bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of corn husk modified pumice powder reinforced polyester composites
Authors: Sari Nasmi Herlina , Setyawan Paryanto Dwi , Thiagamani Senthil Muthu Kumar , Suteja  , Tamimi Roby , Rangappa Sanjay Mavinkere , Siengchin Suchart
Published: January 2022

Researchers are continuously working to improve the mechanical characteristics of polymer composites by various approaches such as fiber treatment, filler addition, and others. In this study, mechanical, thermal, and morphological characteristics of composites produced from corn husk waste fibers treated with pumice powder were examined. Corn husk (CHF) and pumice powder (SBA) were mixed in polyester matrix at varied volume fractions of 5:30, 10:25, 15:20, 20:15, 25:10, and 30:5. The results demonstrate that infusing SBA into the CHF composite enhanced the interfacial adhesion between the CHF and the polyester matrix. As a result, the mechanical and thermal characteristics of the SBA/CHF composites were significantly improved. The composite with 5:30 volume fraction (JPA) exhibited the highest values of tensile strength (18.61 MPa), tensile modulus (3.23 GPa), flexural strength (36.12 MPa), and flexural modulus (3.39 GPa) among all the composites and the polymer matrix which was attributed to the strong SBA/CHF interface bonds in the composites. While the lowest values recorded for the composite specimens were due to a large number of CHF pullouts. Similarly, JPA composites outperformed the other composites in terms of thermal stability. The morphological study indicated that CHF pullout increased with an increased quantity of CHF and dropped as the amount of SBA increased and was distributed equally in the composite. According to the findings, the CHF/SBA composites had better mechanical characteristics than the fiber‐glass composites.
Programmable chips for 5G applications
Authors: Gonzalez Ana , Costa Diogo
Published: January 2022

5G deployment is facing significant challenges with the need for novel technologies able to increase data density in current networks. These include antennas and radio access network (RAN) hardware, which are driven by the growing bandwidth requirements in access networks.
Novel poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) based carriers as potential ocular drug delivery systems for timolol maleate
Authors: Nikolova Denitsa , Ruseva Konstans , Tzachev Christo , Christov Lachezar , Vassileva Elena
Published: January 2022

Polyzwitterions are biocompatible and protein‐adsorption‐resistant polymers which makes them very attractive for pharmaceutical applications, especially as drug and gene delivery systems. Two different poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) (PSB) based vehicles were synthesised in the present study using reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization, namely linear macromolecules and a crosslinked network as microgels, in order to be tested as ocular drug delivery systems for timolol maleate (TM). The differences in their structure were expected to result in different physicochemical properties as well as in different performances as potential ocular drug delivery systems. The PSB vehicles' structure and properties were investigated using dynamic light scattering, zeta potential measurements and SEM. The drug entrapment efficiency of TM in both PSB carriers was determined and the TM release profiles were monitored. In this way, the relationship between the PSB vehicles' structure and the TM release profiles was outlined. © 2022 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Photoluminescence Evolution with Deposition Thickness of Ge Nanostructures Embedded in GaSb
Authors: Dou Cheng , Chen Xiren , Chen Qimiao , Song Yuxin , Ma Nan , Zhu Liangqing , Tan Chuan Seng , Han Li , Yu Dengguang , Wang Shumin , Shao Jun
Published: January 2022

Herein, low‐temperature and temperature‐dependent photoluminescence (PL) measurements are carried out on highly tensile‐strained Ge nanostructures embedded in GaSb matrix, and the effects of Ge deposition thickness are clarified. The direct‐gap transition‐related PL feature is successfully identified in the tensile‐strained Ge nanostructures. While typical PL thermal quenching is observed for the tensile‐strained Ge‐ and GaSb‐related transitions in the samples with a Ge deposition being thinner than the critical thickness, a negative thermal quenching shows up for the GaSb interband transition in the samples with Ge deposition surpassing the critical thickness at which high‐density nanoparticles form to relax the strain. A phenomenological thermal‐injection model is established of electrons from the tensile‐strained Ge layer to the GaSb matrix, the thermal quenching is accounted for, and a ladder‐like function of the strain‐relaxed Ge is clarified to favor the electron activation. The understanding of the effects of deposition thickness is helpful for the high‐performance Ge‐based light source for optoelectronic integration.
Banana green peels extract protects against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in high‐fat‐fed mice through modulation of lipid metabolism and inflammation
Authors: Barroso Wermerson Assunção , Serra Mariana Barreto , Abreu Iracelle Carvalho , Barbeiro Hermes Vieira , Fiamoncini Jarlei , de Alvarenga José Fernando Rinaldi , de Souza Heraldo Possolo , de Lima Thais Martins
Published: January 2022

