bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cost‐effectiveness of a motivational interviewing obesity intervention versus usual care in pediatric primary care offices
Authors: Woolford Susan J. , Resnicow Kenneth , Davis Matthew M. , Nichols Lauren P. , Wasserman Richard C. , Harris Donna , Gebremariam Achamyeleh , Shone Laura , Fiks Alexander G. , Chang Tammy
Published: November 2022

Objective

This study aimed to assess the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) of a 2‐year motivational interviewing (MI) intervention versus usual primary care.

Methods

A national trial was implemented in the Pediatric Research in Office Settings (PROS) network of the American Academy of Pediatrics to evaluate MI versus usual care for children (2‐8 years old; baseline BMI 85th‐97th percentiles). Health care use, food costs, provider fees, and training costs were assessed, and sensitivity analyses were conducted. Primary outcome was the ICER, calculated as cost per unit change in BMI percentile for intervention versus usual care.

Results

At 2 years, 72% of enrolled parent/child dyads were retained; 312 children were included in the analysis. Mean BMI percentile point change was −4.9 and −1.8 for the intervention and control, respectively, yielding an incremental reduction of 3.1 BMI percentile points (95% CI: 1.2‐5.0). The intervention cost $1051 per dyad ($658 for training DVD development). Incorporating health care and non‐health care costs, the intervention ICER was $363 (range from sensitivity analyses: cost saving, $3159) per BMI percentile point decrease per participant over 2 years.

Conclusions

Training pediatricians, nurse practitioners, and registered dietitians to deliver MI‐based interventions for childhood obesity in primary care is clinically effective and acceptably cost‐effective. Future work should explore this approach in broader dissemination.
Proteomics, dietary intake, and changes in cardiometabolic health within a behavioral weight‐loss intervention: A pilot study
Authors: Hill Emily B. , Siebert Janet C. , Yazza Deaunabah N. , Ostendorf Danielle M. , Bing Kristen , Wayland Liza , Scorsone Jared J. , Bessesen Daniel H. , MacLean Paul S. , Melanson Edward L. , Catenacci Victoria A. , Borengasser Sarah J.
Published: November 2022

Objective

Identifying associations among circulating proteins, dietary intakes, and clinically relevant indicators of cardiometabolic health during weight loss may elucidate biologically relevant pathways affected by diet, allowing for an incorporation of precision nutrition approaches when designing future interventions. This study hypothesized that plasma proteins would be associated with diet and cardiometabolic health indicators within a behavioral weight‐loss intervention.

Methods

This secondary data analysis included participants (n = 20, mean [SD], age: 40.1 [9.5] years, BMI: 34.2 [4.0] kg/m2) who completed a 1‐year behavioral weight‐loss intervention. Cardiovascular disease‐related plasma proteins, diet, and cardiometabolic health indicators were evaluated at baseline and 3 months. Associations were determined via linear regression and integrated networks created using Visualization Of LineAr Regression Elements (VOLARE).

Results

A total of 16 plasma proteins were associated with ≥1 diet or health indicator at baseline (p < 0.001); changes in 42 proteins were associated with changes in diet or health indicators from baseline to 3 months (p < 0.005). Baseline tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 10C (TNFRSF10C) was associated with intakes of dark green vegetables (r = −0.712), and fatty acid‐binding protein 4 (FABP4) was associated with intakes of unsweetened coffee (r = −0.689). Changes in refined‐grain intakes were associated with changes in scavenger receptor cysteine‐rich type 1 protein M130 (CD163; r = 0.725), interleukin‐1 receptor type 1 (IL1R‐T1; r = 0.624), insulin (r = 0.656), and triglycerides (r = 0.648).

Conclusions

Circulating cardiovascular disease‐related proteins were associated with diet and cardiometabolic health indicators prior to and in response to weight loss.

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Muscle fat contents rather than muscle mass determines nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis in patients with severe obesity
Authors: Han Eugene , Kim Mi Kyung , Lee Hye Won , Ryu Seungwan , Kim Hye Soon , Jang Byoung Kuk , Suh Youngsung
Published: November 2022

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the association of muscle fat contents, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and liver fibrosis in patients with severe obesity.

Methods

Patients with severe obesity who underwent bariatric surgery were evaluated for NASH and liver fibrosis. Skeletal muscle was assessed by dual energy x‐ray absorptiometry, and muscle fat contents (skeletal muscle fat index [SMFI]) were evaluated by computed tomography‐based psoas muscle mass and density.

Results

A total of 104 patients with severe obesity were enrolled (57 with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score <5 and 47 with NASH with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score ≥5). SMFI was higher in patients with NASH than those without NASH (mean [SD], 39.0 [14.5] vs. 46.5 [14.2] for without NASH vs. with NASH; p = 0.009). SMFI was also correlated with hepatic steatosis grade, ballooning severity, and fibrosis stage. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that SMFI was associated with higher risk of NASH and liver fibrosis (odds ratio = 2.37, 95% CI: 1.13‐4.98, p = 0.022 for NASH; odds ratio = 2.93, 95% CI: 1.32‐6.48, p = 0.008 for significant liver fibrosis).

