bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impacts of Agrochemicals on Water Quality Parameters in Aboisso Region (South-East of Cote d’Ivoire)
Authors: Amadou Assouman , Gautier Kpan Oulai Jean- , Maxime Gnamba Franck , Solange Oga Yéï Marie , Jean Biémi
Published: January 2021

Aboisso region is experiencing unprecedented agricultural activities. Cultural techniques such as the use of insecticides are harming the quality of water. This study aims to assess the impact of insecticides on the water quality in the Aboisso region. Thirty-one (31) water points (10 surface water and 21 groundwater) were sampled. The determination of physicochemical parameters as well as the multi-residue method used for insecticides analysis in the samples allowed us to achieve our objective. The result of the physicochemical analysis shows that the temperature of groundwater (27.91°C) is higher than surface water temperature (26.77°C). These waters are mostly acidic with a slightly lower pH for groundwater (6.46) compared to surface water (6.54). The conductivity is higher in groundwater (average of 130.46 µS/cm) as opposed to surface water (average of 43.50 µS/cm). After applying the multi-residue method, the results reveal the presence of nine (9) active ingredients. In surface waters, all these molecules, except Lambda-cyhalothrin and Deltamethrin, exceed the WHO guide values (0.1 µg/L). The highest concentrations recorded concern ethyl parathion and profenofos (8.24 µg/L and 8.04 µg/L respectively). In groundwater, it is rather Parathion-methyl, Profenofos, Dimethoate, Chlorpyriphos-ethyl, Lambda-cyhalothrin and Deltamethrin that are often at below WHO standards. However, the present study reveals that all of the water samples analysed were polluted, owing to anthropogenic used of insecticides in the region, and other chemicals with high concentrations of parathion-ethyl: 8.24 µg/L and profenofos: 8.04 µg/L. These waters are therefore unfit for human consumption.
Pesticide Residues in Vegetables Collected from Different Markets of Navsari District of India
Authors: Kumar Pawan , Singh Susheel , Gandhi K. D. , Umeretia N. G.
Published: January 2021

A study was conducted during 2018-19 in Navsari district of Gujarat, India to investigate the presence of pesticide residues in vegetables viz. brinjal, cabbage, chilli, okra, and tomato. The analytical scope of pesticide residues comprised of Gas Chromatography (GC) and Liquid Chromatography (LC) amenable 111 pesticides. A total of 180 samples of five vegetables collected from six different talukas during pre and post-monsoon season of which 75 (41.67%) were positives samples, 25 (13.89%) samples with multiple pesticide residues, 20 (11.12%) samples with pesticide residues above MRL (Maximum Residue Limit) and 105 (58.34%) samples were found residues free. Among the studied talukas, maximum positive vegetable samples of pesticide residues were found in Navsari (22) followed by Jalalpore (16), Chikhli (13), Vansda (11), Gandevi (9) and Khergam (4). In case of vegetables, maximum positive samples to pesticide residues were found in chilli (31) followed by okra (18), cabbage (12), brinjal (7) and tomato (7). The study revealed that the vegetables producing farmers of the Navsari region of India were not following the standard pre-harvest intervals, proper instructions concerning the application of pesticides in appropriate concentration, time and type of pesticides used. It has also thought that there is a need for measures to be implemented towards educating farmers against harmful effects of using the pesticides that may not only harm the health of the human beings but also damage the environment.
Adelomelon beckii
, The Giant Predator Snail: Skeletal/Support System
Authors: Arrighetti Florencia
Published: January 2021

The shell of
Adelomelon beckii
is orange colored with zigzag bands. The species presents no sexual dimorphism. The shell growth is not continuous, with a slowdown of the growth during winter and summer.
Conservation, Anthropology and
Authors: Carpenter Carol
Published: January 2021

The anthropology of conservation is a subset of environmental anthropology focusing on conservation interventions, and as such it has theoretical and ethnographic roots in human ecology. Many anthropologists of conservation consider themselves to be political ecologists, a loosely defined field stimulated by Marxist thought. A different approach to the anthropology of conservation developed alongside the anthropology of development, using Foucault's theories. This introduced a largely unexamined disjuncture into the anthropology of conservation between Foucauldian and Marxist understandings of power, a disjuncture that has caused some to oversimplify Foucault's concepts. Yet Marx's ideas about the economy are invaluable to understanding conservation, particularly when so many interventions nowadays promote market subjectivities and measure the value of the environment in market terms. The field needs to continue to find ways to use concepts of power from both bodies of theory.
Gender and Mining
Authors: Macintyre Martha
Published: January 2021

This entry explores issues of gender in the context of large‐scale and artisanal mining in developing countries. Mining is often perceived to be a masculine occupation because men predominate in the work of extraction. Women, however, play vital roles in processing ores and precious stones as well as providing services to working men. Anthropological studies of gender and mining are undertaken from two main perspectives: (1) feminist analysis of gender discrimination, specifically exploring female disadvantage, and (2) broader studies within the subdiscipline of economic anthropology that examine the effects of mining on livelihoods, the transformation of gender relations, the status of women, and the social impacts of mining.
Gender, Holidays, and Tourism
Authors: Frohlick Susan
Published: January 2021

