bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental filtering rather than dispersal limitation dominated plant community assembly in the Zoige Plateau
Authors: Yang Jianping , Su Peixi , Zhou Zijuan , Shi Rui , Ding Xinjing
Published: July 2022

Identifying the mechanisms that underlie the assembly of plant communities is critical to the conservation of terrestrial biodiversity. However, it is seldom measured or quantified how much deterministic versus stochastic processes contribute to community assembly in alpine meadows. Here, we measured the decay in community similarity with spatial and environmental distance in the Zoige Plateau. Furthermore, we used redundancy analysis (RDA) to divide the variations in the relative abundance of plant families into four components to assess the effects of environmental and spatial. Species assemblage similarity liner declined with geographical distance (p < .001, R2 = .6388), and it decreased significantly with increasing distance of total phosphorus (TP), alkali‐hydrolyzable nitrogen (AN), available potassium (AK), nitrate nitrogen (NO3+–N), and ammonia nitrogen (NH4+–N). Environmental and spatial variables jointly explained a large proportion (55.2%) of the variation in the relative abundance of plant families. Environmental variables accounted for 13.1% of the total variation, whereas spatial variables accounted for 11.4%, perhaps due to the pronounced abiotic gradients in the alpine areas. Our study highlights the mechanism of plant community assembly in the alpine ecosystem, where environmental filtering plays a more important role than dispersal limitation. In addition, a reasonably controlled abundance of Compositae (the family with the highest niche breadth and large niche overlap value with Gramineae and Cyperaceae) was expected to maintain sustainable development in pastoral production. These results suggest that management measures should be developed with the goal of improving or maintaining suitable local environmental conditions.
Assessing an Elusive 3,4‐Dimethyl‐Chloroborole
Authors: Golfmann Maxim , Sindlinger Christian P.
Published: July 2022

The attempted syntheses of 3,4‐dimethylborole derivatives further bearing bulky SiMe2t‐Bu groups in 2,5‐position are reported. Isolation of base‐stabilized adducts to the chloroborole were achieved. The respective free borole was found to be unstable and revealed 1,3‐hydrogen atom shift isomerization to a 1‐bora‐1,3‐butadiene with an s‐trans orientation and lacking cyclic conjugation of the π‐system. Computational probing indicates elevated C−H acidity of methyl groups attached to the butadiene backbone in boroles, exceeding the C−H acidity of respective boron‐bound methyl groups. Derivatization attempts of the new chloroborole are reported.
Rapid Synthesis of Fused Polycyclic Heteroaromatics through Successive Vinylic/Aromatic C−F Bond Activation
Authors: Fujita Takeshi , Fukuda Takuya , Suzuki Naoto , Ichikawa Junji
Published: July 2022

The synthesis of fused polycyclic heteroaromatics was achieved via successive vinylic/aromatic carbon−fluorine (C−F) bond activation. The Suzuki‐Miyaura coupling of (1‐bromo‐2,2‐difluorovinyl)biaryls with 2‐hydroxy‐ or 2‐aminophenylboronic acids (esters) followed by defluorinative 5‐endo‐trig cyclization yielded 2‐fluorobenzofurans (indoles) with a biaryl moiety in one‐pot operation. The obtained 2‐fluorobenzoheteroles underwent acid‐mediated intramolecular C−F/C−H coupling to yield tetra‐, penta‐, and hexacyclic heteroaromatics. This protocol allowed the synthesis of various substituted benzo‐fused dibenzofurans and carbazoles.
Influence of CT image processing on the predicted impact of pores on fatigue of additively manufactured Ti6Al4V and AlSi10Mg
Authors: Gebhardt Ulrike , Schulz Paul , Raßloff Alexander , Koch Ilja , Gude Maik , Kästner Markus
Published: July 2022

