D
Published: July 2019

This report presents the results of a bilateral comparison between the SMD, Belgium, and the BIPM, which was carried out using two 10 pF and two 100 pF travelling standards belonging to the BIPM following an "A-B-A" pattern. The comparison at 10 pF forms part of the ongoing BIPM key comparison BIPM.EM-K14.a and that at 100 pF of the ongoing BIPM key comparison BIPM.EM-K14.b, where BIPM is the pilot laboratory for both of these comparisons.

The standards were measured during a total time of 18 weeks, from August 2018 to December 2018. The measurand of this comparison was the two terminal-pair capacitance of the travelling capacitors at a frequency of 1000 Hz, and a measuring rms voltage of 15 V.

The results from the SMD and the BIPM were found to be in good agreement, within a difference smaller than the relative expanded uncertainty of the comparison.

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCEM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Towards a heuristic for assessing adaptation knowledge: impacts, implications, decisions and actions
Authors: Cradock-Henry Nicholas A , Buelow Franca , Flood Stephen , Blackett Paula , Wreford Anita
Published: July 2019

Climate change poses a significant challenge to primary industries and adaptation will be required to reduce detrimental impacts and realise opportunities. Despite the breadth of information to support adaptation planning however, knowledge is fragmented, obscuring information needs, hampering strategic planning and constraining decision-making capacities. In this letter, we present and apply the Adaptation Knowledge Cycle (AKC), a heuristic for rapidly evaluating and systematising adaptation research by analytical foci: Impacts, Implications, Decisions or Actions. We demonstrate its application through an assessment of ten years’ climate change adaptation research for New Zealand’s primary industries. The letter draws on the results of systematic review, empirical analysis, workshops, interviews, narrative analyses and pathways planning to synthesise information and identify knowledge gaps. Results show the heuristic’s simplicity is valuable for cross- and transdisciplinary communication on adaptation in New Zealand’s primary industries. Results also provide insight into what we know and need to know with respect to undertaking adaptation planning. With the development of tools and processes to inform decision making under conditions of uncertainty—such as adaptation pathways—it is increasingly important to efficiently and accurately determine knowledge needs. The combination of systematic data collection techniques, and heuristics such as the AKC may provide researchers and stakeholders with an efficient, robust tool to review and synthesise existing knowledge, and identify emerging research priorities. Results can in turn support the design of targeted research and inform adaptation strategies for policy and practice.
Built Cultural Heritage and Energy Efficiency. The Sicily Case: Pros and Cons of an Innovative Experience
Authors: Buda A , Pracchi V , Sannasardo R
Published: July 2019

The paper aims to present a study carried out within the Regional Operational Program - European Regional Development Fund 2014/2020 financing project for the efficiency improvement of 106 public heritage, owned by the Sicily Region. 38 case studies of this stock have been selected, having different uses (museum, library, office, etc.), typology and construction period, shifting from XI to XX century buildings. The sample heterogeneity gives in fact a large-scale overview on the Mediterranean heritage, allowing to assess the efficacy of energy policies (at Regional level) and to suggest feasible retrofit solutions for historic public buildings. Weak and strength points of each case are highlighted as from both an energy audit (based on bills and simulated energy performance data) and an on-field survey in a comparison. The inclusion of stakeholders’ interviews in the walk-through investigation has clarified the efficacy of building and plants management. Finally, as tangible results, it is suggested to consider retrofit low-impact interventions accordingly to the building microclimate, as well as objects and users’ needs, as a win-win strategy.
Green corridors and exterior common areas, enhancing connectivity in Athens, Greece
Authors: Tzortzi-J.Georgi N , Ioannou D , Oikonomaki E
Published: July 2019

The greater Athens area, Greece’s capital, has a very low percentage of green spaces which also lack connectivity, resulting in an urban environment which is anything but resilient and sustainable. This deficiency is particularly evident in the city’s centre, where building regulations allow for tall buildings with maximum lot coverage, leaving little room for green areas. The few green spaces which do exist in Athens are usually in poor condition and their potential role as a “building block” of the city is overlooked. To remedy this situation, the existing green spaces as well as their connectivity must be improved, making them more appealing and accessible. Considering however that their percentage is so small, one way to “create” more of them is to take advantage of the unbuilt and overlooked surfaces in the back of lots, otherwise known as exterior common areas, which are privately owned, belonging to all of the owners in any given building block. They have the potential to become havens of greenery and pockets of tranquillity, transforming the urban environment on many levels. One way to make these green spaces (existing parks) and potential green spaces (exterior common areas) more accessible and better connected is through the use of green corridors. Thus, this paper’s objective is to present such a design proposal, creating a green corridor network within Athens’ city centre, linking the various existing parks with a few exterior common areas.
Examining the opportunities for nature-based solutions at the Municipality of Piraeus
Authors: Paraskevopoulou A , Tzortzi-J.Georgi N , Oikonomou A , Mariaki E , Paraskevas A
Published: July 2019

