bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome‐wide detection of ultralow‐frequency substitution mutations in cultures of mouse lymphoma L5178Y cells and Caenorhabditis elegans worms by PacBio sequencing
Authors: Miranda Jaime A. , Alund Alexander W. , Yan Jian , McKinzie Page B. , Dobrovolsky Vasily N. , Revollo Javier R.
Published: February 2022

Many conventional genetic toxicology assays require specialized cell cultures or animals and can only detect mutations that inactivate the function of a reporter gene. These limitations make such assays incompatible with many toxicological models but could be overcome by the development of techniques capable of directly detecting genome‐wide somatic mutations through DNA sequencing. PacBio sequencing can generate almost error‐free consensus reads by repeatedly inspecting both DNA strands from circularized molecules (a method known as PacBio HiFi). In this study, we show that PacBio HiFi can detect genome‐wide ultralow‐frequency substitution mutations in cultures of mouse lymphoma L5178Y cells and Caenorhabditis elegans worms. The mutation frequencies (MFs) of unexposed samples in both models were ~1 × 10−7 mutations per base pair. Compared to these controls, PacBio HiFi detected MF increases of 23‐fold in cultures of L5178Y cells exposed to 5 mM ethyl methanosulfonate (EMS) for 4 h, and 5‐, 12‐, and 29‐fold in cultures of C. elegans worms exposed to 12.5, 25, and 50 mM EMS for 4 h, respectively. In both models, the mutation spectra of controls were diverse, while those derived from EMS‐exposed samples were dominated by C:G → T:A transitions. To validate these results, clone sequencing analyses were performed on the same cultures of L5178Y cells. The results obtained by clone sequencing and PacBio HiFi were almost identical. Our results suggest that PacBio sequencing could be used for the detection, quantitation, and characterization of mutations in any DNA‐containing sample, including those that are not compatible with conventional mutation detection approaches.
Illustrating a Species Sensitivity Distribution for Nano- and Microplastic Particles Using Bayesian Hierarchical Modeling
Authors: Takeshita Kazutaka M. , Iwasaki Yuichi , Sinclair Thomas M. , Hayashi Takehiko I. , Naito Wataru
Published: February 2022

Environmental contamination with nano- and microplastic (NMP) particles is an emerging global concern. The derivation of species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) is an essential step in estimating a hazardous concentration for 5% of the species (HC5), and this HC5 value is often used as a “safe” concentration in ecological risk assessment, that is, predicted-no-effect concentration. Although properties of plastics such as particle size can affect toxic effect concentrations, such influences have not yet been quantitatively considered in estimating SSDs for NMP particles. We illustrate a log-normal SSD using chronic lowest-observed-effect concentrations (LOECs) of NMP particles from readily available toxicity data sets, considering the influence of particle size, polymer type, and freshwater or marine test media by adopting Bayesian hierarchical modeling techniques. Results of the hierarchical SSD modeling suggest that the SSD mean was negatively associated with particle size and was lower in marine media than in freshwater media. The posterior medians of the HC5 estimated from the LOEC-based SSD varied by a factor of 10 depending on these factors (e.g., 1.8–20 μg/L for the particle size range of 0.1–5000 μm in the marine environment). Hierarchical SSD modeling allows us to clarify the influences of important factors such as NMP properties on effect concentrations, thereby helping to guide more relevant ecological risk assessments for NMP. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:954–960. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Abstract

Deriving species sensitivity distributions for nano- and microplastic particles that quantitatively incorporate the influence of particle size, polymer type, and freshwater or marine test media on toxic effect concentrations.
Physicochemical property and antioxidant activity of polysaccharide from the seed cakes of Camellia oleifera Abel
Authors: Wei Meidan , Hu Yuxin , Zou Wanshuang , Li Yanping , Cao Yiyang , Li Shangtong , Huang Jing , Xing Lingyu , Huang Bingjie , Wang Xiaoyin
Published: February 2022

Seed cake refers to the food by‐product of Camellia oleifera Abel, and its insufficient utilization can cause serious environment pollution and resource waste. This study aimed to investigate antioxidant activities of the polysaccharide from the seed cakes of Camellia oleifera Abel (COCP) in vitro and in vivo. The physicochemical property of COCP was also determined. COCP was characterized to be an acidic glycoprotein and mainly consisted of rhamnose (Rha), arabinose (Ara), galactose (Gal), glucose (Glc), xylose (Xyl), mannose (Man), and galacturonic acid (Gal‐UA). COCP exhibited the polysaccharide's characteristic absorption in the Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy and showed as sheet‐like structures with a smooth surface under the scanning electron microscope (SEM). COCP exerted good scavenging activities on ABTS, DPPH, and OH radicals, with IC50 values of 2.94, 2.24, and 5.09 mg/ml, respectively. COCP treatment improved learning and memory abilities of D‐galactose‐induced aging mice. Significant decreases were found in the levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine (CRE), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatine kinase (CK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum, as aging mice were supplemented with COCP. Aging mice showed obviously higher malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and lower superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activities in serum, brain, liver, kidney, and heart. The phenomena were noticeably reversed when mice were treated with COCP. Results indicated that COCP exerted excellent antioxidant activities in vitro and in vivo, which support its potential application as a natural antioxidant in food and medicine industries.
Novel nonthermal food processing practices: Their influences on nutritional and technological characteristics of cereal proteins
Authors: Mollakhalili‐Meybodi Neda , Nejati Roghayeh , Sayadi Mehran , Nematollahi Amene
Published: February 2022

