bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biomedical Waste Management-Related Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices among Clinical Dental Undergraduates in State of Punjab in India: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Bawa Ramninder , Khurana Danish , Girdhar Puneet , Verma Nitin
Published: April 2022

Introduction Dental operatories generate a large amount of biomedical waste, and improper management of this waste poses a threat to all sections of society. Hence, being a dental practitioner, one must ensure proper management and handling of health care waste.

Aims and Objectives This study aims to assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and practices toward Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016, and Amendments, 2018 and 2019, among clinical undergraduates in dental colleges of the state of Punjab in India.

Settings and Design A cross-sectional study. The study was performed among 845 clinical undergraduates in dental institutes of Punjab.

Materials and Methods The methodologies used were descriptive statistics and nonparametric techniques using the Kruskal–Wallis test and Dunn–Bonferroni post hoc test.

Results Only 47% dental students have adequate knowledge and 48% students show positive attitude toward biomedical waste management. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Whereas, only 34% students were practicing these rules in the correct manner and this is found to be statistically insignificant. Also, the city of Ludhiana is the model district for the implementation of the Environmentally Sound Management of Medical Wastes project by United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and dental students of institutions involved in this project were found to be most aware about these rules among other institutes in Punjab.

Conclusion The current study suggests that the knowledge and implementation of biomedical waste management practices among dental students in the state of Punjab are not adequate. It also suggests that including dental institutions in model projects of biomedical wastes will raise awareness regarding the same exponentially.
Impact of a Vendor-Developed Opioid Clinical Decision Support Intervention on Adherence to Prescribing Guidelines, Opioid Prescribing, and Rates of Opioid-Related Encounters
Authors: Pierce Robert P. , Eskridge Bernie , Ross Brandi , Wright Matthew , Selva Thomas
Published: April 2022

Background Provider prescribing practices contribute to an excess of opioid-related deaths in the United States. Clinical guidelines exist to assist providers with improving prescribing practices and promoting patient safety. Clinical decision support systems (CDSS) may promote adherence to these guidelines and improve prescribing practices. The aim of this project was to improve opioid guideline adherence, prescribing practices, and rates of opioid-related encounters through the implementation of an opioid CDSS.

Methods A vendor-developed, provider-targeted CDSS package was implemented in a multi-location academic health center. An interrupted time-series analysis was performed, evaluating 30 weeks pre- and post-implementation time periods. Outcomes were derived from vendor-supplied key performance indicators and directly from the electronic health record (EHR) database. Opioid-prescribing outcomes included count of opioid prescriptions, morphine milligram equivalents per prescription, counts of opioids with concurrent benzodiazepines, and counts of short-acting opioids in opioid-naïve patients. Encounter outcomes included rates of encounters for opioid abuse and dependence and rates of encounters for opioid poisoning and overdose. Guideline adherence outcomes included rates of provision of naloxone and documentation of opioid treatment agreements.

Results The opioid CDSS generated an average of 1,637 alerts per week. Rates of provision of naloxone and opioid treatment agreements improved after CDSS implementation. Vendor-supplied prescribing outcomes were consistent with prescribing outcomes derived directly from the EHR, but all prescribing and encounter outcomes were unchanged.

Conclusion A vendor-developed, provider-targeted opioid CDSS did not improve opioid-prescribing practices or rates of opioid-related encounters. The CDSS improved some measures of provider adherence to opioid-prescribing guidelines. Further work is needed to determine the optimal configuration of opioid CDSS so that opioid-prescribing patterns are appropriately modified and encounter outcomes are improved.
Producing knowledge in a pandemic: Accounts from UK-based postdoctoral biomedical scientists of undertaking research during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Beverstock Jamie , Pickersgill Martyn
Published: April 2022

While far from the first pandemic to impact knowledge-production, the widely constructed singularity of the biosocial ramifications of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has produced a set of epistemic and social circumstances that are experienced by many as unique. In relation to biomedical research these include the reworking of the social, spatial, and temporal organisation of science through lab closures and social distancing requirements. Drawing on a small number of qualitative interviews rapidly conducted during a 2021 ‘lockdown’, this exploratory article reflects on how COVID-19 has shaped the research of postdoctoral UK-based biomedical scientists. We consider: (a) how challenges are constructed and negotiated, and (b) in relation to these, scientists’ account of why researchers might (not) ‘pivot’ towards COVID-19. Accordingly, this paper indicates how the experiential conditions stimulated by the pandemic interact with pre-existing professional discourses within biomedical science—e.g., in relation to funding and career strategy—to inform and delimit knowledge-production, and to substantiate particular practices. We suggest some of the ways in which future studies might develop our provisional findings to cast new light on the effects of the pandemic on biomedicine, as well as on the entangled social, economic, and epistemic dynamics of science more generally.
Respiratory airflow model clarifies how coughing clears mucus
Authors: Piccone Ashley
Published: April 2022

Increasing the total expired air volume of a cough could be crucial for patients with pulmonary diseases
Making the infeasible feasible: creating pair plasmas without ultra-strong lasers
Authors: Piccone Ashley
Published: April 2022

