bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Studying Stickiness: Methods, Trade-Offs, and Perspectives in Measuring Reversible Biological Adhesion and Friction
Authors: van den Boogaart Luc M. , Langowski Julian K. A. , Amador Guillermo J.
Published: September 2022

Controlled, reversible attachment is widely spread throughout the animal kingdom: from ticks to tree frogs, whose weights span from 2 mg to 200 g, and from geckos to mosquitoes, who stick under vastly different situations, such as quickly climbing trees and stealthily landing on human hosts. A fascinating and complex interplay of adhesive and frictional forces forms the foundation of attachment of these highly diverse systems to various substrates. In this review, we present an overview of the techniques used to quantify the adhesion and friction of terrestrial animals, with the aim of informing future studies on the fundamentals of bioadhesion, and motivating the development and adoption of new or alternative measurement techniques. We classify existing methods with respect to the forces they measure, including magnitude and source, i.e., generated by the whole body, single limbs, or by sub-structures. Additionally, we compare their versatility, specifically what parameters can be measured, controlled, and varied. This approach reveals critical trade-offs of bioadhesion measurement techniques. Beyond stimulating future studies on evolutionary and physicochemical aspects of bioadhesion, understanding the fundamentals of biological attachment is key to the development of biomimetic technologies, from soft robotic grippers to gentle surgical tools.
Using Machine Learning to Identify Associations between the Environment, Occurrence, and Outcomes of Songbird Displacements at Supplemental Feeders
Authors: Philson Conner S. , Pelletier Tara A. , Foltz Sarah L. , Davis Jason E.
Published: September 2022

The context and outcome of aggressive interactions between individuals has important fitness consequences. Displacements—an aggressive interaction wherein one individual is chased from a location by another—also have implications for social hierarchy formation and geographic distribution in songbirds. Morphological correlates, like body size, and social correlates, such as dominance rank, have been shown to mediate displacements in songbirds. However, the role of the physical environment, namely temperature, humidity, and time of day, which may influence an individual’s energy needs and thus displacement motivation, has remained understudied. We monitored songbird feeding and displacement behaviors using computerized automated feeders. We observed asymmetric differences across species in displacement involvement. To identify the conditions of the social and physical environment that are associated with the occurrence and outcome of songbird displacements at supplemental feeders, we use the machine learning approach, random forest, which is a novel method to the fields of ornithology and animal behavior. From our random forest models, we found that the attributes of the physical environment (i.e., humidity and the time of day) are associated with the occurrence of a displacement event, whereas the attributes of the social environment (i.e., species of the displacer and displaced individuals) are associated with which species are involved. These results provide context to develop further observational and experimental hypotheses to tease apart the inner workings of these multifactorial behaviors on a larger scale and provide a proof of concept for our analytical methods in the study of avian behavior.
Brewer’s Spent Grain Biochar: Grinding Method Matters
Authors: Bhakta Arvind K. , Snoussi Youssef , Garah Mohamed El , Ammar Souad , Chehimi Mohamed M.
Published: September 2022

The present work is based on the principle of biomass waste valorization. Brewer’s spent grains (BSG) come from breweries as by-products. Their huge amount of production on an industrial scale should focus our attention on their valorization, which creates challenges as well as opportunities. One way to valorize BSG by-products is to convert them into biochar, a functional material with multiple potential applications. With an emphasis on sustainable development and the circular economy, in this work, we focused on a comparative study of the different mechanical processes of BSG grinding and their effect on the resulting biochar formed after pyrolysis. Home appliances such as blenders, coffee mills, and mortar and pestles were used for this purpose. FESEM images confirmed the successful creation of five different morphologies from the same BSG under the same pyrolysis conditions. Interestingly, a novel Chinese tea leaf egg-like biochar was also formed. It was found that a series of physical pretreatments of the biomass resulted in the reduced roughness of the biochar surface, i.e., they became smoother, thus negatively affecting the quality of the biochar. XRD revealed that the biomass physical treatments were also reflected in the crystallinity of some biochar. Via a Raman study, we witnessed the effect of mechanical pressure on the biomass for affecting the biochar features through pressure-induced modifications of the biomass’s internal structure. This induced enhanced biochar graphitization. This is a good example of the role of mechanochemistry. DSC revealed the thermochemical transformation of the five samples to be exothermic reactions. This study opens up an interesting possibility for the synthesis of biochar with controlled morphology, crystallinity, degree of graphitization, and heat capacity.
Sol–Gel Synthesis of Iron-Doped Sepiolite as a Novel Humidity-Sensing Material
Authors: Afify Ahmed Sabry , Dadkhah Mehran , Tulliani Jean-Marc
Published: September 2022

