bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What are the predictors of nonprofit association members' supportive behaviors?
Authors: Ki Eyun‐Jung , Cho Moonhee
Published: August 2020

This study investigates the factors of members' supportive behavioral intentions to donate and recommend membership to others in the context of engineering professional membership associations. Using data collected from 3,464 members across three engineering professional membership associations, this study found that age, past donation experience, personal and professional benefits, gender, income, and longevity in the field were significant factors to determine giving intention, while personal benefits, professional benefits, past behaviors (donation and volunteering), and longevity in the field were predictors of membership recommendation intentions of engineering professionals.
Why the financial aid of the EU's regional policy does not impact on the public investment level? The case of the Spanish regions
Authors: Cantos‐Cantos José María , Balsalobre‐Lorente Daniel , García‐Nicolás Cristina
Published: August 2020

Given that an expansive impact of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) aid on public investment is expected, two models have been estimated to determine, respectively, the size of this impact and the relationship between the own financing of regional public investment and the external financing received from ERDF in Spanish regions. Evidence has been obtained that the impact of transfers from the ERDF on public investment is almost nil. In addition, for each euro that the Spanish regions received from the ERDF, own funds for public investment allocated by regional governments have been reduced 23 cents, showing an important relation of substitution between the two sources of financing. Both models include data between 1994 and 2014 and their estimation has used traditional methods and methods based on the cointegration of variables with a panel structure, such as FMOLS and DOLS. The main results obtained with the two methodologies they are quite close, confirming the initial hypothesis: in the presence of weak donor restrictions, the political process in governments receiving ERDF transfers determine revealed preferences about public investment, neutralizing conditions established by the donor. This study also unequivocally demonstrates the presence of simultaneous causality between investment aid received from the ERDF and regional public investment and between said aid and the own resources that regional governments dedicate to financing public investment. These findings confirm the existence of a bias that seriously affects the effectiveness of the European Union's regional policy.
Inspiring employee voice through leader–member exchange
Authors: Tarkang Marymagdaline Enowmbi , Nange Ruth Yunji , Ozturen Ali
Published: August 2020

The competitiveness in the hotel setting around the world is increasingly developing worldwide, as hotels try to follow innovative strategies to cultivate, and as customers have more alternatives to make choices. This paper makes use of 3 and 4 star hotels in the South‐west region of Cameroon. Five‐star hotels were not included in the study because none were found in the region. Leader–member exchange (LMX) induces good employee job performance and innovative outcomes through work engagement. Good behaviour can be seen in their positive innovations and voice contributions. As a result, leadership should be an essential part in the management setting; this work examines the influence of LMX on employees work engagement (EWE), and subsequently the effect of EWE on innovative work behaviour (IWB) and employee voice behaviour (EVB) in the hotels in the South‐west region of Cameroon. Poor relationship between leaders and their subordinates hinders employee's progress and threatens the organizations' productivity and long‐term success. Data used for the present study included 272 usable responses from hotel employees using three waves of collection with self‐administered questionnaire. Correlation, confirmatory factor and path analysis were implored for data analysis. According to the results, it was confirmed that leader's positive interactive behaviour could have an expressive influence on their follower's engagement levels, propagated their innovation and positive voice suggestions. Staffs with EWE can express innovative behaviour and pursue innovation by voluntarily performing behaviours that are not included in their roles. Hence LMX inspired employee's engagement, and the study has great theoretical and practical implications included.
Glycemic variability is associated with poor outcomes in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients
Authors: Sopfe Jenna , Campbell Kristen , Keating Amy K. , Pyle Laura , Liu Arthur K. , Verneris Michael R. , Giller Roger H. , Forlenza Gregory P.
Published: August 2020

Background

Among pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients, abnormal glycemic control is shown to be associated with increased risk of transplant‐related mortality, death from any cause, risk of infection, increased hospitalized, and intensive care days. Independent effects of higher glycemic variability, a component of glycemic control, have not been described. This study aimed to characterize risk factors for, and consequences of, higher glycemic variability in HSCT patients.

Procedure

Medical records for a cohort of 344 patients, age 0‐30 years, who underwent first HSCT from 2007 to 2016 at Children's Hospital Colorado were retrospectively reviewed. Glucose coefficients of variation (CV) were analyzed for HSCT days −14 to 0 and 0‐30, and patients were assessed for potential risk factors and outcomes.

Results

Roughly one‐third of patients had pre‐HSCT and day 0‐30 glucose CV above the reported healthy adult range. Independent of HSCT type, doubling of pre‐HSCT glucose CV was associated with a 4.91‐fold (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.40‐17.24) increased hazard of infection, as well as increased risk for intensive care hospitalization for allogenic HSCT patients. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that allogeneic HSCT patients had a 1.40‐ and 1.38‐fold (95% CI, 0.98‐1.99 and 1.00‐1.91) increased hazard of death for every doubling of pre‐HSCT and day 0‐30 glucose CV, respectively.