Using a lower power laser co-located with a relativistic electron beam to reach and observe the QED pair plasma regime
Topological field theory with Haagerup symmetry
Authors: Huang Tzu-Chen , Lin Ying-Hsuan
Published: April 2022

We construct a (1 + 1)d topological field theory (TFT) whose topological defect lines (TDLs) realize the transparent Haagerup H3 fusion category. This TFT has six vacua, and each of the three non-invertible simple TDLs hosts three defect operators, giving rise to a total of 15 point-like operators. The TFT data, including the three-point coefficients and lasso diagrams, are determined by solving all the sphere four-point crossing equations and torus one-point modular invariance equations. We further verify that the Cardy states furnish a non-negative integer matrix representation under TDL fusion. While many of the constraints we derive are not limited to this particular TFT with six vacua, we leave open the construction of TFTs with two or four vacua. Finally, TFTs realizing the Haagerup H1 and H2 fusion categories can be obtained by gauging algebra objects. This article makes a modest offering in our pursuit of exotica and the quest for their eventual conformity.
Role of microfluidics in accelerating new space missions
Authors: Kuang Shuangyang , Singh Nishtha Manish , Wu Yichao , Shen Yan , Ren Weijia , Tu Liangcheng , Yong Ken-Tye , Song Peiyi
Published: April 2022

Numerous revolutionary space missions have been initiated and planned for the following decades, including plans for novel spacecraft, exploration of the deep universe, and long duration manned space trips. Compared with space missions conducted over the past 50 years, current missions have features of spacecraft miniaturization, a faster task cycle, farther destinations, braver goals, and higher levels of precision. Tasks are becoming technically more complex and challenging, but also more accessible via commercial space activities. Remarkably, microfluidics has proven impactful in newly conceived space missions. In this review, we focus on recent advances in space microfluidic technologies and their impact on the state-of-the-art space missions. We discuss how micro-sized fluid and microfluidic instruments behave in space conditions, based on hydrodynamic theories. We draw on analyses outlining the reasons why microfluidic components and operations have become crucial in recent missions by categorically investigating a series of successful space missions integrated with microfluidic technologies. We present a comprehensive technical analysis on the recently developed in-space microfluidic applications such as the lab-on-a-CubeSat, healthcare for manned space missions, evaluation and reconstruction of the environment on celestial bodies, in-space manufacturing of microfluidic devices, and development of fluid-based micro-thrusters. The discussions in this review provide insights on microfluidic technologies that hold considerable promise for the upcoming space missions, and also outline how in-space conditions present a new perspective to the microfluidics field.
Investigating growth to detonation in vapor-deposited hexanitrostilbene and pentaerythritol tetranitrate films using high-throughput methods
Authors: Knepper Robert , Rupper Stephen , DeJong Stephanie , Marquez Michael P. , Kittell David E. , Schmitt Randal L. , Tappan Alexander S.
Published: April 2022

A high-throughput experimental setup was used to characterize initiation threshold and growth to detonation in the explosives hexanitrostilbene (HNS) and pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN). The experiment sequentially launched an array of laser-driven flyers to shock samples arranged in a 96-well microplate geometry, with photonic Doppler velocimetry diagnostics to characterize flyer velocity and particle velocity at the explosive–substrate interface. Vapor-deposited films of HNS and PETN were used to provide numerous samples with various thicknesses, enabling characterization of the evolution of growth to detonation. One-dimensional hydrocode simulations were performed with reactions disabled to illustrate where the experimental data deviate from the predicted inert response. Prompt initiation was observed in 144 μm thick HNS films at flyer velocities near 3000 m/s and in 125 μm thick PETN films at flyer velocities near 2400 m/s. This experimental setup enables rapid quantification of the growth of reactions in explosive materials that can reach detonation at sub-millimeter length scales. These data can subsequently be used for parameterizing reactive burn models in hydrocode simulations, as discussed in Paper II [D. E. Kittell, R. Knepper, and A. S. Tappan, J. Appl. Phys. 131, 154902 (2022)].
Two-dimensional displacement sensors with angstrom-scale resolution based on optical slot antenna arrays
Authors: He Axin , Gao Baowei , Xu Yi , Zhang Tongzhou , Zhang Jiasen
Published: April 2022

Optical displacement sensing with high resolution and noncontact detection plays an important role in nanometrology, nanofabrication, and super-resolution microscopy. However, displacement sensing along an arbitrary direction in a two-dimensional (2D) plane with angstrom-level precision remains challenging. Here, we propose a 2D displacement sensor composed of eight optical slot antennas. A tightly focused laser beam is illuminated upon the antennas. The amplitudes and phases of the output radiation of the antennas are controlled by geometries. The intensity distribution of the output far-field radiation, which strongly depends on the relative position between the focal spot of the incident light and the antennas, was used to retrieve the 2D coordinates of any location in a plane. A resolution as high as 0.88 nm was obtained. We also show a method for improving displacement sensitivity by designing the destructive interference among the radiation of the antennas. The angstrom-scale resolution and arbitrary point localization, along with the nanoscale size, pave the way for the development of high-performance sensing, integrated photonic circuits, and on-chip signal processing.
Systematic bottom-up molecular coarse-graining via force and torque matching using anisotropic particles
Authors: Nguyen Huong T. L. , Huang David M.
Published: April 2022

