bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing remote attendance and remote testing as accommodations in on‐campus courses
Authors: Masinter Michael R.
Published: March 2022

As the Omicron COVID wave subsides and vaccination rates rise, schools that have offered remote attendance and remote testing for students with COVID infections or immune‐compromising disabilities in on‐campus courses are reconsidering their continued use, beginning with the upcoming fall semester. At the same time, disability rights organizations have called for schools to continue to make remote attendance available as an accommodation for students with COVID‐related disabilities in on‐campus courses and programs (see https://bit.ly/34WLKDo). Because remote attendance and remote testing implicate different concerns, schools should assess them separately.
Using functional traits and phylogeny to understand local extinction risk in dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata)
Authors: Suhonen Jukka , Ilvonen Jaakko J. , Korkeamäki Esa , Nokkala Christina , Salmela Jukka
Published: March 2022

Understanding the risk of local extinction of a species is vital in conservation biology, especially now when anthropogenic disturbances and global warming are severely changing natural habitats. Local extinction risk depends on species traits, such as its geographical range size, fresh body mass, dispersal ability, length of flying period, life history variation, and how specialized it is regarding its breeding habitat. We used a phylogenetic approach because closely related species are not independent observations in the statistical tests. Our field data contained the local extinction risk of 31 odonate (dragonflies and damselflies) species from Central Finland. Species relatedness (i.e., phylogenetic signal) did not affect local extinction risk, length of flying period, nor the geographical range size of a species. However, we found that closely related species were similar in hind wing length, length of larval period, and habitat of larvae. Both phylogenetically corrected (PGLS) and uncorrected (GLM) analysis indicated that the geographical range size of species was negatively related to local extinction risk. Contrary to expectations, habitat specialist species did not have higher local extinction rates than habitat generalist species nor was it affected by the relatedness of species. As predicted, species’ long larval period increased, and long wings decreased the local extinction risk when evolutionary relatedness was controlled. Our results suggest that a relatively narrow geographical range size is an accurate estimate for a local extinction risk of an odonate species, but the species with long life history and large habitat niche width of adults increased local extinction risk. Because the results were so similar between PGLS and GLM methods, it seems that using a phylogenetic approach does not improve predicting local extinctions.
Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs): Environmental and public health risks
Authors: Ziylan‐Yavas Asu , Santos Daniel , Flores Erico Marlon Moraes , Ince Nilsun H.
Published: March 2022

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are those substances used for medical care, cosmetics, hygiene and health care purposes. Due to their globally high production and consumption rates and rapid discharge into the environment without control, they are of considerable public concern. Many of them, particularly antibiotics, analgesics, endocrine disruptors and microbial/disinfecting substances are frequently detected in wastewater treatment effluents, fresh water systems and groundwater in concentrations ranging from ng L−1 to mg L−1. Moreover, most of them are persistent and tend to bioaccumulate in cell tissue, being transported subsequently to vegetables, crops and drinking water sources. As such, a large group of PPCPs are recognized with their potential to impair the ecosystem and/or to induce health risks, so that they have been classified under “emerging contaminants.” The present study is a comprehensive review of the literature on the occurrence, fate and potential environmental and health risks of PPCPs in the aquatic and terrestrial environments. It also encompasses the reported cases of human health disorders or risks, although the data so far is inadequate for presenting a complete assessment. Finally, the study covers a short review of the most promising advanced technologies for their partial or ultimate elimination from wastewater treatment effluents and water.
A multi‐controller placement method for software defined network based on improved firefly algorithm
Authors: Guan Shaopeng , Li Juan , Li Yi , Wang Zhenqi
Published: March 2022

Placing multiple controllers in a large‐scale software defined network (SDN) is an NP‐hard problem. Currently, it is still a challenge to design a solution algorithm with high accuracy, short time consumption, and compliance with engineering standards. To overcome this challenge, we proposed the concept of synthetical delay, and took the controller capacity as a constraint condition, and established a controller placement model. The firefly algorithm (FA) was chosen as the solving algorithm for the controller placement problem. However, the FA has the drawbacks of insufficient search breadth in the early stage and low convergence efficiency in the later stage. To this end, we first introduced the dynamic parameter strategy for the light attractiveness, the light absorption coefficient, and the parameter to control the random walk of the FA. Then, we adopt the particle swarm optimization to improve the initial static parameters of the FA. Experimental results in the real large‐scale SDN topologies show that, compared with the latest controller placement algorithms based on cuckoo optimization, chaotic salp swarm algorithm, Varna‐based Optimization, and Teaching‐Learning‐based Optimization, the controller placement scheme obtained by the improved FA has a lower synthetical delay and more balanced controller load. Simultaneously, the time consumption of the improved FA is acceptable.
An experimental in silico study on COVID‐19: Response of neutrophil‐related genes to antibiotics
Authors: Mousavi Seyyed R. , Lotfi Hajie , Salmanizadeh Sharareh , Feizbakhshan Sara , Khosravian Farinaz , Sajjadi Maryam S. , Komachali Sajad R. , Beni Faeze A. , Torkan Banafshe , Kazemi Mohammad , Sami Ramin , Salehi Mansoor
Published: March 2022

Background and Aims

All components of the immune system are involved in alleviating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection. Further research is required to provide detailed insights into COVID‐19‐related immune compartments and pathways. In addition, a significant percentage of hospitalized COVID‐19 patients suspect bacterial infections and antimicrobial resistance occurs following antibiotics treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible effects of antibiotics on the response of neutrophil‐related genes in SARS‐CoV‐2 patients by an experimental in silico study.

