bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of needling process satisfying stiffness requirements of 3D needled composites
Authors: Qi Yunchao , Fang Guodong , Wang Bing , Meng Songhe , Liang Jun
Published: July 2022

The traditional trial‐and‐error method is expensive and time‐consuming to determine the needling process parameters satisfying the stiffness requirements of the 3D needled composites. A new design method for these unknown needling process parameters is proposed using a convolutional neural network (CNN) surrogate model, in which a series of stress distribution images of representative volume cell (RVC) for 3D needled composites under different loads are implemented. These stress distribution images reserve both material stiffness and needling process information. The CNN surrogate model can be efficiently established to obtain the relationship between the stress distribution images and the needling process parameters. The accuracy of the training samples and the test samples in the CNN surrogate model reaches 93.85% and 87.50% respectively. An artificial RVC can be directly constructed corresponding to the stiffness properties. The unknown needling process parameters can be determined using the CNN surrogate model and the stress distribution images of the artificial RVC. The result shows the stiffness properties of 3D needled composites with the needling process parameters obtained by the CNN surrogate model are in good agreement with the experimental results, where the maximum relative error is 7.66%. This method provides a new way to design the needling process parameters satisfying the specific stiffness requirements of the 3D needled composites.
Enrichment and fragmentation approaches for enhanced detection and characterization of endogenous glycosylated neuropeptides
Authors: Phetsanthad Ashley , Roycroft Caroline , Li Lingjun
Published: July 2022

Glycosylated neuropeptides were recently discovered in crustaceans, a model organism with a well‐characterized neuroendocrine system. Several workflows exist to characterize enzymatically digested peptides; however, the unique properties of endogenous neuropeptides require methods to be re‐evaluated. We investigate the use of hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) enrichment and different fragmentation methods to further probe the expression of glycosylated neuropeptides in Callinectes sapidus. During the evaluation of HILIC, we observed the necessity of a less aqueous solvent for endogenous peptide samples. This modification enabled the number of detected neuropeptide glycoforms to increase almost two‐fold, from 18 to 36. Product ion‐triggered electron‐transfer/higher‐energy collision dissociation enabled the site‐specific detection of 55 intact N‐ and O‐linked glycoforms, while the faster stepped collision energy higher‐energy collisional dissociation resulted in detection of 25. Additionally, applying this workflow to five neuronal tissues enabled the characterization of 36 more glycoforms of known neuropeptides and 11 more glycoforms of nine putative novel neuropeptides. Overall, the database of glycosylated neuropeptides in crustaceans was largely expanded from 18 to 136 glycoforms of 40 neuropeptides from 10 neuropeptide families. Both macro‐ and micro‐heterogeneity were observed, demonstrating the chemical diversity of this simple invertebrate, establishing a framework to use crustacean to probe modulatory effects of glycosylation on neuropeptides.
Influence of ecosystem and disturbance on near‐surface permafrost distribution, Whatì, Northwest Territories, Canada
Authors: Daly Seamus V. , Bonnaventure Philip P. , Kochtitzky Will
Published: July 2022

For remote communities in the discontinuous permafrost zone, access to permafrost distribution maps for hazard assessment is limited and more general products are often inadequate for use in local‐scale planning. In this study we apply established analytical methods to illustrate a time‐ and cost‐efficient method for conducting community‐scale permafrost mapping in the community of Whatì, Northwest Territories, Canada. We ran a binary logistic regression (BLR) using a combination of field data, digital surface model‐derived variables, and remotely sensed products. Independent variables included vegetation, topographic position index, and elevation bands. The dependent variable was sourced from 139 physical checks of near‐surface permafrost presence/absence sampled across the variable boreal–wetland environment. Vegetation is the strongest predictor of near‐surface permafrost in the regression. The regression predicts that 50.0% (minimum confidence: 36%) of the vegetated area is underlain by near‐surface permafrost with a spatial accuracy of 72.8%. Analysis of data recorded across various burnt and not‐burnt environments indicated that recent burn scenarios have significantly influenced the distribution of near‐surface permafrost in the community. A spatial burn analysis predicted up to an 18.3% reduction in near‐surface permafrost coverage, in a maximum burn scenario without factoring in the influence of climate change. The study highlights the potential that in an ecosystem with virtually homogeneous air temperature, ecosystem structure and disturbance history drive short‐term changes in permafrost distribution and evolution. Thus, at the community level these factors should be considered as seriously as changes to air temperature as climate changes.
Experimental Investigation of Zr‐Based Amorphous Alloy as a Shaped Charge Liner
Authors: Shi Jin , Huang Zheng‐Xiang , Zu Xu‐Dong , Xiao Qiang‐Qiang
Published: July 2022

