bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extrusion 3D‐printing and characterization of poly(caprolactone fumarate) for bone regeneration applications
Authors: Gaihre Bipin , Potes Maria D. Astudillo , Liu Xifeng , Tilton Maryam , Camilleri Emily , Rezaei Asghar , Serdiuk Vitalii , Park Sungjo , Lucien Fabrice , Terzic Andre , Lu Lichun
Published: November 2023

Polycaprolactone fumarate (PCLF) is a cross‐linkable PCL derivative extensively considered for tissue engineering applications. Although injection molding has been widely used to develop PCLF scaffolds, platforms developed using such technique lack precise control on architecture, design, and porosity required to ensure adequate cellular and tissue responses. In particular, the scaffolds should provide a suitable surface for cell attachment and proliferation, and facilitate cell–cell communication and nutrient flow. 3D printing technologies have led to new architype for biomaterial development with micro‐architecture mimicking native tissue. Here, we developed a method for 3D printing of PCLF structures using the extrusion printing technique. The crosslinking property of PCLF enabled the unique post‐processing of 3D printed scaffolds resulting in highly porous and flexible PCLF scaffolds with compressive properties imitating natural features of cancellous bone. Generated scaffolds supported excellent attachment and proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). The high porosity of PCLF scaffolds facilitated vascularized membrane formation demonstrable with the stringency of the ex ovo chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) implantation. Furthermore, upon implantation to rat calvarium defects, PCLF scaffolds enabled an exceptional new bone formation with a bone mineral density of newly formed bone mirroring native bone tissue. These studies suggest that the 3D‐printed highly porous PCLF scaffolds may serve as a suitable biomaterial platform to significantly expand the utility of the PCLF biomaterial for bone tissue engineering applications.
“We make something with the flower, but feel like I make with myself something”: The role of a community arts project supporting women who have experienced human trafficking
Authors: Birkett Joanna , Anson Martin , Cheshire Anna
Published: November 2023

Human trafficking can have multiple adverse effects on a victim's mental and physical health. The study explored how a small UK community arts project was experienced by individuals post‐trafficking and the impact it had on well‐being. Community‐based participatory research was employed to increase understanding the experiences of six female participants taking part in a community arts project. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Themes of Authentic Care, Building Confidence, and Creative Expression were developed. Findings suggest the community arts organization played a vital role in supporting women to build trust and social connections, as well as to feel valued. Artistic activities helped participants express individuality, had therapeutic benefits, and provided motivation, routine, and space from worries. The role of community arts organizations is important in supporting individuals in the context of limited post‐trafficking services.
Cognitive bias modification of interpretations for anxiety and depression in children and adolescents: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Sicouri Gemma , Daniel Emily K. , Spoelma Michael J. , Salemink Elske , McDermott Emma A. , Hudson Jennifer L.
Published: November 2023

Background

Evidence suggests that cognitive bias modification of interpretations (CBM‐I) is effective in modifying interpretation biases and has a small effect on reducing anxiety in children and adolescents. However, most evidence to date is based on studies which report anxiety or general distress using ad‐hoc Likert‐type or Visual Analogue Scales, which are useful but do not reliably index symptoms of clinical importance. This meta‐analysis aimed to establish the effects of CBM‐I for children and adolescents on both anxiety and depression using psychometrically validated symptom measures, as well as state negative affect and negative and positive interpretation bias.

Methods

We identified studies through a systematic search. To be eligible for inclusion, studies needed to target interpretation biases, not combine CBM‐I with another intervention, randomly allocate participants to CBM‐I or a control condition, assess a mental health outcome (i.e., anxiety or depression symptoms using validated measures or state measures of negative affect) and/or interpretation bias and have a mean age less than 18 years.

Results

We identified 36 studies for inclusion in the meta‐analysis. CBM‐I had a small and non‐significant unadjusted effect on anxiety symptoms (g = 0.16), no effect on depression symptoms (g = −0.03), and small and non‐significant unadjusted effects on state negative affect both at post‐training (g = 0.16) and following a stressor task (g = 0.23). In line with previous findings, CBM‐I had moderate to large unadjusted effects on negative and positive interpretations (g = 0.78 and g = 0.52). No significant moderators were identified.

Conclusions

CBM‐I is effective at modifying interpretation bias, however there were no effects on mental health outcomes. The substantial variability across studies and paucity of studies using validated symptom measures highlight the need to establish randomized controlled trial protocols that evaluate CBM‐I in clinical youth samples to determine its future as a clinical intervention.
Rural modernization and the remaking of the rural citizen in China: Village redevelopment, migration and precarity
Authors: Tebboth Mark G. L. , Locke Catherine
Published: November 2023

