bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spring‐planted cover crop effects on weed suppression, crop yield, and net returns in no‐tillage dryland crop production
Authors: Obour Augustine K. , Dille Johanna , Holman John , Simon Logan M. , Sancewich Brian , Kumar Vipan
Published: June 2022

Integrating cover crops (CCs) into dryland crop rotations could provide options for herbicide‐resistant (HR) weed control in no‐tillage (NT) systems. Field experiments investigated weed suppression potential of spring‐planted CCs and their effects on plant available water, crop yields, and net returns. The CC treatments were implemented during the fallow phase of NT wheat (Triticum aestivum L)–sorghum (Sorghum bicolor Moench)–fallow rotation at two locations: Brownell and Colby, over 3 yr in western Kansas. Treatments were oat–triticale (OT), oat–triticale–pea (Pisum sativum; OTP), spring pea, and fallow. Spring pea aboveground biomass was 3,290 kg ha−1, whereas OT produced 5,640 kg ha−1 and OTP produced 5,260 kg ha−1. Regardless of location, weed biomass was reduced between 86 and 99% with CCs relative to weedy fallow. Cover crops reduced plant available water at winter wheat planting in three out of the six site‐years. Averaged across years, CCs reduced winter wheat yields by 18% compared with fallow at Brownell but not at Colby. Replacing fallow with spring pea increased gross revenue but generated negative net returns because of high cost of herbicide and pea seed. Net return with OT or OTP CCs were negative in four out of six site‐years when used strictly for weed suppression. However, net returns were mostly positive when OT ($110–876) or OTP (−$110–832) CCs were used as forage. Our results showed replacing fallow with spring‐planted CCs for weed suppression in dryland cropping system is profitable only when the CCs are used for forage.
Global dependence on Corn Belt Dent maize germplasm: Challenges and opportunities
Authors: Smith J. Stephen , Trevisan Walter , McCunn Alan , Huffman Wallace E.
Published: June 2022

Many changes affecting the management of genetic diversity occurred following recommendations made by the National Research Council in the aftermath of the Southern Leaf Corn blight epidemic of 1970–1971. New maize (Zea maysL.) breeding programs involving both publicly and privately funded collaborators were initiated. The number and scope of international maize breeding programs increased. Changes in germplasm usage included reduced usage of Lancaster Surecrop Oh43 and Mo17 types with increased use of Iodent. In contrast, continued and significant reliance upon Iowa Stiff‐Stalk Synthetic (BSSS) germplasm has persisted. The availability of exotic germplasm for potential use in U.S. maize breeding has increased. However, we could find no publicly available information confirming the recent deployment of exotic germplasm on U.S. farms. Estimated global dependence upon Corn Belt Dent (CBD) germplasm is highly skewed; four countries producing 55% of global maize are 84–88% reliant on CBD. The United States and China, which collectively contribute 46% of global maize production, are 92% dependent. Trends in global usage of CBD germplasm mirror those previously seen in the United States. Concerns about genetic vulnerability that were initially addressed by the U.S. National Research Council should now be considered on a global scale.
An inventory of crop wild relatives and wild‐utilized plants in Canada
Authors: Ulrich Jens C. , Moreau Tara L. , Luna‐Perez Erika , Beckett Kephra I. S. , Simon Lili K. , Migicovsky Zoë , Diederichsen Axel , Khoury Colin K.
Published: June 2022

In the face of global pressures of change and biodiversity loss, crop wild relatives (CWR) and wild‐utilized species (WUS) urgently require conservation attention. To advance conservation, we assembled a national inventory of CWR and WUS in Canada. To assess current ex situ conservation of these plant species, we gathered a virtual metacollection of accession data from botanical gardens and national genebanks. The inventory includes 779 CWR and WUS taxa (658 distinct species), with 263 (222 distinct species) that are related to food crops of national and global importance such as blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosumL.), apple (Malus domestica(Suckow) Borkh.), sunflower (Helianthus annuusL.), and saskatoon (Amelanchierspp.). Sixty‐one food crop relatives are prioritized for breeding potential, and sixteen due to conservation threats. Although most food crop CWR are represented in ex situ collections (91% of species), representation of within‐species diversity is low (median = 5% of Canadian ecogeographic types represented per species). Poor representation of within‐species diversity demands an integrative conservation strategy that emphasizes in situ protection, especially focusing on wild populations in Canada's southern ecoregions where diversity is concentrated. While genebank collections represent higher accession counts per species, botanical gardens include living collections of fruit crop relatives and other woody perennials that are well situated to raise broader awareness of CWR and WUS. To promote further conservation action, we present a web application that enables conservation planners and practitioners to identify local CWR and WUS and to identify within‐species ecogeographic types that are underrepresented in ex situ conservation systems.
Prevention of sudden death in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: do we still need an implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator for primary prevention?
Authors: Abdelhamid Magdy , Rosano Giuseppe , Metra Marco , Adamopoulos Stamatis , Böhm Michael , Chioncel Ovidiu , Filippatos Gerasimos , Jankowska Ewa A. , Lopatin Yury , Lund Lars , Milicic Davor , Moura Brenda , Ben Gal Tuvia , Ristic Arsen , Rakisheva Amina , Savarese Gianluigi , Mullens Wilfried , Piepoli Massimo , Bayes‐Genis Antoni , Thum Thomas , Anker Stefan D. , Seferovic Petar , Coats Andrew J.S.
Published: June 2022

