bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural Design and Property Study on Flexible Electronic Films with High Heat Resistance and Friction Durability
Authors: Li Xiuping , Wang Xiaoyi , Zhang Xiaolin , Na Zhaolin , Li Qian , Liu Cheng
Published: September 2021

To improve both thermal stability and friction durability of flexible electronic films with nano‐Ag, a series of flexible films with dendric nano‐Ag embedded into high thermally stable 2‐adamantane containing poly(aryl ether ketone) (2‐ADMPEK, PAEK) substrates are prepared in this work. These films are named as PAEK‐dnAg. The dendric nanostructure of Ag conductive layer performs excellent conductivity with sheet resistance as low as 0.3959 Ω ◻−1. The wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope (SEM) results show dendric nano‐Ag layer well incorporated to PAEK substrates. The results of thermal stability, hydrolysis–oxidation test, adhesion test, and friction durability indicate the PAEK substrate can effectively protect dendric nanosilver conductive layer from heat, harsh oxidation, and friction. The SEM images further show the dendric embedded structure can remain almost unchanged after high temperature (400 °C) heating in air, water boiling oxidation for 12 h, 2500‐cycle 3M tape peeling test, and harsh friction with sanding paper under 5 N, which should lead to the excellent durability of PAEK‐dnAg samples in harsh condition. Thus, PAEK‐dnAgs may show great potential in flexible electronic films application for harsh condition such as high temperature, hydrothermal environment or high friction.
Mapping the Progress in Flexible Electrodes for Wearable Electronic Textiles: Materials, Durability, and Applications
Authors: Liman Md Luthfar Rahman , Islam M. Tauhidul , Hossain Md Milon
Published: September 2021

With the advancement of nanotechnology and electroactive materials, conventional textiles have transformed into a versatile wearable electronic platform that will inevitably escalate the development of next‐generation flexible electronics. Integration of nanoscale conductive particles such as polymers, metals, or nanocarbons into different structural textile design has simplified the way of personal interactive communications and portable sensing by distributing superior stretchability and functionality in a smart textile device. However, for the real‐life application, it is crucial to recognize the functional reliability of wearable textile electronics. This review comprehensively summarizes the recent progress in electronic textiles (e‐textiles) using different electroactive materials and textile architectures for numerous wearable applications. The first section highlights different textile architectures used in e‐textiles and their various properties. Various electroactive polymers from carbon, metal, and conductive polymers, including their electromechanical properties and wash durability, are then discussed. Subsequently, progress in textile‐based energy harvesting and storage, personal thermal management, flexible sensing, electrocardiography (ECG), electromagnetic interference shielding are presented. Finally, the remaining challenges regarding the current materials and processing strategies are pointed out, and practical strategies to fully realize e‐textile systems are suggested.
Synthetische molekulare Photoelektrochemie: neue synthetische Anwendungen, mechanistische Einblicke und Möglichkeiten zur Skalierung
Authors: Wu Shangze , Kaur Jaspreet , Karl Tobias A. , Tian Xianhai , Barham Joshua P.
Published: September 2021

Die synthetische Photoelektrochemie (PEC) bietet neue Möglichkeiten für die Erzeugung und Handhabung reaktiver Zwischenstufen. Selektive Einelektronentransferreaktionen (SET) auf wesentlich umweltfreundlichere Weise und die Erweiterung des Redoxfensters erwecken Aufmerksamkeit. Dieser Aufsatz befasst sich mit den diesbezüglich neusten Beiträgen. Besprochen werden die Kombination von PEC mit anderen Reaktivitäten (Wasserstoffatomtransfer, radical–polar crossover, Energietransfer‐Sensibilisierung), die Skalierbarkeit bis zum Multigramm‐Maßstab, neuartige Selektivitäten bei SET‐Superoxidationen/Reduktionen und die Bedeutung der Vorkomplexierung, um die Katalyse angeregter Radikalionen zeitlich zu ermöglichen.
Photoinduced Trifluoromethylation of Arenes and Heteroarenes Catalyzed by High‐Valent Nickel Complexes
Authors: Deolka Shubham , Govindarajan Ramadoss , Khaskin Eugene , Fayzullin Robert R. , Roy Michael C. , Khusnutdinova Julia R.
Published: September 2021

We describe a series of air‐stable NiIII complexes supported by a simple, robust naphthyridine‐based ligand. Access to the high‐valent oxidation state is enabled by the CF3 ligands on the nickel, while the naphthyridine exhibits either a monodentate or bidentate coordination mode that depends on the oxidation state and sterics, and enables facile aerobic oxidation of NiII to NiIII. These NiIII complexes act as efficient catalysts for photoinduced C(sp2)−H bond trifluoromethylation reactions of (hetero)arenes using versatile synthetic protocols. This blue LED light‐mediated catalytic protocol proceeds via a radical pathway and demonstrates potential in the late‐stage functionalization of drug analogs.
Einfluss von Tensiden auf die molekulare Struktur der Öl/Wasser‐Grenzfläche
Authors: Hosseinpour Saman , Götz Vanessa , Peukert Wolfgang
Published: September 2021

