bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nutrient delivery by groundwater discharge to headwater streams in agricultural catchments
Authors: Van Stempvoort Dale R. , MacKay D. Ross , Collins Pamela , Koehler Geoff
Published: October 2022

Nutrient concentrations in riparian groundwater are variable from site to site, making it challenging to use these data to quantify nutrient fluxes contributed by groundwater discharge to headwater streams. Instead, we define event‐excluded baseflow (BFEE), and use stream discharge data and stream samples collected during BFEEto estimate groundwater discharge and loading of nutrients to the streams. Based on this method, in two study catchments (Thames River basin, Ontario, Canada) groundwater discharge during BFEEcontributed about 30% of the total streamflow and 20%–30% of the total loading of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and nitrate. Previous estimates of baseflow using hydrographic separation techniques indicate that groundwater discharge likely contributes even larger fractions, ~50%–60% of flow in these catchments. We infer that groundwater likely contributes ~40% of the annual SRP load and ~ 50%–60% of the nitrate‐N load. These results indicate that groundwater discharge plays an important role in the nutrient loading to headwater streams. This reinforces the findings of earlier studies that have inferred a dominant influence of legacy reservoirs of nutrients in the subsurface of similar agricultural catchments on the loads of these nutrients in headwater streams.
Effect of barbed suture versus conventional suture in laparo‐endoscopic single‐site cystectomy for ovarian mature cystic teratoma: An ambispective cohort study
Authors: Liang Yan , Liu Jinglan , Yu Yingying , Sun Junyan , Yang Siqin , Zhang Jian
Published: October 2022

Objective

To compare the effects of barbed suture (BS) and conventional suture (CS) on perioperative conditions and ovarian function in the excision of ovarian mature cystic teratoma (MCT) by laparo‐endoscopic single‐site surgery (LESS).

Methods

The present study is an ambispective cohort study conducted in an affiliated tertiary hospital between May 2019 and October 2020. Women treated by LESS cystectomy for unilateral ovarian MCT were included. BS or CS were applied in the surgery.

Results

BS and CS groups were matched 1:1 for age, body mass index and ovarian cyst volume (40 women per group). There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics. Mean operating time (53.89 ± 14.80 versuss 67.93 ± 19.23 min, P = 0.004) and suturing time (11.85 ± 6.68 versus 19.76 ± 12.75 min, P = 0.006) were significantly shorter in the BS group than the CS group. No significant differences were found in serum anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels between groups at baseline, postoperative day 1, 3 months, and 12 months. However, serum AMH was significantly lower than baseline at postoperative day 1, 3 months, and 12 months in both groups.

Conclusion

BS provides shorter operating and suturing time than CS, without increasing damage to ovarian function in LESS cystectomy for ovarian MCT.
Womenʼs attitude towards COVID‐19 vaccination in pregnancy: A survey study in northern Italy
Authors: Colciago Elisabetta , Capitoli Giulia , Vergani Patrizia , Ornaghi Sara
Published: October 2022

Objective

To investigate attitudes and risk perceptions towards the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccine and reasons for hesitancy among pregnant women.

Methods

A prospective survey study was conducted at a University Maternity Department. Participants included any pregnant woman aged 18 years or older, able to understand the Italian language, who accessed the antenatal clinic for a prenatal appointment. The survey comprised questions about sociodemographic characteristics, pregnancy vaccination history, and perception of risk related to the immunization for the woman herself and her infant.

Results

A total of 538 women completed the questionnaire, 445 (82.7%) accepted COVID‐19 vaccination. Women vaccinated against pertussis were three times more likely to take up the COVID‐19 vaccine (odds ratio [OR] 3.19; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.78–5.72). Having had COVID‐19 during pregnancy (OR 0.24; 95% CI 0.11–0.54), and having a high‐risk perception towards the immunization for the fetus (OR 0.18; 95% CI 0.09–0.34) were factors associated with vaccine hesitancy. Lack of safety data in pregnancy and the possibility of harm to the fetus were the main concerns.

Conclusion

A trusting and supportive relationship with the healthcare professional to address fears, and the transmission of evidence‐based information, are pivotal to guide women through an informed choice. Understanding the determinants implicated in women's decision making might guide towards effective public health strategies to boost vaccine acceptance.
Development and validation of a goal attainment scale for families affected by maternal substance use
Authors: Chiang Danielle F. , Siedlik Emily A. , Templeton Oneta J.
Published: October 2022

The Team for Infants Exposed to Substance use (TIES) Program is a longstanding home‐based family support program that provides a multidisciplinary, community‐facing model to address the complex needs of families with young children affected by maternal substance use. The model required a comprehensive assessment tool to guide creation of individualized family goals with steps to achievement and measurement of progress on those goals. This article describes the development of a goal attainment scale and the analysis conducted to validate the scale for the service population. TIES model developers and community partners developed the goal attainment scale to assess outcomes in key domains: maternal substance use, parenting, child and maternal health, income, and housing. Data were collected from 2012 to 2019 from 220 participants and analyzed in 2020. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted. Twenty‐five of the original 30 items were retained in a six‐factor structure. The total percentage of variance explained was 64.44% with six factors, and Cronbach's alpha was .90. For the split‐half method, the reliability of scale was .90 for unbiased conditions. Therefore, the scale reached acceptable reliability and validity. The scale provides a comprehensive approach to measure family outcomes across multiple domains addressing key risk and protective factors. This family‐centered scale serves both therapeutic and evaluation purposes, acting as an intervention guide and a goal attainment measurement tool.
Fabrication of oxygen doped g‐C3N4 through the formation of a supramolecular precursor for the enhanced photocatalytic degradation of sulfonamides
Authors: Yao Jinhua , Fu Xiangyang , Chen Huan , Tang Rong
Published: October 2022

