bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Teaching the process of science through COVID‐19 pandemic themes
Authors: Ward Meghan , Rawle Fiona
Published: March 2022

Several predominant themes have emerged during the COVID‐19 global pandemic that intersect with the nature and process of science. This paper identifies three such themes and briefly explores how they can be used as case studies and narrative cornerstones in teaching and learning. The themes include: (1) the understanding that science is cumulative and ever‐changing, meaning that new findings may cause us to reconsider previous understandings; (2) the importance of citation tracking in the process of science; and (3) the need for accessible and purposeful science communication.
Antecedents towards social circular consumption of food wastes in emerging economies: Transition towards food circular economy
Authors: Kumari Sneha , Bharti Nisha , Rahaman Saidur
Published: March 2022

Food waste not only challenges food security but also contributes to carbon gas emissions leading to climate change. Hence, food wastes management evolved as an important measure for sustainability and circular economy. Time and again, food waste management has serious concerns for the population. Despite the growing concept of circular economy in food waste management, there is a need to understand the antecedents which lead to reuse, recycling, and reducing food wastes. The study aims to address the following research question: What are the antecedents for circular consumption of food wastes and how can we prioritize those risks at the bottom of the pyramid? The study aims to understand all the antecedents identified using the Delphi technique and an extensive literature review. The antecedents have been further analyzed and prioritized using the DEMATEL technique. The prime respondents of the study are practitioners, distributors, households, and waste pickers. The study has derived 15 antecedents of food waste management and validated them through experts. The final selected antecedents have been analyzed and prioritized using DEMATEL. The study proposes a new model for circular consumption of food using Delphi and DEMATEL methodology. The antecedents have been further linked to strategizing business for the same. The outcome will help the practitioners to take appropriate actions for managing food waste. The study will add to the managerial and policy recommendations for managing food waste.
Blockchain technology and environmental efficiency: Evidence from US‐listed firms
Authors: Tawiah Vincent , Zakari Abdulrasheed , Li Guo , Kyiu Anthony
Published: March 2022

This study examines the relationship between the adoption of blockchain technology and environmental efficiency by using a sample of US firms over the 2015–2019 period. Our results indicate that the adoption of blockchain technology is positively and significantly associated with environmental efficiency, suggesting that blockchain improves environmental sustainability. In further analyses, we determine that the relationship between blockchain and environmental efficiency is more pronounced for firms in financial and technological industries than for those in other industries. Our findings are also robust to other methods that control for endogeneity, including difference in difference regressions and propensity score matching. Overall, we provide empirical evidence to incentivize business leaders and policymakers to adopt innovative technologies, such as blockchain.
The studies of Rita Levi‐Montalcini on the effects of tumor transplantation on the chorioallantoic membrane
Authors: Ribatti Domenico
Published: March 2022

In 1986, Rita Levi‐Montalcini and Stanley Cohen were awarded with the Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine for the discovery of the nerve growth factor. Among the experimental models used by Levi‐Montalcini in the first part of her studies it was the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane, currently used in the study of tumor growth and angiogenesis. Levi‐Montalcini grafted fragments of mouse sarcomas on to the chorioallantoic membranes of 4‐ to 6‐day chick embryos and demonstrated that the tumors infiltrated the host blood vessels. Moreover, the ganglia showed hypertrophy, nerve fibers reaching to the implanted tumors. Levi‐Montalcini hypothesized that the effects could have been mediated by a soluble factor, which was later identified as the nerve growth factor.
Intralesional bleomycin for treatment of a recalcitrant wart in an immunocompromised patient: A safe, effective, and underutilized therapy
Authors: Ngo Tracy , Hwang Hannah , Amin Bijal , Cohen Steven R.
Published: March 2022

Injectable bleomycin is infrequently used for recalcitrant warts despite its efficacy, acceptable safety profile, and high patient satisfaction compared with other treatment modalities. We present an immunocompromised patient with a large recalcitrant wart successfully treated with intralesional bleomycin to provide greater clinical exposure, training, and practice with intralesional bleomycin.
N/O Co‐Doped Hard Carbon Derived from Cocklebur Fruit for Sodium‐Ion Storage
Authors: Shi Gejun , Han Zhen , Hu Lulu , Wang Baofeng , Huang Fuqiang
Published: March 2022

Hard carbon is one of the most promising anode materials for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). However, it still faces the obstacle of low reversible capacity. Modifying the carbon skeleton with heteroatoms is an effective method to improve the electrochemical properties of carbon electrodes. Herein, cocklebur fruit, a plant which is rich in natural alkaloids, is selected as the precursor to prepare N/O co‐doped hard carbon. The obtained sample pyrolyzed at 1100 °C (H1100) can exhibit 366.07 mAh g−1 specific discharge capacity and 69.08 % initial coulombic efficiency. The balance between the suitable configuration of N/O groups and graphitization forms a carbon material with a high sodium‐ion storage capability. The storage mechanism is analyzed by cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential capacity (dQ/dV), galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT), and ex‐situ Raman. The results show that the sodium ions are first adsorbed on defect sites, then filled with micropores and embedded in graphite sheets.
Finite element simulation and optimization of mechanical performance of the magnesium‐alloy biliary stent
Authors: Zhang Yanhong , Ni Xiaoyu , Pan Changwang
Published: March 2022

