bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Formal Homogenization Approach to Piping Flow Erosion with Deposition in a Spatially Heterogeneous Soil
Authors: Sakyi Adu , Amoako-Yirenkyi Peter , Dontwi Isaac Kwame
Published: June 2020

We model and simulate piping erosion phenomena with deposition in a spatially heterogeneous soil mass motivated by seepage flow. The soil is considered to be a porous media with periodic positioning of pores spread around cylindrical structures or microstructures making the heterogeneities periodic in space.The period of the heterogeneities defines a microscopic length scale ϵ of the microscopic problem and this allows the use of periodic homogenization methods.We studied the asymptotic behaviour of the solutions to the micro problem as ϵ ! 0 and obtained a homogenized model or macro problem with explicit formula for effective coefficients. Numerical simulations of the proposed model captures the expected behaviour of soil particle concentration and deposition as observed in piping flow erosion phenomena.
The Impact of Internal Marketing on Customer Satisfaction of Second-tier Microfinance Institutions in Cameroon
Authors: Simo Colette , Douanla Jean , Fangue Laure
Published: June 2020

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of internal marketing on customer satisfaction in the second-tier microfinance institutions in Cameroon. Specifically, in this paper, the role of three dimensions of internal marketing on customer satisfaction is empirically examined. Hypotheses are developed based on the literature review. The conceptual model is tested using the structural equations modeling (SEM) with STATA 14 on survey data collected from 372 customers and 60 employees of second-tier microfinance institutions in Cameroon. The results indicate that two dimensions of internal marketing (rewards and training/development) have a positive and significant effect on customer satisfaction. The effect of vision on customer satisfaction is positive but non-significant.
Optimizing the Use of Hydroxychloroquine in the Management of COVID-19 Given Its Pharmacological Profile
Authors: Ali Ahmed S. , Abdel-Rahman Mahran S. , Almalikil Riyadh S. , Mohamed Abir S. , Alfaifi Khalid A. , Fadil Abdelbabgi El. , El-Shitany Nagla A. , Alkreathy Huda M.
Published: June 2020

After the global pandemic of the new coronavirus, its rapid spread and many victims, it is necessary to find an effective vaccine or drugs to overcome it. Most specialists consider that repositioning some medications is the best, fastest and most reliable option for treating patients with the new coronavirus without delay. One of these drugs was an old antimalarial drug, hydroxychloroquine. The current review aimed to explore its potential mechanism, as well as its pharmacokinetics and toxicity, in an attempt to suggest a treatment protocol for its use in treating the COVID-19 virus effectively and safely. This study reviewed the published references on the popular search engines as well as the reference books regarding the pharmacological effects of HCQ. The results of this study suggested the following practical guidelines to optimize HCQ efficacy and safety in the management of COVID-19. HQC should be used as early as possible, i.e., once the viral infection is confirmed or suspected. A loading dose is recommended to be given in 3-4 divided doses to minimize cardiac toxicity. Maintenance daily dose (divided into two doses), should be continued until complete remission. Precautions, drug-interaction, contraindications, variable metabolic pathways in the particular population should be considered. This study suggests more clinical trials regarding the use of HCQ in the management of early identified COVID-19 patients under close medical observation to minimize HCQ cardiac toxicity.
Forensic Microbiology, an Important Tool in Crime Investigation
Authors: Elshafei Ali Mohamed
Published: June 2020

Forensic science is the application of science to civil and criminal laws, also called as “criminalistics”. Its branches are rooted in every branch of science and many other aspects of modern society. Forensic scientists are responsible to analyze scientific evidence during the course of investigation either by travelling to the scene of the crime or by performing analysis on objects in the laboratory. Forensic microbiology is the science by which microorganisms ‘behaviors are used to determine the origin of a particular microbial strain, the path of an outbreak or the identity of a criminal. Recently there has been a significant development in forensic microbiology as a result of the significant development in molecular biology, microbiology and biochemistry sciences. It was found that the rapid identification and classification of infectious microorganisms are of great importance in the case of biological and microbial threat, and the analysis of the microbial genome sequence, whose cost has decreased significantly in recent years, greatly helps in this area.
Laparoscopic Partial Resection of the Urinary Bladder for Colorectal Cancers With Suspected Urinary Bladder Invasion
Authors: Yamamoto Seiichiro , Kanai Toshio , Osumi Koji , Yo Kikuo , Takano Kiminori , Tsutsui Mai , Nakanishi Ryo , Yoshikawa Yusuke , Kaneko Yasushi , Nakagawa Motohito
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Although partial cystectomy has been performed by laparoscopy in patients with benign disease, there have only been a few reports regarding the laparoscopic partial resection of urinary bladder–adherent colorectal cancer. This study was conducted to evaluate the short-term surgical outcomes of laparoscopic partial resection of urinary bladder–adherent colorectal cancer.

