bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prepare to comply with laws protecting pregnant, nursing employees
Authors: Lyerly Eric
Published: April 2023

Several recent and significant Office for Civil Rights developments have revealed a trend to strengthen legal protections for pregnant students, providing colleges and universities with a renewed incentive to review and revise internal policies for accommodating pregnant students, especially with new Title IX regulations looming.
Preliminary clinical outcomes of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with particle beam radiation therapy
Authors: Huang Qingting , Hu Jiyi , Hu Weixu , Gao Jing , Yang Jing , Qiu Xianxin , Zhang Haojiong , Lu Jiade Jay , Kong Lin
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Further improvement in clinical outcomes is needed for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), as there is typically a poor prognosis at diagnosis. This study aimed to report the preliminary therapeutic outcomes and side effects in patients with HNSCC receiving particle beam radiotherapy (PBRT), owing to the physical and biological advantages of this approach.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 68 patients with newly diagnosed HNSCC who received PBRT at the Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center (SPHIC) between August 2015 and December 2020. The Kaplan–Meier approach was used to determine overall survival (OS), disease‐specific survival (DSS), progression‐free survival (PFS), local recurrence‐free survival (LRFS), regional recurrence‐free survival (RRFS), and distant metastasis‐free survival (DMFS). Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) 4.03 was also used to grade acute and late toxicities.

Results

With a median follow‐up time of 24.5 months (range, 3–65), the 3‐year OS, DSS, PFS, LRFS, RRFS, and DMFS rates for the entire cohort were 79.0%, 84.7%, 67.9%, 83.5%, 83.3%, and 96.1%, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that N category was a significant predictor of OS, PFS, and RRFS. In terms of acute toxicities, two patients demonstrated severe mucositis or dysphagia, and two patients also displayed a late toxicity of significant mucosal necrosis.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that PBRT can provide patients with HNSCC with a promising therapeutic benefit and manageable toxicity. Prospective evaluation of clinical outcomes with PBRT for HNSCC is warranted, with an emphasis on clinical effectiveness as well as adverse effects and patient quality of life.
Design framework for dimethyl ether (DME)production from coal and biomass‐derived syngas via simulation approach
Authors: Tripathi Komal , Gupta Vrinda , Awasthi Varsha , Pant Kamal Kishore , Upadhyayula Sreedevi
Published: April 2023

A comprehensive thermodynamic study was conducted to evaluate the comparative efficacy of methanol and dimethyl ether (DME) synthesis using CO2rich syngas feed. The first part of our study included assessing the relative performances of the methanol synthesis system, two step DME synthesis system, and one step DME synthesis system in terms of the COxconversion and product yield (methanol/DME) based on the Gibbs free energy minimization approach. The wide range of composition of CO2‐enriched syngas feed produced by the coal and biomass gasification was simulated using Aspen Plus and the following evaluation parameters were analyzed for a broad parameter range: reaction temperature (180–280°C), reaction pressure (10–80 bar), stoichiometry number (SN) (0–11), and CO2/(CO2 + CO) molar feed ratio (0–1) for isothermal as well as adiabatic conditions. Based on the equilibrium yield, one‐step DME synthesis was discovered as the most viable process to utilize the co‐gasification derived syngas effectively. In the second part of our study, the overall process efficiency was inspected through the process design of 1 tonnes per day (TPD) DME plant inclusive of heat integration, resulting in significant CO2abatement and DME production with high product purity and minimum energy consumption. Consequently, one‐step DME production via CO2‐enriched syngas obtained through the coal or biomass gasification process is identified as the leading technology based on energy utilization and CO2abatement.
Shift‐invariant universal adversarial attacks to avoid deep‐learning‐based modulation classification
Authors: Lu Keyu , Qian Zhisheng , Wang Manxi , Wang Dewang , Ma Pengfei
Published: April 2023

With the development of deep‐learning technology, how to prevent signal modulation from being correctly classified by deep‐learning‐based intruders becomes a challenging issue. Adversarial attack provides an ideal solution as deep‐learning models are proved to be vulnerable to intentionally designed perturbations. However, applying adversarial attacks to communication systems faces several practical problems such as shift‐invariant, imperceptibility, and bandwidth compatibility. To this end, a shift‐invariant universal adversarial attack approach is proposed in this work for misleading deep‐learning‐based modulation classifiers used by intruders. Specifically, this work first introduces a convolutional neural network (CNN)‐based UAP (universal adversarial perturbation) generation model that contains an finite impulse response (FIR) filter layer to control the bandwidth of the output perturbation. Besides, this work proposes a circular shift scheme that simulates the random signal cropping in the inference phase and thus ensures the shift‐invariant property of adversarial perturbations. In addition, this work designs a composite loss function that improves the imperceptibility of the adversarial perturbation in both time and frequency domains without decreasing the effectiveness of the adversarial attack. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, achieving about 50% accuracy drop on the target model when the perturbation‐to‐signal ratio (PSR) is −10 dB. Furthermore, extensive experiments are conducted to validate the shift‐invariant, imperceptibility, bandwidth compatibility, and transferability of the proposed approach for modulation classification tasks.
Fulfilling the promise: Commentary on Schleider et al. (2023)
Authors: Cooper Zafra , Shafran Roz
Published: April 2023

