bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Violencia ejercida y sufrida por el profesorado en su labor docente
Authors: Nieto Campos Begoña , Portela Pino Iago , Álvarez García David , Dominguez Alonso Jose
Published: July 2022

The objective of the present study was to determine what opinion students held about how often do certain behaviors arise in educational centers that can be interpreted by them as aggression or violence that teachers exercise and suffer in their interaction with them. A stratified probability sampling was carried out to 4467 Compulsory Secondary Education students aged 12 to 15 years (M: 13.15; DT: 1.24), to whom the CUVE-R school violence questionnaire was administered. The data suggest that students do perceive that violence is exercised by teachers against students and vice versa, with teachers exercising slightly higher degrees of violence towards students than the contrary. In addition, the violence exerted by the teachers has focused on their perceived dislike of students or their lowering of a student’s grades, while students seek to hinder their teaching by continually speaking in class or behaving incorrectly. ANOVA analysis showed that older adolescents (in 3rd and 4th year of ESO) with worse academic records obtained higher scores in suffering teacher violence, while the violence exercised by students towards teachers was accentuated in older girls enrolled in public centers located in urban settings. In conclusion, it is inferred that the violence exercised and suffered by teachers continues to be present in educational centers, making it a major obstacle to overcome for peaceful coexistence in educational centers.

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo conocer la opinión del alumnado sobre el grado de aparición de ciertas conductas en los centros educativos que pueden ser interpretadas por ellos como agresión o violencia que ejerce y sufre el profesorado en su interacción con el alumnado. Se llevó a cabo un muestreo probabilístico estratificado a 4467 estudiantes de Educación Secundaria Obligatoriae 12 a 16 años (M: 13.81; DT: 1.38), a los cuales se administró el cuestionario de violencia escolar CUVE-R. Los datos señalaron que el alumnado percibe existencia de violencia por parte del profesorado hacia el alumnado y viceversa, siendo ligeramente mayor la llevada a cabo por parte del profesorado. Además, la violencia ejercida por el profesorado se ha centrado en tener manía o bajar notas, mientras que el alumnado ha buscado dificultar su labor docente a través de hablar continuamente en clase o comportarse de manera incorrecta. Análisis ANOVA mostraron que los adolescentes de mayor edad (cursa 3º y 4º de ESO) y con peores expedientes académicos obtuvieron mayores puntuaciones en la violencia por parte del profesorado, mientras que la violencia que ejerce el alumnado hacia el profesorado se acentúa en las chicas de mayor edad, matriculadas en centros públicos situados en entornos urbanos. En conclusión, se infiere que la violencia ejercida y sufrida por el profesorado sigue presente en los centros educativos, convirtiéndola en un obstáculo importante a vencer para la convivencia pacífica en los centros de enseñanza.
Ecosistemas educativos para la práctica musical en el entorno de la Web Social: una revisión sistemática de literatura
Authors: Merchán Sánchez-Jara Javier , Ramos Ahijado Sonsoles , Montoya Rubio Juan Carlos
Published: July 2022

In recent years, countless platforms and resources have proliferated in the web environment which are devoted to the development of new didactic and methodological strategies in the context of the teaching-learning of music. This paper is a systematic review that aims to identify and critically analyze the main contributions of the scientific literature on the pedagogical, didactic, and methodological transformations that are developed in the webspace. Research papers published between 1990 and 2020 and indexed in the main academic databases have been sought and selected according to a series of relevance criteria, resulting in a study sample n=57. The results show that the web environment is an ecosystem for teaching-learning in a permanent state of development and renewal, which favors the socialization of musical practice, self-learning based on the development of creativity, and the proliferation of systems for self-assessment or assisted tutoring in the environment of learning communities oriented towards common interests.

En los últimos años han proliferado innumerables plataformas y recursos en el entorno web dedicados a desarrollar nuevas estrategias didácticas y metodológicas en el contexto de la enseñanza-aprendizaje de la música. El presente trabajo constituye una revisión sistemática que pretende identificar y analizar críticamente las principales aportaciones de la literatura científica en torno a las transformaciones pedagógicas, didácticas y metodológicas que se desarrollan en el espacio web. Se buscan y seleccionan, en función de una serie de criterios de pertinencia, trabajos de investigación publicados entre 1990 y 2020, e indexados en las principales bases de datos académicas, conformando una muestra de estudio n=57. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto que el entorno web constituye un ecosistema para la enseñanza-aprendizaje en permanente estado de desarrollo y renovación, que favorece la socialización de la práctica musical, el autoaprendizaje basado en el desarrollo de la creatividad, y la proliferación de sistemas para la autoevaluación o tutorización asistida en el entorno de comunidades de aprendizaje orientadas a intereses comunes.
Students’ experiences with graduate education in Brazil A confirmatory Factor Analysis Approach
Authors: Felicetti Vera Lucia , Cabrera Alberto F.
Published: July 2022

Assessing graduate student education is a complex task. After all, graduate education is the result of a complex process involving course experiences, teaching, engagement in learning, mastery of skills, the ability to work with others and satisfaction with what is learned. This paper reports the results of a study seeking to document underlying dimensions of student experiences with their graduate education programs in Brazil. Confirmatory factor analysis reveals that student experiences with graduate education underscore three interrelated constructs: Engagement in learning, Collaborative Learning, and Intellectual Growth. The survey instrument that informed this study can contribute to the self-assessment of Graduate Programs in Education by accreditation agencies as the Brazilian’s Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES).