Case presentation

Between April 2014 and February 2017, 6 patients with colorectal cancers that were adherent to the urinary bladder underwent laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection combined with partial cystectomy. Their surgical outcomes were reviewed retrospectively. The primary colorectal cancer was located in the sigmoid colon in 5 patients and the upper rectum in 1 patient. None of the patients required conversion to open surgery. The median duration of surgery was 411 minutes, and the median amount of intraoperative blood loss was 284 mL. In the patients with sigmoid colon cancer, the bladder was primarily closed under direct visualization via the small lower abdominal incision used to remove the tumor. In the patient with upper rectal cancer, the bladder was primarily closed laparoscopically. None of the patients demonstrated urinary leakage on retrograde cystography or anastomotic leakage, and there were no cases of perioperative mortality or morbidity. None of the patients developed recurrence of cancer at the median follow-up of 21 months.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic partial resection of urinary bladder–adherent colorectal cancer produces good short-term outcomes without increasing morbidity. Performing bladder closure under direct visualization via a small lower abdominal incision might be useful in selected patients.
Human salivary histatin‐1 (Hst1) promotes bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2)‐induced osteogenesis and angiogenesis
Authors: Sun Ping , Shi Andi , Shen Chenxi , Liu Yi , Wu Gang , Feng Jianying
Published: June 2020

Large‐volume bone defects can result from congenital malformation, trauma, infection, inflammation and cancer. At present, it remains challenging to treat these bone defects with clinically available interventions. Allografts, xenografts and most synthetic materials have no intrinsic osteoinductivity, and so an alternative approach is to functionalize the biomaterial with osteoinductive agents, such as bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2). Because it has been previously demonstrated that human salivary histatin‐1 (Hst1) promotes endothelial cell adhesion, migration and angiogenesis, we examine here whether Hst1 can promote BMP2‐induced bone regeneration. Rats were given subcutaneous implants of absorbable collagen sponge membranes seeded with 0, 50, 200 or 500 μg Hst1 per sample and 0 or 2 μg BMP2 per sample. At 18 days postsurgery, rats were sacrificed, and implanted regional tissue was removed for micro computed tomography (microCT) analyses of new bone (bone volume, trabecular number and trabecular separation). Four samples per group were decalcified and subjected to immunohistochemical staining to analyze osteogenic and angiogenic markers. We observed that Hst1 increased BMP2‐induced new bone formation in a dose‐dependent manner. Co‐administration of 500 μg Hst1 and BMP2 resulted in the highest observed bone volume and trabecular number, the lowest trabecular separation and the highest expression of osteogenic markers and angiogenic markers. Our results suggest that coadministration of Hst1 may enhance BMP2‐induced osteogenesis and angiogenesis, and thus may have potential for development into a treatment for large‐volume bone defects.
Reimagining Flow Cytometric Cell Sorting
Authors: Jayasinghe Suwan N.
Published: June 2020

In this review, a brief history of this unrivaled technology, flow cytometry, is provided, highlighting its past and present advances, with particular focus on “flow cell” technologies. Flow cytometry has truly revolutionized high‐throughput single cell analysis, which has tremendous implications, from laboratory to the clinic. This technology embodies what is truly referred to as cross fertile research, merging the physical with the life sciences. This review introduces the recent notable advancements in flow cell technology. This advancement sees the complete removal of liquid sheath flow, which has advanced the technology with the possibility of both the reduction in its foot print, while also simplifying the flow cells explored in cytometry. Interestingly, the novel sheathless flow cell technology demonstrated herein has the flexibility for handling both heterogeneous cell populations and whole organisms, thus demonstrating a versatile flow cell technology for both flow cytometry and fluorescent‐activated cell sorting.
Pb‐Based Halide Perovskites: Recent Advances in Photo(electro)catalytic Applications and Looking Beyond
Authors: Chen Pengfei , Ong Wee‐Jun , Shi Zuhao , Zhao Xiujian , Li Neng
Published: June 2020

Photo(electro)catalysis has triggered ripples of excitement in environmental protection and energy conversion due to its potential applications in the degradation of organic pollutants, evolution of H2 and O2 from H2O splitting, and reduction of CO2 by utilizing solar energy. Over the past three years, halide perovskites, which render extraordinary charge transport capability in solar cells, have witnessed a burgeoning development in photocatalysis over the conventional oxide perovskites. This type of perovskite demonstrates a small surface area, limited light utilization, and high carrier recombination, resulting in inadequate reactant contact on catalyst surfaces and decreased catalytic activity. In this review, the progress of halide perovskites is presented starting from fundamental properties (i.e., synthesis and structure) to applications in light‐driven reactions with the focus on crystal dimensions, toxicity, and stability. In addition, computational studies on halide perovskites from electronic properties to catalytic mechanisms are presented to lay a foundation for future research and advancement in this field. Last, critical insights are provided into the existing limitations and favorable prospects for halide perovskites.
Improved AIE‐Active Probe with High Sensitivity for Accurate Uranyl Ion Monitoring in the Wild Using Portable Electrochemiluminescence System for Environmental Applications
Authors: Wang Ziyu , Pan Jianbin , Li Qian , Zhou Yi , Yang Sen , Xu Jing‐Juan , Hua Daoben
Published: June 2020

