bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microstructures and dielectric properties of fluorene polyester ternary nanocomposites optimized by zero‐dimensional and two‐dimensional fillers
Authors: Zhang Wenchao , Wen Ming , Guan Feng , Zhao Kuo , Zhao He , Yin Jinghua , Feng Yu , Yue Dong
Published: June 2022

Due to the limitations of dielectric, insulating and mechanical properties, pure polymers could not satisfy the requirements of technological development. Using inorganic fillers with excellent performance to modify it is the mainstream method at present. Ternary hybrid polymer composites can use fillers with excellent dielectric properties to improve their dielectric properties, showing potential in improving electrical insulation, dielectric, and other fields. In this work, fluorene polyester (FPE) films of different components are prepared by the solution blending method using zero‐dimensional silica (SiO2) nanoparticles and two‐dimensional boron nitride nanosheets (BNNS) as fillers. Compared with SiO2/FPE composite films, ternary films exhibit better dielectric properties, short‐term breakdown strength and corona‐resistant lifetime. By investigating the interface features of BNNS, SiO2 nanoparticles and FPE matrix as well as the microstructure and properties of the films, the synergism mechanism of BNNS and SiO2 nanoparticles on the performance of FPE composite films is explored. The dielectric properties of the composites are investigated, including dielectric constant, breakdown strength, and corona‐resistant lifetime. This article focuses on clarifying the key role of BNNS in the electrical properties of ternary films and provides a theoretical basis for expanding the application of 2D materials in the field of high insulation.
Giant dwarf crocodiles from the Miocene of Kenya and crocodylid faunal dynamics in the late Cenozoic of East Africa
Authors: Brochu Christopher A. , de Celis Ane , Adams Amanda J. , Drumheller Stephanie K. , Nestler Jennifer H. , Benefit Brenda R. , Grossman Aryeh , Kirera Francis , Lehmann Thomas , Liutkus‐Pierce Cynthia , Manthi Fredrick K. , McCrossin Monte L. , McNulty Kieran P. , Nyaboke Juma Rose
Published: June 2022

We describe two new osteolaemine crocodylids from the Early and early Middle Miocene of Kenya: Kinyang mabokoensis tax. nov. (Maboko, 15 Ma) and Kinyang tchernovi tax. nov. (Karungu and Loperot, 18 Ma). Additional material referable to Kinyang is known from Chianda and Moruorot. The skull was broad and dorsoventrally deep, and the genus can be diagnosed based on the combined presence of a partial overbite, a subdivided fossa for the lateral collateral ligament on the surangular, and a maxilla with no more than 13 alveoli. Phylogenetic analyses based on morphological and combined morphological and molecular data support a referral of Kinyang to Osteolaeminae, and morphological data alone put the new taxon at the base of Euthecodontini. Some Kinyang maxillae preserve blind pits on the medial caviconchal recess wall. Kinyang co‐occurs with the osteolaemine Brochuchus at some localities, and together, they reinforce the phylogenetic disparity between early Neogene osteolaemine‐dominated faunas and faunas dominated by crocodylines beginning in the Late Miocene in the Kenya Rift. The causes of this turnover remain unclear, though changes in prevailing vegetation resulting from tectonic and climatic drivers may provide a partial explanation.
Neuroprotective effects of an engineered Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 on Parkinson's disease in mice by delivering GLP‐1 and modulating gut microbiota
Authors: Wu Heng , Wei Jing , Zhao Xiumiao , Liu Ying , Chen Zhihang , Wei Kehong , Lu Jiachen , Chen Wenjie , Jiang Meixiu , Li Shengjie , Chen Tingtao
Published: June 2022

Considerable evidence suggests that insulin resistance is closely linked to Parkinson's disease (PD), leading to agents aiming at treating diabetes can be regarded as new neuroprotective strategies in PD, notably glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1). However, the extremely short half‐life of GLP‐1 due to degradation by the ubiquitous proteolytic enzyme limits its clinical application. In this study, we engineered the recombinant integrant probiotic strain Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) to create a strain EcN‐GLP‐1 that effectively delivers the heterologous GLP‐1 molecule. Subsequently, we assessed its neuroprotective effects on 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1, 2, 3, 6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)‐induced PD mice. We demonstrated that EcN‐GLP‐1 treatment could improve motor deficits, increase tyrosine hydroxylase‐positive neurons, suppress microglia and astrocyte activation, reduce brain and colon inflammation, and ameliorate colonic barrier function damaged by MPTP induction. Meanwhile, we confirmed that the oral administration of EcN‐GLP‐1 could restore the disturbance of gut microbiota in the MPTP‐induced PD mice, by reducing the relative abundances of Akkermansia and Oscillospira, and increasing the level of Prevotella in the gut. These results support further development of an engineered probiotic platform in which production of GLP‐1 for gut‐brain disorders, such as PD.
Survival of cancer survivors with a new pancreatic cancer diagnosis
Authors: Pruitt Sandi L. , Tavakkoli Anna , Zhu Hong , Heitjan Daniel F. , Gerber David E. , Singal Amit G. , Halm Ethan A. , Beg Muhammad Shaalan , Maddineni Bhumika , Kansagra Ankit J. , Murphy Caitlin C.
Published: June 2022

Background

Persons newly diagnosed with pancreas cancer and who have survived a previous cancer are often excluded from clinical trials, despite limited evidence about their prognosis. We examined the association between previous cancer and overall survival.

