bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Capsule‐Structured Copper–Zinc Catalyst for Highly Efficient Hydrogenation of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol
Authors: Guo Yongle , Guo Xinwen , Song Chunshan , Han Xinghua , Liu Hongyang , Zhao Zhongkui
Published: September 2019

To develop a new and efficient CO2‐to‐methanol catalyst is of extreme significance but still remains a challenge. Herein, an innovative indirect two‐step strategy is reported to synthesize a highly efficient capsule‐structured copper‐based CO2‐to‐methanol catalyst (CZA‐r@CZM). It consists of a structurally reconstructed millimeter‐sized Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 core (CZA‐r) with intensified Cu–ZnO interactions, which is made by a facile hydrothermal treatment in an alkaline aqueous solution, and a Cu/ZnO/MgO (CZM) shell prepared by an ethylene glycol‐assisted physical coating method. The CZA‐r core displays 2.7 times higher CO2 hydrogenation activity with 2.0 times higher CO selectivity than the previously reported Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 (CZA‐p), whereas the CZM shell can efficiently catalyze hydrogenation of the as‐formed CO from the CZA‐r core to methanol as it passes through the shell. As a result, the developed capsule‐structured CZA‐r@CZM catalyst exhibits 2.4 times higher CO2 conversion with 1.8 times higher turnover frequency and 2.3‐fold higher methanol space–time yield than the CZA‐p catalyst (729.8 vs. 312.6 gMeOH kgcat−1 h−1). In situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTs) experiments reveal that the CO2 hydrogenation reaction proceeds through a reverse water–gas shift reaction followed by a CO hydrogenation pathway via an *H3CO intermediate. This work not only produces an efficient CO2‐to‐methanol catalyst, but also opens a new avenue for designing superior catalysts for other consecutive transformations.
Floral display and habitat fragmentation: Effects on the reproductive success of the threatened mass‐flowering Conospermum undulatum (Proteaceae)
Authors: Delnevo Nicola , van Etten Eddie J. , Byrne Margaret , Stock William D.
Published: September 2019

Fragmentation of natural vegetation is currently one of the largest threats to plant populations and their interactions with pollinators. Plant reproductive susceptibility to habitat fragmentation has been investigated in many species; however, the response of wild mass‐flowering species is poorly known, with research limited to mainly boreal plant species.

Here, we studied twelve remnant populations of the threatened mass‐flowering shrub Conospermum undulatum in the southwest Australian biodiversity hotspot, each presenting different population size, level of isolation, and floral display. We assessed the impact of fragmentation on (a) fruit and seed production; and (b) seed germination. To gain a deeper understanding of factors influencing the reproductive success of C. undulatum, we performed pollinator exclusion and self‐pollination treatments to experimentally assess the mating system of this threatened shrub.

We found C. undulatum to be strictly self‐incompatible and totally reliant on pollinators visiting with an outcrossed pollen load to complete the reproductive cycle. Further, we found that fruit production dropped from 35% to <20% as a result of decreasing floral display. A reduction in population size from 880 to 5 plants and from ~700 to 0.21 in the floral display index led to a decrease in seed output, while a similar reduction in seed output, from 6% to 3%, was observed as a result of increasing isolation index from −21.41 to −0.04. Overall, seed germination was positively related to population size, and a negative relationship was found between germination and isolation.

Synthesis and applications. Our results demonstrate the important relationship between pollinators and floral morphology in plants of southwest Australia that have coevolved with native pollinators and developed characteristic flower morphologies over long time frames. Indeed, due to its characteristic pollination mechanism, the self‐incompatible C. undulatum can only rely on specialized native pollinators for pollen flow and cannot rely on its mass‐flowering trait to attract generalist pollinators from coflowering species; neither can it compensate for the lack of visitors by promoting geitonogamy. Consequently, fragmentation has a significant effect on the reproductive output of C. undulatum, and size, isolation, and floral display of populations are important factors to be considered when planning conservation actions for the species.
Spatial density estimates of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in the French Jura and Vosges Mountains
Authors: Gimenez Olivier , Gatti Sylvain , Duchamp Christophe , Germain Estelle , Laurent Alain , Zimmermann Fridolin , Marboutin Eric
Published: September 2019

