bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantification of Asymmetric Ion Transport in Glass Nanopipettes near Charged Substrates
Authors: Ma Yingfei , Liu Rujia , Shen Xiaoyue , Wang Dengchao
Published: September 2021

Taking advantage of asymmetric ion transport in nanopipettes, the surface charges of various substrates have been successfully imaged by scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM). The predominant electrostatic interaction between charged nanopipettes and substrates thus needs to be better elucidated and quantified, as traditional SICM theory is not adequate to describe the resulting ion current. Herein, we use both experimental and simulation methods to study the asymmetric ion‐transport processes in nanopipettes near charged substrates, and correlate surface charge and geometry parameters to the resulting ionic current. It is found that for negatively charged substrates and nanopipettes, positive feedback responses are displayed at the high conductivity states, and they are sensitive to the applied voltages and surface charges. While at the low conductivity states, comparable negative feedback responses are largely independent of experimental conditions. The elucidated and quantified asymmetric ion transport features would allow more accurate measurements and analysis for approaching and surface charge mapping in SICM applications.
Insights on Luminescent Micro‐ and Nanospheres of Infinite Coordination Polymers
Authors: Arroyos Guilherme , da Silva Caroline M. , Theodoroviez Lucas B. , Campanella Jonatas E. M. , Frem Regina C. G.
Published: September 2021

Coordination polymers have been extensively studied in recent years. Some of these materials can exhibit several properties such as permanent porosity, high surface area, thermostability and light emission, as well as open sites for chemical functionalization. Concerning the fact that this kind of compounds are usually solids, the size and morphology of the particles are important parameters when an application is desired. Inside this context, there is a subclass of coordination polymers, named infinite coordination polymers (ICPs), which auto‐organize as micro‐ or nanoparticles with low crystallinity. Specifically, the particles exhibiting spherical shapes and reduced sizes can be better dispersed, enter cells much easier than bulk crystals and be converted to inorganic materials by topotactic transformation. Luminescent ICPs, in particular, can find applications in several areas, such as sensing probes, light‐emitting devices and bioimaging. In this review, we present the state‐of‐the‐art of ICP‐based spherical particles, including the growth mechanisms, some applications for luminescent ICPs and the challenges to overcome in future commercial usage of these materials.
Competition between inter and intramolecular hydrogen bond evidenced by vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy: The case of (1S,2R)‐(−)‐cis‐1‐amino‐2‐indanol
Authors: Le Barbu‐Debus Katia , Zehnacker Anne
Published: September 2021

The infrared (IR) absorption and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra of an intramolecularly hydrogen‐bonded chiral amino‐alcohol, (1S,2R)‐(−)‐cis‐1‐amino‐2‐indanol, are studied in DMSO‐d6. The spectra are simulated at the density functional theory (DFT) level within the frame of the cluster‐in‐the‐liquid model. Both IR and VCD spectra show a clear signature of the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds at the detriment of the intramolecular OH … N interaction present in the isolated molecule. Two solvent molecules are necessary to reproduce the experimental spectra. Whereas the first DMSO molecule captures the main spectral modifications due to hydrogen bond formation between the solute and the solvent, the second DMSO molecule is necessary for a good description of the Boltzmann contribution of the different complexes, based on their Gibbs free energy.
Excess risk of subsequent malignant neoplasms in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors: Results from the first Italian population‐based cohort
Authors: Trama Annalisa , Tittarelli Andrea , Barigelletti Giulio , Botta Laura , Gatta Gemma , Tagliabue Giovanna , Contiero Paolo , Guzzinati Stefano , Andreano Anita , Manneschi Gianfranco , Falcini Fabio , Castaing Marine , Filiberti Rosa A. , Gasparotti Cinzia , Cirilli Claudia , Mazzucco Walter , Mangone Lucia , Iacovacci Silvia , Vitale Maria F. , Stracci Fabrizio , Piffer Silvano , Tumino Rosario , Carone Simona , Sampietro Giuseppe , Melcarne Anna , Ballotari Paola , Boschetti Lorenza , Pisani Salvatore , Cavalieri D'Oro Luca , Cuccaro Francesco , D'Argenzio Angelo , D'Orsi Giancarlo , Fanetti Anna C. , Ardizzone Antonino , Candela Giuseppa , Savoia Fabio , Pascucci Cristiana , Castelli Maurizio , Storchi Cinzia , Bernasconi Alice
Published: September 2021

Background

Evidence about late effects in adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors is scarce. This study assessed the risk of subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMNs) to identify the most common SMNs to be considered in follow‐up care.

Methods

Population‐based cancer registries retrospectively identified first primary tumors (between 1976 and 2013) and SMNs in AYAs (15‐39 years old at their cancer diagnosis). AYA cancer survivors were those alive at least 5 years after their first cancer diagnosis. The excess risk of SMNs was measured as standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and absolute excess risk together with the cumulative incidence of SMNs.

