bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Portable X-ray Fluorescence (PXRF) Analysis of Total Metal(loid)s and Sequential Extraction of Bioavailable Arsenic in Agricultural Soils of Animas Watershed
Authors: Jha Gaurav , Ulery April L. , Lombard Kevin , VanLeeuwen Dawn , Brungard Colby , Dari Biswanath , Sihi Debjani
Published: July 2021

The Animas River provides irrigation water in northwestern New Mexico and the Navajo Nation. Concerns regarding the river water quality arose on August 5, 2015, when approximately 11.35 million liters of heavy metal contaminated water was accidentally released from the Gold King Mine into the Animas River. This study sought to determine the total concentrations of 7 heavy metal(loid)s (As, Pb, and Zn as metals of concern and Fe, Mn, Ca, and Cu as metals of interest) using portable X-ray fluorescence (PXRF) in two agricultural fields and compare these values to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regional screening levels (RSL). Total concentrations of 6 out of 7 metals were below the RSL; only As exceeded the soil screening value of 7.07 mg kg−1 at some locations in the agricultural fields. We also determined water-soluble (WS) and exchangeable fractions (Ex) of As that might be available for agricultural crop uptake using sequential extractions. The WS-As ranged from 0.014 to 0.074 mg kg−1 and Ex-As ranged from 0.135 to 0.248 mg kg−1 and thus were less than 1 and 3% of the total As concentration respectively (ranging from 5.62 to 14.79 mg kg−1) and not considered a threat for plant tissue accumulation. While the concentrations of As observed in the agricultural fields may have exceeded screening levels, the As was not apparently plant available and its risk to crops was determined to be low.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Drug Use and Harm Reduction Programming in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region: a Regional Consultation of Stakeholders and People Who Use Drugs
Authors: Van Hout Marie Claire , Haddad Patricia , Aaraj Elie
Published: July 2021

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has witnessed a slow but steady increase in the harm reduction response since 2016. It is likely that such gains are threatened by the impact of COVID-19. Very little is known about the health response and situation of people who use drugs (PWUD) during the pandemic in the region. A mixed method study was conducted by the MENA Harm Reduction Association (MENAHRA) to assess the situation of PWUD and impacts on harm reduction services during COVID-19. Twelve countries and two regional viewpoints responded to the survey. A virtual focus group was held with the MENA Network of People who Use Drugs (MENANPUD) focal points (n = 11). The study highlights how COVID-19 aggravated existing marginalization and stigmatization of PWUD and other key populations in the MENA region, with government level resourcing severely impacted by COVID-19. It further illustrates the commitment by harm reduction non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in diversifying their response, particularly through mobile outreach to drug hot spots, and the reliance of technology to support awareness raising, telemedicine, and medicine supplies. Positive shifts are observed in harm reduction policy by governments in some MENA countries and the continued commitment to support PWUD communities by existing harm reduction NGOs. Continued advocacy for and implementation of harm reduction responses at the domestic and regional levels should be underpinned by inclusion in state health emergency planning and disease control efforts, awareness raising around innovation and telemedicine to support health and NGO support systems and medicine supply chains, resourcing of NGOs, and provision of economic support for PWUD, disease surveillance, and research.
The Effects of One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass on Fatty Acids in the Serum of Patients with Morbid Obesity
Authors: Pakiet Alicja , Haliński Łukasz P , Rostkowska Olga , Kaska Łukasz , Proczko-Stepaniak Monika , Śledziński Tomasz , Mika Adriana
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Obesity is associated with alterations in serum fatty acid profiles. One-anastomosis gastric bypass is a type of bariatric surgery used in the treatment of morbid obesity. The aim of this study was to establish if, between 6 and 9 months after this procedure, the fatty acid composition in the serum of patients normalizes to values similar to the healthy, lean population.

Materials/Methods

The study included 46 patients that underwent surgical treatment for obesity with one-anastomosis gastric bypass. The serum fatty acid composition was determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Principal component analysis was conducted to detect the differences between fatty acid profiles in patients pre- and post-surgery, and in 29 control nonobese subjects.

Results

Patients with morbid obesity were characterized by lowered levels of beneficial odd- and branched-chain fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. While the odd- and branched-chain fatty acid amounts normalized 6–9 months after bariatric treatment, the polyunsaturated fatty acid levels did not. Moreover, the total fatty acid profiles of patients pre- and post-bariatric surgery were still markedly different than those of lean, healthy controls.

Conclusion

Following one-anastomosis gastric bypass, there are some beneficial changes in serum fatty acids in treated patients, possibly due to weight loss and dietary regimen changes. However, they may be insufficient to restore the proper levels of other fatty acids, which may need to be additionally supplemented.

