bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Canopy coverage phenotyping and field spatial variability adjustment as an efficient selection tool in soybean breeding
Authors: Escamilla Diana M. , Huang Meng , McHale Leah , Wang Dechun , Diers Brian , Xavier Alencar , Rainey Katy Martin
Published: August 2023

Accurate estimation of grain yield potential in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] progeny rows (PRs) by measuring yield itself is challenging due to the small number of seeds available. To obtain more precise estimates of soybean yield potential and control nongenetic sources of variability, soybean breeders in the United States use secondary traits, visual selection (VIS), adjustments for field spatial variation, pedigree (PED) information, and unmanned aerial systems–based plant phenotypes; however, there are limited comparisons among the different PR testing procedures. We conducted a selection experiment in 2018 PR populations developed for yield and diversity from four soybean breeding programs. Then, we compared the performance of the lines selected using 13 selection categories in 2019 preliminary yield trials (PYTs). The sources of information used across categories included spatially adjusted (SP) traits, PED information, the canopy of the plant measured by aerial and ground digital images, reproductive length (RL), and grain yield (YLD). SP trait covariates and canopy data were the information sources most highly associated with lower yield ranks and higher yield performance of PYT. The most effective secondary trait was average canopy coverage (ACC) measured by high‐throughput phenotyping (HTP) platforms. Our selection experiment shows that ACC used as a secondary trait in combination with SP trait covariates effectively selects high‐yielding lines from non‐replicated experiments. Based on the scenarios considered in this study, it may be possible to increase the gain from selection by phenotyping secondary traits using HTP and implementing spatial variation adjustments in PR trials, which could help enhance crop productivity.
Role of environmental, social, and governance rating data in predicting financial risk and risk management
Authors: Liu Jiajia , Ge Zhenzhen , Wang Yahan
Published: August 2023

Traditional industrial enterprises are primarily high pollution enterprises and high energy consumption. The achievement of the “dual carbon” motive in Chinese economic activities and environmental protection plays a chief role incorporating the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) into the risk management system of industrial enterprises. However, the industrial enterprises participating in ESG rating account for 46.97% of the listed enterprises, and the industrial enterprises that pay attention to ESG information disclosure account for 35.77% of the listed enterprises. Is ESG rating essential for the enhancement of industrial enterprises? Based on the transformation and upgrading of industrial enterprises, this research investigates how the ESG rating and ESG information disclosure affect the financial risk of industrial enterprises in China. The findings suggest that: (1) In China for industrial enterprise ESG plays an essential role which results in decrease in financial problems of industrial enterprise. (2) ESG is influential on monetary risk of industrial enterprise, the quality of enterprise ESG information disclosure plays an important intermediary role. (3) The lagging of ESG rating by one period is significantly positive related to the financial risk of industrial enterprises, and the financial risk prediction of industrial enterprises can be effectively indicated by the ESG rating data, which exhibits a stronger correlation coefficient than the existing rating system.
Use climatic space‐for‐time substitutions with care: Not only climate, but also local environment affect performance of the key forest species bilberry along elevation gradient
Authors: Auestad Inger , Rydgren Knut , Halvorsen Rune , Avdem Ingrid , Berge Rannveig , Bollingberg Ina , Lima Oline
Published: August 2023

An urgent aim of ecology is to understand how key species relate to climatic and environmental variation, to better predict their prospects under future climate change. The abundant dwarf shrub bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) has caught particular interest due to its uphill expansion into alpine areas. Species' performance under changing climate has been widely studied using the climatic space‐for‐time approach along elevation gradients, but potentially confounding, local environmental variables that vary along elevation gradients have rarely been considered. In this study, performed in 10 sites along an elevation gradient (200–875 m) in W Norway, we recorded species composition and bilberry performance, both vegetative (ramet size and cover) and reproductive (berry and seed production) properties, over one to 4 years. We disentangled effects of local environmental variables and between‐year, climatic variation (precipitation and temperature), and identified shared and unique contributions of these variables by variation partitioning. We found bilberry ramet size, cover and berry production to peak at intermediate elevations, whereas seed production increased upwards. The peaks were less pronounced in extreme (dry or cold) summers than in normal summers. Local environmental variables explained much variation in ramet size and cover, less in berry production, and showed no relation to seed production. Climatic variables explained more of the variation in berry and seed production than in ramet size and cover, with temperature relating to vegetative performance, and precipitation to reproductive performance. Bilberry's clonal growth and effective reproduction probably explain why the species persists in the forest and at the same time invades alpine areas. Our findings raise concerns of the appropriateness of the climatic space‐for‐time approach. We recommend including both climatic and local environmental variables in studies of variation along elevation gradients and conclude that variation partitioning can be a useful supplement to other methods for analysing variation in plant performance.
Temporal dynamics of antibody level against Lyme disease bacteria in roe deer: Tale of a sentinel?
Authors: Ollivier Valentin , Choquet Rémi , Gamble Amandine , Bastien Matthieu , Combes Benoit , Gilot‐Fromont Emmanuelle , Pellerin Maryline , Gaillard Jean‐Michel , Lemaître Jean‐François , Verheyden Hélène , Boulinier Thierry
Published: August 2023

