bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
System Analysis Theory Applied for Development of Microalgae Processes and Photobioreactors in the Frame of Integral Biorefinery Concept
Authors:   Department of Infection Microbiology, The Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 26 Acad. G. Bonchev Str., 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria, Kroumov Alexander , Zaharieva Maya , Najdenski Hristo
Published: December 2024

Microalgae technology involves many steps of unit operations and is connected with global warming and pandemic problems because of the unique features of algal cells. Studying sophisticated systems cannot be without special mathematical tools and approaches that combine knowledge from many research areas. The system analysis theory applied in biotechnology with great success can be applied by principles of analogy to microalgae cultivation of cells in CO2 fixation from flue gases in innovative closed photobioreactors (PBRs) where the products of biomass can have performed antimicrobial, anticancer, antiviral and other activities by challenging chemical agents. Recently, a multifunctional algology laboratory was created at the Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology by applying knowledge in state of the art. The goal of this work was to summarize the 40 years of experience of the authors in this area and to show how this was realized by innovative engineering solutions for studying and developing the microalgae system. Special attention was paid to the development of hybrid, innovative PBRs with the aim of fully revealing the potential of microalgae strains not only for the complete absorption of CO2 from flue gases but also for the synthesis of high-value products (HVP) with antimicrobial, antiviral and anticancer activity.
Vasopressin 1a receptor antagonist disrupts male-male affiliative relationships formed by triadic cohabitation in large-billed crows
Authors: Seguchi Akiko , Izawa Ei-Ichi
Published: December 2024

Same-sex affiliative relationships are common in humans and some social animals, forming one of the bases of group living. The neuropeptide vasopressin (VP) and its receptors mediate these relationships and behaviours in mammals and birds with gregarious and colonial social structures. In some species, affiliative relationships between dominant and subordinate individuals can be maintained while still retaining strict dominance hierarchies where three or more individuals interact. However, it is unclear whether triadic interaction promotes these relationships, and whether the VP system is also involved in such affiliations due to the lack of suitable animal models and experimental settings. This study addresses these questions with two experiments. In Experiment 1, two-week cohabitation among three male crows facilitated affiliative relationships in particular dyads within each triad. In Experiment 2, vasopressin 1a receptor (V1aR) antagonism disrupted affiliative behaviours and led to the resurgence of agonistic behaviours in affiliated males but not in unaffiliated ones by peripherally administering a V1aR antagonist. These findings suggest that the VP system might universally mediate same-sex affiliative relationships, despite differences in inherent aggression levels among individuals. The triadic cohabitation paradigm established here could advance our understanding of animal societies and be applied across various species, sexes, and social structures.
Heterozygosity for neurodevelopmental disorder-associated TRIO variants yields distinct deficits in behavior, neuronal development, and synaptic transmission in mice
Authors: Ishchenko Yevheniia , Jeng Amanda T , Feng Shufang , Nottoli Timothy , Manriquez-Rodriguez Cindy , Nguyen Khanh K , Carrizales Melissa G , Vitarelli Matthew J , Corcoran Ellen E , Greer Charles A , Myers Samuel A , Koleske Anthony J
Published: December 2024

Genetic variants in
TRIO
are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) including schizophrenia (SCZ), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability. TRIO uses its two guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) domains to activate GTPases (GEF1: Rac1 and RhoG; GEF2: RhoA) that control neuronal development and connectivity. It remains unclear how discrete
TRIO
variants differentially impact these neurodevelopmental events. Here, we investigate how heterozygosity for NDD-associated
Trio
variants –
+/K1431M
(ASD),
+/K1918X
(SCZ), and
+/M2145T
(bipolar disorder, BPD) – impact mouse behavior, brain development, and synapse structure and function. Heterozygosity for different
Trio
variants impacts motor, social, and cognitive behaviors in distinct ways that align with clinical phenotypes in humans.
Trio
variants differentially impact head and brain size with corresponding changes in dendritic arbors of motor cortex layer 5 pyramidal neurons (M1 L5 PNs). Although neuronal structure was only modestly altered in the
Trio
variant heterozygotes, we observe significant changes in synaptic function and plasticity. We also identified distinct changes in glutamate synaptic release in
+/K1431M
and
+/M2145T
cortico-cortical synapses. The TRIO K1431M GEF1 domain has impaired ability to promote GTP exchange on Rac1, but
+/K1431M
mice exhibit increased Rac1 activity, associated with increased levels of the Rac1 GEF Tiam1. Acute Rac1 inhibition with NSC23766 rescued glutamate release deficits in
+/K1431M
variant cortex. Our work reveals that discrete NDD-associated
Trio
variants yield overlapping but distinct phenotypes in mice, demonstrates an essential role for Trio in presynaptic glutamate release, and underscores the importance of studying the impact of variant heterozygosity in vivo.
Human formin FHOD3-mediated actin elongation is required for sarcomere integrity in cardiomyocytes
Authors: Valencia Dylan A , Koeberlein Angela N , Nakano Haruko , Rudas Akos , Harui Airi , Spencer Cassandra , Nakano Atsushi , Quinlan Margot E
Published: December 2024