Histories, cultures, practices, and embodied experiences of tourism and holiday making are thoroughly gendered, and anthropologists have been at the forefront of documenting and analyzing the intersections of gender, tourism, and holidays. Questions of difference are central to anthropological accounts of the possibilities and limitations of desire, pleasure, and mobility that stem from the naturalization of gender differences. The initial conceptual focus on gender roles in non‐Western tourism has shifted over the decades to an emphasis on power relations imbued in masculinities, femininities, and sexualities, and on issues of regulation and inequalities within travel and vacationing practices. The stoppage of nonessential travel brought on by the 2020 coronavirus pandemic demanded an ongoing and incisive gender and critical approach to the linked questions of which bodies and subjects leave home and return, and for what quests are holidays made.
Gender and Water
Authors: Wu Joyce
Published: January 2021

Anthropological research on gender and water has a long and complex history. In part, this is due to gender studies and its interactions with “traditional” fields such as anthropology, economics, engineering, environmental science, and social sciences. Although divergent in theories and geographical coverage, anthropological perspectives on gender and water share key themes in questioning dominant assumptions about gender norms and relations to water, marginalization, and inequality in water access, and highlighting the difference of scale, from households to the national and global. This entry provides an overview of the diverse ways in which gender and water have been studied and understood from anthropological perspectives.
Architecture
Authors: Lucas Ray
Published: January 2021

Architecture is a design discipline, denoting both the professional practice and the built works associated with it. Architecture is commonly understood to be separate from building on the premise that it involves the conscious and deliberate design of elements rather than replicating established patterns; this is an increasingly problematic position that reinforces colonialist discourses over what constitutes architecture. Architecture has its own well‐developed theories and histories. There are multiple points of intersection between architecture and anthropology, such as the ethnography of practice, dwelling perspectives and anthropologies of home, urban anthropology, and critiques of modernity. Architecture has its own discussions of materials in parallel to those undertaken in material culture, and results in tangible interventions in the world.
State‐Of‐The‐Art and Future Challenges in High Energy Lithium–Selenium Batteries
Authors: Sun Jinmeng , Du Zhuzhu , Liu Yuhang , Ai Wei , Wang Ke , Wang Tian , Du Hongfang , Liu Lei , Huang Wei
Published: January 2021

Li‐chalcogen batteries, especially the Li–S batteries (LSBs), have received paramount interests as next generation energy storage techniques because of their high theoretical energy densities. However, the associated challenges need to be overcome prior to their commercialization. Elemental selenium, another chalcogen member, would be an attractive alternative to sulfur owing to its higher electronic conductivity, comparable capacity density, and moreover, excellent compatibility with carbonate electrolytes. Unlike LSBs, the research and development of Li–Se batteries (LSeBs) have garnered burgeoning attention but are still in their infant stage, where a comprehensive yet in‐depth overview is highly imperative to guide future research. Herein, a critical review of LSeBs, in terms of the underlying mechanisms, cathode design, blocking layer engineering, and emerging solid‐state electrolytes is provided. First, the electrolyte‐dependent electrochemistry of LSeBs is discussed. Second, the advances in Se‐based cathodes are comprehensively summarized, especially highlighting the state‐of‐the‐art SexSy cathodes, and mainly focusing on their structures, compositions, and synthetic strategies. Third, the versatile separators/interlayers optimization and interface regulation are outlined, with a particular focus on the emerging solid‐state electrolytes for advanced LSeBs. Last, the remaining challenges and research orientations in this booming field are proposed, which are expected to motivate more insightful works.
Ultrathin Amorphous/Crystalline Heterophase Rh and Rh Alloy Nanosheets as Tandem Catalysts for Direct Indole Synthesis
Authors: Ge Jingjie , Yin Peiqun , Chen Ye , Cheng Hongfei , Liu Jiawei , Chen Bo , Tan Chaoliang , Yin Peng‐Fei , Zheng Hong‐Xing , Li Qiang‐Qiang , Chen Shuangming , Xu Wenjie , Wang Xiaoqian , Wu Geng , Sun Rongbo , Shan Xiang‐Huan , Hong Xun , Zhang Hua
Published: January 2021

Heterogeneous noble‐metal‐based catalysis plays an essential role in the production of fine chemicals. Rh‐based catalysts are one of the most active candidates for indole synthesis. However, it is still highly desired to develop heterogeneous Rh‐based catalysts with high activity and selectivity. In this work, a general, facile wet‐chemical method is reported to synthesize ultrathin amorphous/crystalline heterophase Rh and Rh‐based bimetallic alloy nanosheets (NSs), including RhCu, RhZn, and RhRu. Impressively, the amorphous/crystalline heterophase Rh NSs exhibit enhanced catalytic activity toward the direct synthesis of indole compared to the crystalline counterpart. Importantly, the obtained amorphous/crystalline heterophase RhCu alloy NSs can further enhance the selectivity to indole of >99.9% and the conversion is 100%. This work demonstrates the importance of phase engineering and metal alloying in the rational design and synthesis of tandem heterogeneous catalysts toward fine chemical synthesis.
Gas–Liquid–Solid Triphase Interfacial Chemical Reactions Associated with Gas Wettability
Authors: Li Zhaohua , Hu Rui , Song Jun , Liu Liwei , Qu Junle , Song Weiguo , Cao Changyan
Published: January 2021

