bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bibliometric analysis about hiv vulnerability / Análise bibliométrica acerca da vulnerabilidade ao HIV
Authors: Freire Daniela de Aquino , Cabral Juliana da Rocha , Fernandes Marta Regina Chaves Camilo , Oliveira Thaís da Silva , De Oliveira Regina Célia , Abrão Fátima Maria da Silva
Published: September 2021

Objetivo: analisar a frequência de palavras correlacionando com o título e resumo da produção científica sobre a vulnerabilidade das pessoas ao HIV à luz da Lei de Zipf. Métodos: estudo descritivo, de análise bibliométrica. A busca ocorreu na base de dados SCOPUS (Elsivier) utilizando os descritores HIV e vulnerability. Foi utilizado o operador booleano and. Critérios de inclusão: artigos disponíveis na íntegra, de forma gratuita, sem restrição de idioma e no espaço temporal entre 1983 e 2020.  Resultados: as nuvens de tags possibilitaram identificar claramente a correlação existente entre todos os segmentos de texto através da frequência das palavras ‘HIV’, ‘vulnerabilidade’ com o sexo feminino. Conclusão: a teoria de Zipf possibilitou uma visão mais moderna, para a enfermagem, corroborando na análise de estruturas de linguagem escrita advindas de textos. Neste sentido, pode-se inferir que, de uma forma geral, os resumos revelaram aspectos fundamentais para a compreensão ampla acerca do tema.
Improving the Adhesion of a Hard Oxide Layer on Ti6Al4V by a Three‐Step Thermal Oxidation Process
Authors: Dickes Daniel , Öztürk Beyza , Völkl Rainer , Galetz Mathias C. , Glatzel Uwe
Published: September 2021

Thermal oxidation is a promising technique to improve the tribological properties of Ti6Al4V. Herein, a single‐step process consisting of oxidation in air, a two‐step process with an additional solid‐state oxide layer reduction step under vacuum, and a three‐step process with an appended final oxidation step in air are applied to Ti6Al4V. The oxide layer adhesion after the three‐step process is improved compared with the single‐step process. This improved adhesion is not due to a different nature of the oxide layers because oxide layers obtained during the single‐step and three‐step process show a similar morphology and composition. Instead, it is ascribed to the presence of an optimized oxygen diffusion zone with two distinct regions: a gradual decrease in oxygen concentration from the maximum possible oxygen concentration at the oxide–substrate interface until a depth of 20 μm followed by a near‐linear decrease until a depth of about 85 μm. Both regions are also visible in the correlated microhardness‐depth profile.
Neuro‐Receptor Mediated Synapse Device Based on Crumpled MXene Ti3C2Tx Nanosheets
Authors: Wang Kaiyang , Jia Yunfang , Yan Xiaobing
Published: September 2021

Artificial synapse devices can simulate the neuro‐transmission in a completely electronic way, but the neuro‐biochemical responses are still a challenge for them. Here, a novel three‐terminal (3T) neuro‐receptor‐mediated (acetylcholine receptor (AChR) as a proof‐of‐concept) synapse device (NR‐S) based on the solution–MXene interface is presented. It is demonstrated that the synaptic plasticity behavior triggered by neuro‐transmitter (ACh) and the pathogenic autoantibody (AChR‐ab) induced neuronal damage that can be detected and recorded. The improved sensitivities, including the linear responses to ACh in an extremely wide range (1 am to 1 µm) and ultra‐low (1 am) limit of detection, are obtained using crumpled MXene. Furthermore, the ability of the proposed NR‐S to determine the tiny neuronal injury caused by only 10 ng mL−1 AChR‐ab is conceptually proven. Collectively, the novel 3T NR‐S has good application prospects in the field of the neuromorphic chip for not only realizing the bionic simulation of the chemically modulated or injured neuro‐transmission but also offering an efficient experimental platform for neuro‐biochemistry studies.
Efficiency Breakthrough of Fluorescence OLEDs by the Strategic Management of “Hot Excitons” at Highly Lying Excitation Triplet Energy Levels
Authors: Lin Chengwei , Han Pengbo , Xiao Shu , Qu Fenlan , Yao Jingwen , Qiao Xianfeng , Yang Dezhi , Dai Yanfeng , Sun Qian , Hu Dehua , Qin Anjun , Ma Yuguang , Tang Ben Zhong , Ma Dongge
Published: September 2021

Aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) and hybridized local and charge‐transfer (HLCT) materials are two kinds of promising electroluminescence systems for the fabrication of high‐efficiency organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) by harnessing “hot excitons” at the high‐lying triplet exciton states (Tn, n ≥ 2). Nonetheless, the efficiency of the resulting OLEDs did not meet expectations due to the possible loss of Tn→Tn−1. Herein, experimental results and theoretical calculations demonstrate the “hot exciton” process between the high‐lying triplet state T3 and the lowest excited singlet state S1 in an AIE material 4⁗‐(diphenylamino)‐2″,5″‐diphenyl‐[1,1″:4′,1″:4″,1′″:4′″,1⁗‐quinquephenyl]‐4‐carbonitrile (TPB‐PAPC) and it is found that the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) between two molecules can facilitate the “hot exciton” process and inhibit the T3→T2 loss by doping a blue fluorescent emitter in TPB‐PAPC. Finally, the doped TPB‐PAPC blue OLEDs achieve a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) of 9.0% with a small efficiency roll‐off. Furthermore, doping the blue fluorescent emitter in a HLCT material 2‐(4‐(10‐(3‐(9H‐carbazol‐9‐yl)phenyl)anthracen‐9‐yl)phenyl)‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐phenanthro[9,10‐d] imidazole (PAC) is used as the emission layer, and the resulting blue OLEDs exhibit an EQEmax of 17.4%, realizing the efficiency breakthrough of blue fluorescence OLEDs. This work establishes a physical insight in the design of high‐performance “hot exciton” molecules and the fabrication of high‐performance blue fluorescence OLEDs.
Ferromagnetic–Antiferromagnetic Coupling Core–Shell Nanoparticles with Spin Conservation for Water Oxidation
Authors: Ge Jingjie , Chen Riccardo Ruixi , Ren Xiao , Liu Jiawei , Ong Samuel Jun Hoong , Xu Zhichuan J.
Published: September 2021

Rational design of active oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts is critical for the overall efficiency of water electrolysis. The differing spin states of the OER reactants and products is one of the factors that slows OER kinetics. Thus, spin conservation plays a crucial role in enhancing OER performance. In this work, ferromagnetic (FM)–antiferromagnetic (AFM) Fe3O4@Ni(OH)2 core–shell catalysts are designed. The interfacial FM–AFM coupling of these catalysts facilitates selective removal of electrons with spin direction opposing the magnetic moment of FM core, improving OER kinetics. The shell thickness is found critical in retaining the coupling effect for OER enhancement. The magnetic domain structure of the FM core also plays a critical role. With a multiple domain core, the applied magnetic field aligns the magnetic domains, optimizing the electron transport process. A significant enhancement of OER activity is observed for the multiple domain core catalysts. With a single‐domain FM core with ordered magnetic dipoles, the spin‐selective electron transport with minimal scattering is facilitated even without an applied magnetic field. A magnetism/OER activity model therefore hypothesizes that depends on two main parameters: interfacial spin coupling and domain structure. These findings provide new design principles for active OER catalysts.
One‐Pot Construction of Diverse Products using Versatile Cyclopropenones
Authors: Huang Tianle , Yang Chunyan , Shi Yuesen , Chen Jian , Wang Ting , Guo Xiaoyu , Liu Xuexin , Ding Haosheng , Wu Zhouping , Hai Li , Wu Yong
Published: September 2021

Tunable C−H activation cascade reactions between quinazolinones and cyclopropenones have been developed. Notably, cyclopropenones, acting as multi‐functional building blocks, could be assembled to construct up to 10 distinct heterocyclic scaffolds in a one‐pot manner.

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Can NOx reduction by CO react over carbon‐based single‐atom catalysts at low temperatures? A theoretical study
Authors: Shi Jie , Zhang Wei , Li Hui , Pu Yuan , Wang Dan , Chen Jian‐Feng
Published: September 2021

First principles studies combined with the microkinetic analysis were performed to study the reliability and reaction mechanisms of single‐atom‐doped graphene materials in catalyzing NOx reduction with CO. By screening the 3d transition metals (Sc‐Zn) and group IV elements (Si and Ge), it was found that the Ti‐ and Co‐doped graphene sheets (TiGr and CoGr), respectively, exhibited excellent catalytic activities in the NO/NO2‐to‐N2O and the N2O‐to‐N2 processes at a relatively low temperature (450 K). Therefore, the tandem catalyst (TiGr + CoGr) can be a promising catalyst in NOx reduction with CO. It was further revealed that the combination of adsorption energy and electronegativity was a good descriptor to predict the activation energies. The obtained results provide useful information for rational design of carbon‐based single‐atom catalysts for NOx reduction by CO at low temperatures.
Ethical concerns relating to genetic risk scores for suicide
Authors: Docherty Anna , Kious Brent , Brown Teneille , Francis Leslie , Stark Louisa , Keeshin Brooks , Botkin Jeffrey , DiBlasi Emily , Gray Doug , Coon Hilary
Published: September 2021

Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) provide valuable information in research contexts regarding genomic changes that contribute to risks for complex psychiatric conditions like major depressive disorder. GWAS results can be used to calculate polygenic risk scores (PRS) for psychiatric conditions, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, as well as for other traits, such as obesity or hypertension. Private companies that provide direct‐to‐consumer (DTC) genetic testing sometimes report PRS for a variety of traits. Recently, the first well‐powered GWAS study for suicide death was published. PRS reports that claim to assess suicide risk are therefore likely to appear soon in the DTC setting. We describe ethical concerns regarding the commercial use of GWAS results related to suicide. We identify several issues that must be addressed before PRS for suicide risk is made available to the public through DTC: (a) the potential for misinterpretation of results, (b) consumers' perceptions about determinism and behavior change, (c) potential contributions to stigma, discrimination, and health disparities; and (d) ethical problems regarding the testing of children and vulnerable adults. Tests for genetic prediction of suicidality may eventually have clinical significance, but until then, the potential for individual and public harm significantly outweighs any potential benefit. Even if genetic prediction of suicidality improves significantly, information about genetic risk scores must be distributed cautiously, with genetic counseling, and with adequate safeguards.
Is the southern patas monkey Erythrocebus baumstarki Africa's next primate extinction? Reassessing taxonomy, distribution, abundance, and conservation
Authors: de Jong Yvonne A. , Butynski Thomas M.
Published: September 2021