A biliary stent is used to expand the bile duct during interventional treatment of biliary stricture. To reduce the complications after stent implantation, it is necessary to understand and improve the comprehensive performance of magnesium alloy biliary stents. In this study, at first, the mechanical performance of magnesium alloy biliary stent in bile ducts with different ellipticitiesis studied, and the influence of the ellipticity of bile duct on the interaction of the stent‐bile duct coupling system is better understood. Proposed results show the increment of ellipticity of the bile duct will increase the difficulty of expanding the stent. Second, to improve the mechanical performance and degradation performance of the stent simultaneously, an optimal design method based on a zero‐order algorithm is used to reduce the maximum equivalent stress on the stent effectively, to make the stress distribution more uniform, and to expand the bile duct of the lesion more effectively and uniformly. The results of this analysis and optimization are useful to predict the clinical effect of stents and to design and optimize stents for both bile duct and other non‐vascular
Phase Engineering in Cobalt Sulfide with Multiple Redox Modes for High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhu Shuang , Wan Ping , Zhang Nan , Wang Changda , Yu Zhen , Wang Wenjie , Chu Wangsheng
Published: March 2022

Transition metal sulfides with multivalent nature are regarded as promising anodes for lithium‐ion batteries owing to their high theoretical capacity. However, the structure‐activity relationship between atomic arrangement and lithium storage performance is pointedly ambiguous. Herein, we demonstrate a phase engineering strategy towards hollow nanostructured cobalt sulfides with different atomic arrangements for high‐performance anodes. By selectively controlling the synthesis of cobalt sulfides with two phases (i. e. hexagonal or cubic phase), we unravel that the arrangement of sulfur atoms endows cobalt sites with different electronic structures, resulting in an abnormal (de)lithiation reaction mechanism. Benefiting from the multiple redox transitions and the enhanced electronic conductivity, hexagonal cobalt sulfide achieves an outstanding rate performance (1203 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 and 190 mAh g−1 at 10 A g−1), and a high reversible capacity (800 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles at 0.5 A g−1). The mechanism studied here may provide insights into the design of other energy storage materials.
MLCT: A multi‐level contact tracing scheme with strong privacy
Authors: Chen Peng , Zhang Jixin , Chen Jiageng , Meng Weizhi
Published: March 2022

With the outbreak of Covid‐19, both people's health and the world economy are facing great challenges. Contact tracing scheme based on Bluetooth of smartphones has been regarded as a viable way to mitigate the spread of Covid‐19. The existing schemes mainly belong to the centralized or the decentralized structure, both of which have their own limitations. It is infeasible for the existing schemes to balance the different demands of governments and users for user privacy and tracing efficiency at different periods of the epidemic. In this paper, we propose a hybrid contact tracing scheme named MLCT (multi‐level contact tracing scheme) which is mainly based on short group signature. MLCT provides multiple privacy levels by applying anonymous credential technology and secret sharing technology to desensitize user identity privacy and encounter privacy. Comparing to the previous schemes, MLCT fully considers the different demands of the government, patients, and close contacts for user privacy and tracing efficiency in the different stages of Covid‐19. The experimental results show viability in terms of the required resource from both server and mobile phone perspectives. And the security analysis demonstrates that MLCT can achieve the five targets security goals. It is expected that MLCT can contribute to the design and development of contact tracing schemes.
Osteoclastic variant of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: An insight into a rarest of rare entity
Authors: Mathur Poorvi , Rana Chanchal , Gupta Vaibhav , Ramakant Pooja , Singh Kulranjan , Mishra Anand Kumar , Babu Suresh
Published: March 2022

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is a rare and a very aggressive thyroid malignancy with a dismal prognosis. It has a short history and presents with a rapidly increasing neck mass associated with compressive symptoms like pain, hoarseness of voice, dysphagia and shortness of breath. Osteoclastic variant is an extremely rare variant, which is, characterize by presence of a large number of multinucleated giant cells, which resemble osteoclasts. Here we report two cases of this unusual variant in a 68 years old and 49 years old male with a short history of thyroid swelling.
Graph theoretical analysis of EEG after audiovisual stimulation in different anxiety states
Authors: Yamamoto Yusuke , Muramatsu Ayumi , Mizuno‐Matsumoto Yuko
Published: March 2022

In this study, a brain network was created using graph theoretical analysis based on electroencephalography (EEG) data. The purpose of the study was to investigate the functional connectivity of the brain in different states of anxiety. Seventeen adults with anxiety (A‐G), and 13 adults without anxiety (AF‐G) were examined. They were given three different stimulations: resting, pleasant, and unpleasant. EEG was measured immediately after the stimulation. The EEG was analyzed by Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), coherence analysis, and graph theory. The results of FFT and coherence analysis showed that the anxiety group (A‐G) had higher power spectra and coherence values than those for the anxiety‐free group (AF‐G) in all sessions. The results of graph theory analysis showed that the clustering coefficient and small‐worldness in A‐G were lower than those in AF‐G, although the characteristic path length in A‐G was higher than that in AF‐G. This study shows that the brain of A‐G has smaller clusters and longer paths to compare with those of AF‐G. These events suggest that the brain of A‐G would have an inefficient network structure to transmit emotional information.
Consider your institution's policies, practices regarding students who owe money
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: March 2022