Conclusions

Just as with higher mean glucose, higher glycemic variability in the pediatric HSCT population is independently associated with significantly increased morbidity. Additional research is required to evaluate the utility of glucose control to mitigate these relationships and improve HSCT outcomes.
Evaluation of the nephron‐sparing surgery formula in Wilms tumors
Authors: Mrad Chaima , Coulomb‐Lhermine Aurore , Tabone Marie‐Dominique , Ulinski Tim , Audry Georges , Irtan Sabine
Published: August 2020

Aim

Definitions of nephron‐sparing surgery (NSS) procedures in Wilms tumor (WT) are not clear. The new UMBRELLA protocol offers a formula (NSS(X)‐SRM(n)‐PRM(n)‐RRP(n%)) to better define the different NSS parameters. We aimed to assess the advantages and limits of this new formula.

Methods

This retrospective monocentric study included patients operated by NSS for WT from 1975 to 2018. We reviewed the medical records and applied the NSS formula to all included patients.

Results

Eighty kidneys were operated on 56 patients at a mean age of 19.2 months (4 days‐7.5 years), with 49 partial nephrectomies and 31 tumorectomies. The assessment of the surgical resection margins (SRM) showed a doubt in six cases and one tumor breach. An intact pseudocapsule along the resection margin with no renal parenchyma was found in four cases at pathological resection margins (PRM) assessment, whereas a tumor breach was described in seven cases. Among the six patients with a surgical doubt, only one had a pathological stage III. There were no surgical doubts in the seven patients with tumor breach at pathology. At a mean follow‐up of eight years (15 days‐28.6 years), eight patients had elevated blood pressure levels. Ten had proteinuria. These two parameters were significantly increased in patients with a remaining renal parenchyma (RRP) of less than half of the initial total renal parenchyma. The serum creatinine level was normal for all except two patients.

Conclusion

The new NSS formula described all the crucial elements of NSS. RRP seemed essential for the evaluation of long‐term renal function.
Mechanical properties of flax fiber‐reinforced composites at different relative humidities: Experimental, geometric, and displacement potential function approaches
Authors: Moudood Abdul , Rahman Anisur , Huq Nayeem Md Lutful , Öchsner Andreas , Islam Md Mainul , Francucci Gaston
Published: August 2020

Due to the good mechanical properties, flax fiber‐reinforced epoxy composites are being widely used as a green alternative to glass fiber composites. However, plant fibers absorb moisture from the environment, being in a higher moisture uptake as the relative humidity (RH) increases. This absorbed moisture deteriorates the mechanical properties of the composites. In this study, geometric and displacement potential function (DPF) approaches are used to predict the mechanical properties of flax fiber‐reinforced epoxy composites under environmental conditions, in particular, different RH values. The tensile properties that were measured experimentally strongly agreed with the analytical findings. Almost similar results were found for the tensile strain those were measured experimentally and the one predicted by the geometric function. However, the predicted strain values were 38% and 42% less than the experimental ones for 0% and 95% RH conditioned composites, respectively, when DPF was used. Good conformity between the experimental, analytical, and DPF formulation for predicting mechanical properties ensures the practical applicability of this study. The formulations established in this work could, therefore, be utilized to analytically solve laminated composites under specific boundary conditions in structural applications.
Should chromosomal microarray be offered to fetuses with ultrasonographic soft markers in second trimester: A prospective cohort study and meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Shuyuan , Han Xu , Ye Mujin , Chen Songchang , Shen Yinghua , Niu Jianmei , Wang Yanlin , Xu Chenming
Published: August 2020

Objective

To evaluate whether chromosomal microarray (CMA) should be offered to fetuses with ultrasonographic soft markers (USMs) in the second trimester.

Methods

A prospective cohort study and meta‐analysis were conducted. In the prospective cohort study, 564 fetuses with USMs were enrolled. In the meta‐analysis, eligible articles describing copy number variations in fetuses with USMs were included.

Results

In the prospective cohort study, the diagnostic yields of CMA over non‐invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and karyotyping were significantly higher in fetuses with mild ventriculomegaly (MVM) than those in local control cohorts with normal ultrasound. However, the yields of CMA over NIPT and karyotyping in fetuses with other USMs were similar to controls. About ten studies, involving 405 fetuses with MVM and 1412 fetuses with other USMs, were included in the meta‐analysis. The pooled diagnostic yields of CMA over NIPT and karyotyping in fetuses with MVM were 4.9% and 3.2%, respectively. In fetuses with other USMs, the yields of CMA over NIPT and karyotyping were 1.2% and 0.4%, respectively.

