bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial and Space-time Clustering of Diarrhoeal Cases among Under-Five Children in Karkala, Karnataka: A Geospatial Analysis
Authors: Dmello Mackwin Kenwood , Badiger Sanjeev , Kumar Sudeep , Kumar Nanjesh , Dsousa Neevan
Published: April 2022

Introduction: Globally, India tops by contributing the maximum number of diarrhoeal fatality. Forecasting the path and spread of diarrhoeal disease is critical due to its multifactorial cause, which needs robust spatial analysis and experiential investigations of communicable disease. Aim: To investigate purely spatial, purely temporal, and spacetime clusters of diarrhoea among under-five children using a Geographic Information System (GIS) in Karkala taluk of the Udupi district of Karnataka, India. Materials and Methods: A retrospective longitudinal study was conducted involving all the primary health centres of Karkala taluk by the investigators, from the Department of Public Health, K S Hegde Medical Academy, Nitte (DU), Mangalore, Karnataka, India. The data on diarrhoea among under-five children was collected for three years, i.e., from 1st April 2015 to 31st March 2018, at the Udupi district health office. A total of 49 village data were obtained, and 3894 under-five childhood diarrhoea were reported during the study period. The annual incidence of childhood diarrhoea at the taluk level was calculated using excel. The spatial, temporal and space-time diarrhoeal clusters were identified using Kulldorff SaTScan software. Geographic Information System, QGIS 3.20.2 software was used to plot the maps. Results: The analysis of the spatial cluster using SaTScan software for three years in the study area identified eight highrisk areas (p-value<0.0001), covering 17 villages. The most likely spatiotemporal cluster region was located at the northern Karkala, and the most-at-risk period was 1st April 2016 to 30th September 2017 {Log Likelihood Ratio (LLR) =114.67 and p-value <0.00001}. The analysis of purely temporal cluster showed that one most likely cluster happened in all villages (LLR= 73.89, p-value <0.001) from 1st April 2017 to 3rd March 2018. Conclusion: The diarrhoea among under-five children at Karkala taluk was not randomly distributed over space and time.
DNA barcoding based on 16S mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Molecular Marker of Mangrove Clams from the Selected Sites of Davao Region, Philippines
Authors: P. Lumogdang Leonel , Llameg Marlyn B. , S. Antonio Emily , L. Labrador Kevin , Jeriel I. Bersaldo Michael
Published: April 2022

Aims: The taxonomic identification of mangrove clams was confirmed using DNA barcoding based on 16S mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genome.

Study design: DNA was extracted from adductor muscle of mangrove clams sample. Purified DNA were sequenced and barcode was generated.

Place and duration of the study: The mangrove clams samples used in the study were collected from Malita, Davao Occidental; Santa Cruz, Davao Del Sur; Mati, Davao Oriental, Philippines from January 2021 to June 2021.

Methodology: DNA was extracted from adductor muscle of mangrove clams using the Promega GoTaq PCR kit. The extracted DNA were then purified and viewed using the Gel Electrophoresis. The Purified DNA samples were then sequenced and various softwares were then utilized namely sequenced assembly and alignment namely Basic Local Search Tool (BLAST) and Barcode Of Life Database(BOLD) and phylogenetic tree was  generated.

Results: There are two species morphologically identified as Anodontia philippiana (Reeve, 1850) and Austriella corrugata (Deshayes, 1843) from Davao region. BLAST search established the two species to be closely related to Anodontia (Cavatidens) omissa (Iredale, 1930) and Phacoides pectinatus (Gmelin, 1791), also a member of the Lucinidae family.

Conclusion: In this study, the taxonomic identification of the two mangrove clams were further elucidated using the 16S mitochondrial DNA marker.
Assessment of Surface and Groundwater Quality and their Suitability for Irrigation Purposes in Odisha, Eastern India
Authors: Sahu Supriya , Rout Kumbha Karna , Phonglosa Amit , Majhi Pradipta , Jena Bandita , Patra Ranjan Kumar , Biswal Sabyasachi , Das Dwarika Mohan
Published: April 2022

The study was conducted during the pre-monsoon period in April-May 2019 to monitor the quality of different water sources for assessing their suitability for irrigation purposes in Odisha state of eastern India. Twenty-seven surface water and twenty-one groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for chemical parameters. The suitability of the surface and groundwater for irrigation were evaluated based on pH, residual sodium bicarbonate (RSBC), electrical conductivity (EC), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), Adjusted SAR (Adj. SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), soluble sodium percentage (SSP), permeability index (PI), Kelly’s ratio (KR), Chloride (Cl-), boron (B), nitrate (NO3-), iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr) and cadmium (Cd). Results showed that three rivers, Mahanadi, Brahmani and Bansadhara, were found medium salinity (EC 0.25-0.75 dSm-1), and all the rivers have no sodicity problem with RSC within the permissible limit of 2.5 meqL-1 and free of chloride and boron toxicity. All the surface water samples were safe with respect to Zn (2 mgL-1), Cu (0.2 mgL-1), Fe (5 mgL-1), Mn (0.2 mgL-1) and Cr (0.1 mgL-1). Four rivers were exceeded the maximum permissible limit of Cd. All the groundwater samples were found below the toxicity level and safe concerning Cl-, NO3-, B, Zn (2 mgL-1), Cu (0.2 mgL-1), Fe (5 mgL-1), Mn (0.2 mgL-1) and Cr (0.1 mgL-1) where Cd content of three sources exceeded the MPL (OUAT Agronomy Farm 0.011 mgL-1, Putibandh of Sambalpur 0.011 mgL-1 and Rourkela 0.010 mgL-1). Results depicted that all the surface water samples collected from nine different rivers are of good quality and suitable for irrigation purpose except for some specific limitations. Among all the groundwater sources, groundwaters of the Putibandh area in Sambalpur district are found very poor in quality and unsuitable for irrigation.
Recent Fecal Biomarker for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin
Authors: Dawood Mona Sayed Ahmed , Elnasr Nashwa Mohammed Abo , Ezzat Sherif Elsayed , Attia Gihan Farouk , Mabrouk Muhammad Mokhtar
Published: April 2022

