bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prioritizing Pesticides of Potential Concern and Identifying Potential Mixture Effects in Great Lakes Tributaries Using Passive Samplers
Authors: Loken Luke C. , Corsi Steven R. , Alvarez David A. , Ankley Gerald T. , Baldwin Austin K. , Blackwell Brett R. , De Cicco Laura A. , Nott Michele A. , Oliver Samantha K. , Villeneuve Daniel L.
Published: September 2022

To help meet the objectives of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative with regard to increasing knowledge about toxic substances, 223 pesticides and pesticide transformation products were monitored in 15 Great Lakes tributaries using polar organic chemical integrative samplers. A screening-level assessment of their potential for biological effects was conducted by computing toxicity quotients (TQs) for chemicals with available US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Aquatic Life Benchmark values. In addition, exposure activity ratios (EAR) were calculated using information from the USEPA ToxCast database. Between 16 and 81 chemicals were detected per site, with 97 unique compounds detected overall, for which 64 could be assessed using TQs or EARs. Ten chemicals exceeded TQ or EAR levels of concern at two or more sites. Chemicals exceeding thresholds included seven herbicides (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, diuron, metolachlor, acetochlor, atrazine, simazine, and sulfentrazone), a transformation product (deisopropylatrazine), and two insecticides (fipronil and imidacloprid). Watersheds draining agricultural and urban areas had more detections and higher concentrations of pesticides compared with other land uses. Chemical mixtures analysis for ToxCast assays associated with common modes of action defined by gene targets and adverse outcome pathways (AOP) indicated potential activity on biological pathways related to a range of cellular processes, including xenobiotic metabolism, extracellular signaling, endocrine function, and protection against oxidative stress. Use of gene ontology databases and the AOP knowledgebase within the R-package ToxMixtures highlighted the utility of ToxCast data for identifying and evaluating potential biological effects and adverse outcomes of chemicals and mixtures. Results have provided a list of high-priority chemicals for future monitoring and potential biological effects warranting further evaluation in laboratory and field environments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:340–366. Published 2022. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Quality control analysis of high‐value agarwood oil by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)
Authors: Kumar Prashant , Tripathi Shreya , Rout Prasant Kumar , Khare Sunil Kumar , Naik Satyanarayan
Published: September 2022

Adulteration is a crucial issue being faced by essential oil and allied industries, especially for high‐value essential oil such as agarwood oil. The recommended analysis in trading essential oils involves visual inspection, olfactory analysis, physico‐chemical characterization and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy (GC–MS). However, some subtle high‐boiler adulterants like vegetable oils and synthetic polymers go unnoticed via these analyses leading to the penetration of adulterated essential oil in the market. In the current study, the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermogravimetric analysis (DTGA) were utilized and suggested as a rapid, convenient and precise technique for the detection of high‐boiler adulterants in essential oils using the most expensive agarwood oil as a case study. The TGA pattern of pure samples reveals single‐stage volatilization (agarwood oil: 110–260°C, castor oil: 340–500°C, coconut oil: 330–450°C and polyethylene glycol‐400: 260–390°C), whereas the adulterated sample exhibits two‐stage volatilization in both lower‐ and higher‐temperature zone owing to the presence of agarwood oil and high‐boiler adulterant. The DTGA of pure agarwood oil shows only one point of major weight loss, whereas that of the adulterated sample shows two points of major weight loss corresponding to both oil and adulterant. Different percentages of adulterants (5%, 10%, 30% and 50%) have been quantified using TGA and DTGA with the highest accuracy. Further, the method optimization study was conducted to determine the minimum time required for adulterated sample analysis with precise accuracy. TGA can be proposed as a handy and efficient tool for the quality control analysis of essential oils.
The inhibitory effect of Yam polysaccharides on acrylamide‐induced programmed cell death in RAW 264.7 cells
Authors: Wang Jing , Han Ying , Wang Man , Li He , Sun Yujiao , Chen Xuefeng
Published: September 2022