Assessing graduate student instruction is a complex task. After all, graduate education is the result of an intricate exercise involving course experiences, teaching, learning engagement, skill-building, collaboration, and learning satisfaction. This article presents the results of a study seeking to assist in the assessment of graduate education in Brazil through a survey about graduate education experiences. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), performed on 462 graduate students of various master’s and doctoral programs from six Brazilian universities, indicates that student experiences with graduate education underscore three interrelated processes: Engagement in Learning, Collaborative Learning, and Intellectual Growth. The survey that informs this study can contribute to the self-assessment of graduate programs in Education at different faculties and universities, while also facilitating regular graduate education assessment by accreditation agencies such as the Brazilian’s Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES).
Brazilian Social Theory in Circulation
Authors: Ruvituso Clara
Published: July 2022

This article focuses on the paradigmatic case of the Brazilian Darcy Ribeiro, the Latin American social scientist most translated into German between 1976 and 1985 by Suhrkamp, a prestigious publishing house in the Federal Republic of Germany. From the perspective of the sociology of translation, this article explores the key role of mediators, genres and styles in specific contexts, which explains the unusual recognition that Darcy Ribeiro received through translation by a publishing house with high symbolic capital in the production and circulation of social theory, despite the fact that he produced from the periphery.
A Systematic Review of the Validity and Reliability of the Patient-Determined Disease Steps Scale
Authors: Ann Marrie Ruth , McFadyen Caitlin , Yaeger Lauren , Salter Amber
Published: July 2022

BACKGROUND

The Patient-Determined Disease Steps (PDDS) scale is a patient-reported measure of disability used by at least 3 North American multiple sclerosis (MS) registries. We conducted a systematic review of the psychometric properties of the PDDS scale as part of a harmonization effort related to disability measures used in MS registries.

METHODS

We searched the EMBASE, Ovid Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CENTRAL, CINAHL Plus, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases from database inception through July 28, 2020. Two reviewers independently screened abstracts and full-text reports for study inclusion and data extraction and assessed study quality and risk of bias. We included studies that assessed the validity or reliability of the PDDS scale. We conducted a meta-analysis to quantitatively summarize the findings.

RESULTS

From the 2476 abstracts screened, 234 articles underwent full-text review, of which 5 met the inclusion criteria. These studies assessed criterion validity, construct validity, and test-retest reliability. In all studies, criterion validity was assessed by correlating the PDDS scale score with the Expanded Disability Status Scale score (pooled r = 0.73; 95% CI, 0.66–0.79). Test-retest reliability was high (pooled intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.96; 95% CI, 0.92–0.99).

CONCLUSIONS

In this systematic review, the PDDS scale demonstrated criterion and construct validity for assessing disability in individuals with MS who have mild to moderate disabilities. This review also supports the test-retest reliability of the PDDS scale, although further studies with larger samples are needed.
Immunopathology and Trypanosoma congolense parasite sequestration cause acute cerebral trypanosomiasis
Authors: Silva Pereira Sara , De Niz Mariana , Serre Karine , Ouarné Marie , Coelho Joana E , Franco Cláudio A , Figueiredo Luisa M
Published: July 2022

Trypanosoma congolense causes a syndrome of variable severity in animals in Africa. Cerebral trypanosomiasis is a severe form, but the mechanism underlying this severity remains unknown. We developed a mouse model of acute cerebral trypanosomiasis and characterized the cellular, behavioral, and physiological consequences of this infection. We show large parasite sequestration in the brain vasculature for long periods of time (up to 8 hr) and extensive neuropathology that associate with ICAM1-mediated recruitment and accumulation of T cells in the brain parenchyma. Antibody-mediated ICAM1 blocking and lymphocyte absence reduce parasite sequestration in the brain and prevent the onset of cerebral trypanosomiasis. Here, we establish a mouse model of acute cerebral trypanosomiasis and we propose a mechanism whereby parasite sequestration, host ICAM1, and CD4+ T cells play a pivotal role.
Genome-wide detection of imprinted differentially methylated regions using nanopore sequencing
Authors: Akbari Vahid , Garant Jean-Michel , O'Neill Kieran , Pandoh Pawan , Moore Richard , Marra Marco A , Hirst Martin , Jones Steven JM
Published: July 2022

Imprinting is a critical part of normal embryonic development in mammals, controlled by defined parent-of-origin (PofO) differentially methylated regions (DMRs) known as imprinting control regions. Direct nanopore sequencing of DNA provides a means to detect allelic methylation and to overcome the drawbacks of methylation array and short-read technologies. Here, we used publicly available nanopore sequencing data for 12 standard B-lymphocyte cell lines to acquire the genome-wide mapping of imprinted intervals in humans. Using the sequencing data, we were able to phase 95% of the human methylome and detect 94% of the previously well-characterized, imprinted DMRs. In addition, we found 42 novel imprinted DMRs (16 germline and 26 somatic), which were confirmed using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) data. Analysis of WGBS data in mouse (Mus musculus), rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta), and chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) suggested that 17 of these imprinted DMRs are conserved. Some of the novel imprinted intervals are within or close to imprinted genes without a known DMR. We also detected subtle parental methylation bias, spanning several kilobases at seven known imprinted clusters. At these blocks, hypermethylation occurs at the gene body of expressed allele(s) with mutually exclusive H3K36me3 and H3K27me3 allelic histone marks. These results expand upon our current knowledge of imprinting and the potential of nanopore sequencing to identify imprinting regions using only parent-offspring trios, as opposed to the large multi-generational pedigrees that have previously been required.
Dynamics of the interaction between the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant and human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2
Authors: Antony Priya , Jobe Amie , Vijayan Ranjit
Published: July 2022

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic is still a global public health issue. Omicron, a SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 variant, has raised concerns about transmission and vaccine effectiveness. Omicron currently has the greatest number of variantions.

