bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Demographic situation in the Buryat section of the Baikal–Amur Mainline at the turn of the XX–XXI centuries
Authors: Ubeeva Olga
Published: October 2021

Throughout the XX century, the demographic policy of the Soviet State was aimed mostly at working-age population or labor resources, taking into account regional and territorial aspects. Demographic change of the early XXI century was the result of political events of the 1990s, when the concept of population policy was under the radar of the government. The socioeconomic cataclysms destabilized the employment structure of population, caused deterioration of living standards, which affected the demographic characteristics of the XXI century. The demographic policy crisis of the late XX century generated one of the crucial organizational issues faced by the northern regions. This article is dedicated to the main demographic trends in the northern regions of Buryatia, which were affected by the construction of the Baikal-Amur Mainline, since completion of the construction project until stabilization of socioeconomic situation in the country by the early 2010s. In the course of construction of the Baikal-Amur Mainline, Buryatia took the lead in terms of birth rate, and ranked last in mortality index per thousand people. This testified to relative density of young poplar and children in the age structure, as well as stable population reproduction with insignificant demographic fluctuations.
Functional capacity of audio guides
Authors: Urazmetova Aleksandra Vladimirovna
Published: October 2021

The subject of this research is the audio guide as a relatively new multimedia product used in the sphere of tourism and education. The author determines the key advantages of using audio guide, as well as functional-linguistic peculiarities of organizing this genre of tourism discourse. Classification of audio guides is carried out based on their target audience and content. Special attention is given to examination of the prospects of using audio guides in teaching foreign languages. The author outlines the functions performed by audio guides in foreign language classes, such as entertainment, promotional, scientific-enlightening, scientific research, and educational. The scientific novelty lies in consideration of the type of educational activity that used audio guide as a modern and highly effective means of mastering foreign language skills. Audio guide not only creates favorable conditions for the implementation of educational-pedagogical activity, but also has a wide range of variations for solution of educational tasks. The use of audio guides is particularly relevant in studying the disciplines related to cultural-historical heritage of the country of origin of the language taught; they can also be used in expanding vocabulary, learning grammar, phonetics, etc. The article describes the most popular software and services for working with audio materials, as well as the examples of using a multimedia product in the classes of English phonetics.
Resource-use Efficiency of Shea Nut Processing in Kassena-Nankana West District, Ghana: DEA Approach
Authors: Akaribo F. N. , Sarpong E.
Published: October 2021

The Shea tree, Vitellaria paradoxa, has been seen as a very important economic God-given tree with numerous benefits for a longtime. The Shea tree, though under threat due to deforestation, still remain abundant in several communities in Ghana. That notwithstanding, shea nut processors have not been able to fully optimize the gains from the Shea tree and thus, this research examines the Resource-use efficiency of Shea nut processing in the Kassena-Nankana West District of Ghana. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) was employed to determine the overall technical, pure technical and scale efficiency of the Shea nut processing while bivariate Tobit was used to identify the sources or determinants of both technical and pure technical efficiencies. A SWOT analysis was carried out to identify the potentials and challenges faced by the Shea processors. It was discovered that on the average, the processors operated 50% of their potential overall technical efficiency, 55% of their potential pure technical efficiency and 92% of their potential scale efficiency. Determinants of processors’ technical efficiency include age, household size, experience, access to credit and membership of processors’ group. The SWOT analysis revealed challenges including poor transportation and difficulty in accessing credit. The study, therefore, recommends that, easy access to financial facilities and sensitization on savings are ways to boost processors’ use of new, efficient technologies to help enhance their Resource-use efficiency. Improvement on the road network to enhance easy movement of goods and services is highly recommended.
Suitable Stocking Density Ensures Best Production and Economic Returns in Floating Cage Aquaculture System
Authors: Nahar Naznin , Hossain Md. Istiaque , Rahman Md. Mizanur , Dey Probin Kumar , Islam M. Shahanul
Published: October 2021

The striped dwarf catfish Mystus cavasius being a least concern small indigenous fish it is necessary to protect the species from extinction in the near future. An experiment on production and economic feasibility of Mystus cavasius in cage was conducted for a period of six months from March to August 2020 in beel hilla at Naogaon district of Bangladesh. The study was carried out in nine cages (rectangular 8x5x2 feet size) under three treatments namely T1, T2 and T3 performed with the stocking densities of 46 fry m-2, 92 fry m-2 and 137 fry m-2 and designed each with three replications. The fish was fed with commercial pellet feed (containing 30% crude protein) twice daily at the rate of 5-7% of fish body weight. The total production was found to be significantly (p<0.05) highest in T3 among the three treatments. The net profit was better in T3 than T1 and T2 in terms of better production and money. So, stocking density of Mystus cavasius at the rate of 137 fry m-2 in cage could be an economically feasible aquaculture technique for fish farmers.
Stress Inducing Factors and Its Effect on Employees Performance among Selected Instituions
Authors: Emuchay C. O. , Ekpenyong O. , Abu O. P.
Published: October 2021

Aims: The study examined the relationship between stress inducing factors and employee performance in Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS) and National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

Study Design: Cross sectional survey design.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Michael Imoudu National Institute for labour studies and National Directorate of Employment (NDE) between December 2019 and September 2020

Methodology: The survey method was employed whilst 400 respondents were purposively selected from the Training department, Planning, Research and Curriculum Development department and Programs department which are the core departments under pressure to deliver all year round in the institutions under study. The questionnaire was the main instrument for data collection. The Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used in analyzing the data.

