bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Technology and counselling in Africa: Reflections from MSc counselling students at a selected university in Zimbabwe
Authors: Mtemeri Jeofrey , Madhovi Yvonne , Mutambara Julia , Maziti Emmanuel
Published: July 2021

Counselling is a field that is growing in Africa. The aim of this study was to explore the effectiveness of technology‐mediated counselling in an African setting. The use of technology in counselling needs to be pursued and commercialised as technology use has potential to grow the field of counselling. The study made use of the qualitative research approach and the phenomenological research design. Data were collected through semi‐structured interviews. Participants of the study were purposively selected as the researchers required experienced counsellors. Data were thematically analysed. Results of the study revealed that virtual counselling was already in place in Zimbabwe. Virtual counselling allowed counsellors to reach clients from remote areas through phone calls, short message service (SMS), WhatsApp and video calling. The results also revealed that a variety of challenges were encountered. Problems of connectivity, poor network, delayed feedback and infringement of privacy were highlighted by counsellors. The study concluded that improving the counselling standards in virtual counselling may eradicate some of the challenges. It is recommended that counsellors be trained to improve on virtual counselling competency and accountability.
Neo‐clerodane Diterpenoids with Hypoglycemic Effects in Vivo from the Aerial Parts of Salvia hispanica L.
Authors: Fan Min , Wang Ting , Peng Li‐Yan , Huang Jun‐Shang , Wu Xing‐De , Wang He‐Yao , Zhao Qin‐Shi
Published: July 2021

A new neo‐clerodane diterpenoid, salvihispin H (1), and six known ones (2–7) were identified from the aerial parts of Salvia hispanica L. The structure and absolute configuration of 1 were elucidated by extensive analysis of spectroscopic (1H, 13C, and 2D NMR, and HR‐ESI‐MS) and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data. The anti‐diabetic effects of salvihispin H (1) and salvifaricin (2) were evaluated in diabetic db/db mice. The data showed that 1 and 2 could significantly reduce fasting blood glucose level and improve insulin resistance, and compound 1 exerted glucose‐lowering effect more quickly than metformin. In addition, 1 and 2 could also reduce serum TG level in db/db mice. These results demonstrated that compounds 1 and 2 could be considered as potent candidates for the therapy of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Implementing competency‐based education in multiple programs: A workshop to structure and monitor programs' priorities using ADDIE
Authors: Lafleur Alexandre , Babin Marie‐Julie , Michaud‐Couture Claudie , Lacasse Miriam , Giguère Yves , Cantat Adrien , Allen Christyne , Gingras Nathalie
Published: July 2021

Context

All Canadian postgraduate medical programs are implementing the major components of competency‐based education. To do so, our institution had to provide individualized training and monitoring for all our programs.

Innovation

We organized half‐day workshops with four work sessions: core competencies, competency portfolio, curriculum mapping, and competence committee. Program teams decided their priority tasks after each work session. We classified tasks into ADDIE pedagogical design stages (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation). We conducted interviews at 12 months.

Results

Programs (n = 29) prioritized mainly tasks of Design (37% of tasks), Development (24%) and Analysis (21%). At 12‐month follow‐up (n = 17), 20% of the tasks were initiated, 22% reached a higher stage, 33% reaching Implementation/Evaluation. Programs needed material and financial resources for Analysis/Development tasks, and faculty training for Implementation/Evaluation tasks.

Conclusion

Work sessions provided a structure to commit to priority tasks. Their classification into ADDIE stages systematized the monitoring and the search for solutions.
Experimental and computational study on the enantioseparation of four chiral fluoroquinolones by capillary electrophoresis with sulfated‐β‐cyclodextrin as chiral selector
Authors: Ma Qianyun , Cong Wei , Liu Ye , Geng Zikai , Lin Ying , Wang Zhaokun
Published: July 2021

In this work, enantioseparation of four chiral fluoroquinolones (FQs), namely, ofloxacin, gemifloxacin, lomefloxacin, and gatifloxacin, was achieved by capillary electrophoresis with sulfated‐β‐cyclodextrin (S‐β‐CD) as chiral selector. Factors affecting the enantiomeric resolution, such as the concentrations of S‐β‐CD, BGE pH conditions, and the buffer types and concentrations, were optimized and discussed. A BGE consisting of 30 g/L S‐β‐CD and 30‐mM phosphate at pH 4.0 was found fit for enantiomeric resolution of ofloxacin and gemifloxacin, while the same BGE at pH 3.0 was suitable for enantioseparation of lomefloxacin and gatifloxacin. The pH‐dependent experiments showed that separation resolutions of four FQs enantiomers were significantly affected by BGE pH, which was thought to be related with the varying electrostatic attraction between the enantiomers and chiral selector. To verify this speculation, molecular docking studies were used for further investigation of the enantiomeric recognition mechanism of S‐β‐CD. Molecular model indicated that hydrophobic effect and hydrogen bond were involved in host‐guest inclusion, but the electrostatic attraction enhanced the chiral discrimination by increasing the difference in binding energy between individual enantiomers and S‐β‐CD. This work provided a further insight into the chiral recognition mechanisms of CD derivatives.
Treatment of oil‐based drill cuttings by hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents
Authors: Li Jing , Jiao Yanjun , Luo Qin , Hu Weixin , Fang Shenwen , Tang Chunling , Liu Qiang
Published: July 2021