Die Öl/Wasser‐Grenzfläche z. B. in Emulsionen wird oft durch Tenside stabilisiert. Folglich bestimmt die Koexistenz von Öl, Wasser und Tensid an der Öl/Wasser‐Grenzfläche die makroskopischen Eigenschaften wie Oberflächenspannung oder die Stabilität von Emulsionen. Wir zeigen mit der oberflächensensitiven Summenfrequenzspektroskopie (SFG), dass die Adsorption eines anionischen Tensids an die Öl/Wasser‐Grenzfläche die Stärke des elektrisches Felds an der Grenzfläche erhöht. Mit zunehmender Grenzflächenbedeckung nimmt die Ordnung der Ölmoleküle an der Grenzfläche durch die Interkalation der aliphatischen Ketten des Tensids und den Ölmolekülen zu. Bei hinreichend hohen Tensidkonzentrationen erreicht die Grenzflächenladung einen Maximalwert, gleichzeitig stellt sich eine geordnete Konformation der Ölmoleküle an der Grenzfläche ein. Dies führt zu einer signifikanten Abnahme der Grenzflächenspannung und ermöglicht eine verbesserte Emulsionsstabilität.
Synthetic Molecular Photoelectrochemistry: New Frontiers in Synthetic Applications, Mechanistic Insights and Scalability
Authors: Wu Shangze , Kaur Jaspreet , Karl Tobias A. , Tian Xianhai , Barham Joshua P.
Published: September 2021

Synthetic photoelectrochemistry (PEC) is receiving increasing attention as a new frontier for the generation and handling of reactive intermediates. PEC permits selective single‐electron transfer (SET) reactions in a much greener way and broadens the redox window of possible transformations. Herein, the most recent contributions are reviewed, demonstrating exciting new opportunities, namely, the combination of PEC with other reactivity paradigms (hydrogen‐atom transfer, radical polar crossover, energy transfer sensitization), scalability up to multigram scale, novel selectivities in SET super‐oxidations/reductions and the importance of precomplexation to temporally enable excited radical ion catalysis.
A Cooperative OSDA Blueprint for Highly Siliceous Faujasite Zeolite Catalysts with Enhanced Acidity Accessibility
Authors: Ke Quanli , Khalil Ibrahim , Smeyers Brent , Li Zheng , de Oliveira‐Silva Rodrigo , Sels Bert , Sakellariou Dimitrios , Dusselier Michiel
Published: September 2021

A cooperative OSDA strategy is demonstrated, leading to novel high‐silica FAU zeolites with a large potential for disruptive acid catalysis. In bottom‐up synthesis, the symbiosis of choline ion (Ch+) and 15‐crown‐5 (CE) was evidenced, in a form of full occupation of the sodalite (sod) cages with the trans Ch+ conformer, induced by the CE presence. CE itself occupied the supercages along with additional gauche Ch+, but in synthesis without CE, no trans was found. The cooperation, and thus the fraction of trans Ch+, was closely related to the Si/Al ratio, a key measure for FAU stability and acidity. As such, a bottom‐up handle for lowering the Al‐content of FAU and tuning its acid site distribution is shown. A mechanistic study demonstrated that forming sod cages with trans Ch+ is key to the nucleation of high‐silica FAU zeolites. The materials showed superior performances to commercial FAU zeolites and those synthesized without cooperation, in the catalytic degradation of polyethylene.
In‐plane actuation performance of graphene oxide filled VHB 4910 dielectric elastomer
Authors: Sahu Dhananjay , Sahu Raj Kumar , Patra Karali
Published: September 2021

The effects of solid fillers on optical, electrical, mechanical, and electromechanical actuation behavior of VHB 4910 elastomer is inadequate, possibly due to readiness as a foam tape that makes the filler reinforcement a challenging work. VHB 4910 is modified by filling graphene oxide (GO) particles to realize the influences on material behavior towards actuator applications. The elastomer samples are ultrasonicated, swollen then thermochemically cured in GO dispersed; deionized‐water, trimethylolpropane trimethylacrylate (TMPTMA) and toluene to prepare three different filled‐elastomers. Material modification is confirmed by analyzing optical micrograph, and FTIR spectra. Whereas, dielectric constant and Young's modulus are assessed to ensure the feasibility of modified elastomers for electromechanical actuation strain. Amongst the three, GO‐TMPTMA filled‐elastomer samples are considered to test electromechanical actuation using an in‐house designed diaphragm actuator. Results showed enhanced in‐plane actuation performance and electrical breakdown strength, dependent on the curing time and prestrain. This work may strengthen the future strategies of making VHB 4910‐composite for dielectric elastomer actuator based electromechanical devices.
A Novel Fluorescence Probe for the Reversible Detection of Bisulfite and Hydrogen Peroxide Pair in Vitro and in Vivo
Authors: Wang Yue , Zhou Fang , Meng Qingtao , Zhang Songhe , Jia Hongmin , Wang Cuiping , Zhang Run , Zhang Zhiqiang
Published: September 2021