Results

The cohort included 67,692 AYA cancer survivors. The excess risk of developing any SMN (SIR, 1.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.5‐1.7) was 60%. The excess risk of SMNs was significantly high for survivors of lymphomas; cancers of the breast, thyroid, female genital tract, digestive organs, gonads, and urinary tract; and melanomas. The cumulative incidence of all SMNs in AYA cancer survivors within 25 years of their first cancer diagnosis was approximately 10%. Subsequent tumors contributing to approximately 60% of all SMNs were breast cancer, colorectal cancer, corpus uteri cancer, and ovarian cancer in females and colorectal cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, and lymphomas in males.

Conclusions

These results highlight the need to personalize follow‐up strategies for AYA cancer survivors.
Simulation and implementation of a two‐mode‐operation transconductance regulator with a Gallium Nitride High‐Electron‐Mobility Transistor
Authors: Pai Kai‐Jun , Lin Chang‐Hua
Published: September 2021

A GaN high‐electron‐mobility transistor (HEMT) with a wide‐bandwidth operational amplifier was employed to implement and develop a two‐mode‐operation transconductance regulator (TMOTR). Using the proposed TMOTR, the laser diode can be operated in either the continuous constant‐current mode to fulfill a continuous‐wave laser or pulse‐width modulation (PWM) to achieve a narrow‐pulsed laser. When the laser diode is operated in PWM mode and at high frequency, the parasitic elements of the GaN HEMT, laser diodes, printed circuit board, and power wires must be considered, because these parasitic elements can influence the rising‐edge slope of the laser diode driving current resulting in narrow‐pulsed duty cycle diminution. This study applied equivalent circuit models of a GaN HEMT and laser diode to determine the parasitic parameters in accordance with device packages; therefore, the simulation circuit of the TMOTR with its parasitic element could be implemented to obtain the critical simulation waveform. The parasitic element parameters of the laser diode and GaN HEMT were calculated in detail and used simulation software to verify the TMOTR's characteristics. Finally, the TMOTR prototype was implemented, and the experimental waveforms were measured to confirm simulations, equivalent circuits, and dynamic responses; the GaN HEMT and MOSFET were experimented to compare their differences.
Efficacy of single‐balloon overtube for endoscopic submucosal dissection in the proximal colon: A propensity score‐matched analysis
Authors: Tanaka Hidenori , Oka Shiro , Tsuboi Akiyoshi , Kamigaichi Yuki , Tamari Hirosato , Sumioka Akihiko , Shimohara Yasutsugu , Nishimura Tomoyuki , Inagaki Katsuaki , Okamoto Yuki , Iio Sumio , Yamashita Ken , Sumimoto Kyoku , Tanaka Shinji
Published: September 2021

Objectives

A single‐balloon overtube (SBO) can improve poor scope operability during colonic endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). We aimed to evaluate the clinical usefulness of SBO for ESD in the proximal colon and the predictive factors for cases in which SBO is useful.

Methods

A total of 88 tumors located in the proximal colon resected by balloon‐assisted ESD (BA‐ESD) using SBO and 461 tumors resected by conventional ESD (C‐ESD) between June 2015 and November 2020 were considered. Seventy‐eight tumors each in the BA‐ESD and C‐ESD groups were matched by propensity score matching. ESD outcomes were compared between the groups, and a decision tree analysis was performed to explore the predictive factors for cases in which SBO is useful.

Results

There were no significant differences between the groups in the major outcomes such as en bloc resection rate (95% vs. 99%, p = 0.17), R0 resection rate (92% vs. 96%, p = 0.30), mean dissection speed (16 mm2/min vs. 16 mm2/min, p = 0.53), and intraoperative perforation rate (5% vs. 6%, p = 0.73). Even when considering cases with poor preoperative scope operability, there were no significant differences between the groups. Comparison of tumors ≥40 mm in diameter between the groups confirmed that the intraoperative perforation rate was significantly lower in the BA‐ESD group than in the C‐ESD group (0% vs. 24%, p = 0.0188).

Conclusion

SBO is useful for ESD of tumors ≥40 mm in diameter in the proximal colon to prevent intraoperative perforation, which usually has a long procedure time.
Diagnostic ability of pancreatic juice cytology via the minor papilla in patients with pancreas divisum
Authors: Kawaguchi Shinya , Satoh Tatsunori , Terada Shuzo , Endo Shinya , Shirane Naofumi
Published: September 2021

Background and study aim

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is generally performed via the major papilla when evaluating patients with pancreatic disease. However, in patients with pancreas divisum (PD) or distortion of the main pancreatic duct, endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) should be performed via the minor papilla (MP). Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic pancreatic juice cytology (PJC), performed via the MP, in patients with PD.

Patients and methods

Patients with PD who underwent diagnostic ERP via the MP, between January 2010 and February 2021, were identified retrospectively from our hospital's ERCP database. Twenty‐two patients contributing to 24 ERCPs were included in the analysis.

Results

MP cannulation was successful in 23 of 24 ERCPs (96%). In one patient, successful cannulation was achieved on the second attempt and the procedure was performed twice in another. Serial pancreatic juice aspiration cytologic examination (SPACE) was performed in 17 patients, with a single aspiration of pancreatic juice performed in the other five. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy rates of ERCP diagnosis, overall, were 56%, 100%, and 80%, respectively. When diagnosis only based on SPACE was considered, the accuracy rate was even higher at 87%. Three patients (13%) developed mild pancreatitis as an adverse event.