Methods

The two data sets GSE1739 and GSE21802 including 10 SARS positive patients and 35 influenza A (H1N1) patients were analyzed, respectively. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between these two data sets were determined by GEO2R analysis and the Venn diagram online tool. After determining the hub genes involved in immune responses, the expression of these genes in 30 COVID‐19 patients and 30 healthy individuals was analyzed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All patients received antibiotics, including levofloxacin, colistin, meropenem, and ceftazidime.

Results

GEO2R analysis detected 240 and 120 DEGs in GSE21802 and GSE1739, respectively. Twenty DEGs were considered as enriched hub genes involved in immune processes such as neutrophil degranulation, neutrophil activation, and antimicrobial humoral response. The central nodes were attributed to the genes of neutrophil elastase (ELANE), arginase 1 (ARG‐1), lipocalin 2 (LCN2), and defensin 4 (DEFA4). Compared to the healthy subjects, the expression of LCN2 and DEFA4 were significantly reduced in COVID‐19 patients. However, no significant differences were observed in the ELANE and AGR‐1 levels between COVID‐19 subjects and the control group.

Conclusions

Activation and degranulation of neutrophils were observed mainly in SARS, and H1N1 infection processes and antibiotics administration could affect neutrophil activity during viral infection. It can be suggested that antibiotics can decrease inflammation by restoring the expression of neutrophil‐related genes in COVID‐19 patients.
Long term agroecosystem research experimental watershed network
Authors: Goodrich David C. , Bosch David , Bryant Ray , Cosh Mike H. , Endale Dinku , Veith Tamie , Kleinman Peter , Langendoen Eddy , McCarty Greg , Pierson Fred , Schomberg Harry , Smith Douglas , Starks Patrick , Strickland Timothy , Tsegaye Teferi , Awada Tala , Swain Hilary , Derner Justin , Bestelmeyer Brandon , Schmer Marty , Baker John , Carlson Bryan , Huggins David , Archer David , Armendariz Gerardo
Published: March 2022

The vision of the Long Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) network is to enable multi‐decadal, trans‐disciplinary, and cross‐location science to ensure the long‐term sustainability of U.S. agriculture. LTAR's primary goals are to: (1) Intensify agricultural productivity, (2) Improve ecosystem services related to agricultural production, and (3) Improve rural prosperity. The LTAR network includes 18 locations (sites). It includes 10 existing hydrologic observatories from the Agricultural Research Service‐Experimental Watershed Network (ARS‐EWN) that were established before the creation of LTAR. Background and an overview of the network are presented.
Applying weight of evidence methods to assessing exposure in aquatic environments: Comparing lines of evidence
Authors: Miglino Andrew N. , Holmes Christopher M.
Published: March 2022

Weight of evidence (WoE) is a useful approach to quantifying the relative relevance, strength, reliability, and uncertainty associated with estimates of exposure concentrations. WoE is often used in exposure assessments but rarely explored or discussed in detail. In this article, the utility of a WoE approach in aquatic exposure assessments is illustrated via two case studies using a tiered approach and the chemical triclosan. Each case study evaluates the same chemical and pathway to the environment but with substantially different data strength, reliability, and uncertainty. The collection and qualitative evaluation of relevant lines of evidence (LoE) using a three-tiered approach are discussed. Our results demonstrate how a higher tiered WoE approach can reduce uncertainty and improve decision-making based on predicted exposure concentrations. We also identify LoE that played a significant role in the final exposure determinations and describe a framework for conducting exposure assessments using WoE. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:1207–1219. © 2022 SETAC
Mutations in the telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter and PIK3CA gene are common events in penile squamous cell carcinoma of Italian and Ugandan patients
Authors: Starita Noemy , Pezzuto Francesca , Sarno Sabrina , Losito Nunzia Simona , Perdonà Sisto , Buonaguro Luigi , Buonaguro Franco M. , Tornesello Maria Lina
Published: March 2022