The “Critically Endangered” southern patas monkey Erythrocebus baumstarki, thought to be endemic to Tanzania, has been resurrected to species level based on its geographic isolation, and on the coloration and pattern of its pelage. This study presents the first evidence for E. baumstarki in Kenya and reviews its historic and current geographic distributions based on the literature, museum specimens, online platforms, responses to requests for site records, and our own fieldwork. The distribution of E. baumstarki in the early 20th century was roughly 66,000 km2. This has declined about 85% to around 9700 km2 at present (post‐2009). The current “Extent of Occurrence” is only about 2150 km2. This species was extirpated from Kenya in about 2015 and from the Kilimanjaro Region in Tanzania in about 2011. At present, E. baumstarki appears to be restricted to the protected areas of the western Serengeti, with the western Serengeti National Park being the stronghold. The number of individuals remaining is probably between 100 and 200, including between 50 and 100 mature individuals. The ultimate threat to E. baumstarki is the very rapidly increasing human population, while the main proximate threats are the degradation, loss, and fragmentation of natural habitats, and the related competition with people and livestock for habitat and water, particularly during droughts. Other problems are hunting by poachers and domestic dogs, and probably loss of genetic variation and climate change. This article provides recommendations for reducing the threats and promoting the recovery of E. baumstarki. We hope this article heightens awareness of the dire conservation status of E. baumstarki and encourages an increase in research and conservation action for this monkey.
Redox Ladder of Ni3 Complexes with Closed‐Shell, Mono‐, and Diradical Triphenylene Units: Molecular Models for Conductive 2D MOFs
Authors: Yang Luming , Dincă Mircea
Published: September 2021

We report the isolation and characterization of a series of trinickel complexes with 2,3,6,7,10,11‐hexaoxytriphenylene (HOTP), [(Me3TPANi)3(HOTP)](BF4)n (Me3TPA=N,N,N‐tris[(6‐methyl‐2‐pyridyl)methyl]amine) (n=2, 3, 4 for complexes 1, 2, 3). These complexes comprise a redox ladder whereby the HOTP core displays increasingly quinoidal character as its formal oxidation state changes from −4, to −3, and −2 in 1, 2, and 3, respectively. No formal oxidation state changes occur on Ni, allowing the isolation of singlet diradical, monoradical, and closed‐shell configurations for HOTP in 1, 2, and 3, respectively, with a concomitant decrease in the spin coupling strength upon oxidation. Because the three complexes can be considered models of the smallest building blocks of 2D conductive metal‐organic frameworks such as Ni9HOTP4, these results serve as possible inspiration for the construction of extended materials with targeted electric and magnetic properties.
Two novel Cu (II) levofloxacin complexes with different bioactive nitrogen‐based ligands; single‐crystal X‐ray and various biological activities determinations
Authors: Mubarak Asem , Abu Ali Hijazi , Metani Munther
Published: September 2021

Two new copper (II) complexes with the third generation quinolone antibacterial agent levofloxacin, 2‐aminopyridine and 2,2′‐bipyridine nitrogen‐based ligands with the following molecular structures [Cu (levo)2(2‐ampy)].6.25H2O (1) and [Cu (levo)(H2O)(2,2‐bipy)](NO3).2.5H2O (2) were synthesized. The complexes were characterized by spectroscopic methods and others. The crystal structure of complex 1 revealed that the Cu (II) cation is coordinated to two bidentate chelating levofloxacinato ligands, and one monodentate 2‐ampy ligand in the axial position forming a slightly distorted square pyramidal geometry. The mononuclear cationic complex 2 was determined in the triclinic crystal system and the chiral space group P1 with four molecules per unit cell in which the Cu (II) cation is coordinated to one bidentate chelating levofloxacinato ligand, one bidentate 2,2‐bipy, and one water molecule in a distorted square pyramidal geometry. In vitro antibacterial activities for the complexes and their parent ligands against four gram‐negative bacteria (Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumonia) and four gram‐positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus subtilis, and Enterococcus faecalis) using the agar diffusion method have been determined with inhibition zone diameter (IZD) values between 29 and 46 mm. In addition, the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) have been investigated. The MIC results of complexes 1 and 2 showed significant antibacterial activities against the P. mirabilis and B. subtilis than levofloxacin.
3D printing acrylated epoxidized soybean oil reinforced with functionalized cellulose by UV curing
Authors: Liu Zengshe , Knetzer Daniel A. , Wang Jifu , Chu Fuxiang , Lu Chuanwei , Calvert Paul D.
Published: September 2021