Obtaining estimates of animal population density is a key step in providing sound conservation and management strategies for wildlife. For many large carnivores however, estimating density is difficult because these species are elusive and wide‐ranging. Here, we focus on providing the first density estimates of the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in the French Jura and Vosges mountains. We sampled a total of 413 camera trapping sites (with two cameras per site) between January 2011 and April 2016 in seven study areas across seven counties of the French Jura and Vosges mountains. We obtained 592 lynx detections over 19,035 trap days in the Jura mountains and 0 detection over 6,804 trap days in the Vosges mountains. Based on coat patterns, we identified a total number of 92 unique individuals from photographs, including 16 females, 13 males, and 63 individuals of unknown sex. Using spatial capture–recapture (SCR) models, we estimated abundance in the study areas between 5 (SE = 0.1) and 29 (0.2) lynx and density between 0.24 (SE = 0.02) and 0.91 (SE = 0.03) lynx per 100 km2. We also provide a comparison with nonspatial density estimates and discuss the observed discrepancies. Our study is yet another example of the advantage of combining SCR methods and noninvasive sampling techniques to estimate density for elusive and wide‐ranging species, like large carnivores. While the estimated densities in the French Jura mountains are comparable to other lynx populations in Europe, the fact that we detected no lynx in the Vosges mountains is alarming. Connectivity should be encouraged between the French Jura mountains, the Vosges mountains, and the Palatinate Forest in Germany where a reintroduction program is currently ongoing. Our density estimates will help in setting a baseline conservation status for the lynx population in France.
Solid‐State Phosphorescence of A2[W6I14] with A = PPN, PPh4
Authors: Hummel Thorsten , Ströbele Markus , Fuhrmann Arin‐Daniel , Enseling David , Jüstel Thomas , Meyer Hans‐Jürgen
Published: September 2019

Hybrid organic‐inorganic cluster compounds A2[W6I14] with A = Ph4P, PPN were prepared by cation exchange reactions from Cs2[W6I14] with a corresponding organic halide; and a purification method for A2[W6I14] compounds by column chromatography is introduced. Crystal structures of compounds were solved and refined based on single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data. Photoluminescence properties of the new A2[W6I14] compounds reveal orange to deep‐red emission on excitation between 300 and 500 nm. (PPN)2[W6I14] is an exception among compounds with the [W6I14]2– ion, showing a solid‐state phosphorescence with a quantum yield (ϕP) in the order of 40 %.
Inorganic Salt Assisted Self‐Assembly of Periodic Mesoporous Organosilicas with Various Structures under Alkaline Conditions
Authors: Lin Feng , Meng Xiangyan , Wu Lishun , Lu Shengjie
Published: September 2019

Ethylene‐bridged PMOs have been prepared with the assistance of inorganic salts using CTACl as surfactant under alkaline conditions. The effects of various sodium salts on the formation of ethylene‐bridged PMOs was thoroughly investigated. It was found that the self‐assembly of PMOs is not profoundly affected by the concentration of salts, but to be controlled predominantly by the types of anions that contained in the salts. The addition of NaCl during the synthesis can lead to PMOs with mixed mesophases (cubic Pm3n and 2‐D hexagonal P6mm), while a pure 2‐D hexagonal and lamellar mesophase can be obtained by adding NaBr and NaI respectively. The effects of inorganic salts can be roughly predicted through the binding strengths of counterions to the surface of surfactant micelles. Additionally, the pore wall thickness and degree of cross‐linking of PMOs will be increased with the addition of inorganic salts, thus leading to mesoporous materials with improved hydrothermal stability. The study contributes fundamental understanding of the formation of PMOs with the assistance of inorganic salts, providing a facile method to prepare ordered mesoporous materials with more diversified structures and morphologies.
Bulky 1,1′‐Ferrocenyl Ligands Featuring Diazaphospholene or Dioxaphosphepine Donor Fragments: Catalytic Screening in Nickel‐Catalyzed C‐N Cross‐Coupling
Authors: McGuire Ryan. T. , Clark Jillian S. K. , Gatien Alexandre V. , Shen M. Yue , Ferguson Michael J. , Stradiotto Mark
Published: September 2019

1,1′‐Ferrocenyl ligands featuring either bulky dioxaphosphepine (L1) or diazaphospholene (L2) donor moieties have been prepared, crystallographically characterized, and tested in representative nickel‐catalyzed C–N cross‐coupling reactions. Ligand L1 proved competent in cross‐couplings involving primary/secondary alkylamine or indole nucleophiles with (hetero)aryl chlorides, with the catalytic performance of rac and meso‐L1 differing in the case of some substrate pairings. Conversely, L2 proved ineffective under analogous conditions.
Iron‐Catalyzed Functionalization of 3‐Benzylideneindoline Through Tandem Csp2–Csp3 Bond Formation/Isomerization with π‐Activated Alcohols
Authors: Chanda Rupsa , Chakraborty Baitan , Rana Gopal , Jana Umasish
Published: September 2019

A new synthetic protocol was developed for the selective synthesis of diverse 3‐substituted indoles through tandem carbon–carbon bond formation and isomerization of 3‐benzylidene‐1‐tosylindoline by direct use of alcohols as alkylating agents in the presence of catalytic FeCl3. This method is applicable to a wide range of substrates containing varieties of functional groups. Direct use of alcohols, such as benzylic, allylic, and propargylic alcohols, as electrophiles and the use of non‐toxic iron catalyst makes this strategy attractive and environmentally benign. A plausible mechanism has also been proposed for this tandem reaction.
Azide‐Triggered Bicyclization of o‐Alkynylisocyanobenzenes: Synthesis of Tetrazolo[1,5‐a]quinolines
Authors: Khaikate Onnicha , Soorukram Darunee , Leowanawat Pawaret , Pohmakotr Manat , Reutrakul Vichai , Kuhakarn Chutima
Published: September 2019