Contractility and cell motility depend on accurately controlled assembly of the actin cytoskeleton. Formins are a large group of actin assembly proteins that nucleate new actin filaments and act as elongation factors. Some formins may cap filaments, instead of elongating them, and others are known to sever or bundle filaments. The Formin HOmology Domain-containing protein (FHOD)-family of formins is critical to the formation of the fundamental contractile unit in muscle, the sarcomere. Specifically, mammalian FHOD3L plays an essential role in cardiomyocytes. Despite our knowledge of FHOD3L’s importance in cardiomyocytes, its biochemical and cellular activities remain poorly understood. It has been proposed that FHOD-family formins act by capping and bundling, as opposed to assembling new filaments. Here, we demonstrate that FHOD3L nucleates actin and rapidly but briefly elongates filaments after temporarily pausing elongation,
in vitro
. We designed function-separating mutants that enabled us to distinguish which biochemical roles are req՝uired in the cell. We found that human FHOD3L’s elongation activity, but not its nucleation, capping, or bundling activity, is necessary for proper sarcomere formation and contractile function in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. The results of this work provide new insight into the mechanisms by which formins build specific structures and will contribute to knowledge regarding how cardiomyopathies arise from defects in sarcomere formation and maintenance.
A fat-2(wa17) suppressor screen in C. elegans reveals genetic adaptations to polyunsaturated fatty acid deficiency
Authors: Kaper Delaney , Radović Uroš , Bergh Per-Olof , Qvist August , Henricsson Marcus , Borén Jan , Pilon Marc
Published: December 2024

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential for mammalian health and function as membrane fluidizers and precursors for signaling lipids though the primary essential function of PUFAs within organisms has not been established. Unlike mammals who cannot endogenously synthesize PUFAs,
C. elegans
can
de novo
synthesize PUFAs starting with the Δ12 desaturase FAT-2 which introduces a second double bond to monounsaturated fatty acids to generate the PUFA linoleic acid. FAT-2 desaturation is essential for
C. elegans
survival since
fat-2
null mutants are non-viable; the near-null
fat-2(wa17)
allele synthesizes only small amounts of PUFAs and produces extremely sick worms. Using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), we found that the
fat-2(wa17)
mutant has rigid membranes and can be efficiently rescued by dietarily providing various PUFAs, but not by fluidizing treatments or mutations. With the aim of identifying mechanisms that compensate for PUFA-deficiency, we performed a forward genetics screen to isolate novel
fat-2(wa17)
suppressors and identified four internal mutations within
fat-2
, and six mutations within the HIF-1 pathway. The suppressors increase PUFA levels in
fat-2(wa17)
mutant worms and additionally suppress the activation of the
daf-16
, UPR
er
and UPR
mt
stress response pathways that are active in
fat-2(wa17)
worms. We hypothesize that the six HIF-1 pathway mutations, found in
egl-9
,
ftn-2
, and
hif-1
all converge on raising Fe
2+
levels and in this way boost desaturase activity, including that of the
fat-2(wa17)
allele. We conclude that PUFAs cannot be genetically replaced and that the only genetic mechanism that can alleviate PUFA-deficiency do so by increasing PUFA levels.
Special issue: Turning the tides; the child and the political. Methodologies for integraled child politics in education
Authors: Reinertsen Anne Beate , Andersen Camilla Eline , Otterstad Ann Merete
Published: December 2024

This Special Issue concerns the child and the political: the political child.
The call for papers asked for immanent and minor (transpolitical, transgenerational, decolonized…) perspectives in which child and childhood are seen as moulding collective futuring forces in a globalized world. The call asked to refrain from rights perspectives in a narrow juridical sense to avoid any type of categorization and compartmentalization. The call also asked to avoid universalized, major, or idealistic politics of the child, and as Marina Garcés (2022) asserts: “The   western humanistic tradition must leave the expansive universalism and learn to think of itself from a mutual universality” (p. 92). Being human is thus seen as a collective and collaborative activity ultimately repealing any divisions between subject and object, adult and child, nature and culture, body and mind. What can children teach us about politics, we asked, and how can the child become more than an object of policies? Further, we asked what kind of childhoods are desirable, necessary, and possible to future?
The Digital Leap in March 2020 – Teachers Assessing Their Digital Competence After the Distance Learning Period
Authors: Tanhua-Piiroinen Erika , Viteli Jarmo
Published: December 2024

The Covid-19 pandemic and the emergency remote teaching (ERT) that it brought along in spring 2020, forced educators and educational institutions worldwide to quickly adapt to the technology needed for teaching and learning. This was situation in Finland too. Now, three years after the pandemic, when the extensive school closings and emergency remote teaching at least now are behind us, we wanted to find out how do the teachers assess their digital competence after the ERT period compared to the time before it.  Based on the self-assessment questionnaire, teachers’ competence and their confidence in their own skills has increased, but in moderation.  When looking at competence assessments compared to age, confidence and competence seem to decrease with age, teachers under age 30 being the most competent. In the period under review, competence has grown the most among people between the ages of 30 and 60. Although teachers' activity in the use of information and communication technology in most of the lessons has somewhat increased, no remarkable change can be seen in students' use of ICT in most of their lessons. Teachers are still the most active part in the use of technology in learning.
Gamified App-based Well-being Interventions for Children and Young People: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Kelhä Olli
Published: December 2024