During the exploitation of shale gas, there are many oil‐based drill cuttings (OBDC) produced, which are hazardous waste. In this paper, the characteristics of OBDC were analyzed and 25 hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (DESs) were prepared as extractants for treating OBDC. The results showed that the DES formed by lauric acid and thymol had the highest extraction efficiency. The significant parameters of the extraction process were studied by using total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) as an index and the rational extraction conditions were recommended as follows: 0.8:1 mole ratio of lauric acid to thymol, 10:1 mass ratio of DES to OBDC, and 1 h extraction time at 60°C. The TPH of OBDC can be decreased from 14.75 to 0.87 wt.% at this recommended condition. The high extraction efficiency was also confirmed by energy dispersive spectrum results of treated OBDC. In addition, the lauric acid/thymol DES can be recycled and the TPH was still smaller than 1% after three cycles. This research suggests that hydrophobic DES extraction is an effective technology for TPH removal from OBDC.
Comprehensive monitoring of industrial processes using multivariable characteristics evaluation and subspace decomposition
Authors: Li Shuai , Zhou Xiaofeng , Shi Haibo , Pan Fucheng , Li Xin , Zhang Yichi
Published: July 2021

Gaussianity, non‐Gaussianity, linearity, and nonlinearity generally coexist within industrial process variables, and should be taken into account simultaneously for process modelling with monitoring. This paper presents a comprehensive monitoring method of industrial processes using multivariable characteristics evaluation and subspace decomposition. First, a multivariable characteristics evaluation method is presented to divide the process variables into the Gaussian linear, Gaussian nonlinear, non‐Gaussian linear, and non‐Gaussian nonlinear subspaces. Second, the PCA‐ICA‐KPCA‐KICA‐based multivariable subspace decomposition is proposed for process modelling. Furthermore, comprehensive monitoring is developed and final results are combined using comprehensive statistics. By multivariable characteristics evaluation and subspace decomposition, the proposed method could evaluate and seek the multivariable characteristics and enhance the performance of process monitoring. The effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed comprehensive monitoring method are demonstrated by a numerical system and the benchmark Tennessee Eastman (TE) process.
Enhanced regained permeability and fluid flowback from tight sandstone and carbonate oil reservoirs with unique flowback chemistry
Authors: Saini Rajesh K. , Crane Brady , Shimek Nicole R. , Wang Weiran , Cooper Brent
Published: July 2021

Large amounts of aqueous‐based fluids used in hydraulic fracturing of tight formations are not fully recovered immediately after treatment, resulting in increased water saturation, water blockage, clay swelling, reduced relative permeability, and long‐lasting formation damage that impedes production. To enhance flowback fluid recovery, nano‐emulsion based flowback aids were developed for oil‐bearing sandstone and carbonate formations. The flowback aids were formulated using a blend of high‐temperature stable ester‐based solvents, alcohols, and surfactants to form optically clear nano‐emulsions. All the developed flowback aids demonstrated low surface tension (22–30 mN/m) and interfacial tension (<6 mN/m), which is necessary for reducing capillary pressure. The particle size of the nano‐emulsions was found to be 5–15 nm. The flowback aids were able to prevent the formation of the emulsion with crude oil. It has been found that nano‐emulsions formulated using non‐ionic and anionic surfactants worked better for sandstone, whereas non‐ionic and cationic surfactant‐based formulations worked better for carbonate. These formulations not only provide quick aqueous fluid displacement in column tests but also greatly enhance the rate of oil flow in core flow experiments conducted with broken slickwater fracturing fluids. It was determined that in the absence of a flowback aid, the regained permeability was around 40%, whereas with flowback aids it was increased to 65%–75%. The paper demonstrates the effectiveness of flowback enhancers to quickly recover the injected aqueous fracturing fluid, thereby reducing water saturation, which in turn enhances productivity, and shows the benefit of applying chemistry for low permeability oil reservoirs.
The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on the quality of life and treatment disruption of patients with breast cancer in a multiethnic cohort
Authors: Zhao Fangyuan , Henderson Tara O. , Cipriano Toni M. , Copley Brenda L. , Liu Michelle , Burra Rahul , Birch Sondra H. , Olopade Olufunmilayo I. , Huo Dezheng
Published: July 2021

Background

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic continues to spread, it remains unclear how vulnerable populations with preexisting health conditions like cancer have been affected.

Methods

Between July and September of 2020, the authors conducted a cross‐sectional study that surveyed 2661 patients with breast cancer who were registered in the Chicago Multiethnic Epidemiologic Breast Cancer Cohort and received 1300 responses (71.5% White patients and 22.4% Black patients). The survey measured the psychosocial well‐being of participants before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic and examined whether they experienced any type of financial challenges or treatment disruption.

Results

The results indicated that feelings of isolation increased significantly during the pandemic. Meanwhile, the overall median isolation/stress score was 1.2 on a scale from 0 (never) to 4 (always), which was not significantly different between White patients and Black patients. One‐third of patients experienced some type of financial challenge during this time. Medicaid recipients, of whom almost 80% were Black, were more likely to experience financial challenges. In addition, approximately one‐fourth of patients experienced difficulty getting treatment.

Conclusions

This study indicates that the quality of life of patients with breast cancer and their scheduled treatments have been adversely affected during the COVID‐19 pandemic. These findings suggest that more support should be provided by hospital centers and the medical research community to patients with cancer during this challenging pandemic.