Conclusions

The diagnostic ability of endoscopic PJC, via the MP in patients with PD was technically feasible and relatively effective under experienced pancreatobiliary endoscopists, however, requiring careful attention to post‐ERCP pancreatitis when performed.
Trends of forest and ecosystem services changes in the Mescalero Apache Tribal Lands
Authors: Azpeleta Tarancón Alicia , Sánchez Meador Andrew J. , Padilla Thora , Fulé Peter Z. , Kim Yeon‐Su
Published: September 2021

Forests are critically important for the provision of ecosystem services. The Sacramento Mountains of New Mexico, USA, are a hotspot for conservation management and the Mescalero Apache Tribe's homeland. The multiple ecosystem services and functions and its high vulnerability to changes in climate conditions make their forests of ecological, cultural, and social importance. We used data from the Mescalero Apache Tribal Lands (MATL) Continuous Forest Inventory over 30 yr to analyze changes in the structure and composition of ecosystems as well as trends in ecosystem services. Many provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services were shared among the MATL ecosystems and were tied to foundational species dominance, which could serve as a reliable indicator of ecosystem functioning. Our analysis indicates that the MATL are in an ongoing transition from conifer forests to woodlands with declines in two foundation species, quaking aspen and ponderosa pine, linked to past forest management and changing climate. In addition, we detected a decrease in species richness and tree size variability, amplifying the risk of forest loss in a rapid climatic change. Continuous permanent plots located on a dense grid (1 × 1 km) such as the ones monitored by the Bureau of Indian Affairs are the most detailed data available to estimate forests multiresource transitions over time. Native lands across the USA could serve as the leading edge of detecting decadal‐scale forest changes and tracking climate impacts.
Concerns and recommendations for using AmazonMTurkfor eating disorder research
Authors: Burnette C. Blair , Luzier Jessica L. , Bennett Brooke L. , Weisenmuller Chantel M. , Kerr Patrick , Martin Shelby , Keener Jillian , Calderwood Lisa
Published: September 2021

Objective

Our original aim was to validate and norm common eating disorder (ED) symptom measures in a large, representative community sample of transgender adults in the United States. We recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk), a popular online recruitment and data collection platform both within and outside of the ED field. We present an overview of our experience using MTurk.

Method

Recruitment began in Spring 2020; our original targetNwas 2,250 transgender adults stratified evenly across the United States. Measures included a demographics questionnaire, the Eating Disorder Examination‐Questionnaire, and the Eating Attitudes Test‐26. Consistent with current literature recommendations, we implemented a comprehensive set of attention and validity measures to reduce and identify bot responding, data farming, and participant misrepresentation.

Results

Recommended validity and attention checks failed to identify the majority of likely invalid responses. Our collection of two similar ED measures, thorough weight history assessment, and gender identity experiences allowed us to examine response concordance and identify impossible and improbable responses, which revealed glaring discrepancies and invalid data. Furthermore, qualitative data (e.g., emails received from MTurk workers) raised concerns about economic conditions facing MTurk workers that could compel misrepresentation.

Discussion

Our results strongly suggest most of our data were invalid, and call into question results of recently published MTurk studies. We assert that caution and rigor must be applied when using MTurk as a recruitment tool for ED research, and offer several suggestions for ED researchers to mitigate and identify invalid data.
Regulating food labels in East Asia: A tale of two systems: Commentary on Negowetti et al. (2021)
Authors: Chua Sook Ning , Berg Kelly C.
Published: September 2021

The traditional role of food in promoting health and preventing illness is integral to many Asian cultures. This commentary provides a brief overview of health‐related food products regulation in Asia. We cover regulations initiated to promote health and prevent chronic diseases and regulations of traditional medicine food products. We focus on specific regulations in Japan and Singapore that encourage the consumption of certain foods to promote population health and prevent chronic diseases. We also examine the complexity and difficulty of regulating traditional medicine food products in Malaysia and Singapore, where these products are important not just for health but also in promoting cultural traditions.
Dispersal patterns of Squamata in the Mediterranean: An evolutionary perspective
Authors: Escoriza Daniel
Published: September 2021

Mediterranean islands have a high diversity of squamates, although they are unevenly distributed. This variability in the composition of the reptile assemblages across islands may have been influenced by differences in the colonization abilities of these species. To evaluate the dispersal capacities of squamate species, we modeled their sea routes using cost surface models. We estimated the effects of some life‐history traits and the phylogenetic signal in the characteristics of the modeled dispersal paths. We hypothesized that a significant phylogenetic signal should be present if the dispersal ability is enhanced by traits shared among evolutionarily related species. The results showed that no phylogenetic signal was present in the characteristics of the dispersal paths (i.e., in the distance traveled/bypassed sea depth). Thus, no superior island‐colonizer lineages were detected in Mediterranean Squamata. However, our analyses also revealed that small‐sized lizards were superior to other groups of squamates at dispersing over long distances on the sea.
Cannibalism and protective behavior of eggs in Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus)
Authors: Frye Marilena , Egeland Torvald B. , Nordeide Jarle Tryti , Folstad Ivar
Published: September 2021