“To emerge from the pandemic even stronger, institutional leaders must embrace long‐term change. That means evaluating longstanding institutional policies that block retention and completion for our most underserved students, such as enrollment and transcript holds for students with unpaid balances.” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona made that statement at the Federal Student Aid Training Conference in December 2021.
Self‐assembling protein scaffold‐mediated enzymes' immobilization enhances in vitrod‐tagatose production from lactose
Authors: Liu Wei , Jiang Cheng , Zhang Yiwen , Zhu Liying , Jiang Ling , Huang He
Published: March 2022

As a rare low‐calorie sugar with special medicinal value, d‐tagatose is widely used in the field of food, beverages, medicine, and cosmetics. However, enzymatic d‐tagatose production in vitro is commonly limited to low conversion efficiency and poor thermo‐stability. Herein, taking advantage of the self‐assembling property of protein scaffold EutM (ethanolamine bacterial microcompartments), Spy and Snoop peptide pairs was used to drive the linkage between the EutM and cargo proteins, β‐galactosidase (BagB), and l‐arabinose isomerase (TMAI) to construct a dual‐enzymes cascade and realize the d‐tagatose production from lactose. The optimal conditions of the cascade were shown to be pH of 8.0, temperature of 60°C, 100 g/L lactose as substrate with supplementing 5 mM Mn2+. When the ratio of immobilized enzymes to EutM scaffold reached 1:6, the d‐tagatose productivity of the dual‐enzymes cascade could reach 1.03 g/L/h, which was 1.24‐fold higher than free enzymes. In addition, the EutM‐based scaffold could efficiently improve the stability of immobilized enzymes, in which 45% of the activity remained after 12 h, 2.14‐fold higher than the free one. Overall, an attractive EutM‐based self‐assembling platform immobilizing BagB and TMAI was developed, showing enhanced catalysis efficiency and enzyme thermo‐stability for d‐tagatose production.
Facies analysis and sequence stratigraphy of the Middle Miocene Marmarica Formation at Siwa area, north Western Desert, Egypt
Authors: Anan Tarek , Reda Amina , El Belasy Ahmed , El‐Shahat Adam
Published: March 2022

The Middle Miocene rocks in the northern part of the Western Desert of Egypt are dominated by carbonate rocks that constitute the Marmarica Formation. To determine the depositional environments and sequence architecture of the Marmarica Formation, three sections were described and sampled in detail. These sections from west to east are; Girba, Naqb El‐Migahhiz, and Gabal Umm Hiyus. The Marmarica Formation in the Siwa area includes three members, from bottom to top: the Oasis, Siwa Escarpment, and El Diffa Plateau members. The microfacies of the Marmarica Formation comprise abundant mud‐supported microfacies with minor grain‐supported microfacies. Sedimentation during the Middle Miocene took place on a homoclinal ramp. Dolomitization is the most prevalent diagenetic process that affected carbonate sediments of the Marmarica Formation. The Marmarica Formation comprises two sequence boundaries. The first sequence boundary (SB1) is demarcated by the presence of Thalassinoides ichnofacies at the boundary between the Oasis and Siwa Escarpment members in all the studied sections. It is considered a type 1 sequence boundary. The second sequence boundary (SB2) is represented by an erosional surface, which is recorded only in Girba section. The SB2 was traced at both Naqb El‐Migahhiz and Umm Hiyus sections by the occurrence of burrows that relate to the Glossifungites ichnofacies. The latter boundary is considered type 2. Three third‐order depositional sequences have been recognized in the Middle Miocene Marmarica Formation. Therefore, the Marmarica Formation at Siwa Oasis exhibits relative sea‐level oscillation. During the Middle Miocene, the prevailing warm climate caused transgression and deposition of carbonates along the marine shelf surrounding western and northern Africa.
Aspects of parabolic motion of MHD fluid flow past a vertical porous plate with cross‐diffusion effects
Authors: Umamaheswar Mummadisetty , Reddy Poli Chandra , Reddy S. Harinath , Mopuri Obulesu , Ganteda Charan Kumar
Published: March 2022

In the presence of Soret and Dufour effects, a numerical analysis is performed for an unstable magnetohydrodynamics convective flow of parabolic motion with variable temperature and concentration. The finite‐difference method is used to solve the set of nondimensional governing equations with boundary conditions numerically. Graphs are used to investigate the effect of various physical characteristics on flow quantities. Variations in skin friction, Nusselt number, and Sherwood number are also examined using tables for physical curiosity. This study is unique in that it takes into account changeable temperature as well as concentration with Soret and Dufour effects. The magnetic parameter, Prandtl number, heat source, radiation parameter, Schmidt number, and chemical reaction parameter show a significant increase in skin friction, whereas the Grashof number, modified Grashof number, permeability parameter, radiation absorption parameter, Dufour number, and Soret number show the opposite trend. As the Soret number rises, the concentration rises as well, whereas the opposite is true for the Schmidt number and the chemical reaction parameter. The current study is highly supported by previously published data that have been verified.
Impact of clinical pharmacist participation in stroke team activations on tissue plasminogen activator door‐to‐needle time
Authors: McSwain Chelsea L. , Chughtai Imran A. , Harriston Sharon
Published: March 2022

