bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Non-Carbon Kaolinite; Part Substituent of Cement in Concrete
Authors: Harichandan Barun , Mishra Siba Prasad , Kumar Deepak , Sahu Deepak Kumar , Mishra Saswat
Published: March 2022

Concrete extravagantly used as an anthropogenic building material, unabated in urban development. Globally the cement sector emits about 8% of CO2 (Carbon Dioxide), generated at a ratio of 1MT of CO2 per1MT of cement clinker sintering. Environmental concerns for its degradation through cement. To restrict cement production, natural clay materials and industrial refuges are in to substitute cement part or whole.  The present-day hunt is the usage of Metakaolin (MK), a copiously accessible clay in India, as a substituent for cement. The physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of the metakaolin concrete investigated using XRF spectrometer, Scanning Electron Microscopy and universal testing machine following laboratory procedures. The efficiency of MK-concrete at different percentage mixes (0-30%) of ordinary Portland cement replacement at water-cement ratio 0.48 for all the mixes observed. The results suggested that concrete strength reduced significantly during the initial hydration period, particularly at high MK content. The application of up to 15% MK beyond 28 days curing triggers initial setting, time, rises in concrete strength, and increases durability and is also not affected by alkali-silica gel reaction, chloride and sulphate attack. Depending on the age of curing and the MK-concrete durability increases. This work shall reduce the carbon burden of present atmosphere if 15% blended MK cement concrete used.
Incidence of Angular Cheilitis among Patients Visiting Private Dental Hospital in Chennai: An Institutional Study
Authors: Jaisankar Anu Iswarya , Ramani Pratibha
Published: March 2022

Introduction: Angular cheilitis is defined as the localised inflammation of the lip commissure. The angles of the mouth are more prone to inflammation as they serve as the points of interface between the squamous epithelium and oral mucosa. It is a multifactorial disease and occurs due to varied etiology. It can be due to microbial infections, poor dentures, or can be due to smoking and pan chewing habits, Nutritional deficiency or Generalised Immunosuppression. Most of the lesions respond well to the topical antifungal medications and steroids.

Aim: The current study aims to assess the Incidence of Angular cheilitis among patients visiting the  Out patient department of a private dental hospital setting

Materials and Methodology: The study was performed in the Out patient department of saveetha dental college, under a university setting. The study was a retrospective study and the data required were procured by reviewing patient records dating between June 2019 and March 2021 and the sample size was n =125. The data thus collected were sorted and tabulated in the excel sheet. The sorted data were then entered in the IBM SPSS software and descriptive analysis was performed. The results were interpreted in the form of pictorial graphs.

Results: n = 125 patient records who had been diagnosed with Angular cheilitis had been retrieved. Our results show that the majority of them i.e 52% of the people were Females and 48% of them were Males.Our results also show that the people of  age group 41 to 50 were the most affected with 31.20% and people with 20 to 30 years of age group were the least affected with 12.80%.

Conclusion: Within the limitations of the study, it can be concluded that Angular cheilitis has got a predominant Female predilection and more commonly affects people of 41 to 50 years of age.

There is also a positive correlation between the Gender of the population and smoking and pan chewing habits; and Gender of the population and Iron deficiency anemia induced Angular cheilitis.
High CD34 surface expression in BCP‐ALL predicts poor induction therapy response and is associated with altered expression of genes related to cell migration and adhesion
Authors: Modvig Signe , Wernersson Rasmus , Øbro Nina Friesgaard , Olsen Lars Rønn , Christensen Claus , Rosthøj Susanne , Degn Matilda , Jürgensen Gitte Wullf , Madsen Hans O. , Albertsen Birgitte Klug , Wehner Peder Skov , Rosthøj Steen , Lilljebjörn Henrik , Fioretos Thoas , Schmiegelow Kjeld , Marquart Hanne Vibeke
Published: March 2022

Minimal residual disease (MRD) constitutes the most important prognostic factor in B‐cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP‐ALL). Flow cytometry is widely used in MRD assessment, yet little is known regarding the effect of different immunophenotypic subsets on outcome. In this study of 200 BCP‐ALL patients, we found that a CD34‐positive, CD38 dim‐positive, nTdT dim‐positive immunophenotype on the leukemic blasts was associated with poor induction therapy response and predicted an MRD level at the end of induction therapy (EOI) of ≥ 0.001. CD34 expression was strongly and positively associated with EOI MRD, whereas CD34‐negative patients had a low relapse risk. Further, CD34 expression increased from diagnosis to relapse. CD34 is a stemness‐associated cell‐surface molecule, possibly involved in cell adhesion/migration or survival. Accordingly, genes associated with stemness were overrepresented among the most upregulated genes in CD34‐positive leukemias, and protein–protein interaction networks showed an overrepresentation of genes associated with cell migration, cell adhesion, and negative regulation of apoptosis. The present work is the first to demonstrate a CD34‐negative immunophenotype as a good prognostic factor in ALL, whereas high CD34 expression is associated with poor therapy response and an altered gene expression profile reminiscent of migrating cancer stem‐like cells.
Inconsistent interactions between the seductive details effect and ego depletion in multimedia learning
Authors: Wang Zhe , Schroeder Noah L.
Published: March 2022