Graphical abstract
Effects of (Mg1/3Sb2/3)4+ substitution on the structure and microwave dielectric properties of Ce2Zr3(MoO4)9 ceramics
Authors: Zhou Xu , Liu Lintao , Sun Jiajia , Zhang Ningkang , Sun Huazhang , Wu Haitao , Tao Wenhong
Published: July 2021

Ce2[Zr1−x(Mg1/3Sb2/3)x]3(MoO4)9 (0.02 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.10) ceramics were prepared by the traditional solid-state method. A single phase, belonging to the space group of $$R⩈erline 3 c$$

R

3
¯

c

, was detected by using X-ray diffraction at the sintering temperatures ranging from 700 to 850 °C. The microstructures of samples were examined by applying scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The crystal structure refinement of these samples was investigated in detail by performing the Rietveld refinement method. The intrinsic properties were calculated and explored via far-infrared reflectivity spectroscopy. The correlations between the chemical bond parameters and microwave dielectric properties were calculated and analyzed by Phillips-van Vechten-Levine (P-V-L) theory. Ce2[Zr0.94(Mg1/3Sb2/3)0.06]3(MoO4)9 ceramics with excellent dielectric properties were sintered at 725 °C for 6 h (εr = 10.37, Q×f = 71,748 GHz, and τf = −13.6 ppm/°C, εr is the dielectric constant, Q×f is the quality factor, and τf is the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency).
Enhanced electromagnetic wave absorption property of binary ZnO/NiCo2O4 composites
Authors: Du Bin , Cai Mei , Wang Xuan , Qian Junjie , He Chao , Shui Anze
Published: July 2021

Nowadays, metal oxide-based electromagnetic wave absorbing materials have aroused widely attentions in the application of telecommunication and electronics due to their selectable mechanical and outstanding dielectric properties. Herein, the binary ZnO/NiCo2O4 nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via hydrothermal reaction and the electromagnetic wave absorption properties of the composites were investigated in detail. As a result, benefiting from the dielectric loss, the as-obtained ZnO/NiCo2O4-7 samples possessed a minimum reflection loss value of −33.49 dB at 18.0 GHz with the thickness of 4.99 mm. This work indicates that ZnO/NiCo2O4 composites have the promising candidate applications in electromagnetic wave absorption materials in the future.
Pomegranate-type Si/C anode with SiC taped, well-dispersed tiny Si particles for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Wu Pengfei , Shi Benyang , Tu Huibin , Guo Changqing , Liu Anhua , Yan Guan , Yu Zhaoju
Published: July 2021

Severe volume expansion and inherently poor lithium ion transmission are two major problems of silicon anodes. To address these issues, we proposed a pomegranate-type Si/C composite anode with highly dispersed tiny silicon particles as the core assisted by small amount of SiC. Skillfully exploiting the high heat from magnesiothermic reduction, SiC can assist the good dispersion of silicon and provide good interface compatibility and chemical stability. The silicon anchored to the carbon shell provides multipoint contact mode, that together with the carbon shell frame, significantly promoting the transfer of dual charge. Besides, the pomegranate-type microcluster structure also improves the tap density of the electrode, reduces the direct contact area between active material and electrolyte, and enhances the electrochemical performance.
The relationship of nutritional risk with diet quality and health outcomes in community-dwelling older adults
Authors: Bloom Ilse , Pilgrim Anna , Jameson Karen A. , Dennison Elaine M. , Sayer Avan A. , Roberts Helen C. , Cooper Cyrus , Ward Kate A. , Robinson Sian M.
Published: July 2021

Objectives

To identify early nutritional risk in older populations, simple screening approaches are needed. This study aimed to compare nutrition risk scores, calculated from a short checklist, with diet quality and health outcomes, both at baseline and prospectively over a 2.5-year follow-up period; the association between baseline scores and risk of mortality over the follow-up period was assessed.

Methods

The study included 86 community-dwelling older adults in Southampton, UK, recruited from outpatient clinics. At both assessments, hand grip strength was measured using a Jamar dynamometer. Diet was assessed using a short validated food frequency questionnaire; derived ‘prudent’ diet scores described diet quality. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated and weight loss was self-reported. Nutrition risk scores were calculated from a checklist adapted from the DETERMINE (range 0–17).

Results

The mean age of participants at baseline (n = 86) was 78 (SD 8) years; half (53%) scored ‘moderate’ or ‘high’ nutritional risk, using the checklist adapted from DETERMINE. In cross-sectional analyses, after adjusting for age, sex and education, higher nutrition risk scores were associated with lower grip strength [difference in grip strength: − 0.09, 95% CI (− 0.17, − 0.02) SD per unit increase in nutrition risk score, p = 0.017] and poorer diet quality [prudent diet score: − 0.12, 95% CI (− 0.21, − 0.02) SD, p = 0.013]. The association with diet quality was robust to further adjustment for number of comorbidities, whereas the association with grip strength was attenuated. Nutrition risk scores were not related to reported weight loss or BMI at baseline. In longitudinal analyses there was an association between baseline nutrition risk score and lower grip strength at follow-up [fully-adjusted model: − 0.12, 95% CI (− 0.23, − 0.02) SD, p = 0.024]. Baseline nutrition risk score was also associated with greater risk of mortality [unadjusted hazard ratio per unit increase in score: 1.29 (1.01, 1.63), p = 0.039]; however, this association was attenuated after adjustment for sex and age.

