bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Calcium-doped TiO2 microspheres and near-infrared carbazole-based sensitizer for efficient co-sensitized dye-sensitized solar cell
Authors: Devadiga Dheeraj , Selvakumar M. , Devadiga Deepak , Paramasivam Selvaraj , Ahipa T. N. , Shetty Prakasha , Kumar S. Senthil
Published: March 2023

Here, we synthesized metal-free organic dye (CCPICPB) with two carbazole donor groups and two anchoring groups that exhibit a panchromatic absorption in the near-infrared range of up to 750 nm. To study the photophysical properties of synthesized CCPICPB dye, the UV–Vis and cyclic voltammetric experiments were studied and the obtained results were validated with theoretical simulation studies. After that, the solvothermal approach is used to synthesize pristine anatase and calcium (Ca)-doped TiO2 microspheres with a smooth morphology. These microstructures are examined in depth using XRD, electron microscopy and electrochemical analysis methods. On TiO2 and Ca-doped TiO2 photoanode materials, we first evaluated the performance of CCPICPB dye. Upon our optimized experimental condition, the 3% Ca-TiO2 photoanode-based device exhibits an efficiency of 4.04%, which is greater than that of the pristine TiO2 photoanode-based device (2.93%). Because of the quicker electron transport in the Ca-TiO2 film, the short-circuit current density and efficiency of DSSCs were improved. Moreover, when the CCPICPB dye was used as a co-sensitizer with the common Ru(II) dye (Z907), interestingly it showed the highest efficiency (6.11%) when compared with Z907 alone (5.12%). This improved efficiency of the co-sensitized device resulted from greater VOC conjugated with improved JSC. The JSC was improved because CCPICB dye could compensate for the photocurrent loss caused by redox electrolyte while the VOC was improved because electron recombination was inhibited under the co-sensitization conditions.

Graphical abstract
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Gamblers of East Asian Descent in Australia: A Comprehensive Review of Current Evidence
Authors: Rowlatt Victoria , Wraith Darren , Doan Thuy-Vi Minh , Malatzky Christina
Published: March 2023

As a country with one of the highest per capita gambling losses per year in the world, and an evolving multicultural profile, Australia has become an important setting in which to examine the harms and benefits related to gambling. The Australian population includes people from East Asian cultural backgrounds who are a key demographic of interest for gambling operators planning to grow revenue. However, Australian gambling research has concentrated primarily on those belonging to the dominant cultural group. Most of the previous and limited number of studies to examine gambling among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) residents have focused on people of Chinese descent, and much of the literature is now becoming relatively old. This review examines the current evidence around cultural variations in gambling prevalence, motivations, beliefs, behaviours, and help service utilisation, focusing on gamblers with an East Asian cultural background. Numerous domains in which gambling motivations and behaviours vary across cultural groups are identified, and methodological considerations related to ethnographic gambling research are discussed. This review found that while barriers and predictors to help-seeking for CALD gamblers have been studied extensively, contemporary evidence of help service utilisation and effectiveness in Australia is lacking. Further research providing an accurate assessment of the impacts of gambling for CALD gamblers is needed to ensure that harm minimisation resources are effective for those most vulnerable to harm.
Learning-based importance sampling via stochastic optimal control for stochastic reaction networks
Authors: Ben Hammouda Chiheb , Ben Rached Nadhir , Tempone Raúl , Wiechert Sophia
Published: March 2023

We explore efficient estimation of statistical quantities, particularly rare event probabilities, for stochastic reaction networks. Consequently, we propose an importance sampling (IS) approach to improve the Monte Carlo (MC) estimator efficiency based on an approximate tau-leap scheme. The crucial step in the IS framework is choosing an appropriate change of probability measure to achieve substantial variance reduction. This task is typically challenging and often requires insights into the underlying problem. Therefore, we propose an automated approach to obtain a highly efficient path-dependent measure change based on an original connection in the stochastic reaction network context between finding optimal IS parameters within a class of probability measures and a stochastic optimal control formulation. Optimal IS parameters are obtained by solving a variance minimization problem. First, we derive an associated dynamic programming equation. Analytically solving this backward equation is challenging, hence we propose an approximate dynamic programming formulation to find near-optimal control parameters. To mitigate the curse of dimensionality, we propose a learning-based method to approximate the value function using a neural network, where the parameters are determined via a stochastic optimization algorithm. Our analysis and numerical experiments verify that the proposed learning-based IS approach substantially reduces MC estimator variance, resulting in a lower computational complexity in the rare event regime, compared with standard tau-leap MC estimators.
Flower color modification through co-overexpression of the VtF3′5′H and RhNHX genes in Rosa hybrida
Authors: Xu Junping , Shin Ju Young , Park Pil Man , An Hye Ryun , Kim Yae-Jin , Kim Se Jin , Lee Su Young
Published: March 2023