Acrylamide has been well known for its neurotoxicity, genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, etc. Recently, the immunotoxicity of acrylamide has been reported by different research groups, although the underlying mechanisms of acrylamide endangering immune systems have not been fully elucidated. In this study, mouse monocyte–macrophage cells model was used to clarify the toxic mechanism of acrylamide and the inhibitory effect of Yam polysaccharides (YPS) on acrylamide‐induced damage. We found that acrylamide induced RAW 264.7 cell death in a time‐ and concentration‐dependent manner. After acrylamide (2.0, 3.0, 4.0 mmol/L) treatment for 24 h, cell apoptosis, autophagy, and pyroptosis were observed. However, the levels of autophagy and pyroptosis decreased at a high concentration of acrylamide (4.0 mmol/L). Acrylamide upregulated P2X7 expression, but the P2X7 level was not showing a monotone increasing trend. When the P2X7 antagonist was applied, the effect of acrylamide on autophagy and pyroptosis was weakened. Additionally, acrylamide triggered the occurrence of oxidative stress and a decreased nitric oxide (NO) level. However, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, the decrease of heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) expression, and the increase of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression were reversed by the inhibition of P2X7. Yam polysaccharides (50.0 μg/ml) significantly inhibited acrylamide‐induced oxidative stress and cell death (including apoptosis, autophagy, and pyroptosis). Yam polysaccharides also effectively reversed the increase of iNOS expression induced by acrylamide. However, Yam polysaccharides promoted the expression of P2X7 rather than prohibit it. These results indicated that acrylamide caused RAW 264.7 cell death due to pro‐apoptosis as well as excessive autophagy and pyroptosis. Apoptosis might be more predominant than autophagy and pyroptosis under a higher concentration of acrylamide (4.0 mmol/L). P2X7‐stimulated oxidative stress was responsible for acrylamide‐induced programmed cell death (PCD), but P2X7 showed limited regulatory effect on apoptosis. Yam polysaccharides with antioxidant activity inhibited acrylamide‐induced cell death (apoptosis, autophagy, and pyroptosis), but exerted limited effect on the acrylamide‐induced P2X7 expression. These findings would offer an insight into elucidating the immunotoxic mechanism of acrylamide and the potential approaches to control its toxicity.
Effects of marriage equality legislation on sexual health of the US population
Authors: Nikolaou Dimitrios
Published: September 2022

Even though prior research has investigated the relationship between same‐sex partnership recognition policies and health outcomes, the impact of same‐sex marriage laws on sexually transmitted infections has not received much attention. Using state‐level panel data from 2000 to 2019, I show that marriage equality legislation decreases the spread of (shorter‐term) syphilis infections and of (longer‐term) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) infections among the general population. Event study analyses correcting for non‐staggered treatment implementation confirm these negative effects, but also suggest that standard difference‐in‐differences models understate the impact of the legislation by up to 8% points. Further analysis supports that these legislation effects operate through three mechanisms: increasing social tolerance, strengthening relationship commitment, and expanding health care access and coverage for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. Disaggregating the results by sexual behavior reveals that legal access to same‐sex marriage leads to sizable decreases in AIDS rates among men who have sex with men (MSM) (the most at‐risk population for an infection). Even though there is economically significant evidence that the legislation improves sexual health of the heterosexual population due to increased utilization of preventive sexual health care, the legislation does not have a direct impact on infection rates for the non‐MSM population.
Predicting intentions to get the COVID‐19 vaccine in India: An integration of theory of planned behaviour and health belief model
Authors: Tarkar Preeti
Published: September 2022

The aim of the study was to determine intention to receive Coronavirus disease‐19 (COVID‐19) vaccination in India. An integrated model of Theory of Planned behaviour (TPB) and Health Belief Model (HBM) was used. Online survey was conducted in Delhi NCR region to find out the intention to receive vaccination. Data was collected from 845 respondents during 15 February 2021–15 March 2021, just after COVID‐19 vaccination became available in the India. Partial Least Square‐Structural Equation Modelling was used to establish the relationships. The results of the analysis show that proposed framework is significant and explained 71% variance in intentions. Attitude, subjective norm, perceived behaviour control and self‐efficacy from the TPB had direct (or significant independent) effects on intention and perceived benefits, perceived susceptibility from the HBM have indirect effect on the intentions through attitude. The present study can be used to maximise the uptake of vaccination in any future pandemic. This theoretically‐driven model can be used to guide health policy makers and health care providers to increase the uptake of vaccination.
Understanding the hydrological regime based on the runoff events in a mountainous catchment with seasonally frozen soil in the Qinghai‐Tibet plateau
Authors: Lin Pengfei , He Zhibin , Du Jun , Chen Longfei , Zhu Xi , Tian Quanyan
Published: September 2022

Seasonal thawing of frozen soil will significantly affect the hydrological regime, water storage capacity and ecosystem services in the future, which contributes to the uncertainty of regional water resources. However, based on the scale of runoff events, the mechanism of seasonal frozen soil thawing on the hydrological regime are still unclear. In this study, we systematically analysed the runoff characteristics and interactive effects of environmental factors and pre‐event catchment state on runoff processes based on the runoff event scale, using data sets of air temperature, precipitation, runoff, soil moisture, and soil temperature observed in a mountainous catchment with seasonally frozen soil distribution on the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau from 2010 to 2019. It was found that the event runoff coefficient did not increase significantly with the increase of precipitation. Event runoff coefficients exhibited strong seasonality. The catchment exhibited a gradual increase in the event runoff coefficient with increasing pre‐event baseflow and antecedent soil moisture, especially during stable period (August to November). Event runoff generation through infiltration excess as the result of intensive rainfall seemed to be only possible in the stable period, while heavy precipitation events were common during this period. Normalized event peak discharge and event runoff coefficient showed positive trends with changes in pre‐event catchment state indicators, which were commonly observed phenomena in runoff events. For this catchment, the increased storage capacity pre‐event saturation may be the main mechanism of event runoff generation, as it was unlikely that a single precipitation event would lead to catchment saturation. Soil temperature affects runoff processes through both direct effects on runoff processes and indirect effects on pre‐event catchment state. Temperature indicators were the most important predictors of runoff changes in the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau.
A feasibility study of the use of UmbiFlow™ to assess the impact of heat stress on fetoplacental blood flow in field studies
Authors: Bonell Ana , Vannevel Valerie , Sonko Bakary , Mohammed Nuredin , Vicedo‐Cabrera Ana M. , Haines Andy , Maxwell Neil S. , Hirst Jane , Prentice Andrew M.
Published: September 2022

Objective

To evaluate the use of UmbiFlow™ in field settings to assess the impact of heat stress on umbilical artery resistance index (RI).