The Chinese government's ambitious plans to modernize the countryside have significant impacts for rural populations. Upgrading or relocating villages is one component of this vision with profound implications for rural citizens. We use multiple social science research methods to investigate ongoing rural transformation in two villages designated for Village Redesign in Anhui Province, China. We show that the Village Redesign process is negatively impacting on the migration–development nexus and the resultant limbo deepens the precarity of high‐mobility, translocal households who already experience secondary forms of citizenship and limited social protections. This study raises further questions about the ongoing transformation of rural China and questions the modernizing rural agenda of the Chinese state.
A new energy‐conservative projection method for heterogeneous meshes of electromagnetic‐thermal‐stress simulations
Authors: Wang Wei‐Jie , Liu Yan‐Nan , Zhan Qiwei , Zhou Hai‐Jing
Published: November 2023

Multiphysics coupling simulations are of great importance and challenge in engineering and industrial applications. A new efficient full‐wave energy‐conservative projection method between two heterogeneous meshes is proposed in this article, for the analysis of electromagnetic‐thermal‐stress coupling in the printed circuit boards (PCBs) and antenna arrays. The projected variables are directly chosen as the electric fields instead of conventional thermal sources, and a scalable domain decomposition method is used to solve the projection problems. In addition, a bounding‐box algorithm and the spatial K‐dimensional Tree searching algorithm are developed for physical quantity projection between the two heterogeneous meshes. A series of numerical analysis of the electromagnetic‐thermal‐stress coupling process are conducted. In particular, a realistic PCB example is presented, where 144 CPU cores are used and two heterogeneous meshes of over 20 million grids are constructed. A realistic antenna array with 10 000 units is also presented, where 1200 CPU cores are used and two heterogeneous meshes of over 100 million grids are constructed.
A highly sensitive MOSFET gas sensor based on charge plasma and catalytic metal gate
Authors: Dewangan Nisha , Rajan Chithraja , Panchore Meena , Raikwal Pushpa
Published: November 2023

This manuscript presents, for the first time, a catalytic metal gate‐based charge plasma (CP) MOSFET with improved sensitivity for gas detection applications. In this design, CP refers to the source and drain boundaries being marked by depositing metal electrodes with appropriate work function over the intrinsic silicon film. To sense hydrogen and oxygen gases, palladium (Pd) and silver (Ag) metals are respectively deposited as gate electrodes on P‐CP‐MOSFET and N‐CP‐MOSFET. Further, sensitivity of CP‐MOSFET sensor is determined as if gas molecules are present and the results have been evaluated in comparison with the sensitivity of conventional gas sensor using bulk MOSFET in ATLAS TCAD device simulator. The effect of process variations on sensitivity has also been compared for both devices. The proposed device resolves fabrication complexity issues and offers better sensitivity.
Food reward associations with motivational eating behavior traits and body mass index in Portuguese former elite athletes
Authors: Carraça Eliana V , Nunes Catarina L , Santos Inês , Finlayson Graham , Silva Analiza M
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

Motivational eating behavior traits (i.e. eating motivations and intuitive eating) have an important role in body weight regulation, as do food reward processes. Their associations might help explain different responses to food stimulus in the current environment but have never been explored. This study's primary goal was to investigate food reward associations with eating motivations, intuitive eating dimensions and body mass index in former Portuguese elite athletes with overweight/obesity. As a first step, a cultural adaptation of the Leeds Food Preference Questionnaire (LFPQ) was created and validated in an online‐surveyed Portuguese sample.

RESULTS

Step 1: Analysis from an online survey (N = 348; 69.8% female) conducted to validate the food images from the cultural adaptation of the LFPQ showed that most food images were properly recognized in terms of their fat and sweet content by the Portuguese population, except for some savory items. Step 2: Regarding our primary analysis in 94 former elite athletes with overweight/obesity, self‐determined motivations to regulate eating and (to a lower extent) more body–food congruent choices (both markers for healthier eating behaviors) were associated with more favorable food reward outcomes, as opposed to non‐self‐determined motivations. Less emotional (more intuitive) eaters presented higher implicit wanting for low‐fat sweet foods compared to more emotional eaters.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest LFPQ usefulness to evaluate food preferences and detect relevant associations between food reward and motivational eating behavior traits in former elite athletes with overweight/obesity. Health professionals are encouraged to create need‐supportive environments that foster self‐determined motivations and help individuals make healthier food choices. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Balancing acts: The relationship between corporate environmental irresponsibility, charitable donations, and financial performance
Authors: Zeng Huixiang , Li Xiaoyu , He Yu , Meng Shuangwu
Published: November 2023

This study examines the practices of listed firms in heavily polluting industries in China and their approaches to corporate social responsibility. Specifically, it explores the relationship between corporate environmental irresponsibility (CEIR), charitable donations (CD), and financial performance. A sample of Chinese A‐share listed firms in heavily polluting industries from 2012 to 2019 is used to empirically test this relationship. The results show that CEIR has a penalty effect on financial performance; firms with higher levels of environmental irresponsibility experience poorer financial performance. However, CD can mitigate this negative impact. This paper sheds light on the underlying motivations of firms neglecting their environmental responsibilities while being diligent in charitable activity. It provides theoretical foundation and policy recommendations for addressing imbalances in corporate social responsibility based on whether firms can offset environmental shortcomings through charitable acts.
From sceptic to believer: Acceptability of cognitive muscular therapyTM, a new intervention for knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Ghio Daniela , Brookes Nathan , Preece Stephen , Walsh Nicola
Published: November 2023

Background

Cognitive Muscular TherapyTM (CMT) is an integrated behavioural intervention developed for knee osteoarthritis. CMT teaches patients to reconceptualise the condition, integrates muscle biofeedback and aims to reduce muscle overactivity, both in response to pain and during daily activities. This nested qualitative study explored patient and physiotherapist perspectives and experiences of CMT.

