bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Motivating High School Students From Rural Areas to Attend College and Pursue Careers as Osteopathic Physicians
Authors: Kadavakollu Samuel , Shindi Rajaa S. , Nummerdor Holly R. , Singh Vijay K. , Pillai Savin B. , Ontiveros Steven J. , Boyanovsky Boris
Published: October 2020

Context

One potential way to address critical current and future projected health care workforce shortages is through comprehensive programs that could potentially inspire high school students to pursue osteopathic medical careers in underserved areas.

Objective

To determine whether a comprehensive, 5-week enrichment program could promote interest among rural high-school students in careers osteopathic medicine.

Methods

In May 2018, 116 high school students with a grade point average of 2.8 or higher from rural areas, including New Mexico and its surrounding rural areas in the US-Mexico border region, enrolled in а 5-week program offering American College Testing (ACT) preparation and biomedical sciences enrichment at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM). During the program, students were offered more than 150 hours of interactive in-class lectures and hands-on activities with laboratories focusing on college preparedness, health sciences, and motivating students to pursue osteopathic medical career and practice medicine in rural areas. Clinically-oriented sessions covering osteopathic philosophy and osteopathic manipulative medicine were included. After completion, a voluntary and anonymous survey was sent to students who completed the program students through QualtricsXM©. Blinded ACT scores were collected from participants’ schools, along with college enrollment status information.

Results

Of 116 enrolled students, 106 (91.4%) completed the program successfully. In their postcompletion survey responses, students reported that they had gained a realistic perception of the field of medicine and were motivated to attend college (mean [standard error, SE] score on 5-point Likert scale over 2 questions, 4.8 [0.06]) and osteopathic medical school (mean [SE], 4.7 [0.1]). Participants also felt more informed about physician shortage in rural areas (mean [SE], 4.7 [0.07]) and appeared to be inspired to practice medicine in rural areas (mean [SE], 4.6 [0.09]). Students also reported feeling better prepared to take the ACT after finishing this program (mean [SE], 4.9 [0.04]). Finally, we were able to collect the ACT scores of 51 participants (48.1%) who completed the program; the mean ACT score was 24.3, compared with a reported national mean of 20.7 on a scoring scale of 1-36. We also performed a follow-up inquiry showing that 78 of the 81 participating students (96%) who had graduated from high school were enrolled in college or university and 59 (73%) had elected in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or health majors.

Conclusion

Rural high school pipeline programs could be a tool to motivate high school students to attend college and ultimately to develop physicians who are interested to practice in medically underserved areas.
Event structure and argument realization in English zero-derived nominals with particles
Authors: Iordachioaia Gianina
Published: October 2020

This paper is concerned with the morphosyntax of deverbal zero-derived nominals (e.g., to climb > a climb), which have received much less attention in the literature than suffix-based nominals (cf. the climb-ing, the examin-ation, the assign-ment). In the generative literature, in particular, after Grimshaw’s (1990) seminal work on suffix-based nominals and their possibility to inherit verbal event and argument structure, zero-derived nouns have been claimed to lack such properties: e.g., in syntax-based models of word formation, which take argument realization in deverbal nouns to indicate the inheritance of functional structure from the base verb, they have been analyzed as derived not from a verb but from an uncategorized root, as implemented in Borer (2013). Following Rappaport-Hovav and Levin’s (1998) theory of event structure and argument realization, I investigate zero-derived nouns built from verbs with preposed and postposed particles and show that they may realize argument structure on their event readings, which can only come about from the event structure of their base verbs.
Wenn {aber} der Topf {aber} nun ein Loch hat ...
Authors: Breitbarth Anne
Published: October 2020

While the literature on adversative aber in German to date has almost exclusively focused on independent clauses, and at best treated its occurrence in adverbial clauses in passing as a variant of postinitial aber in independent clauses (M´etrich and Courdier 1995, Pasch et al. 2003), the current paper focuses on the distribution and interpretation of adversative aber in adverbial clauses. It is shown that aber can have two different scopes, either contrasting two clauses, or two smaller contituents. These scopes are shown to have different prosodic correlates. It is argued that aber occupies the specifier of a functional projection in the upper middle field, and that it interacts with the mapping from syntax to prosody. Some displacements are argued to be interface-driven, to enable constituents to reach or avoid positions where they can be assigned a (contrastive) pitch accent. The diachronic development of adversative aber is shown to interact with the diachronic development of the Wackernagel position for unstressed pronouns.
COMP-trace effects in German: the role of processing
Authors: Schippers Ankelien , Vogelzang Margreet , Öwerdieck David
Published: October 2020

This article reports on the processing and comprehension of COMP-trace violations in German. The status of the COMP-trace effect in German is a controversial issue. It has been argued that judgments on long-distance (LD) subject questions are distorted because of parsing problems in the main clause, the embedded clause, or both, and that LD subject questions are sometimes misinterpreted as object questions. Our self-paced reading data shows that processing difficulties with LD subject questions occur in the embedded clause, not the main clause, particularly at the point at which an embedded subject gap is postulated. Our study furthermore shows that readers are garden-pathed towards object readings of subject long-distance questions, but only when the embedded clause contains a case-ambiguous DP. A case-ambiguous DP thus functions as a superficial work-around for a COMP-trace violation. As we argue, our data support the view that German has a genuine COMP-trace effect and that potential parsing problems only occur in the context of local ambiguities. We propose that differences in the magnitude and fatality of COMP-trace violations between languages can be explained by formulating the COMP-trace effect in terms of accessibility, rather than a categorical syntactic constraint.
Soviet meta-jokes: tradition and continuity
Authors: Astapova Anastasiya
Published: October 2020