Results: Results show that the most stress inducing factor was pressure to deliver on time because of mode of operations (60%), non-conducive working environment (59%) and being insufficiently skilled for the job (37%). The effects of stress on employee performance include dependence on drugs and alcohol (86%), illness and sickness (75%), fatigue (40%) and irritability (25%).

Conclusion: It is recommended that a conducive working environment should be created for employees and that counselors and counseling rooms should be provided by organizations to enable their employees have a safe place to de-stress without fear of stigmatization. Also, training and re-training of employees should be done frequently to improve set skills. This will significantly reduce work stress and enhance performance which will in turn increase organizational productivity.
Preclinical Screening of Antidepressant Activity of Formulated Sertraline Hydrochloride-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles in Rats
Authors: Hangargekar Sachin R. , Mohanty Pradeep K. , Rai Janki Prasad
Published: October 2021

Objective: The main goal of our study was to investigate the antidepressant activity of Formulated Sertraline hydrochloride-loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNPs) by using a rat forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST).

Materials and Methods: Animals were divided into three groups, consisting of six rats in each group. Out of these,  one  group  served  as  control  that received distilled water, second group was standard received Sertraline  HCl  (20  mg/kg  intranasal)  and  third  group  was  received  test formulation (SLNPs 50 mg/kg intranasal). To assess the effect of SLNPs on immobility activity through FST and TST were used to take as a measure of antidepressant activity.

Results: SLNPs reduced the immobility duration in TST as well as in FST. In both methods, there was a statistical significant decrease in immobility of SLNPs group when compared to the control group.

Conclusion: The results suggested that SLNPs produced significant antidepressant effect in rats which was comparable with control group and standard Sertraline HCl group animals.
Normal Reference Range for Serum TSH, Free T4, Total T4, and Total T3 on Roche® Platforms in Basrah, Iraq
Authors: Alibrahim Nassar Taha , Odhaib Samih Abed , Alhamza Ali Hussain , Almomin Ammar Mohammed Saeed , Zaboon Ibrahim Abbood , Hussein Rudha Naser , Kadhim Muayad Baheer , Mohammed Adel Gassab , Al-Waeli Dheyaa Kadhim , Nwayyir Hussein Ali , Alidrisi Haider Ayad , Hussein Ibrahim Hani , Altemimi Mahmood Thamer , Imran Husam Jihad , Mansour Abbas Ali
Published: October 2021

Background: Thyroid function tests are mandatory in clinical practice because symptoms and signs are not reliable to discriminate between various types of thyroid disease.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine assay-specific reference range for serum free T4, total T4, total T3 and TSH among healthy non-pregnant adult cohort for Roche® platforms in Basrah (Southern Iraq) from single laboratory in a tertiary center using indirect approach of the available data.

Methods: A Cross sectional study for non-pregnant adults 19 years and above. Sera were analyzed by using cobs e411 for thyroid functions tests.

Results: Total enrolled persons were 10,078. The 95% reference intervals for TSH were 0.20-6.50 μIU/mL, which increased with age though not linear, for free T4 were 0.8-1.70 ng/dL, for total T4 were 3.78-15.33 μg/dL, and for total T3 were 0.80-2.50 ng/mL.

Colcusion: Cobs e411(Roche® analytical platform) analyzer reference range for thyroid function  cannot be applied for Iraqi population .
A Comparative Study on Isolation and Characterization of Lecithin from Gallus gallus and Gallus gallus Domesticus Using Analytical Methods
Authors: Choragudi S. F. , Sibin N. , Sree M. Keerthi Padma , Saleem Gulam , Babu K.  Prashanth , Arun C. H.
Published: October 2021

The present study mainly focuses on the extraction and purification of lecithin from both Gallus gallus and Gallus gallus domesticus. The comparative study shows a great significance in the amount and quality of lecithin extracted from both the sources. The egg lecithin was standardized by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy. TLC analysis was done and calculated for both standard and the samples. It was found to be the same for the test sample and standard soya lecithin. FTIR analysis shows the presence of Methyl group, alkane, carbonyl group, alkenes, hydroxyl alkyl ketone. FTIR helps to compare the in- tensity of functional groups in both lecithin isolated from Gallus gallus and Gallus domesticus.
Microbial Quality of Frozen Chicken Parts from three Import Countries into the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana
Authors: Yar Denis Dekugmen , Jimah Kwenin William Kwajo , Kwame Zanu Winfred , Iddrisu Balali Gadafi , Kwame Adepa Enos , Francis Gyapong
Published: October 2021