In this research, a 3D printing technique was employed for processing biobased composites of polyacrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) with modified ethyl cellulose macromonomer (ECM). In this 3D printing process, objects are built in a layer‐by‐layer fashion by depositing formulated liquid solutions on a platform and rapidly transformed into a solid film cured by UV light. The sustainable materials consisting of ECM and AESO biopolymer were examined for their physical and thermal properties. Samples with different ECM and AESO weight ratios were prepared. Tensile test results showed the ECM‐AESO composites had higher strength and stiffness than AESO alone. Their tensile strengths with ECM weight contents from 30 wt.% to 5 wt.% are between 11.5 MPa and 5.9 MPa and Young's moduli are between 167 MPa and 56 MPa, compared to AESO polymer itself with 4.3 MPa and 27.4 MPa, respectively. Further, the glass transition temperatures of all ECM‐AESO composites were increased from 57.4 to 82.2°C, compared to AESO polymer itself with 47.1°C. Thermal properties of the ECM‐AESO composites are stable up to 325°C. These materials may be of great environmental interest because these composites consist of high amounts of agricultural resources.
High‐resolution airborne Light Detection and Ranging data, ethics and archaeology: Considerations from the northeastern United States
Authors: Johnson Katharine M. , Ives Timothy H. , Ouimet William B. , Sportman Sarah P.
Published: September 2021

Publicly available Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) datasets have become widely accessible in the northeastern United States and beyond in the past 10 years. The increase in dataset availability and accessibility coupled with a number of publications detailing the types of cultural features that can be identified has made it necessary to explore and discuss positive impacts and risks to cultural features on this landscape. Access to detailed, documented locations of archaeological resources at state or federal agencies in the United States is typically limited to those with certain credentials, yet many locations of features and sites, both documented and undocumented, are now available to anyone who can access these datasets and effectively interpret them. This presents a challenge for cultural resource management professionals and the field of archaeology; for while LiDAR datasets have had many positive impacts, it is not yet obvious what the unintended impacts of feature exposure might be. Risks to sites are worth considering in the northeastern United States, where (1) region‐wide LiDAR data are publicly available and accessible, (2) many cultural features are widely accessible and not well monitored and (3) case studies have been published that provide guidance on how to identify specific types of cultural landscape features using LiDAR data. We discuss the nuances of those topics here, provide examples of how the datasets have impacted archaeology in the northeastern United States and explore possible mitigation strategies to maintain data accessibility while also protecting important cultural features in this region.
Optimal power‐constrained control of distributed systems with information constraints
Authors: Causevic Vedad , Abara Precious Ugo , Hirche Sandra
Published: September 2021

This paper is concerned with a special case of stochastic distributed optimal control, where the objective is to design a structurally constrained controller for a system subject to state and input power constraints. The structural constraints are induced by the directed communication between local controllers over a strongly connected graph. Based on the information structure present, that is, who knows what and when, we provide a control synthesis with the optimal control law consisting of two parts: one that is based on the common information between the subsystems and one that uses more localized information. The developed method is applicable to an arbitrary number of physically interconnected subsystems.
Neuroprotective effects of metformin on cerebral ischemia‐reperfusion injury by regulating PI3K/Akt pathway
Authors: Ruan Cailian , Guo Hongtao , Gao Jiaqi , Wang Yiwei , Liu Zhiyong , Yan Jinyi , Li Xiaoji , Lv Haixia
Published: September 2021

Metformin (Met) is a commonly used drug in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Currently, it has been found that Met can effectively reduce the incidence of stroke and exert anti‐inflammatory effects. However, its role in ischemia‐reperfusion (I/R)‐induced nerve injury remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effects of Met in I/R‐induced neuron injury as well as the underlying mechanism. A middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was established in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, which were then treated with different doses of Met. Neurological deficits of rats were measured at different times post‐surgery. TTC staining was done to observe the volume of cerebral infarction. HE staining was performed to observe pathological changes of brain tissues. Immunohistochemistry was performed to observe the expression of inflammatory factors in the cerebral tissues. qRT‐PCR method was used to detect the relative expression of PI3K, Akt mRNA in cells after 24 h of drug action. Western blot method was used to detect the expression of PI3K, p‐PI3K, Akt, and p‐Akt in hippocampus. What is more, in vitro experiments were performed on BV2 microglia to verify the role of Met against oxygen‐glucose deprivation (OGD). As a result, Met dose‐dependently attenuated neurological deficits and neuronal apoptosis. Besides, Met administration also significantly reduced BV2 cells apoptosis and inflammatory response. Mechanistically, Met inactivated PI3K/Akt pathway induced by I/R and OGD, while it upregulated PI3K. In conclusion, Met protected rats from cerebral I/R injury via reducing neuronal apoptosis and microglial inflammation through PI3K/Akt pathway.
Disease‐inclusive exercise classes improve physical fitness and reduce depressive symptoms in individuals with and without Parkinson's disease—A feasibility study
Authors: Stuckenschneider Tim , Abeln Vera , Foitschik Tina , Abel Thomas , Polidori Maria Cristina , Strüder Heiko K.
Published: September 2021

Background and purpose

Exercise is an adjunctive treatment in the management of Parkinson's disease (PD), but barriers such as health status, fear of overexertion, and lack of transportation to the location prevent regular exercise participation. Disease‐inclusive exercise classes may offer an opportunity to make exercise more accessible for older adults with and without diseases. However, the efficacy of such heterogenous exercise classes is still widely unknown. Therefore, it was the aim of this study to analyze the feasibility of disease‐inclusive exercise classes in older adults with and without PD.

