bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interactive Storytelling through LEDs and Paper Circuits: Tapping into Materials and Technology in Children’s Literature Education
Authors: Dinç Betül Gaye , Özkan Birce , Veryeri Alaca Ilgım
Published: August 2021

How can interactive technology enhance children’s literature? How can new materials and technology be incorporated into courses on children’s literature at university level feeding upon the Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)? What is the best way to embed new materials such as paper circuits into a children’s narrative? This article offers a review of an experiment conducted at a liberal arts college where students were provided the theoretical and practice-based knowledge for designing children’s picturebooks, then asked to introduce circuit technology to their picturebook design. The upper-level course admitted students from across a range of disciplines, such as computer science, psychology, literature, medicine, and media and visual arts, which resulted in lively exchanges between them. Regardless of their strengths, students participated in the hands-on workshop supported by a designer and the course instructor to learn about electric circuits, copper tape, and LEDs, and seek ways to adapt them into the page structure and the narrative sequence. They explored how to fuse light into text and image so as to tell a story and facilitate engagement in a children’s book. This study builds upon the Maker Movement and borrows technology from HCI, fusing the two movements into children’s books. As such, students were asked to assess the potential uses of HCI technology in art and design, book arts and seek ways to apply those technologies to enrich children’s engagement during reading. Students revealed that this endeavour motivated them to think creatively as they explored ways to transform children’s literature. Thus, the course brought theory and practice together with electric circuits to offer a novel way to contemplate children’s literature.
“I Don’t Really Have a Reason to Read Children’s Literature”: Enquiring into Primary Student Teachers’ Knowledge of Children’s Literature
Authors: Farrar Jennifer
Published: August 2021

Research into in-service teachers’ knowledge of children’s literature indicates there is a powerfully symbiotic relationship between teachers’ perceptions and projections of themselves as readers and students’ engagement with reading as a pleasurable activity (Commeyras et al., 2003; Cremin et al 2014). Less is known about pre-service teachers’ knowledge of children’s literature or their attitudes towards reading and the Scottish context is unexplored in this regard. Inspired by and aligned with the work of Cremin et al. (2008) with in-service primary teachers in England, this project investigated the personal reading habits of more than 150 student teachers over a two-year period by capturing snapshots of their knowledge of children’s literature and perceptions of themselves as not only readers, but as readers of children’s literature, at various stages of their initial teacher education. Framed by understandings of literacy practices as socially and locally constructed (Barton & Hamilton, 1998) and of literate identities as fluid, contingent and plural (Moje et al., 2009), this paper also outlines how project findings linked to knowledge of texts for children and reader identity have informed the teaching and learning of children’s literature at university level.
Risk of motor vehicle collisions after methadone use
Authors: Yang Ya-Hui , Ho Pei-Shan , Wu Trong-Neng , Wang Peng-Wei , Lin Chun-Hung Richard , Tsai Jui-Hsiu , Guo Yue Leon , Chuang Hung-Yi
Published: August 2021

Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) can alleviate opioid dependence. However, MMT possibly increases the risk of motor vehicle collisions. The current study investigated preliminary estimation of motor vehicle collision incidence rates. Furthermore, in this population-based retrospective cohort study with frequency-matched controls, opiate adults receiving MMT (cases) and those not receiving MMT (controls) were identified at a 1:2 ratio by linking data from several nationwide administrative registry databases. From 2009 to 2016, the crude incidence rate of motor vehicle collisions was the lowest in the general adult population, followed by that in opiate adults, and it was the highest in adults receiving MMT. The incidence rates of motor vehicle collisions were significantly higher in opiate users receiving MMT than in those not receiving MMT. Kaplan–Meier curves of the incidence of motor vehicle collisions differed significantly between groups, with a significant increased risk during the first 90 days of follow-up. In conclusion, drivers receiving MMT have higher motor vehicle collision risk than those not receiving MMT in opiate users, and it is worthy of noticing road safety in such drivers, particularly during the first 90 days of MMT.
Ciliary chemosensitivity is enhanced by cilium geometry and motility
Authors: Hickey David , Vilfan Andrej , Golestanian Ramin
Published: August 2021

Cilia are hairlike organelles involved in both sensory functions and motility. We discuss the question of whether the location of chemical receptors on cilia provides an advantage in terms of sensitivity and whether motile sensory cilia have a further advantage. Using a simple advection-diffusion model, we compute the capture rates of diffusive molecules on a cilium. Because of its geometry, a non-motile cilium in a quiescent fluid has a capture rate equivalent to a circular absorbing region with ∼4× its surface area. When the cilium is exposed to an external shear flow, the equivalent surface area increases to ∼6×. Alternatively, if the cilium beats in a non-reciprocal way in an otherwise quiescent fluid, its capture rate increases with the beating frequency to the power of 1/3. Altogether, our results show that the protruding geometry of a cilium could be one of the reasons why so many receptors are located on cilia. They also point to the advantage of combining motility with chemical reception.
Ciliary and extraciliary Gpr161 pools repress hedgehog signaling in a tissue-specific manner
Authors: Hwang Sun-Hee , Somatilaka Bandarigoda N , White Kevin , Mukhopadhyay Saikat
Published: August 2021