The detection of changes in the reactive oxygen species (ROS)/reactive sulfur species (RSS) couple is important for studying the cellular redox state. Herein, we developed a 1,8‐naphthalimide‐based fluorescence probe (NI) for the reversible detection of bisulfite (HSO3−) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in vitro and in vivo. NI has been designed with a reactive ethylene unit which specifically reacts with HSO3− by a Michael addition reaction mechanism, resulting in the quenching of yellow fluorescence at 580 nm and the appearing of green fluorescence at 510 nm upon excitation at 500 nm and 430 nm, respectively. The addition product (NI−HSO3) could be specifically oxidized to form the original C=C bond of NI, recovering the fluorescence emission and color. The detection limits of NI for HSO3− and NI−HSO3 for H2O2 were calculated to be 2.05 μM and 4.23 μM, respectively. The reversible fluorescence response of NI towards HSO3−/H2O2 couple can be repeated for at least five times. NI is reliable at a broad pH range (pH 3.0–11.5) and features outstanding selectivity, which enabled its practical applications in biological and food samples. Monitoring the reversible and dynamic inter‐conversion between HSO3− and H2O2 in vitro and in vivo has been verified by fluorescence imaging in live HeLa cells, adult zebrafish and nude mice. Moreover, NI has been successfully applied to detect of HSO3− levels in food samples.
Impact of target vessel choice on outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with a prior coronary artery bypass graft
Authors: Beerkens Frans J. , Singh Ranbir , Cao Davide , Claessen Bimmer E. , Nicolas Johny , Sartori Samantha , Snyder Clayton , Camaj Anton , Giustino Gennaro , Power David , Razuk Victor , Jones Davis , Tavenier Anne H. , Pivato Carlo Andrea , Nardin Matteo , Chiarito Mauro , Krishnan Prakash , Barman Nitin , Baber Usman , Sweeny Joseph , Dangas George , Sharma Samin K. , Mehran Roxana , Kini Annapoorna
Published: September 2021

Objectives

To evaluate and compare characteristics and clinical outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) among target vessel types in patients with a prior coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Background

Patients with a prior CABG often require repeat revascularization with PCI. Graft PCI has been associated with worse outcomes compared to native vessel PCI, yet the optimal PCI strategy in prior CABG patients remains unknown.

Methods

We stratified prior CABG patients who underwent PCI at a tertiary‐care center between 2009 and 2017 by target vessel type: native vessel, venous graft, and arterial graft. The primary outcome of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) was a composite of all‐cause death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, or target vessel revascularization up to 1 year post‐PCI.

Results

Prior CABG patients (n = 3983) represented 19.5% of all PCI interventions during the study period. PCI was most frequently performed on native vessels (n = 2928, 73.5%) followed by venous (n = 883, 22.2%) and arterial grafts (n = 172, 4.3%). Procedural success and complications were similar among the groups; however, slow‐ and no‐reflow phenomenon was more common in venous graft PCI compared to native vessel PCI (OR 4.78; 95% CI 2.56–8.95; p < 0.001). At 1 year, there were no significant differences in MACE or in its individual components.

Conclusions

Target vessel choice did not appear to affect MACE at 1 year in a large cohort of patients with prior CABG undergoing PCI. Whether PCI of surgical grafts versus native arteries truly results in similar outcomes warrants further investigation in randomized controlled trials.
Role of the Supporting Electrolyte Ions and Additives on the Electron Transport Properties of Electrografted Films Bearing Ferrocenyl Moieties
Authors: Ramírez‐Chan Daniel E. , Fragoso Rogelio , Díaz‐Sánchez Blanca R. , González Felipe J.
Published: September 2021

The electrochemical oxidation of 6‐ferrocenylheptanoate was used to modify the surface of glassy carbon electrodes with thin films bearing ferrocene molecules. These films grow layer by layer and behave as surface redox catalyst during the electrografting. The electrografted films have a structure with pinholes or channels, whose existence was deduced from the redox behavior of the film in acetonitrile solution containing different supporting electrolytes and organic additives. The electron transport through this film requires the presence of the electrolyte anions in the film channels. However, the voltametric feature of the grafted films is sensitive to the electrolyte cation size. The supporting electrolyte anions inside the film channels stabilize the ferrocenium species during the film oxidation. However, the presence of the cations is required to keep the inner charge balance. The inclusion of both anions and cations inside the grafted film determines the surface coverage obtained from the voltammetric experiments.
International collaboration: Support for the Milan System from Japan
Authors: Kurtycz Daniel F. I.
Published: September 2021

Cytology as a discipline has come to the realization that, to advance diagnostic accuracy, improve communications with clinicians, and improve service to patients, all must be speaking the same consensus‐derived diagnostic language. The size and quality of the study reported by Japanese colleagues in this issue establishes a benchmark for international collaboration and serves as a milestone in the development of diagnostic systems in cytopathology.
Recent Progress and Emerging Technologies towards a Sustainable Synthesis of Sulfones
Authors: Liang Shuai , Hofman Kamil , Friedrich Marius , Keller Julian , Manolikakes Georg
Published: September 2021

Sulfones play a pivotal role in modern organic chemistry. They are highly versatile building blocks and find various applications as drugs, agrochemicals, or functional materials. Therefore, sustainable access to this class of molecules is of great interest. Herein, the goal was to provide a summary on recent developments in the field of sustainable sulfone synthesis. Advances and existing limitations in traditional approaches towards sulfones were reviewed on selected examples. Furthermore, novel emerging technologies for a more sustainable sulfone synthesis and future directions were discussed.
Function of chromatin modifier Hmgn1 during neural crest and craniofacial development
Authors: Ihewulezi Chibuike , Saint‐Jeannet Jean‐Pierre
Published: September 2021