Roses (Rosa hybrida) are a highly merchandised flower but lack blue varieties. Overexpression of the flavonoid 3′,5′-hydroxylase (F3′5′H) gene can increase the accumulation of blue pigment (delphinidin anthocyanin). However, sometimes the effect of F3′5′H gene alone is inadequate for producing blue flowers. Furthermore, the internal environment of the cell, such as an increase in pH, can also help the conversion of anthocyanins to blue pigments. Nonetheless, genetic engineering methods can simultaneously introduce multiple genes at the same time to regulate the development of blue pigments to achieve the ultimate breeding goal of producing blue color in roses. In the present study, to simultaneously adjust the accumulation of delphinidin and vacuolar pH, we introduced the Viola tricolor flavonoid 3′,5′-hydroxylase (VtF3′5′H) and Rosa hybrida Na+/H+ exchanger (RhNHX) genes into the white rose line “KR056002” using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) results showed that the heterologous genes in the transgenic lines were highly expressed in petals and leaves, and simultaneously promoted the expression of related anthocyanin synthesis structural genes. Obvious color changes were observed in both petals and young leaves, especially when petals changed from white to red-purple. The formation of delphinidin was not detected in the petals of control plants, whereas the petals of transgenic lines had higher delphinidin content (135–214 μg/l) and increased pH value (0.45–0.53) compared with those of control plants.
The role of alternative energy and globalization in decarbonization prospects of the oil-producing African economies
Authors: Onifade Stephen Taiwo , Erdoğan Savaş , Alola Andrew Adewale
Published: March 2023

This study assesses the environmental impacts of the energy mix of mainly oil-producing African nations. The economic aspects of decarbonization prospects were also viewed from the perspectives of fossil energy dependence among the countries. More insights on the impacts of energy mix on decarbonization prospects were also provided on a country-specific analysis basis via the application of second-generation econometric techniques in assessing carbon emission levels across the countries between 1990 and 2015. From the results, only renewable resources proved to be a significant decarbonization tool among the understudied oil-rich economies. Moreover, the consequences of the trio of fossil fuel consumption, income growth, and globalization are diametrically opposed to achieving decarbonization as the rise in their usage significantly acts as pollutant-inducing tools. The validity of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) conjecture was also upheld for the combined analysis of the panel countries. The study thus opined that the reduction in conventional energy dependence will enhance environmental quality. Consequently, given the advantages of the geographical locations of these countries in Africa, concerted strategies for more investment in clean renewable energy sources like solar and wind were suggested to policymakers among other recommendations.
The Ethics of Overlapping Relationships in Rural and Remote Healthcare. A Narrative Review
Authors: Szumer Rafael Thomas Osik , Arnold Mark
Published: March 2023

It is presently unclear whether a distinct “rural ethics” of navigating professional boundaries exists, and if so, what theoretical approaches may assist practitioners to manage overlapping relationships. To be effective clinicians while concurrently partaking in community life, practitioners must develop and maintain safe, ethical, and sustainable therapeutic relationships in rural and remote healthcare. A narrative review was conducted identifying a significant body of qualitative and theoretical literature which explores the pervasiveness of dual relationships for practitioners working in rural and remote healthcare. Rather than viewing dual relationships as ethically unacceptable, much contemporary work focusses on the lived experiences of healthcare workers and explores what approaches may be available that both protect the therapeutic relationship while recognizing the unique nature of rural and remote healthcare practice. We conclude that practitioners must have a means of operating within a contextually informed ethics of professional boundaries. Drawing on pre-existing work, one schema is proposed that could form the basis for further engagement through interactive teaching sessions, professional development, mentoring, or guidelines.
A Review: Applications of the Spectral Finite Element Method
Authors: Hafeez Muhammad Bilal , Krawczuk Marek
Published: March 2023

The Spectral Finite Element Technique (SFEM) has Several Applications in the Sciences, Engineering, and Mathematics, which will be Covered in this Review Article. The Spectral Finite Element Method (SFEM) is a Variant of the Traditional Finite Element Method FEM that Makes use of Higher Order Basis Functions (FEM). One of the most Fundamental Numerical Techniques Employed in the Numerical Simulation is the SFEM, which Outperforms Other Techniques in Terms of Faster Convergence, Reduced Diffusion and Dispersion Errors, Simplicity of the Application as well as Shorter time of Computation. The Spectral Finite Element Technique Combines the Characteristics of Approximating Polynomials of Spectral Methods. The Approach to Discretizing the Examined Region Unique to the FEM is a mix of both Approaches. Combining These Techniques Enables Quicker (Spectral) Convergence of Solutions, Higher Approximation Polynomial Order, the Removal of Geometric Constraints on the Examined Areas, and much Lower Discretization Density Requirements. Spectral Element Methods used in Different Applications are Presented Along with a Statistical Overview of Studies During 2010–2022.
Do housing rental and sales markets incentivise energy-efficient retrofitting of western Germany’s post-war apartments? Challenges for property owners, tenants, and policymakers
Authors: Galvin Ray
Published: March 2023