The development of highly sensitive and selective uranyl ion (UO22+) probes has attracted significant attention owing to the threat to human health caused by high toxicity, radioactivity, and long half‐life. Herein, the development of aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) active polymer dots (Pdots) is described for an accurate UO22+ monitoring using a portable electrochemiluminescence (ECL) system. An AIE‐active polymer containing tetraphenylethene and boron ketoiminate moieties is prepared into Pdots and modified with ssDNA to capture UO22+, which can amplify the ECL signal of the Pdots through a resonance energy transfer mechanism. This probe provides an ultralow detection limit of 10.6 pm/2.5 ppt, which is at least two orders of magnitude lower than the known UO22+ luminescent probes. Only UO22+ can provide an obvious ECL enhancement among the various metal ions, indicating the excellent selectivity of this probe. Furthermore, a portable ECL analyzer is designed to realize UO22+ measurements in the wild. The anodic ECL mechanism of UO22+ is discovered and ECL technology is first applied in monitoring radioactive substances. This study provides a novel strategy for the development of accurate UO22+ probes and a practical UO22+ monitoring method, indicating its potential application in the environmental and energy fields.
A Surface Chemistry Approach to Tailoring the Hydrophilicity and Lithiophilicity of Carbon Films for Hosting High‐Performance Lithium Metal Anodes
Authors: Tao Lei , Hu Anyang , Yang Zhijie , Xu Zhengrui , Wall Candace E. , Esker Alan R. , Zheng Zhifeng , Lin Feng
Published: June 2020

Porous carbon scaffolds can host lithium (Li) metal anodes to potentially enable stable Li metal batteries. However, the poor Li metal wettability on the carbon surface has inhibited the uniform distribution of metallic Li on most carbon scaffolds. Herein, this work reports a lithiophilic top layer through mild surface ozonolysis and ammoniation methods can universally facilitate the infiltration of liquid Li metal into most carbon matrices. Based on this finding, thin, a lightweight Li@carbon film (CF) composite anode with a high practical capacity of 3222 mAh g−1 and suppressed volume expansion and dendrite formation is reported. It is observed that the deep stripping/plating pre‐cycling yields dense, trunky Li metal in the Li@CF composite, which allows for favorable long‐term cycling performance. The full cell combining the thin Li@CF composite anode and a high‐mass‐loading, cobalt‐free cathode can deliver high reversible capacity, good cycle stability, and good rate capability in the conventional carbonate electrolyte. The present study further establishes the relationship between lithiophilicity and hydrophilicity for carbon materials as well as provides insights into improving the liquid Li metal infiltration into other carbon scaffolds.
Recent Developments and Practical Feasibility of Polymer‐Based Antifouling Coatings
Authors: Maan Anna M. C. , Hofman Anton H. , de Vos Wiebe M. , Kamperman Marleen
Published: June 2020

While nature has optimized its antifouling strategies over millions of years, synthetic antifouling coatings have not yet reached technological maturity. For an antifouling coating to become technically feasible, it should fulfill many requirements: high effectiveness, long‐term stability, durability, ecofriendliness, large‐scale applicability, and more. It is therefore not surprising that the search for the perfect antifouling coating has been going on for decades. With the discovery of metal‐based antifouling paints in the 1970s, fouling was thought to be a problem of the past, yet its untargeted toxicity led to serious ecological concern, and its use became prohibited. As a response, research shifted focus toward a biocompatible alternative: polymer‐based antifouling coatings. This has resulted in numerous advanced and innovative antifouling strategies, including fouling‐resistant, fouling‐release, and fouling‐degrading coatings. Here, these novel and exciting discoveries are highlighted while simultaneously assessing their antifouling performance and practical feasibility.
Hexagonal Boron Nitride–Enhanced Optically Transparent Polymer Dielectric Inks for Printable Electronics
Authors: Zhu Xiaoxi , Ng Leonard W. T. , Hu Guohua , Wu Tien‐Chun , Um Doo‐Seung , Macadam Nasiruddin , Hasan Tawfique
Published: June 2020

Solution‐processable thin‐film dielectrics represent an important material family for large‐area, fully‐printed electronics. Yet, in recent years, it has seen only limited development, and has mostly remained confined to pure polymers. Although it is possible to achieve excellent printability, these polymers have low (≈2–5) dielectric constants (εr). There have been recent attempts to use solution‐processed 2D hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) as an alternative. However, the deposited h‐BN flakes create porous thin‐films, compromising their mechanical integrity, substrate adhesion, and susceptibility to moisture. These challenges are addressed by developing a “one‐pot” formulation of polyurethane (PU)‐based inks with h‐BN nano‐fillers. The approach enables coating of pinhole‐free, flexible PU+h‐BN dielectric thin‐films. The h‐BN dispersion concentration is optimized with respect to exfoliation yield, optical transparency, and thin‐film uniformity. A maximum εr ≈ 7.57 is achieved, a two‐fold increase over pure PU, with only 0.7 vol% h‐BN in the dielectric thin‐film. A high optical transparency of ≈78.0% (≈0.65% variation) is measured across a 25 cm2 area for a 10 μm thick dielectric. The dielectric property of the composite is also consistent, with a measured areal capacitance variation of <8% across 64 printed capacitors. The formulation represents an optically transparent, flexible thin‐film, with enhanced dielectric constant for printed electronics.
In Situ Grown MWCNTs/MXenes Nanocomposites on Carbon Cloth for High‐Performance Flexible Supercapacitors
Authors: Li Hui , Chen Rui , Ali Mumtaz , Lee Haiwon , Ko Min Jae
Published: June 2020