From video recordings of spawning events, we quantified protective and cannibalistic behavior of Arctic charr occurring immediately after spawning. The number of fish cannibalizing on stray eggs was examined regarding (a) whether more than one male shed milt during the spawning event, that is, whether sperm competition occurred, (b) whether the sperm competition included few or many males, that is, the intensity of sperm competition, and (c) the density of fish at the spawning site. Response behavior toward egg cannibalism was also examined among females and dominant males in order to determine any parental investment toward protecting the eggs after spawning. Cannibalistic behavior was seen in almost 50% of the spawnings, and the multiple spawning events showed the highest numbers of fish cannibalizing on eggs. Both the number of males releasing milt and the number of fish approaching the spawning site were positively correlated with egg cannibalism. Sperm competition was, however, not a prerequisite for egg cannibalism. Although we also observed partial filial cannibalism, protective behavior of eggs was seen both among dominant males and females, suggesting that charr actually conduct parental care.
Pulmonary artery osteosarcoma masquerading as pulmonary thromboembolism: the role of multimodality imaging
Authors: Zheng Yucong , Duan Xuejing , Wang Hongyue , Zhao Shihua
Published: September 2021

Primary pulmonary artery sarcoma (PAS) is an extremely rare malignant disorder that presents like pulmonary thromboembolism (PE). Primary osteogenic sarcoma in the pulmonary artery (PA) is even rarer and can produce osteoid or cartilaginous matrix. Few studies have described the radiographic characteristics of osteosarcoma of the PA. We there report a case of a 78‐year‐old male patient with osteosarcoma in the PA where the patient went through surgical treatment after careful multimodalityimaging assessment. The patient was admitted to our hospital with the nonspecific symptom of heart failure. Multimodality imaging showed the primary lesion adhering to the arterial wall but without invading into surrounding tissues. PET/CT showed signs of hypometabolic activity within the lumen of the main PA. Cardiac MRI showed preserved left ventricular systolic function. CT showed distinctive features of PA osteosarcoma (a slightly hyperdense mass with calcification in pulmonary trunk).
Bending versus Twisting Acenes – A Computational Study
Authors: Armon Amit Manor , Bedi Anjan , Borin Veniamin , Schapiro Igor , Gidron Ori
Published: September 2021

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widely used in organic electronic devices. The electronic, magnetic, and optical properties of PAHs can be tuned by structural modifications to the aromatic backbone to introduce an inherent distortion from planarity, such as bending or twisting. However, it remains difficult to isolate and control the effects of such distortions. Here, we sought to understand how backbone twisting and bending affect the electronic properties of acenes, as models for larger PAHs. We found that, even when highly distorted from planarity (30° per ring), acenes maintain their aromatic character and π orbital delocalization with minor mixing of the σ and π orbitals. In addition, the energy gap between the HOMO and LUMO decreases with increasing twist, while the gap is hardly affected by bending, since the energy of both orbitals increase to a similar extent. For bent acenes in the triplet state, the spin becomes more localized with increasing bend, whereas twisting produces an evenly distributed spin delocalization. These findings can guide the synthesis of PAHs with tailored properties.
Performance of roof‐cool paints prepared using organic acrylic polymer binder and inorganic additives for the thermal reduction in buildings
Authors: Suwal Shreyash Raj , Ramaswamy Arun Prasath
Published: September 2021

The passive cooling strategy has gained significant attention in recent years due to the dreadful impact of active cooling on energy demand and global warming. This work reports on preparing water‐based new roof‐cool paints and studying their utility on thermal and reflectivity performance. The acrylic binder was synthesized via free‐radical water‐based emulsion polymerization using vinyl acrylic monomers ‐three new paint formulations prepared using the as‐prepared acrylic polymer binder with inorganic pigments. To study the roof‐cooling performance of the prepared paints, a cubical plywood‐box model fitted with the painted cement panel was considered the roof with a halogen lamp to simulate the sunlight. The digital thermal sensors are used to record the temperature at the exterior panel surface, interior panel surface, and model box center point to record temperature with time. The study revealed that the prepared roof‐cool paints showed a synergistic effect in reflecting the incident light and heat rejection with peak temperature reduction in the internal air reaching up to 2.8° C inside the model. These type roof‐cool paint coatings on a roof‐top could undoubtedly bring the temperature down inside the building and achieve substantial savings from the energy utilized for cooling comfort.
Unmanned aerial vehicle‐enabled layered architecture based solution for disaster management
Authors: Khan Amina , Gupta Sumeet , Gupta Sachin Kumar
Published: September 2021