We derive a systematic and general method for parameterizing coarse-grained molecular models consisting of anisotropic particles from fine-grained (e.g., all-atom) models for condensed-phase molecular dynamics simulations. The method, which we call anisotropic force-matching coarse-graining (AFM-CG), is based on rigorous statistical mechanical principles, enforcing consistency between the coarse-grained and fine-grained phase-space distributions to derive equations for the coarse-grained forces, torques, masses, and moments of inertia in terms of properties of a condensed-phase fine-grained system. We verify the accuracy and efficiency of the method by coarse-graining liquid-state systems of two different anisotropic organic molecules, benzene and perylene, and show that the parameterized coarse-grained models more accurately describe properties of these systems than previous anisotropic coarse-grained models parameterized using other methods that do not account for finite-temperature and many-body effects on the condensed-phase coarse-grained interactions. The AFM-CG method will be useful for developing accurate and efficient dynamical simulation models of condensed-phase systems of molecules consisting of large, rigid, anisotropic fragments, such as liquid crystals, organic semiconductors, and nucleic acids.
The effect of dry etching condition on the performance of blue micro light-emitting diodes with reduced quantum confined Stark effect epitaxial layer
Authors: Park Jeong-Hwan , Cai Wentao , Cheong Heajeong , Ushida Yasuhisa , Lee Da-Hoon , Ando Yuto , Furusawa Yuta , Honda Yoshio , Lee Dong-Seon , Seong Tae-Yeon , Amano Hiroshi
Published: April 2022

As the size of micro light-emitting diodes (μLEDs) decreases, μLEDs encounter etching damage especially at the sidewalls that critically affects their properties. In this study, we investigated the influence of etching bias power (Pbias) on the performance of μLEDs and found that the current–voltage and light output–current characteristics of μLEDs were enhanced when Pbias was reduced. It was shown that at low Pbias, the chemical reaction between etching gas and gallium nitride, rather than ion sputtering, dominated the etching process, leading to low plasma damage and rough surface morphology. Additionally, to understand the etching-induced surface roughening behaviors, various substrates with different threading dislocation densities were treated at low Pbias. It was found that for the sample (with p-contact size of 10 × 10 μm2), the efficiency droop was approximately 20%, although the current reached 10 mA due most probably to the suppressed polarization effect in the quantum well. It was further observed that the external quantum efficiency (EQE) was dependent on Pbias, where the lowest Pbias yielded the highest maximum EQE, indicating that the plasma damage was mitigated by reducing Pbias. Optimization of dry etching and polarization-suppression conditions could pave the way for realizing high-performance and brightness μLEDs for next-generation displays.
Early detection of the combustion instabilities by quantifying diagonal-wise measurements of joint recurrence plots of pressure and radiant energy fluctuations
Authors: Hernandez-Rivera R. , Pagliaroli T. , Troiani G. , Hernandez-Guerrero A.
Published: April 2022

This article presents a study of the early detection of combustion instabilities of a 250 kW liquid rapid premixed oil swirled burner. The main objective was the calculation of indexes, based on a chaotic analysis, able to detect in advance the combustion instabilities. In the combustor, the air mass flow rate was kept constant, and in order to induce the combustion instabilities, the fuel mass flow rate was adjusted during the experiments in which pressure and radiant energy fluctuations were simultaneously measured from the combustion chamber. In this chaotic analysis, joint recurrence plots were calculated in order to analyze the dependence between the pressure and radiant energy fluctuations. Hence, a diagonal-wise quantification was applied to the joint recurrence plots to calculate four indexes: the τ-recurrence rate index RRτ, the τ-determinism index DETτ, the τ-average diagonal line length index Lτ, and the τ-entropy index sτ. The results show that all four indexes were capable of sorting all cases under analysis into two groups: the “combustion noise regime” due to the low-amplitude aperiodic oscillations and the “combustion instability regime” due to the high-amplitude periodic oscillations. In addition, early detection of the transitions were also detected. Therefore, the results presented in this research showed that the four indexes were effective precursors in order to detect in advance the combustion instabilities.
Self-propulsion of a submerged sphere due to coupling of its deformation and internal mass shift
Authors: Qin Y. , Zhang Z. Y. , Sha W. H. , Sun R.
Published: April 2022

The self-propulsion of a deforming sphere through an unbounded inviscid fluid is investigated analytically. Its motion is only induced by the coupling of its radial alteration, centroid shift, and rotation of the internal masses without vortex shedding and external forces. The Lagrange equations are used to describe such self-motion since the fluid-body system is conservative. Then the expressions for translational and rotational velocities of the deforming body are obtained in algebraic forms. Several cases show that some typical moving patterns of the sphere would be obtained as long as its radius variation and internal mass shift are properly coupled.
Spin–phonon coupling in ferrimagnet spinel CoMn2O4
Authors: Poojitha Bommareddy , Shaji Aswin , Badola Shalini , Saha Surajit
Published: April 2022