Methods

To gain a better understanding of the significance of these variations and the dynamics of the interaction between the Omicron spike (S) protein and its human host factor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), triplicate 500 ns molecular dynamics simulations were run using the structure of the S protein’s receptor-binding domain (RBD) in complex with ACE2. The interaction and binding energy, determined using the molecular mechanics—generalized Born surface area approach, were compared to the original SARS-CoV-2 and the B.1.617 variant.

Results

Though mutations K417N and G496S in the S protein RBD disrupt interactions found in the original SARS-CoV-2 complex, mutations Q493R and N501Y introduce interactions not found in the original complex. Interaction at a key viral hotspot and hydrophobic contacts at ACE2’s N-terminus were preserved, but intermolecular hydrogen bonds and polar contacts in the S-ACE2 interface were lower than in the original SARS-CoV-2 interface.
Comparison of the Diagnostic Yields of Some Methods of Screening for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in North Central Nigeria
Authors: Mshelia-Reng Rifkatu , Lawal Yakubu , Omonua Special Odiase , Odumodu Kenechukwu , Shuaibu Ramatu , Itanyi Ukamaka Dorothy , Abubakar Amina Ibrahim , Kolade-Yunusa Hadijat Oluseyi , David Zumnan Songden , Ogunlana Babajide , Clarke Andrew , Adediran Olufemi , Abbas Zulfiqarali , Anumah Felicia Ehusani
Published: July 2022

Background: Peripheral neuropathy is one of the microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus, a risk factor for diabetic foot, and a major cause of disability world wide. Several authors have variedly reported on the efficacies of the different simple and sophisticated methods used in the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy. The aim of this study is to compare the diagnostic yields of different simple methods of screening for diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Methodology: This is a multi-center cross-sectional study involving 1040 participants recruited consecutively, following consent. Relevant biodata and medical history were obtained, while physical examinations including anthropometry, and blood glucose levels were done for each participant. History of paresthesia, 10g monofilament test, vibration test using 128Hz tuning fork, and ankle reflex assessment were the methods used to screen for diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Student ‘t’ test and chi square were used to compare continuous and categorical variables respectively. Significant p-value was put at less than or equal to 0.05.

Results: The percentage of participants with positive screen for diabetic peripheral neuropathy based on the different methods include: positive neuropathic symptoms (64%), negative neuropathic symptoms (50.7%), 10g monofilament testing (31.9%), vibration sensation by tuning fork (21.8%), and ankle reflex impairment (13.1%). A total of 80.1% of the participants were screened positive for diabetic peripheral neuropathy when all the methods were used.

Conclusion: Positive and negative neuropathic symptoms have higher diagnostic yields for diabetic peripheral neuropathy screening than 10g monofilament testing, vibration sensation using tuning fork, and ankle reflex examination. However, it is encouraged to use all available methods to screen for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, as this increases the diagnostic yield, and ensure early adoption of preventive and therapeutic strategies.
Structuring Wicked Problems in Nigeria: The Operations Research Approach
Authors: Nyor N. , Abubakar U. Y. , Jiya M. , Terdoo F. , Iorlamen T. , Adetutu O. M. , Evans P. O. , Dzarma E. D.
Published: July 2022

The aim of this paper is to unravel the nature of some current problems in Nigeria as being wicked and ill structured. Since such problems are messy in nature, they cannot be handled by traditional research procedures. However, Operations Research offers dynamic models in which such squishy problems can be analyzed to reach satisfactory solutions. It is recommended in this paper that since Operations Research is an interdisciplinary scientific method for providing executives with quantitative basis for decision making; researchers in other fields of study outside mathematics should feel free to cash on this advantage to tackle wicked problems in their various fields.
Influence of Environmental Variables on Fish Distribution in the Flooded Swamp Forest of the Lake Tumba Micro-basin on the Mbandaka- Research Center in Ecology and Forestry of Mabali (CREF Mabali) Road Axis in Bikoro, Equateur Province (DR Congo)
Authors: Ndinga Adrien Boika Mondzoi , Swana Willy Lusasi , Ipey Camille Nsimanda , Kiamfu Victor Pwema , Eyul’anki Dieudonné Musibono
Published: July 2022

Background and Objective: The majority of aquatic ecosystems in the Democratic Republic of Congo are highly anthropized, which could negatively influence biodiversity. The overall objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of environmental variables on fish distribution in the flooded swamp forest of the Lake Tumba micro-basin on the Mbandaka- Research Center in Ecology and Forestry of Mabali road.