Wettability is widely studied in biological systems and attracts tremendous attention in numerous fields. Gas wettability has been increasingly investigated for the past few years because of the presence of gases in many reactions that are essential to environmental protection, health monitoring, energy conversion, and industrial catalysis. In general, traditional liquid–solid diphase systems with poor solubility and tardy diffusion of gases severely hinder the reaction efficiency. Researches show that this problem can be effectively solved by creating a gas–liquid–solid triphase reaction system through the regulation of gas wettability. This study summarizes the latest advances in creating appropriate gas wettability to introduce gas–liquid–solid triphase interfaces in gas‐involved reactions for enhanced catalytic performance. In these triphase systems, gaseous reactants are transported directly from the gas phase to active sites while gaseous products are rapidly removed from the catalyst surface, realizing efficient mass transport and consequently improving the reaction activity and selectivity. Reactions summarized are gas‐consuming reactions and gas‐forming reactions, which are further divided into photocatalytic reactions, bioelectronic reactions, electrochemical reactions, and heterogeneous thermocatalytic reactions. For the first time, heterogeneous thermocatalytic reactions are included in the system, thus forming a relatively comprehensive review of this field so far.
High‐Q Plasmonic Resonances: Fundamentals and Applications
Authors: Wang Baoqing , Yu Peng , Wang Wenhao , Zhang Xutao , Kuo Hao‐Chung , Xu Hongxing , Wang Zhiming M.
Published: January 2021

Subwavelength confinement of light with plasmonics is promising for nanophotonics and optoelectronics. However, it is nontrivial to obtain narrow plasmonic resonances due to the intrinsically high optical losses and radiative damping in metallic structures. In this review, a thorough summary of the recent research progress on achieving high‐quality (high‐Q) factor plasmonic resonances is provided, emphasizing the fundamentals and six resonant mode types, including surface lattice resonances, multipolar resonances, plasmonic Fano resonances, plasmon‐induced transparency, guided‐mode resonances, and Tamm plasmon resonances. The applications of high‐Q plasmonic resonances in spectrally selective thermal emission, sensing, single‐photon emission, filtering, and band‐edge lasing are also discussed.
Photonic NO2 Gas Sensing with Binaphthyl‐Based Dopants
Authors: Spengler Matthias , Pschyklenk Lukas , Niemeyer Jochen , Kaul Peter , Giese Michael
Published: January 2021

A series of reactive binaphthyl‐diimine‐based dopants is prepared and investigated with respect to their potential for the chiral induction of structural coloration in nematic liquid crystal mixture E7 and the selective photonic sensing of nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Studies of the helical twisting power (HTP) in 4‐cyano‐4′‐pentylbiphenyl (5CB) reveal HTP values as high as 375 µm‐1 and the tremendous impact of structural compatibility and changes of the dihedral binaphthyl angle on the efficiency of the chiral transfer. Detailed investigation of the sensing capabilities of the systems reveals an extraordinarily high selectivity for NO2 and a response to concentrations as low as 100 ppm. The systems show a direct response to the analyte gas leading to a concentration‐dependent shift of the reflectance wavelength of up to several hundred nanometers. Incorporation of copper ions remarkably improves the sensor's properties in terms of sensitivity and selectivity, enabling the tailored tweaking of the system's properties.
Printing High‐Efficiency Perovskite Solar Cells in High‐Humidity Ambient Environment—An In Situ Guided Investigation
Authors: Fong Patrick Wai‐Keung , Hu Hanlin , Ren Zhiwei , Liu Kuan , Cui Li , Bi Tao , Liang Qiong , Wu Zehan , Hao Jianhua , Li Gang
Published: January 2021

Extensive studies are conducted on perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with significant performance advances (mainly spin coating techniques), which have encouraged recent efforts on scalable coating techniques for the manufacture of PSCs. However, devices fabricated by blade coating techniques are inferior to state‐of‐the‐art spin‐coated devices because the power conversion efficiency (PCE) is highly dependent on the morphology and crystallization kinetics in the controlled environment and the delicate solvent system engineering. In this study, based on the widely studied perovskite solution system dimethylformamide–dimethyl sulfoxide, air‐knife‐assisted ambient fabrication of PSCs at a high relative humidity of 55 ± 5% is reported. In‐depth time‐resolved UV–vis spectrometry is carried out to investigate the impact of solvent removal and crystallization rate, which are critical factors influencing the crystallization kinetics and morphology because of adventitious moisture. UV–vis spectrometry enables accurate determination of the thickness of the wet precursor film. Anti‐solvent‐free, high‐humidity ambient coatings of hysteresis‐free PSCs with PCEs of 21.1% and 18.0% are demonstrated for 0.06 and 1 cm2 devices, respectively. These PSCs exhibit comparable stability to those fabricated in a glovebox, thus demonstrating their high potential.
Fabrication of Stretchable and Transparent Core–Shell Polymeric Nanofibers Using Coaxial Electrospinning and Their Application to Phototransistors
Authors: Lee Moo Yeol , Oh Youngseok , Hong Jayeon , Lee Sang Jin , Seong Dong Gi , Um Moon‐Kwang , Oh Joon Hak
Published: January 2021