The role of compartmentalized signaling in primary cilia during tissue morphogenesis is not well understood. The cilia localized G protein-coupled receptor, Gpr161, represses hedgehog pathway via cAMP signaling. We engineered a knock-in at the Gpr161 locus in mice to generate a variant (Gpr161mut1), which was ciliary localization defective but cAMP signaling competent. Tissue phenotypes from hedgehog signaling depend on downstream bifunctional Gli transcriptional factors functioning as activators or repressors. Compared to knockout (ko), Gpr161mut1/ko had delayed embryonic lethality, moderately increased hedgehog targets, and partially down-regulated Gli3 repressor. Unlike ko, the Gpr161mut1/ko neural tube did not show Gli2 activator-dependent expansion of ventral-most progenitors. Instead, the intermediate neural tube showed progenitor expansion that depends on loss of Gli3 repressor. Increased extraciliary receptor levels in Gpr161mut1/mut1 prevented ventralization. Morphogenesis in limb buds and midface requires Gli repressor; these tissues in Gpr161mut1/mut1 manifested hedgehog hyperactivation phenotypes—polydactyly and midfacial widening. Thus, ciliary and extraciliary Gpr161 pools likely establish tissue-specific Gli repressor thresholds in determining morpho-phenotypic outcomes.
How lung cancer cells change identity
Authors: von Itzstein Mitchell S , Drapkin Benjamin J , Minna John D
Published: August 2021

Changes in MAPK signaling allow lung cancer cells to transition between lineages that respond differently to treatment.
Optimization of change in epicardial fat thickness for obese patients who lost weight via the bariatric surgery method using central composite and Box-Behnken experimental designs
Authors: Elmalı Ferhan , Tekindal Mustafa Agâh , Altın Cihan , Ateş Can , Erol Varlık
Published: August 2021

Background

The aim of this study was to detect the optimal values for Age, Body Mass Index (BMI) and HOMA-IR of obese patients prior to surgery that results in a maximal decrease of visceral fat mass 6 months after bariatric surgery.

Method

In this study, 33 experimental set-ups were designed. This study was approved by Baskent University Medical and Health Sciences Research Board (Approval number: KA16/281). The study data consisted of 40 obese patients who lost weight through the bariatric surgery between February 2015 and December 2016. The values of BMI, Age and HOMA for the obese patients who lost weight through the bariatric surgery were evaluated in three categories and at three levels; the response variable was determined as the Change in Epicardial Fat Thickness (ΔEFT).

Results

As a result of CCD analysis, the optimum ΔEFT = 2.571 was determined when Age = 30.52, BMI = 45.30, and HOMA = 34.62. As a result of the BBD analysis, the optimum ΔEFT = 3.756 was determined, when Age = 38.36, BMI = 63.18, and HOMA = 14.95. The optimum ΔEFT was modeled with Contour and Response Surface plots.

Conclusion

Based on the two surface response models used in our study, the maximal decrease of visceral fat mass as assessed by measuring echography images of epicardial fat thickness can be obtained by bariatric surgery of persons who are between 31 and 38 year old, have a BMI between 45 and 63 kg/m2 and have a HOMA-IR 34 between 15 and 35. Central Composite Design and a Box-Behnken Design of suitable patient data predicted 35 optimal settings of independent variables for the maximal clinical response of an intervention.
Towards an open and synergistic framework for mapping global land cover
Authors: Zhao Jiyao , Yu Le , Liu Han , Huang Huabing , Wang Jie , Gong Peng
Published: August 2021

Global land-cover datasets are key sources of information for understanding the complex inter-actions between human activities and global change. They are also among the most critical variables for climate change studies. Over time, the spatial resolution of land cover maps has increased from the kilometer scale to 10-m scale. Single-type historical land cover datasets, including for forests, water, and impervious surfaces, have also been developed in recent years. In this study, we present an open and synergy framework to produce a global land cover dataset that combines supervised land cover classification and aggregation of existing multiple thematic land cover maps with the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud computing platform. On the basis of this method of classification and mosaicking, we derived a global land cover dataset for 6 years over a time span of 25 years. The overall accuracies of the six maps were around 75% and the accuracy for change area detection was over 70%. Our product also showed good similarity with the FAO and existing land cover maps.
The effect of uncorrected ametropia on ocular torsion induced by changes in fixation
Authors: Oh Kwang-Keun , Moon Byeong-Yeon , Cho Hyun Gug , Kim Sang-Yeob , Yu Dong-Sik
Published: August 2021

Background and Objective

Ocular torsion, the eye movements to rotating around the line of sight, has not been well investigated regarding the influence of refractive errors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of uncorrected ametropia on ocular torsion induced by fixation distances.

Methods

Seventy-two subjects were classified according to the type of their refractive error, and ocular torsion of the uncorrected eye was compared based on changes induced by different fixation distances. Ocular torsion was measured using a slit-lamp biomicroscope equipped with an ophthalmic camera and a half-silvered mirror.