Background: In the field of IBD many biomarkers have been studied to find the ideal noninvasive biomarker that best correlates with disease severity and prognosis.

NGAL is a biomarker that have been studied and measured either in serum or fecal in different pathological conditions such as AKI, IBD and autoimmune disorders.

In our study we aim to evaluate the accuracy of fecal NGAL levels in correlation with endoscopic scoring, and common serum inflammatory markers in patients with IBD.

Methods: In this randomized prospective controlled study Fecal NGAL levels were measured using the Elisa technique in 30 patients with ulcerative colitis 10 patients with Crohn’s disease and 20 healthy controls. The results were correlated to colonoscopic severity index and commonly used serum inflammatory markers (highly sensitive CRP, ESR, white blood cell count).

Results: Fecal NGAL levels (median and interquartile range) were significantly elevated in patients with active ulcerative colitis (UC) 6.05 (3.6–15.1) mg/kg and Crohn’s disease (CD) 4.9 (1.5– 7.7) mg/kg, compared to healthy controls (HC) 0.3 (0.1–0.4) mg/kg. Sensitivity and specificity were 94.7% and 95.7%, respectively, for distinguishing between active IBD and HC.

Conclusions: Fecal NGAL is a noninvasive biomarker that strongly correlate to different parameters of the disease activity in IBD patients. Because most biomarkers are only found in granulocytes, NGAL's epithelial localization could provide additional diagnostic information.
High‐Performance Memristor Based on 2D Layered BiOI Nanosheet for Low‐Power Artificial Optoelectronic Synapses
Authors: Lei Peixian , Duan Huan , Qin Ling , Wei Xianhua , Tao Rui , Wang Zegao , Guo Feng , Song Menglin , Jie Wenjing , Hao Jianhua
Published: April 2022

Artificial optoelectronic synapses with both electrical and light‐induced synaptic behaviors have recently been studied for applications in neuromorphic computing and artificial vision systems. However, the combination of visual perception and high‐performance information processing capabilities still faces challenges. In this work, the authors demonstrate a memristor based on 2D bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI) nanosheets that can exhibit bipolar resistive switching (RS) performance as well as electrical and light‐induced synaptic plasticity eminently suitable for low‐power optoelectronic synapses. The fabricated memristor exhibits high‐performance RS behaviors with a high ON/OFF ratio up to 105, an ultralow SET voltage of ≈0.05 V which is one order of magnitude lower than that of most reported memristors based on 2D materials, and low power consumption. Furthermore, the memristor demonstrates not only electrical voltage‐driven long‐term potentiation, depression plasticity, and paired‐pulse facilitation, but also light‐induced short‐ and long‐term plasticity. Moreover, the photonic synapse can be used to simulate the “learning experience” behaviors of human brain. Consequently, not only the memristor based on BiOI nanosheets shows ultra‐low SET voltage and low‐power consumption, but also the optoelectronic synapse provides new material and strategy to construct low‐power retina‐like vision sensors with functions of perceiving and processing information.
Hagfish‐inspired Smart SLIPS Marine Antifouling Coating Based on Supramolecular: Lubrication Modes Responsively Switching and Self‐healing Properties
Authors: Tong Zheming , Song Lina , Chen Sifan , Hu Jiankun , Hou Yang , Liu Quan , Ren Yongyuan , Zhan Xiaoli , Zhang Qinghua
Published: April 2022

Slippery liquid‐infused porous surface (SLIPS) has received widespread attention in the antifouling field, while its controllability of surface lubricity and durability of lubricant are relatively insufficient. In this study, inspired by the hagfish's defensive behavior of secreting mucus to escape from predators, a smart SLIPS marine antifouling coating is prepared, which possesses responsively switching lubrication modes and self‐healing property. The responsive supramolecular interaction between azobenzene (Azo) and α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD) is introduced to regulate the lubricity of SLIPS. cis‐Azo is converted to trans and combined with α‐CD by supramolecular interaction under visible light or heating, driving the shrinkage of polymer chains to squeeze the stored lubricant to the surface. The responsive self‐replenishment of lubricant can adjust the surface lubricity to switch antifouling modes between “enhancive” and “normal” smartly, which adapts to different occasions. Moreover, disulfide and hydrogen bonds are introduced to enhance self‐healing performance (91.73%). In summary, it has efficient self‐cleaning, anti‐protein, antibacterial, anti‐algae properties, and 180‐day real marine field antifouling performance during boom season (the longest antifouling period in real marine field test of reported SLIPS materials), which demonstrates the promising application in neritic sea equipment and other antifouling fields.
Bistable Silver Electrodeposition‐Based Electrochromic Device with Reversible Three‐State Optical Transformation By Using WO3 Nanoislands Modified ITO Electrode
Authors: Yin Yi , Zhu Haoyu , Wu Tao , Liao Pengkun , Lan Changyong , Li Chun
Published: April 2022