Nowadays, humidity sensors are attracting a great deal of attention, and there are many studies focusing on enhancing their performances. Nevertheless, their fabrication through facile methods at reasonable cost is a significant factor. In this article, a new magnesium silicate nanopowder was successfully synthesized using a simple and low-cost sol–gel method. Subsequently, modified sepiolite was achieved by the substitution of iron ions in the synthesized nanopowders. The specimens were then characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission–scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric–differential thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and nitrogen adsorption. Furthermore, humidity sensors were manufactured by screen printing the prepared powders on alumina substrates with interdigitated Pt electrodes. The results showed that the fabricated sensors with modified sepiolite exhibited interesting characteristics for humidity detection.
Screen Time and Attention Subdomains in Children Aged 6 to 10 Years
Authors: Liebherr Magnus , Kohler Mark , Brailovskaia Julia , Brand Matthias , Antons Stephanie
Published: September 2022

Using digital media has become the most popular leisure activity for children and adolescents. The effects of digital media use on the developing brain and cognitive processes of children are subject to debate. Here, we examine the effect of digital media use on attention subdomains in children aged 6 to 10 years. In total, 77 children participated in the study. Selective and divided attention as well as switching between attentional subdomains were quantified by the SwAD-task. Parents were asked to assess the screen time of their children (smartphone, laptop/PC, game console, tablet, TV). Results show no main or interaction effects of screen time on any of the attention conditions investigated. Based on the present findings as well as previous studies, we suggest a possible non-linear relationship between the amount of screen time and attention function. Furthermore, we emphasize the relevance of considering the socio-economic background of children and a need for longitudinal studies.
Staff Perceptions of Family-Centered Care in Italian Neonatal Intensive Care Units: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Dall’Oglio Immacolata , Mascolo Rachele , Portanova Anna , Ragni Angela , Amadio Patrizia , Fiori Martina , Tofani Marco , Gawronski Orsola , Piga Simone , Rocco Gennaro , Tiozzo Emanuela , Latour Jos M. ,   on behalf of the FCC Italian NICUs Study Group
Published: September 2022

Family Centered Care (FCC) in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) included family involvement in the care process of newborns and infants. Staff perceptions of FCC may influence clinical practice and management strategies in NICUs, with an impact on quality and humanization of the care. The Family-Centred Care Questionnaire-Revised (FCCQ-R) was adapted for the NICU setting, therefore the FCCQ-R@it-NICU was developed and used for the present study in 32 Italian NICUs. We calculated internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha correlation between Current and Necessary dimensions of the scale using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Furthermore, we investigated which characteristics could influence staff perceptions of FCC in NICUs. 921 NICU professionals participated in the study. The FCCQ-R@it-NICU revealed good internal consistency (0.96) and good correlation between dimensions (p < 0.05). Statistical and significant differences in Current and Necessary dimensions were found and some demographic characteristics were found predictable on FCC practice. The FCCQ-R@it-NICU is a valid tool to investigate staff perceptions about FCC in NICU settings. Profession, education level and work experience seem to positively influence the perception of what is required for FCC practice within NICUs.
Relationship between Salivary Amylase and Xerostomia in Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer: A Prospective Pilot Study
Authors: De Felice Francesca , Scarabelli Maria Giulia , De Pietro Raffaella , Chiarello Giuseppina , Di Giammarco Federico , Cattaneo Carlo Guglielmo , Lombardo Giuliana , Montinaro Francesca Romana , Tomaciello Miriam , Tombolini Mario , Messineo Daniela , Di Paolo Pier Luigi , Marchetti Claudia , Musio Daniela , Tombolini Vincenzo
Published: September 2022

Purpose. A single-institution prospective pilot study was conducted to the assess correlation between salivary amylase and xerostomia in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Methods and materials. Serum saliva amylase, clinician-reported xerostomia (using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events), and patient-reported xerostomia (using 8-item self-reported xerostomia-specific questionnaire) were prospectively collected at baseline, during treatment and thereafter. Correlations between variables were assessed by correlation matrices. Results. Twelve patients with locally advanced HNSCC formed the cohort. Eighty-three percent were male, 75% were smokers, 100% had clinical positive lymph nodes at diagnosis, and 42% received induction chemotherapy. All patients received IMRT with concurrent cisplatin-based chemotherapy. No grade ≥4 xerostomia was observed. Severe (G3) acute and late xerostomia occurred in five cases (41.7%) and two cases (16.7%), respectively. Patient-reported xerostomia scores were highly correlated with the clinician-reported scores (ρ = 0.73). A significant correlation was recorded between the concentration of amylase and the acute (ρ = −0.70) and late (ρ = −0.80) xerostomia. Conclusion. Preliminary results are encouraging. Prospective clinical trials are needed to define the value of salivary amylase in the management of HNSCC tumors.
Trends in Taxonomy of the Rhodniini Tribe (Hemiptera, Triatominae): Reproductive Incompatibility between Rhodnius neglectus Lent, 1954 and Psammolestes spp. Confirms the Generic Status of Psammolestes Bergroth, 1911
Authors: Ravazi Amanda , Oliveira Jader de , Madeira Fernanda Fernandez , Reis Yago Visinho dos , Oliveira Ana Beatriz Bortolozo de , Galvão Cleber , Azeredo-Oliveira Maria Tercília Vilela de , Rosa João Aristeu da , Alevi Kaio Cesar Chaboli
Published: September 2022