There is an upsurge in the consumption of chicken meat leading to a high influx of imported frozen chicken parts into the Ghanaian markets with little information on their microbial qualities. This study examined the microbial quality of imported frozen chicken parts from three major import countries (USA, the Netherlands and Brazil) into the Kumasi Metropolis. A total of 45 chicken meat parts of 15 thighs, wings and backs from wholesale cold stores market in the Kumasi Metropolis were randomly sampled for laboratory examinations. A ten-fold serial dilution was performed on each homogenized chicken parts to determine microbiological quality using Plate Count Agar [1], MacConkey Agar (MCA), Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA) and Desoxycholate Citrate Agar (DCA) for the total viable count (TVC), total coliform count (TCC), Staphylococcus and Salmonella spp counts respectively incubated at 37oC for 48 hours. Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) was used for fungal counts. We identified bacterial and fungal isolates using appropriate laboratory and biochemical tests. Descriptive data analysis was carried using SPSS-IBM version 16. Mean TVCs of 5.93, 5.98 and 6.14 log10cfu/g were recorded for frozen chicken meats from the USA, the Netherlands and Brazil respectively. Means TCCs of 6.14, 5.93 and 5.98 log10cfu/g were obtained for chicken meats from Brazil, USA and the Netherlands respectively. Staphylococcus spp. (G+) (35.4%), E. coli (G-) (26.2%), Salmonella spp. (G-) (24.6%), and Klebsiella spp. (G-) (13.8%) were isolated with Aspergillus spp (33.3%), Rhizopus spp (27.3%), Penicillin spp (24.2%), and Cladosporium spp (15.2%). Chicken thighs, backs and wings recorded 46.2%, 29.2% and 24.6% bacterial contaminants in this order. Bacterial isolates of 49.2%, 28.8% and 22.0% were recorded in frozen chicken meat products from Brazil, the Netherlands USA respectively. The results suggest that imported frozen chicken meats into the Ghanaian market have moderate quality with potential pathogens such as E. coli and Salmonella spp.
Iron-Manganese Bimetallic-Organic Framework as A Photocatalyst for Degradation of Rhodamine B Organic Dye Under Visible Light
Authors: Ngan Tran Thi Kim , Thuy Tran Bich , Tan Lam Van , Nguyen Trung Thanh
Published: October 2021

In recent years, there have been many research works on use of different methods to treat textile dyeing wastewater such as mechanical, biological and chemical methods (using oxidizing agents, such as: H2O2, O3, and H2O2/O3). However, some traditional textile dyeing wastewater treatment methods such as mechanical and biological methods have limitations in treating these pollutants thoroughly. To enhance the treatment efficiency, the use of photocatalysts combination with strong oxidizing agents, such as H2O2, has been extensively developed in recent years. In this study, the iron-centred bimetallic organic framework Fe-MOF has been synthesized by partial replacement of Fe3+ ions with Mn metal ions by solvent-thermal method. The analytical methods used to evaluate the structural characterization of the as-synthesized materials including Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Brunaurer-Emmett-Teller (BET), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infra Red (FT-IR), and UV-Vis Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS). The experiments on the decomposition of organic pigment Rhodamine B were performed under varying conditions of pH, catalyst mass and RhB colorant concentration. Experiments with different electron capturers indicate that h+ plays a major role in the photochemical degradation of RhB. The stability and durability of the 0.1 Mn/Fe-MOF catalyst were evaluated through the leaching and recycle experiments, showing that the RhB degradation efficiency of the photocatalyst decreased modestly after five repetitions. Copyright © 2021 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Editorial
Authors: O'Connor John , Woodard Wiremu
Published: October 2021

Each paper, despite considerable differences in approach and topic, invites the reader to explore how emotional honesty, no matter how painful, might allow in each of us greater creativity, as we face the losses, terrors and potentials that lie ahead and before us, clinically, and in our lives. We hope the combination of articles in this issue proves enriching for readers, particularly during these times of considerable disturbance and ongoing grief.
On knowing who you are and who you are from
Authors: Green Emma
Published: October 2021

Engaging with poetic inquiry as a way of being and knowing, the author uses autoethnography and poetry to explore identity and to lay open the ideas of self in relation to culture and biculturalism. In this paper the author explores her immediate Western cultural contextual understandings in relation to the ancestral, historical context that has shaped her, and how these might be revealed in the bicultural context of Aotearoa-New Zealand. The invitation to deepen these understandings begins with her encounters with te Ao Māori. The paper and the poems unfold how mātauranga Māori might foster an expanded horizon such that the author can no longer consider her Pākehā (non-indigenous) ‘self’ an isolated ‘I’, but rather as deeply embedded in the world. The kōrero tracks her shift to consider herself in relationship to her ancestors (whakapapa) and her place(s) in the world (tūrangawaewae) where she is most connected to those ancestors and the earth. Supporting and woven throughout the text is the spine of a poem. Written over the course of a decade the poem, Pepeha, continues to grow and evolve as the writer’s understandings change and develop.
Psychological insights on discussing societal disruption and collapse
Authors: Bendell Jem
Published: October 2021

As the impacts of climate change grow in number and severity, so climate distress is increasing around the world and becoming a major issue for psychologists, as both individuals and professionals. Increasing numbers of people assess that the damage that is forthcoming because of existing trajectories of atmospheric heating will lead to massive disruption and ultimate collapse of societies around the world. Some such people have been grouping together to share ideas on the implications for the rest of their lives. Many are using the concept and framework of “Deep Adaptation” to organise their sense making and actions. Their existence and ideas have led to strong criticisms from some commentators and scientists, who argue it is not correct or helpful to discuss collapse risk and readiness. This paper explores the reasons why publicly discussing anticipation of collapse has become helpful, and how criticisms of it are likely involving forms of ‘experiential avoidance’. The problematic objectification of people for ‘doomism’ is explained, as well as the antecedents of authoritarianism that may be emerging in the criticisms of Deep Adaptation. Therefore, a case is made for how psychotherapists and psychologists can help people, including scholars, understand how their aversion to the topic of collapse — and the emotions associated with it — could be preventing dialogue and wise action at this crucial time for humanity.
The responsibility of communicating difficult truths about climate influenced societal disruption and collapse
Authors: Kieft Jasmine
Published: October 2021