This study aimed to investigate the mechanical properties of Zr‐based amorphous alloy at high strain rates and its use as a shaped charge liner. A split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) was used to carry out dynamic mechanical performance tests, and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to observe the fracture morphology of the test piece. The X‐ray test of the jet formation and the static penetration test of the Zr‐based amorphous alloy jet were performed. It was found that the amorphous alloy material exhibits typical brittle fracture characteristics under high strain‐rate compression. As the strain rate increases, molten droplet‐like structures appear in the fracture morphology, and the melting area is proportional to the strain rate. The Zr‐based amorphous alloy liner forms a non‐cohesive jet driven by explosive explosion. The actual projection angle of the liner is slightly larger than the theoretical value of Taylor's projection angle because of the unique mechanical properties and fracture mechanism, while the collapse angle is slightly smaller. Compared with copper jet penetrating concrete, the aperture of Zr‐based amorphous alloy jet is increased by 58 % and the caving volume is increased by 32 times. The results provide reference for the application of Zr‐based amorphous alloy in the field of shaped charge liner.
Quercetin improves high‐fat diet‐induced obesity by modulating gut microbiota and metabolites in C57BL/6J mice
Authors: Su Lijie , Zeng Yupeng , Li Guokun , Chen Jing , Chen Xiaoyi
Published: July 2022

High‐fat diet‐induced obesity is characterized by low‐grade inflammation, which has been linked to gut microbiota dysbiosis. We hypothesized that quercetin supplementation would alter gut microbiota and reduce inflammation in obese mice. Male C57BL/6J mice, 4 weeks of age, were divided into 3 groups, including a low‐fat diet group, a high‐fat diet (HFD) group, and a high‐fat diet plus quercetin (HFD+Q) group. The mice in HFD+Q group were given 50 mg per kg BW quercetin by gavage for 20 weeks. The body weight, fat accumulation, gut barrier function, glucose tolerance, and adipose tissue inflammation were determined in mice. 16 s rRNA amplicon sequence and non‐targeted metabolomics analysis were used to explore the alteration of gut microbiota and metabolites. We found that quercetin significantly alleviated HFD‐induced obesity, improved glucose tolerance, recovered gut barrier function, and reduced adipose tissue inflammation. Moreover, quercetin ameliorated HFD‐induced gut microbiota disorder by regulating the abundance of gut microbiota, such asAdlercreutzia,Allobaculum,Coprococcus_1,Lactococcus, andAkkermansia. Quercetin influenced the production of metabolites that were linked to alterations in obesity‐related inflammation and oxidative stress, such as Glycerophospho‐N‐palmitoyl ethanolamine, sanguisorbic acid dilactone, O‐Phospho‐L‐serine, and P‐benzoquinone. Our results demonstrate that the anti‐obesity effects of quercetin may be mediated through regulation in gut microbiota and metabolites.
HIV infection and the implication for COVID‐19 vaccination
Authors: Oyelade Tope , Raya Reynie Purnama , Latief Kamaluddin
Published: July 2022

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is associated with altered cellular and humoral immune response, especially in patients with an untreated or chronic infection. This may be due to direct and/or indirect HIV viral activities resulting in T‐ and B‐cells dysfunctions. Although still unclear, various studies have proposed that HIV infection may exacerbate the clinical outcomes of COVID‐19. Indeed, COVID‐19 vaccines were developed in record time and have been shown to reduce the severity of COVID‐19 in the general population. These vaccines were also earmarked as a solution to global disruptions caused by the COVID‐19 pandemic. HIV infection has been reported to reduce the efficacy of various other vaccines including those used against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Clostridium tetani, and influenza viruses. However, current guidelines for the administration of available COVID‐19 vaccines do not account for the immune‐compromised state of people living with HIV (PLWH). We discuss here the potentials, nature, and implications of this HIV‐induced dampening of the humoral immune response on COVID‐19 vaccines by first reviewing the literature about efficacy of previous vaccines in PLWH, and then assessing the proportion of PLWH included in phase III clinical trials of the COVID‐19 vaccines currently available. The clinical and public health implications as well as suggestions for governments and non‐governmental organizations are also proposed in the context of whether findings on the safety and efficacy of the vaccines could be extended to PLWH.

Impacts

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is characterized by attenuated humoral immunity that may reduce the efficacy of vaccines in people living with HIV (PLWH). Vaccination against the SARS‐CoV‐2 infection remains the main public health answer to the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Although no significant safety concerns have been raised regarding the COVID‐19 vaccines in PLWH, the efficacy of these vaccines in PLWH has not received due attention. Indeed, phase III clinical trials for the safety and efficacy of COVID‐19 vaccines involved a significantly low number of PLWH.

There are major gaps in knowledge on the efficacy of COVID‐19 vaccines in PLWH and until further research is carried out, PLWH should be prioritized along with other at‐risk groups for repeated vaccination and safeguard.
Evaluation of the reliability of MS1‐based approach to profile naturally occurring peptides with clinical relevance in urine samples
Authors: Jiang Jialu , Zhan Lingpeng , Dai Liuyan , Yao Xiaopeng , Qin Yao , Zhu Zhongqin , Zhang Mei , Tong Wenjun , Wang Guanbo
Published: July 2022

Rationale

The profiling of natural urinary peptides is a valuable indicator of kidney condition. While front‐end separation limits the speed of peptidomic profiling, MS1‐based results suffer from limited peptide coverage and specificity. Clinical studies on chronic kidney disease require an effective strategy to balance the trade‐off between identification depth and throughput.

