bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Capturing Visible Light in Low‐Band‐Gap C4N‐Derived Responsive Bifunctional Air Electrodes for Solar Energy Conversion and Storage
Authors: Fang Zhengsong , Li Yuan , Li Jing , Shu Chenhao , Zhong Linfeng , Lu Shaolin , Mo Chunshao , Yang Meijia , Yu Dingshan
Published: May 2021

We report facile synthesis of low‐band‐gap mesoporous C4N particles and their use as responsive bifunctional oxygen catalysts for visible‐light‐sensitive (VLS) rechargeable Zn‐air battery (RZAB) and polymer‐air battery (RPAB). Compared to widely studied g‐C3N4, C4N shows a smaller band gap of 1.99 eV, with a larger photocurrent response, and it can function as visible‐light‐harvesting antenna and bifunctional oxygen reduction/evolution (ORR/OER) catalysts, enabling effective photocoupling to tune oxygen catalysis. The C4N‐enabled VLS‐RZAB displays a low charge voltage of 1.35 V under visible light, which is below the theoretical RZAB voltage of 1.65 V, corresponding to a high energy efficiency of 97.78 %. Pairing a C4N cathode with a polymer anode also endows an VLS‐RPAB with light‐boosted charge performance. It is revealed that the ORR and OER active sites in C4N are separate carbon sites near pyrazine‐nitrogen atoms and photogenerated energetic holes can activate OER for improved reaction kinetics.
Investigation of the decomplexation of polyamide/CaCl2 complex toward a green, nondestructive recovery of polyamide from textile waste
Authors: Rietzler Barbara , Manian Avinash P. , Rhomberg Dorian , Bechtold Thomas , Pham Tung
Published: May 2021

The ‘circular economy’ concept envisages deriving the maximum value out of resources and reducing waste to a minimum. In textiles, that includes the recovery of fiber materials out of used clothing and reusing them in the construction of new clothes. Processes such as mechanical separation, depolymerization treatment, and selective dissolutions of individual polymers are applied. We investigate the approach of selective nondestructive dissolution and recovery of polyamide fiber from mixed textile waste by using the solvent system CaCl2/ethanol/water (CEW) based on complexation and decomplexation of polyamide (PA). The results show that PA is precipitated and decomplexed by simple addition of water and a substantial amount of previously incorporated calcium by complexation, is removed. The recovered polyamide shows properties similar to pristine polyamide. Investigation on a mixed textile waste model of polyamide/wool demonstrates that CEW treatment can successfully separate different fiber materials. The nondestructive approach in dissolving PA using CEW, clearly shows the benefit, that PA fiber can be separated by controlled complexation/decomplexation without degradation, thus avoiding the repolymerization step. Furthermore, the solvent system is made of abundantly available materials that are inexpensive and used widely in industrial‐scale operations. Thus, the concept will make significant contribution to a green textile recycling approach.
Nitrogen and Oxygen Functionalization of Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Tuning the Bifunctional Oxygen Reduction/Oxygen Evolution Performance of Supported FeCo Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Kazakova Mariya A. , Koul Adarsh , Golubtsov Georgiy V. , Selyutin Alexander G. , Ishchenko Arcady V. , Kvon Ren I. , Kolesov Boris A. , Schuhmann Wolfgang , Morales Dulce M.
Published: May 2021

The combination of nanostructured transition metal oxides and carbon materials is a promising approach to obtain inexpensive, highly efficient, and stable bifunctional electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction (ORR) and the oxygen evolution (OER) reactions. We present a strategy for improving the bifunctional ORR/OER activity of supported FeCoOx nanoparticles by tuning the properties of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) via nitrogen doping during their synthesis in the presence of ammonia and subsequent oxidative functionalization. In‐depth structural characterization indicates that oxidative treatment provides fine control of the dispersion and localization of FeCoOx nanoparticles in MWCNT, while the optimal degree of nitrogen doping leads to increased bifunctional activity due to enhanced electrical conductivity as well as improved catalyst stability, in both OER and ORR conditions, for nanoparticles formed by two different synthesis routes. The findings reported can be strategically considered for the design of high‐performance reversible ORR/OER electrocatalysts.
How Science Can Contribute to the Remedial Conservation of Cultural Heritage
Authors: Baglioni Piero , Chelazzi David
Published: May 2021

Colloid science is contributing solutions to counteract the degradation of artifacts, favoring their transfer to future generations. Advanced materials such as nanoparticles, coatings, gels and microemulsions have been assessed in conservation, spanning from archeological sites to modern and contemporary art. We give an overview of the fundamental milestones and latest innovations in conservation science, targeting solutions and tools for remedial conservation based on green nanomaterials and hybrid systems. Future perspectives and outstanding challenges in this exciting field are then outlined.
Self‐Assembly of Polyoxometalate‐Resorcin[4]arene‐Based Inorganic‐Organic Complexes: Metal Ion Effects on the Electrochemical Performance of Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Liu Jin‐Hua , Yu Ming‐Yue , Pei Wen‐Yuan , Wang Tianqi , Ma Jian‐Fang
Published: May 2021

