bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Academic employees' green behaviour as praxis for bolstering environmental sustainable development: A linear moderated mediation evaluation
Authors: Fawehinmi Olawole , Yusliza Mohd Yusoff , Ogbeibu Samuel , Tanveer M. Imran , Chiappetta Jabbour Charbel Jose
Published: April 2022

There have been calls for organisational employees across developed and emerging economies to be more responsible towards the environment because of the heightened level of devastation in the ecosystem due to human actions. This study examines the influence of environmental concern on employee green behaviour (EGB) through the mediation of attitude, perceived behavioural control (PBC), and environmental knowledge. SmartPLS 3 software was used to analyse the relationships from 425 valid responses. The findings of our study show that environmental concern, attitude, and PBC positively predict the EGB of academics. Attitude and PBC act as complimentary mediators of the relationship between environmental concern and EGB. Equally, a linear moderated mediation analysis shows that environmental concern amplifies the link between PBC and EGB. Furthermore, an importance‐performance map analysis (IPMA) provides evidence that suggests that though employees' attitude is a less important predictor of EGB when compared with environmental concern, their respective degree of performance is equal to each other. Furthermore, this study offers substantive insights into the multiple roles of environmental concern in influencing employee green behaviour among academics in higher education institutions (HEIs). Policy implications and future research directions for environmental sustainability are discussed.
Cerebral astroblastoma radiologically mimicking pilocytic astrocytoma: A case report
Authors: Joshi Padam Raj , Pandey Sagar Babu , Manandhar Usha , GC Saroj , Sedain Gopal
Published: April 2022

Astroblastoma is a rare central nervous system tumor. We reported a case of a 24‐year‐old Nepalese woman with radiological features mimicking pilocytic astrocytoma which came out to be low‐grade astroblastoma in histopathological and immunohistochemistry examination after total excision of the tumor.
Effect of Transmembrane Pressure on Antifouling Properties of PVC/Clinoptilolite Ultrafiltration Nanocomposite Membranes
Authors: Etemadi Habib , Kazemi Rozita , Ghasemian Naser , Shokri Elham
Published: April 2022

Novel polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/clinoptilolite nanocomposite membranes for water treatment were fabricated by non‐solvent‐induced phase separation and characterized with respect to their hydrophilicity, porosity, surface roughness, thermal stability, and surface and cross‐sectional morphology. All prepared membranes were evaluated in a submerged system for the removal of humic acid (HA) under various vacuum transmembrane pressure (TMP) conditions. The hydrophilicity, porosity, and thermal stability of the membranes were increased by the addition of 0.5 wt % clinoptilolite nanoparticles. A larger macrovoid appeared when clinoptilolite nanoparticles were added to the PVC membrane. Higher TMP leads to serious fouling and the formation of a thicker foulant layer on the membrane surface as well as less removal of HA.
Nanosecond Pulsed Laser‐Heated Nanocrystals Inside a Metal‐Organic Framework Matrix
Authors: Niemeyer Max , Bessel Patrick , Rusch Pascal , Himstedt Rasmus , Kranz Daniel , Borg Hadir , Bigall Nadja C. , Dorfs Dirk
Published: April 2022

Investigations on gold and gold‐zinc oxide nanocrystals encapsulated in a matrix of a metal‐organic framework (ZIF‐8) upon plasmonic heating with nanosecond laser pulses are presented. Irradiation of Au@ZIF‐8 composite particles leads to heating of the gold core and decomposition of surrounding matrix acting as temperature probe. Cavities inside the ZIF‐8 matrix are found on TEM images after irradiation. Their size is determined dependent on laser energy density and the generated heat at the gold core after absorption of a laser pulse approximated. The surrounding of the gold cores can be heated up to ZIF‐8 decomposition over a distance up to 60 nm. This represents a method to visualize heat transfer from the gold cores to the ZIF‐8 matrix in three dimensions. Studies on ZIF‐8 encapsulated Au@ZnO dot‐rod particles give insight in heat transfer between the particle components and show the applicability of the method to different, more complex systems.
Tucker's congruence regressive feature projected Tversky discriminant multiple instance learning boost data classification for school student dropout prediction
Authors: Chinnasamy Rajagopal , Balasubramanian Thangavel
Published: April 2022

Prediction of student dropout in high school is a significant concern in education that affects both a state's education system and its financial system. Early prediction of school student dropout is not an easy issue to resolve since many factors that can influence student retention. The traditional classification techniques were used to solve this problem normally but the higher accuracy was not obtained. In order to improve the accuracy, a novel technique called Tucker's Congruence Regressive Target Feature Matching‐based Tversky Discriminant MIL Boost Data Classification (TCRTFM‐TDMBDC) is introduced. The proposed TCRTFM‐TDMBDC technique consists of four different processes namely data preprocessing, feature extraction, feature selection, and classification. At first, the data preprocessing is carried out for cleaning and altering the raw input data into a valuable and understandable format to minimize the complexity of the classification. After the preprocessing, the feature extraction is carried out by applying Modified Tucker's congruence correlative regression. Thirdly, the feature selection process is performed using Gaussian kernelized target projection feature matching to select the feature subset for accurate classification with minimum time consumption. Finally, the ensemble technique called Tversky Indxive generalized discriminant MIL boost is applied for classifying the given input student data with help of the weak learners. Based on the classification results, the student dropout prediction is accurately performed with minimum time. Experimental results reveal that the proposed technique noticeably predicts student dropout by means of prediction accuracy, precision, recall, F‐measure, and prediction time with respect to the number of student data. The discussed results illustrate that the proposed TCRTFM‐TDMBDC technique achieves higher accuracy with minimum prediction time than the state‐of‐the‐art methods.
Deciphering the Role of Substitution in Transition‐Metal Phosphorous Trisulfide (100) Surface: A Highly Efficient and Durable Pt‐free ORR Electrocatalyst
Authors: Jana Rajkumar , Chowdhury Chandra , Datta Ayan
Published: April 2022