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has become a priority in the industrial and academic research community for the last few years. With the fast development of wireless networking technologies, it is widely used in many applications such as surveillance, search and rescue (SAR) operation, disaster management, remote monitoring, and so forth. Emergency communication for victims and first responders is one of the critical requirements during natural and human‐made disasters. Airborne Base Stations (BS) or UAV‐mounted BS has been used to provide high‐speed internet services and rescue responses in natural disasters and emergencies in recent years. Most of the previous research on UAV‐mounted BS (UAVmBS) only considers outdoor users. It assumes their coordinate position in a two‐dimensional (2D) plane, taking only Euclidean pathloss‐based distance into account. Though, in man‐made or urban natural disaster situations such as floods, cyclones, building fires, and so forth, users are stuck in single or multistory high‐rise buildings situated in a three‐dimensional (3D) plane. In such cases, it is possible to interact and rescue reliably if pathloss features are known a priori, both for UAVmBS to users (downlink) and vice versa (uplink). As pathloss in the above situations is a mixture of outdoor and indoor elements, adopting a compatible model can be challenging for communications. This article proposes a layered architecture and studies the path loss models best suited for the disaster management system (DMS), which considers both indoor and outdoor parameters. Further, the main goal is to effectively implement a layered architecture employing UAVmBS in urban disasters for better capacity and coverage improvement. Simulation outputs display the progress in transmission delays, throughput, and effective packet delivery for disaster management.
An introduction to policy advocacy evaluation: The concepts, history, and literature of the field
Authors: Raynor Jared , Coffman Julia , Stachowiak Sarah
Published: September 2021

The development of a field of practice for policy advocacy evaluation has been relatively recent within the evaluation community. Given various unique elements, policy advocacy necessitates an adaptation of contextual understanding, methods, and use elements for evaluation practitioners. The authors of this article describe the individual elements that define the space and discuss the origins and development of advocacy evaluation within the evaluation community. The authors then review a broad (though not comprehensive) swath of the existing literature on the topic.
Association between low carbohydrate diet (LCD) and sleep quality by mediating role of inflammatory factors in women with overweight and obesity: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Tavakoli Atefeh , Mirzababaei Atieh , Mirzaei Khadijeh
Published: September 2021

Poor sleep quality can lead to increased obesity. Low carbohydrate diet (LCD) is considered as an approach for sleep quality and obesity improvement. The aim of this investigation is to evaluate the relationship between LCD and sleep quality with the mediatory effect of inflammatory markers including transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β), high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), total antioxidant capacity: In our cross‐sectional study, 304 obese women aged from 19 to 50 years were enrolled. Body mass index (BMI) in these women ranged from 25.2 to 48.3 kg/m2. LCD score was assessed by a 147‐ item semi‐quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess the sleep quality. FFQ and PSQI questionnaires are completed simultaneously by the participants. Biochemical indicators (inflammatory markers) were measured and anthropometric components were evaluated. The relationship between sleep quality and LCD with quantitative variables was assessed by independent sample t‐test and with qualitative variables by chi‐square test. Binary logistic regression was used to estimate confounding variables including age, job, stress, weight to investigate the relationship between LCD and sleep. Following of LCD had a significant negative relationship with PSQI score. It can be said that with increasing LCD adherence, the possibility of poor sleep quality decrease (OR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.19–0.94,p = .03). It was also showed, hs‐CRP (OR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.3–1.21, p = .16) and TAC (OR = 0.6, 95% CI = 0.25–1.4, p = 0.24), eliminated the significance of the association and it is possible that they play a mediating role in this relationship Following the LCD can have a positive effect on improving PSQI scores by reduction in inflammatory markers levels.
Sourdoughs fermented by autochthonous Lactobacillus strains improve the quality of gluten‐free bread
Authors: Gharekhani Mehdi , Nami Yousef , Aalami Mehran , Hejazi Mohammad Amin
Published: September 2021

Sourdoughs based on fermentation by lactobacilli have the potential to produce gluten‐free maize‐based bread with acceptable technological and rheological characteristics, nutritional quality, and more prolonged shelf life. Of the 17 treatments compared (with or without sourdough, and involving single and multiple LAB species), treatments 12C (Lactobacillus brevis, L sanfranciscensis + L. plantarum), and 8C (L. brevis + L. paralimentarius) showed the lowest rate of complex modulus, while treatments 11C (L. sanfranciscensis + L. brevis + L. paralimentarius) and 2C (L. brevis) led to the greatest reduction in baking loss. The crumb moisture content of all of the formulations decreased with storage. Breads produced with treatment 2C (L. brevis) had the highest crumb moisture content when freshly baked, while loaves produced with treatment 3C (L. paralimentarius) had the highest crumb moisture content after four days of storage. A sensory evaluation indicated that sourdough‐based maize breads were superior to both control and chemically acidified breads. The optimal treatments were to use sourdough seeded with treatment 2C (L. brevis), with treatment 4C (L. plantarum), with treatment 8C (L. brevis + L. paralimentarius), or with treatment 11C (L. sanfranciscensis + L. brevis + L. paralimentarius).
Introduction to the urban ecologies open collection: A call for contributions on methods, ethics, and design in geographical research with urban animals
Authors: Oliver Catherine , Ragavan Shruti , Turnbull Jonathon , Chowdhury Anmol , Borden Diane , Fry Thomas , Gutgutia Sneha , Srivastava Shubhangi
Published: September 2021

This Open Collection proposes innovative research directions for both urban and beyond/more‐than‐/non‐human geographies with animals. We are seeking papers for this Open Collection across three themes: (1) methods; (2) ethics and politics; and (3) planning and design. Specifically, we are interested in papers that pose questions of and reflect upon emergent tensions in researching with urban animals in each of these themes. This Open Collection aims to explore urban space beyond the human lens and to offer new modalities and frameworks for geographical research with urban animals. We are interested in papers that explore urban geographies with animals from a range of different theoretical, methodological, and empirical locations and perspectives. In this introduction to the Open Collection, we briefly summarise existing research in this field, before outlining the three thematic areas of the Collection.
Assessment of astrocytes as a mediator of memory and learning in rodents
Authors: Akther Sonam , Hirase Hajime
Published: September 2021