Methods

CKD273, a urinary proteome classifier associated with chronic kidney disease, in samples from diabetic nephropathy patients was profiled in parallel using capillary electrophoresis–mass spectrometry (CE–MS), liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC–MS), and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization–mass spectrometry (MALDI‐MS). Through cross‐comparison of results from MS1 of unfractionated peptides and elution‐time‐resolved MS1 as well as MS/MS in LC– and CE–MS approaches, we evaluated the contribution of false‐positive identification to MS1‐based identification and quantitation, and analyzed the benefit of front‐end separation in terms of accuracy and efficiency.

Results

In LC– and CE–MS, although MS1 data resulted in higher number of identifications than MS/MS, elution‐time‐dependent analysis revealed extensive interference by non‐CKD273 peptides, which would contribute up to 50% to quantitation if they are not separated from genuine CKD273 peptides. In the absence of separation, MS1 data resulted in lower numbers of identifications and abundance pattern that significantly deviated from those by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) or capillary electrophoresis with tandem mass spectrometry (CE–MS/MS). CE showed higher identification efficiency even when less sample was used or achieved faster separation.

Conclusions

To ensure the reliability of MS1‐based urinary peptide profiling, front‐end separation should not be omitted, and elution time should be used in addition to intact mass for identification. Including MS/MS in data acquisition does not compromise the speed or identification number, while benefiting data reliability by providing real‐time sequence verification.
Sliding mode observers for robust fault estimation in linear parameter varying systems
Authors: Chen Lejun , Edwards Christopher , Alwi Halim , Sato Masayuki , Nateghi Shamila , Shtessel Yuri
Published: July 2022

A linear parameter varying sliding mode fault reconstruction scheme is proposed. Compared with other conventional sliding mode observer designs, the estimate emerges quite naturally from the equations governing the sliding motion, and although the process may be viewed as a filtering of the discontinuous injection, there is no phase lag introduced in the process. A semi‐analytic solution to the proposed linear parameter varying sliding mode observer is first discussed. This motivates the structure of the linear matrix inequality formulation which is proposed, and clarifies the class of systems to which the approach is applicable. The linear matrix inequality problem set up minimizes the induced gain between the fault estimate and external disturbances, whilst ensuring linear quadratic performance of the underpinning sliding motion. The proposed scheme has been validated using the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Multi‐Purpose Aviation Laboratory aircraft‐in‐the‐loop platform to demonstrate the design efficacy.
Moving toward sustainable development of sub‐Saharan African countries: Investigating the effect of financial inclusion on environmental quality
Authors: Liu Haiying , Sinha Avik , Destek Mehmet Akif , Alharthi Majed , Zafar Muhammad Wasif
Published: July 2022

The purpose of this current study is to provide a new framework for assessing the impact of financial inclusion on environmental quality in Sub‐Saharan Africa countries. To this end, the impact of economic growth, education, natural resource usage, and remittances on carbon emissions, as well as financial inclusion, is evaluated over the 2004–2020 period using second generation panel data methods, namely, CS‐ARDL and the following findings are found. Firstly, financial inclusion leads to enhanced carbon emissions. Secondly, economic growth leads to an increase in carbon dioxide emissions. Thirdly, an improvement in education promotes the quality of the environment. Fourthly, the depletion of natural resources has a harmful effect on the environment. Fifthly, remittances result to an increase in carbon emissions. On the basis of these findings, policy recommendations are made to assist the aforementioned countries in achieving their sustainable development goals.
A New Strategy for Highly Efficient Separation between Monovalent Cations by Applying Opposite‐Oriented Pressure and Electric Fields
Authors: Zhang Gehui , Lin Lingxin , Shen Wenhao , Wang Xue , Wang Yugang , Cao Liuxuan , Liu Feng
Published: July 2022

Biological ion channels exhibit excellent ion selectivity, but it has been challenging to design their artificial counterparts, especially for highly efficient separation of similar ions. Here, a new strategy to achieve high selectivity between alkali metal ions with artificial nanostructures is reported. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and experiments are combined to study the transportation of monovalent cations through graphene oxide (GO) nanoslits by applying pressure or/and electric fields. It is found that the ionic transport selectivity under the pressure driving reverses compared with that under the electric field driving. Moreover, MD simulations show that different monovalent cations can be separated with unprecedentedly high selectivity by applying opposite‐oriented pressure and electric fields. This highly efficient separation originates from two distinctive ionic transporting modes, that is, hydration shells drive ions under pressure, but drag ions under the electric field. Hence, ions with different hydration strengths can be efficiently separated by tuning the net mobility induced by the two types of driving forces when the selected ions are kept moving while the other ones are immobilized. And nanoconfinement is confirmed to enhance the separation efficacy. This discovery paves a new avenue for separating similar ions without elaborately designing biomimetic nanostructures.
WIFLF: An approach independent of the target project for cross‐project defect prediction
Authors: Cui Can , Liu Bin , Wang Shihai
Published: July 2022

