bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Phytochemical, Proximate and Some Mineral Composition of the Leaves and Stem Bark of Spondia mombin (L. anacardiaceae)
Authors: Kpomah Enyohwo Dennis , Odokwo Edet Okon
Published: July 2020

Aims: Quantitative phytochemical, proximate and some mineral content of the leaves and stem bark of Spondia mombin, a plant commonly found in Southern Nigeria was studied with a view of ascertaining their nutritional potential and justification for their ethnopharmacological uses.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the research Laboratory of the Department of Biochemistry, Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, between        February – March 2019.

Methodology: Proximate composition, quantitative phytochemical, and mineral contents of the samples were studied using standard analytical methods of the Association of Analytical Chemist (AOAC).

Results: Proximate analysis of the leaves and stem bark showed that there was no significant difference (P  between the carbohydrate and protein content of both leaves and stem bark while the stem bark had significantly higher (P values for ash, fat and fibre when compared to the leaves which incidentally had significantly higher (P  moisture content. Quantitative phytochemical analysis revealed that there was no significant difference (P  between the leaves and stem bark with reference to tannin, oxalate and phytate, the stem bark, however, showed significantly higher (P  values for alkaloids, saponin and cyanogenic glycosides when compared to the leaves, although flavonoids and phenols were significantly (P higher in the leaves. Mineral (elemental) analysis of both leaves and stem bark indicated the presence of macro and micro minerals in varying amounts.

Conclusion: These findings indicated that S. mombin contained an appreciable amount of nutrients and minerals which could be included in the diet to supplement our daily nutrients and animal feeds, while the presence of the phytochemical may justify their use in ethnomedicine for the prevention, treatment and management of diverse health challenges, the phytochemicals may also act as lead compounds in the development of new drugs to counteract the present drug-resistant phenomenon.
Effect of Heat Stress on Inter-relationship of Physiological and Biochemical Traits with Grain Yield in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Kumari Amrita , Ranjan R. D. , Roy Chandan , Pal Awadesh Kumar , Kumar S.
Published: July 2020

Heat stress, particularly the stress appears at the time of flowering to grain filling stages causing severe yield loss in wheat. Heat tolerance is complex phenomena that include adjustment in morphological, physiological and biochemical traits of the crop. Present investigation was carried out to understand the effect of terminal heat stress on different traits of wheat. The experiment was conducted in three dates of sowing as timely sown, late sown and very late sown to expose the crop to heat stress at later stages of the crop growth. Significant genetic variations for all the traits evaluated under three conditions indicated the presence of variability for the traits. Trait association analysis revealed that flag leaf chlorophyll content and MSI at seedling stage; MDA at reproductive stage had direct relationship with grain yield. While under very late sown condition MDA and RWC at seedling stages were found to be highly correlated with grain yield. It indicates that MDA, RWC at seedling stage and days to booting, days to milking plays important role in very late sown condition that can be used as selection criteria in breeding programme.
Use of Medicinal Plants in Urban Areas in the Municipality of Aliança of Tocantins
Authors: Borges Jaqueline Cibene Moreira , Lourenço Cristiane Mendes , Zanatta Livia , Mafra Vanderson Ramos , Júnior Saulo José Lima , Ferreira Taciano Peres , Leão Natallia Moreira Lopes , Prieb Andreisa , Silveira Yara , Marques Christiane Rodrigues de Paula , Escobar Nayanne Deusdará , Sousa Marco Túlio Borges , Costa Thalita Melo França , Sousa Sara Falcão de
Published: July 2020

Research that takes account of popular uses of medicinal plants, also in urban areas, is important records to subsidize health actions more effectively and safely and maintain the local cultural heritage, as advocated by the national policy of medicinal plants. This study aimed to survey the use of medicinal plants by residents of the municipality of Aliança the Tocantins. In 2011, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 70 informants in the urban environment, Aliança of Tocantins. Most claimed to have acquired knowledge about medicinal plants with parents and grandparents, 60% and 25.7%, respectively. 62.9% of the interviewees obtained the plants in their backyard and 30% in the backyard of neighbors or relatives. The families with the highest number of species were Lamiaceae with 4 species (40%), Asteraceae and Malvaceae with 2 species each (20%). There were 82 therapeutic properties about the species mentioned, with a higher number of citations for "other indications" (25.6%), such as pain in general, back pain, malaise, dizziness, among others. The most used form of preparation was tea (81.4%) and the leaf was the most used organ (81.4%). Of the informants, 61.4% prefer to use home remedies instead of industrialized medicines. The informants, even living in the urban environment (82.8%), still know and frequently use the local medicinal flora, this being an indication of strong local cultural appeal and feasibility of encouraging green backyards.
Levels of Heavy Metals and Their Risk Assessment in Kolanuts (Cola nitida Schott & Amp; Endl.) Collected from Cote d’Ivoire, West Africa
Authors: Rodrigue Kouadio , Viviane Deigna-Mockey , Assi Ake , Yves Nyamien , Adama Coulibaly , Daouda Sidibe , Henri Biego
Published: July 2020

Background: Kolanut represents a significant economic interest for this country as well as many African households and public authorities. Despite its obvious importance, the sector of the kolanut is facing a delicate sanitary quality of the marketed product. The majority of the production (90%) of kola is consumed daily fresh by people and could cause a serious health problem for consumers if the toxicity due to heavy metals were proven.