This study examines gamified app-based well-being interventions (GABWI) for children and adolescents. It aims to guide app developers and policymakers in designing human-led and peer-supporting well-being interventions at a comprehensive school. The study explores these interventions’ features: goals; background theories; and gamification strategies. PRISMA systematic literature review guidelines were applied, and sixteen studies from 2017–2022 were analyzed.
The results underline that interactivity is essential for engaging children and adolescents in well-being apps, but offline connections in interventions are also necessary. Moreover, the study emphasizes the holistic approach including the combination of physical and mental aims in GABWI, and a strong theoretical background of interventions. The study showed that Self-determination Theory is prevalent in GABWI. However, Social Cognitive Theory may enhance tailored support, particularly for students with special needs. The study is situated in the context of Finland, considering the specific curriculum and health needs. Despite Finnish young people’s high overall fitness level, about 40 percent of pupils have low physical capacity, and a third of girls and a fifth of boys at the end of comprehensive school perceive their health as average or poor.
Using Makerspaces to enrich Design and Technology education
Authors: Barbara Manuela , Pule Sarah , Farrugia Lawrence
Published: December 2024

The studies of Vourikari et al. (2019) and Walan & Gericke (2022), show that a significant amount of research on makerspaces focuses on how these community spaces provide an informal approach to learning that promotes cross-curricular Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics (STEAM) education without considering how this could enrich design and technology education. Limited exploratory research has been conducted in the Maltese context on how makerspaces can enhance the professional development of design and technology teachers, supporting students' transition into the workforce, particu­larly in design, engineering, and technology-related occupations. By conducting an exploratory case study at a makerspace located in the Valletta Design Cluster (VDC) in Valletta, Malta, using observations and interviews as key methods, this study aims to understand the culture of makerspaces, the knowledge and skills exchanged by users, and how these align with engineering and technology literacy requirements (ITEEA, 2020). It also examines the teaching strategies employed, with particular focus on student-centred approaches. Four key themes emerged from the observations and interviews conducted at the makerspace: "teaching and learning methods," "opportunities within makerspaces," "knowledge and skills," and "makerspace users." These themes not only provided a deeper understanding of Malta's makerspace culture, but also highlight the educational potential of maker­spaces. This study concludes with a suggestive interpretive account by the researcher, based on the results and literature findings, detailing how makerspaces could enhance formal design and techno­logy education in Malta.
Keywords: design and technology, makerspaces, education, opportunities, teaching and learning.
Digitala inslag i slöjdämnet
Authors: Jeansson Åsa
Published: December 2024

Under 2017 reviderades samtliga kursplaner i den svenska grundskolan utifrån regeringens beslut att tydliggöra skolans uppdrag att stärka elevers digitala kompetens. Då kursplanerna ligger till grund för lärar­utbild­ningarnas utformning fick förändringarna betydelse för slöjd­lärar­utbildningen. Syftet med studien är att undersöka hur digital teknik kan förstås som en del av ämnesinnehållet i det svenska slöjd­ämnet, vilket får betydelse även för slöjdlärarutbildningen. Fråge­ställningar: Hur beskriver slöjdlärarutbildare sin förståelse av digital teknik i relation till ämnesinnehållet i slöjdämnet? Vilka fördelar och nackdelar med digital teknik beskriver slöjdlärarutbildarna, i relation till sin ämnes­uppfattning om slöjd? I samband med ett utveck­lings­projekt rörande digital teknik har en intervjustudie genomförts med deltagande slöjdlärarutbildare. I studien definierades digital teknik som digitalt styrda maskiner mot bakgrund av att teknik inom slöjdämnet innefattar metoder, redskap och maskiner. Resultatet visar att en digital produktions­­process kan förstås som en möjlig arbetsprocess inom slöjd­ämnet och därmed ingå som en del av ämnesinnehållet. Studien visar också att förståelsen av digital teknik som del av slöjdämnet är föränder­lig och att uppfattningar om implementering av digitala inslag kan på­verkas av fortbildning.
Keywords: digital produktionsprocess, digital kompetens, kursplan, slöjdprocess, utvecklingsprojekt, slöjdlärarutbildning
Student Craft Teachers’ Choices During the Garment Design and Making Process
Authors: Rönkkö Marja-Leena , Härkki Tellervo
Published: December 2024

This study aims to identify the choices made by university student craft teachers during the garment design and making process. The research utilises a theoretical framework centred around the clothing design and making process, employing the functional, expressional and aesthetic (FEA) model and Papanek’s function complex model. Two research questions were set: 1) Related to their garment design and making process, what kinds of choices did students outline in their posters? 2) How did student teachers utilise garment analysis models (FEA and Papanek’s functional analysis)? The methodology involved a qualitative content analysis of 23 posters that combined visual elements and textual descriptions created by the participants. The posters highlighted the emphasis on participants’ pragmatic considerations, such as usage intention, making methods and expressional and sustainable choices. Additionally, the studied posters showcased the participants’ satisfaction with their garments, as these garments provided them with a means to express their personal clothing styles and experiences. The findings suggest the need for an increased focus on sustainable practices in teaching clothing courses, as well as design-focused tools that specifically aid in craft product analysis in craft teacher education programmes.
Keywords: clothing, garment design and making, garment construction, higher education, poster analysis
El nivel de la calle: Una nueva mirada para la Alameda del siglo XXI
Authors:   , Martínez Olivier Sofía
Published: December 2024