Coupling of material properties provides new fundamental insights and possibilities toward multifunctional devices. The spinel structures display strong coupling between different order parameters, as a consequence, exhibiting many fascinating properties, such as multiferroicity and superconductivity. Here, we have investigated the structural, magnetic, and vibrational properties of mixed-spinel CoMn2O4 stabilized in distorted tetragonal structures as evidenced from x-ray diffraction measurements. Magnetization measurements reveal two ferrimagnetic phase transitions at 185 and 90 K. Raman scattering measurements reveal the renormalization of phonon parameters for a few phonon modes at low temperatures, arising from spin–phonon coupling. The obtained value for λS2 is ∼2 cm−1. The strength of spin–phonon coupling (λ) is estimated according to the spins involved in the corresponding lattice vibrations and discussed.
DX center formation in highly Si doped AlN nanowires revealed by trap assisted space-charge limited current
Authors: Vermeersch Rémy , Jacopin Gwénolé , Daudin Bruno , Pernot Julien
Published: April 2022

Electrical properties of silicon doped AlN nanowires grown by plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy were investigated by means of temperature dependent current–voltage measurements. Following an Ohmic regime for bias lower than 0.1 V, a transition to a space-charge limited regime occurred for higher bias. This transition appears to change with the doping level and is studied within the framework of the simplified theory of space-charge limited current assisted by traps. For the least doped samples, a single, doping independent trapping behavior is observed. For the most doped samples, an electron trap with an energy level around 150 meV below the conduction band is identified. The density of these traps increases with a Si doping level, consistent with a self-compensation mechanism reported in the literature. The results are in accordance with the presence of Si atoms that have three different configurations: one shallow state and two DX centers.
Influence of cough airflow characteristics on respiratory mucus clearance
Authors: Ren Shuai , Cai Maolin , Shi Yan , Luo Zujin , Wang Tao
Published: April 2022

A cough is a respiratory reflex for respiratory mucus clearance. The cough airflow dynamics can be characterized by three parameters, which are cough peak flow rate (CPFR), peak velocity time (PVT), and cough expired volume (CEV). In this study, the three-dimensional human respiratory airways from generation 0 to 5 are reconstructed from computerized tomography images. The non-Newtonian property of respiratory mucus is considered. The airflow–mucus interaction phenomenon has been analyzed in time and space based on the Eulerian wall film model. The maximum air velocity and wall shear stress could reach 38 m/s and 14 Pa, respectively, when the CPFR is 6 L/s. In addition, the influence of CPFR, PVT, and CEV on mucus clearance has been studied. The cough efficiency is used to quantify the mucus clearance. The results showed that increasing the cough peak flow rate has no noticeable effect on mucus clearance under normal and low mucus viscosity. Increasing the cough peak flow rate can effectively improve mucus clearance when the mucus viscosity becomes high. Specifically, the CEV has an apparent positive effect on clearing mucus regardless of the viscosity and thickness. This study provides a new research direction to improve mucus clearance by improving the CEV rather than the CPFR for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, neuromuscular disease, or other pulmonary diseases.
An energy-conservative many-body dissipative particle dynamics model for thermocapillary drop motion
Authors: Zhang Kaixuan , Li Jie , Fang Wei , Lin Chensen , Zhao Jiayi , Li Zhen , Liu Yang , Chen Shuo , Lv Cunjing , Feng Xi-Qiao
Published: April 2022

The thermocapillary motion of a drop on a solid substrate is a common phenomenon in daily life and many industrial fields. The motion can be significantly affected by the temperature gradient of the substrate and the properties of the liquid, such as surface tension, viscosity, thermal coefficient, density, and diffusivity. In this study, a numerical model based on modified many-body dissipative particle dynamics was developed to capture correctly the temperature dependence of a fluid. The momentum, thermal diffusivity, viscosity, and surface tension of liquid water at various temperatures ranging from 273 to 373 K were used as examples to verify the proposed model. The results calculated with this model for heat conduction in a liquid–solid system are in good agreement with those calculated with Fourier's law. The approach successfully modeled the thermocapillary motion of a liquid water droplet on a hydrophobic substrate with a temperature gradient. The migration of the droplet on a flat solid substrate was induced by the difference in surface tension due to the temperature gradient. The migration velocity increased with the temperature difference, which is in agreement with the present theoretical analysis and dynamic van der Waals theory. The modified numerical model proposed in this work could be used to study heat and mass transfer across a free interface, such as Marangoni convection in multiphase fluid flow.
Field theory description of ion association in re-entrant phase separation of polyampholytes
Authors: Wessén Jonas , Pal Tanmoy , Chan Hue Sun
Published: April 2022