A post-World War 2 building boom in western Germany (the original Bundesrepublik) produced a cohort of some 8 million apartments, built in 1946–1979, that are relatively homogeneous in design and materials. On average, these apartments are very energy-inefficient, consuming around 147 kWh of heating energy per square meter of floor area per year (kWh/m2/y). Retrofitting them to about 50 kWh/m2/y is necessary to meet Germany’s climate goals. Considerable skill and infrastructure have developed to attempt to achieve this, but it is expensive. This study investigates whether sales and rental markets disincentivise property owners from retrofitting these apartments to high energy efficiency standards. Data from sales and rental advertisements in 2019–2021 in Germany’s largest online housing advertisement portal, Immoscout24, were used to estimate market sales and rental premiums for energy efficiency in these apartments. For property owners who retrofit apartments then sell them, sales premiums for energy efficiency generally fail to compensate for the retrofit costs, unless the renovation is subsidised. Meanwhile, for purchasers, the reduction in energy costs due to higher energy efficiency does not compensate for the higher purchase price. Likewise, for landlords/landladies who retrofit apartments then rent them out, the rental premiums due to higher energy efficiency are nowhere near sufficient to compensate for the retrofit costs. Tenants, however, can often offset the rental premium through energy savings. In all four cases, there is regional variation. Based on a detailed investigation of this market for energy efficiency, this study suggests specific policy interventions to compensate for these market anomalies.
Sich (Nicht‑)Einlassen auf Schule
Authors: Bollweg Petra
Published: March 2023

Die Anwesenheit von Kindern und Jugendlichen in Schule und Unterricht ist eine gesellschaftliche Norm. Die Abwesenheit von Schüler-innen in der Schule wird als Schulabsentismus bezeichnet. Er verweist auf ein Phänomen, dem ein relativ hohes Potenzial von Vorannahmen und Scheingewissheiten anhaftet.
Metabolic interventions improve HBV envelope-specific T-cell responses in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Fu Yu-Long , Zhou Shuang-Nan , Hu Wei , Li Jing , Zhou Ming-Ju , Li Xiao-Yu , Wang You-Yuan , Zhang Peng , Chen Si-Yuan , Fan Xing , Song Jin-Wen , Jiao Yan-Mei , Xu Ruonan , Zhang Ji-Yuan , Zhen Cheng , Zhou Chun-Bao , Yuan Jin-Hong , Shi Ming , Wang Fu-Sheng , Zhang Chao
Published: March 2023

Background

Restoration of HBV-specific T cell immunity is a promising approach for the functional cure of chronic Hepatitis B (CHB), necessitating the development of valid assays to boost and monitor HBV-specific T cell responses in patients with CHB.

Methods

We analyzed hepatitis B virus (HBV) core- and envelope (env)-specific T cell responses using in vitro expanded peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with CHB exhibiting different immunological phases, including immune tolerance (IT), immune activation (IA), inactive carrier (IC), and HBeAg-negative hepatitis (ENEG). Additionally, we evaluated the effects of metabolic interventions, including mitochondria-targeted antioxidants (MTA), polyphenolic compounds, and ACAT inhibitors (iACAT), on HBV-specific T-cell functionality.

Results

We found that HBV core- and env-specific T cell responses were finely coordinated and more profound in IC and ENEG than in the IT and IA stages. HBV env-specific T cells were more dysfunctional but prone to respond to metabolic interventions using MTA, iACAT, and polyphenolic compounds than HBV core-specific T-cells. The responsiveness of HBV env-specific T cells to metabolic interventions can be predicted by the eosinophil (EO) count and the coefficient of variation of red blood cell distribution width (RDW-CV).

Conclusion

These findings may provide valuable information for metabolically invigorating HBV-specific T-cells to treat CHB.

Graphical abstract
Reconciling control and identity development: experiences of South African adolescents
Authors: Naudé Luzelle , van Damme Elizabeth Cornelia
Published: March 2023

The aim of this study was to explore how a group of South African adolescents experience and react to being controlled during their process of finding a personal identity. Adolescents from the Eastern Cape province in South Africa (n = 120; 58.33% female) participated in focus group discussions regarding their experiences of how control shaped their sense of self. Participants understood identity as a continuous and fluid process of negotiation and adjustment shaped by significant others and embedded in social context. Participants articulated various experiences of control, mostly negative. Through thematic analysis, three pathways were constructed as distinct reactions to control: Conforming and Submitting, Finding Freedom, and Internalising. Each of these reactions contains a unique combination of exploration and commitment, with specific implications for identity development and achievement.
Changes in macrofaunal groups before, during and after the Cenomanian–Turonian biotic crisis in north Eastern Desert, Egypt
Authors: Abd-Elhameed Shahin , Salama Yasser , Mahmoud Abdelaziz
Published: March 2023