With their adjustable structures and diverse functions, polyoxometalate (POM)‐resorcin[4]arene‐based inorganic–organic complexes are a kind of potential multifunctional material. They have potential applications for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). However, the relationship between different coordinated metal ions and electrochemical performance has rarely been investigated. Here, three functionalized POM‐resorcin[4]arene‐based inorganic–organic materials, [Co2(TMR4 A)2(H2O)10][SiW12O40]⋅2 EtOH⋅4.5 H2O (1), [Ni2(TMR4 A)2(H2O)10][SiW12O40]⋅4 EtOH⋅13 H2O (2), and [Zn2(TMR4 A)2(H2O)10][SiW12O40]⋅2 EtOH⋅2 H2O (3), have been synthesized. Furthermore, to enhance the conductivities of these compounds, 1–3 were doped with reduced graphene oxide (RGO) to give composites 1@RGO‐3@RGO, respectively. As anode materials for LIBs, 1@RGO‐3@RGO can deliver very high discharge capacities (1445.9, 1285.0 and 1095.3 mAh g−1, respectively) in the initial run, and show discharge capacities of 898, 665 and 651 mAh g−1, respectively, at a current density of 0.1 A g−1 over 100 runs. More importantly, the discharge capacities of 319, 283 and 329 mAh g−1 were maintained for 1@RGO‐3@RGO even after 400 cycles at large current density (1 A g−1).
Recommendation algorithm based on community structure and user trust
Authors: Lei Guo , Sheng Yang , Shaozi Li , Qingshou Wu , Wensen Yu
Published: May 2021

While contemporary community‐based recommendation algorithms based on a single community structure are more capable of processing large datasets than ever, they lack recommendation precision. This article proposes a collaborative filtering recommendation algorithm that integrates community structure and user implicit trust. The algorithm first applies a method based on the Gaussian function to fill the matrix of item ratings of users to alleviate data sparsity. It then uses the trust matrix to obtain the asymmetric trust relationship of the trustor and trustee, based on which the degree of users' implicit trust is calculated. The users are divided into communities based on the implicit trust degree to determine the influence among users more accurately. The algorithm then predicts the target user's rating using the ratings of users in the community to generate recommendations. To verify the performance of the proposed algorithm, we compared the proposed algorithm with three contemporary algorithms under the same conditions using FilmTrust datasets. The recommendation accuracy as well as the mean absolute error and root mean square error values of the proposed algorithm were better than those of the other four algorithms by approximately 14% and 4%, respectively. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can achieve better recommendation efficiency than existing algorithms.
CSR and investment efficiency in Western European countries
Authors: Khediri Karim Ben
Published: May 2021

The aim of this study is to examine: (i) whether investment efficiency is associated with CSR performance and (ii) whether this relationship varies with the strength of investor protection. Using firm level data from Western European countries, we document a positive association between CSR score and investment efficiency. We further find that the effect of CSR on investment efficiency is driven by the areas Human Ressources, Business Behavior, Corporate Governance, and Human Rights. Finally, we find that the documented association is statistically and economically more significant in countries with stronger investor protection.
Validation of VANET message dissemination algorithms otherwise vulnerable to broadcast storms in urban contexts
Authors: AlQahtani Osama , Sheldon Frederick T.
Published: May 2021

Warning messages in vehicular ad‐hoc networks have strict delay requirements (ie, hard real‐time deadlines) since they are meant to prevent accidents. However, reliable dissemination methods using the common dedicated short‐range communication (DSRC) interface such as pure broadcasting at each vehicle suffer because they are vulnerable to overwhelming the radio channel in high traffic urban contexts where signal propagation is obstructed. This is a well‐known problem called a broadcast storm. This problem can be alleviated by clustering vehicles and coordinating their communications via Cluster Masters—reduced percentages of informed vehicles, especially in urban scenarios, where there are frequent obstacles to the DSRC channels. Therefore, in addition to clustering, this work proposes a novel combination of Cluster Forwarders, that are vehicles elected to help in transmitting messages around obstacles, and fifth generation mobile network as the vehicle‐to‐infrastructure technology to increase the reach of the disseminated messages. New protocols featuring this combination are proposed to tackle broadcast storms focusing on keeping the percentage of informed vehicles as high as possible. Simulation results are presented to show how these new protocols outperform the benchmark ones in terms of percentage of informed vehicles and of dissemination delays.
Investor sentiment and the market reaction to macroeconomic news
Authors: Gu Chen , Chen Denghui , Stan Raluca
Published: May 2021

We provide evidence that the stock market response to macroeconomic news weakens in times of high investor sentiment. The reaction to macroeconomic information is 50% weaker in times of elevated bullish investor sentiment, relative to periods of low sentiment. This dampening effect holds for both good and bad macroeconomic news. Investor sentiment seems to hinder the incorporation of public information into asset prices. Our findings shed new light on how investor sentiment affects the link between fundamentals and security prices.
Palaeoflood events during the last deglaciation in the Yellow River source area on the northeast Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Chen Yinglu , Huang Chun Chang , Zhang Yuzhu , Zhou Yali , Zha Xiaochun , Wang Ninglian , Shang Ruiqing , Rong Xiaoqing , Jia Ya‐na , Wang Haoyu
Published: May 2021