Penile carcinoma develops either through human papillomavirus (HPV) related or unrelated carcinogenic pathways. Genetic alterations and nucleotide changes in coding regions (ie, TP53, CDKN2A, PIK3CA and NOTCH1) are main cancer driver events either in HPV positive or in HPV negative tumours. We investigated the presence of hotspot nucleotide mutations in TERT promoter (TERTp) and PIK3CA exon 9 and their relationship with HPV status in 69 penile cancer cases from Italian and Ugandan patients. Genetic variations and viral sequences have been characterised by end‐point polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing. The mutant allele frequencies (MAFs) of TERTp −124A/−146A and PIK3CA E545K have been determined by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assays. The results showed that TERTp mutations are highly prevalent in penile carcinoma (53.6%) and significantly more frequent in HPV negative (67.6%) than HPV positive (32.4%) cases (P = .0482). PIK3CA mutations were similarly distributed in virus‐related and unrelated cases (25.9% and 26.7%, respectively) and coexisted with TERTp changes in 15.8% of penile carcinoma samples. Notably, MAFs of co‐occurring mutations were frequently discordant indicating that PIK3CA E545K nucleotide changes are subsequent genetic events occurring in subclones of TERTp mutated cells. The frequencies of TERTp and PIK3CA mutations were higher among Italian compared to Ugandan cases and inversely correlated with the HPV status. In conclusion, TERTp mutations are very common in penile carcinoma and their coexistence with PIK3CA in a substantial number of cases may represent a novel oncogenic synergy relevant for patient stratification and use of therapeutic strategies against new actionable targets.
How much metagenome data is needed for protein structure prediction: The advantages of targeted approach from the ecological and evolutionary perspectives
Authors: Yang Pengshuo , Ning Kang
Published: March 2022

It has been proven that three‐dimensional protein structures could be modeled by supplementing homologous sequences with metagenome sequences. Even though a large volume of metagenome data is utilized for such purposes, a significant proportion of proteins remain unsolved. In this review, we focus on identifying ecological and evolutionary patterns in metagenome data, decoding the complicated relationships of these patterns with protein structures, and investigating how these patterns can be effectively used to improve protein structure prediction. First, we proposed the metagenome utilization efficiency and marginal effect model to quantify the divergent distribution of homologous sequences for the protein family. Second, we proposed that the targeted approach effectively identifies homologous sequences from specified biomes compared with the untargeted approach's blind search. Finally, we determined the lower bound for metagenome data required for predicting all the protein structures in the Pfam database and showed that the present metagenome data is insufficient for this purpose. In summary, we discovered ecological and evolutionary patterns in the metagenome data that may be used to predict protein structures effectively. The targeted approach is promising in terms of effectively extracting homologous sequences and predicting protein structures using these patterns.
Challenged by extremely irregular school schedules, Uruguayan adolescents only set their waking time
Authors: Estevan Ignacio , Tassino Bettina , Vetter Céline , Silva Ana
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Early school start times adversely influence adolescents’ sleep duration. Late school start times and remote learning are associated with longer sleep durations. We leveraged a highly variable school schedule adopted after the first SARS‐CoV‐2 wave in Uruguay to study the influence of a hybrid mode of instruction (in‐person/remote) with irregular school start times on adolescents’ sleep.

Methods

Objective sleep on school nights (120 observations) was determined using accelerometry recordings of 15 high‐school students (3 males 15–17 years old). We used mixed‐effects regressions to explore the influence of the mode of instruction (in‐person/remote) and school start time on adolescents’ sleep patterns (onset, end, and duration).

Results

An irregular individual regime of 2–6 school days per week, either in‐person or remote, and with irregular start times (range: 07:30–12:00) were observed during the studied period. Remote learning delayed sleep end by 48 ± 9 min and increased sleep duration by 36 ± 12 min. In addition, 1 h delay in school start time delayed sleep end in 36 ± 4 min and increased sleep duration in 34 ± 5 min.

Conclusions

A strong linear association of the mode of instruction and the school start time with participants’ sleep was observed: Only waking time was associated with both school start time and mode of instruction, and sleep duration increased when students were taught remotely and when school started later. These results add evidence to the effectiveness of delaying school start time to improve adolescents’ sleep. However, these efforts may not overcome the influence of a very late circadian orientation, as observed in Uruguayan adolescents.
Association Between Muscle Mass Determined by D3-Creatine Dilution and Incident Fractures in a Prospective Cohort Study of Older Men
Authors: Cawthon Peggy M. , Peters Katherine E. , Cummings Steven R. , Orwoll Eric S. , Hoffman Andrew R. , Ensrud Kristine E. , Cauley Jane A. , Evans William J. ,   the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Study Research Group
Published: March 2022

The relation between a novel measure of total skeletal muscle mass (assessed by D3-creatine dilution [D3Cr]) and incident fracture is unknown. In 1363 men (mean age 84.2 years), we determined D3Cr muscle mass; Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) 10-year probability of hip and major osteoporotic (hip, humerus, vertebral, forearm) fracture; and femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) (by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry [DXA]). Incident fractures were centrally adjudicated by review of radiology reports over 4.6 years. Correlations adjusted for weight and height were calculated between femoral neck BMD and D3Cr muscle mass. Across quartiles of D3Cr muscle mass/weight, proportional hazards models calculated hazard ratios (HRs) for any (n = 180); nonspine (n = 153); major osteoporotic fracture (n = 85); and hip fracture (n = 40) after adjustment for age, femoral neck BMD, recurrent fall history, and FRAX probability. Models were then adjusted to evaluate the mediating influence of physical performance (walking speed, chair stands, and grip strength). D3Cr muscle mass was weakly correlated with femoral BMD (r = 0.10, p < 0.001). Compared to men in the highest quartile, those in the lowest quartile of D3Cr muscle mass/weight had an increased risk of any clinical fracture (HR 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1–2.8); nonspine fracture (HR 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1–3.0), major osteoporotic fracture (HR 2.3; 95% CI, 1.2–4.6), and hip fracture (HR 5.9; 95% CI, 1.6–21.1). Results were attenuated after adjustment for physical performance, but associations remained borderline significant for hip and major osteoporotic fractures (p ≥ 0.05 to 0.10). Low D3Cr muscle mass/weight is associated with a markedly high risk of hip and potentially other fractures in older men; this association is partially mediated by physical performance. © 2022 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Etiopathophysiological role of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system in age‐related muscular weakening: RAAS‐independent beneficial role of ACE2 in muscle weakness
Authors: Fuloria Shivkanya , Subramaniyan Vetriselvan , Meenakshi Dhanalekshmi U. , Sekar Mahendran , Chakravarthi Srikumar , Kumar Darnal H. , Kumari Usha , Vanteddu Venkata G. , Patel Tulsi D. , Narra Kishore , Sharma Pradeep K. , Fuloria Neeraj K.
Published: March 2022