Conclusions

Cross-sectional associations between higher nutrition risk scores, assessed from a short checklist, and poorer diet quality suggest that this approach may hold promise as a simple way of screening older populations. Further larger prospective studies are needed to explore the predictive ability of this screening approach and its potential to detect nutritional risk in older adults.
Predictors of short- and long-term mortality among acutely admitted older patients: role of inflammation and frailty
Authors: Zanetti Michela , Marzaro Giovanna , De Colle Paolo , Toigo Gabriele , Bianchini Dario , Nastri Mariapaola , Suriano Cristina , Barazzoni Rocco , Sanson Gianfranco
Published: July 2021

Background

Frailty, demographic and clinical variables linked to incident diseases (e.g., dehydration, inflammation) contribute to poor outcomes in older patients acutely hospitalized. Their predictivity on short-, intermediate- and long-term mortality in a comprehensive model has been scarcely investigated.

Aims

To test the performance of a predictive tool considering frailty and inflammation as well as age, sex and impaired hydration status on 1-year mortality in acutely admitted older patients.

Methods

Retrospective observational study including 529 medical patients (age 84.6 ± 7.3 years). At hospital admission, frailty was assessed by the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI). The Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) was used to grade systemic inflammation. Serum osmolarity was calculated to assess hydration.

Results

After adjusting for age, sex, GPS and osmolarity, the severe-risk MPI was a strong predictor for 1-year mortality (OR 4.133; 95% CI 2.273–7.516; p < 0.001). Age > 85 years, male sex, GPS-2 and serum osmolarity > 300 mOsm/L were independent predictors of mortality in the same multivariable model. The MPI alone showed a moderate discrimination power (AUC 0.678; 95% CI 0.628–0.729; p < 0.001) on 1-year mortality, which increased by 12.5% after the addition of the above predictors in the fully adjusted regression model (AUC 0.763; 95% CI 0.719–0.807; p < 0.001). The severe-risk MPI adjusted for the same factors was also an independent predictor of mortality after 60 and 180 days since hospital admission.

Discussion

Inflammation and impaired hydration are potentially modifiable risk factors for severe outcomes in older acutely hospitalized patients. A model combining GPS, age, gender, and plasma osmolarity improved the accuracy of MPI at admission in predicting long-term mortality.
Analysis of rail potential and stray current in MVDC railway electrification system
Authors: Aatif Salman , Hu Haitao , Rafiq Fezan , He Zhengyou
Published: July 2021

In contrast to the conventional direct current railway electrification system (DC-RES), the medium voltage direct current (MVDC)-RES is considered promising for long-distance high-speed corridors. In the MVDC-RES, traction substations (TSSs) are placed much farther and train loads are much heavier than in the conventional DC-RES. Hence, the MVDC-RES brings a drastic change in catenary voltage, TSS spacing, and train loading, which affects rail potential and stray current. In this connection, this work performs some significant quantitative analysis of rail potential and stray current in the MVDC-RES environment. An MVDC simulation model is proposed and different grounding schemes are analyzed for a single-train and two TSSs scenario as well as for a multi-train multi-TSS scenario. According to the simulation and analysis, the maximum values of rail potential and stray current at MVDC-RES distances and the maximum safe distance between adjacent TSSs are determined.
Study on the operating parameters of the 10 kW SOFC-CHP system with syngas
Authors: Li Biao , Lyu Zewei , Zhu Jianzhong , Han Minfang , Sun Zaihong
Published: July 2021

Solid oxide fuel cell combined with heat and power (SOFC-CHP) system is a distributed power generation system with low pollution and high efficiency. In this paper, a 10 kW SOFC-CHP system model using syngas was built in Aspen plus. Key operating parameters, such as steam to fuel ratio, stack temperature, reformer temperature, air flow rate, and air preheating temperature, were analyzed. Optimization was conducted based on the simulation results. Results suggest that higher steam to fuel ratio is beneficial to the electrical efficiency, but it might decrease the gross system efficiency. Higher stack and reformer temperatures contribute to the electrical efficiency, and the optimal operating temperatures of stack and reformer when considering the stack degradation are 750 °C and 700 °C, respectively. The air preheating temperature barely affects the electrical efficiency but affects the thermal efficiency and the gross system efficiency, the recommended value is around 600 °C under the reference condition.
Understanding the Impact of Street Patterns on Pedestrian Distribution: A Case Study in Tianjin, China
Authors: Sheng Qiang , Jiao Junfeng , Pang Tianyu
Published: July 2021

This paper investigates the impact of street pattern, metro stations, and density of urban functions on pedestrian distribution in Tianjin, China. Thirteen neighborhoods are selected from the city center and suburbs. Pedestrian and vehicle volumes are observed through detailed gate count from 703 street segments in these neighborhoods. Regression models are constructed to analyze the impact of the street pattern, points of interest (POIs), and vehicle and metro accessibility on pedestrian volumes in each neighborhood and across the city. The results show that when analyzing all neighborhoods together, local street connectivity and POIs had a strong influence on pedestrian distribution. Proximity to metro stations and vehicle accessibility had a minor impact. When analyzing each neighborhood separately, both local- and city-scale street patterns affect pedestrian distributions. These findings suggest that the street pattern provides a base layer for metro stations to attract both the emergence of active urban functions and pedestrian movement.
Gazelle Hunting Strategies in the Early Ahmarian: Close-Range Visuospatial Characteristics of Site Locations Indicate Spatially Focused Hunting Strategies on Gazella sp. During the Early Ahmarian
Authors: Sauer Florian , Schoenenberg Jonathan
Published: July 2021