A bistable electrochromic (EC) device which can reversibly transform between transparent, mirror, and black states based on reversible metal Ag electrodeposition is achieved by introducing 1) a (3‐mercaptopropyl) trimethoxysilane (MPTMS)‐treated indium‐tin‐oxide (ITO) glass electrode modified with WO3 nanoislands (WNs) as the rough surface and 2) ionic liquids (IL) into electrolyte to form an anion‐blocking layer, toward achieving long‐term memory performance. Typically, the EC cell is packaged by sandwiching gel electrolyte between the flat and WNs‐modified ITO electrodes. Under opposite voltages, this smart device can transfer from transparent to black (+2.5 V/9.4 s) or mirror (−2.5 V/8.3 s) state by depositing Ag on the WNs‐modified or flat ITO electrode surface, respectively. The assembled device exhibits over 80% mirror reflectance and below 10% transmittance of black state. After power off, both the black and mirror states remain bistability for a long time (>30 min) when IL are introduced into electrolyte for the EC device. The electrical double layer in the highly viscous electrolyte with IL contributes to form a barrier to bromide ions, which protects the Ag layer from dissolution at open circuit. This multifunctional energy‐efficient EC device has shown great potential and competitiveness for numerous applications compared to conventional EC devices.
Antibacterial, Antifreezing, Stretchable, and Self‐Healing Organohydrogel Electrode Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Self‐Powered Biomechanical Sensing
Authors: Zhang Jiaming , Zhao Xinyang , Wang Zhuo , Liu Zhirong , Yao Shuncheng , Li Linlin
Published: April 2022

Flexible and wearable electronic devices have broad applications in human–machine interaction and personal health monitoring. To meet different application scenarios, in this work, an antibacterial, antifreezing, stretchable, and self‐healing organohydrogel‐based triboelectric nanogenerator (O‐TENG) for biomechanical energy harvesting and self‐powered sensing is developed. Through integrating Ag nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide sheets (Ag@rGO) into poly(vinyl alcohol)‐polyacrylamide (PVA‐PAAm) dual‐network organohydrogel with dynamic borate bonds, denoted as Ag@rGO/PVA‐PAAm, the organohydrogel has high conductivity, good stretchability, and antifreezing and self‐healing properties. When using Ag@rGO/PVA‐PAAm as the electrode layer of O‐TENG, it can effectively inhibit Gram‐negative bacterium E. coli and Gram‐positive bacterium S. aureus while showing high cytocompatibility. With the self‐healing and antifreezing property, the fabricated O‐TENG has stable output performance under room temperature and low temperature of −30 °C, even after Ag@rGO/PVA‐PAAm is damaged and self‐healed. This O‐TENG is demonstrated to harvest mechanical energy and is used as self‐powered sensors for recognizing handwriting and wrist motion state. This work provides a new pathway for design and application of multifunctional flexible wearable devices.
Localized States Emerging from Singular and Nonsingular Flat Bands in a Frustrated Fractal‐Like Photonic Lattice
Authors: Hanafi Haissam , Menz Philip , Denz Cornelia
Published: April 2022

Singular and nonsingular flat bands in a Sierpinski fractal‐like photonic lattice are reported. It is demonstrated that the lowest two bands, being isolated and degenerate due to geometrical frustration, are nonsingular and thus can be spanned by a complete set of compact localized states. These states are experimentally proven to propagate diffractionless in the photonic lattice. The results reveal the interplay between geometrical frustration, degenerate flat bands, and compact localized states in a single photonic lattice, and pave the way to photonic spin liquid ground states.
Ultrafast Pump–Probe Microscopy on 2D Transition Metal Dichalcogenides
Authors: Boandoh Stephen , Hsiao Fu-He , Shin Bongki , Mack Majvor , Grote Linus P. , Wang Rongbin , Han Yimo , Lou Jun , Koch Norbert , Nickel Norbert H. , Luo Chih-Wei , Tsai Yu-Tsung
Published: April 2022

Although microscopic techniques have been used to characterize transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), direct observation of charge carrier dynamics distribution in TMDs with diverse shapes remains unexplored. Herein, ultrafast pump–probe microscopy (UPPM) is employed to reveal the carrier dynamics distribution in molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and tungsten disulfide (WS2) monolayer of four shapes: triangular (t‐MoS2), curved triangular (c‐MoS2), triangular (t‐WS2), and hexagonal (h‐WS2). Monitoring the photon transmission T at 1.55 eV after pumping with a photon energy of 3.1 eV, a negative ΔT/T occurs in t‐MoS2 and c‐MoS2, while a positive ΔT/T is detected in t‐WS2 and h‐WS2 after 3–7 ps time evolution. This distinctive behavior is attributed to deep/shallow defects below the conduction band minimum (CBM) in MoS2 and WS2. Spatial‐independent ΔT/T is observed in t‐MoS2 and t‐WS2, while the ΔT/T in c‐MoS2 has a rapid decay of photoexcited carriers at the vertices and curved edges. Additionally, a threefold symmetry of ΔT/T is revealed in h‐WS2, attributed to the dissimilar occupation of defect states near the h‐WS2 CBM. This work paves the way for examining charge carrier dynamics of various shapes of TMDs and provides a unique microscopic method for studying the charge carrier dynamics in emerging TMDs heterostructures.
Food insufficiency and Twitter emotions during a pandemic
Authors: Goetz Stephan J. , Heaton Connor , Imran Muhammad , Pan Yuxuan , Tian Zheng , Schmidt Claudia , Qazi Umair , Ofli Ferda , Mitra Prasenjit
Published: April 2022

