bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Realizing Superior Redox Kinetics of Hollow Bimetallic Sulfide Nanoarchitectures by Defect‐Induced Manipulation toward Flexible Solid‐State Supercapacitors
Authors: Liu Shude , Kang Ling , Hu Jisong , Jung Euigeol , Henzie Joel , Alowasheeir Azhar , Zhang Jian , Miao Ling , Yamauchi Yusuke , Jun Seong Chan 
Published: November 2021

AbstractAs a typical battery‐type material, CuCo2S4 is a promising candidate for supercapacitors due to the high theoretical specific capacity. However, its practical application is plagued by inherently sluggish ion diffusion kinetics and inferior electrical transport properties. Herein, sulfur vacancies are incorporated in CuCo2S4 hollow nanoarchitectures (HNs) to accelerate redox reactivity. Experimental analyses and theoretical investigations uncover that the generated sulfur vacancies increase the active electron states, reduce the adsorption barriers of electrolyte ions, and enrich reactive redox species, thus achieving enhanced electrochemical performance. Consequently, the deficient CuCo2S4 with optimized vacancy concentration presents a high specific capacity of 231 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1, a ≈1.78 times increase compared to that of pristine CuCo2S4, and exhibits a superior rate capability (73.8% capacity retention at 20 A g−1). Furthermore, flexible solid‐state asymmetric supercapacitor devices assembled with the deficient CuCo2S4 HNs and VN nanosheets deliver a high energy density of 61.4 W h kg−1 at 750 W kg−1. Under different bending states, the devices display exceptional mechanical flexibility with no obvious change in CV curves at 50 mV s−1. These findings provide insights for regulating electrode reactivity of battery‐type materials through intentional nanoarchitectonics and vacancy engineering.
Nanovaccines Mediated Subcutis‐to‐Intestine Cascade for Improved Protection against Intestinal Infections
Authors: Zhong Xiaofang , Du Guangsheng , Wang Xuanyu , Ou Yangsen , Wang Hairui , Zhu Yining , Hao Xinyan , Xie Zhiqiang , Zhang Yuandong , Gong Tao , Zhang Zhirong , Sun Xun 
Published: November 2021

AbstractParenteral vaccines typically can prime systemic humoral immune response, but with limited effects on cellular and mucosal immunity. Here, a subcutis‐to‐intestine cascade for navigating nanovaccines to address this limitation is proposed. This five‐step cascade includes lymph nodes targeting, uptaken by dendritic cells (DCs), cross‐presentation of antigens, increasing CCR9 expression on DCs, and driving CD103+ DCs to mesenteric lymph nodes, in short, the LUCID cascade. Specifically, mesoporous silica nanoparticles are encapsulated with antigen and adjuvant toll‐like receptor 9 agonist cytosine‐phosphate‐guanine oligodeoxynucleotides, and further coated by a lipid bilayer containing all‐trans retinoic acid. The fabricated nanovaccines efficiently process the LUCID cascade to dramatically augment cellular and mucosal immune responses. Importantly, after being vaccinated with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium antigen‐loaded nanovaccine, the mice generate protective immunity against challenge of S. Typhimurium. These findings reveal the efficacy of nanovaccines mediated subcutis‐to‐intestine cascade in simultaneously activating cellular and mucosal immune responses against mucosal infections.
Moiré Fringe Method via Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy
Authors: Ke Xiaoxing , Zhang Manchen , Zhao Kangning , Su Dong 
Published: November 2021

AbstractMoiré fringe, originated from the beating of two sets of lattices, is a commonly observed phenomenon in physics, optics, and materials science. Recently, a new method of creating moiré fringe via scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) has been developed to image materials’ structures at a large field of view. Moreover, this method shows great advantages in studying atomic structures of beam sensitive materials by significantly reduced electron dose. Here, the development of the STEM moiré fringe (STEM‐MF) method is reviewed. The authors first introduce the theory of STEM‐MF and then discuss the advances of this technique in combination with geometric phase analysis, annular bright field imaging, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and electron energy loss spectroscopy. Applications of STEM‐MF on strain, defects, 2D materials, and beam‐sensitive materials are further summarized. Finally, the authors′ perspectives on the future directions of STEM‐MF are presented.
Concrete edge breakout of anchor channels—On the influence of member thickness and installation in pockets
Authors: Bogdanić Anton , Casucci Daniele , Ožbolt Joško 
Published: November 2021