Owing to their large surface‐area‐to‐volume ratios, 2D titanium carbides and nitrides (MXenes) have emerged as promising materials for energy storage devices. However, poor interlayer and interparticle conductivity of MXenes (due to its anisotropic nature) is a bottleneck for widening their applications. Additionally, the stacked structure of MXene sheets limits the exposed surface area and renders a complex electrolyte diffusion. To address these issues, a unique composite comprising of homogeneously grown multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on carbon cloth (CC)‐supported MXene sheets (denoted as MWCNTs‐MXene@CC) is proposed. The MWCNTs‐MXene@CC reveal the synergistic combination of exfoliated large surface area and excellent conductivity. Consequently, the fabricated electrode exhibits a specific capacitance of 114.58 mF cm−2 at a discharge current of 1 mA cm−2, while maintaining high retention after 1.6 × 104 cycles at 10 mA cm−2. Such high performance of the composite structure is attributed to the superb interlayer and interparticle conductivity imparted by the grown MWCNTs. Furthermore, the grown MWCNTs also serve as the interlayer pillar in MXene sheets, thus preventing the spontaneous collapse of the latter. The approach can be extended to other electrocatalyst systems in which ion transport and electrolyte diffusion need to be addressed simultaneously.
Designing Multi‐Level Resistance States in Graphene Ferroelectric Transistors
Authors: Hassanpour Amiri Morteza , Heidler Jonas , Müllen Klaus , Gkoupidenis Paschalis , Asadi Kamal
Published: June 2020

Conventional memory elements code information in the Boolean “0” and “1” form. Devices that exceed bistability in their resistance are useful as memory for future data storage due to their enhanced memory capacity, and are also a necessity for contemporary applications such as neuromorphic computing. Here, with the aid of an experimentally validated device model, design rules are outlined and more than two stable resistance states in a graphene ferroelectric field‐effect transistor are experimentally demonstrated. The design methodology can be extrapolated for on‐demand introduction of multiple resistance states in ferroelectric transistors for applications both in data storage and neuromorphic computing.
Self‐Powered Multifunctional Triboelectric Sensor Based on PTFE/PU for Linear, Rotary, and Vibration Motion Sensing
Authors: Wang Zhihua , Zhang Fengduo , Li Na , Yao Tao , Lv Dianli , Cao Guanlong
Published: June 2020

Sensors used in the Internet of Things (IoT) should be cost‐effective and easy to maintain. Triboelectric sensors made of polymers have good development prospects. Herein, a self‐powered multifunctional motion sensor (MMS) is proposed to sense the speed, acceleration, and direction of linear and rotational motions, and detect the frequency of vibration. The MMS comprises a polyurethane (PU) ball encapsulated in a 3D‐printed cylindrical shell, the inner walls of which are lined with Cu electrodes coated with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film. The scanning electron microscopy results show that the surface area of the PU ball can be effectively increased through wet etching with sulfuric acid. The charge transfer law is analyzed and simulated using the finite element method. The finite element simulation and experimental results prove that the MMS exhibits a good sensing performance. The MMS is successfully applied to the motion detection of a self‐balancing scooter and human activity state. It can also detect small vibrations and rotational speed. The proposed MMS has broad application prospects in the field of IoT.
Differential Monocyte Actuation in a Three‐Organ Functional Innate Immune System‐on‐a‐Chip
Authors: Sasserath Trevor , Rumsey John W. , McAleer Christopher W. , Bridges Lee Richard , Long Christopher J. , Elbrecht Daniel , Schuler Franz , Roth Adrian , Bertinetti‐LaPatki Christina , Shuler Michael L. , Hickman James J.
Published: June 2020

A functional, human, multiorgan, pumpless, immune system‐on‐a‐chip featuring recirculating THP‐1 immune cells with cardiomyocytes, skeletal muscle, and liver in separate compartments in a serum‐free medium is developed. This in vitro platform can emulate both a targeted immune response to tissue‐specific damage, and holistic proinflammatory immune response to proinflammatory compound exposure. The targeted response features fluorescently labeled THP‐1 monocytes selectively infiltrating into an amiodarone‐damaged cardiac module and changes in contractile force measurements without immune‐activated damage to the other organ modules. In contrast to the targeted immune response, general proinflammatory treatment of immune human‐on‐a‐chip systems with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) causes nonselective damage to cells in all three‐organ compartments. Biomarker analysis indicates upregulation of the proinflammation cytokines TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐10, MIP‐1, MCP‐1, and RANTES in response to LPS + IFN‐γ treatment indicative of the M1 macrophage phenotype, whereas amiodarone treatment only leads to an increase in the restorative cytokine IL‐6 which is a marker for the M2 phenotype. This system can be used as an alternative to humanized animal models to determine direct immunological effects of biological therapeutics including monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and gene therapies, and the indirect effects caused by cytokine release from target tissues in response to a drug's pharmacokinetics (PK)/pharmacodynamics (PD) profile.
Regulating the Hidden Solvation‐Ion‐Exchange in Concentrated Electrolytes for Stable and Safe Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Amine Rachid , Liu Jianzhao , Acznik Ilona , Sheng Tian , Lota Katarzyna , Sun Hui , Sun Cheng‐Jun , Fic Krzysztof , Zuo Xiaobing , Ren Yang , EI‐Hady Deia Abd , Alshitari Wael , Al‐Bogami Abdullah S. , Chen Zonghai , Amine Khalil , Xu Gui‐Liang
Published: June 2020