Palaeoflood records have provided the extended perspective required to understand linkages between extreme floods and climate variability. During our palaeo‐hydrological investigations, two units of palaeoflood slackwater deposits (SWD) were found on the river banks in the Maqu‐Oula reach along the mainstream of the Yellow River on the northeast (NE) Tibetan Plateau. A series of samples were taken from the sediment profiles at Taiwuruo (TWR) and Daerqiong (DEQ) sites for laboratory analysis. Grain‐size distribution and micro‐morphological characteristics of quartz grains indicate that these well‐sorted SWD units were derived from the suspended sediment load in floodwater. They have recorded two episodes of overbank flooding in the Yellow River source area. Using the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating technique, the first episode of overbank flooding was dated to 13.6–13.0 ka and correlated with the Bølling–Allerød warm interval of the last deglaciation. The second episode occurred at 11.0–10.0 ka, that is, the early Holocene. In a warm‐humid climate, these overbank flooding episodes may have resulted from the accelerated melting of mountain glaciers and snow over the headwaters of the alpine and subalpine regions on the NE Tibetan Plateau. These results are important in facilitating an in‐depth understanding of the hydro‐climatic response of the Tibetan Plateau to global climate warming occurring presently.
Relationship between regional gray matter volumes and dopamine D2 receptor and transporter in living human brains
Authors: Kurose Shin , Kubota Manabu , Takahata Keisuke , Yamamoto Yasuharu , Fujiwara Hironobu , Kimura Yasuyuki , Ito Hiroshi , Takeuchi Hiroyoshi , Mimura Masaru , Suhara Tetsuya , Higuchi Makoto
Published: May 2021

Although striatal dopamine neurotransmission is believed to be functionally linked to the formation of the corticostriatal network, there has been little evidence for this regulatory process in the human brain and its disruptions in neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we aimed to investigate associations of striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) and D2 receptor availabilities with gray matter (GM) volumes in healthy humans. Positron emission tomography images of D2 receptor (n = 34) and DAT (n = 17) captured with the specific radioligands [11C]raclopride and [18F]FE‐PE2I, respectively, were acquired along with T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging data in our previous studies, and were re‐analyzed in this work. We quantified the binding potentials (BPND) of these radioligands in the limbic, executive, and sensorimotor functional subregions of the striatum. Correlations between the radioligand BPND and regional GM volume were then examined by voxel‐based morphometry. In line with the functional and anatomical connectivity, [11C]raclopride BPND in the limbic striatum was positively correlated with volumes of the uncal/parahippocampal gyrus and adjacent temporal areas. Similarly, we found positive correlations between the BPND of this radioligand in the executive striatum and volumes of the prefrontal cortices and their adjacent areas as well as between the BPND in the sensorimotor striatum and volumes of the somatosensory and supplementary motor areas. By contrast, no significant correlation was found between [18F]FE‐PE2I BPND and regional GM volumes. Our results suggest unique structural and functional corticostriatal associations involving D2 receptor in healthy humans, which might be partially independent of the nigrostriatal pathway reflected by striatal DAT.
Resource generation challenges for burn care in Iran
Authors: Shaarbafchizadeh Nasrin , Amini‐Rarani Mostafa , Mohammadi Farzaneh
Published: May 2021

Background

Given the importance of investment in human and physical resources and knowledge in burn injuries for improving health service performance, this study endeavoured to identify resource production challenges in the burn care of Iran.

Methods

In this descriptive qualitative study, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 21 key informants. The purposive sampling method was applied to select interviewees, and data collection through interviews was continued to achieve data saturation. Using the framework of Adams et al. for health resource production, the directed content analysis approach was undertaken to analyse the qualitative data.

Results

Three main themes and seven sub‐themes were identified, and the main themes (sub‐themes) were human (the lack of motivation, job stressors and the lack of clinical staff), physical (capital resources and consumables) and intellectual (burn care education and staff training) resources.

Conclusion

In general, investment in different areas would help provide better burn services, including educating and empowering employees, motivating through identifying and defining their needs, and considering points for job stressors as work hardship, burnout and workplace harassment. Other areas of investment are increasing the recruitment of burn section personnel, providing burn specialized equipment and updating them, providing standard physical space, and supplying consumables such as medicines and dressings.
Accurate prediction of the properties of materials using the CAM‐B3LYP density functional
Authors: Li Musen , Reimers Jeffrey R. , Ford Michael J. , Kobayashi Rika , Amos Roger D.
Published: May 2021