Lay Summary

The authors surveyed patients with breast cancer in Chicago using a questionnaire to examine how their lives have been affected during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic.

The results indicate that the lives of patients with breast cancer and their scheduled treatments have been adversely affected during the pandemic.

In addition, patients who were covered by Medicaid, most of whom were Black, were more likely to experience financial challenges.

The findings suggest that hospital centers and the medical research community should reach out and provide more information to support patients with cancer during this challenging pandemic.
Exploring the Blocks World state space
Authors: Bădică Amelia , Bădică Costin , Buligiu Ion , Ciora Liviu Ion
Published: July 2021

In this article we study and evaluate combinatorial algorithms for exploring state spaces of prototypical artificial intelligence problems that are represented by very large state space graphs. We are interested in the modeling and analysis of such graphs, including their visualization and quantification. We consider Blocks World as a prototype artificial intelligence problem that is often employed to introduce problem solving strategies using searching, planning, and reasoning algorithms. Our results are mathematical models and combinatorial algorithms supporting the concise definition of the Blocks World state space graph, as well as the exact evaluation of several metrics defined on this graph, including its number of states, its average number of stacks per state, its number of transitions, and its average branching factor. We also present experimental results supporting the effectiveness and efficiency of our proposed algorithms.
Text classification using improved bidirectional transformer
Authors: Tezgider Murat , Yildiz Beytullah , Aydin Galip
Published: July 2021

Text data have an important place in our daily life. A huge amount of text data is generated everyday. As a result, automation becomes necessary to handle these large text data. Recently, we are witnessing important developments with the adaptation of new approaches in text processing. Attention mechanisms and transformers are emerging as methods with significant potential for text processing. In this study, we introduced a bidirectional transformer (BiTransformer) constructed using two transformer encoder blocks that utilize bidirectional position encoding to take into account the forward and backward position information of text data. We also created models to evaluate the contribution of attention mechanisms to the classification process. Four models, including long short term memory, attention, transformer, and BiTransformer, were used to conduct experiments on a large Turkish text dataset consisting of 30 categories. The effect of using pretrained embedding on models was also investigated. Experimental results show that the classification models using transformer and attention give promising results compared with classical deep learning models. We observed that the BiTransformer we proposed showed superior performance in text classification.
SP‐search‐based path planning algorithm for mobile robots using quintic trigonometric Bézier curves
Authors: Bulut Vahide
Published: July 2021

Path planning is an essential step for mobile robots. This paper presents a novel shape parameter search‐ (SP‐Search) based path planning algorithm for mobile robots using quintic trigonometric Bézier curve and its two shape parameters. The proposed search algorithm recursively divides the shape parameter space into a grid and uses a multi‐objective function to determine the shape parameter values. The multi‐objective function is expressed by the sum of four terms multiplied by coefficients: the integral of the squared jerk, the integral of the squared curvature, the mean of minimum distances between the predefined skeleton and quintic trigonometric Bézier path, and the arclength. Optimal shape parameters can be determined according to the required cases by the user using four coefficient values. Experimental results illustrate the feasibility of the proposed SP‐Search algorithm. Also, we have developed another intuitive algorithm, the Brute Force Grid Search algorithm, which is the brute force approach for shape parameter search to compare the performance of the proposed SP‐search algorithm for path planning problems as a baseline. The experimental results show that the SP‐Search algorithm finds better shape parameter values with a considerably small number of searched points.
A scheduling policy to save 10% of communication time in parallel fast Fourier transform
Authors: Aseeri Samar A. , Gopal Chatterjee Anando , Verma Mahendra K. , Keyes David E.
Published: July 2021

The fast Fourier transform (FFT) has applications in almost every frequency related study, for example, in image and signal processing, and radio astronomy. It is also used as a Poisson operator inversion kernel in partial differential equations in fluid flows, in density functional theory, many‐body theory, and others. The three‐dimensional FFT has large time complexity . Hence, parallelization is used to compute such FFTs. Popular libraries perform slab division or pencil decomposition of data. None of the existing libraries achieve perfect inverse scaling of time with cores because FFT requires all‐to‐all communication and clusters hitherto do not have physical all‐to‐all connections. Dragonfly, one of the popular topologies for the interconnect, supports hierarchical connections among the components. We show that if we align the all‐to‐all communication of FFT with the physical connections of Dragonfly topology we will achieve a better scaling and reduce communication time.
Blockchain and Production Agriculture
Authors: Sever Megan
Published: July 2021

Consumers want to know more about where their food comes from, so fruit and vegetable growers and even some meat growers are implementing blockchains. But whether a blockchain system is necessary or even helpful for production agriculture is as yet undetermined. Earn 1.5 CEUs in Crop Management by reading this article and taking the quiz at www.certifiedcropadviser.org/education/classroom/classes/952.
Record‐Setting Soybeans: What CCAs Should Know
Authors: Winsor Susan
Published: July 2021