Cereals, as the main crops cultivated and consumed in the world, are a rich source of carbohydrates, proteins, dietary fiber, and minerals. Despite the nutritional importance, their technological applicability in food matrices is also considerably important to be determined. Cereal processing is done to achieve goals as increasing the shelf‐life, obtaining the desired technological function, and enhancing the nutritional value. Nonthermal processing is preferred regarding its potential to provide beneficial impacts with minimum adverse effect. Technological functionality and nutritional performance are considered as the most basic challenges through cereal processing, with proteins as the main factor to take part in such roles. Technological and nutritional functionalities of proteins have been found to be changed through nonthermal processing, which is generally attributed to conformational and structural changes. Therefore, this study is aimed to investigate the impact of nonthermal processing on nutritional and technological characteristics of cereal proteins.
Pricing VXX options by modeling VIX directly
Authors: Lin Wei , Zhang Jin E.
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we first develop a theoretical and model‐free VXX formula in terms of Volatility Index (VIX) futures in both discrete and continuous forms. The discrete form of VXX can quantify the roll yield of VXX, which can be used to explain VXX's underperformance. Using the log‐normal Ornstein–Uhlenbeck (LOU) diffusion model, we show how the number of rolls of VIX futures affects the VXX option pricing formula and its implied volatility (IV). To further verify the nonflat IV of VXX, the VXX option pricing formula under the LOU with stochastic volatility model is also derived. Finally, we analyze their pricing performance, and the ability to forecast implied volatilities.
Gray matter volumetric correlates of dimensional impulsivity traits in children: Sex differences and heritability
Authors: Chen Yu , Ide Jaime S. , Li Clara S. , Chaudhary Shefali , Le Thang M. , Wang Wuyi , Zhornitsky Simon , Zhang Sheng , Li Chiang‐Shan R.
Published: February 2022

Previous research investigated the cerebral volumetric correlates of impulsivity largely in moderate‐sized samples and few have examined the distinct correlates of dimensions of impulsivity, sex differences, or heritability of the correlates. Here, we performed voxel‐based morphometry analysis of data (n = 11,474; 5,452 girls, 9–10 years) curated from the Adolescent Brain Cognition Development project. In a linear regression with all five UPPS‐P subscores as regressors and age in months, total intracranial volume, study site, and scanner model as covariates, higher levels of lack of premeditation, and sensation seeking were correlated with larger cortical and subcortical gray matter volumes (GMVs). In contrast, higher positive urgency was correlated with smaller GMVs in many of the same regions. The dimensional impulsivity traits also involved distinct volumetric correlates, with, for instance, sensation seeking and positive urgency specifically implicating bilateral caudate head/mid‐cingulate cortex and bilateral lateral orbitofrontal cortex/left precentral gyrus, respectively. Boys relative to girls scored higher in all impulsivity dimensions. Girls relative to boys showed significantly stronger positive and negative correlations between sensation seeking and insula, putamen, and inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) GMVs and between positive urgency and cingulate cortex, insula, and IFG GMVs, respectively. With a subsample of twins, the dimensional impulsivity traits were weakly to moderately heritable in both girls and boys, and the GMV correlates were highly heritable in girls and boys combined. These findings collectively suggest shared and nonshared as well as sex differences in the cerebral volumetric bases of dimensional impulsivity traits and may facilitate research of externalizing psychopathology in children.
Attention module improves both performance and interpretability of four‐dimensional functional magnetic resonance imaging decoding neural network
Authors: Jiang Zhoufan , Wang Yanming , Shi ChenWei , Wu Yueyang , Hu Rongjie , Chen Shishuo , Hu Sheng , Wang Xiaoxiao , Qiu Bensheng
Published: February 2022

Decoding brain cognitive states from neuroimaging signals is an important topic in neuroscience. In recent years, deep neural networks (DNNs) have been recruited for multiple brain state decoding and achieved good performance. However, the open question of how to interpret the DNN black box remains unanswered. Capitalizing on advances in machine learning, we integrated attention modules into brain decoders to facilitate an in‐depth interpretation of DNN channels. A four‐dimensional (4D) convolution operation was also included to extract temporo‐spatial interaction within the fMRI signal. The experiments showed that the proposed model obtains a very high accuracy (97.4%) and outperforms previous researches on the seven different task benchmarks from the Human Connectome Project (HCP) dataset. The visualization analysis further illustrated the hierarchical emergence of task‐specific masks with depth. Finally, the model was retrained to regress individual traits within the HCP and to classify viewing images from the BOLD5000 dataset, respectively. Transfer learning also achieves good performance. Further visualization analysis shows that, after transfer learning, low‐level attention masks remained similar to the source domain, whereas high‐level attention masks changed adaptively. In conclusion, the proposed 4D model with attention module performed well and facilitated interpretation of DNNs, which is helpful for subsequent research.
Decoding task specific and task general functional architectures of the brain
Authors: Gupta Sukrit , Lim Marcus , Rajapakse Jagath C.
Published: February 2022

