bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Solution‐Processed Chemically Non‐Destructive Filter Transfer of Carbon‐Nanotube Thin Films onto Arbitrary Materials
Authors: Ishizaki Manabu , Satoh Daiki , Ando Rin , Funabe Mikuto , Matsui Jun , Kurihara Masato
Published: October 2021

Filter‐transfer methods of single‐walled carbon‐nanotube (SWNT) thin films have been widely employed to fabricate state‐of‐the‐art electronics and photonics devices with highly transparent and conductive electrodes; however, a challenge remains for all solution‐processable technologies to overcome substrates’ destruction due to their solvent incompatibility. Here, an advanced method of transferring SWNT thin films onto arbitrary material substrates by adopting chemically stable and flexible polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membranes is reported. Filtrated SWNT thin films on PTFE membranes (PTFE@SWNTs) press‐freely adhere to not only flat but curved substrates by their solvent‐wettability and flexibility natures, and are spontaneously transferred after low‐temperature evaporation of the wet solvents and peeling of the PTFE membrane. SWNT thin films transferred onto polyethylene terephthalate films show sheet resistance values of ≈400 Ω □−1 at ≈90% transmittance, which are drastically decreased to ≈50 Ω □−1 at ≈65% from ≈100 Ω □−1 at ≈80%. The wet solvents are suitably displaced based on solvent‐compatibility experiments with the substrates. Topically, it is demonstrated that the solvent‐wetted PTFE@SWNT can be non‐destructively placed onto a perovskite (CH3NH3PbI3) substrate via the as‐displaced various organic solvents. A pre‐doping process of PTFE@SWNTs is possible by using a HNO3 aqueous solution. The HNO3‐doped SWNT thin film is successfully transferred onto the perovskite substrate.
In Situ Assembly of DNA/Graphene Oxide Nanoplates to Reduce the Fire Threat of Flexible Foams
Authors: Maddalena Lorenza , Carosio Federico , Fina Alberto
Published: October 2021

The layer‐by‐layer surface modification of open cell foams is a recently developed route to reduce the fire threat of this class of materials. This approach generally requires a high number of deposition steps to achieve the desired properties. This paper reports the water‐based single‐step deposition of efficient flame retardant coatings encompassing graphene oxide (GO) and DNA. During the deposition, a temperature‐induced in situ assembly of the GO+DNA produces a continuous and thermally robust protective layer on the structure of the polyurethane (PU) foam where GO nanoplates are held together by DNA acting as a ligand. This GO+DNA coating can effectively prevent flame spread during flammability tests performed in horizontal or vertical configuration while considerably reducing the rate of combustion and production of smoke by cone calorimetry (−75% and 30% in peak of heat release rate and total smoke release, respectively). The DNA promotes the formation of a protective structure that efficiently limits heat and volatiles transfer from and to the flame thus resulting in flame retardant (FR) performances capable of outperforming many of the FR coatings developed so far for PU foams. The proposed approach potentially opens up to the development of high performing FR solutions based on graphene‐related materials and bio‐based components.
Semiconductive‐Ferroelectric‐Enhanced Photo‐Electrochemistry with Collective Improvements on Light Absorption, Charge Separation, and Carrier Transportation
Authors: Gong Yuedong , Li Yi , Chen Jianguo , Guo Hui , Sun Chenwei , Li Chun , Cao Ruiguo , Jiao Shuhong , Huang Lu , Yang Weiguang , Yu Yanhao
Published: October 2021

The efficiency of photo‐electrochemistry is jointly determined by multiple factors such as light absorption, charge separation, and carrier transportation. It is essential to maximize all of them but has proved challenging especially for photoelectrodes made from wide‐bandgap semiconductors. Here, a conceptually new strategy noted as semiconductive‐ferroelectric‐enhanced photo‐electrochemistry (SF‐PEC) is reported based on a doped TiO2‐BaxSr1−xTiO3 (BST) core–shell nanowire array. Through an in situ surface conversion and an electron/nitrogen codoping process, a self‐polarized, surface‐amorphized, and doped BST thin layer is created on the surface of TiO2, resulting in a semiconductive‐ferroelectric‐enhanced TiO2 (SF‐TiO2) photoelectrode. Compared with pristine TiO2 and ferroelectric‐enhanced TiO2 (F‐TiO2), the SF‐TiO2 has stronger light absorption, greater charge separation, and faster carrier transportation, which is identified to be a synergistic outcome of the reduced bandgap, moderate ferroelectric polarization, and high carrier density and mobility. The photocurrent density of SF‐TiO2 reaches 1.87 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), 1.39 and 2.46 times higher than that of F‐TiO2 and TiO2, respectively. The SF‐TiO2 maintains over 90% of its photocurrent density after being aged in air for 11 months. This work provides new insights to extend the efficiency limit of photo‐electrochemistry.
Constructing the Triple‐Phase Boundaries of Integrated Air Electrodes for High‐Performance Zn–Air Batteries
Authors: Shang Wenxu , Yu Wentao , Ma Yanyi , He Yi , Zhao Zhongxi , Ni Meng , Zhao Hong , Tan Peng
Published: October 2021