Methods

This US population‐based cohort study included older adults (aged ≥66 years) diagnosed with pancreas cancer between 2005 and 2015 in the linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results‐Medicare data. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate stage‐specific effects of previous cancer on overall survival, adjusting for sociodemographic, treatment, and tumor characteristics.

Results

Of 32,783 patients, 18.7% were previously diagnosed with another cancer. The most common previous cancers included prostate (29.0%), breast (18.9%), or colorectal (9.7%) cancer. More than half of previous cancers (53.9%) were diagnosed 5 or more years prior to pancreas cancer diagnosis or at an in situ or localized stage (47.8%). The proportions of patients surviving 1, 3, and 5 years after pancreas cancer were nearly identical for those with and without previous cancer. Median survival in months was as follows for those with and without previous cancer respectively: 7 versus 8 (Stage 0/I), 10 versus 10 (Stage II), 7 versus 7 (Stage III), and 3 versus 2 (Stage IV). Cox models indicated that patients with previous cancer had very similar or statistically equivalent survival to those with no previous cancer.

Conclusions

Given nearly equivalent survival compared to those without previous cancer, cancer survivors newly diagnosed with pancreas cancer should be considered for inclusion in pancreas cancer clinical trials.
Modified valence aware dictionary for sentiment reasoning classifier for detection and classification of Covid‐19 related rumors from social media data streams
Authors: Arora Shruti , Rani Rinkle , Saxena Nitin
Published: June 2022

The perpetual increase in social media data due to social distancing policy in practice and the low cost of communication has acquired an interest in rumor detection in social media. During the togetherness of the globalized world in the pandemic situation of Covid‐19, social media applications drive excellent value to the analysts and journalists working in different domains. However, the unmoderated nature of social media users often leads to the spread of rumors due to a variety of opinions on government decisions, which becomes notoriously hard to detect. Also, the users may deny rumors as soon as they are debunked. This research extracts diffused information such as word cloud, hashtags, re‐tweets and so forth and uses it as features. These features are applied in the sliding windows of data streams to detect tweets that may be rumors by validating using credible news sources. To address the challenge of veracity, tweets are classified into rumors and nonrumors. A modified unsupervised VADER sentiment classifier is proposed to further classify rumors tweets into amalgamated, unauthoritative, or exaggerated. It is revealed from the results that the proposed classifier is quite efficient in finding and classifying rumorous tweets that arise in critical situations.
High‐Energy Lithium‐Ion Batteries: Recent Progress and a Promising Future in Applications
Authors: Xu Jingjing , Cai Xingyun , Cai Songming , Shao Yaxin , Hu Chao , Lu Shirong , Ding Shujiang
Published: June 2022

It is of great significance to develop clean and new energy sources with high‐efficient energy storage technologies, due to the excessive use of fossil energy that has caused severe environmental damage. There is great interest in exploring advanced rechargeable lithium batteries with desirable energy and power capabilities for applications in portable electronics, smart grids, and electric vehicles. In practice, high‐capacity and low‐cost electrode materials play an important role in sustaining the progresses in lithium‐ion batteries. This review aims at giving an account of recent advances on the emerging high‐capacity electrode materials and summarizing key barriers and corresponding strategies for the practical viability of these electrode materials. Effective approaches to enhance energy density of lithium‐ion batteries are to increase the capacity of electrode materials and the output operation voltage. On account of major bottlenecks of the power lithium‐ion battery, authors come up with the concept of integrated battery systems, which will be a promising future for high‐energy lithium‐ion batteries to improve energy density and alleviate anxiety of electric vehicles.
Functional Janus Membranes: Promising Platform for Advanced Lithium Batteries and Beyond
Authors: Chan Dan , Liu Yunfei , Fan You , Wang Huibo , Chen Shi , Hao Tianwei , Li Heng , Bai Zhengshuai , Shao Huaiyu , Xing Guichuan , Zhang Yanyan , Tang Yuxin
Published: June 2022

Separators or electrolyte membranes are recognized as the key components to guarantee ion transport in rechargeable batteries. However, the ever‐growing applications of the battery systems for diverse working environments bring new challenges, which require advanced battery membranes with high thermal stability, excellent mechanical strength, high voltage tolerance, etc. Therefore, it is highly desirable to design novel methods/concepts to solve the current challenges for battery membranes through understanding the mechanism of novel phenomena and electrochemical reactions in battery systems working under unconventional conditions. Recently, the new emerging Janus separators or electrolyte membranes with two or more distinct chemical/physical properties arising from their asymmetric structure and composition, are promising to address the above challenges via rational design of their targeted functionalities. To this end, in this review, we first briefly cover the current challenges of the traditional battery membrane for battery devices working in unconventional conditions. Then, the state‐of‐art developments of the rational design of Janus membranes to overcome the above challenges for diverse battery applications are summarized. Finally, we outline these latest developments, challenges, and future potential directions of the Janus membrane. Our review is aimed to provide basic guidance for developing functional separators or electrolyte membranes for advanced batteries.
Insights into forming behavior and CO2 adsorption properties of graphene from Sargassum horneri by Fe(NO3)3/KOH activation
Authors: Zeng Ganning , Lou Sa , Lou Fengyan , Du Mingming , Luo Hongwei , Ai Ning
Published: June 2022

BACKGROUND

Macroalgae biomass as a graphene source shows great potential at large scale in an energy shortage era. To achieve a more moderate and economic graphene synthesis method, porous graphenes were synthesized using Sargassum horneri as precursor, in combination with Fe(NO3)3 and KOH composite.