Lithium–sulfur batteries are attractive for automobile and grid applications due to their high theoretical energy density and the abundance of sulfur. Despite the significant progress in cathode development, lithium metal degradation and the polysulfide shuttle remain two critical challenges in the practical application of Li–S batteries. Development of advanced electrolytes has become a promising strategy to simultaneously suppress lithium dendrite formation and prevent polysulfide dissolution. Here, a new class of concentrated siloxane‐based electrolytes, demonstrating significantly improved performance over the widely investigated ether‐based electrolytes are reported in terms of stabilizing the sulfur cathode and Li metal anode as well as minimizing flammability. Through a combination of experimental and computational investigation, it is found that siloxane solvents can effectively regulate a hidden solvation‐ion‐exchange process in the concentrated electrolytes that results from the interactions between cations/anions (e.g., Li+, TFSI−, and S2−) and solvents. As a result, it could invoke a quasi‐solid‐solid lithiation and enable reversible Li plating/stripping and robust solid‐electrolyte interphase chemistries. The solvation‐ion‐exchange process in the concentrated electrolytes is a key factor in understanding and designing electrolytes for other high‐energy lithium metal batteries.
Persistent and emerging hazards contributing to work‐related fatalities in Alaska
Authors: Lucas Devin , Fitzgerald Elizabeth , Case Samantha , O'Connor Mary , Syron Laura
Published: June 2020

Background

Workers in Alaska have an elevated risk of dying on the job compared to workers in the rest of the United States. The purpose of this study was to measure and describe the trend in fatalities during the 15‐year period 2004 to 2018, and to identify lingering and emerging hazards that result in fatalities.

Methods

Data on fatal work‐related injuries in Alaska during 2004 to 2018 were obtained from the Alaska Occupational Injury Surveillance System. Descriptive statistics were calculated to identify fatality characteristics. Fatality rates were expressed as the number of deaths per 100 000 workers, and Poisson regression was used to measure the trend during the study period.

Results

During 2004 to 2018, there were 517 work‐related fatalities in Alaska. The average annual risk of fatalities during the 15‐year period was 9.6 per 100 000 workers, with no significant trend. The leading events or exposures resulting in fatal injuries to workers in Alaska during 2004 to 2018 were water vehicle incidents (145, 28.0%), aircraft incidents (105, 20.3%), and suicides (46, 8.9%). The number of suicides and homicides at work increased substantially during the 15‐year period.

Conclusions

While deaths due to water vehicle incidents have substantially decreased, they still represent a major component of Alaska's work‐related fatality profile. Aviation safety continues to be an area of concern in Alaska. Unintentional drug overdoses at work, as well as workplace violence in the form of suicides and homicides, represent emerging issues that need the attention of Alaskan occupational safety stakeholders. These findings can inform and direct fatality prevention research and practice.
Evaluating Oregon's occupational public health surveillance system based on the CDC updated guidelines
Authors: Yang Liu , Weston Crystal , Cude Curtis , Kincl Laurel
Published: June 2020

Background

The Oregon Occupational Public Health Program (OOPHP) monitors occupational health indicators (OHIs) to inform occupational safety and health (OSH) surveillance. In 2018, OOPHP evaluated the performance of the OSH surveillance system and identified areas for future improvement.

Methods

Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated guidelines for evaluating public health surveillance systems, the OOPHP evaluation team engaged internal and external stakeholders using a mixed‐methods approach. Operational measures for ten surveillance attributes were developed. Multiple data collection methods resulted in credible evidence for evaluation conclusions. Analyses included summary statistics and qualitative analysis of interviews, a focus group, and online surveys.

Results

Twenty stakeholders took part in this evaluation, with an average participation rate of 55%. Results showed the Oregon OSH surveillance system was simple, flexible, and highly accepted by its stakeholders. Funding security presents challenges for stability. A lack of timeliness of OHIs, low relevance of OHIs to local OSH issues, and the system's ineffectual data dissemination all limit the usefulness of the OSH surveillance system. A review of key data sources for the system showed good data quality and predictive value positive, but relatively poor sensitivity and representativeness.