1D semiconducting nanomaterials are promising candidates for wearable electronic devices, in which variability of form (i.e., flexibility and stretchability) is a crucial factor for achieving stable operation during a user's physical activity. Although many stretchable 1D electronic materials have been suggested, they mainly rely on structural engineering, rather than the intrinsic stretchability of the materials, and hence suffer from electrical instability under mechanical deformation. In this work, stretchable core–shell polymeric nanofibers (NFs) are fabricated using coaxial electrospinning. The stretchable core–shell NFs, which consist of a stretchable core and a semiconducting shell, provide both mechanical robustness and superior electrical properties under external strain. The stretchable core–shell NF‐based transistors show high operational stability at up to 30% mechanical strain. Furthermore, fully stretchable organic field‐effect transistors fabricated using core–shell NFs and stretchable conductors exhibit stable operation and high optical transparency (71% of transmittance at a wavelength of 550 nm). The core–shell NFs also exhibit excellent optoelectronic properties, including a maximum light responsivity (R) of 84.2 A W−1 and an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 178.6%, under illumination at a wavelength of 585 nm. The results demonstrate a viable approach to fabricating wearable electronic devices using stretchable core–shell polymeric NFs.
Revealing the Role of Fluoride‐Rich Battery Electrode Interphases by Operando Transmission Electron Microscopy
Authors: Gong Chen , Pu Shengda D. , Gao Xiangwen , Yang Sixie , Liu Junliang , Ning Ziyang , Rees Gregory J. , Capone Isaac , Pi Liquan , Liu Boyang , Hartley Gareth O. , Fawdon Jack , Luo Jun , Pasta Mauro , Grovenor Chris R. M. , Bruce Peter G. , Robertson Alex W.
Published: January 2021

The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), a complex layer that forms over the surface of electrodes exposed to battery electrolyte, has a central influence on the structural evolution of the electrode during battery operation. For lithium metallic anodes, tailoring this SEI is regarded as one of the most effective avenues for ensuring consistent cycling behavior, and thus practical efficiencies. While fluoride‐rich interphases in particular seem beneficial, how they alter the structural dynamics of lithium plating and stripping to promote efficiency remains only partly understood. Here, operando liquid‐cell transmission electron microscopy is used to investigate the nanoscale structural evolution of lithium electrodeposition and dissolution at the electrode surface across fluoride‐poor and fluoride‐rich interphases. The in situ imaging of lithium cycling reveals that a fluoride‐rich SEI yields a denser Li structure that is particularly amenable to uniform stripping, thus suppressing lithium detachment and isolation. By combination with quantitative composition analysis via mass spectrometry, it is identified that the fluoride‐rich SEI suppresses overall lithium loss through drastically reducing the quantity of dead Li formation and preventing electrolyte decomposition. These findings highlight the importance of appropriately tailoring the SEI for facilitating consistent and uniform lithium dissolution, and its potent role in governing the plated lithium's structure.
Polymers in Lithium‐Ion and Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Li Junheng , Cai Yifeng , Wu Haomin , Yu Zhiao , Yan Xuzhou , Zhang Qiuhong , Gao Theodore Z. , Liu Kai , Jia Xudong , Bao Zhenan
Published: January 2021

Lithium‐ion batteries play a significant role in modern electronics and electric vehicles. However, current Li‐ion battery chemistries are unable to satisfy the increasingly heightened expectations regarding energy demand and reliability. To boost the overall energy density while ensuring the safety of Li batteries, researchers have focused on alternative battery materials, such as silicon, sulfur, and Li metal. These represent promising avenues, although numerous obstacles (e.g., Si cracking, polysulfide shuttling, Li dendrites, etc.) must be tackled before batteries based on these materials can enter mass production and penetrate the mainstream market. Polymers are a class of materials that are widely used in current battery systems; however, many novel polymer chemistries may offer better performance and reliability than the current ones, and even overcome the issues of the above‐mentioned new battery materials. In this review, selected polymeric materials for solving these issues are categorized into four parts: polymer electrolytes, polymer artificial solid‐electrolyte interphases, binders, and separators. Both the current progress and the characterization methods are included. Potential future directions of energy materials research are pointed out as well.
20.8% Slot‐Die Coated MAPbI3 Perovskite Solar Cells by Optimal DMSO‐Content and Age of 2‐ME Based Precursor Inks
Authors: Li Jinzhao , Dagar Janardan , Shargaieva Oleksandra , Flatken Marion A. , Köbler Hans , Fenske Markus , Schultz Christof , Stegemann Bert , Just Justus , Többens Daniel M. , Abate Antonio , Munir Rahim , Unger Eva
Published: January 2021