Methods

Twenty‐one older adults (healthy older adults (HOA): n = 13; PD: n = 8) completed an 8‐week multimodal exercise intervention in supervised group sessions. Exercise classes lasted 60 min with the goal of two participations a week. We assessed physical fitness (timed up and go test [TUG], 6‐minute walking test [6MWT], single leg stance), depressive symptoms and cognitive functions, and we determined growth factors (BDNF & IGF‐1) before and after the intervention to determine the effects and by that, the feasibility of a disease‐inclusive exercise program. Repeated measures ANOVA were used to establish changes.

Results

TUG and 6MWT improved significantly after the training in both HOA (p = .008; p < .001) and individuals with PD (p = .024; p < .001). Furthermore, individuals with PD increased single leg stance left (p = .003). HOA (p = .003) and individuals with PD (p = .001) decreased their depressive symptoms between pre‐ and post‐test significantly. Whereas growth factors tended to improve, no differences in cognitive functions were revealed.

Conclusion

Disease‐inclusive multicomponent exercise improved physical functions and reduced depressive symptoms independent of health status. This should encourage exercise providers, researchers, and clinicians to further investigate disease‐inclusive exercise, because they may have an important social impact and represent a more inclusive society.
Clinical impact of follow‐up imaging on mortality in Korean breast cancer patients: A national cohort study
Authors: Jung So‐Youn , Kim Young Ae , Lee Dong‐Eun , Joo Jungnam , Back Joung Hwan , Kong Sun‐Young , Lee Eun Sook
Published: September 2021

Background

As the incidence of breast cancer has increased and the survival rate has improved, supporting the optimal follow‐up strategy has become an important issue. This study aimed to evaluate follow‐up imaging usage after breast cancer surgery and the implications on mortality in Korea.

Methods

This study included 96,575 breast cancer patients diagnosed during 2002–2010 and registered in the Korea Central Cancer Registry, Statistics Korea, and Korean National Health Insurance Service. We evaluated the frequency of breast imaging (mammography and breast MRI) and systemic imaging for evaluating the presence of distant metastasis (chest CT, bone scan, and PET‐CT), and performed analyses to determine if they had an effect on mortality.

Results

The median follow‐up period was 72.9 months (range: 12.0–133.3) and 7.5% of the patients died. Among all patients, 54.7%, 16.2%, 45.6%, and 8.5% received 3 or more mammograms, chest CTs, bone scans, and PET‐CTs within 3 years after surgery, respectively. Among patients who developed recurrence after 3 or more years, a comparison of overall mortality and breast‐cancer specific mortality according to the frequency of imaging by modality (<3 vs. ≥3) showed that only mammography had significantly reduced mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.61–0.84, p < 0.0001; HR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.61–0.84; p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

This study showed that only frequent mammography reduced mortality and frequent imaging follow‐up with other modalities did not when compared to less frequent imaging. This finding provides supportive evidence that clinicians need to adhere to the current guidelines for surveillance after breast cancer surgery.
Factors that contribute to student success and satisfaction at Brandman University
Authors: Echols Diana Gilmer , Shukla‐Belmontes Monica P. , Lege Gerald F. , Zipnick Deborah J. , Perez Ben , Kalinski Felix , Edwards Paula L. , Moodian Margaret M.
Published: September 2021

Methods

The Brandman University Strut Learning platform offers a set of analytics that can be utilized by Academic Coaches, Tutorial Faculty, and Administrators as student performance metrics. Reports summarizing that data have indicators for student progress in the program, competency, and learning activity level, as well as topics and subtopics with which the students may need additional support. We began this investigation by assuming that our dependent variable, student success, should be measured by the length of time required for completing the competency (Note: some of the concluding remarks pertain directly to this decision, and points to future directions for the investigation). Our intention was to evaluate the relationship that our dependent variable might have statistically with seventeen independent variables all related to student satisfaction, including: Academic Coaching, Online Writing and Math Center, Library Support, and Tutorial Faculty Support.

Findings

It was speculated that satisfaction about the individual services involved might be related to overall satisfaction with the program. The Student Services that showed the greatest correlation between satisfaction in individual services and overall satisfaction.

Conclusion

We found strong statistical association between students’ beliefs about the importance of a student service and their satisfaction in that same service. We also found strong statistical association between students’ satisfaction in individual student services and their satisfaction overall in the program. However, we found a weak association in the most critical area – whether the satisfaction in the student services is related to our definition of student success.
Highly Efficient and Recyclable Porous Organic Polymer Supported Iridium Catalysts for Dehydrogenation and Borrowing Hydrogen Reactions in Water
Authors: Li Jiahao , Liu Hongqiang , Zhu Haiyan , Yao Wei , Wang Dawei
Published: September 2021