The classical view of astrocytes is that they provide supportive functions for neurons, transporting metabolites and maintaining the homeostasis of the extracellular milieu. This view is gradually changing with the advent of molecular genetics and optical methods allowing interrogation of selected cell types in live experimental animals. An emerging view that astrocytes additionally act as a mediator of synaptic plasticity and contribute to learning processes has gained in vitro and in vivo experimental support. Here we focus on the literature published in the past two decades to review the roles of astrocytes in brain plasticity in rodents, whereby the roles of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators are considered to be comparable to those in humans. We outline established inputs and outputs of astrocytes and discuss how manipulations of astrocytes have impacted the behavior in various learning paradigms. Multiple studies suggest that the contribution of astrocytes has a considerably longer time course than neuronal activation, indicating metabolic roles of astrocytes. We advocate that exploring upstream and downstream mechanisms of astrocytic activation will further provide insight into brain plasticity and memory/learning impairment.
Characterising the allergic profile of children with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Faulkner Amy L. , Grayling Michael , Shillitoe Benjamin , Brodlie Malcolm , Michaelis Louise J.
Published: September 2021

Background

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic condition that affects multiple organ systems. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a well‐recognised problem but other allergic conditions are less well documented in CF.

Objective

To characterise the allergic profile of a cohort of children with CF, with a focus on those with ABPA.

Methods

A cohort of children with CF were interviewed and retrospective data were collected regarding their allergic histories and other relevant clinical features.

Results

The cohort included 37 children with median age of 9 years (interquartile range: 6‐12). There was a history of ≥1 allergic condition(s) in 28/37 children (76%). The most common allergic condition was allergic rhinitis (AR) in 21/37 (57%) and 16 of these 21 children (76%) had another allergic condition. All children with ABPA (8) had another allergic condition. In some children ABPA exacerbations appeared to be seasonal, suggesting possible cross‐sensitisation between Aspergillus fumigatus and aeroallergens associated with seasonal AR. Allergic conditions were also common in children with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.
Anti‐perovskite materials for energy storage batteries
Authors: Deng Zhi , Ni Dixing , Chen Diancheng , Bian Ying , Li Shuai , Wang Zhaoxiang , Zhao Yusheng
Published: September 2021

Anti‐perovskites X3BA, as the electrically inverted derivatives of perovskites ABX3, have attracted tremendous attention for their good performances in multiple disciplines, especially in energy storage batteries. The Li/Na‐rich antiperovskite (LiRAP/NaRAP) solid‐state electrolytes (SSEs) typically show high ionic conductivities and high chemical/electrochemical stability toward the Li‐metal anode, illustrating their great potential for applications in the Li‐metal batteries (LMBs) using nonaqueous liquid electrolyte or all‐solid‐state electrolyte. The antiperovskites have been studied as artificial solid electrolyte interphase for Li‐metal anode protection, film SSEs for thin‐film batteries, and low melting temperature solid electrolyte enabling melt‐infiltration for the manufacture of all‐solid‐state lithium batteries. Transition metal‐doped LiRAPs as cathodes have demonstrated a high discharge specific capacity and good rate capability in the Li‐ion batteries (LIBs). Additionally, the underlying scientific principles in antiperovskites with flexible structural features have also been extensively studied. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the development, structural design, ionic conductivity and ion transportation mechanism, chemical/electrochemical stability, and applications of some antiperovskite materials in energy storage batteries. The perspective for enhancing the performance of the antiperovskites is also provided as a guide for future development and applications in energy storage.

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How do digital technologies influence the dynamic capabilities of micro and small businesses in a pandemic and low‐income country context?
Authors: Owoseni Adebowale , Hatsu Sylvester , Tolani Adedamola
Published: September 2021

It is not clear how extreme disruptions like COVID‐19 pandemic affects the dynamic capabilities (DCs) of micro and small businesses (MSBs) in the context of low‐income countries. Therefore, this study makes sense of how MSBs leverage DCs through digital technologies (DTs). Using mixed‐method and interpretive research approaches, the first phase of the study applied a deductive coding technique to analyze interviews from 30 MSB managers in Ghana. Coding activities revealed 21 DC constructs of MSBs in Ghana. Next, wecontextualizedandsimplifiedthe DC framework by proposing aninterpretiveblueprint of DC framework applicable to Ghana and other low‐income countries. The second phase, through a questionnaire, progressed the research by assessing how DTs influence the 21 DC constructs. Findings suggest thatcollectiveDCs of MSBs as a business sector did not change in a pandemic situation; nonetheless, the extent to which MSBs demonstrate DCs increased by up to 82%; and the use of DTs such as mobile payment and social media tools increased significantly.Interpretive reflectionson the research outcomes argued that whilst the collective DCs of MSBs remain the same, each MSB uniquely explored opportunities by manifesting different combinations of DC constructs and DTs, at varying extents, and the knowledge of how MSB combines DCs could promote MSB management and digital innovation as low‐income countries seek to recover from the COVID‐19 economic downturn. Consequently, this research extends literature and progresses the UN sustainable development goals 8.3 as it helps to enhance policies that promote digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and growth of MSBs.
Intravenous administration of three multiwalled carbon nanotubes to female rats and their effect on urinary biochemical profile
Authors: Mortensen Ninell P. , Snyder Rodney W. , Pathmasiri Wimal , Moreno Caffaro Maria , Sumner Susan J. , Fennell Timothy R.
Published: September 2021