Rechargeable zinc (Zn)–air batteries receive research interest due to the high theoretical energy density, intrinsic safety, and excellent market competition. The design of the triple‐phase (solid/liquid/gas) boundaries of the air electrode is the key to excellent performance. Although integrated air electrodes ensure the large active sites, rapid electron and species transport, and good stability during the long‐term operation, the massive agglomeration of hydrophobic binder always leads to the reduction of triple‐phase boundaries using conventional fabrication strategies. To address this issue, a novel strategy for constructing the triple‐phase boundaries of an integrated Co3O4 electrode is proposed through hydrothermal treatment under a high temperature. The ultrasmall hydrophobic particles distribute extremely uniformly in Co3O4 nanowires, which do not cover the electrode surface and create good gas‐phase boundaries, leading to a high‐performance Zn–air battery with a high discharge voltage of 1.13 V and a low charge voltage of 2.06 V at even 10 mA cm−2, a high peak power density of 51.7 mW cm−2, and a small voltage gap increment of only 86 mV after 1000 cycles. This strategy greatly enhances the performance and durability of integrated air electrodes, raising the attention to boundary design for other electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices.
The effect of COVID‐19 on food sales
Authors: Zeballos Eliana , Dong Xiao
Published: October 2021

Both COVID‐19 pandemic‐related restrictions and recessionary employment loss severely impacted US food sales during 2020. This article estimates the historical relationship between food expenditures and employment at the county level. Using these estimates, we simulate the impact of the loss of employment on food sales and find that, on average, employment loss increased food‐at‐home (FAH) sales by 1.3% and decreased food‐away‐from‐home (FAFH) sales by 0.5% in 2020. We argue differences to the actual 4.8% increase in FAH sales and 19.5% decrease in FAFH sales in 2020 likely stem from the more drastic COVID‐19 pandemic‐related restrictions and behavioral changes.
Grip strength as a predictor of postoperative delirium in patients with colorectal cancers
Authors: Arita Asami , Takahashi Hidekazu , Ogino Takayuki , Miyoshi Norikatsu , Uemura Mamoru , Akasaka Hiroshi , Sugimoto Ken , Rakugi Hiromi , Doki Yuichiro , Eguchi Hidetoshi
Published: October 2021

Background

The population is aging rapidly, and the population of patients who undergo surgeries is aging, too. Elderly patients have much risk of postoperative delirium, which increases the number of adverse events. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors of postoperative delirium in elderly patients with colorectal cancer.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of consecutive patients aged 70 years and older who underwent surgeries for colorectal cancer at our department in the period from May 2012 to October 2019. We investigated the correlation between the incidence of postoperative delirium and Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) scores, comorbidities, and perioperative factors. Postoperative delirium was retrospectively diagnosed by checking clinical records.

Results

Postoperative delirium was diagnosed in 36 of 271 patients (13.3%) with colorectal cancer. Among many comorbidities, only renal disease was significantly associated with postoperative delirium. Among the items in the CGA, age; Mini‐Mental State Exam (MMSE), Barthel Index, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), Vitality Index, and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) scores; and grip strength were associated with postoperative delirium. Among perioperative factors, blood transfusion was associated with postoperative delirium. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified older age, MMSE, GDS, and grip strength as significant independent risk factors for postoperative delirium.

Conclusions

This single‐center retrospective observational study demonstrated that grip strength is an independent predictor of postoperative delirium, along with age, MMSE, and GDS.
Ultra‐deep catalytic adsorptive desulfurization of diesel fuel using Ti‐silica gel adsorbent at low Ti‐loading
Authors: Dong Lei , Dai Xiong , Peng Chong , Yang Cuiting , Li Guoqing , Chen Shibin , Miao Guang , Xiao Jing
Published: October 2021

In this work, the effective ultra‐deep catalytic adsorptive desulfurization (CADS) using titanium‐silica gel (Ti‐SG) adsorbent at low Ti loading (<1 wt.%) was investigated. The superior CADS capacity (37.3 mg‐S/g‐A) and high TOF value (432 h−1) for dibenzothiophene (DBT) of Ti‐SG adsorbent were achieved at Ti loading of 0.6% with high dispersion and low titanium coordination. The rate equation of catalytic DBT oxidation was described as , where the TiOOR was determined as the intermediate to enable the DBT oxidation to form the corresponding sulfone (DBTO2). The effectiveness of CADS using Ti‐SG adsorbents was verified in real diesels with varied sulfur concentrations and O/S ratios in the dynamic adsorption and multicycle regeneration. This work provides insights on using low‐cost bifunctional catalytic adsorbents at low Ti loadings for effective CADS to realize ultra‐deep desulfurization of transportation fuels.
Design of ionic liquids for dewatering stable solid/liquid complex slurries
Authors: Berton Paula , Chen Yi N. , Manouchehr Shokoufeh , Wong Kyle , Ahmadi Zohrab , Bryant Steven L. , Rogers Robin D.
Published: October 2021