Solar cells incorporating metal‐halide perovskite (MHP) semiconductors are continuing to break efficiency records for solution‐processed solar cell devices. Scaling MHP‐based devices to larger area prototypes requires the development and optimization of scalable process technology and ink formulations that enable reproducible coating results. It is demonstrated that the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of small‐area methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) devices, slot‐die coated from a 2‐methoxy‐ethanol (2‐ME) based ink with dimethyl‐sulfoxide (DMSO) used as an additive depends on the amount of DMSO and age of the ink formulation. When adding 12 mol% of DMSO, small‐area devices of high performance (20.8%) are achieved. The effect of DMSO content and age on the thin film morphology and device performance through in situ X‐ray diffraction and small‐angle X‐ray scattering experiments is rationalized. Adding a limited amount of DMSO prevents the formation of a crystalline intermediate phase related to MAPbI3 and 2‐ME (MAPbI3‐2‐ME) and induces the formation of the MAPbI3 perovskite phase. Higher DMSO content leads to the precipitation of the (DMSO)2MA2Pb3I8 intermediate phase that negatively affects the thin‐film morphology. These results demonstrate that rational insights into the ink composition and process control are critical to enable reproducible large‐scale manufacturing of MHP‐based devices for commercial applications.
Black hole in asymmetric cosmological bounce
Authors: Pérez Daniela , Perez Bergliaffa Santiago E. , Romero Gustavo E.
Published: January 2021

We determine the causal structure of the McVittie spacetime for a cosmological model with an asymmetric bounce. The analysis includes the computation of trapping horizons; regular, trapped, and antitrapped regions; and the integration of the trajectories of radial null geodesics before, during, and after the bounce. We find a trapped region since the beginning of the contracting phase up to shortly before the bounce, thus showing the existence of a black hole. When the universe reaches a certain minimum scale in the contracting phase, the trapping horizons disappear, and the central singularity becomes naked. These results suggest that neither a contracting nor an expanding universe can accommodate a black hole at all times.
Ecological hazard assessment via species sensitivity distributions: The non‐exchangeability issue
Authors: Migliorati Sonia , Monti Gianna Serafina , Vighi Marco
Published: January 2021

Probabilistic approaches to hazard assessment use species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) to characterize hazard for toxicants exposure for different species within a community. Many of the assumptions at the core of SSDs are unrealistic, among them the assumption that the tolerance levels of all species in a specific ecological community are a priori exchangeable for each new toxic substance. Here we propose the use of a particular test to detect situations where such an assumption is violated. Then, a new method based on non‐nested random effects model is required to identify novel SSDs capable of taking into account species non‐exchangeability. Credible intervals, representing SSD uncertainty, could be determined based on our procedure. This leads to new and reliable estimates of the environmental hazard. We present a Bayesian modeling approach to address model inference issues, using Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling.
Actinidia arguta Pulp: Phytochemical Composition, Radical Scavenging Activity, and in Vitro Cells Effects
Authors: Pinto Diana , Sut Stefania , Dall'Acqua Stefano , Delerue‐Matos Cristina , Rodrigues Francisca
Published: January 2021

Hardy kiwifruit (Actinidia arguta) is a highly appreciated exotic fruit endowed with outstanding bioactive compounds. The present work proposes to characterize the pulp from A. arguta organic fruits, emphasizing its radicals scavenging capacity and effects on intestinal cells (Caco‐2 and HT29‐MTX). The physicochemical properties and phenolic profile were also screened. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC, respectively) of pulp were 12.21 mg GAE/g on dry weight (DW) and 5.92 mg CE/g DW, respectively. A high antioxidant activity was observed (FRAP: 151.41 μmol FSE/g DW; DPPH: 12.17 mg TE/g DW). Furthermore, the pulp did not induce a toxic effect on Caco‐2 and HT29‐MTX cells viability up to 1000 μg/mL. Regarding in vitro scavenging capacity, the pulp revealed the highest scavenging power against NO. (IC50=3.45 μg/mL) and HOCl (IC50=12.77 μg/mL). These results emphasize the richness of A. arguta fruit pulp to be used in different food products.
The tumorigenic and therapeutic functions of exosomes in colorectal cancer: Opportunity and challenges
Authors: Ahmadi Mahdi , Jafari Reza , Mahmoodi Monireh , Rezaie Jafar
Published: January 2021

Most cells release extracellular vesicles (EVs) mediating intercellular communication via transferring various biomolecules including proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. A subset of EVs is exosomes that promote tumorigenesis. Different tumour cells such as colorectal cancer (CRC) cells produce exosomes that participate in the progression of CRC. Exosomes cargo including proteins and miRNAs not only support proliferation and metastasis of tumour cells but also mediate chemoresistance, immunomodulation and angiogenesis. In addition, as exosomes are present in most body fluids, they can hold the great capacity for clinical usage in early diagnosis and prognosis of CRC. Exosomes from CRC (CRC‐Exo) differentially contain proteins and miRNAs that make them a promising candidate for CRC diagnosis by a simple liquid‐biopsy. Despite hopeful results, some challanges about exosomes terminology and definition remains to be clarified in further experiments. In addition, there are little clinical trials regarding the application of exosomes in CRC treatment, therefore additional studies are essential focusing on exosome biology and translation of preclinical findings into the clinic. The present study discusses the key role of exosomes in CRC progression and diagnosis. Furthermore, it describes the opportunity and challenges associated with using exosomes as tumour markers.
Higher concordance of PD‐L1 expression between biopsies and effusions in epithelioid than in nonepithelioid pleural mesothelioma
Authors: Mansour Mohammed S. I. , Seidal Tomas , Mager Ulrich , Dobra Katalin , Brunnström Hans , Dejmek Annika
Published: January 2021

Background

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a therapy‐resistant tumor, often causing an effusion. Drugs targeting the programmed cell death 1 (PD‐1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) pathway have shown promising results, but assessment of PD‐L1 expression to select patients for therapy has mainly been performed on histologic tissue samples. In a previous study, we showed that MM effusions are suitable for PD‐L1 assessment with results comparable to those reported in histologic studies, but no studies have compared PD‐L1 expression in histologic and cytologic samples.