Aging is accompanied by major changes in body composition that can negatively affect functional status in older adults, including a progressive decrease in muscle mass, strength, and quality. The prevalence of sarcopenia has varied considerably, depending on the definition used and the population surveyed—a 2014 meta‐analysis across several countries found estimates ranging from 1% to 29% for people aged 60 years or older, who live independently. The potentially relevant studies were retrieved from the ScienceDirect/Medline/PubMed/Public library of science/Mendeley/Springer link and Google Scholar. Multiple keywords were used for the literature search both alone and in combination. Some of the important keywords used for literature search were as follows: “Epidemiology of muscle weakness/muscle disorders,” “Pathogenesis of RAAS in muscle weakness,” “Role of Angiotensin 1–7/ACE‐2/Mas R axis in muscle weakness,” and “Correction pathophysiology of muscle weakness via ACE2.” The renin–angiotensin system (RAAS), a major blood pressure regulatory system, is a candidate mediator that may promote aging‐associated muscle weakness. Previously, studies explored the proof concept for RAAS inhibition as a therapeutic target. Furthermore, in RAAS, angiotensin II, and angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) have been reported to induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress via glucose‐regulated protein 78/eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α)/activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4)/CHOP axis in the liver. In addition, other mitochondria and ER physical interactions contribute to skeletal muscle dysfunction. However, very few studies have investigated the relationship between RAAS and ER stress‐associated pathophysiological events and ACE2‐mediated biological consequences in muscle weakness. Thus, the study has been designed to investigate the RAAS‐independent beneficial role of ACE2 in muscle weakness.
Influence of client self‐determination on counseling outcome
Authors: Leibert Todd W. , Smith Julia B. , Agaskar Vaibhavee R.
Published: March 2022

Autonomous motivation based on self‐determination theory has been posited as an important common factor. This study tested whether its influence on outcome extended to mildly distressed clients treated by counselor trainees at a university counseling training center. The study was naturalistic and examined 138 clients, who were mildly distressed according to the Outcome Questionnaire‐45 (OQ‐45). Clients completed the OQ‐45 every session and their motivation after the third session. Hierarchical linear modeling revealed that after controlling for autonomous and controlled types of motivation, intrinsic motivation had the strongest impact on reducing client symptoms over time. Findings suggested that the positive influence of autonomous motivation extends to moderately distressed clients treated by novice counselors. However, the positive impact of autonomous motivation may depend on client severity. Implications for future research and counseling practice were discussed.
Extrusion of mitochondria: Garbage clearance or cell–cell communication signals?
Authors: Lyamzaev Konstantin G. , Zinovkin Roman A. , Chernyak Boris V.
Published: March 2022

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that regulate various intracellular signaling pathways, including the mechanisms of programmed cell death, differentiation, inflammation, and so on. Mitochondria may be extruded as membrane enveloped or as free organelles during developmental processes, inflammatory activation, and in the process of “garbage clearance” of damaged mitochondria in postmitotic cells. Extracellular mitochondria can be engulfed by immune and nonimmune cells and trigger intracellular signaling leading to an inflammatory response. At the same time, it was reported that the release of extracellular vesicles containing mitochondria from mesenchymal stem cells contributes to their therapeutic anti‐inflammatory effects. Numerous studies claim that engulfed mitochondria improve cellular bioenergetics, but this assumption requires further investigation. This review aims at a critical discussion of the mechanisms of mitochondrial extrusion in mammals, the reception of mitochondrial components, and the responses of recipient cells to extracellular mitochondria.
The correlation between severity scores in computed tomography lung scans and viral load in the severity of novel coronavirus 2019 progression
Authors: Liu Zheng , Wang Qian , Li Jing , Liu Jiaqi , Wang Hui , Jia Cuijiao , Xu Leiqian , Wang Xueyan
Published: March 2022

Background

This study aimed to find the correlation between severe computed tomography (CT) lung scores and nasopharyngeal viral load (Ct value) in the severity of COVID‐19 disease progression.

Method

In this study, 37 patients diagnosed with COVID‐19 were categorized into severely ill and not severely ill samples. Their Ct values, epidemiological data, lung CT, and laboratory test results were collected three times, respectively, on the first day of their hospital admission, 3–5 days thereafter, and prior to hospital discharge. Among the 37 patients, 8 progressed from not severely ill to severely ill; we also paid attention and observed changes in clinical parameters of COVID‐19 patients who entered our city from other cities (imported cases) and the infected local residents who contacted these imported patients (non‐imported cases).