BACKGROUND

Graphitic carbon nitrate (g‐C3N4) is considered a promising metal‐free photocatalyst. However, the applications of pristine g‐C3N4 are subject to the high recombination of electron‐hole pairs and low solar utilization. This study aimed to develop a unique and effective method to synthesize oxygen‐doped g‐C3N4 with enhanced photocatalytic activity for pollutant treatment.

RESULTS

Oxygen‐doped g‐C3N4 photocatalysts (CN(M), CN(E), CN(I), and CN(P)) were successfully synthesized via the thermal polycondensation of a novel supramolecular precursor based on urea and monobasic alcohol, in which the urea and alcohol solvent can fully interact through a cross‐linking network fabricated by H‐bonding. The as‐prepared catalysts exhibited enhanced catalytic activity compared with g‐C3N4 on the photocatalytic oxidation of sulfanilamide antibiotics (SMR). The structure of alcohol has an influence on the amount of oxygen doping and on the catalytic activity of oxygen‐doped g‐C3N4; the optimized photocatalytic performance was achieved on CN(I). By combining characterization results, the improved catalytic activity was mainly ascribed to a certain amount of highly electronegative O atoms being doped into the tri‐s‐triazine units of g‐C3N4, which can optimize the basic chemical structure, thus improving light‐harvesting and increasing the separation rate of electron‐hole pairs. In addition, trapping experiments indicated that •O2− is the main active species in the photocatalytic degradation of sulfamethazine.

CONCLUSION

This work provides a facile and efficient approach for the fabrication of an O doped g‐C3N4 catalyst with promising photocatalytic performance on SMR degradation. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
A review of recent synthetic strategies and biological activities of isoxazole
Authors: Pandhurnekar Chandrashekhar P. , Pandhurnekar Himani C. , Mungole Arvind J. , Butoliya Suraj S. , Yadao Babita G.
Published: October 2022

Among different heterocyclic compounds, isoxazole and their analogues are very important classes of heterocyclic compounds as they display an extensive range of biological actions. This makes such scaffolds very important structures in the field of medicinal chemistry. From an extensive literature assessment, isoxazole is clinically proven to be very effective as an anti‐bacterial, anti‐fungal, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐cancer, anti‐tubercular, and anti‐neoplastic agent. The different derivatives of isoxazole which exhibits adjustment in their structure have shown a high degree of variety in their medicinal properties which makes evident them as very beneficial in the progress of novel bioactive drugs which show enhanced effectiveness along with minor harmfulness. Structural aspects of isoxazole having aromaticity with weaker nitrogen‐oxygen bonding provide a potential site for the ring cleavage. Thus, this isoxazole ring system allows easier modifications of substituents in their ring structure which consequently make isoxazole very useful intermediates in various synthetic routes of bioactive compounds. Hence, the synthesis and evaluation of isoxazole‐containing molecules with wider therapeutic consequences are always the topic of interest for chemists. Hence, in light of this comprehensive research on isoxazole, it is thought worthwhile to review various pathways for the synthesis of isoxazole analogues and having a broad spectrum of bioactive actions.
Impact of prenatal cannabis exposure on functional connectivity of the salience network in children
Authors: Faraj Mohammed M. , Evanski Julia , Zundel Clara G. , Peters Craig , Brummelte Susanne , Lundahl Leslie , Marusak Hilary A.
Published: October 2022

Cannabis use among pregnant people has increased over the past decade. This is of concern as prenatal cannabis exposure (PCE) is associated with cognitive, motor, and social deficits among offspring. Here, we examined resting‐state functional connectivity (rsFC) of the salience network (SN)—a core neurocognitive network that integrates emotional and sensory information—in children with (vs. without) PCE. Using neuroimaging and developmental history data collected from 10,719 children (M ± SD = 9.92 ± 0.62 years; 47.9% female) from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study, we assessed the impact of parent‐reported PCE (before or after knowledge of pregnancy) on rsFC within and between the SN and five other core neurocognitive networks. We also evaluated whether SN rsFC mediated the association between PCE and child psychopathology. Results showed that PCE before (but not after) knowledge of pregnancy was associated with lower SN‐ventral attention network (VAN) rsFC. Furthermore, psychotic‐like experiences mediated the association between PCE and SN‐VAN rsFC, and reversal of the model was also significant, such that SN‐VAN rsFC mediated the association between PCE and psychotic‐like symptoms. However, these mediation effects were no longer significant after the inclusion of covariates. Taken together, these findings suggest that developmental alterations in SN‐VAN interactions may explain the previously reported association between PCE and elevated risk of child psychopathology.
Influence of climate variability on sea level rise and its teleconnection with sea surface temperature anomalies over the Indo‐Pacific Ocean
Authors: Kumar Prashant , Sardana Divya , Weller Evan , Bhaskaran Prasad K.
Published: October 2022