Piraeus, the third largest city within Greece constitutes one of the most significant ports in the east Mediterranean region. Inhabited since 2,600 B.C. Piraeus evolved to serve as the seaport of Athens that hosted a powerful commercial and military fleet and fortified the city during classical antiquity. Remains of Piraeus past prominence is evident through the numerous archaeological findings found throughout the city. The commercial significance of Piraeus continued in modern history soon after the establishment of the Greek state. Various interventions that included the development of the Athens-Piraeus railway line in 1869, the development of the railway link between Piraeus and the Peloponnese and northern Greece, as well as the development of the Corinth Canal in 1893 contributed in increasing port-traffic and initiating industrial development. The rapid urbanisation and industrialisation process resulted in the city’s environmental degradation. In recent years Piraeus has been subjected to further degradation through de-industrialisation and downsizing of the trade industry. Nature-based solutions (NBS) aim to integrate more nature, natural features and processes within cities, landscapes and seascapes while providing environmental, economic and social benefits and contributing to building resilience. The public authorities together with the stakeholders from the private sector and civil society co- design, create and manage green infrastructure for post-industrial regeneration. The study presented constitutes part of the “proGIreg” project funded by the European Commission programme “Horizon 2020”. A detailed site analysis of the Municipality of Piraeus was undertaken under four thematic headings: Socio-cultural inclusiveness, Human health and wellbeing, Ecological and environmental restoration, Economic and labour market. The main findings of the spatial analysis are presented which lead to the identification of two sites for the use of NBS.
Evaluation of the inhaled dose across different microenvironments
Authors: Borghi F , Cattaneo A , Spinazzè A , Manno A , Rovelli S , Campagnolo D , Vicenzi M , Mariani J , Bollati V , Cavallo D M
Published: July 2019

The principal aim of the INSIDE project (INdividual air pollution exposure, extracellular vescicles SIgnaling and hypertensive disorder DEvelopment in pregnancy) is to assess the molecular effects of environmental exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM) of susceptible subject. Different approaches are considered to evaluate these effects, including an exposure-effect study performed on a selected population. The short-term exposure to different pollutants (PM and NO2) was evaluated considering 51 subjects recruited from October 2017 to April 2018. Each subject was asked to carry personal instruments for few hours before a clinical evaluation (blood and cardiological examination) from home to hospital. Instruments used in the study were: (I) CairClip – CairPol (NO2) and (II) Aerocet 831 - Aerosol Mass Monitor, Met One Instruments (size-fractionated PM). Moreover, a (III) smartphone with a GPS application and a (IV) Time Activity Diary (TAD) were used in this study to acquire information about the microenvironments (MEs) visited by subjects during the monitoring sessions.

The experimental design of the project allowed to further investigate issues related to the mode of exposure: through the analysis of TADs and GPS data, it was possible to document the time spent by each subject in the different MEs and characterize the average exposure and inhaled dose associated to different MEs.

The microenvironmental inhaled dose of pollutants was estimated considering the average exposure to PM and NO2, the time spent across these MEs and the specific ventilation rate of each subject. Moreover, to understand which of these parameters has the major impact of the dose model, a sensitivity analysis was performed, on the total and on the MEs dataset.
Bioclimatic potential of European locations: GIS supported study of proposed passive building design strategies
Authors: Pajek L , Tekavec J , Drešček U , Lisec A , Košir M
Published: July 2019

According to the Köppen-Geiger climate classification, Europe is under the influence of at least ten different climate types. Thus, various climates can be found, from the polar tundra and cold climate in the Alps and northern European regions, to hot-arid climate in southern parts of Spain. This level of climate diversity makes the European territory interesting for the analysis from the bioclimatic building design perspective. Therefore, the purpose of the research was to assess the bioclimatic potential of selected European locations. The calculation of bioclimatic potential was done by acquiring the typical meteorological year (TMY) data comprised of climate characteristics, such as air temperature, air relative humidity and received solar irradiance, which was later processed by BcChart tool. In order to make bioclimatic potential maps of Europe, the points with uniform point sampling were generated. Furthermore, several additional locations of great interest were selected based on population density. The bioclimatic potential was used to define the prevailing passive building design strategies and measures at the analysed locations. At the same time, the in-depth analysis was conducted using the geospatial data and GIS tools, where the bioclimatic potential results at the selected locations were additionally analysed in relation to Köppen-Geiger climate types. The resulting bioclimatic potential maps can be used as a relevant onset for the policy makers in order to improve regional development strategies for building design.
Enhanced air quality modelling through AUSTAL2000 model in Milan urban area
Authors: Pepe N , Pirovano G , Balzarini A , Toppetti A , Riva G M , Lonati G
Published: July 2019