Visual conditions around Palaeolithic sites determine how the landscape was perceived by prehistoric hunter-gatherers. By placing the site in different landscapes, different visual foci were encoded in the locational characteristics of the different places. For the Early Ahmarian sites in the Levant, it can be shown that visual characteristics differ significantly with the combination of large ungulate prey exploited at the respective location. A Higuchi viewshed approach was combined with total viewsheds of the study area to introduce a human scale into the viewshed modelling. While diverse prey locations in the Mediterranean biome provide an overview over the landscape, specialised prey locations in the steppe biomes of the Irano-Turanian and Saharo-Arabian biome have their focus on the immediate vicinity of the sites. This correlates with the placement of sites in the context of highly humid environments which can be best exemplified with the site of Al-Ansab 1 in the escarpments of the Jordanian Rift Valley. Here, the environmental conditions acted as a magnet, focusing gazelles on the migration between different environments.
Research directions in policy modeling: Insights from comparative analysis of recent projects
Authors: Ronzhyn Alexander , Wimmer Maria A.
Published: July 2021

With the increased availability of data and the capacity to make sense of these data, computational approaches to analyze, model and simulate public policy evolved toward viable instruments to deliberate, plan, and evaluate them in different areas of application. Such examples include infrastructure, mobility, monetary, or austerity policies, policies on different aspects of societies (health, pandemic, skills, inclusion, etc.). Technological advances along with the evolution of theoretical models and frameworks open valuable opportunities, while at the same time, posing new challenges. The paper investigates the current state of research in the domain and aims at identifying the most pressing areas for future research. This is done through both literature research of policy modeling and the analysis of research and innovation projects that either focus on policy modeling or involve it as a significant component of the research design. In the paper, 16 recent projects involving the keyword policy modeling were analyzed. The majority of projects concern the application of policy modeling to a specific domain or area of interest, while several projects tackled the cross-cutting topics (risk and crisis management). The detailed analysis of the projects led to topics of future research in the domain of policy modeling. Most prominent future research topics in policy modeling include stakeholder involvement approaches, applicability of research results, handling complexity of models, integration of models from different modeling and simulation paradigms and approaches, visualization of simulation results, real-time data processing, and scalability. These aspects require further research to appropriately contribute to further advance the field.
Bayesian model uncertainty quantification for hyperelastic soft tissue models
Authors: Zeraatpisheh Milad , Bordas Stephane P.A. , Beex Lars A.A.
Published: July 2021

Patient-specific surgical simulations require the patient-specific identification of the constitutive parameters. The sparsity of the experimental data and the substantial noise in the data (e.g., recovered during surgery) cause considerable uncertainty in the identification. In this exploratory work, parameter uncertainty for incompressible hyperelasticity, often used for soft tissues, is addressed by a probabilistic identification approach based on Bayesian inference. Our study particularly focuses on the uncertainty of the model: we investigate how the identified uncertainties of the constitutive parameters behave when different forms of model uncertainty are considered. The model uncertainty formulations range from uninformative ones to more accurate ones that incorporate more detailed extensions of incompressible hyperelasticity. The study shows that incorporating model uncertainty may improve the results, but this is not guaranteed.
Efficiency of COVID-19 Testing Centers in Iran: A Data Envelopment Analysis Approach
Authors: Seddighi Hamed , Baharmand Hossein , Morovati Sharifabadi Ali , Salmani Ibrahim , Seddighi Saeideh
Published: July 2021

Objective:

The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficiency of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) in managing their nonmonetary resources involved in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response.

Methods:

For this purpose, the data envelopment analysis approach was used to measure the efficiency, considering the number of personnel and vehicles and screened passengers as the input and output parameters, respectively. It was examined the efficiency of 10 IRCS’s branches given 17 d of screening operation. For the analysis, the DEA SolverPro software 15a version was used.

Results:

The results show that only 1 branch had been fully efficient in using the resources, while 5 branches showed less than 50% efficiency. This study reveals that it is unnecessary to use a fixed number of volunteers at different stations with different passenger numbers.

Conclusions:

Using resources without efficient planning can lead to direct costs such as food, transportation, and maintenance, as well as indirect costs such as burnout, fatigue, and stress when responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. This analysis should support IRCS’s managers to move their valuable resources from inefficient to efficient centers to increase the screening rate and reduce the fatigue of aid workers for the next pandemic rounds.
Wold decomposition on odometer semigroups
Authors: Li Boyu
Published: July 2021

We establish a Wold-type decomposition for isometric and isometric Nica-covariant representations of the odometer semigroup. These generalize the Wold-type decomposition for commuting pairs of isometries due to Popovici and for pairs of doubly commuting isometries due to Słociński.
RQ Innovative Efficiency and Firm Value
Authors: Cooper Michael , Knott Anne Marie , Yang Wenhao
Published: July 2021

We introduce and test a firm-level innovation-efficiency measure new to the finance literature. The measure, termed the research quotient (RQ), defined as the firm-specific output elasticity of research and development (R&D), was first developed in the management literature. RQ has a low correlation with existing innovation input, output, and efficiency measures. We test RQ in a number of innovation tests common to the finance literature and find that RQ is robust in all tests of firm value, even after controlling for previous innovation measures. The results suggest that RQ may serve as a relevant complementary measure of a company’s innovation.
Deposit-Lending Synergies: Evidence from Chinese Students at U.S. Universities
Authors: Yang Jun
Published: July 2021