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is used to capture complex and dynamic interactions between brain regions while performing tasks. Task related alterations in the brain have been classified as task specific and task general, depending on whether they are particular to a task or common across multiple tasks. Using recent attempts in interpreting deep learning models, we propose an approach to determine both task specific and task general architectures of the functional brain. We demonstrate our methods with a reference‐based decoder on deep learning classifiers trained on 12,500 rest and task fMRI samples from the Human Connectome Project (HCP). The decoded task general and task specific motor and language architectures were validated with findings from previous studies. We found that unlike intersubject variability that is characteristic of functional pathology of neurological diseases, a small set of connections are sufficient to delineate the rest and task states. The nodes and connections in the task general architecture could serve as potential disease biomarkers as alterations in task general brain modulations are known to be implicated in several neuropsychiatric disorders.
Sustaining maternal and child health programs when donor funding ends: A case study of stakeholder involvement in Indonesia
Authors: Aji Budi , Anandari Dian , Soetikno Henny , Sumawan Herman
Published: February 2022

There has been a dearth of evidence in exploring the role of stakeholders in making the transition process from donor to local responsibility successful in relation to maternal and child health programs to date. This study aimed to generate practical experiences concerning stakeholder involvement in sustaining maternal and child health programs when donor support ends, so as to lead systematic strategies for supporting the success of the post‐transition process and capture critical challenges of the programme's sustainability. This study employed Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with district healthcare stakeholders such as hospital managers, district health officers, community health centres, community associations and local authorities. In‐depth interviews one to one with the local authority, health staff, informal leaders, and traditional birth attendants were conducted. From the final research project sample of participants, we extracted the interviews to analyse their narratives. Content analysis revealed 5 main themes from the FGDs and interviews: (1) Stakeholders' collaborative culture and organisational capacity; (2) Stakeholders' commitment; (3) Challenges in partnership and coordination; (4) Barriers to sustainable local financial support (5) Policy for maintaining institutionalisation. Two areas of concern were the priorities for follow‐up to sustain the maternal and neonatal care programme and factors responsible for the continuation when donor funding ends, specifically longevity of stakeholder engagement and commitment and internal resource capacity for long‐term implementation. Recommendations include increased networking of active cooperation from all levels of administration, especially with a top‐down approach involving the national, provincial, down to the district and community‐based networks.
Targeting type I collagen for cancer treatment
Authors: Shi Run , Zhang Zhe , Zhu Ankai , Xiong Xingxing , Zhang Jie , Xu Jiang , Sy Man‐Sun , Li Chaoyang
Published: February 2022

Collagen is the most abundant protein in animals. Interactions between tumor cells and collagen influence every step of tumor development. Type I collagen is the main fibrillar collagen in the extracellular matrix and is frequently upregulated during tumorigenesis. The binding of type I collagen to its receptors on tumor cells promotes tumor cell proliferation, epithelial‐mesenchymal transition and metastasis. Type I collagen also regulates the efficacy of tumor therapies, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy. Furthermore, type I collagen fragments are diagnostic markers of metastatic tumors and have prognostic value. Inhibition of type I collagen synthesis has been reported to have antitumor effects in animal models. However, collagen has also been shown to possess antitumor activity. Therefore, the roles that type I collagen plays in tumor biology are complex and tumor type‐dependent. In this review, we discuss the expression and regulation of synthesis of type I collagen, as well as the role upregulated type I collagen plays in various stages of cancer progression. We also discuss the role of collagen in tumor therapy. Finally, we highlight several recent approaches targeting type I collagen for cancer treatment.
Maternal and neonatal outcomes of COVID‐19 co‐infection in pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B virus infection: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Rajan Mamta , Sachan Shikha , Abhinay Abhishek , Yadav Dawesh Prakash , Verma Bhupendra
Published: February 2022

short

Co‐infection with COVID‐19 in pregnant women with pre‐existing HBV infection led to a higher proportion of preterm deliveries and lower mean birth weight.
ICN and AI driven physical education quality improvement
Authors: Cao Kun
Published: February 2022

Information‐Centric Networking (ICN) has been widely applied into different fields, such as 5G, big data and new networking structures. This paper pays attention to the improvement of physical education, realizing the high‐performance online physical education based on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Currently, the online physical education is faced with a serious challenge, that is, the standard of smart video delivery cannot be reached, which causes that the physical learning effect of students through video has not been developed and approved well. In this paper, the physical education video is deployed at ICN structure. Then, based on ICN, this paper makes a video delivery ‐based case study for the online physical education optimization, where Reinforcement Learning (RL) is used for transmission optimization of video. Finally, this paper makes a simulation in terms of the proposed physical education optimization scheme, and the results demonstrate its feasibility and efficiency.
Obesity is associated with improved postoperative overall survival, independent of skeletal muscle mass in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Lee Ji Hyun , Yoon Young Cheol , Kim Hyun Su , Cha Min Jae , Kim Jae‐Hun , Kim Kyunga , Kim Hye Seung
Published: February 2022

Background

Although the obesity paradox is a topic of immense interest for oncologists and epidemiologists, the mechanism underlying this unexpected benefit of obesity is poorly understood. We explored the prognostic value of obesity and its association with skeletal muscle mass.