In their paper on “Realizing the Untapped Promise of Single‐Session Interventions for Eating Disorders” Schleider and colleagues suggest an innovative approach to addressing a much‐ discussed critical issue in the treatment of eating disorders—how we help more people quickly and with greater efficiency. While building on the feasibility and success of program‐led approaches, they make a potentially transformative proposal for the use of single‐session, “one‐at‐a‐time” interventions freely accessible to those in need. We suggest that not only does this proposal have the potential to narrow the treatment gap, but its ability to generate informative data at scale may also contribute to improving treatment outcomes overall. We also note the need for further independent support for the claim that single sessions produce meaningful benefit especially in the field of the prevention and treatment of eating disorders. While Schleider and colleagues' proposal is potentially transformative and has heuristic value, some caution needs to be exercised. In our view, single‐session interventions should not be regarded as displacing existing treatment provision. Rather they should be seen as complementary and a potential way of improving provision overall.
Using quantile regression and relative entropy to assess the period of anomalous behavior of marine mammals following tagging
Authors: Nielsen Lars Reiter , Tervo Outi M. , Blackwell Susanna B. , Heide‐Jørgensen Mads Peter , Ditlevsen Susanne
Published: April 2023

Tagging of animals induces a variable stress response which following release will obscure natural behavior. It is of scientific relevance to establish methods that assess recovery from such behavioral perturbation and generalize well to a broad range of animals, while maintaining model transparency. We propose two methods that allow for subdivision of animals based on covariates, and illustrate their use on narwhals (Monodon monoceros) and bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus), captured and instrumented with Acousonde™ behavioral tags, but with a framework that easily generalizes to other marine animals and sampling units. The narwhals were divided into two groups based on handling time, short ( min) and long ( min), to measure the effect on recovery. Proxies for energy expenditure (VeDBA) and rapid movement (jerk) were derived from accelerometer data. Diving profiles were characterized using two metrics (target depth and dive duration) derived from depth data. For accelerometer data, recovery was estimated using quantile regression (QR) on the log‐transformed response, whereas depth data were addressed using relative entropy (RE) between hourly distributions of dive duration (partitioned into three target depth ranges) and the long‐term average distribution. Quantile regression was used to address location‐based behavior to accommodate distributional shifts anticipated in aquatic locomotion. For all narwhals, we found fast recovery in the tail of the distribution (<3 h) compared with a variable recovery at the median (∼1–10 h) and with a significant difference between groups separated by handling time. Estimates of bowhead whale recovery times showed fast median recovery (<3 h) and slow recovery at the tail (>6 h), but were affected by substantial uncertainty. For the diving profiles, as characterized by the component pair (target depth, dive duration), the recovery was slower (narwhals‐long: h; narwhals‐short: h; bowhead whales: <9 h) and with a difference between narwhals with short vs long handling times. Using simple statistical concepts, we have presented two transparent and general methods for analyzing high‐resolution time series data from marine animals, addressing energy expenditure, activity, and diving behavior, and which allows for comparison between groups of animals based on well‐defined covariates.
Overwinter users of nest cavities affect breeding birds via nest‐dwelling ectoparasites
Authors: García‐Núñez Antonio José , Tomás Gustavo , Zamora‐Muñoz Carmen , Valera Francisco , Soler Juan José
Published: April 2023

Cavities used for avian reproduction in spring often host other organisms for roosting during winter, which should affect their microclimatic conditions and, then, the patterns of emergence of nest‐dwelling ectoparasites of birds and successful parasitism. To prove these cascade effects, we experimentally blocked the entrance of half of nest boxes previously used for reproduction by hoopoes (Upupa epops), recorded temperature and humidity during the fall–winter period, and evaluated abundance, emergence of ectoparasitic flies (Carnus hemapterus), and intensity of parasitism in hoopoe nestlings growing in open and blocked nest boxes the next spring. As expected, experimental treatment as well as the occupancy of open nest boxes by rodents (i.e., mainly dormice [Eliomys quercinus]) affected temperature and humidity, but did not predict the onset or duration of Carnus emergence. Moreover, flies were more abundant in open nest boxes and, among them, those occupied by dormice showed the lowest abundance. Finally, hoopoe nestlings developing in nest boxes blocked during winter experienced lower intensity of ectoparasitism than those in open nest boxes. These hitherto undescribed cryptic effects of overwinter occupants of nest cavities on subsequent emergence and viability of nest‐dwelling ectoparasites would profoundly impact on the interaction with their avian hosts.
Nitrogen dynamics of grassland soils with differing habitat quality: high temporal resolution captures the details
Authors: Kukowski Sina , Ruser Reiner , Piepho Hans‐Peter , Gayler Sebastian , Streck Thilo
Published: April 2023