Atmospheric dispersion models are a useful tools to assess air quality and emission source contributions in urban areas. Eulerian chemical and transport models (CTMs) can assess the regional background, that is the baseline level in the region of the city, and the urban background, that is the increment of concentration due to the emissions of the city, but they are not able to properly assess the very local contribution of emission sources at pollution hotspots within the city, because of their relatively large grid step. For the assessment of local sources’ contribution, Lagrangian dispersion models can be profitably used, especially when high spatial resolution modelling is required. Actually, Lagrangian models rely on a more realistic spatialization of urban emissions, unevenly distributed because of the road network layout (for traffic emissions) and of the built environment structure (for space heating emissions); additionally, Lagrangian models also account for wind field modifications induced by buildings. In this work, air quality modelling results for fine particles (PM2.5) in the city centre of Milan obtained by means of the AUSTAL2000 Lagrangian model are compared with those of CAMx Eulerian model. Model simulations where performed for a 1.7x1.7 km2 area in Milan and focused on three receptor points selected in order to represent sites with both different features in terms of the surrounding built environment and different exposure to the local emission sources. Namely, the receptors correspond to a green area, to a residential and shopping area near Milan main square, and to a congested crossroad on the inner ring road of the city centre. Comparison results show that the outcome of the Eulerian model at the local scale is only representative of a background level, similar to Lagrangian model’s outcome for the green area receptor, but fails to reproduce concentration gradients and hot-spots, driven by local sources’ emissions.
Seawater and stainless steel bars for sustainable reinforced concrete structures
Authors: Lollini F , Carsana M , Gastaldi M , Redaelli E
Published: July 2019

In Mediterranean countries seawater might become a resource for the concrete production for sustainable construction industry. Nowadays its use, since it might induce the corrosion on ordinary carbon steel bars, is prohibited for the realization of reinforced concrete structures. Within the SeaCon Project, the use of seawater as mixing water has been studied in combination with corrosion-resistant reinforcement. This paper, firstly, discusses the influence of chlorides present in the seawater on the concrete properties related to the durability. Afterwards, the corrosion resistance of austenitic (304L and XM-28) and duplex (23-04 and 22-05) stainless steels reinforcing bars, and for comparison of carbon steel, embedded in alkaline and carbonated concretes made with seawater and subjected to different environmental conditions is evaluated. Results showed that seawater accelerated the early strength of concrete, whilst the carbonation penetration, the capillary suction and water absorption were slightly affected. Corrosion tests showed that corrosion did not initiate on 304L, 23-04 and 22-05 stainless steel bars, despite the presence of chlorides since the beginning even in the most aggressive exposure conditions and when concrete was carbonated; XM-28 reinforcement showed a slight change in corrosion behaviour in carbonated concrete exposed to the harshest conditions.
Rammed Earth stabilised with waste materials: a sustainable and resistant solution
Authors: Arrigoni A , Simoni G , Dotelli G , Pelosato R , Caruso M
Published: July 2019

Earthen dwellings are part of the vernacular architecture and cultural heritage of many countries in the Mediterranean region, and a renovated interest towards these types of structures is now widespread in the same countries mainly due to sustainability reasons. However, poor resistance to weathering compromises their durability and their popular acceptance. A fascinating option to improve the resistance of earthen structures while preserving their environmental sustainability is to use locally available waste materials as stabilisers. In this paper, the evolution over time of the mechanical resistance of rammed earth stabilised with residues from widespread industrial processes (i.e. fly ash from coal combustion and calcium carbide residue from acetylene production) was investigated. Waste-stabilisation prompted optimal long-term mechanical resistance; on the other hand, laboratory samples exhibited low compressive strengths in the short-term when cured under standard conditions. The addition of a supplementary industrial residue (i.e. gypsum from flue gas desulfurization) was explored to enhance the early-age strength. Results confirmed the short-term strength benefits induced by gypsum addition.
Comparative evaluations of sustainability, durability and resilience of external envelopes for environmentally efficient buildings
Authors: Nicolella M , Landolfi R , Pino A , Scognamillo C
Published: July 2019

The building sector is affected by a significant confusion between the concepts of sustainability and energetic efficiency: indeed, both the paradigms have the aim of safeguarding the planet, but the strategies to enact them certainly follow two different paths, often in contrast between them. The design of building envelopes has definite performance requirements, according to the current framework, but in any case the technological choices to fulfil them are not univocally determined. As an example, the objective of obtaining building envelopes with low transmittance can be reached by a huge number of typologies of solutions and materials, but of course the possible evaluations in terms of sustainability may in some cases show results that overturn the energetic assessment.