Results

In all groups, excyclotorsion values increased as the fixation distance decreased, but the myopia and astigmatism groups had larger amounts of ocular torsion than the emmetropia group. In addition, as the amount of uncorrected myopia and astigmatism increased, the amount of ocular torsion increased.

Conclusion

Since the amount of ocular torsion caused by a change to a shorter fixation distance was larger when the refractive error was uncorrected, we suggest that ametropia should be fully corrected in patients frequently exposed to ocular torsion due to changes in fixation distance.
Environmental Impact of Food, Fruit and Vegetable Waste during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Review
Authors: Zia Mahd , Ahmed Sirajuddin , Kumar Anil
Published: August 2021

Apart from the major health impact, Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) has impacted almost all sectors across the world. One of them is food, Fruit and Vegetable Markets (FVM). Lockdown implementation had different impacts in different countries, like Canada and the United Kingdom (UK) where they have logistics and supply chain of food, fruits and vegetable items and noted a shift in supply from food service to the retail channel, although the fresh food supply remains unaffected. A similar trend was seen in the metro cities of India, where online shopping has increased. In the food supply sector, both retailers and farmers had to face difficulty in storing, transporting, and selling of the goods and had to bear losses due to increased wastage. Although with an increased demand, organic farming has increased but still increased expenditure, less yield, and selling of the products are the major challenges in front of them. Food, fruit and vegetable wastes have considerably reduced at the food supply due to the obvious impact of lockdown on food supplies, however, a shortage of cold storages and supply chain at the farmer level in developing countries has resulted in more wastage. Developed countries reported increased illegal dumping of wastes in the rural areas and the stoppage of the recycling services due to the lockdown. Also, a shift in the habits of the consumer due to health and food-related issues has been seen throughout the world resulting in reduced waste generation at the consumer level. Despite all this, agricultural producer and the retail industry appears to be best placed to weather the storm. The major challenges related to the industry are sustainability in the food chain and maintaining smooth logistics and necessary precautionary measures in the event of health crises in the future.
Teaching and Learning Principles of the Ancient Indian Education System and its Relevance with the National Educational Policy 2020
Authors: Dogra Tirath Das , Chaudhry Astha
Published: August 2021

The teaching and learning principles followed in the Ancient Indian Education System were largely based on the student centric teaching and learning principles as advocated in the modern system of education. The overall development of the student including the inner and outer self was largely practiced in our ancient education system. Also, the principles and practices discussed in Andragogy bears striking similitude with the practices followed in the ancient system. The relevance of understanding these traditional Indian teaching and learning principles increases with the introduction of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 by Ministry of Human Resource and Development, Government of India as it highlights that all these principles are required to be adopted by the Higher Educational Institutions. This article aims to discuss some of the teaching and learning principles of the Ancient Indian Education system and their relevance in contemporary times along its coherence with NEP.
Knowledge and Practice of Childhood Immunization among Men with Infants in Enugu Metropolis
Authors: Agu Chekwube Catherine , Onwasigwe C. N. , Obeagu Emmanuel Ifeanyi , Vincent C. C. N. , Chijioke Udunma Olive , Adike Calista Ndidi , Okafor Chukwum J. , Ibekwe Adaobi Maryann , Agunwah Lizzy , Anyanwu Confidence Ogechi
Published: August 2021

Background: Immunization is the process by which a person’s immune system is fortified and made resistant to an infectious disease/ agent. Immunization saves millions of lives. It is the most important means of preventing childhood morbidity and mortality. This study investigated the knowledge and practice of childhood immunization among men with infants in Enugu Metropolis.

Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study using multi stage sampling involving 81 men with infants in Ogbete Main Market Enugu. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 22 adopting descriptive statistics and chi square to test difference and relationship between variables. P-values <0.05 were taken to be level of significance.

Results: Findings indicated that median, mean ± standard deviation of the men’s age are 35, 35.8 ± 3.5 respectively. Men’s total knowledge level was significantly associated with their level of education (P<0.05) and their level of practice was significantly associated with their religion (????2 =35.7, df = 8, P=0.000).

Conclusion: This study concludes that the men studied had good knowledge and poor practices of immunization.
Disinfection Measures during COVID-19
Authors: Agrawal Priyal
Published: August 2021

Corona illness 2019 (covid-19) has been occured by widspread serious lung condition due to infection with newly emerging Corona virus 2 during 2019. The infection threatened people health world-wide. Covid2-19 started in China and caused an aggregate of few affirmed cases and few of them passing till end of sixth month. Infection occurs essentially through lung droplets and infect near by people. Individual to-individual infection occur by conveyance by droplets from hack, wheeze, drop inward breath, and infection through upper dry epithelium polluted by emissions of complete respiratory tract system of a infected individual had been demonstrated about corona spread. As infection advanced, a progression of intricacies will in general grow, particularly in fundamentally sick and immunocompromised patients. Neurotic investigations demonstrated delegate highlights of intense lung misery condition (ARDS) and involvement of different organs too. Nonetheless, no particular antiviral medications or immunizations are promptly accessible to the medical care of this deadly infection. The adequacy of some encouraging antibacterial should be examined to continuous health preliminaries. In this conditions, strong consideration, safety measures, and physical distansing are the lone preventive measuresfor protection against CORONA. To sanitize the climate, fundamentally compound bactericidal are being utilized powerfully. Notwithstanding, because of frenzy state, fear, and ignorance, individuals are utilizing it fiercely, which can adversely affect human wellbeing and climate. This audit examines the likely negative impact of disinfectants, whenever utilized improperly. Here, we will likewise talk about safe preventive choices as an option in contrast to strong utilization of sterilization strategies to battle against CORONA.
Seismic Performance of a Three-Story Reinforced Concrete Building with Masonry Infill Walls and Friction Base Support
Authors: Pudjisuryadi Pamuda , Prayogo V.S. , Oetomo S.I. , Lumantarna Benjamin
Published: August 2021