Excessive nitrogen (N) input is one of the major threats for species‐rich grasslands. The ongoing deterioration of habitat quality highlights the necessity to further investigate underlying N turnover processes. Our objectives were (1) to quantify gross and net rates of mineral N production (mineralization and nitrification) and consumption in seminatural grasslands in southwest Germany, with excellent or poor habitat quality, (2) to monitor the temporal variability of these processes, and (3) to investigate differences between calcareous and decalcified soils. In 2016 and 2017, gross N turnover rates were measured using the 15N pool dilution technique in situ on four Arrhenatherion meadows in biweekly cycles between May and November. Simultaneously, net rates of mineralization and nitrification, soil temperature, and moisture were measured. The vegetation was mapped, and basic soil properties were determined. The calcareous soils showed higher gross nitrification rates compared with gross mineralization. In contrast, nitrification was inhibited in the decalcified soils, most likely due to the low pH, and mineralization was the dominant process. Both mineralization and nitrification were characterized by high temporal variability (especially the former) and short residence times of N in the corresponding pools (<2 days) at all sites. This illustrates that high temporal resolution is necessary during the growing season to detect N mineralization patterns and capture variability. Parallel determination of net N turnover rates showed almost no variability, highlighting that net rates are not suitable for drawing conclusions about actual gross turnover rates. During the growing season, the data show no clear relationship between soil temperature/soil moisture and gross N turnover rates. For future experiments, recording of microbial biomass, dissolved organic matter, and root N uptake should be considered.
Hardwoods influence effect of climate and intraspecific competition on growth of woodland longleaf pine trees
Authors: Bigelow Seth W. , Rollosson Anna , Vogel Jason , Whelan Andrew W. , Rother Monica
Published: April 2023

Longleaf pine woodlands of the North American Coastal Plain are proposed to be resilient to climate change impacts, but little is known about changes in limiting factors to longleaf pine growth as climate has changed in late 20th century and early 21st century. Moreover, the role that neighborhood trees play in the context of climate change remains largely unexplored. We used static and moving window tree ring and climatic analyses to measure the effects of climate on longleaf pine growth at a site in southwest Georgia, USA. We then performed maximum likelihood analysis to examine the influence of neighboring hardwoods on the response of longleaf pine growth to the joint effects of competition and climate. Analysis of climate data from local stations in southwest Georgia over six decades indicated that mean air temperature decreased until the late 20th century then began to rise, and that the variability of spring and summer precipitation has increased. Tree ring and climate analyses indicated longleaf pine radial growth is sensitive to precipitation and air temperature, and that the strength of correlation of longleaf pine growth to summer air temperature and summer precipitation increased since the 1950s. Likelihood models, which were applied over a shorter (23‐year) period and explicitly incorporated competition, did not support a link between summer temperature and growth but did indicate summer precipitation increased growth. Furthermore, basal area (BA) of neighboring hardwoods was correlated with greater pine growth per millimeter of precipitation. BA of neighboring longleaf pine negatively affected growth of conspecific trees; the presence of hardwoods increased the competitive effect when BA of neighboring pine trees was low (<10 m2 ha−1) but decreased the competitive effect when BA of neighboring pine trees was high (≥10 m2 ha−1). These results suggest that retention or recruitment of hardwood trees when restoring longleaf pine woodlands may contribute to increased ability to withstand dry summers and may help to allay concerns of managers that retention of hardwoods will unduly affect growth of residual mature longleaf pines.
Phosphorus scarcity contributes to nitrogen limitation in lowland tropical rainforests
Authors: Vallicrosa Helena , Lugli Laynara F. , Fuchslueger Lucia , Sardans Jordi , Ramirez‐Rojas Irene , Verbruggen Erik , Grau Oriol , Bréchet Laëtitia , Peguero Guille , Van Langenhove Leandro , Verryckt Lore T. , Terrer César , Llusià Joan , Ogaya Romà , Márquez Laura , Roc‐Fernández Pere , Janssens Ivan , Peñuelas Josep
Published: April 2023

There is increasing evidence to suggest that soil nutrient availability can limit the carbon sink capacity of forests, a particularly relevant issue considering today's changing climate. This question is especially important in the tropics, where most part of the Earth's plant biomass is stored. To assess whether tropical forest growth is limited by soil nutrients and to explore N and P limitations, we analyzed stem growth and foliar elemental composition of the five stem widest trees per plot at two sites in French Guiana after 3 years of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and N + P addition. We also compared the results between potential N‐fixer and non‐N‐fixer species. We found a positive effect of N fertilization on stem growth and foliar N, as well as a positive effect of P fertilization on stem growth, foliar N, and foliar P. Potential N‐fixing species had greater stem growth, greater foliar N, and greater foliar P concentrations than non‐N‐fixers. In terms of growth, there was a negative interaction between N‐fixer status, N + P, and P fertilization, but no interaction with N fertilization. Because N‐fixing plants do not show to be completely N saturated, we do not anticipate N providing from N‐fixing plants would supply non‐N‐fixers. Although the soil‐age hypothesis only anticipates P limitation in highly weathered systems, our results for stem growth and foliar elemental composition indicate the existence of considerable N and P co‐limitation, which is alleviated in N‐fixing plants. The evidence suggests that certain mechanisms invest in N to obtain the scarce P through soil phosphatases, which potentially contributes to the N limitation detected by this study.
The impact of regional material flows on circular economy: A case study of southwest China
Authors: Wang Minxi , Chen Lu , Liu Lu , Zhang Rui , Cheng Hong , Li Xin , Su Hao
Published: April 2023