The neural crest is a dynamic embryonic structure that plays a major role in the formation of the vertebrate craniofacial skeleton. Neural crest formation is regulated by a complex sequence of events directed by a network of transcription factors working in concert with chromatin modifiers. The high mobility group nucleosome binding protein 1 (Hmgn1) is a nonhistone chromatin architectural protein, associated with transcriptionally active chromatin. Here we report the expression and function of Hmgn1 during Xenopus neural crest and craniofacial development. Hmgn1 is broadly expressed at the gastrula and neurula stages, and is enriched in the head region at the tailbud stage, especially in the eyes and the pharyngeal arches. Hmgn1 knockdown affected the expression of several neural crest specifiers, including sox8, sox10, foxd3, and twist1, while other genes (sox9 and snai2) were only marginally affected. The specificity of this phenotype was confirmed by rescue, where injection of Hmgn1 mRNA was able to restore sox10 expression in morphant embryos. The reduction in neural crest gene expression at the neurula stage in Hmgn1 morphant embryos correlated with a decreased number of sox10‐ and twist1‐positive cells in the pharyngeal arches at the tailbud stage, and hypoplastic craniofacial cartilages at the tadpole stage. These results point to a novel role for Hmgn1 in the control of gene expression essential for neural crest and craniofacial development. Future work will investigate the precise mode of action of Hmgn1 in this context.
Synthesis, Structural Characterization and Antiproliferative Activity of Gold(I) and Gold(III) Complexes Bearing Thioether‐Functionalized N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes
Authors: De Marco Riccardo , Dal Grande Marco , Baron Marco , Orian Laura , Graiff Claudia , Achard Thierry , Bellemin‐Laponnaz Stéphane , Pöthig Alexander , Tubaro Cristina
Published: September 2021

A series of gold(I) and gold(III) complexes with N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands functionalized with a pendant thioether group (NHC‐SR) was synthesized with straightforward procedures and characterized in solution with NMR spectroscopy and ESI‐MS spectrometry, as well as in the solid state by means of single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Selected experimental aspects were rationalized through relativistic DFT calculations. The gold(I) and gold(III) complexes displayed moderatein vitrocytotoxicity towards breast cancer cells MCF7.
Design Predictions of n–n Heterojunction Based Photoanode for Efficient Unbiased Overall Solar Water Splitting
Authors: Hatagami Kentaro , Kishimoto Fuminao , Kawase Yudai , Higashi Tomohiro , Nandal Vikas , Seki Kazuhiko , Takanabe Kazuhiro
Published: September 2021

There are multiple requirements for maximizing the efficiency of photoelectrochemical overall water splitting using a single n‐type semiconducting photoanode. Many visible‐light‐responsive photoanode materials have been developed but overall water splitting by such materials without external bias has hardly been demonstrated. Herein, the aim is to scale the impact of performance improvement by an n–n heterojunction photoanode comprising an n‐type thin modification surface layer over an n‐type photon absorber, using a finite element method. For the n‐type photon absorber, the semiconductor properties are initially set to those of a well‐studied visible–light‐absorbing Ta3N5, and key properties are varied. It is demonstrated that an appropriate donor density and thickness of the thin surface layer induce adequate energy band bending in the photon absorber, resulting in a dramatic reduction of the onset potential of the photoanode. Thus, even though the quality of the photoanode is poor (e.g., the donor density is high (≈1 × 1019 cm−3)), the optimized surface layer enables the n–n heterojunction photoanode to facilitate bias‐free solar water splitting. These exhaustive investigations could provide design guidelines for obtaining effective photoanodes using an n‐type surface modification layer, such as cocatalysts and hole collection layers.
Direct synaptic excitation between hilar mossy cells revealed with a targeted voltage sensor
Authors: Ma Yihe , Bayguinov Peter O. , McMahon Shane M. , Scharfman Helen E. , Jackson Meyer B.
Published: September 2021

The dentate gyrus not only gates the flow of information into the hippocampus, it also integrates and processes this information. Mossy cells (MCs) are a major type of excitatory neuron strategically located in the hilus of the dentate gyrus where they can contribute to this processing through networks of synapses with inhibitory neurons and dentate granule cells. Some prior work has suggested that MCs can form excitatory synapses with other MCs, but the role of these synapses in the network activity of the dentate gyrus has received little attention. Here, we investigated synaptic inputs to MCs in mouse hippocampal slices using a genetically encoded hybrid voltage sensor (hVOS) targeted to MCs by Cre‐lox technology. This enabled optical recording of voltage changes from multiple MCs simultaneously. Stimulating granule cells and CA3 pyramidal cells activated well‐established inputs to MCs and elicited synaptic responses as expected. However, the weak blockade of MC responses to granule cell layer stimulation by DCG‐IV raised the possibility of another source of excitation. To evaluate synapses between MCs as this source, single MCs were stimulated focally. Stimulation of one MC above its action potential threshold evoked depolarizing responses in neighboring MCs that depended on glutamate receptors. Short latency responses of MCs to other MCs did not depend on release from granule cell axons. However, granule cells did contribute to the longer latency responses of MCs to stimulation of other MCs. Thus, MCs transmit their activity to other MCs both through direct synaptic coupling and through polysynaptic coupling with dentate granule cells. MC–MC synapses can redistribute information entering the dentate gyrus and thus shape and modulate the electrical activity underlying hippocampal functions such as navigation and memory, as well as excessive excitation during seizures.
Kicking goals: Exploring the experiences of girls who play Australian Rules football
Authors: Kernebone Paige N. , O’Shea Amie , Jerebine Alethea , Barnett Lisa M.
Published: September 2021

Issue Addressed

Increasing physical activity of adolescent girls is a key priority for health promotion, as their physical activity levels are generally lower than boys. This study aims to understand the experiences of adolescent girls who play Australian Football League Women's (AFLW) football and to explore girls’ pathways to playing football. Understanding how AFLW and gender norms/stereotypes influence girls’ experiences and self‐perceptions was a key focus.