The stiffness of masonry infill walls is commonly neglected in design practice of Reinforced Concrete (RC) structures. In fact, the stiffness of masonry infill wall may significantly influence seismic performance and dynamic behavior of RC buildings. In this research, influence of masonry infill walls to the structural performance of a three-story RC frame is investigated. In addition, possible application of friction-based support is also studied. Full 3D non-linear time history analysis is conducted to observe behavior of the structure under two-directional ground motion. In the analysis, any failed elements are removed subsequently from the model to avoid numerical analysis problem. The result shows that the placement of masonry infill walls can significantly influence the structural behavior of RC structure. Inappropriate placement of masonry wall may lead the building undergo soft-story mechanism. It is also found that the use of friction-based support can effectively improve the seismic performance of the building.
The Utilization of Milk as a Catalyst Material in Enzyme-Mediated Calcite Precipitation (EMCP) for Crack-Healing in Concrete
Authors: Ihsani Zalfa Maulida , Putra Heriansyah
Published: August 2021

This study discussed the applicability of the calcite precipitation method to repair the concrete's crack. The grouting solution of Enzyme-Mediated Calcite Precipitation (EMCP) was modified by adding milk as a catalyst in calcite formation. Cracks in concrete samples were made when the concrete was 28 days with a width of 0.1-0.3 mm. The EMCP solution composed of urease, urea, CaCl2, and milk was injected into the cracked concrete sample, and its effect on permeability and compressive strength tests were evaluated. The result shows that the optimum composition of milk used in the formation of calcite had a concentration of 5 g/L with an initial preparation temperature of 70oC, which produced 26% higher than the initial EMCP solution. The mechanical test results show that the reduction of coefficient of permeability of 92.23% compared to the cracked sample and the improve strength up to 98.75% of the non-cracked sample were obtained by three circles injection. This study elucidated that milk utilization as a catalyst material in repairing cracks with the EMCP method is a potential method for crack-healing concrete.
The Development of Extradosed Bridge Concept from a Vision to a Reality
Authors: Theryo Teddy S.
Published: August 2021

The development of Extradosed bridge from a vision to a real project is presented in this paper. Mathivat of France who is recognized as the inventor of this bridge type, envisioned a new bridge type suitable for medium span ranges in 1979.  He suggested that some of the cantilever tendons in balanced cantilever bridge can be deviated to the top deck supported by short tower resemble stay cables. The structural benefit of this idea is increasing positive moment capacity by increasing eccentricity over the pier and enhanced shear capacity.  Therefore, with the same conditions, longer span can be designed. Due to small angle of stay cables, the cable allowable stress at serviceability is about the same level with balanced cantilever bridge and no significant penalty on fatigue resistance unlike stay cables for conventional cable stayed bridges. The Extradosed bridge offers economic benefit for medium span range and aesthetically pleasing.
Characterization and Ex Vivo evaluation of an extracorporeal high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) system
Authors: Zhou Yufeng , Cunitz Bryan W. , Dunmire Barbrina , Wang Yak‐Nam , Karl Steven G. , Warren Cinderella , Mitchell Stuart , Hwang Joo Ha
Published: August 2021

Background

High‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been in clinical use for a variety of solid tumors and cancers. Accurate and reliable calibration is in a great need for clinical applications. An extracorporeal clinical HIFU system applied for the investigational device exemption (IDE) to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) so that evaluation of its characteristics, performance, and safety was required.

Methods

The acoustic pressure and power output was characterized by a fiber optic probe and a radiation force balance, respectively, with the electrical power up to 2000 W. An in situ acoustic energy was established as the clinical protocol at the electrical power up to 500 W. Temperature elevation inside the tissue sample was measured by a thermocouple array. Generated lesion volume at different in situ acoustic energies and pathological examination of the lesions was evaluated ex vivo.

Results

Acoustic pressure mapping showed the insignificant presence of side/grating lobes and pre‐ or post‐focal peaks (≤−12 dB). Although distorted acoustic pressure waveform was found in the free field, the nonlinearity was reduced significantly after the beam propagating through tissue samples (i.e., the second harmonic of −11.8 dB at 500 W). Temperature elevation was <10°C at a distance of 10 mm away from a 20‐mm target, which suggests the well‐controlled HIFU energy deposition and no damage to the surrounding tissue. An acoustic energy in the range of 750–1250 J resulted in discrete lesions with an interval space of 5 mm between the treatment spots. Histology confirmed that the lesions represented a region of permanently damaged cells by heat fixation, without causing cell lysis by either cavitation or boiling.