What can we learn from soybean yield contest winners? Larry Purcell, University of Arkansas, has some answers based on three years of documenting how Kip Cullers, Stark City, MO, grew 160.6‐bu/ac soybeans in 2010 and 139 bu/ac previously. This article addresses the controversy of adding nitrogen (N) fertilizers to soybeans, as some yield contest winners are assumed to have done, and identifies some of Cullers’ important practices to increase yields and profits for more mainstream soybean growers. In addition, we examine the profitability of yield‐increasing practices as verified by 60 site‐years of data. Earn 1 CEU in Crop Management by reading this article and taking the quiz at www.certifiedcropadviser.org/education/classroom/classes/1000.
Diallel analysis of resistance toFusariumwilt Race 4 in American pima cotton
Authors: Abdelraheem Abdelraheem , Zhu Yi , Dever Jane , Wheeler Terry , Wedegaertner Tom , Hake Kater , Zhang Jinfa
Published: July 2021

Fusarium oxysporumf. sp.vasinfectumRace 4 (FOV4) causes high seedling mortality in pima cotton (Gossypium barbadenseL.) grown in the western and southwestern U.S. Cotton Belt. The objectives of this study were to analyze the combining abilities and genetic basis of FOV4 resistance in pima cotton using a half‐diallel mating design. Thirty‐six biparental F3and F4generations were derived from six commercial cultivars and three elite lines and artificially inoculated with FOV4 for screening for FOV4 resistance in four replicated tests, with two tests for each generation. Disease severity rating (DSR) at 28 d after inoculation (DAI) and the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) across 7, 14, 21, and 28 DAI were analyzed via Griffing's Method 2 and Hayman's diallel analysis. ‘Pima S‐6’, ‘PHY 76’, and ‘8810’ (resistant parents) were heterogeneous in their responses to FOV4 infections with 20 to 50% disease incidence and mortality rate; and they had significantly lower DSR and AUDPC with negative general combing ability effects compared with the susceptible parents. Variances caused by specific combining ability and nonadditive effects were higher than those caused by additive effects for FOV4 resistance, consistent with the estimates for broad‐sense heritability. The results indicated a predominant nonadditive effect for FOV4 resistance within these genotypes of pima cotton. A minimum of one or two genes was estimated for FOV4 resistance based on Hayman analysis. The results represented the first study applying a diallel analysis to investigate the quantitative genetic basis of FOV4 resistance in pima cotton.
Coating Polymeric Carbon Nitride on Conductive Carbon Cloth to Promote Charge Separation for Photocatalytic Water Splitting
Authors: Zheng Dandan , Yang Lele , Chen Wenwen , Fang Yuanxing , Wang Xinchen
Published: July 2021

The use of polymeric carbon nitride (PCN) for photoredox catalysis is innovating and promoting toward sustainable energy economy. One of the drawbacks of this metal‐free photocatalyst is its insufficient charge separation and transfer. Herein, a metal‐free system was achieved by anchoring PCN on conductive carbon cloth (CCC). CCC in this system facilitated the charge separation and transport of the photoexcitation charges when PCN films were illuminated. Both photoelectrochemical water oxidation and photocatalytic overall water splitting were achieved, and the performances were improved two‐fold with respect to the powder PCN.
Migration‐related trauma and mental health among migrant children emigrating from Mexico and Central America to the United States: Effects on developmental neurobiology and implications for policy
Authors: Cohodes Emily M. , Kribakaran Sahana , Odriozola Paola , Bakirci Sarah , McCauley Sarah , Hodges H. R. , Sisk Lucinda M. , Zacharek Sadie J. , Gee Dylan G.
Published: July 2021

Children make up over half of the world's migrants and refugees and face a multitude of traumatic experiences prior to, during, and following migration. Here, we focus on migrant children emigrating from Mexico and Central America to the United States and review trauma related to migration, as well as its implications for the mental health of migrant and refugee children. We then draw upon the early adversity literature to highlight potential behavioral and neurobiological sequalae of migration‐related trauma exposure, focusing on attachment, emotion regulation, and fear learning and extinction as transdiagnostic mechanisms underlying the development of internalizing and externalizing symptomatology following early‐life adversity. This review underscores the need for interdisciplinary efforts to both mitigate the effects of trauma faced by migrant and refugee youth emigrating from Mexico and Central America and, of primary importance, to prevent child exposure to trauma in the context of migration. Thus, we conclude by outlining policy recommendations aimed at improving the mental health of migrant and refugee youth.
An inventory of the foliar, soil, and dung arthropod communities in pastures of the southeastern United States
Authors: Schmid Ryan B. , Welch Kelton D. , Lundgren Jonathan G.
Published: July 2021

Grassland systems constitute a significant portion of the land area in the United States and as a result harbors significant arthropod biodiversity. During this time of biodiversity loss around the world, bioinventories of ecologically important habitats serve as important indicators for the effectiveness of conservation efforts. We conducted a bioinventory of the foliar, soil, and dung arthropod communities in 10 cattle pastures located in the southeastern United States during the 2018 grazing season. In sum, 126,251 arthropod specimens were collected. From the foliar community, 13 arthropod orders were observed, with the greatest species richness found in Hymenoptera, Diptera, and Hemiptera. The soil‐dwelling arthropod community contained 18 orders. The three orders comprising the highest species richness were Coleoptera, Diptera, and Hymenoptera. Lastly, 12 arthropod orders were collected from cattle dung, with the greatest species richness found in Coleoptera, Diptera, and Hymenoptera. Herbivores were the most abundant functional guild found in the foliar community, and predators were most abundant in the soil and dung communities. Arthropod pests constituted a small portion of the pasture arthropod communities, with 1.01%, 0.34%, and 0.46% pests found in the foliar, soil, and dung communities, respectively. While bioinventories demand considerable time, energy, and resources to accomplish, the information from these inventories has many uses for conservation efforts, land management recommendations, and the direction of climate change science.
Effects of introducing foreign ion K on the reduction kinetics of oxygen carriers in chemical looping air separation process
Authors: Hou Limin , Qiao Chaoyue , Yu Qingbo , Wu Wenfei
Published: July 2021