We investigate the effect of the banana green peels extract (BPE) as a preventive treatment against NAFLD in high‐fat diet fed mice. Mice received daily doses of 100 or 250 mg/kg of BPE for 12 weeks along with the high‐fat diet. BPE reduced weight gain (p < .0001), adipose tissue hypertrophy (p < .0001), and improved glucose homeostasis (p < .0001). Plasma levels of glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL‐cholesterol, non‐esterified fatty acids, aspartate and alanine transaminase, leptin, and resistin were decreased in BPE treated mice (p < .05). BPE effects on lipid metabolism were associated with decreased gene expression of lipogenic enzymes and increased expression of enzymes related to fatty acid and cholesterol degradation (p < .05). Plasma and liver bile acid (BA) profiles were modulated by BPE, with positive correlations between specific BA and UCP‐1, CPT‐1 and PGC‐1β expression in brown adipose tissue (p < .05). BPE reduced hepatic steatosis and inflammation, possibly due to reduced p65 NF‐κB nuclear translocation (p < .05) and modulation of oxidative stress (p < .05). These data indicate that BPE is a source of phytochemical compounds with promising effects toward the prevention of metabolic disorders associated with obesity.
Pulmonary vascular distensibility with passive leg raise is comparable to exercise and predictive of clinical outcomes in pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Kozitza Callyn J. , Dharmavaram Naga , Tao Ran , Tabima Diana M. , Chesler Naomi C. , Raza Farhan
Published: January 2022

Pulmonary vascular distensibility (α) is a marker of the ability of the pulmonary vasculature to dilate in response to increases in cardiac output, which protects the right ventricle from excessive increases in afterload. α measured with exercise predicts clinical outcomes in pulmonary hypertension (PH) and heart failure. In this study, we aim to determine if α measured with a passive leg raise (PLR) maneuver is comparable to α with exercise. Invasive cardiopulmonary exercise testing (iCPET) was performed with hemodynamics recorded at three stages: rest, PLR and peak exercise. Four hemodynamic phenotypes were identified (2019 ECS guidelines): pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) (n = 10), isolated post‐capillary (Ipc‐PH) (n = 18), combined pre‐/post‐capillary PH (Cpc‐PH) (n = 15), and Control (no significant PH at rest and exercise) (n = 7). Measurements of mean pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary artery wedge pressure, and cardiac output at each stage were used to calculate α. There was no statistical difference between α‐exercise and α‐PLR (0.87 ± 0.68 and 0.78 ± 0.47% per mmHg, respectively). The peak exercise‐ and PLR‐based calculations of α among the four hemodynamic groups were: Ipc‐PH = Ex: 0.94 ± 0.30, PLR: 1.00 ± 0.27% per mmHg; Cpc‐PH = Ex: 0.51 ± 0.15, PLR: 0.47 ± 0.18% per mmHg; PAH = Ex: 0.39 ± 0.23, PLR: 0.34 ± 0.18% per mmHg; and the Control group: Ex: 2.13 ± 0.91, PLR: 1.45 ± 0.49% per mmHg. Patients with α ≥ 0.7% per mmHg had reduced cardiovascular death and hospital admissions at 12‐month follow‐up. In conclusion, α‐PLR is feasible and may be equally predictive of clinical outcomes as α‐exercise in patients who are unable to exercise or in programs lacking iCPET facilities.
Resection of a capillary haemangioma using robotic‐assisted thoracic surgery: A case report
Authors: Ohashi Takuya , Kawago Mitsumasa , Hirai Yoshimitsu , Kiyoi Megumi , Miyasaka Miwako , Yata Yumi , Kawaji Mari , Fusamoto Aya , Iguchi Hideto , Nakanishi Hitomi , Nishimura Yoshiharu
Published: January 2022

Capillary haemangioma is a rare condition that is difficult to diagnose preoperatively because of its rarity and nonspecific imaging findings. In this report, we describe a case of capillary haemangioma diagnosed by robot‐assisted thoracic surgery (RATS). A 72‐year‐old man was incidentally found to have an anterior mediastinal tumour on chest computed tomography. The preoperative imaging findings were indicative of thymoma, and surgical treatment by RATS was selected. The intraoperative findings suggested that the tumour was a haemangioma originating from the pericardiophrenic vein. The pathological findings revealed a well‐defined tumour with capillaries in a vascular‐like structure and some thrombus formation. The pathological diagnosis was capillary haemangioma. The patient was discharged unaided at 7 days postoperatively and no recurrence was observed at 16 months postoperatively.
Pre‐service English teachers’ understanding about preparing to teach reading skills in secondary schools
Authors: Reynolds Barry Lee , Yu Melissa H. , Li Mo
Published: January 2022

Teacher education in the English as a foreign language context has witnessed a shift from only emphasising expert‐generated professional theories to combining such theories with teacher‐generated personal theories. However, little is known about whether such a combination is beneficial in preparing pre‐service English teachers to teach reading skills. Theoretically informed by the notion of local knowledge, post‐transmission and postmodernism, the present multiple‐case qualitative study aimed at investigating eight secondary school pre‐service English teachers’ learning experience (i.e., knowledge gained about expert‐generated professional theories) and teaching practice in a Teaching Reading and Writing education course (i.e., knowledge of the teacher‐generated personal theories). Data was collected and triangulated from multiple sources, including lesson plans, teaching videos and transcripts of these recordings, and the teacher educator's written feedback on both the lesson plans and the teaching. Results revealed that scanning and skimming were two primary reading skills that the pre‐service teachers perceived to be significant in teaching English reading. However, there was a mismatch between what they planned to teach and what they actually taught. This mismatch did not necessarily indicate incompetency at teaching but instead reflected their individualised personal theories. Implications for fostering pre‐service teachers’ autonomy as practitioners were discussed.

