bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the Effective Parameters on the Preparation of Ammonium Perchlorate Particles Using a Cooling Crystallization Process
Authors: Hosseini Seyed Ghorban , Nouri Meysam , Bahri Mohammad Mahdi , Bazrafshan Esmaiel
Published: April 2021

Ammonium perchlorate is one of the most important and applicable oxidizers used in solid propellants. Also, the morphology of ammonium perchlorate particles is an effective parameter in the production of propellants. In the current research, the preparation of ammonium perchlorate using the cooling crystallization method was studied. Four parameters including the rate of cooling, mixing patterns, agitator speed, and surfactant were considered in cooling crystallization of ammonium perchlorate. Nine tests were carried out based on the Taguchi experimental design method. The morphology of the obtained crystals was analyzed by optical microscope and MIP 4 student software. The size distribution of the particles was modeled using the Rosin‐Rammler method. Obtained results illustrated that the surfactant had the most effect with the value of 70.7 % and the agitator speed, flow pattern, and cooling rate had fewer effects on the morphology with the values of 25.8 %, 2.9 %, and 0.2 %, respectively. The optimal amount of sphericity obtained by the Taguchi method was 0.77 which was verified by the experimental result of 0.76. The roundness and aspect ratio values for the optimal crystal were 0.79 and 1.40 respectively. Applying the Rosin‐Rammler model showed that the homogeneity factor of size distribution was 2.22 for the optimal crystals.
Review on the Synthesis and Performance for 1,3,4‐Oxadiazole‐Based Energetic Materials
Authors: Du Yao , Qu Zhongkai , Wang Huanchun , Cui Hu , Wang Xuanjun
Published: April 2021

Energetic materials have been widely used in both military and civilian fields. The development of new high‐energy materials with improved performance and enhanced stability is critical for promoting future military and space applications. Recently, researchers in the field of energetic materials have paid significant attention to oxadiazole‐based energetic compounds, among which 1,3,4‐oxadiazole demonstrates moderate energy levels and better stability, owing to the absence of readily cleaved N−O bonds compared with other oxadiazole isomers, such as 1,2,4‐oxadiazole and 1,2,5‐oxadiazole. Therefore, 1,3,4‐oxadiazole is an exceptional explosophoric motif with an efficient compromise between energy and stability, and several outstanding energetic materials have been achieved based on the combination of 1,3,4‐oxadiazole units with various functional groups or rings, such as polynitrobenzene, furazan, pyrazole, and 1,3,4‐oxadiazole itself. This review provides an overview of the development of 1,3,4‐oxadiazole‐based energetic materials during the past few years, outlines their synthesis and energetic performance, and contrasts them with other conventional energetic materials. Owing to the convenience of the synthetic routes and their excellent energetic properties, energetic materials based on the 1,3,4‐oxadiazole skeleton may be considered as the next‐generation of high‐performance energetic materials specifically as heat‐resistant explosives or insensitive explosives.
The overexpression of insect endogenous microRNA in transgenic rice inhibits the pupation of Chilo suppressalis and Cnaphalocrocis medinalis
Authors: Wen Ning , Chen Junjie , Chen Geng , Du Lixiao , Chen Hao , Li Yunhe , Peng Yufa , Yang Xiaowei , Han Lanzhi
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

Chilo suppressalis and Cnaphalocrocis medinalis are destructive rice pests co‐occurring in major rice‐growing areas in China. RNA interference (RNAi)‐based insect‐resistant genetically engineered (IRGE) crops provide a promising approach for pest management by suppressing gene expression or translation. A microRNA (miRNA)‐mediated IRGE rice line expressing endogenous Chilo suppressalis miRNA Csu‐novel‐260, showing significant resistance against Chilo suppressalis, provides an attractive control strategy for Chilo suppressalis by suppressing the expression of the disembodied (dib) gene expression. However, whether this transgenic line also shows the resistance against Cnaphalocrocis medinalis remains unknown.

RESULTS

A spatiotemporal expression analysis of Csu‐novel‐260 in the transgenic rice line was performed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) to determine the paddy field pest exposure dose. In diet feeding assays, a chemically synthesized Csu‐novel‐260 agomir at 200 fmol g–1 significantly inhibited Chilo suppressalis pupation. However, larval development, survival and pupal weight were not significantly affected. Additionally, the transgenic line significantly affected Cnaphalocrocis medinalis pupation but not larval survival. The qRT‐PCR showed that Csdib and Cmdib expression levels were significantly suppressed when the two pests fed on the transgenic line. Additionally, the transgenic line significantly decreased Cry1C‐resistant and Cry1C‐susceptible Chilo suppressalis larval survival in detached rice tissue feeding assays, indicating that Cry1C‐resistant Chilo suppressalis was not cross‐resistant to Csu‐novel‐260 expressed in miRNA‐mediated IRGE rice.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated that miRNA‐mediated IRGE rice significantly inhibited Chilo suppressalis and Cnaphalocrocis medinalis pupation. The results provide a new viewpoint for the application of RNAi‐based plants and the inspiration for environmental risk assessment.
Icariin reduces Glu‐induced excitatory neurotoxicity via antioxidative and antiapoptotic pathways in SH‐SY5Y cells
Authors: Zheng Xing Xing , Li Ying Chun , Yang Kai Lin , He Zhou Xiao , Wang Zhao Liang , Wang Xing , Jing Hui Ling , Cao Yan Jun
Published: April 2021