The COVID‐19 pandemic initially caused worldwide concerns about food insecurity. Tweets analyzed in real‐time may help food assistance providers target food supplies to where they are most urgently needed. In this exploratory study, we use natural language processing to extract sentiments and emotions expressed in food security‐related tweets early in the pandemic in U.S. states. The emotion joy dominated in these tweets nationally, but only anger, disgust, and fear were also statistically correlated with contemporaneous food insufficiency rates reported in the Household Pulse Survey; more nuanced and statistically stronger correlations are detected within states, including a negative correlation with joy.
Synthesis of N‐Aryl α‐Ketoamides, α‐Ketoesters, α‐Ketothioesters and Their Applications in Quinoxalinone Preparation
Authors: Singh Shweta , Sureshbabu Popuri , Sabiah Shahulhameed , Kandasamy Jeyakumar
Published: April 2022

Synthesis of N‐aryl α‐ketoamides, α‐ketoesters and α‐ketothioesters were demonstrated from N‐Ts and N‐Boc α‐ketoamides via transamidation and transesterification reactions. The reactions proceeded at room temperature in the presence of DBU and provided the desired products in good to excellent yields in a short time. A regioselective synthesis of biologically relevant quinoxalinones was achieved in good yields from N‐aryl α‐ketoamides via nitration followed by reduction reactions.
Architecture of the bronchial tree in Cuvier's dwarf caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus)
Authors: Schachner Emma R. , Diaz Raul E. , Coke Rob , Echols Scott , Osborn Michelle L. , Hedrick Brandon P.
Published: April 2022

We imaged the lungs of five Cuvier's dwarf caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus) via computed tomography (CT) and micro‐computed tomography (μCT) and compared these data to the lungs of the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). These data demonstrate anatomical commonalities between the lungs of P. palpebrosus and A. mississippiensis, and a few notable differences. The structural similarities are (a) a proximally narrow, distally widened, hook‐shaped primary bronchus; (b) a cervical ventral bronchus that branches of the primary bronchus and immediately makes a hairpin turn toward the apex of the lung; (c) a sequential series of dorsobronchi arising from the primary bronchus caudal to the cervical ventral bronchus; (d) intraspecifically highly variable medial sequence of secondary airways; (e) sac‐like laterobronchi; and (f) grossly dead‐ended caudal group bronchi in the caudal and ventral aspects of the lung. The primary differences between the two taxa are in the overall number of large bronchi (fewer in P. palpebrosus), and the number of branches that contribute to the cardiac regions. Imaging data of both a live and deceased specimen under varying states (postprandial, fasting, total lung capacity, open to atmosphere) indicate that the caudal margin and position of the lungs shift craniocaudally relative to the vertebral column. These imaging data suggest that the smooth thoracic ceiling may be correlated to visceral movement during ventilation, but this hypothesis warrants validation. These results provide the scaffolding for future comparisons between crocodilians, for generating preliminary reconstructions of the ancestral crocodilian bronchial tree, and establishing new hypotheses of bronchial homology across Archosauria.
Howard AD sees tangible benefits of embracing change
Authors: Elfman Lois
Published: April 2022

After spending most of his professional career in the entertainment industry, attorney Kery Davis made a significant career shift in 2015 when he became the Director of Athletics at Howard University, a renowned historically Black university in Washington, D.C. Having played Division I basketball at Dartmouth College, he was familiar with the life of a college student‐athlete but running a multi‐sport athletics department was something new.
Deaths by intentional ODs increase among young people
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: April 2022

Overall, deaths by suicide from drug overdose have declined. But a study published in February in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that the rates increased among.
Healthy children and families by changing norms: It does take a village
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: April 2022

Children's first exposure to the world is their parents. The quality of this relationship is key. A child's development across cognitive, emotional, physical, and social dimensions is based on this relationship. But the community can help and changing norms — particularly around the importance of positive parenting — is vital.
Gastric trichobezoar: An uncommon cause of epigastric pain: A case report
Authors: Daoud Rahma , Tlili Ahmed , Fendri Sami , Akrout Amira , Trigui Aymen , Boujelbene Salah
Published: April 2022

Trichobezoars are foreign and indigestible materials in the gastrointestinal tract and are usually found in psychiatric females, who often deny eating their own hair, but also at situations of gastric dysmotility and prior gastric surgery. Although rare, gastric trichobezoar should not be forgotten as a differential diagnosis in females presenting with vague epigastric pain. Its treatment well in time will prevent complications.
Diabetic ketoacidosis mimicking COVID‐19 in an adolescent
Authors: Boskabadi Seyed Javad , Sharifpour Ali , Zakariaei Zakaria , Banimostafavi Elham Sadat , Soleymani Mostafa
Published: April 2022

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) may be associated with nonspecific symptoms such as dyspnea, tachycardia, anorexia, and vomiting that are similar to COVID‐19. We describe an adolescent who was referred to the emergency department with the above symptoms and died after being discharged, regardless of the differential diagnosis and laboratory findings.
Chronic Candida albicans meningitis misdiagnosed as polymyalgia rheumatica and successfully treated with voriconazole
Authors: Giotaki Ioanna , Gross Uwe , Lange Peter , Rustenbeck Hans‐Heino , Bahn Erik , Nau Roland
Published: April 2022