Methods

This feasibility study was conducted in West Kiang, The Gambia, West Africa; a rural area with increasing exposure to extreme heat. We recruited women with singleton fetuses who performed manual tasks (such as farming) during pregnancy to an observational cohort study. The umbilical artery RI was measured at rest, and during and at the end of a typical working shift in women at 28 weeks or more of pregnancy. Adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO) were classified as stillbirth, preterm birth, low birth weight, or small for gestational age, and all other outcomes as normal.

Results

A total of 40 participants were included; 23 normal births and 17 APO. Umbilical artery RI demonstrated a nonlinear relationship to heat stress, with indication of a potential threshold value for placental insufficiency at 32°C by universal thermal climate index and 30°C by wet bulb globe temperature.

Conclusions

The Umbiflow device proved to be an effective field method for assessing placental function. Dynamic changes in RI may begin to explain the association between extreme heat and APO with an identified threshold of effect.
Family participatory research practices: A reflection
Authors: Troiani Serena
Published: September 2022

This column discusses the importance of family participatory research practices with particular regard for vulnerable populations and alternative learning opportunities and the need for an expanded approach to the use of multimodalities in the classroom. The author reflects upon her experience as she conducted her dissertation, a case study with her nephew, an adolescent diagnosed with autism, exploring his use of multimodalities as an expressive practice, and to see how they informed his meaning making. The column addresses the author's various roles and positionality and how the author's use of a reflexive journal provided a space to document any ethical tensions and maximize the ethical practice. The implications and necessity for family research is documented throughout the discussion of several works. The importance of the advancement of family research, particularly within the constructs of literacy learning and individuals with special needs, is emphasized.
Modeling pyranose ring pucker in carbohydrates using machine learning and semi‐empirical quantum chemical methods
Authors: Kong Linghan , Bryce Richard A.
Published: September 2022

Pyranose ring pucker is a key coordinate governing the structure, interactions and reactivity of carbohydrates. We assess the ability of the machine learning potentials, ANI‐1ccx and ANI‐2x, and the GFN2‐xTB semiempirical quantum chemical method, to model ring pucker conformers of five monosaccharides and oxane in the gas phase. Relative to coupled‐cluster quantum mechanical calculations, we find that ANI‐1ccx most accurately reproduces the ring pucker energy landscape for these molecules, with a correlation coefficient r2 of 0.83. This correlation in relative energies lowers to values of 0.70 for ANI‐2x and 0.60 for GFN2‐xTB. The ANI‐1ccx also provides the most accurate estimate of the energetics of the 4C1‐to‐1C4 minimum energy pathway for the six molecules. All three models reproduce chair more accurately than non‐chair geometries. Analysis of small model molecules suggests that the ANI‐1ccx model favors puckers with equatorial hydrogen bonding substituents; that ANI‐2x and GFN2‐xTB models overstabilize conformers with axially oriented groups; and that the endo‐anomeric effect is overestimated by the machine learning models and underestimated via the GFN2‐xTB method. While the pucker conformers considered in this study correspond to a gas phase environment, the accuracy and computational efficiency of the ANI‐1ccx approach in modeling ring pucker in vacuo provides a promising basis for future evaluation and application to condensed phase environments.
Advancing women, parity, and gender equity
Authors: Garcia M. Nathalia , Andrews Elizabeth A. , White Candice C. , Dixon Debra A. , López Ana N. , Stewart Denice
Published: September 2022

For centuries, society has called out for transformations to lift all of its members. While it may seem ordinary in our time for women to be dentists or dental educators, the path was neither always easy, nor has true equity been achieved. The modern transformation of dental education and dentistry creates the need for leaders to propose and develop concrete initiatives to advance the profession and benefit society. Areas to address that could lead to increased equity for women include career advancement, leadership opportunities, compensation, career satisfaction, research, and scholarly activity. Our analysis demonstrates that even though the number of full‐time female faculty has increased during recent years, most positions (59.5%) at dental schools in the US are held by men (2018–2019). Males were also compensated at higher rates than their female counterparts, and female deans made 7% less in total compensation. Because disparities are evident in pay and academic pathways, new directions and strategies must be employed to ensure parity and gender equity. Facilitating the progress of women in organized dentistry requires efforts of dental academic institutions to invest resources and provide nurturing environments that promote professional performances and leadership skills for women, with these being priorities–considering the current trends that anticipate increased numbers of women in dental academia. All dentists bring their own experiences to the profession, making for rich depth and diversity. As a collective voice, we have a bright future. We can and will move forward together.
Dental school pathway programs: Best practices for increasing workforce diversity
Authors: Hewlett Edmond R. , Lobo‐Marwah Erin , Hishaw Laila B.
Published: September 2022