Conclusion

It is reasonable to offer CMA as a first‐tier test to fetuses with MVM. However, for fetuses with other USMs, the considerations to perform CMA should not differ from pregnancies with normal ultrasound.
Nicotinonitrile centered luminescent polymeric materials: Structural, optical, electrochemical, and theoretical investigations
Authors: Pilicode Naveenchandra , Naik Praveen , Adhikari Airody Vasudeva
Published: August 2020

Herein, we describe the design, synthesis, and structural characterization of three new push‐pull type conjugative polymers, that is, VPPy1‐3 comprising strong electron‐withdrawing N‐heterocyclic nicotinonitrile scaffold coupled with electron‐donating phenylene units through vinylene bridges, as promising candidates for optoelectronic applications. They were successfully synthesized from their respective co‐monomers by simple polycondensation synthetic routes, viz. Knoevenagel and Wittig reactions. All the polymers were subjected to photophysical, electrochemical, thermal, and theoretical studies in order to ascertain their suitability in polymer light‐emitting diode applications as blue emitters. Evidently, they are readily soluble in most of the organic solvents, enabling them easy solution‐processable. These new polymers display strong blue photoluminescence at the peak in the range of 431 to 462 nm with a wide optical bandgap in the order of 2.55 to 2.63 eV. The obtained electrochemical data were employed to evaluate their HOMO/LUMOs. The density functional theory calculations generated useful information on their FMO, molecular geometries, and electronic properties. Also, the influence of their structural modification on the above‐said properties was discussed in detail to reveal the structure‐property relationship. Conclusively, these results illustrate the great prospective of this class of polymeric materials for the application in solution‐processable blue LEDs.
Sustainable additive manufacturing: predicting binder jettability of water‐soluble, biodegradable and recyclable polymers
Authors: Wilts Emily M , Long Timothy E
Published: August 2020

Additive manufacturing potentially generates customized polymeric objects with tailored geometry while reducing waste, employing biodegradable polymers and striving to use recyclable polymer feedstocks for a more sustainable future. Binder jetting additive manufacturing (BJ AM) creates 3D objects upon depositing liquid adhesive onto a powder bed, while a roller spreads powder over a build stage to form subsequent layers. Many factors affect jettability and printability including printhead design, binder material, binder solvent and powder characteristics. Material design for higher strength BJ AM parts using metals, ceramics or polymers exploits binders or particles that transform into thermosets or permanently shaped matrices through thermal or UV curing and sintering. While many BJ AM examples utilize biodegradable, water‐soluble and recyclable polymers for biomedical and industrial applications, a wider array of opportunities exist to degrade, dissolve and reuse printed materials. Systematically shifting to these polymers will facilitate reuse and recycling of both binders and powders, but more studies to improve part strength are required. This review describes an overview of polymer jettability and a perspective into opportunities currently underutilized in transitioning BJ AM into a more sustainable AM platform. © 2020 Society of Industrial Chemistry
Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial of a child and parent mindfulness intervention for pediatric venipuncture
Authors: Moline Rachel L. , Chambers Christine , McMurtry C. Meghan
Published: August 2020

Children commonly undergo painful needle procedures. Unmanaged procedural pain can have short‐ and long‐term consequences, including longer procedure times, greater distress at future procedures, and vaccine hesitancy. While parent behaviors are one of the strongest predictors of children's response to acute pain, pediatric procedural pain management interventions focus almost exclusively on the child. Further, existing parent‐involved pediatric pain management interventions typically fail to improve child self‐reported pain during painful procedures. The current protocol offers the first randomized controlled trial involving a mindfulness intervention for pediatric acute pain that includes children and their parents. This study aims to conduct a single‐site, two‐arm, parallel‐group RCT to examine the effects of a mindfulness intervention for parents and children before child venipuncture compared to a control group on primary (child self‐report of pain and fear), secondary (parent self‐report and child report of parent distress), and tertiary outcomes (parent report of child pain and fear). Parent‐child dyads (n = 150) will be recruited from the McMaster Children's Hospital outpatient blood laboratory. Dyads will be randomly assigned to either a mindfulness group guided through a mindfulness intervention or control group guided through an unfocused attention task. Parents will accompany their child for their venipuncture. Postvenipuncture measures will be collected (eg, child pain‐related outcomes as reported by parents and children). The first enrollment occurred in October 2019. We offer a novel intervention that aims to facilitate both parent and child coping during child venipuncture.
Impact of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heteroatomic bridges (N, S, and O) on optoelectronic properties of 1,3,5‐triazine derivatives: A computational insight
Authors: V.M. Vidya , Chetti Prabhakar
Published: August 2020

The theoretical investigation of four series of 1,3,5‐triazine derivatives (viz.,TN,NTN,STN, andOTNseries), which are substituted with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, is carried out by employing density functional theory and time dependent‐density functional theory. The triazine ring acts as electron acceptor (A) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons act as electron donors (D). The aromatic hydrocarbons like benzene, naphthalene (two fused rings), anthracene (three fused rings), and pyrene (four fused rings) are substituted on 1,3,5‐triazine core by means of a bridging heteroatom N, S, and O in the case ofNTN,STN, andOTNseries of molecules, respectively, whereas polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are directly connected to 1,3,5‐triazine in the case ofTNseries of molecules. The present work aims at examining the impact of number of fused aromatic rings and changing the bridging unit between electron acceptor and electron donor on absorption properties, HOMO‐LUMO gap and first hyperpolarizabilities of molecules under study and provides important insights for architecture of organic molecules for applications in organic optoelectronics.
Brønsted acid‐catalyzed aldol cyclotrimerization of 1‐indanones in ionic liquid: An experimental and DFT study of substituent effect
Authors: Okazaki Takao , Aoyama Gaku , Kitagawa Toshikazu
Published: August 2020