Changes in the risk of exposure to infectious disease agents can be tracked through variations in antibody prevalence in vertebrate host populations. However, information on the temporal dynamics of the immune status of individuals is critical. If antibody levels persist a long time after exposure to an infectious agent, they could enable the efficient detection of the past circulation of the agent; if they persist only a short time, they could provide snap shots of recent exposure of sampled hosts. Here, we explored the temporal dynamics of seropositivity against Lyme disease agent Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl) in individuals of a widespread medium‐sized mammal species, the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), in France. Using a modified commercially available immunoassay we tested 1554 blood samples obtained in two wild deer populations monitored from 2010 to 2020. Using multi‐event capture‐mark‐recapture models, we estimated yearly population‐, age‐, and sex‐specific rates of seroconversion and seroreversion after accounting for imperfect detection. The yearly seroconversion rates indicated a higher level of exposure in early (2010–2013) than in late years (2014–2019) to infected tick bites in both populations, without any detectable influence of sex or age. The relatively high rates of seroreversion indicated a short‐term persistence of antibody levels against Bbsl in roe deer. This was confirmed by the analysis of samples collected on a set of captive individuals that were resampled several times a few weeks apart. Our findings show the potential usefulness of deer as a sentinel for tracking the risk of exposure to Lyme disease Bbsl, although further investigation on the details of the antibody response to Bbsl in this incompetent host would be useful. Our study also highlights the value of combining long‐term capture‐mark‐recapture sampling and short‐time analyses of serological data for wildlife populations exposed to infectious agents of relevance to wildlife epidemiology and human health.
Effects of landscape structure and patch characteristics on the density of central populations of the eastern green lizard Lacerta viridis
Authors: Prieto‐Ramírez Ana María
Published: August 2023

A better understanding of the impact of habitat loss on population density can be achieved by evaluating effects of both parameters within remnant habitat patches and parameters of the landscape surrounding those patches. The integration of predictors at the patch and landscape level is scarce in animal ecological studies, especially for reptiles. In this study, a patch–landscape approach was applied to evaluate the combined effects of within‐patch habitat quality, patch geometry and landscape configuration and composition on the density of remnant populations of the eastern green lizard, Lacerta viridis, in a highly modified landscape in Bulgaria. Landscape composition variables (proportion of different land covers) were measured at different spatial scales surrounding patches. Single‐scale models were built to evaluate combined effects of all predictors on density, when including all landscape composition variables at a specific spatial scale. Multi‐scale models were applied to analyze combined effects when including landscape composition variables at the scale of their strongest effect (scale of effect, SoE). Results showed that the SoE of proportion of cropland and urban areas was small (50 m), while for proportion of habitat was large (1.5 km). The overall effect of habitat loss was better explained by the multi‐scale model. Population density increased with patch area and decreased with patch shape irregularity and with the proportion of three land cover types surrounding patches—cropland, urban areas, and habitat. Combining patch and landscape parameters is important to identify ecological processes that occur simultaneously at different spatial levels and landscape scales, which would imply the application of multi‐scale approaches for the protection of wild animal populations. Results are contrasted with what is known about occupancy patterns of the species in the same region and approaches to integrate both occupancy and density, in the field design of animal ecological studies are suggested.
Detection of acoustic emission during fermentation using an electret sensor
Authors: Kageyama Kensuke , Kawarai Yuma
Published: August 2023

In this study, we focused on acoustic emission (AE) as a method for quantitative evaluation of fermentation. Since bubbling in the culture medium and detachment of the medium during fermentation are considered to be phenomena similar to corrosion, AE could be expected to be detected. Therefore, we conducted AE measurements using ECS during fermentation of yeast in sucrose solution, fermentation of yeast during sake brewing, and fermentation of sawdust in a hot bath facility, and investigated the possibility of evaluation of fermentation process using electret sensor (ECS). AE was detected during the fermentation of yeast. The peak frequency of AE detected during yeast fermentation was widely distributed. Cumulative number of AE, however, showed a strong correlation with the decrease in sugar content during fermentation, indicating the possibility of quantitative evaluation of the fermentation state by AE measurement if a time lag is considered. In the measurement of AE from the fermentation of sake malt, a large amount of AE was detected from the lower part of the tank immediately after brewing, and the number of AE gradually increased in the upper part of the tank. These AE measurements suggested that even in top fermentation, the initial fermentation may occur in the lower part of the tank. In the fermentation and warm bath facility, AE during fermentation could be detected even in powdered media. Although the durability of the ECS needs to be improved under high temperature and high humidity conditions, it is expected to be able to monitor the fermentation process better than temperature measurements.
Fast range expansion of the red imported fire ant in Virginia and prediction of future spread in the United States
Authors: Malone Morgan , Ivanov Kaloyan , Taylor Sally V. , Schürch Roger
Published: August 2023

