bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The State Giveth and the State Taketh Away? The Antislavery Movement and the Black Franchise in the United States, 1691–1842
Authors: Budros Art
Published: September 2013

Although the franchise is the centerpiece of U.S. democracy, serious scholarly study of the black franchise has been limited to the Reconstruction and Civil Rights eras. Consequently, the author examines black suffrage in the United States during 1691–1842 using event history methods and an original data set. Focusing on the neglected relationship between the antislavery movement and black suffrage, the author reports that disruptive and militant activism, warfare, and partisan politics influenced this phenomenon. There also is support for a generational model of movement success. The evidence clarifies two unsettled issues: (1) whether movements matter and (2) the impacts of conventional, disruptive, and militant protest on movement success. Moreover, as institutionalism predicts, voting rules spread across states through mimicry; and as group threat theory predicts, free black presence adversely affected black suffrage. The findings clarify why it took three and a half centuries for the American democracy to accept a race-blind franchise.
The Relationship between Occupational Stress, Burnout, and Turnover Intention among Managerial Staff from a Sino‐Japanese Joint Venture in Guangzhou, China
Authors: Lin Qiu‐Hong , Jiang Chao‐Qiang , Lam Tai Hing
Published: September 2013

The Relationship between Occupational Stress, Burnout, and Turnover Intention among Managerial Staff from a Sino‐Japanese Joint Venture in Guangzhou, China: Qiu‐Hong LIN, et al. Guangzhou Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment Centre, Guangzhou NO. 12 Hospital, P.R. China—

Objective

The aim of this study was to analyze the associations between occupational stress, burnout and turnover intention and explore their associated factors among managerial staff in Guangzhou, China.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study recruited 288 managerial employees from a Sino‐Japanese joint venture automobile manufacturing enterprise in Guangzhou. The questionnaire included questions about sociodemographic characteristics, smoking, drinking and physical activity and the Chinese versions of the Occupational Stress Indicator (OSI), Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ) and Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS). The response rate was 57.6%. Stepwise regression analysis was performed to examine the associations between burnout and occupational stress and turnover intention and related factors.

Results

The respondents had a high level burnout on the personal accomplishment subscale and had a high prevalence of turnover intention. Neuroticism, psychoticism, job satisfaction, occupational stress and social support were strong predictors of emotional exhaustion. Psychoticism, passive coping, occupational stress, objective support, utilization of support, male gender and job satisfaction were strong predictors of depersonalization. Active and passive coping and job satisfaction were strong predictors of personal accomplishment. Job dissatisfaction and emotional exhaustion were strong predictors of turnover intention.

Conclusions

High occupational stress and low job satisfaction were associated with high burnout, particularly in the emotional exhaustion and depersonalization dimensions. Low job satisfaction and high emotional exhaustion were associated with high turnover intention among employees. Personality traits, social support and coping style were also found to be associated with burnout.
Prevalence of Bile Duct Cancer among Printing Industry Workers in Comparison with Other Industries
Authors: Okamoto Etsuji , Kikuchi Kiyotaka , Endo Ginji
Published: September 2013

Prevalence of Bile Duct Cancer among Printing Industry Workers in Comparison with Other Industries: Etsuji OKAMOTO, et al. National Institute of Public Health, Department of Health and Welfare Service Research—

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the risk of developing bile duct cancer among workers in the other printing industry in comparison with workers in all industries in general.

Methods

Prevalence of bile duct cancer was compared between workers in the printing industry and age‐standardized controls in all other industries using the claims database of the Japan Health Insurance Association, which insures workers of small‐medium sized employers of all industries.

Results

Young (aged 30−49) male workers in the printing industry showed an elevated but insignificant standardized prevalence rate ratio (SPRR) for bile duct cancer in comparison with workers in all other industries (SPRR: 1.78; 95%CI: 0.63−5.00). The risk was higher for intrahepatic bile duct cancer but remained insignificant (SPRR: 3.03; 95%CI: 0.52−17.56).

Conclusions

The sharply elevated risk of bile duct cancer observed among proof‐printing workers of a printing factory in Osaka may not be generalizable to workers in the printing industry nationwide.
Editorial Vol.4(2)
Authors: Ara Rowshan
Published: September 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bioethics.v4i2.16370 Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2013; 4(2)
Archaeal Diversity in Biofilm Technologies Applied to Treat Urban and Industrial Wastewater: Recent Advances and Future Prospects
Authors: Calderón Kadiya , González-Martínez Alejandro , Gómez-Silván Cinta , Osorio Francisco , Rodelas Belén , González-López Jesús
Published: September 2013