Context and implications

Rationale for this study

English as a foreign language teacher training literature has taken a deficient perspective of local English teacher education without consideration of local pre‐service teacher needs.

Why the new findings matter

Critically evaluating the suggestions provided by teacher education literature when assessing local teaching approaches can potentially lead to more relevant teacher education outcomes.

Implications for language teacher educators

When educating student teachers, teacher educators may be accustomed to taking a deficient perspective by designing course content and instructing student teachers in knowledge they believe to be important without considering student teachers’ existing local knowledge or needs. The global influence of mainstream language learning ideologies prevalent in language teaching materials and teacher training materials should be critically evaluated. It is important for teacher educators to consider local teacher needs and get a good understanding of the local context prior to providing teacher education. Otherwise, the teacher educators run the risk of suggesting change that is unrealistic and impracticable.
Establishing a centre for evidence‐informed practice within a school: Lessons from the Research and Evidence Centre
Authors: Konstantinou Iro
Published: January 2022

Despite the numerous attempts to engage teachers on a practical level with evidence‐informed pedagogies, there is little empirical research that maps the journey, from the inception to the implementation and practical applications, of a research centre within a school with the aim of embedding evidence‐informed practice within the school. This paper will seek to address this empirical gap by providing the case study of one school that set up such a centre. Data for this paper was collected through 10 interviews and 42 questionnaires with staff at the school as well as by outlining the case study of how the centre came to be. Our preliminary findings suggest that for a centre for evidence‐informed practice to be successful there needs to be a clear direction from senior management and give time for engagement, teachers can be sceptical of research which can be too opaque and jargonistic and the job of the researchers should concentrate on making everything accessible but not simplistic. We also found that a centre for evidence‐informed practice can be best utilised for creating partnerships and collaborations with other schools, it can enhance the digital education capacity of teaching staff and should provide a diversity of resources to cater to the various interests and needs of the teaching body. Despite the uniqueness of the case study, we argue that findings can aid schools that are thinking of embarking on a similar process and provide ideas of how this can be done successfully.

Context and implications

Rationale for this study

The study wanted to investigate the potential benefits and barriers by having an in situ research

centre for evidence informed practice in a secondary school. The findings would add to the empirical basis

for schools wanting to establish similar centres.

Why the new findings matter

The findings show the potential of having such a centre with regards to professional development and reflective practice as well as enhancing the opportunities for collaborations and partnerships with other schools with similar priorities.It also discusses potential barriers with some considerations for how these can be overcome.

Implications for language teacher educators

School leaders should consider how they can harness the potential of evidence informed practice by establishing similar initiatives which can act as hubs within schools. Practitioners can see how they might fit within such an initiative, by taking an active role or by benefiting from the outputs produced by the centre. Policy makers can consider how they can facilitate such initiatives and, most importantly,identify potential resources that can be allocated to schools wishing to have dedicated staff and/or space.
Atomistic Insight into Thermal Decomposition of 1,3,5‐Triamino‐2,4,6‐trinitrobenzene Nanoparticles According to the ReaxFF Molecular Dynamics Method
Authors: Xiang Dong , Xie Xiuyin , Yao Pengfei
Published: January 2022

As a widely used wood explosive, 1,3,5‐triamino‐2,4,6‐trinitrobenzene (TATB) and its nanoparticles are insensitive due to the graphene‐like structure. In this paper, the decomposition processes of TATB and its nanospheres with different radius (30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 Å) at 2000 K and 3000 K are calculated by the reactive molecular dynamic simulations. The initial reactions and the evolution of clusters (whose molecular weight is larger than TATB) are analyzed. The results show that there are four major distinctive channels for the initial decomposition of 30 Å nano‐TATB system: (1) the formation of HO fragment; (2) the C‐NO2 bond breaking to form NO2; (3) conversion of nitro to nitroso; (4) hydrogen transfer. For the main production gases, the amount of CO2, N2 and H2O will increase with the increase of temperature and the amount of H2O at 3000 K is obviously more than that at 2000 K accordingly to conventional TATB. This demonstrates that high temperature is beneficial to the pyrolysis of conventional TATB. In contrast to the results of TATB, the total amount of gas molecules of nanoparticles decreases, indicating that high temperature is not conducive to the pyrolysis reaction of nano‐TATB. The results shed light on the complicated interplay between morphological evolution and external conditions. It provides insights into the thermal decomposition mechanism of TATB and its nanoparticles at the atomic level.
Experimental and Theoretical Study to Understand the Adsorption Process of p‐Anisidine and 4‐Nitroaniline for the Dissolution of C38 Carbon Steel in 1M HCl
Authors: Damej Mohamed , Molhi Abdu , Tassaoui Kawtar , El Ibrahimi Brahim , Akounach Zahra , Addi Abdelaziz Ait , El hajjaji Souad , Benmessaoud Mohammed
Published: January 2022