The red imported fire ant (RIFA),Solenopsis invicta(Buren), is a notorious, invasive species with broad impacts on ecosystems, economies, and human health. While incidental reports to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) indicate a recent range expansion in Virginia, the full extent of RIFA spread in the area is currently unknown. In this study, we examined the distribution of RIFA in Virginia using multiple data sources: (1) during the summers of 2020 and 2021, we conducted a series of prospective visual surveys along public roadways in southern Virginia, (2) we used data from multiyear VDACS infestation reports covering the period 2016–2021, and (3) we surveyed local naturalists, county extension agents, and land managers. We compared the resulting data with an earlier predictive model quantifying the potential spread of RIFA and constructed a species distribution model to explore the potential range expansion of RIFA in the United States based on new occurrence data and bioclimatic variables. RIFA was found in seven Virginia counties beyond the current federal quarantine zone, and our data show that it has spread much further than predicted 15 years ago. Our species distribution model suggests that the range of RIFA is likely to increase further under the currently projected climate change scenarios, both in Virginia and more generally across the United States, with the lower Midwest expected to be one of the most affected areas. This study provides insights into the range expansion of RIFA at the border of its suitable North American habitat and elucidates some of the environmental factors associated with its current and future spread. In doing so, it provides information to advise sound management practices and prevention efforts.
Slow Inversion of Coordinated Thioether Groups in SNS‐Type Ruthenium Pincer Complexes
Authors: Rummel Frederik , Wehmeyer Frerk , Vogt Matthias , Langer Robert
Published: August 2023

The thioether‐group‐containing SNS‐type pincer complex [({EtSCH2CH2}2NH)RuCl(H)(PPh3)] (2) exists in three different diastereomers (2 a–c). The molecular structures obtained from single crystal X‐Ray diffraction studies of all three isomers reveal a difference in the relative orientation of the respective EtS‐groups, while other commonly observed diastereomers as the result of cis‐/trans‐ or fac‐/mer‐isomerism are not observed. Chemical exchange between the three diastereomers 2 a–c was discovered by phase‐sensitive 1H and 31P NOESY NMR spectroscopy, and further quantified by line shape analysis of 1H NMR spectra. The experimentally derived averaged Gibbs energies of activation for the interconversion of the isomers (65–70 kJ/mol) are in good agreement with the results obtained from DFT calculations, which suggest an inversion of the ligating sulfur atoms, although a dissociative pathway for the configurational inversion can be competitive.
Sustainable energy transition in Bangladesh: Challenges and pathways for the future
Authors: Mohazzem Hossain Shah , Biswas Sagor , Raihan Uddin Md
Published: August 2023

The industrial development of a country plays a vital role in its overall progress and is closely tied to its capacity of electricity generation. However, the scarcity of natural resources and increasing costs of fuel in global markets pose significant challenges for developing countries like Bangladesh in managing the rising expenses of electricity generation. Consequently, the government of Bangladesh is exploring alternative energy resources such as solar, wind, hydroelectricity, biomass, and biogas to supplement fossil fuels and optimize electricity generation cost. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current status of natural resources, including gas, coal, and oil, which are conventionally used for electricity generation in Bangladesh. It highlights concerns about dwindling resource availability and their impact on the country's energy landscape. Through numerical analysis, it demonstrates the detrimental effects of relying heavily on gas‐based power plants, leading to electricity supply instability. To address the ongoing energy crisis, the paper proposes the adoption of renewable energy sources as a viable solution. Additionally, it also acknowledges the challenges associated with implementing large‐scale renewable projects in distinct areas of the country, such as limited infrastructure, technical constraints, and the need for significant investment. Overcoming these barriers is crucial for achieving widespread utilization of renewable resources. This paper concludes by offering recommendations to overcome these challenges and maximize the contributions of renewable energy in meeting future energy demands. The suggestions include developing robust infrastructure, implementing policy reforms to attract investment, emphasizing research and development, and promoting community engagement in renewable energy initiatives. It also highlights the potential of renewable energy resources in shaping a more secure and sustainable energy future for Bangladesh, emphasizing the importance of electricity generation for socio‐economic development.
Uncovering the flocculating and dye recovery potential of pH‐responsive bioflocculant produced by Bacillus thuringiensis
Authors: Zhong Zhi‐Chen , Wu Xin‐Ping , Wu Chun‐Yung , Chen Yu‐Jie , Shu Che‐Chi
Published: August 2023