The rational design and development of earth‐abundant, cost‐effective, environmentally benign, and highly robust oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts can circumvent the obstacles associated with the large‐scale commercialization of fuel cells. Here, using first‐principles‐based density functional theory (DFT), we have computationally screened the potential and feasibility of transition‐metal phosphorous trisulfides (TMPS3) (100) surfaces as efficient ORR electrocatalyst in acidic fuel cell application. MnPS3(100) surface emerges to be the best among TMPS3surfaces with optimal O2activation resulting in very low overpotential. The study reveals that ORR occurs on the MnPS3surface via 4e reduction associative pathway where the kinetically rate‐determining step (RDS) is the formation of O*+H2O with an activation barrier of 0.66 eV. Additionally, high CO tolerance and easy desorption of H2O make MnPS3a robust catalyst. Substitution in half of the Mn sites of MnPS3(100) surface with Co considerably enhances the ORR activity. Mn0.5Co0.5PS3(100) surface exhibits an ultralow overpotential of 0.39 V vs RHE switching ORR pathway from associative to dissociative. Spontaneous dissociation of H2O2on Mn0.5Co0.5PS3proves 4e reduction pathway excluding 2e one. Electronic structure analysis reveals that pristine MnPS3(100) surface is a narrow band gap semiconductor which upon Co substitution transforms into a conducting metallic surface enhancing ORR activity. Besides, Mn0.5Co0.5PS3(100) surface obtains the apex of the volcano plot due to its optimal position of the d‐band center which further justifies the improved ORR activity. With Pt‐like onset potential, facile H2O desorption ability, and robust dynamic and thermal stability, this CO tolerant Mn0.5Co0.5PS3catalyst can be a potential alternative to Pt with encouraging practical viability.
Childhood maltreatment and self‐hatred as distinguishing characteristics of psychiatric patients with self‐harm: A comparison with clinical and healthy controls
Authors: Nilsson Magnus , Lundh Lars‐Gunnar , Westling Sofie
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Deliberate self‐harm (DSH) is common in clinical populations. Childhood maltreatment (CM) and attitudes both towards oneself and towards DSH may be of importance for the development of DSH. This study aimed to test whether patients with DSH report more CM, more negative attitudes towards oneself and more positive attitudes towards DSH than a clinical and a healthy comparison group, and whether the effects of CM are mediated by negative attitudes towards oneself.

Method

Females with DSH and psychiatric disorders (n = 34), females without DSH but with psychiatric disorders (n = 31) and healthy female individuals (n = 29) were compared regarding DSH, CM, attitudes towards the self and attitudes towards self‐harm.

Results

Females with DSH reported more emotional abuse and more self‐hatred as compared to both comparison groups. The effect of emotional abuse was mediated by self‐hatred. The DSH‐group had significantly more positive attitudes towards DSH than the healthy comparison group.

Conclusion

Self‐hatred and CM in the form of emotional abuse may be distinguishing characteristics of female patients with DSH in psychiatric settings. The present results are compatible with the hypothesis that emotional abuse leads to DSH via self‐hatred, but the cross‐sectional nature of the study precludes any causal conclusions. The clinical utility of the results is discussed.
Probabilistic characterization of the directionality of horizontal earthquake response spectra
Authors: Poulos Alan , Miranda Eduardo
Published: April 2022

Earthquake response spectral ordinates vary significantly with changes in orientation within the horizontal plane. This variation is characterized probabilistically in this study using a large database of recorded earthquake ground motions. For each ground motion record, response spectral ordinates are computed in all horizontal orientations as a function of the rotation angle with respect to the azimuth of maximum response and then normalized by (1) the maximum and (2) the median spectral ordinate from all these orientations. Nonlinear regression models are then fitted to the means, standard deviations, and correlations of both ratios, as a function of rotation angle. To achieve a more complete probabilistic description, probability distributions are fitted to both ratios at each rotation angle. These results can be used for several probabilistic seismic hazard computations, such as the sampling of response spectral ordinates at specific orientations within the same site.
Longitudinal white matter microstructural changes in pediatric mild traumatic brain injury: AnA‐CAPstudy
Authors: Ware Ashley L. , Yeates Keith Owen , Tang Ken , Shukla Ayushi , Onicas Adrian I. , Guo Sunny , Goodrich‐Hunsaker Naomi , Abdeen Nishard , Beauchamp Miriam H. , Beaulieu Christian , Bjornson Bruce , Craig William , Dehaes Mathieu , Doan Quynh , Deschenes Sylvain , Freedman Stephen B. , Goodyear Bradley G. , Gravel Jocelyn , Ledoux Andrée‐Anne , Zemek Roger , Lebel Catherine ,   Pediatric Emergency Research Canada A‐CAP Study Team
Published: April 2022