This article provides the first published collection and analysis of Soviet meta-jokes, accompanied by a review of meta-joke research, and a discussion of the ways that scholars have understood the term. As far as possible, the Soviet meta-jokes published here appear in chronological order with the goal of showing how, with the help of certain intertextual links, these jokes reflected political and historical changes in joke-telling culture. Soviet meta-jokes captured how joking traditions developed, which joke cycles were especially productive and popular, and how people in the Soviet Union reacted to various jokes. I also show in this article how the characteristics of meta-jokes that have been identified in previous research are applicable to Soviet meta-jokes, and how their political content makes them distinctive from, for instance, mainstream Anglophone meta-jokes. Given the lack of meta-data on the Soviet joking tradition (due to the authoritarian regime), meta-jokes serve as a valuable social commentary on the tradition of Soviet joke-telling. The article concludes with several examples of meta-jokes from post-Soviet countries, demonstrating that such texts remain chiefly political; at the same time, I show how much more complex and sophisticated meta-jokes have become in the course of their development, both in terms of structure and content. The fieldwork-drawn materials from contemporary Belarus allow me to observe meta-jokes as they are told in a variety of forms and contexts—something impossible for the Soviet jokes (mostly archived without any context). The article documents, among others, multi-level meta-jokes from contemporary Belarus, showing how they keep seemingly old or extinct Soviet jokes topical.
Scrutinising intertextuality in humour: moving beyond cultural literacy and towards critical literacy
Authors: Tsakona Villy
Published: October 2020

Humourists often resort to previous texts to create their jokes, thus establishing intertextual links between them. Consequently, the processing of such jokes presupposes specific cultural literacy skills which enable speakers to recognise the allusions and interpret them in the new humorous contexts. It has, however, been suggested that speakers’ emphasis on cultural literacy skills for processing allusions and humour may discourage or even impede them from adopting a critical perspective on humorous texts and the allusions included therein. The present study explores this interplay among intertextuality, cultural literacy, critical literacy, and humour in order to underscore the need for critical approaches to humorous texts and intertextuality. It critically analyses political jokes to demonstrate how the intertextual references contributing to their humorous effect create three sets of opposing groups: (a) those who create/tell the jokes vs. those who are targeted by them; (b) the ‘culturally literate’ who employ and understand the intertextual references vs. the ‘culturally illiterate’ who cannot and/or do not do that; and (c) those who agree vs. those who disagree with the ideological presuppositions of the humorous allusions and texts at hand. Based on incongruity and superiority theories of humour, the proposed analysis intends to argue, and pave the way, for more critical perspectives on humorous genres, whether outside or inside educational settings. Such perspectives could sensitise speakers to the fact that humour and intertextuality divide them into opposing groups such as the above-mentioned ones.
Plastome structure and adaptive evolution ofCalanthes.l. species
Authors: Chen Yanqiong , Zhong Hui , Zhu Yating , Huang Yuanzhen , Wu Shasha , Liu Zhongjian , Lan Siren , Zhai Junwen
Published: October 2020

Calanthes.l. is the most diverse group in the tribe Collabieae (Orchidaceae), which are pantropical in distribution. Illumina sequencing followed byde novoassembly was used in this study, and the plastid genetic information ofCalanthes.l. was used to investigate the adaptive evolution of this taxon. Herein, the complete plastome of fiveCalanthes.l. species (Calanthe davidii,Styloglossum lyroglossa,Preptanthe rubens,Cephalantheropsis obcordata, andPhaius tankervilliae) were determined, and the two other published plastome sequences ofCalanthes.l. were added for comparative analyses to examine the evolutionary pattern of the plastome in the alliance. The seven plastomes ranged from 150,181 bp (C. delavayi) to 159,014 bp (C. davidii) in length and were all mapped as circular structures. Except for the threendhgenes (ndhC,ndhF, andndhK) lost inC.delavayi, the remaining six species contain identical gene orders and numbers (115 gene). Nucleotide diversity was detected across the plastomes, and we screened 14 mutational hotspot regions, including 12 non-coding regions and two gene regions. For the adaptive evolution investigation, three species showed positive selected genes compared with others,C. obcordata(cemA),S. lyroglossa(infA, ycf1andycf2) andC. delavayi(nad6andndhB). Six genes were under site-specific positive selection inCalanthes.l., namely,accD,ndhB,ndhD,rpoC2,ycf1, andycf2, most of which are involved in photosynthesis. These results, including the new plastomes, provide resources for the comparative plastome, breeding, and plastid genetic engineering of orchids and flowering plants.
Upper-room ultraviolet air disinfection might help to reduce COVID-19 transmission in buildings: a feasibility study
Authors: Beggs Clive B. , Avital Eldad J.
Published: October 2020