In this work, we investigated the addition effect of two organic compounds namely; p‐anisidine (P1) and 4‐nitroaniline (P2) against corrosion of C38 steel in an acidic medium HCl 1 M. We opted for these inhibitors belonging to the aniline family which is characterized by their solubility, their low cost, and their use as corrosion inhibitors in acidic environments. The concentration effect of the two products P1 and P2 either by stationary or by transiency measurements appears a significant decrease in the corrosion rate, and that the inhibition efficiency IE% reaches a value of 88.55 % and 84 % for a concentration of 1 mM respectively of P1 and P2. The thermodynamic parameters taken from the electrochemical impedance curves indicate that the tested inhibitors are adsorbed on the metal surface by a mixed mechanism (physical‐chemisorption), because the free adsorption energy
of P1 and P2 is respectively equal to −38.02 Kj.mol−1 and −37.56 Kj.mol−1, and they are subjected to the Langmuir isotherm. The temperature effect lets to determine the activation energy (Ea) from the Arrhenius equation; however, the values of Ea indicate the adsorption of organic compounds on the metal surface. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) suggested that the products tested could effectively block acid attack on metal surfaces. In parallel to experimental approach, theoretical one based on theoretical function density (DFT) calculation and Monte Carlo (MC) simulation is considered to investigate in depth the inhibition behavior of studied compounds.
Smartphone‐Assisted Quinoline‐Based Chromogenic Probe for the Selective Detection of Hg2+ in Protic Media
Authors: Kumar Saravana S. , Kumar Selva R. , Vetriarasu V. , Bhaskar R. , Somkuwar Pranati , Joseph Suman , Mohurle Shital , Ashok Kumar S. K.
Published: January 2022

High selectivity and sensitivity detection of Hg2+ in aqueous environment by the naked‐eye has always been a challenge. In this paper, a simple ligand based on 2‐(hydroxymethyl)quinolin‐8‐ol (L) was synthesized and its structure was confirmed by NMR, IR and mass analysis. The probe L showed distinct colorimetric upon interaction with Hg2+ in CH3OH‐H2O (8 : 2, v/v) media. The ligand L exhibit unique absorbance band at 243 nm due to ligand‐to‐ligand charge transfer (LLCT). Upon interaction with Hg2+, the L formed new UV‐Vis bands at 269 and 316 nm due to ligand‐to‐metal charge transitions (LMCT). The UV‐Vis spectral studies indicate the formation of a 1 : 1 host‐guest complex between the L and Hg2+ with an association constant of 8.6×104 M−1. The ligand L can work in the pH range of 3–8 without interfering with other competing ions. The detection limit of Hg2+ can reach a concentration of as low as 0.13 μM (2.6 ppb) with high selectivity, even in a solution containing diverse metal ions. Besides, the selective colour change of L with Hg2+ was integrated with smartphone to monitor the change in RGB tool and test paper kit. The binding mechanism of L with Hg2+ was studied by using 1H NMR, SEM and TDDFT analysis. Overall, ligand L demonstrates a promising and potential for the detection of toxic contaminate in aqueous environment.
Highly Improved Electrochemical Performance of a Fe‐based Cathode by Introducing A‐site Cationic Deficiencies
Authors: Zhao Xiaoyu , Zheng Meiyv
Published: January 2022

New Sr0.5Bi0.5FeO3‐δ (SBF) and Sr0.5Bi0.45FeO3‐δ(SB0.45F) oxides are systematically investigated as oxygen reduction cathodes for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells. The SBF and SB0.45F samples have been discovered that form single‐phase solid solutions while maintaining outstanding chemical stability with gadolinium‐doped ceria (Gd0.1Ce0.9O1.95, GDC) even sintering at 1000 °C in air. The average thermal expansion coefficients (TECs) for SBF and SB0.45F are very similar to the electrolyte of GDC. XPS and iodometric titration results reveal that A‐site deficient SB0.45F cathode possesses a high oxygen vacancy concentration, which can greatly enhance the electrochemical performance of porous cathode. A low polarization resistance (Rp) is shown for the SB0.45F cathode based on a symmetrical cell test, obtained by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Additionally, the deconvolution results of the EIS test display that the ORR rate of the SB0.45F cathode should be jointly limited by the charge transfer processes and oxygen adsorption processes. The peak power output of a single solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) equipped with the SB0.45F cathode reaches 0.77 W cm−2 at 700 °C, about 1.75 times of SBF. These findings suggest that the Bi‐deficient SB0.45F perovskite oxide is an outstanding catalyst for IT‐SOFC.
Commensurate Assembly of C60 on Black Phosphorus for Mixed‐Dimensional van der Waals Transistors
Authors: Yun Tae Keun , Lee Yangjin , Kim Min Je , Park Jeongwoo , Kang Donghee , Kim Seongchan , Choi Young Jin , Yi Yeonjin , Shong Bonggeun , Cho Jeong Ho , Kim Kwanpyo
Published: January 2022