Study Area: This study took place in ponds, swamps, marigots and small streams in relation to Lake Tumba in the flooded forest zone of the Mbandaka-Mabali road axis in the territory of Bikoro, Equateur Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Methods: Fish were collected using different fishing techniques and gears. Physico-chemical parameters were sampled using a multi-parameter Combo pH probe of the brand Hanna pH/ORP/EC/DO N° HI 9828, dissolved oxygen was measured using the Brand Voltcraft DO-100 oximeter and depth was determined using a graduated board. Several ecological indices of fish communities were determined as well as Hierarchical Ascending and Principal Component Classification analyses.

Results: Twenty-two fish species belonging to ten orders, thirteen families and fifteen genera were identified. The average values of the abiotic variables show that the waters of the study area are characterized by low values of physico-chemical parameters within the ranges compatible with the survival of the local fish fauna. The canonical correspondence analyses reveal that five environmental variables (temperature, depth, dissolved oxygen, sandy bottom and sandy-muddy or gravelly bottom) would explain the abundance and distribution of fourteen fish species in the Longonye site. In contrast, turbidity, conductivity, pH, muddy bottom, and bottom littered with plant debris influenced the abundance and distribution of eight fish species at the Hongo, Ilungu, Lotende and Membe sites. Scoop fishing, stump removal, and the use of ichthyotoxic plants were the main anthropogenic activities that could compromise the fish fauna in the study area.

Conclusion and Outlook: Promoting sustainable local fishing methods would help preserve the fish fauna studied and limit the deterioration of fish habitats.
Performance Evaluation of Drip Irrigation System in Grapes Field
Authors: Valliammai A. , Sravani Martha , Satheeshkumar N. , Pazhanivelan S.
Published: July 2022

A commercial drip irrigation system was evaluated at farmer’s field under grapes to study the various parameters viz emission uniformity, emitter flow variations and statistical uniformity during the year 2019. The soil characteristics of the experiment field at different profile depths was analyzed and sandy loam soil is available at 0 to 15 cm depth and sandy clay loam is available from 15 cm to 60 cm depths,  Irrigation was given daily  based on potential evaporation. The soil moisture status during the crop growth period at various depths under the emitter was studied. The soil moisture in the field was maintained in a range of 21 to 23% under drip irrigation in the 60 cm depth irrespective of the duration. During the rainy season when no irrigation was given, the soil moisture fluctuated depending upon the intensity of rainfall. The system performance was good as indicated by high uniformity coefficient (93%) which indicates that the field is irrigated in a highly uniform manner. The yield was estimated as 27500 kg/ha and water use efficiency was found to be 566 kg.ha/cm The study revealed that superiority of drip irrigated soil regime and moisture content in the soil in 60 cm depth was more or less maintained constantly during the irrigation period.
Influence of Soil Amendments on Growth Parameters and Economics in Maize (Zea mays L)
Authors: Rao P. Laxman , Jayasree G. , Pratibha G. , Prakash T. Ram
Published: July 2022

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of different soil amendments on plant growth parameters and economics in maize (Zea mays L).

Place and Duration of Study: Maize variety 900-M-GOLD was cultivated during rabi 2014-15 at College Farm, College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, PJTSAU, Hyderabad, Telangana state, India.

Methodology: The Experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 6 treatments replicated four times. Treatments consist of T1- vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1 ,T2-FYM @ 10 t ha-1 , T3-tanksilt @ 50 t ha-1 , T4- biochar @10 t ha-1 ,T5- control (without any fertilizer),T6- RDF (NPK-200, 60, 50 kg ha-1). Recommended Dose of Fertilizers was commonly applied from treatment T1 to T4.

Results: There were no significant difference in plant population with the application of all the treatments. At harvest, significantly higher leaf area index recorded with application of tanksilt (1.67) which was on par with vermicompost (1.66), biochar (1.65), FYM (1.65), RDF (1.51) and significantly higher than control (0.80). Maximum gross returns (INR 1,31,283 ha–1), net returns (INR 85,533 ha–1) and BC ratio (2.87) were recorded with the application of tanksilt and minimum gross returns (INR 51,431 ha–1), net returns (INR 24,781 ha–1) and BC ratio (1.93) were recorded in the control. 

Conclusion:  It was determined that growth parameter viz., leaf area, leaf area index recorded significantly higher with tanksilt application which is on par with the application of vermicompost, biochar, FYM.  Maximum gross returns (INR 131283 ha–1), net returns (INR 85533 ha–1) and BC ratio (2.87) were recorded with the application of tanksilt.
Cost Structure and Its Role in Maximizing the Profitability of Some Industrial Companies-Iraq
Authors: Al-Rikabi Naji Shayeb , Sahib Sahar Yahiya
Published: July 2022

This research dealt with the topic of the cost structure and its role in maximizing profitability in industrial companies. The General Company for Construction Industries was chosen as a sample for the research. The research focused on two main variables, namely the cost structure as an independent variable and profitability as a dependent variable and the research used descriptive analysis in analyzing the cost structure and providing information that was used in determining the volume of production required to maximize profit.