This paper presents a review of psychology research that can help people begin to assess the different ways they can responsibly support each other to talk about their thoughts and feelings on their perceptions of societal disruption and collapse, at home and abroad, due to environmental and climate change. It includes a summary of a review of published studies in psychology on matters of anticipating difficult futures, including vulnerability, disruption, disaster, suffering and mortality. The claims by both specialists and non- specialists that collapse anticipation is necessarily harmful to mental health and social engagement is shown to be theoretically and empirically weak. Instead, the research suggests we engage each other on this upsetting topic to promote coping. It highlights the potential for that engagement to support people with processing difficult emotions and thus finding more pro-social and pro-environmental ways of responding to societal disturbances.
TRAIL Coated Genetically Engineered Immunotherapeutic Nano‐Ghosts Vesicles Target Human Melanoma‐Avoiding the Need for High Effective Therapeutic Concentration of TRAIL
Authors: Levy Lior , Davidov Tzila , Kolluri Krishna K. , Fridman Avraham , Krishtul Stasia , Janes Sam M. , Machluf Marcelle
Published: October 2021

Cancer cell therapy using cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) or mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) possesses hurdles due to the cells, susceptibility to host induced changes. Here, versatile inanimate broadly applicable nanovesicles, termed immunotherapeutic‐nano‐ghosts (iNGs), are armed with inherent surface‐associated targeting and therapeutic capabilities in which the promise and benefits of MSC therapy and T cell immunotherapy are combined into one powerful off‐the‐shelf approach for treating malignant diseases. To mimic the cytotoxic or immunosuppressive functions of T cells, iNG are produced from MSC that were genetically engineered (GE) or metabolically manipulated to express additional membrane‐bound proteins, endowing the NGs derived therefrom with additional surface‐associated functions such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL). iNGs from GE‐MSCs (GE‐iNGs) show superior TRAIL retention and induce apoptosis in different cancer cell lines in vitro. In vivo studies on a human melanoma model demonstrate that a systemic, three‐day frequency, administration of GE‐iNGs result in tumor inhibition comparable to a six orders of magnitude higher concentration of soluble TRAIL. The iNGs are therefore a promising nanovesicle platform that can affect tumors in a non‐immunogenic manner while avoiding the need for a highly effective therapeutic concentration.
Water/Sulfolane Hybrid Electrolyte Achieves Ultralow‐Temperature Operation for High‐Voltage Aqueous Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Liu Jiahe , Yang Cheng , Chi Xiaowei , Wen Bo , Wang Wenkang , Liu Yu
Published: October 2021

Aqueous batteries are promising candidates for large‐scale energy storage due to their high safety and low cost. However, the narrow electrochemical stability window (ESW, 1.23 V) and high melting point (0 °C) of water limit the energy density and low‐temperature operation of aqueous batteries. In this work, sulfolane is introduced as a co‐solvent to obtain a water/sulfolane hybrid electrolyte, which participates in the solvated sheath of lithium ions, strengthens the OH bond of water, and disrupts the large‐scale hydrogen bond network. Such an elaborate strategy not only expands the ESW of the hybrid electrolyte to 3.8 V, but also lowers the glass‐transition temperature to −110 °C. As proof of concept, the LiMn2O4/Li4Ti5O12 full batteries assembled by the hybrid electrolyte display high voltage (2.7 V) and excellent low‐temperature performance of 98% capacity retention from 0 to −20 °C, which can even discharge normally and illume an LED light (rated power of 0.02 W, excitation voltage of 1.8 V) at −65 °C.
Molecularly Directed, Geometrically Latched, Impulsive Actuation Powers Sub‐Gram Scale Motility
Authors: Gao Junfeng , Clement Arul , Tabrizi Mohsen , Shankar M. Ravi
Published: October 2021

Transversely curved composite shells of liquid crystal elastomer and polyethylene terephthalate with innervated electrodes present millisecond‐scale actuation with ≈200 mW electrical power inputs at low voltages (≈1 V). The molecular orientation is aligned to direct the thermomechanical work‐content to evert the native curvature. When powered, the curved structure initially remains latent and builds up strain energy. Thereafter, the work content is released in an ms‐scale impulse. The thin‐film actuators are powered against opposing loads to perform up to 10−5 J of work. High speed imaging reveals tip velocities of several 100 mm s−1 with powers approaching 10−4 J s−1. The design eschews bistability. After snap‐through, when the power is off, the actuator spontaneously resets to its native state. The actuation profiles are functions of the geometry and the electrical pulse patterns. The latency of actuation is reduced by powering the actuators with pulses that trigger snap‐through, allow its reset to the native state, but prevent its cooling to the ambient before subsequent actuation cycles. The actuation is harnessed in sub‐gram scale robots, including water‐strider mimicking configurations and steerable robots that can navigate on compliant (sand) and hard (slippery) surfaces. A viable template for impulsive actuation using frugal electrical power emerges.
4D Multimaterial Printing of Programmable and Selective Light‐Activated Shape‐Memory Structures with Embedded Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Yu , Sachyani Keneth Ela , Kamyshny Alexander , Scalet Giulia , Auricchio Ferdinando , Magdassi Shlomo
Published: October 2021