In this study, the decolorization of anionic dyes was investigated using a novel pH‐responsive bioflocculant (named BF‐TWB10) derived by Bacillus thuringiensis. The BF‐TWB10 showed a dye removal capacity of 99.06% for C.I. Direct Red 224 (DR 224) and 99.22% for C.I. Acid Black 172 (AB 172) at pH 2.0. Its dye removal capacity decreased with increasing pH and the zeta potential analysis revealed that the dye particles exhibited stronger dispersion forces at higher pH levels. Owing to this pH‐responsive property, BF‐TWB10 could be utilized to recover anionic dyes. The recovery rate was 83.46% for DR 224 and 76.46% for AB 172. We then attempted to concentrate the regenerated dye solutions by regenerating the dye‐loaded floc in one‐tenth of its original volume. The concentration multiple of the regenerated dye solutions reached 8.220 and 7.758 times for DR 224 and AB 172, respectively. In addition, the recovery rate of both dyes increased after three cycles of decolorization/regeneration. The results suggested that BF‐TWB10 has potential not only to remediate dyes from textile effluent but also to recover dyestuffs.
Investigating self‐blame and trauma symptoms in parents of young people with anorexia nervosa
Authors: Irish Madeleine , Adams Joanna , Cooper Myra
Published: August 2023

Background

Caring for a young person with anorexia nervosa (AN) has been associated with psychological distress and found to be a traumatic experience. This can have an impact on patient and family outcomes.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate whether self‐blame cognitions contribute to post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in parents of young people with AN.

Methods

A cross‐sectional design was used. One hundred and twenty‐three parents of young people with AN completed a range of questionnaires assessing self‐blame cognitions and PTSD symptoms.

Results

Overall, levels of self‐blame cognitions were significantly higher in those experiencing higher levels of PTSD symptoms compared to low levels. Additionally, levels of self‐blame cognitions significantly predicted PTSD symptoms over and above demographic factors and illness severity, accounting for 22% of unique variance in PTSD symptoms.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that negative appraisals regarding self‐blame for their child's eating disorder contributed to the potential maintenance of PTSD symptoms. Parents presenting with thoughts of self‐blame would benefit from further support to reduce these feelings and, subsequently, reduce carer distress.
Effectiveness of nutrition interventions in Australian secondary schools: A systematic review
Authors: Comeau Abigail , Mertens Bradley , Bachwal Lavanya , Utter Jennifer , van Herwerden Louise
Published: August 2023

Issue Addressed

Dietary intake of Australian adolescents is suboptimal. Schools are an ideal setting for health promotion initiatives to develop healthy lifestyle behaviours among adolescents. However, we do not know which nutrition‐focused, school‐based interventions are effective at improving health outcomes in adolescents in Australia. Therefore, the aim was to evaluate the effect of nutrition interventions on health outcomes in Australian secondary school students.

Methods

MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, ERIC and Informit were systematically searched on 4th November 2022. Studies in any language evaluating nutrition interventions implemented in Australian secondary schools were included. Studies evaluating interventions conducted in primary schools or outside the school setting were excluded, as were any grey literature, systematic reviews and meta‐analyses. Screening and data extraction were performed in duplicate. Quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.

Results

Thirteen studies (n = 27 224) reporting on nutrition interventions implemented in Australian secondary schools were included. Studies were conducted in five different states and a capital territory within Australia and were mostly randomised controlled trials. Most studies reported a significant improvement on nutrition‐related health outcome measures (dietary behaviour n = 6, nutritional knowledge and attitudes n = 4 and anthropometric n = 1).

Conclusions

This review found limited studies reporting on nutrition interventions in Australian secondary schools. However, most were shown to be effective in improving nutrition‐related health outcomes.

So What?

Since there were limited studies in peer‐reviewed journals, more research in this area is needed to confirm the effectiveness of nutrition interventions in Australian secondary schools and to assess long‐term effects on student's health outcomes.
Blood pressure pattern among blood donors exposed to SARS‐CoV‐2 in Luanda, Angola: A retrospective study
Authors: Sebastião Cruz S. , Sacomboio Euclides , Francisco Ngiambudulu M. , Cassinela Edson K. , Mateus António , David Zinga , Pimentel Victor , Paixão Joana , Neto de Vasconcelos Jocelyne , Morais Joana
Published: August 2023

Background and Aims

SARS‐CoV‐2 infection is a public health concern. Several aspects related to the pattern of infection remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the blood pressure pattern among blood donors exposed to SARS‐CoV‐2 in Luanda, Angola, a sub‐Saharan African country.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis containing 343 blood donors from December 2019 to September 2020. Parametric tests compared means while χ2 and logistic regression checked features associated with high blood pressure and were considered significant when p < 0.05.