RESULTS

The addition of 10 wt% Fe(NO3)3 obviously accelerated KOH activation and decreased KOH loading and reaction temperature. Meanwhile, the graphene synthesized by Fe(NO3)3/KOH had better regeneration performance than that activated merely by KOH, even under more moderate thermal condition. The porous graphene displayed high specific surface area (~2311 m2 g−1) and exhibited good CO2 uptake capacity (~4.39 mmol g−1) at 30 °C and 1 bar. The CO2 adsorption rate equations of the graphene were consistent with the intraparticle diffusion model, indicating that CO2 adsorption was mainly controlled by the pore structure and additionally influenced by the chemical functional groups.

CONCLUSION

The present work focuses on the high value‐added comprehensive utilization of macroalgae, which not only has important significance for on‐scale preparation of bio‐originated graphene and CO2 adsorption, but also has positive benefits for macroalgae resource development. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Use of mid‐infrared spectroscopy for quality monitoring and the prediction of physicochemical parameters of dry fermented chicken sausages enriched with sesame flour
Authors: Sangaré Moriken , Bony Jérôme , Chèné Christine , Lonseny Traoré , Karoui Romdhane
Published: June 2022

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the supplementation of sesame flour in fermented chicken sausages (‘S1’ containing 800 g kg−1 chicken fillet, 180 g kg−1 veal fat and 20 g kg−1 sesame flour and ‘S2’ containing 800 g kg−1 chicken fillet, 160 g kg−1 veal fat and 40 g kg−1 sesame flour) compared with control sausages (containing 800 g kg−1 chicken fillet and 200 g kg−1 veal fat) on the physico‐chemical characteristics, texture, and structure during the fermentation stage.

RESULTS

The physicochemical parameters of samples belonging to the control, S1, and S2 batches were significantly affected by the addition of sesame flour and the fermentation stage. For instance: (i) the lowest protein content was observed for control samples on day 1 (61.4 ± 6.52 g kg−1) whereas the highest level was noted for S2 samples on day 15 (327.5 ± 22.2 g kg−1), and (ii) an inverse trend was observed for the fat content because the lowest content was observed for samples in the S2 batch on day 1 (129.0 ± 5.30 g kg−1) whereas the highest fat content was noted for samples belonging to control batch on day 15 (332.0 ± 1.29 g kg−1). The application of statistical methods to mid‐infrared spectroscopy allowed clear discrimination between control, S1, and S2 batches. The addition of sesame flour in the recipes induced some modification in the secondary structure because β‐turn levels ranged from 39.30 to 34.50, 36.76 to 34.70, and 38.93 to 34.70 for control, S1, and S2 batches, respectively, throughout the fermentation stage. Sodium dodecyl‐sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) showed a similar protein profile pattern in the three batches on days 1 and 5, but on day 10 control and S2 batches showed the most intense degradation of myofibrillar proteins.

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrated that mid‐infrared spectroscopy coupled with chemometric tools could be used as a rapid screening tool to assess and monitor the quality of dry chicken sausages enriched with sesame flour throughout the fermentation stage. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Role of chemokine systems in cancer and inflammatory diseases
Authors: Li Hongyi , Wu Min , Zhao Xia
Published: June 2022

Chemokines are a large family of small secreted proteins that have fundamental roles in organ development, normal physiology, and immune responses upon binding to their corresponding receptors. The primary functions of chemokines are to coordinate and recruit immune cells to and from tissues and to participate in regulating interactions between immune cells. In addition to the generally recognized antimicrobial immunity, the chemokine/chemokine receptor axis also exerts a tumorigenic function in many different cancer models and is involved in the formation of immunosuppressive and protective tumor microenvironment (TME), making them potential prognostic markers for various hematologic and solid tumors. In fact, apart from its vital role in tumors, almost all inflammatory diseases involve chemokines and their receptors in one way or another. Modulating the expression of chemokines and/or their corresponding receptors on tumor cells or immune cells provides the basis for the exploitation of new drugs for clinical evaluation in the treatment of related diseases. Here, we summarize recent advances of chemokine systems in protumor and antitumor immune responses and discuss the prevailing understanding of how the chemokine system operates in inflammatory diseases. In this review, we also emphatically highlight the complexity of the chemokine system and explore its potential to guide the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases.
A partitioned iterative method based on externally embedded cooling water pipe elements for mass concrete temperature field
Authors: Chao Yang , Li Tongchun , Qi Huijun , Liu Xiaoqing , Cheng Jing
Published: June 2022