Excessive glutamate (Glu) can lead to significant effects on neural cells through the generation of neurotoxic or excitotoxic cascades. Icariin (ICA) is a main active ingredient of Chinese Medicine Berberidaceae epimedium L., and has many biological activities, such as antiinflammation, antioxidative stress, and anti‐depression. This study aims to evaluate the effect of ICA on Glu‐induced excitatory neurotoxicity of SH‐SY5Y cells. The cell viability assay was evaluated by the CCK‐8 assay. The apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondrial membrane potential were assessed by flow cytometry. Intracellular Ca2+ concentration was determined by using the fluorescent probe Fluo‐3. Protein expression was detected by western blotting analysis. ICA can significantly enhance the SH‐SY5Y cell viability reduced by Glu. At the same time, ICA can significantly reduce apoptosis, ROS, nitric oxide (NO) levels, and intracellular Ca2+ concentration, and significantly inhibit the increase of mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, ICA significantly increased the expression of P47phox and iNOS, decreased p‐JNK/JNK, p‐P38/P38, Bax/Bcl‐2, active caspase‐3, and active caspase‐9. These results indicate that ICA may reduce the excitatory neurotoxicity of Glu‐induced SH‐SY5Y cells through suppression of oxidative stress and apoptotic pathways, suggesting that ICA could be a potential therapeutic candidate for neurological disorders propagated by Glu toxicity.
Systematic review: Effectiveness of herbal oral care products on ventilator‐associated pneumonia
Authors: Mojtahedzadeh Mojtaba , Mashhadi Akbar Boojar Mahdi , Habtemariam Solomon , Nabavi Seyed Mohammad , Najafi Atabak , Ghahremanian Amirhosein , Baktash Mohammad , Aghaabdollahian Safieh , Sureda Antoni , Bagheri Mahdi
Published: April 2021

Ventilator‐associated pneumonia (VAP) resulting from bacterial infection is a prevalent medical problem in intensive care units (ICUs). The purpose of this study was to systematically review available studies on oral products employed to control and reduce VAP in patients undergoing tracheal intubation. This study was based on a systematic review of clinical trial data from science databases such as PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of science. Articles were reviewed and selected according to defined criteria and assessed by the primary evaluation checklist. After a critical review of 3,143 search hits, only 18 relevant articles were finally selected for discussion. Our assessment revealed that chlorhexidine and some other oral herbal medications are beneficial in preventing VAP. Chlorhexidine oral dosage forms provide a remarkable role in oral health and prevention of VAP by decreasing the microbial flora in the mouth. Because of similar benefits and comparable effects, some herbal medicines can be suggested as a practical alternative to chlorhexidine.
Theanine and cancer: A systematic review of the literature
Authors: Shojaei‐Zarghani Sara , Rafraf Maryam , Yari‐Khosroushahi Ahmad
Published: April 2021

A growing literature indicates several health benefits of theanine, a major nonprotein derivative amino acid special to tea, and a nonedible mushroom. This study aimed to systematically review the scientific evidence regarding the anticarcinogen and anticancer effects of natural theanine. A systematic search for the relevant articles published until January 2021 on MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Knowledge was conducted. Out of 377 initial records, 14 in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies met our inclusion criteria. Most of the included in vitro and ex vivo studies reported beneficial effects of theanine on the proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, migration, and invasion in various cancer cell lines. The in vivo studies also supported the potential impacts of theanine on cancer incidence or progression. Theanine exerted its anticancer function by inhibiting EGFR, VEGFR, Met, and Akt/mTOR, JAK2/STAT3, and ERK/NFκB pathways, as well as activating the intrinsic apoptosis pathway and caspase‐independent programmed cell death. In conclusion, the results indicated moderate apoptotic, antimetastatic, antimigration, and anti‐invasion effects, along with the mild antiproliferative influence of theanine on cancer. Further studies are necessary to ascertain the effectiveness of theanine on the prevention and suppression of cancer and shed light upon the attributable mechanisms in the in vivo condition.
Creating diversity markets through economization: The politics and economics of difference in neoliberal organizations
Authors: Arciniega Luzilda C.
Published: April 2021

In this article, I argue that the economization of social differences in the workplace is a political practice. I examine how, after the dismantling of corporate bureaucracies and affirmative action policies, diversity professionals create economic justifications for practices they regard as creating racial equity. Insofar as they do this to conveniently create markets for their expertise, diversity professionals work with, through, and around neoliberal logics, principles, and norms of the for‐profit firm. In asking why their strategies “work” in the era of the socially dispersed corporate form, I reflect on what it means for an American society to place more social value on the pursuit of profit than on racial justice.
Beside the berm: The convenience of roadside picking
Authors: Piacentini Dominic
Published: April 2021