Density functionals with asymptotic corrections to the long‐range potential provide entry‐level methods for calculations on molecules that can sustain charge transfer, but similar applications in materials science are rare. We describe an implementation of the CAM‐B3LYP range‐separated functional within the Vienna Ab‐initio Simulation Package (VASP) framework, together with its analytical functional derivatives. Results obtained for eight representative materials: aluminum, diamond, graphene, silicon, NaCl, MgO, 2D h‐BN, and 3D h‐BN, indicate that CAM‐B3LYP predictions embody mean‐absolute deviations (MAD) compared to HSE06 that are reduced by a factor of six for lattice parameters, four for quasiparticle band gaps, three for the lowest optical excitation energies, and six for exciton binding energies. Further, CAM‐B3LYP appears competitive compared to ab initio G0W0 and Bethe‐Salpeter equation approaches. The CAM‐B3LYP implementation in VASP was verified by comparison of optimized geometries and reaction energies for isolated molecules taken from the ACCDB database, evaluated in large periodic unit cells, to analogous results obtained using Gaussian basis sets. Using standard GW pseudopotentials and energy cutoffs for the plane‐wave calculations and the aug‐cc‐pV5Z basis set for the atomic‐basis ones, the MAD in energy for 1738 chemical reactions was 0.34 kcal mol−1, while for 480 unique bond lengths this was 0.0036 Å; these values reduced to 0.28 kcal mol−1 (largest error 0.94 kcal mol−1) and 0.0009 Å by increasing the plane‐wave cutoff energy to 850 eV.
Hail characteristics in Serbia based on data obtained from the network of hail suppression system stations
Authors: Nađ Julijana , Vujović Dragana , Vučković Vladan
Published: May 2021

Serbia is located in the mid‐latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere and is exposed to frequent hailfall. Consequently, a hail suppression system was gradually developed during the last 54 years. In this study, data from densely distributed hail suppression stations were used to better understand the hail characteristics. Two data subsets are differentiated: the first from the territory of Serbia, excluding the northern province of Vojvodina, during 1981–2015 (P1) and the second from the entire territory of Serbia during 2002–2015 (P2). The distribution of hail size shifted to smaller diameters in P2 compared to P1. The hailfall lasted less than 5 min in about 75% of events while the duration was greater than or equal to 10 min in only 8%. The influence of Serbia's complex orography on hailfall is reflected in the greater average annual number of days with hailfall in mountainous areas, with a maximum mean value of 1.2 in the southwestern part of Serbia, while the maximum number was 2.7. Hail and small hail occurred mainly in the afternoon and evening, with 92.24% of cases being observed from 12:00 to 21:00 local time (UTC + 1). A positive monotonic trend in the annual number of days with hailfall was observed. In both subsets, there was no statistically significant trend in hail frequency. The average seasonal duration of hail and small hail falls showed a decreasing trend in P1. Results showed that the first occurrence of hail falls did not appear earlier in the season.
A Novel Performance‐Based Paradigm of Care for Cochlear Implant Follow‐Up
Authors: Grisel Jedidiah , Miller Sharon , Schafer Erin C.
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Utilize a multi‐institutional outcomes database to determine expected performance for adult cochlear implant (CI) users. Estimate the percentage of patients who are high performers and achieve performance plateau.

Study Design

Retrospective database study.

Methods

Outcomes from 9,448 implantations were mined to identify 804 adult, unilateral recipients who had one preoperative and at least one postoperative consonant‐nucleus‐consonant (CNC) word score. Results were examined to determine percent‐correct CNC word recognition preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after activation. Outcomes from 318 similar patients who also had at least three postoperative CNC word scores were examined. Linear mixed‐effects regression was used to examine CNC word performance over time. The time when each patient achieved maximum performance was recorded as a surrogate for time of performance plateau. Patients were assigned as candidates for less intense follow‐up if they were high performers and achieved performance plateau.

Results

Among 804 patients with at least one postoperative score, CNC score improved at all time intervals. Average performance after the 3‐month time interval was 47.2% to 51.5%, indicating a CNC ≥ 50% cutoff for high performers. Among 318 patients with at least three postoperative scores, performance improved from 1 to 3 (P = .001), 3 to 6 (P = .001), and 6 to 12 (P = .01) months. Scores from the 12‐ and 24‐month intervals did not significantly differ (P = .09). By 12 months after activation, 59.7% of patients were considered candidates for less intense follow‐up.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that CNC ≥ 50% is a reasonable cutoff to separate high performers from low performers. Within 12 months after activation, 59.7% of patients were good candidates for less intense follow‐up.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 132:S1–S10, 2022
Beneficial Effects of Treatment With Low‐Fluence 755‐nm Q‐Switched Alexandrite Laser for Nevus of Ota
Authors: Wu Xiaojin , Wang Xue , Shang Ying , Xu Hui , Zhang Zhen
Published: May 2021

Background and Objective

Nevus of Ota is a benign dermal and mucosal melanocytic nevus that can be cured by Q‐switched lasers. However, the incidence rate of post‐treatment hyperpigmentation in Asian patients remains high. Low‐fluence Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser (QSNY) has been proved effective in the early treatment of nevus of Ota. Q‐switched alexandrite laser (QSAL) was found to achieve a higher success rate and lower complication rate than QSNY. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of low‐fluence 755 nm QSAL in the treatment of nevus of Ota.

Materials and Methods

A total of 81 patients with nevus of Ota were retrospectively evaluated. Among them, 39 went through the high‐fluence QSAL (3 mm spot, 5.0–8.0 J/cm2) and 42 were treated by low‐fluence QSAL (5 mm spot, 2.2–2.8 J/cm2). Treatments were given every 6 months three times. Standard photos of the lesions were taken to evaluate the efficacy. All adverse events were noted.