AbstractAnchor channels are frequently used in curtain wall applications and are expected to meet several requirements, such as installation in floor slabs with limited member thickness, small edge distances, pockets, etc. An extensive numerical parametric study and an experimental investigation were conducted to evaluate all the relevant parameters affecting the concrete edge breakout failure. The influence of member thickness and the influence of pockets on the concrete edge breakout capacity of anchor channels in uncracked and unreinforced concrete members is investigated. The results show that the current characteristic member thickness becomes too conservative with increasing edge distance, whereas the verification based on the current model may result in slightly overestimated capacities for thin members. Moreover, in some countries it is common to install the curtain wall fastening point in a recess of the concrete member often called a “pocket.” The most important parameters affecting the capacity of anchor channels in pockets are the edge distance, pocket size and height, and reduced member thickness. Modifications of the current concrete design model are proposed, as well as an additional modification factor to account for the influence of pockets.
L2 vocabulary learning from educational media: The influence of screen‐based scaffolds on the incidental–intentional continuum
Authors: Wong Kevin M. , Flynn Rachel M. , Neuman Susan B. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThis study examines the potential of educational media to provide preschool‐aged dual language learners (DLLs) with vocabulary in a new language. Drawing from dual‐coding theory, the current study investigated how three distinct instructional contexts with varying degrees of incidental–intentional vocabulary exposure on screen might facilitate second language (L2) vocabulary development. Instructional contexts included participatory contexts that engaged viewer attention and elicited viewer response surrounding a vocabulary word (least incidental, most intentional), expository contexts that provided explicit visual‐auditory vocabulary scaffolds (somewhat incidental, somewhat intentional), and narrative contexts that embedded vocabulary words in conversations within a storyline (most incidental, least intentional). The study used a within‐subjects design with 50 preschool‐aged DLLs. Children watched nine 2‐minute video clips, followed by vocabulary knowledge assessments. Findings indicate that instructional contexts were differentially facilitative in helping DLLs identify words in a new language, F(1, 47) = 11.003,p= .002. Moreover, L2 proficiency moderated the influence of instructional contexts on vocabulary identification but not word meaning. Results suggest that media programs with relatively intentional exposure to vocabulary words on the incidental–intentional continuum may scaffold L2 word learning better than incidental exposures. Implications on the critical role of incidental vocabulary exposure in media learning environments for preschoolers are discussed.
Low concentrations of 17β‐estradiol exacerbate tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer treatment through membrane estrogen receptor‐mediated signaling pathways
Authors: Xu Zhixiang , Zhao Dimeng , Zheng Xianyao , Huang Bin , Pan Xuejun , Xia Xueshan 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe present study aims to discover the influences of tamoxifen and 17β‐estradiol (E2) on tamoxifen‐resistant (TamR) patients in vitro. Herein, we established a stabilized TamR MCF‐7 cell line at 1 μM via gradient concentrations of tamoxifen cultivation. The expression changes of four ER subtypes (ERα66, ERβ, ERα36 and GPR30) were found to bring about tamoxifen resistance. Moreover, the generation of tamoxifen resistance involved in apoptosis escape via a reactive oxygen species‐regulated p53 signaling pathway. Interestingly, E2 at environmental concentrations (0.1–10 nM) could activate the expression of both ERα36 and GPR30, and then stimulate the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt, resulting in cell growth promotion. Cell migration and invasion promotion, apoptosis inhibition, and cell cycle G1‐S progression are involved in such proliferative effects. Conversely, the application of specific antagonists of ERα36 and GPR30 could restore tamoxifen's sensitivity as well as partially offset E2‐mediated proliferation. In short, overexpression of ERα36 and GPR30 not only ablate tamoxifen responsiveness but also could promote tumor progression of TamR breast cancer under estrogen conditions. These results provided novel insights into underlying mechanisms of tamoxifen resistance and the negative effects of steroid estrogens at environmental concentrations on TamR MCF‐7 cells, thus generating new thoughts for future management of ER‐positive breast cancer.
Inhibition of Ras protein activator like 2 produces antitumor effects in gastric cancer via the suppression of YAP1 activation
Authors: Hu Yuan , Zhang Pengchuang , Shi Yu , Dong Xuyuan , Wu Yinying , Dong Danfeng , Li Enxiao , Fan Yangwei 
Published: November 2021