Results

The mean age of blood donors was 32.2 ± 8.81 years (ranging from 18 to 61 years) and 93% of the men's gender. Overall, 4.7% of the studied population had been exposed to SARS‐CoV‐2. High blood pressure prevalence increased from unexposed to exposed SARS‐CoV‐2 (6.7%–18.8%, p = 0.071). SARS‐CoV‐2 exposure increase systole (131 ± 12.2 mmHg to 136 ± 14.2 mmHg, p = 0.098), diastole (79.9 ± 9.53 mmHg to 84.2 ± 12.7 mmHg, p = 0.086), pulse in beats per minute (72.0 ± 11.1 to 73.7 ± 8.50, p = 0.553), and decrease donating time (6.31 ± 3.72 min to 5.48 ± 1.61 min, p = 0.371). Chances of having high blood pressure were high [OR: 3.20 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.85–12.1), p = 0.086] in exposed SARS‐CoV‐2. Donors exposed to SARS‐CoV‐2 with abnormal donation time increased from the donor up to 40 years to over 40 years (from 35.7% to 50%, p = 0.696). The mean systolic, diastolic, and pulse pressure were higher for non‐O donors (p > 0.05). A significant link was observed, between the Rhesus factor and blood pressure status (p = 0.032).

Conclusion

We showed important variations in blood pressure indices of the Angolan population exposed to SARS‐CoV‐2. Older age and non‐O blood groups appear to be important biological factors for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, as well as the risk of developing cardiovascular disease after or during SARS‐CoV‐2 exposure. Further studies assessing the impact on cardiovascular functions with ongoing or long‐term SARS‐CoV‐2 exposure in individuals from resource‐limited countries should be considered.
Dissolution‐driven convection of a power‐law fluid in a porous medium in the presence of chemical reaction
Authors: Reddy G. Shiva Kumar , Ragoju Ravi , Reddy N. Keerthi , Edla Damodar Reddy
Published: August 2023

The flow through porous medium accounts for numerous applications in various fields namely, agriculture, geothermal sciences, and engineering. Furthermore, dissolution‐driven convection in porous media has grabbed great attention in recent years due to its practical applications in long‐term geological storage of carbon dioxide, in the production of mineral deposits, and other industrial applications. In this regard, the current numerical analysis focuses on addressing the thermal instability of dissolution‐driven convective phenomena of a power‐law fluid through a porous horizontal domain with a first‐order chemical reaction. For linear stability analysis, the method of normal modes has been employed to solve governing dimensionless equations which give rise to an eigenvalue problem. The bvp4c routine in MATLAB R2020a has been used to solve the raised problem for the onset of convection. The impact of Damköhler number, Péclet number, and power‐law index on the onset of convection has been investigated. The role of these critical parameters is found to be highly significant in stabilizing the system. An increase in the power‐law index causes stabilization or destabilization in the system, depending on the Péclet number. An enhancement in the magnitude of Damköhler number makes the system stable for all values of the Péclet number. Also, Damköhler and critical Rayleigh number are inter‐related, that is, an increment in Damköhler number results in the enhancement of critical Rayleigh numbers, which in turn leads to stabilization of the system. The critical wave number is observed to have a remarkable influence on Damköhler number as well as power‐law index.
Transition Metal‐Catalyzed Electroreductive Cross‐Couplings for C−C Bond Formation
Authors: Gao Meng‐Yu , Gosmini Corinne
Published: August 2023

This mini review provides an overview of a range of Ni‐, Co‐ and Pd‐catalyzed electroreductive cross‐coupling reactions. The combination of homogeneous transition‐metal catalysis and electrochemistry are green alternatives to traditional reductive cross‐coupling reactions to form Csp2‐Csp2, Csp2‐Csp3 and some Csp3‐Csp3 bonds in one step. Most of these reactions use the sacrificial anode process.
Determinants of respectful maternity care at a tertiary care teaching institute in South India: A mixed‐methods study
Authors: Dasari Papa , Sastry Jaya Gowri , Thulasingam Mahalakshmy , Fisher Jane , Chandrasekaran Nithya
Published: August 2023

Objective

To determine the proportion of women who experienced disrespect and abuse (D&A) and the type of D&A during labor and postpartum, and to determine the factors significantly associated with D&A.

Methods

A cross‐sectional mixed‐methods study undertaken in tertiary care teaching institute South India. After ethical approval, 380 postpartum women within 72 h of delivery were recruited for the study. The determinants of respectful maternity care (RMC) were assessed quantitatively and qualitatively. For quantitative assessment, they were interviewed using questionnaires adopted from the United States Agency for International Development‐ Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program (USAID‐MCHIP) protocol, which has verification criteria for RMC. As a second method for quantitative assessment, they were asked to rate the care from their perspective on a 10‐point score. For the qualitative component, they were asked to identify the healthcare workers associated with D&A by their designation and to answer three open‐ended questions. IBM SPSS Statistics 25 (IBM Corporation, Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 25) was used for analysis. D&A as per RMC standards I–VII and its severity were expressed as frequencies and percentages with 95% confidence interval. Univariate analysis was used to determine the associated factors, and severity was determined by χ2 test.

Results

The prevalence of D&A was high (85%) according to the RMC standards of the USAID‐MCHIP questionnaire, whereas it was only 33% according to women's perspective. The most common type of D&A was non‐dignified care. The factors significantly associated with D&A were women over 25 years, those admitted as an emergency referral, having a recommendation letter, and relatives working at the same healthcare facility.