Conclusions

Muscle fat infiltration rather than muscle mass reflects the severities of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in patients with severe obesity.
An investigation of crystallization kinetics of polyoxymethylene in processing conditions
Authors: Volpe Valentina , Speranza Vito , Schrank Theresia , Berer Michael , Pantani Roberto
Published: November 2022

In this work, a very wide set of quiescent isothermal and non‐isothermal calorimetric experiments are carried out in order to analyze POM crystallization kinetics also under cooling rates comparable to those experienced by the polymer during processing. To investigate the effect of flow on the POM crystallization behavior, also some Linkam shearing tests are conducted. An enhancement of the POM crystallization process is observed under flow. A Kolmogoroff–Avrami–Evans (KAE) model for quiescent crystallization is proposed. It is based on nucleation (considering both a homogeneous and a heterogeneous process) and growth mechanisms. Model parameters of nucleation and growth are determined, and the overall model is able to describe the POM crystallization process in the whole cooling rate range adopted for the experiments. This allows to obtain a reliable description of the POM crystallization evolution during processing and provides important knowledge for managing the POM injection molding process and the final physical properties of POM products.
Worry and fear during the COVID‐19 epidemic normalization: Analyzing prevalence and risk factors among 182,991 high school students in China
Authors: Xu Qingqing , Fan Keliang , Wei Dandan , Liu Pengling , Wang Juan , Wang Xian , Lou Xiaomin , Lin Hualiang , Wang Chongjian , Wu Cuiping , Mao Zhenxing
Published: November 2022

It is worth paying attention to the level of worry and fear of students during the normalization of the epidemic. We conducted the cross‐sectional study that included 182,991 high school students using an online survey to assess worry and fear levels and its influencing factors in three cities in Henan Province, China, from May 21 to May 27, 2021. Worry and fear levels were measured using a five‐item Likert‐type scale. Multinomial logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors. Approximately 65.42% of students reported being high worry about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) epidemic, and about 41.44% of students reported being high fear about the COVID‐19 epidemic. In addition, compared with female, male had lower odds of suffering from a high worry, and compared with senior high school students, junior high school students were more likely to suffer from a high worry. Students lived in rural had highest odds increased likelihood of high worry. Similar results in fear levels. During the normalization period of the COVID‐19 epidemic, many students have high levels of worry and fear. This study has implications for potential influencers of worry and fear levels in follow‐up work.
Registration of seven powdery mildew‐resistant wild hop germplasm lines
Authors: Havill Joshua S. , Wiseman Michele S. , Henning John A. , Gent David H. , Muehlbauer Gary J.
Published: November 2022

Cultivation of common hop (Humulus lupulus L.) has increased dramatically during the past decade, with the primary growth occurring in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. A major limitation to hop production is hop powdery mildew [caused by Podosphaera macularis (Wallr.) Braun & Takam]. To date, a comprehensive evaluation of wild hop germplasm resources for resistance to hop powdery mildew has yet to be conducted. Herein, we report the first extensive powdery mildew resistance screening of 244 wild H. lupulus populations (6,732 individuals) collected from North America and Eurasia. We used an elimination screening approach by sequentially inoculating four P. macularis isolates containing virulence on all previously described R genes. We detected the presence of powdery mildew resistance to isolates representing extant pathogenic diversity in seven germplasms (UMN‐PMR‐002 Male [Reg. no. GP‐38, PI 699936], UMN‐PMR‐005 [Reg. no. GP‐39, PI 699937], UMN‐PMR‐006 Female [GP‐40, PI 699938], UMN‐PMR‐007 Male [Reg. no. GP‐41, PI 699939], UMN‐PMR‐008 [Reg. no. GP‐042, PI 699940], UMN‐PMR‐010 Male [Reg. no. GP‐43, OU 699941], UMN‐PMR‐013 Female [Reg. no. GP‐44, PI 699942]). Based upon genotypic profiling, the seven germplasms were identified in H. lupulus var. lupulus originating from Eurasia. These accessions could be used to introgress broad‐spectrum powdery mildew resistance in hop breeding programs worldwide.
Integrating machine learning, remote sensing and citizen science to create an early warning system for biodiversity
Authors: Antonelli Alexandre , Dhanjal‐Adams Kiran L. , Silvestro Daniele
Published: November 2022

Societal Impact Statement

The development and implementation of conservation actions that address urgent threats to biodiversity across the globe require large amounts of historic and current data. Machine learning approaches offer the tools to process, analyse and interpret large data sets, giving insights into trends and guiding evidence‐based allocation of limited resources to maximise positive biodiversity outcomes. Here we describe how data acquired from remote sensing, citizen science and other monitoring approaches could feed in near‐real time into an early warning system for biodiversity that integrates automated red‐listing of species with the identification of priority areas for conservation.