Exploitation of mineable oil sands in Canada has thus far produced over 50 km2 of tailings in ponds where the fine solids remain suspended for years, even decades. These ponds represent a major liability and environmental burden for operating companies, with their dewatering critical to their remediation. In this work, we used the chemistry of the tailing pond constituents to design an ionic liquid (IL) for dewatering the mature fine tailings (MFT), taking advantage of the ability to introduce unique and different functionalities into each ion of the IL. We chose a class of protic ILs whose ions will interact with the solids while rejecting water. As an example, octylammonium oleate can be used to remove more than 70% of the water from MFT. The nature of the ILs makes their use amenable to a variety of large‐scale separation techniques allowing engineering versatility in the design of the final process.
Copper‐Catalyzed Difluoromethylation of Alkyl Iodides Enabled by Aryl Radical Activation of Carbon–Iodine Bonds
Authors: Cai Aijie , Yan Wenhao , Wang Chao , Liu Wei
Published: October 2021

The engagement of unactivated alkyl halides in copper‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions has been historically challenging, due to their low reduction potential and the slow oxidative addition of copper(I) catalysts. In this work, we report a novel strategy that leverages the halogen abstraction ability of aryl radicals, thereby engaging a diverse range of alkyl iodides in copper‐catalyzed Negishi‐type cross‐coupling reactions at room temperature. Specifically, aryl radicals generated via copper catalysis efficiently initiate the cleavage of the carbon–iodide bonds of alkyl iodides. The alkyl radicals thus generated enter the copper catalytic cycles to couple with a difluoromethyl zinc reagent, thus furnishing the alkyl difluoromethane products. This unprecedented Negishi‐type difluoromethylation approach has been applied to the late‐stage modification of densely functionalized pharmaceutical agents and natural products.
Techno‐economic analysis of the production of acetic acid via thermochemical processing of residual woody biomass in Ecuador
Authors: Guevara‐Fernandez Diego , Proano‐Aviles Juan
Published: October 2021

Ecuador imports most of its chemicals for industrial use. Ecuador underutilizes its 19 million t year–1 of waste biomass, so there is potential to produce chemicals from it using biochemical or thermochemical pathways. This study performs a techno‐economic analysis with ASPEN Hysys to quantify the feasibility of a dedicated acetic acid production facility from biomass in Pichincha, Ecuador. Using sensitivity analysis and considering financial metrics such as the internal rate of return, minimum selling price, and net present value, it determines that the project is not feasible if the size of the plant targets only 10% of the Ecuadorian market. On the other hand, the project becomes feasible when the capacity factor of the plant increases to 360 t year–1 of acetic acid with a project lifespan of 10 years or more, as is expected when economies of scale reduce production costs. Minimum selling prices for acetic acid of 1.98 and 0.22 USD kg–1 were obtained considering a project lifespan of 10 and 20 years, respectively. The price for a product with the same characteristics in the local market is 23.50 USD kg–1. These values allow a price for acetic acid to be defined between 1.98 and 23.50 USD kg–1 for a 10‐year lifespan, and between 0.22 and 23.50 USD kg–1 for a 20‐year lifespan. The key factors affecting the project's outcome, identified from the sensitivity analysis, are plant service factors, production yields, and co‐product prices. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Clinical application of vancomycin population pharmacokinetics model in patients with hematological diseases and neutropenia
Authors: Fu Xiangjun , Lin Liangmo , Huang Li , Guo Li
Published: October 2021

To explore the clinical application of a population pharmacokinetics (PPK) model of vancomycin in patients with hematological diseases and neutropenia. Patients with hematological diseases and neutropenia were included in the PPK model study. Nonlinear mixed effect modeling approach (NONMEM) was used for model establishment. Monte Carlo simulation was carried out. A total of 74 patients were divided into model group and non‐model group for clinical application research. The model group was given the initial dose of 1g q8h, and the non‐model group was given 1g q12h as an empiric initial dosage. The follow‐up dose adjustments were made according to the concentration results. This two‐compartment model showed good stability and accuracy. The first trough concentration (C0) and the compliance rate of the first C0 were much higher in the model group than that in the non‐model group (14.30 ± 4.73 μg/ml and 59.38% vs. 8.02 ± 2.61 μg/ml, 35.71%). Less patients needed dose adjustments and fewer adjustment times in the model group than those in the non‐model group (12.50% and 0.13 ± 0.34 times vs. 50.00% and 0.61 ± 0.66 times). This suggested that for those patients who had a Creatinine clearance rate (CLCR) ≥ 90 ml/min/1.73 m2, the initial dose of 1g q8h may help to reach the target C0 (10∼20 μg/ml) quickly. It also helped to reduce the times and number of patients who need dose adjustments. Our PPK model of vancomycin in patients with hematologic diseases and neutropenia can be used to shorten the time to reach the target concentration and reduce the number of dose adjustments.Clinical trial registration: Not applicable (Retrospective study).
Dose identification of triamcinolone acetonide for noninvasive pre‐corneal administration in the treatment of posterior uveitis using a rapid, sensitive HPLC method with photodiode‐array detector
Authors: Khan Mohammed Shareef , Ravi Punna Rao , Mullapudi Tanaje Venkata RadhaKrishna
Published: October 2021