Multimedia learning often consists of a sequence of tasks, and research suggests that the sequence itself may influence learning outcomes. This study examines one theory related to task sequencing, known as ego depletion, and its interaction with a well‐established instructional design effect, the seductive details effect. To investigate the potential impact of ego depletion, a state of depleted self‐control strength, on learning with seductive details, which are interesting but irrelevant elements of the instruction, we conducted a randomized controlled experiment in which both ego depletion and seductive details were manipulated as two between‐subjects independent variables. Although manipulation checks confirmed the efficacy of the interventions, we found mixed results in learning outcome measures, particularly in the investigation of an interaction between the seductive details effect and ego depletion. Specifically, we found an amplified seductive details effect on transfer but not retention for depleted participants. These results suggest that ego depletion may not always occur to an extent that significantly influences learning in learner‐paced learning environments.
Diffusion‐induced anisotropic cancer invasion: A novel experimental method based on tumor spheroids
Authors: Ferraro Rosalia , Ascione Flora , Dogra Prashant , Cristini Vittorio , Guido Stefano , Caserta Sergio
Published: March 2022

Tumor invasion is strongly influenced by microenvironment and, among other parameters, chemical stimuli play an important role. An innovative methodology for the quantitative investigation of chemotaxis in vitro by live imaging of morphology of cell spheroids, in 3D collagen gel, is presented here. The assay was performed by using a chemotactic chamber to impose a controlled gradients of nutrients (glucose) on spheroids, mimicking the chemotactic stimuli naturally occurring in the proximity of blood vessels. Different tumoral cell lines (PANC‐1 and HT‐1080) are compared to non‐tumoral ones (NIH/3T3). Morphology response is observed by means a Time‐lapse workstation equipped with an incubating system and quantified by image analysis techniques. Description of invasion phenomena was based on an engineering approach, based on transport phenomena concepts. As expected, NIH/3T3 spheroids are characterized by a limited tendency of cells to invade the surrounding tissue, unlike PANC‐1 and HT‐1080 that show relatively stronger response to gradients.
Systematic analysis of olfactory protein–protein interactions network of fruitfly, Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Yang Shuang , Zhang WenJun
Published: March 2022

Olfaction is one of the physiological traits of insect behavior. Insects have evolved a sophisticated olfactory system and use a combined coding strategy to process general odor. Drosophila melanogaster is a powerful model to reveal the molecular and cellular mechanisms of odor detection. Identifying new olfactory targets through complex interactions will contribute to a better understanding of the functions, interactions, and signaling pathways of olfactory proteins. However, the mechanism of D. melanogaster olfaction is still unclear, and more olfactory proteins are required to be discovered. In this study, we tried to explore essential proteins in the olfactory system of D. melanogaster and conduct protein–protein interactions (PPIs) analysis. We constructed the PPIs network of the olfactory system of D. melanogaster, consisting of 863 proteins and 18,959 interactions. Various methods were used to perform functional enrichment analysis, topological analysis and cluster analysis. Our results confirmed that Class B scavenger receptors (SR‐Bs), glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs), and UDP‐glycosyltransferases (UGTs) play an essential role in olfaction of D. melanogaster. The proteins obtained in this study can be used for subsequent functional identification in D. melanogaster olfactory.
Postweaning positive modulation of α5GABAA receptors improves autism‐like features in prenatal valproate rat model in a sex‐specific manner
Authors: Santrač Anja , Bijelić Dunja , Stevanović Vladimir , Banićević Marija , Aranđelović Jovana , Batinić Bojan , Sharmin Dishary , Cook James M. , Savić Miroslav M.
Published: March 2022

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as a common neurodevelopmental disorder that encompasses impairments in social communication and interaction, as well as repetitive and restrictive behavior, still awaits an effective treatment strategy. The involvement of GABAergic neurotransmission, and especially a deficit of GABAA receptors that contain the α5 subunits, were implicated in pathogenesis of ASD. Therefore, we tested MP‐III‐022, a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) selective for α5GABAA receptors, in Wistar rats prenatally exposed to valproic acid, as an animal model useful for studying ASD. Postweaning rats of both sexes were treated for 7 days with vehicle or MP‐III‐022 at two doses pharmacokinetically determined as selective, and thereafter tested in a behavioral battery (social interaction test, elevated plus maze, spontaneous locomotor activity, and standard and reverse Morris water maze). Additional rats were used for establishing a primary neuronal culture and performing calcium imaging, and determination of hippocampal mRNA levels of GABRA5, NKCC1, and KCC2. MP‐III‐022 prevented impairments in many parameters connected with social, repetitive and restrictive behavioral domains. The lower and higher dose was more effective in males and females, respectively. Intriguingly, MP‐III‐022 elicited certain changes in control animals similar to those manifested in valproate animals themselves. Behavioral results were mirrored in GABA switch and spontaneous neuronal activity, assessed with calcium imaging, and also in expression changes of three genes analyzed. Our data support a role of α5GABAA receptors in pathophysiology of ASD, and suggest a potential application of selective PAMs in its treatment, that needs to be researched in a sex‐specific manner.