Cross‐project defect prediction (CPDP) is used to build defect prediction models when data from the target project are not enough. There has been several approaches to improve the performance of CPDP, such as feature transformation and instance selection methods. However, existing techniques are strongly dependent on the target data to reduce the distribution discrepancy between source and target projects. That is, the performance of these methods is determined by the effectiveness of feature transformation or the similarity between two projects. Additionally, when there is a large amount of source data that needs to be matched with target data, it will take much time and reduce the efficiency of model construction. Therefore, it is vital to explore a target project‐agnostic approach to build CPDP models. This paper presents a Weighted Isolation Forest with class Label information Filter (WIFLF) to relieve the issues above. Four groups of datasets from AEEEM, Relink and PROMISE Data Repository are used to conduct CPDP models. Besides, WIFLF is compared with 12 approaches. The experimental results indicate that WIFLF significantly outperforms all the baselines. Specifically, WIFLF with random forest significantly improves the performance over the baselines on average by at least 14.64% and 4.90% with respect to Skewed F‐Measure and G‐Measure, respectively.
Ultraviolet‐Assisted Perovskite Crystallization for High‐Performance Solar Cells
Authors: Cao Xiaofei , Luan Yigang , Zhuang Jing , Niu Guosheng , Cao Shaokui , Wang Jizheng
Published: July 2022

Highly crystalized perovskite film with smooth surface is of great importance to obtain high photovoltaic performances. Herein, UV irradiation is applied to the perovskite films during their thermal annealing process. It is revealed that UV irradiation treatment can largely improve perovskite crystallization and reduce defects. This greatly improves power conversion efficiency (PCE) and environmental stability of the resulted solar cells (ITO/SnO2/perovskite/Spiro‐OMeTAD/Au). By combining CH3O‐PEAI surface passivation, an outstanding PCE of 23.24% is achieved.
Dipterocarps used India as a raft from Gondwana to Eurasia
Authors: Sanil Madambi Sankarankutty , Balakrishnan Swathi , Sreekumar Vadakkethil Balakrishnan , Dev Suma Arun
Published: July 2022

It has been hypothesized that most Asian tropical lineages have originated in Gondwana with the Indian subcontinent playing a crucial role in the dispersal of ancestral Gondwanan taxa. The disjunct distribution of dipterocarps and the fossil record in India support the Gondwana hypothesis. This is the first comprehensive study addressing the evolutionary and biogeographic relationships of dipterocarps in the Indian subcontinent to test the Gondwana hypothesis. A Bayesian phylogenetic tree of the Dipterocarpaceae family including the Indian counterparts corroborates the monophyly of subfamilies/tribes and shows new biogeographic affinities. Molecular dating reveals the Cretaceous origin of Dipterocarpaceae. Diversification of major lineages occurred during the Pliocene‐Miocene epochs. The DEC analysis ascertains the Gondwanan origin and dispersal route from the Madagascar (Africa)‐India‐Sri Lanka‐Seychelles block to Eurasia. The biogeographic analysis suggests early vicariance followed by an out‐of‐India dispersal of Dipterocarpaceae. Three dispersal events from India to the remainder of Asia at 47.6 Ma, 42.53 Ma and 37.6 Ma are identified. There probably was a biotic interchange between India and mainland Asia via Sumatra following the collision of the Indian plate with Eurasia. Molecular dating and dispersal events coincide with the geological events. During the Miocene, uplift of the Himalayan‐Tibetian plateau induced climatic variation, which seems to have resulted in the extinction of major Indian dipterocarp lineages and reverse dispersal into India.Hopea‐Shorea, one of the earliest diverged lineages, originated in Southeast Asia. The establishment of Southeast Asian monsoon climate may have favoured allopatric speciation and diversification of Southeast Asian lineages also resulting in further dispersal into India.
Prediction of subsequent osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture on CT radiography via deep learning
Authors: Hu Xiao , Zhu Yanjing , Qian Yadong , Huang Ruiqi , Yin Shuai , Zeng Zhili , Xie Ning , Ma Bin , Yu Yan , Zhao Qing , Wu Zhourui , Wang Jianjie , Xu Wei , Ren Yilong , Li Chen , Zhu Rongrong , Cheng Liming
Published: July 2022