The research aims to measure the role of the cost structure that is compatible to the nature of the company's activity and its circumstances in maximizing profit, by showing the extent of its impact on the decisions that will be taken by management by analyzing the components of the current costs and studying the behavior of costs and thus extracting the proportion of fixed and variable costs in the structure The current costs and its role in making decisions to increase production to reduce the unit cost of production and determine the volume of production that maximizes profit to the maximum extent possible and to explain the factors affecting the method of measuring costs used within the economic unit and the way to evaluate inventory, and thus will be completed Cost control and planning for better production and profitability target.
Copper‐Plate Charters
Authors: Ali Daud
Published: July 2022

Copper‐plate charters form one of the most important types of inscriptions that have come down to us from early India. They record royal gifts, usually of land or land revenues, in order to support religious specialists, usually Brahmins. As legal documents they record a great deal of information useful to historians, from genealogical and biographical information on particular rulers to religious, economic, and legal data about early Indian society.
Candellas
Authors: Dasgupta Nupur
Published: July 2022

The Candellas, a minor dynasty known for building some of the famous Khajuraho temples, ruled in parts of the present states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh from the ninth to the turn of the fourteenth century. Originally based in and around Khajuraho and Mahoba, the Candella kingdom extended over an area roughly approximating the erstwhile region of Bundelkhand, known in Candella records as Jejākabhukti. Sources offer interesting information on the origin of this dynasty, hinting at possibilities of local ethnic roots. Their history is mainly drawn from their own inscriptions and those of their regional contemporaries. Albeit a minor dynasty of the times, the long line of Candellas played an important role at a juncture of history that saw major shifts in the political dynamics of northern India. Two classical literary compositions of the times, Bilhaṇa's
Vikramāṅkadevacarita
and Kṛṣṇa Miśra's
Prabodhacandrodaya
throw some light on this, as do the later traditions of the local ballads, the
Ālhā Rāso
,
Parmāl Rāso
, and the
Pṛthvīrāja Rāsau
. The Candellas represent the characteristic phenomenon of a sub‐regional polity, embroiled in incessant intra‐regional strife for territorial domination at a time which saw a heightened level of aggression from external forces. Their history ends with the tide of changes brought by the rise of the Turkic Khilji rulers in Delhi.
Ultrasensitive Ferroelectric Semiconductor Phototransistors for Photon‐Level Detection
Authors: Yang Jia , Wang Feng , Guo Jianfeng , Wang Yanrong , Jiang Chuanxiu , Li Shuhui , Cai Yuchen , Zhan Xueying , Liu Xinfeng , Cheng Zhihai , He Jun , Wang Zhenxing
Published: July 2022

Low‐light‐level photodetections are highly desired in the fields of astronomy and quantum information. However, the existing techniques suffer from high operation voltages and complexity of fabrication, which reduces its compatibility with complementary metal oxide semiconductors (CMOS) based read‐out circuit and prevent the use of imaging. Here, a low‐light‐level phototransistor that employs a photo‐induced ferroelectric reversal mechanism in a ferroelectric semiconductor channel: α‐In2Se3 is demonstrated. It shows a record‐low noise‐equivalent power of 7.9 × 10−22 W Hz−1/2, a record‐high specific detectivity of 6.34 × 1017 Jones, and sensitivity approaching 20 photons in a photon‐counting mode, and fast time response of 260 µs/50 ns in the rise/decay period. It also works as an optoelectronic memory with an on/off ratio of 2.9 × 105, retention of longer than 10 years, and endurance of more than 106 cycles. Due to its high performance, simple architecture, and small operation voltage, the phototransistor provides a feasible platform for new‐generation low‐light‐level image sensors.
Highly Efficient Red Perovskite Light‐Emitting Diodes with Reduced Efficiency Roll‐Off Enabled by Manipulating Crystallization of Quasi‐2D Perovskites
Authors: Zhang Dengliang , Chao Lingfeng , Jin Guangrong , Xing Zhaohui , Hong Wei , Chen Yonghua , Wang Lei , Chen Jiangshan , Ma Dongge
Published: July 2022

CsPbI3 is attractive for efficient and cost‐effective red perovskite light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs), but its black phases still suffer from the metastable structure. The incorporation of large‐size organic cations has been widely used to construct quasi‐2D perovskites to stabilize the black phases. However, the multiple‐phase quasi‐2D perovskites usually show abundant interface defects and enhanced Auger recombination, leading to the low luminance and serious efficiency roll‐off in PeLEDs. Herein, highly efficient red PeLEDs are demonstrated with high luminance and low efficiency roll‐off realized by manipulating the crystallization kinetics of phenethylamine bromide (PEABr) incorporated CsPbI3. PEABr‐CsPbI3 nanocrystal films with much larger and more oriented β‐CsPbIxBr3‐x grains are successfully obtained through appropriately increasing PbI2 content and coordinating with anti‐solvent treatment. The carrier recombination dynamics investigations reveal that the trap‐assisted recombination and Auger recombination are greatly reduced in the passivation‐free PEABr‐CsPbI3 films by rational crystallization regulation. A peak external quantum efficiency (EQE) up to 19.6% is achieved in the red PeLEDs with a stable emission peak at 672 nm, which is maintained as high as 17.2% at a high luminance of over 1000 cd m−2. This study could shed light on modulating the crystallization kinetics of pervoskites to optimize carrier recombination dynamics toward high performance PeLEDs.
Anode Catalysts in Anion‐Exchange‐Membrane Electrolysis without Supporting Electrolyte: Conductivity, Dynamics, and Ionomer Degradation
Authors: Krivina Raina A. , Lindquist Grace A. , Beaudoin Sarah R. , Stovall Timothy Nathan , Thompson Willow L. , Twight Liam P. , Marsh Douglas , Grzyb Joseph , Fabrizio Kevin , Hutchison James E. , Boettcher Shannon W.
Published: July 2022