This paper exploits an influx of Chinese students to U.S. universities from 2000 through 2018 to study synergies between banks’ deposit-taking and lending activities. Banks that are more recognizable by Chinese students experience higher deposit inflows and increase their local credit supply. This credit supply expansion only occurs in information-sensitive credit markets: small business loans and second lien mortgages. Such increase concentrates in nontradable sectors and is more pronounced at locations where managers have more autonomy. The results indicate that deposits from local consumers convey private information about the local credit market, which helps banks in information-sensitive lending.
The Legon School of International Relations
Authors: Tieku Thomas Kwasi
Published: July 2021

The article explores the Legon School of International Relations (LSIR) which is the research, teaching, and academic programming of International Relations (IR) at the University of Ghana, Legon. The LSIR came out of attempts to decolonise knowledge production, dissemination, and academic programing in Ghana in early 1960s. The article shows that the LSIR is decolonial in theoretical perspective, grounded in southern epistemologies, relational in ontology, qualitative in methodology, practice-based, and it is equity-oriented. Although the LSIR scholarship as a package is distinctive, some of its ideas overlap with the work of several contemporary IR communities in the West. The article highlights implications of the LSIR story for the IR communities in the West and the value of paying close attention to the works of IR centres of scholarship in Africa.
EXAMINING THE RELATIVE EFFECTS OF TASK COMPLEXITY AND COGNITIVE DEMANDS ON STUDENTS’ WRITING IN A SECOND LANGUAGE
Authors: Xu Ting Sophia , Zhang Lawrence Jun , Gaffney Janet S.
Published: July 2021

While many studies have investigated the effect of task complexity on L2 writing, little has been reported on the effects of intended task complexity manipulations on task-generated cognitive demands in L2 writing. This study, therefore, was designed to examine the relative effects of task complexity and cognitive demands on students’ L2 writing. Two argumentative writing tasks were manipulated with varying numbers of elements and reasoning demands to be distinguished either as a simple or complex writing task. Self-ratings and dual-task methodology were adopted to validate the manipulations of task complexity. Thirty-one L2 learners, in the single-task group, were asked to complete two writing tasks and a post-task questionnaire. Participants in the dual-task conditions (30 in Experimental 1 and 31 in Experimental 2) were required to simultaneously complete the primary writing tasks and the secondary tasks. Results from self-ratings and dual-task experiments supported the efficacy of the task complexity manipulations.
Policy and Practice Note: Policy, Safety, and Regulation with Regard to Ontario Home Care Clients and Personal Support Workers
Authors: Hopwood Pamela , MacEachen Ellen
Published: July 2021

In light of COVID-19 and elevated concerns for the health of older Canadians receiving care, this Policy and Practice Note explores the confluence of the current home care policy landscape and the organisation of personal support worker (PSW) work, and highlights the need to consider governance of PSW work generally, and in-home and community care especially. PSWs are currently not professionally regulated, nor is there a central site documenting location, education, or any form of verification of the PSW workforce. Home care PSWs often provide physical care in isolated settings with no in-person supervision. In home and community health care, complaints about PSWs can be scattered among different service providers or client files not linked to or searchable by PSW name. This policy note explores how these factors and the currently unregulated status of PSWs affect home care safety in general as well as in the context of COVID-19, Ontario’s decentralised home care system, and efforts towards professional regulation.
Peer Education Model for Basic Life Support Training among High School Children: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Kesici Selman , Bayrakci Zeynep , Birbilen Ahmet Ziya , Hanalioglu Damla , Öztürk Zeynelabidin , Teksam Özlem , Hüyüklü İlkay , Durgu Ersin , Bayrakci Benan
Published: July 2021

Background and Objectives:

The aim of the study was to test the effectiveness of the peer education method on the learning and application of Basic Life Support (BLS) in high school students and to test the effectiveness of the peer education model on the BLS instructor training.

Methods:

High school grade one students were included in the study. Students were divided in two groups (Group A and Group B). Peer instructors who were trained by health professionals trained students in Group A. Peer instructors who were trained by their peers trained students in Group B. Pre- and post-training awareness and knowledge tests were applied to measure the awareness and knowledge of all students. Students’ success in applying BLS steps was evaluated by a practical exam that was coordinated by physicians using a checklist.

Results:

Result of the pre-post training awareness questionnaire, pre-post training knowledge tests, and practical exam indicated that instructors trained by their peers were as effective as the instructors trained by medical physicians in terms of giving BLS training to high school students. In the 16-step BLS application competence evaluation, the students in Group A applied BLS with a success rate of 90.2% and in Group B with a success rate of 93.4%.