The stratigraphic distribution of the different faunal groups of the upper Cenomanian–lower Turonian deposits in the north Eastern Desert, Egypt, is investigated. Variations in species richness, faunal diversity, extinction and origination rates before, during, and after the globally known Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE) 2 are documented. The OAE2 interval is constrained by the first occurrence of the marker ammonite species Vascoceras cauvini and the last occurrence of Vascoceras proprium, along with the positive δ13C excursions, previously identified from the Wadi El-Burga section. A prominent decline in species richness and diversity, high extinction rates, and low origination rates of the recorded macrofaunal elements are reported during the OAE2 interval. Such faunal bottleneck was attributed to the prevailing major palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental perturbations during that time. Besides oceanic anoxia, changes in sea water palaeotemperature and sea level are discussed. It can be concluded that oceanic anoxia, warming, and /or transgressive episodes were the major driving mechanisms of the faunal crisis reported in the present work.
The biology of an isolated Mashona mole-rat population from southern Malawi, with implications for the diversity and biogeography of the genus Fukomys
Authors: Šumbera R. , Uhrová M. , Begall S. , Caspar K. R. , Jerkovičová D. , Van Daele P. , Chitaukali W. N. , Faulkes C. G. , Bennett N. C. , Johannes C. , Burda H. , Mikula O.
Published: March 2023

The Mashona mole-rat, Fukomys darlingi (Thomas, 1895), is a little studied social African mole-rat (Bathyergidae) from south-astern Africa. Here, we present an integrative study characterizing the genetic diversity of populations assigned to F. darlingi with special focus on animals from Nsanje, southern Malawi. These mole-rats show pronounced differences in body mass and general appearance compared to nominate F. darlingi from Zimbabwe and Mozambique, but their taxonomic status has so far remained unclear. A genetic analysis encompassing all major lineages of the genus Fukomys suggests that this population indeed represents a deeply nested lineage within the F. darlingi clade. The karyotype of the Nsanje mole-rats also corresponds to that of the nominate form, being 2n = 54. While both nuclear and mitochondrial data agree about the assignment of the Nsanje mole-rats to F. darlingi, our analyses revealed substantial mitonuclear discordance for other branches within the Fukomys phylogenetic tree. Nsanje mole-rats are significantly larger than nominate F. darlingi and their ontogeny and reproduction closely resemble similar-sized congeneric species rather than the nominate population. The somatic growth of the Nsanje form is the slowest of all African mole-rats. The maximum life span of F. darlingi is at least 19 years. The observed differences between nominate F. darlingi and mole-rats from Nsanje may be attributed mainly to their different body mass. Our study highlights the advantages of an integrative approach for understanding the diversity of African mole-rats and emphasizes the great intraspecific variability that may be encountered in these underground-dwelling rodents.
Flexitraits, Natural Chemical Tracers of Plant Competition and Productivity in Pacific Mangroves
Authors: Fry Brian , O’Mara Kaitlyn , Riekenberg Philip M. , Wassenaar Leonard I. , Cormier Nicole
Published: March 2023

Metabolomic and genomic markers in plants have helped diagnose evolutionary pressures and resulting modern-day floristic diversification. Here we use a different set of metrics, 17 biochemical measures made at the whole tissue or bulk tissue level, to study diversification in resource use and productivity among Pacific mangroves. Three mangrove species Bruguiera gynmorhiza (BRGY), Rhizphora apiculata (RHAP), and Sonneratia alba (SOAL) were studied across 5 sites on the island of Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia with measurements of the following chemical metrics: C, N, P, K, Na, Mg, Ca, B, S, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn elements and isotope values δ2H, δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S. Species were remarkably distinct in chemical profiles, showing significant differences across all metrics. This indicated long-term resource use partitioning and optimization, with metrics showing physiology and patch-related differences. The patch-related differences meant that metrics were not really fixed in species, but represented flexible traits (“flexitraits”) in fingerprinting mangrove ecology. Effects of tree harvesting could be fingerprinted with the metrics at one of the Kosrae sites. Modeling showed two results. (1) Conservation efforts to preserve low-nutrient specialists like BRGY probably should involve removal of competing SOAL and RHAP rather than nutrient reductions. (2) Although mangrove growth rates were most limited by P, water was a strongly co-limiting factor. This study introduces a new physiological parameter to plant ecology, a water-to-phosphorus ratio, “normalized δ13C/P” or “f13C/P”, that should generally help diagnose how plant N and P nutrient use can be co-limited by water.
Role of ADAM33 short isoform as a tumor suppressor in the pathogenesis of thyroid cancer via oncogenic function disruption of full-length ADAM33
Authors: Lan Jing , Zhou Yehui , Liu Yang , Xia Yu , Wan Yuqiu , Cao Jianbo
Published: March 2023

Thyroid cancer is the most prevalent endocrine malignancy globally; however, its underlying pathogenesis remains unclarified. Reportedly, alternative splicing is involved in processes such as embryonic stem and precursor cell differentiation, cell lineage reprogramming, and epithelial-mesenchymal transitions. ADAM33-n, an alternative splicing isoform of ADAM33, encodes a small protein containing 138 amino acids of the N-terminal of full-length ADAM33, which constructs a chaperone-like domain that was previously reported to bind and block the proteolysis activity of ADAM33. In this study, we reported for the first time that ADAM33-n was downregulated in thyroid cancer. The results of cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assays showed that ectopic ADAM33-n in papillary thyroid cancer cell lines restricted cell proliferation and colony formation. Moreover, we demonstrated that ectopic ADAM33-n reversed the oncogenic function of full-length ADAM33 in cell growth and colony formation in the MDA-T32 and BCPAP cells. These findings indicate the tumor suppressor ability of ADAM33-n. Altogether, our study findings present a potential explanatory model of how the downregulation of the oncogenic gene ADAM33 promotes the pathogenesis of thyroid cancer.
Impact of microscopic extrathyroidal extension on differentiated thyroid cancer post-surgical risk of recurrence: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Patti L. , Gay S. , Musso L. , Maltese C. , Spina B. , Minuto M. , Morbelli S. , Vera L. , Boschetti M. , Ferone D. , Albertelli M.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