Biological wastewater treatment (WWT) frequently relies on biofilms for the removal of anthropogenic contaminants. The use of inert carrier materials to support biofilm development is often required, although under certain operating conditions microorganisms yield structures called granules, dense aggregates of self-immobilized cells with the characteristics of biofilms maintained in suspension. Molecular techniques have been successfully applied in recent years to identify the prokaryotic communities inhabiting biofilms in WWT plants. Although methanogenic Archaea are widely acknowledged as key players for the degradation of organic matter in anaerobic bioreactors, other biotechnological functions fulfilled by Archaea are less explored, and research on their significance and potential for WWT is largely needed. In addition, the occurrence of biofilms in WWT plants can sometimes be a source of operational problems. This is the case for membrane bioreactors (MBR), an advanced technology that combines conventional biological treatment with membrane filtration, which is strongly limited by biofouling, defined as the undesirable accumulation of microbial biofilms and other materials on membrane surfaces. The prevalence and spatial distribution of archaeal communities in biofilm-based WWT as well as their role in biofouling are reviewed here, in order to illustrate the significance of this prokaryotic cellular lineage in engineered environments devoted to WWT.
Low-Gain, Low-Noise Integrated Neuronal Amplifier for Implantable Artifact-Reduction Recording System
Authors: Zbrzeski Adeline , Lewis Noëlle , Rummens Francois , Jung Ranu , N'Kaoua Gilles , Benazzouz Abdelhamid , Renaud Sylvie
Published: September 2013

Brain neuroprostheses for neuromodulation are being designed to monitor the neural activity of the brain in the vicinity of the region being stimulated using a single macro-electrode. Using a single macro-electrode, recent neuromodulation studies show that recording systems with a low gain neuronal amplifier and successive amplifier stages can reduce or reject stimulation artifacts. These systems were made with off-the-shelf components that are not amendable for future implant design. A low-gain, low-noise integrated neuronal amplifier (NA) with the capability of recording local field potentials (LFP) and spike activity is presented. In vitro and in vivo characterizations of the tissue/electrode interface, with equivalent impedance as an electrical model for recording in the LFP band using macro-electrodes for rodents, contribute to the NA design constraints. The NA occupies 0.15 mm2 and dissipates 6.73 µW, and was fabricated using a 0.35 µm CMOS process. Test-bench validation indicates that the NA provides a mid-band gain of 20 dB and achieves a low input-referred noise of 4 µVRMS. Ability of the NA to perform spike recording in test-bench experiments is presented. Additionally, an awake and freely moving rodent setup was used to illustrate the integrated NA ability to record LFPs, paving the pathway for future implantable systems for neuromodulation.
Characterization of Flexible Copolymer Optical Fibers for Force Sensing Applications
Authors: Krehel Marek , Rossi René , Bona Gian-Luca , Scherer Lukas
Published: September 2013

In this paper, different polymer optical fibres for applications in force sensing systems in textile fabrics are reported. The proposed method is based on the deflection of the light in fibre waveguides. Applying a force on the fibre changes the geometry and affects the wave guiding properties and hence induces light loss in the optical fibre. Fibres out of three different elastic and transparent copolymer materials were successfully produced and tested. Moreover, the influence of the diameter on the sensing properties was studied. The detectable force ranges from 0.05 N to 40 N (applied on 3 cm of fibre length), which can be regulated with the material and the diameter of the fibre. The detected signal loss varied from 0.6% to 78.3%. The fibres have attenuation parameters between 0.16–0.25 dB/cm at 652 nm. We show that the cross-sensitivies to temperature, strain and bends are low. Moreover, the high yield strength (0.0039–0.0054 GPa) and flexibility make these fibres very attractive candidates for integration into textiles to form wearable sensors, medical textiles or even computing systems.
Proof of Concept of Impact Detection in Composites Using Fiber Bragg Grating Arrays
Authors: Gomez Javier , Jorge Iagoba , Durana Gaizka , Arrue Jon , Zubia Joseba , Aranguren Gerardo , Montero Ander , López Ion
Published: September 2013

Impact detection in aeronautical structures allows predicting their future reliability and performance. An impact can produce microscopic fissures that could evolve into fractures or even the total collapse of the structure, so it is important to know the location and severity of each impact. For this purpose, optical fibers with Bragg gratings are used to analyze each impact and the vibrations generated by them. In this paper it is proven that optical fibers with Bragg gratings can be used to detect impacts, and also that a high-frequency interrogator is necessary to collect valuable information about the impacts. The use of two interrogators constitutes the main novelty of this paper.
Practical Strategies for Stable Operation of HFF-QCM in Continuous Air Flow
Authors: Wessels Alexander , Klöckner Bernhard , Siering Carsten , Waldvogel Siegfried
Published: September 2013

Currently there are a few fields of application using quartz crystal microbalances (QCM). Because of environmental conditions and insufficient resolution of the microbalance, chemical sensing of volatile organic compounds in an open system was as yet not possible. In this study we present strategies on how to use 195 MHz fundamental quartz resonators for a mobile sensor platform to detect airborne analytes. Commonly the use of devices with a resonant frequency of about 10 MHz is standard. By increasing the frequency to 195 MHz the frequency shift increases by a factor of almost 400. Unfortunately, such kinds of quartz crystals tend to exhibit some challenges to obtain a reasonable signal-to-noise ratio. It was possible to reduce the noise in frequency in a continuous air flow of 7.5 m/s to 0.4 Hz [i.e., σ(τ) = 2 × 10−9] by elucidating the major source of noise. The air flow in the vicinity of the quartz was analyzed to reduce turbulences. Furthermore, we found a dependency between the acceleration sensitivity and mechanical stress induced by an internal thermal gradient. By reducing this gradient, we achieved reduction of the sensitivity to acceleration by more than one decade. Hence, the resulting sensor is more robust to environmental conditions such as temperature, acceleration and air flow.
Stability and Fitness Impact of the Visually Discernible Rosea1 Marker in the Tobacco etch virus Genome
Authors: Majer Eszter , Daròs José-Antonio , Zwart Mark
Published: September 2013