Lay Summary

In rats prenatally exposed to valproate as a model of autism, a modulator of α5GABAA receptors ameliorated social, repetitive and restrictive impairments, and, intriguingly, elicited certain autism‐like changes in control rats. Behavioral results were mirrored in GABA switch and spontaneous neuronal activity, and partly in gene expression changes. This shows a role of α5GABAA receptors in pathophysiology of ASD, and a potential application of their selective modulators in its treatment.
Heavy bio‐oils as bio‐binders for rice husk densification: Parameter optimization, binding mechanisms and subsequent pyrolysis and combustion performances
Authors: Li Hui , Yan Shanshan , Song Bing , Hall Peter , Karnowo Karnowo , Gao Wenran , Zhang Hong , Hu Xun , Zhang Shu
Published: March 2022

Densification is widely considered as a means to improve the bulk energy density and transportation efficiency of biomass, while the durability and fuel quality of densified biomass often need to be further improved by the addition of binders. In this study, the heavy fractions of bio‐oils from slow pyrolysis (HBO‐SP) and hydrothermal treatment (HBO‐HT) of rice husk (RH) are used as bio‐binders for RH densification. Optimal parameters are determined based on Taguchi methods. They are: densification temperature 130 °C, densification pressure 200 MPa, bio‐binder content 8%, particle size 0.4–0.6 mm, and using HBO‐HT as the binder. The obtained pellets showed a high drop resistance of 99.8% and the binding mechanism is governed by solid bridges between particles. Heavy bio‐oils are deformed and re‐solidified and function as a binder for RH densification. The RH/HBO‐HT pellets showed lower activation energy for pyrolysis as well as lower ignition temperature (292.81 °C compared with 298.34 °C for RH pellets). The higher heating value of pellets was increased from 14.99 to 16.29 MJ kg−1 with 8 wt% HBO‐HT. The co‐densification of heavy bio‐oils and RH provides an approach for producing more qualified solid biofuels from agriculture wastes. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Proposal of a regulatory framework for bioenergy implementation in a unified agricultural code for Ecuador
Authors: Ponce Sebastian , Mena‐Campoverde Carola , Proaño Juan Sebastián , Álvarez‐Barreto José Francisco , Aguirre Francis , Quintana Diana Torres , Sanchez Prieto Juan S. , Streitwieser Daniela Almeida
Published: March 2022

Bioenergy production is a new and promising industry in Ecuador. However, a confusing variety of laws, which are spread among different regulating institutions, regulate the agricultural sector. Such dispersion makes it difficult for farmers and businesses to understand applicable rights, duties, regulations and agricultural policies. Moreover, this rather young industry lacks important experience. In the first section of this work, the existing Ecuadorian legislation on bioenergy is presented and analyzed. Then, a brief, thorough analysis and comparison are carried out for experiences not only in developed countries, but also with similar cultural frameworks and comparable climatic conditions. The results are summarized as specific recommendations that have been handed to the National Agricultural Chamber of Ecuador from academia for the proposal of a Unified Agricultural Code established in the Ecuadorian legal hierarchy as an Organic Law. © 2022 The Authors. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining published by Society of Industrial Chemistry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
A multiauxotrophic CHO cell line for the rapid isolation of producers of diverse or high levels of recombinant proteins
Authors: Zhang Qinghao , Jiang Bo , Nelson Luke , Huhn Steven , Du Zhimei , Chasin Lawrence A.
Published: March 2022

Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells are widely used for the high‐level production of recombinant proteins. We created a multiauxotrophic mutant of CHO‐K1 cells, CHO8A, that is deficient in eight enzymatic steps in the purine/pyrimidine biosynthetic pathways. Prototrophy was restored by transfections with complementary DNA‐based genes for the eight missing activities. CHO8A cells permit: (1) selection of transfectant clones that have incorporated genes for eight or more different polypeptides, suitable for engineering complex proteins, or pathways; and (2) the single‐step selection of high producers of a particular protein. The latter is achieved by simultaneous use of eight vectors, each bearing one of the eight rescue genes and a cargo protein gene. Screening as few as 10 surviving colonies yielded high producers secreting mAbs at 84 picograms per cell per day or more. CHO8A was isolated by CRISPR‐Cas9 knockout of 10 genes in the pathways to pyrimidines (Dhodh, Umps, Ctps1, Ctps2, and Tyms) and purines (Paics, Atic, Impdh1, Impdh2, and Gmps).
Nanomaterials‐based sensors for the detection of COVID‐19: A review
Authors: Naikoo Gowhar A. , Arshad Fareeha , Hassan Israr U. , Awan Tasbiha , Salim Hiba , Pedram Mona Z. , Ahmed Waqar , Patel Vaishwik , Karakoti Ajay S. , Vinu Ajayan
Published: March 2022