Methods

A qualitative description design and purposive sampling were used. Six adolescent girls aged 11‐17 that play football in urban Victoria, Australia participated. Short interview survey questions covering demographic and football pathway information were administered prior to online one‐on‐one interviews. Interviews lasted 30‐45 minutes. Questions were framed broadly, open‐ended and non‐directive (some using image prompts). Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

The results cover four themes: (a) Self‐perception—participants presented with positive self‐perceptions, (b) Social support—a supportive team and exposure to women playing football, and family support/involvement, were encouraging factors in pathways to playing football, (c) AFLW role models—were positive influences on participants’ experience and self‐perceptions and (d) Influence of gender norms/stereotypes—participant self‐perceptions displayed conforming and non‐conforming features of gender norms/stereotypes. Participants reported exposure to sexist commentary about girls in sport through social media and peers but instead of being discouraged, most used it as motivation or empowerment, while others were dismissive.

Conclusions

Findings suggest increased media coverage of AFLW players may be beneficial. Education programs/initiatives which i) involve AFLW role models and ii) encourage family friendly club environments and team bonding spaces are recommended.

So what?

Findings indicate that adolescent girls can thrive in their football experience, which could increase feelings of empowerment and foster positive self‐perceptions, contributing to overall health. Further research in this area is recommended to expand on and strengthen our study findings.
The risk of cutaneous mucormycosis associated with COVID‐19: A perspective from Pakistan
Authors: Asri Sucharu , Akram Muhammad Rizwan , Hasan Mohammad Mehedi , Asad Khan Fatima Muhammad , Hashmi Nida , Wajid Fareha , Ullah Irfan
Published: September 2021

As a developing country, Pakistan reports a high burden of fungal diseases, of which cutaneous mucormycosis remains a prominent infection, presenting as a highly invasive disease with significant mortality. Apart from a high population of at‐risk individuals, multiple factors have precipitated an increment in mucormycosis cases in the country following the COVID‐19 pandemic. These include increased use of corticosteroids, immunosuppression following the viral infection, prolonged stays in the intensive care unit and sub‐optimal laboratory testing available in the country. This article aims to assess the potential implications of a mucormycosis epidemic on a healthcare system already strained under the COVID‐19 pandemic, and provides subsequent recommendations to weather the dual challenge of two deadly pathogens.
Citizens lack access to healthcare facilities: How COVID‐19 lockdown and social distancing policies boost roadside chemist businesses in South‐Eastern Nigeria
Authors: Iwuoha Victor Chidubem , Aniche Ernest Toochi , Obiora Charles Arinze , Umeifekwem Uchenna T.
Published: September 2021

This study examines how COVID‐19 lockdown and social distancing policies impacted on citizens' access to healthcare facilities and the level of patronage of chemist/pharmacies for self‐treatment. A cross‐sectional questionnaire survey method was used to collect data by asking individuals quantitative and qualitative questions in person which included 6 structured open‐ended questions. Participants include operators of purposively selected three classes of small businesses/self‐employed services in South‐Eastern Nigeria. This involves 120 fashion/event related businesses, 80 food related businesses and 100 general merchandise–a total of 300 small businesses. Quantitative data were analysed by frequencies and descriptive statistics while qualitative data were analysed using thematic/content analysis. It concludes that although COVID‐19 lockdown policies are generally perceived to have negative effects on small businesses, these policies have particularly had positive effects on the chemist/pharmacies businesses compared with other small businesses. About 85% increase in patronage of chemist businesses compared with 63.7% decline in patronage of other small businesses is essentially linked to increasing rate of self‐medication as a result of government's poor implementation of COVID‐19 public health policies amidst lockdown measures–which limited people's access to hospitals and healthcare centres. The study proposes reformed pandemic‐lockdown policies to increase people's access to healthcare services and reduce overreliance on self‐medication and excessive patronage of roadside chemist/pharmacies.
How and when do prior international experiences lead to global work? A career motivation perspective
Authors: Akkan Eren , Lee Yih‐Teen , Reiche B. Sebastian
Published: September 2021

While research suggests a link between individuals' prior international experiences and their future participation in global work, we know little about how and the conditions under which this relationship occurs. Drawing on career motivation theory, we conceptualize global identity as a mediator between individuals' density of prior international experiences—defined as the extent to which time spent in culturally novel countries has provided individuals with developmental opportunities—and their global work aspirations, which in turn leads to their global work involvement. Further, this multi‐stage mediation model holds mainly when individuals receive positive feedback regarding their intercultural competencies (i.e., cultural intelligence) from their peers. We test our model using a multi‐wave multi‐source dataset spanning 6 years. We discuss implications for the literatures on prior international experiences and global careers.
Brownian motion and thermophoresis effects on MHD flow of viscoelastic fluid over stretching/shrinking sheet in the presence of thermal radiation and chemical reaction
Authors: Mehta Rahul , Kataria Hari R.
Published: September 2021