Aims: This study aimed to determine the heavy metals levels in kolanuts and estimate the risks of nuts consumption on population health in Côte d'Ivoire.

Study Design: Samples were collected from farmers, rural collectors, urban stores in districts (Mountains, Comoe, Lagoons, Down-Sassandra) and big storage centers of Anyama and Bouake.

Methodology: Concentrations of 3 heavy metals were measured using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The analysis of lead and cadmium was performed in flame mode (Air / nitrogen), with an AAS type VARIAN SPECTRAA 110 provided the furnace GTA 110. While, the analysis of mercury was carried out in hydride mode with a SAA system equipped with a vaporization unit (VGA 77).

Results: Results showed the presence of the 3 heavy metals in kolanuts samples, with concentrations ranging from 5.37 μg/kg to 11.21 μg/kg, 17.49 μg/kg to 51.01 μg/kg and 19.99 μg/kg to 40.35 μg/kg for lead, cadmium and mercury, respectively. Based on the concentrations and the daily consumption of kolanuts estimated at 0.6 g/person in Côte d'Ivoire, the intakes values estimated by heavy metals were 4.8.10-3 ± 4.9.10-4 µg/j, 1.3.10-2 ± 9.07.10-4 µg/j and 1.7.10-2 ± 1.99.10-3 µg/j for lead, cadmium and mercury, respectively. The exposure daily doses (EDD) are all lower than the toxicological reference values. Thus, the occurrence of a toxic effect from Pb (HQ = 1.94.10 -5 <1), Cd (HQ = 1.9.10 -4 <1) and Hg (HQ = 3.4.10 -4 < 1) after Kolanuts consumption is very unlikely since the HQ are all less than 1.

Conclusion: Consumption of kolanuts from Côte d’Ivoire would not present any health risk for the consumer.
Effect of Different Media on Germination and Seedlings Performance of Chili Pepper (Capsicum annum)
Authors: Kaledzi P. D. , Tandoh P. K. , Asana S.
Published: July 2020

The production of vegetable seedlings is an important business for some farmers in most parts of the world with poor media being a major constraint. An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different media on germination and nursery performance of chili pepper at the Department of Horticulture, Kwame Nkrumah University of science and Technology (KNUST). A Randomized Complete Block design with six treatments and three replications was used in the study. Media treatments were used either alone or in combination and they were: topsoil only, rice hull ash only, rabbit waste only, topsoil and rice hull ash (1:1), topsoil and rabbit waste (1:1) and topsoil and river sand (1:1). There were significant differences in germination percentage, seedling height, number of leaves and stem girth as function of the media treatments. The different media however did not affect days to 50% germination significantly. Comparatively, the highest and the lowest germination percentages (77.50% and 62.00%) were obtained by nursing seeds in the mixture of topsoil and rice hull ash as well as rabbit waste only respectively. In terms of growth characteristics, plant height and number of leaves were highest in seedlings nursed in topsoil and rice hull ash mixture (18.36 cm and 13.23 cm) respectively at the end of the study period. The highest stem girth was seedlings nursed in topsoil (3.129 mm) at the end of the experiment. Plants nursed in rabbit waste only had the lowest growth performance in terms of plant height (2.75 cm), number of leaves (4.50) and stem girth (1.27 mm) at the end of the experiment. Growth medium consisting of a mixture of proportion of topsoil and rice hull ash is therefore recommended for growing chili pepper seedlings since this combination improved both germination and subsequent growth as compared to the other media used in the experiment. Rice hull ash is not recommended to be used alone in raising chili pepper seedlings since it has a high pH which decreases seedling growth. Partially decomposed rabbit waste is also not suitable to be used as nursery medium because it retards seedling growth.
Hygienic Conditions and Quality of Dishes Cooked and Sold by Women Traders in the Town of Korhogo
Authors: Detto Karamoko , Thierry Yoro Dezay , Aboya Moroh Jean-Luc , Joel Koffi Alex , Marcellin Djè Koffi
Published: July 2020

The aim of this study is to evaluate the hygienic quality of the dishes cooked and sold by the women traders in the town of Korhogo. The study was carried out with 45 restaurants in the town of Korhogo. It consisted on the one hand, a survey based on the Ishikawa diagram in order to assess the hygienic conditions, and on the other hand of microbiological analyses of the ready-to-serve meals. A total of 90 samples were taken, including 2 dishes per restaurant, respectively consisting of one hot and one cold dish. Generally, results showed that hygienic conditions were unsatisfactory based on the utilized guidelines. From a microbiological point of view, the meal samples were 75.2% satisfactory, 7.6% acceptable and 17.2% unsatisfactory. In view of these results, it appears essential to improve hygiene conditions by greater involvement of the official services involved in training these traders and monitoring compliance with good hygiene practices and the establishment of a program of cleaning and disinfection of premises and equipment.
Impact of Climate Change on Rainfall Distribution on Cassava Yield in Coastal and Upland Areas of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Authors: A. I. Isaiah , A. M. Yamusa , A. C. Odunze
Published: July 2020