The chronic underrepresentation of racial/ethnic minority practitioners in the U.S. health professions workforce is an oft‐cited factor for disparities in health and health‐care access affecting communities of color. As non‐White providers are more likely to serve uninsured patients and practice in underserved areas, pathway/pipeline programs have been used for many years to increase the numbers racial/ethnic minorities in the health professions workforce. These programs target precollege, college, and postbaccalaureate students from historically underrepresented minority (HURM) groups (defined as African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American students) to stimulate interest in health professions careers and provide academic support, mentoring, enrichment experiences, and other resources to facilitate their successful admission to and completion of health professions school and entry into the workforce. This article examines dental pathway programs to identify best practices for increasing enrollment of HURM students in dental school and their successful entry into the dental workforce—as evidenced in the academic literature.
Illuminating light in the darkness: Black/African‐American men in dental education and strategies for change
Authors: Ester Todd V. , Smith Carlos S. , Smith Patrick D.
Published: September 2022

The purpose of this article is to discuss the challenges surrounding the underrepresentation of Black/African American (BAA) men in dentistry and dental education and present a rationale for anti‐racism strategies to address them. Data and insights from the literature are presented to discuss how racism may derail BAA's opportunities to achieve a dental education through stereotyping, social, and academic isolation. Additionally, the authors present commentary and testimonials on the importance of mentorship to guide BAA men into and through dental careers. Additionally, the article describes two examples of successful career pathway programs, and highlights the significance of historically Black colleges and universities to promoting diversity within the dental profession. Anti‐racism recommendations for change include more direct attention to how dental school humanistic environments support BAA men, committing human and financial resources for program development, and using data‐driven metrics to assess those programs longitudinally. The commitment of dental education to promote oral health equity demands more than appreciation of BAA men's contributions, but a commitment to creating and advancing opportunities that assure their success.
‘Honour’‐based abuse: A descriptive study of survivor, perpetrator, and abuse characteristics
Authors: Ridley Keziah , Almond Louise , Bafouni Nefeli , Qassim Afrah
Published: September 2022

Current literature on ‘honour’‐based abuse (HBA) has largely focussed on exploring the lived experience of individuals, with limited analysis of the prevalence and associations of abuse characteristics. The aim of this study was to identify base rates of survivor, perpetrator and abuse characteristics. To identify these characteristics and their prevalence, 160 cases from Savera UK, a charity specialising in HBA and harmful practices, were coded for 66 variables and descriptive statistics produced. Fifteen of the coded abuse characteristics were present in more than 50% of cases, with ‘Emotional/psychological abuse and coercive control’, ‘Specific family cultural traditions’, ‘Gender‐based socialisation’ and ‘Physical violence’ being the only characteristics seen in more than 75% of cases. These represent the core characteristics of HBA but there are indications of qualitative and quantitate differences in this sample. Understanding the prevalence of characteristics is key to effectively identifying abuse, supporting survivors and improving effective prevention strategies.
Influenza vaccination features revealed by a single‐cell transcriptome atlas
Authors: Wang Yi , Wang Xiaoxia , Jia Xinbei , Li Jieqiong , Fu Jin , Huang Xiaolan , Cui Xiaodai , Wang Bike , Luo Wenkai , Lin Chengcong , Li Zhenjun , Luu Laurence Don Wai , Li Shijun , Zhu Xiong , Tai Jun
Published: September 2022

Emerging and re‐emerging viruses like influenza virus pose a continuous global public health threat. Vaccines are one of the most effective public health strategies for controlling infectious diseases. However, little is known about the immunological features of vaccination at the single‐cell resolution, including for influenza vaccination. Here, we report the single‐cell transcriptome atlas of longitudinally collected peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in individuals immunized with an inactivated influenza vaccine. Overall, vaccination with the influenza vaccine only had a small impact on the composition of peripheral immune cells, but elicited global transcriptional changes in multiple immune cell subsets. In plasma and B cell subsets, transcriptomic changes, which were mostly involved in antibody production as well as B cell activation and differentiation, were observed after influenza vaccinations. In influenza‐vaccinated individuals, we found a reduction in multiple biological processes (e.g., interferon response, inflammatory response, HLA‐I/II molecules, cellular apoptosis, migration, and cytotoxicity, etc.,) 7 days postvaccination in multiple immune cell subsets. However, 14 days postvaccination, these levels returned to similar levels observed in prevaccination samples. Additionally, we did not observe significant upregulation of pro‐inflammatory response genes and key thrombosis‐related genes in influenza‐vaccinated individuals. Taken together, we report a cell atlas of the peripheral immune response to influenza vaccination and provide a resource for understanding the immunological response mechanisms of influenza vaccination.
Trabecular bone microcrack accumulation in patients treated with bisphosphonates for durations up to 16 years
Authors: Pienkowski David , Wood Constance L. , Malluche Hartmut H.
Published: September 2022