Combination of computed tomography (CT) radiography and deep learning to predict subsequent osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) has not been reported. To do so, we analyzed retrospectively CT images from 103 patients who experienced twice OVCF in Tongji Hospital from 2011 to 2022. Meanwhile, CT images from 70 age‐matched osteoporotic patients without vertebral fracture were used as the negative control. Convolutional neural network was used for classification and the Adam optimizer combining the momentum and exponentially weighted moving average gradients methods were used to update the weights of the networks. In the prediction model, we split 80% data of each type of the patient as the training group, while the other 20% was held as the independent testing group. We found that the number of subsequent fracture in women is higher than that in men (81 vs. 22). Additionally, the incidence rate of adjacent vertebral fracture is higher than that of remote vertebral fracture (64.1 vs. 35.9%), while the onset time of the former was 11.9 ± 12.8 months, significantly less than 22.3 ± 18.2 months of the latter (p < .001). For the prediction of subsequent fracture, our model attained .839 of accuracy and .883 of receiver operating characteristic–area under curve on the whole testing dataset. Furthermore, our model gained .867 and .719 of accuracy on the single‐class testing dataset separated from the former, .817 of accuracy on the independent test. In conclusion, we managed to generate a deep learning‐based model, which is able to predict subsequent OVCF in a precise and unbiased way just using CT images.
Outdoor Learning and Children’s Eyesight
Authors: Hobday Richard
Published: July 2022

Over the last three decades, the incidence of short sight among school children has risen markedly. So much so, the condition has become a global health issue. It is estimated that if current trends continue, by 2050 half the world’s population will be short-sighted. Of these, one billion will be at high risk of sight-threatening conditions. From the late 19th century to the 1960s, outdoor activities were thought to protect children’s eyesight. Playgrounds and open spaces around schools were put there, in part, to try to prevent myopia. The way in which children were taught was another consideration. Prolonged near work was believed to be harmful to children’s sight and was discouraged in some schools. Alternative methods of teaching were proposed. Then, during the 1960s, medical thinking changed and these ideas became unfashionable. Yet current research now supports some of them. In particular, outdoor activity is now proven to protect against the onset of myopia. Taken together new and older research—and past experience—suggest teaching children outdoors might be an effective way to protect their vision as they go through school. Outdoor education could be key to halting the rise of this harmful condition.
Rediscovering the Potential of Outdoor Learning for Developing 21st Century Competencies
Authors: Mann Jeff , Gray Tonia , Truong Son
Published: July 2022

In this century characterised by rapid change and unprecedented challenges, most education systems have acknowledged the importance of developing interpersonal and intrapersonal skills alongside technical knowledge. This chapter describes how two approaches to outdoor learning develop these 21st century competencies, through the lens of experiential education. Outdoor Adventure Education is an established pedagogical vehicle for developing psycho-social skills. Learning Outside the Classroom is a rising movement of teaching subject content while simultaneously promoting interpersonal, communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and conflict resolution skills, creativity and connection with nature. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the potential of outdoor environments to foster transformative competencies, and the inherent challenges for integration into regular school experiences.
Fostering 21st Century Skills Through Autonomy Supportive Science Education Outside the Classroom
Authors: Dettweiler Ulrich , Lauterbach Gabriele , Mall Christoph , Kermish-Allen Ruth
Published: July 2022

The development of 21st century skills in or rather through science teaching is on the agenda of many national and international school reforms aiming at creating so-called 21st century classrooms. In this context autonomous learning and practical relevance of science classes have been identified as important features, and education outside the classroom (EOtC) has been described as one way of providing such enriched classroom settings. We explore the relative importance of the four basic psychological needs (BPN), “perceived autonomy support”, “perceived competence support”, “student-teacher relatedness” and “student-student relatedness”, for the perceived practical relevance of the content (PRC) in science class in secondary school. We applied the same measures in normal and EOtC science classes, both in a short-term cross-sectional within-subject design study (A) and in a longitudinal between-subject design study (B). In order to account for the theoretical and empirical non-independence of the four BPN-explanatory variables, we used Bayesian ridge regression techniques. Our findings suggest that PRC in EOtC contexts is perceived higher than in normal classroom settings, both in the short-term as well as in the long-term designs. This can be best explained by the degree of perceived autonomy support by the students. In the short-term design, this holds true for both, the normal and the EOtC teaching contexts. In the long-term design, the relative importance of autonomy support can only be deemed statistically credible in the EOtC context. Perceived competence support and relatedness have no relative importance in the EOtC context. This suggests that science classes outside the classroom are less contingent on teacher-reliant or peer-related basic needs satisfaction. Thus, we can conclude that science teaching in EOtC fosters 21st century skills through more flexible, autonomous and collaborative settings and by being less teacher-centred.
International Views on School-Based Outdoor Learning
Authors: Waite Sue
Published: July 2022

While school-based outdoor learning is growing in many parts of the world, there is still relatively little use of international comparisons to inform the development of this growth. In this chapter, diverse motivations for providing outdoor learning across countries are reported and some commonalities explored, based on an online survey of eighty expert commentators from 19 countries. The survey was designed using a conceptual framework of student outcomes from outdoor learning derived from policy analysis and five major reviews of the field. Among identified motivations for outdoor learning provision within schooling, supporting environmental awareness and action and pupil health and well-being were the most common. Some alignment of methods of outdoor learning and desired outcomes are discussed and implications for the direction of future policy, practice, and research are considered. Through understanding how different purposes are being approached internationally, we may learn how outdoor learning can contribute to high quality educational outcomes.
Outdoor School in Germany. Theoretical Considerations and Empirical Findings
Authors: Armbrüster Christian , Witte Matthias D.
Published: July 2022