El siglo XXI ha traído desafíos significativos para las ciudades, como el cambio climático, la segregación social y la inseguridad en el espacio público. Estos problemas, junto con la motorización urbana impulsada por el modernismo, han deteriorado el espacio público al priorizar el tráfico vehicular sobre la experiencia peatonal. La Avenida Libertador Bernardo O’Higgins, conocida como la Alameda, ejemplifica este deterioro, habiendo pasado de ser un paseo cívico emblemático a una vía congestionada y poco amigable para los peatones. Actualmente, la Alameda enfrenta problemas como el exceso de vehículos, la inseguridad peatonal y la contaminación, exacerbados por el estallido social y la pandemia. Para revitalizar la Alameda y abordar los desafíos del siglo XXI, se propone aplicar el concepto del “nivel de la calle” del urbanista David Mangin, que enfatiza la mejora del espacio público para los peatones. Este enfoque busca restaurar la calidad del entorno urbano y mejorar la experiencia peatonal, transformando la Alameda en una avenida del siglo XXI que equilibre la movilidad motorizada con un entorno peatonal seguro y agradable. La investigación se centra en estudiar la morfología de la Alameda a lo largo de su historia para comprender qué características han beneficiado el entorno urbano y cuáles han contribuido a su deterioro. También se analizarán métodos de diseño capaces de enfrentar los desafíos contemporáneos y mejorar la experiencia de los usuarios en el espacio. El objetivo final es proponer una serie de estrategias proyectuales que aborden los problemas actuales de las ciudades del siglo XXI, al mismo tiempo que recuperen el valor histórico que la Alameda representa.
Health sufferings, healthcare seeking behavior, awareness about health insurance, and health related rights of ready made garments workers in Bangladesh: Findings from a cross-sectional study
Authors: Hasan Md Tanvir , Amin Amina , Chowdhury Md Uzzal , Faizul Islam Kuhel , Huq Sk Mojibul , Parvin Rezvina , Ahmed S Jobayear , Ali Md Liakath , Rashid Sabina Faiz
Published: August 2021

Objectives

This study aimed at examining health sufferings of readymade garments (RMG) workers, the factors that affect their health sufferings, their healthcare seeking pattern, knowledge about health insurance and health related rights in Bangladesh.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 486 RMG workers recruited randomly from eight garments factories located on the periphery of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain, headache, fever and abdominal pain was estimated and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to examine association between these illnesses of workers and their socio-demographic characteristics and other work related information. We also explored their healthcare seeking patterns, knowledge about health insurance and health related rights.

Results

The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain, headache, fever and abdominal pain was found to be 78.1%, 57.9%, 52.2% and 24.6%, respectively, among the RMG workers. Factors that increased the odds of: musculoskeletal pain were working for more than 10 h per day (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1–4.7) and being female [AOR: 4.6, 95% CI: 2.0–10.6]; fever was living in slums [AOR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1–3.5]; and abdominal pain was being female [AOR: 3.6, 95% CI: 1.4–9.3]. The workers commonly reported visiting drug sellers in local pharmacies for reported illnesses. They also had better knowledge of health related rights but poor knowledge of health insurance.

Conclusion

In order to address the overall health and well-being of the RMG workers, it is imperative to lay out a blueprint for a safe and healthy workplace.
A longitudinal study of working hours and chronic kidney disease in healthy workers: The Kangbuk Samsung Health Study
Authors: Lee Yesung , Seo Eunhye , Mun Eunchan , Lee Woncheol
Published: August 2021

Objectives

Long working hours are linked to an increased risk of exposure to work safety hazards that threaten the health of workers. To date, only a few cross-sectional studies regarding the relationship between working characteristics, such as over-workload and chronic kidney disease (CKD) have been reported. Therefore, in this longitudinal study, we aimed to examine the direct relationship between long working hours and the incidence of CKD.

Methods

We included 97 856 participants without CKD in the Kangbuk Samsung Health Study. Using a self-report questionnaire, we evaluated weekly working hours, which were categorized into 35-40, 41-52, and >52 hours. CKD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for incident CKD were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression analyses with weekly working 35-40 hours as the reference.

Results

During a median follow-up of 4.0 years, 185 participants developed incident CKD (incidence density, 4.83 per 104 person-years). Multivariable-adjusted HRs (95% CI) of incident CKD for weekly working >52 hours compared with working 35-40 hours were 1.99 (1.22-3.25). In subgroup analyses, the significant association between working >52 hours and incident CKD was consistently observed in groups of age ≥40 years, men, and obesity with no interaction.

Conclusions

Our large-scale cohort study of young- to middle-aged men and women demonstrated a significant association between long working hours and an increased risk of incident CKD.
A globally stable practically implementable PI passivity‐based controller for switched power converters
Authors: Bobtsov Alexey , Ortega Romeo , Nikolaev Nikolay , He Wei
Published: August 2021

In this article, we propose a PI passivity‐based controller, applicable to a large class of switched power converters, that ensures global state regulation to a desired equilibrium point. A solution to this problem requires full state‐feedback, which makes it practically unfeasible. To overcome this limitation we construct a state observer that is implementable with measurements that are available in practical applications. The observer reconstructs the state in finite‐time, ensuring global convergence of the PI. An adaptive version of the observer, where some parameters of the converter are estimated, is also proposed. The excitation requirement for the observer is very weak and is satisfied in normal operation of the converters. Realistic simulation results illustrate the excellent performance and robustness vis‐à‐vis noise and parameter uncertainty of the proposed output‐feedback PI.
ZnO Nanoplatelets with Controlled Thickness: Atomic Insight into Facet‐Specific Bimodal Ligand Binding Using DNP NMR
Authors: Terlecki Michał , Badoni Saumya , Leszczyński Michał K. , Gierlotka Stanisław , Justyniak Iwona , Okuno Hanako , Wolska‐Pietkiewicz Małgorzata , Lee Daniel , De Paëpe Gaël , Lewiński Janusz
Published: August 2021