With the threat of increasing SARS‐CoV‐2 cases looming in front of us and no effective and safest vaccine available to curb this pandemic disease due to its sprouting variants, many countries have undergone a lockdown 2.0 or planning a lockdown 3.0. This has upstretched an unprecedented demand to develop rapid, sensitive, and highly selective diagnostic devices that can quickly detect coronavirus (COVID‐19). Traditional techniques like polymerase chain reaction have proven to be time‐inefficient, expensive, labor intensive, and impracticable in remote settings. This shifts the attention to alternative biosensing devices that can be successfully used to sense the COVID‐19 infection and curb the spread of coronavirus cases. Among these, nanomaterial‐based biosensors hold immense potential for rapid coronavirus detection because of their noninvasive and susceptible, as well as selective properties that have the potential to give real‐time results at an economical cost. These diagnostic devices can be used for mass COVID‐19 detection to understand the rapid progression of the infection and give better‐suited therapies. This review provides an overview of existing and potential nanomaterial‐based biosensors that can be used for rapid SARS‐CoV‐2 diagnostics. Novel biosensors employing different detection mechanisms are also highlighted in different sections of this review. Practical tools and techniques required to develop such biosensors to make them reliable and portable have also been discussed in the article. Finally, the review is concluded by presenting the current challenges and future perspectives of nanomaterial‐based biosensors in SARS‐CoV‐2 diagnostics.
Immune‐responsive biodegradable scaffolds for enhancing neutrophil regeneration
Authors: Kerr Matthew D. , McBride David A. , Johnson Wade T. , Chumber Arun K. , Najibi Alexander J. , Seo Bo Ri , Stafford Alexander G. , Scadden David T. , Mooney David J. , Shah Nisarg J.
Published: March 2022

Neutrophils are essential effector cells for mediating rapid host defense and their insufficiency arising from therapy‐induced side‐effects, termed neutropenia, can lead to immunodeficiency‐associated complications. In autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), neutropenia is a complication that limits therapeutic efficacy. Here, we report the development and in vivo evaluation of an injectable, biodegradable hyaluronic acid (HA)‐based scaffold, termed HA cryogel, with myeloid responsive degradation behavior. In mouse models of immune deficiency, we show that the infiltration of functional myeloid‐lineage cells, specifically neutrophils, is essential to mediate HA cryogel degradation. Post‐HSCT neutropenia in recipient mice delayed degradation of HA cryogels by up to 3 weeks. We harnessed the neutrophil‐responsive degradation to sustain the release of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G‐CSF) from HA cryogels. Sustained release of G‐CSF from HA cryogels enhanced post‐HSCT neutrophil recovery, comparable to pegylated G‐CSF, which, in turn, accelerated cryogel degradation. HA cryogels are a potential approach for enhancing neutrophils and concurrently assessing immune recovery in neutropenic hosts.
Simultaneous detection of sepsis host response biomarkers in whole blood using electrochemical biosensor
Authors: Tanak Ambalika S. , Sardesai Abha , Muthukumar Sriram , Prasad Shalini
Published: March 2022

Sepsis is a silent killer, caused by a syndromic reaction of the body's immune system to an infection that is typically the ultimate pathway to mortality due to numerous infectious diseases, including COVID‐19 across the world. In the United States alone, sepsis claims 220,000 lives, with a dangerously high fatality rate between 25% and 50%. Early detection and treatment can avert 80% of sepsis mortality which is currently unavailable in most healthcare institutions. The novelty in this work is the ability to simultaneously detect eight (IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, IP‐10, TRAIL, d‐dimer, CRP, and G‐CSF) heterogeneous immune response biomarkers directly in whole blood without the need for dilution or sample processing. The DETecT sepsis (Direct Electrochemical Technique Targeting Sepsis) 2.0 sensor device leverages electrochemical impedance spectroscopy as a technique to detect subtle binding interactions at the metal/semi‐conductor sensor interface and reports results within 5 min using only two drops (~100 μl) of blood. The device positively (r >0.87) correlated with lab reference standard LUMINEX for clinical translation using 40 patient samples. The developed device showed diagnostic accuracy greater than 80% (AUC >0.8) establishing excellent specific and sensitive response. Portable handheld user‐friendly feature coupled with precise quantification of immune biomarkers makes the device amenable in a versatile setting providing insights on patient's immune response. This work highlights an innovative solution of enhancing sepsis care and management in the absence of a decision support device in the continuum of sepsis care.
Student counsellors’ experiences of mindfulness as a component of their person‐centred counselling training: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
Authors: Holt Elizabeth
Published: March 2022

Aim

Mindfulness is increasingly integrated into counselling and psychotherapy practices, as well as being introduced to students in academic institutes with the aim of supporting them to balance the responsibilities of academic study, placements and other commitments alongside university life. Despite mindfulness routinely finding its way into counselling settings and being incorporated into counsellor training, there has yet to be any research conducted to explore the experience of student counsellors who have received mindfulness as a part of their undergraduate person‐centred training. This study explored the reflections of counsellors who had attended a mindfulness module during the first year of a counselling degree.

Design

Six students completing a university‐based undergraduate degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy in the North‐West of England, in the UK, participated in the research. The study consisted of two students from each of the three years of the programme. Participants individually attended a semi‐structured interview to explore their experiences of mindfulness as a mandatory module of their training in person‐centred counselling. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to analyse the generated data.