Pipe cooling is an important measure for controlling the temperature of mass concrete during the hydration period. In this paper, a new algorithm (partitioned iterative algorithm, PIA) is proposed to address the complicated process of dissecting cooling pipes in mass concrete and the difficulty of balancing the accuracy and efficiency of the simulation. The algorithm is based on the idea of finite element partitioning, where the water pipe element and the concrete element are considered as two computational parts. The coupling is used to consider the heat transfer between the water pipe and the concrete, avoiding the need to solve for the concrete temperature gradient in the vicinity of the pipe, which improves the efficiency of the algorithm. The comparison of the PIA and the discrete iterative algorithm (DIA) results demonstrates the agreement between the two algorithms in terms of computational accuracy and distribution pattern. In addition, the automatic creation and insertion of the pipe elements results in a significant improvement of the overall performance. Finally, the engineering example demonstrates that the results of the PIA at each observation point agree well with the measured values over the entire calculation time. The accuracy of the calculated peak temperature and the peak temperature age can both meet the engineering requirements.
Take a vacation: You really need it!
Authors: Hodges Dawn Z.
Published: June 2022

For two and a half years, the world has been held hostage by the COVID‐19 pandemic. For many of us, this period has been the most stressful years of our lives. For the most part, we've not been in control of our day‐to‐day freedoms. We've been told to stay home and, when not at home, wear masks, stay six feet apart from the next person, and wash our hands often (we were even told how to wash our hands).
Food insecurity is associated with higher respiratory quotient and lower glucagon‐like peptide 1
Authors: Booker Jetaun M. , Chang Douglas C. , Stinson Emma J. , Mitchell Cassie M. , Votruba Susanne B. , Krakoff Jonathan , Gluck Marci E. , Cabeza de Baca Tomás
Published: June 2022

Objective

Food insecurity is known to be associated with obesity, but its association with physiological measures is unclear. Therefore, it was hypothesized that, compared with food‐secure individuals, those with food insecurity would have higher 24‐hour energy expenditure (EE [kilocalories per day]) and 24‐hour respiratory quotient (RQ [ratio]). Subsequently, hormones involved in appetite regulation, substrate oxidation, and EE were explored.

Methods

A total of 113 healthy participants without diabetes (75 men; mean [SD], age 40 [12] years; BMI 30 [8] kg/m2) were included in this analysis. Participants completed the Food Security Short Form, underwent a dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry scan, and spent 24 hours in a human respiratory chamber following a weight‐maintaining diet.

Results

Compared with individuals with food security, participants with food insecurity had no difference in 24‐hour EE. However, they had higher carbohydrate oxidation rates (p= 0.03) and lower lipid oxidation rates (p= 0.02), resulting in higher 24‐hour RQ (p< 0.01). They also had lower fasting glucagon‐like peptide 1 (p= 0.03) concentrations.

Conclusions

Food insecurity is associated with higher 24‐hour RQ and lower fasting glucagon‐like peptide 1 concentrations, metabolic and hormonal differences previously shown to drive greater calorie intake in the setting of unrestricted food availability. These findings therefore provide new insight into the paradoxical link between restricted food access and increased adiposity.
Healthcare utilization and costs associated with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children with and without Down syndrome
Authors: Athale Uma , Sutradhar Rinku , Breakey Vicky R. , Li Qing , Bassal Mylene , Gibson Paul , Patel Serina , Wheaton Laura , Pole Jason D. , Mittman Nicole , Pechlivanoglou Petros , Gupta Sumit
Published: June 2022

Background

Children with Down syndrome (DS) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are at increased risk of treatment‐related morbidity and mortality compared to non‐DS‐ALL, requiring increased supportive care. We examined the healthcare utilization and costs in DS‐ALL patients to inform future evaluations of novel therapies.

Methods

A provincial registry identified all children (1–17 years) diagnosed with B‐lineage ALL in Ontario, Canada between 2002 and 2012. Detailed demographic, disease, treatment, and outcome data were abstracted. Linkage to population‐based health services databases identified all outpatient and emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and physician billings. Healthcare utilization costs were available for patients diagnosed during 2006–2012 using validated algorithms (2018 Canadian dollars). Healthcare utilization rates and costs were compared between DS and non‐DS patients using regression models, adjusting for all covariates.

Results

Of 711 patients, 28 (3.9%) had DS. Adjusting for all covariates, children with DS‐ALL experienced substantially higher rates of ED visits (rate ratio [RR] 1.5, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.2–2.0; p = .001) and inpatient days (RR 2.5, 95% CI: 1.4–4.5; p = .002) compared to non‐DS children. Outpatient visit rates were similar (RR 1.1, 95% CI: 0.9–1.3; p = .41). Among patients with available cost data (N = 533, DS = 19), median 5‐year healthcare utilization cost was $247,700 among DS patients (interquartile range [IQR]: 200,900–354,500) and $196,200 among non‐DS patients (IQR: 148,900–280,300; p = .02). In adjusted analyses, DS‐associated costs were 50% higher (RR 1.5, 95% CI: 1.2–1.9; p < .002).