As the world’s economies come out of the lockdown imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an urgent need for technologies to mitigate COVID-19 transmission in confined spaces such as buildings. This feasibility study looks at one such technology, upper-room ultraviolet (UV) air disinfection, that can be safely used while humans are present in the room space, and which has already proven its efficacy as an intervention to inhibit the transmission of airborne diseases such as measles and tuberculosis. Using published data from various sources, it is shown that the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the causative agent of COVID-19, is highly likely to be susceptible to UV-C damage when suspended in air, with a UV susceptibility constant likely to be in the region 0.377–0.590 m2/J, similar to that for other aerosolised coronaviruses. As such, the UV-C flux required to disinfect the virus is expected to be acceptable and safe for upper-room applications. Through analysis of expected and worst-case scenarios, the efficacy of the upper-room UV-C approach for reducing COVID-19 transmission in confined spaces (with moderate but sufficient ceiling height) is demonstrated. Furthermore, it is shown that with SARS-CoV-2, it should be possible to achieve high equivalent air change rates using upper-room UV air disinfection, suggesting that the technology might be particularly applicable to poorly ventilated spaces.
Profitability Analysis and Factors Influencing Profit Level of Small-Scale Broiler Farmers in Nigeria
Authors: John Afodu Osagie , Adenike Shobo Bolatito , Ayodeji Ayo-Bello Taofeek , Frances Abasilim Chinwe
Published: October 2020

Broiler birds are widely praised for its palatability and nutritious values which are mainly for meat purpose, and also serves as source of income to many households in Nigeria. The broiler industry is faced with high cost of production thereby reducing the farmers profit. The study was conducted in three Geopolitical zones in Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was adopted for this study for the selection of 540 broilers farmers out which 392 returned a well filled questionnaire where data were extracted for the study. Data for this study were analysed using descriptive (frequency and percent) budgetary analysis and inferential (Logit regression) statistics. Factors affecting the profit level of broiler farmers were age (γ1= -0.145, p= 10%), households size (γ3= -5.477, p=10%), educational status of the farmers (γ4= 0.228, p= 5%), number of birds (γ7= 0.575, p= 5%), cost of feed (γ8= -1.022, p= 1%), cost of water (γ9= -1.277, p= 1%), cost of drugs (γ10= -1.640, p= 5%) and cost of chick (γ11= -7.104, p= 1%). Young people should be encouraged to be involved in production of broiler, since agriculture has aging population and help in employment creation. Farmers should maintain a low number of households so as to increase their profit. The farmers should have some forms of education on the production of broilers so as to enhance their profit.
Parameters and States Estimates of COVID-19 Model Using Lagrange Polynomial, Least Square Approximation and Kenya Quarantine Data
Authors: Ngari Cyrus Gitonga , Muthuri Grace Gakii , James Mirgichan Khobocha
Published: October 2020

Aims/ Objectives: To develop a compartment based mathematical model, fit daily quarantine data from Ministry of Health of Kenya, estimate individuals in latency and infected in general community and predict dynamics of quarantine for the next 90 days.Study Design: Cross-sectional study.Place and Duration of Study: 13thMarch 2020 to 30th June 2020. 

Methodology: The population based model was developed using status and characteristic of COVID-19 infection. Quarantine data up to 30/6/2020 was fitted using integrating and differentiating theory of odes and numerical differentiation polynomials. Parameter and state estimates was approximated using least square. Simulations were carried out using ode Matlab solver. Daily community estimates of individuals in latency and infected were obtained together with daily estimate of rate of enlisting individual to quarantine center and their proportions were summarized.Results: The results indicated that maximum infection rate was equal 0.892999 recorded on 28/6/2020, average infection rate was 0.019958 and minimum 0.00012 on 26/6/2020.Conclusion: Predictions based on parameters and state averages indicated that the number of individuals in quarantine are expected to rise exponentially up to about 26,855 individuals by 130th day and remain constant up to 190th day.
Antifungal Resistance Pattern of Candida Species Isolated from High Vaginal Swabs of Women Attending a Hospital in Enugu State, Nigeria
Authors: Ezeadila Joachim Ohiakwu , Okoli Ikechukwu , Oyeka Christie Amaechi
Published: October 2020

There is an increase in non-albicans Candida (NAC) vulvovaginal candidiasis which is attributed to overuse of antifungal therapy and this has led to antifungal resistance. This study was aimed at determining the antifungal resistance pattern of some clinical isolates of Candida species. Eighty-eight (88) isolates were used which included Candida tropicalis (34), Candida Parapsilosis (21), Candida albicans (20), Candida krusei (7) and Candida glabrata (6). The drugs used were Fluconazole (25µg), Ketoconazole (10µg), Voriconazole (1µg), Nystatin (100Units), Amphotericin B (20µg), Flucytosine (1µg), Clotrimazole (10µg) and Itraconazole (50µg). The susceptibility testing was carried out using the M44-A standard method for yeast disk diffusion testing. Results showed that the percentages of Candida species resistant to Fluconazole, Ketoconazole, Voriconazole, Amphotericin B, Flucytosine, Clotrimazole and Itraconazole and Nystatin were 52.3%, 61.9%, 35.2%, 19.3%, 86.4%, 34.1%,  45.5% and 44.3%,  with inhibition zone diameters ≤14mm, ≤20mm, ≤13mm, <10mm, ≤11mm, ≤11mm, ≤13mm and no inhibition zone diameter respectively. Candida krusei was the most resistant species with 100% resistance to each of Fluconazole, Ketoconazole and Flucytosine. Candida tropicalis was the species with the highest susceptibility (79.4%) to Amphotericin B followed by Candida parapsilosis with inhibition zone diameters ≥15mm. While Candida glabrata showed 100% resistance to each of Flucytosine and Itraconazole, Candida albicans showed 100% resistance to Flucytosine only. Candida glabrata was the only Candida species with 0% resistance to Amphotericin B. The drug to which most of the Candida species were susceptible was Amphotericin B followed by Voriconazole while Flucytosine was the drug with the highest resistance followed by Ketoconazole and Fluconazole. The highest number of susceptible-dose dependent Candida isolates was observed with Ketoconazole (25%), followed by Clotrimazole and Itraconazole, each recording 23.9%. Based on the findings of the present study, Voriconazole is recommended for vaginal candidiasis especially in the study area and also especially for infections caused by Fluconazole-resistant Candida species. This suggests that routine sensitivity testing is pertinent to guiding the choice of antifungal therapy. Thus, indiscriminate use of antifungal drugs should be avoided to reduce the development and spread of resistance.
Cord Blood Bilirubin, Albumin and Bilirubin/Albumin Ratio versus Hydrogen Peroxide as Early Predictors of Significant Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia
Authors: Deghady Sohayla Abdel Rahman , Rowisha Mohamed Ahmed , Ibrahim Ashraf Mohamed , Kishk Walaa Arafa
Published: October 2020