Sudden death is a devastating complication of heart failure (HF). Current guidelines recommend an implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) for prevention of sudden death in patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) specifically those with a left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35% after at least 3 months of optimized HF treatment. The benefit of ICD in patients with symptomatic HFrEF caused by coronary artery disease has been well documented; however, the evidence for a benefit of prophylactic ICD implantation in patients with HFrEF of non‐ischaemic aetiology is less strong. Angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, beta‐blockers (BB), and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) block the deleterious actions of angiotensin II, norepinephrine, and aldosterone, respectively. Neprilysin inhibition potentiates the actions of endogenous natriuretic peptides that mitigate adverse ventricular remodelling. BB, MRA, angiotensin receptor–neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) have a favourable effect on reduction of sudden cardiac death in HFrEF. Recent data suggest a beneficial effect of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in reducing serious ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in patients with HFrEF. So, in the current era of new drugs for HFrEF and with the optimal use of disease‐modifying therapies (BB, MRA, ARNI and SGLT2i), we might need to reconsider the need and timing for use of ICD as primary prevention of sudden death, especially in HF of non‐ischaemic aetiology.
Species‐specific biological energy storage and reuse
Authors: Yildiz Cennet , Özilgen Mustafa
Published: June 2022

Conversion of the stored chemical energy of the brown adipose tissue (BAT) into heat by rodents, difficulties in energy storage by cheetahs, conversion of the nutrient's energy into electric power by electric eels and requirement of unreasonable amounts of energy storage by Albatrosses to exhale flame are evaluated. Humans are born with BAT activity but lose it in a short while. Scientists are trying to bring it back as a therapeutic procedure against obesity. Electric eels need to hunt a large number of low‐calorie catfish in a single electric shock. This is possible in prosperous places like the Amazon, but not elsewhere. Wandering albatross might have been perceived as a dragon, if it would have the flame exhaling ability. It may yield the production of 116 mol of methane after being fossilized. If the entire energy stored by the fossil should be used for exhaling fire, it would be sufficient for 17 days only. Its lifespan is more than 50 years, even if the albatross uses all of its stored energy for flame exhaling its energy will fall too short to achieve it for the lifetime. Energy conversion processes, which are described in this study are achieved by limited number of biological species only and appear in the literature for the first time.
Battery energy storage in electric vehicles by 2030
Authors: Boretti Alberto
Published: June 2022

This work aims to review battery‐energy‐storage (BES) to understand whether, given the present and near future limitations, the best approach should be the promotion of multiple technologies, namely support of battery‐electric‐vehicles (BEVs), hybrid thermal electric vehicles (HTEVs), and hydrogen fuel‐cell‐electric‐vehicles (FCEVs), rather than BEVs alone. While battery technologies have dramatically improved especially in the last 25 years, the dismissal of internal‐combustion‐engine‐vehicles (ICEVs) in favor of BEVs has only been the result of an environmental constraint rather than a techno‐economical advantage. BEVs still suffer from techno‐economic disadvantages vs ICEVs and are also less environmentally friendly on a cradle‐to‐grave life‐cycle‐analysis (LCA) than HTEVs which are using hydrocarbon fuels. Simplified plug‐in series HTEVs fitted with a slightly larger battery can work electric over the certification cycles, which are the most common mode of operation of the vehicle. These vehicles can also recharge the battery by using a small, high‐efficiency internal‐combustion‐engine (ICE) driving a generator when plug‐in recharge is impractical. Further improvements in battery technology within the next decade to solid‐state lithium batteries may permit double the specific energy per unit mass (σm) as well as unit volume (σv). This will lead to an increment of the range and the miles‐per‐gallon‐equivalent, in other words, the energy efficiency. The economic and environmental costs of these novel BEVs are still difficult to forecast. Plug‐in HTEVs, fueled with hydrocarbon or even hydrogen fuel, and plug‐in hydrogen FCEVs, may work together with BEVs to cover the different needs of personal mobility by 2030.
Characterization of thin films of Ga2Se3 on Si fabricated using electron beam evaporation technique
Authors: Bhatnagar Mona , Jha Shivangi , Kumar Sushil
Published: June 2022

Many studies have been conducted in the past on compound semiconductor and wide‐gap semiconductor for their possible usage in place of oxide in metal‐oxide‐semiconductor structures for high‐speed metal‐oxide‐semiconductor field‐effect transistors application. The best candidates for this purpose, however, are compounds with stoichiometric vacant type sites. type compounds are wide‐gap semiconductors with stoichiometric vacancies and low concentration of free and localized charged carriers. It has that gate insulators can be constructed from wide‐gap semiconductor layers with thicknesses smaller than the Debye Screening distance. These new MS'S (metal‐Wide bandgap semiconductor‐semiconductor) with a good lattice match have less of interface states thus giving better stability to the structure. The idea was to use these MS'S structures for photovoltaic applications with insignificant number of interface states. During literature survey, it was also found that Ga2Se3 is the most prospective candidate for forming a heterostructure with Silicon because of its various properties. Structurally, perfect and homogeneous in thickness Ga2Se3 layers have already been formed in quasi‐closed volume by the Hot Wall technique by B. I. Sysoev in the Voronezh Technological Institute, Russia. However, this technology is not cost‐efficient for photovoltaic applications, although it has the advantage of better control of Ga and Se components. Over the last few years, many attempts have been made using many other techniques such as Sol‐gel technique, vapour phase epitaxy, molecular beam epitaxy, etc. for preparing the thin film of GaSe. The current work is an attempt to prepare the Ga2Se3 film using the electron beam evaporation technique as it appeared to be much simpler. Film of thicknesses varying from 70 to 1000 Å were grown. The films have been studied for their morphology and properties for future use in photovoltaics and other device fabrication like IR detectors, etc. Various techniques were used to study the behavior of the films like XRD, SEM, and TEM.
Effects of frying on microplastics load in fish and implications on health
Authors: Eshun Fatima , Pobee Abigail Naa Adjorkor
Published: June 2022