An efficient and rapid synthetic approach for the synthesis of tetrazolo[1,5‐a]quinolines has been developed employing the reaction of o‐alkynylisocyanobenzenes with sodium azide. The present strategy involved nucleophilic addition of azide to isocyanide followed by 6‐endo cyclization. The reaction gives access to a collection of tetrazolo[1,5‐a]quinolines with broad functional group in moderate to high yields under metal‐, and base‐free conditions.
The Diels–Alder Reaction for the Synthesis of Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds
Authors: Dyan Ok Ton , Borodkin Gennady I. , Zaikin Pavel A.
Published: September 2019

Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) represent a class of molecules consisting of two or more condensed aromatic rings. They are currently of great interest as potential semiconducting materials for organic field‐effect transistors, light‐emitting diodes, and solar panels. Substituted PACs are not always readily available and may require complicated multi‐step synthetic procedures to be obtained. One of the promising methods of the synthesis of functionalized PACs is the assembly of polycyclic backbones from substituted building blocks via cycloaddition reactions, in particular, the Diels–Alder reaction. In this minireview we aimed to cover the recent progress in the application of the Diels–Alder reaction in PACs synthesis with the emphasis on the structures of dienophiles. While quinones and arynes still act most frequently as the dienophilic components, other dienophiles with activated double and triple carbon–carbon bonds attract attention due to the ability of insertion of functional groups into polycyclic structures. In the recent decade variants of Dehydro Diels–Alder reaction, especially HexaDehydro Diels–Alder reaction (HDDA) attract much attention leading to the formation of polycyclic structures in a single step. The present review covers mostly papers published during the past decade; older works are referenced only when it is necessary for the understanding of the results discussed.
Microbial quality and antibiotic sensitivity of bacterial isolates in “Tuo‐Zaafi” vended in the central business district of tamale
Authors: Abas Rufina , Cobbina Samuel J. , Abakari Godwin
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Food safety concerns remain a challenge across nations and among citizens. Microbial contamination of foods and antibiotic resistance constitutes a global threat to food security. The present study assessed microbial quality of "Tuo‐Zaafi" sold in the Tamale metropolis as well as antibiotic resistance of isolates from these products.

Results

Samples were collected aseptically and transported to the Spanish laboratory complex of the University for Development Studies, Ghana, for microbial analysis. E. coli which recorded the highest occurrence was detected in 50% of the T.Z samples with bacterial loads ranging from < 100 to 2.3 × 106 cfu/g (4.49 × 105 ± 5.72 × 104 cfu/g). Salmonella spp and Staphylococcus aureus recorded the least occurrence representing 33.3%. There were significant differences in the levels of E. coli, Shigella spp, Salmonella spp, and Staphylococcus aureus (p < .001) across the four zones demarcated. Results of the antibiotic test revealed higher resistance to the antibiotics employed in the present study (81%). Susceptibility of microbes to ciprofloxacin (100%) was the highest, and higher resistance to gentamycin (100%) was observed in this study.

Conclusion

The study revealed that T.Z sold in the business district of Tamale could constitute a likely health risk to consumers especially when it is consumed in a cold state. It is hereby recommended that the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) should enforce food hygiene laws and ensure strict adherence.
Professional Competencies – the soft skills to give Systems Engineers a hard edge
Authors: Beasley Richard , Gelosh Don S. , Pickard Andrew C.
Published: September 2019

The publication of the new INCOSE Systems Engineering Competency Framework is notable for many reasons, not least the inclusion of Professional Competencies which is the focus of this paper.

This paper reviews the general importance of the professional competencies (also known as “soft skills”), and the specific relevance of the individual competencies that have been included in the INCOSE framework. This provides a review and discussion of the importance of the Professional Competencies to enable those that do Systems Engineering to be successful. Systems Engineering is both done by people and integrates people: to do that the soft skills or Professional Competencies are essential.
Systems Engineering and Complex Systems Governance – Lessons for Better Integration
Authors: Hodge Richard J. , Craig Stephen , Bradley Joseph M. , Keating Charles B.
Published: September 2019

The relationship between systems engineering and complex systems governance is not clear, especially given the field of ideas and methodologies supporting complex systems governance are in their early years of evolution. This paper looks to practice, drawing lessons from a case example about the role and application of systems engineering in a major reform program, especially in relation to complex systems governance, seeking to inform the evolution of both theory and practice in how these two fields of ideas work better together. The case study comes from the Australian defence maritime community. This community is transforming its approach to regulating and assuring the management of the seaworthiness of its maritime systems across multiple owners and operators and across their capability life cycles. The paper outlines the situation that created the case for change in the regulatory and management approach; and, examines the complication that caused the then Chief of Navy to change the approach half way through the six‐year transformation period. In making this change, ‘traditional’ systems engineering became less visible, and complex systems governance took precedence while still employing systems engineering principles in the design, build and implementation of the transformation program. The paper then considers three questions: what was the nature of the change, why did the change matter and what lessons do we draw for the relationship between complex systems governance and systems engineering? The authors' answers highlight the traps of not connecting the two fields of ideas. They illustrate the value of the viable systems model (VSM) as an architecture for good governance over the design, build, and implementation of change as well as its ongoing operation and evolution. They go so far as to suggest the lessons will add to the discussion of how the International Council of Systems Engineering (INCOSE) can implement the connections it has made between its vision and the United Nations' Sustainability Development Goals (SDG).
Challenges and opportunities in the integration of the Systems Engineering process and the AI/ML model lifecycle
Authors: Alvarez‐Rodríguez Jose María , Zuñiga Roy Mendieta , Pelayo Valentín Moreno , Llorens Juan
Published: September 2019