Reactions of 5‐R‐1‐indanones (R = Me, t‐Bu, Cl, F) in ionic liquids in the presence of Brønsted acid afforded substituted truxenes as aldol cyclotrimerization products, whose yields were found to be better in [BMIM][Tf2N] than in [BMIM][BF4]. Their cyclotrimerizations were slower and gave lower yields than that of the parent 1‐indanone. Furthermore, the reaction mixtures contained some amounts of intermediate products, 5‐R‐2‐(5‐R‐1‐indanylidene)‐1‐indanone, formed by the initial aldol condensation. These results suggested that both the electron‐donating and the electron‐withdrawing substituents at the C(5) position reduced the rate of cyclotrimerization. This rate retardation was supported by DFT/B3LYP calculations with the PCM solvation model. The activation energies of the reaction of the protonated indanones and the indenols in the initial aldol condensation were increased by both the electron‐donating group (EDG) and the electron‐withdrawing group (EWG). The transition states in the second aldol condensation and in the electron‐cyclization were also destabilized by both the EDG and the EWG.
pH and thermo responsive aliphatic tertiary amine chromophore hyperbranched poly(amino ether ester)s from oxa‐Michael addition polymerization
Authors: Jiang Qimin , Du Yongzhuang , Zhang YuanLiang , Zhao Liang , Jiang Li , Huang Wenyan , Yang Hongjun , Xue Xiaoqiang , Jiang Bibiao
Published: August 2020

In this research, we developed a novel and facile strategy to prepare aliphatic tertiary amine chromophore hyperbranched poly(amino ether ester)s with pH and thermo responsiveness via phosphazene base (t‐BuP2) catalyzed oxa‐Michael addition polymerization of triethanolamine with ethylene glycol diacrylate at room temperature. UV–vis and fluorescence analyses results showed that the tertiary amine at branching point for hyperbranched poly(amino ether ester)s is very important to retain strong blue fluorescence of tertiary amine chromophore. Moreover, the hyperbranched poly(amino ether ester)s exhibit an aggregation caused quenching (ACQ) fluorescence, solvent induced red‐shifted emission, molecular weight, and temperature dependent emission characters. More interestingly, the hyperbranched poly(amino ether ester)s show extreme acid induced quenching fluorescence phenomenon, and also display good water solubility, specific recognition of Fe3+ ion, low cytotoxicity, and bright cell imaging, which could serve as a microenvironment‐responding fluorescent probe for application in chemical sensing, cell imaging, drug delivery, or disease diagnostics. This research provides a versatile method for the preparation of stimuli‐responsive aliphatic tertiary amine chromophore polymers, and supplies ideas for researchers to explore other unconventional fluorescent polymers for application.
Introducing the concept sense of place: A mediator between place of care and emotional distress of patients with cancer at the end of life
Authors: Ivzori‐Erel Adi , Bar‐Sela Gil , Cohen Miri
Published: August 2020

Background

A sense of place (SOP) is defined as the emotional bonds, values, meaning, and symbols attached to a place.

Aim

To assess SOP of patients with cancer during end‐of‐life care at home (home‐hospice service) versus at a hospital in relation to place of care, social support, and emotional distress.

Methods

Participants were 150, stage IV, cancer patients with a life expectancy of less than 6 months, as defined by oncological staff, who were not receiving any life‐prolonging care. Seventy‐five patients received care at home (home‐hospice), and the other 75 received care at the oncology department at the hospital, by palliative unit staff. Participants completed the Brief Symptom Inventory anxiety and depression subscales, questionnaires on perceived support and both questionnaires on home SOP and hospital SOP.

Results

Mean scores of emotional distress were similar for patients in home‐hospice and at the hospital. Home SOP among individuals receiving care at home was high, and hospital SOP was high among hospitalized individuals. The structural equation model had good fit indexes, showing that each of the SOP variables mediated the association between place of care and emotional distress. Perceived support was associated with lower distress only in the hospital setting.

Conclusions

The SOP concept is relevant to understanding emotional distress in relation to place of care at end of life. Strengthening SOP in relation to place of care should be considered. As newly introduced concept regarding place of care at the EoL, SOP warrants further research.
Isochamaejasmin induces toxic effects onHelicoverpa zeaviaDNAdamage and mitochondria‐associated apoptosis
Authors: Ren Yuanhang , Li Qiang , Lu Lidan , Jin Hong , Tao Ke , Hou Taiping
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

Stellera chamaejasmeL. is a poisonous plant with rich resources and is thus highly valuable in terms of new pesticide development. Isochamaejasmin (ICM), one of the main ingredients inS. chamaejasmehas drawn much attention owing to its antitumour properties. However, the toxicity and mode of action of ICM on insects are still not clear. In this article, the larva and neuronal cell (AW1) ofHelicoverpa zeawere used to clarify the insecticidal activity of ICM as well as its toxic mechanism at the cellular level.