This article gathers together stories from wild foods pickers in West Virginia's North Central Highlands who work along the side of the road. Building from anthropological scholarship in roads, roadsides, and edgework, I argue that amid neoliberal privatization, the side of the road is a convenient place to gather wild foods. Because the property along the side of the road is often confused, ignored, or mixed, it is also a convenient place to engage in forms of commoning, (re)negotiating access to wild foods and medicines, such as elderberries, sassafras, and St. John's wort. The stories presented here were collected in interviews and participant observation conducted during ethnographic fieldwork in 2019. They demonstrate the deep, more‐than‐human relationality of enviroeconomic provisioning along the side of the road.
Preparation of Poly(acrylic acid) ‐Boron Nitride Composite as a Highly Efficient Adsorbent for Adsorptive Removal of Heavy Metal Ions
Authors: Lu Mang
Published: April 2021

The poly(acrylic acid)‐boron nitride composite was prepared by radical initiated polymerization in situ with N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBAA) as a crosslinker and potassium persulfate (KPS) as an initiator and the structure of poly(acrylic acid)‐boron nitride were characterized by Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), scanning electron microscope (SEM). The ability of poly(acrylic acid)‐boron nitride as adsorbent for adsorptive removal of heavy metal ion from aqueous solutions was investigated. The effects of poly(acrylic acid)‐boron nitride dosage, pH, adsorption time, initial metal ion concentration and temperature on adsorption efficiency were also studied. Kinetics data followed best by pseudo‐second‐order model with the correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.997. The equilibrium adsorption data was well fitted to Langmuir isotherm models for Cu(II). The adsorption capacities (qmax) of poly(acrylic acid)‐boron nitride composite for Cu(II) was 46.72 mg/g. The results of thermodynamic equilibrium constant and the Gibbs free energy indicated the spontaneous nature of the adsorption process.
Using a Dopamine‐Modified Magnetic Nano‐flower Material for the Solid Phase Extraction of Cyromazine and Melamine in Food Samples
Authors: Feng Xiangzhi , Li Yuanyuan , Yang Yuanyuan , Ma Yulong , Chen Tong , Ji Wenxin , Sun Yonggang , Chen Yang
Published: April 2021

This work reported a simple method to prepare MGO@PDA@MoS2 nano‐flower by in situ growth of MoS2 on the poly‐dopamine (PDA) modified Fe3O4@GO (MGO) nanosheets. The novel material was composed of PDA modified MGO nanosheets and flower‐like MoS2 microspheres which two‐dimension ultrathin MoS2 nanosheets were grown in situ on the surface of MGO@PDA and self‐assembled. The material could be used as a new adsorbent for magnetic solid phase extraction (m‐SPE). The nano‐composite was characterized by TG, VSM, SEM, TEM, XRD, XPS and FT‐IR. The extraction parameters were investigated, including initial concentration, extraction time, pH, ionic strength and desorption conditions. The adsorption behaviors of the material were explored via isotherm and kinetic adsorption experiments, which demonstrated that Langmuir adsorption isotherm model and pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model were more appropriate to describe the adsorption process on MGO@PDA@MoS2. A rapid, safe, sensitive, easy, and effective method has been developed for detecting cyromazine and melamine simultaneously in real samples including beef, protein powder and milk by combining with HPLC. Under optimized conditions, the proposed method has a good trueness, wide linear range of 0.1‐100 μg mL−1, low limits of detection (LOD), satisfactory repeatability and reproducibility. Excellent recoveries for the determination of cyromazine and melamine were obtained in spiked real samples. In a word, the nano‐composite material has the advantages of magnetic separation and high adsorption affinity for cyromazine and melamine, and it is a promising adsorbent for extracting cyromazine and melamine from real samples.
Nanostructured Lateral Boryl Substitution Conjugated Donor–Acceptor Oligomers for Visible‐Light‐Driven Hydrogen Production
Authors: Wei Qiuyu , Yao Xiaoqiang , Zhang Qianqian , Yan Pengji , Ru Chenglong , Li Chunfeng , Tao Chunlan , Wang Wei , Han Dongfang , Han Dongxue , Niu Li , Qin Dongdong , Pan Xiaobo
Published: April 2021

Poor charge separation is the main factor that limits the photocatalytic hydrogen generation efficiency of organic conjugated polymers. In this work, a series of linear donor–acceptor (D–A) type oligomers are synthesized by a palladium‐catalyzed Sonogashira–Hagihara coupling of electron‐deficient diborane unit and different dihalide substitution sulfur functionalized monomers. Such diborane‐based A unit exerts great impact on the resulting oligomers, including distinct semiconductor characters with isolated lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) orbits locating in diborane‐containing fragment, and elevated LUMO level higher than water reduction potential. Relative to A‐A type counterpart, the enhanced dipole polarization effect in D–A oligomers facilitates separation of photogenerated charge carriers, as evidenced by notably prolonged electron lifetime. Owing to π–π stacking of rigid backbone, the oligomers can aggregate into an interesting 2D semicrystalline nanosheet (≈2.74 nm), which is rarely reported in linear polymeric photocatalysts prepared by similar carbon–carbon coupling reaction. Despite low surface area (30.3 m2 g−1), such ultrathin nanosheet D–A oligomer offers outstanding visible light (λ > 420 nm) hydrogen evolution rate of 833 µmol g−1 h−1, 14 times greater than its A‐A analogue (61 µmol g−1 h−1). The study highlights the great potential of using boron element to construct D–A type oligomers for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen generation.
Fabrication of a Composite Material of High‐Chromium Cast Iron Dispersed in Low‐Carbon Steel by Hot‐Rolling Process
Authors: Yuan Guofeng , Han Peisheng , Zhu Xiaoyu , Jiang Zhengyi , Wang Xiaogang
Published: April 2021