Antirrhinum majus Rosea1 (Ros1) is an MYB-related transcription factor that induces anthocyanin biosynthesis in plant tissues, and has been shown to be suitable for visual tracking of virus infection in plants. However, activation of anthocyanin biosynthesis has far reaching effects on plant physiology and could consequently have negative effects on viral replication. Therefore, viruses carrying the Ros1 marker might have a low fitness and consequently rapidly lose the marker. To compare the stability of the Ros1 marker, we generated Tobacco etch virus (TEV) based constructs containing either Ros1 or the enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) between the NIb and CP cistrons (TEV-Ros1 and TEV-eGFP, respectively). We measured the within-host competitive fitness of both viruses by direct competitions with a common competitor during infection of Nicotiana tabacum. The fitness of TEV-Ros1 was significantly lower than that of TEV-eGFP, and both recombinant viruses had a significantly lower fitness than the wild-type virus. Nevertheless, after seven weeks of infection in N. tabacum, similar levels of marker gene instability where found for both viruses. Despite lower fitness of the marked virus, Ros1 is therefore a viable alternative marker for tracking viral infection in plants.
Self-assembly of 2,3-dihydroxycholestane steroids into supramolecular organogels as a soft template for the in-situ generation of silicate nanomaterials
Authors: Edelsztein Valeria C , Mac Cormack Andrea S , Ciarlantini Matías , Di Chenna Pablo H
Published: September 2013

Supramolecular gels are an important and interesting class of soft materials that show great potential for many applications. Most of them have been discovered serendipitously, and understanding the supramolecular self-assembly that leads to the formation of the gel superstructure is the key to the directed design of new organogels. We report herein the organogelating property of four stereoisomers of the simple steroid 2,3-dihydroxycholestane. Only the isomer with the trans-diaxial hydroxy groups had the ability to gelate a broad variety of liquids and, thus, to be a super-organogelator for hydrocarbons. The scope of solvent gelation was analysed with regard to two solvent parameters, namely the Kamlet–Taft and the Hansen solubility parameters. The best correlation was observed with the Hansen approach that revealed the existence of two clear gelation zones. We propose a general model of self-assembly through multiple intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the 1,2-dihydroxy system, which is based on experimental data and computational simulations revealing the importance of the di-axial orientation of the hydroxy groups for the one-dimensional self-assembly. Under controlled conditions, the fibrillar superstructure of the organogel was successfully used as a template for the in-situ sol–gel polymerization of tetraethoxysilane and the further preparation of silica nanotubes. We propose that the driving forces for templating are hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions between the anionic silicate intermediate species and the self-assembled fibrillar network.
The Value of Information and Information Services in Knowledge Society
Authors: Marques Maria Beatriz
Published: September 2013

The objective of this chapter is to analyze the concept of information value in terms of quality indicators of services and organizations in the 21st century. Based on the analysis of the evolution of the concept of inherent quality (internal, objective, or absolute) into perceived quality (external, subjective, or contingent), the authors argue that the quality of information depends very much on the concept of value, while individual judgment is analyzed in relation with use. They move from a system-oriented approach to a user-oriented approach and develop an analysis of the concept of value from a revisitation of Adam Smith's economic theory. Thus, the authors conclude that the bad or the good quality of information will be determined on the basis of its (in)ability to support useful decisions for the development of human beings and social organizations.
Late reaction to ustekinumab infusion
Authors: Morais Marina Resener , Meneghello Luana Pizarro , De Oliveira Carina Flores , Carvalho André Vicente Esteves
Published: September 2013

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that directly affects the quality of life. Biologics are prescribed for patients unresponsive to conventional treatments and with severe forms of the disease. Ustekinumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody against the p40 subunit of interleukins 12/23 that is being used with satisfactory responses, achieving an improvement in the baseline Psoriasis Area and Severity Index of approximately 75% after 12 weeks of treatment. It has few side effects, including grater susceptibility to infections and development of reactions to the drug. Our report discusses a case of a cutaneous reaction to the use of ustekinumab in a 27 year-old male patient after the third dose of the medication. No similar case has been reported in the literature.
Apocrine Adenocarcinoma of the Vulva
Authors: Kajal Babita , Talati Hetal , Daya Dean , Alowami Salem
Published: September 2013

Cutaneous vulvar carcinomas are predominantly of squamous cell carcinoma type. Primary vulvar adenocarcinomas are rare with a poorly understood histogenesis. They are classified into extramammary Paget's disease, sweat gland carcinomas, and breast-like adenocarcinomas of the vulva. Adenocarcinomas, originating from Bartholin glands, can also present as vulvar adenocarcinoma. Rare adenocarcinomas with apocrine features have been described in the literature. The origin of these neoplasms from the native apocrine sweat glands or from anogenital mammary-like glands is still debatable. We report herein a case of a 67 year old female with a rare primary apocrine carcinoma of the vulva.
Uterovesicovaginal fistula following placenta percreta: case review and management options
Authors: Mann Sonika , Dahiya Pushpa , Mann Amit , Madan Shikha
Published: September 2013