Phase separation of several different overall neutral polyampholyte species (with zero net charge) is studied in solution with two oppositely charged ion species that can form ion pairs through an association reaction. Hereby, a field theory description of the system, which treats polyampholyte charge sequence dependent electrostatic interactions as well as excluded volume effects, is given. Interestingly, analysis of the model using random phase approximation and field theoretic simulation consistently shows evidence of a re-entrant polyampholyte phase separation at high ion concentrations when there is an overall decrease of volume upon ion association. As an illustration of the ramifications of our theoretical framework, several polyampholyte concentration vs ion concentration phase diagrams under constant temperature conditions are presented to elucidate the dependence of phase separation behavior on the polyampholyte sequence charge pattern as well as ion pair dissociation constant, volumetric effects on ion association, solvent quality, and temperature.
Barely fluorescent molecules. II. Twin-discharge jet laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy of HSnBr and DSnBr
Authors: Rothschopf Gretchen , Cardon Joseph M. , Smith Tony C. , Clouthier Dennis J.
Published: April 2022

HSnBr and DSnBr have been detected for the first time by a combination of laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), fluorescence hole-burning, and wavelength resolved emission spectroscopies. The transient molecules were produced in a twin-discharge jet using separate precursor streams of SnH4/SnD4 and HBr/DBr, both diluted in high pressure argon. The Ã1A″–X̃1A′ spectrum of HSnBr only consists of the 000 and 201 cold bands that show clearly resolved subband structure with fluorescence lifetimes varying from 526 to 162 ns. The DSnBr LIF spectrum exhibits four bands (000, 201, 202, and 101) whose fluorescence lifetimes decrease from 525 ns (00) to 175 ns (11). Single vibronic level emission spectra have provided extensive information on the ground state vibrations, including all the anharmonicities and the harmonic frequencies. Fluorescence hole-burning experiments have shown that a few higher HSnBr nonfluorescent levels are very short-lived but still detectable. The ab initio studies of Tarroni and Clouthier [J. Chem. Phys. 156, 064304 (2022)] show that these molecules dissociate into SnBr + H on the excited state potential surface and this is the cause of the short fluorescence lifetimes and breaking off of the LIF spectra. HSnBr is a barely fluorescent molecule in the sense that only vibrational levels less than or equal to 317 cm−1 in the excited state emit detectable photons down to the ground state.
Osmium-catalyzed reduction processes
Authors: Biriukov K. O. , Afanasyev O. I. , Godovikova M. I. , Loginov D. A. , Chusov D. A.
Published: April 2022

Catalytic reduction processes are of vital importance in organic chemistry. Numerous reactions catalyzed by palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium and platinum complexes have been developed. Meanwhile, the use of osmium compounds as catalysts for reduction reactions has received surprisingly little attention, although they can effectively accelerate some processes. In some cases, osmium catalysts are superior to related ruthenium compounds both in activity of the catalytic system and in stability of the catalys per se. This review systematically summarizes reductive transformations catalyzed by organometallic osmium complexes. General trends in this research area followed in the literature are described and prospects in this field of chemistry are discussed. The hydrogen transfer and borrowing hydrogen reactions, hydrogenation, hydroformylation, reductive amination, and water-gas shift reactions are considered.
 The bibliography includes 96 references
Geometric control of topological dynamics in a singing saw
Authors: Shankar Suraj , Bryde Petur , Mahadevan L.
Published: April 2022

Significance

The ability to sustain notes or vibrations underlies the design of most acoustic devices, ranging from musical instruments to nanomechanical resonators. Inspired by the singing saw that acquires its musical quality from its blade being unusually bent, we ask how geometry can be used to trap and insulate acoustic modes from dissipative decay in a continuum elastic medium. By using experiments and theoretical and numerical analysis, we demonstrate that spatially varying curvature in a thin shell can localize topologically protected modes at inflection lines, akin to exotic edge states in topological insulators. A key feature is the ability to geometrically control both spatial localization and the dynamics of oscillations in thin shells. Our work uncovers an unusual mechanism for designing robust, yet reconfigurable, high-quality resonators across scales.
Competitiveness among Nandi female husbands
Authors: Palacios-Huerta Ignacio
Published: April 2022

Significance

Differences in competitiveness between men and women have been hypothesized as a potential explanation for important differences in education and labor market outcomes. Central to the literature is whether these differences are innate or learned. I take advantage of the distinct cultural institution of “female husbands” (biologically females but socially men) in the Nandi society in Kenya to study this question. By keeping biological sex constant, holding the society constant, but altering the social gender at an adult age, this unique setting advances our understanding of these differences. Specifically, the results support the hypothesis that competitive inclinations are channeled through social roles and the family. Social norms and social identity critically matter to tackle differences between men and women directly.
Interhemispheric antiphasing of neotropical precipitation during the past millennium
Authors: Steinman Byron A. , Stansell Nathan D. , Mann Michael E. , Cooke Colin A. , Abbott Mark B. , Vuille Mathias , Bird Broxton W. , Lachniet Matthew S. , Fernandez Alejandro
Published: April 2022