Conclusion

The prevalence of D&A was high as measured by the USAID‐MCHIP questionnaire, and the most common type was non‐dignified care followed by physical abuse.
Pulse electrochemical synaptic transistor for supersensitive and ultrafast biosensors
Authors: Ji Jianlong , Wang Zhenxing , Zhang Fan , Wang Bin , Niu Yan , Jiang Xiaoning , Qiao Zeng‐ying , Ren Tian‐ling , Zhang Wendong , Sang Shengbo , Cheng Zhengdong , Sun Qijun
Published: August 2023

High sensitivity and fast response are the figures of merit for benchmarking commercial sensors. Due to the advantages of intrinsic signal amplification, bionic ability, and mechanical flexibility, electrochemical transistors (ECTs) have recently gained increasing popularity in constructing various sensors. In the current work, we have proposed a pulse‐driven synaptic ECT for supersensitive and ultrafast biosensors. By pulsing the presynaptic input (drain bias, VD) and setting the modulation potential (gate bias) near transconductance intersection (VG,i), the synaptic ECT‐based pH sensor can achieve a record high sensitivity up to 124 mV pH−1 (almost twice the Nernstian limit, 59.2 mV pH−1) and an ultrafast response time as low as 8.75 ms (7169 times faster than the potentiostatic sensors, 62.73 s). The proposed synaptic sensing strategy can effectively eliminate the transconductance fluctuation issue during the calibration process of the pH sensor and significantly reduce power consumption. Besides, the most sensitive working point at VG,i has been elaborately figured out through a series of detailed mathematical derivations, which is of great significance to provide higher sensitivity with quasi‐nonfluctuating amplification capability. The proposed electrochemical synaptic transistor paired with an optimized operating gate offers a new paradigm for standardizing and commercializing high‐performance biosensors.

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A war on prejudice: The role of media salience in reducing ethnic prejudice
Authors: Bobba Beatrice , Thijs Jochem , Crocetti Elisabetta
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Ethnic prejudice poses a great challenge to the cohesion of current multicultural societies. Prior research has found that media portrayals of immigration‐related issues might skew individual attitudes and feelings toward ethnic minorities. While these studies have focused on negative representations of ethnic minorities, less is known about the effects of media reports of unfortunate events affecting the victims of war, as in the case of the Ukrainian group in the Russia–Ukraine war. Therefore, the current research aims to examine whether media salience of this situation might change adolescents' ethnic prejudice against the Ukrainian minority.

Methods

A total of 1016 ethnic‐majority Italian adolescents (Mage = 15.66, SDage = 1.17, 49.61% females) completed online questionnaires during school hours before (T1: January/February 2022) and after (T2: April/May 2022) the Russia–Ukraine war onset. Additionally, the media salience of the war was quantified separately for the national newspaper and Twitter.

Results

Levels of prejudice significantly decreased from T1 to T2 for multiple ethnic minority groups but especially so for the Ukrainian group. The results of bivariate Latent Change Score models highlighted that increased salience of the war in the national newspaper was significantly associated with decreased prejudice against Ukrainians, regardless of adolescents' levels of self‐reported newspaper consumption. Conversely, changes in the salience of the war on Twitter were not associated with changes in prejudice.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the importance of media attention for the war's victims in skewing individuals' outgroup perceptions and feelings.
Cadmium as an ovarian toxicant: A review
Authors: Bhardwaj Jitender Kumar , Bikal Prerna , Sachdeva Som Nath
Published: August 2023

Cadmium (Cd) is a ubiquitous heavy metal toxicant with no biological function in the human body. Considerably, because of its long biological half‐life and very low excretion rate, Cd is inclined to accumulate and cause deleterious effects on various body organs (e.g., liver, kidney, and ovary) in humans and animals. Ovaries are the most vulnerable targets of Cd toxicity. Cd has been shown to induce oxidative stress, follicular atresia, hormonal imbalance, and impairment of oocyte growth and development. Moreover, Cd toxicity has been associated with increasing incidences of menstrual disorders, pregnancy loss, preterm births, delayed puberty, and female infertility. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how Cd poisoning impacts specific ovarian processes for the development of preventive interventions to enhance female fertility. The current review attempts to collate the recent findings on Cd‐induced oxidative stress, follicular apoptosis, steroid synthesis inhibition, and teratogenic toxicity, along with their possible mechanisms in the ovarian tissue of different animal species. Additionally, the review also summarizes the studies related to the use of many antioxidants, medicinal herbs, and other compounds as remedial approaches for managing Cd‐induced ovarian toxicity.
How do people conceptualize self‐harm recovery and what helps in adolescence, young and middle adulthood? A qualitative meta‐synthesis
Authors: Lewin Caroline da Cunha , Leamy Mary , Palmer Laura
Published: August 2023

Objective

Self‐harm can be understood as any behavior individuals use to harm themselves, irrespective of motive. Evidence has extensively examined the epidemiology and function of self‐harm to the individual, but less is known about the subjective processes underpinning recovery. Such insights could inform therapeutic interventions to better support individuals. The present aim was to synthesize qualitative themes from eligible literature to identify how adolescents, young adults, and those in middle adulthood conceptualize self‐harm recovery and the factors impacting this process.