2D crystals can serve as templates for the realization of new van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures via controlled assembly of low‐dimensional functional components. Among available 2D crystals, black phosphorus (BP) is unique due to its puckered atomic surface topography, which may lead to strong epitaxial phenomena through guided vdW assembly. Here, it is demonstrated that a BP template can induce highly oriented assembly of C60 molecular crystals. Transmission electron microscopy and theoretical analysis of the C60/BP vdW heterostructure clearly confirm that the BP template results in oriented C60 assembly with higher‐order commensurism. Lateral and vertical devices with C60/BP junctions are fabricated via a lithography‐free clean process, which allows one to investigate the ideal electrical properties of pristine C60/BP junctions. Effective tuning of the C60/BP junction barrier from 0.2 to 0.5 eV and maximum on‐current density higher than 104 mA cm−2 are achieved with graphite/C60/BP vertical vdW transistors. Due to the formation of high‐quality C60 film and the semitransparent graphite top‐electrode, the vertical transistors show high photoresponsivities up to ≈100 A W−1 as well as a fast response time under visible light illumination.
Adina Rubella‐Like Microsized SiO@N‐Doped Carbon Grafted with N‐Doped Carbon Nanotubes as Anodes for High‐Performance Lithium Storage
Authors: Xu Weilan , Tang Cheng , Huang Na , Du Aijun , Wu Minghong , Zhang Jiujun , Zhang Haijiao
Published: January 2022

Microsized silicon oxide (SiO) has become a highly potential anode material for practical lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) in virtue of its low cost and high capacity. However, its commercialization is still impeded by the low inherent conductivity and nonignorable volume expansion of SiO in the lithiation/delithiation processes. Herein, an in situ catalytic growth approach is developed for grafting N‐doped bamboo‐like carbon nanotubes (NCNTs) onto the polydopamine‐coated SiO microparticles, yielding a unique adina rubella‐like SiO@NC‐NCNT composite. The cross‐sectional scanning electron microscopy images reveal that the flexible middle‐carbon layer plays a crucial role in alleviating volume expansions and improving structural stability of SiO@NC‐NCNTs. Theoretical density functional theory simulation results further prove that the rational construction of ternary heterostructure can effectively balance lithium adsorption energies and greatly improve conductivity of SiO@NC‐NCNTs. As a result, the as‐fabricated SiO@NC‐NCNTs LIB anode shows a high reversible specific capacity of 1103.7 mA h g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 after 200 cycles with a high retention of 99.6% and an outstanding rate capability of 569 mA h g−1 at 5000 mA g−1. The strategy developed herein demonstrates a feasible avenue for developing high‐energy SiO‐based anodes for LIBs.
Morphological and phylogenetic evidence for subtribe Cinninae and two new subtribes, Hookerochloinae and Dupontiinae (Poaceae tribe PoeaePPAMclade)
Authors: Gillespie Lynn J. , Soreng Robert J. , Bull Roger D. , de Lange Peter J. , Smissen Rob D.
Published: January 2022

Molecular phylogenetic analyses and morphological characters of the grass supersubtribe Poodinae (tribe Poeae, PPAM clade) were evaluated with the goal of determining the relationships of single‐flowered spikelet genera recently classified in subtribe Cinninae and the sister genus of the New Zealand endemic genusSimplicia. A total of 136 samples representing 40 genera and 105 species were analyzed for three plastid (matK,trnC‐rpoB,trnT‐trnL‐trnF) and two nuclear ribosomal DNA markers (ITS, ETS). The Cinninae subtribe, includingAniselytron,Cinna,Cinnastrum,Cyathopus, andSimplicia, was recovered as monophyletic with weak support only in the combined analysis with known/putative hybrid taxa removed.Cinna(excludingCinnastrum) resolved as paraphyletic due to the position of the morphologically distinctiveCyathopus. Cinninae are characterized by flat leaf blades, open panicles, small, strongly compressed, single‐flowered spikelets, with a rachilla extension, and lemmas that are awnless or with a short subterminal awn. The genusCinnastrumis resurrected forCinna poiformisand differs fromCinnain its broader glumes and subterete caryopsis with solid endosperm. Simpliciais likely most closely related to the southern and eastern Asian genusAniselytron, with which it shares unequal and short lower glumes and spikelet disarticulation above the glumes, in contrast to the other three genera of the subtribe. The HSAQN clade, which has mainly multi‐flowered spikelets and is sister to Cinninae, is named subtribe Hookerochloinae, includingArctagrostis,Hookerochloa,Nicoraepoa,Saxipoa, andSylvipoa. The DAD clade, which is known to be of reticulate origin postulated here as involving Cinninae, is named subtribe Dupontiinae, and includesArctohyalopoa,Arctophila,Dupontia, andDupontiopsis. These three subtribes, together with subtribes Alopecurinae, Beckmanniinae, and Ventenatinae (along with Brizochloinae not tested here), make up the well‐supported Alopecurinae superclade within supersubtribe Poodinae.
Ultrasound features of highly vascularized uterine myomas (uterine smooth muscle tumors) and correlation with histopathology
Authors: Russo C. , Camilli S. , Martire F. G. , Di Giovanni A. , Lazzeri L. , Malzoni M. , Zupi E. , Exacoustos C.
Published: January 2022

Objective

To correlate the ultrasound appearance of highly vascularized uterine myomas with their histopathological diagnosis.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study of patients with a preoperative ultrasound diagnosis of a highly vascularized uterine myoma (color score of 3 or 4, according to the Morphological Uterus Sonographic Assessment (MUSA) criteria), characterized by circumferential and intralesional vascular pattern, who underwent myomectomy or hysterectomy. For each patient, ultrasound characteristics were recorded at baseline, including the number of lesions, the size, echogenicity and border regularity of the lesion, presence of cystic areas and shadowing within the myoma, and visualization of the endometrium. Ultrasound features were correlated with the definitive histological diagnosis. Ultrasound features were then compared between malignant and benign lesions.