Triamcinolone acetonide (TAA) is the drug of choice in the management of ocular inflammations due to its anti‐inflammatory and immuno‐suppressant activity. Available marketed formulations (Triesence, Trivaris, Kenalog) are in the suspension form recommended to be administered via intravitreal injection, which has many major complications. In the present study, we have designed and evaluated Hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (HP‐β‐CD),) based conventional formulations of TAA (aqueous suspensions) with different dose strengths to identify the dose strength required for achieving the effective concentrations in vitreous humor following pre‐corneal administration of the formulations. Ocular pharmacokinetic studies of conventional formulations of triamcinolone acetonide (TAA) with different dose strengths (1 mg/30µL, 2 mg/30µL, 4 mg/30µL) were performed to identify the dose strength required to produce effective concentrations of TAA in the aqueous and vitreous humor. A rapid, sensitive, selective, accurate and precise bioanalytical method utilizing a small sampling volume (<45 µL) was developed and validated for quantification of TAA in the samples obtained from the ocular pharmacokinetic studies. Aqueous suspensions of TAA with 20% HP‐β‐CD produced time course profiles in the aqueous humor at all the dose strengths. However, measurable concentrations and time course of TAA in vitreous humor were achieved only with 4 mg/30µL dose strength.
The prognostic value of preoperative serum lactate dehydrogenase levels in patients underwent curative‐intent hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases: A two‐center cohort study
Authors: Bai Long , Lin Ze‐Yu , Lu Yun‐Xin , Chen Qin , Zhou Han , Meng Qi , Lin Chun‐Ping , Huang Wan‐Lan , Wan Yun‐Le , Pan Zhi‐Zhong , Wang De‐Shen
Published: October 2021

Background

The prognostic value of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in colorectal cancer patients has remained inconsistent between nonmetastatic and metastatic settings. So far, very few studies have included LDH in the prognostic analysis of curative‐intent surgery for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM).

Patients and Methods

Five hundred and eighty consecutive metastatic colorectal cancer patients who underwent curative‐intent CRLM resection from Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center (434 patients) and Sun Yat‐sen University Sixth Affiliated Hospital (146 patients) in 2000–2019 were retrospectively collected. Overall survival (OS) was the primary end point. Cox regression model was performed to identify the prognostic values of preoperative serum LDH levels and other clinicopathology variables. A modification of the established Fong CRS scoring system comprising LDH was developed within this Chinese population.

Results

At the median follow‐up time of 60.5 months, median OS was 59.5 months in the pooled cohort. In the multivariate analysis, preoperative LDH >upper limit of normal (250 U/L) was the strongest independent prognostic factor for OS (HR 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22–2.44; p < 0.001). Patients with elevated LDH levels showed impaired OS than patients with normal LDH levels (27.6 months vs. 68.8 months). Five‐year survival rates were 53.7% and 22.5% in the LDH‐normal group and LDH‐high group, respectively. Similar results were also confirmed in each cohort. In the subgroup analysis, LDH could distinguish the survival regardless of most established prognostic factors (number and size of CRLM, surgical margin, extrahepatic metastases, CEA, and CA19‐9 levels, etc.). Integrating LDH into the Fong score contributed to an improvement in the predictive value.

Conclusion

Our study implicates serum LDH as a reliable and independent laboratory biomarker to predict the clinical outcome of curative‐intent surgery for CRLM. Composite of LDH and Fong score is a potential stratification tool for CRLM resection. Prospective, international studies are needed to validate these results across diverse populations.
Feasibility, safety, and acceptability of a remotely monitored exercise pilot CHAMP: A Clinical trial of High‐intensity Aerobic and resistance exercise for Metastatic castrate‐resistant Prostate cancer
Authors: Kenfield Stacey A. , Van Blarigan Erin L. , Panchal Neil , Bang Alexander , Zhang Li , Graff Rebecca E. , Chen Yea‐Hung , Ryan Charles J. , Luke Anthony , Newton Robert U. , Tenggara Imelda , Schultz Brooke , Wang Elizabeth , Lavaki Emil , Zuniga Kyle , Pinto Nicole , Borno Hala , Aggarwal Rahul , Friedlander Terence , Koshkin Vadim S. , Harzstark Andrea , Small Eric , Chan June M.
Published: October 2021

Background

Exercise may improve clinical and quality of life outcomes for men with prostate cancer. No randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have examined the feasibility, safety, and acceptability of remote exercise training in men with metastatic castrate‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

Methods

We conducted a pilot RCT (1:1:1 aerobic or resistance exercise 3x/week or usual care) to determine the feasibility, safety, and acceptability of remotely monitored exercise over 12 weeks in 25 men with mCRPC. A prescribed exercise program was based on baseline testing including high‐ and moderate‐intensity aerobic exercise or resistance exercise completed at a local exercise facility. Feasibility was based on attendance, adherence, and tolerance; safety on adverse events; and acceptability on participant interviews.

Results

Between March 2016 and March 2020, 25 patients were randomized (8 aerobic, 7 resistance, and 10 control). Twenty‐three men (82%) completed the 12‐week study. Men who completed the remote intervention attempted 90% and 96% of prescribed aerobic and resistance training sessions, respectively, and 86% and 88% of attempted sessions were completed as or more than prescribed. We observed changes in performance tests that corresponded with the exercise prescription. No safety concerns were identified. Ninety percent of participants interviewed were satisfied with the program and would recommend it to others.