The tribe Rhodniini is a monophyletic group composed of 24 species grouped in two genera: Rhodnius and Psammolestes. Rhodnius is a paraphyletic genus formed by 21 species. The event of paraphilia is supported by the greater evolutionary proximity of the species of the prolixus groups with the genus Psammolestes than with the other groups of Rhodnius. Based on this phenomenon, it was proposed the alteration of the genus of the species of Psammolestes to Rhodnius. Thus, we performed experimental crosses between Psammolestes spp. and R. neglectus to assess the degree of reproductive compatibility between Psammolestes and Rhodnius. Hybrids were not obtained for intergeneric crosses. Based on this, we have demonstrated that Rhodnius and Psammolestes have reproductive incompatibility. These data are important to confirm the validity of the specific status of Psammolestes, based on the biological concept of the species.
Research on China’s Risk of Housing Price Contagion Based on Multilayer Networks
Authors: Qiu Lu , Su Rongpei , Wang Zhouwei
Published: September 2022

The major issue in the evolution of housing prices is risk of housing price contagion. To model this issue, we constructed housing multilayer networks using transfer entropy, generalized variance decomposition, directed minimum spanning trees, and directed planar maximally filtered graph methods, as well as China’s comprehensive indices of housing price and urban real housing prices from 2012 to 2021. The results of our housing multilayer networks show that the topological indices (degree, PageRank, eigenvector, etc.) of new first-tier cities (Tianjin, Qingdao, and Shenyang) rank higher than those of conventional first-tier cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzheng).
Work and Thermal Fluctuations in Crystal Indentation under Deterministic and Stochastic Thermostats: The Role of System–Bath Coupling
Authors: Varillas Javier , Rondoni Lamberto
Published: September 2022

The Jarzynski equality (JE) was originally derived under the deterministic Hamiltonian formalism, and later, it was demonstrated that stochastic Langevin dynamics also lead to the JE. However, the JE has been verified mainly in small, low-dimensional systems described by Langevin dynamics. Although the two theoretical derivations apparently lead to the same expression, we illustrate that they describe fundamentally different experimental conditions. While the Hamiltonian framework assumes that the thermal bath producing the initial canonical equilibrium switches off for the duration of the work process, the Langevin bath effectively acts on the system. Moreover, the former considers an environment with which the system may interact, whereas the latter does not. In this study, we investigate the effect of the bath on the measurable quantity of the JE through molecular dynamics simulations of crystal nanoindentation employing deterministic and stochastic thermostats. Our analysis shows that the distributions of the kinetic energy and the mechanical work produced during the indentation processes are affected by the interaction between the system and the thermostat baths. As a result, the type of thermostatting has also a clear effect on the left-hand side of the JE, which enables the estimation of the free-energy difference characterizing the process.
How Does Simulation Contribute to Prospective Mathematics Teachers’ Learning Experiences and Results?
Authors: Koparan Timur
Published: September 2022

In this research, the aim was to evaluate a simulation-based learning environment in the context of conditional probability. The study group consisted of 44 prospective mathematics teachers of the Probability and Statistics Teaching course. The data were collected through three probability problems, a survey form for the simulation-based learning environment, and observations. The research was conducted within the scope of the Probability and Statistics Teaching course. In the lessons, conducted in a simulation-based learning environment with distance education, the prospective teachers were asked to solve the questions asked and send the solutions using smartphones. The different ways of thinking that emerged are put forward by the researcher. Then, simulations developed by the researcher were used for the problems, and the prospective teachers were asked to make observations and take notes on important issues. In the last stage, there was a class discussion about the related problems. After the simulation-based learning activities, the prospective teachers were asked to evaluate the learning environment. The data obtained were evaluated qualitatively, and the prospective teachers’ ways of thinking about problems, changing thoughts with the use of simulations, and their views on the learning environment are presented as direct quotations. The research findings revealed that the designed learning environment offers unique opportunities for prospective teachers to think about situations with mathematics content and to experience different methods of teaching and learning mathematics. The learning environment provided prospective teachers with the opportunity to understand and evaluate the contribution of simulations to problem-solving and the opportunities they provide for discussion, reflection, and collaboration in a meaningful context. It was concluded that simulations could become a powerful tool and an effective learning environment for learners.
Research and Design of LC Series Resonant Wireless Power Transfer System with Modulation Control Method for Supercapacitor Charging in Linear Motion Systems
Authors: Xu Song , Wang Zhenlin , Chen Jingfei , Jiang Wei
Published: September 2022