Conclusions

Healthcare utilization and treatment costs of DS‐ALL patients are substantially higher than those of non‐DS‐ALL. Our data provide a baseline for future DS‐specific cost‐effectiveness studies.
First Plant Cell Atlas symposium report
Authors: Rice Selena L. , Lazarus Elena , Anderton Christopher , Birnbaum Kenneth , Brophy Jennifer , Cole Benjamin , Dickel Diane , Ehrhardt David , Fahlgren Noah , Frank Margaret , Haswell Elizabeth , Huang Shao‐shan Carol , Leiboff Samuel , Libault Marc , Otegui Marisa S. , Provart Nicholas , Uhrig R. Glen , Rhee Seung Y. ,   The Plant Cell Atlas Consortium
Published: June 2022

The Plant Cell Atlas (PCA) community hosted a virtual symposium on December 9 and 10, 2021 on single cell and spatial omics technologies. The conference gathered almost 500 academic, industry, and government leaders to identify the needs and directions of the PCA community and to explore how establishing a data synthesis center would address these needs and accelerate progress. This report details the presentations and discussions focused on the possibility of a data synthesis center for a PCA and the expected impacts of such a center on advancing science and technology globally. Community discussions focused on topics such as data analysis tools and annotation standards; computational expertise and cyber‐infrastructure; modes of community organization and engagement; methods for ensuring a broad reach in the PCA community; recruitment, training, and nurturing of new talent; and the overall impact of the PCA initiative. These targeted discussions facilitated dialogue among the participants to gauge whether PCA might be a vehicle for formulating a data synthesis center. The conversations also explored how online tools can be leveraged to help broaden the reach of the PCA (i.e., online contests, virtual networking, and social media stakeholder engagement) and decrease costs of conducting research (e.g., virtual REU opportunities). Major recommendations for the future of the PCA included establishing standards, creating dashboards for easy and intuitive access to data, and engaging with a broad community of stakeholders. The discussions also identified the following as being essential to the PCA's success: identifying homologous cell‐type markers and their biocuration, publishing datasets and computational pipelines, utilizing online tools for communication (such as Slack), and user‐friendly data visualization and data sharing. In conclusion, the development of a data synthesis center will help the PCA community achieve these goals by providing a centralized repository for existing and new data, a platform for sharing tools, and new analytical approaches through collaborative, multidisciplinary efforts. A data synthesis center will help the PCA reach milestones, such as community‐supported data evaluation metrics, accelerating plant research necessary for human and environmental health.
Process hazard considerations for utilization of renewable methane from biogas
Authors: Dee Sean J. , Hietala David C. , Sulmonetti Taylor P.
Published: June 2022

Biogas production and use is a growing sector in the global alternative energy landscape. Biogas is a mixture of carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons (primarily methane) that is generated from the biological breakdown of organic material. This mixture can be separated and upgraded to produce renewable methane with a lower greenhouse gas footprint and cumulative energy demand than natural gas generated from fossil fuels. Biogas generation also typically provides an additional benefit of utilizing a waste stream as a feedstock. As industries and economies continue to produce organic waste, biogas and biomethane generation represent a large opportunity for production of sustainable fuels that can be used as drop‐in replacements for common fossil fuels. As a result, biogas generation and production of renewable methane are attractive technologies for industries with an aim to reduce their impact on the environment and meet sustainability goals. However, the production of biogas presents its own set of hazards and challenges that must be identified, analyzed, and mitigated. The paper will address common hazards (and how to manage the hazards) that a facility encounters when developing a project aimed at utilizing renewable methane through biogas generation.
Population dynamics of a poultry hematophagous mite: characterization of the population growth and identification of factors of its slowdown using closed mesocosms
Authors: Dupray Sébastien , Blatrix Rumsais , Roy Laurent J.M. , Soulié Anne‐Sophie , Dadu Liza , Degueldre David , Sleeckx Nathalie , Bicout Dominique J , Roy Lise
Published: June 2022

BACKGROUND

A thorough knowledge of the population dynamics of pests and of the main factors affecting population growth is an important prerequisite for the development of effective control strategies. Failures of various treatments aimed at regulating populations of Dermanyssus gallinae are regularly reported in poultry farms and pullulations occur very quickly after first detection. To finely characterize population dynamics of D. gallinae, and to identify the factors modulating population growth, we conducted two successive multi‐generation experiments using closed mesocosms equipped with or without automatic counters and housing a host full‐ or part‐time (three nights per week).

RESULTS

Population growth was very rapid and the adult to juvenile ratio very different from the prediction by a mathematical model. A male‐biased sex ratio was observed in some mesocosms from 21 days and in most mesocosms from 35 days of population growth originating from an inoculum of adult females. A dramatic slowdown in growth was measured in mesocosms equipped with trackers, where the mites' path to the host was constrained. The slowdown in population growth induced by the intermittent presence of the host compared to its full‐time presence was much less marked.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest avenues of research for new management methods. They question the relevance of a critical threshold based on traditional trap monitoring to manage D. gallinae. Our results highlight a unique characteristic of D. gallinae that makes it a recalcitrant case to threshold‐based practices recommended for integrated pest management (IPM) against other arthropod pests. The dramatic effect of a physical constraint for the mite to access the host (unnatural constrained path) confirms an observation made in 1917 and is a reason to design perches that are less conducive to parasite traffic. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Market‐inspired framework for securing assets in cloud computing environments
Authors: Tziakouris Giannis , Mera‐Gómez Carlos , Ramírez Francisco , Bahsoon Rami , Buyya Rajkumar
Published: June 2022