Methods

Five physiotherapists were trained to follow a well‐defined protocol and then delivered CMT to at least two patients with knee osteoarthritis. Each patient received seven individual clinical sessions and was provided with access to online learning materials incorporating animated videos. Semi‐structured interviews took place after delivery/completion of the intervention and data were analysed at the patient and physiotherapist level.

Results

Five physiotherapists and five patients were interviewed. All described a process of changing beliefs throughout their engagement with CMT. A framework with three phases was developed to organise the data according to how osteoarthritis was conceptualised and how this changed throughout their interactions with CMT. Firstly, was an identification of pain beliefs to be challenged and recognition of how current beliefs can misalign with daily experiences. Secondly was a process of challenging and changing beliefs, validated through new experiences. Finally, there was an embedding of changed beliefs into self‐management to continue with activities.

Conclusion

This study identified a range of psychological changes which occur during exposure to CMT. These changes enabled patients to reconceptualise their condition, develop a new understanding of their body, understand psychological processes, and make sense of their knee pain.
Orthotropic plate model for the vibration of multilayered molybdenum disulfide
Authors: Li Mingqian , Wang Lifeng
Published: November 2023

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and orthotropic continuum model that considers interlayer shear are used to investigate the transverse deformation and free transverse vibration of multilayered rectangular molybdenum disulfide (MoS2). The interlayer shear effect is considered in the continuum model by considering the multilayered MoS2 as a continuous uniform orthotropic material. A method for obtaining mode shapes using a single thermal vibration MD simulation is proposed. The frequencies and mode shapes predicted using the orthotropic continuum model and MD simulation agree well. The mechanical problem of multilayered two‐dimensional material plate resonator can be solved easily and efficiently by using the finite element method for the orthotropic continuum model.
Survey: Are politics hurting recruitment and retention in red states?
Authors: D’Orio Wayne
Published: November 2023

As more state politicians take aim at tenure and diversity issues regarding higher education, the big question for college leaders is what impact these laws or restrictions will have on retaining staff and recruiting professors.
The Wet: Shifting Seasons, Climate Change and Natural Cycles in Cape York Peninsula, Queensland
Authors: Reardon‐Smith Mardi
Published: November 2023

Land managers in Cape York Peninsula, far northeast Australia, hold different ideas around the causes of climate variability. Understandings of changes in climate are underpinned by particular environmental knowledges, values, and practices. These understandings are articulated in the context of the wet season, when land managers must adapt to the changing duration and intensity of the rainfall each year. The wet and dry seasons function as cyclical agents that precipitate different modes of living and working among different groups of people in Cape York. Where settler‐descended cattle graziers tend to frame climate variability as ‘natural cycles’, Aboriginal rangers link climate variability to anthropogenic climate change. The tendency among Aboriginal rangers to link these changes to anthropogenic climate change is a result of the interpenetration of a Western scientific land management model with an Aboriginal land management model in the formal co‐management of protected areas. From this context, a ‘spatial vernacular’ of interculturally produced climate‐related knowledge emerges. The explanatory models different land managers draw on to understand climate variation in relation to seasonal water, changes to the wet season, and the increased frequency of extreme weather events are linked to their livelihoods, lifeways, and the forms of environmental knowledge they value.
Effect of symmetric and asymmetric aluminum arrangements on the low‐velocity impact performance of glass fiber‐reinforced aluminum laminate (GLARE)
Authors: Zhang Jipeng , Wang Huadong , Wang Yue , Dai Xiangjun , Wang Peng , Fang Guodong
Published: November 2023

Glass fiber‐reinforced aluminum laminate (GLARE) possesses superior impact performance than both metal and fiber‐reinforced composite. It was found previously that the low‐velocity impact (LVI) performance of GLARE is governed by aluminum at different locations. This implies that reasonably rearranging aluminum in GLARE may bring in some improvements if the functions of different aluminum are all fully played. In this view, the effect of aluminum arrangement on the LVI performance of GLARE was investigated by separately comparing eight symmetric and eight asymmetric GLARE. Finite element analysis was adopted due to its advantage in quantitatively capturing the detailed damage parameters, and it was verified by LVI tests under different impact energy. The LVI performance was elucidated from both impact resistance and energy absorption aspects, where the former included the force and damage responses, and the latter involved the energy absorbed ratio and absorption efficiency. Based on the mechanical and damage parameters, impact resistance and energy absorption factors were proposed for comprehensive characterization. It revealed that arranging aluminum symmetrically in GLARE by placing thinner aluminum in the middle is an effective way to improve its LVI performance.