Application of machine learning approaches is aiding biodiversity conservation and research at a time of rapid global change. Two emerging topics and their data requirements are presented. First, to identify areas of priority protection for preventing biodiversity loss, reinforcement learning is used by training models that take into account human disturbance and climate change under recurrent monitoring schemes. Second, neural networks are used to approximate classification of species into Red List categories of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, offering the possibility of real‐time re‐classification after events such as widespread fires and deforestation. We discuss how the identification of areas and species most at risk could be integrated into an ‘early warning system’ based on climatic monitoring, remotely sensed land‐use changes and near‐real time biological and threat data from citizen science initiatives. Such system would help guide actions to prevent biodiversity loss at the speed required for effective conservation.
Prognostic potential and mechanism of SORT1 and its co‐expressed genes in hepatocellular carcinoma based on integrative analysis of multiple database
Authors: Lin Minjie , Zhu Mengying , Ge Tingqiu , Lu Naiying , Fu Xiling , Chang Jiabao
Published: November 2022

Abnormal SORT1 expression has been reported in various cancers. However, the expression and function of SORT1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain to be explored. This study aims to explore the expression and function of SORT1 and to identify its co‐expressed genes in HCC. Various gene expression databases were applied in our analysis. We found SORT1 was up‐regulated in HCC tumor tissues and high SORT1 expression level was associated with worse overall survival (OS). Co‐expressed genes with SORT1 and its potential regulators were explored using LinkedOmics. Functional network analysis of co‐expressed genes by Metascape revealed that they participated in aberrant lipid metabolism, AMPK signaling pathway, and PPAR signaling pathway which were all strongly linked to the pathogenesis of HCC. In addition, co‐expression genes were analyzed by Cytoscape to identify their hub genes, which included CYB5A, CYP2C9, CYP3A5, CYP4A11, and POR. The mRNA expression level of CYP2C9, CYP3A5, and CYP4A11 were down‐regulated in HCC tumor tissues via GEPIA. High hub genes expression level was associated with better OS and progression free survival (PFS) in HCC. The correlations between SORT1 and hub genes with cancer immune infiltrates were investigated by TIMER. Notably, SORT1 and hub genes expression was positively correlated with infiltrating levels of different immune cells. Our findings suggested that high SORT1 expression level predicted dismal prognosis in HCC and its possible mechanism was immune‐related.
Inline small‐angle X‐ray scattering‐coupled chromatography under extreme hydrostatic pressure
Authors: Miller Robert C. , Cummings Cody , Huang Qingqiu , Ando Nozomi , Gillilan Richard E.
Published: November 2022

As continuing discoveries highlight the surprising abundance and resilience of deep ocean and subsurface microbial life, the effects of extreme hydrostatic pressure on biological structure and function have attracted renewed interest. Biological small‐angle X‐ray scattering (BioSAXS) is a widely used method of obtaining structural information from biomolecules in solution under a wide range of solution conditions. Due to its ability to reduce radiation damage, remove aggregates, and separate monodisperse components from complex mixtures, size‐exclusion chromatography‐coupled SAXS (SEC‐SAXS) is now the dominant form of BioSAXS at many synchrotron beamlines. While BioSAXS can currently be performed with some difficulty under pressure with non‐flowing samples, it has not been clear how, or even if, continuously flowing SEC‐SAXS, with its fragile media‐packed columns, might work in an extreme high‐pressure environment. Here we show, for the first time, that reproducible chromatographic separations coupled directly to high‐pressure BioSAXS can be achieved at pressures up to at least 100 MPa and that pressure‐induced changes in folding and oligomeric state and other properties can be observed. The apparatus described here functions at a range of temperatures (0°C–50°C), expanding opportunities for understanding biomolecular rules of life in deep ocean and subsurface environments.
Israeli‐Jewish immigrants in Germany: An assessment of the destination‐language acquisition model and the role of Holocaust memory
Authors: Rebhun Uzi
Published: November 2022

Since its reunification in 1990, Germany has been the destination of a large number of immigrants from Israel. They chose to settle in a country that is associated with the greatest tragedy in Jewish history, the Holocaust. Furthermore, they were raised in a country in which Holocaust memory and commemoration are major component of group identity. Within this context, the present study uses data from a survey carried out in 2014/2015 among Israeli‐Jewish immigrants in Germany (N = 510) to assess their linguistic adjustment in the new country. Incorporating factors of Holocaust memory (noneconomic incentives) into the model of destination‐language acquisition (MDLA), I ran similar equations for the three uses of language: speaking, reading and writing. Results from the multivariate analysis suggest that Holocaust memory does not inhibit the immigrants' proficiency in the German language. Accordingly, I adapt the indifference hypothesis, centring on maximizing gains and pleasure, and refute the two competing hypotheses, disruption and heightening. Variables of the MDLA—exposure, efficiency and economic incentives, and, especially, duration in the host country and young age at immigration—are significantly associated with proficiency in German; they were able to explain much of the variation in each of the uses of language. In the Discussion, I venture a proposal as to how fluency in German may help to attenuate intergroup tensions.
Optical and Structural Analysis of GaN Microneedle Crystals Obtained via GaAs Substrates Decomposition and their Possible Growth Model Using the Volmer–Weber Mechanism
Authors: Gastellóu Erick , García Rafael , Herrera Ana M. , Ramos Antonio , García Godofredo , Hirata Gustavo A. , Brown Francisco , Morales Crisoforo , Luna José A. , Rodríguez Jorge A. , Robles Mario , Ramírez Yani D.
Published: November 2022