The outcome of chronic meningitis depends to a large degree on the causative pathogen and the interval between onset of symptoms and diagnosis. We present a patient with a delayed diagnosis and several complications, for whom adequate therapy resulted in a favorable outcome. In a 76‐year‐old male patient, Candida albicans meningitis was diagnosed 4 months after the onset of symptoms. CSF findings (protein >1000 mg/L, predominance of intrathecal immunoglobulin A synthesis, lactate concentrations of approx. 10 mmol/L, leukocyte counts around 1000/μl, variable differential leukocyte counts) resembled tuberculous meningitis. In spite of the long interval without treatment, voriconazole 200 mg every 12 h for 7 weeks followed by fluconazole 300 mg/day maintenance therapy for 7 months led to a recovery with only mild deficits. The case illustrates that 1. C. albicans can cause chronic meningitis in patients without severe immune defects, 2. patients can survive C. albicans meningitis with mild long‐term sequelae even when diagnosis and adequate treatment are delayed, and 3. voriconazole as a sole agent may be suitable for treatment of C. albicans meningitis.
Uterine cervical edema following cerclage
Authors: Fukami Takehiko , Yokoyama Nobuko , Suzuki Shunji
Published: April 2022

We present a case of large uterine cervical edema following cerclage during pregnancy.
Atlanto‐odontoid pyogenic arthritis revealing a Jugular Vein Thrombosis
Authors: Slouma Maroua , Dghaies Abir , Dhahri Rim , Bouzid Sirine , Battikh Riadh , Gharsallah Imen , Metoui Leila , Louzir Bassem
Published: April 2022

Pyogenic arthritis of the atlantoaxial joint is scarce. It can lead to several complications, such as spinal cord compression and cerebral vein thrombosis. A 51‐year‐old man presented with a twenty‐day history of inflammatory neck pain. Physical examination revealed paravertebral muscle contracture, restricted neck movement, and fever. Spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed synovitis of atlanto‐odontoid joint, anterior epidural collection, and cerebral vein thrombosis. Transthoracic echocardiography was unremarkable. The patient was successfully treated with anti‐staphylococcal antibiotic treatment for 12 weeks associated with immobilization of the cervical spine. MRI performed one month after the initiation of the treatment showed disappearance of the epidural collection. The diagnosis of septic arthritis of the atlantoaxial joint should be considered in a patient with inflammatory neck pain. MRI findings are relevant in making the diagnosis of a septic atlanto‐odontoid joint. Conservative treatment, including antibiotic and neck immobilization, can be sufficient for the treatment of pyogenic arthritis of the atlantoaxial joint. Cerebral vein thrombosis is a rare complication due to septic arthritis of the atlantoaxial joint.
Eco‐Friendly Technique for Preparation of ZnO Nanoparticles: Pd(II) Ions Adsorption
Authors: Davarnejad Reza , Nikandam Kourosh
Published: April 2022

A novel eco‐friendly procedure was developed to adsorb Pd2+ions from wastewaters using the green synthesized zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs). ZnO NPs were easily produced using zinc nitrate throughCentaurea cyanusextract as a reducing agent at ambient conditions. X‐ray diffraction results demonstrated that ZnO NPs have a highly crystalline hexagonal structure. Fourier transform infrared spectral analysis indicated an active contribution ofC. cyanus‐derived biomolecules in zinc ions bioreduction. ZnO NPs were properly dispersed and had a hexagonal shape. The impact of process parameters like initial pH of solution, adsorption dosage, Pd2+ions initial concentration, and contact time on the Pd2+ions adsorption from the effluent of a petrochemical company was evaluated. The Freundlich isothermal model could excellently legitimize a multilayer adsorption. The adsorption process followed a pseudo‐second‐order reaction kinetic, i.e., chemisorption process.
Was Menschen bewegt, die etwas bewegen
Authors: Engell Sebastian
Published: April 2022

Im Profil: Prof. Dr.‐Ing. Sebastian Engell, Lehrstuhl für Systemdynamik und Prozessführung / Fakultät Bio‐ und Chemieingenieurwesen, TU Dortmund; 2021 mit der Arnold‐Eucken‐Medaille der GVT ausgezeichnet.
Polymerization of ethylene in the gas phase—A new combined hardware and software tool
Authors: Blazzio Yashmin R. , Norsic Sebastien , Sheibat‐Othman Nida , McKenna Timothy F. L.
Published: April 2022

A multi‐reactor stopped‐flow apparatus has been developed to study gas‐phase olefin polymerization at short times under industrially meaningful reaction conditions. A simplified single‐phase 1D dynamic model of the reactor was used to develop an estimator of the polymerization rate from the recorded measurements of temperature, pressure, and flow rates. This combined hardware/software tool was used to investigate the difference between two commercial catalysts that showed different activity profiles in a standard laboratory reactor. Using the temperature and rate profiles generated with this new reactor, it was shown that one of the catalysts exhibited extremely rapid light off and an associated initial temperature spike. Since the observed activity of this catalyst was much lower than that of the other catalyst in the laboratory‐scale reactor, it is postulated that thermal deactivation, which cannot be detected in the larger system, was responsible for the lower long‐term activities.
μFlowCal – High‐Resolution Differential Flow Microcalorimeter for the Measurement of Heats of Mixing
Authors: Vaz Inês C. M. , Torres Manuel C. , Silva Fernando M. T. , Carpinteiro. Francisco S. , Santos Luís M. N. B. F.
Published: April 2022