Results

The low‐fluence QSAL group achieved a significantly higher mean efficacy score than the high‐fluence QSAL group after the first treatment (3.62 ± 0.85 vs. 2.9 ± 0.79, P < 0.001) and at the final follow‐up visit (4.52 ± 0.63 vs. 4.03 ± 0.96, P < 0.05). Post‐inflammation hyperpigmentation rate was significantly lower in the low‐fluence QSAL group than in the high‐fluence QSAL group (4.8% vs. 25.6%, P < 0.001). No patient reported hyperkeratosis, scarring, bleeding, skin textural change, or recurrence at the final visit in either group.

Conclusion

The low‐fluence QSAL is more effective and safer than the traditional high‐fluence QSAL because of its better clinical outcome and lower complication rate in the treatment of nevus of Ota. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Preparation of Nanoparticle‐Containing Ring‐Implanted Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Contact Lens for Sustained Release of Hyaluronic Acid
Authors: Akbari Elham , Imani Rana , Shokrollahi Parvin , Heidari keshel Saeed
Published: May 2021

Here, a novel ring‐implanted poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) contact lens (CL) is fabricated and evaluated as a therapeutic CL with potential of sustained release of hyaluronic acid (HA). HA is loaded on chitosan (CS) nanoparticles (NPs) and then the HA‐loaded NPs are dispersed in a ring shape PVA hydrogel which is implanted in the final PVA CL. Results show that HA is successfully loaded on NPs (520 ± 18 nm) with loading efficacy of 87% and loading capacity of 50%. The CL hydrogel has a 275% swelling ratio, no degradation during 14 days, 97% light transmittance, and desirable rheological stability under physiological shear force. The release data show a sustained release for HA from the ring implanted CL up to 14 days. The cellular study reveals no corneal epithelial cell cytotoxicity and cell attachment on the CL. The study demonstrates the successful application of the ring‐implanted CL to sustain the delivery of HA for treating the dry eye syndrome.
Advances in Bessel image sharpness analysis
Authors: Don Arjuna P. H. , Peters James F.
Published: May 2021

This paper introduces advances in the use of Bessel functions (cylinder functions) in achieving optimal sharpness of shapes delineated by collections of holes (dark valley regions) and bright regions in different areas of a video frame in terms of 4D voxels (grayscale video frame picture elements with coordinates (x, y, g, t) at location x, y with intensity g, and elapsed time t). An image hole is an island of low voxel intensities surrounded by varying voxel intensity peaks. The basic approach is to identify dominant collections of lights (high voxel intensity peaks) and darks (low voxel intensity clusters) in video frames. A main finding in this paper is that surface objects (recorded in images) are sharper wherever there are preponderant contrasting differences between image lights and darks. These contrasting differences lead to the highly accurate detection of shape holes (dark valleys) that delineate surface shapes recorded in sequences of video frames. With the use of cylindrical Bessel functions introduced by F. W. Bessel in 1824, contrasting differences between peaks and valleys can be measured in terms of voxel intensities and voxel indices.
Activation of TRPM8 channel inhibits contraction of the isolated human ureter
Authors: Liu Jiaxin , Liu Lei , Zhao Mengmeng , Ding Ning , Ge Nan , Daugherty Stephanie L. , Beckel Jonathan M. , Wang Shaoyong , Zhang Xiulin
Published: May 2021

Aims

The transient receptor potential melastin‐8 (TRPM8) channel is a “cooling” receptor expressed in primary sensory neurons and can be activated by compounds like menthol or icilin. TRPM8 is involved in the regulation of urinary bladder sensory function and contraction, but the role of TRPM8 in the ureter, particularly in the human ureter, is poorly understood. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of TRPM8 activation on human ureter contraction.

Methods

Human ureters were acquired from 20 patients undergoing radical nephrectomy. Contractions of ureter strips were recorded by an isometric transducer in the organ bath. Ureteral TRPM8 expression in the human ureter was examined by immunofluorescence and western blot.

Results

The two TRPM8 agonists menthol and icilin both reduced the frequency of spontaneous, electrical field stimulation, or neurokinin A‐evoked ureteral contractions in a dose‐dependent manner. The inhibitory effects were decreased by 10‐fold in mucosa‐denuded strips. The inhibitory effects of TRPM8 agonists were mimicked by calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP), and were blocked by KRP2579 (a TRPM8 antagonist), tetrodotoxin (a sodium channel blocker), olcegepant (BIBN, a CGRP receptor antagonist), SQ22536 (an adenylate cyclase antagonist), or H89 (a nonspecific cAMP‐dependent protein kinase A inhibitor). TRPM8 was coexpressed with CGRP on the nerves located in the suburothelial and intermuscular regions and was not expressed in the urothelium.

Conclusions

The TRPM8 channel expressed on sensory nerve terminals of the human ureter is involved in the inhibitory sensory neurotransmission and modulate ureter contraction via the CGRP–adenylyl cyclase–protein kinase A pathway. TRPM8 may be involved in stone‐induced changes in ureter contraction or pain.
Urethral bulking agents for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women: A systematic review
Authors: Hoe Venetia , Haller Britt , Yao Henry H. , O'Connell Helen E.
Published: May 2021

Aims

To perform a systematic review to assess and compare the efficacy and safety of all urethral bulking agents (UBAs) available for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women.