Self‐adaptive security methods have been extensively leveraged for securing software systems and users from runtime threats in online and elastic environments, such as the cloud. The existing solutions treat security as an aggregated quality by enforcing “one service for all” without considering the explicit security requirements of each asset or the costs associated with security. Dealing with the security of assets in ultra‐large environments calls for rethinking the way we select and compose services—considering not only the services but the underlying supporting computational resources in the process. We motivate the need for an asset‐centric, self‐adaptive security framework that selects and allocates services and underlying resources in the cloud. The solution leverages learning algorithms and market‐inspired approaches to dynamically manage changes in the runtime security goals/requirements of assets with the provision of suitable services and resources, while catering for monetary and computational constraints. The proposed framework aims to inform the self‐adaptive security efforts of security researchers and practitioners operating in dynamic large‐scale environments, such as the Cloud. To illustrate the utility of the proposed framework it is evaluated using simulation on an application based scenario, involving cloud‐based storage and security services.
Multi‐Stage Enhanced Removal of Inclusions During Electroslag Remelting Process by a Static Magnetic Field
Authors: Qi Wentao , Guo Yifeng , Ma Chengkuan , Xia Zhibin , Li Qiang , Liu Chunmei , Shi Peijian , Ding Biao , Shen Zhe , Zheng Tianxiang , Zhong Yunbo
Published: June 2022

An axial static magnetic field (ASMF) is superimposed during the electroslag remelting (ESR) process to regulate the inclusion removal (GCr15 bearing steel) in the current study. After applying a 50 mT ASMF, the metal pool of the ESR ingot becomes shallower and the solidified dendritic structure tends to grow axially, together with a higher inclusion removal efficiency. The number of inclusions in ESR ingot decreases, and the inclusion with larger size (>10 μm) is almost eliminated. By tailoring the morphology of the liquid melt film (LMF), droplet, and metal pool, the ASMF applied in this study strengthens the kinetic conditions (inclusion migrated to slag/metal interface) for the inclusion removal, thus realizing the multi‐stage enhanced removal of inclusion during ESR process.
Effect of Trace of Oxygen in Ar Gas on Initial Growth of Nozzle Clogging Deposits on SEN for Ti Added Ultra‐Low C Steel Casting
Authors: Lee Joo-Hyeok , Kim Janghoon , Kang Myeong-Hun , Kim Seong-Yeon , Kang Youn-Bae
Published: June 2022

The possibility of reoxidation of Ti‐ultra‐low C (Ti‐ULC) steel by a trace of oxygen in Ar gas, which is injected in a submerged entry nozzle (SEN), is investigated. A commercial‐grade unpurified Ar gas with PO2 = ≈10−4 bar and a purified Ar gas with PO2 = ≈10−18 bar by a set of cleaning kits are employed. Preliminary thermodynamic calculations revealed that the unpurified Ar gas could cause significant oxidation of the Ti‐ULC steel, irrespective of the steel composition, while the purified Ar gas did not oxidize the steel. A series of laboratory‐scale oxidation experiments are carried out using various Ti‐ULC steel samples and the two Ar gases. The oxidation under unpurified Ar gas causes the oxidation of all the samples but only on the surface, in partial agreement with the thermodynamic calculation. The partial agreement between the calculation and the experiment is explained by the availability of oxygen and other metallic elements. It is found that the trace of oxygen in a commercial grade of Ar gas could cause reoxidation of Ti‐ULC steel in an SEN, which may be no better than the reoxidation by CO gas generated by the carbothermic reaction in the SEN refractory. A purity control of Ar gas is recommended.
Are Your Online Agile Retrospectives Psychologically Safe? the Usage of Online Tools
Authors: Khanna Dron , Wang Xiaofeng
Published: June 2022

One essential prerequisite for successful agile retrospective sessions is to accomplish a psychologically safe environment. Creating a psychologically safe environment for the co-located team is challenging. Further, it becomes more demanding with online agile retrospective teams. Literature sheds little light on creating a psychologically safe online environment for conducting agile retrospectives. Our study aims at addressing this knowledge gap and asks the research question: how does the usage of online tools influence psychological safety in online agile retrospectives? A single case study was conducted with a major software company’s Research and Development team. We analysed a recorded online retrospective session of the team to identify patterns of the usage of online tools associated with the online meeting platform they used and how that usage influenced the psychological safety level of the team. Our findings show that retrospective participants are psychologically safe if they share opinions, make mistakes, raise a problem, ask questions, and show consent using online tools. Our study contributes online tools that influence psychological safety factors, corresponding levels and behaviours.
Glueball-meson mixing in holographic QCD
Authors: Domokos Sophia K. , Mann Nelia
Published: June 2022