Significance

Understanding Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) responses to external forcing is critical for predicting climate change in a warming world. We analyzed paleoclimate records of precipitation change in the neotropics and climate model simulations that span the preindustrial last millennium to assess ITCZ behavior on multicentury timescales. Our results demonstrate that the ITCZ shifted southward during the Little Ice Age in the Atlantic basin in response to relative cooling of the Northern Hemisphere driven by volcanic forcing. This finding contrasts with studies suggesting that changes in ITCZ width and/or strength, rather than a change in mean position, occurred during the Little Ice Age. This reinforces the idea that ITCZ responses to external forcing are region specific.
Uncovering the structure of metaphorical lay theories of teaching II
Authors: Wong Michelle , Flusberg Stephen J. , Hard Bridgette Martin
Published: April 2022

Metaphor plays a critical role in how people communicate and conceptualize complex activities like teaching. For example, a professor might be described as molding impressionable students (teacher as a sculptor), or helping students grow (teacher as a gardener). Prior research has largely focused on what metaphors like these communicate about the role of teachers, but many teaching metaphors simultaneously describe the role of students (e.g., students as clay; students as plants). We aimed to extend previous work with a recently developed method for mapping the structure of metaphorical concepts to examine the metaphorical entailments associated with students, rather than teachers. We presented participants recruited online with one of four common metaphors for the teacher-student relationship and found that different metaphors consistently bring to mind distinct, coherent clusters of student attributes and different intuitions about teacher and student responsibility and power – a finding we replicated with a larger sample and pre-registered analysis. Together with previous findings, this research suggests that teaching metaphors can efficiently capture and communicate structured beliefs about both teacher and student attributes.
Combatting Climate Change, Supporting Biodiversity Conservation and Benefitting Local People at Mombo, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Authors: Spenceley Anna
Published: April 2022

Mombo Camp is located on Chief’s Island in the Moremi Game Reserve within the Okavango Delta of Botswana. This case study explains how the camp has dramatically reduced its carbon emissions by converting its power from diesel generators to 100% solar energy, and made substantial contributions to black and white rhino re-introductions in the country. Through its lease fees, employment, and procurement, the lodge has also made substantial contributions to the local and national economy during the course of its concession period.

Information

Snyman, S. and Spenceley, A. (2019) Private Sector Tourism in Conservation Areas in Africa, CABI

© CAB International 2022
The second phases of Mg–xAl–ySi–Ca alloys and their influences on properties
Authors: Liu Ziqian , Jin Hualan , Lai Yonglai , Xia Zhiyu , Li Gangbin , Guo Hongmin , Ding Jie
Published: April 2022

The types and changes of the second phases in the Mg–xAl–ySi–0.3Ca alloys and their effects on the properties of the alloys were studied. The results showed that within a certain range of Si and Al content, Si had the greatest influence on the size of the Mg2Si phase, while Al content affected the size and morphology of Mg17Al12 and Mg2Si phases. The CaMgSi phases were less affected by the Al and Si content. In a tensile test, the as-cast alloy had the best performance when it contained small Mg17Al12 and Mg2Si phases, and the Mg17Al12 phase was more likely to become the fracture source. The alloy we tested with the best corrosion resistance was Mg–4Al–0.7Si–0.3Ca alloy, the worst was Mg–6Al–0.7Si–0.3Ca alloy.
Positive school environment, sustainable behaviour and well-being among higher education students (Ambiente escolar positivo, conducta sostenible ybienestar en estudiantes de educación superior)
Authors: Valenzuela-García Beatriz , Cabrera Iraís , Frías Martha , Corral-Frías Nadia
Published: April 2022

A positive school environment (PSE) could enhance student well-being and promote sustainable behaviour (SB). However, there is little research on PSEs in universities. In order to explore the relationships between PSE, SB and well-being, and to test the psychometric properties of the instruments used, we conducted research with asample of 285 undergraduate and graduate students ( M= 21.63 years of age; SD = 3.91). We calculated descriptive statistics (univariate by scale/item and Cronbach’s alpha coefficients) and inferential statistics (Spearman’s rho coefficient, confirmatory factor analysis, covariances between constructs, also testing amodel of structural equations). The findings indicated that the scales were reliable (α > .60) and that, for the most part, they showed convergent and discriminatory validity. Furthermore, the expected theoretical relationships were confirmed: PSE was directly and positively related to SB and well-being, and the latter was also significantly affected by SB. This evidence could help to formulate public policies and programmes aimed at creating positive university environments.
Assessing the trans-situational consistency of pro-environmental energy-saving behavior (Evaluación de la consistencia inter-situacional de la conducta proambiental de ahorro energético)
Authors: Auzoult Laurent
Published: April 2022

In this study, we focus on the trans-situational consistency of pro-environmental energy-saving behaviours. More specifically, we study the consistency between home and the workplace. Given the literature, we envisaged that behavioural consistency would be associated with intentional and automatic determinants and with environmental self-identity and the perceived similarity of situations. 195 participants replied to an online questionnaire measuring the determinants of behaviours, the similarity of situations, the environmental self-identity and the frequency of pro-environmental behaviours. The results highlighted the fact that behavioural consistency is predicted both by intentionality and habit. Environmental self-identity moderates the relationship between consistency on the one hand and intentionality and habit on the other. Intentionality determines consistency when the perception of the similarity of situations is low. These results are discussed from the point of view of the practices related to the transmission of pro-environmental behaviours.
Secretory autophagy maintains proteostasis upon lysosome inhibition
Authors: Solvik Tina A. , Nguyen Tan A. , Tony Lin Yu-Hsiu , Marsh Timothy , Huang Eric J. , Wiita Arun P. , Debnath Jayanta , Leidal Andrew M.
Published: April 2022