Invited for this month's cover is the group of Prof. Luís M. N. B. F. Santos at the University of Porto (Portugal). The cover picture shows a scheme of the μFlowCAL working principle. This flow type microcalorimeter is able to measure the heat of mixing/reaction of two fluids injected in a glass micromixer micro reactor of 200 μL. A second micromixer/reactor is used as a calorimetric reference. This calorimeter allows for an accurate measurement of heats of mixing or dilution using very small samples. Read the full text of their Research Article at 10.1002/cmtd.202100099.
Cytology interpretation after a change to HPV testing in primary cervical screening: Observational study from the English pilot
Authors: Rebolj Matejka , Mathews Christopher S. , Denton Karin ,   for the HPV Pilot Steering Group
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

Overcalling of abnormalities has been a concern for using cytology triage after positive high‐risk human papillomavirus (HPV) tests in cervical screening.

METHODS

The authors studied the detection of cytological and histological abnormalities at age 24 to 64 years, using data from the English HPV pilot. The pilot compared routine implementation of primary cervical screening based on cytology (N = 931,539), where HPV test results were not available before cytology reporting, with that based on HPV testing (N = 403,269), where cytology was only required after positive HPV tests.

RESULTS

Revealed HPV positivity was associated with a higher direct referral to colposcopy after any abnormality (adjusted odds ratio [ORadj], 1.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14‐1.18). Laboratories with higher direct referral referred fewer persistently HPV‐positive women after early recall. The detection of high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2+) after direct referral increased with an ORadj of 1.17 (95% CI, 1.13‐1.20) for informed versus uninformed cytology. Generally, the positive predictive value (PPV) of colposcopy for CIN2+ remained comparable under both conditions of interpreting cytology. In women 50 to 64 years old with high‐grade dyskaryosis, however, the PPV increased from 71% to 83% after revealing HPV positivity (ORadj, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.43‐2.93).

CONCLUSIONS

Quality‐controlled cervical screening programs can avoid inappropriate overgrading of HPV‐positive cytology.;
A decentralized lightweight authentication protocol under blockchain
Authors: Xu Mingcheng , Xu Gaojian , Xu Haoyu , Zhou Jiadong , Li Shaowen
Published: April 2022

With the continuous development of blockchain technology, blockchain gradually becomes to play an important role in the fields of finance, medicine, and new energy. In the certification of the membership of the blockchain, a third‐party certificate authority (CA) is used for certification. Considering the centralized structure of CA, and it is difficult for users to evaluate the credibility of CA. A decentralized blockchain membership authentication scheme and a key agreement protocol based on the elliptic curve are proposed by us. The protocol effectively addresses the credibility and single point of failure problems of centralized CAs in the traditional model. Through analysis, our scheme can effectively perform user registration and membership authentication instead of CAs. The security and correctness of the protocol was also analyzed using the formal protocol analysis tool ProVerif and the Ck model. The key authentication protocol we proposed can resist a variety of attacks, and the computational time consumption and Communication costs are relatively low.
Environmental Outcomes from On‐Farm Agricultural Production in the United States
Authors: Thomson Allison , Coronel Eric , Young Kelly Murray
Published: April 2022

This article is brought to you by the SPARC Initiative created in partnership among the American Society for Agronomy, the Agricultural Retailers Association, Environmental Defense Fund, and Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture to empower trusted advisers to deliver services that drive continuous improvement in the productivity, profitability, and environmental outcomes of farmers’ operations. Learn more about the SPARC Initiative and access additional resources, including the six‐module series on sustainability at www.fieldtomarket.org/SPARC. This article is an excerpt from Field to Market’s Fourth National Indicators Report, released in December 2021. Access the entire report at www.fieldtomarket.org/report. Sections covering soil carbon, biodiversity, and water quality will be included in future issues of Crops & Soils magazine. Earn 1 CEU in Sustainability by reading this article and taking the quiz at https://web.sciencesocieties.org/Learning‐Center/Courses.
Oilfield wastewater treatment in anode and sunlight/persulfate composite oxidation system
Authors: Wu Lulu , Wang Yifei , Zhang Naidong , Kong Xiang Peng
Published: April 2022

A method is proposed that encompasses visible light/anodic oxidation‐derived persulfates as well as the formation of a novel polyferric flocculation agent, which can synergistically treat oilfield wastewater. In this method, under irradiation of visible light, the anodic oxidation online generated sulfate is partly converted into sulfate radicals for oxidation of organic pollutants. It partly oxidizes divalent iron ions added at the end of electrolysis into polyferric species that can flocculate and degrade organic pollutants in the wastewater. The advantages of this process are environmental safety and overall low cost. Under optimal conditions (pH = 7.0, electrolysis time of 50 min, applied current intensity of 1.2 A, [Na2SO4] = 0.8 mol/L), the system exposed to simulated sunlight achieved 73.3% TOC removal, showing high efficiency in degrading organic pollutants. The experiment proved that the Na2SO4in the electrolyte can be partially recovered.
1D modelling of the NW Sab'atayn Basin Upper Jurassic source rocks, Yemen: Implications for hydrocarbon generation and thermal maturity
Authors: Alsrory A. S. A. E. , Al‐Azazi Nabeel A. S. A. , Albaroot Mohammed , Quasim M. A.
Published: April 2022