Colloidal nanoplatelets (NPLs) and nanosheets with controlled thickness have recently emerged as an exciting new class of quantum‐sized nanomaterials with substantially distinct optical properties compared to 0D quantum dots. Zn‐based NPLs are an attractive heavy‐metal‐free alternative to the so far most widespread cadmium chalcogenide colloidal 2D semiconductor nanostructures, but their synthesis remains challenging to achieve. The authors describe herein, to the best of their knowledge, the first synthesis of highly stable ZnO NPLs with the atomically precise thickness, which for the smallest NPLs is 3.2 nm (corresponding to 12 ZnO layers). Furthermore, by means of dynamic nuclear polarization‐enhanced solid‐state 15N NMR, the original role of the benzamidine ligands in stabilizing the surface of these nanomaterials is revealed, which can bind to both the polar and non‐polar ZnO facets, acting either as X‐ or L‐type ligands, respectively. This bimodal stabilization allows obtaining hexagonal NPLs for which the surface energy of the facets is modulated by the presence of the ligands. Thus, in‐depth study of the interactions at the organic–inorganic interfaces provides a deeper understanding of the ligand–surface interface and should facilitate the future chemistry of stable‐by‐design nano‐objects.
Visualizing Intrinsic 3D‐Strain Distribution in Gold Coated ZnO Microstructures by Bragg Coherent X‐Ray Diffraction Imaging and Transmission Electron Microscopy with Respect to Piezotronic Applications
Authors: Jordt Philipp , Wolff Niklas , Hrkac Stjepan B. , Shree Sindu , Wang Di , Harder Ross J. , Kübel Christian , Adelung Rainer , Shpyrko Oleg G. , Magnussen Olaf M. , Kienle Lorenz , Murphy Bridget M.
Published: August 2021

Novel devices ranging from bio magnetic field sensors to energy harvesting nano machines utilize the piezotronic effect. For optimal function, understanding the interaction of electrical and strain phenomena within the semiconductor crystal is necessary. Here, studies of a model piezotronic system are presented, consisting of a ZnO microrod coated by a thin layer of gold, which forms a Schottky contact with the piezoelectric ZnO material. Coherent X‐ray diffraction imaging (CXDI) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are used to visualize the structure and strain distribution, showing that the ZnO microrod exhibits strains of multiple origins in the bulk and at the interface. Strain values of −6 × 10‐4 have been measured by CXDI at the ZnO/Au interface. The origin is shown to be a combination of an interface strain, possibly caused by the Schottky contact formation, and distinct, localized electrical fields inside the crystal which are assigned to electron depletion and screening in a bent ZnO/Au piezotronic rod. These findings will contribute to sensor development and to a better understanding of piezotronic applications.
Plant density and nitrogen fertilization optimization on sorghum grain yield in Mali
Authors: Dembele Joseph Sékou B , Gano Boubacar , Kouressy Mamoutou , Dembele Léonce Lamine , Doumbia Mohamed , Ganyo Komla Kyky , Sanogo SékouBa , Togola Adama , Traore Karim , Vaksman Michel , Teme Niaba , Diouf Diaga , Audebert Alain
Published: August 2021

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], a staple food crop in Mali, has low yields for several reasons including that many farmers do not have the financial resources to purchase state‐of‐the‐art genetics and fertilizers and information is not available on how to optimize yields for heirloom variety. To improve their economic and environmental sustainability, Mali farmers need to understand how to invest their limited resources. In many situations this involves the use of open‐pollinated varieties that have a range of tillering capabilities. This study determined the best population density and nitrogen (N) fertilization combinations for eight locally available sorghum varieties. The research was conducted in 2018 and 2019 and the experimental design was split‐split‐plot randomized block, the treatments were two plant densities (26,600 and 53,300 plants ha–1), three N levels (0 kg ha–1, 89 kg ha–1, and 178 kg ha–1), and eight varieties that had a range of tillering characteristics. Each treatment was replicated three times and six of the varieties were open pollinated. Results showed that each variety had a different yield response to plant density and N rate. For example, the tall guinea (hybrids FADDA and PABLO) and the short durra‐caudatum A12‐79 cultivar produced higher yields when planted at 53,300 plants ha–1 and fertilized with 178 kg N ha–1 N2D2 treatment. For the short guinea‐caudatum improved varieties C2_007‐03 and C2_075‐15 and caudatum GRINKAN and SOUMBA varieties the optimum seeding rate was 53,300 plants ha–1 that were fertilized with 89 kg N ha–1 (N1D2). For the tall local guinea TIEBILE variety the highest yields were observed when it was seeded at a rate of 26,600 plants ha–1 and fertilized with 89 kg N ha–1. Grain yield increase was associated with yield components and growth traits for eight varieties studied. Panicle numbers per square meter and chlorophyll index were associated with grain yield in guinea hybrid. Grain number per panicle and 1,000 grain weight were involved in increasing grain yield in caudatum varieties. Nitrogen rate and planting density combination in terms of grain yield varied with different sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] varieties studied. Knowledge of optimum combinations will help producers decide which option to promote to booster sorghum production in Mali.
Contrasting E−H Bond Activation Pathways of a Phosphanyl‐Phosphagallene
Authors: Feld Joey , Wilson Daniel W. N. , Goicoechea Jose M.
Published: August 2021