Results

Among the 37 patients, the Ct values and lung severity scores (LSSs) were similar in imported and non‐imported cases (F = 0.59 and 2.56; p = 0.45 and 0.12, respectively) but the proportion of severely ill imported patients was significantly higher compared with non‐imported patients (F = 7.77; p = 0.01). Additionally, 21.6% of patients' illness worsened; lymphocyte counts and Ct values were significantly lowered, and C‐reactive protein and LSS significantly increased during COVID‐19 disease progression. Furthermore, LSS negatively correlated with lymphocyte and mononuclear cell counts, as well as Ct values (Pearson's rank = −0.763, −0.824, and −0.588; p = 0.028, 0.012, and 0.003, respectively).

Conclusion

In the severity of COVID‐19 disease progression, nasopharyngeal viral load and lung CT severity were closely related, and LSS negatively correlated with lymphocyte and mononuclear cell counts, as well as Ct values.
Revealing the cells fated to form the cell mass in embryos of temnopleurid sea urchins
Authors: Baba Tomomi , Miyahara Chisato , Yamanaka Akira , Kitazawa Chisato
Published: March 2022

Larvae of temnopleurid sea urchins form a cell mass (CM) instead of an amniotic cavity on the left side at the early developmental stage for formation of the adult rudiment. However, the cell lineage and the mechanisms that form the CM are still unknown. We analyzed the potential to form a CM in partial embryos resulting from microsurgeries, using two temnopleurid species, Mespilia globulus (L.) and Temnopleurus toreumaticus (Leske). CM formation was completed 28–34 h after fertilization at 24°C, corresponding to the period from the late prism to the two‐armed pluteus larval stages in both species. In the case of specimens dissected horizontally during the mesenchyme blastula to prism stages, the CM was formed in partial embryos containing enough of the an2 region, a part of the precursor cells that differentiate the ectoderm. The proportion of specimens with a CM was higher in T. toreumaticus than in M. globulus. Additionally, all larvae derived from half embryos obtained from dissection along the animal–vegetal axis at the mesenchyme blastula stage formed the CM. Transplantation of a stained animal or vegetal hemisphere at the 16‐cell stage into a nonstained vegetal or animal embryo indicated that the CM derives from the animal half. Exogastrulae vegetalized by lithium chloride treatment did not form the CM. These results indicate that the CM formation is dependent not only on the an2 region but also on signals from the vegetal region after the mesenchyme blastula stage.
Environmental heterogeneity of the Lower Palaeolithic land surface on the Goodwood‐Slindon Raised Beach: comparisons of the records from Boxgrove and Valdoe, Sussex, UK
Authors: Preece Richard C. , Parfitt Simon A.
Published: March 2022

The buried soil above the Goodwood‐Slindon Raised Beach running along the foot of the South Downs (Sussex) is one of the most extensive Lower Palaeolithic land surfaces known. It extends for 16 km but exposures are limited to Boxgrove, the focus of archaeological excavations since the 1980s, and Valdoe, 4.8 km to the west. The palaeosol yielded vertebrates suggesting attribution to Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 13 and land snails important in the reconstruction of local environments. Important differences exist between the molluscan assemblages from Valdoe and Boxgrove. An extinct land snail Retinella (Lyrodiscus) elephantium, previously known in Britain only from MIS 11, occurred at Valdoe at unusually high frequencies in assemblages poor in woodland species, prompting a reappraisal of its stratigraphical and ecological significance. Conversely, Spermodea lamellata, a woodland species present at Boxgrove, was absent at Valdoe. This lateral variability results both from the original heterogeneity of the environment, and from differential preservation resulting from decalcification and erosion. Calcitic slug plates are over‐represented (>50% of the molluscan fauna) in decalcified sediments where shells composed of aragonite are rare. These considerations, and comparisons with modern and fossil assemblages, have led to more nuanced reconstructions of the landscape occupied by early humans in southern England ~500 ka ago.
Engineering Radiative Energy Transfer and Directional Excitonic Emission in van der Waals Heterostructures
Authors: Liu Xinyue , Mao Bijun , Yang Xianguang , Taghinejad Mohammad , Panmai Mingcheng , Lan Sheng , Cai Wenshan , Li Baojun , Yan Jiahao
Published: March 2022

Controlling excitonic energy transfer in 2D van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures is crucial for photonic and optoelectronic applications. Recent studies suggest that the interlayer energy transfer in vdW heterostructures is strongly correlated with the vertical interlayer spacing. However, the interlayer coupling with large separations (>20 nm) when the radiative energy transfer is dominant has not been studied yet. In this case, excitons as radiative dipole sources are able to control the light field. Here, the thickness dependency of radiative energy transfer in vertical vdW heterostructures of WS2 (tungsten disulfide)/hBN (hexagonal boron nitride)/WS2 is studied. The excitonic emission of WS2/hBN and WS2/hBN/WS2 heterostructures is engineered with the intensity ratios of heterostructures to monolayers ranging from 5% to 250%. More importantly, by changing the stacking order to control whether forward or backward emission is collected, a controllable directivity of the excitonic emission from 0.6 to 6.0 is achieved. In theory, the tunability to high‐index/mid‐index interferences and dipole–dipole far‐field coupling is attributed. The outcomes of the study on the radiative energy transfer of vdW heterostructures containing 1Ls (monolayers) with excitonic effects and MLs (multilayers) with high refractive indices will pave the way toward the realization of all vdW nanophotonics.
Back to the Future with Biorefineries: Bottom‐Up and Top‐Down Approaches toward Polymers and Monomers
Authors: Scholten Philip B. V. , Figueirêdo Monique B.
Published: March 2022