In the largest sample studied to date, white matter microstructural trajectories and their relation to persistent symptoms were examined after pediatric mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). This prospective, longitudinal cohort study recruited children aged 8–16.99 years with mTBI or mild orthopedic injury (OI) from five pediatric emergency departments. Children's pre‐injury and 1‐month post‐injury symptom ratings were used to classify mTBI with or without persistent symptoms. Children completed diffusion‐weighted imaging at post‐acute (2–33 days post‐injury) and chronic (3 or 6 months via random assignment) post‐injury assessments. Mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) were derived for 18 white matter tracts in 560 children (362 mTBI/198 OI), 407 with longitudinal data. Superior longitudinal fasciculus FA was higher in mTBI without persistent symptoms relative to OI,d(95% confidence interval) = 0.31 to 0.37 (0.02, 0.68), across time. In younger children, MD of the anterior thalamic radiations was higher in mTBI with persistent symptoms relative to both mTBI without persistent symptoms, 1.43 (0.59, 2.27), and OI, 1.94 (1.07, 2.81). MD of the arcuate fasciculus, −0.58 (−1.04, −0.11), and superior longitudinal fasciculus, −0.49 (−0.90, −0.09) was lower in mTBI without persistent symptoms relative to OI at 6 months post‐injury. White matter microstructural changes suggesting neuroinflammation and axonal swelling occurred chronically and continued 6 months post injury in children with mTBI, especially in younger children with persistent symptoms, relative to OI. White matter microstructure appears more organized in children without persistent symptoms, consistent with their better clinical outcomes.
Genetic variation in ST6GAL1 is a determinant of capecitabine and oxaliplatin induced hand‐foot syndrome
Authors: Watts Katie , Wills Christopher , Madi Ayman , Palles Claire , Maughan Timothy S. , Kaplan Richard , Al‐Tassan Nada A. , Kerr Rachel , Kerr David J. , Houlston Richard S. , Escott‐Price Valentina , Cheadle Jeremy P.
Published: April 2022

Cancer patients treated with capecitabine and oxaliplatin (XELOX) often develop hand‐foot syndrome (HFS) or palmar‐plantar erythrodysesthesia. Genetic variation in ST6GAL1 is a risk factor for type‐2 diabetes (T2D), a disease also associated with HFS. We analysed genome‐wide association data for 10 toxicities in advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) patients from the COIN and COIN‐B trials. One thousand and fifty‐five patients were treated with XELOX ± cetuximab and 745 with folinic acid, fluorouracil and oxaliplatin ± cetuximab. We also analysed rs6783836 in ST6GAL1 with HFS in CRC patients from QUASAR2. Using UK Biobank data, we sought to confirm an association between ST6GAL1 and T2D (17 384 cases, 317 887 controls) and analysed rs6783836 against markers of diabetes, inflammation and psoriasis. We found that 68% of patients from COIN and COIN‐B with grade 2‐3 HFS responded to treatment as compared to 58% with grade 0‐1 HFS (odds ratio [OR] = 1.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02‐1.2, P = 2.0 × 10−4). HFS was also associated with improved overall survival (hazard ratio = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.84‐0.99, P = 4.6 × 10−2). rs6783836 at ST6GAL1 was associated with HFS in patients treated with XELOX (OR = 3.1, 95% CI = 2.1‐4.6, P = 4.3 × 10−8) and was borderline significant in patients receiving capecitabine from QUASAR2, but with an opposite allele effect (OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.42‐1.03, P = .05). ST6GAL1 was associated with T2D (lead SNP rs3887925, OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.92‐0.96, P = 1.2 × 10−8) and the rs6783836‐T allele was associated with lowered HbA1c levels (P = 5.9 × 10−3) and lymphocyte count (P = 2.7 × 10−3), and psoriasis (P = 7.5 × 10−3) beyond thresholds for multiple testing. In conclusion, HFS is a biomarker of treatment outcome and rs6783836 in ST6GAL1 is a potential biomarker for HFS with links to T2D and inflammation.
Non‐coding RNA regulatory networks in post‐transcriptional regulation of VEGFA in cancer
Authors: Fontemaggi Giulia
Published: April 2022

The switch from the normal quiescent vasculature to angiogenesis in tumors is induced by a variety of growth factors, released from cancer and stromal cells upon oxygen and nutrients deprivation. Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF‐A) is a potent‐secreted mitogen and the only growth factor specific to endothelial cells that is observed almost ubiquitously at sites of angiogenesis. Expression of VEGF‐A in cancer cells is controlled through transcriptional and post‐transcriptional mechanisms. Post‐transcriptional regulation of VEGF‐A occurs at multiple levels, through the control of splicing, mRNA stability and translation rate, enabling a fine‐tuned expression and release of VEGF‐A. Mounting evidence is highlighting the important role played by microRNAs (miRNAs) in the control of VEGF‐A mRNA stability and translation in cancer. Moreover, non‐coding RNAs, as long non‐coding RNAs and circular RNAs, are emerging as crucial modulators of VEGF‐A‐targeting miRNAs, with consequent ability to modulate VEGF‐A expression. This review discusses the recent progress on the ncRNA‐related networks controlling VEGF‐A expression in cancer cells and provides insights into the complexity of VEGF‐A post‐transcriptional regulation.
Inside Cover
Authors: Wang Chen , Reynolds Justin C. , Calle Paul , Ladymon Avery D. , Yan Feng , Yan Yuyang , Ton Sam , Fung Kar‐ming , Patel Sanjay G. , Yu Zhongxin , Pan Chongle , Tang Qinggong
Published: April 2022

A computer‐aided endoscopic optical coherence tomography (OCT) device was developed to guide the Veress needle insertion into the abdominal cavity. Four tissue layers which Veress needle went through were successfully visualized. Convolutional neural network (CNN) was used to automatically recognize the tissues and estimate the distance between needle tip and small intestine. Promising prediction results (98.53±0.39% for tissue recognition accuracy and 4.42±0.56% for distance estimation relative error) were obtained.