Microplastics (MPs) have been found in almost everything we eat and drink. With one‐third of all plastic waste being dumped in the ocean, MPs, derivatives from plastics, have contaminated our water sources and all the aquatic fauna in them. For many people, seafood forms one of their daily delicacies, and the method of cooking could have implications on the MP loads in them. There are, however, limited studies on the effects of the method of cooking on MPs in seafood, and to address this knowledge gap, this study looks at the effects of frying on MPs in fish. Eighteen raw fish samples were compared to 18 fried fish samples. The results showed more MP loads in the fresh fish than in the fried fish. Furthermore, there were more MP loads in the remaining oil used in frying than in the raw oil. The study recommends that there should be more education to create awareness of the reuse of oil used to fry fish, as this could pose a food security risk. Policies and strategies to help with the proper management of plastic wastes could also go a long way to reduce MPs in fish and seafood in general. Further studies to quantify the effects of MPs in foods on human health are warranted.
Fatty liver disease is not associated with increased mortality in the elderly: A prospective cohort study
Authors: van Kleef Laurens A. , Sonneveld Milan J. , Kavousi Maryam , Ikram M. Arfan , de Man Robert A. , de Knegt Robert J.
Published: June 2022

Background and Aims:

Fatty liver disease (FLD) has been associated with excess mortality. Screening for hepatic steatosis (HS) in patients with metabolic dysfunction is therefore recommended by several guidelines, despite a paucity of evidence on the clinical relevance of FLD in this specific subgroup.

Approach and Results:

We studied participants of an ongoing prospective cohort (the Rotterdam Study). Persons ≥65 years old were enrolled from 2009 to 2014 and were followed through 2018. Steatosis was assessed by ultrasound and liver stiffness (LS) by transient elastography. The association between HS and LS with mortality was assessed using Cox regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, education, smoking, individual components of metabolic syndrome (MetS), heart failure, coronary heart disease, and stroke. We included 4093 elderly participants (74.4 ± 6.6 years old; 42.7% male); 36.8% had ultrasound‐based steatosis. During the median follow‐up of 6.9 years, 793 participants died (29.6 per 1000 person‐years). In the overall population, steatosis was not associated with mortality in multivariable analysis (adjusted HR [aHR], 0.87; 95% CI, 0.73–1.03). Findings were consistent across a range of clinically relevant subgroups, including age categories, sex, MetS, elevated liver enzymes, and cardiac disease. Sensitivity analyses showed similar results for mortality beyond 5 years of follow‐up and cancer‐related and cerebro‐cardiovascular mortality. Furthermore, among participants with steatosis, higher LS (aHR, 1.04 per kPa; 95% CI, 0.95–1.14) was not associated with mortality.

Conclusions:

Presence of FLD was not associated with mortality in this cohort nor in a range of subgroups. This indicates that screening for FLD and/or fibrosis is unlikely to improve outcomes among the elderly population.
Macrophage‐specific FGF12 promotes liver fibrosis progression in mice
Authors: Li Santie , Zhou Bin , Xue Mei , Zhu Junjie , Tong Gaozan , Fan Junfu , Zhu Kunxuan , Hu Zijing , Chen Rui , Dong Yonggan , Chen Yiming , Lee Kwang Youl , Li Xiaokun , Jin Litai , Cong Weitao
Published: June 2022

Background and Aims:

Chronic liver diseases are associated with the development of liver fibrosis. Without treatment, liver fibrosis commonly leads to cirrhosis and HCC. FGF12 is an intracrine factor belonging to the FGF superfamily, but its role in liver homeostasis is largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the role of FGF12 in the regulation of liver fibrosis.

Approach and Results:

FGF12 was up‐regulated in bile duct ligation (BDL)–induced and CCL4‐induced liver fibrosis mouse models. Expression of FGF12 was specifically up‐regulated in nonparenchymal liver cells, especially in hepatic macrophages. By constructing myeloid‐specific FGF12 knockout mice, we found that deletion of FGF12 in macrophages protected against BDL‐induced and CCL4‐induced liver fibrosis. Further results revealed that FGF12 deletion dramatically decreased the population of lymphocyte antigen 6 complex locus C high macrophages in mouse fibrotic liver tissue and reduced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Meanwhile, loss‐of‐function and gain‐of‐function approaches revealed that FGF12 promoted the proinflammatory activation of macrophages, thus inducing HSC activation mainly through the monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1/chemokine (C–C motif) receptor 2 axis. Further experiments indicated that the regulation of macrophage activation by FGF12 was mainly mediated through the Janus kinase–signal transducer of activators of transcription pathway. Finally, the results revealed that FGF12 expression correlates with the severity of fibrosis across the spectrum of fibrogenesis in human liver samples.