Results

We included 70 patients with highly vascularized uterine myomas on power/color Doppler. Their mean age was 46.5 ± 11.4 years and 13 (18.6%) were postmenopausal. At histological examination, 65 (92.9%) uterine myomas were benign lesions, comprising 32 typical leiomyomas, 29 leiomyoma variants and four adenomyomas. The remaining five (7.1%) uterine myomas were malignant masses, comprising two uterine sarcomas, one leiomyosarcoma, one neuroendocrine tumor and one uterine smooth muscle tumor of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP). The mean age of patients with a malignant lesion was significantly higher than the age of those with a benign lesion (64.8 ± 16.0 vs 42.4 ± 5.1; P < 0.001). Four out of five patients with a malignant lesion were over 45 years old. Ultrasound demonstrated cystic areas within the lesion in 10/32 (31.3%) typical leiomyomas, 16/29 (55.2%) leiomyoma variants, all four adenomyomas and in the cases of STUMP and leiomyosarcoma. Lesion borders were regular in 64/65 (98.5%) benign lesions and 2/5 (40%) malignant lesions (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between benign and malignant lesions with respect to echogenicity, presence of shadowing and size. The endometrium was visible in 55/65 women with benign lesions and in 2/5 with malignant lesions (P = 0.03).

Conclusions

Our results showed that ultrasound features of uterine myomas, such as circumferential and intralesional vascularity, cystic areas and lesion borders, are important parameters for differential diagnosis, especially when combined with the patient's age. Such features could be useful to differentiate typical myomas from benign variants and malignant lesions in a preoperative setting and to select patients that may benefit from conservative management rather than surgery. © 2022 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Impact of maternal height, weight at presentation and gestational weight gain on cardiac adaptation in pregnancy
Authors: Ling H. Z. , Jara P. Garcia , Nicolaides K. H. , Kametas N. A.
Published: January 2022

Objective

To compare longitudinal maternal hemodynamic changes throughout gestation between different groups stratified according to weight at presentation and assess the relative influence of height, weight at presentation and gestational weight gain on cardiac adaptation.

Methods

This was a prospective, longitudinal study assessing maternal hemodynamics using bioreactance technology at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6, 19 + 0 to 24 + 0, 30 + 0 to 34 + 0 and 35 + 0 to 37 + 0 weeks' gestation. Women were divided into three groups according to maternal weight at presentation at the first visit at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks: Group 1, < 60.0 kg (n = 421); Group 2, 60.0–79.7 kg (n = 904); Group 3, > 79.7 kg (n = 427). A multilevel linear mixed‐effects model was used to compare the repeated measures of hemodynamic variables, correcting for demographics, medical and obstetric history, pregnancy complications, maternal weight and time of evaluation. The linear mixed‐effects model was then repeated using maternal height, weight at presentation and gestational weight gain Z‐scores, and the standardized coefficients were used to evaluate the relative impact of each of these demographic parameters on longitudinal changes of maternal hemodynamics.

Results

Compared with Group 1, women in Group 3 demonstrated higher cardiac output (CO), heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) throughout pregnancy. Groups 2 and 3 had higher stroke volume (SV) than Group 1 at the first visit, but their SV plateaued between the first and second visits and demonstrated an earlier significant decrease from the second visit to the third visit when compared with Group 1. Compared with Groups 1 and 2, there was a higher prevalence of pre‐eclampsia, gestational hypertension and gestational diabetes in Group 3. Maternal height was the most important contributor to CO, peripheral vascular resistance (PVR), SV and HR, while weight at presentation was the most important contributor to MAP. Gestational weight gain was the second most important characteristic influencing the longitudinal changes of PVR and SV.

Conclusions

Women with greater weight at presentation have a pathological hemodynamic profile, with higher CO, HR and MAP compared to women with lower weight at presentation. Height is the main determinant of CO, SV, HR and PVR, weight is the main determinant of MAP, and gestational weight gain is the second most important determinant of SV and PVR. © 2022 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Baseline and time‐updated factors in preclinical development of anionic dendrimers as successful anti‐HIV‐1 vaginal microbicides
Authors: Rodríguez‐Izquierdo Ignacio , Sepúlveda‐Crespo Daniel , Lasso Jose María , Resino Salvador , Muñoz‐Fernández Ma Ángeles
Published: January 2022

Although a wide variety of topical microbicides provide promising in vitro and in vivo efficacy, most of them failed to prevent sexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) in human clinical trials. In vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models must be optimized, considering the knowledge acquired from unsuccessful and successful clinical trials to improve the current gaps and the preclinical development protocols. To date, dendrimers are the only nanotool that has advanced to human clinical trials as topical microbicides to prevent HIV‐1 transmission. This fact demonstrates the importance and the potential of these molecules as microbicides. Polyanionic dendrimers are highly branched nanocompounds with potent activity against HIV‐1 that disturb HIV‐1 entry. Herein, the most significant advancements in topical microbicide development, trying to mimic the real‐life conditions as closely as possible, are discussed. This review also provides the preclinical assays that anionic dendrimers have passed as microbicides because they can improve current antiviral treatments' efficacy.