Abstract

Top-down holographic QCD models often work in the “probe” (or “quenched”) limit, which assumes that the number of colors is much greater than the number of flavors. Relaxing this limit is essential to a fuller understanding of holography and more accurate phenomenological predictions. In this work, we focus on a mixing of glueball and meson mass eigenstates that arises from the DBI action as a finite Nf/Nc effect. For concreteness, we work in the Witten-Sakai-Sugimoto model, and show that this mixing must be treated in conjunction with the backreaction of the flavor branes onto the background geometry. Including the backreaction with the simplification that it is “smeared out” over the compact transverse direction, we derive a corrected effective action for the vector glueball and scalar states. Along the way, we observe a Stückelberg-like mechanism that restores translation invariance in the transverse direction. We also derive a general technique, that lends itself easily to numerics, for finding mass eigenstates of Lagrangians with vector-scalar mixing. We then calculate the first order corrections to the mass spectra of both the vector and scalar particles, and show that the term that explicitly mixes vector and scalar states is the most significant correction to the masses of low-lying scalar mesons.
Testing measurement invariance of mathematics self-concept and self-efficacy in PISA using MGCFA and the alignment method
Authors: Ding Yi , Yang Hansen Kajsa , Klapp Alli
Published: June 2022

The aim of the study is to investigate the measurement invariance of mathematics self-concept and self-efficacy across 40 countries that participated in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2003 and 2012 cycles. The sample of the study consists of 271,760 students in PISA 2003 and 333,804 students in PISA 2012. Firstly, the traditional measurement invariance testing was applied in the multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA). Then, the alignment analyses were performed, allowing non-invariance to a minimum to estimate all of the parameters. Results from MGCFA indicate that mathematics self-concept and self-efficacy hold metric invariance across the 80 groups (cycle by country). The alignment method results suggest that a large proportion of non-invariance exists in both mathematics self-concept and self-efficacy factors, and the factor means cannot be compared across all participating countries. Results of the Monte Carlo simulation show that the alignment results are trustworthy. Implications and limitations are discussed, and some recommendations for future research are proposed.
The agri-food system (re)configuration: the case study of an agroecological network in the Ecuadorian Andes
Authors: Vallejo-Rojas Virginia , Rivera-Ferre Marta G. , Ravera Federica
Published: June 2022

Social Ecological System (SES) research highlights the importance of understanding the potential of collective actions, among other factors, when it comes to influencing the transformative (re)configuration of agri-food systems in response to global change. Such a response may result in different desired outcomes for those actors who promote collective action, one such outcome being food sovereignty. In this study, we used an SES framework to describe the configuration of local agri-food systems in Andean Ecuador in order to understand which components of the SES interact, and how they support outcomes linked to five food sovereignty goals. Through a survey administered to mestizo and indigenous peasants, we analyze the key role played by the Agroecological Network of Loja (RAL) in transforming the local agri-food system through the implementation of a Participatory Guarantee System (PGS). This study demonstrates that participation in the RAL and PGS increases farmers’ adoption of agroecological practices, as well as their independence from non-traditional food. Additionally, RAL lobbying with the municipality significantly increases households’ on-farm income through access to local markets. Being part of indigenous communities also influences the configuration of the food system, increasing the participation in community work and access to credit and markets, thus positively affecting animal numbers, dairy production and income diversification. The complexity of the interactions described suggests that more research is needed to understand which key factors may foster or prevent the achieving of food sovereignty goals and promote household adaptation amid high uncertainty due to global change.
On the consolidation state of sediments from the accretionary prism offshore Vancouver Island, North Cascadia Margin
Authors: Riedel Michael , Saeed Awais , Urlaub Morelia , Zhang Junli , Kopf Achim
Published: June 2022

Sediment geotechnical properties are an important component of geohazard analyses and studies on submarine slope failures on continental margins. The northern Cascadia margin is a region of repeated subduction earthquakes and related geohazards including devastating tsunamis. Despite several drilling campaigns at this margin mostly for gas hydrate studies, sediment geotechnical properties are lacking to date. We therefore investigated a set of 20 half-round samples from four drill sites of Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expedition 311 along a margin-perpendicular transect. Samples were analysed for Atterberg properties (liquid limit, plasticity limit, plasticity index) and consolidation state (pre-consolidation stress, over-consolidation ratio, initial void ratio and compression index). Results of these parameters are in good agreement with similar studies at the southern Cascadia margin from Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 204 and are regarded robust, despite the long time-span between sample recovery in 2005 and our analyses. Individual results are interpreted at each of the drill sites and reflect the overall tectonic state of the location within the accretionary prism. An interplay of site-specific tectonic forcing, including thrust faulting, uplift, folding, and erosion appears to govern the depth-dependent consolidation state of the sediments.
Assessment of groundwater quality using statistical methods: a case study
Authors: Chakraborty Monica , Tejankar Ashok , Coppola Gerardo , Chakraborty Sudip
Published: June 2022

Human activities substantially contribute to the rise of various contaminating ionic levels in the water, which translates in a risk to humans, flora, and fauna. Assessment of groundwater quality is very important to estimate the contaminants to take preventive measures and predict future disasters. The statistical method is very effective in combining this estimation with other tools. As a case study, Aurangabad city of India was chosen and 55 groundwater samples were collected from the dugwells and borewells according to the domestic location of the inhabitants and the location of the various industries. The study aims to create various graphs that expose the human-related health risks posed by the considered contaminants. All the samples were analyzed to trace the amount of a considerable range of pollutants; consequently, a health risk assessment for carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks was carried out. A water suitability study for irrigation and drinking purposes found that in the studied samples, nitrate was present as the major pollutant among the others. Industrial wastewaters mainly caused nitrate pollution in the area and solid fertilizers and pesticides.
Higher cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of neuronal injury in HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment
Authors: Ellis Ronald J. , Chenna Ahmed , Petropoulos Christos J. , Lie Yolanda , Curanovic Dusica , Crescini Melanie , Winslow John , Sundermann Erin , Tang Bin , Letendre Scott L.
Published: June 2022