GaN microneedle crystals are grown via GaAs substrates decomposition, using ultrahigh‐pure anhydrous ammonia as nitrogen precursor at 900 °C for 4 min. The X‐ray diffraction pattern shows the possible cubic and hexagonal coexistence of phases for the GaN highest intensity peak. Scanning electron microscopy presents a seaflower‐type growth for GaN microneedles, which can be related to factors such as lattice mismatch and substrate roughness due to the cleaning process. On the other hand, energy‐dispersive spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterizations demonstrate the elemental contributions of gallium and nitrogen for the GaN microneedle. Transmission electron microscopy shows uniform growth with an interplanar spacing of 2.76 Å. In addition, a possible growth model by hexagonal crystals stacking is proposed for obtaining GaN microneedles using the mechanism of Volmer–Weber growth. Photoluminescence spectrum presents an energy emission peak in the ultraviolet band with a value of 3.40 eV (364 nm), which is related to the band‐to‐band transition, and Raman scattering shows stress in the GaN microneedles due to the presence of different vibration modes for hexagonal GaN, indicating that several microneedles break.
Multifield Coupling of Local Surface Plasmon Resonance‐Assisted Au–TiO2 Photocatalysis Considering Bimodal Resonance and Superposition Effect
Authors: Lv Sijia , Du Yanping , Xie Bin , Xu Qian , Li Chuan
Published: November 2022

This study concerns the improvement of the synergetic catalytic efficiency of Au–TiO2 nanorods considering the local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect of different Au nanoparticles (NPs). The absorption spectrum and selective absorption efficiency for visible light, the local electric field, and the generated thermal effect are specifically analyzed based on the multifield decoupling of LSPR‐assisted Au–TiO2 catalysts. The simulation results show that the extinction spectra of both spherical and ellipsoidal Au particles are consistent with the experimental data. Interestingly, the latter is characterized by significant bimodal resonance modes. Comparatively, the simulation results show that the longitudinal mode, which is sensitive to the aspect ratio, is more favorable for the improvement of the photocatalytic activities. It is found that the resonance peaks are highly controllable, and are linear to the particle size and aspect ratio. Meanwhile, the electric field mode of TiO2 is significantly increased under the resonance wavelength. It is worth mentioning that the superposition effect makes a non‐negligible impact on the actual catalysts, leading to a relative shift of resonance wavelength. The consideration of the hot spots caused by the superposition effect influence the photocatalytic results significantly, providing values in diminishing the inadaptability of the theory in near‐touching regions of plasma particles.
Workplace violence against healthcare workers during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Sudan: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Elhadi Yasir Ahmed Mohammed , Mohamed Hammad Mohamed Hammad , Ahmed Abdelmuniem , Haroun Islam Hamza , Hag Mohamed Hassan , Farouk Ehssan , Almadani Moaaz , Mohamed Alanood Elnaeem , Adam Mohammed Fathelrahman , Abdelhamed Osman S. , Salih Elhadi Basheer , Mohamed Sahar Khalid , Sanosi Mohammed Osman Omer
Published: November 2022

Background

Workplace violence (WPV) against healthcare workers (HCWs) is a growing global issue. During the coronavirus diseases‐2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, violent attacks on HCWs have been documented worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the magnitude and pattern of WPV among HCWs in Sudan during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

A web‐based cross‐sectional study of WPV was conducted among registered medical and health workers (pharmacists, physicians, dentists, nurses, laboratory technicians, and administrative and paramedical staff) during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Sudan. Data were collected from August to December 2021 using a self‐administered questionnaire distributed through social media platforms.

Results

A total of 792 HCWs returned the online questionnaire. The mean age was 33.5 ± 8.6 years, where more than half were females (54.9%) and working during the day shift (58.8%). During the COVID‐19 pandemic, three out of every four participants (78.3%) reported experiencing violence, with 65.8 % experiencing it more than three times. The common types of violence experienced were verbal (91.6%), physical (50.0%), and sexual abuse (11.0%). The emergency department reported the highest number of violent incidents (46.9%). Half of these violent events were not reported (50.3%), primarily due to a lack of a reporting system. The demographic factors that were significantly associated with exposure to violence were participants’ occupation (p < 0.001), age (p = 0.001), marital status (p = 0.002), and years of working experience (p = 0.020).