Conclusions:

FGF12 promotes liver fibrosis progression. Therapeutic approaches to inhibit macrophage FGF12 may be used to combat liver fibrosis in the future.
Visual image of God/gods during early childhood
Authors: Moriguchi Yusuke
Published: June 2022

This study examined whether Japanese children have a different visual image of God/gods than children from Western countries, who have an image of an old White man. Study 1 comprised 183, 4–7‐year‐old Japanese children (93 girls), who had to choose a face that looked like God/gods from among pictures of faces that differed on age (e.g., young Asian man vs. old Asian man), race (e.g., White woman vs. Black woman vs. Asian woman), or gender (e.g., Asian man vs. Asian woman). Children's responses were relatively biased toward old or White faces, but only boys were weakly biased toward male faces. Study 2 confirmed that children did not have a strong gender bias. Japanese children conceptualise God/gods as old or White.
Agents prefer sparse social clouds
Authors: Mane Pramod C.
Published: June 2022

What social cloud structure is likely to emerge when agents engage in closeness‐based resource‐sharing and establish their resource‐sharing network strategically? This is the central question of this research. This letter looks at how cost‐benefit trade‐offs in maintaining connections, and resource supply and demand influence network formation. The study reveals that agents prefer a sparse network over a dense one. A dense network is likely to form when demand exceeds supply, while a sparse network is likely to form when supply exceeds demand.
Otherfathering and Black men's mental health: A primer for counselors
Authors: Hannon Michael D.
Published: June 2022

No counseling research exists about how otherfathering affects Black men's wellness. Black otherfathering has been primarily studied in schools as one of many expectations for Black male teachers. A review of research about the relationship between fathering, otherfathering, and mental health in Black men is presented and concludes with a rationale for more research about Black otherfathering as a potential protective factor for Black men's mental health.
Computed DWI MRI Results in Superior Capability for N‐Stage Assessment of Non‐Small Cell Lung Cancer Than That of Actual DWI, STIR Imaging, and FDG‐PET/CT
Authors: Ohno Yoshiharu , Yui Masao , Takenaka Daisuke , Yoshikawa Takeshi , Koyama Hisanobu , Kassai Yoshimori , Yamamoto Kaori , Oshima Yuka , Hamabuchi Nayu , Hanamatsu Satomu , Obama Yuki , Ueda Takahiro , Ikeda Hirotaka , Hattori Hidekazu , Murayama Kazuhiro , Toyama Hiroshi
Published: June 2022

Background

Computed diffusion‐weighted imaging (cDWI) is a mathematical computation technique that generates DWIs for any b‐value by using actual DWI (aDWI) data with at least two different b‐values and may improve differentiation of metastatic from nonmetastatic lymph nodes.

Purpose

To determine the appropriate b‐value for cDWI to achieve a better diagnostic capability for lymph node staging (N‐staging) in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients compared to aDWI, short inversion time (TI) inversion recovery (STIR) imaging, or positron emission tomography with 2‐[fluorine‐18] fluoro‐2‐deoxy‐d‐glucose combined with computed tomography (FDG‐PET/CT).

Study Type

Prospective.

Subjects

A total of 245 (127 males and 118 females; mean age 72 years) consecutive histopathologically confirmed NSCLC patients.

Field Strength/Sequence

A 3 T, half‐Fourier single‐shot turbo spin‐echo sequence, electrocardiogram (ECG)‐triggered STIR fast advanced spin‐echo (FASE) sequence with black blood and STIR acquisition and DWI obtained by FASE with b‐values of 0 and 1000 sec/mm2.

Assessment

From aDWIs with b‐values of 0 and 1000 (aDWI1000) sec/mm2, cDWI using 400 (cDWI400), 600 (cDWI600), 800 (cDWI800), and 2000 (cDWI2000) sec/mm2 were generated. Then, 114 metastatic and 114 nonmetastatic nodes (mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes) were selected and evaluated with a contrast ratio (CR) for each cDWI and aDWI, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), lymph node‐to‐muscle ratio (LMR) on STIR, and maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax).

Statistical Tests

Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, Youden index, and McNemar's test.

Results

Area under the curve (AUC) of CR600 was significantly larger than the CR400, CR800, CR2000, aCR1000, and SUVmax. Comparison of N‐staging accuracy showed that CR600 was significantly higher than CR400, CR2000, ADC, aCR1000, and SUVmax, although there were no significant differences with CR800 (P = 0.99) and LMR (P = 0.99).

Data Conclusion

cDWI with b‐value at 600 sec/mm2 may have potential to improve N‐staging accuracy as compared with aDWI, STIR, and PET/CT.