Aims: To evaluate significance of cord blood bilirubin, albumin, bilirubin /albumin ratio and hydrogen peroxide as early predictors of significant neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

Place and Duration of Study: Egypt, Tanta University Hospital (at delivery room and follow up was done in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) over one year from April 2019 to April 2020.

Methodology: We included 80 neonates allocated into two groups (40 each), Group I included neonates with gestational age between 30 to less than 35 weeks, Group II neonates with gestational age ≥35 weeks. They were subjected to history taking, clinical assessment and lab investigations (cord blood albumin, bilirubin, hydrogen peroxide level and blood bilirubin/albumin ratio, 3rd day total and direct serum bilirubin level and others). Follow up done for developing jaundice on 3rd day.

Results: There was statistically significant increase in the incidence of significant hyperbilirubinemia in group I (82.5%) in comparison with group II (27.5%) (P-value <0.001). There was positive significant correlation between cord blood bilirubin (P<0.001), bilirubin/albumin ratio (P <0.001) and hydrogen peroxide (P=0.012 in GI) (P = 0.001 in GII) and 3rd day TSB levels in the studied groups. There was negative significant correlation between cord blood albumin and 3rd day TSB levels in the studied groups (P < 0.001). There was positive significant correlation between cord blood bilirubin (P <0.001 in GI) (P =0.024 in GII), bilirubin/ albumin ratio (P <0.001 in GI) (P =0.002 in GII) and hydrogen peroxide (P <0.001) and the duration of phototherapy in the studied groups. There was negative significant correlation between cord blood albumin and the duration of phototherapy in group I (P =0.001), while there was no significant correlation between cord blood albumin and the duration of phototherapy in group II (P = 0.118).

Conclusion: When comparing the four cord predictors for significant indirect hyperbilirubinemia; bilirubin/albumin ratio was the most accurate predictor with higher sensitivity and specificity, followed by cord blood bilirubin, then albumin, while hydrogen peroxide was the least accurate in all neonates ≥ 30 weeks.
Future Therapeutic Strategies in the Glaucoma Management
Authors: Abdulsahib Waleed K.
Published: October 2020

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases in which progressive damage to the ocular nerves may cause retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death. Worldwide glaucoma is a leading cause of avoidable blindness. Intraocular pressure (IOP) is considering to be the main identified cause of danger so far, and lowering intraocular pressure is the only recognized technique for inhibiting disease progression. Furthermore, blood vessels and genetic components of glaucoma are considered additional risk factors. In order to realize the potential progress of glaucoma treatment, new treatment strategies and ambitious goals are constantly being developing. These treatments will provide specific tissue goals to reduce IOP and ensure neuroprotective effects on RGCs. Consequently, physicians can shortly have an expanded range of medical choices to choose from, coupled with therapies that are more successful. Therefore, this study has reviewed the recent studies that were conducted on cellular mechanisms of glaucoma treatment.
Chemical and molecular bases of dome formation in human colorectal cancer cells mediated by sulphur compounds from Cucumis melo var. conomon
Authors: Kamimura Miyu , Sasaki Azusa , Watanabe Shimpei , Tanaka Shiho , Fukukawa Akiko , Takeda Kazuya , Nakamura Yasushi , Nakamura Takako , Kuramochi Kouji , Otani Yui , Hashimoto Fumio , Ishimaru Kanji , Matsuo Tomoaki , Okamoto Shigehisa
Published: October 2020