INTRODUCTION

Current stroke guidelines recommend that treatment with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) should be initiated as quickly as possible in eligible patients to provide maximum therapeutic benefit. Pharmacists possess multiple skills including knowledge of dosing, reconstitution, and improved access to medication that may positively impact door‐to‐needle (DTN) times for patients with acute ischemic stroke.

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to evaluate the impact of a clinical pharmacist on time to tPA administration in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, single‐center cohort study at a community teaching hospital and certified primary stroke center from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2018. The primary outcome of this study was to compare the average DTN time with a pharmacist present at a stroke team activation vs no pharmacist present. Secondary outcomes included the proportion of patients in each group meeting a DTN time of less than 60 minutes and the proportion of patients in each group meeting a DTN time of less than 45 minutes. Statistical analysis utilized included Wilson's t‐test to compare average DTN time and the odds ratio to determine a DTN time <60 or 45 minutes between the pharmacist and non‐pharmacist groups.

RESULTS

Pharmacist involvement was associated with a reduction in the average DTN time: 66 minutes vs 78 minutes (P = .038). The DTN time of less than 60 minutes was met in 60% of cases with a pharmacist present compared with 35% without a pharmacist (P = .005). The DTN time of less than 45 minutes was met in 18% of cases with a pharmacist present vs 20% without a pharmacist (P = .71).

CONCLUSION

Pharmacist participation in stroke teams in the emergency department may reduce DTN times and increase the likelihood of a patient receiving tPA in less than 60 minutes.
Biomembrane‐mimetic hemoperfusion adsorbent for efficient removal of low‐density lipoprotein from hyperlipemia blood
Authors: Yu Yameng , Ma Boya , Guo Chen , Jiang Xinbang , Liu Zhuang , Chai Yamin , Wang Lichun , Du Yunzheng , Wang Biao , Li Nan , Ou Lailiang
Published: March 2022

Lowering of low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in blood of patients with hyperlipidaemia can effectively prevent the progression of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. The present study demonstrated a facile synthesis strategy to prepare biomembrane‐mimetic LDL adsorbent (PVA@COOH‐PE) via directional immobilization of phospholipid onto macro‐porous cross‐linked poly(vinyl alcohol) spheres. The binding between the prepared adsorbent and LDL particles simulates the cytosolic lipid droplets to form a lipid‐packing structure. The adsorbent possesses satisfactory removal efficiency for LDL and total cholesterol (TCH) in hyperlipemia serum, while remains high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) concentration within the normal range. The adsorption capacities for LDL and TCH are about 1.13 and 1.74 mg/ml respectively, which are nearly three and four times higher than that of HDL (0.42 mg/ml). The adsorbent also possesses satisfactory anticoagulant properties, causes negligible effect on blood cells and produces low hemolysis ratios. The excellent blood compatibility plus LDL removal efficiency of PVA@COOH‐PE indicates its good application prospect as hemoperfusion adsorbent in the treatment of hyperlipidaemia.
Is the intergenerational transmission of poverty a fallacy? Evidence from Botswana survey data
Authors: Kouassi Eugene , Tchankam Jean Paul , Akinkugbe Oluyele , Bosson J. M. Brou
Published: March 2022

The literature on intergenerational transmission of poverty—ITP—suggests that higher income levels and improved educational attainment of parents tend to impact on children's future welfare. This paper tests the ITP proposition, in the framework of the quantity–quality model, using the 2015/16 Botswana Multiple Topic Indicator Survey data. Results reveal that the ITP assumption is strongly valid—the probability of attaining secondary education by an adolescent—proxy for escaping the poverty trap—is determined by family socio‐economic characteristics. That is, while welfare improvements among current adults are desirable, they could also be impactful on children's tendency to or not escape the poverty trap.
The role of sex in the association between cannabis use and working memory‐related brain activity
Authors: Kroon Emese , Kuhns Lauren N. , Kaag Anne Marije , Filbey Francesca , Cousijn Janna
Published: March 2022