Pores are inherent to additively manufactured components and critical especially in technical components. Since they reduce the component's fatigue life, a reliable identification and description of pores is vital to ensure the component's performance. X‐ray computed tomography (CT) is an established and non‐destructive testing method to investigate internal defects. The CT scan process can induce noise and artefacts in the resulting images which afterwards have to be reduced through image processing. To reconstruct the internal defects of a component, the images need to be segmented in defect region and bulk material by applying a threshold. The application of the threshold as well as the previous image processing alter the geometry and size of the identified defects. This contribution aims to quantify the influence of selected commercial image processing and segmentation methods on identified pores in several additively manufactured components made of AlSi10Mg and Ti6Al4V as well as in an artificial CT scan. To that aim, gray value histograms and characteristic parameters thereof are compared for different image processing tools. After the segmentation of the processed images, particle characteristics are compared. The influence of image processing and segmentation on the predicted fatigue life of the material is evaluated through the change of the largest pore in each set of data applying Murakami's empirical ‐parameter model.
NAD+ salvage governs mitochondrial metabolism, invigorating natural killer cell antitumor immunity
Authors: Guo Xiaowei , Tan Siyu , Wang Tixiao , Sun Renhui , Li Shuangjie , Tian Panpan , Li Mengzhen , Wang Yuzhen , Zhang Yankun , Yan Yuchuan , Dong Zhaoru , Yan Lunjie , Yue Xuetian , Wu Zhuanchang , Li Chunyang , Yamagata Kazuya , Gao Lifen , Ma Chunhong , Li Tao , Liang Xiaohong
Published: July 2022

Background and Aims:

Natural killer (NK) cells are key players in tumor immunosurveillance, and metabolic adaptation manipulates their fate and functional state. The nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) has emerged as a vital factor to link cellular metabolism and signaling transduction. Here, we identified NAD+ metabolism as a central hub to determine the homeostasis and function of NK cells.

Approach and Results:

NAD+ level was elevated in activated NK cells. NAD+ supplementation not only enhanced cytokine production and cytotoxicity but also improved the proliferation and viability of NK cells. Intriguingly, the salvage pathway was involved in maintaining NAD+ homeostasis in activated NK cells. Genetic ablation or pharmacological blockade of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), the rate‐limiting enzyme in the NAD+ salvage pathway, markedly destroyed the viability and function of NK cells. Mechanistically, NAD+ salvage dictated the mitochondrial homeostasis and oxidative phosphorylation activity to support the optimal function of NK cells. However, in human HCC tissues, NAMPT expression and NAD+ level were significantly down‐regulated in tumor‐infiltrating NK cells, which negatively correlated with patient survival. And lactate accumulation in the tumor microenvironment was at least partially responsible for the transcriptional repression of NAMPT in NK cells. Further, deficiency of Nampt in NK cells accelerated the growth of HCC and melanoma. Supplementation of the NAD+ precursor nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) significantly improved NK antitumor response in both mouse and human cell‐derived xenografts.

Conclusions:

These findings reveal NAD+ salvage as an essential factor for NK‐cell homeostasis and function, suggesting a potential strategy for invigorating NK cell–based immunotherapy.
Prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders in pregnant women with malignancy
Authors: Matsuo Koji , Duval Christina J. , Youssefzadeh Ariane C. , Mandelbaum Rachel S. , Ouzounian Joseph G. , Wright Jason D.
Published: July 2022

Objective

To examine national‐level prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders among pregnant women with malignancy.

Methods

This is a pre‐planned secondary analysis of a previous retrospective cohort study using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's National Inpatient Sample. Study population was 14 648 135 deliveries including 10 145 patients with malignancy from 2016 to 2019. A multivariable binary logistic regression model was fitted to assess the association of malignancy and anxiety or depressive disorder.

Results

Pregnant women with malignancy were 49% more likely to have the diagnosis of either anxiety or depressive disorder compared with those without malignancy (prevalence rate 114 vs. 61 per 1000 cases, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.40–1.58). The increase in the risk associated with malignancy on either anxiety or depressive disorder was more than two‐fold among patients with brain and other nervous system tumors (aOR 2.69, 95% CI 2.01–3.60), bone and joint tumors (aOR 2.32, 95% CI 1.33–4.04), and leukemia (aOR 2.12, 95% CI 1.81–2.48).

Conclusions

This national‐level analysis suggests that pregnant women with malignancy experience increased rates of psychological distress more often than pregnant women without malignancy.
Comparison of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and telbivudine in preventing hepatitis B transmission in mothers with high viral load
Authors: Wang Ming , Ran Ran , Zhu Yunxia , Zhang Hua
Published: July 2022

Objective

To add to the limited data that exist on the selection of drugs to prevent mother‐to‐child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Methods

This is a prospective cohort study that enrolled mothers with HBV‐DNA ≥2 × 105 IU/ml. All enrolled mothers received either tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) or telbivudine (LdT) to prevent HBV transmission.