Further details can be found in the article by Chen Wang, Justin C. Reynolds, Paul Calle, Avery D. Ladymon, Feng Yan, Yuyang Yan, Sam Ton, Kar‐ming Fung, Sanjay G. Patel, Zhongxin Yu, Chongle Pan, and Qinggong Tang (e202100347)

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Reinforced behavioral variability in the valproate rat model of autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Galizio Ann , Odum Amy L.
Published: April 2022

Individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) tend to display restricted, repetitive behaviors and deficits in social interaction. Rats exposed to valproate (VPA) in utero have been shown to model symptoms of ASD. In previous research, VPA rats engaged in less social interaction and more repetitive responding than controls. The purpose of the present study was to further investigate behavioral variability in the VPA rat model of ASD by testing VPA and control rats in a reinforced‐behavioral‐variability operant task. In this procedure, rats emitted sequences of lever presses, some of which produced food. During baseline, food was delivered probabilistically, and variability was not required. Next, rats were exposed either to a variability contingency, in which food was only delivered following sequences that differed sufficiently from previous sequences (i.e., variability required), or to a yoked contingency, in which variability was not required. We hypothesized that VPA rats would behave less variably than controls in this task. However, VPA and control rats responded similarly variably when variability was required. Furthermore, VPA rats behaved slightly more variably than controls during baseline and yoked conditions, when variability was not required. These findings contribute to the complex literature surrounding the VPA rat model of ASD.
Association between red blood cell distribution width and blood transfusion in patients undergoing living donor liver transplantation: Propensity score analysis
Authors: Sim Ji‐Hoon , Kwon Hye‐Mee , Jun In‐Gu , Kim Sung‐Hoon , Kim Bomi , Kim Sehee , Song Jun‐Gol , Hwang Gyu‐Sam
Published: April 2022

Background

Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has been associated with massive transfusion. However, information on indicators predicting transfusion in LDLT is limited. This study investigates the association between red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and intraoperative transfusion in LDLT recipients.

Methods

This study analyzed 2546 patients who underwent LDLT between January 2010 and October 2019. The patients were divided into two groups based on preoperative RDW cutoff level (<14.4 and ≥14.4). We performed multivariate regression analysis to assess the association between RDW and intraoperative transfusion. We also performed propensity score matching analysis to compare the incidence of intraoperative transfusion between the two groups. The predictive power of RDW was assessed through receiver operating characteristic (ROC), integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), and net reclassification improvement (NRI) analysis.

Results

In the multivariate logistic analysis, RDW ≥14.4 was significantly associated with intraoperative transfusion (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.53, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13‐2.06, P = .005). There were significant differences in incidence of intraoperative transfusion between the two groups before (54.1% vs 91.6%, P < .001) and after (71.6% vs 79.8%, P = .004) matching. RDW had predictive power for intraoperative transfusion (P < .001 in NRI, P = .035 in IDI).

Conclusions

Preoperative RDW is a potential predictor of intraoperative transfusion in LDLT recipients.
Psychoanalysizing science itself: Psychoanalysis, philosophy of science and scientific research in the institutionalization of Argentinian psychology (1962–1983)
Authors: Fierro Catriel , Araujo Saulo de Freitas
Published: April 2022

To clarify the historical origins of theoretical and methodological problems faced by Argentinian psychology today, this article describes the philosophical and epistemological ideas held by psychoanalytically oriented professors and transmitted to undergraduate students during the institutionalization and professionalization of psychology at Argentinian universities between 1962 and 1983. Drawing from primary sources such as official publications and undergraduate syllabi, we analyze the systematic and normative perspective of those psychoanalysts on issues such as the nature of science, the scientific method, and the legitimate ways to do research. We argue that the philosophical approach they defended within psychology programs was markedly relativistic, solipsistic, and often recursive, leading them to conceive of psychoanalysis both as a meta‐theory and a self‐sufficient science. The fact that this “theory‐laden” philosophy of science was gradually adopted by psychology graduates (or undergraduates) throughout their education could thus help explain several epistemological beliefs currently held by a majority of Argentinian psychologists.
A multitechnique approach for the identification of multiple contamination sources near a polluted industrial site
Authors: Bonetto Alessandro , Calgaro Loris , Contessi Silvia , Badetti Elena , Artioli Gilberto , Marcomini Antonio
Published: April 2022