Rising sea levels pose a potential threat to the low‐lying regions for the countries that surround the Indo‐Pacific belt. Changes in sea level and its variability are intrinsically connected with sea surface temperature (SST) variations and associated wind field patterns in the Indo‐Pacific Ocean (IPO). SST‐based climate variability modes such as El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) tend to influence the sea level variability over the IPO significantly. The impact of climate variability modes on SLA, SST, and wind speed is examined by using regression analysis. The study considered two different datasets, namely the AVISO SLA and reconstructed SSHA from 1993 to 2019 and 1952 to 2009, respectively. SLA and SST both exhibit a decreasing trend from 1997 to 2007 year‐round; however, by the next decade (2008–2018), an overall increasing trend is evident in both parameters throughout the year. The influence of independent ENSO after removing the PDO signal (ENSO|PDO) on SLA and SST exhibits statistically significant increases over the eastern PO, western tropical IO, but decreases over the AS, eastern IO, and western PO during DJF. SLA response to IOD removing ENSO (IOD|ENSO) during SON includes increases over western to central tropical IO, and decreases over the AS extending up to eastern IO. Lastly, for the PDO influence in DJF, statistically significant increases in SLA are evident over the north PO extending up to eastern PO; however, PDO|ENSO influence over SLA exhibits similar but significantly reduced amplitudes. Composite analysis of different phase combinations of PDO (IOD) with El Niño (La Niña) exhibits stronger (weaker) influences during DJF (SON) season.
Smart pH‐sensitive films based on biomaterials: Preparation from soy protein with hybrid fillers of CuO nanorods, cellulose nanofibrils, and Clitoria ternatea anthocyanin
Authors: Koshy Rekha Rose , Mary Siji K. , Reghunadhan Arunima , Pothen Laly A. , Thomas Sabu
Published: October 2022

Background

The environmental concern about plastic consumption always rises the need for alternate materials. Plastics being widely employed in the food packaging and hence highly demands such alternatives. The toxicity and pollution produced by the conventional petroleum‐based plastics can be reduced by the usage of bioplastics. The area of food packaging using various biopolymer composites has grown much and is developing new materials by incorporating various nanofillers, especially based on green synthesis approach. This study focuses on the usage of soy protein isolate as a matrix for such films and uses copper nanomaterials and cellulose as reinforcing agent.

Results

An active and intelligent bio nanocomposite thin film based on soy protein isolate (SPI) was prepared. Copper oxide nanorods(CuONRs) were synthesised from ascorbic acid and honey, cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) were extracted from the Acasiacaesia using steam explosion technique and anthocyanin was extracted from Clitoria ternatea flower (CTE). The effect of the addition of CuONR (5%, 10%), CNF (10%), and CTE (7%) on the physiomechanical, barrier, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties of the films was investigated. SEM showed uniform distribution of CuONR/CNF/CTE in the SPI matrix.

Conclusion

The addition of CuO and CNF was found to effectively increase the mechanical property, thermal stability, and decrease the moisture content percentage of the films. In contrast, the addition of CTE made the film pH‐sensitive. SPI‐CuONR/CNF/CTE films showed good antioxidants and antibacterial properties. Fabricated film could act both as a pH sensor for detecting the evolution of acidic and basic gases and as active packaging material to extend the shelf life of food materials.
Invariant hypercomplex structures and algebraic curves
Authors: Bielawski Roger
Published: October 2022

We show that ‐invariant hypercomplex structures on (open subsets) of regular semisimple adjoint orbits in correspond to algebraic curves C of genus , equipped with a flat projection of degree k, and an antiholomorphic involution covering the antipodal map on .
Two‐invariant modular implicit plasticity solver framework for geomechanical simulators
Authors: Santos Erick Slis Raggio , de Souza Neto Eduardo Alberto
Published: October 2022

A modular, computationally efficient integration framework for two‐invariant‐based elastoplastic constitutive models is proposed. It is designed to allow a range of constitutive models to be incorporated with minimal programming effort. The development is intended for efficient numerical schemes in large‐scale geomechanical simulations. The modular format consists of four components: isotropic elastic relation, isotropic yield criterion, two‐invariant smooth flow potential plastic flow rule and isotropic hardening law. Linear and non‐linear bulk elasticity are considered. For the non‐linear case, a numerical assessment of the accuracy of bulk elasticity integration schemes is presented, where pure Euler and semi‐analytical integrators are compared. The deviatoric component of the elastic law considers both the constant shear modulus and constant Poisson's ratio models. The combination of the classic Terzaghi compaction law with different bulk elasticity models may lead to a physical inconsistency, which is removed by a straightforward modification of the hardening law. When used in conjunction with the proposed bulk elasticity models, it results in a family of compaction laws that significantly reshape the normal compaction line – a fact that seems to have been overlooked in the literature. The main contributions concerning the plasticity integrator are: a novel integration scheme that considers the variation of specific volume within each step; and a condensed system comprising two scalar return‐mapping equations. A Modified Cam‐Clay (MCC) model is used in the assessments. A comparison with an existing, well‐known algorithm is also provided and, in spite of its modularity/generality, the proposed scheme is shown to yield significant computational gains.
Smart polymer grafted silica based drug delivery systems
Authors: Shah Ishika U. , Jadhav Sushilkumar A. , Belekar Vedika M. , Patil Pramod S.
Published: October 2022