Highlights

Aluminum arrangement influenced evidently on the low‐velocity impact (LVI) damage degrees of glass fiber‐reinforced aluminum laminate (GLARE).

Impact resistance and energy absorption factors were quantitively defined.

Symmetric GLARE with thinner middle aluminum had superior LVI performance.

Optimal aluminum arrangement could be simply estimated by energy dissipation.
Understanding the pore structure evolution of polyethylene separator with dissipative particle dynamics simulation
Authors: Wang Hao , Wu Zonglin , Lu Yue , Zhang Hang , Cheng Guang , Liu Gaojun , Bai Yaozong
Published: November 2023

The commercialized lithium‐ion battery separators are mass‐produced by mixing ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and paraffin oil (PO). The dissipative particle dynamics method is utilized to investigate the extrinsic factors (shear rate and cooling rate) and the intrinsic factors (the molecular chain length) on the microstructure of the UHMWPE‐PO mixture. For the mixture with UHMWPE possessing the same chain length, the high shear rate promoted a lower porosity (~28%) and smaller pores. In contrast, the slow shearing led to a high porosity (~40%) and larger pores. For the mixture with UHMWPE possessing short and long chains, the shear rate hardly affects the porosity and the pore size: the porosity was kept at ~30%, and the pore size was reduced by ~35% compared to the model with the same‐chain‐length UHMWPE. The cooling rate after shearing is the dominant factor in determining the porosity and pore size: the fast cooling raised the porosity by ~33% but hardly increased the pore size, while the slow cooling raised the porosity by ~74%, and the pore size by ~105%. The current study provided a deep understanding of the pore structure evolution in separator processing.

Highlights

The effects of processing parameters on the pore structures are numerically illustrated.

MD simulation and rheometer measurement assist DPD interaction parameters calibration for UHMWPE and PO.

The low shear rate leads to a higher porosity and pore size.

At the high shear rate, short UHMWPE chains reduce porosity but do not increase pore size.

The fast‐cooling process slightly increases the porosity while keeping the pore size.
Realizing the promise of Project Optimus: Challenges and emerging opportunities for dose optimization in oncology drug development
Authors: Gao Wei , Liu Jiang , Shtylla Blerta , Venkatakrishnan Karthik , Yin Donghua , Shah Mirat , Nicholas Timothy , Cao Yanguang
Published: November 2023

Project Optimus is a US Food and Drug Administration Oncology Center of Excellence initiative aimed at reforming the dose selection and optimization paradigm in oncology drug development. This project seeks to bring together pharmaceutical companies, international regulatory agencies, academic institutions, patient advocates, and other stakeholders. Although there is much promise in this initiative, there are several challenges that need to be addressed, including multidimensionality of the dose optimization problem in oncology, the heterogeneity of cancer and patients, importance of evaluating long‐term tolerability beyond dose‐limiting toxicities, and the lack of reliable biomarkers for long‐term efficacy. Through the lens of Totality of Evidence and with the mindset of model‐informed drug development, we offer insights into dose optimization by building a quantitative knowledge base integrating diverse sources of data and leveraging quantitative modeling tools to build evidence for drug dosage considering exposure, disease biology, efficacy, toxicity, and patient factors. We believe that rational dose optimization can be achieved in oncology drug development, improving patient outcomes by maximizing therapeutic benefit while minimizing toxicity.
A critical analysis of the binding pocket of Plasmodium falciparum Phosphatidylinositol‐4‐kinase enzyme
Authors: Ncube Nomagugu B. , Govender Krishna K. , Tukulula Matshawandile
Published: November 2023

The Plasmodium falciparum phosphatidylinositol 4‐kinase type III beta (PfPI4KIIIβ), a protease kinase enzyme, has been shown to be vitally important for the survival of the malaria parasite, both in the host and the vector. However, the lack of the three‐dimensional structure and the full structural characterisation of its binding pocket limits its utility and subsequently the development of new, selective, and highly efficacious inhibitors. Thus, the current study is employing a homology modelling and docking strategy in analysing the binding site morphology and key amino acids that are involved in ligand‐substrate complex formation. Our results reveal a homology model whose stability is confirmed by Ramachandran plots and RMSD. Furthermore, docking a few reported PfPI4KIIIβ inhibitors on this model revealed that the binding pocket of PfPI4KIIIβ is hydrophobic and prefers ligands that adopt a twisted conformation. Based on this analysis it can be concluded that these may possibly be the key amino acids whose interaction with the ligands are influenced by the presence of certain functional groups present in a ligand.
Synthesis and Intracellular Localization of 5,6‐Disubsutituted Pyrido[1′,2′;2,3]imidazo[5,1‐a]isoquinolinium Iodides
Authors: Kawakubo Masato , Inoh Yoshikazu , Inaguma Yuko , Kokubugata Rina , Murata Yuki , Matsumura Mio , Furuno Tadahide , Yasuike Shuji
Published: November 2023