Degraded land requires rapid and suitable remedial actions, thus appropriate and fast methodological approaches for estimating the spatial distribution of contaminants are needed. In this context, a methodological approach combining isotopic measurements, heavy metals concentrations mapping, X‐ray diffraction, and cluster analysis, was applied to characterize a polluted industrial site where the contamination due to improper waste disposal could have spread also into the surrounding fields. This approach was applied to a set of representative topsoil (from 15 to 30 cm depth) and subsoil (from 130 to 150 cm depth) samples, selected either inside or outside the contaminated site. The X‐ray diffraction analysis highlighted that only the mineralogy of the subsoil below the buried waste was noticeably altered, while the concentration mapping highlighted that the levels of several heavy metals on the edge of the contaminated site, at both depths, were very similar to those found in the samples from the outside. Based on these findings, Pb was used as a tracer for heavy metal pollution by its stable isotopes' analysis. The cluster analysis of the isotopic measurements revealed that only the contamination detected inside the industrial site could be attributed to the pollutants migration from the buried waste. Conversely, the contaminants concentrations found in the topsoil samples taken outside the site could be ascribed to contamination sources other than the polluted waste present inside the site.
A family of finitep‐groups satisfying Carlson's depth conjecture
Authors: Garaialde Ocaña Oihana , González‐Sánchez Jon , Guerrero Sánchez Lander
Published: April 2022

Let be a prime number and letrbe an integer with . For eachr, let moreover denote the unique quotient of the maximal class pro‐pgroup of size . We show that the mod‐pcohomology ring of has depth one and that, in turn, it satisfies the equalities in Carlson's depth conjecture [2]. This is the first family of finitep‐groups for which Carlson's depth conjecture has been verified besidesp‐groups of abelian type mod‐pcohomology or extraspecialp‐groups. Moreover, this computation is possible without first describing the structure of the cohomology ring.
On factorization of multivectors in Cl(2,1)$$ Cl\left(2,1\right) $$, by exponentials and idempotents
Authors: Hitzer Eckhard
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we consider general multivector elements of Clifford algebras
and look for possibilities to factorize multivectors into products of blades, idempotents, and exponentials, where the exponents are frequently blades of grades zero (scalar) to
(pseudoscalar). We will succeed mostly, with a minor open case remaining.
Circularly polarized rectangular dielectric resonator antenna with metallic strips load for WLAN application
Authors: Usha Lakshminarayana , Krishnamoorthy Kandasamy
Published: April 2022

This article presents a circularly polarized rectangular dielectric resonator antenna (CP RDRA) loaded with metallic strips. The dielectric resonator (DR) with metallic strips on the top surface is excited by a slot aperture feed that excites two orthogonal modes to provide circular polarization. The proposed CP RDRA does not require any complex‐shaped dielectric resonator and simplifies the overall design. A prototype of the proposed antenna has been fabricated and validated. It has measured impedance bandwidth between 4.8 and 5.6 GHz and 3 dB axial ratio bandwidth between 5.1 and 5.43 GHz. The axial ratio beamwidth of more than 155° in the XZ and YZ planes is obtained.
Sexual dimorphism in placental development and function: Comparative physiology with an emphasis on the pig
Authors: Stenhouse Claire , Bazer Fuller W. , Ashworth Cheryl J.
Published: April 2022

Across mammalian species, it has been demonstrated that sex influences birth weight, with males being heavier than females; a characteristic that can be observed from early gestation. Male piglets are more likely to be stillborn and have greater preweaning mortality than their female littermates, despite the additional maternal investment into male fetal growth. Given the conserved nature of the genome between the sexes, it is hypothesized that these developmental differences between males and females are most likely orchestrated by differential placental adaptation. This review summarizes the current understanding of fetal sex‐specific differences in placental and endometrial structure and function, with an emphasis on pathways found to be differentially regulated in the pig including angiogenesis, apoptosis, and proliferation. Given the importance of piglet sex in agricultural enterprises, and the potential for skewed litter sex ratios, it is imperative to improve understanding of the relationship between fetal sex and molecular signaling in both the placenta and endometria across gestation.
An iPRES‐W Coil Array for Simultaneous Imaging and Wireless Localized B0 Shimming of the Cervical Spinal Cord
Authors: Cuthbertson Jonathan D. , Truong Trong‐Kha , Stormont Robert , Robb Fraser , Song Allen W. , Darnell Dean
Published: April 2022

Purpose

To develop a wireless integrated parallel reception, excitation, and shimming (iPRES‐W) coil array for simultaneous imaging and wireless localized B0 shimming, and to demonstrate its ability to correct for distortions in DTI of the spinal cord in vivo.

Methods

A 4‐channel coil array was modified to allow an RF current at the Larmor frequency and a direct current to flow on each coil element, enabling imaging and localized B0 shimming, respectively. One coil element was further modified to allow additional RF currents within a wireless communication band to flow on it to wirelessly control the direct currents for shimming, which were supplied from a battery pack within the scanner bore. The RF signals for imaging were transferred via conventional wired connections. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the RF, B0 shimming, and wireless performance of this coil design.

Results

The coil modifications did not degrade the SNR. Wireless localized B0 shimming with the iPRES‐W coil array substantially reduced the B0 RMSE (−57.5% on average) and DTI distortions in the spinal cord. The antenna radiation efficiency, antenna gain pattern, and battery power consumption of an iPRES‐W coil measured in an anechoic chamber were minimally impacted by the introduction of a saline phantom representing tissue.

Conclusion

The iPRES‐W coil array can perform imaging and wireless localized B0 shimming of the spinal cord with no SNR degradation, with minimal change in wireless performance and without any scanner modifications or additional antenna systems within the scanner bore.
Assessing the effect of anesthetic gas mixtures on hyperpolarized 13C pyruvate metabolism in the rat brain
Authors: Healicon Richard , Rooney Catriona H. E. , Ball Vicky , Shinozaki Ayaka , Miller Jack J. , Smart Sean , Radford‐Smith Daniel , Anthony Daniel , Tyler Damian J. , Grist James T.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

To determine the effect of altering anesthetic oxygen protocols on measurements of cerebral perfusion and metabolism in the rodent brain.