Also, considering the strict relation that exists between durability (also in terms of resilience) and sustainability, it can be concluded that the most correct tendency for materials and products can be – more in general – defined as environmental efficiency, the so-called eco-compatibility. Taking moves from the scientific literature on products and materials, both from the point of view of sustainability, and from that of durability and resilience, this work proposes a number of comparative evaluations that analyse the main systems and components of the external envelopes: built-up roofs and roof systems, opaque and transparent walls, ground floor slabs, doors and windows.

LCA analyses, durability assessments and considerations on resilience carried out on the abovementioned systems and components provide very interesting results to guide designers towards more conscious choices, aimed to integrate the different (and sometimes contradictory) aspects that allow to realize energetically and environmentally efficient buildings.
Integrating environmental sustainability indicators in BIM-based product datasheets
Authors: Signorini M , Frigeni S , Spagnolo S Lupica
Published: July 2019

This paper presents the findings of a research study conducted with the aim of assessing the effectiveness and completeness of the environmental sustainability indicators at national and international level. The need is to clarify the various constantly evolving regulations for sustainability in the construction sector and to have a unique list of indicators mixing the several existing approaches. Starting from the main regulations on sustainability of construction works, the research outlines the required environmental indicators. Since the construction sector is considered one of the most impacting from an environmental point of view, a great attention is given to the creation of a user friendly tool to collect and store different sustainability indicators to support design choices and to increase the awareness of construction and manufacturing companies and end users. Nowadays manufacturers use EPD (Environmental product declaration), which is regulated by the European Standard EN 15804: 2014 and at the same time by the International ISO 21930: 2017, as an environmental certification and communication tool by which they can declare the environmental performance of their products through the use of specific indicators. After analysing the actual European and International regulations about the sustainability of construction works, the draft of the European standard has been examined in order to compare the used indicators and create an integrated and complete version of product data template in order to collect all of these parameters. Furthermore, the Ministerial Decree of April 10, 2013 has introduced the so called CAM (Italian acronyms for Minimum Environmental Criteria) - made mandatory by Legislative Decree 20/2016 Procurement Code, amended by Legislative Decree 56/2017 - in order to give the general criteria and technical indications required by tin Italy to help the public administration to identify and choose among several works and products those with a lower environmental impact. The paper shows an integrated BIM-based template to be adopted for product datasheets that can be exploited by manufactures, designers, facility managers and consumers in order to ease the information exchange about environmental impacts.
The evolution in planning and designing new corporate headquarters in Milan: Perspectives for urban resilience
Authors: Baiardi L , Bellintani S , Celani A , Ciaramella A , Puglisi V , Tagliaro C
Published: July 2019

Metropolitan cities can play a primary role in the creation of more resilient urban environments, by developing public interventions that improve social cohesion, and economic and environmental sustainability. The metropolitan city of Milan has emerged among the first European cities that successfully overcame the economic crisis without losing their leadership role. Thus, we analyzed the Milanese experience as an example of urban resilience, in the context of a Research Project of Relevant National Interest (PRIN) entitled “Metropolitan Cities: Economic-territorial strategies, financial constraints, and circular regeneration”.

In a first stage, we studied the investments of the major real estate players who have directed their attention to Milan. Our scrutiny showed that most of the investments concentrate in recent urban renewal programs, which entail the re-location of corporate headquarters. A conspicuous portion of commercial real estate hosts fashion companies, as Milan attracts many brands from all over the world.

In a second stage, we investigated in more detail the property settlement dynamics that drive corporate real estate development and re-location in the territory of Milan. This showed some urban clusters that the service and fashion sectors are respectively interested in.

Finally, we looked into the re-location strategies of eight leader companies, half of which in the fashion sector and half in the general services. Through interviews with their real estate managers, we scrutinized their choice of location in Milan, their environmental sustainability requirements, and added value that they expect to obtain. The fashion sector resulted as particularly keen on rehabilitating divested sites or abandoned buildings, inherited from previous industrial/productive activities.

Our scrutiny demonstrated that regeneration projects, can successfully meet the objectives of companies, while matching the goals of public interventions to improve social cohesion, and economic and environmental sustainability. This evidence can inform investors, organizations, and designers, and support them in the implementation of strategies to improve urban resilience.
Real estate market values and land revenue analysis in the metropolitan city of Milan
Authors: Baiardi L , Cia G , Morena M
Published: July 2019