In the last edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system, differentiated thyroid cancers (DTC) showing microscopic extrathyroidal extension (mETE) are considered comparable to intrathyroidal cancers for their clinical behavior and prognosis. The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of this updated assessment of T, when applied to the postoperative recurrence risk stratification, according to the American Thyroid Association Guidelines (ATA-RR).

Methods

One-hundred DTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy were retrospectively evaluated. The downstaging of mETE was introduced in the definition of T, and the updated classification defined as modified ATA-RR (ATAm-RR). For each patient, post-surgical basal and stimulated thyroglobulin (Tg) levels, neck ultrasound (US) and post-ablative 131-I whole body scan (WBS) reports were considered. The predictive performance (PP) of disease recurrence was calculated both for each single parameter, as well as for all of them.

Results

According to ATAm-RR classification, 19/100 patients (19%) were downstaged. ATA-RR proved a significant PP for disease recurrence (DR) (sensitivity 75.0%, specificity 63.0%, p = 0.023). However, ATAm-RR performed slightly better due to an increased specificity (sensitivity 75.0%, specificity 83.7%, p < 0.001). For both classifications, the PP was optimal when all the above-mentioned predictive parameters were considered.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that the new assessment of T considering mETE resulted in a downgrading of ATA-RR class in a significant number of patients. This provides a better PP for disease recurrence, and the best PP was obtained when considering the whole predictive variables together.
Analysis and Experimental Research on Vibration Characteristics of Pressure Shell Structure
Authors: Su P. , Wu J. , Liu S.
Published: March 2023

The vibration and sound radiation characteristics of the submarine pressure hull structure are important performance indicators for the acoustic design of the submarine structure. In this paper, the spectral element method is used to analyze the vibration of the shell structure. Combined with the periodic structure theory, the theoretical calculation method of the periodic ribbed shell structure is deduced, and the analytical method that can be used to calculate the vibration of the pressure shell structure is established. The feasibility of applying the spectral element method to the vibration calculation of the pressure shell structure is verified by comparing the analytical calculation and the finite element simulation. The vibration characteristics test experiment of the actual submarine pressured hull structure is carried out. The results show that the theoretical analysis is correct.

Highlights

The vibration and sound radiation characteristics of the submarine pressure hull structure have an important influence on the radiated noise of the submarine.

A theoretical analysis method of vibration characteristics of pressure hulled based on spectral element method and periodic structure theory is proposed.

The experimental study on vibration characteristics and active control of line spectrum of the pressure hull is carried out.
Race, Palestine, and International Law
Authors: Erakat Noura , Li Darryl , Reynolds John
Published: March 2023

In 1922, the League of Nations inscribed the goal of establishing a settler colony in Palestine for the Jewish people—in denial of the national self-determination of the Indigenous Arab population—in public international law. The Palestine Mandate juridically erased the national status of the Palestinian people by: (1) framing the Arabs as incapable of self-rule; (2) heightening the significance of establishing a Jewish national home; and (3) distinguishing Palestine from the other Class A mandates for possessing religious significance that exceeded the interests of any single national group. A century later, the still-unresolved “question” of Palestine remains central to struggles for anti-racism and anti-colonialism in international law. This essay revisits two flashpoints in the tangled history of Palestine and international law, where questions of race and racism have been central: first, ongoing debates over the regime and crime of apartheid; and second, the now-repudiated UN General Assembly Resolution 3379, recognizing Zionism as a form of racism and racial discrimination. Both stories demonstrate the importance of understanding race and colonialism as conjoined concepts, neither of which can be properly understood in isolation from the other.
How do we ensure that bioelectronic devices revolutionize medicine and healthcare?
Authors: Chakrabarty Samit , Loeb Gerald , Malliaras George , Yin Heyu
Published: March 2023

While bioelectronic devices hold great promise in revolutionizing medicine and healthcare, they also face numerous challenges that must be overcome (you can add some references from above here). This includes improving the longevity and safety of these devices, ensuring their ethical use, and ensuring their compatibility with the human body and the environment.
Life of a Dalit magistrate: Ideologies and politics in Dalit life in North India, 1920–1954
Authors: Kumar Vijay
Published: March 2023