This study quantified the length, number, and density of microcracks in bone from patients treated with bisphosphonates as a function of duration. Anterior iliac crest bone samples from 51 osteoporotic Caucasian females continuously treated with oral bisphosphonates for 1–16 years were obtained by bone biopsy. Samples were histologically processed and analyzed for bone area, microcrack number, and microcrack length. The analyses used statistical modeling and considered patient age, bone mineral density, bone volume/total volume, trabecular thickness, and bone turnover as potential covariates. Microcrack density (number of microcracks/total examined bone area) was linearly related (p = 0.018) to bisphosphonate treatment duration. None of the analyzed covariates contributed significantly to the observed relationship between microcrack density and bisphosphonate treatment duration. Observed increases in microcrack density with increasing bisphosphonate treatment duration is important because increasing levels of microcracks may not only affect bone remodeling but also reduce elastic modulus and are suspected to adversely affect other mechanical properties that may influence fracture risk. The present findings add to our prior results showing changes in bone material properties and modulus with bisphosphonate treatment duration and thereby provide a more comprehensive assessment of the relationship between bisphosphonate treatment duration and bone quality. Statement of Clinical Significance: The present findings provide information guiding clinical use of oral bisphosphonates for post‐menopausal osteoporosis therapy.
How do food authenticity and sensory appeal influence tourist experience? The moderating role of food involvement
Authors: Li Fangxuan (Sam) , Su Qianqian , Ma Jianan
Published: September 2022

Food authenticity and sensory appeal are becoming increasingly important research topics in food tourism research. The purpose of this study is to explain how and why food authenticity and sensory appeal contribute to tourists' behavioral intention through affective responses based on stimuli–organism–response (S–O–R) model. This study reports the findings based on a total of 416 questionnaires. The results indicate that memory and destination attachment mediate the relationship between food authenticity and behavioral intention, sensory appeal and behavioral intention. Furthermore, food involvement is identified as a moderator between stimulus factors and affective responses. Implications and suggestions for future research are also discussed.
Land degradation resistance potential of a dry, semiarid region in relation to soil organic carbon stocks, carbon management index, and soil aggregate stability
Authors: Ameer Imran , Kubar Kashif Ali , Ali Qurban , Ali Shahmir , Khan Tamoor , Shahzad Khurram , Riaz Muhammad , Shah Zia‐ul‐hassan , Rajpar Inayatullah , Ahmed Muneer , Talpur Khalid Hussain
Published: September 2022

Dry stable aggregates, soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, and aggregate‐associated carbon are measured as vital factors for preserving soil quality. Different land use systems strongly impacts the services of the ecosystem to influence soil degradation and loss of carbon. Little is known about the dry aggregates stability and SOC stocks in the dry, semiarid region of Balochistan, Pakistan or how these resist land degradation. This study aimed to assess the impact of several land‐use systems on SOC stocks, the distribution of soil aggregates, and the carbon management index. The treatments consisted of five land‐use systems, namely, grassland, cropland, fallow land, forests, and vegetation, typically prevail in the region. Three layers of soil were used to sample it (0–15, 15–30, and 30–45 cm) and sieved into five aggregate classes (>8, 8–5, 5–2, 2–0.25, and <0.25 mm). The grasslands had significant higher SOC concentrations (12.83 g kg−1), SOC stocks (19.44 mg ha−1), liability index (0.89 g kg−1), nonlabile C (9.56 g kg−1), labile C (0.35 g kg−1), carbon management index (204.6), and easily oxidizable carbon (3.27 g kg−1), when compared with fallow land. Moreover, grassland and forestland soils contained larger macroaggregates (>0.25 mm), although the fallow land‐use system had a higher degree of micro aggregates (<0.25 mm). We found strong relationship of soil SOC with SOC concentration of soil aggregates and other labile fractions of carbon. Therefore, grassland and forestland promotes the aggregate‐associated SOC and carbon management index by enhancing the soil aggregation and is therefore a possible managing option to develop the SOC sequestration potential of eroded dry soils.
4D Biofabrication of Mechanically Stable Tubular Constructs Using Shape Morphing Porous Bilayers for Vascularization Application
Authors: Trujillo‐Miranda Mairon , Apsite Indra , Agudo Jose A. Rodríguez , Constante Gissela , Ionov Leonid
Published: September 2022

This study reports the fabrication of highly porous electrospun self‐folding bilayers, which fold into tubular structures with excellent mechanical stability, allowing them to be easily manipulated and handled. Two kinds of bilayers based on biocompatible and biodegradable soft (PCL, polycaprolactone) and hard (PHB, poly‐hydroxybutyrate) thermoplastic polymers have been fabricated and compared. Multi‐scroll structures with tunable diameter are obtained after the shape transformation of the bilayer in aqueous media, where PCL‐based bilayer rolled longitudinally and PHB‐based one rolled transversely with respect to the fiber direction. A combination of higher elastic modulus and transverse orientation of fibers with respect to rolling direction allowed precise temporal control of shape transformation of PHB‐bilayer – stress produced by swollen methacrylated hyaluronic acid (HA‐MA) do not relax with time and folding is not affected by the fact that bilayer is fixed in unfolded state in cell culture medium for more than 1 h. This property of PHB‐bilayer allowed cell culturing without a negative effect on its shape transformation ability. Moreover, PHB‐based tubular structure demonstrated superior mechanical stability compared to PCL‐based ones and do not collapse during manipulations that happened to PCL‐based one. Additionally, PHB/HA‐MA bilayers showed superior biocompatibility, degradability, and long‐term stability compared to PCL/HA‐MA.
Channel coordination in a closed‐loop supply chain with fairness concerns under further extended producer responsibility
Authors: Ma Yan , Cheng Susu
Published: September 2022