In the previous work, YBaCo4O7 + δ and Y0.2Ti0.05Dy0.75BaCo4O7 + δ monolithic oxygen carriers worked at low temperature, were reported with good reactivity in oxygen absorption and desorption. Oxygen carriers reacted at low temperature can save amount of energy for the chemical looping air separation process. The objective of this work is to explore the detailed effect of new foreign ion K+ on reaction process of oxygen releasing and the reduction kinetics for YBaCo4O7 + δ and Y0.2Ti0.05Dy0.75BaCo4O7 + δ monolithic oxygen carriers in fixed‐bed reactor. The results showed that introducing K+ can improve the reaction rate of oxygen releasing. The process of oxygen releasing can be described by A model with different model exponentials of 2, 3, and 4. Adding K+ promotes reaction of oxygen releasing. The apparent activation energies and pre‐exponential factor of oxygen releasing process range from 23.11 to 29.72 kJ/mol and 12.46 to 29.73 min−1, respectively. The kinetic model of oxygen releasing process of monolithic oxygen carriers is established based on obtained kinetics parameters. The got kinetics parameters could be used for designing of a chemical looping air separation reactor.
Biodrying for fuel recovery from sewage sludge: An integrated evaluation by ultimate and proximate analyses
Authors: Özbay İsmail , Özbay Bilge , Akdemir Uğur
Published: July 2021

This study investigates the utilization of the biodrying process, which is an eco‐friendly approach for sewage sludge management to produce a fuel‐like product. Biodrying tests were conducted for six trials containing different amounts of bulking agents (straw and sawdust). Higher volatile matter removal was achieved for trials with sawdust as a result of better porosity conditions. Consequently, biodrying indexes were higher for straw containing trials (7.73–30.85) with straw than those trails with sawdust (6.94–13.99). Trials with straw resulted in biodried materials with lower moisture content and higher calorific value due to lower water holding capacity of straw. However, sawdust provided better fuel quality due to the higher bulk density of the product. Thus, fuel value indexes determined for trials with sawdust (81.62–152.17) were remarkably higher than those of trials with straw (16.02–68.97). Furthermore, biomass characterization indexes (>25.000) indicated that products with sawdust can be used as promising alternatives to biomass such as wood chips and wood chunks in combustion facilities.
Hydro‐morphological mapping of river reaches using videos captured with UAS
Authors: Eltner Anette , Bertalan László , Grundmann Jens , Perks Matthew Thomas , Lotsari Eliisa
Published: July 2021

Unoccupied aerial systems (UASs) are frequently used in the field of fluvial geomorphology due to their capabilities for observing the continuum rather than single sample points. We introduce a (semi‐)automatic workflow to measure river bathymetry and surface flow velocities of entire river reaches at high resolution, based on UAS videos and imagery. Video frame filtering improved the visibility of the riverbed using frame co‐registration and averaging with a median filter. Subsequently, these video frames were incorporated with still images acquired by UASs into a structure from motion (SfM) photogrammetry approach to reconstruct the camera poses (i.e. positions and orientations) and the 3D point cloud of the river reach. The heights of submerged points were further processed using small‐angle and multi‐view refraction correction approaches to account for the refraction impact. The flow velocity pattern of the river surface was measured using the estimated camera pose from SfM, the reconstructed bathymetric point cloud and the co‐registered video frames in combination with image velocimetry analysis. Finally, discharge was estimated at selected cross‐sections, considering the average surface velocity and the bathymetry. Three case studies were considered to assess the performance of the workflow under different environmental conditions. The studied river reaches spanned a length between 0.15 and 1 km. The bathymetry was reconstructed with average deviations to RTK‐GNSS point measurements as low as 1 cm with a standard deviation of 6 cm. If frames were processed with the median filter, the number of underwater points increased by up to 21%. The image‐based surface velocities revealed an average deviation to reference measurements between 0.05 and 0.08 m s−1. The image‐based discharge was estimated with deviations to ADCP references of up to 5%, however this was sensitive to errors in water‐level retrieval. The output of our workflow can provide a valuable input to hydro‐morphological models.
Limitations on Development of Polychlorinated Biphenyl Tissue Concentration Thresholds for Survival, Growth, and Reproduction in Fish
Authors: Gard Nicholas W. , Edwards Melanie R. , Kulacki Konrad J. , Ginn Thomas C.
Published: July 2021

Polychlorinated biphenyl exposure–response relationships for ecologically relevant endpoints in fish vary greatly whether based on lowest-effect thresholds (Berninger and Tillitt 2019) or all-response data (sensitivity analyses), which precludes use of a single fitted model per endpoint to predict risk or injury to mixed fish populations. PCB = polychlorinated biphenyl.
Nutritive value of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) as a feedstuff resource in livestock nutrition: A review
Authors: Meng Zhu , Liu Qingqing , Zhang Yan , Chen Jiahong , Sun Zhipeng , Ren Chunhuan , Zhang Zijun , Cheng Xiao , Huang Yafeng
Published: July 2021