Conclusions

Remotely monitored exercise training is feasible, safe, and acceptable in men with mCRPC; there was no difference in these outcomes by mode of exercise. Through this research, we provide direction and rationale for future studies of exercise and clinical outcomes in patients with metastatic prostate cancer.
Association between pregnancy intention and preconception health behaviors
Authors: Din Hena Naz , Strong David , Singh‐Carlson Savitri , Corliss Heather L. , Hartman Sheri J. , Madanat Hala , Su H. Irene
Published: October 2021

Background

Female adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors face higher infertility and pregnancy risks than peers with no cancer history. Preconception health behaviors such as physical activity (PA), tobacco smoking, and alcohol intake influence reproductive outcomes. In general populations, pregnancy intention is positively associated with healthy preconception behaviors, but it has not been studied among AYA survivors. The authors hypothesized that higher pregnancy intention would be associated with healthier behaviors, especially among AYA survivors with perceived infertility risk.

Methods

A cross‐sectional analysis was conducted with data collected between 2013 and 2017 from 1071 female AYA survivors aged 18 to 39 years who had completed their primary cancer treatment and enrolled in an ovarian function study. Self‐reported intention dimensions were measured as a pregnancy intention score (PIS) and trying now to become pregnant. Multivariable linear (PA), binary (smoking), and ordinal (alcohol use) logistic regressions were used to estimate associations between intentions and preconception behaviors, with adjustments made for demographic and cancer characteristics. Effect modification by perceived infertility risk was assessed.

Results

The mean PIS was 1.1 (SD, 0.77) on a 0 to 2 scale (2 = high intention), and 8.9% were attempting pregnancy now. A higher PIS was associated with increased PA (β, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.11‐1.04), whereas ambivalence in pregnancy intention was associated with lower alcohol consumption (odds ratio, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.55‐0.95). Pregnancy intentions were not associated with smoking. Perceived infertility risk strengthened the relationship between PIS and PA (P < .05).

Conclusions

Pregnancy intentions were associated with some healthier preconception behaviors in AYA survivors. Medical professionals caring for AYA survivors may consider pregnancy intention screening to guide conversations on preconception health.
SBM: A Smart Budget Manager in banking using machine learning, NLP, and NLU
Authors: Allegue Sahar , Abdellatif Takoua , El Abed Houssem
Published: October 2021

New business models underpinned by new standards of openness, flexibility, and agility are arising in the banking sector. Therefore, banks have to establish new strategies to keep and to extend their client base, especially with the explosive growth of customers' data and interaction touch‐points. Hence, banks and fintechs are in fierce competition to transform customers' data that incorporate their transactions into pertinent and significant knowledge for decision making. In this article, we present a novel system aimed toward solving a long‐standing and challenging issue: obtaining classifiers to automatically categorize bank transactions for a Smart Budget Manager. We fit and test our system using real data. The strength of our system lies in the novel combination of incremental machine learning algorithms with a natural language understanding for a fine‐grained categorization of bank transactions. Our system serves as a base layer for other advanced banking applications such as segmentation, next best offers and credit scoring. Our system is deployed in a real banking application of a Tunisian bank and has shown bank and customer's satisfaction.
Suicide prevention: US left behind on guns, post‐crisis follow‐up
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: October 2021

Guns are used in one out of two successful suicides in the U.S., and gun bans would be the most effective means of preventing youth suicide, researchers write in a literature review of effective and scalable prevention measures. However, these are not implemented in the U.S. Neither is follow‐up after a suicide attempt, which has also proven effective. Educational approaches and antidepressant treatment can help as well, the researchers write. Finally, training primary care physicians to recognize and treat depression can help as well, as can outreach to psychiatric patients after a crisis or discharge. Ketamine, which can help within hours, needs to be studied for its possibility to prevent suicide.
A comprehensive experimental assessment of glyphosate ecological impacts in riparian forest restoration
Authors: Florido Flávia G. , Regitano Jussara B. , Andrade Pedro A. M. , Andreote Fernando D. , Brancalion Pedro H. S.
Published: October 2021

Competition with invasive grasses is one of the most important drivers of tree planting failures, especially in tropical forests. A widely disseminated weeding approach has been glyphosate spraying, the most used herbicide globally in forestry and ecosystem restoration. However, glyphosate use in restoration is highly controversial and requires further studies to elucidate its effects on restoration processes and the environment. We evaluated the use of glyphosate in riparian forest restoration and its impacts on tree planting costs, weed control efficiency, planted seedling performance, herbaceous and woody species regeneration, soil bacteria, and environmental contamination, using mowing treatments as a reference and based on a controlled experiment established in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Glyphosate spraying reduced by one‐half and one‐third the accumulated aboveground biomass of, respectively, weeds in general and of the invasive grassUrochloa decumbenscompared to mowing treatments, and it reduced the cost by half. The performance of planted tree seedlings was markedly favored by glyphosate spraying compared to mowing treatments, as expressed by improved seedling height (~twice higher), crown area (~5× higher), and basal area (~5× higher); the regeneration of both native woody and ruderal herbaceous plants were also enhanced. Neither glyphosate nor its metabolite Aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) residues were detected in either water runoff or soil samples, but they were found at relatively high concentrations in the runoff sediments (from 1.32 to 24.75 mg/kg for glyphosate and from 1.75 to 76.13 mg/kg for AMPA). Soil bacteria communities differed before and after glyphosate spraying in comparison to mowing plots (without glyphosate). Glyphosate spraying was far more cost effective than mowing for controllingU. decumbensand greatly improved the performance of planted tree seedlings and natural regeneration, while not leaving residues in soil and water. However, the changes in the structure of bacterial communities and high concentration of glyphosate and AMPA residues in runoff sediments highlight the need for caution when using this herbicide in riparian buffers. We present alternatives for reducing glyphosate use and minimizing its risks in tree planting initiatives.
Modeling the evolution of herbicide resistance in weed species with a complex life cycle
Authors: Holmes K. Harrison , Lindquist John L. , Rebarber Richard , Werle Rodrigo , Yerka Melinda , Tenhumberg Brigitte
Published: October 2021