Colorectal cancer was the third most commonly diagnosed malignant tumor and the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide in 2012. A human colorectal cancer cell line, RCM‐1, was established from a colon cancer tissue diagnosed as a well‐differentiated rectum adenocarcinoma. RCM‐1 cells spontaneously form ‘domes’ (formerly designated ‘ducts’) resembling villiform structures. Two sulphur‐containing compounds from Cucumis melo var. conomon (Katsura‐uri, or Japanese pickling melon), referred to as 3‐methylthiopropionic acid ethyl ester (MTPE) and methylthioacetic acid ethyl ester (MTAE), can induce the differentiation of the unorganized cell mass of an RCM‐1 human colorectal cancer cell culture into a dome. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of such dome formation have not been previously reported. Here, we performed a structure–activity relationship analysis, which indicated that methylthioacetic acid (MTA) was the lowest molecular weight compound with the most potent dome‐inducing activity among 37 MTPE and MTAE analogues, and the methylthio group was essential for this activity. According to our microarray analysis, MTA resulted in down‐regulation of 537 genes and up‐regulation of 117 genes. Furthermore, MTA caused down‐regulation of many genes involved in cell‐cycle control, with the cyclin E2 (CCNE2) and cell division cycle 25A (CDC25A) genes being the most significantly reduced. Pharmacological analysis showed that the administration of two cell‐cycle inhibitors for inactivating CDC25A phosphatase (NSC95397) and the cyclin E2/cyclin‐dependent kinase 2 complex (purvalanol A) increased the dome number independently of MTA. Altogether, our results indicate that MTA is the minimum unit required to induce dome formation, with the down‐regulation of CDC25A and possibly CCNE2 being important steps in this process.
MgAl Hydride Films for Enhanced Energy Conversion Efficiency of a Laser‐Driven Flyer
Authors: Wang Liang , Ai Mengting , Zhang Wanli , Jiang Hongchuan , Wang Yao , Qin Wenzhi , Zhang Long , Ji Xiangbo , Li Yong , Tang Duo
Published: October 2020

Al, MgAl, and MgAl hydride films with an overall thickness of 1 μm are prepared by magnetron sputtering. Their surface morphology, structure, and heat properties are investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and laser flash method. XRD results confirm that hydrogen is successfully stored in the MgAl hydride films as MgH2 and Mg(AlH4)2 are observed. Laser flash results show that the thermal diffusivity of MgAl hydride film is equivalent to MgAl film and much lower than Al film. Furthermore, these films are irradiated by pulsed lasers under 20.4, 30.6, 49.8, and 51 J cm−2, and their ability to launch 20 μm thick Al flyers is tested by measuring the flyer velocity using a photonic Doppler velocimetry. Results show that the velocity of Al flyers launched by MgAl hydride films is 1704 m s−1, 1816.8, 2451.6, and 2640 m s−1, respectively. The corresponding energy conversion efficiency is 38.5%, 29.1%, 39.8%, and 36.9%, respectively. Overall, there is a 30% and 140% increase in energy conversion efficiency for MgAl hydride films compared with MgAl and Al films. Therefore, MgAl hydride films serve as a good candidate for improving the energy conversion efficiency of a laser‐driven flyer.
Defects in a Laser Powder Bed Fused Tool Steel
Authors: Platl Jan , Leitner Harald , Turk Christoph , Demir Ali Gökhan , Previtali Barbara , Schnitzer Ronald
Published: October 2020

Compared to conventional fabrication methods, additive manufacturing (AM) introduces new opportunities in terms of design freedom and part complexity due to the incremental layer‐by‐layer process. For tooling applications, higher cutting speeds can be realized by implementing of internal cooling channels in tools that could not be fabricated otherwise. However, processability of high‐alloyed tool steels with laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) faces certain restrictions. In addition to pore formation, severe cracking caused by a combination of process‐related stresses due to the high thermal gradient and susceptible materials may occur. This work aims to clarify the occurrence of process‐related defects in dependence of the applied energy input of a high‐alloyed cold‐work tool steel and to correlate it to the evolution of microstructure respectively solidification structure. Defect surfaces and structural evolution are investigated. The results exhibit that with increasing energy input porosity changes from lack‐of‐fusion to keyhole porosity. Most recently published investigations suggest cold cracking as predominant failure mechanism during LPBF of tool steels. However, for the investigated material, the present study clearly reveals that, irrespective of the chosen energy input, hot cracks are formed. Crack propagation can be connected to the solidification structure and possible thermal stress accumulations caused by the process.
Ultrafast Exciton Transport with a Long Diffusion Length in Layered Perovskites with Organic Cation Functionalization
Authors: Xiao Xun , Wu Marvin , Ni Zhenyi , Xu Shuang , Chen Shangshang , Hu Jun , Rudd Peter Neil , You Wei , Huang Jinsong
Published: October 2020

Layered perovskites have been employed for various optoelectronic devices including solar cells and light‐emitting diodes for improved stability, which need exciton transport along both the in‐plane and the out‐of‐plane directions. However, it is not clear yet what determines the exciton transport along the in‐plane direction, which is important to understand its impact toward electronic devices. Here, by employing both steady‐state and transient photoluminescence mapping, it is found that in‐plane exciton diffusivities in layered perovskites are sensitive to both the number of layers and organic cations. Apart from exciton–phonon coupling, the octahedral distortion is revealed to significantly affect the exciton diffusion process, determined by temperature‐dependent photoluminescence, light‐intensity‐dependent time‐resolved photoluminescence, and density function theory calculations. A simple fluorine substitution to phenethylammonium for the organic cations to tune the structural rigidity and octahedral distortion yields a record exciton diffusivity of 1.91 cm2 s−1 and a diffusion length of 405 nm along the in‐plane direction. This study provides guidance to manipulate exciton diffusion by modifying organic cations in layered perovskites.
Photoconductive Meta‐Antenna Enabling Terahertz Amplitude Spectrum Manipulation
Authors: Shi Xichen , Wang Kemeng , Gu Jianqiang , An Youwen , Jia Ridong , Tian Zhen , Ouyang Chunmei , Han Jiaguang , Zhang Weili
Published: October 2020