Methods

This retrospective study evaluated the data of patients who underwent surgical excision for lung adenocarcinoma between January 2011 and December 2015. Body mass index was categorized according to the criteria of the Asia‐Pacific classification. Cross‐sectional areas of the skeletal muscle, subcutaneous fat, and visceral fat were measured. Skeletal muscle mass status was defined based on the cut‐offs of skeletal muscle index (cm2/m2), calculated as the area of skeletal muscle divided by height squared. Overall survival was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method, and differences in survival probabilities were compared using the log‐rank test. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was conducted to determine the association with overall survival.

Results

A total of 636 patients with a median age of 61 years (interquartile range, 54.0–68.5 years; 321 men and 315 women) were included. Obese patients (body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2) had longer overall survival than non‐obese patients (mean, 110.2 months vs. 98.7 months; log‐rank P = 0.015). Under multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, obesity was associated with longer overall survival after adjusting for covariates (hazard ratio, 0.59; 95% confidence interval, 0.40–0.86; P = 0.007). The prognostic value of obesity remained and predicted favourable overall survival after additional adjusting for skeletal muscle mass status (hazard ratio, 0.57; 95% confidence interval, 0.36–0.89; P = 0.014), skeletal muscle index (hazard ratio, 0.53; 95% confidence interval, 0.33–0.84; P = 0.008), or skeletal muscle area (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% confidence interval, 0.38–0.98; P = 0.041). No association was observed between skeletal muscle mass status and the impact of body mass index on overall survival (P for interaction = 0.512).

Conclusions

Obesity was associated with favourable overall survival, independent of skeletal muscle mass, after surgical excision of lung adenocarcinoma.
The impacts of electronic versus waiter ordering on consumer's healthy food choice
Authors: Wu Hui , Zhou Ling , Ali Faizan , Chen Ji‐hong , Niu Mulin , Hu Jinyi
Published: February 2022

With the advancement of technology and the widespread of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, catering operators have favored electronic ordering due to its convenience and safety. However, little research has examined whether the change from traditional waiter ordering to electronic device ordering would affect consumers' healthy eating. Based on previous research of self‐control, this article explores whether ordering by electronic device or waiter prompts healthier food choices. Through four experimental studies conducted in China, our findings demonstrated that whether ordering by electronic device or waiter is also one determinant of healthy eating. Compared to waiter ordering, consumers would make healthier food choices through electronic ordering, because it relives the time pressure brought on by the interpersonal waiter interaction. Whereas electronic ordering may be effective only if there is no waiting line or only for consumers who have a relatively low degree of trait self‐control. The findings advance the understanding of determinants of healthy eating, as well as enrich the literature that explores the difference between human and electronic service.
Panelists discuss MH service issues facing Black community
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: February 2022

More progress is needed in addressing cultural and linguistic barriers affecting the Black community and shoring up the workforce to include people of color, according to a group of mental health researchers, educators and consultants during a webinar hosted by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing earlier this month. The panelists also paid homage to the achievements of Blacks and Afro‐Latinos in observance of Black History Month.
National Council calls attention to HELP hearing to address BH crises
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: February 2022

The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) held a hearing, “Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders: Responding to the Growing Crisis,” Feb. 1 to discuss ways in which Congress could respond to our country's behavioral health crises.
SNR‐efficient distortion‐free diffusion relaxometry imaging using accelerated echo‐train shifted echo‐planar time‐resolving imaging (ACE‐EPTI)
Authors: Dong Zijing , Wang Fuyixue , Wald Lawrence , Setsompop Kawin
Published: February 2022

Purpose

To develop an efficient acquisition technique for distortion‐free diffusion MRI and diffusion‐relaxometry.

Methods

A new accelerated echo‐train shifted echo‐planar time‐resolved imaging (ACE‐EPTI) technique is developed to achieve high‐SNR, distortion‐free diffusion, and diffusion‐relaxometry imaging. ACE‐EPTI uses a newly designed variable density spatiotemporal encoding with self‐navigators for phase correction, that allows for submillimeter in‐plane resolution using only 3‐shot. Moreover, an echo‐train‐shifted acquisition is developed to achieve minimal TE, together with an SNR‐optimal readout length, leading to ∼30% improvement in SNR efficiency over single‐shot EPI. To recover the highly accelerated data with high image quality, a tailored subspace image reconstruction framework is developed, that corrects for odd/even‐echo phase difference, shot‐to‐shot phase variation, and the B0 field changes because of field drift and eddy currents across different dynamics. After the phase‐corrected subspace reconstruction, artifacts‐free high‐SNR diffusion images at multiple TEs are obtained with varying T2* weighting.