The reactivity of the phosphanyl‐phosphagallene, [H2C{N(Dipp)}]2PP=Ga(Nacnac) (Nacnac=HC[C(Me)N(Dipp)]2; Dipp=2,6‐iPr2C6H3) towards a series of reagents possessing E−H bonds (primary amines, ammonia, water, phenylacetylene, phenylphosphine, and phenylsilane) is reported. Two contrasting reaction pathways are observed, determined by the polarity of the E−H bonds of the substrates. In the case of protic reagents (δ−E−Hδ+), a frustrated Lewis pair type of mechanism is operational at room temperature, in which the gallium metal centre acts as a Lewis acid and the pendant phosphanyl moiety deprotonates the substrates. Interestingly, at elevated temperatures both NH2iPr and ammonia can react via a second, higher energy, pathway resulting in the hydroamination of the Ga=P bond. By contrast, with hydridic reagents (δ+E−Hδ−), such as phenylsilane, hydroelementation of the Ga=P bond is exclusively observed, in line with the polarisation of the Si−H and Ga=P bonds.
MIL‐101(Cr) Microporous Nanocrystals Intercalating Graphene Oxide Membrane for Efficient Hydrogen Purification
Authors: Cheng Long , Yang Haonan , Chen Xingyu , Liu Guozhen , Guo Yanan , Liu Gongping , Jin Wanqin
Published: August 2021

Graphene oxide (GO) is a promising two‐dimensional building block for fabricating high‐performance gas separation membranes. Whereas the tortuous transport pathway may increase the transport distance and lead to a low gas permeation rate, introducing spacers into GO laminates is an effective strategy to enlarge the interlayer channel for enhanced gas permeance. Herein, we propose to intercalate CO2‐philic MIL‐101(Cr) metal‐organic framework nanocrystals into the GO laminates to construct a 2D/3D hybrid structure for gas separation. The interlayer channels were partially opened up to accelerate gas permeation. Meanwhile, the intrinsic pores of MIL‐101 provided additional transport pathways, and the affinity of MIL‐101 to CO2 molecules resulted in higher H2/CO2 diffusion selectivity, leading to a simultaneous enhancement in gas permeance and separation selectivity. The MIL‐101(Cr)/GO membrane with optimal structures exhibited outstanding and stable mixed‐gas separation performance with H2 permeance of 67.5 GPU and H2/CO2 selectivity of 30.3 during the 120‐h continuous test, demonstrating its potential in H2 purification application.
Measuring sustainability of renewable diesel production using a multi‐criteria decision matrix
Authors: Madden Serpil , Alles Kaylee , Demirel Yaşar
Published: August 2021

This study presents a multi‐criteria decision matrix approach to the sustainability analysis of renewable diesel processes. The criteria include environmental, economic, technical, and fuel‐quality aspects. The main objective is to establish a comprehensive approach to the sustainability analysis of alternative manufacturing processes. A combination of an analytical hierarchy process method and an entropy method is used to obtain both subjective and objective weighting factors to achieve a more reliable and comprehensive comparison among alternatives. The technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method is used to rank the alternatives based on the distance of each alternative to the ideal and non‐ideal solutions. This analysis indicates that the most sustainable processes are the process associated with Fischer–Tropsch diesel, and the catalytic hydrotreatment of vegetable oils to produce green diesel (GD I). The results determined that algae‐based green diesel (GD III) was the least favorable process. This is because GD III has the highest impact on the water scarcity footprint and unit production cost indicators. This multi‐criteria analysis with estimated weight factors can be an effective generic method for sustainability assessment of alternative manufacturing processes. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
I give a dime if you do, too! The influence of descriptive norms on perceived impact, personal involvement, and monetary donation intentions
Authors: Gugenishvili Ilia , Francu Ruxandra‐Elena , Koporcic Nikolina
Published: August 2021

Individual donations are the main source of income for charitable organizations. This study aims to understand whether, when, and how descriptive norms can be used to motivate individual monetary donations. Our findings challenge previous literature about the influence of descriptive norms on donation intentions by shedding light on the process of their influence. Studying 288 respondents, we found that descriptive norms do influence donation intentions and this interaction is mediated by perceived impact as well as personal involvement. Beneficiary responsibility, however, did not emerge as a significant moderator of the process. Our results guide managerial decisions of charitable organizations to inform their professional practice and help them increase individual donations.
Effect of Ni, La, and Ce Oxides on a Cu/Al2O3 Catalyst with Low Copper Loading for Ethanol Non‐oxidative Dehydrogenation
Authors: Yergaziyeva Gaukhar Yergaziyevna , Dossumov Kusman , Mambetova Manshuk Muratkyzy , Strizhak Peter Yevgenevich , Kurokawa Hideki , Baizhomartov Bedelzhan
Published: August 2021