Anion‐exchange‐membrane water electrolyzers (AEMWEs) in principle operate without soluble electrolyte using earth‐abundant catalysts and cell materials and thus lower the cost of green H2. Current systems lack competitive performance and the durability needed for commercialization. One critical issue is a poor understanding of catalyst‐specific degradation processes in the electrolyzer. While non‐platinum‐group‐metal (non‐PGM) oxygen‐evolution catalysts show excellent performance and durability in strongly alkaline electrolyte, this has not transferred directly to pure‐water AEMWEs. Here, AEMWEs with five non‐PGM anode catalysts are built and the catalysts’ structural stability and interactions with the alkaline ionomer are characterized during electrolyzer operation and post‐mortem. The results show catalyst electrical conductivity is one key to obtaining high‐performing systems and that many non‐PGM catalysts restructure during operation. Dynamic Fe sites correlate with enhanced degradation rates, as does the addition of soluble Fe impurities. In contrast, electronically conductive Co3O4 nanoparticles (without Fe in the crystal structure) yield AEMWEs from simple, standard preparation methods, with performance and stability comparable to IrO2. These results reveal the fundamental dynamic catalytic processes resulting in AEMWE device failure under relevant conditions, demonstrate a viable non‐PGM catalyst for AEMWE operation, and illustrate underlying design rules for engineering anode catalyst/ionomer layers with higher performance and durability.
Hierarchical Doping Engineering with Active/Inert Dual Elements Stabilizes LiCoO2 to 4.6 V
Authors: Qin Ning , Gan Qingmeng , Zhuang Zhaofeng , Wang Yanfang , Li Yingzhi , Li Zhiqiang , Hussain Iftikhar , Zeng Chun , Liu Guiyu , Bai Yunfei , Zhang Kaili , Lu Zhouguang
Published: July 2022

It is highly desirable to raise the charge cutoff voltage to realize the potential of LiCoO2 (LCO) with its ultra‐high theoretical capacity of 275 mAh g‐1. However, rapid fading due to structure collapse caused by the formation of the H1‐3 metastable phase and the release of surface lattice oxygen has largely hindered the operation of LCO under voltages of higher than 4.55 V. Here, stable cycling of LCO at 4.6 V through hierarchical doping engineering with inert P‐outside and active Ni‐inside dual doping is achieved. This ingenious outside‐in structure design enables Ni2+ occupation in the Li layer in the bulk layered phase and P gradient doping at the superficial lattice. Compared with the conventional inert element substitution strategy, the doped active Ni2+ can not only serve as a “pillar” to restrain the formation of the metastable H1‐3 phase, but also regulate the electronic structure of LCO and trigger the superexchange interaction of Ni2+‐O‐Co4+, together with strong P–O coordination to substantially suppress the lattice oxygen escape from the surface. Therefore, it considerably reduces the risk of layer structure collapse and consequently achieves stable and high‐capacity operation over 4.6 V. This hierarchical outside‐in doping strategy may serve as inspiration for stabilizing high energy electrode materials working under high voltages.
A review on the utilization of flaxseed protein as interfacial stabilizers for food applications
Authors: Peng Dengfeng , Ye Jieting , Jin Weiping , Yang Jing , Geng Fang , Deng Qianchun
Published: July 2022

Flaxseed is one of the main cultivated economic oil crops in the world, with a global output of ~3.06 million tons. Its residual meal, after oil industrial processing, is rich in protein (35%–40%). However, flaxseed protein is mainly used for feed and its processing efficiency is low. The potential for high‐value utilization of flaxseed protein is far from being excavated. Interface dominated‐colloidal systems, such as emulsions and foams, are widely available and have extensive applications in food products. Flaxseed protein possesses high contents of hydrophobic amino acids and sulfur‐containing amino acids, relatively ordered secondary structures, tunable structural properties, and acceptable interfacial behaviors. These characteristics give it the potential to effectively stabilize food emulsions and foams. By modifications of flaxseed proteins, such as physical treatment and the complexation with polysaccharides and polyphenols, their structural properties and interfacial behaviors can be regulated, therefore, leading to the enhancement of emulsifying and foaming properties. In this review article, the fractionation, composition, and structure of flaxseed protein are detailed summarized. Then, the interfacial behaviors of flaxseed protein and their control approach are highlighted. Additionally, the emulsions and foams stabilized by flaxseed protein‐based amphiphilic systems and their applications in food processing are emphasized.
A novel combination of methods identifies priority conservation areas for an endemic California Current seabird
Authors: Soldatini Cecilia , Albores‐Barajas Yuri V. , Rosas‐Hernandez Martha P. , Handley Jonathan , Beal Martin , Dias Maria P. , Dell'omo Giacomo
Published: July 2022

There are growing pressures on marine biodiversity. Seabirds in particular are one the most‐threatened groups. The black‐vented shearwater (Puffinus opisthomelas) is endemic to Mexican islands and the only shearwater living its entire life cycle in the California Current System, one of the most productive large marine ecosystems in the world. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in this region, however, were designed without consideration of accurate data on seabird distributions.