Conclusion

WPV was rampant among the HCWs in Sudan during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The current findings are presented to draw the attention of policy leaders and stakeholders in Sudan to this alarming problem prompting the pressing need for policy and system interventions.
Marburg virus in Ghana: A public health threat to Ghanaians and to Africans
Authors: Denkyira Salomey Asaah , Adesola Ridwan Olamilekan , Idris Ibrahim , Yelarge Kwasi , Tieku Asaaseasa Kwame , Danquah Cynthia Amaning , Opuni Emmanuel
Published: November 2022

The Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak in Ghana and the re‐emergence of other infectious diseases in Africa require a unified effort to fight these highly infectious health threats.  Although no new cases have been reported after the three MVD confirmed cases, Ghana Health Service (GHS), and Health Authorities of neighbouring countries are on the alert to identify any new cases and deal with them at the earliest. Public health measures, however, inadequate, are in place in Ghana.   Varied challenges remain in the fight against these outbreaks. All known public health measures must be brought to bear in the fight. African governments must resource the African Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention, in its efforts to augment the various country‐level health services in the fight against the threats. African governments, citizens, development partners, and foreign governments must commit to fighting these diseases before they turn into pandemics.
Health inequities in Bhutan's free healthcare system: a health policy dialogue summary
Authors: Tenzin Karma , Dorji Thinley , Dorji Gampo , Lucero‐Prisno Don Eliseo
Published: November 2022

Bhutan has a free healthcare system that covers almost 90% of the population within 2 h of travel distance. The country has achieved remarkable success in many public health indicators despite the chronic shortage of financial resources and trained manpower. However, there are many aspects of health inequities in the government's health policies, programmes and health services. The Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan, Thimphu in 2020 hosted a policy dialogue on health equity in the context of the Bhutanese health system. With changing demographics and socioeconomic conditions, some of the factors that earlier determined an equitable distribution of services and resources are no longer relevant now. The referral system is easily bypassed not only because the patients have easy access to transportation to tertiary hospitals, but because of frequent interruptions in the service and the non‐availability of doctors in the district and general hospitals. The role of the private sector is restricted to a few diagnostic services while there is an apparent adequate spending capacity of consumers. There is an important component of out‐of‐pocket expenditure and catastrophic health expenditure in patients seeking treatments outside the country. The current health policies and strategic plans for the future lack a measure of health equity. We recommend conscientious assessment of health inequities in the current system and introducing policies and programmes to prevent the worsening of such inequities.
Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐Fourier‐transform ion cyclotron resonance‐mass spectrometry analysis of exosomal lipids from human serum
Authors: Jalaludin Iqbal , Nguyen Huu‐Quang , Jang Kyoung‐Soon , Lee Jaebeom , Lubman David M. , Kim Jeongkwon
Published: November 2022

Rationale

Exosomes contain biomarkers such as proteins and lipids that help in understanding normal physiology and diseases. Lipids, in particular, are infrequently studied using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) for biomarker discovery. In this study, MALDI was equipped with a high‐resolution MS to investigate exosomal lipids from human serum.

Methods

Exosomal lipids were profiled using MALDI with Fourier‐transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR)‐MS. Four matrices (i.e., α‐cyano‐4‐hydroxycinnamic acid [CHCA], 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid, sinapinic acid, and graphene oxide [GO]) and three sample preparation methods (i.e., dried droplet, thin layer, and two layer) were compared for the number of lipid species detected and the relative abundance of each lipid from human serum and human serum exosomes.

Results

In sum, 172 and 89 lipid species were identified from human serum and human serum exosomes, respectively, using all the methods. The highest number of exosome lipid species, 69, was detected using the CHCA matrix, whereas only 8 exosome lipid species were identified using the GO matrix. Among the identified lipid species, phosphatidylcholine was identified most frequently, probably due to the use of a positive ion mode.

Conclusions

Exosomes and human serum showed comparable lipid profiles as determined using MALDI‐FTICR‐MS. These findings provide a new perspective on exosomal lipidomics analysis and may serve as a foundation for future lipidomics‐based biomarker research using MALDI‐FTICR‐MS.
The influence of industrial attitudes and behaviours in adopting sustainable construction practices
Authors: Maqbool Rashid , Saiba Mohammed Rayan , Altuwaim Ayman , Rashid Yahya , Ashfaq Saleha
Published: November 2022

Considering the rapid environmental changes, the transitions to sustainable practices in the construction industry is vital now. Though the developed construction industries have already made efforts to switching to more sustainable and environment friendly practices, the developing countries are still lacking it. This research was organised to understand the role of project management practises and integrated methods in the sustainable development in the developing countries, for looking on how such practices can help these construction sectors become sustainable. The moderation effect of industrial attitudes and behaviours on sustainable construction was also conducted to understand the intermediary impacts. A survey based on the snowball sample of 208 construction professionals in Ghana was conducted to determine the impact of project management practises and integrated methods on sustainable construction. Research model was tested by employing bivariate correlation and multiple hierarchical regression analysis techniques, to establish the interrelationships among the project management practices, integrated approaches, industrial attitudes and behaviours, and sustainable construction and to explain these constructs in terms of their common underlying dimensions. The findings highlight that the project management practices and integrated approaches are significantly impacting on the sustainable construction practices in terms of BIM, Digital Twin, LEED, and BREEAM. Whereas the industrial attitudes and behaviours were found to be affecting the project management practises and integrated approaches through moderating role on sustainable construction. The study was concluded by suggesting the importance of sustainable construction practices and shaping industrial attitudes and behaviours towards such practices in the developing construction industries.
A Smartphone Coupled Freshness Indicator Prepared by Rub‐coating of Hibiscus Flowers on Paper substrates for Visual Monitoring of the Spoilage of Milk
Authors: K. P. Chaithra , T. P. Vinod
Published: November 2022