This study examined the implication of rainfall variability on cassava yield in selected coastal and upland areas of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Thirty years daily rainfall data were collected from Nigeria Meteorological Agency (1989 – 2018); cassava yield data were also collected from Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Agriculture Uyo (1989 – 2018). Descriptive statistics was used to determine the average annual rainfall and cassava yield. Time series analysis were used to assess the relationship between rainfall and cassava yield. The result indicated an increase in rainfall trends in all areas with Eket – r2 = 0.6631, Oron - r2 = 0.5329, Uyo - r2 = 0.4215 and Ikot Ekpene - r2 = 0.4042. The result also showed an increase in yield of cassava in Uyo and Ikot Ekpene at r2 = 0.2436 and 0.4397 respectively; while its decreases in Eket and Oron at r2 = 0.0611 and 0.1159 respectively. This suggested that a high yield of cassava may be achieved only in the upland areas of Akwa Ibom State due to continuous increase in rainfall as a result of climate change.
Effect of Different Colour Shading on Seedling Growth, Fruit Morphology and Phytochemical Properties of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. var KWR)
Authors: Dissanayake P. K. , Wekumbura W. G. C.
Published: July 2020

Context: Producing high quality and chemical free tomato would favorably enhance consumer preference. There are most promising findings available on growth and quality attributes of tomato and other plants under different light spectrum in closed house conditions using different light sources. Installment of light emitting devices and running cost with high power consumption might not favorable for commercial cultivators and small scale growers.

Aim: In present study we used colour transparent sheets such as colourless (control), red, blue, green and yellow as shading material to transmit respective spectrum of light on tomato plants to study the effect.

Methodology: Tomato seed germination study was done under different colour shading in petri plates. Seedling and plant growth parameters and phytochemical properties of tomato plants grown under different transparent colour shadings were studied such as number of leaves, leaf area, weight of shoot and root, chlorophyll content, ascorbic acid content of fruits, lycopene contents of fruits, fruit physical parameters and flowering.

Results: Seed germination was significantly high under yellow, colourless and red shading over blue and green. Seedling growth was significantly high under yellow shading. Fruit Ascorbic acid content was positively enhanced by yellow, green and colourless shading, whereas chlorophyll and lycopene content significantly high under green and red. Number of flower setting per plant was high under green shading (40±5.77), whereas lowest under yellow shading (22.33±6.38). Fruit setting significantly high under yellow shading (14±2) and lowest was red (9±1). Blue shading showed significantly high effect on fruit morphological traits such as pericarp thickness and fruit size.

Conclusion: Yellow colour shading enhances seedling growth and fruit setting of tomato, while green having positive impact on fruit morphology. However, different characters of tomato were differently affected by different colour shading in greenhouse condition and for the better effect appropriate colour shading should be selected at particular stage of growth.
Agricultural Expenditures and Food Security: Evidence from Sub Saharan African Countries
Authors: Atabukum Felix Dabit , Luc Nembot  Ndeffo , Toukam Christophe Kuipou
Published: July 2020

This paper sets out to investigate the effects of agricultural expenditures on two dimensions of food security in Sub Saharan Africa from 2000-2016. The Feasible Generalized Least Square (FGLS) econometric technique was applied on data from World Development Indicator, Regional Strategic Alliance and Knowledge Support System (ReSAKSS), the World Governing Indicator, the African Development Indicators, the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) data bases. Our results depicted that public agricultural expenditure has negative and significant effects on food availability and utilization while domestic private agricultural expenditure and human capital foster both dimensions of food security. Foreign aid for agriculture has no effects on food availability but promotes food utilization while economic infrastructure promotes food availability but the effects on food utilization are positive and not significant. On the basis of the results, we recommend that SSA African government should increase the size of public agricultural expenditure, increase the level of economic infrastructures so as to crowd in private agricultural investment, lobby for more foreign aid for agriculture, improve the quality of institutions and design different policies to target different dimensions of food security.
ESD Diode Protection Incorporated on Leadframe Package
Authors: Gomez Frederick Ray I. , Jr. Edwin M. Graycochea , Gomez Nerie R. , Rodriguez Rennier S.
Published: July 2020

With the new die technology becomes smaller and thinner, silicon die circuit metallization also becomes smaller, thus electronic devices like quad-flat no-leads multi-row (QFN-mr) semiconductor leadframe package design become more sensitive and prone to electrostatic discharge (ESD) damages. This paper focused and introduced an additional surface mount technology by attaching diodes before and after diebonding process to protect the whole package and to prevent package related issues encountered. With this diode attached on the silicon die and leads, added protection could be achieved on the integrated circuit (IC) mounted on the circuit board level.
Hypoglycemia minimizing technologies used in adult patients undergoing continuous infusion of insulin
Authors: Granadeiro Raquel Magalhães de Azeredo , Sá Selma Petra Chaves , Granadeiro Daniel da Silva , Passos Joanir Pereira , Santos Fernanda Bernardo dos , Santos Maiana Eloí Ribeiro dos
Published: July 2020