Benzothiazole‐doped porous organic polymers (POP‐MBTS) were synthesized from a copolymerization reaction of 2‐(6‐(4‐vinylphenyl)pyridin‐2‐yl)benzo[d]thiazole with divinylbenzene. The corresponding POP‐MBTS‐Ir was obtained and fully characterized using SEM, TEM, EDS, TGA, XPS, and N2 sorption isotherms, which disclosed that this catalyst has a high surface area, hierarchical porosity, and thermodynamic stability. Importantly, this catalyst revealed a high catalytic activity for ten different kinds of borrowing hydrogen and dehydrogenation reactions in water with a good recovery performance. Furthermore, mechanistic investigations were conducted for the synthesis of triazine derivatives.
Qualitative Comparison of Valuation Methods for Power Plants and Flexibility
Authors: Wehkamp Steffen , Kusch Pavel Wilhelm , Marx Gómez Jorge
Published: September 2021

The financial valuation of power plants is an important instrument for investment planning. The environment of the energy sector, which is strongly influenced by renewable energies, is changing. The shift to decentralized supply has an impact on the technical complexity of the energy system and requires congestion management. In such a transitioning system, flexibility is gaining a more important function in the valuation of power plants. Existing valuation methods are examined as to how flexibility and marketing options are taken into account. The comparison of the existing valuation methods showed that the valuation results are strongly dependent on the method used and the technology investigated. There is a lack of validation of the methods through quantitative evaluation.
Diagnosis of the Cane Sugar Crystallization Process by Multifractal Analysis of Temperature Time Series
Authors: Moguel-Castañeda Jazael G. , Romero-Bustamante Jorge A. , Velazquez-Camilo Oscar , Puebla Hector , Hernandez-Martinez Eliseo
Published: September 2021

The monitoring and diagnosis of crystallization processes are difficult due to the interaction of nucleation and crystal growth phenomena. In recent years, image and time series analysis using fractal methodologies showed potential as an alternative for monitoring crystal growth, although the available results are scarce. In this work, the multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MF‐DFA) was applied to temperature time series obtained from a laboratory‐scale cane sugar crystallization operated at different operating conditions. MF‐DFA reflects that the crystallization process exhibits multifractal properties associated with the dynamic behavior of the underlying phenomena. Thus, multifractal analysis can identify how operational changes influence the crystal growth and formed crystal mass.
Global Convection Characteristics of Conical Taylor‐Couette Flow with Shear‐Thinning Fluids
Authors: Masuda Hayato , Iyota Hiroyuki , Ohmura Naoto
Published: September 2021

A method to intensify the mixing process of scalar components within shear‐thinning fluids is proposed. A conical Taylor‐Couette flow enabled fluid elements to circulate in the entire fluid column owing to the global circulation flow (i.e., meridional flow) for keeping good local mixing within Taylor cells. The global convection and mixing characteristics were numerically investigated. The meridional flow was found to be enhanced with increasing shear‐thinning. In addition, the mixing performance was evaluated using a passive tracer. Global mixing with shear‐thinning fluids was promoted by the enhanced meridional flow compared with that of Newtonian fluids. Therefore, the conical Taylor‐Couette apparatus could be used for intensifying mixing processes in shear‐thinning fluid systems.
Metal–Organic Frameworks‐Derived Self‐Supported Carbon‐Based Composites for Electrocatalytic Water Splitting
Authors: Cong Yikang , Huang Shengsheng , Mei Yan , Li Ting‐Ting
Published: September 2021

Electrocatalytic water splitting has been considered as a promising strategy for the sustainable evolution of hydrogen energy and storage of intermittent electric energy. Efficient catalysts for electrocatalytic water splitting are urgently demanded to decrease the overpotentials and promote the sluggish reaction kinetics. Carbon‐based composites, including heteroatom‐doped carbon materials, metals/alloys@carbon composites, metal compounds@carbon composites, and atomically dispersed metal sites@carbon composites have been widely used as the catalysts due to their fascinating properties. However, these electrocatalysts are almost powdery form, and should be cast on the current collector by using the polymeric binder, which would result in the unsatisfied electrocatalytic performance. In comparison, a self‐supported electrode architecture is highly attractive. Recently, self‐supported metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) constructed by coordination of metal centers and organic ligands have been considered as suitable templates/precursors to construct free‐standing carbon‐based composites grown on conductive substrate. MOFs‐derived carbon‐based composites have various merits, such as the well‐aligned array architecture and evenly distributed active sites, and easy functionalization with other species, which make them suitable alternatives to non‐noble metal‐included electrocatalysts. In this review, we intend to show the research progresses by employment of MOFs as precursors to prepare self‐supported carbon‐based composites. Focusing on these MOFs‐derived carbon‐based nanomaterials, the latest advances in their controllable synthesis, composition regulation, electrocatalytic performances in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and overall water splitting (OWS) are presented. Finally, the challenges and perspectives are showed for the further developments of MOFs‐derived self‐supported carbon‐based nanomaterials in electrocatalytic reactions.
Bovine serum albumin‐coated titanium dioxide modified electrochemical interface for enantioselective discrimination of D/L‐aspartic acid
Authors: Wei Xiaofeng , Chen Ying , He Shan , Lian Huiting , Cao Xuegong , Liu Bin
Published: September 2021