In recent years, as a promising new method, integrating nanostructures to improve the power of photoconductive antennas has received widespread attention. However, there are few reports on the application of artificial electromagnetic structures to regulate the spectral features of photoconductive antennas. Herein, it is demonstrated that by integrating split‐ring resonator (SRR)‐like metallic structures onto the coplanar lines of the photoconductive antenna transmitter, one can significantly manipulate the spectral feature of the generated terahertz (THz) radiation. The guided THz wave along the coplanar lines is scattered by the SRRs to the far field and interferes with the THz pulse radiated from the photoconductive antenna gap, leading to enhancement of the photoconductive antenna's energy and modulation in the spectrum. Further studies have shown that the strength, frequency, and band‐pass/band‐stop characteristics of the modulation can be altered by changing the geometry and placement of the SRRs. Water vapor absorption is also discussed to exemplify the benefit of this novel meta‐antenna over the ordinary photoconductive antenna in sensing scenario. The photoconductive antenna proposed here takes the lead in using artificial structures to manipulate the spectral domain behavior of photoconductive antennas, which is of great significance for THz spectroscopy, imaging, and sensing.
Air‐Stable 2D Intrinsic Ferromagnetic Ta3FeS6 with Four Months Durability
Authors: Su Jianwei , Wang Mingshan , Liu Guiheng , Li Huiqiao , Han Junbo , Zhai Tianyou
Published: October 2020

2D ferromagnetic materials provide an important platform for the fundamental magnetic research at atomic‐layer thickness which has great prospects for next‐generation spintronic devices. However, the currently discovered 2D ferromagnetic materials (such as, CrI3, Cr2Ge2Te6, and Fe3GeTe2) suffer from poor air stability, which hinders their practical application. Herein, intrinsic long‐range ferromagnetic order in 2D Ta3FeS6 is reported, which exhibits ultrahigh stability under the atmospheric environment. The intrinsic ferromagnetism of few‐layer Ta3FeS6 is revealed by polar magneto‐optical Kerr effect measurement, which exhibits giant MOKE response and has Curie temperature of ≈80 K. More importantly, few‐layer Ta3FeS6 nanosheet exhibits excellent air stability and its ferromagnetism remains unchanged after 4 months of aging under the atmosphere. This work enriches the family of 2D ferromagnetic materials, which will facilitate the research progress of spintronics.
The Case for Healthy U.S.‐China Agricultural Trade Relations despite Deglobalization Pressures
Authors: Zhang Wendong
Published: October 2020

The COVID‐19 pandemic is crippling the global economy and heightening distrust and political disagreements among major countries. Furthermore, ongoing deglobalization efforts taken by firms and countries are fueling the rise of economic nationalism. A prime example is the possible decoupling of US–China economic and trade relations, which the ongoing trade war has already significantly disrupted. This paper analyzes the impacts of COVID‐19 on US agricultural exports to China, especially the added delays and uncertainty regarding China's food imports meeting the US–China phase one trade deal target. I present the views of US farmers and the general public toward China and argue that healthy US–China agricultural trade relations are not only critical for both countries but welcomed by US farmers. I also discuss the possible rise in nontariff barriers following the pandemic as well as trade policies that are increasingly intertwined with political tensions. Finally, I discuss how the US–China phase one trade deal could possibly lead to a more balanced bilateral agricultural trade portfolio with greater share of protein and retail food products.
Tree legume enhances livestock performance in a silvopasture system
Authors: Gomes da Silva I. A. , Dubeux J. C. B. , de Melo A. C. L. , da Cunha M. V. , dos Santos M. V. F. , Apolinário V. X. O. , de Freitas E. V.
Published: October 2020

Silvopastoral systems (SPSs) can increase overall productivity and long‐term income due to the simultaneous production of trees, forage, and livestock. This 2‐yr study evaluated animal performance and herbage responses in C4–grass monoculture or in SPS in the subhumid tropical region of Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three replications. Treatments were: Urochloa decumbens (Stapf.) R. Webster (Signalgrass) + Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth (SPS–mimosa), Signalgrass + Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth ex Walp (SPS–gliricidia), and signalgrass monoculture (SM). Response variables included herbage and livestock responses. Cattle were managed under continuous stocking with variable stocking rate. There was a treatment × month interaction for herbage mass. Green herbage accumulation rate ranged from 20 to 80 kg dry matter ha−1 d−1 across months, with SPS–mimosa presenting lower rates. Average daily gain was greater in SPS–gliricidia, followed by SM and SPS–mimosa (0.77, 0.56, and 0.23 kg d−1, respectively), varying across months. Stocking rate ranged from 0.86 to 1.6 AU ha−1. Total gain per area during the experimental period was greater for SPS–gliricidia (423 kg body weight [BW] ha−1), followed by signalgrass in monoculture (347 kg BW ha−1) and SPS–mimosa (50 kg BW ha−1). Silvopasture systems using signalgrass and gliricidia enhanced livestock gains compared with signalgrass in monoculture, and mimosa trees outcompeted signalgrass, reducing livestock gains. Silvopasture systems with tree legumes have the potential to provide numerous ecosystem services and to reduce the C footprint of livestock systems in the tropics; however, the choice of tree species is key and is determined by which ecosystem service is prioritized.
Novel pathogenic genomic variants leading to autosomal dominant and recessive Robinow syndrome
Authors: Zhang Chaofan , Mazzeu Juliana F. , Eisfeldt Jesper , Grochowski Christopher M. , White Janson , Akdemir Zeynep C. , Jhangiani Shalini N. , Muzny Donna M. , Gibbs Richard A. , Lindstrand Anna , Lupski James R. , Sutton V. Reid , Carvalho Claudia M. B.
Published: October 2020