Novel pyrido[1’,2’;2,3]imidazo[5,1‐a]isoquinolinium iodides independently substituted at their 5‐ and 6‐position were prepared from 5‐iodopyrido[1’,2’;2,3]imidazo[5,1‐a]isoquinolinium iodides using Suzuki‐Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction. The desired coupling products had cationic extended π‐conjugated skeletons and fluoresced strongly in the 420–460 nm region in methanol. In cell staining assay, the 5‐styryl‐substituted compounds, which showed lower fluorescence quantum yields in methanol, emitted high fluorescence in the intracellular environment and were specifically distributed to the endoplasmic reticulum.
Nonclassical Nucleation and Crystallization of LiNbO3 Nanoparticles from the Aqueous Solvothermal Alkoxide Route
Authors: Riporto Florian , Dhouib Ameni , Gheata Adrian , Beauquis Sandrine , Molina Emilie , Guené‐Girard Simon , Galez Christine , Bornet Aurélien , Gautier‐Luneau Isabelle , Gerber‐Lemaire Sandrine , Monnier Virginie , Le Dantec Ronan , Mugnier Yannick
Published: November 2023

The exact molecular reaction pathway and crystallization mechanisms of LiNbO3 nanoparticles under solvothermal conditions are derived through extensive time‐ and temperature‐resolved experiments allowing to track all the transient molecular and solid species. Starting with a simple mixing of Li/Nb ethoxides, water addition is used to promote condensation after ligand exchange with different co‐solvents including alcohols and glycols of variable carbon‐chain length. A nonclassical nucleation scheme is first demonstrated after the identification of new octanuclear complexes with a {Li4Nb4O10} core whose solvophobic interactions mediate their aggregation, thus, resulting in a colloidal gel at room‐temperature. Upon heating, a more or less frustrated aggregation‐mediated crystallization process is then evidenced leading to LiNbO3 nanocrystals of adjustable mean size between 20 and 100 nm. Such a fine control can be attributed to the variable Nb−OR (R = alkoxy/glycoxy ligand) binding interactions at the surface of crystalline intermediates. Demonstration of such a nonclassical nucleation process and crystallization mechanism for LiNbO3 not only sheds light on the entire growth process of multifunctional nanomaterials with non‐perovskite crystalline structures, but also opens new avenues for the identification of novel bimetallic oxoclusters involved in the formation of several mixed oxides from the aqueous alkoxide route.
A fuzzy cognitive map approach to understand agricultural system and food prices in Türkiye: Policy recommendations for national food security
Authors: Ekici Ahmet , Ekici Şule Önsel , Yumurtacı Hüseyinoğlu Işık Özge , Watson Forrest
Published: November 2023

Once one of the few self‐sufficient food countries in the world, Turkey has become dependent on imports to feed its population. Food prices have climbed to among the highest in the world, severely threatening the food security of the country. Most researchers generally attributed the high prices to the increased input costs of agriculture. Although the role of input prices cannot be denied, this paper focuses on a neglected problem that can account for food price inflation: the attitudes and behaviours of farming communities towards agriculture. Through fuzzy cognitive map methodology, known to be very effective in understanding complex networks of problems, we identify and map the relationships among the factors affecting the agriculture system, develop interview and literature‐driven scenarios, and test these scenarios to demonstrate their role in explaining the relationship between attitudes and behaviours of farming communities and food prices in Turkey. Our findings provide recommendations to policymakers.
Understanding the Emotional Labor of English Language Teaching while Black in the United States
Authors: Stevenson Malik
Published: November 2023

There is a robust literature examining emotional labor as it is experienced by English language teachers and how it is prompted by the emotional rules of their employers. However, it has not been sufficiently inclusive of native English‐speaking Black English language teachers (BELTs). Using the method of autoethnography I examine my experiences with emotional labor as I struggle to manage feelings stemming from race‐related stress to present feelings that are aligned with the emotional rules of an intensive English program (IEP) in the United States. Ultimately, this study highlights some of the unique challenges and emotional labor experienced by BELTs, including the endured triggering of race‐related stress in response to workplace racial microaggression and how and why, through the process of emotional labor, outward responses are constructed. I argue that enduring emotional labor brings about implicit oppressive messages for BELTs to either detach from their racial identity to some extent or to leave their field. Additionally, I provide suggestions for how TESOL programs housed in U.S. higher education contexts can address anti‐Black racism.
“My Book Ideas were Spinning in my Head”: Arts‐Rich Bookmaking Experiences to Create and Sustain Multilingual Children's Meaning Making Flows and Authorial Voices
Authors: Choi Julie , Cleeve Gerkens Rafaela , Tomsic Mary
Published: November 2023