Objetivo: Identificar as tecnologias existentes para minimização de hipoglicemia em pacientes adultos durante a infusão contínua de insulina (ICI) venosa. Método: Revisão integrativa das produções científicas disponíveis em português, inglês e espanhol, indexadas nas bases de dados da Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde (BVS), tendo como recorte temporal os anos de 2005 a 2015. Resultados: Após a busca, seleção e análise dos artigos, foram selecionados 06 estudos para compor a amostra, os quais se encontravam disponíveis na integra, e que evidenciavam tecnologias existentes para a minimização da ocorrência de hipoglicemia durante a ICI venosa. A amostra caracterizou protocolos informatizados e protocolos de papel utilizados durante o tratamento. Conclusão: O estudo conseguiu identificar tecnologias que foram criadas para minimização da ocorrência de hipoglicemia durante a infusão contínua de insulina. Os protocolos informatizados foram considerados mais eficazes na minimização de eventos hipoglicêmicos.
Educational practices on the anxiety control of patients in pre-operative heart surgery: integration review
Authors: Benevides Luana Maria Bráz , Silva Lúcia de Fátima da , Silva Gabriela Costa e , Farias Maria Sinara
Published: July 2020

Objetivo: descrever, com base na literatura, as contribuições das práticas educativas para o controle da ansiedade de pacientes em pré-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca. Método: trata-se de uma revisão integrativa realizada no período de novembro a dezembro de 2017 nas Bases de Dados PUBMED, BDENF – BIREME, SCIELO E MEDLINE, com a inclusão de 24 artigos que compuseram esse estudo. Resultados: Sobre o diagnóstico ansiedade, os artigos analisados mostraram maior presença no sexo feminino, em diferentes faixas etárias, mas mais prevalente em idades mais avançadas. Educação em saúde tem apresentado excelente resultados na diminuição da ansiedade, que uma vez realizada pelo enfermeiro, potencializa o cuidado. Conclusão: Processos educativos realizados no pré-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca, auxiliam para uma boa recuperação, pois com o envolvimento do paciente no processo, o tornará tranquilo e confortável.
Behavior of nursing professionals and the implementation of hospital humanization policy
Authors: Júnior José Nildo de Barros Silva , Gomes Anne Carolinne Marie dos Santos , Guedes Haline Costa dos Santos , Lima Emmanoela de Almeida Paulino , Januário Dilyane Cabral , Santos Marilia Laurencio dos
Published: July 2020

Objetivo: Conhecer a produção cientifica no período de 2013 a 2018, acerca dos comportamentos dos profissionais de enfermagem para efetivação da humanização hospitalar. Método: Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura realizada através das bases de dados SciELO, LILACS, IBECS, MEDLINE e Biblioteca Cochrane. A busca foi realizada em outubro de 2018, possuindo como amostra final 20 artigos. Resultados: Observou-se, após leitura na integra, a delimitação de 3 eixos temáticos quanto ao empoderamento profissional; acolhimento em âmbito hospitalar; e Comunicação e inter-relação no ambiente hospitalar, sendo indicadas significativamente nos estudos que norteiam o assunto. Conclusão: Revelou-se que o enfermeiro desenvolve uma série de funções, sendo estas de gestão, assistência direta ao paciente e até mesmo manipulação da tecnologia utilizada em ambientes especializados. Tais atribuições influenciam na sobrecarga do profissional e consequentemente na assistência e humanização inadequada ao paciente.
Nutritional status and food safety of families benefited by the bolsa familia program: integrative review
Authors: Carvalho Taciana Fonseca Braga de , Sá Thais da Silva , Ruas João Pedro Paulino , Vieira Maria Aparecida , Sampaio Cristina Andrade
Published: July 2020

Objetivos: Sintetizar o conhecimento produzido na literatura acerca do estado nutricional e a segurança alimentar de famílias beneficiadas pelo Programa Bolsa Família. Métodos: Revisão integrativa, com publicações de 2004 a 2017, nas bases de dados: Scientific Electronic Library Online, Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde e Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde utilizando-se os descritores: Estado Nutricional; Segurança Alimentar; Saúde Pública; Política Nutricional; Política Social. Resultados: Foram selecionadas 26 publicações que atenderam aos critérios de inclusão. O Programa proporcionou as famílias beneficiadas acesso a alimentos de qualidade e em quantidade suficiente. Em contrapartida, ocasionou aumento no consumo de alimentos calóricos e de baixo teor nutritivo ocasionando distúrbios nutricionais. Conclusão: O Programa trouxe inúmeros benefícios, mas recomenda-se a realização de ações educativas que visem alimentação saudável e a busca por investimentos nos setores de educação, saúde, geração de trabalho e renda e implantação de políticas voltadas à desigualdade social.
Brain Evolution and Comparative Neuroanatomy
Authors: Napoli Amalia J , Powers Alice S
Published: July 2020

Evolution shapes the brain, as it does the body, to allow an organism to adapt to its ecological niche by building upon inherited, conserved traits and developing new, divergent ones. Recently, some investigators have proposed that brains may not have evolved from a single common ancestor, but rather may have evolved more than once. Therefore, molecules, cells and genes that evolved earlier for other purposes may have been co‐opted for use in building nervous systems independently. Prior to the emergence of bilaterians, invertebrate nervous systems displayed radial symmetric nerve net formations, but the beginnings of nervous system condensation were there. In bilaterian nervous systems we see great variety; invertebrates of this group display simple ganglion/nerve cord formations as well as highly elaborated brains. Vertebrates have the most elaborated brains of all metazoans with complex subdivisions, some of which are highly conserved and others highly variable.

Key Concepts

Brains have evolved to enable organisms to compete successfully in different environmental niches, and the adaptations they show reflect the demands of those environments.