We evaluated whether biomarkers of age-related neuronal injury and amyloid metabolism are associated with neurocognitive impairment (NCI) in people with and without HIV (PWH, PWoH). This was a cross-sectional study of virally suppressed PWH and PWoH. NCI was assessed using a validated test battery; global deficit scores (GDS) quantified overall performance. Biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were quantified by immunoassay: neurofilament light (NFL), total Tau (tTau), phosphorylated Tau 181 (pTau181), amyloid beta (Aβ)42, and Aβ40. Factor analysis was used to reduce biomarker dimensionality. Participants were 256 virally suppressed PWH and 42 PWoH, 20.2% female, 17.1% Black, 7.1% Hispanic, 60.2% non-Hispanic White, and 15.6% other race/ethnicities, mean (SD) age 56.7 (6.45) years. Among PWH, the best regression model for CSF showed that higher tTau (β = 0.723, p = 3.79e-5) together with lower pTau181 (β = −0.510, p = 0.0236) best-predicted poor neurocognitive performance. In univariable analysis, only higher tTau was significantly correlated with poor neurocognitive performance (tTau r = 0.214, p = 0.0006; pTau181 r = 0.00248, p = 0.969). Among PWoH, no CSF biomarkers were significantly associated with worse NCI. Predicted residual error sum of squares (PRESS) analysis showed no evidence of overfitting. Poorer neurocognitive performance in aging PWH was associated with higher CSF tTau, a marker of age-related neuronal injury, but not with biomarkers of amyloid metabolism. The findings suggest that HIV might interact with age-related neurodegeneration to contribute to cognitive decline in PWH.
Conceptualizing ‘Cooperation’ and ‘Defection’ in the Volunteer’s Dilemma (and in Social Dilemmas More Generally)*
Authors: Raub Werner
Published: June 2022

We show how ‘cooperation’ and ‘defection’ in the Volunteer’s Dilemma can be conceptualized in line with established terminology for game-theoretic models of social dilemmas. Commonly employed labels for strategies in the Volunteer’s Dilemma are not well in line with our conceptualization. Also, our conceptualization suggests new theory formation and empirical research on the Volunteer’s Dilemma.
COVID-19 Vulnerability Mapping of Asian Countries
Authors: Sarkar Showmitra Kumar , Morshed Md. Manjur , Chakraborty Tanmoy
Published: June 2022

Objective:

The objective of this study is to map vulnerability of Asian countries to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method:

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2007 framework for natural hazards, vulnerability is a function of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. From an extensive literature review, we identified 16 socioeconomic, meteorological, environmental, and health factors that influence coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases and deaths. The underlying factors of vulnerability were identified using principal component analysis.

Results:

Our findings indicate that the percentage of the urban population, obesity rate, air connectivity, and the population aged 65 and over, diabetes prevalence, and PM2.5 levels all contributed significantly to COVID-19 sensitivity. Subsequently, governance effectiveness, human development index (HDI), vaccination rate, and life expectancy at birth, and gross domestic product (GDP) all had a positive effect on adaptive capacity. The estimated vulnerability was corroborated by a Pearson correlation of 0.615 between death per million population and vulnerability.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates the application of universal indicators for assessing pandemic vulnerability for informed policy interventions such as the COVAX vaccine roll-out priority. Despite data limitations and a lack of spatiotemporal analysis, this study’s methodological framework allows for ample data incorporation and replication.
Physicians’ Perception About the Side Effects of COVID-19 Vaccine and Their Role in Vaccination Program
Authors: Muhammad Khayal , Shah Syed Sikandar , Muhammad Gul , Ullah Nadeem , Butt Muhammad Hammad , Higazi Hassan , Baraka Mohamed A.
Published: June 2022

Introduction:

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused many problems in the health sector. Effective and safe vaccines are the only tool to combat the COVID-19 disease. Researchers and regulatory agencies have made efforts to develop such vaccines and healthcare professionals were prioritized for the vaccination program as first-line care providers. Considering this prioritization, we aimed to assess the physicians’ perceptions regarding the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Methods:

An interview-based study was conducted from May 5 May to November 5, 2021 (6 months) in a teaching hospital in the capital city of Islamabad, Pakistan.

Results:

Among the 200 physicians who agreed to participate in the interview, 74% were male. A total of 94% did not experience any side effects after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of the type of vaccine; 6% experienced side effects. Furthermore, 90% of physicians were afraid of side effects due to the high number of vaccine doses.

Conclusion:

Conclusively, physicians had a positive perception regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. Healthcare authorities and related departments must take precautions to ensure the effective and safe COVID-19 vaccine to change the perceptions of physicians who had a negative perception. This will not only reduce the reluctance among physicians regarding administering COVID-19 vaccine, but will also boost and facilitate the vaccination program for the general public as well.