The Digital Age, the “Society 5.0” or the “4th Industrial Revolution” has created a challenging and evolving environment in which more up‐to‐date, secure, safer, cost‐efficient and personalized products and services must be timely delivered. Furthermore, the growing interest in equipping systems with intelligence implies that the engineering process must be adapted to consider the specific characteristics of Artificial Intelligent (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) systems. From the AI/ML point of view, the possibility of following an engineering process must also imply an improvement to overcome their “hidden” technical debt. To pave the way to the development of the next generation of smart systems, a retrospective in the current engineering practice and, in the development of AI/ML systems, is presented. Afterwards, the main challenges to harmonize both disciplines are outlined to finally describe the main opportunities and expected impacts.
The State of Systems Engineering Technical Practice versus Discipline: A Survey of INCOSE Chapter Attendees in North America
Authors: Wasson Charles
Published: September 2019

In 2017, the author initiated a Systems Engineering (SE) Fundamentals Research Project to assess the “current state” of SE practice versus the “should be state” of the discipline of SE. Peer level Engineering often question and challenge SE as a domain of Engineering due to a lack of codified concepts, principles, and practices despite having a body of knowledge.

This paper summarizes results of a series of research surveys concerning the “gap” between the state of SE practice versus the discipline of SE. Survey results represent “core samples” from INCOSE chapter meeting attendees at geographically dispersed locations in North America. Survey participants included INCOSE Systems Engineering Professionals (SEPs) i.e., INCOSE Acquisition SEPs (ASEPs), Certified SEPs (CSEPs), Expert SEPs (ESEPs), Non‐SEP members, and non‐members. Project survey results correlate with Wasson's (2018) personal assessment over 30 years and serve as a frame of reference for INCOSE's Future of SE (FuSE) Team for instituting corrective actions to achieve its Vision 2025.

The paper concludes with findings and recommended corrective actions that industry, government, academia, professional societies, and standards organizations collectively need to reestablish SE technical core competency as a cornerstone of the discipline of SE. Then, in combination with SE Management and processes, achieve a proper balance between the two (Ryschkewitsch, et al, 2009).
A Roadmap for Advancing the State of the Practice of Model Based Systems Engineering for Government Acquisition
Authors: Noguchi Ryan A.
Published: September 2019

Model‐Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is an emerging paradigm for improving the practice of systems engineering, in which integrated sets of digital system models serve as the focal point for knowledge management, technical communication, and data interchange. Adoption of MBSE by Government prime contractors has grown significantly, often motivated by the drive for improved efficiency from the commercial elements of their businesses. Interest in adopting MBSE on the Government side of that interface has also grown, motivated not only by desire for improved efficiency but also by the need for a better approach for managing the complexity of those Government mission enterprises. This roadmap was created as an initial attempt at establishing a shared vision to drive discussions among the Government acquisition community—and the associated community of prime contractors, systems engineering and integration (SE&I) contractors, and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC)—to drive investment and collaboration to improve the state of the practice of MBSE within this community.
Speaking in Tongues: The Systems Engineering Challenge
Authors: Scott Zane
Published: September 2019

The Hebrew Scriptures tell the well‐known story of the construction of the tower of Babel. That project is easily begun using the single language common to all the people of the time.

But in response to the plan to build a tower to the gates of heaven, God plants different languages among the builders frustrating their ability to communicate. This effectively halts the project and ends in the dispersal of the peoples to the “ends of the earth.”

The ancient story carries a warning for our attempts to broaden the practice of systems engineering beyond the familiar bounds of defense and aerospace. Unlike the tower builders whose acquired problems halted their progress after a successful start, twenty‐first century systems engineers are severely language‐challenged from the outset. The demands of new domains involve the languages of diverse stakeholders and subject‐matter experts. The demands of concurrent engineering involve communicating with a variety of disciplines with their own models, methods and languages.