A growing number of weed species have evolved resistance to herbicides in recent years, which causes an immense financial burden to farmers. An increasingly popular method of weed control is the adoption of crops that are resistant to specific herbicides, which allows farmers to apply the herbicide during the growing season without harming the crop. If such crops are planted in the presence of closely related weed species, it is possible that resistance genes could transfer from the crop species to feral populations of the wild species via gene flow and become stably introgressed under ongoing selective pressure by the herbicide. We use a density‐dependent matrix model to evaluate the effect of planting such crops on the evolution of herbicide resistance under a range of management scenarios. Our model expands on previous simulation studies by considering weed species with a more complex life cycle (perennial, rhizomatous weed species), studying the effect of environmental variation in herbicide effectiveness, and evaluating the role of common simplifying genetic assumptions on resistance evolution. Our model predictions are qualitatively similar to previous modeling studies using species with a simpler life cycle, which is, crop rotation in combination with rotation of herbicide site of action effectively controls weed populations and slows the evolution of herbicide resistance. We find that ignoring the effect of environmental variation can lead to an over‐ or under‐prediction of the speed of resistance evolution. The effect of environmental variation in herbicide effectiveness depends on the resistance allele frequency in the weed population at the beginning of the simulation. Finally, we find that degree of dominance and ploidy level have a much larger effect on the predicted speed of resistance evolution compared to the rate of gene flow.
Raspberry Pi nest cameras: An affordable tool for remote behavioral and conservation monitoring of bird nests
Authors: Hereward Hannah F. R. , Facey Richard J. , Sargent Alyssa J. , Roda Sara , Couldwell Matthew L. , Renshaw Emma L. , Shaw Katie H. , Devlin Jack J. , Long Sarah E. , Porter Ben J. , Henderson Jodie M. , Emmett Christa L. , Astbury Laura , Maggs Luke , Rands Sean A. , Thomas Robert J.
Published: October 2021

Bespoke (custom‐built) Raspberry Pi cameras are increasingly popular research tools in the fields of behavioral ecology and conservation, because of their comparative flexibility in programmable settings, ability to be paired with other sensors, and because they are typically cheaper than commercially built models.

Here, we describe a novel, Raspberry Pi‐based camera system that is fully portable and yet weatherproof—especially to humidity and salt spray. The camera was paired with a passive infrared sensor, to create a movement‐triggered camera capable of recording videos over a 24‐hr period. We describe an example deployment involving “retro‐fitting” these cameras into artificial nest boxes on Praia Islet, Azores archipelago, Portugal, to monitor the behaviors and interspecific interactions of two sympatric species of storm‐petrel (Monteiro's storm‐petrel Hydrobates monteiroi and Madeiran storm‐petrel Hydrobates castro) during their respective breeding seasons.

Of the 138 deployments, 70% of all deployments were deemed to be “Successful” (Successful was defined as continuous footage being recorded for more than one hour without an interruption), which equated to 87% of the individual 30‐s videos. The bespoke cameras proved to be easily portable between 54 different nests and reasonably weatherproof (~14% of deployments classed as “Partial” or “Failure” deployments were specifically due to the weather/humidity), and we make further trouble‐shooting suggestions to mitigate additional weather‐related failures.

Here, we have shown that this system is fully portable and capable of coping with salt spray and humidity, and consequently, the camera‐build methods and scripts could be applied easily to many different species that also utilize cavities, burrows, and artificial nests, and can potentially be adapted for other wildlife monitoring situations to provide novel insights into species‐specific daily cycles of behaviors and interspecies interactions.
Long‐term shifts in the functional diversity of abandoned wet meadows: Impacts of historical disturbance and successional pathways
Authors: Czortek Patryk , Borkowska Lidia , Lembicz Marlena
Published: October 2021