Although cannabis use patterns differ between men and women, studies on sex differences on the effects of cannabis on the brain and cognitive control are largely lacking. Working memory (WM) is a component of cognitive control believed to be involved in the development and maintenance of addiction. In this study, we evaluated the association between cannabis use and WM (load) related brain activity in a large sample, enabling us to assess sex effects in this association. The brain activity of 104 frequent cannabis users (63% men) and 85 controls (53% men) was recorded during an N‐back WM task. Behavioral results showed a significant interaction between WM load and group for both accuracy and reaction time, with cannabis users showing a relatively larger decrease in performance with increasing WM load. Cannabis users compared to controls showed a relatively smaller reduction in WM (load) related activity in the precuneus and posterior cingulate cortex at higher WM load. This WM (load) related activity was not associated with performance nor cannabis use and related problems. An exploratory analysis showed higher WM‐related activity in the superior frontal gyrus in men compared to women. While cannabis users showed higher WM (load) related activity in central nodes of the default mode network, this was not directly attributable to group specific worsening of performance under higher cognitive load. Further research is necessary to assess whether observed group differences increase with higher cognitive load, how group differences relate to measures of cannabis use, and how sex affects these group differences.
Llama and sheep ruminal fluid digestive capacity by in vitro gas production technique
Authors: Ortiz‐Chura Abimael , Wawrzkiewicz Marisa , Cravero Silvio , Fernández Pepi María Gabriela , Cerón‐Cucchi María Esperanza , Jaurena Gustavo
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

The in vitro gas production technique has been used to evaluate forage fermentation kinetics. However, individual and animal species variation can change fermentation patterns due to differences in ruminal environment and microbiota. The aim was to verify whether rumen inoculum (RI) of llama had superior intrinsic digestion capacity and reduced methane (CH4) production compared to sheep RI using fescue and paspalum hay as substrates.

RESULTS

Dry and organic matter (OM) digestibility produced with llama RI tended to exceed that of sheep (P = 0.099 and 0.074, respectively) at 24 h of incubation. However, at 48 h, the sheep RI presented higher substrate digestibility and asymptotic value of gas production than that of llama (P < 0.010). CH4 production showed no differences between RI or substrates (P > 0.050). The NH3‐N and total volatile fatty acid concentrations were greater in the RI of llamas compared to those of sheep (P < 0.050). Acetate and butyrate proportions and acetate‐to‐propionate ratio were greater in the RI of llamas compared to those of sheep (P < 0.001) at 24 and 48 h. However, propionate proportion was greater in sheep compared with llama (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Llama RI tended to surpass that of sheep in dry and OM digestibility at 24 h of incubation, but sheep RI at 48 h presented a higher digestibility and gas production value than llama RI. No differences between the two species were detected for CH4 production. This study showed that llama RI did not perform better than sheep RI in digesting low‐quality forages. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Catechin and Furfurylamine Derived Biobased Benzoxazine with Latent‐Catalyst Effect
Authors: Mukherjee Sourav , Amarnath Nagarjuna , Ramkumar Malavika , Lochab Bimlesh
Published: March 2022

Sustainable polybenzoxazines sourced from renewable feedstock has emerged as an area of interest due to the inherent presence of a high number of reactive and additional functionalities. Plants are a rich source of flavan‐3‐ol viz., catechin (CAT) with four phenolic‐OH and one aliphatic secondary‐OH that can be a viable substitute to petro‐phenols. In this current work, a biobased benzoxazine monomer, viz. CAT‐fa, is synthesized using CAT and carbohydrate sourced furfurylamine (fa). Interestingly, an unexpected tris‐oxazine (instead of tetra‐oxazine) benzoxazine monomer is obtained. The unreacted phenolic‐OH is involved in intramolecular H‐bonding with the neighboring oxazine ring. Upon heat treatment, H‐bonded hydroxyl groups become free and initiate ring‐opening polymerization reaction at a low temperature of ≈125 °C exhibiting the latent catalyst effect. The ring‐opening polymerization of the monomer and the thermal stability of polybenzoxazine are analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis, rheometry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The polymerization reaction is proposed to proceed by the ring‐opening reaction by cleavage at the oxygen of the pyran ring and O─CH2N bond in oxazine ring to generate multiple polar functionalities to enable extensive H‐bonding interactions. This work supports the potential of catechin as a green synthon to form sustainable polymers to employ H‐bonding interactions and latent‐catalytic potential.
Regulating the Crystallization Morphology of Poly(vinylidene fluoride‐chlorotrifluoroethylene) Ultrathin Film by Changing Temperature and Substrate
Authors: Xiao Yaoxin , Bao Yu , Liu Yu , Xu Jinjiang , Zhang Aimin , Zhu Chunhua , Cui Shuxun
Published: March 2022

The crystalline component and crystallization morphology of poly(vinylidene fluoride‐chlorotrifluoroethylene) (P(VDF‐CTFE)) ultrathin film have been investigated. The CTFE segment has been characterized as the crystal composition of the film. For the film on the Si substrate, the nucleation behavior is dominated by homogeneous nucleation to form edge‐on lamellae in the initial stage of crystal nucleation growth. The edge‐on lamella will continue to grow at high crystallization temperature (Tc). However, it will be transformed into flat‐on lamellae at low Tc. For the film on Au substrate, the primary nucleation rate of the layer near the film surface has a competitive relationship when compared with the primary nucleation rate of the layer near the film/substrate interface. The nucleation behavior is preferentially dominated by heterogeneous nucleation to form flat‐on lamellae at high Tc. But it is conducive to homogeneous nucleation to form edge‐on lamellae at low Tc. Further investigation suggests that the different crystalline morphologies of P(VDF‐CTFE) ultrathin film obtained on Au and Si surfaces are closely related to the different interface effects between the film and the substrates. It is anticipated that this study will cast new light on the rational regulation of the morphologies of ultrathin films.
Recombinant Limosilactobacillus (Lactobacillus) delivering nanobodies against Clostridium perfringens NetB and alpha toxin confers potential protection from necrotic enteritis
Authors: Gangaiah Dharanesh , Ryan Valerie , Van Hoesel Daphne , Mane Shrinivasrao P. , Mckinley Enid T. , Lakshmanan Nallakannu , Reddy Nandakumar D. , Dolk Edward , Kumar Arvind
Published: March 2022