Methods

Seven rats were anesthetized and underwent serial MRI scans with hyperpolarized [1–13C]pyruvate and perfusion weighted imaging. The anesthetic carrier gas protocol used varied from 100:0% to 90:10% to 60:40% O2:N2O. Spectra were quantified with AMARES and perfusion imaging was processed using model‐free deconvolution. A 1‐way ANOVA was used to compare results across groups, with pairwise t tests performed with correction for multiple comparisons. Spearman's correlation analysis was performed between O2% and MR measurements.

Results

There was a significant increase in bicarbonate:total 13C carbon and bicarbonate:13C pyruvate when moving between 100:0 to 90:10 and 100:0 to 60:40 O2:N2O % (0.02 ± 0.01 vs. 0.019 ± 0.005 and 0.02 ± 0.01 vs. 0.05 ± 0.02, respectively) and (0.04 ± 0.01 vs. 0.03 ± 0.01 and 0.04 ± 0.01 vs. 0.08 ± 0.02, respectively). There was a significant difference in 13C pyruvate time to peak when moving between 100:0 to 90:10 and 100:0 to 60:40 O2:N2O % (13 ± 2 vs. 10 ± 1 and 13 ± 2 vs. 7.5 ± 0.5 s, respectively) as well as significant differences in cerebral blood flow (CBF) between gas protocols. Significant correlations between bicarbonate:13C pyruvate and gas protocol (ρ = −0.47), mean transit time and gas protocol (ρ = 0.41) and 13C pyruvate time‐to‐peak and cerebral blood flow (ρ = −0.54) were also observed.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that the detection and quantification of cerebral metabolism and perfusion is dependent on the oxygen protocol used in the anesthetized rodent brain.
Transverse relaxation in fixed tissue: Influence of temperature and resolution on image contrast in magnetic resonance microscopy
Authors: Meloche Ryan , Vučković Ivan , Mishra Prasanna K. , Macura Slobodan
Published: April 2022

To describe transverse relaxation of water in fixed tissue, we propose a model of transverse relaxation accelerated by diffusion and exchange (TRADE) that assumes exchange between free (visible) and bound (invisible) water, which relax by the dipole–dipole interaction, chemical exchange, and translation in the field gradient. Depending on the prevailing mechanism, transverse relaxation time (T2) of water in fixed tissue could increase (when dipole–dipole interaction prevails) or decrease with temperature (when diffusion in the field gradient prevails). Chemical exchange can makeT2even temperature independent. Also, variation of resolution from 100 to 15 μm/pxl (or less) affects effective transverse relaxation.T2steadily decreases with increased resolution ( , is the read direction resolution). TRADE can describe all of these observations (semi)quantitatively. The model has been experimentally verified on water phantoms and on formalin‐fixed zebrafish, mouse brain, and rabbit larynx tissues. TRADE could help predict optimal scanning parameters for high‐resolution MRM from much faster measurements at lower resolution.
Childhood emotional neglect predicts empathic accuracy in social inclusion and exclusion contexts
Authors: Zhang Xuehan , Zhang Mengning , Zeng Mei , Lan Mengxue , Liu Yadong , Li Jiwen , Chen Haopeng , Yang Juan
Published: April 2022

Previous studies have shown that individuals with a history of childhood emotional neglect show impaired empathy. However, accurately identifying emotions in others is an essential aspect of empathic functioning. The current study aimed to investigate the influence of childhood emotional neglect on empathic accuracy. A total of 92 participants were recruited from a local university. Forty‐six participants were randomly assigned to the social exclusion context (SE), and the other 46 were assigned to the social inclusion context (SI). The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire was used to measure childhood emotional neglect. Participants observed real interpersonal communications in which their in‐group members were either socially included or excluded and evaluated the extent of the emotion they felt for their in‐group members. Results found participants empathized with a high level of positive emotion in the SI context (t = 8.13, p < .001) and negative emotion in the SE context (t = 10.76, p < .001) in general. Moreover, childhood emotional neglect decreased the empathic accuracy in both contexts (SI context: β = −0.42, SE = 0.04, p = .004; SE context: β = −0.38, SE = 0.04, p = .009). These results contribute to the current understanding of social functioning of childhood emotional neglect in specific contexts.
Preparation and properties of diolefin rubber based on dynamically reversible bonding crosslinking
Authors: Liu Ran , Wang Pingyin , Tian Yaozhu , Luo Zhu
Published: April 2022

Endowing polymers with self‐healing properties holds great promise for extending the life of materials and reducing environmental pressure. However, it is still a challenge to have both mechanically enhanced and self‐healing properties. Dynamic reversible bonds can be broken and regenerated in response to external stimuli, thereby repairing localized cracks in the rubber matrix during use. Click reaction is an efficient and facile way to prepare self‐healing rubbers with dynamic reversible bonds. Herein, we have obtained a self‐healing styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) (SLA) by introducing dynamic disulfide and hydrogen bonds in an “imitative” click reaction via using SBR as a model compound and lipoic acid (LA) as the cross‐linking agent. The mechanical properties and self‐healing capacity of SLA can be altered by adjusting the LA content. Furthermore, SLA‐Zn was further prepared by introducing Zn2+ to form metal‐oxygen coordination bonds with carboxyl groups. The effect of Zn2+ on the mechanical and self‐healing properties has been systematically investigated. Compared with SLA, SLA‐Zn has better mechanical properties and self‐repairing ability, with a tensile strength up to 3.85 MPa and a repair efficiency of about 76%. This facile preparation method paves the way for the development of low‐cost self‐healing diolefin rubbers.
Predicting performance of Middle Eastern female students: A challenge for sustainable education
Authors: Pilotti Maura A. E. , Nazeeruddin Emaan , Alkuhayli Halah , Elmoussa Omar
Published: April 2022