Conclusion:

In the current study, it was shown that the peer education model is effective in BLS training and BLS instructor training in high school students. This novel method of peer education gives an opportunity to overcome the stated shortage in the budget and in trained instructors.
Appraising the Potential of Using Satellite‐Based Rainfall Estimates for Evaluating Extreme Precipitation: A Case Study of August 2014 Event Across the West Rapti River Basin, Nepal
Authors: Talchabhadel Rocky , Nakagawa Hajime , Kawaike Kenji , Yamanoi Kazuki , Musumari Herman , Adhikari Tirtha Raj , Prajapati Rajaram
Published: July 2021

Heavy precipitation events are recurrently occurring in Nepal, affecting lives and properties every year, especially in the summer monsoon season (i.e., June‐September). We investigated an extreme (heavy) precipitation event of August 2014 over the West Rapti River (WRR) Basin, Nepal. First, we forced a rainfall‐runoff model with ground‐based (gauge) hourly rainfall data of nine stations. Second, we validated against hourly water level at an outlet of the WRR Basin. This study then evaluated the performance of different satellite‐based rainfall estimates (SREs) in capturing an extreme precipitation event. We considered the use of half‐hourly data of Integrated Multi‐satellite Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) (Early, Late, and Final versions), spatial resolution (10 km), and hourly data of Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks (PERSIANN), spatial resolution (25 km), and Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks‐Cloud Classification System (PERSIANN‐CCS), spatial resolution (4 km). Also, we used 3 h data of Tropical Multi‐satellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) product real‐time (3B42RT), spatial resolution (25 km). In general, we find that all selected SREs depicted a similar pattern of extreme precipitation as shown by the gauge data on a daily scale. However, we find these products could not replicate precisely on a sub‐daily scale. Overall, IMERG and TMPA showed a better performance than PERSIANN and PERSIANN‐CCS. Finally, we corrected poor‐performed SREs with respect to gauge data and also filled data gaps of gauge rainfall using the information of good‐performed SREs. Our study reveals that there is a great challenge in local flood simulation employing SREs at high‐temporal resolution in Nepal.
Gradients of Anthropogenic Nutrient Enrichment Alter N Composition and DOM Stoichiometry in Freshwater Ecosystems
Authors: Wymore Adam S. , Johnes Penny J. , Bernal Susana , Brookshire E. N. Jack , Fazekas Hannah M. , Helton Ashley M. , Argerich Alba , Barnes Rebecca T. , Coble Ashley A. , Dodds Walter K. , Haq Shahan , Johnson Sherri L. , Jones Jeremy B. , Kaushal Sujay S. , Kortelainen Pirkko , López‐Lloreda Carla , Rodríguez‐Cardona Bianca M. , Spencer Robert G. M. , Sullivan Pamela L. , Yates Christopher A. , McDowell William H.
Published: July 2021

A comprehensive cross‐biome assessment of major nitrogen (N) species that includes dissolved organic N (DON) is central to understanding interactions between inorganic nutrients and organic matter in running waters. Here, we synthesize stream water N chemistry across biomes and find that the composition of the dissolved N pool shifts from highly heterogeneous to primarily comprised of inorganic N, in tandem with dissolved organic matter (DOM) becoming more N‐rich, in response to nutrient enrichment from human disturbances. We identify two critical thresholds of total dissolved N (TDN) concentrations where the proportions of organic and inorganic N shift. With low TDN concentrations (0–1.3 mg/L N), the dominant form of N is highly variable, and DON ranges from 0% to 100% of TDN. At TDN concentrations above 2.8 mg/L, inorganic N dominates the N pool and DON rarely exceeds 25% of TDN. This transition to inorganic N dominance coincides with a shift in the stoichiometry of the DOM pool, where DOM becomes progressively enriched in N and DON concentrations are less tightly associated with concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). This shift in DOM stoichiometry (defined as DOC:DON ratios) suggests that fundamental changes in the biogeochemical cycles of C and N in freshwater ecosystems are occurring across the globe as human activity alters inorganic N and DOM sources and availability. Alterations to DOM stoichiometry are likely to have important implications for both the fate of DOM and its role as a source of N as it is transported downstream to the coastal ocean.
Pharmacological and genetic manipulations at the µ-opioid receptor reveal arrestin-3 engagement limits analgesic tolerance and does not exacerbate respiratory depression in mice
Authors: He Li , Gooding Sarah W. , Lewis Elinor , Felth Lindsey C. , Gaur Anirudh , Whistler Jennifer L.
Published: July 2021

Opioid drugs are widely used analgesics that activate the G protein-coupled µ-opioid receptor, whose endogenous neuropeptide agonists, endorphins and enkephalins, are potent pain relievers. The therapeutic utility of opioid drugs is hindered by development of tolerance to the analgesic effects, requiring dose escalation for persistent pain control and leading to overdose and fatal respiratory distress. The prevailing hypothesis is that the intended analgesic effects of opioid drugs are mediated by µ-opioid receptor signaling to G protein, while the side-effects of respiratory depression and analgesic tolerance are caused by engagement of the receptor with the arrestin-3 protein. Consequently, opioid drug development has focused exclusively on identifying agonists devoid of arrestin-3 engagement. Here, we challenge the prevailing hypothesis with a panel of six clinically relevant opioid drugs and mice of three distinct genotypes with varying abilities to promote morphine-mediated arrestin-3 engagement. With this genetic and pharmacological approach, we demonstrate that arrestin-3 recruitment does not impact respiratory depression, and effective arrestin-3 engagement reduces, rather than exacerbates, the development of analgesic tolerance. These studies suggest that future development of safer opioids should focus on identifying opioid ligands that recruit both G protein and arrestin-3, thereby mimicking the signaling profile of most endogenous µ-opioid receptor agonists.
Safety and preliminary immunogenicity of JNJ-64041809, a live-attenuated, double-deleted Listeria monocytogenes-based immunotherapy, in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Drake Charles G. , Pachynski Russell K. , Subudhi Sumit K. , McNeel Douglas G. , Antonarakis Emmanuel S. , Bauer Todd M. , Lauer Peter , Brockstedt Dirk , Patricia Daniel , Wade Mark , Zudaire Enrique , Bandyopadhyay Nibedita , Parasrampuria Dolly A. , Girgis Suzette , Mason Gary E. , Knoblauch Roland E. , Stone Nicole , Infante Jeffrey R. , Gottardis Marco M. , Fong Lawrence
Published: July 2021