Evidence Level

2

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Detecting Early‐Stage Liver Fibrosis Using Macromolecular Proton Fraction Mapping Based on Spin‐Lock MRI: Preliminary Observations
Authors: Hou Jian , Wong Vincent W.‐S. , Qian Yurui , Jiang Baiyan , Chan Anthony W.‐H. , Leung Howard H.‐W. , Wong Grace L.‐H. , Yu Simon C.‐H. , Chu Winnie C.‐W. , Chen Weitian
Published: June 2022

Background

Liver fibrosis is characterized by macromolecule depositions. Recently, a novel technology termed macromolecular proton fraction quantification based on spin‐lock magnetic resonance imaging (MPF‐SL) is reported to measure macromolecule levels.

Hypothesis

MPF‐SL can detect early‐stage liver fibrosis by measuring macromolecule levels in the liver.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Subjects

Fifty‐five participants, including 22 with no fibrosis (F0) and 33 with early‐stage fibrosis (F1–2), were recruited.

Field Strength/Sequence

3 T; two‐dimensional (2D) MPF‐SL turbo spin‐echo sequence, 2D spin‐lock T1rho turbo spin‐echo sequence, and multi‐slice 2D gradient echo sequence.

Assessment

Macromolecular proton fraction (MPF), T1rho, liver iron concentration (LIC), and fat fraction (FF) biomarkers were quantified within regions of interest.

Statistical Tests

Group comparison of the biomarkers using Mann–Whitney U tests; correlation between the biomarkers assessed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and linear regression with goodness‐of‐fit; fibrosis stage differentiation using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis. P‐value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Average T1rho was 41.76 ± 2.94 msec for F0 and 41.15 ± 3.73 msec for F1–2 (P = 0.60). T1rho showed nonsignificant correlation with either liver fibrosis (ρ = −0.07; P = 0.61) or FF (ρ = −0.14; P = 0.35) but indicated a negative correlation with LIC (ρ = −0.66). MPF was 4.73 ± 0.45% and 5.65 ± 0.81% for F0 and F1–2 participants, respectively. MPF showed a positive correlation with liver fibrosis (ρ = 0.59), and no significant correlations with LIC (ρ = 0.02; P = 0.89) or FF (ρ = 0.05; P = 0.72). The area under the ROC curve was 0.85 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75–0.95) and 0.55 (95% CI 0.39–0.71; P = 0.55) for MPF and T1rho to discriminate between F0 and F1–2 fibrosis, respectively.

Data Conclusion

MPF‐SL has the potential to diagnose early‐stage liver fibrosis and does not appear to be confounded by either LIC or FF.

Level of Evidence

3

Technical Efficacy Stage

3
Evident differences of haze days between December and January in north China and possible relationships with preceding climate factors
Authors: Yin Zhicong , Li Yuyan , Zhang Yijia , Wang Huijun
Published: June 2022

Air pollution of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is severe in winter and causes vast premature deaths in north China. Many previous studies have concerned winter‐mean haze conditions and identified some useful climate factors. However, obvious differences in the number of haze days also existed between December and January (HDJ‐D) that lacked of understandings. The HDJ‐D maximum was 6.6 days, which occurred between December 2005 and January 2006, accounting for more than 45% of the monthly mean number of haze days in these 2 months. Differences of large‐scale atmospheric circulations were distributed like a Rossby wave pattern in mid‐troposphere, with centres in the west of Europe (+), the north to the Caspian Sea (−) and north China (+). Associated meteorological conditions in north China resulted in more adverse ventilation conditions and stronger chemical productions, and thus larger number of haze days in January than in December. In addition, significant relationships between HDJ‐D and three preceding climate factors during 1979–2018 were also revealed, including August–September–October sea ice over the Laptev Sea and the north of the Kara Sea (correlation coefficient = −0.53), November snow depth in eastern Europe and western Siberia (correlation coefficient = −0.44) and sea surface temperature over the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge (correlation coefficient = −0.48). Abundant analyses, basing on the observation data, large‐ensemble climate simulations and atmospheric chemical simulations, all reproduced the influences of each climate factor on large‐scale atmospheric circulations and local meteorological conditions associated with HDJ‐D changes.
Andean crops: kañiwa and tarwi flours used for the development of vegan gluten‐free muffins
Authors: Vidaurre‐Ruiz Julio , Vargas Roberth Junior Yurivilca , Alcázar‐Alay Sylvia , Encina‐Zelada Christian R , Cabezas Dario M , Correa María Jimena , Repo‐Carrasco‐Valencia Ritva
Published: June 2022

BACKGROUND

The flours of two Andean crops, tarwi (Lupinus mutabilis) and kañiwa (Chenopodium pallidicaule Aellen), present an excellent nutritional profile for inclusion in vegan gluten‐free muffin formulations. In this study, the proximal composition and techno‐functional properties of tarwi and kañiwa flours, and the technological quality of batters and muffins (potato starch‐based) formulated with 50% of these flours were evaluated.