Here, 57 black‐vented shearwaters were GPS‐tracked from their main breeding colony (95% of the global population) over four seasons (2016–2019) to estimate their at‐sea distribution. Two methods were applied to identify priority conservation areas: the approach developed by BirdLife International to identify marine Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas and a method using expectation‐maximization binary clustering to identify core foraging areas.

One potential marine Important Bird and Biodiversity Area close to the breeding colony and five core foraging areas were identified. These priority conservation areas were largely beyond the bounds of the current MPA network in the region.

Our results detail opportunities for improving the implementation of conservation and management measures in the California Current System region with respect to seabirds. The approach of combining site identification methods can be applied to other seabird species for which high‐resolution tracking data are available and can help guide conservation action plans and MPA design.
Fully distributed consensus for fuzzy multiagent systems with jointly connected topology
Authors: Li Qinsheng , Yu Jiafeng , Xing Wen , Shi Yan
Published: July 2022

This paper investigates the problem of fully distributed consensus for polynomial fuzzy multiagent systems (MASs) under jointly connected topologies. First, a polynomial fuzzy modeling method is presented to characterize the error dynamics that is constructed by one leader and multiple followers. Then, using the relative state information and the agents' dynamics, a distributed adaptive protocol is designed to guarantee that MASs under jointly connected topologies can achieve consensus in a fully distributed fashion. Utilizing the Lyapunov technique, a relaxed sufficient criterion is proposed to ensure consensus for fuzzy MASs under jointly connected topologies. Moreover, the adaptive coupling weights between neighboring agents can converge to certain values. The derived condition is transformed into a sum‐of‐squares form, which can be solved numerically. We provide an example to illustrate the proposed distributed adaptive consensus technique's validity.
Stability and stabilization of periodic piecewise positive systems: A time segmentation approach
Authors: Zhu Bohao , Lam James , Song Xiaoqi , Lin Hong , Chan Jason Ying Kuen , Kwok Ka‐Wai
Published: July 2022

This paper is concerned with the stability analysis and stabilization of periodic piecewise positive systems. By constructing a time‐scheduled copositive Lyapunov function with a time segmentation approach, an equivalent stability condition, determined via linear programming, for periodic piecewise positive systems is established. Based on the asymptotic stability condition, the spectral radius characterization of the state transition matrix is proposed. The relation between the spectral radius of the state transition matrix and the convergent rate of the system is also revealed. An iterative algorithm is developed to stabilize the system by decreasing the spectral radius of the state transition matrix. Finally, numerical examples are given to illustrate the results.
The heat‐stable protein fraction from Opuntia ficus‐indica seeds exhibits an enzyme protective effect against thermal denaturation and an antibacterial activity
Authors: Drira Marwa , Ghanmi Siwar , Zaidi Ikram , Brini Faiçal , Miled Nabil , Hanin Moez
Published: July 2022

Desiccation tolerance in developing seeds occurs through several mechanisms among which, a common group of proteins named dehydrins has received considerable attention. So far, there is no information dealing with the accumulation of dehydrins in seeds of Opuntia ficus‐indica. We have initiated here an extraction protocol based on two critical steps: heat and acid treatments, and the purity of this fraction was analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy. Western blot analysis of the heat‐stable protein fraction (HSF) revealed two main bands of approximately 45 and 44 kDa, while three others of ∼40, 32, and 31 kDa were faintly visible, which were recognized by anti‐dehydrin antibodies. This fraction exhibited a Cu2+‐dependent resistance to protease treatments. Next, we performed a series of assays to compare the functional properties of the HSF with those of the previously characterized wheat dehydrin (DHN‐5). Antibacterial assays revealed that HSF exhibits only moderate antibacterial activities against gram‐negative and gram‐positive bacteria, with a minimum inhibition concentration ranging from 0.25 to 1 mg/ml. However, in vitro assays revealed that compared to DHN‐5, HSF exhibits higher protective activities of the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) when exposed to heat, freezing, and dehydration stresses. The protective role of HSF seems to be linked to its best ability to minimize protein aggregation.
A simple, high‐throughput and validated LC–MS/MS method for the determination of azithromycin in human plasma and its application to a clinical pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Zhang Yuning , Bala Veenu , Chhonker Yashpal S. , Aldhafiri Wafaa N. , John Lucy N. , Bjerum Catherine M. , King Christopher L. , Mitja Oriol , Marks Michael , Murry Daryl J.
Published: July 2022