We report case of uterovesicovaginal fistula following caesarean section with review of management options. The case presented with continuous dribbling of urine with cyclical menouria immediately following dilatation and curettage for retained placental bits. Cystosco - py along with hysteroscopy and methylene blue instillation through the cervix confirmed the diagnosis. Patient was put on prolonged bladder drainage for three months. The fistulas healed spontaneously requiring no further surgical management. All over the world prevalence of the utero-vesical fistula is increasing with frequent use of caesarean section.
Betts Cove ophiolite and its cover rocks, Newfoundland
Authors: Bédard J H , Lauzière K , Tremblay A , Sangster A , Douma S
L , Dec T
Published: September 2013

The Betts Cove ophiolite formed through seafloor spreading in an Ordovician fore-arc marginal basin, since dykes of the sheeted dyke complex, the lower lavas (the Betts Head Formation), and the cumulate rocks all have boninitic affinities; and recent boninitic
lavas are only found in fore-arc environments. Synmagmatic extensional faults dissect the lavas and dykes into horst-and-graben structures. The faults localized hydrothermal flow and controlled sulphide deposition. The lowermost unit of the overlying Snooks Arm Group, the Mount Misery Formation, is
composed of arc tholeiitic rocks. They are overlain by thick sequences of evolved tholeiitic rocks (Scrape Point Volcanic Member; Venam's Bight, Round Harbour formations) and feeder sills, calc-alkaline pyroclastic rocks (lower Bobby Cove, lower Balsam Bud Cove formations), and sedimentary rocks
derived through erosion of the different types of volcanic rocks (Scrape Point sedimentary rocks, upper Bobby Cove, upper Balsam Bud Cove formations). During obduction, the ophiolite and its cover rocks were thrust above a talc-serpentinite unit. Chloritized synoceanic faults formed during seafloor
spreading were reactivated at this time.
Lidar-based remote sensing of atmospheric boundary layer height over land and ocean
Authors: Luo T. , Yuan R. , Wang Z.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. Atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) processes are important in climate, weather and air quality. A better understanding of the structure and the behavior of the ABL is required for understanding and modeling of the chemistry and dynamics of the atmosphere on all scales. Based on the systematic variations of ABL structures over different surfaces, different lidar-based methods were developed and evaluated to determine the boundary layer height and mixing layer height over land and ocean. With Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program (ARM) Climate Research Facility (ACRF) micropulse lidar (MPL) and radiosonde measurements, diurnal and season cycles of atmospheric boundary layer depth and ABL vertical structure over ocean (TWP_C2 cite) and land (SGP_C1) are analyzed. The new methods are also applied to satellite lidar measurements. The derived global marine boundary layer structure database shows good agreement with marine ABL stratiform cloud top height.
A mid-Holocene climate reconstruction for eastern South America
Authors: Prado L. F. , Wainer I. , Chiessi C. M. , Ledru M.-P. , Turcq B.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. The mid-Holocene (6000 calibrated years before present) is a key period in palaeoclimatology because incoming summer insolation was lower than during the late Holocene in the Southern Hemisphere, whereas the opposite happened in the Northern Hemisphere. However, the effects of the decreased austral summer insolation over South American climate have been poorly discussed by palaeodata syntheses. In addition, only a few of the regional studies have characterised the mid-Holocene climate in South America through a multiproxy approach. Here, we present a multiproxy compilation of mid-Holocene palaeoclimate data for eastern South America. We compiled 120 palaeoclimatological datasets, which were published in 84 different papers. The palaeodata analysed here suggest a water deficit scenario in the majority of eastern South America during the mid-Holocene if compared to the late Holocene, with the exception of northeastern Brazil. Low mid-Holocene austral summer insolation caused a reduced land–sea temperature contrast and hence a weakened South American monsoon system circulation. This scenario is represented by a decrease in precipitation over the South Atlantic Convergence Zone area, saltier conditions along the South American continental margin, and lower lake levels.
Downscaling a global climate model to simulate climate change over the US and the implication on regional and urban air quality
Authors: Trail M. , Tsimpidi A. P. , Liu P. , Tsigaridis K. , Hu Y. , Nenes A. , Russell A. G.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. Climate change can exacerbate future regional air pollution events by making conditions more favorable to form high levels of ozone. In this study, we use spectral nudging with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model to downscale NASA earth system GISS modelE2 results during the years 2006 to 2010 and 2048 to 2052 over the contiguous United States in order to compare the resulting meteorological fields from the air quality perspective during the four seasons of five-year historic and future climatological periods. GISS results are used as initial and boundary conditions by the WRF regional climate model (RCM) to produce hourly meteorological fields. The downscaling technique and choice of physics parameterizations used are evaluated by comparing them with in situ observations. This study investigates changes of similar regional climate conditions down to a 12 km by 12 km resolution, as well as the effect of evolving climate conditions on the air quality at major US cities. The high-resolution simulations produce somewhat different results than the coarse-resolution simulations in some regions. Also, through the analysis of the meteorological variables that most strongly influence air quality, we find consistent changes in regional climate that would enhance ozone levels in four regions of the US during fall (western US, Texas, northeastern, and southeastern US), one region during summer (Texas), and one region where changes potentially would lead to better air quality during spring (Northeast). Changes in regional climate that would enhance ozone levels are increased temperatures and stagnation along with decreased precipitation and ventilation. We also find that daily peak temperatures tend to increase in most major cities in the US, which would increase the risk of health problems associated with heat stress. Future work will address a more comprehensive assessment of emissions and chemistry involved in the formation and removal of air pollutants.
Influence of microphysical schemes on atmospheric water in the Weather Research and Forecasting model
Authors: Cossu F. , Hocke K.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. This study examines how different microphysical parameterization schemes influence orographically-induced precipitation and the distributions of hydrometeors and water vapour for mid-latitude summer conditions in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. A high-resolution two-dimensional idealized simulation is used to assess the differences between the schemes in which a moist air flow is interacting with a bell-shaped 2 km high mountain. Periodic lateral boundary conditions are chosen to recirculate atmospheric water in the domain. It is found that the 13 selected microphysical schemes conserve the water in the model domain. The gain or loss of water is less than 0.81% over a simulation time interval of 61 days. The differences of the microphysical schemes in terms of the distributions of water vapour, hydrometeors and accumulated precipitation are presented and discussed. The Kessler scheme, the only scheme without ice-phase processes, shows final values of cloud liquid water 14 times greater than the other schemes. The differences among the other schemes are not as extreme, but still they differ up to 79% in water vapour, up to 10 times in hydrometeors and up to 64% in accumulated precipitation at the end of the simulation. The microphysical schemes also differ in the surface evaporation rate. The WRF single-moment 3-class scheme has the highest surface evaporation rate compensated by the highest precipitation rate. The different distributions of hydrometeors and water vapour of the microphysical schemes induce differences up to 49 W m−2 in the downwelling shortwave radiation and up to 33 W m−2 in the downwelling longwave radiation.
ANTIOXIDANTS FOR EPDM SEALS EXPOSED TO CHLORINATED TAP WATER
Authors: Gonokami Mio , Yamamoto Yoshimasa , Chaikumpollert Oraphin , Ohtake Yoshito , Kawahara Seiichi
Published: September 2013