To obtain a compatible material with good wear resistance (WR) and toughness, a composite material with high‐chromium cast iron (HCCI) dispersed in low‐carbon steel (LCS) is prepared through multilayer hot rolling. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the composite are investigated. The macrostructure of the composite material reveals that the HCCI layers are necked, fractured, and dispersed in LCS after hot rolling. The two materials combine well without unconnected areas and macrovoids on the interface; however, broken oxides are observed at the interface. Decarburization occurs at the LCS side near the interface and a 15−20 μm‐wide ferrite zone is formed at the LCS side. Fe, Cr, Mn, and C elements diffuse at the interface. A pearlite band is formed at the interface, and the thickness of the diffusion is about 2−4 μm. Due to the addition of ductile LCS, the impact toughness of the composite material is about 2.5 times higher than that of the as‐cast HCCI, whereas the WR of the composite material is lower than that of HCCI (about 16%). The dispersed HCCI in the composite produces a shadow effect during the sliding wear, which provides protection and support for LCS.
Recrystallization Behavior and Microstructure Evolution in High‐Manganese Austenitic Steel
Authors: Liu Zhenguang , Gao Xiuhua , Xiong Mei , Li Ping , Rao Dongyun , Misra R.D.K.
Published: April 2021

Compression deformation experiments are conducted to investigate the recrystallization behavior during the dynamic recrystallization (DRX) and static recrystallization (SRX) of high‐manganese steel in terms of flow stress and microstructure morphology. The experimental results indicate that strain rate plays a key role on DRX style. A low strain rate promotes discontinuous dynamic recrystallization (DDRX), whereas a high strain rate encourages continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX). The steady‐state stress of DRX behavior decreases with increasing deformation temperature regardless of the true strain and strain rate. Deformation temperature is a vital factor in determining the softening fraction of SRX behavior. The effect of interpass time on austenite grain size is weak for SRX behavior. The SRX kinetics equation for the designed high‐manganese steel is proposed according to experimental results.
Prediction and Explanation Models for Hot Metal Temperature, Silicon Concentration, and Cooling Capacity in Ironmaking Blast Furnaces
Authors: Lughofer Edwin , Pollak Robert , Feilmayr Christoph , Schatzl Magdalena , Saminger-Platz Susanne
Published: April 2021

Herein, the establishment of data‐driven prediction and explanation models for three essential process variables in ironmaking blast furnace processes, namely hot metal temperature, silicon concentration, and cooling capacity is demonstrated. Aside a reliable prediction quality of the models with sufficient prediction horizon, an additional main goal has been to establish interpretable and revealing models. To support (linguistic) interpretability, the main focus has been set on the extraction of rule‐based models from a large database collected at a particular blast furnace process located at the partner company's site. Due to expected uncertainty in the data, due to, e.g., measurement noise, fuzzy systems are an adequate architectural choice for achieving models in a robust rule‐based form. For a fully automatic training of the predictive fuzzy systems new feature ranking methods have been performed on the one side and a special granular rule extraction procedure on the other side. Testing the obtained models on two separate test datasets from consecutive years shows a stable prediction performance without any error drifts and a higher performance than other related machine learning methods including deep neural networks, and others. Moreover, the final models, turned out to have maximal 4–5 inputs and just a couple of rules and allowed to gain new insights into the processes.
Flexible Ti3C2Tx/Graphene Films with Large‐Sized Flakes for Supercapacitors
Authors: Guo Tiezhu , Fu Maosen , Zhou Di , Pang Lixia , Su Jinzhan , Lin Huixing , Yao Xiaogang , Sombra Antonio Sergio Bezerra
Published: April 2021

The new 2D Ti3C2T
x
MXene material is widely studied in the field of supercapacitors. However, the electrochemical performance is discounted due to Ti3C2T
x
film's compact self‐stacking phenomenon. Therefore, the synthesized flexible self‐supporting Ti3C2T
x
/graphene composite membrane effectively alleviates this inherent disadvantage. Unlike using the traditional reduction graphene oxide, the structural integrity and large‐sized flakes of graphene are synthesized through anhydrous ferric chloride (FeCl3)‐intercalated natural graphite flakes; the obtained composite membrane with high electron transfer capability due to graphene and Ti3C2T
x
nanosheets shows fewer defects and faster electrolyte ion transport kinetics due to high porosity and specific surface area. The assembled self‐supporting binder‐free symmetric supercapacitor shows an ultrahigh gravimetric energy density of 13.1 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 75 W kg−1. Herein, a new perspective for the mechanism analysis of inhibiting self‐stacking of MXene is provided.
Improving the Stability of Low‐Fat Mayonnaise Formulated with Octenyl Succinic Starch by Adding Acetylated Distarch Phosphate
Authors: Yu Bin , Liu Chenglong , Cui Bo , Zhao Haibo , Tao Haiteng , Liu Pengfei
Published: April 2021