Due to the similar physicochemical properties, the discrimination of chiral isomers faces huge challenges in drug production and biochemical analysis. Herein, the bovine serum albumin‐coated titanium dioxide (bovine serum albumin [BSA]/TiO2) was modified as a novel electrochemical interface for efficient, simple, and enantioselective discrimination of aspartic acid enantiomers (D/L‐Asp) based on the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Utilizing the structural characteristics of large cavity and high specific surface area, TiO2 material provided sufficient space for adequate loading of BSA. The BSA/TiO2 electrochemical interface was successfully fabricated to support abundant chiral recognition sites. The enantioselective discrimination of D/L‐Asp was achieved on the interface with a good linear relationship against the impedance difference in the concentration range from 1 to 1000 nM with the detection limit of 0.37 nM for L‐Asp and 0.94 nM for D‐Asp, reaching the identification coefficient (Ic = KL/KD) of 1.85. The proposed interface is easy to form with a stable formation of BSA in TiO2 microporous architecture, which maintained the desired stability and reproducibility. For the unknown racemic solution, Ic levels of different enantio‐ratios of D/L‐Asp were effectively obtained to evaluate the chiral percentage of racemic sample. The possible mechanism of chiral recognition by density function theory (DFT) was confirmed with a stronger adsorption to L‐Asp in accordance with our experiment results, reinforcing the validity of our presented interface. The BSA/TiO2 electrochemical interface with robust enantioselective discrimination of D/L‐Asp has great potential for the practical application in pharmaceutical surveillance and food security.
Reactive Distillation for Solvent Regeneration after Biphasic Carboxylic Acid Esterification
Authors: Toth Andreas , Siebenhofer Matthäus , Lux Susanne
Published: September 2021

Emulsion‐enhanced biphasic esterification has proven to be applicable for carboxylic acid recovery from dilute aqueous process streams. The carboxylic acid is esterified with 1‐octanol in an emulsified regime with 4‐dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (4‐DBSA) or Ni(DBSA)2 as catalyst. After phase separation, the laden solvent phase must be regenerated. This study presents a regeneration concept based on reactive distillation with transesterification of the octyl ester‐laden solvent with methanol. The regenerated solvent is reused in the extraction step.
Differential investment in visual and olfactory brain regions is linked to the sensory needs of a wasp social parasite and its host
Authors: Rozanski Allison N. , Cini Alessandro , Lopreto Taylor E. , Gandia Kristine M. , Hauber Mark E. , Cervo Rita , Uy Floria M. K.
Published: September 2021

Obligate insect social parasites evolve traits to effectively locate and then exploit their hosts, whereas hosts have complex social behavioral repertoires, which include sensory recognition to reject potential conspecific intruders and heterospecific parasites. While social parasites and host behaviors have been studied extensively, less is known about how their sensory systems function to meet their specific selective pressures. Here, we compare investment in visual and olfactory brain regions in the paper waspPolistes dominula, and its obligate social parasiteP. sulcifer, to explore the links among sensory systems,brain and behavior. Our results show significant relative volumetric differences between these two closely related species, consistent with their very different life histories. Social parasites show proportionally larger optic lobes and central complex to likely navigate long‐distance migrations and unfamiliar landscapes to locate the specific species of hosts they usurp. Contrastingly, hosts have larger antennal lobes and calyces of the mushroom bodies compared with social parasites, as predicted by their sensory means to maintain social cohesion via olfactory signals, allocate colony tasks, forage, and recognize conspecific and heterospecific intruders. Our work suggests how this tradeoff between visual and olfactory brain regions may facilitate different sensory adaptations needed to perform social and foraging tasks by the host, including recognition of parasites, or to fly long distances and successful host localizing by the social parasite.
Genetic features of precursor B‐cell phenotype Burkitt leukemia with IGH‐MYC rearrangement
Authors: Yoshida Masanori , Tomizawa Daisuke , Yoshimura Satoshi , Osumi Tomoo , Nakabayashi Kazuhiko , Ogata‐Kawata Hiroko , Ishiwata Keisuke , Sato‐Otsubo Aiko , Kimura Yui , Ito Shuichi , Matsumoto Kimikazu , Deguchi Takao , Kiyokawa Nobutaka , Yoshioka Takako , Hata Kenichiro , Kato Motohiro
Published: September 2021

Background

An atypical form of Burkitt leukemia/lymphoma (BL), BL with a phenotype of precursor B‐cells (preBLL), is listed in the WHO Classification. Recent reports suggested that preBLL and classical BL could be distinguished by the differences in IG‐MYC translocation architecture and an additional mutated genes profile. The characteristics of classical BL are IG‐MYC by aberrant somatic hypermutation or class switch recombination, and BL‐specific gene mutations such as MYC, ID3, and CCND3. Meanwhile, preBLL is characterized by IG‐MYC due to aberrant VDJ recombination and mutations in NRAS and KRAS. However, it is not clear whether all preBLL cases can be differentiated. This report investigated the molecular characteristics of an infant preBLL case, with a more advanced stage of maturity than typical preBLL.

Case

The patient showed BL‐like morphology with IGH‐MYC rearrangement. In the immunophenotyping, CD20 and surface immunoglobulin were negative, whereas other markers were consistent with BL. To evaluate the genetic contribution, we performed whole‐exome sequencing. The breakpoint analysis revealed the IG‐MYC occurred due to an aberrant VDJ recombination. Meanwhile, additional somatic mutations were detected in FBXO11, one of the mutant genes specific to BL. In the analysis of the specimen in complete remission, mutation in KRAS, frequently mutated in preBLL, was detected with low frequency, suggesting somatic mosaicism.