This article is categorized under:

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Infectious Disease

Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Regulatory and Policy Issues in Nanomedicine
Transformational Change for People and the Planet: Evaluating Environment and Development – Introduction
Authors: Uitto Juha I.
Published: January 2022

The world is facing multiple crises as manifested in runaway climate change, a global pandemic, loss of ecosystems and biological species, and rapidly growing inequality. These are all closely interlinked as recognized in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Addressing them will require broad transformational change that encompasses the economy, institutions, and how we interact with the natural environment. This chapter introduces the book that is intended to highlight how evaluation can contribute to such transformations. The chapter first reviews the state of development evaluation. It then briefly introduces the state of the global environment before discussing the implications of this context for evaluation, and how evaluation as a profession and practice must change in order to respond to the challenges of sustainability. The chapter ends by explaining the flow of the book in its four parts that focus on: transformational change, drivers of sustainability, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and evaluation approaches.
Evaluating Transformational Adaptation in Smallholder Farming: Insights from an Evidence Review
Authors: Silici Laura , Knox Jerry , Rowe Andy , Nanthikesan Suppiramaniam
Published: January 2022

The literature on smallholder farming and climate change adaptation (CCA) has predominantly investigated the barriers to and determinants of farmer uptake of adaptation interventions. Although useful, this evidence fails to highlight the changes or persistence of adaptation responses over time. Studies usually adopt a narrow focus on incremental actions that provide limited insights into transformative adaptation pathways and how fundamental shifts in policy can address the root causes of vulnerability across different sectors and dimensions. Drawing on an evidence synthesis commissioned by the International Fund for Agricultural Development’s Independent Office of Evaluation, this chapter outlines how lessons from CCA interventions can be transferred via three learning domains that are essential for transformational change: scaling-up (in its multiple forms), knowledge management, and the human-environment nexus. We discuss the implications of our findings on monitoring, evaluation, and learning, highlighting the challenges that evaluators may face in capturing (a) the persistence or durability of transformational pathways, (b) the complexity of “super-wicked” problems, and (c) the relevance of context-dependent dynamics, within a landscape setting. We also address the contribution of evidence reviews to contemporary debates around development policy linked to climate change and agriculture, and the implications and value of such reviews to provide independent scientific rigor and robustness to conventional programmatic evaluations.
Pathway to the Transformative Policy of Agenda 2030: Evaluation of Finland’s Sustainable Development Policy
Authors: Räkköläinen Mari , Saxén Anu
Published: January 2022

Finland has been the first country in the world to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the national implementation the Agenda 2030. The purpose of the evaluation was to support efficient implementation of the agenda by producing information on the nation’s sustainability work for all administrative branches. The evaluation results are used for coherence in the policies and long-term sustainable development activities. The evaluation produced concrete recommendations on future directions for sustainable development policy. It also proposed future evaluation approaches.

In this chapter, the authors present the evaluation approach and discuss the key results and their usage. They identify the essential elements of the utility of the evaluation in contributing to national progress of sustainable development policy. The Agenda 2030 evaluation approach was developmentally oriented and conducted in a very participatory manner. The authors reflect on the evaluative lessons learned and future options. They encourage emphasis on learning throughout the evaluation process even more in policy-level evaluations, and special attention to usefulness of the evaluation results already in evaluation design. Designing inclusive evaluation processes is a crucial precondition for evidence-informed learning and decision making in promoting transformative policy in the country context.
Evaluating for Resilient and Sustainable Livelihoods: Applying a Normative Framework to Emerging Realities
Authors: Kotturi Prashanth
Published: January 2022

Evaluation has to reflect the evolving priorities of development and measure progress on their achievement. At the same time, evaluation must also incorporate newer demands from within the field such as increasing equity focus in evaluations, gender mainstreaming, and human rights. Environment and climate change became mainstreamed into the programming of development organizations following the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 and formation of financing mechanisms such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in 1991. This chapter reflects on how the Independent Office of Evaluation (IOE) of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) addressed the growing demands on the evaluation function in terms of incorporating concerns on environment and climate within existing methodological frameworks, and also adapting its methodology to meet internal and external evaluation demands. The chapter considers how evolving methodologies, methods, and tools have helped IFAD overcome these issues.
Measuring the Impact of Monitoring: How We Know Transparent Near-Real-Time Data Can Help Save the Forests
Authors: Shea Katherine
Published: January 2022

Global Forest Watch (GFW) is an online platform that distills satellite imagery into near-real-time forest change information that anyone can access and act on. Like other open-data platforms, GFW is based on the idea that transparent, publicly available data can support the greater good—in this case, reducing deforestation. By its very nature, the use of freely available data can be difficult to track and its impact difficult to measure. This chapter explores four approaches for measuring the reach and impact of GFW, including quantitative and qualitative approaches for monitoring outcomes and measuring impact. The recommendations can be applied to other transparency initiatives, especially those providing remote-sensing data.
Assessing Sustainability in Development Interventions
Authors: Fitzpatrick Ellen
Published: January 2022