The report illustrate the results of the survey have been evaluated in the Research Project for Relevant National Interest “Metropolitan cities: economic-territorial strategies, financial bonds and circular regeneration”. Among its objectives, the research aims to represent a compendium of the financial picture, the economic dynamics and the territorial structure in which the new metropolitan institutions will operate, by means of the structural changes of economics and legislative system. The phenomenon of urbanization of the Metropolitan Cities is analyzed proposing a framework for the analysis of the real estate profile on a metropolitan scale, in order to understand the role of this entity in relation to the aspects of social cohesion and economic-environmental sustainability. Through the use of dynamic and interactive instruments, a reading system for the real estate market value profile in the metropolitan cities has been developed. The framework for the analysis of the real estate profile on a metropolitan scale is experimentally applied to the case study of Milan, but can be reproduced on a national scale.
The Social Manager as driver of social innovation and of inclusive growth in the regeneration of built environment
Authors: Pavesi A S , Zaccaria R , Cia G
Published: July 2019

In the last decade, social housing entered the real estate market and became a real estate product able to offer affordable housing and services on the market. The realization of social housing involves private and non-profit organizations - in support of public welfare – in order to achieve a housing policy of public interest.

The researches by Housing Europe show that the most effective way to reach this objective is represented by Social Management, which is the capacity to join management of real estate and social aspects, promoted by independent private subjects with a mission of public or philanthropic interest. Social Management consists in the provision of social promotion and asset management services and is distinguished from a traditional management for the central role of inhabitants and community receiving the services.

In addition to Building and Facility Management activities (and partly Property Management) aimed at preserving real estate value, the Social Manager carries out all activities addressed service beneficiaries attributable to Community Management area, characterizing them with the centrality of the community through an integrated management model.

When the role of the Social Manager is carried out by Cooperatives Enterprises, the instance of defining collaborative communities is intrinsically fulfilled through the skills deriving from the cooperative tradition who by their nature represent an important asset for structuring this type of management.

In the Social Housing sector, the Social Manager, the more Cooperative, with its significant track record in implementing the practices of conjunction between owner and inhabitants, represents a potential for carrying out the important guarantee function referred to at the beginning. It is in the management of the community of beneficiaries of social housing that the guarantee element for the achievement of the general interest in housing policies realized in the forms of private public partnership.

The Social Manager can in fact constitute the guarantor of the service of general interest contained in the general definition of “social housing” introduced by the D.M. April 22, 2008. The paper presents the results of the research “How to create and regenerate social value through social housing” promoted by Politecnico di Milano and Legacoop Abitanti; it’ll describe how the social housing management enterprises could represent the driver of social innovation and of inclusive growth in the regeneration of built environment.
Collective Residential Spaces in Sustainability Development: Turkish Housing Units within Co-Living Understanding
Authors: Ataman C , Dino I Gursel
Published: July 2019

Housing models that target rather typical family structures are increasingly failing to meet the needs of the new social changes regarding the rapid urbanization due to the mass-migration to cities, the lack of affordable housing, and the adoption of the sharing economy practices. As an architectural counterpart of the social dimension of sustainable development, co-living is introduced as a connected way of living, enabling sustainable living practices through efficient use of resources and space while sharing consumption. With respect to this, adapted collective residential units (namely informal co-living environments) come into use in places where affording a house becomes a challenging aspect and the conventional residential units do not reflect the transforming social demographics and economy. The reflection of the requirements of changing social and economic structures on urban settings can be seen in Turkish houses as well. This research, accordingly, focuses on co-living environments in Ankara, Turkey that were transformed from typical single-family residential units by its residents. Through investigating these co-living spaces, it is aimed to contribute to the current understanding of co-living practices, explore the spatial, economic and social underpinnings of these living models, and their relevance to the sustainable development while presenting initial findings regarding spatial use that can be of guidance for future co-living design processes.
The ASA (Approccio Sostenibile dell’Abitare) App. A sustainable housing approach tool to raise tenants’ awareness in the public housing sector
Authors: Toni M
Published: July 2019

This research project introduces an innovative tool promoting participatory processes for sustainability in the Public Housing system where different players are involved. It deals with a specific learning process aiming at fostering a responsible behaviour by the occupants, and envisages calling in new Players, namely, senior Students from technical high schools, to act as trainers themselves and coach the Tenants through on-going meetings. An Application called ASA (Sustainable Housing Approach in English) will be developed to include the information provided by the Tenants about their family households and housing units during the coaching sessions, and collected by the student-coaches. The characteristics of the ASA as a knowledge and management tool intended to improve savings and wellbeing are described. Available on iPad and accessible to all Tenants in the training environment, the ASA can be downloaded to mobile devices. Talking of outcomes, the logical steps making up the ASA’s dynamic process are outlined. The economic and social benefits for the different Players are outlined as well.
Sustainability certification of construction products through BIM
Authors: Cecconi F Re , Moretti N , Mannino A , Dejaco M C
Published: July 2019