This paper explores the challenges posed by the diversity of languages outside the usual market space and suggests possible solutions for them.
Evaluation of COTS Hardware Assemblies for use in Risk Averse, Cost Constrained Space‐based Systems
Authors: Katz Tami
Published: September 2019

A need for reduction in cost has driven many aerospace companies to consider using Commercial‐off‐the‐shelf (COTS) hardware products during a space‐based system design and development phase. Newly developed fixed‐price space systems have a difficult challenge to address; they need to optimize their processes and requirements for cost while still adhering to the appropriate level of risk and rigor for their project. For many government‐funded fixed‐price projects, there is still an expectation of compliance to government standards and associated proof, which can be a challenge when evaluating usage of COTS hardware that may contain limited documentation. This paper presents research done to date for COTS usage in both the software and hardware domains, building upon this to provide a framework for evaluation and verification of COTS hardware assemblies used in a risk averse, cost constrained space‐based applications.
Alternatives for Managing Atmospheric Warming
Authors: Carson Ronald S.
Published: September 2019

The current discussion regarding global warming (or “climate change”) centers on managing the contribution of carbon dioxide (CO2) to incremental warming due to enhanced absorption of infrared radiation. If we are concerned about the warming, what is most important is the atmospheric heating regardless of cause. The incremental effect of CO2 may enhance this, but it is not the dominant mechanism of atmospheric warming, which is solar irradiance and the net absorption compared with reflection. This paper analyzes the large energy flows from the sun, human‐generated heat and CO2 emissions, several alternative energy conversion and generation strategies, and the resulting contributions to atmospheric heating. It is shown that increasing terrestrial albedo can offset the effects of fossil fuel combustion on both direct heating and incremental heating from CO2 emissions, and represents a viable alternative to replacing fossil‐fuel combustion with solar power.
Applying and analyzing A3 Architecture Overviews in a complex and dynamic engineering environment
Authors: Pesselse Wilco , Hofman Theo , Simons Martin , Muller Gerrit
Published: September 2019

This research analyzes the implementation of the A3 Architecture Overview (A3AO) method at Mercedes‐Benz R&D. An A3AO captures, organizes and presents architectural information of a complex system on an A3 sized paper. The goal is to communicate architectural knowledge in a human‐oriented way, assuring all stakeholders obtain and maintain a common understanding and overview of the system.

The A3AO method was applied to ‘high‐voltage charging systems’. Two higher‐level A3AOs and three A3AOs on more in‐depth topics were created. The charging system is considered to be representative for the engineering environment of Mercedes‐Benz R&D. General results showed that the A3AO method is useful in documenting and communicating architectural knowledge of a system. It furthermore produces good overviews of a complex system, which can be used in discussions and to train new employees.

The two main impact factors ensuring sufficient added value are the format and the integration in the development process.
A Modified Variable Neighbourhood Search Heuristic for the Multi‐Mode Resource Constrained Project Scheduling Problem with A Case Study
Authors: Chakrabortt Ripon K , Abbasi Alireza , Ryan Michael J
Published: September 2019

This paper provides a fast near‐optimum solution to the Multi‐Mode Resource Constrained Project Scheduling Problem (MRCPSP), for projects with activities that have known deterministic renewable and non‐renewable resource requirements. Multi‐modes allows any activity to execute one of many alternative combinations of resource usages and durations, while each activity needs to pick the most feasible one. This type of setting is more prevalent for real‐life project schedules, which necessitates systematic methodologies and advanced solution approaches in harmony with real‐world implementations. This study proposes a Modified Variable Neighbourhood Search Heuristic (MVNSH) algorithm as an advanced optimization technique for scheduling projects. To validate our approach, exhaustive computational tests were carried out by using relevant benchmark instances. The MVNSH algorithm has been shown to be faster and more accurate than many existing heuristic methods. This research also contributes to developing a practical decision support system for resolving real‐life constraints in multi‐mode resource‐constrained projects.
The comparison of the effects of local cooling and heating on apoptosis and pyroptosis of early‐stage pressure ulcers in rats
Authors: Wang Qing , Zhu Liang , Xing Fengmei , Zhao Ping , Wang Fenglan
Published: September 2019

The exploration of an effective method for preventing and treating pressure ulcers (PUs) is a hot topic in medical research. Recently, disputes about the choice of heat and cold therapies have emerged for the prevention and treatment of clinical PUs. The present study was designed to compare the effect of cool and heat therapies on pyroptosis and apoptosis of early‐stage PUs in rats. Sixty SD rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into the sham group, model group, heating group, and cooling group. We established a rat model of early‐stage PUs by using an ischemia‐reperfusion method. At the end of the experiment, the tissue underneath the compressed region was collected for hematoxylin and eosin staining, transmission electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence staining, a TdT‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labeling assay, a Western blot analysis, and a mitochondrial swelling experiment. Our results suggested that the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and pyroptosis were involved in the formation of early‐stage PUs, and local heating increased the PU injury in rats, while local cooling reduced the PU injury in rats. This study showed that heat therapy might not be suitable for the clinical treatment and care of early‐stage PUs, while cold therapy may be more appropriate.
Life satisfaction and social anxiety among left‐behind children in rural China: The mediating role of loneliness
Authors: Wang Lei , Yao Jun
Published: September 2019