Necrotic enteritis (NE), caused by Clostridium perfringens, is an intestinal disease with devastating economic losses to the poultry industry. NE is a complex disease and predisposing factors that compromise gut integrity are required to facilitate C. perfringens proliferation and toxin production. NE is also characterized by drastic shifts in gut microbiota; C. perfringens is negatively correlated with Lactobacilli. Vaccines are only partially effective against NE and antibiotics suffer from the concern of resistance development. These strategies address only some aspects of NE pathogenesis. Thus, there is an urgent need for alternative strategies that address multiple aspects of NE biology. Here, we developed Limosilactobacillus (Lactobacillus) reuteri vectors for in situ delivery of nanobodies against NetB and α toxin, two key toxins associated with NE pathophysiology. We generated nanobodies and showed that these nanobodies neutralize NetB and α toxin. We selected L. reuteri vector strains with intrinsic benefits and demonstrated that these strains inhibit C. perfringens and secrete over 130 metabolites, some of which play a key role in maintaining gut health. Recombinant L. reuteri strains efficiently secreted nanobodies and these nanobodies neutralized NetB. The recombinant strains were genetically and phenotypically stable over 480 generations and showed persistent colonization in chickens. A two‐dose in ovo and drinking water administration of recombinant L. reuteri strains protected chickens from NE‐associated mortality. These results provide proof‐of‐concept data for using L. reuteri as a live vector for delivery of nanobodies with broad applicability to other targets and highlight the potential synergistic effects of vector strains and nanobodies for addressing complex diseases such as NE.
Bifurcation dynamics of a reaction–diffusion predator–prey model with fear effect in a predator‐poisoned environment
Authors: Qi Haokun , Meng Xinzhu , Hayat Tasawar , Hobiny Aatef
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we propose a reaction–diffusion predator–prey model with fear effect under a predator‐poisoned environment. First, we analyze the existence and stability of constant positive steady states. Second, taking the cost of minimum fear as the bifurcation parameter, the direction and stability of spatially homogeneous/inhomogeneous periodic solutions are investigated. Then, some properties of nonconstant positive steady states are investigated, such as nonexistence, existence, and steady state bifurcation. Applying the fixed point index theory, the existence of the nonconstant positive steady state is discussed, indicating that the proper diffusion rate of prey and larger diffusion rate of predator are beneficial to survival of populations. Moreover, taking the diffusion rate of predator as the bifurcation parameter, the steady state bifurcations from simple and double eigenvalues are intensively established. At last, the validity of the theoretical analysis is verified by numerical simulations. Biological interpretation reveals that the fear effect and the diffusion rate of populations can lead to the emergence of Hopf and steady state bifurcation, thereby destroying the stability of populations and promoting the benign evolution of populations.
Manganese ore exploration using electrical resistivity and induced polarization methods in Central Belt, Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Zaid Hussein Ahmed Hasan , Arifin Mohd Hariri , Hussin Hamzah , Basori Mohd Basril Iswadi , Umor Mohd Rozi , Hazim Suraya Hilmi
Published: March 2022

Geophysical survey techniques were carried out to identify the potential zones of manganese ore in Central Peninsular Malaysia. Electrical resistivity tomography and induced polarization (IP) geoelectrical methods have been used to identify the metal distribution and mineralization zones. Five geoelectrical survey profiles were deployed at the proposed site using pole–dipole array in the W–E direction with lengths of 400 m and 800 m. The results of the resistivity and IP inversion indicate the presence of well‐correlated low resistivity (≤ 200 Ωm) and high chargeability zones (≥ 10 ms) embedded in the varied weathered host rock as massive and disseminated ore bodies. The 3‐D maps generated enabled the delineation of the conductive bodies orientation and mineral of interest distribution. Results of the geochemical analysis contributed to validating the site as a potential mineralized zone with a high concentration of manganese. The study suggests further geophysical investigations in the southern segment of the research area to produce a more consistent image of the subsurface structures, and conclusively identifying the extension of mineral deposits for the purpose of ore prospecting to aid drilling operations.
Distributed time‐varying convex optimal consensus control for multi‐agent system with/without chattering restrain
Authors: Li Haoran , Zhu Yakun , Zhao Xiong , Huang Bomin
Published: March 2022