Results

Simulation, phantom, and in vivo experiments were performed, which validated the 3‐shot spatiotemporal encoding provides accurate reconstruction at submillimeter resolution. The use of echo‐train shifting and optimized readout length improves the SNR‐efficiency by 27%‐36% over single‐shot EPI. The level of image distortion was also evaluated, which shows no noticeable susceptibility and eddy‐current distortions in ACE‐EPTI images that are common in EPI. The time‐resolved acquisition of ACE‐EPTI also provides multi‐TE images for diffusion‐relaxometry analysis.

Conclusion

ACE‐EPTI was demonstrated to be an efficient and powerful technique for high‐resolution diffusion imaging and diffusion‐relaxometry, which provides high SNR, distortion‐ and blurring‐free, and time‐resolved multi‐echo images by a fast 3‐shot acquisition.
Grafting alkynyl groups on the surface of nano‐aramid fibers towards flame retardant thermoplastic polyurethane
Authors: Liu Wei , Dong Huixin , Chen Wenjiao , Piao Junxiu , Ren Jinyong , Wang Yaofei , Wang Yaxuan , Feng Tingting , Jiao Chuanmei , Chen Xilei
Published: February 2022

In this work, para‐aramid fibers were dispersed into para‐aramid nanofibers (ANF) by deprotonation process, and then modified by 3‐chloropropyne (PC) via covalent bonding interaction. The resultant nanofiber (ANF‐PC) as a flame retardant was blended with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) to obtain fire‐retardant TPU nanocomposites. The addition of 0.250 wt% ANF‐PC reduced the peak heat release rate, total heat release, total smoke release, and peak CO release rate of TPU by 47.7%, 31.5%, 16.4%, and 45.1%, respectively. The char yield of TPU/ANF‐PC0.250 was increased from 7.7% (TPU/ANF0.250) to 13.7%. The flame‐retardant effect of ANF‐PC in TPU composites can be attributed to its carbonization effect in the condensed phase, which increased the char yields and graphitization degree of char residue. In addition, the presence of ANF‐PC increased the tensile strength and breaking strain of TPU by 645% and 578% compared to untreated ANF, due to the improved dispersion state of ANF‐PC.
Synthesized polyurethane from p‐toluenesulfonyl isocyanate and epichlorohydrin via salen catalysis
Authors: Chen Xing , Hu Chenyang , Xu Huidi , Qu Rui , Hu Xiaohong , Yang Jie , Song Xiaofeng
Published: February 2022

Polyurethane (PU) as a multifunctional material has been produced by various methods. In this work, a series of novel chloric PUs are made from p‐toluene sulfonyl isocyanate (TSI) and epichlorohydrin (ECH) via direct salen catalysis under mild temperature. Catalytic efficiency and activity of salen metal complexes are analyzed and evaluated. The salen‐cobalt (III) (DNP) exhibits high yield, excellent urethane selectivity, narrow polymer weight distribution in bulk polymerization with the molar ratio of TSI with catalyst changing. And compared to bulk polymerization, salen‐cobalt (III) (DNP) can promote the reaction better in solution polymerization and synthesize the product with higher molecular weight. The obtained polymer shows excellent thermal stability, and its thermal degradation starts from 240.8°C. So, it will provide experience for developing functional PU under mild reaction conditions.
Multifunctional MXene: Improve electromagnetic interference shielding of PPy/PDA/Ti3C2Tx composites in X‐ and Ku‐band
Authors: Wu Datong , Cheng Xue , Zhang Tianze , Gao Hong
Published: February 2022

With the development of technology, life is full of electromagnetic pollution; therefore we need to shield the electromagnetic signals that are undesirable and harmful to us. In this work, polypyrrole (PPy)/polydopamine (PDA)/Ti3C2Tx composites were successfully prepared for electromagnetic interference shielding applications by a simple polymerization method and mixing process. We investigated the electrical conductivity, thermal properties, electromagnetic interference shielding effect (EMI SE), and its EMI attenuation mechanism of PPy/PDA/Ti3C2Tx composites. By adjusting the content of Ti3C2Tx in the PPy/PDA/Ti3C2Tx composites (from 0 to 12 vol%), the conductivity of the composites increased considerably from 34.6 to 884.1 S m−1, and the maximum EMI SE of the composites in Ku‐band varied accordingly from 4.30 to 21.82 dB. Additionally, the thermal stability of the PPy/PDA/Ti3C2Tx (12 vol%) composite was improved due to the addition of Ti3C2Tx and PDA, with a change in mass loss from 59.25% to 29.34% at 900°C. These results highlight that the investigated PPy/PDA/Ti3C2Tx composites are promising materials for EMI shielding.
“It's embarrassing to come here”: Welfare‐to‐work, emotion rules, and emotional capital
Authors: Turgeon Brianna , Root Kaitlyn , Ray Kasey , Taylor Tiffany
Published: February 2022