The present research aimed to uncover individual differences that can be used to predict, at the start of a course, performance difficulties in female students of an understudied population who are at the beginning of their academic journey. Measures of active and passive procrastination and general self‐efficacy were collected at the start of the semester from students enrolled in one of two courses representative of the general education curriculum at a university in the Middle East. Grades on the first homework assignment and test in each course were used as indices of students' early performance. Measures of procrastination and self‐efficacy failed to adequately predict either early performance or attendance rates. Yet, attendance predicted a portion of the variance in assignment performance. This study suggests that class presence, rather than dispositional individual differences, can shape the early academic success of an understudied student population.
Finding the right hazard function for time‐to‐event modeling: A tutorial and Shiny application
Authors: Van Wijk Rob C. , Simonsson Ulrika S. H.
Published: April 2022

Parametric time‐to‐event analysis is an important pharmacometric method to predict the probability of an event up until a certain time as a function of covariates and/or drug exposure. Modeling is performed at the level of the hazard function describing the instantaneous rate of an event occurring at that timepoint. We give an overview of the parametric time‐to‐event analysis starting with graphical exploration by Kaplan–Meier plotting for the event data including censoring and nonparametric hazard estimators such as the kernel‐based visual hazard comparison for the underlying hazard. The most common hazard functions including the exponential, Gompertz, Weibull, log‐normal, log‐logistic, and circadian functions are described in detail. A Shiny application was developed to graphically guide the modeler which of the most common hazard functions presents a similar shape compared to the data in order to guide which hazard functions to test in the parametric time‐to‐event analysis. For the chosen hazard function(s), the Shiny application can additionally be used to explore corresponding parameter values to inform on suitable initial estimates for parametric modeling as well as on possible covariate or treatment relationships to certain parameters. Moreover, it can be used for the dissemination of results as well as communication, training, and workshops on time‐to‐event analysis. By guiding the modeler on which functions and what parameter values to test and compare as well as to assist in dissemination, the Shiny application developed here greatly supports the modeler in complicated parametric time‐to‐event modeling.
Synthesis, Characterization and Thermal Properties of Intrinsic Self‐Healing Polyurethane Nanocomposites
Authors: Soleimani Adel , Sadeghi Gity Mir Mohamad
Published: April 2022

A hybrid thermo‐reversible crosslinking polyurethane nanocomposite containing 0.5, 1, and 2 wt.% of nano‐silica was prepared with three intrinsic self‐healing bonds (reversible covalent bonds supported by intrinsic hydrogen bonds and dangling chains). Owing to the introduction of pseudo‐tannin and polyester diol that could form phenol‐urethane networks and using nano‐silica that causes dangling chains and hydrogen bonds, the prepared polyurethanes are capable of being reversed at 110 °C and rejoin at low temperatures. Thermoset self‐healing polyurethane nanocomposites are prepared from pseudo‐tannin, nano‐silica, and a urethane‐based prepolymer. The investigations of chemical structure, self‐healing behavior, and cross‐link network are carried out by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) technique, and swelling test. dissociation of phenolic urethane at 110 °C was confirmed by temperature variable FTIR. By swelling test, it was found that the self‐healing polyurethane nanocomposites with 0.5 wt.% of nano‐silica have the most hard‐domain, gel content, and crosslink density in the samples. DSC technique shows that polyurethane samples have two heat transfer transitions (dangling chains and self‐healing). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) findings show that nanocomposites decompose at elevated temperatures than neat PU, and the rate of degradation diminishes as silica content increases.
Separation of 1‐Naphthol from Wastewater Using HF‐Free Microwave‐Assisted Synthesized MIL‐101(Cr): Kinetics, Thermodynamics and Reusability Studies**
Authors: Gholipour Fatemeh , Rahmani Mohammad , Panahi Farhad
Published: April 2022

Microwave‐assisted synthesis of Chromium (III) Terephthalate Metal Organic Framework, MIL‐101(Cr), was achieved in an aqueous media in the absence of hydrofluoric acid (HF). The synthesized material was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms and field emission scanning electron microscope. Results indicate that the synthesized MIL‐101(Cr) using microwave irradiation poses higher surface area than those obtained using autoclave in a conventional oven method. Adsorptive removal of 1‐naphthol from aqueous solution using synthesized MIL‐101(Cr) was evaluated at various temperatures and concentrations. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms are used to describe the adsorption equilibrium behavior. The pseudo–second order and intraparticle kinetic models were applied to understand the rate limiting step and the mechanism of 1‐naphthol adsorption. The thermodynamic analysis of solid‐liquid system was investigated. The synthesized MIL‐101(Cr) showed higher 1‐naphthol adsorption capacity, compared to other adsorbents like biochar and multiwall carbon nanotube.
Turpentine‐Derived sec‐p‐Menthane‐1‐amine Derivatives: Synthesis, Herbicidal Activity, and 3D‐QSAR Study
Authors: Zhang Hongmei , Wang Jing , Chen Yuxiang , Xu Shichao , Duan Wengui , Jiang Jianxin , Zhao Zhendong
Published: April 2022