Results

A total of 270 mothers received TDF treatment and 275 mothers received LdT treatment. The predelivery decline in HBV‐DNA in the TDF group was higher than the LdT group (3.92 ± 0.93 log IU/ml vs. 3.76 ± 0.94 log IU/ml, P = 0.043). In the primary analysis, the MTCT rate of the TDF group was comparable to that of the LdT group, both in the intention‐to‐treat analysis (1.5% [4/275] vs. 1.8% [5/273], P > 0.99) and the per‐protocol analysis (0% in both groups, P > 0.99). The alanine aminotransferase elevation rates in the TDF group were lower than in the LdT group (17.3% vs. 27.4%, P = 0.005). Less anorexia and more arthralgia were observed in the LdT group than the TDF group.

Conclusions

TDF and LdT are both effective in preventing MTCT of HBV, but they may cause different adverse events. TDF is more effective in reducing HBV viral load and had fewer alanine aminotransferase abnormalities than LdT.
Clinical presentations of adult and pediatric SARS‐CoV‐2‐positive cases in a community cohort, Nashville, Tennessee
Authors: Rankin Danielle A. , Yanis Ahmad , Talj Rana , Howe Harrison L. , Bloos Sean M. , Fernandez Kailee N. , Amarin Justin Z. , Bruce Mercedes , Salib Seifein , Hargrave Samarian , Chappell James D. , Spieker Andrew J. , Halasa Natasha B. , Howard Leigh M.
Published: July 2022

Compared to adults, the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) illness in children has been lower and less severe. However, reports comparing SARS‐CoV‐2 infection among children and adults are limited. As part of our longitudinal cohort study of adults and children with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and their household contacts in Nashville, Tennessee, we compared the clinical characteristics and outcomes of SARS‐CoV‐2 infections between children and adults. Children were more likely to be asymptomatically infected and had a shorter illness duration compared to adults. The differences observed in clinical presentation across ages may inform symptom‐specific testing, screening, and management algorithms.
Safety and immunogenicity of COVID‐19 vaccination in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (CHESS‐NMCID 2101): A multicenter prospective study
Authors: Qi Xiaolong , Wang Jitao , Zhang Qiran , Ai Jingwen , Liu Chuan , Li Qianqian , Gu Ye , Lv Jiaojian , Huang Yifei , Liu Yanna , Xu Dan , Chen Shubo , Liu Dengxiang , Li Jinlong , Xiang Huiling , Liang Jing , Bian Li , Zhang Zhen , Liu Luxiang , Zhang Xuying , Qin Wei , Wang Xiaodong , Hou Zhiyun , Zhang Nina , Zhang Aiguo , Zu Hongmei , Wang Yun , Yan Zhaolan , Du Xiufang , Hou Aifang , Ji Jiansong , Yang Jie , Huang Jiansheng , Zhao Zhongwei , Zou Shengqiang , Ji Hailei , Ge Guohong , Zeng Qing‐Lei , Zhang Wenhong
Published: July 2022

Data on safety and immunogenicity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccinations in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients are limited. In this multicenter prospective study, HCC patients received two doses of inactivated whole‐virion COVID‐19 vaccines. The safety and neutralizing antibody were monitored. Totally, 74 patients were enrolled from 10 centers in China, and 37 (50.0%), 25 (33.8%), and 12 (16.2%) received the CoronaVac, BBIBP‐CorV, and WIBP‐CorV, respectively. The vaccines were well tolerated, where pain at the injection site (6.8% [5/74]) and anorexia (2.7% [2/74]) were the most frequent local and systemic adverse events. The median level of neutralizing antibody was 13.5 (interquartile range [IQR]: 6.9–23.2) AU/ml at 45 (IQR: 19–72) days after the second dose of vaccinations, and 60.8% (45/74) of patients had positive neutralizing antibody. Additionally, lower γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase level was related to positive neutralizing antibody (odds ratio = 1.022 [1.003–1.049], p = 0.049). In conclusion, this study found that inactivated COVID‐19 vaccinations are safe and the immunogenicity is acceptable or hyporesponsive in patients with HCC. Given that the potential benefits may outweigh the risks and the continuing emergences of novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variants, we suggest HCC patients to be vaccinated against COVID‐19. Future validation studies are warranted.
Motivational interviewing for employment: An exploration of practitioner skill and client change talk
Authors: Britt Eileen , Soleymani Sara , Wallace‐Bell Mark , Garland Anna
Published: July 2022