The study covers the robust viscoelastic fluid stream across a stretchable surface. The analysis is conducted taking into account Brownian movement, chemical reactions, and thermophoresis. The dominant partial differential equations become regular differential equations. The method used to solve nonlinear systems is homotopy analysis. The solutions are graphically designed to illustrate the impact on speed, temperature, and concentration profiles of different parameters. The Mathematica code contains a graphical representation of the effects of different variables on speed, temperature, and distribution profiles. It is seen that, Fluid speed decreases with increases in K and M. From graphical representation, the friction of the skin on increasing K is seen to decrease.  Sherwood number improves and Nusselt reduces with an increase in Nb. It is also mentioned.
Projected changes in the near‐future mean climate and extreme climate events in northeast Thailand
Authors: Khadka Dibesh , Babel Mukand S. , Collins Matthew , Shrestha Sangam , Virdis Salvatore G. P. , Chen Albert S.
Published: September 2021

This study provides an assessment of changes in mean and extreme climate in northeast Thailand, focusing on the near‐future period (2021–2050). Spatiotemporal changes in climate extremes and return values are investigated compared to 1981–2010. Climate model‐related uncertainties are quantified using 14 models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5) and 8 models from phase 6 (CMIP6). CMIP6 models have a higher sensitivity to external forcings as the CMIP6 ensemble suggests an increase in maximum and minimum temperatures by 1.45°C (0.8–1.9°C) and 1.54°C (1.1–1.9°C) under the high emission scenario, which is greater than by CMIP5 ensemble: 1.10°C (0.5–1.7°C) and 1.13°C (0.7–1.6°C), respectively. No significant changes in annual rainfall are projected, although it will be temporally more uneven with decreases (6–11%) during the pre‐rainy season (March–May) and increases (2–8%) during the rainy season (June–October). The bootstrap analysis technique shows the inter‐model uncertainties for rainfall projections in CMIP6 have reduced by 40% compared to CMIP5. The annual number of hot days will increase more than twofold and warm nights, more than threefold. Near‐future will experience an increase in the rainfall intensity, a decrease in the number of rainy days, and an increase in the 20‐year return values of annual maximum 1‐day rainfall and consecutive 5‐days rainfall (>30%). In addition, the rainy season will be shortened in the future as onset and retreat are delayed, which may have implications in agricultural activities in the basin since cultivation is primarily rainfed. These findings suggest that anthropogenic activities will significantly amplify the climate extremes. The study results will be useful for managing climate‐related risks and developing adaptation measures to improve resilience towards potential climate hazards.
‘The Captain of the Band is un Galant Uomo’: The Good Bandit from Boccaccio to Washington Irving
Authors: Ceteroni Alessandro , Puleo Simone Maria
Published: September 2021

The article explores the figure of the “good bandit,” connecting representations of the historical personage Ghino di Tacco in late‐medieval Italian literature with the bandits in Washington Irving’s travel tales. Ghino di Tacco was a notorious bandit, known for raiding pilgrims and travelers in thirteenth‐century Tuscany. Nevertheless, according to literary sources such as Boccaccio's Decameron, the infamous raider left his victims unharmed and with the means necessary to complete their journeys. Sources also indicate that Ghino di Tacco became a bandit because of factional disputes and was eventually pardoned by Pope Boniface VIII for healing the Abbot of Cluny. Similarly, the fictional bandits in Irving’s Tales of a Traveller (1824) are revealed to be men of moral standing, forced into a violent life of banditry in response to the excesses of nineteenth‐century Italy’s ruling classes. His tales redeem the figure of the bandit from crude one‐dimensional treatments common in the works of English writers such as Ann Radcliffe. Pivoting from established proposals that have characterized bandits as either criminals or revolutionaries, this article argues that, for Boccaccio as with Irving, the figure of the good bandit functions as a symbol of reconciliation and social reintegration.
State‐level educational performance in Brazil: A MCDM approach taking a governance perspective
Authors: Bizzo Eduardo , Furst Rodrigo , Antunes Jorge Junio Moreira , Wanke Peter , Mixon Franklin G.
Published: September 2021

This study presents an educational performance assessment of Brazilian state‐level units using the technique for order preference by similarity to the ideal solution (TOPSIS). Although this technique is a well‐established multi‐criteria decision making (MCDM) model that can be applied across diverse areas, it has yet to be applied to an analysis of primary and secondary education. We assess how state‐level units in Brazil perform in terms of primary and secondary educational inputs and outputs during the period from 2013 to 2017. We handle epistemic uncertainty with regard to weight definition using maximal information entropy. Additionally, a Tobit regression approach on performance scores is developed. Results show that region of the country plays an important role in determining educational performance. Moreover, results indicate that gross domestic product (GDP) is positively related to education scores while infant mortality is negatively associated with educational performance.
KFP‐1, a Novel Calcium‐Binding Peptide Isolated from Kefir, Promotes Calcium Influx Through TRPV6 Channels
Authors: Chang Gary Ro‐Lin , Tu Min‐Yu , Chen Yu‐Hsuan , Chang Ku‐Yi , Chen Chien‐Fu , Lai Jen‐Chieh , Tung Yu‐Tang , Chen Hsiao‐Ling , Fan Hueng‐Chuen , Chen Chuan‐Mu
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Kefir is an acidic and alcoholic fermented milk product with multiple health‐promoting benefits. A previous study demonstrated that kefir enhanced calcium absorption in intestinal Caco‐2 cells. In this study, kefir‐fermented peptide‐1 (KFP‐1) is isolated from the kefir peptide fraction, and its function as a calcium‐binding peptide is characterized.