Circular economy is beneficial to solve the conflict between the environment and development. The study combines the material flow in human society with the evaluation of the regional circular economy. Through the evaluation method combining DEA and rank‐sum ratio, the development level of circular economy in this area is evaluated from both vertical and horizontal perspectives (time level and space level). The result shows: (1) from the point of view of material input, direct material input, total material demand and total material consumption all show an upward trend. The overall resource input is relatively large. (2) In terms of material output, the emission is increasing. But the growth rate is relatively slow. The emission reduction effect is outstanding. The resource output rate showed a continuous growth trend. Economic development is less dependent on the massive consumption of natural resources. (3) In terms of material circulation, the import volume of natural resources outside the province in the southwest region increased. Solid waste recycling is not high. (4) Judging from the evaluation results, the development level of Sichuan's circular economy is relatively stable. Followed by Chongqing and Guizhou. However, the level of development in Yunnan fluctuates greatly. The material consumption rate in Southwest China is higher than the economic growth rate. Resource input and resource consumption are still relatively large. Although some environmental indicators have improved, there are still serious resource and environmental problems in the future economic development of the western region that need to be paid attention. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: Prognostic factors for development of distant metastases and oncological outcomes
Authors: Mattioli Francesco , Lo Manto Alfredo , Miglio Matteo , Serafini Edoardo , Rossi Davide , Valerini Sara , Tonelli Roberto , Fermi Matteo , Pugliese Giuseppe , Bertolini Federica , D'Angelo Elisa , Depenni Roberta , Dominici Massimo , Lohr Frank R. H. , Marchioni Daniele
Published: April 2023

Background

Distant metastasis (DM) development in Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OPSCC) represents an important prognostic factor. The identification of a phenotype of metastatic patients may better define therapeutic and follow‐up programs.

Methods

We included 408 patients with OPSCC, non‐metastatic at the time of diagnosis, and treated with curative intent. The Overall Survival (OS) analyses were performed and the impact of developing DM on survival was analyzed through Cox proportional‐hazard regression model.

Results

57 (14%) patients develop DM. 302 (74%) were p16+ OPSCC and 35 of them experienced DM. Advanced clinical stage, smoking, p16‐status, response to primary treatment, and loco‐regional relapse influence the DM rate. Only in the p16+ group, DM onset results in a greater impact on OS (p < 0.0001). Lung metastases have a better OS compared to non‐pulmonary ones (p = 0.049).

Conclusion

This retrospective study shows a possible stratification of OPSCC patients based on the risk of the development of DMs.
A Wellbeing Index for South Australia
Authors: Pontifex Katherine
Published: April 2023

Issue addressed

Wellbeing SA, an independent South Australian government agency, developed a Wellbeing Index for South Australia across a 12‐month period in 2021–2022 to enable the measurement of wellbeing outcomes for the state.

Methods

The development of the Index was a methodical process based on two key emphases—evidence‐based action and working in partnership. The steps included a scoping of existing wellbeing measurement frameworks and then working with a broad range of partner agencies to define the purpose, scope and structure for the Index and subsequently the content (indicators, their measures and the most robust data available).

Results

A Wellbeing Index for South Australia was launched in June 2022 on the Wellbeing SA website. It is structured against domains of physical, mental, social/community, Aboriginal cultural wellbeing and the underpinning determinants of wellbeing.

Conclusions

The Index communicates the importance and the breadth of wellbeing outcomes addressed by the various health promotion and policy actors in South Australia and provides a sound basis for monitoring the wellbeing of the community over time.

So what?

Measuring wellbeing is identified by proponents of a Wellbeing Economy as one useful mechanism, alongside legislation, policy and funding, for shaping a broader definition of a successful society. The health promotion community, and their partners, have a role to play in promoting the importance of a broad definition of wellbeing, and in identifying robust and meaningful indicators. This paper offers other jurisdictions insights into the process used, and challenges encountered, in creating the Index.
Social determinants and participation in fecal occult blood test based colorectal cancer screening: A qualitative systematic review and meta‐synthesis
Authors: Marinucci Nicole , Moy Naomi , Koloski Natasha , Shah Ayesha , Austin Glenn , Russell‐Bennett Rebekah , McGraw Jacquie , Dulleck Uwe , Holtmann Gerald
Published: April 2023

Issue Addressed

Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening through fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) has saved thousands of lives globally with multiple countries adopting comprehensive population wide screening programs. Participation rates in FOBT based CRC screening for the socially and economically disadvantaged remains low. The aim of this systematic review is to explore empirical evidence that will guide targeted interventions to improve participation rates within priority populations.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cinahl and PsycInfo were systematically searched from inception to 22 June 2022. Eligible studies contained qualitative evidence identifying barriers to FOBT based CRC screening for populations impacted by the social determinants of health. An inductive thematic synthesis approach was applied using grounded theory methodology, to explore descriptive themes and interpret these into higher order analytical constructs and theories.