RESULTS

The results confirmed that ICM has potential toxicity againstH. zeabothin vivoandin vitrovia time‐ and dose‐dependent manners. Moreover, we found that ICM caused DNA damage and increased the levels of γH2AX and OGG1 in AW1 cells. Results also showed decline in the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), upregulation of Bax/Bcl‐2 expression resulting in the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, activation of caspase‐3/9, and cleavage of poly ADP‐ribose polymerase (PARP) as a result of exposure to ICM. Additionally, a dose‐dependent rise in the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, accumulation of a lipid peroxidation product, and inactivation of antioxidant enzymes were found in ICM‐treated cells.

CONCLUSION

These findings confirmed the insecticidal activity of ICM. Furthermore, the results revealed that ICM could cause DNA damage and induce apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway in AW1 cells. This study provides the basic information needed to understand the toxicity and mechanisms of action of ICM, which could potentially be used to develop it as a new insecticide.
Blister‐Based Laser‐Induced Forward Transfer of Luminescent Diamond Nanoparticles
Authors: Komlenok Maxim S. , Kudryavtsev Oleg S. , Pasternak Dmitrii G. , Vlasov Igor I. , Konov Vitaly I.
Published: August 2020

The possibility of laser printing of luminescent diamond nanoparticles via a blister‐based laser‐induced forward transfer technique is demonstrated. For this purpose, a donor substrate consisting of a transparent sapphire wafer and an absorbing thin titanium film (250 and 550 nm thick) coated with nanoparticles is exposed to the radiation of an ArF excimer laser (λ = 193 nm, τ = 20 ns). Under the optimized thickness of titanium layer and laser fluence, the ejection of nanoparticles from the donor substrate is caused by the blistering of the metal film without its rupture. The luminescence mapping of the donor and acceptor substrates has proved the transfer of luminescent diamond nanoparticles with the same intensity of the signal. Features and prospects of the proposed technique are discussed.
Identification of decomposition reactions for HMDSO organosilicon using quantum chemical calculations
Authors: Huang Yaosong , Chen Yugong , Zhou Mingfei
Published: August 2020

Hexamethyldisiloxane [HMDSO, (CH3)3‐SiOSi‐(CH3)3] is an important precursor for SiO2 formation during flame‐based silica material synthesis. As a result, HMDSO reactions in flame have been widely investigated experimentally, and many results have indicated that HMDSO decomposition reactions occur very early in this process. In this paper, quantum chemical calculations are performed to identify the initial decomposition of HMDSO and its subsequent reactions using the density functional theory at the level of B3LYP/6‐311+G (d, p). Four reaction pathways—(a) SiO bond dissociation of HMDSO, (b) SiC bond dissociation of HMDSO, (c) dissociation and recombination of SiO and SiC bonds, and (d) elimination of a methane molecule from HMDSO—have been examined and identified. From the results, it is found that the barrier of 84.38 kcal/mol and SiO bond dissociation energy of 21.55 kcal/mol are required for the initial decomposition reaction of HMDSO in the first pathway, but the highest free energy barrier (100.69 kcal/mol) is found in the third reaction pathway. By comparing the free energy barriers and reaction rate constants, it is concluded that the most possible initial decomposition reaction of HMDSO is to eliminate the CH3 radical by SiC bond dissociation.
Oriented external electric fields regulating the oxidation reaction of CH4 catalyzed by Mn‐corrolazine
Authors: Wang Xiangqian , Wang Haiyan , Zheng Lifeng , Zhu Chun , Liang Jin‐Xia
Published: August 2020

Mn‐corrolazine‐catalyzed CH4 oxidation, as well as the regulation of its oriented external electric fields (OEEFs), is systematically studied using the first‐principle calculations. Extensive density functional calculations show that the activation energy of CH4 oxidation catalyzed by Mn‐corrolazine is up to 38.5 kcal/mol in the field‐free condition. However, when the OEEF is applied, the reactant and the transition state of the oxidation reaction are stabilized, originating from an attractive interaction between the increased dipole moment and the applied fields. Furthermore, when the field is negative, the activation energy decreases as the field increases. Especially for the negative field along the intrinsic MnO reaction axis perpendicular to the corrolazine ring, of which the orientation is easily aligned in practical applications, when its intensity reaches −0.015 a.u., the activation energy of CH4 oxidation is reduced to 25.0 kcal/mol.
Factors affecting polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon biodegradation by Aspergillus flavus
Authors: Al‐Dossary Mustafa A. , Abood Shaymaa A. , Al‐Saad Hamid T.
Published: August 2020