The effect of modifying additives (Ni, La, Ce oxides) on the activity of Cu/Al2O3 with a low copper loading was studied for ethanol non‐oxidative dehydrogenation. The catalysts were prepared by impregnation of the commercial Al2O3 granules and characterized by Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), temperature‐programmed desorption of NH3 (TPD‐NH3), temperature‐programmed reduction of H2 (H2‐TPR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Modification of Cu/Al2O3 with Ni, La, and Ce oxides results in increasing catalytic activity. A modification of the Cu/Al2O3 catalyst with nickel and lanthanum oxides, in contrast to cerium oxide, leads to an improvement in the dispersion of the catalyst particles. The Cu‐Ni/Al2O3 catalyst with the highest acidity has the highest selectivity for acetaldehyde. The highest selectivity for butanol is observed for the Cu‐La/Al2O3 catalyst, which has the lowest acidity.
Prediction of Flooding in Packed Liquid‐Liquid and High‐Pressure Extraction Columns Using a Gaussian Process
Authors: Brockkötter Johannes , Ahndorf Johannes , Jupke Andreas
Published: August 2021

Reliable prediction of flooding conditions is needed for sizing and operating packed extraction columns. Due to the complex interplay of physicochemical properties, operational parameters and the packing‐specific properties, it is challenging to develop accurate semi‐empirical or rigorous models with a high validity range. State of the art models may therefore fail to predict flooding accurately. To overcome this problem, a data‐driven model based on Gaussian processes is developed to predict flooding for packed liquid‐liquid and high‐pressure extraction columns. The optimized Gaussian process for the liquid‐liquid extraction column results in an average absolute relative error (AARE) of 15.23 %, whereas the algorithm for the high‐pressure extraction column results in an AARE of 13.68 %. Both algorithms can predict flooding curves for different packing geometries and chemical systems precisely.
Palladium/Xu‐Phos Catalyzed Enantioselective Tandem Heck/Cacchi Reaction of Unactivated Alkenes
Authors: Wu Yi , Xu Bing , Zhao Guofeng , Pan Zhangjin , Zhang Zhan‐Ming , Zhang Junliang
Published: August 2021

Main observation and conclusion

A highly enantioselective palladium‐catalyzed intermolecular tandem Heck/Cacchi reaction of unactivated alkenes with ortho‐ethynylanilines was developed, which provides a powerful route to access a broad range of enantioenriched 2,3‐dihydrobenzofuran‐ or indoline‐substituted indoles bearing all‐carbon quaternary stereocenter of interest in pharmaceutical research. Its salient features include inherent atom‐ and step‐economy, high functional group tolerance, mild conditions, broad structural diversity together with excellent enantioselectivities.
Personalized lung cancer screening: Are we ready to ENGAGE?
Authors: Gould Michael K.
Published: August 2021

Lay Summary

The goal of delivering personalized lung cancer screening is a worthy one. It is inspiring to envision a future in which screening decisions are informed by the best available evidence, tailored to an individual's specific characteristics, and consistent with their preferences and values.

At the societal level, tradeoffs between effectiveness, efficiency and equity are inevitable and will need to be balanced exquisitely, with ample input from patients and other stakeholders.

Tools such as the ENGAGE framework will continue to enlighten and to shape the ongoing conversation.
Morphological and neurochemical characterization of glycinergic neurons in laminae I–IV of the mouse spinal dorsal horn
Authors: Miranda Camila Oliveira , Hegedüs Krisztina , Wildner Hendrik , Zeilhofer Hanns Ulrich , Antal Miklós
Published: August 2021

A growing body of experimental evidence shows that glycinergic inhibition plays vital roles in spinal pain processing. In spite of this, however, our knowledge about the morphology, neurochemical characteristics, and synaptic relations of glycinergic neurons in the spinal dorsal horn is very limited. The lack of this knowledge makes our understanding about the specific contribution of glycinergic neurons to spinal pain processing quite vague. Here we investigated the morphology and neurochemical characteristics of glycinergic neurons in laminae I–IV of the spinal dorsal horn using a GlyT2::CreERT2‐tdTomato transgenic mouse line. Confirming previous reports, we show that glycinergic neurons are sparsely distributed in laminae I–II, but their densities are much higher in lamina III and especially in lamina IV. First in the literature, we provide experimental evidence indicating that in addition to neurons in which glycine colocalizes with GABA, there are glycinergic neurons in laminae I–II that do not express GABA and can thus be referred to as glycine‐only neurons. According to the shape and size of cell bodies and dendritic morphology, we divided the tdTomato‐labeled glycinergic neurons into three and six morphological groups in laminae I–II and laminae III–IV, respectively. We also demonstrate that most of the glycinergic neurons co‐express neuronal nitric oxide synthase, parvalbumin, the receptor tyrosine kinase RET, and the retinoic acid‐related orphan nuclear receptor β (RORβ), but there might be others that need further neurochemical characterization. The present findings may foster our understanding about the contribution of glycinergic inhibition to spinal pain processing.
Immunophenotypic shifts during minimal residual evaluation in a case of leukemic form of anaplastic large cell lymphoma ALK+
Authors: Canellas Maria Clara , Bruno‐Riscarolli Enrico , Ferreira‐Facio Cristiane S. , Lopes‐Alves Daiana V. , Botafogo Vitor D. , Sutter Deborah , Pontes Roberia M. , Land Marcelo G. P. , Bedran Milito Cristiane , da Costa Elaine Sobral
Published: August 2021

Background

This study aims to describe immunophenotypic explorations at diagnosis and follow up of a pediatric patient with leukemic phase of ALK+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) by multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC).