This article presents for the first time in a systematic summary the key theoretical considerations and empirical findings from a three-year-long longitudinal research project which examined ‘outdoor school’ in Germany from multiple perspectives. The study uses the following four parameters to discuss the merits and shortcomings of outdoor school: the structural characteristics of the approach (1), social, material and temporal changes (2), pedagogical thought and action (3), and children’s agency (4). The findings indicate that outdoor school deserves to occupy a rightful place among teaching and learning methods in schools—provided that the challenges posed by dissolving the children’s socio-material and real-world boundaries between school and learning are given sufficient consideration in teaching methodology.
A Coordinated Research Agenda for Nature-Based Learning
Authors: Jordan Cathy , Chawla Louise
Published: July 2022

Evidence is mounting that nature-based learning (NBL) enhances children’s educational and developmental outcomes, making this an opportune time to identify promising questions to carry research and practice in this field forward. We present the outcomes of a process to set a research agenda for NBL, undertaken by the Science of Nature-Based Learning Collaborative Research Network, with funding from the National Science Foundation. A literature review and several approaches to gathering input from researchers, practitioners and funders resulted in recommendations for research questions and methodological improvements to increase the relevance and rigor of research in this field. Some questions seek to understand how learning in nature affects what children learn, how they learn, and how it varies based on age, gender, socioeconomic status, ethnic background, special needs and individual differences. Outcomes of interest cover academic performance, practical skills, personal development, and environmental stewardship. Other questions seek to find causal explanations for observed outcomes. To create optimal conditions for NBL, the research agenda includes practical questions about how to prepare teachers to work successfully in nature and how to support their adoption of this approach. Not least, the research agenda asks whether learning in nature can address major societal issues by moderating the effect of socioeconomic disadvantage on children’s academic achievement, personal development and wellbeing, and how these benefits might be attained at reasonable costs. A deeper understanding of how, why and for whom different forms of nature contact enhance learning and development is needed to guide practice and policy decision-making.
Investigating Experiences of Nature: Challenges and Case-Analytical Approaches
Authors: Schumann Svantje
Published: July 2022

Based on methodological considerations with regard to the challenges which arise with the analysis of the potentials of nature experience, a case study is examined: the excursion of a teacher with her second grade class to an industrial wasteland. The aim is to learn about plants there. The case study shows that the teacher basically has a positive attitude towards research, has a good perception of the children’s learning processes and is very clearly aware of the educational value of emotional, social and aesthetic experiences. In addition, she succeeds in responding to the needs of the children and the external circumstances in a spontaneous and appropriate, context-dependent manner. Interestingly, however, she ‘hides’ behind ‘common’ constructs (e.g. the ‘increase in knowledge’) in her argumentation regarding the format of nature experience. The most plausible assumption and thus hypothesis is that the teacher doubts the acceptance or the significance of her conception of learning. Finally, I present the arguments for the potentials of nature experiences for personal development. In addition, I show how important it is that the schools promote real-life encounters with natural phenomena. This enables authentic personal development and counteracts forces currently at work that lead to a decline in real-life experiences in nature.
Creating a Forest for Learning
Authors: Rowntree Jones Carol , Scothern Caroline , Gilbert Heather , Anderson Sue
Published: July 2022

The National Forest in the English Midlands has developed a model based on a five-point outdoor learning plan, to enable every schoolchild within the Forest area to regularly experience outdoor-based learning within their school curriculum. The Forest began in the early 1990s, with the aim of transforming a post-industrial landscape and its communities through the planting of trees. Extending over 200 square miles and with a population of around 200,000, the National Forest’s project ‘Creating a Forest for Learning’ has developed from three decades of environmental education work with rural, urban and nearby inner city schools. The project funds staff training and grounds work, to make it easier to embed the practice in the school improvement plan. The chapter discusses the drive behind developing the project, to embed a love for and understanding of trees and woodlands in the generation of children growing up in a young forest, and to realise one of the original ambitions in creating a forest near where people live and work: to transform lives as well as the landscape, and to offer children a range of high-quality learning experiences, where 21st-century skills such as resilience, communication and adaptability come to the fore. By improving their connection to nature, the young people are building resources for their own health and wellbeing. This can only help them become active citizens as society moves to a green recovery from Covid-19, and equip them to take a positive standpoint in addressing the climate crisis. The chapter presents the progress, obstacles and successes experienced by this unique project, where education underpins aspirations to embed sustainable living.
Udeskole—Pupils’ Physical Activity and Gender Perspectives
Authors: Mygind Erik
Published: July 2022