Conclusion

The present case showed the characteristics of both typical preBLL and classical BL. Because preBLL includes atypical cases such as the present case, further studies are required to elucidate preBLL features.
Effect of Transcodent painless needles on injection pain in maxillary anterior infiltration: a split‐mouth controlled randomized clinical trial
Authors: Razmara Farnoosh , Baghi Arjang , Afkhami Farzaneh
Published: September 2021

Objectives

The present study aimed to determine the pain perceived during supraperiosteal (infiltration) injection in anterior maxillary region by Transcodent painless needle tips in comparison to the regular needle tips.

Material and methods

In this split‐mouth controlled randomised clinical trial, 30 patients were selected as candidates for cosmetic treatment who needed infiltration injections on both sides of canine area. They were each administered 0.9 mL of Lidocaine HCl 2% with epinephrine 1:100,000 in the buccal vestibules using two types of needle tips, Transcodent painless needle tip or regular needle tip. Immediately after the injection, the pain was measured using a 100 mm visual analog scale. The level of pain was statistically analyzed in the two groups using the parametric paired t‐test. A 5% significance level was considered for statically significant difference between two means.

Results

In accordance with the results, the patients' level of pain were estimated as 18.3 ± 10.7 mm with Transcodent painless needle tips and 43.1 ± 13.1 mm in regular needle tip (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The Transcodent painless needle showed considerable reduction of pain in the anterior maxillary infiltration when compared to the regular needle tips.
Influence of professional dental hygiene on oral and general health of retirement home residents: A comparative study
Authors: Peroz Ingrid , Klein Christoph
Published: September 2021

Objectives

The oral status of nursing home residents is poor. This could compromise general health. The controlled study investigated the influence of quarterly professional dental hygiene interventions on oral and general health of elderly.

Material and Methods

152 participants (mean age 84 years) of two residents' homes were examined. Parameters of general health, a questionnaire for caregivers, and oral parameters were evaluated at baseline and after 1 year. All caregivers were given one lesson on oral hygiene at baseline. In one home professional oral hygiene was performed every 3 months. Statistical analyses were done by Chi2 test for nominal data and t‐test for numeric data.

Results

There were no significant differences between both homes regarding general health. Some oral parameters—if any—may be positively influenced by the intervention such as pocket depth, and Denture Hygiene Index and alterations of the mucosa.

Conclusions

A quarterly professional hygiene is not able to influence general health and has—if any—little effect on oral health. This underlines the necessity for frequent interventions. An optimization of the health policy framework is necessary to allow caregivers more time for oral hygiene and to establish the accessibility of frequent professional health care for inhabitants in residents' homes.
Geometric Algebra for teaching AC Circuit Theory
Authors: Montoya Francisco G. , Baños Raúl , Alcayde Alfredo , Arrabal‐Campos Francisco M.
Published: September 2021

This paper presents and discusses the usage of Geometric Algebra (GA) for the analysis of electrical alternating current (AC) circuits. The potential benefits of this novel approach are highlighted in the study of linear and nonlinear circuits with sinusoidal and non‐sinusoidal sources in the frequency domain, which are important issues in electrical engineering undergraduate courses. The analysis and understanding of how AC circuits operate in steady state are of a paramount importance for all the electrical engineers and practitioners around the world. Typically, lecturers of most undergraduate courses teach circuit theory using complex phasors, vector calculus, or linear algebra. However, these approaches have some important limitations in practice, which requires the development of strategies to improve teaching‐learning process related to AC circuit analysis. By formulating a new mathematical framework, the paper presents and discusses how GA can be of help in this approach. It is also described how the results obtained by using GA are validated using computer‐based simulations. It is highlighted how the proposed teaching methodology based on GA theory can be effective in helping students learn AC circuit analysis since it has several potential benefits derived from its simplicity, compactness, and use of easily identifiable geometrical concepts.
Network traffic prediction model based on ensemble empirical mode decomposition and multiple models
Authors: Lian Lian , Tian Zhongda
Published: September 2021

In order to improve the prediction accuracy of network traffic, a novel prediction model based on ensemble empirical mode decomposition and multiple models is proposed. In this study, ensemble empirical mode decomposition algorithm is introduced to decompose the network traffic and get several components. Approximate entropy is introduced to judge the complexity of each component. According to the results of approximate entropy, echo state network is selected to predict high complexity components, support vector machine is used to predict medium complexity components, and autoregressive integrated moving average model is introduced to predict low complexity components. The advantages of each prediction model are used to predict the appropriate component. The final prediction results are obtained by adding the predicted values of each component. In order to solve the problem that the prediction performance of support vector machine and echo state network is affected by their parameters, an improved whale optimization algorithm is proposed to optimize the parameters of the model. Meanwhile, the calculation results of approximate entropy show that compared with the original network traffic, the complexity of each component obtained by ensemble empirical mode decomposition is reduced, which reduces the complexity of modeling. Three network traffic datasets with sampling periods of 10 ms, 1 s, and 10 min are collected. Compared with the other five state‐of‐the‐art prediction models, the case study results show that the proposed prediction model has better prediction accuracy and excellent statistical performance indicators.