Important theoretical developments in TESOL education challenge the monolingual mindset, instead valuing and leveraging students' complex linguistic repertoires alongside their funds of knowledge and identity through translanguaging practices to foster literacy development. Through a case study of an arts‐rich book making experience facilitated by community organization, Kids' Own Publishing, this article uses assemblage thinking to examine how children's semiotic, knowledge, and identity resources interact to support them to create and sustain meaning making flow and to express distinctive authorial voices. Employing a critical content analysis guided by assemblage thinking, we highlight the literacy skills demonstrated in five students' published eight‐page books and show how the interaction of children's meaning‐making resources is best understood through an “assemblage” lens, a process which is under‐researched. Through this lens, we examine the facilitative role of the arts‐rich experience in furnishing vibrant activities, artifacts, and an inspiring physical space that shaped how the children's meaning‐making resources came together as flows. We consider implications for literacy learning, including the need to create conditions for all children's meaning making resources to be drawn upon in text creation in an approach that values what all students, whether they identify as monolingual or multilingual, bring to their learning.
Occurrence, persistence, and ecological risk of bisphenol A in surface water receiving raw leachate from a municipal solid waste open dump in Kerawalapitiya, Sri Lanka
Authors: Matharage Hashinika , Jayaweera Mahesh , Bandara Nilanthi , Jayawardana Daham , Zoysa Kasun
Published: November 2023

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an anthropogenic chemical compound utilized to manufacture a wide range of consumer products, such as polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), food packages, and thermal papers. Because of its extensive worldwide use, BPA is pervasive in the environment, negatively affecting aquatic life. Therefore, we studied the occurrence, persistence, and ecological risk of BPA in surface water receiving raw leachate from a municipal solid waste (MSW) open dump in Kerawalapitiya, Sri Lanka. Our findings corroborate that the BPA average concentrations in the canal network were 0.4–42.6 µg/L during the wet season and 0.2–4.9 µg/L during the dry season. The levels of BPA at 11 locations (out of 16) during both seasons differed significantly from the upstream sample, where there was no impact from the dump site (p < 0.05), indicating the ubiquitous occurrence and persistence of BPA in the canal network. BPA levels in the waterbodies are greater in the wet period than in the dry period because of the continuous ingress of run‐off‐driven leachate to the canal network. Our study infers that pH and salinity correlate positively with BPA, while temperature, DO, and TSS are negatively correlated with BPA. BPA levels in five locations during the wet season and one during the dry season surpassed the tolerable level of BPA stipulated by the Canadian Federal Environmental Quality Guidelines to safeguard aquatic life, which is 3.5 µg/L. The findings of the acute ecological risk assessment articulate that during the wet season, Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) and orange chromide (Etroplus maculatus) constitute a high acute risk, while they pose a medium acute risk during the dry season. Our study suggests that the relevant authorities must prevent the ingress of runoff rich with BPA onto the canal network to protect aquatic life.
Re-Storying African (Studies) Pedagogies: Decolonizing Knowledge and Centering Black Agency?
Authors: Andrews Nathan , Khalema Nene Ernest
Published: November 2023

The quest to decolonize this or that has become quite popular these days. In some instances, it is even being applied to general institutional strategies on equity, diversity, and inclusion. But what really is at stake in this endeavor? With specific reference to what we teach and how we engage our pedagogy toward the subject at hand, we ask: What does epistemic decolonization look like? How do we center the voices and perspectives of Black theorists, peoples, and communities in the way we teach and study ‘Africa’? In responding to such questions, this introductory chapter to the volume highlights an argument that accentuates the need to rethink entrenched narratives about Africa and the place of African agency in knowledge production as a way of tackling the enduring legacies of epistemic imperialism. It provides a thematic review of research that has been done on this topic while also suggesting alternative ways of understanding the current context. Overall, the contribution seeks to provide some justification for why the notion of ‘re-storying’ is a useful concept to imagining the possibilities of centering Black agency in our pedagogical choices and our field of study at large, including an account of the hard work that ‘true’ epistemic decolonization will require.
Promoting Entrepreneurship and Innovation: The Institutional Framework
Authors: Braunerhjelm Pontus , Henrekson Magnus
Published: November 2023

In the previous chapters, we have consistently emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship for innovation, renewal, growth, and job creation. However, these beneficial forces do not automatically reflect the individual entrepreneur’s aims. Even if factors such as social recognition and testing one’s ideas influence the desire to become an entrepreneur, the pursuit of profit plays a part that cannot be ignored. When entrepreneurs search for and attempt to create entrepreneurial rents, they are largely governed by the incentives—the reward structure—that prevail in the environment in which they pursue their entrepreneurship. These incentives are essentially determined by the institutional setup of the economic system, which is sometimes called “the rules of the game.” Good institutions or favorable rules are prerequisites for encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship and for channeling entrepreneurial effort towards socially productive venturing.
Modular binary octahedral symmetry for flavor structure of Standard Model
Authors: Ding Gui-Jun , Liu Xiang-Gan , Lu Jun-Nan , Weng Ming-Hua
Published: November 2023