The review evaluates faba bean (Vicia faba L.; FB) seeds relative to their nutritional composition, their content of antinutritional factors, and their impact on animal performance. The literature indicates that FB plant is a cool‐season, annual grain legume that grows the best in cool and humid conditions. Its seeds are rich in protein, energy, and mineral compounds and have particularly high unsaturated fatty acid levels. However, FB seeds also contain various proportions of antinutritional factors (ANFs) that can interfere with nutrient utilization in nonruminants. The various processing methods are efficient in either reducing or inactivating the ANFs of FB seeds, with extrusion treatment offering the most effective method of improving apparent nutrient and energy digestibility of nonruminants. In vivo studies on ruminants, pigs, poultry, and fishes reveal that FB seeds have the potential to be used as a substitute for soybean meal and/or cereal seeds in livestock diets in order to support milk, meat, and/or egg production.
The onset of natural convection in a horizontal nanofluid layer heated from below
Authors: Ruo An‐Cheng , Yan Wei‐Mon , Chang Min‐Hsing
Published: July 2021

A linear stability analysis is performed for the onset of natural convection in a horizontal nanofluid layer heated from below. The motion of nanoparticles is characterized by both the thermophoresis and Brownian diffusion effects. Different from previous studies in the literature, both the dependences of thermophoresis on nanoparticle volume fraction and Brownian motion on temperature are taken into consideration in the theoretical model. The result reveals that the base flow is mainly dominated by the effect of thermophoresis and the Brownian diffusion coefficient can be treated as a constant reasonably when a finite temperature difference is imposed across the nanofluid layer. Accordingly, a novel base solution of nanoparticle volume fraction is derived. It is found that the profile of nanoparticle concentration depends heavily on the magnitude of thermophoretic diffusion, which may exhibit a nonlinear distribution across the nanofluid layer once the effect of thermophoresis is significant. The suspended nanoparticles produce a strong destabilizing effect and a tiny volume fraction of nanoparticles is sufficient to trigger the onset of convection and make the nanofluid layer become unconditionally unstable. The dispersion spectra of unstable modes are demonstrated and the most unstable mode with the maximum growth rate is explored. The growth rate of the most unstable mode is found to increase significantly with increasing nanoparticle concentration, while the influence of heat capacity ratio of nanoparticle to base fluid on the behavior of thermal convection is negligible.
Spatiotemporal shifts in key hydrological variables and dominant factors over China
Authors: Sun Shanlei , Bi Zaoying , Zhou Shujia , Wang Hongzhou , Li Qingqing , Liu Yi , Wang Guojie , Li Shijie , Chen Haishan , Zhou Yang
Published: July 2021

Quantitatively and physically understanding changes in land surface hydrology is a hot topic in the hydro‐meteorological research, especially over China with high population density but uneven distribution of water resources. Therefore, the spatiotemporal dynamics (i.e., the 1980s [1981–1990] and 1990s [1991–2000] relative to the baseline of 1961–1980) in evapotranspiration (ET) and streamflow/runoff (Q) were examined across 426 hydrological divisions (HDs) of China. Both the 1980s and 1990s ET decreased over roughly 50% HDs mainly in the central and southeast parts of China, while the 1980s (1990s) Q decreased over slightly higher than 50% (63%) HDs generally in north and southwest China (the central and north parts of China). Relative to the 1980s, more HDs had strong changes in ET and Q in 1990s. Based on the separated contributions of precipitation (P), reference ET and Budyko‐type equation parameter n (an integrated variable of catchment property) to ET and Q changes, we found that in 1980s and 1990s, n dominated ET changes over about 60% HDs mainly in the south, with the dominant of P around 35% HDs generally in the north and northeast, while for Q changes, nearly 60% (slightly less than 40%) HDs were dominated by n (P). Moreover, the dominants for ET (Q) changes have shifted from 1980s to 1990s over 36% (45%) HDs, mainly changing from P to n. This study provides a framework for quantitatively understanding land surface hydrological dynamics from the perspectives of climatic and physiographic controls over regions.
Quantitative phase microscopy monitors subcellular dynamics in single cells exposed to nanosecond pulsed electric fields
Authors: Steelman Zachary A. , Coker Zachary N. , Kiester Allen , Noojin Gary , Ibey Bennett L. , Bixler Joel N.
Published: July 2021

A substantial body of literature exists to study the dynamics of single cells exposed to short duration (<1 μs), high peak power (~1 MV/m) transient electric fields. Much of this research is limited to traditional fluorescence‐based microscopy techniques, which introduce exogenous agents to the culture and are only sensitive to a single molecular target. Quantitative phase imaging (QPI) is a coherent imaging modality which uses optical path length as a label‐free contrast mechanism, and has proven highly effective for the study of single‐cell dynamics. In this work, we introduce QPI as a useful imaging tool for the study of cells undergoing cytoskeletal remodeling after nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) exposure. In particular, we use cell swelling, dry mass and disorder strength measurements derived from QPI phase images to monitor the cellular response to nsPEFs. We hope this demonstration of QPI's utility will lead to a further adoption of the technique for the study of directed energy bioeffects.
Hydrogenation involved in the chemical–biological synthesis of miglitol: effect of biological impurities on catalytic activity and catalyst reuse
Authors: Xiong Neng , Huang Jin‐Rong , Wei Sheng , Song Ji‐Wei , Hu Zhong‐Ce , Xue Ya‐Ping , Zheng Yu‐Guo
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

Miglitol is a potent alpha‐glucosidase inhibitor that is used as a hypoglycemic agent. The industrial synthesis route of miglitol involves the biotransformation from N‐2‐hydroxyethyl glucamine to 6‐(N‐hydroxyethyl)‐amino‐6‐deoxy‐alpha‐l‐sorbofuranose and the subsequent hydrogenation from 6‐(N‐hydroxyethyl)‐amino‐6‐deoxy‐alpha‐l‐sorbofuranose to miglitol. This study comprehensively investigated the hydrogenation process and catalyst, and the effect of operating parameters on the product yield.