4D printing is based on 3D printing of objects that can change their shape upon a proper triggering. Here, a novel approach is reported for fabricating programmable 3D printed objects composed of shape‐memory polymers (SMPs) that are activated by light. The light activation of the movement and shape morphing are based on combining gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as photothermal converters with acrylate‐based printing compositions that form an SMP with tunable transition temperatures. The shape change of the printed objects is triggered by remote irradiation with a low‐cost LED light at a wavelength specific to the surface plasmon resonance of the embedded AuNPs. The light is converted to heat which enables the shape transition when the temperature reaches the Tg of the polymer. Excellent SMP properties are achieved with shape fixity and recovery ratios over 95%. This material composition and triggering approach enable fabricating programmable light‐activated 3D printed structures with a dual transition while tuning the concentration. Furthermore, numerical simulations performed by finite‐element analysis result in the excellent prediction of the shape‐memory recovery. The presented approach can be applied in remotely controlling morphing, mainly for applications in the fields of actuators and soft robotics.
Enhanced Efficiency and Stability of Quasi‐2D Perovskite Light‐Emitting Diodes with Crosslinkable Alkenyl Amine Cations
Authors: Yu Cong , Zhang Huijun , Wang Pang , Wang Hui , Li Teng , Zhang Xue , Cheng Shili , Guo Chuanhang , Gao Chen , Liu Dan , Wang Tao
Published: October 2021

Low‐dimensional perovskites formed with the assistance of organic cations as interlayers have been widely used to fabricate high‐performance light‐emitting diode devices, attributing to their dielectric and quantum‐confinement effects and rapid energy transfer process. However, ion migration at perovskite grain boundaries and the dissociation of ligands induced by the “van der Waals” gaps between large organic cations are disadvantageous to the stability of perovskite light‐emitting diodes. Here, crosslinkable 3‐butenylamine hydrochloride is introduced in quasi‐2D perovskites that will crosslink at the grain boundaries and between layered perovskites upon thermal annealing, which suppresses ion migration, reduces interlayer space, and passivates defects. The optimized device exhibits enhanced maximum luminance of 20 177 cd m−2, current efficiency of 17.5 cd A−1, external quantum efficiency of 5.2%, and 1.6 times increment of T50 lifetime. The organic cation crosslinking strategy is therefore a promising approach to enhance the efficiency as well as stability of layered perovskite devices.
Oxidative Cyclization of Trifluoroacetimidohydrazides with D‐Glucose for the Metal‐Free Synthesis of 3‐Trifluoromethyl‐1,2,4‐Triazoles
Authors: Lu Shu‐Ning , Yang Hefei , Zhang Jiajun , Chen Zhengkai , Wu Xiao‐Feng
Published: October 2021

A metal‐free oxidative cyclization of readily available trifluoroacetimidohydrazides with D‐glucose for the assembly of 3‐trifluoromethyl‐1,2,4‐triazoles has been disclosed. D‐glucose is applied as C1 synthon to provide methine source in the reaction. Control experiments have been conducted to shed light on the reaction mechanism. The synthetic utility of the protocol has been explored by the implementation of scale up reaction and the synthesis of the key skeleton of NKI‐receptor ligand.

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Z‐Selective Fluoroalkenylation of (Hetero)Aromatic Systems by Iodonium Reagents in Palladium‐Catalyzed Directed C−H Activation
Authors: Tóth Balázs L. , Sályi Gergő , Domján Attila , Egyed Orsolya , Bényei Attila , Gonda Zsombor , Novák Zoltán
Published: October 2021

The direct and catalytic incorporation of fluorine containing molecular motifs into organic compounds resulting high‐value added chemicals represents a rapidly evolving part of synthetic methodologies, thus this area is in the focus of pharmaceutical and agrochemical research. Herein we report a stereoselective procedure for direct fluorovinylation of aromatic and heteroaromatic scaffolds. This methodology development has been realized by palladium‐catalyzed ortho C−H activation reaction of aniline derivatives featuring the regioselectivity via directing groups such as secondary of tertiary amides, ureas or ketones. The application of non‐symmetrical aryl(fluoroalkenyl)‐iodonium salts as fluoroalkenylating agents allowed mild reaction conditions in general for this transformation. The scope and limitations have been thoroughly investigated and the feasibility has been demonstrated by more than 50 examples.

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Fruit traits diversity in Burmese grape through multivariate analysis
Authors: Hoque A. K. M. Ariful , Chowdhury Hasina Tabassum , Tipu Mohammad Monirul Hasan , Biswas Suman , Islam M R , Rahman M. M.
Published: October 2021

Burmese grape (Baccaurea ramiflora Lour.) is a minor fruit plant grown in subtropical countries and is rich in different vitamins and minerals. In this study, fruit traits diversity of 23 Burmese grape accessions were assessed through multivariate analysis and application of covariance matrix in locating promising parents for an auspicious crossing program. Among the four clusters, assemblages III and VI dominated maximum number of fruit traits constitutions. Surrounded by the fruit traits constitution, the first principal axis largely affords 46.14% of the variation. Intergenotypic gap was observed highest (30.42) between the fruit traits constitution BS004 and BS019, followed by genetic constitution BS003 and BS004 (29.40). The maximum intracluster distance was noticed (40.50) for cluster IV, whereas cluster I showed the lowest intracluster distance (35.32). In between assemblages I and V, the highest interassemblage distance (835.77) was computed. On the other hand, the lowest distance (105.75) was computed between assemblages II and assemblage V. Observation indicated that higher intercluster differences were noticed than intracluster differences, and this recommended ample fruit traits variation among the fruit traits constitution of different clusters. With respect to both quantitative parameters’ assemblage, CL004, CL010 from cluster I was quite diverse compared with all other assemblages, which is pertinent for a productive crossing program.
Limited evidence that larger acorns bufferQuercus rubraseedlings from density‐dependent biotic stressors
Authors: Jevon Fiona , Lang Ashley , Ayres Matthew , Matthes Jaclyn Hatala
Published: October 2021