Investigating the direction of changes in functional diversity involving successional pathways and historical disturbances may be a promising tool for predictions of the effectiveness of the seminatural meadows conservation, with great emphasis on formulation of more cost‐effective restoration strategies. The goal of this research was to assess the differences in long‐term shifts in the functional diversity of plant species in seminatural wet meadows unmanaged for the last 40 years, under the influence of different successional pathways and historical disturbances. Using ordination techniques, linear mixed‐effect models, a set of plant functional traits and parameters of functional diversity, we assessed the importance of habitat filtering, competition, and niche partitioning in shaping community assembly changes over time. The most dramatic shifts in functional diversity were found in the Carex acutiformis successional pathway after topsoil removal, where colonization by successional inhibitors was the main driver causing decreases in functional dispersion and divergence. This was expressed as a decrease in the importance of habitat filtering and replacement of specialized species by competitors with heavier seeds and higher specific leaf area. Regarding the C. cespitosa and Salix cinerea pathways, the magnitudes of shifts in functional diversity were milder and differed less between the historical topsoil removal and mowing treatments, thereby maintaining a large role for niche partitioning in shaping the vegetation structure. The results of our study highlight the importance of tussock sedges and shrubs as effective buffers against the functional homogenization of meadows driven by the decreases in functional diversity of plant species, even from a long‐term perspective.
Plant pathogen‐mediated rapid acclimation of a host‐specialized aphid to a non‐host plant
Authors: Ali Farhan , Hu Xiaoyue , Wang Duoqi , Yang Fengying , Guo Hao , Wang Yongmo
Published: October 2021

Polyphagous aphids often consist of host‐specialized lineages, which have greater fitness on their native hosts than on others. The underlying causes are important for understanding of the evolution of diet breadth and host shift of aphids. The cotton‐melon aphid Aphis gossypii Glover is extremely polyphagous with many strict host‐specialized lineages. Whether and how the lineage specialized on the primary host hibiscus shifts to the secondary host cucumber remains elusive. We found that the hibiscus‐specialized lineage suffered high mortality and gave birth to very few nymphs developing into yellow dwarfs on fresh cucumber leaves, and did not inflict any damage symptoms on cucumber plants. The poor performance did not improve with prolonged exposure to cucumber; however, it did significantly improve when the cucumber leaves were pre‐infected with a biotrophic phytopathogen Pseudoperonospora cubensis. More importantly, the hibiscus‐specialized lineage with two‐generation feeding experience on pre‐infected cucumber leaves performed as well as the cucumber‐specialized lineage did on fresh cucumber leaves, and inflicted typical damage symptoms on intact cucumber plants. Electrical penetration graph (EPG) indicated that the hibiscus‐specialized lineage did not ingest phloem sap from fresh cucumber leaves but succeeded in ingesting phloem sap from pre‐infected cucumber leaves, which explained the performance improvement of the hibiscus‐specialized lineage on pre‐infected cucumber leaves. This study revealed a new pathway for the hibiscus‐specialized lineage to quickly acclimate to cucumber under the assistance of the phytopathogen. We considered that the short feeding experience on pre‐infected cucumber may activate expression of effector genes that are related to specific host utilization. We suggest to identify host‐specific effectors by comparing proteomes or/and transcriptomes of the hibiscus‐specialized lineage before and after acclimating to cucumber.
Classifying Electrolyte Solutions by Comparing Charge and Mass Transport
Authors: Roling Bernhard , Kettner Janosch , Miß Vanessa
Published: October 2021

The conventional classification of electrolyte solutions as “strong” or “weak” accounts for their charge transport properties, but neglects their mass transport properties, and is not readily applicable to highly concentrated solutions. Here, we use the Onsager transport formalism in combination with linear response theory to attain a more general classification taking into account both charge and mass transport properties. To this end, we define a molar mass transport coefficient , which is related to equilibrium center‐of‐mass fluctuations of the mobile ions and which is the mass‐transport analogue of the molar ionic conductivity . Three classes of electrolyte solution are then distinguished: (i) “Strong electrolytes” with ; (ii) “weak charge transport electrolytes” with ; and (iii) “weak mass transport electrolytes” with . While classes (i) and (ii) encompass the classical “strong” and “weak” electrolytes, respectively, many highly concentrated electrolytes fall into class (iii) and thus exhibit transport properties clearly distinct from classical strong and weak electrolytes.
Immunity in acute myeloid leukemia: Where the immune response and targeted therapy meet
Authors: Fink Avner , Hung Eric , Singh Indranil , Ben‐Neriah Yinon
Published: October 2021

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly aggressive disease with high relapse and mortality rates. Recent years have shown a surge in novel therapeutic development for AML, both in clinical and preclinical stages. These developments include targeted therapies based on AML‐specific molecular signatures as well as more general immune modulation and vaccination studies. In this review, we will explore the evolving arena of AML therapy and suggest some intriguing connections between immune system modulation and targeted therapy. Improved understanding of the immune system involvement in various stages of the disease and the crosstalk between immune effectors, targeted therapy, and AML cells can provide a better framework for designing the next generation of AML therapies.
Changes in recruitment practices post‐pandemic
Authors: Dennis Marguerite J.
Published: October 2021

No higher education chief executive, scholar, or researcher can predict with certainty how college and university students will be permanently recruited in the future. But as 2021 draws to a close, there are three recruitment trends that emerged in 2020 and continued this year.
Reconstruction of gully erosion based on exposed tree roots in a recent landform of Paricutin Volcano, Mexico
Authors: Franco‐Ramos Osvaldo , Ballesteros‐Cánovas Juan Antonio , Terrazas Teresa , Stoffel Markus , Vázquez‐Selem Lorenzo , Cerano‐Paredes Julian
Published: October 2021