This study examined the mediating effects of loneliness in the relationship between social anxiety and life satisfaction. Four hundred and forty two left‐behind children in rural China, who completed the Social Anxiety Subscale, UCLA Loneliness Scale, and Satisfaction with Life Scale, participated in the study. Results indicated that compared with both parent migration children, the scores of life satisfaction in the mother‐only and father‐only migration children were strongly higher, but did not differ across genders and ages. Additionally, social anxiety and loneliness negative predicted life satisfaction. More important, the mediation analysis revealed a partial mediating effect of loneliness in the links from social anxiety to life satisfaction. These findings call on more attention from the government and related sectors of society, and propose that loneliness improvement program may have a preventive function for promoting the life satisfaction among left‐behind children.
Interplay between neutrophils and trophoblast cells conditions trophoblast function and triggers vascular transformation signals
Authors: Calo Guillermina , Sabbione Florencia , Pascuali Natalia , Keitelman Irene , Vota Daiana , Paparini Daniel , Ramhorst Rosanna , Parborell Fernanda , Trevani Analía , Leirós Claudia Pérez
Published: September 2019

Normal placentation entails highly regulated interactions of maternal leukocytes with vascular and trophoblast cells to favor vascular transformation. Neutrophil activation and neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation associate with poor placentation and severe pregnancy complications. To deepen into the mechanisms of trophoblast–neutrophil interaction, we explored the effects of NETs on trophoblast cell function and, conversely, whether trophoblast cell‐derived factors condition neutrophils to favor angiogenesis and anti‐inflammatory signals required for fetal growth. NETs isolated from activated neutrophils hindered trophoblast cell migration. Trophoblast conditioned media prevented the effect as well as the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) known to regulate trophoblast and neutrophil function. On the other hand, factors released by trophoblast cells and VIP shaped neutrophils to a proangiogenic profile with increased vascular endothelial growth factor synthesis and increased capacity to promote vascular transformation. Results presented here provide novel clues to reconstruct the interaction of trophoblast cells and neutrophils in vivo during placentation in humans.
Length Matters: Short Base‐Plate Angle Guides May Lead to Guide‐Wire Mal‐Positioning When Inserting a DHS. A Radiographic Modeling Study
Authors: Sheharyar Khurram , Newton Ashley W. , Harrison William J.
Published: September 2019

The dynamic hip screw (DHS) consists of a barrel‐plate fixed to the relatively‐straight proximal femoral shaft, and a screw which slides within the barrel at a fixed angle, usually 135°. The guide‐wire is inserted using a guide at the set angle. Guide design varies between manufacturers, with some new guides being particularly short. We analysed the impact of guide design on the resulting trajectory of the guidewire, and its potential to cause a surgical error. Twenty AP hip radiographs were analysed. Trauma Cad (Brainlab, Munich, Germany) software was used to template a 4‐hole 135° DHS onto the intact femur with the screw positioned in the center of the head. A template of a Stryker (Michigan, USA) 135° DHS guide (37 mm long) was then overlaid at the hip screw entry point, and the set trajectory marked. The divergence between the two trajectories was measured (α angle). The distance the guide would have to be moved inferiorly to attain the correct position in the head was then noted. The median divergence (α angle) caused by the guide relative to the ideal position was 6° (range 2–12). This led to the guidewire placement being a median of 9.1 mm (range 3–23) superior in the head (β).To achieve the correct position of the wire in the head, the guide needed to be moved inferiorly a median of 8 mm (range 2–10). © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:574–577, 2020
Spatial distribution and landscape associations of large‐antlered deer
Authors: Cain Rebecca L. , Snow Nathan P. , Crawford Joanne C. , Williams David M. , Porter William F.
Published: September 2019

For more than a century, the Boone and Crockett Club has kept records of harvest locations for 38 categories of North American big game, which includes measurement details and sizes of enduring characteristics (e.g., antlers, skulls, horns). All white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) entered in the Club records (i.e., record deer) have large antlers because the measurements must meet or exceed a minimum size to qualify for entry. We used the records from the Club to test the hypothesis that the spatial distribution in the harvest of record deer was related to the number of antlered deer harvested, variations in land productivity, soil mineral content, and attributes of land cover for 9 states in the midwestern United States. We used a Bayesian theoretical framework to develop a spatial model that examined the influence of explanatory variables on the number of record deer harvested in each county. In our study area, 3,658 record deer were harvested in 692 of the 856 counties (80.8%). More record deer were harvested in counties that had more high‐contrast edges, less contiguous land cover, and greater variation in soil productivity. These results provide information for managers and hunters to better understand the spatial distribution of record deer and factors that are correlated with their distribution. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
Equine‐assisted therapies using horses as healers: A concept analysis
Authors: White‐Lewis Sharon
Published: September 2019

Aims

A concept analysis was conducted to clarify the attributes, antecedents and meaning of equine‐assisted therapy and present an operational definition.

Design

Concept analysis.

Methods

Walker and Avant's concept analysis method was used to analyse equine‐assisted therapy, using horses as healers by defining and enumerating the attributes, antecedents, consequences and empirical referents. Example cases are presented.