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of outer diameter (OD) and length (L) of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on biodistribution and the perturbation of endogenous metabolite profiles. Three different‐sized carboxylated MWCNTs (NIEHS‐12‐2: L 0.5–2 μm, OD 10–20 nm, NIEHS‐13‐2: L 0.5–2 μm, OD 30–50 nm, and NIEHS‐14‐2: L 10–30 μm, OD 10–20 nm) in water were administered to female Sprague‐Dawley rats as a single intravenous dose of 1 mg/kg MWCNTs. Biodistribution in liver, lung, spleen, and lymph nodes was evaluated in tissue sections at 1 and 7 days' post‐dosing using enhanced darkfield microscopy and hyperspectral imaging. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis was used for biochemical profiling and pathway mapping of endogenous metabolites in urine collected at 24‐h intervals prior to dosing, at Day 1 and Day 7.

At Day 1 and Day 7, all three MWCNTs were observed in liver. NIEHS‐12‐2 was observed in spleen, whereas NIEHS‐13‐2 and NIEHS‐14‐2 were not. All three MWCNTs were observed in lymph nodes and lung at Day 7. The urinary biochemical profile showed the highest positive fold change (FC) at Day 7 for the metabolites acetate, alanine, and lactate, whereas 1‐methylnicotinamide, 2‐oxoglutarate, and hippurate had some of the lowest FCs for all three MWCNTs.

This study demonstrates that the observed tissue location of MWCNTs is size dependent. Overlaps in the perturbation of endogenous metabolite profiles were found regardless of their size, and the biochemical responses were more profound at Day 7 compared with Day 1, indicating a delayed biological response to MWCNTs.
Factorial validation of sense of community scale using Nigerian mathematics, science, and social science education students: Implication for educational administrators and evaluators
Authors: Ugwuanyi Chika C. , Ugwuanyi Christian S. , Onu Eucharia A. , Kalu Ijeoma A. , Eze Beatrice A. , Ani Mercy I. , Metu Ifeoma C. , Ezeaku Felicia N. , Onuoha Joseph C. , Ugwu Chidinma B. A. , Okeke Anulika M. , Odo Innocent O. , Ugwuanyi Chiamaka K. , Eze Uche N.
Published: September 2021

The ugly occurrences of security breaches have made the Nigerian populace to be leaving in fear. The most affected are the teaming adolescents of the school‐age who may not have a good sense of their community. Thus, this study carried out the factorial validation of a 36‐item sense of community scale (SoCS) developed by Cicognani et al. since no such study exists in Nigeria. The instrument was adopted and validated. A sample of 357 students in South East Federal Universities, Nigeria, was used for this study using a simple random sampling technique. The instrument's factorial validation was conducted by subjecting the data obtained to factor analysis to determine its validity and reliability. Besides, the principal component matrix with varimax rotation was used to carry out the exploratory and confirmatory factors analyses, while the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) and confirmatory factor index (CFI) were used to determine the data model fit. Findings of the study showed that SoCS demonstrated good reliability (0.89) and model fit (RMSEA = 0.041, CFI = 0.951) in the Nigerian context. SoCS is a reliable scale for measuring the in‐school adolescents' sense of community.
Assessing multidimensional mattering: Development and exploratory validation of the Mattering in Domains of Life Scale (MIDLS)
Authors: Scarpa Michael P. , Zopluoglu Cengiz , Prilleltensky Isaac
Published: September 2021

Mattering, defined as feeling valued and adding value, is a basic psychological need with significant explanatory power. Although several specific measures have been introduced to assess the construct, no integrated, multidimensional measure exists. This limits the ability of researchers to investigate mattering in ecological contexts. This paper seeks to address this gap by introducing the Mattering in Domains of Life Scale (MIDLS) and evaluating its internal structure and convergent validity. Using data from a single, large US representative sample, the analysis validated the overall hypothesized factor structure, consisting of feeling valued and adding value across the personal, interpersonal, occupational, and community domains, as well as overall mattering. Convergent validity was assessed by comparing the various MIDLS subscales to eight established scales. Overall results provide evidence that the MIDLS is a valid scale measuring an essentially unidimensional construct composed of eight subdomains.
Long noncoding RNAs: A novel insight in the leukemogenesis and drug resistance in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Kirtonia Anuradha , Ashrafizadeh Milad , Zarrabi Ali , Hushmandi Kiavash , Zabolian Amirhossein , Bejandi Atefe K. , Rani Reshma , Pandey Amit K. , Baligar Prakash , Kumar Vinit , Das Bhudev C. , Garg Manoj
Published: September 2021