With the hot topic of “Carbon Neutrality”, energy efficiency and saving practices such as reducing fuel consumption, vigorously advocating new energy power and modern rail are now becoming the main research topics of energy conversion technologies. Supercapacitors, with their ability of higher power density, fast charging, and instantaneous high current output, have become an indispensable energy storage element in modern traction systems for modern rail. This proposal introduced wireless power transfer technologies by using LC series resonant technology for charging the supercapacitors. To match the voltage and current level of the supercapacitor, a four-switch buck-boost converter was applied on the secondary side of the load-matching converter. To regulate the wireless transfer power and charging power of the supercapacitor, the active modulation control method was introduced on both the primary and secondary sides of the transfer system. On the primary side, the power is controlled by controlling the current in resonant inductance through the phase shift control method, while on the secondary side, the charging power is controlled by regulating the input voltage of the four-switch buck-boost converter followed by inductance current control. The theoretical analysis under phase shift mode for the primary side and pulse width modulation for a four-switch buck-boost converter with a supercapacitor load (voltage source) were proposed in detail, and the state-space model of the load matching converter was established for controller design to obtain precise voltage and current control. Both open loop and closed loop simulation models were built in the MATLAB/SIMULINK environment, and simulations were carried out to evaluate the system characteristics and control efficiency. The experimental platform was established based on a dsPIC33FJ64GS606 digital controller. Experiments were carried out, and the results successfully verified the effectiveness of the system.
The Policy Choice and Economic Assessment of High Emissions Industries to Achieve the Carbon Peak Target under Energy Shortage—A Case Study of Guangdong Province
Authors: Ren Songyan , Wang Peng , Lin Zewei , Zhao Daiqing
Published: September 2022

In recent years, due to the rise in energy prices and the impact of COVID-19, energy shortages have led to unsafe power supply environments. High emissions industries which account for more than 58% of the carbon emissions of Guangdong Province have played an important role in achieving the carbon peak goal, alleviating social energy shortage and promoting economic growth. Controlling high emissions industries will help to adjust the industrial structure and increase renewable energy investment. Therefore, it is necessary to comprehensively evaluate the policies of energy security and the investments of high emission industries. This paper builds the ICEEH-GD (comprehensive assessment model of climate, economy, environment and health of Guangdong Province) model, designs the Energy Security scenario (ES), the Restrict High Carbon Emission Sector scenario (RHS) and the Comprehensive Policy scenario (CP), and studies the impact of limiting high emissions industries and renewable energy policies on the transformation of investment structure, macro-economy and society. The results show that under the Energy Security scenario (ES), carbon emissions will peak in 2029, with a peak of 681 million tons. Under the condition of ensuring energy security, the installed capacity of coal-fired power generation will remain unchanged from 2025 to 2035. Under the Restrict High Carbon Emission Sector scenario (RHS), the GDP will increase by 8 billion yuan compared with the ES scenario by 2035. At the same time, it can promote the whole society to increase 10,500 employment opportunities, and more investment will flow to the low emissions industries. In the Comprehensive Policy scenario (CP), although the GDP loss will reach 33 billion yuan by 2035 compared with the Energy Security scenario (ES), the transportation and service industries will participate in carbon trading by optimizing the distribution of carbon restrictions in the whole society, which will reduce the carbon cost of the whole society by more than 48%, and promote the employment growth of 104,000 people through industrial structure optimization. Therefore, the power sector should increase investment in renewable energy to ensure energy security, limit the new production capacity of high emissions industries such as cement, steel and ceramics, and increase the green transition and efficiency improvement of existing high emissions industries.
Vulnerability Analysis of Harbor Oil Pipeline Affected by Typhoon
Authors: Ye Jihong , Fang Yiyang , Yang Xinxiang
Published: September 2022

The integrity of oil pipelines has received considerable attention. Pipeline leakage accidents cause environmental pollution and casualties. Analysis of accident data in recent years shows that the harbor oil pipeline is prone to natural disasters such as typhoons. The vulnerability analysis of the pipeline was conducted from three perspectives: typhoon grades, windward angles, and operating conditions. The analytic hierarchy is used to build the vulnerability evaluation index system. The vulnerability evaluation score of the pipeline can be calculated by the semi-quantitative method. The results show that the probability of pipeline vulnerability failure increases with the increase of typhoon level, while the change of wind angle has no obvious effect on the pipeline. The full load of the pipeline has a higher evaluation score than that of the empty load, which means the full load is safer. The vulnerability analysis of oil pipelines can effectively improve the safety of pipeline transportation under the influence of typhoons.
Research on a Wide-Output Resonant Converter with Multi-Mode Switching
Authors: Gu Yu , Zhang Xiaofeng , Wang Bingyang , Jia Zhangwen , Li Anshou
Published: September 2022