In this study, acetylated distarch phosphate (ADP) is used as a stabilizer to replace gums in low‐fat mayonnaise (LFM) containing octenyl succinic starch (OSS). Thereafter, the texture, rheology, and stability of the prepared LFM are investigated. ADP adversely affected the color of LFM, while improving its textural properties. Sensory evaluation shows no statistical difference in acceptability between full‐fat mayonnaise (FFM) and LFM samples containing ADP. All mayonnaise samples exhibit shear‐thinning behavior and ADP enhances the yield stress of the LFM. Dynamic rheology analysis indicates that the storage and loss modulus of LFM depend on its ADP content and that the mayonnaise samples exhibit “weak gel” properties. It is confirmed that ADP caused a decrease in the droplet size by using optical microscopy. The storage test suggested that the emulsion stability of LFM is significantly improved by the addition of ADP and is higher than that of FFM in terms of long‐term storage. Altogether, the study findings demonstrate that ADP has great potential for use in the production of high‐quality LFM and ADP content is important in the formulation of mayonnaise recipes.
High perturbations of quasilinear problems with double criticality
Authors: Alves Claudianor O. , Garain Prashanta , Rădulescu Vicenţiu D.
Published: April 2021

This paper is concerned with the qualitative analysis of solutions to the following class of quasilinear problems $$\begin{aligned} \left\{ \begin{array}{ll} -\Delta _{\Phi }u=f(x,u) &{}\quad \text {in } \Omega ,\\ u=0 &{}\quad \text {on }\partial \Omega , \end{array} \right. \end{aligned}$$

-

Δ
Φ

u
=
f

(
x
,
u
)

in

Ω
,

u
=
0

on

∂
Ω
,

where $$\Delta _{\Phi }u=\mathrm{div}\,(\varphi (x,|\nabla u|)\nabla u)$$

Δ
Φ

u
=

div

(
φ
(
x
,
|
∇
u
|
)
∇
u
)

and $$\Phi (x,t)=\int _{0}^{|t|}\varphi (x,s)s\,ds$$

Φ

(
x
,
t
)

=

∫

0

|
t
|

φ

(
x
,
s
)

s

d
s

is a generalized N-function. We assume that $$\Omega \subset {\mathbb {R}}^N$$

Ω
⊂

R

N

is a smooth bounded domain that contains two open regions $$\Omega _N,\Omega _p$$

Ω
N

,

Ω
p

with $${\overline{\Omega }}_N \cap {\overline{\Omega }}_p=\emptyset $$

Ω
¯

N

∩

Ω
¯

p

=
∅

. The features of this paper are that $$-\Delta _{\Phi }u$$

-

Δ
Φ

u

behaves like $$-\Delta _N u $$

-

Δ
N

u

on $$\Omega _N$$

Ω
N

and $$-\Delta _p u $$

-

Δ
p

u

on $$\Omega _p$$

Ω
p

, and that the growth of $$f:\Omega \times {\mathbb {R}} \rightarrow {\mathbb {R}}$$

f
:
Ω
×
R
→
R

is like that of $$e^{\alpha |t|^{\frac{N}{N-1}}}$$

e

α
|
t
|

N

N
-
1

on $$\Omega _N$$

Ω
N

and as $$|t|^{p^{*}-2}t$$

|
t
|

p

∗

-
2

t

on $$\Omega _p$$

Ω
p

when |t| is large enough. The main result establishes the existence of solutions in a suitable Musielak–Sobolev space in the case of high perturbations with respect to the values of a positive parameter.
Exiguous premeal saccharide intake reduces subsequent food intake in men
Authors: Richter Juliane , Thordsen Narona , Duysen Kai , Oltmanns Kerstin M.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Satiety is a crucial factor in the attempt to reduce food intake for long-term body weight loss. Since there is evidence for a negative correlation between cerebral energy levels and food intake, the provision of the primary energy substrate glucose to the brain through oral ingestion of carbohydrates could trigger feelings of satiety. Therefore, we hypothesized that a low-calorie saccharide preload would increase satiety, reduce subsequent food intake, and thereby decrease overall calorie consumption.

Methods

In a randomized single-blind crossover study, 17 healthy young normal-weight men received saccharide (26 kcal in total) or placebo capsules 30 min before a standardized breakfast buffet. We analysed food intake from the test buffet as well as plasma glucose and serum insulin levels.

Results

The saccharide preload reduced food intake from the buffet by 168 (± 34) kcal (p < 0.001) compared to control. This corresponds to a net reduction in total calorie consumption by 142 (± 34) kcal (p < 0.001) or 9.3% due to saccharide capsules.

Conclusion

A very low-calorie saccharide preload considerably reduces subsequent food intake leading to decreased overall calorie consumption. A saccharide preload before meals could, therefore, be a promising support for reducing caloric intake.

German Clinical Trials Register

DRKS00010281 (date of registration: 11.04.2016)
Is corporate governance of private equity targets more effective for risk mitigation?
Authors: Marini Vladimiro , Caratelli Massimo , Stella Gian Paolo , Barbaraci Ilaria
Published: April 2021

Private equity is a source of finance and a governance device characterised by active monitoring through sponsors that intervene in targets’ corporate governance. As sponsors are skilled and motivated acquirors, we investigated whether corporate governance mechanisms mitigate leveraged targets’ risk of financial distress differently compared to non-acquired companies through the lenses of agency theory and resource-based theories. We found that targets and non-acquired companies are not significantly different in terms of corporate governance features, but sponsors are skilled enough to choose corporate governance members to mitigate risk more, especially when boards are smaller, have busier industry expert directors, and mandate execution to more managers. These results can be useful to targets, targets’ investors and lenders, and policymakers.
La Date de Composition de la Bible des sept Estaz du monde de Geufroi de Paris
Authors: Szirmai Julia C.
Published: April 2021