Methods and Results

KFP‐1 was identified as a 17‐residue peptide with a sequence identical to that of κ‐casein (residues 138–154) in milk protein. KFP‐1 is demonstrated to promote calcium influx in Caco‐2 and IEC‐6 small intestinal cells in a concentration‐dependent manner. TRPV6, but not L‐type voltage‐gated calcium channels, is associated with the calcium influx induced by KFP‐1. An in vitro calcium binding assay indicates that the full‐length KFP‐1 peptide has a higher calcium‐binding capacity than the two truncated KFP‐1 peptides, KFP‐1∆C5 and KFP‐1C5. Alexa Fluor 594 labeling shows that KFP‐1 is taken up by Caco‐2 cells and interacts with calcium ions and TRPV6 protein. Moreover, KFP‐1 is found moderately resistant to pepsin and pancreatin digestions and enhanced calcium uptake by intestinal enterocytes in vivo.

Conclusion

These data suggest that KFP‐1, a novel calcium‐binding peptide, binds extracellular calcium ions and enters Caco‐2 and IEC‐6 cells, and promotes calcium uptake through TRPV6 calcium channels. The present study is of great importance for developing kefir‐derived metal ion‐binding peptides as functional nutraceutical additives.
Wideband low‐profile dual‐polarized dielectric patch antenna with metallic pins
Authors: Cao Zhi‐Xun , Zhang Li , Wang Hao , Lu Hao , Liu Jianfeng , Qiu Yonghui
Published: September 2021

In this article, a lowprofile dual‐polarized dielectric patch antenna (DPA) using TM101 and TM121 modes is proposed for achieving the impedance bandwidth (BW) enhancement. By introducing four metallic pins in a dielectric patch resonator (DPR), the TM121 mode is shifted to low frequencies while TM101 mode is shifted to high frequencies. Therefore, the two modes can be close to each other for obtaining wide working bandwidth. Moreover, two orthogonal aperture‐coupled feeders are employed to excite the proposed DPR to realize the dual polarization. Finally, the proposed antenna is fabricated and measured. The simulated and measured results show that the 10 dB impedance matching bandwidth is 15.2% (5.05–5.87 GHz), while maintaining the low‐profile characteristics with the height of 0.07λ0 (λ0 is free space wavelength at the center frequency f0). In addition, the antenna achieved a peak gain of 8.55 dBi in the operating frequency.
Operator Involvement Leads to Hydraulic Modeling Success
Authors: Morelos Shawnele , Vigil Brian , Raveendran Shyamala
Published: September 2021

A firm deadline and a tight budget meant there was little room for error in a water district's improvement project. Thanks to the expertise and innovative thinking of a cross‐departmental team, the project results exceeded expectations.
A pharmacokinetics‐based approach to the monitoring of patient adherence to atorvastatin therapy
Authors: Karvaly Gellért Balázs , Karádi István , Vincze István , Neely Michael N. , Trojnár Eszter , Prohászka Zoltán , Imreh Éva , Vásárhelyi Barna , Zsáry András
Published: September 2021

The inadequate adherence of patients whose hyperlipidemia is treated with atorvastatin (ATR) to medical instructions presents a serious health risk. Our aim was to develop a flexible approach based on therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), nonparametric population pharmacokinetic modeling, and Monte Carlo simulation to differentiate adherent patients from partially and nonadherent individuals in a nonrandomized, unicentric, observational study. Sixty‐five subjects were enrolled. Nonparametric, mixed‐effect population pharmacokinetic models of the sums of atorvastatin and atorvastatin lactone concentrations (ATR+ATRL) and of the concentrations of the acid and lactone forms of ATR and its 2‐ and 4‐hydroxylated pharmacologically active metabolites (ATR+MET) were elaborated by including the TDM results obtained in 128 samples collected from thirty‐nine subjects. Monte Carlo simulation was performed based on the elaborated models to establish the probabilities of attaining a specific ATR+ATRL or ATR+MET concentration in the range of 0.002–10 nmol (mg dose)−1 L−1 at 1–24 h postdose by adherent, partially adherent, and nonadherent patients. The results of the simulations were processed to allow the estimation of the adherence of further 26 subjects who were phlebotomized at sampling times of 2–20 h postdose by calculating the probabilities of attaining the ATR+ATRL and ATR+MET concentrations measured in these subjects in adherent, partially adherent, and nonadherent individuals. The best predictive values of the estimates of adherence could be obtained with sampling at early sampling times. 61.54% and 38.46% of subjects in the adherence testing set were estimated to be fully and partially adherent, respectively, while in all cases the probability of nonadherence was extremely low. The evaluation of patient adherence to ATR therapy based on pharmacokinetic modeling and Monte Carlo simulation has important advantages over the collection of trough samples and the use of therapeutic ranges.
Transgenic Cry1Ac + CpTI cotton does not compromise parasitoid‐mediated biological control: An eight‐year case study
Authors: Yang Fan , Liu Bing , Zhu Yulin , Desneux Nicolas , Liu Lituo , Li Caihong , Wyckhuys Kris AG , Lu Yanhui
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND

The on‐farm deployment of genetically modified crops may negatively affect nontarget arthropods, potentially disrupting food web structure and ecosystem functions. Aphid–parasitoid interactions are well‐suited to study these potential impacts in agro‐ecosystems. Over the span of 8 years, we systematically compared infestation levels of the aphid Aphis gossypii, its associated parasitoid community and overall parasitism rate between transgenic Cry1Ac + CpTI cotton and nontransgenic cotton. Furthermore, we measured the impact of transgenic Cry1Ac + CpTI cotton on structural traits and interspecies interactions within quantitative aphid–parasitoid food webs.