Recently, some investigators have proposed that brains may not have evolved from a single common ancestor, but rather may have evolved more than once.

In this view, which is controversial, the common ancestor of all invertebrates did not have a nervous system, and the nervous system developed separately in Ctenophora, on the one hand, and Cnidaria and Bilateria on the other.

Some evidence suggests that, even within Bilateria, nervous systems may have evolved separately in different groups.

Attempts to understand the origins of the nervous system must take into account the possibility that similar characteristics in present‐day nervous systems are not homologous as derivatives of a structure in the common ancestor, but rather, they have arisen separately in different lineages because of exaptation of pre‐existing traits in a common ancestor.

Invertebrate brains show a wide variety of structures from nerve nets to condensed ganglia to fully elaborated brains.

All vertebrates have the same subdivisions of the brain: the hindbrain, midbrain and forebrain. The hindbrain is relatively conservative, retaining a recognisable structure in spite of many variations, whereas the forebrain shows more variability among vertebrate groups.

Elaborate nervous systems and the capacity for complex learning have developed independently in some molluscs, arthropods and vertebrates.

The presence of elaborated brains in disparate groups illustrates that evolution of the brain has not shown a trend from simple to complex across metazoan taxa, but rather has occurred as a result of diverse environmental pressures that have led to the same elaborate structures more than once.
Sexual Reproduction and Immunity
Authors: Barribeau Seth M , Otti Oliver
Published: July 2020

Sexual reproduction is a highly complicated process shaped in part by the need to optimise reproductive investment, which can differ and evolve antagonistically between the sexes. Sexual reproduction is also intimately linked with immunity through a variety of means. Combining these seemingly disparate biological functions has led to the emergence of the new field of reproductive immunity. One striking parallel between reproduction and immunity is the detection of ‘other’. Failure to detect pathogens results in disease. Failure to ignore self causes autoimmunity. Similarly, individuals, as well as gametes, must choose appropriate partners avoiding interspecific mating on one extreme or reproducing with kin to avoid inbreeding, on the other. The relationship between reproduction and immunity is likely affected by the mating system and the degree of sexual conflict. Reproduction and immunity seem connected in three ways by resource trade‐offs among life‐history traits, by disease reduction due to mate choice of healthy mates and protective genes for the offspring and by mating‐induced immunity to reduce infection risk.

Key Concepts

Mating and sexual reproduction can be linked to immunity in three ways:

Reproduction and immunity can trade‐off.

Choosing a healthy partner can result in protection for the actor and its offspring.

Mating can directly result in immune responses.

This immune activation may be a much older association between the immune system and sexual reproduction.

Both immune activation and sexual reproduction involve recognising self from nonself.

Immune responses upon mating can serve to protect females from infection and play a role in sperm selection.

Mating system likely dictates the intensity and costs of these immune responses on mating.
Body Politics and Fat Shaming
Authors: Rinaldi Cirus
Published: July 2020

The entry focuses on the cultural relationship between online environment and the social reproduction of bodily standards. Online harassment, and especially online fat‐shaming, can be framed as the social reproduction of hegemonic gender, normative sexualities, and ideal bodies. In particular, such processes are deeply connected to “normalization” theories which refers, in everyday interactions, to all those practices which individuals use to control their own interactions in order to “appear” normal. Online fat‐shaming reveals how individuals use stigmatization as instruments to highlight the “abnormality” of those who possess “alarming” traits, conditions, and characteristics in order to bring them back to the norm. These processes also reveal how normative and ideal bodies are relational concepts which gain strength from the taken‐for‐granted “ideal.”
Big Data and Gender‐Biased Algorithms
Authors: Saka Erkan
Published: July 2020

There is a growing critical literature that considers algorithms as not value‐neutral phenomena. Gender bias may not be the most mediatized element, but it is a core element of the bias issues that are central to these critiques. Bias in algorithms is mostly traced back to algorithm designers and builders, Big Data (sets), lack of transparency in algorithm production, and platform politics. The discussion below includes specific examples of gender bias in Big Data and algorithm projects.
Gendering Cuteness
Authors: McIntyre Anthony P.
Published: July 2020

Cuteness is an aesthetic remarkable for its significant proliferation across a wide variety of media, a tendency that has only intensified in our present era of easily shareable digital content. Predominantly considered a minor aesthetic and often culturally diminished due to its associations with femininity and childhood, cuteness has of late seen a significant scholarly reappraisal in terms of, to name but a few key features, the gendered assumptions it provokes, its embodiment of the hyper‐commodification of late capitalism, as well as the subversive potential it affords. Scholarly interest in cuteness has unpacked the complexity of this ubiquitous aesthetic in disparate media texts. Gender is at the very heart of this aesthetic and this entry traces cuteness's trajectory through the 20th and 21st centuries, examining its impact on a wide range of media cultures.
Fluorinated Chitosan Microgels to Overcome Internal Oxygen Transport Deficiencies in Microtissue Culture Systems
Authors: Patil Pritam S. , Mansouri Mona , Leipzig Nic D.
Published: July 2020