Sab'atayn Basin is considered to be the most petroliferous Mesozoic basin in Yemen, although exploration efforts in the northwestern part of the basin are unproven due to scant drilling activities. In this work one‐dimensional (1D) basin modelling was used to examine the hydrocarbon generation and expulsion history of the Upper Jurassic source rocks using PetroMod2012.2 software. The geo‐history modelling was applied for the studied wells, and it shows that some stratigraphic units are missing, which adversely affect the tectonics, sedimentary subsidence, burial history, hydrocarbon maturation, and generation. There is a major period of subsidence that occurred in the Upper Jurassic and is manifest in the Kamaran‐01 well. In addition, a second major uplift occurred in the Miocene and had a discernible effect on heat flow distribution as well as burial histories. Reverse heat flow is observed in the Saba‐01 well, where the present heat flow is greater than the palaeo‐heat flow. The beginning of petroleum generation in the Meem and Lam members (Madbi Formation) source units has been predicted to occur during the Late Jurassic, and subsequently occurred in the Lower Cretaceous. Peak expulsion of hydrocarbons from the Meem Member occurred in the Eocene and late Oligocene, while expulsion modelling performed on the Lam Member asserts that it has not reached the phase of oil expulsion.
Irreversibility analysis for Casson thermo‐fluidics inside a cone: Cattaneo–Christov heat flux
Authors: Vyas Paresh , Gajanand  , Khan Sahanawaz
Published: April 2022

In this communication, thermodynamic irreversibility arising in dissipative Casson fluid flow inside a cone is investigated. The boundary–layer flow is considered wherein the motion is caused due to a point sink at the cone's vertex and the movement of the wall of the cone. The wall of the cone is subjected to mass transpiration that alters the flow and thermal regime. The cone having fluid‐saturated porous medium experiences Cattaneo–Christov heat flux. The configuration admits a similarity transformation that yields a boundary value problem (BVP) comprising an ordinary differential equation. The BVP is treated by the fourth‐order R‐K method along with the shooting algorithm. The system yields a dual solution for momentum and energy, which gives rise to a dual regime for entropy distribution. Numerical computations provide quantities of interest viz. velocity and temperature distributions, skin friction coefficient, Nusselt number, and entropy distribution. Phenomena exhibited through profiles/tables for velocity, temperature, entropy, streamlines, and other quantities of interest reveal interesting results.
A geospatial and binomial logistic regression model to prioritize sampling for per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances in public water systems
Authors: Ojha Sweta , Li Ying , Rezaei Nader , Robinson Ariel , Hoover Anna , Pennell Kelly G.
Published: April 2022

As health-based drinking water standards for per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) continue to evolve, public health and environmental protection decision-makers must assess exposure risks associated with all public drinking water systems in the United States (US). Unfortunately, current knowledge regarding the presence of PFAS in environmental systems is limited. In this study, a screening approach was established to: (1) identify and direct attention toward potential PFAS hot spots in drinking water sources, (2) prioritize sampling locations, and (3) provide insights regarding the potential PFAS sources that contaminate groundwater and surface water. Our approach incorporates geospatial data from public sources, including the US Environmental Protection Agency's Toxic Release Inventory, to identify locations where PFAS may be present in drinking water sources. An indicator factor (also known as “risk factor”) was developed as a function of distance between potential past and/or present PFAS users (e.g., military bases, industrial sites, and airports) and the public water system, which generates a heat map that visualizes potential exposure risks. A binomial logistic regression model indicates whether PFAS are likely to be detected in public water systems. The results obtained using the developed screening approach aligned well (with a 76% overall model accuracy) with PFAS sampling and chemical analysis data from 81 public drinking water systems in the state of Kentucky. This study proposes this screening model as an effective decision aid to assist key decision-makers in identifying and prioritizing sampling locations for potential PFAS exposure risks in the public drinking water sources in their service areas. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:163–174. © 2022 SETAC
Using life-history trait variation to inform ecological risk assessments for threatened and endangered plant species
Authors: Rueda-Cediel Pamela , Galic Nika , Brain Richard , Pinto-Ledezma Jesús N. , Rico Andreu , Forbes Valery
Published: April 2022

Developing population models for assessing risks to terrestrial plant species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is challenging given a paucity of data on their life histories. The purpose of this study was to develop a novel approach for identifying relatively data-rich nonlisted species that could serve as representatives for species listed under the ESA in the development of population models to inform risk assessments. We used the USDA PLANTS Database, which provides data on plants present in the US territories, to create a list of herbaceous plants. A total of 8742 species was obtained, of which 344 were listed under the ESA. Using the most up-to-date phylogeny for vascular plants in combination with a database of matrix population models for plants (COMPADRE) and cluster analyses, we investigated how listed species were distributed across the plant phylogeny, grouped listed and nonlisted species according to their life history, and identified the traits distinguishing the clusters. We performed elasticity analyses to determine the relative sensitivity of population growth rate to perturbations of species' survival, growth, and reproduction and compared these across clusters and between listed and nonlisted species. We found that listed species were distributed widely across the plant phylogeny as well as clusters, suggesting that listed species do not share a common evolution or life-history characteristics that would make them uniquely vulnerable. Lifespan and age at maturity were more important for distinguishing clusters than were reproductive traits. For clusters that were intermediate in their lifespan, listed and nonlisted species responded similarly to perturbations of their life histories. However, for clusters at either extreme of lifespan, the response to survival perturbations varied depending on conservation status. These results can be used to guide the choice of representative species for population model development in the context of ecological risk assessment. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:213–223. © 2022 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
Are standard aquatic test species and methods adequate surrogates for use in environmental risk assessment of pesticides in tropical environments?
Authors: Santos Gustavo S. , Hamer Mick , Tscheschke Alexandra , Bruns Eric , Murakami Lucilene , Dohmen Gerhard P.
Published: April 2022