Conclusions

The evaluation team successfully adapted attributes and examples in the CDC guidelines to this Oregon OSH surveillance evaluation. The evaluation findings have informed the development of recommendations for improvements to OOPHP's OSH surveillance. Future research is needed to develop guidance specific to OSH surveillance evaluation.
Clinical characteristics and quality of life, depression, and anxiety in adults with neurofibromatosis type 1: A nationwide study
Authors: Doser Karoline , Andersen Elisabeth Wreford , Kenborg Line , Dalton Susanne Oksbjerg , Jepsen Jens Richardt Møllegaard , Krøyer Anja , Østergaard John , Hove Hanne , Sørensen Sven Asger , Johansen Christoffer , Mulvihill John , Winther Jeanette Falck , Bidstrup Pernille Envold
Published: June 2020

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic condition characterized by numerous somatic manifestations. The psychosocial burden in adults has rarely been studied. We examined the prevalence of self‐reported impairment of quality of life (QoL), symptoms of anxiety and depression and need for support, associated with disease severity and visibility. We conducted a nationwide cross‐sectional study of all 467 adults with NF1 diagnosed between 1977 and 2016 at one of the two national centers for rare diseases in Denmark. A total of 244 (56% response rate) completed a questionnaire that included standard measures of QoL, symptoms of depression and anxiety, indicators of disease‐related severity, visibility, and need for professional support. Associations between disease severity and visibility and psychosocial burden were analyzed in descriptive and multivariate models. We observed impaired QoL (mean = 81.3; 95% CI, 76.2; 86.4); 19% reported symptoms of depression (mean = 5.7; SD = 5.4), and 15% reported anxiety (mean = 5.1; SD = 5.2) at a clinical level. Adults with NF1 also reported requiring professional support for physical, psychological, and work‐related problems. Disease severity and (partly) visibility were significantly (p < .0001) associated with psychosocial well‐being and a requirement for support. This study provides new understanding of the factors associated with impaired QoL, indicating that follow‐up care should be optimized into adult life.
Epigenetics and genomics in Klinefelter syndrome
Authors: Skakkebæk Anne , Viuff Mette , Nielsen Morten M. , Gravholt Claus H.
Published: June 2020

Since the first description of Klinefelter syndrome (KS) was published in 1942 in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology, large inter‐individual variability in the phenotypic presentation has been demonstrated. However, our understanding of the global impact of the additional X chromosome on the genome remains an enigma. Evidence from the existing literature of KS indicates that not just one single genetic mechanism can explain the phenotype and the variable expressivity, but several mechanisms may be at play concurrently. In this review, we describe different genetic mechanisms and recent advances in the understanding of the genome, epigenome, and transcriptome of KS and the link to the phenotype and clinical heterogeneity. Future studies are needed to unite clinical data, genomic data, and basic research attempting to understand the genetics behind KS. Unraveling the genetics of KS will be of clinical relevance as it may enable the use of polygenic risk scores to predict future disease susceptibility and enable clinical risk stratification of KS patients in the future.
Why the U.S. Supreme Court Should Review Whether Arbitrability May Be Incorporated by Reference
Authors: Faulkner Richard D. , Loree Philip J.
Published: June 2020

Editor's note: In Part 1 last month, the authors discussed the second trip to the U.S. Supreme Court for Archer and White Sales Inc. v. Henry Schein Inc., No. 19‐1080, on a petition for certiorari regarding whether an arbitration agreement unmistakably delegates to the arbitrator disputes about whether the parties agreed to arbitrate in the first place. The legal standard focuses on whether there is “clear and unmistakable” evidence of the parties' intent to have arbitrators decide whether a case goes to arbitration. If not, the decision goes to a court.
Triarylboran‐katalysierte Alkenylierungen von Arylestern mit Diazoverbindungen
Authors: Dasgupta Ayan , Stefkova Katarína , Babaahmadi Rasool , Gierlichs Lukas , Ariafard Alireza , Melen Rebecca L.
Published: June 2020

Wir berichten hier von einer einfachen und milden Reaktion zur Knüpfung von Kohlenstoff‐Kohlenstoff‐Bindungen in Abwesenheit von Übergangsmetallkatalysatoren. Wir zeigen, dass die metallfreie Alkenylierungsreaktion von Arylestern mit α‐Diazoestern zu hochfunktionalisierten Eninprodukten führt. Es werden katalytische Mengen an Tris(pentafluorphenyl)boran (10–20 Mol‐%) eingesetzt, um die C=C‐gekoppelten Produkte (31 Beispiele) in guten bis ausgezeichneten Ausbeuten (36–87 %) zu erhalten. DFT‐Studien wurden zur Aufklärung des Mechanismus dieser Alkenylierungsreaktion durchgeführt.
Triarylborane‐Catalyzed Alkenylation Reactions of Aryl Esters with Diazo Compounds
Authors: Dasgupta Ayan , Stefkova Katarína , Babaahmadi Rasool , Gierlichs Lukas , Ariafard Alireza , Melen Rebecca L.
Published: June 2020

Herein we report a facile, mild reaction protocol to form carbon–carbon bonds in the absence of transition metal catalysts. We demonstrate the metal‐free alkenylation reactions of aryl esters with α‐diazoesters to give highly functionalized enyne products. Catalytic amounts of tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (10–20 mol %) are employed to afford the C=C coupled products (31 examples) in good to excellent yields (36–87 %). DFT studies were used to elucidate the mechanism for this alkenylation reaction.
Recycling Treatment Plant Residuals: Concerns Beyond Pathogens
Authors: Duke Aaron W. , Roth Damon K. , Gross Mark , Jin Shanshan
Published: June 2020

Key Takeaways

As the practice of recycling water treatment residuals matures, additional contaminants beyond pathogens are becoming increasingly relevant to how facilities may recycle their residuals streams.