Poor oxygen transport is a major obstacle currently for 3D microtissue culture platforms, which at this time cannot be grown large enough to be truly physiologically relevant and replicate adult human organ functions. To overcome internal oxygen transport deficiencies, oxygenating microgels are formed utilizing perfluorocarbon (PFC) modified chitosan and a highly scalable water‐in‐oil miniemulsion method. Microgels that are on the order of a cell diameter (≈10 µm) are formed allowing them to directly associate with cells when included in 3D spheroid culture, while not being internalized. The presence of immobilized PFCs in these microgels allows for enhancement and tuning of oxygen transport when incorporated into cultured microtissues. As such, it is demonstrated that incorporating oxygenating microgels at ratios ranging from 50:1 to 400:1 (# of cells:# of microgels) into dense human fibroblast‐based spheroids facilitated the growth of larger human cell‐based spheroids, especially at the highest incorporation percentages (50:1), which lacked defined hypoxic cores. Quantification of total double‐stranded (ds)‐DNA, a measure of number of live cells, demonstrated similar results to hypoxia quantification, showing more ds‐DNA due incorporation of oxygenating microgels. Finally, oxygen concentrations are measured at different depths within spheroids directly and confirmed higher oxygen partial pressures due to chitosan‐PFC microspheres.
Bioinspired Microstructured Materials for Optical and Thermal Regulation
Authors: Dou Shuliang , Xu Hongbo , Zhao Jiupeng , Zhang Ke , Li Na , Lin Yipeng , Pan Lei , Li Yao
Published: July 2020

Precise optical and thermal regulatory systems are found in nature, specifically in the microstructures on organisms’ surfaces. In fact, the interaction between light and matter through these microstructures is of great significance to the evolution and survival of organisms. Furthermore, the optical regulation by these biological microstructures is engineered owing to natural selection. Herein, the role that microstructures play in enhancing optical performance or creating new optical properties in nature is summarized, with a focus on the regulation mechanisms of the solar and infrared spectra emanating from the microstructures and their role in the field of thermal radiation. The causes of the unique optical phenomena are discussed, focusing on prevailing characteristics such as high absorption, high transmission, adjustable reflection, adjustable absorption, and dynamic infrared radiative design. On this basis, the comprehensive control performance of light and heat integrated by this bioinspired microstructure is introduced in detail and a solution strategy for the development of low‐energy, environmentally friendly, intelligent thermal control instruments is discussed. In order to develop such an instrument, a microstructural design foundation is provided.
Enhanced and Balanced Charge Transport Boosting Ternary Solar Cells Over 17% Efficiency
Authors: Li Danqin , Zhu Lei , Liu Xianjie , Xiao Wei , Yang Jianming , Ma Ruru , Ding Liming , Liu Feng , Duan Chungang , Fahlman Mats , Bao Qinye
Published: July 2020

Ternary architecture is one of the most effective strategies to boost the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic solar cells (OSCs). Here, an OSC with a ternary architecture featuring a highly crystalline molecular donor DRTB‐T‐C4 as a third component to the host binary system consisting of a polymer donor PM6 and a nonfullerene acceptor Y6 is reported. The third component is used to achieve enhanced and balanced charge transport, contributing to an improved fill factor (FF) of 0.813 and yielding an impressive PCE of 17.13%. The heterojunctions are designed using so‐called pinning energies to promote exciton separation and reduce recombination loss. In addition, the preferential location of DRTB‐T‐C4 at the interface between PM6 and Y6 plays an important role in optimizing the morphology of the active layer.
Wafer‐Scale High‐Quality Microtubular Devices Fabricated via Dry‐Etching for Optical and Microelectronic Applications
Authors: Saggau Christian N. , Gabler Felix , Karnaushenko Dmitriy D. , Karnaushenko Daniil , Ma Libo , Schmidt Oliver G.
Published: July 2020

Mechanical strain formed at the interfaces of thin films has been widely applied to self‐assemble 3D microarchitectures. Among them, rolled‐up microtubes possess a unique 3D geometry beneficial for working as photonic, electromagnetic, energy storage, and sensing devices. However, the yield and quality of microtubular architectures are often limited by the wet‐release of lithographically patterned stacks of thin‐film structures. To address the drawbacks of conventionally used wet‐etching methods in self‐assembly techniques, here a dry‐release approach is developed to roll‐up both metallic and dielectric, as well as metallic/dielectric hybrid thin films for the fabrication of electronic and optical devices. A silicon thin film sacrificial layer on insulator is etched by dry fluorine chemistry, triggering self‐assembly of prestrained nanomembranes in a well‐controlled wafer scale fashion. More than 6000 integrated microcapacitors as well as hundreds of active microtubular optical cavities are obtained in a simultaneous self‐assembly process. The fabrication of wafer‐scale self‐assembled microdevices results in high yield, reproducibility, uniformity, and performance, which promise broad applications in microelectronics, photonics, and opto‐electronics.
Coupling a Sponge Metal Fibers Skeleton with In Situ Surface Engineering to Achieve Advanced Electrodes for Flexible Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Liu Bo , Zhang Yan , Wang Zilin , Ai Changzhi , Liu Sufu , Liu Ping , Zhong Yu , Lin Shiwei , Deng Shengjue , Liu Qi , Pan Guoxiang , Wang Xiuli , Xia Xinhui , Tu Jiangping
Published: July 2020

Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) are regarded as promising next‐generation energy storage systems, however, the uncontrollable dendrite formation and serious polysulfide shuttling severely hinder their commercial success. Herein, a powerful 3D sponge nickel (SN) skeleton plus in situ surface engineering strategy, to address these issues synergistically, is reported, and a high‐performance flexible LSB device is constructed. Specifically, the rationally designed spray‐quenched lithium metal on the SN matrix (solid electrolyte interface (SEI)@Li/SN), as dendrite inhibitor, combines the merits of the 3D lithiophilic SN skeleton and the in situ formed SEI layer derived from the spray‐quenching process, and thereby exhibits a steady overpotential within 75 mV for 1500 h at 5 mA cm−2/10 mA h cm−2. Meanwhile, in situ surface sulfurization of the SN skeleton hybridizing with the carbon/sulfur composite (SC@Ni3S2/SN) serves as efficient lithium polysulfide adsorbent to catalyze the overall reaction kinetics. COMSOL Multiphysics simulations and density functional theory calculations are further conducted to explore the underlying mechanisms. As a proof of concept, the well‐designed SEI@Li/SN||SC@Ni3S2/SN full cell shows excellent electrochemical performance with a negative/positive ratio in capacity of ≈2 and capacity retention of 99.82% at 1 C under mechanical deformation. The novel design principles of these materials and electrodes successfully shed new light on the development of flexible LSBs.
Smartphone‐Based Luminescent Thermometry via Temperature‐Sensitive Delayed Fluorescence from Gd2O2S:Eu3+
Authors: Katumo Ngei , Gao Guojun , Laufer Felix , Richards Bryce S. , Howard Ian A.
Published: July 2020

Thermal images generated from infrared radiation are useful for monitoring many processes; however, infrared cameras are orders of magnitude more expensive than their visible counterparts. Methods that allow visible cameras to capture thermal images are therefore of interest. In this contribution, thermal images of a surface coated with an inexpensive inorganic micropowder phosphor are generated from the analysis of a video taken with a smartphone camera. The phosphor is designed to have a temperature‐dependent emission lifetime that is long enough to be determined from the analysis of a 30 frames‐per‐second video recording. This proof‐of‐principle work allows temperatures in the 270–320 K range to be accurately determined with a precision better than 2 K, even in the presence of bright background illuminance up to 1500 lm m−2. In the broader context, this inspires further development of phosphors to bring time‐resolved sensing techniques into lifetime long enough ranges to allow smartphone‐based detection.
Fully Exploited Oxygen Redox Reaction by the Inter‐Diffused Cations in Co‐Free Li‐Rich Materials for High Performance Li‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Lee Junghwa , Dupre Nicolas , Jeong Mihee , Kang ShinYoung , Avdeev Maxim , Gong Yue , Gu Lin , Yoon Won‐Sub , Kang Byoungwoo
Published: July 2020

To meet the growing demand for global electrical energy storage, high‐energy‐density electrode materials are required for Li‐ion batteries. To overcome the limit of the theoretical energy density in conventional electrode materials based solely on the transition metal redox reaction, the oxygen redox reaction in electrode materials has become an essential component because it can further increase the energy density by providing additional available electrons. However, the increase in the contribution of the oxygen redox reaction in a material is still limited due to the lack of understanding its controlled parameters. Here, it is first proposed that Li‐transition metals (TMs) inter‐diffusion between the phases in Li‐rich materials can be a key parameter for controlling the oxygen redox reaction in Li‐rich materials. The resulting Li‐rich materials can achieve fully exploited oxygen redox reaction and thereby can deliver the highest reversible capacity leading to the highest energy density, ≈1100 Wh kg−1 among Co‐free Li‐rich materials. The strategy of controlling Li/transition metals (TMs) inter‐diffusion between the phases in Li‐rich materials will provide feasible way for further achieving high‐energy‐density electrode materials via enhancing the oxygen redox reaction for high‐performance Li‐ion batteries.
Low‐Dimensional Hybrid Perovskites for Field‐Effect Transistors with Improved Stability: Progress and Challenges
Authors: Liang Yuhang , Li Feng , Zheng Rongkun
Published: July 2020

Hybrid perovskites have attracted considerable attention due to their excellent optoelectronic properties and facile processing. Beyond their wide usage in various energy‐related devices and optoelectronic applications, in particular photovoltaic cells, these materials have also been employed as active candidates in field‐effect transistors (FETs). However, the low stability of these materials is still a substantial challenge for their applications and commercialization. Low‐dimensional (two‐ or quasi‐two‐) perovskites, which are formed by introducing larger organic amine groups into the perovskite structure, not only offer great potential for the development of high stability devices, but also achieve higher field‐effect mobility due to the low ion migrations at room temperature. To date, the emerging low‐dimensional perovskite FETs have already gained unprecedented developments. This review mainly summarizes and evaluates the recent progress on low‐dimensional perovskite FETs and proposes solutions for the possible challenges. First, along with the detailed comparisons, the advantages of low‐dimensional perovskites that can overcome the demerits of conventional 3D perovskites for FETs are presented in detail. Thereafter, the achievements and development of low‐dimensional perovskite‐based FETs are briefly reviewed, followed by the discussion of field‐effect mobility and other challenges and opportunities of low‐dimensional perovskites for FETs. Finally, a summary and outlook are given.
Complementary Lateral‐Spin–Orbit Building Blocks for Programmable Logic and In‐Memory Computing
Authors: Zhang Nan , Cao Yi , Li Yucai , Rushforth Andrew W. , Ji Yang , Zheng Houzhi , Wang Kaiyou
Published: July 2020