Premise

Plant performance and functional traits vary considerably within species, particularly in response to environmental variation. Plant responses may reflect life‐history trade‐offs, such as between resource acquisition and resource conservation. Larger seeds may buffer young plants from the negative effects of environmental variation, such as limitations in nutrients or water. However, whether seed size plays a similar role in how plants respond to variation in their biotic environment, including competition and soil microbial communities, remains poorly understood.

Methods

We used a greenhouse experiment to test the interactive effects of intraspecific competition, the origin of the soil microbial community, and seed size on performance and functional traits inQuercus rubraL. seedlings.

Results

Intraspecific variation in seedling traits weakly aligned with a resource acquisition–conservation trade‐off. Across the wide range of initial acorn mass, competition decreased seedling biomass by about 35%. Competition directly decreased the root mass ratio and indirectly increased specific leaf area and specific root length, via the negative effects on total biomass. In contrast, soil microbial communities had minor effects on seedlings, and we found no differences between plants receiving soil originating from a conspecific adult and plants receiving soil originating from a heterospecific adult.

Conclusions

Competition is a more important driver of intraspecific variation in youngQuercus rubraseedling performance and traits, both directly and by delaying ontogenetic development, than soil microbial communities. Seed size is an important predictor of seedling biomass, but a larger seed does not necessarily buffer seedlings from the effects of competition.
Impacts of family and fieldwork on career/family balance among tenure‐track and tenured anthropologists
Authors: Brazelton Lisa , Howells Michaela , Landgraf Lauren , Lynn Christopher D.
Published: October 2021

Objectives

A common dilemma rarely mentioned during doctoral training is career/family balance—especially the timing of children. This dilemma extends to professional anthropologists and includes questions surrounding the benefits and challenges of taking children to the field. We analyzed survey data from tenure‐track and tenured anthropologists to determine if fieldwork in general and fieldwork with or without their children on site impacts career/family balance. We hypothesized that having children and the burden of fieldwork puts more strain on women than on men in anthropology.

Methods

We compared 297 tenure‐track and tenured anthropologists by gender, tenure status, and mean annual time spent conducting fieldwork using survey data collected for the Family and the Field study. Analysis was conducted using a combination of hierarchical multivariate analysis of variance and regression to analyze the differing factors affecting various groups.

Results

The primary differences in career/family balance occurred between tenure‐track and tenured anthropologists, not women and men, and that fieldwork requirements do not necessarily make achieving personal balance harder for anthropologists than other academics.

Conclusions

The need to conduct fieldwork may dissuade some people with or planning to have children from becoming anthropologists. However, upon obtaining tenure‐track positions, the burdens impacting “balance” taper off and become less stressful. We offer policy suggestions for buffering stress related to career/family balance that may negatively impact decisions to pursue or continue in anthropology as a career.
Bacterial diversity of Leptocybe invasa Fisher & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) from different geographical conditions in China
Authors: Guo Chunhui , Peng Xin , Wang Hantang , Zheng Xialin , Hu Ping , Zhou Jing , Ding Zhirou , Wang Xue , Yang Zhende
Published: October 2021

Insects harbor numerous endosymbionts, including bacteria, fungi, yeast, and viruses, which could affect the ecology and behavior of their hosts. However, data regarding the effect of environmental factors on endosymbiotic bacteria of Leptocybe invasa (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) are quite rare. In this study, we assessed the diversity of endosymbiotic bacteria of L. invasa from 10 different geographic populations collected across China through the Illumina MiSeq platform. A total of 547 OTUs were generated, which were annotated into 19 phyla, 33 classes, 75 orders, 137 families, and 274 genera. The dominant bacteria detected in L. invasa were Rickettsia, and Pantoea, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, and Bacillus were also annotated among each population. Nevertheless, the endosymbiotic bacterial abundance and diversity varied among different populations, which was related to the local climate (annual mean high temperature). The bacterial function prediction analysis showed that these endosymbiotic bacteria were concentrated in metabolism, such as carbohydrate, amino acid, and energy metabolism. Overall, the results provide a comprehensive description of the endosymbiotic bacteria in 10 different populations of an important eucalyptus pest L. invasa, and help to understand the endosymbiotic bacterial diversity and adaptation of various conditions.
Design, synthesis, docking, and anticancer evaluations of phthalazines as VEGFR‐2 inhibitors
Authors: El‐Adl Khaled , Ibrahim Mohamed K. , Khedr Fathalla , Abulkhair Hamada S. , Eissa Ibrahim H.
Published: October 2021