RESULTS

Andean flours have high protein, fiber, and fat content, and display high water and oil absorption. In premixes formulated with potato starch and Andean flours, a reduction in paste viscosity was observed due to starch dilution and lower water availability. Depending on their ability to interact with water, the batters formulated with these flours had a higher consistency. Confocal laser scanning micrographs showed that batters with Andean flours presented a complex matrix with dispersed starch granules surrounded by proteins and fiber fragments. Muffins made with Andean flours had a slightly lower specific volume than the control, but crumb hardness was not modified by tarwi flour (50%) and a mixture of tarwi (25%) and kañiwa (25%) flours. The intrinsic color of these flours modified crumb color, and their reducing sugar content also favored Maillard reactions in the crust. These color changes are desirable in gluten‐free products because such products are frequently pale due to their high starch content.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that tarwi and kañiwa flours are suitable for developing vegan, gluten‐free muffins of good technological quality and improved nutritional profile, adding value to these underutilized ancestral flours. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Divergent Synthesis of Biocompatible Nearly Monodisperse Multi‐Functional Poly(ethylene glycol) Periodic Copolymers
Authors: Avais Mohd. , Chattopadhyay Subrata
Published: June 2022

Functional nearly monodisperse (Đ < 1.1) poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) copolymers, containing precise functional groups both in the backbone and chain end, are challenging to prepare. Herein, a divergent synthetic approach is reported to prepare a library of functional PEG periodic copolymers with very narrow dispersity (Đ < 1.1). In the first step, acrylate end functional (at one of the chain end) PEG copolymers (Mn = 3000–14 000 Da) (PEG‐1) are synthesized via the reaction between commercially available PEG diacrylate oligomers (Mn = 575 Da) and primary amines. Besides the acrylate end group, PEG‐1 contains periodic alkyl chains and amino‐ester functionalities in the backbone which are introduced by respective amines. The acrylate end group can react with different primary and secondary amines (such as tryptamine, diethanolamine) to synthesize different end functional polymers via end group modifications (PEG‐2). Further, the acrylate end functional polymers react with piperazine and ethanol‐amino piperazine to form the higher molecular weight linear (PEG‐3) and star polymers (PEG‐4) respectively via macromolecular coupling. All the polymers are characterized by NMR, IR, and SEC. Further purity of the end functional polymers is confirmed via DOSY NMR analysis. The different amphiphilic functional polymers self‐assemble in water to form stable micelles (Dh < 50 nm), where the size of the micelles increases with increasing molecular weight of the polymers. The micelles can be used for drug encapsulation and release. MTT assay is performed to study the general cytotoxicity of the functional PEGs using L929 cells. The results indicate very good biocompatibility of the current polymers for further biomedical applications.
Fine Structure and Swelling Properties of Fibers from Regenerated Rennet‐Treated Casein Micelles
Authors: Thill Sebastian , Schmidt Thomas , Jana Sankar , Wöll Dominik , Gebhardt Ronald
Published: June 2022

Regenerated fibers from rennet‐treated casein micelles can be produced with a defined width and homogeneous surface morphology using a two‐substance nozzle integrated in a spinning setup. Extrusion is carried out under standard conditions in a coagulation buffer with 100 × 10−3 m CaCl2 at 60 °C. Electron microscopic images of dried fibers show a fine structure consisting of µm‐sized strands running parallel to the fiber axis and radially outward. Confocal fluorescence microscopy lifetime images show that the strands are rich in free calcium, which is released upon swelling in deionized water and diffuses out of the fiber. Fibers made with only 50 × 10−3 m calcium chloride swell at a higher rate to larger equilibrium swelling values because of fewer stabilizing calcium bridges. In HCl, initial swelling of the fibers is followed by deswelling to a defined equilibrium state with a densely packed casein matrix, as indicated by fluorescence microscopy images. Because of the large number of dissolved calcium contacts and the residual charges on the casein, swelling in HCl occurs very quickly. Elastic contributions of the network and released ions lead to deswelling of the fiber, which occurs fastest for those with 100 × 10−3 m CaCl2 due to the high proportion of free ions.
Endogenous spillovers in a non‐tournament R&D duopoly under uncertainty
Authors: Zhang Yanfang , Ji Yuchang , Tan Qianwen
Published: June 2022

Including R&D risk, this paper considers the choices of R&D spillovers in a simple non‐tournament cost‐reducing R&D duopoly game with Bertrand competition. It turns out that the two firms never disclose any of their R&D information when considering their R&D non‐cooperatively. However, if the firms decide their R&D cooperatively, we show, though they would always fully share their information when the risk of R&D is low, they would not disclose any of their R&D information when the market competition is fierce, the R&D risk is high and the R&D is efficient.
THE CASE AGAINST urethral failure is not a critical factor in female urinary incontinence. Now what? The integral theory system
Authors: Petros Peter
Published: June 2022

Subject of the Debate

“Urethral failure is a critical factor in female urinary incontinence Now what?” The CASE FOR by Hokanson, DeLancey pinpointed inadequacy of bladder causation for urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) and poor urethral support for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) as responsible for long‐standing lack of progress in incontinence science. They proposed “Urethral failure” as causation for SUI and UUI. The CASE AGAINST, by Peter Petros agrees “abnormal detrusor function as cause for (UUI) is a failed concept, and SUI surgery results are sometimes suboptimal, but rejects “urethral failure” as cause for UUI and SUI. In answer to, “Now what?,” Petros presents the Integral Theory System. SUI and UUI are dysfunctions of the bladder's binary control mechanism, mainly ligament laxity because of defective collagen/elastin. The urethra is an emptying tube. Pelvic muscle forces reflexly contract against ligaments to close urethra, open it (micturition) and stretch the vagina underlying urethelial stretch receptors to mechanically support them, preventing premature activation of micturition (UUI). High validated cure rates for SUI and UUI by repair of weakened ligaments question viability of the “urethral failure” concept.