In this article, a resonant converter based on a series-parallel self-adjusting rectifier structure is proposed. By changing the driving signal of the switch, the converter has four working modes: full-bridge structure frequency modulation control, full-bridge structure phase-shift control, half-bridge structure frequency modulation control and half-bridge structure phase-shift control. The newly proposed resonant converter retains the soft switching characteristics of the LLC resonant converter and the mode switching can be completed only through software control without adding additional switches. Different modes correspond to different gain ranges. By changing the control strategy of the modes, the newly proposed converter can meet the design requirements of wide output. Finally, an experimental prototype with an input voltage of 25 V and an output voltage of 9 V to 35 V is built. The experimental results prove the correctness of the wide output characteristics of the converter proposed in the article and, in the four operating modes, it can realize zero-voltage turn-on of the active switch on the primary side and zero-current turn-off of the rectifier diode on the secondary side, which preserves the high efficiency of the resonant converter.
Performance Evaluation of a Nearly Zero-Energy Office Building in Temperate Oceanic Climate Based on Field Measurements
Authors: Amaripadath Deepak , Velickovic Mirjana , Attia Shady
Published: September 2022

This field study evaluated the building performance of a nearly zero-energy office building near Brussels, Belgium, located in the temperate climatic zone. The building’s thermal comfort and energy parameters were monitored from May 2018 to April 2019. The time-integrated thermal discomfort, primary energy use, and greenhouse gas emissions from the building were then analyzed using the monitored data. The case study evaluated the HVAC system performance with an air-cooled chiller with water cooling coils and a water boiler with water heating coils. The findings indicated an indoor overheating degree of 0.05 °C and an indoor overcooling degree of 0 °C for the observed period. The building’s primary cooling energy use was found to be 37.54 kWhPE/m2.a and primary heating energy use was found to be 46.08 kWhPE/m2.a for the monitored period. The cooling and heating greenhouse gas emissions were 10.14 kg.CO2e/m2.a and 8.34 kg.CO2e/m2.a, respectively. The observed data also indicated that the HVAC system in the building was operational throughout the monitoring period from May 2018 to April 2019, including a 24/7 schedule. Finally, the paper provided implications for practice and future work based on the study findings.
In Vitro Fermentation and Degradation Characteristics of Rosemary Extract in Total Mixed Ration of Lactating Dairy Cows
Authors: Kong Fanlin , Wang Shuo , Cao Zhijun , Wang Yajing , Li Shengli , Wang Wei
Published: September 2022

Rosemary extract (RE) is characterized as an antioxidant, and it has the potential to reduce methane emission and change microbial fermentation. Hence, to the extent of the evaluation of RE in ruminant nutrition, the in vitro fermentation technique was used to investigate the effects of RE on the fermentation characteristics of a total mixed ration (TMR) fed to dairy cows. Different doses of RE were added to the TMR to obtain different concentrations of antioxidants, including 0 (CON), 0.05 (LRE), and 0.10 g/kg (HRE). A total of 500 mg ground TMR was incubated in buffer solution and rumen fluid for 48 h at 39 °C. Nutrient degradability, gas production parameters, gas composition, fermentation parameters, and microbial composition were analyzed. The results showed that nutrient degradability and total volatile fatty acid concentration were not affected by the treatments. Furthermore, total methane production and proportion were depressed in a dose-dependent way. The RE increased the propionate concentration and proportion linearly and decreased the acetate concentration and proportion linearly. Finally, microbial diversity analysis showed that the richness and evenness indexes were unchanged by different treatments, while Prevotella_1 was decreased and Prevotella_7 was increased with RE supplementation. In conclusion, RE is an effective inhibitor of methane emission of microbial fermentation and changed the profile of volatile fatty acids with no disadvantageous effects on diet utilization.
Numerical Simulation of the Effect of a Single Gust on the Flow Past a Square Cylinder
Authors: Kotsiopoulou Maria , Bouris Demetri
Published: September 2022

The flow past a square cylinder under the influence of a one dimensional gust was investigated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The effect of upstream wind gusts of the same amplitude but different duration was investigated with respect to their effect on the flow, the vortex-shedding, and the pressure distribution around the square cylinder. For the computations, a very large eddy simulation (VLES) model was implemented in an in-house code and validated against numerical and experimental results from the literature. The gusts of different duration were found to have a distinctly different effect. The short-duration gust causes a lock-on behavior with cessation of the alternating vortex shedding, and a symmetric pair-vortex was created above and below the square cylinder. It was observed that the pressure distribution on the lateral sides of the cylinder has the same magnitude and phase, which resulted in a zero total lift coefficient. In terms of a free-standing structures, such as a building, this would lead to zero instantaneous forces and pressure difference in the lateral direction with obvious implications for dynamic response and cross ventilation.
Macroporous Cell-Laden Gelatin/Hyaluronic Acid/Chondroitin Sulfate Cryogels for Engineered Tissue Constructs
Authors: Kudaibergen Gulshakhar , Zhunussova Madina , Mun Ellina A. , Ramankulov Yerlan , Ogay Vyacheslav
Published: September 2022