Smart polymers are a special class of polymers, which respond to the various external stimuli by changing their properties. Recent developments in synthetic polymer chemistry have provided the possibility of designing and synthesis of various new stimuli‐responsive polymers. These stimuli‐responsive polymers can be used to prepare smart drug delivery systems (DDS) by grafting them on various nanomaterials. The main aim of this review is to present collective information on various stimuli‐responsive polymers grafted on silica nanoparticles for the preparation of smart DDS. The stimuli covered are pH, temperature, redox, reactive oxygen species (ROS), glucose concentration, enzymes, magnetic field, and so forth. The structures of various stimuli‐responsive polymers are shown with their relevance to the preparation of smart DDS. The crucial roles of macromolecular design and synthesis of smart polymers in the development of stimuli‐responsive DDS are discussed with examples from literature and the challenges that still exist in this area of research are presented.
On the road to stable, isolable [4]cumulenes: Reactivity and cyclization reactions
Authors: Johnson Matthew A. , Meckes Jakob A. , Bühringer Martina U. , Zhou Zheng , Kuwatani Yoshiyuki , Ferguson Michael J. , Wei Zheng , Iyoda Masahiko , Petrukhina Marina A. , Tykwinski Rik R.
Published: October 2022

The design and synthesis of persistent tetraaryl[4]cumulenes are reported. Derivatives with phenyl endgroups ([4]Ph and [4]Ph/Ar*) are susceptible to reactions during synthesis and/or purification that complicate isolation of the desired product, particularly intermolecular dimerization reactions. Incorporation of (3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl)phenyl endgroups (Ar*) provides increased stability, culminating in the stable and isolable [4]cumulene [4]Ar*. Cumulene [4]Ar* remains, however, susceptible to dimerization under pressing conditions, and [4]Ar* also readily reacts with electrophiles under mild conditions that lead to intramolecular cyclization. Given the structural complexity of the side products in these studies (compounds 3, 10, 14, 17, 18), X‐ray crystallography plays a vital role in their identification.
Cardiac function in bronchiolitis: Not only a right ventricle matter
Authors: Rossi Maria L. , Hadley Stephanie M. , Randanne Paula C. , Escobar‐Diaz Maria C. , Camprubi Marta C. , Jordan Iolanda , Sanchez‐de‐Toledo Joan
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Extrapulmonary manifestations of bronchiolitis have been previously studied, with some identifying right ventricle (RV) diastolic/systolic dysfunction. We hypothesized that severe cases of bronchiolitis would have cardiac dysfunction resulting an increase in N‐terminal pro‐hormone B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) values and worse outcomes. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the existence of cardiac dysfunction and to determine its association with severe bronchiolitis.

Methods

This prospective cohort study included children hospitalized for bronchiolitis under 1‐year old between January 2019 and March 2020. At admission, an echocardiography was performed and plasma levels of NT‐proBNP were measured. To analyze outcomes, the cohort was divided into two groups based on the need for positive pressure respiratory support (PPRS), and both were compared to healthy infants. Statistics: bivariant analysis, significant differences p < 0.05.

Results

One hundred eighty‐one patients were included; median age was 2 months. Seventy‐three patients required PPRS. Compared to controls, patients requiring PPRS showed worse RV systolic function, with lower tricuspid annular‐plane systolic excursion (p = 0.002) and parameters of worse right and left diastolic function (trans‐tricuspid E and A wave [p = 0.004 and p = 0.04, respectively] and tricuspid tissue doppler imaging [TDI] e′ [p = 0.003], trans‐mitral E and mitral TDI a′ [p = 0.02 and p = 0.005, respectively]). An NT‐ProBNP greater than 3582 pg/dl predicts the need for longer necessity of PPRS in patients younger than 2 months.

Conclusions

In addition to the expected RV systolic dysfunction, patients with severe bronchiolitis have parameters of global diastolic worse function possibly secondary to intrinsic myocardial involvement. NT‐ProBNP values at admission had strong discriminatory power to predict worse outcomes.
Targeting lncRNA/Wnt axis by flavonoids: A promising therapeutic approach for colorectal cancer
Authors: Han Shuai , Cao Yunyun , Guo Tianyi , Lin Qinlu , Luo Feijun
Published: October 2022