Among the biblical poems edited by the Équipe de Leyde (founded by Jean-Robert Smeets in 1962), the only text that remained to be studied was the Bible des sept Estaz du monde by Geufroi de Paris. An extensive project, for the text comprises nearly 22.000 verses. Until now, the researchers who examined Geufroi’s Bible have accepted the composition date of 1243 provided by the manuscript on fol. 187rob, where, in the epilogue of his text, Geufroi asserts to have written his Bible at that date. To support that claim, they based their research mainly on the texts that Geufroi used for the composition of his New Testament, especially the narration of the life of Mary (from the Conception till the Assumption). However, the study of the sources for the Bible’s Old Testament (of which we are actually preparing the edition) leads us to another conclusion.
The CARESSES Randomised Controlled Trial: Exploring the Health-Related Impact of Culturally Competent Artificial Intelligence Embedded Into Socially Assistive Robots and Tested in Older Adult Care Homes
Authors: Papadopoulos Chris , Castro Nina , Nigath Abiha , Davidson Rosemary , Faulkes Nicholas , Menicatti Roberto , Khaliq Ali Abdul , Recchiuto Carmine , Battistuzzi Linda , Randhawa Gurch , Merton Len , Kanoria Sanjeev , Chong Nak-Young , Kamide Hiroko , Hewson David , Sgorbissa Antonio
Published: April 2021

This trial represents the final stage of the CARESSES project which aimed to develop and evaluate a culturally competent artificial intelligent system embedded into social robots to support older adult wellbeing. A parallel group, single-blind randomised controlled trial was conducted across older adult care homes in England and Japan. Participants randomly allocated to the Experimental Group or Control Group 1 received a Pepper robot for up 18 h across 2 weeks. Two versions of the CARESSES artificial intelligence were tested: a fully culturally competent system (Experimental Group) and a more limited version (Control Group 1). Control Group 2 (Care As Usual) participants did not receive a robot. Quantitative outcomes of interest reported in the current paper were health-related quality of life (SF-36), loneliness (ULS-8), and perceptions of robotic cultural competence (CCATool-Robotics). Thirty-three residents completed all procedures. The difference in SF-36 Emotional Wellbeing scores between Experimental Group and Care As Usual participants over time was significant (F[1] = 6.614, sig = .019, ηp2 = .258), as was the comparison between Any Robot used and Care As Usual (F[1] = 5.128, sig = .031, ηp2 = .146). There were no significant changes in SF-36 physical health subscales. ULS-8 loneliness scores slightly improved among Experimental and Control Group 1 participants compared to Care As Usual participants, but this was not significant. This study brings new evidence which cautiously supports the value of culturally competent socially assistive robots in improving the psychological wellbeing of older adults residing in care settings.
Porcine Blood and Liver as Sporadic Sources of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in the Production Chain of Offal-Derived Foodstuffs in Poland
Authors: Bigoraj E. , Paszkiewicz W. , Rzeżutka A.
Published: April 2021

Pig’s blood and liver are valuable edible slaughter by-products which are also the major ingredients of offal-derived foodstuffs. The aim of the study was an evaluation of the occurrence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) and porcine adenovirus (pAdV) as an index virus of faecal contamination in pig’s blood and liver for human consumption. In total, 246 samples of retail liver (n = 100) and pooled pig’s blood (n = 146) were analysed for the presence of HEV and pAdV. Blood samples were individually collected from 1432 pigs at slaughter age. Viral genomic material, including RNA of a sample process control virus was isolated from food samples using a QIAamp® Viral RNA Mini Kit. Virus-specific IAC-controlled real-time PCR methods were used for detection of target viruses. HEV RNA was found in 6 (2.4%; 95% CI: 0.9–5.2) out of 246 samples of tested foodstuffs. The virus was detected in pig’s blood (3.4%; 95% CI: 1.1–7.8) and liver (1.0%; 95% CI: 0.0–5.0) with no significant differences observed in the frequency of its occurrence between the two by-products (t = 1.33; p = 0.182 > 0.05); however PAdV was detected more frequently in pig’s blood than in liver (t = 4.65; p = 0.000 < 0.05). The HEV strains belonged to the 3f and 3e subtype groups and the pAdV strains were assigned to serotype 5. PAdV was detected in pigs regardless of the farm size from which they originated. The number of animals raised on the farm (the farm size) had no influence on the occurrence of HEV or pAdV infections in pigs (F = 0.81, p = 0.447 > 0.05 for HEV; F = 0.42, p = 0.655 > 0.05 for pAdV). Although HEV was detected in pig’s offal only sporadically, consumers cannot treat its occurrence with disregard as it demonstrates that HEV-contaminated pig tissues can enter the food chain.
Ferroptosis, radiotherapy, and combination therapeutic strategies
Authors: Lei Guang , Mao Chao , Yan Yuelong , Zhuang Li , Gan Boyi
Published: April 2021

Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death driven by peroxidative damages of polyunsaturated-fatty-acid-containing phospholipids in cellular membranes, has recently been revealed to play an important role in radiotherapy-induced cell death and tumor suppression, and to mediate the synergy between radiotherapy and immunotherapy. In this review, we summarize known as well as putative mechanisms underlying the crosstalk between radiotherapy and ferroptosis, discuss the interactions between ferroptosis and other forms of regulated cell death induced by radiotherapy, and explore combination therapeutic strategies targeting ferroptosis in radiotherapy and immunotherapy. This review will provide important frameworks for future investigations of ferroptosis in cancer therapy.
Metabolic Regulation of Stem Cells in Aging
Authors: Keller Andrea , Temple Tyus , Sayanjali Behnam , Mihaylova Maria M.
Published: April 2021

Purpose of Review

From invertebrates to vertebrates, the ability to sense nutrient availability is critical for survival. Complex organisms have evolved numerous signaling pathways to sense nutrients and dietary fluctuations, which influence many cellular processes. Although both overabundance and extreme depletion of nutrients can lead to deleterious effects, dietary restriction without malnutrition can increase lifespan and promote overall health in many model organisms. In this review, we focus on age-dependent changes in stem cell metabolism and dietary interventions used to modulate stem cell function in aging.

Recent Findings

Over the last half-century, seminal studies have illustrated that dietary restriction confers beneficial effects on longevity in many model organisms. Many researchers have now turned to dissecting the molecular mechanisms by which these diets affect aging at the cellular level. One subpopulation of cells of particular interest are adult stem cells, the most regenerative cells of the body. It is generally accepted that the regenerative capacity of stem cells declines with age, and while the metabolic requirements of each vary across tissues, the ability of dietary interventions to influence stem cell function is striking.

In this review, we will focus primarily on how metabolism plays a role in adult stem cell homeostasis with respect to aging, with particular emphasis on intestinal stem cells while also touching on hematopoietic, skeletal muscle, and neural stem cells. We will also discuss key metabolic signaling pathways influenced by both dietary restriction and the aging process, and will examine their role in improving tissue homeostasis and lifespan. Understanding the mechanisms behind the metabolic needs of stem cells will help bridge the divide between a basic science interpretation of stem cell function and a whole-organism view of nutrition, thereby providing insight into potential dietary or therapeutic interventions.
Numerical investigation of the impact of inclined baffles and an elastic vibrating beam on the thermo-fluid behavior in a rectangular channel
Authors: Faramarzi S. , Ghasemiasl R. , Ghadami F.
Published: April 2021

In the present work, the influence of inclined baffles and an elastic vibrating beam is investigated on the flow pattern and heat transfer rate in a rectangular channel. The cylinder with the elastic vibrating beam develops the vibrating flow. The computations are based on the finite element method (FEM); Galerkin least-squares scheme and Newton–Raphson iterative method are implemented to solve the governing equations. The fluid structure-interaction (FSI) method is used to analyze the elastic vibrating beam. The friction factor coefficient and Nusselt number are examined for the inclined and conventional baffles. The flow regime is assumed to be laminar for various baffle angles and Reynolds numbers. The vibrating beam is connected to the cylinder located in the channel entrance. Optimized cases with the maximum heat transfer and minimum friction factor are introduced. The novelty of this study is the simultaneous use of the elastic vibrating beam and inclined baffles in a rectangular channel. The results show that mounting an elastic vibrating beam on the cylinder leads the heat transfer rate to increase. The channel with an elastic vibrating beam and inclined baffles at 135° is the optimized case compared to other cases.

Article Highlights

Take advantage of using an elastic vibrating beam in a rectangular channel.

Influences of inclined baffles on thermal performance are examined numerically.

The optimum case for the channel with inclined-baffles is reported.
Short alkyl chain length ionic liquid as organic modifier in polypropylene/clay nanocomposite: a thermal comparative study
Authors: Vedovello Priscila , de Oliveira Gomes Ana Catarina , da Rocha Oliveira Lucas Mendonça , Cruz Sandra Andrea , Paranhos Caio Marcio
Published: April 2021

The most common polymeric nanocomposites are constituted of organically-modified clays. Generally, these organic modifiers are based on quaternary ammonium salts. These systems have as disadvantage the low thermal resistance of its modifiers under processing. Ionic liquids (IL) with different molecular structures can be used as organic modifier in lamellar clays-based polymeric nanocomposites, being promising not only to increase interactions between the nanoclay and the matrix, but also to increase the thermal resistance. In this study, polypropylene-based/montmorillonite nanocomposites were compared from two different organic modifiers. The use of short alkyl chain length imidazolium-based IL as montmorillonite modifier was investigated in terms of the thermal stability when compared to the usual quaternary ammonium salt surfactant. Integral procedure decomposition temperature was employed to determine the effect of these two different organoclay modifiers in PP-nanocomposites. The activation energy for these samples was calculated using Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO) method. It was also used the multiple linear regression analysis to calculate the activation energy in order to evaluate the accuracy of this method when applied to nanocomposites.

Article Highlights

Short length alkyl group in ionic liquid was able to improve the thermal stability of PP-based nanocomposite.

IPDT methodology is more realistic to evaluate the thermal stability of ionic liquid-based nanocomposite.