Conclusions

The major achievement of this debate (both sides) is not what causes UUI or SUI, or what doesn't, though clearly, this is important. It is calling out a 50‐year ossification of the whole construct of UUI, ranging from flawed definitions to systematic denial of known cures, all of which have stalled treatment of the one billion women who suffer with incontinence. The time has come for change.
Investigation of the dynamic mechanical analysis and mechanical response of 3D printed nylon carbon fiber composites with different build orientation
Authors: Alarifi Ibrahim M.
Published: June 2022

The effect of printing angle on the mechanical behavior of 3D printed carbon fiber reinforced nylon composites is investigated. Three types of print angles, namely angular, vertical and horizontal, are considered in the present study. Dynamic mechanical analysis, and flexural and tensile tests are performed to evaluate the mechanical behavior of specimens. The dynamic mechanical analysis test reveals higher storage and loss modulus in horizontal specimens as compared with angular and vertical specimens, mainly credited with better mechanical restraints imposed by carbon fibers on the matrix movement. Higher damping capability was also noted with horizontal specimens. Flexural properties of horizontally printed specimens are better as compared with the other configurations attributed to good stress transferability between the constituents. Tensile specimens also depict higher modulus and strength for horizontally printed specimens owing to higher resistance offered by the carbon fibers to tensile loading and good compatibility of constituents. Finally, the structure–property relationships are understood by analyzing the specimens under a high‐resolution scanning microscope.
Work–family conflict and posttraumatic stress symptoms among college teachers during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Huang Jia‐li , Chen Nan‐fei , Cai Yun , Yin Jin‐rong , Zhou Xiao
Published: June 2022

The study aimed to examine the indirect factors underlying the association between work–family conflict and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in college teachers during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Three potential indirect factors were examined: perceived stress, basic psychological needs, and rumination. A total of 274 college teachers were recruited. All participants completed an electronic questionnaire that assessed their exposure to the pandemic, work–family conflict, perceived stress, basic psychological needs, rumination, and PTSS. The results showed that after controlling for pandemic exposure, gender, and age, work–family conflict was associated with PTSS via perceived stress alone, rumination alone, a path from perceived stress to basic psychological needs, and a path from perceived stress to rumination. These results indicate that work–family conflict is positively associated with PTSS indirectly via perceived stress, rumination, and basic psychological needs during the COVID‐19 pandemic. These three mediators may completely explain the relation of work–family conflict to PTSS.
Development and performance characteristics of novel code‐based algorithms to identify invasive Escherichia coli disease
Authors: Fortin Stephen P. , Hernandez Pastor Luis , Doua Joachim , Sarnecki Michal , Swerdel Joel , Colasurdo Jamie , Geurtsen Jeroen
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Evaluation of novel code‐based algorithms to identify invasive Escherichia coli disease (IED) among patients in healthcare databases.

Methods

Inpatient visits with microbiological evidence of invasive bacterial disease were extracted from the Optum© electronic health record database between January 1, 2016 and June 30, 2020. Six algorithms, derived from diagnosis and drug exposure codes associated to infectious diseases and Escherichia coli, were developed to identify IED. The performance characteristics of algorithms were assessed using a reference standard derived from microbiology data.

Results

Among 97 194 eligible records, 25 310 (26.0%) were classified as IED. Algorithm 1 (diagnosis code for infectious invasive disease due to E. coli) had the highest positive predictive value (PPV; 96.0%) and lowest sensitivity (60.4%). Algorithm 2, which additionally included patients with diagnosis codes for infectious invasive disease due to an unspecified organism, had the highest sensitivity (95.5%) and lowest PPV (27.8%). Algorithm 4, which required patients with a diagnosis code for infectious invasive disease due to unspecified organism to have no diagnosis code for non‐E. coli infections, achieved the most balanced performance characteristics (PPV, 93.6%; sensitivity, 78.1%; F1 score, 85.1%). Finally, adding exposure to antibiotics in the treatment of E. coli had limited impact on performance algorithms 5 and 6.

Conclusion

Algorithm 4, which achieved the most balanced performance characteristics, offers a useful tool to identify patients with IED and assess the burden of IED in healthcare databases.
Activation of p53: How phosphorylated Ser15 triggers sequential phosphorylation of p53 at Thr18 by CK1δ
Authors: Nicolaou Sonia T. , Kannan Srinivasaraghavan , Warwicker Jim , Verma Chandra S.
Published: June 2022

The N‐terminal transactivation domain (TAD) of p53 is a disordered region with multiple phosphorylation sites. Phosphorylation at Thr18 is crucial for the release of p53 from its negative regulator, MDM2. In stressed cells, CK1δ is responsible for phosphorylating Thr18, but requires Ser15 to be phosphorylated. To understand the mechanistic underpinnings of this sequential phosphorylation, molecular modeling and molecular dynamics simulation studies of these phosphorylation events were carried out. Our models suggest that a positively charged region on CK1δ near the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding pocket, which is conserved across species, sequesters the negatively charged pSer15, thereby constraining the positioning of the rest of the peptide, such that the side chain of Thr18 is positioned close to the γ‐phosphate of ATP. Furthermore, our studies show that the phosphorylated p53 TAD1 (p53pSer15) peptide binds more strongly to CK1δ than does p53. p53 adopts a helical structure when bound to CK1δ, which is lost upon phosphorylation at Ser15, thus gaining higher flexibility and ability to morph into the binding site. We propose that upon phosphorylation at Ser15 the p53 TAD1 peptide binds to CK1δ through an electrostatically driven induced fit mechanism resulting in a flanking fuzzy complex.
Status and Future of Process Mining: From Process Discovery to Process Execution
Authors: Reinkemeyer Lars
Published: June 2022