In this study, a series of turpentine‐derived secondary amines (4 a–4 y) were synthesized and their structures were characterized by FTIR, 1HNMR, 13CNMR, and HRMS. The post‐emergence herbicidal activities against barnyard grass and rape were evaluated by the Petri dish method. The preliminary results showed that most of the amines exhibited higher herbicidal activities than that of glyphosate. Compound 4 n was the most potential compound whose IC50 values against root and shoot growth of barnyard grass were 1.75 mg L−1, and 9.33 mg L−1, against shoot growth of rape was 13.12 mg L−1, which were 6.9‐folds, 4.5‐folds, and 13.5‐folds, higher than that of glyphosate, respectively. In addition, compounds 4 e, 4 c, and 4 n were found to be selective to monocotyledons such as Lolium perenne, Setaria viridis, Digitaria sanguinalis and Echinochloa crus‐galli, and they were safe to wheat, sorghum, maize, and peanut at 100 mg L−1. Furthermore, a 3D‐QSAR model was built by the CoMFA method to study the relationship between herbicidal activities with structures, and its coefficient were r2=0.85, q2=0.58, indicating the 3D‐QSAR model was reasonable and predictable.
Synthesis and Application of a Thiol Photolabile Protecting Group
Authors: Yang Hongpeng , Chen Lei , Zhang Shouguo , Wang Gang , Chen Tingting , Xu Jing , Peng Tao , Wang Lin , Hu Liming
Published: April 2022

We successfully designed and synthesized a photolabile protecting group (PLPG) for thiol that can be rapidly photolyzed by irradiation at 365 nm to release thiol groups within 100 s. The photolytic reaction has mild conditions and avoids acid cleavage, leading to good yields with no side reactions as validated by HPLC. The PLPG has good acid/alkali tolerance
Racism, shame, and stress reactivity among young black women
Authors: Johnson Amber J. , Urizar Guido G. , Nwabuzor Jessica , Dinh Peter
Published: April 2022

Black women experience disproportional rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) warranting further exploration of CVD risk factors. Growing evidence suggests acute stress reactivity studies may elucidate the mechanisms driving psychosocial correlates of CVD risks. Race‐related stress has been identified as a CVD risk factor among Black women though recent evidence suggests emotions may facilitate these risks. Black women may be vulnerable to shame related to frequent racist experiences. Yet, no study to date has examined racism, shame, and stress reactivity in this population. The current study utilized mixed linear models to test for time and group effects of racism and shame on stress reactivity (e.g., cortisol and C‐reactive protein [CRP]) among 34 Black women who completed the Trier Social Stress Test. Tests for two‐way interactions (i.e., shame by racism) were also performed. Significant time and group effects were observed for shame and racism on stress reactivity. Black women who experienced greater lifetime racism, stress appraised, but lower racism during the past year, exhibited greater CRP responses. Black women who experienced high levels of shame and racism during the past year and their lifetime demonstrated greater cortisol reactivity. These results prompt further research on racism and shame as CVD risk factors among Black women.
The Sphaera in Jesuit Education
Authors: Grendler Paul F.
Published: April 2022

When the Jesuits began to teach mathematics, they adopted the existing European curriculum which included Sacrobosco’sSphaera.Christoph Clavius, the most influential Jesuit mathematician, published a commentary on theSphaerain 1570 which was widely used. Its publication also marked a change in publication policy by the Roman Jesuits. As the Jesuits prepared a uniform curriculum for the Society’s schools in the 1580s and 1590s, Clavius offered a comprehensive mathematics curriculum and urged the Society to teach more mathematics and to train more Jesuit mathematicians. But some Jesuit philosophers rejected mathematics as unscientific. The Ratio Studiorum of 1599 included theSphaerabut did not expand Jesuit mathematical education. Jesuits continued to teach theSphaeraand to use Clavius’ commentary until about 1650.
From Anarchy to Enlightened Absolutism? Sverre Lodgaard
Authors:   Interviewed by Hilde Henriksen Waage
Published: April 2022

Sverre Lodgaard (b. 1945) served time in prison for refusing to do military service on political grounds. In this interview, he expands on his experience as a peace researcher and later director of PRIO, UNIDIR (the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research) and NUPI (the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs). While at PRIO, he carried out a transition from decision-making at plenary meetings to an “enlightened absolutism” of Director and Board.
Fresh Grounded Peace Research: Åshild Kolås
Authors: Interviewed by Wenche Iren Hauge
Published: April 2022

When first arriving in Yunnan, China, the anthropologist Åshild Kolås (b. 1961) learned that the Tibetan county of Zhongdian had asked to change its name to Shangri-La. How this led to a reformulation of Tibetan culture became the topic of her doctoral thesis. This interview presents her memories of a life in peace anthropology. She deplores the tendency for academics to share their findings mainly with other academics and not with their local research participants.
The Democratic Civil Peace and Beyond: Scott Gates
Authors:   Interviewed by Nils Petter Gleditsch
Published: April 2022

“On the day that Martin Luther King was assassinated, my mother intervened and laid down the law against … play with guns.” In this interview, Scott Gates (b. 1957), political science professor at the University of Oslo, former director of PRIO’s Centre for the Study of Civil War and now editor of the Journal of Peace Research, takes stock of peace research today, and calls for disaggregating data in time and space as a basis for ascertaining causal inference.