Despite the dramatic advances in our understanding of the etiology of colorectal cancer (CRC) in recent decades, effective therapeutic strategies are still urgently needed. Oncogenic mutations in the Wnt/β‐Catenin pathway are hallmarks of CRC. Moreover, long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as molecular managers are involved in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of CRC. Therefore, it is important to further explore the interaction between lncRNAs and Wnt/β‐Catenin signaling pathway for targeted therapy of CRC. Natural phytochemicals have not toxicity and can target carcinogenesis‐related pathways. Growing evidences suggest that flavonoids are inversely associated with CRC risk. These bioactive compounds could target carcinogenesis pathways of CRC and reduced the side effects of anti‐cancer drugs. The review systematically summarized the progress of flavonoids targeting lncRNA/Wnt axis in the investigations of CRC, which will provide a promising therapeutic approach for CRC and develop nutrition‐oriented preventive strategies for CRC based on epigenetic mechanisms. In the field, more epidemiological and clinical trials are required in the future to verify feasibility of targeting lncRNA/Wnt axis by flavonoids in the therapy and prevention of CRC.
Characterization of potential degradation products of brexpiprazole by liquid chromatography/quadrupole–time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance, and prediction of their physicochemical properties by ADMET Predictor™
Authors: Kushwah Bhoopendra Singh , Singh Saranjit , Thummar Mohit M. , Balhara Ankit , Samanthula Gananadhamu
Published: October 2022

Rationale

Brexpiprazole (BRZ) was subjected to hydrolytic (acid, base and neutral), oxidative, photolytic and thermal stress degradation in solutions prepared in a mixture of acetonitrile–water (70:30 v/v). The oxidative study was additionally done in methanol–buffer mixture at pH 3, 7 and 11. Also, compatibility of the drug with selected excipients was investigated in the solid state. Additionally, physicochemical and ADMET properties of BRZ and its degradation products (DPs) were predicted using ADMET Predictor™ software. It provides the conditions for quality control of BRZ and its derivatives during manufacturing, processing and storage conditions.

Methods

The formed DPs were separated from the drug and among themselves on a C‐18 column utilizing mobile phase composed of methanol and ammonium formate buffer (10mM, pH 4.0), which was run in a gradient mode. Characterization of DPs was carried out by first establishing the mass fragmentation pathway of the drug based on its liquid chromatography/quadrupole–time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (LC/Q‐TOF‐MS) data, followed by LC/Q‐TOF‐MS studies of DPs. Three DPs were isolated and, along with the drug, they were subjected to 1D (1H, 13C and DEPT‐135) and 2D (COSY and HSQC) NMR studies for confirmation of their structures.

Results

BRZ was observed to be susceptible to hydrolytic (neutral, acid and alkali), photolytic and oxidative degradation conditions; it was stable on thermal exposure. A total of 12 DPs (BRZ‐1 to BRZ‐12) were formed in solution state. Mechanisms of BRZ degradation were postulated.

Conclusions

The extent of degradation of BRZ in different stress conditions highlights that stability of BRZ in drug formulations can be improved (i) by using excipients that can impart a low‐pH microenvironment, (ii) by addition of antioxidants and (iii) through protection from light.
Measurement of tigecycline in dried blood spots by LC–MS/MS and comparison tigecycline concentrations between whole blood and plasma
Authors: Yan Yan , Qu Jie , Di Ying , Zhang Chun , Cheng Xiaoliang
Published: October 2022

Rationale

An LC–MS/MS method was established to measure tigecycline in dried blood spots (DBSs).

Methods

The DBS specimens obtained by applying 30 μl of blood to filter paper were extracted with hydrogen oxide and subsequently precipitated protein with perchloric acid, then the extract was directly analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. A Hypersil GOLD aQ column was utilized for separating the analytes, and detection was carried out in positive and selective reaction monitoring modes. The precursors to product ion transitions m/z 586.3 → 513.1 and m/z 586.3 → 569.2 were monitored for tigecycline, and m/z 473.2 → 456.0 and m/z 473.2 → 367.0 for 9‐amino minocycline as internal standard.

Results

The validation parameters of specificity and selectivity, linearity (0.02–5 μg ml−1), sensitivity (limit of quantification 0.02 μg ml−1), intra‐ and interday precision (within 15%) and relative error (within ±15%) were acceptable. The recoveries were from 84.65% to 90.49% and from 85.41% to 95.72% for tigecycline and internal standard, respectively, and the matrix effect was not evident to influence accuracy. The impact of hematocrit on measurement of the analyte was negligible, and after preserving at ambient temperature for 24 h and at 4°C for 1 month it remained steady.

Conclusions

The advantages of nonintrusive blood collection and micro‐volume sample requirements make DBS a potent surrogate to conventional venepuncture for sampling.
Al3+ Introduction Hydrated Vanadium Oxide Induced High Performance for Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Xu Jing , Zhang Yu , Liu Chenfan , Cheng Huanhuan , Cai Xuanxuan , Jia Dianzeng , Lin He
Published: October 2022