Background

The safety and immunogenicity of JNJ-64041809 (JNJ-809), a live-attenuated, double-deleted Listeria monocytogenes (LADD Lm)-based immunotherapy targeting 4 relevant prostate cancer antigens, was evaluated in a phase 1 study in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

Methods

Men with progressive mCRPC who had received ≥2 prior approved therapies were enrolled. Primary study objectives were to determine the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) and to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of JNJ-809.

Results

A total of 26 patients received JNJ-809 (1 × 108 CFU (n = 6); 1 × 109 CFU (n = 20)). No dose-limiting toxicities were reported, and 1 × 109 CFU was selected as the RP2D. The most common adverse events (AEs) reported were chills (92%), pyrexia (81%), and fatigue (62%). The most frequent grade ≥3 AEs were lymphopenia (27%) and hypertension (23%). Serious AEs were reported in 27% of patients including 1 patient with grade 3 intestinal obstruction. JNJ-809 transiently induced peripheral cytokines, including interferon-γ, interleukin-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α. Of the 7 patients evaluable for T cell responses at the 1 × 109 CFU dose, evidence of post-treatment antigenic responses were observed in 6 to the Listeria antigen listeriolysin O and in 5 to ≥1 of the 4 encoded tumor antigens. Best overall response was stable disease in 13/25 response-evaluable patients. The study was terminated early as data collected were considered sufficient to evaluate safety and immunogenicity.

Conclusions

JNJ-809 has manageable safety consistent with other LADD Lm-based therapies. Limited antigen-specific immune responses were observed, which did not translate into objective clinical responses.
Reprogrammed CRISPR-Cas13b suppresses SARS-CoV-2 replication and circumvents its mutational escape through mismatch tolerance
Authors: Fareh Mohamed , Zhao Wei , Hu Wenxin , Casan Joshua M. L. , Kumar Amit , Symons Jori , Zerbato Jennifer M. , Fong Danielle , Voskoboinik Ilia , Ekert Paul G. , Rudraraju Rajeev , Purcell Damian F. J. , Lewin Sharon R. , Trapani Joseph A.
Published: July 2021

The recent dramatic appearance of variants of concern of SARS-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) highlights the need for innovative approaches that simultaneously suppress viral replication and circumvent viral escape from host immunity and antiviral therapeutics. Here, we employ genome-wide computational prediction and single-nucleotide resolution screening to reprogram CRISPR-Cas13b against SARS-CoV-2 genomic and subgenomic RNAs. Reprogrammed Cas13b effectors targeting accessible regions of Spike and Nucleocapsid transcripts achieved >98% silencing efficiency in virus-free models. Further, optimized and multiplexed Cas13b CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) suppress viral replication in mammalian cells infected with replication-competent SARS-CoV-2, including the recently emerging dominant variant of concern B.1.1.7. The comprehensive mutagenesis of guide-target interaction demonstrated that single-nucleotide mismatches does not impair the capacity of a potent single crRNA to simultaneously suppress ancestral and mutated SARS-CoV-2 strains in infected mammalian cells, including the Spike D614G mutant. The specificity, efficiency and rapid deployment properties of reprogrammed Cas13b described here provide a molecular blueprint for antiviral drug development to suppress and prevent a wide range of SARS-CoV-2 mutants, and is readily adaptable to other emerging pathogenic viruses.
High crystallinity design of Ir-based catalysts drives catalytic reversibility for water electrolysis and fuel cells
Authors: Lee Woong Hee , Ko Young-Jin , Kim Jung Hwan , Choi Chang Hyuck , Chae Keun Hwa , Kim Hansung , Hwang Yun Jeong , Min Byoung Koun , Strasser Peter , Oh Hyung-Suk
Published: July 2021

The voltage reversal of water electrolyzers and fuel cells induces a large positive potential on the hydrogen electrodes, followed by severe system degradation. Applying a reversible multifunctional electrocatalyst to the hydrogen electrode is a practical solution. Ir exhibits excellent catalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reactions (HER), and hydrogen oxidation reactions (HOR), yet irreversibly converts to amorphous IrOx at potentials > 0.8 V/RHE, which is an excellent catalyst for oxygen evolution reactions (OER), yet a poor HER and HOR catalyst. Harnessing the multifunctional catalytic characteristics of Ir, here we design a unique Ir-based electrocatalyst with high crystallinity for OER, HER, and HOR. Under OER operation, the crystalline nanoparticle generates an atomically-thin IrOx layer, which reversibly transforms into a metallic Ir at more cathodic potentials, restoring high activity for HER and HOR. Our analysis reveals that a metallic Ir subsurface under thin IrOx layer can act as a catalytic substrate for the reduction of Ir ions, creating reversibility. Our work not only uncovers fundamental, uniquely reversible catalytic properties of nanoparticle catalysts, but also offers insights into nanocatalyst design.
China’s greenhouse gas emissions for cropping systems from 1978–2016
Authors: Liang Dijuan , Lu Xi , Zhuang Minghao , Shi Guang , Hu Chengyu , Wang Shuxiao , Hao Jiming
Published: July 2021