The endolysosome system plays central roles in both autophagic degradation and secretory pathways, including the release of extracellular vesicles and particles (EVPs). Although previous work reveals important interconnections between autophagy and EVP-mediated secretion, our understanding of these secretory events during endolysosome inhibition remains incomplete. Here, we delineate a secretory autophagy pathway upregulated in response to endolysosomal inhibition, which mediates EVP-associated release of autophagic cargo receptors, including p62/SQSTM1. This secretion is highly regulated and dependent on multiple ATGs required for autophagosome formation, as well as the small GTPase Rab27a. Furthermore, disrupting autophagosome maturation, either via genetic inhibition of autophagosome-to-autolysosome fusion or expression of SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a, is sufficient to induce EVP secretion of autophagy cargo receptors. Finally, ATG-dependent EVP secretion buffers against the intracellular accumulation of autophagy cargo receptors when classical autophagic degradation is impaired. Thus, we propose secretory autophagy via EVPs functions as an alternate route to clear sequestered material and maintain proteostasis during endolysosomal dysfunction or impaired autophagosome maturation.
Antigen-derived peptides engage the ER stress sensor IRE1α to curb dendritic cell cross-presentation
Authors: Guttman Ofer , Le Thomas Adrien , Marsters Scot , Lawrence David A. , Gutgesell Lauren , Zuazo-Gaztelu Iratxe , Harnoss Jonathan M. , Haag Simone M. , Murthy Aditya , Strasser Geraldine , Modrusan Zora , Wu Thomas , Mellman Ira , Ashkenazi Avi
Published: April 2022

Dendritic cells (DCs) promote adaptive immunity by cross-presenting antigen-based epitopes to CD8+ T cells. DCs process internalized protein antigens into peptides that enter the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), bind to major histocompatibility type I (MHC-I) protein complexes, and are transported to the cell surface for cross-presentation. DCs can exhibit activation of the ER stress sensor IRE1α without ER stress, but the underlying mechanism remains obscure. Here, we show that antigen-derived hydrophobic peptides can directly engage ER-resident IRE1α, masquerading as unfolded proteins. IRE1α activation depletes MHC-I heavy-chain mRNAs through regulated IRE1α-dependent decay (RIDD), curtailing antigen cross-presentation. In tumor-bearing mice, IRE1α disruption increased MHC-I expression on tumor-infiltrating DCs and enhanced recruitment and activation of CD8+ T cells. Moreover, IRE1α inhibition synergized with anti–PD-L1 antibody treatment to cause tumor regression. Our findings identify an unexpected cell-biological mechanism of antigen-driven IRE1α activation in DCs, revealing translational potential for cancer immunotherapy.
Nonlinear master relation in microscopic mechanical response of semiflexible biopolymer networks
Authors: Honda N , Shiraki K , van Esterik F , Inokuchi S , Ebata H , Mizuno D
Published: April 2022

A network of semiflexible biopolymers, known as the cytoskeleton, and molecular motors play fundamental mechanical roles in cellular activities. The cytoskeletal response to forces generated by molecular motors is profoundly linked to physiological processes. However, owing to the highly nonlinear mechanical properties, the cytoskeletal response on the microscopic level is largely elusive. The aim of this study is to investigate the microscopic mechanical response of semiflexible biopolymer networks by conducting microrheology (MR) experiments. Micrometer-sized colloidal particles, embedded in semiflexible biopolymer networks, were forced beyond the linear regime at a variety of conditions by using feedback-controlled optical trapping. This high-bandwidth MR technology revealed an affine elastic response, which showed stiffening upon local forcing. After scaling the stiffening behaviors, with parameters describing semiflexible networks, a collapse onto a single master curve was observed. The physics underlying the general microscopic response is presented to justify the collapse, and its potentials/implications to elucidate cell mechanics is discussed.
On lowest-lying 1/2− octet baryons *
Authors: Chen Chang , Niu Wen-Qi , Zheng Han-Qing
Published: April 2022

The recently proposed

baryon is studied in a flavor

scheme with K-matrix unitarization, by fitting to low-energy cross section and phase shift data. It is found that

co-exists with low-lying poles in other channels, which have been extensively discussed in the literature, though they belong to different octets in the

limit. Hence, the existence of

is further verified.
Cellular studies and sustained drug delivery via nanostructures fabricated on 3D printed porous Neovius lattices of Ti6Al4V ELI
Authors: Singh Sonu , Vashisth Priya , Meena Vijay Kumar , Kalyanasundaram Dinesh
Published: April 2022