Results

Defining attributes include the following: a human participant with an equine physically present to assist the human participant, a treatment or intervention as a result of the interactions between an equine and a human participant, a purposeful and regulated interaction and a positive health outcome goal from the interaction. Antecedents include a live horse with a human physically able to interact with the horse, a facilitator and accessibility to an equine‐assisted therapy (EAT) programme. Consequences include improved balance, well‐being, quality of life, trust, spasticity, self‐efficacy, self‐esteem, nurse presence, pleasure and a sense of accomplishment.
Hypothetical model of perceived adherence to treatment among patients with coronary heart disease after a percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Kähkönen Outi , Kankkunen Päivi , Saaranen Terhi , Miettinen Heikki , Kyngäs Helvi
Published: September 2019

Aim

To test the hypothetical model of adherence to treatment among patients with coronary disease after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Design

A descriptive, explanatory, cross‐sectional survey.

Methods

The study was conducted in 2013 with 416 patients in five hospitals in Finland. The adherence of patients with chronic disease instrument, the adherence visual analogue scale, the social support for people with coronary heart disease instrument, the EuroQoL five‐dimensional scale and EuroQoL visual analogue scale were used. The data were analysed using descriptive statistic. The hypothetical model was tested using structural equation modelling.

Results

The hypothetical model explained 30% of perceived adherence to treatment. Structural equation modelling confirmed that motivation, support from physicians and next of kin had direct associations with adherence. Indirectly, informational support, results of care, perceived health, anxiety and depression were associated with adherence. The background variables associated with adherence were gender, relationship, physical activity, consumption of vegetables and consumption of alcohol.
The influence of personality factors, value appraisals, and control appraisals on cognitive test anxiety
Authors: Thomas Christopher L. , Cassady Jerrell C.
Published: September 2019

Cognitive test anxiety is a considerable barrier to academic success. The control value theory of achievement emotions suggests emotions within academic situations—including test‐anxious responses—follow from control and value appraisals. Furthermore, the control value theory suggests a multitude of individual‐level factors that influence appraisals. However, few investigations have explored the interactive influence of enduring personality traits and control and value appraisals on the experience of cognitive test anxiety. The current study was designed to explore the relationship among openness to experience, neuroticism, conscientiousness, control and value appraisals, and cognitive test anxiety. Participants (N = 481) completed the Big Five Inventory, the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire, and the Cognitive Test Anxiety Scale‐Short Form. Using exploratory structural equation modeling, we demonstrated that value and control appraisals were important predictors of cognitive test anxiety. Furthermore, results indicated that openness to experience was a positive predictor of value appraisals. Finally, results indicated that higher levels of control appraisals were associated with higher levels of conscientiousness and openness to experience and lower levels of neuroticism. These findings have important implications for our understanding of the determinants of cognitive test anxiety and have implications for efforts designed to identify test‐anxious students.
Engineering of Hydrogel Materials with Perfusable Microchannels for Building Vascularized Tissues
Authors: Xie Ruoxiao , Zheng Wenchen , Guan Liandi , Ai Yongjian , Liang Qionglin
Published: September 2019

Vascular systems are responsible for various physiological and pathological processes related to all organs in vivo, and the survival of engineered tissues for enough nutrient supply in vitro. Thus, biomimetic vascularization is highly needed for constructing both a biomimetic organ model and a reliable engineered tissue. However, many challenges remain in constructing vascularized tissues, requiring the combination of suitable biomaterials and engineering techniques. In this review, the advantages of hydrogels on building engineered vascularized tissues are discussed and recent engineering techniques for building perfusable microchannels in hydrogels are summarized, including micromolding, 3D printing, and microfluidic spinning. Furthermore, the applications of these perfusable hydrogels in manufacturing organ‐on‐a‐chip devices and transplantable engineered tissues are highlighted. Finally, current challenges in recapitulating the complexity of native vascular systems are discussed and future development of vascularized tissues is prospected.
Polymer Pre‐Aggregation Enables Optimal Morphology and High Performance in All‐Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Xie Boming , Zhang Kai , Hu Zhicheng , Fang Huiyu , Lin Baojun , Yin Qingwu , He Baitian , Dong Sheng , Ying Lei , Ma Wei , Huang Fei , Yan He , Cao Yong
Published: September 2019

Herein, all‐polymer solar cells (all‐PSCs) are studied based on PTzBI:N2200 system processed from two different solvents, chlorobenzene (CB) and 2‐methyltetrahydrofuran (Me‐THF). It is found that the preaggregation of the donor and acceptor polymers in Me‐THF is the key factor that enables a drastic enhancement in cell efficiency from ≈1% (processed by CB) to ≈11% (processed by Me‐THF). When using CB as the solvent, both donor and acceptor polymers are well dissolved and mostly disaggregated. In contrast, the donor and acceptor polymers both exhibit strong aggregation in Me‐THF. As a result, the donor and acceptor blend films processed from Me‐THF exhibit pure domains with appropriate molecular packing structure, which leads to high charge mobilities (10−3–10−4 cm2 V−1 s−1) and fill factors (FFs; 75%), whereas the blend films processed by CB suffer from highly miscible and impure domains, hence decreasing the charge mobilities by 1–2 orders of magnitude compared with those of the corresponding pure films. The current work reveals that the polymer preaggregation is the key reason enabling optimal morphology and high performance in N2200‐based all‐PSCs, and this strategy may be potentially applied in other systems to optimize the morphology and performance of all‐PSCs.
Elemental composition of total dry particulate matter deposited in the selected industrial areas within Lagos state
Authors: Adebanjo Sunday Adekunle , Jimoda Lukuman Adekilekun , Alade Abass O. , Alamu Adejoke Oluseyi
Published: September 2019