The establishment of novel biomass processing schemes is key for achieving the much‐needed carbon neutrality and counteract global warming. Biomass provides a range of monomers and macromolecules with great potential to replace petro‐based materials in a wide range of applications. While important developments are ongoing in the biorefinery space, cross‐sectoral, multidisciplinary partnerships are paramount to speed up and de‐risk the industrialization of such technologies, and an integrated view is necessary to achieve process feasibility. This perspective explores both bottom‐up and top‐down approaches for biomass valorization based on the main natural polymers and monomers that can be extracted or isolated from biomass. A special emphasis is put on scalability, economic feasibility, and resource availability while the biggest challenges in the path toward the development of biorefineries are also discussed.
Some structural similarities between uncountable sets, powersets and the universe
Authors: Tzouvaras Athanassios
Published: March 2022

We establish some similarities/analogies between uncountable cardinals or powersets and the class V of all sets. They concern mainly the Boolean algebras , for a regular cardinal κ, and (the class of subclasses of the universe V), endowed with some ideals, especially the ideal for , and the ideal of sets V for .
An efficient approach to optimal experimental design for magnetic resonance fingerprinting with B‐splines
Authors: Scope Crafts Evan , Lu Hengfa , Ye Huihui , Wald Lawrence L. , Zhao Bo
Published: March 2022

Purpose

To introduce a computationally efficient approach to optimizing the data acquisition parameters of MR Fingerprinting experiments with the Cramér–Rao bound.

Methods

This paper presents a new approach to the optimal experimental design (OED) problem for MR Fingerprinting, which leverages an early observation that the optimized data acquisition parameters of MR Fingerprinting experiments are highly structured. Specifically, the proposed approach captures the desired structure by representing the sequences of data acquisition parameters with a special class of piecewise polynomials known as B‐splines. This incorporates low‐dimensional spline subspace constraints into the OED problem, which significantly reduces the search space of the problem, thereby improving the computational efficiency. With the rich B‐spline representations, the proposed approach also allows for incorporating prior knowledge on the structure of different acquisition parameters, which facilitates the experimental design.

Results

The effectiveness of the proposed approach was evaluated using numerical simulations, phantom experiments, and in vivo experiments. The proposed approach achieves a two‐order‐of‐magnitude improvement of the computational efficiency over the state‐of‐the‐art approaches, while providing a comparable signal‐to‐noise ratio efficiency benefit. It enables an optimal experimental design problem for MR Fingerprinting with a typical acquisition length to be solved in approximately 1 min.

Conclusions

The proposed approach significantly improves the computational efficiency of the optimal experimental design for MR Fingerprinting, which enhances its practical utility for a variety of quantitative MRI applications.
Computational multiphase periporomechanics for unguided cracking in unsaturated porous media
Authors: Menon Shashank , Song Xiaoyu
Published: March 2022

In this article, we formulate and implement a computational multiphase periporomechanics paradigm for unguided fracturing in unsaturated porous media assuming passive pore air pressure. The same governing equation for the solid phase applies on and off cracks. Crack formation in this framework is autonomous, requiring no prior estimates of crack topology. As a new contribution, an energy‐based criterion for arbitrary crack formation is formulated using the peridynamic effective force state for unsaturated porous media. Unsaturated fluid flow in the fracture space is modeled in a simplified way in line with the nonlocal formulation of unsaturated fluid flow in the bulk. The formulated unsaturated fracturing periporomechanics is numerically implemented through an implicit fractional step algorithm in time and a two‐phase mixed meshless method in space. The two‐stage operator split converts the coupled periporomechanics problem into an undrained deformation and fracture problem and an unsaturated fluid flow in the deformed skeleton configuration. Numerical simulations of in‐plane open and shear cracking are conducted to validate the accuracy and robustness of the fracturing unsaturated periporomechanics model. Then numerical examples of wing cracking and nonplanar cracking in unsaturated soil specimens are presented to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed multiphase periporomechanics paradigm for unguided cracking in unsaturated porous media.
Diagnosis and management of neutropenia in children: The approach of the Study Group on Neutropenia and Marrow Failure Syndromes of the Pediatric Italian Hemato‐Oncology Association (Associazione Italiana Emato‐Oncologia Pediatrica ‐ AIEOP)
Authors: Fioredda Francesca , Onofrillo Daniela , Farruggia Piero , Barone Angelica , Veltroni Marinella , Notarangelo Lucia Dora , Menna Giuseppe , Russo Giovanna , Martire Baldassarre , Finocchi Andrea , Verzegnassi Federico , Bonanomi Sonia , Ramenghi Ugo , Pillon Marta , Dufour Carlo
Published: March 2022