In a Danish context regular (weekly or biweekly) education outside the classroom (EOtC), school-based outdoor learning or learning outside the classroom (LOtC) is calledudeskoleand aims to enhance both health and education. The purpose of this chapter is to present two Danish research projects; the Søndermark School and TEACHOUT studies. It highlights the impact and potentials of physical activity (PA) in primary school based on results from pupils (grade 3–6 grade—year 9–12), taught weekly outside the classroom and school buildings. The chapter summarises how teaching in nature, green areas or using cultural institutions like museums, factories, cemeteries etc. has an impact on PA levels. The Søndermark School study in Copenhagen investigated whetherudeskolein urban nature or cultural institutions helps to increase children’s PA in four classes. 44 girls and 40 boys (grade 4–6) participated in this study, where the PA was measured for seven consecutive days. For all 84 pupils, the average PA was significantly higher onudeskoledays compared to traditional school days without PE lessons. The average PA levels among boys were significantly higher than among girls in all mentioned settings, except on days with PE lessons, where both sexes’ PA levels were equal. As part of the TEACHOUT research project, PA of 663 children was measured 24 h a day for 9–10 consecutive days.Udeskoleclasses were compared with control classes, i.e. their parallel classes, from 12 schools located in different parts of Denmark, in a quasi-experimental design. A gender comparison was made on a weekly basis, i.e. days with more than 150 min ofudeskolewere compared with traditional school days and days with physical education (PE) classes. Measured over a whole week, boys havingudeskolewere more physically active than boys in control classes and girls in both settings. No difference was found between girls inudeskoleand the comparison classes during a week, but girls onudeskoledays were associated with a greater proportion of PA at light intensity than on traditional school days and days with PE lessons. In general, the children were far less sedentary duringudeskolecompared to traditional classroom teaching.
Pupils’ Well-Being, Mental and Social Health
Authors: Mygind Erik , Bølling Mads
Published: July 2022

The purpose of this chapter is to present research results on pupils’ well-being and health when integrating regular education outside the classroom (i.e. udeskole) into teaching. We believe that this chapter may be of particular interest to government employees (consultants), municipalities, school principals and teachers, teacher trainers and educators seeking arguments for and against outdoor teaching and learning. The argument is based on both empirical studies of pupils’ well-being, mental and social health, and theoretical assumptions (mainly the so-called Self-Determination Theory). Three key questions will be the focal points of the chapter:

Is udeskole a viable approach to strengthen pupils’ well-being, mental and social health?

Does udeskole have a demonstrable impact on pupils’ well-being, mental and social health?

Should education outside the classroom be a regular applied practice in schools?

In schools in several western countries, but especially in Scandinavia, udeskole is a teaching method, which is increasingly used both for its learning and health potentials. In this chapter, we focus on the importance of udeskole, based on relevant results from the Danish TEACHOUT research study. Although Danish children generally thrive and have high levels of mental and social health, initiatives are still needed to promote an even more positive school experience for every child. Early prevention of psychosocial illness is on the political agenda and school is considered a major arena for initiatives aimed at promoting mental and social health. The results of the TEACHOUT study show that if teaching outside the classroom is made a regular component of the annual plan, it can be expected to have a positive impact on pupils’ social well-being and intrinsic school motivation. It is still too early to determine whether udeskole has a real effect on the formation of friendships in the classroom community. However, the TEACHOUT study shows a small but significant increase in the number of new in-class friendships. Based on the Self-Determination Theory, we provide an understanding of the reasons why udeskole can have a positive effect on pupil well-being, mental and social health.
Non-Gaussianities in collider energy flux
Authors: Chen Hao , Moult Ian , Thaler Jesse , Zhu Hua Xing
Published: July 2022

Abstract

The microscopic dynamics of particle collisions is imprinted into the statistical properties of asymptotic energy flux, much like the dynamics of inflation is imprinted into the cosmic microwave background. This energy flux is characterized by correlation functions $$ \left\langle \mathcal{E}\left({\overrightarrow{n}}_1\right)\cdots \mathcal{E}\left({\overrightarrow{n}}_k\right)\right\rangle $$

E

n
→

1

⋯
E

n
→

k

of energy flow operators $$ \mathcal{E}\left(\overrightarrow{n}\right) $$
E

n
→

. There has been significant recent progress in studying energy flux, including the calculation of multi-point correlation functions and their direct measurement inside high-energy jets at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). In this paper, we build on these advances by defining a notion of “celestial non-gaussianity” as a ratio of the three-point function to a product of two-point functions. We show that this celestial non-gaussianity is under perturbative control within jets at the LHC, allowing us to cleanly access the non-gaussian interactions of quarks and gluons. We find good agreement between perturbative calculations of the non-gaussianity and a charged-particle-based analysis using CMS Open Data, and we observe a strong non-gaussianity peaked in the “flattened triangle” regime. The ability to robustly study three-point correlations is a significant step in advancing our understanding of jet substructure at the LHC. We anticipate that the celestial non-gaussianity, and its generalizations, will play an important role in the development of higher-order parton showers simulations and in the hunt for ever more subtle signals of potential new physics within jets.
Tetracycline residues in tilapia and catfish tissue and the effect of different cooking methods on oxytetracycline and doxycycline residues
Authors: Morshdy Alaa Eldin M. A. , Hussein Mohamed A. M. , Mohamed Mohamed Ali Abdrabo , Hamed Eslam , El-Murr Abd Elhakeem , Darwish Wageh Sobhy
Published: July 2022