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a common hematological disorder with heterogeneous nature that resulted from blocked myeloid differentiation and an enhanced number of immature myeloid progenitors. During several decades, different factors, including cytogenetic, genetic, and epigenetic have been reported to contribute to the pathogenesis of AML by inhibiting the differentiation and ensuring the proliferation of myeloid blast cells. Recently, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been considered as potential diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic factors in different human malignancies including AML. Altered expression of lncRNAs is correlated with the transformation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells into leukemic blast cells because of their distinct role in the key cellular processes. We discuss the significant role of lncRNAs in the proliferation, survival, differentiation, leukemic stem cells in AML and their involvement in different molecular pathways (insulin‐like growth factor type I receptor, FLT3, c‐KIT, Wnt, phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase/protein kinase‐B, microRNAs), and associated mechanisms such as autophagy, apoptosis, and glucose metabolism. In addition, we aim to highlight the role of lncRNAs as reliable biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and drug resistance for precision medicine in AML.
Why Australian female high school students do not choose construction as a career: A qualitative investigation into value beliefs about the construction industry
Authors: Carnemolla Phillippa , Galea Natalie
Published: September 2021

Background

The construction industry remains male dominated, despite the efforts of business and educational institutions to attract women into construction careers. Previous research has examined why female university students study construction management or engineering. To complement this knowledge, there is an opportunity to understand why so many Australian female high school students do not choose to pursue construction‐related careers.

Purpose

Framed in motivational theory, the purpose of the study was to understand why Australian female high school students do not choose a construction‐related career by answering the question: How do the value beliefs of female high school students contribute to a rejection of the construction sector as a career choice?

Design/method

Applying a qualitative methodology, we report on semistructured interviews with a sample of 15 Australian female high school students. Interview transcripts were inductively analyzed to reveal themes that were overlaid onto Eccles' expectancy–value theory to deepen our understanding of the values expressed by students when discussing their reasons for not wanting a career in construction.

Results

Results revealed five themes: lack of awareness; lack of self‐alignment; effect of male domination; sector esteem; and parental, teacher, and curriculum influence. Responses revealed the range of values contributing to the decision not to consider the construction industry.

Conclusion

The paper concludes by suggesting that to increase the participation of young women in the Australian construction industry, the sector should respond to the value beliefs held by female high school students. It should transform the perception of construction into one of a profession that is relevant, valuable, and enjoyable for young women.
Incorporating genetic counseling into the evaluation of pediatric bone marrow failure
Authors: Schneider Kami Wolfe , Suttman Alexandra , McKinney Christopher , Giller Roger , Dollerschell Kaylee , Nakano Taizo A.
Published: September 2021

The timely identification of germline genetic causes of pediatric bone marrow failure (BMF) impacts medical screening practices, family counseling, therapeutic decision‐making, and risk of progression to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML). At diagnosis, treatment decisions need to be made quickly to mitigate risks associated with profound cytopenias. As genetic testing options are rapidly evolving, an efficient multi‐disciplinary approach and algorithm, including early involvement of a genetics team, is needed to expedite diagnosis and therapeutic decision‐making. This process aids in the identification of appropriate candidates for molecular genetic testing. We present our single center experience reviewing the implementation of genetic counseling and a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm used to guide genetic evaluation of pediatric BMF. Disease‐specific next‐generation sequencing (NGS) panels were most often pursued in patients who presented with a clinical phenotype consistent with a known inherited BMF syndrome and when trying to reduce incidental or uninformative results. Broader BMF NGS panels were most often utilized when unable to narrow the suspected etiology to a single disorder. Whole exome sequencing helped with optimizing treatment decision‐making in higher risk children with BMF who required expedited hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The experience has led to improvements to our process for evaluating patients with BMF.
Edge colorings and circular flows on regular graphs
Authors: Mattiolo Davide , Steffen Eckhard
Published: September 2021

Let be the circular flow number of a bridgeless graph . By Steffen it was proved that, for a bridgeless ‐regular graph , where is a positive integer, if and only if has a perfect matching such that is bipartite. This implies that is a class 1 graph. For , all graphs with circular flow number bigger than 4 are class 2 graphs. We show that, for all , . This was conjectured to be true by Steffen. Moreover we prove that, for all , is a ‐regular class 1 graph with no perfect matching whose removal leaves a bipartite graph. We further disprove the conjecture that every ‐regular class 1 graph has circular flow number at most .
4‐Separations in Hajós graphs
Authors: Xie Qiqin , Xie Shijie , Yu Xingxing , Yuan Xiaofan
Published: September 2021

As a natural extension of the Four Color Theorem, Hajós conjectured that graphs containing no ‐subdivision are 4‐colorable. Any possible counterexample to this conjecture with minimum number of vertices is called a Hajós graph. Previous results show that Hajós graphs are 4‐connected but not 5‐connected. A ‐separation in a graph is a pair of edge‐disjoint subgraphs of such that , , and for . In this paper, we show that Hajós graphs do not admit a 4‐separation such that and can be drawn in the plane with no edge crossings and all vertices in incident with a common face. This is a step in our attempt to reduce Hajós' conjecture to the Four Color Theorem.