RESULTS

Transgenic Cry1Ac + CpTI cotton did not affect the abundance of aphids and parasitoids, or in‐field parasitism rates. Despite weak interannual variability, transgenic Cry1Ac + CpTI cotton also did not alter food web architecture or biological control services.

CONCLUSIONS

Our work not only elucidates the impact of transgenic Cry1Ac + CpTI cotton on different nontarget arthropods (i.e. aphids, parasitoids, hyperparasitoids) and their associated ecosystem services or disservices, but also diversifies the ecological risk assessment toolbox for transgenic insecticidal crops. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
LaTeX tutorial for the standardization and automation of population analysis reports
Authors: Frank Thomas , Gastine Silke , Lindauer Klaus , Speth Heiner , Strougo Ashley , Kovar Andreas
Published: September 2021

Writing population analysis reports that fulfilling the specifications of submission readiness is a time‐consuming process and prone to human error. Thus, there is a need to streamline the creation of these reports through elements of standardization and automation. LaTeX is considered a suitable program package capable of creating long, modular, structured documents, and, because of its typographic quality, includes formula typesetting. The presented automation scripts together with easily adjustable LaTeX templates are designed to enable the reader to understand and reproduce a typical workflow from analysis to reporting. The focus of this tutorial is to use an example of a population pharmacokinetic analysis to show how to work with the proposed automated structures allowing even a reader new to the concept of LaTeX to automatize the reporting workflow and customize the templates for their specific needs.
Temperature‐Driven Perturbations in Growth Kinetics, Structural and Optical Properties of NiO Thin Films
Authors: Mishra Monu , Barthwal Swapnil , Tak Bhera Ram , Singh Rajendra
Published: September 2021

Nickel (II) oxide (NiO) is an emerging transparent semiconducting oxide with potential applications in modern‐world ultraviolet active solar cells and visible‐blind photodetectors. Despite their critical importance, the synthesis of quality NiO thin films has remained a challenging issue. Therefore, herein, an analysis of the temperature‐driven perturbations in the growth kinetics of associated properties of NiO thin films grown via radio‐frequency sputtering technique is reported. The structural, morphological, and optical properties of NiO films grown at various temperatures are probed and the obtained results are correlated thoroughly. It is observed that variation in growth temperature (30−500 °C) alters the growth mechanism (from Volmer–Weber to Stranski–Krastanov), surface features, stoichiometry, crystallite size, stress/strain, as well as dislocation densities. The increment in Urbach energy at elevated temperatures indicates that the thermal excitation induces high adatom mobility, leading to poor crystallinity and high disorder. Interestingly, it is witnessed that NiO films’ growth at temperatures >300 °C exhibits stress relaxation via generation of higher defect states, lower surface roughness due to increased adatom mobility, and the suppression of first‐order Raman vibrational states (one‐phonon longitudinal optical [1PLO] mode) associated with Ni vacancies. Hence, it is concluded that NiO films grown at 200 and 300 °C possess superior material properties, that is, largest crystallite size (≈20 nm), lower defects, and high transmittance (>90%) for device‐related applications.
Thermal and Structural Characterization of Methylammonium‐ and Formamidinium‐Halide Salts
Authors: Harding Alexander J. , Dobson Kevin D. , Ogunnaike Babatunde A. , Shafarman William N.
Published: September 2021

Four organic halide salts of interest to alloyed perovskite solar cell fabrication are characterized using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐FTIR), powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis. The chemical and crystal structures of methylammonium iodide (MAI), methylammonium bromide (MABr), and formamidinium iodide (FAI) are confirmed, and the experimental ATR‐FTIR spectrum and XRD pattern of formamidinium bromide (FABr) are presented. The enthalpy, ΔH
vap, and entropy, ΔS
vap, of vaporization are quantified for each salt and are used to estimate their vapor pressures in the temperature range of 150–300 °C. MAI, MABr, and FAI have similar vapor pressures in this temperature range, whereas FABr has a higher vapor pressure in the temperature range of 150–240 °C. These data provide a foundation for achieving effective control of vapor phase concentrations for vapor processing of alloyed perovskite solar cells.
Pushed into a crowd: Repositioning costs, resources, and competition in the RTE cereal industry
Authors: Hou Young , Yao Dennis
Published: September 2021

Research summary

This article exploits a natural experiment involving self‐regulation in the ready‐to‐eat (RTE) breakfast cereal industry to evaluate the performance impact of product repositioning. It then examines how a product's brand equity value declines with repositioning distance and explores various nonprice responses of firms to increased own and rival competition. Self‐regulation led to a crowding of the product space by forcing differentiated products to become more similar. We find that products constrained by regulation performed relatively worse than unconstrained products. Furthermore, brand equity specific to a product was tightly linked to existing product positions. Increased competition also led to increased brand equity investments and some products with strong brand equity repositioned more aggressively than those with weak brand equity.

Managerial summary

This article illustrates how firms respond to newly‐imposed regulatory constraints and how product brand equity is tightly linked to underlying product positions. The analysis is an empirical examination of a self‐regulatory initiative that placed advertising restrictions on high sugar RTE breakfast cereal products targeted toward children. We explore the impact of the regulation on performance and then use the setting to examine the connection between brand equity and changes in product positions. Finally, we examine firm responses to rival entry that include exiting, repositioning, and increasing investments in differentiation.