Current‐driven switching of nonvolatile spintronic materials and devices based on spin–orbit torques offer fast data processing speed, low power consumption, and unlimited endurance for future information processing applications. Analogous to conventional complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductors technology, it is important to develop complementary spin–orbit devices with differentiated magnetization switching senses as elementary building blocks for realizing sophisticated logic functionalities. Various attempts using external magnetic field or complicated stack/circuit designs have been proposed; however, plainer and more feasible approaches are still strongly desired. Here it is shown that a pair of two locally laser annealed perpendicular Pt/Co/Pt devices with opposite laser track configurations and thereby inverse field‐free lateral spin–orbit torques (LSOTs) induced switching senses can be adopted as such complementary spin–orbit building blocks. By electrically programming the initial magnetization states (spin down/up) of each sample, Boolean logic gates of AND, OR, NAND, and NOR as well as a spin–orbit half adder containing an exclusive‐OR gate are obtained. Moreover, various initialization‐free programmable stateful logic operations, including material implication gate, are also demonstrated by regarding the magnetization state as a logic input. The complementary LSOT building blocks provide a potentially applicable way toward future efficient spin logics and in‐memory computing architectures.
The effect of age on the relative risk of lung cancer mortality in a cohort of chromium production workers
Authors: Gibb Herman , Wang Jing , O'Leary Keri , Chen Chao , Bateson Thomas F. , Kopylev Leonid
Published: July 2020

Background

Hexavalent chromium has been found to increase the risk of lung cancer in occupational studies. It has been suggested that the relative risk of lung cancer may vary by age.

Methods

The cohort examined is the Baltimore cohort of chromium production workers. The effect of age on the lung cancer risk from hexavalent chromium exposure was examined using a conditional Poisson regression modeling approach of Richardson and Langholz (R&L) and Cox models with interaction terms of age and cumulative hexavalent chromium exposure.

Results

The inclusion of multiple age groups in the R&L approach suggests the existence of an age effect that is also supported by a Cox proportional hazard analysis. The hazard ratio in Cox models with age‐cumulative exposure interaction terms was significantly elevated for the youngest age group and significantly decreased for the oldest age group.

Conclusions

Our analyses are consistent with the observation that younger chromium production workers have a greater lung cancer risk than older workers.
Mortality among workers employed in the mining industry in the United States: A 29‐year analysis of the National Health Interview Survey—Linked Mortality File, 1986‐2014
Authors: Arif Ahmed A. , Adeyemi Oluwaseun
Published: July 2020

Background

Working in the mining industry increases the risk of chronic diseases and mortality. We investigated overall and cause‐specific mortality rates among workers employed in the mining sector in the United States.

Methods

We pooled 29 years of National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) public‐use data from 1986 to 2014, with mortality follow‐up until 31 December 2015. We grouped respondents into the mining and nonmining sectors based on the responses given at the time of the NHIS interview. We compared the overall and cause‐specific mortality rates using standardized mortality ratios (SMR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) adjusted for the competing cause of death.

Results

From 1986 to 2014, an estimated 14 million deaths were recorded among subjects eligible for mortality follow‐up. Of these, an estimated 50,000 deaths occurred among those working in the mining sector. A significantly higher overall mortality (SMR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.17‐1.36), and mortality from heart diseases (adjusted SMR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.31‐1.83), cancer (adjusted SMR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.14‐1.48) and unintentional injuries (adjusted SMR = 1.41, 95%CI: 1.03‐1.85) were observed among those employed in the mining sector. When the analyses were restricted to men, only the SMRs for heart disease and cancer remained statistically significant. No elevated SMR for deaths from chronic lower respiratory disease was observed in the study.

Conclusion

Workers employed in the mining sector have a significantly increased total death rate and death rates from heart disease, cancer, and unintentional injuries.
Double Loops and Pitchfork Symmetry Breaking Bifurcations of Optical Solitons in Nonlinear Fractional Schrödinger Equation with Competing Cubic‐Quintic Nonlinearities
Authors: Li Pengfei , Dai Chaoqing
Published: July 2020

Symmetry breaking bifurcations of solitons are investigated in framework of a nonlinear fractional Schrödinger equation (NLFSE) with competing cubic‐quintic nonlinearity. Some prototypical characteristics of the symmetry breaking, featured by transformations of symmetric and antisymmetric soliton families into asymmetric ones, are found. Stable asymmetric solitons emerge from unstable symmetric and antisymmetric ones by way of two different symmetry breaking scenarios. A twisting branch, featured with double loops bifurcation, bifurcates off from the base branch of symmetric soliton solutions and crosses it, then merges into the base branch driven by the competitive nonlinear effect. A supercritical pitchfork bifurcation is bifurcated from the branch of antisymmetric soliton solutions and gives rise to a supercritical pitchfork bifurcation. Stability of the soliton families is explored by linear stability analysis. With the increase of the Lévy index, stability region induced by the twisting loops bifurcation is expanded. However, stability region of the pitchfork bifurcation is shrunk on the parameter plane of the Lévy index and the soliton power.