In regulatory risk assessment, surrogate species of fish, aquatic invertebrates, and primary producers are tested to assess toxicity and subsequently the risk of pesticides to freshwater biota. This study evaluates whether the standard, surrogate test species (mostly temperate in latitudinal distribution) used in many parts of the world are suitable surrogates for first-tier risk assessments involving tropical freshwater biota. Data for the toxicity of pesticides to tropical fish, invertebrates, and primary producer species were extracted from the USEPA ECOTOX database and peer-reviewed literature. For each pesticide, the most sensitive regulatory endpoint extracted from the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) dossiers for freshwater fish, invertebrates, and primary producers was selected. The ratios of the endpoint for tropical species and for the most sensitive regulatory endpoint for the appropriate taxonomic group were determined. A value >1 indicates that the tropical species is less sensitive than the respective standard regulatory species. Tropical fish species were less sensitive than standard fish species in 84% of the comparisons, and in 93.5% of the comparisons, tropical fish were less or similarly sensitive (within a factor of 5). For aquatic invertebrates, 78.1% of the evaluated tropical species were less sensitive than standard species and 93.3% of tropical invertebrates species were less or similarly sensitive. For primary producers, 96% of tropical species were less sensitive than standard test species. Overall, standard species used globally were more sensitive or similarly sensitive compared to tropical species in more than 93% of the cases. In conclusion, the data show that freshwater toxicity data for pesticides from tests using standard test species, tested according to international accepted guidelines, are appropriate for use in first-tier risk assessments for tropical environments. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:202–212. © 2022 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
Outcomes associated with different surgical approaches to radical hysterectomy: A systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Guo Xinmeng , Tian Shuang , Wang Hui , Zhang Jinning , Cheng Yanfei , Yao Yuanqing
Published: April 2022

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of five different approaches to cervical cancer surgery.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search for comparative studies on different radical hysterectomy types for cervical cancer in PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases. All included observational studies used survival analyses to compare clinical outcomes of patients undergoing different radical hysterectomy types. All studies were assessed by the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale with scores of at least seven points. We extracted the relevant data and conducted a network meta‐analysis to compare clinical outcomes among five surgical approaches.

Results

Thirty studies (n = 11 353) were included. Robotic surgery had the lowest blood loss volume and hospitalization duration; open surgery had the shortest operative time. Vaginal assisted laparoscopic surgery was associated with the highest number of resected lymph nodes and lowest rate of perioperative complications. Survival outcomes and tumor recurrence outcomes were similar among the approaches.

Conclusion

The current approaches to cervical cancer surgery have comparable efficacies.
Inside Cover
Authors: Kong Yawei , Zhao Yinping , Yu Yao , Su Wenhua , Liu Zhijia , Fei Yiyan , Ma Jiong , Mi Lan
Published: April 2022

The ability to sort yeast cells is important for diverse applications in the industry and research. We determined the aging level of yeast by the fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) by an endogenous fluorophore NAD(P)H, which was label‐free and non‐invasive. Young and active yeast cells were sorted by the laser‐induced forward transfer (LIFT) system at the single cell level. The high viability of sorted cells was achieved.

Further details can be found in the article by Yawei Kong, Yinping Zhao, Yao Yu, Wenhua Su, Zhijia Liu, Yiyan Fei, Jiong Ma, and Lan Mi (e202100344)

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Pattern analysis of the impact‐parameter dependent trajectories for the H + H2 exchange reaction at T = 3 and 300 K: A characteristic propensity for reactive versus nonreactive trajectories found in the time‐dependent interaction potential and a roaming‐like libration motion at cold temperature
Authors: Kasai Toshio , Muthiah Balaganesh , Po Xin‐Hui , Yan Chu‐Chun , Lin King‐Chuen , Tanudji Jeffrey , Diño Wilson Agerico
Published: April 2022

Pattern analysis of the impact‐parameter dependent trajectory for the H + H2 exchange reaction was performed at temperatures T = 3 and 300 K by employing the quasi‐classical trajectory calculation on a London‐Eyring‐Polanyi‐Sato surface. We find that (a) 0.66 fraction of reactive trajectories throughout b = 0.0 ~ 5.0 Å at T = 3 K, while only 0.33 at T = 300 K only for b = 0.0 ~ 1.5 Å and decreases soon to zero for b = 2.5 ~ 5.0 Å. (b) Ninety eight percent of the trajectories showed direct collision pattern at T = 300 K, while at T = 3 K, 72% for direct collision trajectories and 28% showed the intermediate H + H2 complex formation pattern. These results suggest that nonzero impact‐parameter trajectories play a role at T = 3 K to enhance reactivity due to long‐range attraction forces. Trajectory pattern analysis reveals a characteristic propensity rule between the amplitude of the time‐dependent interaction potential and the trajectory reactivity, thus we can judge if a trajectory is reactive or nonreactive. The analysis also proposes a roaming‐like libration motion at T = 3 K like in the interstellar clouds.