Conclusions

Our characterization and ex vivo evaluation protocol met the IDE requirement. The in‐situ acoustic energy model will be used in clinical trials to deliver almost consistent energy to the various targets.
Controlled Growth of Hierarchical Bi2Se3/CdSe‐Au Nanorods with Optimized Photothermal Conversion and Demonstrations in Photothermal Therapy
Authors: Liu Xiao‐Dan , Chen Bei , Wang Gang‐Gang , Ma Song , Cheng Li , Liu Wei , Zhou Li , Wang Qu‐Quan
Published: August 2021

Integrating multiple mechanisms to maximize photothermal conversion efficiency is a significant strategy but remains challenging to construct therapeutic agents toward photothermal tumor treatment. Here, an approach to synthesize asymmetric Bi2Se3/CdSe‐Au hierarchical nanorods with excellent photothermal conversion is reported. Ag wetting‐layer is firstly grown to help overcome the interfacial lattice mismatch and promote the site‐selective growth of AgCdSe onto one end or side surface of Au nanorods. Subsequently, extraction of Ag+ ions out of lattice is observed during cation exchange reaction and epitaxial growth of Bi2Se3 shell. Bi2Se3/CdSe heterojunction with type‐II band alignment is formed and located at the plasmonic hotspots of Au nanorods, which experiences enhanced light absorption and accelerates the charge separation of photo‐excited carriers. Under excitation of near‐infrared 808 nm laser, the matchstick‐like Bi2Se3/CdSe‐Au nanorods show an excellent photothermal conversion, with 4.3 times temperature increment (ΔT) than that of bare Au nanorods. Moreover, in vitro and in vivo experiments verify them as excellent photothermal therapeutic agents.
Construction of a Porous Metal–Organic Framework with a High Density of Open Cr Sites for Record N2/O2 Separation
Authors: Zhang Feifei , Shang Hua , Wang Li , Wang Yong , Yang Jiangfeng , Xia Yuanhua , Li Hao , Li Libo , Li Jinping
Published: August 2021

The removal of low concentration N2 is of great significance and challenging in the industrial production of high‐purity O2. Herein, a chromium‐based metal–organic framework, namely, TYUT‐96Cr, is reported, which has an unprecedented N2 capture capacity of 37.46 cm3 cm−3 and N2/O2 (5:95, v/v) selectivity up to 26.95 (298 K and 1 bar), thus setting new benchmarks for all reported metal–organic frameworks and commercially used ones (Li‐LSX and 13X). Breakthrough experiments reveal that N2 can be directly extracted from various N2/O2 (79:21, 50:50, 5:95, and 1:99, v/v) mixtures by this material, affording a record‐high O2‐production scale with 99.99% purity. Density functional theory calculations and in situ infrared spectroscopy studies demonstrate that the high‐density open Cr (III) sites in TYUT‐96Cr can behave as effective Lewis acidic sites, thus resulting in a strong affinity toward N2. The high N2 adsorption selectivity, exceptional separation performance, and ultrahigh structural stability render this porous material with great potential for this important industrial application.
Yield and economic performance of crop rotation systems in South Dakota
Authors: Feng Hanxiao , Wang Tong , Osborne Shannon L. , Kumar Sandeep
Published: August 2021

Crop yield and economic profitability, both highly dependent on local crop management, soil characteristics, and weather conditions, are among the most influential factors to consider when considering a cropping system. The objective of this study was to compare the economic returns of three different 4‐yr diverse crop rotations with that of a 2‐yr traditional crop rotation in eastern South Dakota. The rotations included were (a) corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]–spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–pea (Pisum sativum L.) (CSSwP), (b) corn–pea–winter wheat–soybean (CPWwS), (c) corn–oat (Avena sativa L.)–winter wheat–soybean (COWwS), and (d) corn–soybean (CS). Results showed that total cost for the CS rotation was 7.2, 14.9, and 18.2% greater than the COWwS, CSSwP, and CPWwS rotations, respectively. Whereas CS rotation had comparable corn yield with CSSwP and COWwS rotations, its soybean yield ranked the lowest among all the rotations. When N fertilizer application fell below the level necessary to achieve for yield maximization, the CS rotation demonstrated a lack of resilience as indicated by a continual decline in economic returns over time. In comparison, the CSSwP rotation demonstrated high resilience to reduced N fertilizer application rate, and its net revenue was the highest among all rotations and surpassed the CS. Our results suggest that extending the traditional CS rotation to the more diversified CSSwP rotation could simultaneously reduce input costs and overreliance on N fertilizer.
Capture efficiency of four chamber designs for measuring ammonia emissions
Authors: Alexander Jonathan R. , Spackman Jared A. , Wilson Melissa L. , Fernández Fabián G. , Venterea Rodney T.
Published: August 2021