Neoliberal discourse about achievement impacts our cultural expectations for how people on welfare “should” feel regarding work, motivation, and shame. In this paper, we build on the literature on emotions, work, and inequality by examining the embeddedness of feeling rules in welfare‐to‐work programs. We analyze interviews with Ohio Works First cash assistance program managers in Ohio counties (n = 69) to understand how managers emphasize emotional displays that make clients more desirable to employers. We argue that welfare‐to‐work county managers value emotional capital based in the neoliberal and paternal ideologies of the State. We find that welfare managers use emotion rules to (1) emphasize pride and the role of emotional capital in workplace success and (2) invoke shame to discourage workplace failure. By emphasizing emotional capital as a pathway to success, Ohio Works First managers underplay structural factors contributing to poverty and social mobility.
Digital H∞ filter design for a low frequency multiple‐input multiple‐output system with multirate measurements
Authors: Yang Hongjiu , Wang Shuaiying , Li Peng
Published: February 2022

In this article, a digital filter is designed for a low frequency multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) system with multirate measurements from multiple samplers. A delay compensation is introduced to reduce estimation errors from the multiple samplers and a zero‐order holder. A single‐rate error system is obtained by converting the low frequency MIMO system using a discrete‐time lifting technique. A digital filter is proposed based on a delay‐partitioning method to guarantee asymptotic stability and performance for the single‐rate error system. A numerical example is provided to show effectiveness and superiority of the digital filter in low frequency domain.
Nanocarriers Made of Proteins: Intracellular Visualization of a Smart Biodegradable Drug Delivery System
Authors: Frey Marie‐Luise , Han Shen , Halim Henry , Kaltbeitzel Anke , Riedinger Andreas , Landfester Katharina , Lieberwirth Ingo
Published: February 2022

This work analyzes the intracellular fate of protein‐based nanocarriers along their endolysosomal pathway by means of correlative light and electron microscopy methods. To unambiguously identify the nanocarriers and their degradation remnants in the cellular environment, they are labeled with fluorescent, inorganic nanoplatelets. This allows tracking the nanocarriers on their intracellular pathway by means of electron microscopy imaging. From the present data, it is possible to identify different cell compartments in which the nanocarriers are processed. Finally, three different terminal routes for the intracellular destiny of the nanocarriers are presented. These findings are important to reveal the degradation process of protein nanocapsules and contribute to the understanding of the therapeutic success of an encapsulated drug.
Defect‐Rich, Highly Porous PtAg Nanoflowers with Superior Anti‐Poisoning Ability for Efficient Methanol Oxidation Reaction
Authors: Qiao Meng , Wu Hao , Meng Fan‐Yi , Zhuang Zhongbin , Wang Jie‐Xin
Published: February 2022

The design of efficient and sustainable Pt‐based catalysts is the key to the development of direct methanol fuel cells. However, most Pt‐based catalysts still exhibit disadvantages including unsatisfied catalytic activity and serious CO poisoning in the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). Herein, highly porous PtAg nanoflowers (NFs) with rich defects are synthesized by using liquid reduction combining chemical etching. It is demonstrated that the proportion of precursors determines the inhomogeneity of alloy elements, and the strong corrosiveness of nitric acid to silver leads to the eventual porous flower‐like structure. Impressively, the optimal etched Pt1Ag2 NFs have the mixed defects of surface steps, dislocations, and bulk holes, and their mass activity (1136 mA mgPt−1) is 2.6 times higher than that of commercial Pt/C catalysts, while the ratio of forward and backward peak current density (If/Ib) can reach 3.2, exhibiting an excellent anti‐poisoning ability. Density functional theory calculations further verify their high anti‐poison properties from both an adsorption and an oxidation perspective of CO intermediate. The introduction of Ag makes it easier for CO to be oxidized and removed. This study provides a facile approach to prepare rich defects and porous alloy with excellent MOR performance and superior anti‐poisoning ability.
Carrier Free O2‐Economizer for Photodynamic Therapy Against Hypoxic Tumor by Inhibiting Cell Respiration
Authors: Huang Jia‐Qi , Zhao Lin‐Ping , Zhou Xiang , Liu Ling‐Shan , Zheng Rong‐Rong , Deng Fu‐An , Liu Yi‐Bin , Yu Xi‐Yong , Li Shi‐Ying , Cheng Hong
Published: February 2022

Abnormal tumor metabolism causes the hypoxic microenvironment, which greatly limits the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT). In this work, a strategy of metabolic reprogramming is proposed to economize O2 for enhanced PDT against hypoxic tumors. The carrier‐free O2‐economizer (designated as LonCe) is prepared based on the metabolic antitumor drug of Lonidamine (Lon) and the photosensitizer of chlorin e6 (Ce6). By virtue of intermolecular interactions, Lon and Ce6 self‐assemble into nanosized LonCe with favorable stability and high drug contents. Compared with Ce6, LonCe exhibits an improved cellular uptake and photodynamic property for tumor treatment. Moreover, LonCe is capable of inhibiting cell metabolism and mitochondrial respiration to remit the tumor hypoxia, which would promote reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and elevate the PDT efficacy on tumor suppression. In vivo experiments indicate that intravenously injected LonCe prefers to accumulate at the tumor site for highly efficient PDT regardless of the hypoxic environment. Besides, the self‐delivery LonCe is fabricated without any carriers, which avoids the excipients induced system toxicity and immunogenicity in vivo. This carrier‐free nanomedicine with cell respiratory inhibition mechanism would expedite the development and clinical translation of photodynamic nanoplatforms in tumor treatment.
Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs)‐Based Mixed Matrix Membranes (MMMs) for Gas Separation: A Review on Advanced Materials in Harsh Environmental Applications
Authors: Goh Shu Hua , Lau Hui Shen , Yong Wai Fen
Published: February 2022