AbstractRas protein activator like 2 (RASAL2) has a cancer‐related function, but plays inconsistent roles in different malignancies. This project was designed to determine the role of RASAL2 in carcinogenesis in gastric cancer. The Cancer Genome Atlas data revealed high levels of RASAL2 in gastric cancer tissue, which was confirmed in clinical specimens of gastric cancer via real‐time quantitative PCR and western blotting assays. High RASAL2 was correlated with a reduced survival rate in gastric cancer patients. In gastric cancer cell lines, the silencing of RASAL2 restrained cellular proliferation, invasion and epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition, while enhancing chemosensitivity to cisplatin. Mechanistically, the silencing of RASAL2 was found to inhibit the activation of Yes‐associated protein 1 (YAP1), a pro‐oncogenic protein in gastric cancer, and decrease the expression of YAP1 target genes. The re‐expression of constitutively active YAP1 substantially reversed RASAL2‐silencing‐produced antitumor effects. Moreover, treatment with YAP1 inhibitors could diminish RASAL2‐overexpression‐evoked oncogenic effects in gastric cancer cells. Additionally, gastric cancer cells with RASAL2 silencing exhibited a reduced ability to form xenograft tumors in nude mice. Collectively, our data demonstrate that the silencing of RASAL2 has noteworthy antitumor effects in gastric cancer cells via the suppression of YAP1 activation. This project underscores a vital role of the RASAL2/YAP1 axis in gastric progression and indicates that targeting this oncogenic axis may be applied as a potential therapeutic option for gastric cancer.
Intersex goats show different gene expression levels in the hypothalamus and pituitary compared with non‐intersex goats based on RNA‐Seq
Authors: Han Haoyuan , Yang Shuai , Li Jun , Zhao Jinyan , Wei Hongfang , Ha Si , Li Wantao , Li Congcong , Quan Kai 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe conditions for sex reversal in vertebrate species have been extensively studied, and the results highlighted numerous key factors involved in sex differentiation. However, the transcriptomes in hypothalamic and pituitary tissues from intersex goats have rarely been studied. The aim of this study was to screen candidate genes and signalling pathways related to sex reversal in Huai goats by analyzing gene expression in hypothalamic and pituitary tissues via transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analyses. In total, 612 and 139 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between the intersex and non‐intersex groups in the hypothalamus and pituitary, respectively. The DEGs in the hypothalamus and pituitary were significantly enriched in 41 and 16 signalling pathways, respectively, including the calcium signalling pathway, neuroactive ligand‐receptor interaction signalling pathway, and oestrogen signalling pathway, which might be related to intersex sex development disorders. A candidate gene from the tachykinin family (TACR1) was significantly enriched in the calcium signalling pathway. Thirty‐one DEGs were shared between these two comparisons and were enriched in several acetyl‐CoA‐related processes and the oestrogen signalling pathway. The results of the real‐time PCR analysis show that the transcriptome sequencing results were reliable. The transcriptome data indicate that the regulation of various physiological systems is involved in intersex goat development. Therefore, these results provide helpful data enhancing our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying intersex syndrome in goats.
COVID‐19 and water demand: A review of literature and research evidence
Authors: Cahill Joseph , Hoolohan Claire , Lawson Rob , Browne Alison L. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractCOVID‐19 has had unprecedented impacts across the international community, with complex and far‐reaching consequences. Measures to prevent transmission have led to substantial changes to everyday life, with lockdowns, stay‐at‐home orders and guidance leading to an increase in people staying indoors. This movement of activity had profound impacts on daily practices, affecting the consumption of resources including water. Likewise, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) practices and infrastructure are crucial tools for the management of disease. Therefore, this review seeks to assess the current literature on the impact of COVID‐19 on domestic water use. A web‐based rapid evidence review was undertaken to assess and synthesize the theories, methods and empirical evidence emerging across a multidisciplinary body of research to understand how COVID‐19 effects everyday water use. Key themes around increased water consumption and changing daily consumption patterns emerged. There was a distinct lack of social science concepts and methodologies in use to understand changing water demand, and the methodological focus was largely quantitative. Key insights and reflections were lacking as a result, for example, there was little research on how the water‐related practices, consumption, and demand patterns differed among households. This article makes the case for further qualitative and mixed‐method research using social theories, illustrating how social practice theories, as one example, contribute to understanding the dynamics of everyday life during the pandemic. This research would generate deeper understandings of the impacts of COVID‐19 on domestic water use as well as an evaluation of the implications these findings could have post‐pandemic.This article is categorized under:
Engineering Water > Methods
Engineering Water > Water, Health, and Sanitation
Engineering Water > Planning Water
Climate ethics and population policy: A review of recent philosophical work
Authors: Cafaro Philip 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIt is well‐established that human population growth is a leading cause of increased greenhouse gas emissions and accelerating global climate change. After decades of neglect, philosophical ethicists have, over the past decade, taken up the issue of climate change and population policy and there are now numerous articles and books which explore the subject. Both rights‐based and consequentialist approaches seek to balance reproductive rights against other human rights and interests threatened by overpopulation and ecological degradation. While biocentric ethicists have additional reasons to advocate for smaller human populations, even anthropocentrists affirm the need to balance reproductive rights against reproductive responsibilities in order to promote the well‐being of future generations. There is a particularly strong consensus on the value of choice‐enhancing population policies that reduce fertility voluntarily, such as securing universal access to modern contraception and promoting equal rights and opportunities for women. There is strong support for government policies that incentivize smaller families, some support for policies that disincentivize larger ones, and little to no support for punitive policies. Many ethicists warn that failure to enact reasonable population policies now may necessitate harsher policies in the future, a common theme in climate ethics generally.This article is categorized under:
Climate, Nature, and Ethics > Ethics and Climate Change
Non‐coding RNAs and their cross‐talks impacting reproductive health of women
Authors: Jain Neha , Gupta Pooja , Sahoo Swapnil , Mallick Bibekanand 
Published: November 2021