Ammonia (NH3) emissions are an economically and environmentally significant loss pathway of fertilizer and soil‐derived N. Chambers are a commonly used method to quantify NH3 emissions in plot‐scale agricultural research. Although this method is widely used, its accuracy may be influenced by the overall design of the chamber, its components, and its interaction with the environment. Four NH3 chamber designs, including open, open + polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), semi‐open, and closed, were deployed over a dilute NH3 solution for 6 h on four dates to determine the effect of chamber design on NH3 capture efficiency. The solution volume and concentration were measured before and after acid trap deployment, and total volatile NH3 emission was assumed to be equal to the mass N loss. The NH3 capture efficiency relative to the estimated total emissions was greatest for the open design (12.9%), whereas the semi‐open chamber was the least efficient (3.5%). The closed chamber reduced NH3 emissions relative to the open and semi‐open designs by inhibiting convective gas transport beneath the chamber footprint.
Characterization of a source of resistance to aflatoxin accumulation in maize
Authors: Ogunola Oluwaseun , Smith J. Spencer , Xu Wenwei , Bhattramakki Dinakar , Jeffers Daniel , Williams W. Paul , Warburton Marilyn L.
Published: August 2021

Aflatoxinproduced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus (Link:Fr) can accumulate in maize (Zea mays L.) and poses serious human health and economic concerns, especially in sub‐Saharan Africa. Genetic resistance against A. flavus infection and spread, and subsequent production of aflatoxin, is a key tool for reducing the problem. Some resistant inbred donor lines carry quantitative trait loci (QTL) for resistance that have a sufficiently large phenotypic effect to be used for marker assisted introgression. New sources of resistance, unrelated to previously characterized resistant lines, could carry unique QTL with large phenotypic effect on resistance to complement the previously identified QTL. To this end, CML69, derived from Caribbean Composite germplasm unrelated to previously released resistant lines, was used in QTL mapping to identify and characterize new resistance QTL. Seventeen QTL were identified, although some may be the same genetic region causing QTL identified in more than one environment, indicating that these QTL are stably expressed across environments. These QTL explained 1.8–12.6% each and jointly up to 55% of the phenotypic variation. The largest effect QTL, in particular the QTL in bin 4.08, are most likely the same as has been reported in QTL mapping studies of other resistant maize lines, suggesting both environmental and genetic stability. This stability will be very useful when these QTL are used in maize improvement programs, and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers linked to these QTL were identified to facilitate this use. CML69, and other lines related to it by pedigree, may make good parents for new aflatoxin resistant hybrids.
2021 update on clinical trials in β‐thalassemia
Authors: Musallam Khaled M. , Bou‐Fakhredin Rayan , Cappellini Maria Domenica , Taher Ali T.
Published: August 2021

The treatment landscape for patients with β‐thalassemia is witnessing a swift evolution, yet several unmet needs continue to persist. Patients with transfusion‐dependent β‐thalassemia (TDT) primarily rely on regular transfusion and iron chelation therapy, which can be associated with considerable treatment burden and cost. Patients with non‐transfusion‐dependent β‐thalassemia (NTDT) are also at risk of significant morbidity due to the underlying anemia and iron overload, but treatment options in this patient subgroup are limited. In this review, we provide updates on clinical trials of novel therapies targeting the underlying pathology in β‐thalassemia, including the α/non‐α‐globin chain imbalance, ineffective erythropoiesis, and iron dysregulation.
Body structural and cellular aging of women with low socioeconomic status in Hungary: A pilot study
Authors: Annar Dorina , Feher Piroska , Madarasi Anna , Mascie‐Taylor Nicholas , Kekesi Anna , Kalabiska Irina , Muzsnai Agota , Zsakai Annamaria
Published: August 2021

Objectives

The health status of an individual is determined not only by their genetic background but also by their physical environment, social environment and access and use of the health care system. The Roma are one of the largest ethnic minority groups in Hungary. The majority of the Roma population live in poor conditions in segregated settlements in Hungary, with most experiencing higher exposure to environmental health hazards. The main aim of this study was to examine the biological health and aging status of Roma women living in low socioeconomic conditions in Hungary.

Methods

Low SES Roma (n: 20) and high SES non‐Roma women (n: 30) aged between 35 and 65 years were enrolled to the present analysis. Body mass components were estimated by body impedance analysis, bone structure was estimated by quantitative ultrasound technique. Cellular aging was assessed by X chromosome loss estimation. Data on health status, lifestyle and socioeconomic factors were collected by questionnaires.

Results

The results revealed that low SES women are prone to be more obese, have a higher amount of abdominal body fat, and have worse bone structure than the national reference values. A positive relationship was found between aging and the rate of X chromosome loss was detected only in women with low SES. Waist to hip ratio, existence of cardiovascular diseases and the number of gravidities were predictors of the rate of X chromosome loss in women.

Conclusions

The results suggested that age‐adjusted rate of X chromosome loss could be related to the socioeconomic status.
Metabolic health measurements of shift workers in a national cross‐sectional study: Results from the Canadian Health Measures Survey
Authors: Harris M. Anne , Kim Joanne , Demers Paul
Published: August 2021

Background

Shift work exposure may be a concern for a range of health effects, including metabolic health outcomes such as insulin resistance, high body weight, and abdominal obesity.