Manganese recycling and residuals treatment will become more critical if the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) ultimately promulgates a primary drinking water regulation targeting manganese.

If a facility implements onsite dewatering and subsequently recycles their residuals streams, they may need to reduce the polyacrylamide levels to comply with USEPA regulations.
Analysing the experiences of casual relief teachers in Australian primary schools using practice architecture theory
Authors: Uchida Minami , Cavanagh Michael , Lane Rod
Published: June 2020

This study examines the professional experiences of casual relief teachers (CRTs) and some of the challenges they face through the lens of practice architecture theory. Practice architecture theory considers human activity through the multi‐layered lens of sayings, doings and relatings. A survey was used to collect responses from 104 CRTs who are teaching or have previously taught in Australian primary schools. The responses were examined using thematic content analysis to gain insights into their experiences of professional practice. In addition, the demographic information from the survey identified three main categories of CRTs which contributed to better understanding of distinct needs and experiences of each type of CRT. Results indicate that many participants saw casual teaching as a negative and alienating experience due to lack of access to school information, lack of support for accreditation and feelings of exclusion from school communities. The need for greater access to information about professional learning was also highlighted. However, others enjoyed the flexibility and sense of belonging they experienced as CRTs. The present study contributes to CRT research by identifying similarities and differences across the three CRT groups and applying practice architectures as a new theoretical lens through which to analyse their professional experiences.
Rethinking Causation for Data‐intensive Biology: Constraints, Cancellations, and Quantized Organisms
Authors: Brash Douglas E.
Published: June 2020

Complex organisms thwart the simple rectilinear causality paradigm of “necessary and sufficient,” with its experimental strategy of “knock down and overexpress.” This Essay organizes the eccentricities of biology into four categories that call for new mathematical approaches; recaps for the biologist the philosopher's recent refinements to the causation concept and the mathematician's computational tools that handle some but not all of the biological eccentricities; and describes overlooked insights that make causal properties of physical hierarchies such as emergence and downward causation straightforward. Reviewing and extrapolating from similar situations in physics, it is suggested that new mathematical tools for causation analysis incorporating feedback, signal cancellation, nonlinear dependencies, physical hierarchies, and fixed constraints rather than instigative changes will reveal unconventional biological behaviors. These include “eigenisms,” organisms that are limited to quantized states; trajectories that steer a system such as an evolving species toward optimal states; and medical control via distributed “sheets” rather than single control points.
Engineering slit‐like channels for studying the growth of epithelial tissues in 3D‐confined spaces
Authors: Alaimo Laura , Luciano Marine , Mohammed Danahe , Versaevel Marie , Bruyère Céline , Vercruysse Eléonore , Gabriele Sylvain
Published: June 2020

The development of epithelial lumens in ducts is essential to the functioning of various organs and in organogenesis. Ductal elongation requires the collective migration of cell cohorts in three‐dimensional (3D) confined spaces, while maintaining their epithelial integrity. Epithelial lumens generally adopt circular morphologies, however abnormalities in complex physiological environments can lead to the narrowing of glandular spaces that adopt elongated and slit‐like morphologies. Here, we describe a simple method to form epithelial tissues in microchannels of various widths (100–300 µm) with a constant height of 25 µm that mimic elongated geometries of glandular spaces. The significance of this biomimetic platform has been evidenced by studying the migration of epithelial cell sheets inside these narrow slits of varying dimensions. We show that the growth of epithelial tissues in 3D‐confined slits leads to a gradient of cell density along the slit axis and that the migration cell velocity depends on the extent of the spatial confinement. Our findings indicate that nuclear orientation is higher for leader cells and depends on the slit width, whereas YAP protein was predominantly localized in the nucleus of leader cells. This method will pave the way to studies aiming at understanding how 3D‐confined spaces, which are reminiscent of in vivo pathological conditions, can affect the growth and the homeostasis of epithelial tissues.
Role of glycine 256 residue in improving the catalytic efficiency of mutant endoglucanase of family 5 glycoside hydrolase from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SS35
Authors: Singh Shweta , Kumar Krishan , Nath Priyanka , Goyal Arun
Published: June 2020