Motivational interviewing (MI) is an evidenced‐based approach for building and strengthening motivation for change. The effect of MI training on practitioner conversations with unemployed clients within a government work and income service was evaluated using a mixed‐method approach, comprising a multiple‐baseline across practitioner (n = 5) design and a pre/post quasi‐experimental design. After workshop MI training, practitioners demonstrated greater MI skills in conversations with clients, and MI skills were maintained during the period of post‐workshop feedback and coaching. There was also more change talk spoken by clients in conversations that occurred post‐MI workshop training compared to pre‐training, suggesting increased motivation for change.
Nonstoichiometric tungsten oxide nanosheets with abundant oxygen vacancies for defects‐driven SERS sensing
Authors: Sun Huanqing , Wang Xu , Wu Pingfang , Jiang Haishun , Tang Jing
Published: July 2022

Semiconductor materials have gradually developed into attractive candidate substrates for surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) due to their unique characteristics, exhibiting great application potential in a wide range of scenarios. The introduction of oxygen vacancies plays a key role in improving the performance of semiconductor substrates by effectively modulating the surface state and electronic structure of semiconductor materials. Here, a reduction method is employed to prepare nonstoichiometric WO3−x nanosheets with abundant oxygen vacancies, which as a substrate material possesses excellent SERS sensing performance and outstanding signal reproducibility. The presence of surface deficiency sites generates an effective photoinduced charge transfer resonance at the interface between the substrate and the analyte molecules by offering more charge transfer pathways as well as strong vibration coupling, thereby achieving significantly improved SERS sensitivity on the WO3−x substrate. Further investigations suggest that the defect structure is beneficial to facilitate the recognition of multiple probe molecules, which indicates semiconductor materials have great potential in SERS detection.
Distal facial vein catheterization for prevention and management of thrombosis in vascularized lymph node transfers
Authors: Mallarino‐Restrepo Gonzalo , Lin Miffy C.‐Y. , Cheng Ming‐Huei
Published: July 2022

Background

This study investigated the outcomes of the distal facial vein catheterization (DFVC) to manage venous thrombosis in vascularized submental lymph nodes (VSLN) flap transplantations.

Methods

Between March 2017 and December 2020, patients who underwent VSLN flaps were divided into Group I: combined delayed primary retention sutures (DPRS) with DFVC, and Group II: DPRS alone. Primary outcomes were early (within 72 h) and late venous thrombosis. Secondary outcomes included other nonvascular complications and mechanical factors of the thrombosis.

Results

A total of 105 patients who underwent 106 VSLN flaps, including 37 and 69 flaps in Groups I and II, respectively, were included. There were no statistically significant differences in age, body mass index, Taiwan lymphoscintigraphy staging, and surgical factors between the two groups (all p > 0.05). Early venous thrombosis requiring re‐exploration developed in one (2.7%) and three (4.3%) flaps in Groups I and II, respectively (p = 0.20). One flap (2.7%) and eight (11.5%) flaps developed late venous thrombosis in Groups I and II, respectively (p < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in total complication rates between both groups (p = 0.9).

Conclusion

VSLN flap transplantation had a significantly higher risk of late venous thrombosis. DFVC significantly decreased the late venous thrombosis.
Elastography Assisted BI‐RADS in the Preoperative Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging 4a Lesions in China
Authors: Tang Lei , Wang Yuqun , Gong Huiling , Chen Man
Published: July 2022

Objectives

A considerable number of benign lesions, especially category 4a lesions on Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System Magnetic Resonance Imaging (BI‐RADS‐MRI), were biopsied according to BI‐RADS‐MRI, which was a diagnostic imaging challenge. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of ultrasound elastography (UE) assisted Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI‐RADS) for BI‐RADS‐MRI category 4a lesions.

Methods

Between January 2017 and December 2019, 228 breast lesions categorized as BI‐RADS‐MRI 4a were included. Conventional ultrasound (US) and UE were performed to evaluate each lesion. Pathology results were used as the gold standard. The diagnostic performances of different UE methods and our re‐assessment proposal were evaluated.