RESULTS

A 55.6% miglitol yield was obtained under the following optimal reaction conditions: 5 g L−1 palladium/carbon (Pd/C) (5% Pd); ethanol addition 1:1 ethanol:water (v/v); 80 g L−16‐(N‐hydroxyethyl)‐amino‐6‐deoxy‐alpha‐l‐sorbofuranose; reaction temperature 25 °C; solution pH 6; stirring speed 500 rpm; hydrogen pressure 1 MPa. The yield obtained was much higher than the average 36.8% in current industrial production. Catalyst deactivation during reuse was found to be caused by biological impurities, especially the macromolecular impurities introduced in previous biotransformation. The deposition of impurities on the porous support of the Pd/C catalyst may be the direct cause of catalyst deactivation.

CONCLUSION

Optimal conditions for the hydrogenation in the synthesis of miglitol were determined. It also was confirmed that biological impurities need to be completely removed to avoid catalyst deactivation and to improve catalyst reusability.
Gender differences in job searches by new engineering graduates in Canada
Authors: Osten Victoria
Published: July 2021

Background

This study addresses gender differences in early career experiences in engineering by examining entry‐level jobs of Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) graduates in Canada.

Purpose/Hypotheses

The study explored how gender shapes entry into this male‐dominated occupation in the context of the contemporary knowledge economy. I tested four hypotheses: (H1) There are no gender differences in job search duration and pay for BEng graduates in Canada; (H2) women experience longer job search durations than men and less pay than men; (H3) women's job searches are shorter with less pay than men; (H4) women's job searches are shorter and with the same pay as men's.

Design/Method

The study uses data from Statistics Canada National Graduates Survey (2013), feminist theories, and the Cox proportional hazard (CPH) model.

Results

I found that in the context of the knowledge economy, gender is a significant predictor of labor market outcomes during early career stages for Canadian BEng graduates. Hypotheses H1 and H2 were not supported. I identified partial support for Hypothesis H3 and complete support for H4. In particular, I found that women were hired sooner than men for their first engineering jobs and were paid the same salary as their male counterparts.

Conclusions

Based on this study's results, I argue that early career experiences in engineering occupation continue to be defined by the gender of graduates. This paper offers several potential research areas in the field of engineering education.
Genetic counseling, virtual visits, and equity in the era of COVID‐19 and beyond
Authors: Uhlmann Wendy R. , McKeon Andrew J. , Wang Catharine
Published: July 2021

Overnight, as a result of the COVID‐19 pandemic, telehealth rapidly transitioned from limited application to widespread implementation. The field of genetic counseling was well positioned to make this transition to virtual care since there is generally less of a need for patients to be seen in‐person for physical exams or urgent care. Going forward, virtual visits will presumably become a mainstay in the provision of genetic services and it is anticipated that clinics will adopt “hybrid” models with both in‐person and virtual visit options. This commentary highlights the successes and challenges in the rapid implementation of virtual visits, focusing on who has benefited versus who has been challenged or left behind. We also discuss genetic testing considerations, including the additional steps required for patients and clinicians when testing is ordered outside of the clinical setting, which can result in delays or a lack of testing altogether. Future research considerations are presented to address the needs among the most vulnerable and help ensure equitable access and benefit.
Effectiveness and tolerability of dolutegravir and abacavir/lamivudine administered as two separate pills compared to their equivalent single‐tablet regimen in a multicentre cohort in Spain
Authors: Suárez‐García Inés , Alejos Belén , Ruiz‐Algueró Marta , García Yubero Cristina , Moreno Cristina , Bernal Enrique , Pérez‐Is Laura , Zubero Zuriñe , de Zárraga Fernández Miguel Alberto , Samperiz Abad Gloria , Jarrín Inma ,   the Cohort of the Spanish HIV/AIDS Research Network (CoRIS)
Published: July 2021

Introduction

We aimed to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of dolutegravir (DTG), abacavir (ABC) and lamivudine (3TC) administered as branded STR (DTG/ABC/3TC) or as two separate pills (DTG and either branded ABC/3TC [DTG+(ABC/3TC)b] or generic ABC/3TC [DTG+(ABC/3TC)g]).

Methods

We included individuals from the multicentre cohort of the Spanish HIV/AIDS Research Network (CoRIS) who received DTG/ABC/3TC, DTG+(ABC/3TC)b or DTG+(ABC/3TC)g during 2015 to 2018. We used multivariable logistic regression to compare the proportion of antiretroviral‐naïve individuals who achieved viral suppression (VS) (viral load ≤50 copies/mL) at 24 weeks of initiating with DTG+(ABC/3TC)b or DTG+(ABC/3TC)g versus DTG/ABC/3TC. We also calculated the proportion of virologically suppressed individuals who maintained VS at 24 weeks after switching from DTG/ABC/3TC to DTG+(ABC/3TC)g.