China has committed to reaching carbon neutrality by 2060, which will require a drastic cut in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from all sectors, including those from agricultural activities. A comprehensive, long-term, and spatially-precise profile of agricultural GHG emissions can help to accurately understand drivers of historical emissions and their implications for future mitigation. This study constructs province-level agricultural GHG emissions in China from 1978 to 2016. It considers primary and secondary emissions from a full range of agricultural activities related to crop farming, including crop residue open burning, rice cultivation, cropland change, cropland emissions, machinery use, nitrogen fertilizer production, and pesticide production. Annual or interpolated activity data from official sources and the latest emission factors available for China were adopted in this study. The data can be used in spatial and temporal analysis of emissions from cropping systems as well as the design of mitigation strategy in China.
Penetration of MeV electrons into the mesosphere accompanying pulsating aurorae
Authors: Miyoshi Y. , Hosokawa K. , Kurita S. , Oyama S.-I. , Ogawa Y. , Saito S. , Shinohara I. , Kero A. , Turunen E. , Verronen P. T. , Kasahara S. , Yokota S. , Mitani T. , Takashima T. , Higashio N. , Kasahara Y. , Matsuda S. , Tsuchiya F. , Kumamoto A. , Matsuoka A. , Hori T. , Keika K. , Shoji M. , Teramoto M. , Imajo S. , Jun C. , Nakamura S.
Published: July 2021

Pulsating aurorae (PsA) are caused by the intermittent precipitations of magnetospheric electrons (energies of a few keV to a few tens of keV) through wave-particle interactions, thereby depositing most of their energy at altitudes ~ 100 km. However, the maximum energy of precipitated electrons and its impacts on the atmosphere are unknown. Herein, we report unique observations by the European Incoherent Scatter (EISCAT) radar showing electron precipitations ranging from a few hundred keV to a few MeV during a PsA associated with a weak geomagnetic storm. Simultaneously, the Arase spacecraft has observed intense whistler-mode chorus waves at the conjugate location along magnetic field lines. A computer simulation based on the EISCAT observations shows immediate catalytic ozone depletion at the mesospheric altitudes. Since PsA occurs frequently, often in daily basis, and extends its impact over large MLT areas, we anticipate that the PsA possesses a significant forcing to the mesospheric ozone chemistry in high latitudes through high energy electron precipitations. Therefore, the generation of PsA results in the depletion of mesospheric ozone through high-energy electron precipitations caused by whistler-mode chorus waves, which are similar to the well-known effect due to solar energetic protons triggered by solar flares.
Tele-EMS physicians improve life-threatening conditions during prehospital emergency missions
Authors: Schröder Hanna , Beckers Stefan K. , Ogrodzki Klaudia , Borgs Christina , Ziemann Sebastian , Follmann Andreas , Rossaint Rolf , Felzen Marc
Published: July 2021

Almost seven years ago, a telemedicine system was established as an additional component of the city of Aachen’s emergency medical service (EMS). It allows paramedics to engage in an immediate consultation with an EMS physician at any time. The system is not meant to replace the EMS physician on the scene during life-threatening emergencies. The aim of this study was to analyze teleconsultations during life-threatening missions and evaluate whether they improve patient care. Telemedical EMS (tele-EMS) physician consultations that occurred over the course of four years were evaluated. Missions were classified as involving potentially life-threatening conditions based on at least one of the following criteria: documented patient severity score, life-threatening vital signs, the judgement of the onsite EMS physician involved in the mission, or definite life-threatening diagnoses. The proportion of vital signs indicating that the patient was in a life-threatening condition was analyzed as the primary outcome at the start and end of the tele-EMS consultation. The secondary outcome parameters were the administered drug doses, tracer diagnoses made by the onsite EMS physicians during the missions, and quality of the documentation of the missions. From January 2015 to December 2018, a total of 10,362 tele-EMS consultations occurred; in 4,293 (41.4%) of the missions, the patient was initially in a potentially life-threatening condition. Out of those, a total of 3,441 (80.2%) missions were performed without an EMS physician at the scene. Records of 2,007 patients revealed 2,234 life-threatening vital signs of which 1,465 (65.6%) were remedied during the teleconsultation. Significant improvement was detected for oxygen saturation, hypotonia, tachy- and bradycardia, vigilance states, and hypoglycemia. Teleconsultation during missions involving patients with life-threatening conditions can significantly improve those patients' vital signs. Many potentially life-threatening cases could be handled by a tele-EMS physician as they did not require any invasive interventions that needed to be performed by an onsite EMS physician. Diagnoses of myocardial infarction, cardiac pulmonary edema, or malignant dysrhythmias necessitate the presence of onsite EMS physicians. Even during missions involving patients with life-threatening conditions, teleconsultation was feasible and often accessed by the paramedics.