This study developed an inexpensive and easy‐to‐use milk freshness indicator (H‐Paper) by rub‐coating hibiscus flowers onto paper. As per the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of a food quality indicator prepared by direct hand‐rubbing of a natural halochromic material onto paper substrates. Unlike the previously reported colorimetric indicators from natural sources, our indicator does not require the extraction of anthocyanins from the natural product. The H‐Paper undergoes a quantifiable color change from green to purple to pink corresponding to fresh, spoiling, and spoiled milk samples. Digital photographs of H‐Paper treated with milk samples were acquired using a smartphone, and RGB indices were analyzed using a free application. The red chromatic shift was used as a parameter to quantify color change of H‐Paper to follow the spoilage of milk. Anthocyanins present in the hibiscus flowers are responsible for this colorimetric response. This work demonstrates a proof‐of‐concept for directly rub‐coating halochromic materials onto a substrate to fabricate food freshness indicators. The H‐Paper indicator has advantages of naked‐eye analysis, consumer‐friendliness, and instrument‐free operation. This requires neither any laboratory accessories nor the expertise of a trained analyst for its preparation and operation, which is appropriate for use in resource‐limited settings.
Self‐Promoting Energy Storage in Balsa Wood‐Converted Porous Carbon Coupled with Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: He Qing , He Rui , Zia Akhter , Gao Guanhui , Liu Yifeng , Neupane Manish , Wang Min , Benedict Zoe , Al‐Quraishi Karrar K. , Li Ling , Dong Pei , Yang Yingchao
Published: November 2022

For most electrodes fabricated with carbon, transition metal compounds, or conductive polymers, the capacitance may deteriorate with cyclic charging and discharging. Thus, an electrochemically stable supercapacitor has long been pursued by researchers. In this work, the hierarchical structure of balsa wood is preserved in the converted carbon which is used as a supporting framework to fabricate electrodes for supercapacitors. Well‐grown carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on interior and exterior surfaces of balsa carbon channels provide two advantages including 1) offering more specific surface area to boost capacitance via electric double layer capacitance and 2) offering more active Fe and Ni sites to participate in the redox reaction to enhance capacitance of the balsa carbon/CNTs electrode. The balsa carbon/CNTs demonstrate an excellent area capacitance of 1940 mF cm−2. As active sites on Ni and Fe catalysts and inner walls of CNTs are gradually released, the capacitance increases 66% after 4000 charge–discharge cycles. This work brings forward a strategy for the rational design of high‐performance biomass carbon coupled with advanced nanostructures for energy storage.
Flexible optoelectronic neural transistors with broadband spectrum sensing and instant electrical processing for multimodal neuromorphic computing
Authors: Ni Yao , Yang Lu , Feng Jiulong , Liu Jiaqi , Sun Lin , Xu Wentao
Published: November 2022

A flexible optoelectronic neural transistor (OENT) that consists of a one‐step spin‐coated tri‐blend film composed of 2,7‐dioctyl[1]benzothieno[3,2‐b][1]benzothiophene (C8‐BTBT), poly(3‐hexylthiophene‐2,5‐diyl) (P3HT), and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is demonstrated. The C8‐BTBT and P3HT phases in the film partially segregate into distinct domains, which combine to provide broadband spectrum sensing, and instant electrical‐processing capabilities dominated by C8‐BTBT. The OENT is sensitive to solar radiation from the near‐ultraviolet (NUV) and to visible (Vis) radiation from blue to red. When exposed to NUV radiation, the OENT responds sensitively and retains the memory of the exposure for over 103 s. The OENT provides a warning of excessive chronic exposure to harmful NUV. These properties allow high‐pass filtering with different cut‐off frequencies fc that can restrict the reception of blue, green, or red. These switchable fc enables sensitive image reconstruction and multitarget monitoring. The device combined with a chitosan gel achieves strictly defined short‐range plasticity of <1 s that can achieve diverse instant‐computing applications such as spatiotemporally correlated coding and logic functions. Stable real‐time signal processing facilitates the realization of a Morse‐code recognition system constructed using neuro‐morphological hardware, achieving highly accurate character recognition. This study provides a useful resource that can have applications in wearable biomedical electronics and multimodal neuromorphic computing.
An Advanced Thermal Decomposition Method to Produce Magnetic Nanoparticles with Ultrahigh Heating Efficiency for Systemic Magnetic Hyperthermia
Authors: Demessie Ananiya A. , Park Youngrong , Singh Prem , Moses Abraham S. , Korzun Tetiana , Sabei Fahad Y. , Albarqi Hassan A. , Campos Leonardo , Wyatt Cory R. , Farsad Khashayar , Dhagat Pallavi , Sun Conroy , Taratula Olena R. , Taratula Oleh
Published: November 2022