Twenty new N‐substituted‐4‐phenylphthalazin‐1‐amine derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their anticancer activities against HepG2, HCT‐116, and MCF‐7 cells as VEGFR‐2 inhibitors. HCT‐116 was the most sensitive cell line to the influence of the new derivatives. In particular, compound 7f was found to be the most potent derivative among all the tested compounds against the three cancer cell lines, with 50% inhibition concentration, IC50 = 3.97, 4.83, and 4.58 µM, respectively, which is more potent than both sorafenib (IC50 = 9.18, 5.47, and 7.26 µM, respectively) and doxorubicin (IC50 = 7.94, 8.07, and 6.75 µM, respectively). Fifteen of the synthesized derivatives were selected to evaluate their inhibitory activities against VEGFR‐2. Compound 7f was found to be the most potent derivative that inhibited VEGFR‐2 at an IC50 value of 0.08 µM, which is more potent than sorafenib (IC50 = 0.10 µM). Compound 8c inhibited VEGFR‐2 at an IC50 value of 0.10 µM, which is equipotent to sorafenib. Moreover, compound 7a showed very good activity with IC50 values of 0.11 µM, which is nearly equipotent to sorafenib. In addition, compounds 7d, 7c, and 7g possessed very good VEGFR‐2‐inhibitory activity, with IC50 values of 0.14, 0.17, and 0.23 µM, respectively.
Impact of unequal cluster sizes for GEE analyses of stepped wedge cluster randomized trials with binary outcomes
Authors: Tian Zibo , Preisser John S. , Esserman Denise , Turner Elizabeth L. , Rathouz Paul J. , Li Fan
Published: October 2021

The stepped wedge (SW) design is a type of unidirectional crossover design where cluster units switch from control to intervention condition at different prespecified time points. While a convention in study planning is to assume the cluster‐period sizes are identical, SW cluster randomized trials (SW‐CRTs) involving repeated cross‐sectional designs frequently have unequal cluster‐period sizes, which can impact the efficiency of the treatment effect estimator. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive investigation of the efficiency impact of unequal cluster sizes for generalized estimating equation analyses of SW‐CRTs, with a focus on binary outcomes as in the Washington State Expedited Partner Therapy trial. Several major distinctions between our work and existing work include the following: (i) we consider multilevel correlation structures in marginal models with binary outcomes; (ii) we study the implications of both the between‐cluster and within‐cluster imbalances in sizes; and (iii) we provide a comparison between the independence working correlation versus the true working correlation and detail the consequences of ignoring correlation estimation in SW‐CRTs with unequal cluster sizes. We conclude that the working independence assumption can lead to substantial efficiency loss and a large sample size regardless of cluster‐period size variability in SW‐CRTs, and recommend accounting for correlations in the analysis. To improve study planning, we additionally provide a computationally efficient search algorithm to estimate the sample size in SW‐CRTs accounting for unequal cluster‐period sizes, and conclude by illustrating the proposed approach in the context of the Washington State study.
Incorporating genetic and clinical data into the prediction of thromboembolism risk in patients with lymphoma
Authors: Bastos‐Oreiro Mariana , Ortiz Javier , Pradillo Virginia , Salas Eduardo , Marínez‐Laperche Carolina , Muñoz Andrés , Buño Ismael , Diéz‐Martin José Luis , Soria Jose Manuel , Pascual Izquierdo Cristina
Published: October 2021

Background

The incorporation of genetic variables into risk scores for predicting venous thromboembolic events (VTE) could improve their capacity to identify those patients for whom thromboprophylaxis would be most beneficial. Proof‐of‐concept of this is provided by the TiC‐ONCO score for predicting the risk of VTE in patients with solid tumours. Our aim was to develop a similarly improved tool—the TiC‐LYMPHO score—for predicting VTE in patients with lymphoma.

Methods

In a retrospective observational study of 208 patients with lymphoma, 31 (14.9%) were found to have experienced an episode of VTE either at the time of diagnosis or over the next 6 months. Clinical variables associated with VTE, determined via logistic regression analysis, plus the same genetic variables included in the TiC‐ONCO score, were used to build the TiC‐LYMPHO score algorithm. The sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and AUC of the TiC‐LYMPHO, the Khorana and ThroLy scores were compared in the same population.

Results

The TiC‐LYMPHO score showed a significantly higher AUC, sensitivity and NPV (0.783, 95.35% and 97.98% respectively) than the other scores. The ThroLy score showed a significantly higher specificity (96.43% vs. 54.49%; p < 0.0001) and PPV (37.50% vs. 26.36%; p = 0.0147) than the TiC‐LYMPHO score, whereas its AUC, sensitivity and NPV were significantly lower (0.579, 19.35% and 86.48%, respectively).

Conclusion

These results show that by incorporating genetic and clinical data into VTE risk assessment, the TiC‐LYMPHO score can categorize patients with lymphoma better in terms of their risk of VTE and allow individualized thromboprophylaxis to be prescribed.
Tunable CO Dissociation Assisted by H2 over Cobalt Species: A Mechanistic Study by In‐situ DRIFTS
Authors: Shi Kangzhong , Guo Lisheng , Zhang Wei , Jiang Yong , Li Da , Liu Kai , Li Mengmeng , Xue Zhaoming , Sun Song , Mao Changjie
Published: October 2021