This article discusses Chaudhari Mulkiram (April 1910–August 1954) and the contesting ideologies, memories, histories, and socio-political conditions surrounding his career from the 1920s to the mid-1950s. Mulkiram belonged to the Dhangar, a sub-caste of the Khatik caste in Meerut. He was the first Dalit of the United Provinces (UP) who qualified for the Public Service Commission in 1939. This article shows his socio-religious and socio-political relations and responses to the Arya Samaj, Congress, and Scheduled Caste Federation. It reveals how the representatives of these agencies portrayed his life and work. This article also discusses how his relations and responses helped and influenced his caste members in the western UP. It argues that the Arya Samaj, Harijan Sevak Sangh, and Congress used the first generation of Dalit civil servants like Mulkiram to cultivate local leaders and to mobilize local Dalits, peasants, labourers, and villagers to act in their political interests against Ambedkar’s movement. Hence, in the 1940s and early 1950s, Mulkiram presented himself as a Gandhi bhakt, Jan Neta (public leader), and Sanyasi (household monk and socio-religious reformer).
Kompetenzorientierte Abschlussprüfung in der generalistischen Pflegeausbildung
Authors: Schneider Kordula , Hamar Christoph
Published: March 2023

Zusammenfassung: Die ersten Abschlussprüfungen in der generalistischen Pflegeausbildung stehen vor der Tür. Es macht daher Sinn, sich mit den Anforderungen der drei Prüfungsteile vertraut zu machen. Allen gemein ist die Kompetenzorientierung, die bereits mit dem ersten Tag der Ausbildung angebahnt werden muss. Die Autor_innen berichten von Erfahrungen, die sie in der Begleitung von Schulteams gesammelt haben.
Adaptation Strategies Strongly Reduce the Future Impacts of Climate Change on Simulated Crop Yields
Authors: Abramoff Rose Z. , Ciais Philippe , Zhu Peng , Hasegawa Toshihiro , Wakatsuki Hitomi , Makowski David
Published: March 2023

Simulations of crop yield due to climate change vary widely between models, locations, species, management strategies, and Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs). To understand how climate and adaptation affects yield change, we developed a meta‐model based on 8703 site‐level process‐model simulations of yield with different future adaptation strategies and climate scenarios for maize, rice, wheat and soybean. We tested 10 statistical models, including some machine learning models, to predict the percentage change in projected future yield relative to the baseline period (2000–2010) as a function of explanatory variables related to adaptation strategy and climate change. We used the best model to produce global maps of yield change for the RCP4.5 scenario and identify the most influential variables affecting yield change using Shapley additive explanations. For most locations, adaptation was the most influential factor determining the projected yield change for maize, rice and wheat. Without adaptation under RCP4.5, all crops are expected to experience average global yield losses of 6%–21%. Adaptation alleviates this average projected loss by 1–13 percentage points. Maize was most responsive to adaptive practices with a projected mean yield loss of −21% [range across locations: −63%, +3.7%] without adaptation and −7.5% [range: −46%, +13%] with adaptation. For maize and rice, irrigation method and cultivar choice were the adaptation types predicted to most prevent large yield losses, respectively. When adaptation practices are applied, some areas are predicted to experience yield gains, especially at northern high latitudes. These results reveal the critical importance of implementing adequate adaptation strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change on crop yields.
5‐Species MHD Study of Martian Proton Loss and Source
Authors: Sun Wenyi , Ma Yingjuan , Russell Christopher T. , Luhmann Janet , Nagy Andrew , Brain David
Published: March 2023

Although photochemistry‐enabled escape of oxygen is a dominant atmospheric loss process at Mars today, ion outflow plays an essential role in the long‐term evolution of Mars' atmosphere. Apart from heavy planetary ions such as O+, O2+, and CO2+, the loss of planetary protons is also important because it could be related to water loss. To study planetary proton loss due to solar wind interaction, we improve the 4‐species (O+, O2+, CO2+, and H+) single‐fluid magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model of Mars, to a 5‐species (separating planetary protons and solar wind protons) MHD model so that the two types of protons can be tracked separately. The global distributions of solar wind protons and planetary ions at low altitudes are investigated. The calculated planetary proton escape rates are larger than heavy ion loss rates and solar wind proton inflows for both solar maximum and minimum conditions. Planetary proton escape rates are 1–2 orders less than neutral hydrogen loss, suggesting that planetary protons could contribute to no >10% of the hydrogen loss under current conditions. By comparing normal cases with cases for which H‐O charge exchange reactions or electron impact ionizations are switched off, we find that H‐O charge exchange mainly affects densities at low altitudes, while impact ionizations exert great influence on escape rates at high altitudes. The overall results suggest the specific treatment of proton origins in models of Mars atmosphere escape provides better insight into the contributing processes, and should be included in future studies focusing on water's fate.
Prediction and Verification of Parker Solar Probe Solar Wind Sources at 13.3 R⊙
Authors: Badman S. T. , Riley P. , Jones S. I. , Kim T. K. , Allen R. C. , Arge C. N. , Bale S. D. , Henney C. J. , Kasper J. C. , Mostafavi P. , Pogorelov N. V. , Raouafi N. E. , Stevens M. L. , Verniero J. L.
Published: March 2023