This study investigated the ability of fungi isolated from highly contaminated soil to biodegrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds, as well as the effect of several parameters on the biodegradation ability of these fungi. The isolated fungi were identified using ITS rDNA sequencing and tested using 2,6‐dichlorophinolendophenol to determine their preliminary ability to degrade crude oil. The top‐performing fungi, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus, were selected to test their ability to biodegrade PAH compounds as single isolates. After 15 days of incubation, A. flavus degraded 82.7% of the total PAH compounds, with the complete degradation of six compounds, whereas A. fumigatus degraded 68.9% of the total PAHs, with four aromatic compounds completely degraded. We also tested whether different temperatures, pH, and nitrogen sources influenced the growth of A. flavus and the degradation rate. The degradation process was optimal at a temperature of 30°C, pH of 5.5, and with nitrogen in the form of yeast extract. Finally, the ability of the fungal candidate, A. flavus, to degrade PAH compounds under these optimum conditions was studied. The results showed that 95.87% of the total PAHs, including 11 aromatic compounds, were completely degraded after 15 days of incubation. This suggests that A. flavus is a potential microorganism for the degradation of PAH compounds in aqueous cultures.
Evaluation and countermeasures of sustainable development for urban energy‐economy‐environment system: A case study of Jinan in China
Authors: Wang Qingsong , Xu Zhaopeng , Yuan Qian , Yuan Xueliang , Zuo Jian , Song Yizhi , Wang Mansen
Published: August 2020

The coordinated development of urban energy–economy–environment (3E) systems is an inherent requirement for high‐quality and sustainable development of cities. Circulation degree and sustainable development degree (SDD) are combined to the previous 3E system evaluation system to construct the integrated sustainable development evaluation model. This model realizes the accurate evaluation of different dimensions of 3E system. Jinan, the capital city of Shandong Province in eastern China, is selected for empirical analysis. Findings show that development degree, circulation degree, and SDD of the 3E system in Jinan are increasing basically, and temporal trend of development degree and SDD of 3E system is synchronized. This shows that 3E system in Jinan has been improved gradually during this period, and the development of 3E system is a key factor affecting its sustainability. In 2015–2017, circulation degree and SDD were superimposed and developed in parallel, indicating that Jinan has entered the primary stage of high‐quality development. The obstacle degree model is introduced to explore the main factors that impede the sustainable development of 3E system in Jinan. This study revealed that the energy consumption structure, the proportion of new energy utilization, the development of tertiary industry, and water resources protection are the key issues that should be addressed in the sustainable development of 3E system in Jinan. The top‐level design concerning these issues should be highlighted in the forthcoming 14th five‐year plan period.
Environmental cost of natural resources utilization and economic growth: Can China shift some burden through globalization for sustainable development?
Authors: Umar Muhammad , Ji Xiangfeng , Kirikkaleli Dervis , Shahbaz Muhammad , Zhou Xuemei
Published: August 2020

This study aims to investigate the relationship between CO2 emissions in China and its prospective determinants, namely economic growth, globalization, financial development, and natural resources during the period from 1980 to 2017. We present more detailed analyses across multiple econometric approaches within a multivariate system, e.g., the Bayer‐Hanck combined cointegration approach, the ARDL bounds test approach, ARDL estimates in short run and long run, robustness check by cointegration regressions (i.e., FMOLS, DOLS, CCR), and Granger causality approach in the frequency domain. Our results show that economic growth and natural resources have a positive impact on CO2 emissions in China, although globalization contributes to improving its environmental quality. Meanwhile, there is no statistical evidence that CO2 emissions in China could be affected by financial development. The causality analysis reveals that globalization, economic growth and natural resources all lead to CO2 emissions in the long run, while financial development only causes the short‐run CO2 emissions, which further demonstrate our findings. Such findings are meaningful for policymakers to achieve the sustainable development in China.
Highly Stable Vanadium Redox‐Flow Battery Assisted by Redox‐Mediated Catalysis
Authors: Xia Lu , Long Ting , Li Wenyue , Zhong Fangfang , Ding Mei , Long Yong , Xu Zhizhao , Lei Yanqiang , Guan Yong , Yuan Du , Zhang Yiqiong , Jia Chuankun , Sun Lidong , Sun Qijun
Published: August 2020

With good operation flexibility and scalability, vanadium redox‐flow batteries (VRBs) stand out from various electrochemical energy storage (EES) technologies. However, traditional electrodes in VRBs, such as carbon and graphite felt with low electrochemical activities, impede the interfacial charge transfer processes and generate considerable overpotential loss, which significantly decrease the energy and voltage efficiencies of VRBs. Herein, by using a facile electrodeposition technique, Prussian blue/carbon felt (PB/CF) composite electrodes with high electrochemical activity for VRBs are successfully fabricated. The PB/CF electrode exhibits excellent electrochemical activity toward VO2+/VO2+ redox couple in VRB with an average cell voltage efficiency (VE) of 90% and an energy efficiency (EE) of 88% at 100 mA cm−2. In addition, due to the uniformly distributed PB particles that are strongly bound to the surface of carbon fibers in CF, VRBs with the PB/CF electrodes show much better long‐term stabilities compared with the pristine CF‐based battery due to the redox‐mediated catalysis. A VRB stack consisting of three single cells (16 cm2) is also constructed to assess the reliability of the redox‐mediated PB/CF electrodes for large‐scale application. The facile technique for the high‐performance electrode with redox‐mediated reaction is expected to shed new light on commercial electrode design for VRBs.
Deep fiducial inference
Authors: Li Gang , Hannig Jan
Published: August 2020