Sustainability certification of construction products is a key issue to be managed and controlled during the construction phase, in order to implement design choices and reduce buildings impact on the environment. Within this context, sustainability assessment protocols play an important role, since they provide a systematic approach for the sustainability rating of the building. The aim of this research is to define a BIM-based methodology to automate the sustainability certification process in construction phase. According to the proposed methodology, the contractor proposes a building component whose technical data are uploaded to a Document Management System (DMS) used as Common Data Environment (CDE). If the component passes a set of semi-automated authorisation steps, compliant with the work supervisor’s, client’s, and sustainability accredited professional’s needs, then it is uploaded to the BIM Model. The case study (an office building in Italy) confirmed that the proposed methodology allows to achieve a higher efficiency, minimizing the certification times and efforts. Nevertheless, this methodology should be validated in further case studies. Moreover, it may be improved and further automated to cope with product dictionaries and templates under development in CEN technical committee 442.
Correlations of non-affine displacements in metallic glasses through the yield transition
Authors: Jana Richard , Pastewka Lars
Published: July 2019

We study correlations of non-affine displacements during simple shear deformation of Cu–Zr bulk metallic glasses in molecular dynamics calculations. In the elastic regime, our calculations show exponential correlation with a decay length that we interpret as the size of a shear transformation zone in the elastic regime. This correlation length becomes system-size dependent beyond the yield transition as our calculation develops a shear band, indicative of a diverging length scale. We discuss these observations in the context of a recent proposition of yield as a first-order phase transition.
Back and front contacts in kesterite solar cells: state-of-the-art and open questions
Authors: Platzer-Björkman Charlotte , Barreau Nicolas , Bär Marcus , Choubrac Leo , Grenet Louis , Heo Jaeyeong , Kubart Tomas , Mittiga Alberto , Sanchez Yudania , Scragg Jonathan , Sinha Soumyadeep , Valentini Matteo
Published: July 2019

We review the present state-of-the-art within back and front contacts in kesterite thin film solar cells, as well as the current challenges. At the back contact, molybdenum (Mo) is generally used, and thick Mo(S, Se)2 films of up to several hundred nanometers are seen in record devices, in particular for selenium-rich kesterite. The electrical properties of Mo(S, Se)2 can vary strongly depending on orientation and indiffusion of elements from the device stack, and there are indications that the back contact properties are less ideal in the sulfide as compared to the selenide case. However, the electronic interface structure of this contact is generally not well-studied and thus poorly understood, and more measurements are needed for a conclusive statement. Transparent back contacts is a relatively new topic attracting attention as crucial component in bifacial and multijunction solar cells. Front illuminated efficiencies of up to 6% have so far been achieved by adding interlayers that are not always fully transparent. For the front contact, a favorable energy level alignment at the kesterite/CdS interface can be confirmed for kesterite absorbers with an intermediate [S]/([S]+[Se]) composition. This agrees with the fact that kesterite absorbers of this composition reach highest efficiencies when CdS buffer layers are employed, while alternative buffer materials with larger band gap, such as Cd1−x
Zn
x
S or Zn1−x
Sn
x
O
y
, result in higher efficiencies than devices with CdS buffers when sulfur-rich kesterite absorbers are used. Etching of the kesterite absorber surface, and annealing in air or inert atmosphere before or after buffer layer deposition, has shown strong impact on device performance. Heterojunction annealing to promote interdiffusion was used for the highest performing sulfide kesterite device and air-annealing was reported important for selenium-rich record solar cells.
Social Media Marketing: What Do Prospective Patients Want to See?
Authors: Klietz Marie-Luise , Kaiser Hans Wilhelm , Machens Hans-Günther , Aitzetmüller Matthias Michael
Published: July 2019

Background

Platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ have created a worldwide audience of almost 3 billion people. Society is dramatically changing, demanding evolution of marketing strategies by plastic surgeons and aesthetic doctors alike. This unknown territory provides excellent opportunities, but creates many pitfalls as well; uncertainty remains as to the most effective manner to promote one’s practice/services.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to design a social experiment based on Instagram to give guidance for efficient self-promotion.

Methods

An Instagram account called “doctor.aesthetics” was created. Content was produced, and categorized into 4 groups: Aesthetics, Private Life, Disease, and Science. No bots or other Instagram-based promotion were utilized. Every post was evaluated regarding likes, comments, clicks, new followers, impressions, and savings.

Results

After 5 months and 37 posts, 10,500 people followed the account. “Scientific” posts were excluded from the analysis due to a low response rate. A significantly enhanced number of likes for “Private” postings was found. Additionally, “Private” posts led to most clicks and new followers, whereas “Aesthetics” posts were saved by most people.