Abstract

We have investigated the modular binary octahedral group 2O as a flavor symmetry to explain the structure of Standard Model. The vector-valued modular forms in all irreducible representations of this group are constructed. We have classified all possible fermion mass models based on the modular binary octahedral group 2O. A comprehensive numerical analysis is performed, and we present some benchmark quark/lepton mass models in good agreement with the experimental data. Notably we find a minimal modular invariant model for leptons and quarks, which is able to explain simultaneously the masses and mixing parameters of both quarks and leptons in terms of 14 real free parameters including the modulus τ. The fermion mass hierarchies around the vicinity of the modular fixed points are explored.
Psychosocial interventions seem redact kinesiophobia after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction but higher level of evidence is needed: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Naderi Aynollah , Fallah Mohammadi Mohammad , Dehghan Azizallah , Baker Julien S.
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Psychosocial interventions have shown potential in reducing the fear of re‐injury after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), but this has not been systematically reviewed. The aim of this study was to assess the available evidence on the effect of psychosocial interventions on kinesiophobia after ACLR.

Methods

Two independent researchers conducted a systematic search in the electronic databases including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO, and CINAHL from their inception until May 2022. They included studies that utilised a randomised controlled study design with a control group, and measured kinesiophobia using the Tampa Scale for kinesiophobia in patients who underwent primary ACLR. The outcome of interest was the mean and standard deviation of kinesiophobia. Extracted data were analysed using Comprehensive Meta‐Analysis software, version 3.0 (CMA.V2), employing a random‐effects model to calculate the overall effect estimates of psychosocial interventions on Kinesiophobia. The standardised mean difference with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was computed based on the mean and standard deviation in each group.

Results

This systematic review and meta‐analysis included 5 randomised controlled trials with a total of 213 patients who underwent ACLR. The results of the meta‐analysis showed that psychosocial intervention was more effective than non‐psychosocial comparators in reducing kinesiophobia among patients who underwent a primary ACLR (5 trials, MD 0.56, 95% CI 0.28–0.83, p < 0.001). The heterogeneity score was zero (I2 = 0%; n.s. for Cochran’s Q test), indicating no significant variation among the studies.

Conclusions

Psychosocial interventions can alleviate kinesiophobia in patients with primary ACLR. Although the limited number of reviewed studies and their methodological limitations precludes drawing a definitive conclusion regarding the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions on kinesiophobia, these promising findings can serve as a basis for developing psychological strategies to manage kinesiophobia in patients with primary ACLR and can also guide future research this issue.

Level of evidence

II.

Trial registration

This trial is registered in PROSPERO on December 2021 (CRD42021282413).
Liraglutide ameliorates delirium-like behaviors of aged mice undergoing cardiac surgery by mitigating microglia activation via promoting mitophagy
Authors: Jia Min , Lv Xin , Zhu Tong , Shen Jin-Chun , Liu Wen-xue , Yang Jian-jun
Published: November 2023

Objective

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a prevalent complication in cardiac surgery patients, particularly the elderly, with neuroinflammation posited as a crucial contributing factor. We investigated the prophylactic effects of liraglutide, a GLP-1 analog, on delirium-like behaviors in aged mice undergoing cardiac surgery and explored the underlying mechanisms focusing on neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and synaptic plasticity.

Methods

Using a cardiac ischemia-reperfusion animal model to mimic cardiac surgery, we assessed delirium-like behaviors, microglial activation, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, mitophagy, synaptic engulfment, and synaptic plasticity.

Results

Cardiac surgery triggered delirium-like behaviors, concomitant with heightened microglial and NLRP3 inflammasome activation and impaired mitochondrial function and synaptic plasticity. Pretreatment with liraglutide ameliorated these adverse outcomes. Mechanistically, liraglutide enhanced mitophagy, thereby inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation and subsequent microglial activation. Furthermore, liraglutide counteracted surgery-induced synaptic loss and impairment of synaptic plasticity.

Conclusion

Liraglutide exerts protective effects against delirium-like behaviors in aged mice post-cardiac surgery, potentially through bolstering microglia mitophagy, curtailing neuroinflammation, and preserving synaptic integrity. This highlights the potential of liraglutide as a promising perioperative strategy for delirium prevention in cardiac surgery patients.
Effect of lanthanide and transition metal on the structure, magnetic, and electric properties of nickel ferrites
Authors: Kaiser M.
Published: November 2023

A series of nanocrystalline Ni1−xMnxCexFe2−xO4 (x = 0.0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, and 0.1) were prepared using the citrate auto-combustion method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicates that the spinel materials formed in a cubic single phase up to the sample x = 0.02. The average crystallite size is reduced from 61 to 31 nm due to the suppression of grain growth upon cerium occupation at the octahedral site. The cubic spinel structure was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed agglomerated and rod-shaped structures at various concentrations. AC conductivity and dielectric properties were measured over a frequency range of 20 Hz to 8 MHz. The AC conductivity increases with an enhancement in frequency. The prepared materials have great potential for utilization in microwave devices. The magnetic parameters were estimated from the measured hysteresis loops at room temperature and 100 K using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), which indicated that the samples were suitable for magnetic memory device applications.
Chemical investigation of biological trace evidence; toxicological screening of waste residues obtained from DNA extraction processes
Authors: Di Candia Domenico , Giordano Gaia , Boracchi Michele , Bailo Paolo , Primignani Paola , Piccinini Andrea , Zoja Riccardo
Published: November 2023