Since the mid‐2000s, there has been a resurrection of interest in modern modifications of fiducial inference. To date, the main computational tool to extract a generalized fiducial distribution is Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC). We propose an alternative way of computing a generalized fiducial distribution that could be used in complex situations. In particular, to overcome the difficulty when the unnormalized fiducial density (needed for MCMC) is intractable, we design a fiducial autoencoder (FAE). The fitted FAE is used to generate generalized fiducial samples of the unknown parameters. To increase accuracy, we then apply an approximate fiducial computation (AFC) algorithm, by rejecting samples that when plugged into a decoder do not replicate the observed data well enough. Our numerical experiments show the effectiveness of our FAE‐based inverse solution and the excellent coverage performance of the AFC‐corrected FAE solution.
The controversial nomenclature of the fossil plant namesCheirolepis,CheirolepidiumandHirmeriella(Cheirolepidaceae/Cheirolepidiaceae/Hirmeriellaceae)
Authors: Doweld Alexander B.
Published: August 2020

A comprehensive nomenclatural analysis of the generic and suprageneric names used for an extinct conifer group, treated as a distinct family under the names Cheirolepidaceae, Cheirolepidiaceae or Hirmeriellaceae or a distinct order, Cheirolepidiales or Hirmeriellales, is presented. The fossil generic nameCheirolepisSchimp. (1870) is an illegitimate later homonym of the name of the extant genusCheirolepisBoiss. (1849; Asteraceae). It has been superfluously substituted with a new generic name,CheirolepidiumTakht. (1957). The authorship and place of valid publication ofCheirolepidiumis corrected based on newly discovered information. The correct generic name for these fossils isHirmeriellaHörhammer (1933), established originally for a cone consisting of persistent bract scales lacking seed scales, because it has priority over the generic nameCheirolepidiumTakht. All three fossil generic names were employed for the same fossil cone taxon, which represented different stages of maturity of the same seed cone. The inclusion of bothCheirolepisandCheirolepidiumunderHirmeriellawas proposed by Jung (1968) in his formal lectotypification of the type of the genus name,Cheirolepis muensteri(≡ Brachyphyllum muensteri), with a cone specimen that was cited in the protologues of the types of both genera,Cheirolepis muensteriandHirmeriella rhaetoliassica. The lectotypification ofCheirolepis muensteriandHirmeriella rhaetoliassicausing the same elements results in the three generic names being homotypic synonyms. As a consequence, the correct family name for the fossil conifer group is Hirmeriellaceae, to be proposed for conservation against Cheirolepidiaceae. Cheirolepidaceae is inadmissible being based on the illegitimate later homonymCheirolepisSchimp. and thus itself illegitimate.
The nomenclature of fossil‐taxa representing different preservational states:Lepidodendronas a case‐study
Authors: Thomas Barry A. , Cleal Christopher J.
Published: August 2020

The fossil‐genusLepidodendronis normally used for adpressions, casts and moulds of Palaeozoic arborescent lycophyte stems, but it has also sometimes been used for anatomically preserved stems and even whole‐plant reconstructions. When used for anatomically preserved fossils,Lepidodendronis usually now restricted to the group of species allied toLepidodendron hickii, but this results in confusion and potential disruption to the traditional use of the fossil‐genus for non‐anatomically preserved stems. The case is made for separate sets of fossil‐genera for the anatomically and non‐anatomically preserved stems, with the circumscription ofLepidodendronbeing limited to adpressions, casts and moulds. A new fossil‐genus,Dimicheleodendrongen. nov., is proposed for the lycophyte stem petrifactions typified byLepidodendron hickii.
Regulated Evolution Strategies: A Framework of Evolutionary Algorithms with Stability Analysis Result
Authors: Koguma Yuji
Published: August 2020

Evolutionary algorithm (EA) is a generic term for optimization algorithms inspired by biological optimization processes in the natural world. Although EAs are widely applied to complex real‐world problems because they do not require mathematical expression of target problems, theoretical design methods of EAs have not been established. To solve this issue, this paper proposes an approach of designing EAs within an algorithm framework in which mathematical characteristics are derived, and it also presents a concrete framework for that purpose. The presented framework, Regulated Evolution Strategies (RES) provides a stability analysis result that contributes to designing algorithms with expected behavior. The RES framework has a high degree of freedom in designing algorithms, so that it is possible to incorporate various contrivances such as local improvement of samples and reduction of constraint violations in RES‐based algorithms while maintaining the stability analysis result. Numerical experiments prove that the RES framework has a capability for designing high‐performance EAs. © 2020 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
The pathway to secondary prevention of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: McDade Eric , Bednar Martin M. , Brashear H. Robert , Miller David S. , Maruff Paul , Randolph Christopher , Ismail Zahinoor , Carrillo Maria C. , Weber Christopher J. , Bain Lisa J. , Hake Ann Marie
Published: August 2020