Robinow syndrome (RS) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by skeletal dysplasia and a distinctive facial appearance. Previous studies have revealed locus heterogeneity with rare variants in DVL1, DVL3, FZD2, NXN, ROR2, and WNT5A underlying the etiology of RS. The aforementioned “Robinow‐associated genes” and their gene products all play a role in the WNT/planar cell polarity signaling pathway. We performed gene‐targeted Sanger sequencing, exome sequencing, genome sequencing, and array comparative genomic hybridization on four subjects with a clinical diagnosis of RS who had not had prior DNA testing. Individuals in our cohort were found to carry pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in three RS related genes: DVL1, ROR2, and NXN. One subject was found to have a nonsense variant (c.817C > T [p.Gln273*]) in NXN in trans with an ~1 Mb telomeric deletion on chromosome 17p containing NXN, which supports our contention that biallelic NXN variant alleles are responsible for a novel autosomal recessive RS locus. These findings provide increased understanding of the role of WNT signaling in skeletal development and maintenance. These data further support the hypothesis that dysregulation of the noncanonical WNT pathway in humans gives rise to RS.
Towards a Single Chemical Model for Understanding Lanthanide Hexaborides
Authors: Munarriz Julen , Robinson Paul J. , Alexandrova Anastassia N.
Published: October 2020

Lanthanide hexaborides (LnB6) have disparate and often anomalous properties, from structurally homogeneous mixed valency, to superconductivity, spectral anomalies, and unexplained phase transitions. It is unclear how such a diversity of properties may arise in the solids of identical crystal structures and seemingly very similar electronic structures. Building on our previous model for SmB6 (mixed valent, with a peak in specific heat, and pressure induced magnetic phase transitions), we present a unifying dynamic bonding model for LnB6 that explains simultaneously EuB6 (possessing an anomalous peak in specific heat at low T, magnetic phase transitions, and no mixed valency), YbB6 (mixed valent topological insulator), and rather ordinary LaB6. We show that Ln can engage in covalent bonding with boron, and, in some members of the LnB6 family, also easily access alternative bonding states through the electron–phonon coupling. The accessibility, relative energetics, and bonding nature of the states involved dictate the properties.
Extended Multicomponent Reactions with Indole Aldehydes: Access to Unprecedented Polyheterocyclic Scaffolds, Ligands of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor
Authors: Ghashghaei Ouldouz , Pedrola Marina , Seghetti Francesca , Martin Victor V. , Zavarce Ricardo , Babiak Michal , Novacek Jiri , Hartung Frederick , Rolfes Katharina M. , Haarmann‐Stemmann Thomas , Lavilla Rodolfo
Published: October 2020

The participation of reactants undergoing a polarity inversion along a multicomponent reaction allows the continuation of the transformation with productive domino processes. Thus, indole aldehydes in Groebke–Blackburn–Bienaymé reactions lead to an initial adduct which spontaneously triggers a series of events leading to the discovery of novel reaction pathways together with direct access to a variety of linked, fused, and bridged polyheterocyclic scaffolds. Indole 3‐ and 4‐carbaldehydes with suitable isocyanides and aminoazines afford fused adducts through oxidative Pictet–Spengler processes, whereas indole 2‐carbaldehyde yields linked indolocarbazoles under mild conditions, and a bridged macrocycle at high temperature. These novel structures are potent activators of the human aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling pathway.
Aromatic bisphenolA‐basedelastomers via hydrosilylation chemistry
Authors: Schear Mollie B. , Neal Arianna , Clarke Jadah S. , Saab Andrew P. , Giller Carl B. , Casalini Riccardo , Laskoski Matthew
Published: October 2020

The preparation of highly aromatic elastomers from a bisphenol A‐based divinyl‐terminated resin and polymerization with various aromatic silane containing compounds utilizing a room temperature hydrosilylation reaction is demonstrated. The polymers exhibit high thermal and oxidative stability with 5% weight losses around 430 and 350°C and char yields ranging from 35% to 40%. The thermosets maintained their elastomeric properties with good hardness and mechanical properties as measured by elongation measurements. The toughness of the thermosets was not improved with the inclusion of aromatic moieties but the hardness did appear to increase with the addition of more aromatic groups.
Electroactive interpenetrated biohydrogels as hybrid materials based on conducting polymers
Authors: Molina Brenda G. , Llampayas Ariadna , Fabregat Georgina , Estrany Francesc , Alemán Carlos , Torras Juan
Published: October 2020

Different levels of interpenetration of poly(hydroxymethyl‐3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PHMeDOT) inside a poly‐γ‐glutamic acid (γPGA) biohydrogel matrix, previously loaded with microparticles of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), have been obtained. The degree of interpenetration has shown influence on the morphological and electrochemical properties of the resulting biohydrogel ([PEDOT/γPGA]PHMeDOT) with a maximum after 1 h of PHMeDOT polymerization time. The high biocompatibility of all biohydrogel components, together with the combination of mechanical properties of γPGA hydrogels with the electrochemical properties of interconnected microparticles of PEDOT, makes it a promising material for next generation of biosensors.
Intelligent educational cyber‐physical systems for college English course
Authors: Xiaolin Jia
Published: October 2020