Cryogels are a unique macroporous material for tissue engineering. In this work, we study the effect of hyaluronic acid on the physicochemical properties of cryogel as well as on the proliferation of a 3D model of mesenchymal stem cells. The functional groups of the synthesized cryogels were identified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. With an increase in the content of hyaluronic acid in the composition of the cryogel, an increase in porosity, gel content and swelling behavior was observed. As the hyaluronic acid content increased, the average pore size increased and more open pores were formed. Degradation studies have shown that all cryogels were resistant to PBS solution for 8 weeks. Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated no toxic effect on viability of rat adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) cultured on cryogels. ADMSC spheroids were proliferated on scaffolds and showed the ability of the cryogels to orient cell differentiation into chondrogenic lineage even in the absence of inductive agents. Thus, our results demonstrate an effective resemblance to extracellular matrix structures specific to cartilage-like microenvironments by cryogels and their further perspective application as potential biomaterials.
Heritage Buildings’ Façades as Facilitators for Local Sustainable Development: The Case of Cairo’s El Korba Area
Authors: Bassily Virginia , Abufarag Toka , Goubran Sherif
Published: September 2022

Previous research has highlighted the correlation between the design of the built environment and sustainable development, underscoring how buildings have the potential to accelerate the realization of the SDGs. However, the specific contribution of built heritage to the SDGs have been seldom studied, and little research has attempted to link built heritage architectural features with sustainable development. This research examines how heritage façades, and the street-level activities they instigate, contribute to local sustainable development. The researchers build on existing knowledge to develop a framework that links façade features with the SDGs. The framework is used to re-examine several case studies in El Korba, located in Heliopolis, Cairo (Egypt). Many researchers have studied this area architecturally, historically, and socially, but no research has studied its possible contribution to local sustainable development. The findings highlight how those heritage façades serve as a means for sustainable development on the social, economic, and environmental levels. The paper also underscores how the deterioration of this built heritage location risks diluting the architectural features that drive their contribution to the SDGs. The findings also substantiate several of the connections in the framework, which enables future researchers to link the design features of heritage building façades and the SDGs and document how different built heritage locations support sustainable development.
Fertilizer Nitrogen Application for Short-Day Onion Production: From Field to Table
Authors: da Silva Andre Luiz Biscaia Ribeiro , Rodrigues Camila , Dunn Laurel , Cavender George , Coolong Timothy
Published: September 2022

Long growing seasons, relatively shallow root system, coarse textured soils, and variability of the subtropical environmental conditions of the southeastern U.S. create challenges for nitrogen (N) fertilizer management of short-day onions. The objectives of this study were: (i) to evaluate the impact of fertilizer N rates on the yield and bulb quality of three short-day onion cultivars grown under the subtropical conditions of the southeastern U.S., and (ii) to assess the impact of fertilizer N rate for short-day onions on consumers’ preference. Field experiments were conducted in 2019 and 2020 at the Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center at the University of Georgia located in Lyons, GA, in which a two factorial experimental design of five fertilizer N rates (84, 101, 117, 134, and 151 kg of N ha−1) and three short-day onion cultivars (Sweet Agent, Vidora, and Quick Start) was evaluated in a randomized complete block design. During both growing seasons, rainfall events directly impacted soil mineral N content. While soil mineral N availability increased with fertilizer N application, there was no significant difference among fertilizer N rate treatments due to rainfall distribution in both years studied, except at bulb initiation when the application of 117 kg of N ha−1 sustained soil mineral N availability that maximized with the application of 128 kg of N ha−1. Onion total yield averaged 37,365 kg ha−1 in 2019 and 34,699 kg ha−1 in 2020. In general, colossal, jumbo, and medium-sized onions represented 7%, 76%, and 17% of total yield, respectively. Jumbo-sized onions are of most interest to growers due to their high value, and the yield of jumbo-sized onions was maximized with 158 kg of N ha−1 in 2019 and with 138 kg of N ha−1 in 2020. Bulb bacterial rots were not impacted by fertilizer N rate treatments. Contrarily, bulb gallic acid (GAE) linearly increased and pyruvic acid quadratically increased with the application of fertilizer N rate. Ultimately, a taste panel indicated that sensory characteristics were also not affected by different rates. Overall, a fertilizer N rate application of 117 to 134 kg of N ha−1 could sustain soil mineral N availability without impacting yield; however, an investigation on the timing of application should be conducted to determine a fertilizer N strategy that will promote optimum yield, bulb quality, flavor, and consumer acceptability.
Space Colonization and Exonationalism: On the Future of Humanity and Anthropology
Authors: Eller Jack David
Published: September 2022