Case

An 8‐color MFC combination of antibodies allowed to identify neoplastic cells in concentrations until 0.02% during minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring. Immunophenotypic shifts occurred in key markers as CD30, CD7, CD2, and CD5, however neoplastic cells were clearly discriminated from normal populations.

Conclusion

MFC can be a useful tool for ALCL diagnosis and MRD monitoring and may support therapeutic decisions.
Rapid whole‐blood assay to detect SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific memory T‐cell immunity following a single dose of AstraZeneca ChAdOx1‐S COVID‐19 vaccine
Authors: Lineburg Katie E , Neller Michelle A , Ambalathingal George R , Le Texier Laetitia , Raju Jyothy , Swaminathan Srividhya , Lekieffre Lea , Smith Caitlyn , Rehan Sweera , Crooks Pauline , Panikkar Archana , Srihari Sriganesh , Khanna Rajiv , Smith Corey
Published: August 2021

Objectives

With the ongoing emergence of SARS‐CoV‐2 variants and potential to evade vaccine‐induced neutralisation, understanding the magnitude and breadth of vaccine‐induced T‐cell immunity will be critical for the ongoing optimisation of vaccine approaches. Strategies that provide a rapid and easily translatable means of assessing virus‐specific T‐cell responses provide an opportunity to monitor the impact of vaccine rollouts in the community. In this study, we assessed whether our recently developed SARS‐CoV‐2 whole‐blood assay could be used effectively to analyse T‐cell responses following vaccination.

Methods

Following a median of 15 days after the first dose of the ChAdOx1‐S (AstraZeneca®) vaccine, peripheral blood was isolated from 58 participants. Blood was incubated overnight with an overlapping set of spike protein peptides and assessed for cytokine production using a cytometric bead array.

Results

The majority of vaccine recipients (51/58) generated a T helper 1 response (IFN‐γ and/or IL‐2) following a single dose of ChAdOx1‐S. The magnitude of the IFN‐γ and IL‐2 response strongly correlated in vaccine recipients. While the production of other cytokines was evident in individuals who did not generate IFN‐γ and IL‐2, they showed no correlation in magnitude, nor did we see a correlation between sex or age and the magnitude of the response.

Conclusions

The whole‐blood cytokine assay provides a rapid approach to assessing T‐cell immunity against SARS‐CoV‐2 in vaccine recipients. While the majority of participants generated a robust SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific T‐cell response following their first dose, some did not, demonstrating the likely importance of the booster dose in improving T‐cell immunity.
Formation of solitons and shocks in toroidal ion temperature gradient mode in the presence ofnon‐Maxwellianelectrons
Authors: Hassan Sunia , Masood Waqas , Mirza Arshad M. , Siddiq Mohsin , Batool Nazia
Published: August 2021

Linear and nonlinear phenomena are investigated in toroidal ion temperature gradient (TITG)‐driven pure drift mode. The model includes inhomogeneity in background magnetic field, ion temperature, and density. Finite Larmor radius effect is incorporated to understand the effect of low‐frequency wave on ion dynamics. Electrons are assumed to follow nonthermal distribution, that is, kappa and Cairns distributions. Dispersion relation is obtained to analyse the linear behaviour of the TITG mode in the presence of non‐Maxwellian electron distribution. In the nonlinear regime, exact solutions (soliton and shocks) are obtained (in dispersive and dissipative medium respectively) by using functional variable method to solve the nonlinear partial differential equation obtained for the system under consideration. Graphical illustrations are used to exhibit the characteristics of linear and nonlinear structures and their dependence on different physical parameters. It is observed that for TITG‐driven pure drift mode, rarefactive solitons are formed for both thermal and nonthermal electron distributions. It is also observed that variation of electrons from standard thermal distribution affects the propagation characteristics of linear and nonlinear structures in TITG‐driven modes. Results of our investigations will be helpful to understand the low‐frequency waves in inhomogeneous plasmas in the presence of nonthermal electron distributions which are frequently observed by satellite missions and are also observed in laboratory plasmas.
Comprehensive phenotyping of peripheral blood monocytes in healthy bovine
Authors: Grandoni Francesco , Scatà Maria Carmela , Martucciello Alessandra , De Carlo Esterina , De Matteis Giovanna , Hussen Jamal
Published: August 2021

Monocytes are bone marrow derived innate myeloid cells that circulate in the blood and play important roles in infection and inflammation. As part of the mononuclear phagocytic system, monocytes provide innate effector functions, support the adaptive immune response, and play a role in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. In addition to their role in sensing pathogen‐associated molecular patterns using several pattern recognition receptors, monocytes are characterized by their ability to ingest and kill microbes, to produce cytokines and chemokines, and to present antigens to T cells. For a long time, monocytes have been considered as a homogenous cell population, characterized by the expression of CD14, the receptor of lipopolysaccharide. Studies in several species have shown that the monocyte population consists of phenotypically and functionally different cell subsets. In this review, we report a comprehensive phenotyping of monocyte subsets in cattle. In addition, the most characterizing cell markers and gating strategies for detailed immunophenotyping of bovine monocyte subsets are discussed.