During the last two decades Process Mining has seen a rapid global adoption: first in academics and then in corporate business. It has evolved into a foundational technology, allowing users to discover actual process flows with unprecedented transparency, speed, and detail. In a business environment Process Mining has no purpose of its own, but companies leverage it to identify process inefficiencies, improve process execution and ultimately drive value. Process discovery and transparency does not provide immediate business value, but requires specific use cases combined with human intelligence to identify and deploy levers for process improvement. In this article we argue that the future focus and evolution of Process Mining shall not focus on lateral expansion - i.e. with further processes and discoveries - but vertically by enhancing the depth of added value for business users with artificial intelligence, proactive and predictive enablement and other levers which boost process execution. In essence, focus should be on deploying smarter technologies for driving business value in process areas where Process Mining has shown impact.
Process Mining for Financial Auditing
Authors: Jans Mieke , Eulerich Marc
Published: June 2022

Over the last years, process mining has increasingly demonstrated its potential as a valuable tool for internal and external auditors. Thereby, the possible use cases in the field of auditing are manifold. This chapter focuses especially on the use of process mining in the context of financial audits, which are relevant for both, internal and external auditors. Beside a short explanation of the different types of auditors, this chapter aims to connect process mining to the different process steps of an internal (and later also external) audit and discusses the similarities and differences between both areas.
Scaling Process Mining to Turn Insights into Actions
Authors: van der Aalst Wil M. P. , Carmona Josep
Published: June 2022

This final chapter reflects on the current status of the process mining discipline and provides an outlook on upcoming developments and challenges. The broader adoption of process mining will be a gradual process. Process mining is already used for high-volume processes in large organizations, but over time process mining will also become the “new normal” for smaller organizations and processes with fewer cases. To get the highest return on investment, organizations need to “scale” their process mining activities. Also, from a research point-of-view, there are many exciting challenges. On the one hand, many of the original problems (e.g., discovering high-quality process models and scaling conformance checking) remain (partly) unsolved, still allowing for significant improvements. On the other hand, the large-scale use of process mining provides many research opportunities and generates novel scientific questions.
Advanced Process Discovery Techniques
Authors: Augusto Adriano , Carmona Josep , Verbeek Eric
Published: June 2022

Given the challenges associated to the process discovery task, more than a hundred research studies addressed the problem over the past two decades. Despite the richness of proposals, many state-of-the-art automated process discovery techniques, especially the oldest ones, struggle to systematically discover accurate and simple process models. In general, when the behavior recorded in the input event log is simple (e.g., exhibiting little parallelism, repetitions, or inclusive choices) or noise free, some basic algorithms such as the alpha miner can output accurate and simple process models. However, as the complexity of the input data increases, the quality of the discovered process models can worsen quickly. Given that oftentimes real-life event logs record very complex and unstructured process behavior containing many repetitions, infrequent traces, and incomplete data, some state-of-the-art techniques turn unreliable and not purposeful. Specifically, they tend to discover process models that either have limited accuracy (i.e., low fitness and/or precision) or are syntactically incorrect. While currently there exists no perfect automated process discovery technique, some are better than others when discovering a process model from event logs recording complex process behavior. In this chapter, we introduce four of such techniques, discussing their underlying approach and algorithmic ideas, reporting their benefits and limitation, and comparing their performance with the algorithms introduced in the previous chapter.
Conformance Checking: Foundations, Milestones and Challenges
Authors: Carmona Josep , van Dongen Boudewijn , Weidlich Matthias
Published: June 2022

By relating observed and modelled behaviour, conformance checking unleashes the full power of process mining. Techniques from this discipline enable the analysis of the quality of a process model discovered from event data, the identification of potential deviations, and the projection of real traces onto process models. This way, the insights gained from the available event data can be transferred to a richer conceptual level, amenable for a human interpretation. The aforementioned functionalities are grounded on the use of conformance checking artefacts that explicit the relation between observed and modelled behaviour. This chapter describes these artefacts, and builds upon them to gain evidence-based insights on the processes of an organization. Moreover, we overview the applications of conformance checking and propose a general framework that incorporates these applications. Finally, milestones and challenges of the field are outlined.
Foundations of Process Event Data
Authors: De Weerdt Jochen , Wynn Moe Thandar
Published: June 2022

Process event data is a fundamental building block for process mining as event logs portray the execution trails of business processes from which knowledge and insights can be extracted. In this Chapter, we discuss the core structure of event logs, in particular the three main requirements in the form of the presence of case IDs, activity labels, and timestamps. Moreover, we introduce fundamental concepts of event log processing and preparation, including data sources, extraction, correlation and abstraction techniques. The chapter is concluded with an imperative section on data quality, arguably the most important determinant of process mining project success.