Conclusions

To benefit the most from social media advertising, it is necessary to offer insights into private life. Although “Aesthetics” and “Disease” postings showed similar response rates, “Scientific” posts failed to attract people.
Landmarks in Facial Rejuvenation Surgery: The Top 50 Most Cited Articles
Authors: Kreutz-Rodrigues Lucas , Shapiro Daniel , Mardini Samir , Bakri Karim
Published: July 2019

Background

Facial rejuvenation procedures are common in plastic surgery.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to report the 50 most cited articles in the field of aesthetic facial rejuvenation surgery and provide a simple educational resource for plastic surgeons.

Methods

The authors utilized the Web of Science Citation Index to identify the 50 most cited articles related to surgery for facial rejuvenation published from 1950 to 2019. Articles were classified according to their level of evidence, type of study, country of publication, and topic of interest: facelift, blepharoplasty, brow lift, neck lift, or combined areas.

Results

The mean number of citations per article was 137, and the majority of articles (n = 19) were published between 1990 and 1999. The most prevalent topic was facelift surgery (n = 24), followed by articles discussing combined procedures (n = 13), blepharoplasty (n = 6), brow lift (n = 4), and neck lift (n = 3). Most of the articles were classified as clinical (n = 26), followed by basic science studies (n = 12) and review articles (n = 12). Among the articles amenable to grading level of evidence (n = 26), most (n = 24) presented their findings utilizing level IV evidence. The nation of origin for most of the articles (n = 41) was the United States.

Conclusions

Articles addressing facelift surgery represented the largest proportion of peer-reviewed landmark publications in aesthetic facial surgery research. A simple educational resource is presented to encourage the appreciation of the research in this field.
Phenotypic selection by kelp gulls against pear-shaped shells of the Antarctic limpet Nacella concinna
Authors: Castillo Santiago , de Aranzamendi María Carla , Martínez Juan José , Sahade Ricardo
Published: July 2019

The Antarctic limpet (Nacella concinna) presents two ecotypes related to different water depths: littoral individuals have a robust and taller shell while sublittoral individuals are thinner and flatter. Among the environmental factors possibly causing this divergence, avian predation upon littoral individuals has been mooted but has received little research attention. The kelp gull (Larus dominicanus) is the principal consumer of littoral limpets in the study area. We used shells from littoral and sublittoral zones, and from gull middens to examine – through linear morphometrics and elliptic Fourier analysis – whether selective predation exists, and to evaluate the mode of selection that could be operating on different traits. We found that limpet individuals with the apex displaced towards the anterior side were more likely to be predated. However, a remarkable result was that gulls select dorsal pear-shaped rather than elliptical shells and that there is a directional selection against pear-shaped limpets. However, in contrast to previous studies, we did not find that the proportions of elliptical or pear-shaped individuals differed between the littoral and sublittoral zones. This discrepancy could be related to variations in predatory intensity in different locations. These results suggest that where gulls have a strong influence, their effect could be a key factor in dorsal differentiation in limpet shells.
New insights into population structure of the European golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) revealed by microsatellite analysis
Authors: Nebel Carina , Gamauf Anita , Haring Elisabeth , Segelbacher Gernot , Väli Ülo , Villers Alexandre , Zachos Frank E
Published: July 2019

Connectivity between golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) populations is poorly understood. Field studies exploring natal dispersal suggest that this raptor is a philopatric species, but with the ability to roam far. However, little is known about the population structure of the species in Europe. Our study is based on 14 microsatellite loci and is complemented by new and previously published mitochondrial control region DNA data. The present dataset includes 121 eagles from Scotland, Norway, Finland, Estonia, the Mediterranean and Alpine regions. Our sampling focused on the Alpine and Mediterranean populations because both mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) lineages found in golden eagles, the Holarctic and the Mediterranean, are known to co-occur there. Cluster analyses of nuclear DNA support a shallow split into northern and southern populations in Europe, similar to the distribution of the two mtDNA lineages, with the Holarctic lineage occurring in the north and the Mediterranean lineage predominating in the south. Additionally, Scotland shows significant differentiation and low relative migration levels that indicate isolation from the mainland populations. Alpine and Mediterranean golden eagles do not show nuclear structure corresponding to divergent mtDNA lineages. This indicates that the presence of northern Holarctic mitochondrial haplotypes in the Alps and the Mediterranean is attributable to past admixture rather than recent long-distance dispersal.
MicroRNA-181a promotes follicular granulosa cell apoptosis via sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 expression downregulation†
Authors: Zhang Chunxue , Shen Jingtao , Kong Shuangbo , Zhang Mei , Zhang Qun , Zhou Jidong , Zhen Xin , Kang Nannan , Jiang Yue , Ding Lijun , Sun Haixiang , Yan Guijun
Published: July 2019