Results

A total of 8,501 publications were identified and screened. A total of 48 studies from 10 countries were eligible for inclusion, representing 2,232 subjects. Coding within included studies resulted in 30 key descriptive themes with a thematic frequency greater than 10%. Coded themes applied to four overarching, interconnected barriers driving inequality for priority populations: social, behavioural, economic and technical/interfaces.

So What?

This study has highlighted the need for stronger patient/provider relationships to mitigate barriers to FOBT screening participation for diverse groups. Findings can assist health professionals and policy makers address the systemic exclusion of priority populations in cancer screening by moving beyond the responsibility of the individual to a focus on addressing the information asymmetry driving low value perceptions.
Cumulative risks of false positive recall and screen‐detected breast cancer after multiple screening examinations
Authors: Kregting Lindy M. , van Ravesteyn Nicolien T. , Chootipongchaivat Sarocha , Heijnsdijk Eveline A. M. , Otten Johannes D. M. , Broeders Mireille J. M. , de Koning Harry J.
Published: April 2023

Women tend to make a decision about participation in breast cancer screening and adhere to this for future invitations. Therefore, our study aimed to provide high‐quality information on cumulative risks of false‐positive (FP) recall and screen‐detected breast cancer over multiple screening examinations. Individual Dutch screening registry data (2005‐2018) were gathered on subsequent screening examinations of 92 902 women age 49 to 51 years in 2005. Survival analyses were used to calculate cumulative risks of a FP and a true‐positive (TP) result after seven examinations. Data from 66 472 women age 58 to 59 years were used to extrapolate to 11 examinations. Participation, detection and additional FP rates were calculated for women who previously received FP results compared to women with true negative (TN) results. After 7 examinations, the cumulative risk of a TP result was 3.7% and the cumulative risk of a FP result was 9.1%. After 11 examinations, this increased to 7.1% and 13.5%, respectively. Following a FP result, participation was lower (71%‐81%) than following a TN result (>90%). In women with a FP result, more TP results (factor 1.59 [95% CI: 1.44‐1.72]), more interval cancers (factor 1.66 [95% CI: 1.41‐1.91]) and more FP results (factor 1.96 [95% CI: 1.87‐2.05]) were found than in women with TN results. In conclusion, due to a low recall rate in the Netherlands, the cumulative risk of a FP recall is relatively low, while the cumulative risk of a TP result is comparable. Breast cancer diagnoses and FP results were more common in women with FP results than in women with TN results, while participation was lower.
Investor attention and environmental information disclosure quality: Evidence from heavy pollution industries in China
Authors: Yao Shouyu , Li Tong , Sensoy Ahmet , Fang Zhenming , Cheng Feiyang
Published: April 2023

Using listed firms from 16 heavy pollution industries in China, we show that investor attention can significantly improve the quality of corporate environmental information disclosure. By examining the heterogeneity effects of investor attention under different firm characteristics, locations, and external supervision, we reveal that this improvement effect is more pronounced for smaller firms, state‐owned enterprises, firms with weaker corporate governance, and firms located in China's western regions (regions with poor economic development). We further find that public's attention to environmental issues promotes the investor attention level on firms in heavy pollution industries, thus improving firms' environmental information disclosure quality. Overall, our results emphasize the role of external investor attention on corporate environmental issues.
Interim Results of a Phase II Multicenter Clinical Trial Evaluating the Activity of a Therapeutic Allogeneic Melanoma Vaccine (Theraccine) in the Treatment of Disseminated Malignant Melanoma
Authors: Elliott G.T. , McLeod R.A. , Perez J. , Von Eschen K.B.
Published: April 2023

A total of 139 patients with disseminated malignant melanoma were enrolled in an uncontrolled Phase II trial evaluating the activity of Melacine®, allogeneic vaccine incorporating Detox™, immunologic adjuvant. Nineteen patients, including 18 with progressive disease, dropped out of the study prior to receiving one full vaccination course of five injections over 6 weeks. Disease presentation among study participants included skin or lymph nodes (34%), pulmonary (24%), visceral (34%), and no evidence of disease (NED) (7%). One documented metastatic site was seen in 41%, two sites in 24%, and three or more sites in 27% of the patients studied. Objective clinical response rates for evaluable patients were CR 3%, PR 5%, minor response 4%, stable 23%, and progressive disease 65%. Median survival from time of diagnosis for patients treated with Melacine® is presently estimated at 23 months (45/139 patients censored). Median date from diagnosis of metastatic disease to study entry was 3 months. Side effects were generally mild to moderate with pain at injection site (37%), granulomas (13%), erythema (6%), and flu‐like symptoms (14–29%) predominating. Precursor antimelanoma cytotoxic T cell (pre‐CTL) titers, in comparison with prestudy evaluations, clearly increased in 42% of the patients evaluated. Significantly extended survival characteristics were observed among patients who displayed an expansion of a population of CD57, CD8 co‐positive lymphocytes during therapy in comparison with those patients not displaying this peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) population expansion (34 mo vs. 12 mo, respectively, p = 0.04) and among those patients displaying disease stabilization or better as a clinical response (p = 0.001). At this interim analysis, increased pre‐CTL on‐study titers did not predict a statistically significant survival advantage.
Coalescence in Droplet Dispersions
Authors: Smith D. V. , Davies G. A.
Published: April 2023