Aqueous zinc ion batteries are a promising alternative secondary battery technology due to their excellent safety and environmental friendliness. Vanadium‐based compounds as a highly promising class of cathode materials still suffer from structural collapse and slow kinetics. Studies have shown that metal ion pre‐introduction is an effective method to solve these problems and enhance battery performance. Here, the introduction of Al3+, Cr3+, Cu2+ and Fe3+ is found to effectively reduce the migration energy barrier of Zn2+ with the density functional theory calculations, while Al3+ exhibits the best induction effects. Subsequently, Al0.34V5O12·2.4H2O (AlVOH) nanoribbons are synthesized by hydrothermal introduction of Al3+, demonstratin excellent electrochemical properties (407.8 mAh g‐1 at 0.2 A g‐1 and 176.3 mAh g‐1 after 2000 cycles at 20 A g‐1). By further compounding with redox graphene (rGO), AlVOH/rGO exhibits high capacitance and specific capacity (460.4 mAh g‐1 at 0.2 A g‐1 and 180.6 mAh g‐1 after 2000 cycles at 20 A g‐1). In addition, it is found that the introduction of metal ions adjusts the structural water content of the material. Especially, the introduction of Al3+ can increase the interlayer structural water content and make the electrochemical properties of the material more stable.
Tailoring Exchange‐Dominated Synthetic Layered Antiferromagnets: From Collective Magnetic Reversal to Exchange Bias
Authors: Böhm Benny , Hellwig Olav
Published: October 2022

Not only since the progressive reduction of structure sizes in modern micro‐ and nanotechnology, surface and interface effects have played an ever‐increasing role and nowadays often dominate the behavior of entire systems. Therefore, understanding the nature of surface and interface effects and being able to fully control them is of fundamental importance, in particular in modern thin‐film technology. In this study, it is revealed how Co/Pt multilayer‐based synthetic antiferromagnets (SAFs) with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in the regime of dominating antiferromagnetic interlayer exchange can be employed to control the collective magnetic reversal via systematically altering surface and interface effects. The specifically designed samples and experiments highlight the superior tunability of synthetic systems as compared to their intrinsic stoichiometric counterparts, where the antiferromagnetism is directly tied to the indivisible discrete atomic nature and crystal structure of the materials. Thus, it is demonstrated that in SAFs, it becomes possible to energetically heal the broken magnetic symmetry at the surface, thereby enabling either on demand suppression or controlled enhancement of respective surface and interface effects, as demonstrated here in this study for the surface spin‐flop and the exchange bias effect.
Effects of the bond properties of ETS‐GFRP bar to concrete on the shear behavior of ETS‐GFRP‐strengthened RC beams
Authors: Bui Linh Van Hong
Published: October 2022

This study numerically investigates the effects of bond properties between embedded through‐section‐glass fiber‐reinforced polymer (ETS‐GFRP) bars and concrete on the performance of the reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened in shear with ETS‐GFRP bars. The key bond parameters, including the interfacial fracture energy (Gf), bond stiffness (K), and bond strength (τm) are examined. Results demonstrate that the bond properties of ETS‐GFRP bar–concrete interfaces mainly affect the postpeak behavior and ductility of the ETS‐strengthened beams. The FE model considering triangle bond model for the ETS‐GFRP bar–concrete interfaces can reasonably predict the load versus deflection and failure mechanism of the ETS‐strengthened beam as well as the debonding process of the ETS‐GFRP bars from concrete against the experimental results. The use of the flexible and ductile adhesive, which has small bond stiffness and high interfacial fracture energy, for ETS‐GFRP bonding technology would lead to the large ductility of the ETS‐GFRP‐strengthened beams. The ETS‐GFRP bar–concrete interfaces with high cohesive strength can distribute the shear cracks and limit the local debonding, encouraging the deformability of ETS‐GFRP‐strengthened beams.
Fostering Conceptual Understanding Through Computer‐Based Animated Schematic Diagrams and Cue Contrast
Authors: Wong Man Ho Ivy
Published: October 2022

Informed by two usage‐based approaches, this study investigated to what extent different types of computer‐based training facilitated English preposition learning among intermediate Chinese learners of English. The design of the pedagogical materials was informed by the cognitive linguistics (CL) framework while the training format was motivated by the competition model (MacWhinney, 1997). A total of 91 participants were randomly assigned to one of four types of computer‐based training: animated schematic diagrams with CL explanations, rules, and exemplars (i.e., rule‐of‐thumb definitions with three example sentences), correctness feedback (i.e., correct vs. incorrect), and the control, who received training on English Articles. For the three prepositional treatment groups, two layers of mediation were provided: (i) implicit prompts to guide decision making in selecting the correct preposition and (ii) explicit feedback on the selection. Results showed that the computer‐based training was effective across the three treatment groups, as measured by an untimed grammaticality judgment test and a picture elicitation test. Additionally, on the picture elicitation test, the schematic mediation group outperformed the rule and exemplar mediation group at the posttest and the correctness mediation group at the delayed posttest respectively. The data suggest there is a need to introduce various assessment task types to capture a more holistic understanding of participants' L2 development.
Latent burnout profiles of veterinarians in Canada: Findings from a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Jones‐Bitton Andria , Gillis Daniel , Peterson Makenzie , McKee Hayley
Published: October 2022

Background

Although burnout is often discussed as ‘present’ or ‘not‐present’, the conceptual framework of an engagement–burnout continuum is more accurate and useful. Recognition of individuals’ transitional states of burnout also allows for earlier detection of issues and tailored interventions to address the full burnout spectrum.

Methods

Previously reported Maslach Burnout Inventory–Human Services Scale (MBI‐HSS) data from a 2017 national survey of 1272 veterinarians across Canada were re‐analysed using a latent profile analysis to classify individuals along the engagement–burnout continuum.