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a continuum consisting of a preclinical stage that occurs decades before symptoms appear. As researchers make advances in investigating the continuum, the importance of developing drugs for secondary prevention is garnering increased discussion. For efficacious drug development for secondary prevention it is important to define what are the earliest biological stages of AD. The Alzheimer's Association Research Roundtable convened November 27 to 28, 2018 to focus on pre‐clinical AD. This review will address the biological approach to defining pre‐clinical AD, detection, identification of at‐risk individuals, and lessons learned from trials such as A4 and TOMMORROW.
Bringing Neighborhood Dads Into Classrooms: Supporting Literacy Engagement
Authors: Lynch Jacqueline , Zwerling Holly
Published: August 2020

Fathers’ engagement in their children’s education has increased over the years, yet we know less about fathers’ perspectives and engagement in children’s literacy development. The authors focused on a fatherhood reading program that was initiated in several Title 1 schools in a large school district in the Southeastern United States. Findings are based on fathers’ reading in classrooms in one elementary school. Based on interviews with teachers, a focus group with fathers, and observations of fathers’ reading in the classroom, several themes were found: a positive male role model for students, a reported increase in student motivation for reading, fathers’ confidence in their parenting role, and fathers’ respect for volunteer reading at school. Ways that teachers can organize a similar program at their schools are presented, along with implications of the findings for teaching practice and research.
A Critical Inquiry Approach to Mentor Texts: Learn It With EASE
Authors: Dollins Cynthia A.
Published: August 2020

Fourth‐grade students were introduced to a detailed process approach to examining mentor texts and then transferring their newfound knowledge of author craft to their own independent writing. The EASE strategy was created as a way to scaffold students from merely noticing the exceptional moves that authors make to adeptly applying these techniques. In an effort to read like writers and then write like readers, students were taught to closely examine powerful writing craft and assess why the author may have chosen to write in that particular way. They were also required to suggest other ways to write the excerpt and envision where they might use a similar move in a current or upcoming writing project. Through small‐group writing conferences and writing samples, students showcased how they made direct connections between mentor texts and their narratives and reports.
Timescapes of Himalayan hydropower: Promises, project life cycles, and precarities
Authors: Lord Austin , Drew Georgina , Gergan Mabel Denzin
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we review the existing social science scholarship focused on hydropower development in the Himalayan region, using an interpretive lens attuned to issues of time and temporality. While the spatial politics of Himalayan hydropower are well examined in the literature, an explicit examination of temporal politics is lacking. In this paper, we present a conceptual framework organized around the heuristic of timescapes, highlighting temporal themes implicit in the existing literature. In three sections, we explore the temporal politics of anticipation that shape hydropower dreams, the intersecting temporalities and rhythms that modulate the life cycles of hydropower projects, and the ways that geological and hydrological time affect both hydropower development and broader Himalayan futures. Along the way, we pose a series of questions useful for framing future research given the significant climatic, geophysical, and sociopolitical changes underway in the Himalayan bioregion, calling for greater analytical attention to time, temporality, and temporal ethics in future studies of hydropower in the Himalayas and beyond.

This article is categorized under:

Engineering Water > Planning Water

Human Water > Water Governance

Human Water > Water as Imagined and Represented

Science of Water > Water and Environmental Change
The role of the forensic anthropologist in the pediatric autopsy: Interpretations, contributions, and challenges
Authors: Fleischman Julie M. , Soto Martinez Miriam E. , Wiersema Jason M. , Pinto Deborrah C.
Published: August 2020

Child maltreatment is a growing medicolegal and social concern and forensic anthropologists in the United States are more frequently being asked to participate in pediatric autopsies to evaluate skeletal injuries. These injuries may be occult to medical imaging and the autopsy itself, but the forensic anthropologist directly evaluates the skeletal tissue which can dramatically improve the sensitivity and specificity of the analysis. The training and methods of forensic anthropologists provide them with the unique perspective of comprehending the anatomical, biomechanical, and physiological properties of human pediatric bone which informs their interpretations of time since injury and mechanism of trauma. This perspective also permits the ability to differentiate between growth and development, skeletal anomalies/variants, and traumatized bone which can be of distinct consequence to the forensic pathologist's cause and manner of death determination. This review is intended for forensic anthropologists and others in the medicolegal community who are tasked with identifying and interpreting pediatric skeletal trauma. The research and scholarly work cited herein is the most current bibliography for comprehending the role and contribution(s) of the forensic anthropologist in the pediatric autopsy, the techniques and methods available to them, and the challenges and cautions associated with this delicate work.

This article is categorized under:

Forensic Anthropology > Trauma Analysis

Forensic Medicine > Imaging Modalities

Forensic Medicine > Medicolegal Death Investigation Systems