Drawing connections between heliospheric spacecraft and solar wind sources is a vital step in understanding the evolution of the solar corona into the solar wind and contextualizing in situ timeseries. Furthermore, making advanced predictions of this linkage for ongoing heliospheric missions, such as Parker Solar Probe (Parker), is necessary for achieving useful coordinated remote observations and maximizing scientific return. The general procedure for estimating such connectivity is straightforward (i.e., magnetic field line tracing in a coronal model) but validating the resulting estimates is difficult due to the lack of an independent ground truth and limited model constraints. In its most recent orbits, Parker has reached perihelia of 13.3R⊙ and moreover travels extremely fast prograde relative to the solar surface, covering over 120° longitude in 3 days. Here we present footpoint predictions and subsequent validation efforts for Parker Encounter 10, the first of the 13.3R⊙ orbits, which occurred in November 2021. We show that the longitudinal dependence of in situ plasma data from these novel orbits provides a powerful method of footpoint validation. With reference to other encounters, we also illustrate that the conditions under which source mapping is most accurate for near‐ecliptic spacecraft (such as Parker) occur when solar activity is low, but also require that the heliospheric current sheet is strongly warped by mid‐latitude or equatorial coronal holes. Lastly, we comment on the large‐scale coronal structure implied by the Encounter 10 mapping, highlighting an empirical equatorial cut of the Alfvèn surface consisting of localized protrusions above unipolar magnetic separatrices.
Nuclear PD-L1 promotes EGR1-mediated angiogenesis and accelerates tumorigenesis
Authors: Yu Jie , Zhuang Ai , Gu Xiang , Hua Yu , Yang Ludi , Ge Shengfang , Ruan Jing , Chai Peiwei , Jia Renbing , Fan Xianqun
Published: March 2023

Targeting programmed cell death protein ligand 1 (PD-L1) remains one of the most essential immunotherapies in cancer1,2. PD-L1 has been detected in the nucleus in multiple malignancies, playing an oncogenic role independent of immune checkpoint regulation3–5. Howbeit, the regulatory function of nuclear PD-L1 (nPD-L1) remains to be fully understood. Here, we report that nPD-L1 is an endogenous accelerator for cancer angiogenesis. First, we found that an abundant proportion of PD-L1 was distributed within the nucleus of uveal melanoma samples, which is associated with an unfavorable outcome. Moreover, the capacity of promoting angiogenesis was largely attenuated in the nPD-L1-deficient cells both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, nPD-L1 facilitates p-STAT3 binding to the promoter of early growth response-1 (EGR1), resulting in the activation of EGR1-mediated angiogenesis. Therapeutically, the inhibition of histone deacetylase 2 restores the normal acetylation level of PD-L1, blocking its nuclear translocation and thereby attenuating tumor angiogenesis. Conclusively, we reveal that nPD-L1 promotes angiogenesis in malignancies, and provide a novel anti-vascularization strategy through blocking aberrant PD-L1 nuclear translocation for tumor therapy.
Large-scale purification of functional AAV particles packaging the full genome using short-term ultracentrifugation with a zonal rotor
Authors: Wada Mikako , Uchida Naoya , Posadas-Herrera Guillermo , Hayashita-Kinoh Hiromi , Tsunekawa Yuji , Hirai Yukihiko , Okada Takashi
Published: March 2023

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector-based gene therapy is potentially curative for various genetic diseases; however, the development of a scalable purification method for full-genome AAV vectors remains crucial to increase productivity and reduce cost of GMP production. In this study, we developed a large-scale short-term purification method for functional full-genome AAV particles by using 2-step cesium chloride (CsCl) density-gradient ultracentrifugation with a zonal rotor. The 2-step CsCl method with a zonal rotor improves separation between empty and full-genome AAV particles, reducing the ultracentrifugation time (4–5 h) and increasing the AAV volume for purification. The highly purified full-genome AAV particles were confirmed by analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC), droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) in the whole region of the AAV vector genome, transduction efficiency in target cells, and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). The high-purity AAV9 particles were obtained using culture supernatant during vector preparation rather than cell lysate. CsCl could be simply removed by a hydroxyapatite column. Interestingly, ddPCR analysis revealed that “empty” AAV particles contain small fragments of the inverted terminal repeat (ITR), probably due to unexpected packaging of Rep-mediated ITR fragments. This large-scale functional AAV vector purification with ultracentrifugation would be effective for gene therapy.
Bonding of PMMA to silicon by femtosecond laser pulses
Authors: Capodacqua Filippo Maria Conte , Volpe Annalisa , Gaudiuso Caterina , Ancona Antonio
Published: March 2023