A suitable antioxidant for a poly(ethylene-co-propylene-co-5-ethylidene-2-norbornene) (EPDM) seal in tap water applications was determined with respect to volatilization and decomposition of the antioxidants. Seals were prepared by mixing EPDM with 1 phr antioxidant and other ingredients followed by vulcanizing the mixture at 433 K for 20 min. The resulting EPDM seals were immersed into chlorinated water to investigate accelerated degradation. The change in antioxidant content was measured by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The weight loss of amine antioxidants during vulcanization was quite low due to their low volatility and decomposition. Antioxidant weight loss during accelerated degradation depended on both the antioxidant's ability to trap radicals and solubility in chlorinated water.
Police Reform in Thailand Post-2006
Authors: Poothakool Krisanathong , Glendinning Tony
Published: September 2013

The study analyses the operation and culture of Thai policing and the intersection between policing and politics framed by the recommendations of the Police Reform Committee (PRC), 2006—2007. The PRC’s priorities were: devolving police administration, especially budgets and personnel management; increasing accountability, especially establishing an Independent Complaints’ Committee; and civilianization. Those priorities were seen as clearing the ground for development of community-oriented policing longer-term. Interviews were conducted with senior members of the PRC. Afterwards non-commissioned officers’ opinions were established through a countrywide survey and follow-up in-depth interviews. Their station chiefs were also interviewed. According to PRC members and serving officers’ accounts the barriers to reform of police administration were political interference and nepotism, especially corruption of appointments, nominations, promotions and transfers. Local policing often involved further interference by informal networks of officials, politicians and business. The PRC’s recommendations were shelved due to an unfavourable political climate. The paradox was the PRC’s strategies for ‘democratic’ police reform were well-informed and well-founded but its establishment had been politically motivated and it was not immune to interference by competing political factions. The study contributes to debates about moving away from authoritarian policing models in the developing world by analysing barriers to the reform of police administration in the Thai context.
Sexual Orientation and Lifetime Prevalence of Skin Cancer Across Racial and Ethnic Groups
Authors: Rypka Katelyn J. , Wendland Zachary D. , Steele Maritza V. , Wehner Mackenzie R. , Yeung Howa , Mansh Matthew D.
Published: July 2024

Importance

Sexual minority (SM) persons have been found to have differential rates of skin cancer, but limited data exist on differences across racial and ethnic groups and by individual sexual identities.