Methods

PD‐L1 expression was determined immunohistochemically (clone 28‐8) in 61 paired samples of effusions and biopsies from patients with pleural MM, obtained at the time of diagnosis. Only cases with >100 tumor cells were included. Membranous staining in tumor cells was considered positive at ≥1%, >5%, >10%, and >50% cutoff levels.

Results

Of 61 histologic samples, PD‐L1 expression was found in 28 and 7 samples at ≥1% and >50% cutoffs, respectively; the corresponding figures for cytology were 21 and 5, respectively. The overall percentage agreement between histology and cytology was 69% and 84%, with a kappa (κ) of 0.36 and 0.08 at ≥1% and >50% cutoffs, respectively. The concordance between cytology and histology tended to be higher for epithelioid MM versus nonepithelioid MM at a ≥1% cutoff. PD‐L1 positivity in biopsies, but not in effusions, correlated with the histologic subtype at a ≥1% cutoff.

Conclusions

A moderate concordance of PD‐L1 expression between biopsies and effusions from pleural MM, especially for the epithelioid subtype, indicates biological differences between the 2 types of specimens. Cytology and histology may be complementary.
CD169 and CD64 could help differentiate bacterial from CoVID‐19 or other viral infections in the Emergency Department
Authors: Bourgoin Pénélope , Soliveres Thomas , Barbaresi Alexandra , Loundou Anderson , Belkacem Inès Ait , Arnoux Isabelle , Bernot Denis , Loosveld Marie , Morange Pierre‐Emmanuel , Michelet Pierre , Malergue Fabrice , Markarian Thibaut
Published: January 2021

The identification of a bacterial, viral, or even noninfectious cause is essential in the management of febrile syndrome in the emergency department (ED), especially in epidemic contexts such as flu or CoVID‐19. The aim was to assess discriminative performances of two biomarkers, CD64 on neutrophils (nCD64) and CD169 on monocytes (mCD169), using a new flow cytometry procedure, in patients presenting with fever to the ED during epidemics. Eighty five adult patients presenting with potential infection were included during the 2019 flu season in the ED of La Timone Hospital. They were divided into four diagnostic outcomes according to their clinical records: no‐infection, bacterial infection, viral infection and co‐infection. Seventy six patients with confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection were also compared to 48 healthy volunteers. For the first cohort, 38 (45%) patients were diagnosed with bacterial infections, 11 (13%) with viral infections and 29 (34%) with co‐infections. mCD169 was elevated in patients with viral infections, with a majority of Flu A virus or Respiratory Syncytial Virus, while nCD64 was elevated in subjects with bacterial infections, with a majority of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. nCD64 and mCD169 showed 90% and 80% sensitivity, and 78% and 91% specificity, respectively, for identifying patients with bacterial or viral infections. When studied in a second cohort, mCD169 was elevated in 95% of patients with SARS‐CoV‐2 infections and remained at normal level in 100% of healthy volunteers. nCD64 and mCD169 have potential for accurately distinguishing bacterial and acute viral infections. Combined in an easy and rapid flow cytometry procedure, they constitute a potential improvement for infection management in the ED, and could even help for triage of patients during emerging epidemics.
Measuring calibration factors by imaging a dish of cells expressing different tandem constructs plasmids
Authors: Yin Ao , Sun Han , Chen Hongce , Liu Zhi , Tang Qiling , Yuan Ye , Tu Zhuang , Zhuang Zhengfei , Chen Tongsheng
Published: January 2021

Three‐cube Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) method is the most extensively applied approach for live‐cell FRET quantification. Reliable measurements of calibration factors are crucial for quantitative FRET measurement. We here proposed a modified TA‐G method (termed as mTA‐G) to simultaneously obtain the FRET‐sensitized quenching transition factor (G) and extinction coefficients ratio (γ) between donor and acceptor. mTA‐G method includes four steps: (1) predetermining the ratio ranges of the sensitized emission of acceptor (FC) to the donor excitation and donor channel image (IDD[(DA])) for all FRET plasmids; (2) culturing the cells which express every FRET plasmid in one dish respectively; (3) distinguishing and marking the cells expressing different FRET plasmids by detecting their FC/IDD(DA) values; (4) linearly fitting FC/IAA(DA) (acceptor excitation and acceptor channel image) to IDD(DA)/IAA(DA) for different kinds of cells. We implemented mTA‐G method by imaging tandem constructs cells with different FRET efficiency cultured in one dish on different days, and obtained consistent G and γ values. mTA‐G method not only circumvents switchover of different culture dishes but also keep the constant imaging conditions, exhibiting excellent robustness, and thus will expands the biological applications of quantitative FRET analysis in living cells.
Alpha‐lipoic acid: A promising adjuvant for nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs therapy with improved efficacy and gastroprotection
Authors: Barut Elif Nur , Engin Seçkin , Saygın İsmail , Kaya‐Yasar Yesim , Arici Seyma , Sezen Sena F.
Published: January 2021

Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used in a wide variety of diseases due to their analgesic and anti‐inflammatory effects, but their usage have been limited due to significant ulcerogenic side effects. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of α‐lipoic acid (ALA) treatment on the anti‐inflammatory activity of indomethacin (Indo) as well as the possible therapeutic effect of ALA on high dose Indo‐induced gastropathy in female mice. Mice were treated with Indo (5 or 30 mg/kg, p.o) alone or in combination with ALA (50, 100 or 200 mg/kg, i.p). in vivo anti‐inflammatory effect was evaluated by formalin‐induced paw edema measured as paw thickness and edema. Gastric damage was evaluated macroscopically and histologically by scoring mucosal hemorrhage, erosion, edema and inflammation. To our results, Indo was ineffective at 5 mg/kg, but co‐treatment with Indo and ALA significantly reduced paw edema, implying that ALA augmented the anti‐inflammatory effect of subtherapeutic dose of Indo. However, ALA was not able to induce a further increase in the anti‐inflammatory effect of Indo at 30 mg/kg. Unlike the treatment with Indo at 5 mg/kg, Indo at 30 mg/kg caused severe gastric damage that prevented by co‐treatment with ALA. These results suggest that combination of ALA with NSAIDs can both increase anti‐inflammatory effect and prevent NSAIDs‐induced gastric damage. ALA would be promising adjuvant that can reduce dose for effective NSAID therapy, which improves safety profile of NSAIDs especially in cases long‐term administration of high dose needed.
Adaptive coloration in pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca)—The devil is in the detail
Authors: Sirkiä Päivi M. , Qvarnström Anna
Published: January 2021

Understanding the origin and persistence of phenotypic variation within and among populations is a major goal in evolutionary biology. However, the eagerness to find unadulterated explanatory models in combination with difficulties in publishing replicated studies may lead to severe underestimations of the complexity of selection patterns acting in nature. One striking example is variation in plumage coloration in birds, where the default adaptive explanation often is that brightly colored individuals signal superior quality across environmental conditions and therefore always should be favored by directional mate choice. Here, we review studies on the proximate determination and adaptive function of coloration traits in male pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca). From numerous studies, we can conclude that the dark male color phenotype is adapted to a typical northern climate and functions as a dominance signal in male–male competition over nesting sites, and that the browner phenotypes are favored by relaxed intraspecific competition with more dominant male collared flycatchers (Ficedula albicollis) in areas where the two species co‐occur. However, the role of avoidance of hybridization in driving character displacement in plumage between these two species may not be as important as initially thought. The direction of female choice on male coloration in pied flycatchers is not simply as opposite in direction in sympatry and allopatry as traditionally expected, but varies also in relation to additional contexts such as climate variation. While some of the heterogeneity in the observed relationships between coloration and fitness probably indicate type 1 errors, we strongly argue that environmental heterogeneity and context‐dependent selection play important roles in explaining plumage color variation in this species, which probably also is the case in many other species studied in less detail.
Improved prediction of Canada lynx distribution through regional model transferability and data efficiency
Authors: Olson Lucretia E. , Bjornlie Nichole , Hanvey Gary , Holbrook Joseph D. , Ivan Jacob S. , Jackson Scott , Kertson Brian , King Travis , Lucid Michael , Murray Dennis , Naney Robert , Rohrer John , Scully Arthur , Thornton Daniel , Walker Zachary , Squires John R.
Published: January 2021

The application of species distribution models (SDMs) to areas outside of where a model was created allows informed decisions across large spatial scales, yet transferability remains a challenge in ecological modeling. We examined how regional variation in animal‐environment relationships influenced model transferability for Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis), with an additional conservation aim of modeling lynx habitat across the northwestern United States. Simultaneously, we explored the effect of sample size from GPS data on SDM model performance and transferability. We used data from three geographically distinct Canada lynx populations in Washington (n = 17 individuals), Montana (n = 66), and Wyoming (n = 10) from 1996 to 2015. We assessed regional variation in lynx‐environment relationships between these three populations using principal components analysis (PCA). We used ensemble modeling to develop SDMs for each population and all populations combined and assessed model prediction and transferability for each model scenario using withheld data and an extensive independent dataset (n = 650). Finally, we examined GPS data efficiency by testing models created with sample sizes of 5%–100% of the original datasets. PCA results indicated some differences in environmental characteristics between populations; models created from individual populations showed differential transferability based on the populations' similarity in PCA space. Despite population differences, a single model created from all populations performed as well, or better, than each individual population. Model performance was mostly insensitive to GPS sample size, with a plateau in predictive ability reached at ~30% of the total GPS dataset when initial sample size was large. Based on these results, we generated well‐validated spatial predictions of Canada lynx distribution across a large portion of the species' southern range, with precipitation and temperature the primary environmental predictors in the model. We also demonstrated substantial redundancy in our large GPS dataset, with predictive performance insensitive to sample sizes above 30% of the original.
Using the 2018 AEA Evaluator Competencies for Effective Program Evaluation Practice
Authors: Stevahn Laurie , Berger Dale E. , Tucker Susan A. , Rodell Anna
Published: January 2021