Neutropenia refers to a group of diseases characterized by a reduction in neutrophil levels below the recommended age threshold. The present study aimed to review the diagnosis and management of neutropenia, including a diagnostic toolkit and candidate underlying genes. This study also aimed to review the progress toward the definition of autoimmune and idiopathic neutropenia rising in infancy or in late childhood but without remission, and provide suggestions for efficient diagnostics, including indications for the bone marrow and genetic testing. The management and treatment protocols for common and unique presentations are also reviewed, providing evidence tailored to a single patient.
Factors contributing to delayed childhood cancer care in low‐ and middle‐income countries: A systematic review protocol
Authors: Cotache‐Condor Cesia , Grimm Andie , Williamson Jahsarah , Kantety Vinootna , Landrum Kelsey , Schroeder Kristin , Staton Catherine A. , Majaliwa Esther , Rice Henry E. , Smith Emily R.
Published: March 2022

Background

Significant disparities exist for timely access to cancer care for children, with the highest disparities in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). This study aims to conduct a systematic review that identifies the factors contributing to delayed care of childhood cancers in LMICs.

Methods

We will conduct a systematic review with search strings compliant with the PICO framework: (1) the Population—children (aged 0‐18 years) from LMICs; (2) the Exposure—factors contributing to timely childhood cancer care; (3) the Outcome—delays in childhood cancer care.

Discussion

Our study is an essential step to guide strategic interventions to assess the myriad of factors that prevent children from accessing timely cancer care in LMICs. The results will be submitted for publication in a peer‐reviewed journal and shared with institutions related to the field.
Performance evaluation of room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber nanocomposites aged in strong aqueous solutions
Authors: Mishra Palash , Paul Moutusi , Vinod Pabbati , Sarathi Ramanujam , Kornhuber Stefan
Published: March 2022

In the present study moisture absorption behavior of titania (TiO2) and silica (SiO2) doped room temperature vulcanized (RTV) silicone rubber (SR) nanocomposites immersed in deionized water, aqueous sodium chloride (NaCl) and nitric acid (HNO3) solution was investigated. It is realized that the diffusion coefficient of the material is high with nanocomposites compared to virgin RTV SR material. To understand the surface condition of the material and characteristic variation in material properties water droplet‐initiated corona inception voltage measurements, atomic force microscopy study, surface potential variation studies, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis was carried out with the virgin and aqueous solution aged specimens. The discharge resistance of the material was analyzed using corona discharge studies. The level of hydrophobicity variations was analyzed through contact angle measurements. The experimental results confirmed that the performance of TiO2 doped RTV SR nanocomposites is superior to the SiO2 doped and virgin RTV SR material.
Thermal and mechanical properties of in situ polymerized polyethylene/tetra‐needle likeZnOwhisker composite
Authors: Su Guodong , Wang Shuwei , Yu Jiangang
Published: March 2022

A 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane modified tetra‐needle like ZnO whiskers fillers containing Ziegler‐Natta catalyst is synthesized through a coagglomeration method. The surface of filler is fully wrapped with Ziegler‐Natta catalyst and the active sites are well dispersed in the catalyst. It exhibits good activity (28.7 g‐polyethylene/g‐cat) towards ethylene polymerization to give a composite of polyethylene and tetra‐needle like ZnO whiskers filler with enhanced thermal stability and mechanical properties due to the good dispersion and interface adhesion of the filler to polyethylene matrix. Therefore, this study provides a simple method to prepare high‐performance polyethylene with uniform filler distribution, good thermal stability, rigidity, and toughness.
Research on the implementing conditions of inverse emulsion‐breath figure method
Authors: Gao Jiajun , Cui Pengcheng , Ding Lingyun , Xu Taiyi , Ju Yuanlai , Yu Bibo , Zhang Wenwu , Zhang Zhilv , Sun Wei
Published: March 2022

The relationships between three steps of the inverse emulsion‐breath figure (Ie‐BF) method, including emulsion preparation, film casting and hydrophilic component loading, are explored by adjusting the experimental factors of the three implementing processes. For emulsion preparation step, the influence of the ultrasonification, the concentration of emulsifier and the addition of polymer on the size of the emulsion droplets are investigated. For film casting step, the influence of environmental humidity and several factors concerning the emulsion preparation on the porous structure of the resultant films are studied. It has been proved that high humidity is a necessity for obtaining surface pores, and multi‐layered pores with disordered distribution can be formed in the bulk layer of the film when high water/oil ratio is used in making the emulsion. Bovine serum albumin is loaded into the emulsion water droplets, and by implementing the Ie‐BF method under the condition of water/oil ratio being as low as 0.02 vol%, selective protein enrichment within the interior of the top‐layer pores is still realized. It reflects the characteristics of “high efficiency, targeted assembly” in the step of hydrophilic component loading.
Enabling conditions for integrating government institutions for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in the SADC region and beyond
Authors: Nemakonde Livhuwani D. , Van Niekerk Dewald
Published: March 2022