Due to the limited heating efficiency of available magnetic nanoparticles, it is difficult to achieve therapeutic temperatures above 44 °C in relatively inaccessible tumors during magnetic hyperthermia following systemic administration of nanoparticles at clinical dosage (≤10 mg kg−1). To address this, a method for the preparation of magnetic nanoparticles with ultrahigh heating capacity in the presence of an alternating magnetic field (AMF) is presented. The low nitrogen flow rate of 10 mL min−1 during the thermal decomposition reaction results in cobalt‐doped nanoparticles with a magnetite (Fe3O4) core and a maghemite (γ‐Fe2O3) shell that exhibit the highest intrinsic loss power reported to date of 47.5 nH m2 kg−1. The heating efficiency of these nanoparticles correlates positively with increasing shell thickness, which can be controlled by the flow rate of nitrogen. Intravenous injection of nanoparticles at a low dose of 4 mg kg−1 elevates intratumoral temperatures to 50 °C in mice‐bearing subcutaneous and metastatic cancer grafts during exposure to AMF. This approach can also be applied to the synthesis of other metal‐doped nanoparticles with core–shell structures. Consequently, this method can potentially be used for the development of novel nanoparticles with high heating performance, further advancing systemic magnetic hyperthermia for cancer treatment.
Diaphragm effectiveness of multistory precast parking structures with floor‐to‐floor mechanical connectors
Authors: Li Hao , Zhou Wei
Published: November 2022

Multistory parking structures are a promising exploration avenue to address the acute need for parking spaces, and their floors are often joined with mechanical connectors to form a floor system. The properties of floor‐to‐floor connectors directly affect the seismic behavior of parking structures. Thus, the effectiveness of diaphragm action with several different typical floor‐to‐floor connectors was investigated and the natural frequencies and seismic performances of the parking structures were obtained. The results show that the mechanical characteristics of connectors in precast elements have a crucial influence on the diaphragm effectiveness of large‐span concrete structures with precast double‐tees under strong seismic action.
Study on rust layer distribution of cracked segment at tunnel arch waist under stray current and chloride ion corrosion
Authors: Yu Shuo , Jin Hao , Sun Huajun , Cao Miaofeng , Liu Changbao
Published: November 2022

During subway operation, cracks may appear at the arch waist of tunnel segment surface. Under the acceleration of stray current, chloride ion in groundwater will penetrate into the surface of rebar through cracks, resulting in segment rebar corrosion and structural stiffness degradation. In this article, the rebar corrosion calculation model of tunnel segment contained transverse crack under stray current and chloride ion was established, and the coupling of electric field and chemical field in cracked concrete was realized. The effects of chloride ion content and input voltage on the rust layer distribution of cracked segment were studied. The results shows: Under the action of stray current and chloride ion, the 3D rust layer of cracked segments at the arch waist can be described by Gaussian mixture function. In the longitudinal direction, the rust layer at the crack section is located at the peak of the rust layer curve, and the increase of chloride ion content has a greater influence on the rust layer shape than the increase of stray current. When the chloride ion content and stray current are doubled, respectively, the maximum rust layer thickness of rebar will increases by 34% and 16%, respectively. In the circumferential direction, the nonuniform coefficient of elliptical rust layer will change with the increase of segment crack width and chloride ion content, but it will not be affected by stray current intensity.
Next‐generation entrepreneurial identity in family business systems: The influence of role‐changing events on the understanding of legacy, individual identity, and transgenerational entrepreneurship of next‐generation family business principals
Authors: Bergfeld Alexander Friedrich , Bergfeld Marc‐Michael
Published: November 2022

The paper addresses how the understanding of family business legacy, individual identity, and transgenerational entrepreneurship of next‐generation principals is affected by role changing events in family business systems. The paper uses the insights of a focus group of 38 next‐generation family business principals of ultrahigh‐net‐worth business families from 14 countries. It corroborates that parents and role models are influencing factors on the understanding and perception of family identity, values, and transgenerational entrepreneurship. Identity inflection points during moments of expected and unexpected role changes, such as family business succession, can either positively or negatively impact the appreciation of a next‐generation principal regarding legacy, identity, and transgenerational entrepreneurship. Based on the results of the qualitative interviews and peer group discussions, the findings indicate how identity inflection points affect the preservation of the next‐generation family business principal's identity and family identity during a moments of role changes in family businesses and are a bottleneck for transgenerational entrepreneurship.
The economics and policy of genome editing in crop improvement
Authors: Kalaitzandonakes Nicholas , Willig Christopher , Zahringer Kenneth
Published: November 2022