Cyber‐physical systems (CPS) refer to the incorporation of computing systems in physical world procedures. In the present systems, researchers are facing some difficulties, such as their use in school and colleges, which need to be resolved in CPS. In this paper, we offer a model for the inclusion of physical settings with an artificial intelligent adjustment system to bridge the gap between teaching and intelligent educational cyber systems. Furthermore, this paper provides a definition and description of Adaptive English Cyber personalized systematic Algorithm with nano‐class. Finally, we develop a prototype of advanced educational cyber‐physical system using Intelligent Classification Algorithm for the English course in the college for effective teaching.
Know how employment law considerations apply to work‐from‐home arrangements
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: October 2020

As your staff members continue working from home due to school closures, day care dilemmas, and other complications related to the pandemic, colleges and universities face unique challenges in trying to balance operational needs with legal requirements. In a webinar sponsored by the Employment Law Alliance, several attorneys specializing in employment law provided advice to help college and university administrators manage these challenges.
Disentangling the therapeutic tactics in GBM: From bench to bedside and beyond
Authors: Daisy Precilla S. , Kuduvalli Shreyas S. , Thirugnanasambandhar Sivasubramanian Anitha
Published: October 2020

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most common and malignant form of adult brain tumor with a high mortality rate and dismal prognosis. The present standard treatment comprising surgical resection followed by radiation and chemotherapy using temozolomide can broaden patient's survival to some extent. However, the advantages are not palliative due to the development of resistance to the drug and tumor recurrence following the multimodal treatment approaches due to both intra‐ and intertumoral heterogeneity of GBM. One of the major contributors to temozolomide resistance is O6‐methylguanine‐DNA methyltransferase. Furthermore, deficiency of mismatch repair, base excision repair, and cytoprotective autophagy adds to temozolomide obstruction. Rising proof additionally showed that a small population of cells displaying certain stem cell markers, known as glioma stem cells, adds on to the resistance and tumor progression. Collectively, these findings necessitate the discovery of novel therapeutic avenues for treating glioblastoma. As of late, after understanding the pathophysiology and biology of GBM, some novel therapeutic discoveries, such as drug repurposing, targeted molecules, immunotherapies, antimitotic therapies, and microRNAs, have been developed as new potential treatments for glioblastoma. To help illustrate, “what are the mechanisms of resistance to temozolomide” and “what kind of alternative therapeutics can be suggested” with this fatal disease, a detailed history of these has been discussed in this review article, all with a hope to develop an effective treatment strategy for GBM.
Delayed presentation of left traumatic diaphragmatic hernia with displacement of spleen and stomach to left hemi thorax
Authors: Marzban‐Rad Saeid , Sattari Parastesh , Taheri Hamid Reza
Published: October 2020

We presented a case of late onset of left traumatic diaphragmatic hernia with displacement of spleen and stomach to the left hemi thorax, a year after the trauma. Gastric and respiratory complications along with herniation should be immediately managed, in order to reduce the risk of cardiac arrest and mortality.
Regulating Mitochondrial pH with Light and Implications for Chemoresistance
Authors: Zhao Tinghan , Wan Zhaoxiong , Sambath Karthik , Yu Shupei , Uddin Mehrun Nahar , Zhang Yuanwei , Belfield Kevin D.
Published: October 2020

Chemoresistance is one of the major challenges for cancer treatment, more recently ascribed to defective mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP), significantly diminishing chemotherapeutic agent‐induced apoptosis. A boron‐dipyrromethene (BODIPY) chromophore‐based triarylsulfonium photoacid generator (BD‐PAG) was used to target mitochondria with the aim to regulate mitochondrial pH and further depolarize the mitochondrial membrane. Cell viability assays demonstrated the relative biocompatibility of BD‐PAG in the dark while live cell imaging suggested high accumulation in mitochondria. Specific assays indicated that BD‐PAG is capable of regulating mitochondrial pH with significant effects on mitochondrial membrane depolarization. Therapeutic tests using chlorambucil in combination with BD‐PAG revealed a new strategy in chemoresistance suppression.
Single Copper Atoms Supported on ZnS as an Efficient Catalyst for Electrochemical Reduction of CO to CH3OH
Authors: Kour Gurpreet , Mao Xin , Du Aijun
Published: October 2020

The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) or carbon monoxide (CO) into fuels and value‐added products such as methane, methanol or ethanol are promising strategies to mitigate the carbon levels in the environment. Single‐atom catalysts (SAC) have attained much attention in the recent years due to their high activity, selectivity and maximum atom utilization. In this work, single copper atoms anchored on ZnS (Zinc Blende) and ZnO (Wurtzite) were investigated for CO reduction by using density functional theory calculations for the first time. Cu atom supported on ZnS exhibited high activity as well as selectivity towards the reduction of CO to methanol (CH3OH) with a limiting potential of only −0.19 V, while Cu/ZnO exhibited a very large negative value of the limiting potential for the reduction of CO to CH3OH. This work may prove helpful for the design of efficient single‐atom catalysts for the electrocatalytic reactions.