Site-specific drug delivery has the potential to reduce drug dosage by 3- to 5-folds. Given the propensity of drugs used in the treatment of tuberculosis and cancers, the increased drug dosages via oral ingestion for several months to a few years of medication is often detrimental to the health of patients. In this study, the sustained delivery of drugs with multiscale structured novel Neovius lattices was achieved. 3D Neovius open cell lattices (NOCL) with porosities of 40%, 45%, and 50% were fabricated layer-by-layer on the laser bed fusion process. Micron-sized Ti6Al4V ELI powder was used for 3D printing. The Young’s modulus achieved from the novel Neovius lattices were in the range of 1.2–1.6 GPa, which is comparable to human cortical bone and helps to improve implant failure due to the stress shielding effect. To provide sustained drug delivery, nanotubes (NTs) were fabricated on NOCLs via high-voltage anodization. The osteogenic agent icariin was loaded onto the NOCL-NT samples and their release profiles were studied for 7 d. A significantly steady and slow release rate of 0.05% per hour of the drug was achieved using NOCL-NT. In addition, the initial burst release of NOCL-NT was 4 fold lower than that of the open-cell lattices without NTs. Cellular studies using MG63 human osteoblast-like cells were performed to determine their biocompatibility and osteogenesis which were analyzed using Calcein AM staining and Alamar Blue after 1, 5, and 7 d. 3D printed NOCL samples with NTs and with Icariin loaded NTs demonstrated a significant increase in cell proliferation as compared to as printed NOCL samples.
Adaptive capacity beyond the household: a systematic review of empirical social-ecological research
Authors: Vallury Sechindra , Smith Ada P , Chaffin Brian C , Nesbitt Holly K , Lohani Sapana , Gulab Sabrina , Banerjee Simanti , Floyd Theresa M , Metcalf Alexander L , Metcalf Elizabeth C , Twidwell Dirac , Uden Daniel R , Williamson Matthew A , Allen Craig R
Published: April 2022

The concept of adaptive capacity has received significant attention within social-ecological and environmental change research. Within both the resilience and vulnerability literatures specifically, adaptive capacity has emerged as a fundamental concept for assessing the ability of social-ecological systems to adapt to environmental change. Although methods and indicators used to evaluate adaptive capacity are broad, the focus of existing scholarship has predominately been at the individual- and household- levels. However, the capacities necessary for humans to adapt to global environmental change are often a function of individual and societal characteristics, as well as cumulative and emergent capacities across communities and jurisdictions. In this paper, we apply a systematic literature review and co-citation analysis to investigate empirical research on adaptive capacity that focus on societal levels beyond the household. Our review demonstrates that assessments of adaptive capacity at higher societal levels are increasing in frequency, yet vary widely in approach, framing, and results; analyses focus on adaptive capacity at many different levels (e.g. community, municipality, global region), geographic locations, and cover multiple types of disturbances and their impacts across sectors. We also found that there are considerable challenges with regard to the ‘fit’ between data collected and analytical methods used in adequately capturing the cross-scale and cross-level determinants of adaptive capacity. Current approaches to assessing adaptive capacity at societal levels beyond the household tend to simply aggregate individual- or household-level data, which we argue oversimplifies and ignores the inherent interactions within and across societal levels of decision-making that shape the capacity of humans to adapt to environmental change across multiple scales. In order for future adaptive capacity research to be more practice-oriented and effectively guide policy, there is a need to develop indicators and assessments that are matched with the levels of potential policy applications.
Climate variability and the responses of crop yields to agricultural drought in the East Wollega Zone, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia
Authors: Fayera Tasfaye
Published: April 2022

Smallholder farmers in Ethiopia have been facing severe climate related hazards; droughts and floods that negatively affect their livelihoods. This study was aimed to assess climate variability and the responses of crop yields to climate induced agricultural drought. Time-series crop yields (1993-2018) and climate data (1989 to 2019) was obtained from Central Statistical Agency and NASA’s portal respectively. The changes in temperature and precipitation were analyzed using Mann Kendall trend test. The agricultural drought index was analyzed using R-software. The correlation between the selected yield crops and drought indices were evaluated using Pearson correlation coefficient. Determinants on climate change adaptation strategies were assessed using a multinomial logit model. The trends of seasonal and annual minimum temperatures and spring maximum temperature results were significantly warmed up (P <0.05).However, both seasonal and annual rainfall was slightly decreased. Moderate to severe agricultural drought intensities happened 7 times and one very wet year occurred during three decades. As the result, about 0.70% of the total land area was affected by moderate drought while about 30.73% of the land area was affected by moderate wet soil moisture and 68.57% of the rest others were observed as harmless land areas. The Person’s correlation coefficients showed that crop yields due to the drought interruption were 93.9, 92.4, and 92.5% for maize, wheat, and finger millet, respectively. Determinants depicted that sex, family size, extension, and education were significantly affected soil and water conservation practice and tree planting at (P <0.05). Therefore, the efforts of local government and stakeholders should be superior to build the capacity of farmers to use appropriate agricultural technologies and supply drought & wet tolerant crop varieties; improve research and development programs.