Fish such as tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and catfish (Clarias gariepinus) is an important source of high biological value animal protein. Fish can be exposed to antimicrobials in intensive aquaculture systems or exposed to remnants of the antimicrobials released to various water bodies via drainage systems. This study aimed at screening for antimicrobial residues in two major fish species commonly consumed in Egypt, namely, tilapia, and catfish, either in wild or cultured fish using a microbial inhibition assay. Besides, quantitative estimation of tetracycline (oxytetracycline and doxycycline) residues in the edible fish muscles was carried out using the solid phase extraction (SPE) technique and high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode-array detection (HPLC-PAD). In addition, the effects of different cooking methods (pan-frying, grilling, and microwaving) on oxytetracycline and doxycycline residues in tilapia and catfish were investigated. The microbiological inhibition assay revealed that 2, 24, 18, and 32% of the examined wild tilapia, cultured tilapia, wild catfish, and cultured catfish, respectively, contained antibiotic residues. Cultured tilapia, wild catfish, and cultured catfish had mean concentrations of oxytetracycline residues of 0.147 ± 0.067, 0.106 ± 0.046, and 0.313 ± 0.044 µg/g. 3 (6%), 4 (8%), and 9 (18%) of the sampled cultured tilapia, wild catfish, and cultured catfish exceeded the established maximum permissible limits (MPL) of tetracycline (0.100 ng/g). The mean concentrations of doxycycline residues were 0.276 ± 0.045, 0.026 ± 0.004, and 0.070 ± 0.010 µg/g in cultured tilapia, wild catfish, and cultured catfish, respectively, with 2 (4%) of the cultured tilapia exceeding the MPL of doxycycline. Consumption of fish with high residual levels of tetracyclines might pose potential health risks to consumers. In an experimental trial, heat treatment of tilapia and catfish could significantly reduce both oxytetracycline and doxycycline residues, particularly grilling had the highest reduction rates.
General, spinal or regional anaesthesia does not affect strength performance 6 months after ACL reconstruction
Authors: Wenning M. , Mauch M. , Heitner A. H. , Heinrich S. , Sofack G. N. , Behrens M. , Ritzmann R.
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The recovery of strength is a key element in successfully returning to sports after ACL reconstruction. The type of anaesthesia has been suspected an influential factor in the post-operative recovery of muscle function.

Methods

In this retrospective analysis, n = 442 consecutive patients undergoing primary isolated ACL reconstruction using a hamstring autograft were analysed by pre- and post-operative isokinetic tests in a single orthopaedic centre. These were subdivided into four cohorts: (1) general anaesthesia (n = 47), (2) general anaesthesia with prolonged (48 h) on-demand femoral nerve block (n = 37), (3) spinal anaesthesia (n = 169) and (4) spinal anaesthesia with prolonged (48 h) on-demand femoral nerve block (n = 185). Primary outcome was the change from pre- to post-operative isokinetic strength during knee extension and flexion.

Results

Using one-way ANOVA, there was no significant influence of the type of anaesthesia. The main effect of anaesthesia on change in extension forces was not significant, and effect sizes were very small (n.s.). Similarly, the main effect of anaesthesia on change in flexion forces was statistically not significant (n.s.).

Conclusions

The findings of this study support the interpretation that the type of anaesthesia has no significant effect on the ability to recover thigh muscle strength 6 months after isolated hamstring ACL reconstruction. With regard to the recovery of athletic performance and return-to-sports testing criteria, there is no reason to avoid regional anaesthesia.

Level of evidence

III.
How to trust size distributions obtained by single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis
Authors: Gimenez-Ingalaturre Ana C. , Ben-Jeddou Khaoula , Perez-Arantegui Josefina , Jimenez María S. , Bolea Eduardo , Laborda Francisco
Published: July 2022

Single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS) is a technique widely used to obtain direct information about the number concentration and the size distribution of nanoparticles in liquid suspensions. However, its methods still lack clear quality control strategies to confirm the validity of the information derived from them. Only the detection of the complete size distribution of the nanoparticles in a sample over the size critical value ensures obtaining unbiased quantitative information, otherwise information should be restricted to report the presence of nanoparticles over a certain size and number concentration since their actual total number concentration is underestimated and the size overestimated. Under the latter conditions, data processing produces histograms showing the tails of the incomplete size distributions, although apparently, complete distributions can also be obtained when particle events are recorded as peaks, as reported here for the first time. The occurrence of these misleading situations must be critically evaluated for each SP-ICP-MS analysis. An approach, based on estimation of size critical values and successive dilutions, is proposed for the assessment of the validity of the quantitative information obtained, together with specific criteria for reconsidering the information that can be derived from those measurements. The approach was verified with different case studies and applied to the analysis of complex nanomaterials, confirming the validity of the reported information by comparison with other techniques. A calculation tool is also included to facilitate the estimation of size critical values under experimental conditions.

Graphical abstract