This paper proposes a further extended producer responsibility system to study the operations of the supply chain with fairness concerns. By comparing four scenarios regarding whether channel members concern fairness, we obtain the following results: the coordinated development can be accomplished for channel members when the dominant producer makes pricing decisions with more consideration for the profit of follower; both the producer and the retailer can adjust the degree of demand information disclosure in some ways to obtain more profits; the further extended producer responsibility system (FEPR) system can serve as an effective low‐carbon development measure that leads to higher emission reduction and end‐products recovery.
Financial and environmental efficiency of CDM projects: Analysis and classification for investment decisions
Authors: Pacagnella Júnior Antônio Carlos , da Silva Henrique Luiz , Bortoletto Wagner Wilson , de Arruda Ignacio Paulo Sergio
Published: September 2022

The main purpose of this paper is to analyze the efficiency of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects implemented worldwide and understand their main characteristics, seeking to support investment decisions and expand the scientific understanding of the financial and environmental impact of these projects. To achieve this goal, a sample of 2352 CDM projects was selected from a United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) database and analyzed first with a two‐stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) model that allowed the evaluation of the financial return and environmental efficiency of these projects. DEA results provide an efficiency ranking that was then analyzed with a classification tree (CHAID algorithm), revealing some main characteristics of the projects with higher efficiencies, like their sizes, locations, and type of CDM. CDMs are projects that demand a significant quantity of resources and effort to produce the expected outcomes, so it is crucial for public managers and investors to know the project profiles that generate the best financial and environmental results. In this sense, this study presents a completely original methodology for this kind of analysis and reveals important insights for these agents and researchers in this field.
A numerical study on the non‐smooth solutions of the nonlinear weakly singular fractional Volterra integro‐differential equations
Authors: Arsalan Sajjadi Sayed , Saberi Najafi Hashem , Aminikhah Hossein
Published: September 2022

The solutions of weakly singular fractional Volterra integro‐differential equations involving the Caputo derivative typically have solutions whose derivatives are unbounded at the left end‐point of the interval of integration. In this paper, we design an algorithm to prevail on this non‐smooth behavior of solutions of the nonlinear fractional Volterra integro‐differential equations with a weakly singular kernel. The convergence of the proposed method is investigated. The proposed scheme is employed to solve four numerical examples in order to test its efficiency and accuracy.
Accountability, Test Prep Incentives, and the Design of Math and English Exams
Authors: Riehl Evan , Welch Meredith
Published: September 2022

We examine how incentives for test prep varied between math and English language arts (ELA) on U.S. state accountability exams. We collected data on exam structure for grade 3 to 8 tests in six states that are the setting for most U.S. research in literatures where accountability matters. We show that math exams typically measured ability more precisely for students on the margin of achieving proficiency. This gave educators an incentive to spend more time preparing students for math tests than for ELA tests, consistent with the common finding of larger math effects in the literature.
Imaging of pediatric thyroid tumors: A COG Diagnostic Imaging Committee/SPR Oncology Committee White Paper
Authors: Squires Judy H. , Martinez‐Rios Claudia , Davis James C. , Dietz Kelly R. , Epelman Monica S. , Lai Hollie A. , Lim‐Dunham Jennifer E. , McDaniel Janice D. , Mhlanga Joyce C. , Pandit‐Taskar Neeta , Parisi Marguerite T. , Trout Andrew T. , Weidman Elizabeth K. , Alazraki Adina L.
Published: September 2022

Pediatric thyroid cancer is rare in children; however, incidence is increasing. Papillary thyroid cancer and follicular thyroid cancer are the most common subtypes, comprising about 90% and 10% of cases, respectively. This paper provides consensus imaging recommendations for evaluation of pediatric patients with thyroid cancer at diagnosis and during follow‐up.
3Dprinting of a compositeiPP/quill of chicken feathers functionalized with pimelic acid
Authors: Patiño‐Almanza Rodrigo , Flores‐Hernandez Cynthia G. , Rivera‐Armenta José Luis , Strachota Adam , Almendarez‐Camarillo Armando
Published: September 2022