Fischer‐Tropsch synthesis (FTS) is an important heterogeneous catalytic process that can effectively reduce human dependence on the non‐renewable petroleum resources. Cobalt is a crucial active metal center in most catalysts, which effectively catalyzes syngas into valuable products such as liquid fuels. On this basis, we systematically investigated the adsorption of CO on the surface of different cobalt species and its dissociation characteristics assisted by H2 are studied by the in‐situ DRIFTS. For the metallic cobalt phase, H2‐assisted CO dissociation not only possessed the FTS activity, but also inhibited the CO disproportionation reaction. However, for the CoO phase, the bidentate carbonate species were decomposed into CO2. In addition, CoO presented a high‐chain propagation ability than that of Co under the same operation conditions. Co2O3 and Co3O4 also exhibited similar CO dissociation patterns with the assistance of H2. However, different from CoO phase, formate species also formed under the H2 atmosphere over these two Co species. In summary, CO dissociation would be well tuned via the assistance of H2 as demonstrated by the in‐situ DRIFTS. This work provides a new sight on the rational design of efficient cobalt catalysts toward the FTS processes.
Ventricular wall stress and wall shear stress homeostasis predicts cardiac remodeling during pregnancy: A modeling study
Authors: Comunale Giulia , Susin Francesca M. , Mynard Jonathan P.
Published: October 2021

Pregnancy is a unique and dynamic process characterized by significant changes in the maternal cardiovascular system that are required to satisfy the increased maternal and fetal metabolic demands. Profound structural and hemodynamic adaptations occur during healthy pregnancy that allows the mother to maintain healthy hemodynamics and provide an adequate uteroplacental blood circulation to ensure physiological fetal development. Investigating these adaptations is crucial for understanding the physiology of pregnancy and may provide important insights for the management of high‐risk pregnancies. However, no previous modeling studies have investigated the maternal cardiac structural changes that occur during gestation. This study, therefore, had two aims. The first was to develop a lumped parameter model of the whole maternal circulation that is suitable for studying global hemodynamics and cardiac function at different stages of gestation. The second was to test the hypothesis that myofiber stress and wall shear stress homeostasis principles can be used to predict cardiac remodeling that occurs during normal pregnancy. Hemodynamics and cardiac variables predicted from simulations with and without controlled cardiac remodeling algorithms were compared and evaluated with reference clinical data. While both models reproduced the hemodynamic variations that arise in pregnancy, importantly, we show that the structural changes that occur with pregnancy could be predicted by assuming invariant homeostatic “target” values of myocardial wall stress and chamber wall shear stress.
Magnesium(I) Reduction of CO and N2 Complexes of Cummins’ Molybdenum(III) Tris(anilide), [Mo(L){N(Ar’)But}3] (L=CO or N2; Ar’=3,5‐dimethylphenyl)
Authors: Yuvaraj K. , Paparo Albert , Matthews Aidan J. R. , Jones Cameron
Published: October 2021

Reductions of the in situ generated CO and N2 complexes of Cummins’ molybdenum(III) tris(anilide) complex, viz. [Mo(L){N(Ar’)But}3] (L=CO or N2, Ar’=3,5‐dimethylphenyl), using a dimagnesium(I) compound, [{(MesNacnac)Mg}2] (MesNacnac=[HC(MeCNMes)2]−, Mes=mesityl), are reported. Reduction of [Mo(CO){N(Ar’)But}3] afforded a mixture of products, three of which were isolated in low yield and crystallographically characterized. These were a molybdenum(II) tris(carbamoyl) complex, [(MesNacnac)Mg{μ‐(O=)[But(Ar’)N]C}3Mo(CO)3] 1, a magnesium(II) carbamate, [{(MesNacnac)Mg[μ‐O2CN(Ar’)But]}2] 2, and the 1,3‐diamino‐1,2,3‐trione, But(Ar’)NC3(=O)3N(Ar’)But 3. The mechanisms of formation of these products are speculated upon. The reduction of [Mo(N2){N(Ar’)But}3] with [{(MesNacnac)Mg}2], in the presence of the N‐heterocyclic carbene, :C{N(Me)C(Me)}2 TMC, gave the heterobimetallic molybdenum(II) diazenido complex, [(MesNacnac)(TMC)Mg(μ‐N2)Mo{N(Ar’)But}3] 4, in a low‐moderate isolated yield. Reaction of this with chlorotrimethylsilane afforded an essentially quantitative yield of the known silyldiazenido complex, [(Me3SiN2)Mo{N(Ar’)But}3] 5.
Study on biochar as desulfurizer for SOFC application
Authors: Setiawan Hendrik , Sakamoto Mio , Shiratori Yusuke
Published: October 2021

The potential of biogas as a source of H2 for the operation of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) has received much attention in recent years. However, in order to achieve commercial‐level stability of a biogas‐fueled SOFC system, impurities in biogas such as H2S, which poisons the reforming catalyst and anode material, must be eliminated. In this study, an environmentally‐friendly biogas purification process using biochar was explored. Bamboo (BB) and rice husk (RH) were chosen as starting materials and heat‐treated at 500°C for 120 min in an O2‐free atmosphere to produce BB‐ and RH‐derived biochars, BB‐BC and RH‐BC, respectively, then treated with steam or ammonia. H2S adsorption tests were performed for these biochar samples, and breakthrough capacity (ACPH2S(0)) and total H2S adsorption capacity (ACPH2S) were evaluated. Steam treatment effectively increased ACPH2S(0) and ACPH2S for BB‐BC, however, intense steam treatment had a negative effect, especially for RH‐BC because of the silica exposed on the surface. Ammonia treatment of biochar to form pyridinic N sites on the carbon surface was considerably effective to enhance the performance of a biochar as desulfurizer. By the ammonia treatment of RH‐BC at 900°C, ACPH2S(0) and ACPH2S increased by 2 and 30 times, respectively.