The booming of global environmental awareness has driven the scientific community to search for alternative sustainable approaches. This is accentuated in the 13th sustainable development goal (SDG13), climate action, where urgent efforts are salient in combating the drastic effects of climate change. Membrane separation is one of the indispensable gas purification technologies that effectively reduces the carbon footprint and is energy‐efficient for large‐scale integration. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are recognized as promising fillers embedded in mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) to enhance gas separation performance. Tremendous research studies on MOFs‐based MMMs have been conducted. Herein, this review offers a critical summary of the MOFs‐based MMMs developed in the past 3 years. The basic models to estimate gas transport, preparation methods, and challenges in developing MMMs are discussed. Subsequently, the application and separation performance of a variety of MOFs‐based MMMs including those of advanced MOFs materials are summarized. To accommodate industrial needs and resolve commercialization hurdles, the latest exploration of MOF materials for a harsh operating condition is emphasized. Along with the contemplation on the outlook, future perspective, and opportunities of MMMs, it is anticipated that this review will serve as a stepping stone for the coming MMMs research on sustainable and benign environmental application.
Interventions for adapting health care providers to new situations in the workplace during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A scoping review for developing a policy brief
Authors: Babaei Nasib , Avazeh Marziyeh , Doshmangir Leila
Published: February 2022

The rapid change in the conditions of health care centers following the sudden onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic led to work challenges and role changes and the transfer of staff to new and unfamiliar workplaces. This study aimed to develop policy interventions to adapt health care providers to the new situation in the workplace during the COVID‐19 pandemic. A systematic literature review was carried out using international databases to identify English‐language studies to identify policy interventions. The viewpoints resulting from the observations of the research team and seven health system experts were used to categorize the interventions. Three main policy interventions were identified: creating a flexible and efficient system through modifying personnel roles, adequate training of health care personnel about work conditions when treating COVID‐19 patients, and creating a supportive and motivating work environment.
The Difficulty of Integrating Religious Diversity into Intercultural Approaches to Education
Authors: Akkari Abdeljalil , Radhouane Myriam
Published: February 2022

It is difficult to consider religious diversity within the general framework of intercultural approaches in education. On the one hand, the school cannot ignore the permeability of the school precincts to the pupils’ religious beliefs. On the other, religion, as one of the dimensions of culture, can tend to adopt a hegemonic attitude not very reassuring for cultural relativism. In fact, taking religion seriously within the school means not underestimating its private and personal nature, which is likely to conflict with the public character of the educational institution.
Race, Racism and Anti-racism
Authors: Akkari Abdeljalil , Radhouane Myriam
Published: February 2022

Inter- and multicultural approaches in education activate concepts such as race, racism, ethnicity or discrimination. These concepts are often associated with historical events, which have given them added significance and make their appropriation more complicated. Added to which, they can have different meanings according to the social or cultural group employing them, and according to their geographical or even their historical setting. For all these reasons, it is necessary to learn how to interpret these concepts, to understand the issues connected with their use and to discuss the ways they can be employed in education.
Ernst Denert Software Engineering Award 2020
Authors: Felderer Michael , Hasselbring Wilhelm , Koziolek Heiko , Matthes Florian , Prechelt Lutz , Reussner Ralf , Rumpe Bernhard , Schaefer Ina
Published: February 2022

This is the introductory chapter of the book on the Ernst Denert Software Engineering Award 2020. It provides an overview of the 11 nominated PhD theses, the work of the award winner, and the structure of the book.
Ever Change a Running System: Structured Software Reengineering Using Automatically Proven-Correct Transformation Rules
Authors: Steinhöfel Dominic
Published: February 2022