The separation of droplet dispersions at a phase boundary between two liquids is discussed. Results are reported for a series of liquid‐liquid systems chosen to cover a wide range of physical properties, interfacial tension from 4‐55 dynes/cm, density difference from 0.004 to 0.35 gm/cm3 and viscosities from 0.6 to 14 cp. The depth of a droplet bed at a phase boundary is shown to be a function of the size of the drops entering the bed and in the equipment used to depend also on the nature of the walls of the apparatus. Correlations are presented from which the depth of a droplet dispersion can be calculated.

On discute la séparation de dispersions de gouttelettes au point limite des phases de deux liquides. On rapporte les résultats dans le cas d'une série de systèmes formés de deux liquides et choisis de manière à embrasser un éventail considérable de propriétés physiques, nommément une tension interraciale de 4 à 55 dynes par centimètre, une différence de densité comprise entre 0.004 et 0.35 grammes par centimètre cube et des viscosités allant de 0.6 à 14 centipoises. On voit que la profondeur d'une couche de gouttelettes au point‐limite des phases est fonction des dimensions des gouttes qui pénètrent dans la couche, de l'outillage utilisé et de la nature des parois du récipient. On présente des corrélations d'où l'on peut calculer la profondeur d'une dispersion de gouttelettes.
The Conversion of Peat and Humic Materials Into Liquid Fuels Using Carbon Monoxide
Authors: Chornet E. , Fonseca R. , Grandbois M. , Brown R. P.
Published: April 2023

Recent upward reevaluation of Canadian peat resources has renewed the interest in its possible use as a source of energy.

Attention is focused on the eventual transformation of peat into heavy liquid fuels by taking advantage of the cleavage ability and the hydrogenation characteristics of carbon monoxide in the presence of liquid water. Yields of benzene soluble materials as high as 54% (maf peat) have been obtained in our batch autoclave experiments carried out at 350 – 360°C, 10.3 MPa (cold pressure) and up to 120 min as reaction time. Catalytic action by alkali seems to enhance the conversion of the humic materials present in peat.

The work also relates to the dewatering of peat, since the conversion is carried out in the presence of water thus eliminating the need for the drying steps prior to the processing of the peat material.

Une récente réévaluation à la hausse des ressources canadiennes en tourbe a renouvelé l'intérêt dans l'emploi possible de celle ci comme source d'énergie.

L'attention se porte surtout sur l'éventuelle transformation de la tourbe en combustibles liquides et lourds, en mettant à profit la capacité de clivage et les caractéristiques d'hydrogénation que possède le monoxyde de carbonne en présence de l'eau à l'état liquide. Dans des expériences, discontinues eu autoclave, faites à une température variant entre 350°C et 360°C, une pression absolue (à froid) de 10.3 MP et un temps de réaction allant jusqu'à 120 minutes, on a obtenu des rendements atteignant 54% en matières solubles dans le benzène. L'action catalytique des alcali semble promouvoir la transformation des matières humiques présentes dans la tourbe.

On traite aussi, dans le présent travail, de la déshydratation de la tourbe, étant donné que la transformation se fait en présence d'eau, ce qui élimine la nécessité de sécher la tourbe avant de la traiter.
Fuels and Chemical Feedstocks from Lignocellulosic Biomass
Authors: Huibers Derk T.A. , Jones Maurice W.
Published: April 2023

Lignocellulosic biomass has promising application as a source of liquid motor fuel and chemical feedstock, A number of intermediate processing steps have been demonstrated, and now appear to be financially, as well as technically, viable.

An overall process scheme considering lignocellulosic component separation, cellulose, hemi‐cellulose, and lignin conversion and order‐of‐magnitude economics of the system will be discussed.

Much work remains to be done. In combination with coal conversion, biomass conversion is seen as the third major challenge of chemists and chemical engineers in this century. It is likely to lead to major innovations.

La bio‐masse de la lignocellulose présente des applications potentielles prometteuses comme source de carburant liquide pour moteurs et de produit chimique pour alimentation animale. Un certain nombre d'étapes intermédiaires de traitement, ont été établies et semblent maintenant viables aux points de vue financier et technique.

On discute un schéma d'ensemble du procédé qui embrasse la séparation des composants de la lignocellulose, la transformation de la cellulose, de l'hémicellulose, et de la lignine et on mentionne quelques ordres de grandeur pour les données économiques du procédé.