In this review article we analyze the economics of genome editing and its potential long‐term effect on crop improvement and agriculture. We describe the emergence of genome editing as a novel platform for crop improvement, distinct from the existing platforms of plant breeding and genetic engineering. We review key technical characteristics of genome editing and describe how it enables faster trait development, lower research and development costs, and the development of novel traits not possible through previous crop improvement methods. Given these fundamental technical and economic advantages, we describe how genome editing can greatly increase the productivity and broaden the scope of crop improvement with potential outsized economic effects. We further discuss how the global regulatory policy environment, which is still emerging, can shape the ultimate path of genome editing innovation, its effect on crop improvement, and its overall socioeconomic benefits to society.
Fuzzy‐based sustainability modeling: Case study of remanufacturing waste sheet steel into angle mesh steel
Authors: Abdullah Ziyad Tariq
Published: November 2022

Remanufacturing of waste sheet steel (WSS) recovered from the shells of exterior components of end‐of‐life vehicles is a sustainable alternative to recycling and landfilling. It is proposed that producing angle mesh steel (AMS) from this WSS is a novel sustainable business model. In this case study, 1 to 1.25‐m long strips of WSS were disassembled from the roof, bonnet, boot, rear and front doors, and fenders, and were formed into mesh with three different expansion ratios (2.19, 5.94, and 12.19). The expanded strips were flattened and roll formed into AMS sections for construction purposes. An integrated multi‐criteria sustainability assessment of the technical, economic, environmental, and social factors was conducted to identify the 20 most‐sustainable alternatives of end‐of‐life passenger cars from 200 designs manufactured between 2009 and 2019. The most sustainable exterior components for WSS to AMS remanufacturing were those that achieved a high closeness coefficient compared to the optimal performance. A pre‐assessment was conducted to specify the complexity of remanufacturing by integrating the presence of topological discontinuities (inhomogeneous areas of the sheets that impede effective roll forming) within fuzzy modeling analysis. Both the important criteria and performance of the exterior‐component alternatives were fuzzified to construct a performance‐of‐remanufacturing matrix and calculate the closeness coefficient of each alternative. The acquired experience from practical remanufacturing was applied to enable fuzzification‐aided analysis. A final performance score was obtained by summing all relevant coefficients to analyze the sustainability of the 200 target car designs for remanufacturing WSS into AMS. The best component for remanufacturing is the roof, followed by the hood, boot, front door, and front fender in this order. The Volkswagen Passat with few discontinuities in the WSS was the best alternative, while Ford Fusion designs were the worst. The findings show that the remanufacturing route is viable and provide guidance for selecting the most appropriate components and vehicle models for efficient remanufacturing.
Unseen urgency: Delay as the new denial
Authors: Shue Henry
Published: November 2022

The scientific grounds for the urgency of action to limit climate change are relatively well‐understood. Much less well appreciated, however, are the contingent, but nevertheless profound, political reasons for the urgency of immediate robust action. Most important is the fact, insufficiently appreciated by many normative and economic theorists, that some of the most powerful and wealthy political institutions and economic organizations on the planet are firmly committed to delaying effective action on climate change as long as possible so that they can retain and enhance their current wealth and power resting on fossil fuel assets. Ruthless and entrenched opponents resist actions to slow climate change, and delay is the new denial. The deception practiced by those whose vast wealth and power depends on slowing the transition away from the combustion of fossil fuels necessitates the building of social movements and political campaigns to expose their falsehoods and diversions and to explain and justify transformative alternatives to potentially active citizens. The opponents of climate action have been active for decades and have built powerful political coalitions. The supporters of climate action need to confront them urgently with yet more powerful political coalitions because the remaining time for winning the struggle is shrinking fast. Action is urgent because deceptive delay is relentless.

This article is categorized under:

Climate, Nature, and Ethics > Climate Change and Global Justice

The Social Status of Climate Change Knowledge > Knowledge and Practice

Climate, History, Society, Culture > Ideas and Knowledge
Analysing Diet Composition and Food Insecurity by Socio-Economic Status in Secondary African Cities
Authors: Mackay Heather , Omondi Samuel Onyango , Jirström Magnus , Alsanius Beatrix
Published: November 2022

This chapter takes as its starting point theorizing around nutrition and food system transitions thought to be increasingly occurring in urban Africa, and how this may be linked to a growing non-communicable disease burden. We focus specifically on the secondary city context by analysing household survey data gathered from six cities across Ghana, Kenya and Uganda during 2013–2015. We asked how diet composition and diversity, food sources and food security varied by socio-economic status, using expenditure and demographic data to create a proxy for household well-being. In this way, we investigate one of the claimed keystones affecting urban food systems and dietary health in sub-Saharan Africa—that of obesogenic urban food environments. Our findings indicate that the socio-economic status of a household was the most important factor influencing household dietary diversity and food security status, i.e. better-off households were more likely to feel food secure and eat from a greater variety of food groups. In addition, the number of income sources was additionally associated with higher dietary diversity. We also found that a household’s involvement in agriculture had only a small positive effect on food security in one city and was associated with a reduction in dietary diversity scores. Our findings emphasize the importance of supporting aggregated national and international statistics on agricultural production and trade with detailed local analyses that focus on actual household food access and consumption. We also see reasons to be cautious about making causal claims regarding consumption change and obesogenic urban environments as the major contributor to a rising obesity and non-communicable disease burden in Africa.