The total particulate matter (PM) deposited within 17 selected industrial areas in Lagos state during the dry season (December 2015 to January 2016) was studied. Deposition gauges measuring 0.2 meters (m) in diameter by 0.15 m in depth were placed at the sampling locations for a period of one month to collect the total deposited PM. The PM was then characterized using energy‐dispersive X‐ray florescence (EDXRF). The sources of the heavy metals were evaluated using enrichment factor (EF) analysis. Factor analysis (FA) was then used to determine the correlations between the identified heavy metals. Twenty‐three elements—sodium (Na), silicon (Si), phosphorous (P), sulfur (S), chlorine (Cl), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), germanium (Ge), arsenic (As), strontium (Sr), zirconium (Zr), lead (Pb), tungsten (W), polonium (Po), and actinium (Ac)—were characterized in the PM collected at the sampling sites. The iron elemental ratio ranged from 0.0003 to 3.8848. The EF ranged from 0.0015 to 1697.47, including at the control location. The FA, using principal component analysis techniques, revealed seven factor loadings with 90.03% cumulative, which suggests that the sources are anthropogenic, such as from industrial activities, vehicular emissions, and the combustion of fuel.
Warburg and Krebs and related effects in cancer
Authors: Unterlass Judith E. , Curtin Nicola J.
Published: September 2019

Warburg and coworkers' observation of altered glucose metabolism in tumours has been neglected for several decades, which, in part, was because of an initial misinterpretation of the basis of their finding. Following the realisation that genetic alterations are often linked to metabolism, and that the tumour micro-environment imposes different demands on cancer cells, has led to a reinvestigation of cancer metabolism in recent years. Increasing our understanding of the drivers and consequences of the Warburg effect in cancer and beyond will help to identify new therapeutic strategies as well as to identify new prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers. Here we discuss the initial findings of Warburg and coworkers regarding cancer cell glucose metabolism, how these studies came into focus again in recent years following the discovery of metabolic oncogenes, and the therapeutic potential that lies within targeting the altered metabolic phenotype in cancer. In addition, another essential nutrient in cancer metabolism, glutamine, will be discussed.
Reducing unnecessary urethral catheter use in Japanese intensive care units: A multicenter interventional study
Authors: Kuriyama Akira , Fowler Karen E. , Meddings Jennifer , Irie Hiromasa , Kawakami Daisuke , Iwasaki Hiroshi , Sakuraya Masaaki , Katayama Kohta , Tokuda Yasuharu , Saint Sanjay
Published: September 2019

We conducted a preintervention–postintervention study to assess the effectiveness of a multimodal approach to reduce unnecessary urethral catheters in 5 Japanese intensive care units. After the intervention urethral catheter point prevalence decreased by 18%, from 79% preintervention to 61% postintervention, and catheter appropriateness increased by 28%, from 57% preintervention to 85% postintervention.
Faraday instability of a liquid layer on a lubrication film
Authors: Zhao Sicheng , Dietzel Mathias , Hardt Steffen
Published: September 2019

The Faraday instability in a system of two conjugated immiscible liquid layers with disparate thicknesses is investigated. The top layer is relatively thick and undergoes short-wavelength instabilities, while the bottom layer is thin and undergoes long-wavelength instabilities. The two layers are coupled by the kinematic and dynamic relations at the interface. Through linear stability analysis, a lubrication effect, which significantly reduces the destabilization threshold, is identified. Especially when the vibration frequency is low, the lubrication effect is seen to influence the transition between the harmonic and subharmonic instability modes. It is studied how far the system with two layers can be approximated by a single-layer system with a Navier-slip boundary condition at the bottom. In corresponding experiments it is found that the time-periodic excitation of the system creates a steady-state deformation of the bottom layer. This indicates nonlinear dynamics of the system and the violation of reversibility. The excellent agreement between experimental and theoretical results for the onset of the instability underpins the validity of the linear stability analysis.
The pharmakon of ‘If’: working with Steven Shapin'sA Social History of Truth
Authors: WINTROUB MICHAEL
Published: September 2019

Whilst the ‘local culture’ of experimental natural philosophy in seventeenth-century England drew on ‘resources’ supplied by the gentlemanly identity of men like Robert Boyle, this culture found much of its distinctiveness in a series of exclusions having to do with faith, gender and class. My concern in this essay is less with these exclusions, and the distinctions they enabled, than with their surreptitious returns. Following from this, as a heuristic strategy, I will try to understand how Boyle and Co. used and reacted to, repressed and cathected, that which they sought to exclude. By charting the movements of exile and return across the contested frontiers of class, gender and faith, truth and lies, authenticity and performance, we can, I believe, fruitfully complicate our understandings of both the social history of truth, and the social history of our ‘post-truth’ predicament.