Il reste, toutefois, encore beaucoup de travail à faire. On considère qu'avec la transformation du charbon, celle de la bio‐masse de la lignocellulose constitue le troisième défi majeur du siècle pour les chimistes et les ingénieurs‐chimistes; elle conduira probablement à d'importantes innovations.
Determination of order parameter of YMn0.5Fe0.5O3 epitaxial thin films by anomalous X‐ray scattering technique
Authors: Lee Chih‐Hao , Chen Hong‐En , Haw Shu‐Chih , Anbalagan Aswin kumar , Chen Jin‐Ming
Published: April 2023

The crystal structure of an orthorhombic YMn0.5Fe0.5O3 (010) (YMFO) epitaxial films on YAlO3(010) substrate was studied using X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, and anomalous X‐ray diffraction techniques. Due to the utmost similar scattering factors of Mn and Fe atoms, it is hard to distinguish them at specific sites of the unit cell from the variations in the diffraction peak intensity. Therefore, anomalous X‐ray scattering was used to determine the order or disorder structure of YMFO films. To estimate the order parameter of the YMFO film, the incident X‐ray energies have been scanned around the Mn K‐edge and Fe K‐edge, resulting in enhanced diffraction intensities of the forbidden YMFO (010) peak by 15–20 times, respectively. This in turn revealed that YMFO films have a partially ordered structure of about 40 ± 10% in the epitaxially grown thin film.
Positionality, intersectionality, power dynamics in community participatory research to define public safety in Black communities
Authors: Ruhland Ebony L. , Johnson Lauren , Moore Janet , Pelly Cinnamon , Bess Simone , Dariotis Jacinda K.
Published: April 2023

Community‐based participatory research (CBPR) is necessary for shifting knowledge and empowering community members to establish ownership over research. It was used in this current project to study safety in predominately Black communities. Findings illustrate how the embodiment of power was a present theme and impacted the partnerships among the academics and community, as well as defining “who” could speak on the issues the project was attempting to address. This paper builds upon previous research in CBPR findings to illustrate how community leaders can shape the research, the importance of defining community, and the need to bring to the forefront issues of intersectionality and positionality. In doing so, it attempts to reshape existing CBPR models to better account for the fluid, interactive relationships among the academics, community researchers, and the community leader and expand upon the role of intersectionality in these relationships.
Bohr's inequality for holomorphic and pluriharmonic mappings with values in complex Hilbert spaces
Authors: Hamada Hidetaka
Published: April 2023

Let be the unit ball of a complex Hilbert space H. First, we give a Bohr's inequality for the holomorphic mappings with lacunary series with values in complex Hilbert balls. Next, we give several results on Bohr's inequality for pluriharmonic mappings with values in ℓ2. Note that the Bohr phenomenons that we have obtained are completely different from those in the case with values in and are sharp in the case with values in ℓ2.
A flow approach to the planar Lp$L_p$ Minkowski problem
Authors: Yang Yunlong , Liu Lina , Fang Jianbo
Published: April 2023

This paper will establish the asymptotic behavior of an anisotropic area‐preserving flow which shows the existence of smooth solutions of the planar Minkowski problem for .
Impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on financial health and food security in Nigeria: A survey‐based analysis
Authors: Akinleye Simeon Oludiran , Dauda Risikat Oladoyin Sunmola , Iwegbu Onyebuchi , Popogbe Oluwaseyi Omowunmi
Published: April 2023

This study investigates the impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on the health, food security and financial lives of Nigerian households. The data for the study were collected from 813 households from the six geo‐political zones in Nigeria using a questionnaire and the results were analysed using descriptive statistics and andordinal logistic regression model. The ordinal regression model is appropriate for regression results with ordinal scales as the dependent variable. The findings reveal that the COVID‐19 pandemic has affected households' personal savings significantly. The majority of the households' healthcare financing is borne out of their personal income and savings in the absence of a health insurance scheme. Households experiencing worsening financial status largely did not have food during the pandemic. Many households have a positive expectation that they will recover from the unfavourable financial condition they are currently experiencing and there is a strong traditional support system existing in the localities during the study period. Furthermore, food insecurity during the pandemic was significantly occasioned by an increase in prices, a fall in income, adverse financial well‐being and insufficient welfare benefit provisions. The study recommends, amongst others, the need to urgently enhance the economic and financial well‐being of the Nigerian populace to guide against the devastating impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on food security in Nigerian households.This can be achieved through robust fiscal and monetary policy mix in ensuring sustained development trajectory.
The antecedents of voter loyalty and the mediation role of party attachment: A case study from Turkey
Authors: Topçuoğlu Erdi , Başkol Melih , Argan Metin , Argan Mehpare Tokay
Published: April 2023

The primary objective of the present study is to identify the antecedents of voter loyalty, with a particular focus on the mediating role of party attachment in the relationship between inner‐self, social‐self, trust, and loyalty. Using a convenience sampling method, the data for this study were gathered from a sample of 750 voters residing in a developing European country, Turkey. The collected data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation modeling. The results of the study demonstrate that significant and positive relationships exist between the aforementioned antecedents (i.e., inner‐self, social‐self, trust, and party attachment) and voter loyalty. Additionally, the findings suggest that party attachment acts as a mediator between the antecedents and loyalty. Drawing on these results and the existing literature on voter behavior and practice, the authors discuss methodological, theoretical, and practical implications for inner‐self, social‐self, trust, and party attachment.
Preparation of highly thermally conductive epoxy composites featuring self‐healing and reprocessability
Authors: Cui Wenqi , Hu Ting , Yang Shuguang , Huang Baoquan , Qian Qingrong , Chen Qinghua , Luo Fubin
Published: April 2023