First anthropology became unbound from “the village”, then from the single site, and gradually from the physical site altogether. As humans resume their push into space, anthropology is set to become unbound from the earth itself. This essay considers what the discipline has offered and can offer toward understanding the present and future of space colonization. It begins by examining the surprisingly long and productive history of anthropology’s engagement with the subject, going back at least to the 1950s. Then it surveys current analysis of law, sovereignty, and nationalism in space, which largely imagines law and identity in off-earth settlements as more-or-less direct extensions or transfers of earth law and identity; in other words, space settlers will remain affiliated with and loyal to their source countries (or companies). However, taking seriously the analogy of terran migration and colonialism, where colonies developed distinct and separatist identities, the essay predicts the emergence of exonationalism, in which over generations colonists will invent new identities and shift their affiliations to their non-terran homes and ultimately seek independence from the earth. The essay concludes with reflections on how the settlement of space, still a distant goal, will reshape our definition of the human and therefore the practice of anthropology as the science of human diversity.
Acute Effects of Static and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching of the Plantar Flexors on Ankle Range of Motion and Muscle-Tendon Behavior in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy—A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Kruse Annika , Habersack Andreas , Jaspers Richard T. , Schrapf Norbert , Weide Guido , Svehlik Martin , Tilp Markus
Published: September 2022

Stretching is considered a clinically effective way to prevent muscle contracture development in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). Therefore, in this study, we assessed the effects of a single session of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) or static stretching (SS) on ankle joint range of motion (RoM) and gastrocnemius muscle-tendon behavior in children with CP. During the SS (n = 8), the ankle joint was held in maximum dorsiflexion (30 s). During the PNF stretching (n = 10), an isometric contraction (3–5 s) was performed, followed by stretching (~25 s). Ten stretches were applied in total. We collected data via dynamometry, 3D motion capture, 2D ultrasound, and electromyography, before and after the stretching sessions. A mixed ANOVA was used for the statistical analysis. Both ankle RoM and maximum dorsiflexion increased over time (F(1,16) = 7.261, p < 0.05, η² = 0.312; and F(1,16) = 4.900, p < 0.05, η² = 0.234, respectively), without any difference between groups. An interaction effect (F(1,12) = 4.768, p = 0.05, η² = 0.284) was observed for muscle-tendon unit elongation (PNF: −8.8%; SS: +14.6%). These findings suggest a positive acute effect of stretching on ankle function. However, SS acutely increased muscle-tendon unit elongation, while this decreased after PNF stretching, indicating different effects on the spastic muscles. Whether PNF stretching has the potential to cause positive alterations in individuals with CP should be elucidated in future studies.
“Conscious Nine Months”: Exploring Regular Physical Activity amongst Pregnant Women—A Qualitative Study Protocol
Authors: Makaruk Beata , Grantham Weronika , Organista Natalia , Płaszewski Maciej
Published: September 2022

Despite a clear and convincing evidence base and strong recommendations for pregnant women to maintain regular moderate physical activity throughout pregnancy, many of them reduce or discontinue exercise altogether. This is due to pregnancy-related difficulties and barriers. The aim of this protocol is to describe a qualitative research methodology for a study exploring the experiences of women who managed to achieve the recommended levels of physical activity throughout their pregnancy by regularly participating in a specially designed “Conscious nine months” exercise programme. A qualitative descriptive design will be used, including semi-structured in-depth literature-based interviews, together with thematic analysis. Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) guidelines will be used. In-depth individual interviews (60–90 min) with exercise programme participants, used together with a thematic analysis process, will allow for a better understanding and exploration of what enabled the participants to achieve such high adherence to the overall exercise programme. The chosen methodology offers a structured way for researchers to explore the experiences and factors that influence the ability of pregnant women to be physically active, enabling research into how pregnant women can be supported to remain active during this special, often challenging time in life.
Family Socioeconomic Status and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Preschool Children: The Mediating Role of Executive Function
Authors: Fan Liheng , Qing Wenjing , Wang Yinling , Zhan Meichen
Published: September 2022