Methods

This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guideline. A systematic search was conducted using the Ovid Medline, Embase and PubMed databases. Studies were included if they involved women who underwent either Bulkamid®, Macroplastique®, Durasphere®, Coaptite®, or Urolastic® injections for the treatment of SUI. A total of 583 articles were screened with 56 articles included. A qualitative analysis was performed.

Results

The newer synthetic UBAs are not inferior to Contigen®, with variable mean success rates of 30%–80% in the short‐term. Better long‐term success rates were found with Bulkamid® (42%–70%), Coaptite® (60%–75%), and Macroplastique® (21%–80%) on qualitative review. Urinary tract infection rates were similar between bulking agents (4%–10.6%) although temporary acute urinary retention was more commonly associated with Coaptite® (mean: 34.2%), and de novo urgency in Durasphere® (mean: 24.7%). Significant complications such as migration into lymph nodes was reported with Durasphere®. Erosion was reported with Macroplastique®, Coaptite®, and Urolastic®, with a rate as high as 24.6% in one study of Urolastic®.

Conclusion

Available data support the use of Bulkamid® and Macroplastique®, which has shown a short‐term efficacy of 30%–90% and 40%–85% respectively, and long‐term efficacy of 42%–70%, and 21%–80%, respectively. Bulkamid® appears to have a more favorable safety profile, with no cases of erosion or migration of product associated with its use. Direct comparisons of UBAs have not been performed.
Synthesis of control Lyapunov functions and stabilizing feedback strategies using exit‐time optimal control Part II: Numerical approach
Authors: Yegorov Ivan , Dower Peter M. , Grüne Lars
Published: May 2021

This paper continues the study (Yegorov, Dower, and Grüne et al.) and develops a curse‐of‐dimensionality‐free numerical approach to feedback stabilization, whose theoretical foundation was built in Yegorov et al. and involved the characterization of control Lyapunov functions (CLFs) via exit‐time optimal control. First, we describe an auxiliary linearization‐based technique for the construction of a local CLF and discuss how to determine its appropriate sublevel set that can serve as the terminal set in the exit‐time optimal control problem leading to a global or semi‐global CLF. Next, the curse of complexity is addressed with regard to the approximation of CLFs and associated feedback strategies in high‐dimensional regions. The goal is to enable for efficient model predictive control implementations with essentially faster (though less accurate) online policy updates than in case of solving direct or characteristics‐based nonlinear programming problems for each sample instant. We propose a computational approach that combines gradient enhanced modifications of the Kriging and inverse distance weighting frameworks for scattered grid interpolation. It in particular allows for convenient offline inclusion of new data to improve obtained approximations (machine learning can be used to select relevant new sparse grid nodes). Moreover, our method is designed so as to a priori return proper values of the CLF interpolant and its gradient on the entire terminal set of the considered exit‐time optimal control problem. Supporting numerical simulation results are also presented.
Use of hydrochlorothiazide and risk of skin cancer in a large nested case‐control study in Spain
Authors: León‐Muñoz Luz M. , Duarte‐Salles Talita , Llorente Ana , Díaz Yesika , Puente Diana , Pottegård Anton , Montero‐Corominas Dolores , Huerta Consuelo
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) use has been linked to skin cancer in northern European countries. We assessed the association between HCTZ exposure and risk of malignant melanoma (MM) and keratinocyte carcinoma (KC) in a European Mediterranean population.

Methods

Two parallel nested case‐control studies were conducted in Spain using two electronic primary healthcare databases, each one providing data on both exposure and outcomes: SIDIAP and BIFAP. Cancer cases were matched to 10 controls by age and gender through risk‐set sampling. The ORs and 95% CI for MM and KC associated with previous HCTZ use were estimated using conditional logistic regression. In BIFAP, KC cases were further identified as basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Results

In adjusted analyses, both ever and cumulative high (≥50,000 mg) use of HCTZ were associated with an increased risk of KC. The risk estimates for high use were 1.30 (1.26–1.34) in SIDIAP and 1.20 (1.12–1.30) in BIFAP, with a lower risk for BCC (1.11 [1.02–1.21]) than for SCC (1.71 [1.45–2.02]). A dose–response relationship was observed between cumulative doses of HCTZ and KC risk. Inconsistent results were found for high use of HCTZ and risk of MM: 1.25 (1.09–1.43) in SIDIAP and 0.85 (0.64–1.13) in BIFAP.

Conclusions

In this European Mediterranean population, a high cumulative use of HCTZ was related to an increased risk of KC with a clear dose–response pattern.
Modulation of the Physical Properties of Lead Zirconate by the Stress‐Induced Structural Defects
Authors: Sirota Marina , Abdulvakhidov Kamaludin , Lastovina Tatiana , Pnevskaya Anna , Ubushaeva Elza , Plyaka Pavel , Nazarenko Alexander , Vitchenko Marina , Mardasova Irina , Budnyk Andriy
Published: May 2021