Results

When BI‐RADS‐MRI category 4a, BI‐RADS‐US category 3‐4a, the stiffness of soft or intermediate in elasticity assessment according to the fifth edition of the BI‐RADS atlas, strain ratio < 1.335, age ≤ 52 years, and the maximum diameter of lesion ≤20 mm were simultaneously met, an ultrasound‐guided empty needle biopsy was not recommended, but short‐term ultrasound follow‐up for 3–6 months was recommended, and biopsy was performed after changes in evaluation. In this way, 95 of 228 BI‐RADS‐MRI category 4a lesions avoided biopsies, and the number of patients with biopsies decreased by 41.7%.

Conclusions

UE offers benefits in the characterization of BI‐RADS‐MRI category 4a lesions. Ultrasound and elastography can help optimize therapy recommendations for BI‐RADS‐MRI category 4a lesions by our re‐assessment proposal.
Non‐resident college student hunting license regulations in the United States
Authors: Karlen Jonathan G. , Metcalf Elizabeth Covelli , Millspaugh Joshua J.
Published: July 2022

A decades‐long decline in hunting participation jeopardizes state wildlife agency funding amid growing conservation and management challenges. College students are being recognized by states and non‐governmental organizations as an important population for hunter recruitment and retention, fueling a proliferation of learn‐to‐hunt programs on college campuses. Nearly 3,000,000 students attend college in a state where they are not a resident and may face constraints to hunting. We analyzed hunting license residency statutes in each state to determine whether non‐resident college students were addressed in statutes or policies, catalog statutory provisions that may exclude populations of students from hunting, and document how students' residency status affects the price of a deer and small game license. Nationwide, 29 states have statutes allowing non‐resident college students to hunt at a resident rate. Among these states, we identified a patchwork of statutory requirements for non‐resident students to be eligible for resident‐rate licenses, including waiting periods, age restrictions, credit restrictions, and unclear or onerous purchasing procedures. Non‐resident college students fell into a gray area of licensing policy in the 21 states without statutes addressing this group. In these states, students often needed to pay non‐resident hunting license rates. Hunting licenses were substantially more expensive for non‐resident college students in states without statutes addressing students, and license sales data from Montana, USA, indicated that high license prices are a constraint for student hunters. With college students becoming a focal point for hunter recruitment efforts, we identify statutory constraints to recruiting and retaining hunters on college campuses and help improve the effectiveness of learn‐to‐hunt programs on college campuses.
Comparison of spectrophotometric and electrochemical pH measurements for calculating freshwater pCO2
Authors: Young Fischer L. , Shangguan Qipei , Beatty Cory M. , Gilsdorf Makenzy D. , DeGrandpre Michael D.
Published: July 2022

Inland waters have an important role in the global carbon cycle, contributing significantly to terrestrial carbon fluxes through downstream export and exchange of CO2 with the atmosphere. However, large uncertainties in freshwater inorganic carbon fluxes remain. One contributing factor is uncertainty in carbonate system calculations for estimating the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) from pH and alkalinity in freshwater systems. The uncertainty stems largely from inaccurate pH values caused by glass pH electrode measurements in low ionic strength systems. This study compares indicator‐based spectrophotometric and electrochemical pH measurements and their application for calculating freshwater pCO2. Our study found that, compared to a pCO2 reference method, pH electrode‐based estimates of pCO2 were overestimated by 230 ± 200 μatm (n = 54) where indicator‐based spectrophotometric pH estimates of pCO2 were 58 ± 33 μatm (n = 34) over the range of 100–1600 μatm. Furthermore, we found that when ionic strength was assumed to be zero, calculated pCO2 error was ~ 20% of the reference pCO2. A 19‐d field study using autonomous spectrophotometric pH and pCO2 sensors found an average error in calculated pCO2 of −70 ± 57 μatm (n = 1685). Although, our focus is on riverine CO2, these findings and subsequent conclusions apply to all freshwater systems. Spectrophotometric pH measurements will improve future freshwater pCO2 calculations and better quantify inland waters' role in the global carbon budget.
General stability and exponential growth of nonlinear variable coefficient wave equation with logarithmic source and memory term
Authors: Yan Long , Sun Lili
Published: July 2022

This paper is concerned with the asymptotic stability and instability of solutions to a variable coefficient logarithmic wave equation with nonlinear damping and memory term. Such model describes wave traveling through nonhomogeneous viscoelastic materials. By choosing appropriate multiplier and using weighted energy method, we prove the exponential decay of the energy. Moreover, we also obtain the instability of the solutions at the infinity in the presence of the nonlinear damping.
Intracranial vessel wall segmentation with deep learning using a novel tiered loss function incorporating class inclusion
Authors: Zhou Hanyue , Xiao Jiayu , Li Debiao , Fan Zhaoyang , Ruan Dan
Published: July 2022

Purpose

To develop an automated vessel wall segmentation method on T1‐weighted intracranial vessel wall magnetic resonance images, with a focus on modeling the inclusion relation between the inner and outer boundaries of the vessel wall.