Findings

Four superordinate themes were generated: 1) becoming a counsellor, 2) person‐centred mindfulness, 3) time, and 4) learning and development.

Discussion

Experiential themes were explored including the process of professionalism, vulnerability, embodiment of person‐centred theory and the core conditions and the conflict of approach.

Conclusion

Recommendations are made for mindfulness to be included in counselling training programmes with a person‐centred focus. Suggestions for further research include longitudinal studies to follow the development of trainees over time.
Vaccine production and supply need a paradigm change
Authors: Kritharis Athanasios , Tamer I. Melih , Yadav Vikramaditya G.
Published: March 2022

We discuss the impact of COVID‐19, the journey towards developing vaccines against the disease, and how biomanufacturing should evolve in order to meet similar challenges in the future.
Growth hormone isoform testing in capillary dried blood spots: Results from single and multiple dose administration studies and large‐scale field collections
Authors: Miller Geoffrey D. , Husk Jacob , Crouch Andre K. , Eichner Daniel
Published: March 2022

A multiphase study was designed to examine the detectability of human growth hormone (GH) use in capillary dried blood spots (DBS). First, 13 subjects self‐injected a single, 2‐mg dose of somatropin and collected capillary DBS samples for 24 h. Next, nine subjects self‐injected 2‐mg somatropin, six times over the course of 11 days; DBS were collected intermittently following dosing. Finally, a nondrug, large‐scale field study involved DBS collections from an athlete and staff population over 3 years. All DBS samples were self‐collected using the Tasso M20 device and were analyzed for the presence of GH using the WADA‐approved GH isoforms test. Following the single dose, positive detection within 12 h of dosing was 86% and 56% sensitive on Kits 1 and 2, respectively. In the multidose study, detection within 12 h was 85% and 69% sensitive on Kits 1 and 2, respectively. No positives were detected outside the 12‐h window following a single dose, wherein detection was 5.6% sensitive at 24‐h in the multidose study. Combining the 12‐h windows from both studies, 100% of samples had measurable recombinant (REC) and pituitary (PIT) GH concentrations above the assay LoD, 0.041 ng/ml. Finally, 1213 samples were collected in the large‐scale field study: 189 showed REC and PIT concentrations above the LoD; none returned positive results. GH is detectable in capillary DBS using the isoforms method for 12–24 h following use. While detection is short lived, transitioning to a DBS self‐collection method can allow more frequent testing and increase deterrence to GH abuse.
High‐frequency and long‐term observations of eDNA from imperiled salmonids in a coastal stream: Temporal dynamics, relationships with environmental factors, and comparisons with conventional observations
Authors: Searcy Ryan T. , Boehm Alexandria B. , Weinstock Chloe , Preston Christina M. , Jensen Scott , Roman Brent , Birch James M. , Scholin Christopher A. , Van Houtan Kyle S. , Kiernan Joseph D. , Yamahara Kevan M.
Published: March 2022

A greater understanding of eDNA behavior in the environment is needed before it can be employed for ecosystem monitoring applications. The objectives of this study were to use autonomous sampling to conduct long‐term, high‐frequency monitoring of the eDNA of native salmonid species in a Californian coastal stream, describe temporal variation of eDNA on multiple scales and identify environmental factors that drive this variation, and evaluate the ability of the eDNA datasets to detect rare species and represent organismal abundance. Using high‐throughput autonomous environmental sample processors (ESPs) and qPCR, we enumerated eDNA concentrations from 674 water samples collected at subdaily intervals over 360 days at a single site. We detected eDNA from two imperiled salmonids (coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch and steelhead/rainbow trout O. mykiss) in most samples; O. kisutch eDNA was generally in lower concentration and more variable than O. mykiss eDNA. High‐frequency (i.e., subdaily and daily) variability in salmonid eDNA concentrations showed occasional patchiness (i.e., large differences between consecutive samples), while seasonal differences were observed consistent with the ecology of the species at this site. Salmonid eDNA concentrations were significantly associated with creek discharge, photoperiod, and whether the creek mouth was open or closed by a seasonal sandbar. The release of hatchery‐origin O. kisutch parr into the stream was associated with a significant increase in eDNA concentration for the remainder of the study. We compared eDNA signals with fish abundance data collected from traps located at the site. Fish were detected more often by eDNA than from trapping. Significant positive associations between fish abundance and eDNA concentrations were observed for O. mykiss; however, no such associations were observed for O. kisutch. This study adds to our knowledge on the occurrence and behavior of fish eDNA in lotic systems and informs future biomonitoring efforts using automated sampling technology.
Simultaneous Solar‐driven Steam and Electricity Generation by Cost‐effective, Easy Scale‐up MnO2‐based Flexible Membranes
Authors: Ren Jiaxin , Ding Yang , Gong Jiang , Qu Jinping , Niu Ran
Published: March 2022