The influence of the stress‐induced structural defects in PbZrO3 on its structural, optical, and dielectric properties is studied systematically for the first time. The PbZrO3 ceramics is prepared by a conventional solid state synthesis. The structural defects in PbZrO3 are generated by the combined action of mechanical compression due to applied pressure in the 40–320 MPa range and the shear strain appearing in the rotating Bridgman anvils. The pressure dependencies of the cell parameters, the mean size of coherent scattering regions and the microstrain, the Debye characteristic temperature, and the isotropic Debye–Waller factor are calculated from processing the X‐ray diffraction (XRD) data and commented on. The local structure around Pb and Zr atoms is probed with the X‐ray absorption near edge structure (XANES). This approach demonstrates the possibility of controlling the dielectric, electronic, and structural parameters of PbZrO3 by changing the concentration of the stress‐induced structural defects.
Impact of Defect Engineering on High‐Power Devices
Authors: Vobecký Jan
Published: May 2021

Processing of electrical power at megawatt to gigawatt level in the industry, traction, and transmission and distribution requires high‐power devices with a blocking capability up to 10 kV. The mainstream ones require high‐purity silicon wafers with the lowest possible defect content (contamination) and maximal homogeneity of resistivity and thickness. To satisfy current ratings in a typical range of 1–6 kA, single diode or thyristor may occupy nearly the whole 100–150 mm silicon wafer. In addition to the doping profile optimization and gettering in the front‐end processes, the devices are subject to defect engineering to adjust uniformly or locally the recombination lifetime of carriers. In insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), it is also about dopant activation below 500 °C. Satisfaction of all extremal demands laid on those devices is not possible without the knowledge developed by defect engineering community in the past decades. Some relevant industrial examples of screening the contamination in typical production of silicon high‐power devices are demonstrated as well as the advanced defect engineering methods for increasing device functionality and power density.
Rethinking remittance: The socioeconomic dynamics of giving for migrants and nonmigrants
Authors: Cohen Jeffrey H. , Zotova Natalia
Published: May 2021

The World Bank notes that officially recorded remittances reached $689 billion in 2018, including $529 billion to low‐ and middle‐income countries. While these figures are mind‐boggling and potentially render the act of migration as a clear decision, they do not communicate the social challenges that result for movers and nonmovers around migration and remitting. Our article is organized to better understand the complexities that surround remittances and the act of remitting. Based on research in Mexico and Tajikistan, we argue that while remittances are critical to household successes and can create a pathway to growth and economic success, they can also destabilize and undermine local practices as movers and nonmovers rethink life; engage in new kinds of labor; and reconsider their roles, responsibilities, and more. In the second part of our article, we argue that the dynamic effects of remittances are minimized and ignored, while their role in driving economic development is celebrated. Understanding remittance practices demands that we rethink academic boundaries and use ethnographic work to reconsider the centrality that development and economic growth often hold in our evaluations.
Synthesis and Applications of Nanostructured Hollow Transition Metal Chalcogenides
Authors: Dai Meng , Wang Rui
Published: May 2021

Nanostructures with well‐defined structures and rich active sites occupy an important position for efficient energy storage and conversion. Recent studies have shown that a transition metal chalcogenide (TMC) has a unique structure, such as diverse structural morphology, excellent stability, high efficiency, etc., and is used in the fields of electrochemistry and catalysis. The nanohollow structure metal chalcogenide has broad application prospects due to the existence of a large number of active sites and a wide internal space, allowing a large number of ions and electrons to be transported. Summarizing synthetic strategies of nanostructured hollow transition metal sulfides (HTMC) and their applications in the field of energy storage and conversion is discussed here. Through some representative examples, the fabrication and properties of various hollow structures are analyzed, which prompt some emerging nanoengineering designs to be applied to transition metal chalcogenides. It is hoped that the construction of the HTMC will lead to a deeper understanding for the further exploration of energy storage and conversion.
Metal–Organic Frameworks for Photocatalytic Water Splitting
Authors: Nguyen Ha L.
Published: May 2021

Various photocatalysts have been developed for photocatalytic water splitting—one of the most important processes that produces dihydrogen as clean energy for fuel cells. The successful achievements for this application are based mainly on transition metal oxides and some metal sulfides/nitrides. Recently, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), a class of hybrid functional materials comprising organic backbone tethered infinitively in limitless way by metal‐oxide clusters, both of which can be customized accurately at the molecular level for targeted applications, have been able to photocatalytically degrade water. Herein, it is first aimed to comprehensively review fundamentals of water splitting catalyzed by semiconductor photocatalysts, which casts light on understanding of challenges in this area, thus providing strategies for development, if not rational design, of visible‐light‐driven MOFs that are capable of degrading water to hydrogen and oxygen. The recent advancements of using MOF photocatalysts for water splitting are further described in a way that benchmark achievements and limitations are considered so that the readers can imagine the big picture in this field and pay considerable attention to future solutions.
Negotiations in scientific argumentation: An interpersonal analysis
Authors: Governor Donna , Lombardi Doug , Duffield Catie
Published: May 2021