Enhancing the thermal conductivity of epoxy resin is an urgent demand for its application in electronic packaging field. In this work, thermally conductive epoxy/graphite composite featuring excellent self‐healing and reprocessability is prepared based on covalent adaptable networks. The effect of graphite on the rheology, reprocessing, and self‐healing properties of epoxy have been studied. The result shows that the prepared composites can be easily reprocessed and have excellent self‐healing property. On the fundamental of the highly multifunctional performance of the epoxy composites, highly thermally conductive bulk composites are constructed via multilayered stacking up and self‐healing based on the film composites, which is prepared using a rolling method. It is demonstrated that the films can assemble into new substance bulk by stacking up through self‐healing. The high thermal conductivity is achieved by the highly aligned graphite induced by the rolling process. Result reveals that, being filled with 50% mass fraction of GR, the bulk composites possesses high thermal conductivity of 8.411 Wm−1 K−1. This work provides a new strategy to prepare recyclable and highly thermally conductive epoxy.
Metastable alpha‐rich and beta‐rich conformations of small Aβ42 peptide oligomers
Authors: Nguyen Phuong H. , Sterpone Fabio , Derreumaux Philippe
Published: April 2023

Probing the structures of amyloid‐β (Aβ) peptides in the early steps of aggregation is extremely difficult experimentally and computationally. Yet, this knowledge is extremely important as small oligomers are the most toxic species. Experiments and simulations on Aβ42 monomer point to random coil conformations with either transient helical or β‐strand content. Our current conformational description of small Aβ42 oligomers is funneled toward amorphous aggregates with some β‐sheet content and rare high energy states with well‐ordered assemblies of β‐sheets. In this study, we emphasize another view based on metastable α‐helix bundle oligomers spanning the C‐terminal residues, which are predicted by the machine‐learning AlphaFold2 method and supported indirectly by low‐resolution experimental data on many amyloid polypeptides. This finding has consequences in developing novel chemical tools and to design potential therapies to reduce aggregation and toxicity.
Metal ion‐induced assembly of dipeptide‐attached perylenediimide for fluorometric “turn on” detection of biologically important small molecule
Authors: Hansda Biswanath , Mondal Biplab , Hazra Soumyajit , Banerjee Arindam
Published: April 2023

A dipeptide‐appended perylenediimide (PDI‐CFF) fluorescent molecule was designed, synthesized, and characterized. Though the molecule does not dissolve in any individual solvent, it dissolves well in an organic/water mixed solvent system such as tetrahydrofuran/water. This new fluorescent molecule was self‐assembled in a tetrahydrofuran/water mixture to form both nanofibrous network structures and a nano ring structure. It has shown nanofibril morphology by the interactions with ferric ions (PDI‐CFF/Fe3+ system) with diminishing fluorescent property. Interestingly, L‐ascorbic acid (LAA) interacts with the PDI‐CFF/Fe3+ system, showing turn‐on fluorescence. Another interesting feature is that the minimum detection limits for Fe3+ ions and LAA are at the submicromolar levels of 6.2 × 10−8 and 3 × 10−8 M, respectively. Moreover, the fluorescent (10 μM) signals can be monitored by the naked eye under handheld UV lamp irradiation at 365 nm, and this is very convenient for the real application. In this study, the molecule offers the opportunity for processing these sequential fluorescence responses in order to fabricate a implication logic gate that includes NOT, AND, and OR simple logic gates using chemical stimuli (ferric ions and LAA) as inputs and fluorescence emission at 536 nm as output. The detailed mechanism of interactions of Fe3+ with PDI‐CFF and LAA with the PDI‐CFF/Fe3+ system is vividly studied by using Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) analysis and fluorescence. Moreover, this new molecule was reusable for several times without significant loss of its activity. The construction of logic gates using biologically important molecules/ions holds future promise for the design and development of new bio‐logic gates.
Symbiosis coordination between industrial development and ecological environment for sustainable development: Theory and evidence
Authors: Niu Kunying , He Wei , Qiu Luyi
Published: April 2023

Symbiosis is a higher requirement for the sustainable development of industrial development and ecological environment, which is different from coordination or coupling. However, in the current research on the application of symbiosis theory, there are problems of conceptual confusion and unsystematic evaluation indicators, especially in the area of sustainable development. Therefore, the paper attempts to systematically identify and evaluate the symbiosis relationship between industrial development and ecological environment. The study creatively builds the theoretical framework of complex symbiotic system, including the social‐economic‐natural macrosystem and industrial‐ecological environmental microsystem. Based on DPSIR and Lotka‐Volterra model, a set of symbiotic coordination evaluation systems is proposed, and a symbiotic security pre‐warning mechanism is established. Then taking the Three Gorges Ecological Economic Corridor of the Yangtze River in China as an example, the paper demonstrates the feasibility of this method. Finally, suggestions are given to optimize the symbiosis development between industrial development and ecological environment, which also confirm the practicability of the Dimensionality Enhancement Plan we proposed to achieve sustainable development.