Harvesting solar energy in an effective manner for steam and electricity generation is a promising technique to simultaneously cope with the energy and water crises. However, the construction of efficient and easy scale‐up photothermal materials for steam and electricity cogeneration remains challenging. Herein, we report a facile and cost‐effective strategy to prepare MnO2‐decorated cotton cloth (MCx). The wide adsorption spectrum and excellent photothermal conversion ability of the in situ‐formed MnO2 nanoparticles make the MCx to be advanced photothermal materials. Consequently, the hybrid device integrated with MCx as the photothermal layer and the thermoelectric (TE) module for electricity power conversion exhibits an extremely high evaporation rate of 2.24 kg m−2 h−1 under 1 kW m−2 irradiation, which is ranked among the most powerful solar evaporators. More importantly, during solar evaporation, the hybrid device produces an open‐circuit voltage of 0.3 V and a power output of 1.6 W m−2 under 3 Sun irradiation, and outperforms most of the previously reported solar‐driven electricity generation devices. Therefore, the integrated device with synergistic solar‐thermal utilization opens up a green way toward simultaneous solar vapor and electric power generation in remote and resource‐constrained areas.
Enhanced carbonation curing of cement pastes with dolomite additive
Authors: Guo Ruonan , Wang Lei , Huang Hao , Wang Tao , Yi Zhenwei
Published: March 2022

Carbonation curing of cement‐based materials has recently received increasing attention as a CO2 utilization technology. This study aimed at investigating the effects of carbonation curing on the performance of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) pastes with dolomite additive (DPC). The CO2 uptake capacity, after being normalized to carbonation active components, significantly increased with larger dolomite mixing ratios. For DPC‐25% samples under 2.5 MPa curing pressure, the maximum CO2 uptake capacity reached 23.6 wt%, which was 23% higher than that of pure OPC samples under the same condition. Effects of water to solids (w/s) ratio and temperature on carbonation are two‐sided. The optimum w/s ratio for CO2 uptake capacity of DPC‐15% samples was approximately 0.20, while the optimum temperature was equal to 60℃ or higher than 60℃. The CO2 uptake capacity increased with finer particle size and higher CO2 curing pressures. Compared to large particles, smaller particles are more likely to have a better dilution effect, providing more contact surface for carbonated precipitation. From the pore structure changes perspective, carbonation products filled the interface between the dolomite and amorphous particles. DPC‐25% samples with higher dolomite mixing ratios provided more pores and pathways for gas diffusion, and exhibited a more uniform structure, thereby contributing to the highest compressive strength values of DPC‐25% samples (63.8 MPa) among all the DPC samples. These findings imply the possible feasibility of dolomite as an additive in carbonation cured building materials. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The ability of U.S. macroeconomic variables to predict Asian financial market returns
Authors: Tzeng Kae‐Yih
Published: March 2022

This study conducts an extensive empirical investigation of whether 20 U.S. macroeconomic variables influence Asian financial market returns. The in‐sample results show that certain U.S. macroeconomic variables, such as the commercial paper‐to‐Treasury‐bill spread or the manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index, possess powerful abilities to predict Asian market returns. The out‐of‐sample results show that other macroeconomic variables, such as change in the inflation rate, also show predictive power. We also use combination methods that pool information from U.S. macroeconomic variables to improve their predictive ability, and find that doing so produces superior out‐of‐sample results. We therefore find that the 20 U.S. macroeconomic variables contain information that can be used to predict Asian market returns.
Degree of polarization uniformity for dental calculus visualization
Authors: Hsiao Tien‐Yu , Ho Yi‐Ching , Lee Shyh‐Yuan , Sun Chia‐Wei
Published: March 2022

During the treatment for periodontitis, the removal of dental calculus is essential. Previously, we have proposed the DAM algorithm for intuitive identification of the site of lesion, enabling the non‐contact assessment during the operation. Nonetheless, the delineation of dental calculus was still imperfect. To this end, here we utilized the power of polarization‐sensitive optical coherence tomography and evaluated the contrast called degree of polarization uniformity for dental calculus visualization. The result showed that the selected index demonstrated excellent contrast of dental calculus from other normal dental hard tissues. The proposed contrast is promising for accurate dental calculus delineation.
Bone Mineral and Organic Properties in Postmenopausal Women Treated With Denosumab for Up to 10 years
Authors: Farlay Delphine , Rizzo Sébastien , Dempster David W , Huang Shuang , Chines Arkadi , Brown Jacques P , Boivin Georges
Published: March 2022

In postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, denosumab (DMAb) therapy through 10 years resulted in significantly higher degree of mineralization of bone, with a subsequent increase from years 2–3 to year 5 and no further difference between years 5 and 10. Our aim was to assess the variables reflecting the quality of bone mineral and organic matrix (Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy), and the microhardness of bone (Vickers microindentation). Cross-sectional assessments were performed in blinded fashion on iliac bone biopsies from osteoporotic women (72 from FREEDOM trial, 49 from FREEDOM Extension trial), separately in cortical and cancellous compartments. After 2–3 years of DMAb, mineral/matrix ratio and microhardness of cortical bone were significantly higher compared with placebo, whereas mineral maturity, mineral crystallinity, mineral carbonation, and collagen maturity were not different in both bone compartments. Through 5 years of DMAb, mineral carbonation was significantly lower and mineral/matrix ratio, mineral maturity, and crystallinity were significantly higher versus 2–3 years and were not different between 5 and 10 years, with the exception of mineral maturity in cancellous bone. These data support a transition of mineral to more mature crystals (within physiological range) and the completeness of secondary mineralization within 5 years of DMAb treatment. Microhardness in cortical and cancellous compartments was significantly lower at 5 years of DMAb versus 2–3 years and was not different from years 5 to 10. The lower microhardness at years 5 and 10 is likely the result of maturation of the organic matrix in a persistently low state of bone remodeling over 5 and 10 years. © 2022 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Methane production of rare earth element‐rich Dicranopteris dichotoma and effects of La(III) on anaerobic digestion performance of lignocellulose
Authors: Xing Tao , Wang Zhi , Zhen Feng , Liu Huiliang , Wang Fei , Zhang Yi , Kong Xiaoying , Sun Yongming
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