Argumentation enables students to engage in real world scientific practices by rationalizing claims grounded in supporting evidence. Student engagement in scientific argumentation activates the negotiation process by which students develop and defend evidence‐based claims. Little is known, however, on the intricate process and potential patterns of negotiation between students during scientific argumentation. The present study seeks to fill this gap by exploring how a group of university science education students negotiated when evaluating the relationship between lines of evidence and alternative explanatory models of a phenomena (i.e., climate change). This research, theoretically grounded in social constructionism, used Halliday's model of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) within a discourse analysis framework. The authors analyzed transcripts of student conversations during a model‐evidence link activity to gain insights into patterns of negotiation. An interpersonal analysis centering on mood and moves revealed students' ability to engage in the negotiation component of scientific argumentation to make assertions about relations between evidence and models. Effective collaboration resulting in group consensus of the relationship (categorized as supports, strongly supports, or contradicts) was facilitated by the use of interrogatives, modulation, and a balanced contribution between group members. Conversely, negotiation which did not reach consensus featured less balanced discussion among group members, contained more interruptions, more conflict moves, and double polarity clauses.
Adenine functionalized antibacterial PVC with both photo and thermal stability
Authors: Abdel‐Monem Reham A. , El‐Sayed Ahmed A. , Abdelhamid Ahmed E. , Rabie Samira T.
Published: May 2021

Adenine was used as a precursor to obtain antibacterial poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). Adenine functionalized PVC has been prepared, characterized, and its antibacterial activity was evaluated. Chemical modification reaction of PVC was performed with adenine in two molar ratios (2:1 and 4:1). Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and 1HNMR spectroscopic analyses confirmed the chemical structure of the adenine‐modified PVC and indicated the incorporation of adenine molecule in the backbone chains of PVC. Photostability of the prepared modified PVC was determined by measuring the changes in molecular weights using Gel permeation chromatography technique as well as the extent of discoloration of UV irradiated samples while thermal stability was studied by measuring the rate of dehydrochlorination and thermogravimetric analysis. Morphological investigation in terms of scanning electron microscopy was studied. Antibacterial activities of the two modified PVC samples were investigated against two types of Gram‐positive bacterial strains (Bacillus subtitles, Staphylococcus aurous, and Streptococcus faecalis) while the other types (Escherichia coli, Neisseria gonorrhea, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) represented the Gram‐negative type bacteria. Antibacterial activity of PVC‐adenine blend was also investigated for comparison. Minimum inhibition concentration was performed for some PVC samples under study.
Nonlocal response of multi‐field coupling elastic medium based on fractional order strain
Authors: Ma Yongbin , Wang Le , Huang Fei
Published: May 2021

In this work, a three‐dimensional model of the generalized thermoelasticity with fractional order stain and nonlocal effect is established. Nonlocal effect is used to depict size‐dependence feature and fractional order strain is considered to describe memory‐dependence properties. The Laplace and double Fourier transform techniques are applied to the three‐dimensional half‐space model subjected to thermal shock and traction free surface. A complex inversion formula of the transform with the techniques of the Fourier expansion been applied to obtain the inverses of double Fourier transforms, and Laplace transforms. Numerical results for the temperature, stress, strain and displacement are represented graphically based on various values of the fractional order strain parameter and elastic nonlocal parameter. The fractional order strain and nonlocal parameter has a limited effect on the thermal waves while it has significant effects on the mechanical waves.
Climate Change Resistant Energy Sources for Global Adaptation
Authors: Ife-Adediran Oluwatobi Ololade , Aboyewa Oluyemi Bright
Published: May 2021

A holistic response and adaptation to climatic vicissitudes and extreme conditions as well as their associated risks to human and ecological sustainability must adequately cater for energy needs and optimization. An interventional approach should, among other measures, seek to improve the resilience of existing and prospective energy systems to climate change. The structured and policy-driven nature of adaptation measures require a bottom-up proactive approach that envisages the performance and efficiency of these systems, especially in terms of their sensitivity and vulnerability to changing climate conditions. Therefore, this chapter seeks to scrutinize various sources of energy concerning their resistance capabilities to climate change in the face of increasing global energy demands and consumption. Renewable and conventional energy sources are co-examined and compared vis-à-vis the current trends and predictions on climatic factors that are bearing on their principles of production, supply, and distribution. Findings from this chapter will serve as assessment tools for decision makers and corroborate other ongoing discourse on climate actions towards socioeconomic development and a sustainable environment.
Indigenous and Scientific Forecasts on Climate Change Perceptions of Arable Farmers: Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda
Authors: Nkuba Michael Robert , Chanda Raban , Mmopelwa Gagoitseope , Adedoyin Akintayo , Mangheni Margaret Najjingo , Lesolle David , Kato Edward
Published: May 2021

Despite the dissemination of climate information from national meteorological systems, arable farmers still have challenges of dealing with climate-related risks. This study investigated the effect of using indigenous knowledge-based forecasts (IFs) and scientific knowledge-based forecasts (SFs) on the climate change perceptions of arable farmers in the Rwenzori region, Western Uganda. Data on socio-economic characteristics, use of forecasts, and climate change perceptions was collected from 580 arable farmers and the probit model was used in the analysis. The findings indicated that use of IFs only increased the likelihood of perceiving increase in the frequency in occurrences of droughts and floods. Using both SFs and IFs had a significant positive effect on perception of unpredictable rains and the increase in drought incidence among arable farmers. Although forecasts are important drivers of perceptions, other factors, such as gender, social capital, and dissemination of climate change information by radio, enhance climate change perceptions. Active participation of arable farmers in the dissemination of forecasts by national meteorological services could improve perceptions of climate related risks.