Methods

We analyzed shift work and indicators of metabolic health (overweight/obesity defined by body mass index, self‐reported changes in body mass index (BMI) in previous 1 and 10 years, waist circumference, waist‐to‐hip ratio, and insulin resistance assessed by the homeostasis model assessment 2 (HOMA‐2‐IR)) in the cross‐sectional Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS). We analyzed descriptive characteristics of shift workers (regular night, evening, and rotating shift) and used multivariable linear regression to examine the association between two definitions of shift work exposure and measures of metabolic health, adjusted for age, sex, daily energy expenditure, sleep, and poor dietary quality.

Results

5470 anthropometry (2637 fasting) participants in CHMS Cycles 1 and 2 were included, of whom 16.5% worked regular evening, night, or rotating shifts. Shift workers were younger and slept longer hours than non‐shift workers. Bivariate associations showed inverse relationships between shift work and BMI, waist circumference, waist‐to‐hip ratio, and HOMA‐2‐IR. In adjusted analyses, BMI was inversely related to shift work, and other metabolic health outcomes showed no significant associations.

Conclusions

Healthy worker effects (including self‐selection of exposure) could explain inverse relationships, particularly as the cross‐sectional design only allowed assessment of current exposure. Key strengths include the population‐based design and measurement of metabolic health indicators. Results underscore the importance of consideration of the health of shift workers following departure from the exposed population.
Expanding the KIF4A‐associated phenotype
Authors: Kalantari Silvia , Carlston Colleen , Alsaleh Norah , Abdel‐Salam Ghada M. H. , Alkuraya Fowzan , Kato Mitsuhiro , Matsumoto Naomichi , Miyatake Satoko , Yamamoto Tatsuya , Fares‐Taie Lucas , Rozet Jean‐Michel , Chassaing Nicolas , Vincent‐Delorme Catherine , Kang‐Bellin Anjeung , McWalter Kirsty , Bupp Caleb , Palen Emily , Wagner Monisa D. , Niceta Marcello , Cesario Claudia , Milone Roberta , Kaplan Julie , Wadman Erin , Dobyns William B. , Filges Isabel
Published: August 2021

Kinesin super family (KIF) genes encode motor kinesins, a family of evolutionary conserved proteins, involved in intracellular trafficking of various cargoes. These proteins are critical for various physiological processes including neuron function and survival, ciliary function and ciliogenesis, and cell‐cycle progression. Recent evidence suggests that alterations in motor kinesin genes can lead to a variety of human diseases, including monogenic disorders. Neuropathies, impaired higher brain functions, structural brain abnormalities and multiple congenital anomalies (i.e., renal, urogenital, and limb anomalies) can result from pathogenic variants in many KIF genes. We expand the phenotype associated with KIF4A variants from developmental delay and intellectual disability with or without epilepsy to a congenital anomaly phenotype with hydrocephalus and various brain anomalies at the more severe end of phenotypic manifestations. Additional anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract, congenital lymphedema, eye, and dental anomalies seem to be variably associated and overlap with clinical signs observed in other kinesinopathies. Caution still applies to missense variants, but hopefully, future work will further establish genotype–phenotype correlations in a larger number of patients and functional studies may give further insights into the complex function of KIF4A.
Tertiary Chiral Nanostructures from C−H⋅⋅⋅F Directed Assembly of Chiroptical Superatoms
Authors: Shen Hui , Xu Zhen , Wang Lingzheng , Han Ying‐Zi , Liu Xianhu , Malola Sami , Teo Boon K. , Häkkinen Hannu , Zheng Nanfeng
Published: August 2021

We report the synthesis and structure of tertiary chiral nanostructures with 100 % optical purity. A novel synthetic strategy, using chiral reducing agent, R and S‐BINAPCuBH4 (BINAP is 2,2′‐Bis(diphenylphosphino)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl), is developed to access to atomically precise, intrinsically chiral [Au7Ag6Cu2(R‐ or S‐BINAP)3(SCH2Ph)6]SbF6 nanoclusters in one‐pot synthesis. The clusters represent the first tri‐metallic superatoms with inherent chirality and fair stability. Both metal distribution (primary) and ligand arrangement (secondary) of the enantiomers exhibited perfect mirror images, and unprecedentedly, the self‐assembly driven by the C−H⋅⋅⋅F interaction between the phenyl groups of the superatom moieties and SbF6− anions induced the formation of bio‐mimic left‐ and right‐handed helices, achieving the tertiary chiral nanostructures. DFT calculations revealed the connections between the molecular details and chiral optical activity.
Electrochemical Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Ethane to Ethylene in a Solid Oxide Electrolyzer
Authors: Ye Lingting , Duan Xiuyun , Xie Kui
Published: August 2021

Oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene is an important process in light olefin industry; however, the over‐oxidation of ethane leads to low ethylene selectivity. Here, we report a novel approach to electrochemical oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane in anode in conjunction with CO2reduction at cathode in a solid oxide electrolyser using a porous single‐crystalline CeO2electrode at 600 °C. We identify and engineer the flux and chemical states of active oxygen species that evolve from the lattice at anode surface to activate and dehydrogenate ethane to ethylene via the reaction of epoxy species. Active oxygen species (O2−, O22−and O2−) at the anode surface effectively dehydrogenate ethane to ethylene, but O−species tend to induce deep oxidation. We demonstrate exceptionally high ethylene selectivity of 95 % and an ethane conversion of 10 % with a durable operation of 300 h.
Highly Efficient CO2 Electroreduction to Methanol through Atomically Dispersed Sn Coupled with Defective CuO Catalysts
Authors: Guo Weiwei , Liu Shoujie , Tan Xingxing , Wu Ruizhi , Yan Xupeng , Chen Chunjun , Zhu Qinggong , Zheng Lirong , Ma Jingyuan , Zhang Jing , Huang Yuying , Sun Xiaofu , Han Buxing
Published: August 2021

Using renewable electricity to drive CO2 electroreduction is an attractive way to achieve carbon‐neutral energy cycle and produce value‐added chemicals and fuels. As an important platform molecule and clean fuel, methanol requires 6‐electron transfer in the process of CO2 reduction. Currently, CO2 electroreduction to methanol suffers from poor efficiency and low selectivity. Herein, we report the first work to design atomically dispersed Sn site anchored on defective CuO catalysts for CO2 electroreduction to methanol. It exhibits high methanol Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 88.6 % with a current density of 67.0 mA cm−2 and remarkable stability in a H‐cell, which is the highest FE(methanol) with such high current density compared with the results reported to date. The atomic Sn site, adjacent oxygen vacancy and CuO support cooperate very well, leading to higher double‐layer capacitance, larger CO2 adsorption capacity and lower interfacial charge transfer resistance. Operando experiments and density functional theory calculations demonstrate that the catalyst is beneficial for CO2 activation via decreasing the energy barrier of *COOH dissociation to form *CO. The obtained key intermediate *CO is then bound to the Cu species for further reduction, leading to high selectivity toward methanol.
Recent advances in the synthesis of indoles via C–H activation aided by N–N and N–S cleavage in the directing group
Authors: Sarmah Debasish , Tahu Mohendra , Bora Utpal
Published: August 2021

Transition metal‐catalysed C–H activation strategies with the use of diverse directing groups have emerged as regioselective, chemoselective, and step economic tools for the synthesis of the biologically relevant indole nucleus. This review highlights the synthesis of indoles using C–H activation assisted by directing groups containing N–N and N–S bonds. An N‐atom within the directing group transforms into the indolyl nitrogen while the cleaving N–N/N–S bonds within the directing group act as internal oxidants for the completion of the catalytic turnover.
On the crystal growth kinetics of ultra‐toughened biobased polyamide 410: New insights on dynamic crystallization
Authors: Samantaray Saroj Kumar , Satapathy Bhabani K.
Published: August 2021

The influence of elastomeric poly (octene‐co‐ethylene) on the crystallization of polyamide 410 in PA‐410/POE‐g‐MA blends was systematically analyzed using a non‐isothermal crystallization kinetics approach. A novel power‐law criterion was employed to characterize the crystallization regimes (primary and secondary) as a function of cooling rate to understand the nature of crystal arrangement vis‐a‐vis various kinetic models proposed by Avrami, Jeziorny (modified Avrami method), Ozawa and Liu‐Mo. The activation energy pattern with fractional crystallinity from onset to fully developed crystals is discussed as per Friedman's theory. The POE phase acted as a weak nucleating agent for PA 410. The effect of elastomer on crystallization rate constant remained almost unchanged regardless of the blend composition. This insensitivity is attributed to (1) nucleating effect of POE‐g‐MA (because of resemblance in the molecular scheme) and (2) hindrance effect through the formation of an interfacial network; these two effects nearly offset one another. Our study illustrates the crucial dependence of acceleration of cooling that is, acceleration required for attaining a certain fraction of crystallinity with composition (threshold elastomer concentration), on an interfacial network in binary blends.
School safety and violence: Research and clinical understandings, trends, and improvement strategies
Authors: Cohen Jonathan
Published: August 2021

Feeling and being safe provides an essential foundation for children to learn and develop in healthy ways. I will summarize the current research and clinically based understanding about K‐12 school violence and school safety. I summarize prevalence rates that underscore that school violence is tragically common. I then outline the spectrum of experiences that undermine safety in schools: from normal moments of misunderstanding to microaggressions to mental illness to international acts of verbal/cyber cruelty to “grey zone” sexual‐social‐emotional experiences, harassment, and rape as well as natural disasters, assault, murder, and suicide. I then summarize research‐based policy and practice steps that we can take that will dramatically enhance how safe students feel and are in schools: (1) Supporting prosocial universal K‐12 improvement efforts for all students; (2) Supporting coordinated educational, “at risk” and targeted K‐12 interventions; (3) Addressing weapons in schools; and (4) Preventing school shootings. Schools are one of the safest places for children and adolescents to be physically. However, this is often not true psychosocially. Today, there is so much that we do understand about how to promote individual and organizational health as well as prevent school violence and intervene most helpfully when it does occur.