Legacy systems are business-critical software systems whose failure can have a significant impact on the business. Yet, their maintenance and adaption to changed requirements consume a considerable amount of the total software development costs. Frequently, domain experts and developers involved in the original development are not available anymore, making it difficult to adapt a legacy system without introducing bugs or unwanted behavior. This results in a dilemma: businesses are reluctant to change a working system, while at the same time struggling with its high maintenance costs. We propose the concept of Structured Software Reengineering replacing the ad hoc forward engineering part of a reengineering process with the application of behavior-preserving, proven-correct transformations improving nonfunctional program properties. Such transformations preserve valuable business logic while improving properties such as maintainability, performance, or portability to new platforms. Manually encoding and proving such transformations for industrial programming languages, for example, in interactive proof assistants, is a major challenge requiring deep expert knowledge. Existing frameworks for automatically proving transformation rules have limited expressiveness and are restricted to particular target applications such as compilation or peep-hole optimizations. We present Abstract Execution, a specification and verification framework for statement-based program transformation rules on JAVA programs building on symbolic execution. Abstract Execution supports universal quantification over statements or expressions and addresses properties about the (big-step) behavior of programs. Since this class of properties is useful for a plethora of applications, Abstract Execution bridges the gap between expressiveness and automation. In many cases, fully automatic proofs are in possible. We explain REFINITY, a workbench for modeling and proving statement-level JAVA transformation rules, and discuss our applications of Abstract Execution to code refactoring, cost analysis of program transformations, and transformations reshaping programs for the application of parallel design patterns.
Improving the Model-Based Systems Engineering Process
Authors: Wenckstern Michael von
Published: February 2022

Modern embedded software systems are becoming more and more complex. Engineering embedded systems raise specific challenges that are rarely present in other software engineering disciplines due to the systems’ steady interactions with their environment. Research and industry often describe embedded systems as component and connector models (C&C). C&C models describe the logical architecture by focusing on software features and their logical communications. In C&C models, hierarchical decomposed components encapsulate features, and connectors model the data flow between components via typed ports. As extra-functional properties, for example, safety and security, are also key features of embedded systems, C&C models are mostly enriched with them. However, the process to develop, understand, validate, and maintain large C&C models for complex embedded software is onerous, time consuming, and cost intensive. Hence, the aim of this chapter is to support the automotive software engineer with: (i) automatic consistency checks of large C&C models, (ii) automatic verification of C&C models against design decisions, (iii) tracing and navigating between design and implementation models, (iv) finding structural inconsistencies during model evolution, (v) presenting a flexible approach to define different extra-functional properties for C&C models, and (vi) providing a framework to formalize constraints on C&C models for extra-functional properties for automatic consistency checks.
Understanding How Pair Programming Actually Works in Industry: Mechanisms, Patterns, and Dynamics
Authors: Zieris Franz
Published: February 2022

During pair programming (PP), two software developers work closely together on a technical task on one computer. Practitioners expect a number of benefits, such as faster progress, higher quality, and knowledge transfer. Much of prior research focused on directly measurable effects from laboratory settings, but could not explain the large variations observed. My research follows the Grounded Theory Methodology and is aimed at understanding how PP actually works by uncovering the underlying mechanisms to ultimately formulate practical advice for developers. The main findings from my qualitative analysis of recordings of 27 industrial PP sessions are: Task-specific knowledge about the software system is crucial for pair programming. Pairs first make sure they have a shared understanding of the relevant parts before they acquire lacking knowledge together. The transfer of general software development knowledge plays a rather small role and only occurs after the pair dealt with its need for system knowledge. Pairs who maintain a shared understanding may have short, but highly-productive Focus Phases; if their Togetherness gets too low, however, a Breakdown of the pair process may occur.
What You See Is What You Get: Practical Effect Handlers in Capability-Passing Style
Authors: Brachthäuser Jonathan Immanuel
Published: February 2022

Structuring control flow is an essential task almost every programmer faces on a daily basis. At the same time, the control flow of software applications is becoming increasingly complicated, motivating languages to include more and more features like asynchronous programming and generators. Effect handlers are a promising alternative since they can express many of these features as libraries. To bring effect handlers closer to the software engineering practice, we present capability passing as an implementation technique for effect handlers. Capability passing provides the basis for the integration of effect handlers into mainstream object-oriented programming languages and thereby unlocks novel modularization strategies. It also enables programmers to apply lexical reasoning about effects and gives rise to a new form of effect polymorphism. Finally, it paves the path for efficient compilation strategies of control effects.
Open Source Software Governance: Distilling and Applying Industry Best Practices
Authors: Harutyunyan Nikolay
Published: February 2022

Modern software architectures are becoming increasingly complex and interdependent. The days of exclusive in-house software development by companies are over. A key force contributing to this shift is the abundant use of open source frameworks, components, and libraries in software development. Over 90% of all software products include open source components. Being efficient, robust, and affordable, they often cover the non-differentiating product requirements companies have. However, the uncontrolled use of open source software in products comes with legal, engineering, and business risks stemming from incorrect software licensing, copyright issues, and supply chain vulnerabilities. While recognized by a handful of companies, this topic remains largely ignored by the industry and little studied by the academia. To address this relevant and novel topic, we undertook a 3-year research project into open source governance in companies, which resulted in a doctoral dissertation. The key results of our work include a theory of industry best practices, where we captured how more than 20 experts from 15 companies worldwide govern their corporate use of open source software. Acknowledging the broad industry relevance of our topic, we developed a handbook for open source governance that enabled practitioners from various domains to apply our findings in their companies. We conducted three evaluation case studies, where more than 40 employees at three Germany-based multinational companies applied our proposed best practices. This chapter presents the highlights of building and implementing the open source governance handbook.