Oxidative stress induces granulosa cell (GC) apoptosis and subsequent follicular atresia. Since our previous studies indicate that microRNA-181a (miR-181a) expression is increased in GCs undergoing apoptosis, the present study was designed to define the relationship between exposure to oxidative stressors in GCs and changes in miR-181a expression and function. To achieve this, we employed an H2O2-induced in vitro model and a 3-nitropropionic acid-induced in vivo model of ovarian oxidative stress. We demonstrated that in vitro miR-181a overexpression promoted GC apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner; sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) significantly reversed both H2O2-induced and miR-181a-induced apoptosis in GCs. Moreover, we identified sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1), a critical receptor of S1P, as a novel target of miR-181a in GCs. MicroRNA-181a induced GC apoptosis by repressing S1PR1 expression in vitro. Importantly, increased miR-181a expression and decreased S1PR1 expression were detected in the in vivo ovarian oxidative stress model by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, we found similar expression patterns of miR-181a and S1PR1 in GCs from patients with premature ovarian insufficiency. In conclusion, our results suggest that miR-181a directly suppresses expression of S1PR1, which has critical roles in mediating oxidative stress-induced GC apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo.
Versatility of reproductive modes and ploidy level interactions in Sorbus s.l. (Malinae, Rosaceae)
Authors: Lepší Martin , Koutecký Petr , Nosková Jana , Lepší Petr , Urfus Tomáš , Rich Tim C G
Published: July 2019

This study focuses on the frequency of reproductive modes and the role of reproductive mode variation in diversification of the genus Sorbus s.l. and evolutionary success of individual taxa. Our sampling covers all four ploidies known in Sorbus and includes stabilized taxa and recently formed biotypes. We infer reproductive modes of 3660 seeds using the flow cytometric seed screen method; we also calculated ploidy of contributing pollen. Sorbus shows high variability in reproduction pathways (sexuality, apomixis, formation of BIII hybrids, haploid parthenogenesis). Diploids are sexual, whereas polyploids show predominantly pseudogamous apomixis. In half of the polyploids studied, several reproductive modes were present and even intra-individual variation was detected. Diploids, tetraploids and pentaploids are pollinated by conspecific pollen, whereas triploids are largely, but not fully, dependent on the pollen of other species. In pseudogamous seeds, fertilization of the central cell by both sperms is a dominant pathway of endosperm origin. Flow cytometry of pollen did not detect unreduced pollen at any ploidy. The principal mechanisms of diversification in Sorbus are residual sexuality in apomicts, production of triploid taxa from diploid–tetraploid crosses and production of BIII hybrids. Evolutionary success of Sorbus taxa is largely dependent on the breeding system and is determined by self-(in)compatibility and the interplay between stabilizing apomixis and variation-generating sexuality.
MicroRNA-223 protects neurons from degeneration in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Morquette Barbara , Juźwik Camille A , Drake Sienna S , Charabati Marc , Zhang Yang , Lécuyer Marc-André , Galloway Dylan A , Dumas Aline , de Faria Junior Omar , Paradis-Isler Nicolas , Bueno Mardja , Rambaldi Isabel , Zandee Stephanie , Moore Craig , Bar-Or Amit , Vallières Luc , Prat Alexandre , Fournier Alyson E
Published: July 2019

Dysregulation of miRNAs has been observed in many neurodegenerative diseases, including multiple sclerosis. Morquette et al. show that overexpression of miR-223-3p prevents accumulation of axonal damage in a rodent model of multiple sclerosis, in part through regulation of glutamate receptor signalling. Manipulation of miRNA levels may have therapeutic potential.
Targeting β-tubulin/CCT-β complex induces apoptosis and suppresses migration and invasion of highly metastatic lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Liu Yan-Jin , Chang Yu-Ju , Kuo Yu-Ting , Liang Po-Huang
Published: July 2019

Metastasis, the movement of cancer cells from one site to another, is responsible for the highest number of cancer deaths, especially in lung cancer patients. In this study, we first identified a prognostic marker of lung adenocarcinoma, TCP-1 β subunit (chaperonin-containing TCP-1β; CCT-β). We showed a compound that disrupted the interaction of CCT-β with β-tubulin killed a highly metastatic non-small cell lung cancer cell line CL1-5 through inducing Endoplasmic reticulum stress and caspases activation. Moreover, at the dosage of EC20, the compound inhibited migration and invasion of the lung cancer cells by suppressing matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/9 and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins through downregulating mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), Akt/β-catenin and integrin–focal adhesion kinase signaling pathways. Unlike the anticancer drugs, such as Taxol, that target the adenosine triphosphate site of β-tubulin, this study reveals a therapeutic target, β-tubulin/CCT-β complex, for metastatic human lung adenocarcinoma.

The study demonstrated CCT-β as a prognostic marker. Targeting β-tubulin/CCT-β complex caused apoptosis and inhibited invasion/migration of CCT-β overexpressed, highly metastatic lung adenocarcinoma.