Phytoremediation by hyperaccumulators (such as Dicranopteris dichotoma) is widely used for the remediation of rare earth tailings in China. Accordingly, a large amount of rare earth‐rich plant residues is produced. Anaerobic digestion could convert biomass into energy. In this study, the anaerobic digestion performance of D. dichotoma, which is rich in rare earth elements (REEs), was investigated. Cellulose, xylan, and glucose served as the model substrates to explore the effects of La(III) on hydrolysis and methane production using batch anaerobic digestion.

RESULTS

The results indicated that the La(III) concentration of 500 mg/L inhibited methane production from cellulose with the reduciton of 20%. Inversely, no significant difference was found in the cumulative methane yield from glucose with different La(III) concentrations. The microbial community results showed that the lack of cellulose hydrolyzing bacteria, such as Clostridium III and Clostridium XlVa, may be the main reason for the inhibition of methane production. Furthermore, the methane yield of REE‐rich D. dichotoma was 181.5 ± 14.6 mL/g VS and the La(III) concentration of luquid digestate was only 2.20 mg/L.

CONCLUSION

The inhibition of La(III) on anaerobic digestion of lignocellulose was mainly in the hydrolysis process of cellulose, while the inhibition of xylan hydrolysis was relatively weak, and it had no significant effect on methanogenesis process of glucose. La(III) showed a small effect on the methane production of REE‐rich D. dichotoma due to a small amount of release into the liquid digestate. Anaerobic digestion may be a feasible way for treating lignocellulose plants contaminated with rare‐earth minerals. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Critical thinking disposition among Thai dental students
Authors: Sireerat Kittichai , Seki Naoko , Akiyama Masako , Kinoshita Atsuhiro , Morio Ikuko
Published: March 2022

Objectives

Critical thinking is recognized as an essential aspect in the training of healthcare professionals, yet it has not been explicitly applied to dental education in Thailand. Therefore, this research study aimed to survey the status of critical thinking disposition among Thai dental students and examine the correlation between critical thinking disposition and academic performance.

Methods

In 2020, 322 students from a Thai dental school were invited to participate in the study and answer an online questionnaire supplying demographic data and Grade Point Average (GPA), and respond to the California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CCTDI). A one‐way analysis of variance and Spearman's correlation were used to analyze the data.

Results

Overall, 279 of the 322 participants (86.6%) completed the demographic information and CCTDI. Three subscales were found to be in the ambivalent range: truth‐seeking (36.8 ± 6.2), systematicity (39.0 ± 5.5), and maturity of judgment (37.1 ± 5.9). Most of the CCTDI subscale scores did not significantly correlate with GPAs, except for systematicity (r = 0.119, p = 0.047) and confidence in reasoning (r = 0.146, p = 0.015).

Conclusion

This study examined the strengths and weaknesses of the students’ critical thinking dispositions. Their GPAs correlated with two critical thinking disposition subscales; however, the results did not guarantee a correlation with academic outcomes. Pedagogical strategies to develop dental students’ critical thinking dispositions need to be further assessed.
A selective chromone‐based colorimetric chemosensor for detecting Cu2+ in near‐perfect aqueous solution and test kit
Authors: Gil Dongkyun , Kim Cheal
Published: March 2022

A colorimetric chemosensor CMF (N′‐[(E)‐(4‐oxo‐4H‐chromen‐3‐yl)methylidene]furan‐2‐carbohydrazide) was applied for detecting Cu2+. CMF showed colorimetric selectivity to Cu2+ through a color variation from colorless to yellow. Binding ratio between CMF and Cu2+ was analyzed by Job plot to be a 2:1. Limit of detection was found to be 0.38 μM. The practicality of CMF was illustrated by the quantification of Cu2+ in real samples. In particular, the CMF‐coated test kit was able to detect the copper ions at a concentration lower than the recommended concentration (31.5 μM) of the World Health Organization (WHO) for copper ion. The binding mode of CMF and copper ions was studied through UV–visible spectroscopy, 1H NMR titration, ESI‐mass analysis, and DFT calculations. Sensing mechanism of CMF to Cu2+ was proposed to be the ligand‐to‐metal charge transfer (LMCT) through DFT calculations.
Design, synthesis, insecticidal activities, and molecular docking of novel pyridylpyrazolo carboxylate derivatives
Authors: Yang Shuai , Peng Hongxiang , Zhu Jinyi , Zhao Chen , Xu Hanhong
Published: March 2022