In this article, the consensus, collision avoidance, and distributed convex optimization problems of a class of multi‐agent systems with a time‐varying objective function are studied. Moreover, the proposed method in this article can reduce the chattering problem of the controller input caused by the sign function. First, the sign function is used to design the controller to improve the convergence rate of the system, on this basis, the optimization item is designed for the more complex time‐varying objective function to ensure that the value of the objective function is the smallest when the system achieves the speed consensus. Second, considering the chattering problem caused by the sign function, the designed controller is improved to reduce the chattering phenomenon. Third, two novel Lyapunov functions are constructed to verify the stability of the system and the distributed optimization objective. Due to the controller is designed for the time‐varying objective function, moreover, the tasks of the formation and collision avoidance are needed to take into account, therefore, the designed Lyapunov functions in this article are more difficult. Finally, the formation function is designed to ensure that the multi‐agent system achieves the desired formation configuration. The simulation results show the correctness of the theoretical design of this article and the superiority in extending the running time of the system.
Tribological and compressive creep properties of polytetrafluoroethylene/nickel‐titanium shape memory alloy composites
Authors: Li Xiaolei , Wu Shuai , Jia Xiaofeng , Ling Yanli , Dai Yuanjing , Zhang Chenhui , Luo Jianbin
Published: March 2022

In order to improving the reliability and service life of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites. Micro nickel‐titanium shape memory alloy (NiTi) particles were incorporated with PTFE powder to develop the PTFE composites by using filling modification technology. Herein, 25 kinds of PTFE composites with different contents of micro NiTi particles were prepared, of which the tribological and compressive creep properties were investigated in detail considering the factors such as the NiTi content (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 wt%), cold‐pressed pressure(10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 MPa), and tested conditions(10 N, 10 Hz, 6 mm, 20 min). The filled different contents of NiTi particles could effectively enhance the compressive strength and creep resistance of PTFE composites, and the creep resistance would be notably improved by about 60% at elevated temperature. NiTi particles, as hard particles, did not increase the coefficient of friction (COF) of PTFE composites, and the lowest COF is 0.139. When the NiTi content is 50 wt%, the reduction of wear rate is 74% compared to pure PTFE. Indicating that NiTi particle fillers would significantly reduce the wear rate of PTFE materials and improve its anti‐wear performance. The research shows that NiTi could effectively improve the mechanical properties and tribological properties of PTFE composites, which provides a new idea for the selection of equipment sealing materials.
Fabrication of a Metal‐Organic Framework Composite Modified with Biomass Activated Carbon (BAC) and Functionalized with NH2 for Efficient p‐Nitrophenol Adsorption
Authors: Shi Shunjie , Cui Yanyan , Jiang Nan , Jiang Bolong
Published: March 2022

In this study, a class of low‐cost, hydrophobic commercial activated carbon (AC) and biomass activated carbon (BAC) modified, NH2 functionalized NH2‐MIL‐53(Al)@(B)AC adsorbents with different AC loading (0∼15 %) was prepared via taking advantages of the MIL‐53(Al), (B)AC−NH2 group. The as‐prepared composites were used for phenolic adsorption. The results indicated that the removal rate of para‐nitrophenol (PNP) over NH2‐MIL‐53(Al)@AC‐10 % was 83.6 %, which is improved by 40.1 % when compared to that of parent NH2‐MIL‐53(Al) (59.4 %). This shows that combination of NH2‐MIL‐53(Al) with AC is an efficient approach to develop an adsorbent with remarkable adsorption capacity. The outstanding adsorption performance of NH2‐MIL‐53(Al)@AC adsorbent originated from the increased surface area and pore structure as well as modified surface property owing to the cooperation of NH2‐MIL‐53(Al) and AC. When BAC was fabricated on NH2‐MIL‐53(Al) instead of AC, the removal rate was further increased to 95.5 %. The adsorption capacity for PNP over NH2‐MIL‐53(Al)@BAC‐10 % is 181 mg g−1 in low concentration range (co=75∼300 mg L−1), which is superior to those reported in most literature. The mechanism for the strong adsorption performance of PNP onto NH2‐MIL‐53(Al)@(B)AC related to the π‐π and acid‐base interactions, and hydrophobic effect.
Where the stars still shine: Some effects of star‐performers‐turned‐managers on organizational performance
Authors: Kim Jongsoo , Makadok Richard
Published: March 2022

Research summary

Do former star performers become superior managers? If so, why? Using performance data from a professional sports league, this study finds that organizational performance is greater under star‐performers‐turned‐managers (SPTMs) than other managers. We develop a typology of six causal mechanisms by which SPTMs might affect organizational performance, and we indirectly test for each of them using data from a professional sports league. Our results indicate that SPTMs outperform other managers, and that this benefit is due to their role modeling and their superior ability to train and incentivize subordinates.