Objective

To examine differences by sexual orientation in the lifetime prevalence of skin cancer among US adult females and males across racial and ethnic groups and by individual sexual identity.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study used data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2021, for US adults from the general population. Data were analyzed from December 1, 2023, to March 1, 2024.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Self-reported lifetime prevalence of skin cancer by sexual orientation. Age-adjusted prevalence and adjusted prevalence odds ratios (AORs) compared heterosexual and SM adults in analyses stratified by individual race.

Results

Of 1 512 400 participants studied, 805 161 (53.2%) were heterosexual females; 38 933 (2.6%), SM females; 638 651 (42.2%), heterosexual males; and 29 655 (2.0%), SM males. A total of 6.6% of participants were Hispanic; 3.4%, non-Hispanic Asian, Pacific Islander, or Hawaiian; 7.5%, non-Hispanic Black; 78.2%, non-Hispanic White; and 4.3%, other race and ethnicity. Mean (SE) age was 48.5 (0.03) years (incomplete data for age of respondents ≥80 years). The lifetime prevalence of skin cancer was overall higher among SM males compared with heterosexual males (7.4% vs 6.8%; AOR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.02-1.33), including specifically among Hispanic males (4.0% vs 1.6%; AOR, 3.81; 95% CI, 1.96-7.41) and non-Hispanic Black males (1.0% vs 0.5%; AOR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.13-4.19) in analyses stratified by race and ethnicity. Lifetime prevalence rates were lower among SM females compared with heterosexual females among non-Hispanic White females (7.8% vs 8.5%; AOR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.76-0.97) and were higher among Hispanic (2.1% vs 1.8%; AOR, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.28-4.70) and non-Hispanic Black (1.8% vs 0.5%; AOR, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.01-5.54) females in analyses stratified by race and ethnicity.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cross-sectional study of US adults, differences in the lifetime prevalence of skin cancer among SM adults compared with heterosexual adults differed across racial and ethnic groups and by individual sexual identity among both females and males. Both Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black and SM females and males had higher rates of skin cancer compared with their heterosexual counterparts. Further research addressing the individual factors contributing to these differences is needed to inform screening guidelines and public health interventions focused on these diverse, heterogeneous populations.
Cendakimab in Patients With Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Blauvelt Andrew , Guttman-Yassky Emma , Lynde Charles , Khattri Saakshi , Schlessinger Joel , Imafuku Shinichi , Tada Yayoi , Morita Akimichi , Wiseman Marni , Kwiek Bartlomiej , Machkova Martina , Zhang Peijin , Linaberry Misti , Li Jie , Zhang Sandra , Franchin Giovanni , Charles Edgar D. , De Oliveira Claudia H.M.C. , Silverberg Jonathan I.
Published: July 2024

Importance

Cendakimab selectively targets interleukin (IL)–13, a type 2 cytokine implicated in atopic dermatitis (AD) pathogenesis, by inhibiting binding to its receptors (IL13R-α1 and IL13R-α2). Proof-of-concept work in AD supports using cendakimab for type 2 inflammatory diseases.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cendakimab compared with placebo in patients with moderate to severe AD.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, dose-ranging clinical trial was conducted from May 2021 to November 2022. Adult patients with moderate to severe AD and inadequate response to topical medications were enrolled at 69 sites in 5 countries (US [n = 26], Japan [n = 17], Canada [n = 9], Poland [n = 9], and Czech Republic [n = 8]). Data were analyzed between April 25, 2023, and October 16, 2023.

Interventions

Patients were randomized (1:1:1:1) to receive subcutaneous cendakimab, 360 mg, every 2 weeks; 720 mg, every 2 weeks; 720 mg, once weekly; or placebo.

Main Outcome and Measure

Mean percentage change in Eczema Area and Severity Index scores from baseline to week 16. Hierarchical testing with multiplicity adjustment was performed for 720 mg, once weekly vs placebo, then 720 mg, every 2 weeks vs placebo, and then 360 mg, every 2 weeks vs placebo.

Results

Overall, 221 patients were randomized, and 220 received study drug (95 women [43%]; mean [SD] age, 37.7 [13.9] years; 720 mg, once weekly [54 (24%)]; 720 mg, every 2 weeks [55 (25%)]; 360 mg, every 2 weeks [55 (25%)]; placebo [56 (26%)]). The primary efficacy end point was met for cendakimab, 720 mg, once weekly vs placebo (–84.4 vs –62.7; P = .003) but missed statistical significance for 720 mg, every 2 weeks (–76.0 vs –62.7; P = .06). The treatment effect for 360 mg, every 2 weeks (−16.3; nominal P = .03 vs placebo) was comparable with 720 mg, once weekly (−21.8); however, significance was not claimed because the hierarchical testing sequence was interrupted. Of patients with treatment-emergent adverse events leading to discontinuation, 4 (7.4%) received 720 mg, once weekly; 2 (3.6%) 720 mg, every 2 weeks; 1 (1.8%) 360 mg, every 2 weeks; and 2 (3.6%) placebo.