The ultimate goal of using the 2018 AEA Evaluator Competencies is effective program evaluation practice. This chapter suggests how the competencies can be used to enhance professional practice by individual evaluators, organizations/institutions, and evaluation associations. Individual use includes self‐assessing expertise, pursuing professional development, and using common evaluation language. Organizational use includes guiding internal evaluations or university evaluator education programs and curricula, seeking external assistance, and cultivating institutional learning. Association use includes sponsoring professional development, credentialing or certifying evaluators, and assessing competence through measurement or some other form of documentation such as a practice‐based portfolio. All of these uses hold potential to further professionalize the field of program evaluation.
Adaptive management of deep-seabed mining projects: A systems approach
Authors: Hyman Jayden , Stewart Rodney A , Sahin Oz
Published: January 2021

Increasing demand for metals used in clean energy technologies, including electric vehicles, has led to an increased demand in certain metals such as Ni, Co, and Mn. This demand has in turn led to an expanding interest in deep-seabed mining (DSM) of polymetallic nodule deposits that contain these exact metals. The main concerns about DSM relate to the incomplete information available about the environmental risks associated with seabed mineral extraction. Key uncertainties need to be systematically addressed to refine environmental impact predictions and establish effective mitigation measures. Adaptive management is an iterative process for reducing the uncertainty that can be applied by both mining companies and regulatory bodies. This Special Series paper reviews the key opportunities and challenges to operationalizing adaptive management in DSM projects and highlights the need for a framework to move from theory to practice. The discussion proposes a systems approach to adaptive management, which could help to guide the environmental management of deep-sea mineral extraction. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:674–681. © 2021 SETAC

KEY POINTS

Adaptive management is a suitable approach to addressing residual uncertainty for the effective environmental management of deep-seabed mining projects. Active adaptive management can be implemented in environmental management and monitoring plans to prioritize “learning by doing” and avoid “trial and error.” The paper introduces a conceptual framework for Systemic Adaptive Management (SAM), a systems approach to the implementation of adaptive management in deep-seabed mining projects. Participatory modeling is highlighted as a method to operationalize SAM whereby stakeholders are engaged to build complex system models to support decision making under uncertainty.
Estimating pesticide environmental concentrations in Latin America: The importance of developing local scenarios
Authors: Casallanovo Fábio , Simone Daniela Mejias , Santos Gustavo Souza , Oliveira Kaminski Thamires Sá , Cione Ana Paola , Peranginangin Natalia
Published: January 2021

Data to assess pesticide exposure in soil and water are scarce and unevenly distributed in Latin America, especially due to the size of the region and the vast agricultural landscape. This makes it difficult to assess associated environmental risks. We suggest that the lack of pesticide exposure or monitoring data can be addressed by using validated models to provide estimated pesticide exposure concentrations in soil and water bodies. This exposure modeling approach has been used by regulatory agencies in other countries and regions such as the United States, Canada, and the European Union. In order to properly estimate pesticide exposure concentrations, we advocate for the development of local scenarios containing local weather, soil, and crop data to be used in the existing models. A sensitivity analysis of the models can be performed to determine parameters that are sensitive and therefore inputs to these parameters are derived locally. We believe the development of local scenarios in the region is attainable and can be a pragmatic approach for developing a more comprehensive picture of potential pesticide exposure in the region. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:901–904. © 2021 Syngenta Proteção de Cultivos Ltda

KEY POINTS

Pesticide exposure modeling can be an alternative to fulfill the gap on pesticide monitoring data. Developing local scenarios for use in modeling tools is important to support local risk assessment. Modeling tools should be well tested and validated prior to adoption. A sensitivity analysis is important to determine the parameters of importance.
Depth enhancement through correlation‐based guided filtering in shape from focus
Authors: Ali Usman , Mahmood Muhammad Tariq
Published: January 2021

Mostly, shape‐from‐focus (SFF) techniques do not consider any guidance or prior information from the input image sequence while improving the depth information. Consequently, the resultant depth maps may have inaccuracies due to missing the fine structural details. In this paper, we propose a depth enhancement method based on a novel guidance map and guided filtering. In the proposed method, first, a focus measure is applied on image sequence (volume) to compute the focus volume and an initial depth map is obtained by maximizing the focus measure in the optical direction. The guidance map is computed based on the correlation among the image volume and the focus volume along the optical axis. Finally, the improved depth map is obtained by applying guided filtering of initial depth by incorporating the weights from the suggested guidance map. Experiments were carried out using synthetic and real and microscopic image sequences of various objects. Experimental results have demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed method and a reasonable improvement has been achieved in the quality of reconstructed depth maps.