Methods

Eleven studies were identified from a systematic search of five electronic research databases: PsycINFO, Embase, Medline, Global Health, and CINAHL. Studies were critically appraised using an adapted Critical Appraisal Skills Program tool for qualitative research. A meta‐synthesis was conducted using reflexive thematic analysis to generate themes across the included studies.

Results

Themes depicted recovery as a multidimensional, nonlinear, and subjective process, characterized by a “push and pull” between states of (re‐)engagement and cessation/reduction. Transition between these states was influenced by intrapersonal and interpersonal factors which were embedded in a wider milieu of the meaning of self‐harm to the individual.

Conclusion

Contemporary ideas of symptom eradication as the only marker of complete recovery may hinder individuals in the long‐term, presenting an obstacle both to quality of life and therapeutic progress. Movement away from self‐harm recovery as a uniform or singular phenomenon could enhance person‐centered care.
Application of PAT in pharmaceutical manufacturing: model‐based control of particle size distribution in anti‐solvent aided crystallization
Authors: Garg Manu , Rathore Anurag Singh
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

Crystallization plays a key role in determining the physiochemical properties of an active pharmaceutical solid, which are crucial for drug product performance as well as processibility in downstream operations. Precise control of crystallization parameters is hence necessary to maintain drug efficacy and consistency during active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing. In our earlier work on crystallization of dexlansoprazole API, an empirical model was established with reactor temperature and addition time of anti‐solvent identified as critical process parameters (CPPs) and particle size distribution (PSD) as critical quality attribute (CQA). In this study we demonstrate model‐based control of particle size when disruptive incidences occur under a process analytical technology framework.

RESULTS

Experiments highlighted the deviation in PSD (CQA) on performing a planned disruption event in the form of temporary shutting down the anti‐solvent feeding dosing pump. Once the deviation had occurred due to process disruption, the desired set‐point of particle size was achieved by making the desired changes estimated from model equations for individual CPPs. The change was signaled to the temperature control system or the dosing pump, which then set the revised process conditions in real time during crystallization.

CONCLUSION

The study utilizes an empirical model to achieve the desired particle size by making suitable real‐time changes in CPP in view of process disruption. The case study aligns with the paradigm of quality by design, which expects manufacturers to understand their processes and their products and have in‐built controls to ensure that the resulting product consistently meets the approved specifications. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Genomic characterization of the first mpox and varicella‐zoster co‐infection in Pakistan (2023) through next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Umair Massab , Jamal Zunera , Haider Syed A. , Hakim Rabia , Ammar Muhammad , Ali Qasim , Akhtar Nasim , Ikram Aamer , Salman Muhammad
Published: August 2023

The global mpox outbreak spanning 2022–2023 has affected numerous countries worldwide. In this study, we present the first report on the detection, whole‐genome sequence, and coinfection of the mpox virus and varicella zoster virus (VZV) from Pakistan. During April–May 2023, samples from 20 suspected cases of mpox were tested at the National Institutes of Health, Islamabad among which 4 tested positive. All four cases had a travel history of Saudi Arabia. All the suspected samples were processed by using a Zymo research kit for DNA extraction, followed by qRT‐PCR amplification by using a DaAn Gene detection kit for the mpox virus. Further, two of the positive samples with a low Ct value (<20) were subjected to whole‐genome sequencing using a metagenomic approach on the iSeq (Illumina) platform. The sequencing results revealed Clade IIb and genotype A.2.1 of MPXV, which clustered with viruses from Slovenia and the UK in July and June 2022, respectively. Our analysis identified two novel nonsynonymous substitutions in mpox virus, namely V98I in OPG046 and P600S in OPG109. Furthermore, we successfully retrieved the complete genome of VZV from the same sample, belonging to Clade 5. This study represents the first positive case of MPXV in Pakistan and the coinfection of mpox and VZV by using a metagenome approach providing insights into their complete genomes. Our results highlight the importance of surveillance at the point of entries, strengthening lab capacities including next‐generation sequencing, and using differential diagnosis for timely and accurate detection of mpox cases.
Climate model projections of aridity patterns in Türkiye: A comprehensive analysis using CMIP6 models and three aridity indices
Authors: Yavaşlı Doğukan Doğu , Erlat Ecmel
Published: August 2023