Results

Four clusters were identified: engaged (10.8%), ineffective (18.9%), overextended (29.6%) and burnout (40.7%). These results indicate that most participants (89.2%) had one, or a combination, of high exhaustion, high depersonalisation and low professional efficacy.

Limitations

This cross‐sectional study represents data from one point in time and may be subject to response bias.

Conclusion

We discuss strategies—particularly long‐term, organisational‐level interventions—to promote engagement and help address workplace issues contributing to inefficacy, overextension and burnout in the veterinary profession. We also recommend MBI data be analysed via latent profiles to provide a more nuanced view of burnout, allow for earlier recognition of workplace issues and facilitate more meaningful interventions and comparisons across populations.
Synergistic flame retardancy of ZnO and piperazine pyrophosphate/melamine cyanurate in polypropylene
Authors: Liu Wenhao , Wang Zhengwen , Su Shuqian , Wu Hongzhi , Sun Mingmei , Tang Linsheng
Published: October 2022

In order to improve the flame retardant efficiency and smoke‐suppression of piperazine pyrophosphate/melamine cyanurate (PPAP/MCA) in PP, the synergism of ZnO and PPAP/MCA was investigated by limiting oxygen index (LOI) determination, UL‐94 test, and cone calorimetry test (CCT). It is found that ZnO performs an exceptional synergism in flame retardant effect and inhibition on the flame propagation. Besides, ZnO can significantly inhibit the production of the smoke and CO. The TGA of the PP composites, the component and structure analysis of the heated composites and CCT residues reveal that ZnO performs the synergism primarily by the following modes: ZnO promotes obviously the charring of the composite, and improves the thermal stability as well as the strength of the intumescent layer, which brings about an improved flame retardant property and inhibiting ability on the flame propagation.
Is time partitioning the currency of coexistence for a grassland canid community?
Authors: Corral Lucia , Frink Teresa J. , Fontaine Joseph J.
Published: October 2022

Habitat and diet preferences are often considered major aspects of niches differentiation among species; however, partitioning of habitat and resource use temporally is often overlooked in modeling coexistence. The plasticity of temporal activity patterns of individuals may influence the species' response to selective forces and long‐term persistence. Temporal avoidance may be a mechanism by which subordinate species can reduce the likelihood of direct competition with dominant sympatric species. Here, we examine temporal activity patterns of three canid species (swift fox Vulpes velox, red fox Vulpes vulpes and coyote Canis latrans) to determine how temporal activity patterns and activity overlap varies among species. We found that all species presented seasonal differences in activity patterns. When activity patterns were compared among species, the estimates of activity overlap in the spring season (i.e. breeding and pup‐rearing periods) were higher than the activity patterns in the fall (i.e. juvenile dispersal and pair‐formation periods); however, activity pattern overlap among species was significant only during the fall. Overall, these patterns revealed a close temporal overlap between swift fox (subordinate species) and both red fox and coyote (dominant species), which provides insight into conditions under which time partitioning may not be as clear as predicted, and other mechanisms may facilitate species coexistence. Considering swift fox population decline and distribution contraction across the North American grasslands, investigating temporal activity patterns of the canid species may reveal the implications of altering such patterns for individual animals, populations and ecosystems.
Zero Visions and Other Safety Principles
Authors: Hansson Sven Ove
Published: October 2022

Safety management is largely based on safety principles, which are simple guidelines intended to guide safety work. This chapter provides a typology and systematic overview of safety principles and an analysis of how they relate to Vision Zero. Three major categories of safety principles are investigated. Theaspiration principlestell us what level of safety or risk reduction we should aim at or aspire to. Important examples are Vision Zero, continuous improvement, ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable), BAT (best available technology), cost-benefit analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, risk limits, and exposure limits. Theerror tolerance principlesare based on the insight that accidents and mistakes will happen, however much we try to avoid them. We therefore have to minimize the negative effects of failures and unexpected disturbances. Safety principles telling us how to do this include fail-safety, inherent safety, substitution, multiple safety barriers, redundancy, and safety factors. Finally,evidence evaluation principlesprovide guidance on how to evaluate uncertain evidence. Major such principles are the precautionary principle, a reversed burden of proof, and risk neutrality.
Sonic Interactions in Virtual Environments: The Egocentric Audio Perspective of the Digital Twin
Authors: Geronazzo Michele , Serafin Stefania
Published: October 2022

The relationships between the listener, physical world, and virtual environment (VE) should not only inspire the design of natural multimodal interfaces but should be discovered to make sense of the mediating action of VR technologies. This chapter aims to transform an archipelago of studies related to sonic interactions in virtual environments (SIVE) into a research field equipped with a first theoretical framework with an inclusive vision of the challenges to come: the egocentric perspective of the auditory digital twin. In a VE with immersive audio technologies implemented, the role of VR simulations must be enacted by a participatory exploration of sense-making in a network of human and non-human agents, called actors. The guardian of such locus of agency is the auditory digital twin that fosters intra-actions between humans and technology, dynamically and fluidly redefining all those configurations that are crucial for an immersive and coherent experience. The idea of entanglement theory is here mainly declined in an egocentric spatial perspective related to emerging knowledge of the listener’s perceptual capabilities. This is an actively transformative relation with the digital twin potentials to create movement, transparency, and provocative activities in VEs. The chapter contains an original theoretical perspective complemented by several bibliographical references and links to the other book chapters that have contributed significantly to the proposal presented here.
Audio in Multisensory Interactions: From Experiments to Experiences
Authors: Serafin Stefania
Published: October 2022