In a forensic scenario, if biological stains are found in very small quantities, these are usually collected for DNA analyses, considered essential for the forensic investigation and thus excluding possible investigations by other forensic disciplines as forensic toxicology. We developed an experimental study to evaluate the feasibility of analyzing DNA extraction residues obtained from DNA extraction procedures to perform toxicological analysis, with the aim to extract both genetic and toxicological information without affecting or compromising the genetic sample and/or DNA extraction. DNA extraction from four blood samples (fortified with 5 molecules of interest with a final concentrations of 1 µg/mL, 100 ng/mL, 10 ng/mL and 5 ng/mL, respectively) were analyzed with QIAGEN QIAmp® DNA Mini kit. Three waste residues collected from the DNA extraction were analyzed for the toxicological investigation via Solid-Phase Extraction and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography—Tandem Mass Spectrometry analyses (Thermo Scientific™ TSQ Fortis™ II Triple-Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer). The analytical investigation revealed that our analytes of interest were detected in two different residues of the DNA extraction procedure, allowing both genetic and toxicological analyses without affecting the DNA identification. At last, the experimental protocol was applied to a hypothetical case, with encouraging results and allowing the identification of our molecules of interest.
Machine learning models to predict success of endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty using total and excess weight loss percent achievement: a multicentre study
Authors: Vannucci Maria , Niyishaka Patrick , Collins Toby , Rodríguez-Luna María Rita , Mascagni Pietro , Hostettler Alexandre , Marescaux Jacques , Perretta Silvana
Published: November 2023

Background

The large amount of heterogeneous data collected in surgical/endoscopic practice calls for data-driven approaches as machine learning (ML) models. The aim of this study was to develop ML models to predict endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) efficacy at 12 months defined by total weight loss (TWL) % and excess weight loss (EWL) % achievement. Multicentre data were used to enhance generalizability: evaluate consistency among different center of ESG practice and assess reproducibility of the models and possible clinical application. Models were designed to be dynamic and integrate follow-up clinical data into more accurate predictions, possibly assisting management and decision-making.

Methods

ML models were developed using data of 404 ESG procedures performed at 12 centers across Europe. Collected data included clinical and demographic variables at the time of ESG and at follow-up. Multicentre/external and single center/internal and temporal validation were performed. Training and evaluation of the models were performed on Python’s scikit-learn library. Performance of models was quantified as receiver operator curve (ROC-AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and calibration plots.

Results

Multicenter external validation: ML models using preoperative data show poor performance. Best performances were reached by linear regression (LR) and support vector machine models for TWL% and EWL%, respectively, (ROC-AUC: TWL% 0.87, EWL% 0.86) with the addition of 6-month follow-up data.

Single-center internal validation: Preoperative data only ML models show suboptimal performance. Early, i.e., 3-month follow-up data addition lead to ROC-AUC of 0.79 (random forest classifiers model) and 0.81 (LR models) for TWL% and EWL% achievement prediction, respectively. Single-center temporal validation shows similar results.

Conclusions

Although preoperative data only may not be sufficient for accurate postoperative predictions, the ability of ML models to adapt and evolve with the patients changes could assist in providing an effective and personalized postoperative care. ML models predictive capacity improvement with follow-up data is encouraging and may become a valuable support in patient management and decision-making.
Characterization of the soil resistome and mobilome in Namib Desert soils
Authors: Naidoo Yashini , Pierneef Rian E. , Cowan Don A. , Valverde Angel
Published: November 2023

The study of the soil resistome is important in understanding the evolution of antibiotic resistance and its dissemination between the clinic and the environment. However, very little is known about the soil resistome, especially of those from deserts. Here, we characterize the bacterial communities, using targeted sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes, and both the resistome and the mobilome in Namib Desert soils, using shotgun metagenomics. We detected a variety of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) that conferred resistance to antibiotics such as elfamycin, rifampicin, and fluoroquinolones, metal/biocide resistance genes (MRGs/BRGs) conferring resistance to metals such as arsenic and copper, and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) such as the ColE1-like plasmid. The presence of metal/biocide resistance genes in close proximity to ARGs indicated a potential for co-selection of resistance to antibiotics and metals/biocides. The co-existence of MGEs and horizontally acquired ARGs most likely contributed to a decoupling between bacterial community composition and ARG profiles. Overall, this study indicates that soil bacterial communities in Namib Desert soils host a diversity of resistance elements and that horizontal gene transfer, rather than host phylogeny, plays an essential role in their dynamics.