A sensitive, specific and rapid liquid chromatographic–tandem mass spectrometric (LC–MS/MS) method was developed and validated to quantify azithromycin concentrations in human plasma. Azithromycin (AZI) is the most common outpatient prescribed antibiotic in the US and clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of AZI in many bacterial infections. To support a clinical study, we developed a high‐throughput LC–MS/MS method to process up to 250 samples per day to quantify AZI in human plasma. Samples were prepared by solid‐phase extraction. Separation was achieved with an ACE C18 column (2.1 × 100 mm, 1.7 μm) equipped with a C18 guard column. The mobile phase consisted of 0.1% formic acid and methanol–acetonitrile (1:1, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.25 ml/min. The ionization was optimized with positive electrospray source using multiple reaction monitoring transition, m/z 749.50 > 591.45 for AZI and m/z 754.50 > 596.45 for AZI‐d5. Extraction recoveries were approximately 90% for AZI. The assay was linear from 0.5 to 2,000 ng/ml and required only 100 μl of plasma with a total analysis time of 4.5 min. The method was successfully applied to pharmacokinetic studies of a weight‐based dosing protocol for AZI.
Five EMT‐related genes signature predicts overall survival and immune environment in microsatellite instability‐high gastric cancer
Authors: Zhang Mili , Cao Can , Li Xu , Gu Qisheng , Xu Yixin , Zhu Ziyan , Xu Duogang , Wei Shanshan , Chen Haonan , Yang Yuqin , Gao Hugh , Yu Liang , Li Jikun
Published: July 2022

Background

Microsatellite instability‐high (MSI‐H) subgroup of gastric cancer (GC) is characterized by a high tumor mutational burden, increased lymphocytic infiltration, and enhanced inflammatory cytokines. GC patients with MSI‐H status have a good response to immune checkpoint blockade management. However, heterogeneity within the subtype and the underlying mechanisms of shaping tumor microenvironments remain poorly understood.

Methods

RNA expression levels and clinical parameters of GC were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. The data were analyzed using single‐sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (ssGSEA), univariate Cox regression, multivariate Cox regression, and Least Absolute Shrinkage Selection Operator (LASSO) regression. In addition, multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC) was used in our clinical cohort for the tumor microenvironment study.

Results

By ssGSEA and survival analysis, the EMT signaling pathway was identified as a representative pathway, which can stratify the patients with MSI‐H GC with significant survival predictive power. Then, a novel representative EMT‐related five‐gene signature (namely CALU, PCOLCE2, PLOD2, SGCD, and THBS2) was established from EMT signaling gene set, which sensitivity and specificity were further validated in the independent GEO database (GSE62254) cohort for disease outcome prediction. Based on public single‐cell data and in situ immunohistochemistry, we found that most of these five genes were abundantly expressed in cancer‐associated fibroblasts. Furthermore, patients with high or low risk divided by this five‐gene signature exhibited a strong correlation of the distinct patterns of tumor immune microenvironment. By mIHC staining of sections from 30 patients with MSI‐H status, we showed that the patients with better prognoses had the increased infiltration of CD8+ cells in the primary tumoral tissue.

Conclusion

Our study developed a simple five‐gene signature for stratifying MSI‐H GC patients with survival predictive power.
The involvement of a chemokine receptor antagonist CTCE‐9908 and kynurenine metabolites in cancer development
Authors: Nkandeu Danielle Sandra , Basson Charlize , Joubert Anna Margaretha , Serem June Cheptoo , Bipath Priyesh , Nyakudya Trevor , Hlophe Yvette
Published: July 2022

Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality worldwide. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in South Africa with nearly 20,000 reported cases every year and 700 deaths. If diagnosed early, the 5‐year survival rate is about 90%, however, when diagnosed late, the 5‐year survival rate decreases to about 20%. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer with an estimated 5‐year survival rate of approximately 90%. Neuroblastoma is a paediatric cancer with a low survival rate. Sixty percent of patients with metastatic disease do not survive 5 years after diagnosis. Despite recent advances in targeted therapies, there is a crucial need to identify reliable prognostic biomarkers which will be able to contribute to the development of more precision‐based chemotherapeutic strategies to prevent tumour migration and metastasis. The compound, CTCE‐9908 inhibits the binding of CXC chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) to the CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) receptor leading to reduced metastasis. Kynurenine metabolites are derived tryptophan, which is an essential amino acid. Kynurenine metabolites inhibit T‐cell proliferation resulting in cell growth arrest. For this reason, chemokines receptors represent potential targets for the treatment of cancer growth and metastasis. In this review paper, the role of the CXCL12/CXCR4 signalling pathway in the development of cancer is highlighted together with the current available treatments involving the CTCE‐9908 compound in combination with microtubule inhibitors like paclitaxel and docetaxel.
Decrease in CO2 Emissions in Obtaining Polymer‐Grade Propylene by Extractive Distillation
Authors: Cruz-Valdez Jesús Alonso , Patiño-Herrera Rosalba , González-Alatorre Guillermo , Louvier-Hernández José Francisco , Martínez Adriana Avilés , Perez Elías
Published: July 2022

To separate propylene from propane, whose boiling points are very close, leads to challenges, especially if it is intended to achieve higher energy efficiencies, reduce process expenses, and diminish environmental impacts. Polymer‐grade propylene can be obtained through an extractive distillation process, using 90 wt % of acetonitrile (ACN) as main solvent and 10 wt % of ethylenediamine (EDA) or methyl ethyl ketone or ethanol as co‐solvent, favoring the separation of propylene with purity greater than 99.60 mol % due to the increase of the relative volatility of propane. Compared to the use of aqueous N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP) as extraction solvent, ACN‐EDA solvents have shown to be able to achieve savings of 8.09 % in total annual cost and 5.95 % in CO2 emissions. The results demonstrate that the extractive distillation process using ACN‐EDA can reduce process costs as well as CO2 emissions compared to the same process with aqueous NMP.