Gullies in volcanic deposits are among the first signs of erosion that can be observed during or immediately after the volcanic activity and reflective of unstable conditions of newly formed deposits. Gully formation and erosion pulses may well continue to occur long after the initial landform was created, mostly as a result of torrential rainfall and/or land‐use changes. Yet, proper understanding of erosion dynamics and its relations with environmental drivers remains challenging as long‐term observations are, especially in volcanic terrain. Here we applied dendrogeomorphic approaches to (i) analyse both microscopic and macroscopic disturbances in tree roots exposed by gully erosion in a young volcanic landform of central Mexico and to (ii) quantify the evolution of erosion in the volcanic deposits of Paricutin Volcano. To this end we analysed 154 cross‐sections of 30 living, exposed roots of Pinus pseudoestrobus Lindl., of which 25 were used for anatomical and 129 for macroscopic analysis. Wood anatomical – or microscopic – disturbances were mostly in the form of strong growth reductions (~50%) in lumen area of earlywood tracheids, substantial increases in ring widths (mostly stemming from eccentric growth) and the increased formation of latewood cells. We observe major erosion pulses in 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, triggered primarily by torrential rainfall (with >100 mm 24 h−1 for the maximum intensity event: standard precipitation index values ≥ 2). Along the gully, the lower sector formed between 2009 and 2017, whereas the central sector exhibited important phases of exposure from 2012 to 2018. In the upper, most recent sector of the gully, erosion started only in 2017. Erosion rates in the lower and upper sectors are smaller with a channel widening rate of 6 to 16 cm yr−1. Around the main knickpoint found in the central part of the gully, retreat rates are up to 60 cm yr−1 and gully incision is 30 cm yr−1. The methods applied in this research are novel and can be applied to other volcanic environments with intense gully erosion, so as to provide baseline data for land‐use and environmental management plans.
A simulation study of carbon storage with active reservoir management
Authors: Dalkhaa Chantsalmaa , Jiang Tao , Burton‐Kelly Matthew E. , Scharenberg Mackenzie , Smith Valerie , Walker Jared L. , Duguid Andrew , Heinrichs Michael R. , Bosshart Nicholas W. , Sorensen James A.
Published: October 2021

As part of the Integrated Midcontinent Stacked Carbon Storage Hub (IMSCS‐Hub) project led by Battelle Memorial Institute, a study was conducted to determine the feasibility of storing carbon dioxide (CO2) in the stacked saline rock formations of the Sleepy Hollow Field (SHF), located in Red Willow County, southern Nebraska.

A series of CO2 injection simulation scenarios, with and without active reservoir management (ARM; brine extraction), were evaluated to investigate the feasibility of storing 50+ million tonnes (Mt) of CO2. The results indicated CO2 injection combined with ARM may enable permanent storage of 50+ Mt of CO2.

The area of review (AOR), the area in which underground sources of drinking water (USDWs) might be endangered during CO2 injection, was assessed for the simulation scenarios. In comparison to a case without ARM, brine extraction resulted in a much smaller AOR, covering an area of 42 square miles (108.8 km2), roughly one‐fourth the size of an AOR resulting from CO2 injection without ARM.

The findings presented in this paper indicate that CO2 injection with ARM can improve the CO2 storage capacity of a geologic storage complex up to 100% while also reduce the rate of pressure buildup in the subsurface, resulting in a 75% reduction in AOR. This may help in lowering carbon capture and storage project costs, risks, and effort needed to meet monitoring requirements for a storage project. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Differences in executive abilities rather than associative processes contribute to memory development
Authors: Müller Nils C. J. , Kohn Nils , van Buuren Mariët , Klijn Nadia , Emmen Helene , Berkers Ruud M. W. J. , Dresler Martin , Janzen Gabriele , Fernández Guillén
Published: October 2021

Children's learning capabilities change while growing up. One framework that describes the cognitive and neural development of children's growing learning abilities is the two‐component model. It distinguishes processes that integrate separate features into a coherent memory representation (associative component) and executive abilities, such as elaboration, evaluation, and monitoring, that support memory processing (strategic component). In an fMRI study using an object‐location association paradigm, we investigated how the two components influence memory performance across development. We tested children (10–12 years, n = 31), late adolescents (18 years, n = 29), and adults (25+ years, n = 30). For studying the associative component, we also probed how the utilisation of prior knowledge (schemas) facilitates memory across age groups. Children had overall lower retrieval performance, while adolescents and adults did not differ from each other. All groups benefitted from schemas, but this effect did not differ between groups. Performance differences between groups were associated with deactivation of the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC), which in turn was linked to executive functioning. These patterns were stronger in adolescents and adults and seemed absent in children. Thus, the children's executive system, the strategic component, is not as mature and thus cannot facilitate memory performance in the same way as in adolescents/adults. In contrast, we did not find age‐related differences in the associative component; with activity in the angular gyrus predicting memory performance systematically across groups. Overall, our results suggest that differences of executive rather than associative abilities explain memory differences between children, adolescents, and adults.