Many devices and objects, from microelectronics to microfluidics, consist of parts made from dissimilar materials, such as different polymers, metals or semiconductors. Techniques for joining such hybrid micro-devices, generally, are based on gluing or thermal processes, which all present some drawbacks. For example, these methods are unable to control the size and shape of the bonded area, and present risks of deterioration and contamination of the substrates. Ultrashort laser bonding is a non-contact and flexible technique to precisely join similar and dissimilar materials, used both for joining polymers, and polymers to metallic substrates, but not yet for joining polymers to silicon. We report on direct transmission femtosecond laser bonding of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and silicon. The laser process was performed by focusing ultrashort laser pulses at high repetition rate at the interface between the two materials through the PMMA upper layer. The PMMA-Si bond strength was evaluated as a function of different laser processing parameters. A simple, analytical, model was set up and used to determine the temperature of the PMMA during the bonding process. As a proof of concept, the femtosecond-laser bonding of a simple hybrid PMMA-Si microfluidic device has been successfully demonstrated through dynamic leakage tests.
Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH): microspatial distribution of trace elements in hypercementosis-affected and unaffected hard dental tissues
Authors: Wright Alexandra L. , Earley Edward T. , Austin Christine , Arora Manish
Published: March 2023

Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis (EOTRH) is a common, painful and poorly understood disease. Enamel, dentin and cementum accumulate both essential and toxic trace elements during mineralization. Characterization of the spatial accumulation pattern of trace elements may provide insight into the role that toxic elements play and inform biological processes affecting these hard dental tissues for future research. Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was used to map the distribution of multiple trace elements and heavy metals across equine healthy and diseased (hypercementosis-affected) hard dental tissues among four teeth extracted from horses with EOTRH. Results showed banding patterns of some trace elements (lead, strontium, barium), reflecting the temporal component of accumulation of trace elements during dentin mineralization. Essential elements zinc and magnesium did not show banding patterns. Comparison to the unaffected cementum and dentin adjacent to the hypercementosis region showed that there is an underlying incremental pattern in the uptake of some metals with spatial irregularities. This supports a possible metabolic change involved in hypercementosis lesion development. This represents the first use of LA-ICP-MS to study the microspatial distribution of trace elements in equine teeth, establishing a baseline for elemental distribution in normal and EOTRH impacted dental hard tissue.
A residue management machine for chopping paddy residues in combine harvested paddy field
Authors: Ramulu Chelpuri , Pateriya Raj Narayan , Naik Mude Arjun , Vishwakarma Dinesh Kumar , Kuriqi Alban , Al-Ansari Nadhir , Alataway Abed , Dewidar Ahmed Z. , Mattar Mohamed A.
Published: March 2023

Nowadays, Combine Harvesters are the most commonly used device for harvesting crops; as a result, a large amount of plant material and crop residue is concentrated into a narrow band of plant material that exits the combine, challenging the residue management task. This paper aims to develop a crop residue management machine that can chop paddy residues and mix them with the soil of the combined harvested paddy field. For this purpose, two important units are attached to the developed machine: the chopping and incorporation units. The tractor operates this machine as the main source, with a power range of about 55.95 kW. The four independent parameters selected for the study were rotary speed (R1 = 900 & R2 = 1100 rpm), forward speed (F1 = 2.1 & F2 = 3.0 Kmph), horizontal adjustment (H1 = 550 & H2 = 650 mm), and vertical adjustment (V1 = 100 & V2 = 200 mm) between the straw chopper shaft and rotavator shaft and its effect was found on incorporation efficiency, shredding efficiency, and trash size reduction of chopped paddy residues. The incorporation of residue and shredding efficiency was highest at V1H2F1R2 (95.31%) and V1H2F1R2 (61.92%) arrangements. The trash reduction of chopped paddy residue was recorded maximum at V1H2F2R2 (40.58%). Therefore, this study concludes that the developed residue management machine with some modifications in power transmission can be suggested to the farmers to overcome the paddy residue issue in combined harvested paddy fields.
Comparison of mental health indicators in clinical psychologists with the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Humer Elke , Pammer Barbara , Schaffler Yvonne , Kothgassner Oswald D. , Felnhofer Anna , Jesser Andrea , Pieh Christoph , Probst Thomas
Published: March 2023

Mental healthcare professionals face diverse challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may augment their risk of experiencing adverse mental health outcomes themselves. We aimed to compare depressive, anxiety, insomnia, and stress symptoms in Austrian clinical psychologists during the COVID-19 pandemic with the Austrian general population. A total of N = 172 Austrian clinical psychologists (91.9% women; mean age: 44.90 ± 7.97 years) participated in an online survey in spring 2022. A representative sample (N = 1011) of the Austrian general population was surveyed simultaneously. Symptoms of depression (PHQ-2), anxiety (GAD-2), insomnia (ISI-2), and stress (PSS-10) were assessed. Differences in the prevalence of clinically relevant symptoms were analyzed using univariate (Chi-squared tests) and multivariable (binary logistic regression including covariates age and gender) analyses. Clinical psychologists showed lower adjusted odds for exceeding the cut-offs for clinically relevant depression (aOR 0.37), anxiety (aOR 0.50), and moderate to high stress levels (aOR 0.31) compared to the general population (p < 0.01). No difference was observed for insomnia (aOR 0.92; p = 0.79). In conclusion, clinical psychologists experience better mental health than the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future studies are needed to analyze the underlying reasons.