Results

During the study period, 829, 68 and 47 treatment‐naïve individuals started treatment with DTG/ABC/3TC, DTG+(ABC/3TC)b or DTG+(ABC/3TC)g respectively. The proportions of individuals who changed their regimens due to side effects during the first 24 weeks were 3.7%, 4.4% and 6.4% respectively (p = 0.646). We did not find significant differences in VS at 24 weeks among individuals starting with DTG+(ABC/3TC)b or DTG+(ABC/3TC)g compared to those initiating with DTG/ABC/3TC. Among 177 virologically suppressed individuals who switched from DTG/ABC/3TC to DTG+(ABC/3TC)g, 170 (96.0%) maintained VS at 24 weeks.

Conclusions

In naïve individuals, the effectiveness and tolerability at 24 weeks of DTG plus ABC/3TC administered as two separate pills, either as branded or generic ABC/3TC, was similar to the STR DTG/ABC/3TC. Switching the STR DTG/ABC/3TC to its separate components DTG+(ABC/3TC)g in virologically suppressed individuals did not seem to impair its effectiveness.
B1‐Corrected T1 Mapping in Lung Cancer: Repeatability, Reproducibility, and Identification of Histological Types
Authors: Jiang Jianqin , Cui Lei , Xiao Yong , Zhou Xiao , Fu Yigang , Xu Gaofeng , Shao Weiwei , Chen Wang , Hu Su , Hu Chunhong , Hao Shaowei
Published: July 2021

Background

T1 mapping can potentially quantitatively assess the intrinsic properties of tumors. B1 correction can reduce the magnetic field inhomogeneity.

Purpose

To assess the repeatability and reproducibility of B1‐corrected T1 mapping for lung cancer and the ability to identify pathological types.

Study Type

Prospective reproducibility study.

Population

Sixty lung cancer patients (22 with emphysema) with a total of 60 lesions (adenocarcinoma [n = 23], squamous cell carcinoma [n = 19], and small‐cell lung cancer [SCLC] [n = 18]).

Field Strength/Sequence

A 3 T/B1‐corrected 3D variable flip angle T1 mapping and free‐breathing diffusion‐weighted imaging.

Assessment

Intraobserver, interobserver, and test–retest reproducibility of minimum, maximum, mean, and SD of lung tumor T1 values were assessed. The correlation between mean T1 and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and differences between different histological types of lung cancer were evaluated.

Statistical Tests

Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), within‐subject coefficients of variation (WCVs), Bland–Altman plots, Pearson's correlation coefficient (r), and analysis of variance (ANOVA). A P value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results

No significant differences were found in minimum, maximum, mean, and SD T1 values for repeated measurements (intraobserver and interobserver) and repeated examinations (P = 0.103–0.979). All parameters showed good intraobserver, interobserver and test–retest reproducibility (ICC, 0.780–0.978), except the maximum T1 value (ICC, 0.645–0.922). The mean T1 exhibited the best reproducibility and repeatability, with an average difference <6% for repeated measurements, <8% for repeated scans in lung cancer patients, and<10% for repeated scans in those with emphysema. The mean T1 correlated moderately with ADC (r = −0.580, −0.516, and −0.511 for observers A, B, and C). Both mean T1 and mean ADC were significantly different in SCLC patients compared with those in adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma patients.

Data Conclusion

The mean T1 from B1‐corrected T1 mapping is a repeatable parameter with the potential to identify histological types of lung cancer and thus may be a promising imaging biomarker for characterizing lung cancer.

Evidence Level

1

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Analysis of trans‐sacral corridors in stabilization of fractures of the pelvic ring
Authors: Jäckle Katharina , Paulisch Matthias , Blüchel Tobias , Meier Marc‐Pascal , Seitz Mark‐Tilmann , Acharya Mehool R. , Lehmann Wolfgang , Spering Christopher
Published: July 2021

Percutaneous screw fixation combined with pelvic reduction is a surgical technique used to stabilize fractures of the posterior pelvic ring. This is the standard surgical treatment of unstable posterior pelvic ring injuries. The primary goal of this treatment is an anatomic reduction and stable fixation. This has been shown to reduce pain and improve the patients' long‐term well‐being. The aim of this analysis was to determine the possible screw lengths and the positioning of the screws in the S1 and S2 sacral segments. A population of 697 pelvises from the Stryker Orthopaedic Modeling and Analytics database were analyzed. The dimensions of the S1 and S2 screw corridors were determined and after assessing for sacral dysmorphism, the correct screw placement was chosen to determine the necessary screw length for surgical treatment. The measurements of the screw lengths show a Gaussian distribution for the analyzed population. The percentage of dysmorphic pelvises for the S1 screw corridor was 31.3% and for the S2 corridor 8%. Average screw length for S1 was 163.8 ± 16.2 mm and for the S2 137.3 ± 9.5 mm. The results show that the S1/S2 axis cannot be used for a trans‐sacral screw placement in every patient. The study shows that intraosseous screw corridors are present in 68.7% of the patients in the S1 position and in 92% at the S2 level where an intended implant can be placed fully intraosseous.