Climate change, through extreme weather events, is increasing the risk and impacts of disasters. An increase in extreme weather events underscores the importance of bringing coherence in efforts to reduce the risk of disasters and to adapt to the impacts of the changing climate. The linkages between disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) and the need to integrate the two policy areas are well documented in the literature. However, the implementation of DRR and CCA measures continues in isolation. This article seeks to contribute to the ongoing efforts to bring coherence between DRR and CCA by identifying factors that would make it easy to integrate the two policy areas. An exploratory‐sequential mixed methods design was used to collect data from 41 participants from 10 of the 16 SADC Member States and two international cooperating partners. Participants identified political will and commitment, policy and legislative frameworks, provision of resources and capacities, addressing institutional barriers, and an improvement in communication and coordination as the main factors that could enhance the integration of government organizations for DRR and CCA. This paper submits that successful integration of institutions responsible for DRR and CCA, particularly government institutions, can be achieved when these factors are addressed.
Public awareness and perceptions of drought: A case study of two cities of Alabama
Authors: Shao Wanyun , Kam Jonghun , Cass Evan
Published: March 2022

Drought poses serious risks to society. There is, however, a lack of timely public awareness and sufficient public risk perceptions of this hazard due to its gradual onset. Timely and adequate public response is conducive to effective mitigation. It is imperative to understand how the public responds to drought. Using data from multiple sources, situated in two cities (Mobile and Huntsville) of Alabama, our study represents a comprehensive effort to understand public awareness and perceptions of drought. We have made several important findings. First, both physical and social contexts can influence public awareness of drought. Mobile is prone to a variety of coastal hazards and displays high social vulnerability. Residents in this city are thus more sensitive to environmental shocks, especially less frequent ones such as drought. Second, public awareness of drought is not constrained within the immediate drought impact area. Governmental declaration or regulation can bring the issue of drought from one area to the attention of the other area within one state. Third, public perceptions of drought numbers are negatively correlated with perceptions of precipitation but positively associated with perceptions of extreme heat. This finding reflects that the public perception of drought is in line with scientific understanding of drought. Drought is by definition persistent deficit of precipitation. Flash droughts can be triggered by heat waves which are more likely to occur during a drought. We end this study with recommendations for future studies.
Pt Atom on the Wall of Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD)‐Made MoS2 Nanotubes for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Jiao Songlong , Kong Mengshu , Hu Zhenpeng , Zhou Shiming , Xu Xiaoxuan , Liu Lei
Published: March 2022

Single‐atom catalysts (SACs) can achieve excellent catalytic efficiency at ultralow catalyst consumptions. Herein, platinum (Pt) atoms are fixed on the wall of atomic layer deposition (ALD)‐made molybdenum disulfide nanotube arrays (MoS2‐NTA) for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). More concretely, MoS2‐NTA with different nanotube diameters and wall thicknesses are fabricated by a sacrificial strategy of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template via ALD; then Pt atoms are fixed on the wall of Ti3C2‐supported MoS2‐NTA as a catalytic system. The MoS2‐NTA/Ti3C2 decorated with 0.13 wt.% of Pt results in a low overpotential of 32 mV to deliver a current density of 10 mA cm–2, which is superior to 20 wt.% commercial Pt/C (41 mV). Ordered MoS2‐NTA instead of 2D MoS2 prevents Pt atoms from aggregating and then exerts catalytic activities. The density functional theory calculations suggest that the Pt atoms are more likely to occupy the sites on the tubular MoS2 than the planar MoS2, and the Pt atoms accumulated at the Mo site of MoS2‐NT have a moderate Gibbs free energy (close to zero).
The Effect of the 3D Nanoarchitecture and Ni‐Promotion on the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in MoS2/Reduced GO Aerogel Hybrid Microspheres Produced by a Simple One‐Pot Electrospraying Procedure
Authors: Ran Jiajia , Girardi Leonardo , Dražić Goran , Wang Zhanhua , Agnoli Stefano , Xia Hesheng , Granozzi Gaetano
Published: March 2022

The transition toward renewable energy sources requires low‐cost, efficient, and durable electrocatalysts for green H2 production. Herein, an easy and highly scalable method to prepare MoS2 nanoparticles embedded in 3D partially reduced (pr) graphene oxide (GO) aerogel microspheres (MoS2/prGOAMs) with controlled morphology and composition is described. Given their peculiar center‐diverging mesoporous structure, which allows easy access to the active sites and optimal mass transport, and their efficient electron transfer facilitated by the intimate contact between the MoS2 and the 3D connected highly conductive pr‐GO sheets, these materials exhibit a remarkable electrocatalytic activity in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Ni atoms, either as single Ni atoms or NiO aggregates are then introduced in the MoS2/prGOAMs hybrids, to facilitate water dissociation, which is the slowest step in alkaline HER, producing a bifunctional catalyst. After optimization, Ni‐promoted MoS2/prGOAMs obtained at 500 °C reach a remarkable η10 (overpotential at 10 mA cm−2) of 160 mV in 1 m KOH and 174 mV in 0.5 m H2SO4. Moreover, after chronopotentiometry tests (15 h) at a current density of 10 mA cm−2, the η10 value improves to 147 mV in alkaline conditions, indicating an exceptional stability.