Managerial summary

Organizations are often, but not always, led by managers who previously achieved outstanding performance in an individual contributor role. Do such star‐performers‐turned‐managers (SPTMs) benefit an organization's performance more than other managers? If so, why? Our statistical analysis finds that National Basketball Association (NBA) teams managed by head coaches who had previously been All‐Star NBA players win games more often than other NBA teams, and also that this effect is due to a combination of SPTMs serving as a role model for their players, as well as training and incentivizing their players better.
Dimensional Engineering Enables 1.31 V Open‐Circuit Voltage for Efficient and Stable Wide‐Bandgap Halide Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Yu Yue , Liu Rui , Liu Chang , Hou Tian , Wu Qiaofeng , Zhang Meng , Yu Hua
Published: March 2022

Wide‐bandgap (WBG) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are important ingredients for tandem solar cells and play a crucial role in next‐generation multijunction photovoltaics. Yet, the severe open‐circuit voltage loss (Vloss) and stability have not been solved. Herein, a dimensionally graded 2D/3D heterostructure is fabricated by in situ fabricating a 2D FPEA2PbI4 capping layer on the surface of the 3D WBG perovskite film. Through this 2D/3D dimensionally graded design, an enhanced build‐in potential promotes the oriented transport of photoinduced carriers and reduces the nonradiative recombination, leading to an ultrahigh open‐circuit voltage of 1.31 V with a minimum Vloss of 0.43 V in a 1.74 eV WBG perovskite system and a desirable efficiency of 18.06%. A longer photoluminescence lifetime and decreased trap density indicate the reduced trap‐assisted nonradiative recombination. Moreover, such a 2D/3D heterostructure exhibits enhanced stability under moisture and heat. This passivation strategy offers an effective approach to achieving high open‐circuit voltage WBG PSCs by facile in situ dimensional engineering, which may pave a general way to step forward in achieving high‐performance and stable WBG PSCs.
Production of bio‐fertilizer by biotransformation of poultry waste enriched with molasses and algae
Authors: Ozi Fatima Zahra , Boutaleb Nadia , Hadidi Meryem , Bahlaouan Bouchaib , Bennani Mohamed , Silkina Alla , El Antri Said
Published: March 2022

This research work consists on valorizing poultry waste by biotransformation into biofertilizers, associating this agro‐industrial waste with algae (abundant natural resources) and molasses (a by‐product of the sugar refining industry) ensuring a good contribution of nutritional chemical elements and obtaining a balanced formulation. A total of seven different formulations of the above three components, were examined in a simplex centroid design. A fungal inoculum of Aspergillus niger was used as a fermentation agent for better quality of biotransformation. The monitoring of this biotransformation is ensured during 15 days by following the evolution of physicochemical and microbiological parameters and, to understand the bioconversion of the simple compounds of the biofertilizer mixture such as short aliphatic chains, sugar, and amino acids into soluble mineral compounds, a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis was carried out before and after biotransformation. Finally, germination and fertilization tests were performed to evaluate the efficiency of the final product on a barley crop. The overall results of the present study showed that the mixture which contained 68.75% poultry waste, 12.5% molasses, and 18.75% algae presented the better microbiological and chemical safety criteria required for a good biofertilizer according to NF U44‐551 standard.
The new Australian Consumer Data Right: An exemplary model for Open Banking
Authors: Sullivan Clare
Published: March 2022

A significant new data right has emerged in Australia against the background of the opening the economy to new types of third‐party providers (TPPs) and allowing them to have lawful access to consumer banking, transaction, and other financial data held by banks and other institutions. This is done by using application programming interfaces (APIs) that enable networking of customer data and payments across institutions and providers. The developments in Australia are notable for two reasons. First, Australia is standardizing sharing of data and services through the opening and integration of traditional systems, beginning with Open Banking, and next extending to the energy and telecommunications sectors , and eventually economy‐wide. Second, Australia has established a rights‐based approach that is founded on a newly created data right, the Consumer Data Right (CDR) that applies to both individuals and businesses. This article examines the Australian CDR approach to Open Banking and contrasts it with the more widely adopted E.U. Open Banking model especially as it related to consumer consent.

This article is categorized under:

Jurisprudence and Regulatory Oversight > Communication Across Science and Law
Introduction: Revisiting Networks: Setting the Conceptual and Methodological Scene
Authors: Ryan Louise , Eve Michael , Keskiner Elif
Published: March 2022

This chapter presents an overview of how migrant networks have been researched and theorised. In so doing, we highlight some persistent gaps in knowledge about how migrants, and their descendants, forge networks and generate particular kinds of resources, especially in accessing the labour market and developing careers, and we explain how the chapters of this book tackle these issues. By looking not only at migrants but also at the second generation, we reflect on opportunities, but also enduring inequalities, and the ways in which networks may be mobilised to support employment strategies across different sectors and in different European countries.

The chapter discusses the importance of disentangling social capital and social networks. Relatedly, we discuss the need to look beyond the ethnic lens and simple binaries of ‘bonding’ versus ‘bridging’ capital, to explore how ties to different kinds of actors, in varied social positions, may facilitate or indeed hinder career development. Referring to new empirical data and theoretically informed analysis, in the various chapters of this book, we build upon but also complicate understanding of ‘weak’ and ‘strong’ ties, not as fixed ties, but rather as a continuum of dynamic relationships that may ebb and flow over time.

In the concluding section, we highlight the contribution of this book and also consider the need for further cross-fertilisation of conceptual and empirical innovations beyond migration studies to avoid a silo-effect in social network research.