Climate change can alter the spatial and temporal distribution of aridity around the world through a combination of factors such as reduced precipitation, rising temperatures and decreased evapotranspiration. Especially the Mediterranean region has been identified as vulnerable to anthropogenic climate change due to a significant reduction in precipitation compared to other land regions in all climate models operated under different scenarios. Despite numerous studies on aridity trends, few have focused specifically on Türkiye and considered a comprehensive range of aridity indices and scenarios. This study aims to fill this research gap by providing a more detailed understanding of future aridity trends in Türkiye under various climate change scenarios and using multiple aridity indices. A novelty of this study lies in the simultaneous examination of three aridity indices (PCI, EAI and UNEP AI) for Türkiye, allowing for a more comprehensive assessment of future aridity trends. Furthermore, this study considers three future time periods (2011–2040, 2041–2070 and 2071–2100) and three shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs) to evaluate the potential range of climate change impacts on aridity in Türkiye. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to determine the changes in aridity conditions in Türkiye until the end of the 21st century. We used three aridity indices: the Pinna combinative index, the Erinç aridity index and the UNEP aridity index. These indices were calculated for the baseline period of 1981–2010 using gridded data (CHELSA) and for the periods of 2011–2040, 2041–2070 and 2071–2100 using three climate models (GFDL‐ESM4, MRI‐ESM2‐0 and IPSL‐CM6A‐LR) and multi‐model means with three SSPs to represent different future scenarios. The results showed that all three indices indicate an increase in dry climate conditions in Türkiye after 2041, with particularly notable increases expected in Central Anatolia, Southeastern Anatolia and parts of the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as eastern parts of Eastern Anatolia and the inner Aegean region. Under the SSP3‐7.0 scenario, the expansion of semi‐arid and arid areas is predicted to cover more than 30% of the country by the end of the century (2071–2100). This increase in aridity could increase the region's vulnerability to climate change and the risk of desertification, which should be taken into consideration in national water management and planning.
Multi‐index characterization of compound dry hot events in India
Authors: Prabhakar Anagha , Mitra Subhasis , Varghese Femin C.
Published: August 2023

Compound dry hot events (CDHEs), where hot events and droughts coexist, have received a lot of attention lately due to their catastrophic effects on the economy, environment and human health. In this study, we use two CDHE indices, the Standardized Compound Event Indicator (SCEI) and the Standardized Dry and Hot Index (SDHI), to assess changes in CDHE characteristics (severity, frequency, spatial extent) over the historical past and future CMIP6 simulations across the Indian subcontinent. To understand the role of the drought index selected on CDHE characterization two drought indices namely the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) are employed in the calculation of the CDHE indices. Further, the role of climatic oscillations such as El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), Equatorial Indian Ocean Monsoon Oscillation and Indian Ocean Dipole in modulating CDHE characteristics have also been explored. Results show that SPI and SPEI based CDHE indices exhibit contrasting trends in northern India, while similar trends are observed in southern India in the historical past. Also, more frequent, extended, and severe CDHEs are reported by CDHE indices calculated using SPEI than by SPI. Temperature is found to be the dominant factor contributing to increases in CDHEs in the recent past and ENSO phases significantly modulate the severity and frequency of CDHE events in India. CMIP6 simulations generally report an increase in CDHE events for a 3°C global warming scenario. Overall, our findings show that the choice of the drought index has a greater impact on CDHE characterization than the choice of the CDHE index itself. Results from this study provide useful information towards understanding the risk of CDHEs in India under global warming and urge for the development and implementation of adaptation and mitigation measures.
The influence of ENSO during spring over northwestern Mexico
Authors: Zermeño Díaz David Maximiliano , Mendoza Leticia Gómez
Published: August 2023

This study focuses on better understanding how El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) influences the occurrence of particularly dry conditions (warm temperature and dry precipitation anomalies) in northwestern Mexico during boreal spring (March–May), a season that is characterized by the driest regional conditions, and by a high socioeconomic sensitivity to the interannual variations in them. For that, surface observations (CRU TS4.05 and ERSSTv5) and low‐tropospheric circulation reanalysis (ERA5) were analysed using linear regressions, contingency tables, and composites over two periods, 1901–2020 and 1959–2020. The results confirm that the positive phase of ENSO (El Niño) tends to reduce the probabilities of a drier than normal spring and that its negative phase (La Niña) increases them, but suggest that such signal is relatively weak. In particular, the drying effects associated to La Niña are generally small, as they explain less than 10% of the interannual variability in precipitation, and most of the driest springs occurred during neutral years. The results also shed light into the causes of the driest springs: internal atmospheric variability. On average, during the driest springs, sea surface temperature anomalies are statistically non existent over the eastern Pacific, but these events are characterized by an expansion of the southeastern (SE) side of North Pacific Subtropical High (NPSH). It is found that during spring, a strengthened SE side of the NPSH weakens the moisture flux from the Pacific Ocean into northwestern Mexico. These results suggest that the seasonal predictability of spring for northwestern Mexico might not only depend on the strength and phase of ENSO but also on the processes controlling the variability of ridges over the extratropical eastern Pacific.