Based on our previous work, using the strategies of “scaffold hopping” and “intermediate derivatization method” (IDM), a total of 44 novel pyridylpyrazolo carboxylate derivatives were designed and synthesized. The structures of these compounds were identified by 1H NMR and 13C NMR, and the insecticidal activities of the target compounds against Plutella xylostella and Spodoptera frugiperda were tested. Compound G35 showed the best insecticidal activities against P. xylostella (LC50 = 33.65 mg/L) and S. frugiperda (mortality rate = 61.21% at 100 mg/L). Preliminary structure–activity relationship analysis showed that the introduction of amino group and acetamide on the benzene ring helped to improve the insecticidal activity of the scaffold. Molecular docking model between compounds G34 or G35 and Ryanodine receptors (RyRs) of P. xylostella showed that RyRs may be a potential target of this series compounds and explained the difference in insecticidal activities. These findings provided guidance for further optimization of the pyridylpyrazolo carboxylate scaffold as potential insecticide.
Employee voice and coworker support: The roles of employee job demands and coworker voice expectation
Authors: Liu Xin , Zheng Xiaoming , Ni Dan , Harms Peter D.
Published: March 2022

Although a number of studies have examined the antecedents of employee voice, knowledge on the consequences of voice, especially in terms of the coworkers' responses, is limited. The current research addresses this important issue by examining when and why employee voice, as a citizenship behavior, can facilitate coworker support. Drawing on expectancy violation theory, we propose that higher job demands strengthen the positive relationship between employee voice and coworker support by decreasing coworker voice expectation. We tested our hypotheses using two complementary studies: Study 1 adopted an experience sampling methodology and collected data consisting of 944 daily responses from 103 employees over a 10‐day period; Study 2 adopted a two‐wave survey design and collected data from 161 employee–coworker dyads. The results support our hypotheses that higher (versus lower) job demands enhance the positive association between employee voice and coworker support via decreased (versus increased) coworker voice expectation.
Detection and attribution of summer temperature changes in China during the last millennium
Authors: Wang Zhiyuan , Wang Jianglin , Jia Jia , Shi Xiaoyi , Wang Sisi , Pan Chunhua
Published: March 2022

The last millennium (LM, 1000–1850 AD) is crucial for studying historical climate change on decadal to multidecadal timescales. The summer surface air temperature (SAT) evolutions on regional scales (e.g. over China) are more uncertain than the globe/Northern Hemisphere, especially in response to external forcing factors and internal climate variability. Here, we provide one‐signal (full‐forcing) fingerprints of summer SAT in China derived from three large ensemble model archives with a multi‐proxy reconstruction during the LM, Little Ice Age (LIA, 1451–1850 AD), and Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA, 1000–1250 AD), respectively. Our results show that (a) SATs in the northeast, southeast, northwest, and Tibetan Plateau (TP) regions of China show evident decreasing trends during the LM. External forcing response from all model archives agrees with the regional SAT reconstruction but underestimates variability in northwest China at the multidecadal timescale. (b) During the LIA, the summer regional SAT exhibits a cold condition in the reconstruction and simulations, especially in the northeast and northwest regions of China. External forcing responses in most model archives are the dominant factor on multidecadal SAT evolutions in the southeast, northeast, and TP regions of China and decadal SAT evolutions in northwest China. (c) During the MCA, detection and attribution of SAT shows that internal climate variability dominates in southeast, northeast, and TP regions of China, but external forcing dominates in northwest China at decadal to multidecadal timescales. These results contribute to a better understanding of the causes and mechanisms of regional climate change.
Increased amplitude of the North Pacific Gyre Oscillation towards recent: Evidence from tree‐ring‐based reconstruction since 1596
Authors: Dong Zhipeng , Zhou Feifei , Zheng Zhuangpeng , Fang Keyan
Published: March 2022

The North Pacific Gyre Oscillation (NPGO) is the second leading mode of the sea surface height (SSH) of the North Pacific Ocean, playing a key role in causing regional ecosystem changes and large‐scale climate anomalies. However, its long‐term evolution prior to the industrial era is largely unknown. This study provides a reconstruction of the NPGO from 1596 onwards from 19 NPGO‐sensitive tree‐ring chronologies in the Himalayan Mountains, the Rocky Mountains, the Coastal Mountains and the Alaskan Mountain Range, which explained 57.1% of the observed NPGO variations. The selected tree‐ring chronologies showed strong linkages with the NPGO but weak or no correlations with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), another leading mode of the North Pacific Ocean. The reconstruction revealed that the NPGO variance and amplitude are not only the strongest towards recent in the instrumental period but also in the reconstruction period. The linkages between the NPGO and El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) became strengthened towards recent, which may be attributed to the increased occurrence of central Pacific ENSO during the anthropogenic warming period. In addition, close linkages were found between the NPGO and the multidecadal Pacific variability (MPV), the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) at the interannual and multidecadal scales, indicative of strong teleconnections between the ocean–atmosphere modes of the Pacific and Atlantic.