In the real and virtual world, we usually experience sounds in combination with at least an additional modality, such as vision, touch or proprioception. Understanding how sound enhances, substitutes or modifies the way we perceive and interact with the world is an important element when designing interactive multimodal experiences. In this chapter, we present an overview of sound in a multimodal context, ranging from basic experiments in multimodal perception to more advanced interactive experiences in virtual reality.
Interactive and Immersive Auralization
Authors: Raghuvanshi Nikunj , Gamper Hannes
Published: October 2022

Real-time auralization is essential in virtual reality (VR), gaming, and architecture to enable an immersive audio-visual experience. The audio rendering must be congruent with visual feedback and respond with minimal delay to interactive events and user motion. The wave nature of sound poses critical challenges for plausible and immersive rendering and leads to enormous computational costs. These costs have only increased as virtual scenes have progressed away from enclosures toward complex, city-scale scenes that mix indoor and outdoor areas. However, hard real-time constraints must be obeyed while supporting numerous dynamic sound sources, frequently within a tightly limited computational budget. In this chapter, we provide a general overview of VR auralization systems and approaches that allow them to meet such stringent requirements. We focus on the mathematical foundation, perceptual considerations, and application-specific design requirements of practical systems today, and the future challenges that remain.
Ethical Challenges of Assistive Robotics in the Elderly Care: Review and Reflection
Authors: Abdel-Keream Mona
Published: October 2022

Over the last decade, the range of robotic applications in the healthcare sector has expanded rapidly. These applications can range from dispensing medication to providing more personalized services to caretakers. However, this kind of robotization is associated with severe ethical and societal implications. To advance the design and acceptability of socially interactive robots it is, therefore, necessary to consider and analyze those concerns. The RoPHa research project aims at supporting care-dependent people to lead more independent life. This chapter examines potential ethical challenges and impacts in elderly care that were discussed during the design of the robotic system in the project. For evaluating the effect of assistive robotics on elderly care in practice, the MEESTAR model was applied. The ethical implications of the proposed applications were mapped to seven moral dimensions, such as autonomy, justice, privacy, etc. Each dimension were examined from three different perspectives (individual, organizational, and societal). All identified ethical implications were graded based on the degree of ethical justifiability. The results include ethically relevant questions regarding the role of the robotic system, its technical implications, economic and distrust barriers, occupational safety, data security as well as the legal and safety responsibilities of all involved parties.
Introduction
Authors: Blok Vincent , von Schomberg Lucien
Published: October 2022

After a period in which Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) stood as a cross-cutting issue under the Eigth European Union Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (R & I), Horizon 2020, its further development and implementation has reached a crossroad. It turned out that there is a lack of consistent integration of RRI in Europe’s R & I practices (Novitzky et al. 2020), and dedicated funding for RRI is almost entirely absent in the Ninth European Union Framework Programme for R & I, Horizon Europe. At the same time, global challenges like climate change become increasingly more urgent and thus continue to call for collective efforts of scientific research and industry, policy makers and civil society. Further, the emergence of disruptive technologies like synthetic biology, artificial intelligence and robotics raises several new societal concerns. Finally, the growing disbelief in science, as shown during the Corona pandemic, demonstrates the importance of aligning R & I policy and societal values all the more. For reasons as these, the disinvestment in a dedicated Science With and For Society programme line for RRI in Horizon Europe did not result in decreased academic attention for embedding science in society. On the contrary, a dedicated research community emerged that engages in the academic discourse of RRI and tries to contribute to projects on topics such as responsible data governance, responsible AI, and responsible agroecology within the Horizon Europe framework programme, sometimes even without the use of the frame RRI.
Stakeholders in Research and Innovation: Towards Responsible Governance
Authors: Braun Robert , Starkbaum Johannes
Published: October 2022

The concept of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) revolves around stakeholders of research and innovation aiming for societal desirability of the innovation process. In practice, it is often not clear, however, why one instead of another stakeholder-(group) is invited and for which purpose (Repo and Matschoss 2019). In most of the RRI discourse, ‘stakeholders’ are used as a catchall phrase denoting societal actors without actually pointing to who they are, why their participation is important, what exactly they contribute and why they should be involved in the R & I processes. In the case of citizen engagement, a typical bias emerges around the inclusion of easily accessible groups of publics. In this chapter we look at stakeholder theory as it has been developed and used for strategic business purposes from the mid 80’s and suggest how stakeholder theory may be combined with RRI, RI and QH approaches and applied to research and innovation. We argue that moral, epistemic and power diversity and balance is key to a stakeholder theory of RRI in order to facilitate a democratic debate amongst a wide group of stakeholders in a specific R & I endeavor in order to arrive at outcomes that are appropriate, legitimate, and desirable.