Conclusions and Relevance

The results of this randomized clinical trial indicated that cendakimab was effective, generally safe, and well-tolerated in patients with moderate to severe AD. The primary end point was met with a significant reduction in Eczema Area and Severity Index scores with 720 mg, once weekly at week 16. Cendakimab demonstrated progressive AD improvement at all doses during 16 weeks of treatment.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04800315
Teacher Preparation for Writing in Kindergarten to 12th Grade
Authors: Gilliland Betsy
Published: July 2024

Elementary and secondary school teachers in the United States receive limited preparation for teaching writing to English language learners (ELLs). Effective pre‐service and in‐service professional development addresses issues of language, literacy, response to writing, and assessment. Teachers should have opportunities to learn both theories of language and writing development and practical strategies for scaffolding and explicitly teaching ELLs how to write. Beneficial approaches include reflection on their own language and literacy learning and inquiry into their students' writing experiences.
Depth of Processing in L2 Learning
Authors: Leow Ronald P.
Published: July 2024

There has been a recent uptick in several process‐oriented studies (e.g., Adrada‐Rafael, 2017; Leow, Thinglum, & Leow, 2022) that have employed concurrent data elicitation procedures (e.g., think aloud protocols) to explore how deeply L2 learners process, that is, depth of processing (DoP), L2 data. This chapter provides a succinct report of the origin of DoP, its theoretical and empirical presence in (I)SLA, and pedagogical implications for the instructed setting,
Ways of Helping Learners Remember New Vocabulary
Authors: Boers Frank
Published: July 2024

Teachers can take diverse steps to make new vocabulary memorable for language learners. These steps have in common that they create connections in the learner's mind that go beyond merely making a mental note of new lexical items. The connections may be with another lexical item, with a related use of the same lexical item, or with non‐verbal representations of meaning. They may also concern the composition of a word or an expression, where different parts can be shown to make a distinct contribution to meaning or where the combination of elements can be shown to be driven by catchy phonological properties such as rhyme and alliteration. This entry presents examples of diverse ways of helping learners remember new vocabulary, as well as some of the research conducted to assess their effectiveness.
Chemical and Solvent‐Based Recycling of High‐Performance Epoxy Thermoset Utilizing Imine‐Containing Secondary Amine Hardener
Authors: Dağlar Özgün , Eisenreich Fabian , Tomović Željko
Published: July 2024

Epoxy thermosets are indispensable in various industrial applications due to their exceptional material properties. However, their limited recyclability poses a significant challenge for sustainability. To address this issue, integrating recyclable imine moieties into epoxy systems has emerged as a promising strategy. Despite recent advancements, challenges persist concerning the hydrolytic stability of imine‐based epoxy thermosets and the formation of irregular oligomeric structures upon depolymerization. In this study, these shortcomings are solved by designing a liquid imine monomer with secondary amine functionalities, which is subsequently reacted with commercially available epoxy monomers to produce high‐performance epoxy thermosets. Remarkably, the developed imine‐based epoxy system shows no sign of hydrolysis even under high‐temperature aqueous conditions, underscoring its potential for various industrial applications. Only the treatment with aqueous HCl results in the selective formation of exclusively well‐defined molecules, in high isolated yields after depolymerization. Crosslinking these building blocks once again yields recycled polymers with properties identical to pristine material. Moreover, it is discovered that, despite the crosslinked nature of the epoxy thermoset, the complete dissolution of the intact polymer in dichloromethane allowed for simple solvent‐based recycling. Through design on the molecular level, the recycling of imine‐based epoxy polymers is achieved via chemical and solvent‐based techniques.
On‐Chip Room‐Temperature Operated Short‐Wavelength‐Infrared Si:S Photodetector with a Vertical Junction
Authors: Xiao Yunlong , Deng Ke , Zhang Kun , Xu Xiangbao , Li Qing , Zhang Tao , Guo Jiaxiang , Lu Hangyu , Wang Peng , Hu Weida
Published: July 2024

Silicon (Si)‐based photodetectors are cost‐effective, eco‐friendly, and compatible with on‐chip complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor (CMOS) technology. However, expanding their photoresponse into the short‐wavelength‐infrared region beyond 1.1 µm remains challenging because of the intrinsic bandgap of Si. In this study, an ion implantation sulfur‐doped Si‐based infrared photodetector featuring a blocked impurity band (BIB) structure is investigated. The detector achieves an extended sub‐bandgap infrared response up to 2 µm through impurity band transitions, facilitated by the artificial creation of a deep‐level impurity band within the Si bandgap. The device exhibited a competitive photodetection effect with a high responsivity of 107.3 mA W−1 and an external quantum efficiency of 10.2%. Notably, the detector yielded an enhanced response speed with a raising time of 46 µs and a decay time of 135 µs at 1310 nm under room temperature. Finally, the versatile applications of this detector is presented in a multitude of scenarios encompassing material composition identification, multi‐band imaging, and optical communication. The proposed investigation not only proposed a method for Si‐based infrared detectors but also constituted a contribution to the advancement of silicon photonics.
Fine‐Tuning Electron Transfer for Nanozyme Design
Authors: Zong Xia , Xu Xinran , Pang Dai‐Wen , Huang Xinglu , Liu An‐An
Published: July 2024