Wild‐type, BaGH5‐WT and mutant, BaGH5‐UV2 (aspartate residue mutated to glycine), endoglucanases belonging to glycoside hydrolase family 5 (GH5), from wild‐type, and UV2 mutant strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SS35, respectively, were earlier cloned in pHTP0 cloning vector. In this study, genes encoding BaGH5‐WT or BaGH5‐UV2 were cloned into pET28a(+) expression‐vector and expressed in Escherichia coli BL‐21(DE3)pLysS cells. BaGH5‐UV2 showed 10‐fold (43.6 U/mg) higher specific activity against carboxymethylcellulose sodium salt (CMC‐Na), higher optimal temperature by 10°C at 65°C, and 22‐fold higher catalytic efficiency against CMC‐Na, than BaGH5‐WT. BaGH5‐UV2 showed stability in wider acidic pH range (5.0–7.0) unlike BaGH5‐WT in narrow basic pH range (7.0–7.5). BaGH5‐UV2 displayed a mutation, Asp256Gly in L11 loop, connecting β6‐sheet with α6‐helix, near active site toward the domain surface of (α/β)8‐TIM barrel fold. Molecular dynamics simulation studies showed more stable structure, accessibility of substrate for a catalytic site, and increased flexibility of loop L11 of BaGH5‐UV2 than the wild type, suggesting enhanced catalysis by BaGH5‐UV2. Molecular docking analysis displayed enhanced hydrogen bond interactions of cello‐oligosaccharides with BaGH5‐UV2, unlike BaGH5‐WT. Thus, Gly256 residue of loop L11 plays an important role in enhancing catalytic efficiency, and pH stability of GH5 endoglucanase. Therefore, these results help in protein engineering of GH5 endoglucanase for improved biochemical properties.
Design and the technology acceptance model analysis of instructional mapping
Authors: Dai Zhicheng , Wang Mengting , Liu Sannyuya , Tang Liqiong
Published: June 2020

As a simple and effective tool of information integration, mind mapping can facilitate students' epistemic efficiency and improve teachers' pedagogical content knowledge, which can solve the problems being encountered in the reform of Chinese universities. To establish a systematic instructional method for mind mapping, this paper proposed a new instructional mode based on mind mapping and developed instructional mapping (IM), a classroom teaching software based on the starC system. The starC system is a cloud learning platform, which integrates learning resource, intelligent management, online community, and third‐party service. The starC system has been in use in 16 smart classrooms of Central China Normal University since 2017. However, it seems that many teachers prefer traditional instructional modes than IM. To determine the factors that can encourage teachers to accept IM, we carried out an empirical study based on the technology acceptance model (TAM). The external variables were school factors and student factors. School factors included evaluation and incentive systems. Student factors included students' interest in IM and their evaluation of teachers' use of IM. The empirical study was validated using survey data from 110 teachers. The findings in the TAM analysis revealed significant evidence in favor of the adoption of IM and provided theoretical and practical implications for teachers, school administrators, and instructional mode researchers and developers.
Evolution of students' interaction using a gamified virtual learning environment in an engineering course
Authors: Corvalán Benjamín , Recabarren Matías , Echeverría Alejandro
Published: June 2020

Keeping students engaged can improve their learning. Gamification is a technique that has been shown to improve engagement, transferring the positive effects of videogames. However, the mobile games industry has identified that player retention decreases quickly over time, but it is unclear if this decreasing retention pattern transfers to gamification activities. To check if the behavioral engagement was stable over a 14‐week engineering course, we gamified an existing virtual learning environment (VLE), conducting an observational study for two semesters. Actions performed by students within the VLE were used to measure behavioral engagement, which allows us to track student behavior weekly. To analyze the gamification effect, we divided user actions into two groups: academic and gamified. The results showed that the gamified actions performed by students in the VLE decreased every week, which was significantly higher than the decrease in academic actions. This shows that the decreasing retention pattern seen in mobile games was also present in this study. These results suggest that, just like in mobile games, to sustain the behavioral engagement over a long period of time in a gamified class, additional modern game‐design techniques should be considered.
First Ring‐Expanded Maytansin Lactone Accessed by a New Mutasynthetic Variant
Authors: Wesemann Friederike , Heutling Anja , Wienecke Paul , Kirschning Andreas
Published: June 2020

A multiblocked mutant strain (ΔAHBA and Δasm12, asm21) of Actinosynnema pretiosum, the producer of the highly toxic maytansinoid ansamitocin, has been used for the mutasynthetic production of new proansamitocin derivatives. The use of mutant strains that are blocked in the biosynthesis of an early building block as well as in the expression of two tailoring enzymes broadens the scope of chemo‐biosynthetic access to new maytansinoids. Remarkably, a ring‐expanded macrolactone derived from ansamitocin was created for the first time.
Trading Inequities: Hispanic‐Serving Community Colleges and Baccalaureate Degree Programs
Authors: Martinez Edna
Published: June 2020

This chapter presents a critical examination of the institutionalization of baccalaureate degrees at a Hispanic‐serving community college. Findings highlight that in expanding programmatic, financial, and geographic access to certain baccalaureate degrees, access to other educational opportunities was undercut.
How Students Think About Race: Exploring Racial Conceptions and Their Implications for Student Success Among Latino Male Community College Students
Authors: Abrica Elvira J. , Dorsten Amanda K.
Published: June 2020

This chapter describes the importance of students’ conceptualizations of race, defined as the abstract ideas that students have about race as well as how they express these ideas as influencing their own experience or that of the social identity group(s) to which they belong. Empirical findings from a study of racial conceptualization among Latino male community college students attending a 2‐year Hispanic Serving Institution in Southern California are presented. Implications of racial conceptualization for programmatic interventions and curriculum development are discussed.
Challenging Deficit Views of Latinx Students: A Strength‐based Perspective
Authors: Carales Vincent D. , López Ruth M.
Published: June 2020

This chapter describes various strength‐based theoretical perspectives useful in understanding the experiences of Latinx community college students. We highlight key findings from studies that utilized these perspectives and conclude with recommendations for practitioners and leaders to consider as they support Latinx students.