In this work, the thermomechanical properties of an isotactic polypropylene (iPP)/quill composite were evaluated. This reinforcement was added at 0.5, 1.0 and 5.0 wt% in the iPP matrix. The reinforcement was previously subjected to alkaline treatment with NaOH (QT) and chemical functionalization with pimelic acid (PA) to produce an effective β‐crystal nucleating agent. This functionalization was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), showing the presence of a new band at 1571 cm−1associated with the carboxylate group of pimelic acid, indicating a bond between PA and the quill surface. The internal geometry of the specimens obtained by 3D printing were studied by scanning electron spectroscopy (SEM). The effectiveness of the modified reinforcement as a promoter of the β‐crystalline phase was evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide angle X‐ray scattering (WAXD) under non‐isothermal crystallization conditions due to the 3D printing process. The composite that showed a higher index was 1.0% with a value of 64% by DSC and 65% by WAXD. Furthermore, the thermomechanical properties were characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) where, for the 0.5% and 1.0% composites, the storage modulus (E') was higher compared to neat iPP. However, for the 5.0% composite theE' values were lower.
Crystallization property, mechanical performance and enzymatic degradation behavior of PBS copolyesters modified by 2‐methyl‐1,3‐propanediol
Authors: Jiang Sen , Wang Liyan , Zheng Rongrong , Chong Yunsheng , Chen Yanming
Published: September 2022

The poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) copolyesters modified by 2‐methyl‐1,3‐propanediol (MPO), that is poly(butylene succinate‐co‐methyl propylene succinate) (PBMS), were synthesized by direct esterification‐melt polycondensation method. 1H NMR showed the PBMS molecules contain two repeating structural units, the butylene succinate (BS) and the 2‐methyl‐1,3‐propylene succinate (MS). The crystalline properties of PBMS were characterized by DSC, POM, and XRD. The results showed the relative crystallinity of PBMS decreases from 45.12% to 38.2%, the size of spherulites also decreases, and the crystallization ability becomes weaker compared with PBS. The water contact angle test proved the surface hydrophilicity of PBMS is improved. The impact strength of PBMS increases from 3.9 to 24.6 kJ/m2, and its elongation at break increases from 10.5% to 71.2%, and the transition from brittle fracture to ductile fracture is achieved. The study of enzymatic degradation found that the enzymatic degradation rate of PBMS copolyesters increases significantly with the increase of MPO content. Within 25 days of degradation, the weight loss rate of PBS after degradation is 38.18%, while that of PBMS reaches 100%. Finally, it was also observed the enzymatic degradation of PBS and PBMS starts from the amorphous region and abides by the regular pattern from the periphery to the middle and from the surface to the interior.
Performance evaluation of thermally aged ATH and BN co‐doped silicone rubber nano‐micro composites for power cable applications
Authors: Vangapandu Dhanunjaya Naidu , Paul Moutusi , Mishra Palash , Sarathi Ramanujam , Kornhuber Stefan , Thapliyal Shivraman
Published: September 2022

Power cables are intended to operate at high temperatures over a long period which may change the performance of silicone rubber insulation used in high voltage cable accessories. Therefore, in the current study, to enhance the properties of silicone rubber, alumina try‐hydrate (ATH) and boron nitride (BN) micro and nanoparticles were added to the silicone rubber matrix. The synthesized undoped silicone rubber, silicone rubber with 40 wt% micro ATH, 7 wt% nano BN, and 10 wt% micro ATH + 5 wt% nano BN composites were thermally aged for 600 h at 180ºC. The composite properties were analyzed through electrical, thermal, and physicochemical techniques. To assess the electrical characteristics, water droplet‐initiated corona discharge studies as per IEC 60112 were conducted and leakage current, corona inception voltage, and erosion resistance were evaluated. A deep learning technique also was employed for the prediction of erosion resistance of the samples. Further, to examine the surface texture and chemical changes on the surface of the material, 3‐D microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was adopted. Finally, thermal distribution analysis was performed for all the composites by infrared thermography. The results demonstrated the suitability of nano‐micro co‐doped composites over nanocomposites and micro composites for power cable applications.
Ostrinia furnacalisPBP2 solution NMR structure: Insight into ligand binding and release mechanisms
Authors: Dahal Salik R. , Lewellen Jacob L. , Ayyappan Shine , Chaudhary Bharat P. , Nukala Viswanath , Mohanty Smita
Published: September 2022

Ostrinia furnacalis is an invasive lepidopteran agricultural pest that relies on olfaction for mating and reproduction. Male moths have an extremely sensitive olfactory system that can detect the sex pheromones emitted by females over a great distance. Pheromone‐binding proteins present in the male moth antenna play a key role in the pheromone uptake, transport, and release at the dendritic membrane of the olfactory neuron. Here, we report the first high‐resolution NMR structure of a pheromone‐binding protein from an Ostrinia species at pH 6.5. The core of the Ostrinia furnacalis PBP2 (OfurPBP2) consists of six helices, α1a (2–14), α1b (16–22), α2 (27–37), α3 (46–60), α4 (70–80), α5 (84–100), and α6 (107–124) surrounding a large hydrophobic pocket. The structure is stabilized by three disulfide bridges, 19–54, 50–108, and 97–117. In contrast to the unstructured C‐terminus of other lepidopteran PBPs, the C‐terminus of OfurPBP2 folds into an α‐helix (α7) at pH 6.5. The protein has nanomolar affinity towards both pheromone isomers. Molecular docking of both pheromones, E‐12 and Z‐12‐tetradecenyl acetate, to OfurPBP2 revealed that the residues Met5, Lys6, Met8, Thr9, Phe12, Phe36, Trp37, Phe76, Ser115, Phe118, Lys119, Ile122, His123, and Ala128 interact with both isomers, while Thr9 formed a hydrogen bond with the acetate head group. NMR structure and thermal unfolding studies with CD suggest that ligand release at pH 4.5 is likely due to the partial unfolding of the protein.
A further note on the exponentially weighted moving average control charts for monitoring gradual shifts in a process mean
Authors: Maghsoodloo Saeed , Silva Daniel F.
Published: September 2022