Sustainability is often claimed as an impact in development interventions although there is rarely a shared understanding of what it means, how to design for it, and especially how to assess the likelihood that intended streams of benefits will continue. This chapter asserts that to design and later to evaluate an intervention with sustainable impacts, the intervention must deepen indigenous capabilities to manage the program, to solve problems, and to innovate. The design and implementation also must operate within environmental boundaries, not extracting resources beyond the ability to regenerate or degrading environmental services—that is, design and implementation must incorporate the primacy of the environment. A postprogram evaluation 3–10 years after a program has ended provides evidence on whether the program is likely to have sustainable impacts. A case study of an asset transfer program in Malawi highlights the criteria for evaluating sustainability: deepened capabilities and social capital, reinvestment in program activities, and the development of backward and forward linkages catalyzing growing economic opportunities.
Can We Assume Sustained Impact? Verifying the Sustainability of Climate Change Mitigation Results
Authors: Cekan Jindra , Legro Susan
Published: January 2022

The purpose of this research was to explore how public donors and lenders evaluate the sustainability of environmental and other sectoral development interventions. Specifically, the aim is to examine if, how, and how well post project sustainability is evaluated in donor-funded climate change mitigation (CCM) projects, including the evaluability of these projects. We assessed the robustness of current evaluation practice of results after project exit, particularly the sustainability of outcomes and long-term impact. We explored methods that could reduce uncertainty of achieving results by using data from two pools of CCM projects funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
Diskursive Veränderungen in Psycho zwischen Horrorsensation und Autorenkino
Authors: Kirsten Karina
Published: January 2022

Alfred Hitchcocks Film Psycho gilt als einer der meistanalysiertesten Filme der Filmgeschichte. Von einem zu Entstehungszeiten als umstritten aufgenommenen Film hat sich Psycho über die Jahre zu einem Klassiker der Filmkunst und des Genrekinos entwickelt, wo er unter zahlreichen Bestenlisten reiht: 2007 landete Psycho in der vom American Film Institute organisierten Umfrage auf Platz 14 der 100 besten Filme der Filmgeschichte (AFI, „10th Anniversary“), bei der vom britischen Magazin Sight & Sound 2012 initiierten Wahl dagegen ‚nur‘ auf Platz 35, aber wie die Redaktion betont: „Hitchcock’s low budget ‚shocker‘ paved the way for the modern horror film.“
Long-lived heavy neutral leptons at the LHC: four-fermion single-NR operators
Authors: Beltrán Rebeca , Cottin Giovanna , Helo Juan Carlos , Hirsch Martin , Titov Arsenii , Wang Zeren Simon
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Interest in searches for heavy neutral leptons (HNLs) at the LHC has increased considerably in the past few years. In the minimal scenario, HNLs are produced and decay via their mixing with active neutrinos in the Standard Model (SM) spectrum. However, many SM extensions with HNLs have been discussed in the literature, which sometimes change expectations for LHC sensitivities drastically. In the NRSMEFT, one extends the SM effective field theory with operators including SM singlet fermions, which allows to study HNL phenomenology in a “model independent” way. In this paper, we study the sensitivity of ATLAS to HNLs in the NRSMEFT for four-fermion operators with a single HNL. These operators might dominate both production and decay of HNLs, and we find that new physics scales in excess of 20 TeV could be probed at the high-luminosity LHC.
Yang-Mills observables: from KMOC to eikonal through EFT
Authors: de la Cruz Leonardo , Luna Andres , Scheopner Trevor
Published: January 2022

Abstract

We obtain a conservative Hamiltonian describing the interactions of two charged bodies in Yang-Mills through $$ \mathcal{O}\left({\alpha}^2\right) $$
O

α
2

and to all orders in velocity. Our calculation extends a recently-introduced framework based on scattering amplitudes and effective field theory (EFT) to consider color-charged objects. These results are checked against the direct integration of the observables in the Kosower-Maybee-O’Connell (KMOC) formalism. At the order we consider we find that the linear and color impulses in a scattering event can be concisely described in terms of the eikonal phase, thus extending the domain of applicability of a formula originally proposed in the context of spinning particles.
Stabilization of SETD3 by deubiquitinase USP27 enhances cell proliferation and hepatocellular carcinoma progression
Authors: Zou Tingting , Wang Yang , Dong Ling , Che Tiantian , Zhao Huakan , Yan Xiaohua , Lin Zhenghong
Published: January 2022

The histone methyltransferase SETD3 plays critical roles in various biological events, and its dysregulation is often associated with human diseases including cancer. However, the underlying regulatory mechanism remains elusive. Here, we reported that ubiquitin-specific peptidase 27 (USP27) promotes tumor cell growth by specifically interacting with SETD3, negatively regulating its ubiquitination, and enhancing its stability. Inhibition of USP27 expression led to the downregulation of SETD3 protein level, the blockade of the cell proliferation and tumorigenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. In addition, we found that USP27 and SETD3 expression is positively correlated in HCC tissues. Notably, higher expression of USP27 and SETD3 predicts a worse survival in HCC patients. Collectively, these data elucidated that a USP27-dependent mechanism controls SETD3 protein levels and facilitates its oncogenic role in liver tumorigenesis.