MLR methodology was efficient to assess the entropic contribution associated to polymer-clay interactions, inter-lamellae spaces and interface morphology.
Doing Team Ethnography in a Transnational Prison
Authors: Liebling Alison , Schmidt Bethany E. , Beyens Kristel , Boone Miranda , Johnsen Berit , Kox Mieke , Rokkan Tore , Vanhouche An-Sofie
Published: April 2021

This article has three main purposes: (1) To describe an in-prison methodology for measuring the moral quality of life, developed organically out of experience and necessity. It is conducted over an intense but exceptionally brief period of time. (2) To reveal and reflect on our intellectual methodology: how do we describe, think, interpret and theorise about prison life in our work together, especially in a transnational team? (3) Finally, to consider the benefits and challenges of collaboration and intense immersion across national boundaries, in a study of Norgerhaven prison in the Netherlands. We found that our own implicit prison moralities varied significantly, as we worked together to describe a prison that surprised us, and our participants, hugely.
Making it against the odds: How individual and parental co‐agency predict educational mobility
Authors: Schoon Ingrid , Burger Kaspar , Cook Rose
Published: April 2021

Introduction

This study examines the role of individual agency and parental co‐agency as resource factors enabling educational mobility (university enrolment and degree completion) among first‐generation students.

Methods

The study is based on Next Steps, a nationally representative cohort of UK students. Path models were run, linking different dimensions of agency assessed at age 13/14 to educational attainment by age 25/26, controlling for academic attainment and socio‐demographic factors.

Results

Educational mobility was predicted by student's expectation to go to university, their expectation of success, and school engagement during secondary school. In addition, parental co‐agency played a significant role ‐ highlighting the importance of parents in supporting upward educational mobility of their children.

Conclusions

Multiple dimensions of agency are necessary for disadvantaged students to achieve academically. To support first‐generation students, schools need to provide opportunities for them to become engaged in education, to experience mastery and to develop realistic expectations of success.
At the Margins of Globalization
Authors: Puig Sergio
Published: April 2021

Despite the tremendous progress in the development of scientific knowledge, the understanding of the causes of poverty and inequality, and the role of politics and governance in addressing modern challenges, issues such as social inclusion, poverty, marginalization and despair continue to be a reality across the world - and most often impact Indigenous Peoples. At the Margins of Globalization explores how Indigenous Peoples are affected by globalization, and the culture of individual choice without responsibility that it promotes, while addressing what can be done about it. Though international trade and investment agreements are unlikely to go away, the inclusion of Indigenous rights provisions has made a positive difference. This book explains how these provisions operate and how to build from their limited success.
The Adaptive Bilingual Mind
Authors: Adamou Evangelia
Published: April 2021

At present, much of the research on bilingual cognition focuses on late second language learners of a small number of languages. In this fascinating book, Evangelia Adamou widens the net by integrating advances in the field of bilingualism with the study of endangered languages. Drawing on recent studies from Europe and Latin America, she demonstrates that experimental psycholinguistic methods can be successfully applied outside the lab and, conversely, how data from these understudied populations provide new insights into the adaptive capacities of the bilingual mind. Adamou shows how bilinguals manage competing conceptualizations of time and space, how their grammars and language mixing patterns adapt to cognitive constraints such as the need for simplification, and how language processing concurrently adapts to their complex bilingual experience. Combining statistical analyses with detailed linguistic and ethnographic information, this essential book will appeal to scholars of bilingualism, cognitive sciences, language endangerment, and language contact.
Sustainable Development Report 2020
Authors: Sachs Jeffrey , Schmidt-Traub Guido , Kroll Christian , Lafortune Guillame , Fuller Grayson
Published: April 2021

The Sustainable Development Report 2020 features the SDG Index and Dashboards, the first and widely used tool to assess country performance on the UN Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals. The report shows that all countries need to strengthen the resilience of their health systems and prevention programs. Some countries have outperformed others in containing the Covid-19 pandemic, yet all remain at serious risk. The report frames the implementation of the SDGs in terms of six broad transformations. The authors examine country performance on the SDGs for 193 countries using a wide array of indicators, and calculate future trajectories, presenting a number of best practices to achieve the historic Agenda 2030. The views expressed in this report do not reflect the views of any organizations, agency or programme of the United Nations. This title is available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
‘She Should Not Be a Model’: The Effect of Exposure to Plus-Size Models on Body Dissatisfaction, Mood, and Facebook Commenting Behaviour
Authors: Talbot Daniel , Mansfield Hannah , Hayes Samantha , Smith Evelyn
Published: April 2021

Objectives: The present study investigated the exposure effect of plus-size models on body dissatisfaction and mood, and the nature of participants’ commenting behaviour towards images of plus-size models. Method: The study was comprised of 92 female university students who were exposed to Facebook photos of plus-size models. Participants were randomly allocated to having the exposed photo paired with positive, negative, or neutral comments, and participants were asked to leave an anonymous comment on each picture. Results: Results showed that participants had less body dissatisfaction and better mood after exposure to plus-size models regardless of the comment condition. Additionally, comment condition significantly influenced the type of comments participants contributed — in photos paired with negative comments, participants were significantly more likely to leave negative comments themselves, with 40% of participants leaving negative comments compared with 4% in the positive condition, and 12% in the neutral condition. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that the negative comments of plus-size models can encourage bystanders to contribute negative comments themselves; reinforcing the need to develop better protocols to oppose cyberbullying and encourage an online environment of positivity.