Nanozymes, with their versatile composition and structural adaptability, present distinct advantages over natural enzymes including heightened stability, customizable catalytic activity, cost‐effectiveness, and simplified synthesis process, making them as promising alternatives in various applications. Recent advancements in nanozyme research have shifted focus from serendipitous discovery toward a more systematic approach, leveraging machine learning, theoretical calculations, and mechanistic explorations to engineer nanomaterial structures with tailored catalytic functions. Despite its pivotal role, electron transfer, a fundamental process in catalysis, has often been overlooked in previous reviews. This review comprehensively summarizes recent strategies for modulating electron transfer processes to fine‐tune the catalytic activity and specificity of nanozymes, including electron‐hole separation and carrier transfer. Furthermore, the bioapplications of these engineered nanozymes, including antimicrobial treatments, cancer therapy, and biosensing are also introduced. Ultimately, this review aims to offer invaluable insights for the design and synthesis of nanozymes with enhanced performance, thereby advancing the field of nanozyme research.
Bioactive Glass in Tissue Regeneration: Unveiling Recent Advances in Regenerative Strategies and Applications
Authors: Zhu Yanlun , Zhang Xuerao , Chang Guozhu , Deng Shuai , Chan Hon Fai
Published: July 2024

Bioactive glass (BG) is a class of biocompatible, biodegradable, multifunctional inorganic glass materials, which is successfully used for orthopedic and dental applications, with several products already approved for clinical use. Apart from exhibiting osteogenic properties, BG is also known to be angiogenic and antibacterial. Recently, BG's role in immunomodulation has been gradually revealed. While the therapeutic effect of BG is mostly reported in the context of bone and skin‐related regeneration, its application in regenerating other tissues/organs, such as muscle, cartilage, and gastrointestinal tissue, has also been explored recently. The strategies of applying BG have also expanded from powder or cement form to more advanced strategies such as fabrication of composite polymer‐BG scaffold, 3D printing of BG‐loaded scaffold, and BG‐induced extracellular vesicle production. This review presents a concise overview of the recent applications of BG in regenerative medicine. Various regenerative strategies of BG will be first introduced. Next, the applications of BG in regenerating various tissues/organs, such as bone, cartilage, muscle, tendon, skin, and gastrointestinal tissue, will be discussed. Finally, clinical applications of BG for tissue regeneration will be summarized, and future challenges and directions for the clinical translation of BG will be outlined.
An Electrolyte Engineered Homonuclear Copper Complex as Homogeneous Catalyst for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Yang Qin , Shen Shiying , Han Zhiyuan , Li Guanwu , Liu Dong , Zhang Qingchun , Song Lixian , Wang Dong , Zhou Guangmin , Song Yingze
Published: July 2024

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries suffer from severe polysulfide shuttle, retarded sulfur conversion kinetics and notorious lithium dendrites, which has curtailed the discharge capacity, cycling lifespan and safety. Engineered catalysts act as a feasible strategy to synchronously manipulate the evolution behaviors of sulfur and lithium species. Herein, a chlorine bridge‐enabled binuclear copper complex (Cu‐2‐T) is in situ synthesized in electrolyte as homogeneous catalyst for rationalizing the Li–S redox reactions. The well‐designed Cu‐2‐T provides completely active sites and sufficient contact for homogeneously guiding the Li2S nucleation/decomposition reactions, and stabilizing the lithium working interface according to the synchrotron radiation X‐ray 3D nano‐computed tomography, small angle neutron scattering and COMSOL results. Moreover, Cu‐2‐T with the content of 0.25 wt% approaching saturated concentration in electrolyte further boosts the homogeneous optimization function in really operated Li–S batteries. Accordingly, the capacity retention of the Li–S battery is elevated from 51.4% to 86.3% at 0.2 C, and reaches 77.0% at 1.0 C over 400 cycles. Furthermore, the sulfur cathode with the assistance of Cu‐2‐T realizes the stable cycling under the practical scenarios of soft‐packaged pouch cell and high sulfur loading (6.5 mg cm−2 with the electrolyte usage of 4.5 µL mgS−1).
Purely Optical, Reversible, Read‐Write‐Erase Cycling Using Photoswitchable Beads in Micropatterned Arrays
Authors: Zhang Heyou , Dharpure Pankaj , Philipp Michael , Mulvaney Paul , Thelakkat Mukundan , Köhler Jürgen
Published: July 2024

Using surface‐templated electrophoretic deposition, arrays of polymer beads (photonic units) incorporating photo‐switchable DAE molecules are created, which can be reversibly and individually switched between high and low emission states by direct photo‐excitation, without any energy or electron transfer processes within the molecular system. The micropatterned array of these photonic units is spectroscopically characterized in detail and optimized with respect to both signal contrast and cross‐talk. The optimum optical parameters including laser intensity, wavelength and duration of irradiation are elucidated and ideal conditions for creating reversible on/off cycles in a micropatterned array are determined. 500 such cycles are demonstrated with no obvious on/off contrast attenuation. The ability to process binary information is demonstrated by selectively writing information to the given photonic unit, reading the resultant emissive signal pattern and finally erasing the information again, which in turn demonstrates the possibility of continuous recording. This basic study paves the way for building complex circuits using spatially well‐arranged photonic units.