AbstractNon‐coding RNAs (ncRNAs) work as crucial posttranscriptional modulators of gene expression regulating a wide array of biological processes that impact normal physiology, including reproductive health. The health of women, especially reproductive health, is now a prime focus of society that ensures the females' overall physical, social, and mental well‐being. Furthermore, there has been a growing cognizance of ncRNAs' possible applications in diagnostics and therapeutics of dreaded diseases. Hence, understanding the functions and mode of actions of ncRNAs in the context of women's health will allow us to develop effective prognostic and therapeutic strategies that will enhance the quality of life of women. Herein, we summarize recent progress on ncRNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), and their implications in reproductive health by tying the knot with lifestyle factors that affect fertility complications, pregnancy outcomes, and so forth. We also discourse the interplay among the RNA species, especially miRNAs, lncRNAs, and protein‐coding RNAs, through the competing endogenous RNA regulations in diseases of women associated with maternal and fetal health. This review provides new perspectives correlating ncRNAs, lifestyle, and reproductive health of women, which will attract future studies to improve women's lives.This article is categorized under:
RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease
Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs
Public Discourses on (Sectoral) Energy Policy in Switzerland
Authors: Schaffer Lena Maria , Levis Alessio 
Published: November 2021

AbstractEnergy transitions are based upon policy choices of sovereign nation states. Hence, politics plays a role in determining which policies governments implement and which sectors are targeted. Our chapter looks at the evolution of public discourse on energy policy as one important factor reflecting policy discussion and contestation within the political arena. Our descriptive and explorative analysis of the early public discourse in Swiss energy policy between 1997 and 2011 contributes to three main issues. First, it makes a case for the disaggregation of energy policy and its public perception to add to our understanding of energy transition pathways. We argue that looking at sectoral discourses as well as sectoral policy outputs allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the idiosyncrasies of Swiss energy policy regarding temporal as well as sectoral variation. Second, an increased politicization of energy policy may affect future policy choice, and thus any account on energy transition policy needs to scrutinize potential feedback effects from policies that manifest via policy discourse. Third, and on a more methodological stance, we argue that our approach to use news media as a representation of the public discourse via structural topic models can help to explore and explain the evolving national policy priorities regarding energy transition.
Swiss Climate Change Law
Authors: Hänni Julia , Ma Tienmu 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThis chapter explores the relationship between Swiss climate change law and the international and European climate change regimes. At the international level, the chapter reviews the three major international agreements regulating the field: the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC, and the Paris Agreement. And at the national and regional levels, the chapter briefly describes the CO2Act—often considered the heart of Swiss climate change policy—and questions whether it will prove effective in achieving its explicitly stated emissions reduction targets. The chapter then reviews the most significant recent innovation in the evolution of Swiss climate change policy: joining the Emissions Trading System (ETS) established by the European Union. Due to long-standing problems afflicting the ETS, the authors raise doubts about whether Switzerland’s joining the scheme will lead to meaningful reductions in the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. As an alternative to an ETS-centric approach, the authors refer to an approach centered on human rights. Drawing on the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), the major international climate change agreements, other sources of international law, and the recentUrgendadecision of the Supreme Court of the Netherlands, the authors argue that under the human rights approach, Switzerland would be obligated to take stronger measures to reduce emissions than it could hope to achieve through the ETS and the CO2Act alone.
Governance of Energy Innovations
Authors: Schreiber Markus 
Published: November 2021

AbstractInnovation plays an important role in the transition towards a more sustainable energy system. The law is often thought of as an inhibiting factor for innovation. However, legal provisions may also serve to promote innovation. Laws which stipulate favourable conditions for renewable energy sources are an obvious example. Finally, existing laws will often not be suited to accommodate a new technology or business model, and the legislator may be slow in reacting to these new challenges. This increases the importance of government agencies as well as non-state governance.Therefore, a closer look at the governance of innovations in the energy sector seems warranted. This chapter will investigate how the legislator, regulatory agencies and private standard-setting bodies are responding to three different energy innovations: new renewable energy sources, new storage systems and smart grids. This chapter will serve not only to analyse commonalities and differences in the approach, but also to identify best practices.