This study aimed to explore the relationship between family socioeconomic status (SES) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in preschool children and the mediating role of executive function (EF). A total of 361 parents of preschool children were surveyed using the self-reported Family Situation Questionnaire, the Child Executive Functioning Inventory, and the Child Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. The results revealed that (1) there were significant pairwise correlations between SES, EF and its dimensions, and ADHD, except for a non-significant correlation between SES and regulation ability; (2) after controlling for preschool children’s age and sex, SES directly predicted preschoolers’ ADHD and EF partially mediated the association between SES and ADHD; and (3) among the EF dimensions, working memory and inhibitory ability significantly mediated the association between SES and ADHD, whereas the mediating effect of regulatory ability was not significant. These results suggest that SES can affect the ADHD of preschoolers both directly and through EF, especially through working memory and inhibitory ability. This supports the family stress model and family investment model of the relationship between SES and the development of children to some extent, and provides a reference for the early prevention of ADHD in children with low SES.
Innovative Cost-Effective Nano-NiCo2O4 Cathode Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction in Air–Cathode Microbial Electrochemical Systems
Authors: Zhou Qixing , Li Ruixiang , Zhang Xiaolin , Li Tian
Published: September 2022

Microbial electrochemical systems (MESs) can harvest bioelectricity from varieties of organic matter in wastewater through electroactive microorganisms. Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in a cathode plays an important role in guaranteeing high power generation, which can be enhanced by cathode catalysts. Herein, the tiny crystalline grain nanocrystal NiCo2O4 is prepared via the economic method and utilized as an effective catalyst in air–cathode MESs. The linear sweep voltammetry results indicate that the current density of 2% nano-NiCo2O4/AC cathode (5.05 A/m2) at 0 V increases by 20% compared to the control (4.21 A/m2). The cyclic voltammetries (CVs) and the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) showed that the addition of nano-NiCo2O4 (2%) is efficient in boosting the redox activity. The polarization curves showed that the MESs with 2% nano-NiCo2O4/AC achieved the highest maximum power density (1661 ± 28 mW/m2), which was 1.11 and 1.22 times as much as that of AC and 5% nano-NiCo2O4. Moreover, the adulteration of nano-NiCo2O4 with a content of 2% can not only enable the electrical activity of the electrode to be more stable, but also reduce the cost for the same power generation in MESs. The synthetic nano-NiCo2O4 undoubtedly has great benefits for large-scale MESs in wastewater treatment.
Reliability of Early Estimates of the Basic Reproduction Number of COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Dhungel Bibha , Rahman Md. Shafiur , Rahman Md. Mahfuzur , Bhandari Aliza K. C. , Le Phuong Mai , Biva Nushrat Alam , Gilmour Stuart
Published: September 2022

Objective: This systematic review estimated the pooled R0 for early COVID-19 outbreaks and identified the impact of study-related factors such as methods, study location and study period on the estimated R0. Methods: We searched electronic databases for human studies published in English between 1 December 2019 and 30 September 2020 with no restriction on country/region. Two investigators independently performed the data extraction of the studies selected for inclusion during full-text screening. The primary outcome, R0, was analysed by random-effects meta-analysis using the restricted maximum likelihood method. Results: We identified 26,425 studies through our search and included 151 articles in the systematic review, among which 81 were included in the meta-analysis. The estimates of R0 from studies included in the meta-analysis ranged from 0.4 to 12.58. The pooled R0 for COVID-19 was estimated to be 2.66 (95% CI, 2.41–2.94). The results showed heterogeneity among studies and strong evidence of a small-study effect. Conclusions: The high heterogeneity in studies makes the use of the R0 for basic epidemic planning difficult and presents a huge problem for risk assessment and data synthesis. Consensus on the use of R0 for outbreak assessment is needed, and its use for assessing epidemic risk is not recommended.
Phytotoxicity of Chemical Compounds from Cinnamomum camphora Pruning Waste in Germination and Plant Cultivation
Authors: Wang Hong , Lin Wei , Zhang Dongdong , Yang Rui , Zhou Wanlai , Qi Zhiyong
Published: September 2022

Much previous research has indicated most composts of pruning waste are characterized by potential phytotoxicity, it is highly correlated with the chemical compounds of raw materials. Cinnamomum camphora, a common kind of pruning waste in Southeast Asia and East Asia, is characterized by intense bioactivities due to complex chemical components. This study investigated the potential phytotoxicity of C. camphora pruning waste in light of germination and higher plant growth. C. camphora extracted from leaves completely inhibited seed germination and still showed suppression of root elongation at an extremely low dosage. C. camphora extract also displayed significant inhibition of nutrient absorption in tomato seedlings, including moisture, available nutrients (N, P and K) and key microelements (Fe, Mn, Zn and S). The gene expression of aquaporins and transporters of nitrate and phosphate was significantly up-regulated in roots. This could be regarded as a positive response to C. camphora extract for enhancing nutrient absorption. Moreover, the severe damage to the plasma membrane in roots caused by C. camphora extract might seriously affect nutrient absorption. Camphor is the main component of the C. camphora extract that may induce the phytotoxicity of plasma membrane damage, resulting in the inhibition of nutrient absorption and low biomass accumulation. This study provided a new understanding of the ecotoxicological effects of C. camphora pruning waste, indicating that the harmless disposal of pruning waste requires much attention and exploration in the future.