This article provides a historical discussion of exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control charts and makes minor modifications. Because the charting statistics are correlated, both the autocovariance and autocorrelations functions are derived; it is determined that the steady‐state autocorrelation also diminishes geometrically. Assuming normality of individual observations, two successive EWMA statistics have the bivariate normal distribution with an autocorrelation of lag 1. We then used the bivariate normal density to approximate the type II error probability, thereby obtaining the first‐order conditional average run length.
A simple approximate solution for the H3+ ion
Authors: Pérez Paz Alejandro
Published: September 2022

Here I derive analytical expressions for the total energy of the cation in its equilateral and linear geometries. The theoretical model consists of a simple variational trial wavefunction made of the sum of three 1S Gaussian functions, each centered on each nucleus. Detailed derivations are presented and the advantages and limitations of this simple model are discussed. The correctness of the results was verified independently via Monte Carlo integration. This simple model correctly predicts and rationalizes the preference of for the equilateral geometry rather than the linear configuration. Despite its simplicity, the calculated HH bond length (R = 0.9088 Å) and breathing vibrational frequency (ν1 = 3276.59 cm−1) for equilateral ion are in good agreement with high‐level ab initio methods and the experiment, respectively.
Gelatinization and Retrogradation Properties of Wheat Starch with Added Konjac Glucomannan or Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch. Gum
Authors: Zou Yong , Zhang Shuai , Chen Yuanyuan , Zeng Yunjun , Zhong Geng , Zhao Yi
Published: September 2022

This work evaluates the effect of the various proportions of konjac glucomannan (KGM) and Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch. Gum (ASKG) on the gelatinization structure, and retrogradation characteristics of wheat starch (WS). The Rapid Viscosity Analyzer (RVA), iodine colorimetric reaction, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and dynamic time sweep measurements, among other instruments are used to evaluate the structural properties, gelatinization, and retrogradation characteristics of WS, KGM/WS mixture, and ASKG/WS mixture. The addition of KGM/ASKG to WS improves the peak viscosity, final viscosity, breakdown value, setback value, swelling power, G′ and G″ values, and tan δ. Meanwhile, the amount of amylose leached, retrogradation enthalpy, and relative crystallinity reduced, and the gel structure appears to become more consistent and stable, with an increase in the number of inter‐ and intramolecular hydrogen bonds. These findings show that the presence of an interaction between KGM/ASKG and WS, boosted gel intensity and textural qualities while suppressing short and long‐term WS retrogradation.
Using computational essays to foster disciplinary epistemic agency in undergraduate science
Authors: Odden Tor Ole B. , Silvia Devin W. , Malthe‐Sørenssen Anders
Published: September 2022

This article reports on a study investigating how computational essays can be used to help students in higher education STEM take up disciplinary epistemic agency—cognitive control and responsibility over one's own learning within the scientific disciplines. Computational essays are a genre of scientific writing that combine live, executable computer code with narrative text to present a computational model or analysis. The study took place across two contrasting university contexts: an interdisciplinary data science and modeling course at a large research university in the Midwestern United States, and a third‐semester physics course at a large research university in Scandinavia. Over the course of a semester, computational essays were simultaneously and independently used in both courses, and comparable datasets of student artifacts and retrospective interviews were collected from both student populations. These data were analyzed using a framework that operationalized the construct of disciplinary epistemic agency across the dimensions of programming, inquiry, data analysis and modeling, and communication. Based on this analysis, we argue that computational essays can be a useful tool for fostering disciplinary epistemic agency within higher education science due to their combination of adaptability and disciplinary authenticity. However, we also argue that educational contexts, scaffolding, expectations, and student backgrounds can constrain and influence the ways in which students choose to take up epistemic agency.
Pulsed electromagnetic therapy in cancer treatment: Progress and outlook
Authors: Xu Wenjun , Xie Xinjun , Wu Hanyang , Wang Xiaolin , Cai Jiancheng , Xu Zisheng , E Shiju
Published: September 2022

Cancer is one of the major diseases that endanger human health. Current treatment options have low patient tolerance, poor prognosis, and strong side effects. Pulsed electromagnetic therapy can selectively kill cancer cells by taking advantage of their own electromagnetic sensitivity specificity. Pulsed electric fields (PEFs), pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs), and cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) are three main means that have promising application in cancer therapy. Pulsed electromagnetic therapy showed significant anticancer ability in vitro and in vivo. In this paper, we summarize the basic principles, methods, and state of art research of PEFs, PEMFs, and PEMFs for cancer therapy. Based on cancer pro‐oxidation therapy, we propose a combination therapy of electromagnetic field‐enhanced CAP for cancer therapy.