Methods

We propose a novel method that estimates the inner and outer vessel wall boundaries simultaneously, using a network with a single output channel resembling the level‐set function height. The network is driven by a unique tiered loss that accounts for data fidelity of the lumen and vessel wall classes and a length regularization to encourage boundary smoothness.

Results

Implemented with a 2.5D UNet with a ResNet backbone, the proposed method achieved Dice similarity coefficients (DSC) in 2D of 0.925 ± 0.048, 0.786 ± 0.084, Hausdorff distance (HD) of 0.286 ± 0.436, 0.345 ± 0.419 mm, and mean surface distance (MSD) of 0.083 ± 0.037 and 0.103 ± 0.032 mm for the lumen and vessel wall, respectively, on a test set; compared favorably to a baseline UNet model that achieved DSC 0.924 ± 0.047, 0.794 ± 0.082, HD 0.298 ± 0.477, 0.394 ± 0.431 mm, and MSD 0.087 ± 0.056, 0.119 ± 0.059 mm. Our vessel wall segmentation method achieved substantial improvement in morphological integrity and accuracy compared to benchmark methods.

Conclusions

The proposed method provides a systematic approach to model the inclusion morphology and incorporate it into an optimization infrastructure. It can be applied to any application where inclusion exists among a (sub)set of classes to be segmented. Improved feasibility in result morphology promises better support for clinical quantification and decision.
Digital Hydrography Underestimates Stream Length and Leads to Underestimates of Trout Population Size
Authors: Dauwalter Daniel C. , Gatewood Tim , Jackson Zachary J. , Barney Jean , Beard Zachary S.
Published: July 2022

Stream length is measured for many fisheries management applications. Characteristics of populations and habitats measured at field sites are commonly generalized to unsampled areas using estimates of stream length or stream network length. There are many ways to measure stream length, but map-based stream length measurements are commonly used in fisheries applications even though they are known to be biased. We evaluated how length of headwater streams in Arizona may be underestimated by the National Hydrography Dataset and how that bias influences streamwide abundance estimates for adult Apache Trout Oncorhynchus apache. As expected, stream lengths measured using National Hydrography Dataset flowlines underestimated true length revealed by National Agricultural Imagery Program imagery on average 11.1% (SD = 4.1%), and this bias was higher in meadow versus forested habitats. The observed bias led to streamwide estimates of adult Apache Trout abundance that were only 88% on average (SD = 5%) of those made with more realistic imagery-based stream measurements. As we have shown, high-resolution imagery, now widely available, can be used to assess and quantify stream length bias, and we conclude that it is important to assess whether this bias has the potential to negatively impact important fishery management decisions.
Study on Tensile Mechanical Properties of GAP/CL‐20/HMX Propellant
Authors: Zhang Guanglong , Liu Xiangyang , Zhang Jinshang , Li Muchen , Zhang Xu , Wang Ningfei , Hou Xiao
Published: July 2022

To study the tensile properties of GAP/CL‐20/HMX (GCH) propellant, a new generation high energy solid propellant, uniaxial tensile test and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) test were performed at different temperatures (233.15–333.15 K) and strain rates (0.000476–0.9524 s−1). The experimental results show that, unlike Hydroxyl‐terminated Polybutadiene (HTPB) and Nitrate Ester Plasticized Polyether (NEPE) propellants, GCH propellant have special arc section in the initial tensile stage at room temperature and high temperature. This phenomenon may be caused by the stretching of the curled molecular chains. The variation of mechanical properties shows that the maximum tensile strength and initial elastic modulus increase with the decrease of temperature and the increase of strain rate. The variation of maximum elongation is complex, which increases with the increase of strain rate at room temperature and high temperature, and first increases then decreases with the increase of strain at low temperature. The constitutive model of the GCH propellant was established by introducing the chain extension and the debonding damage thresholds. Both of which show a linear double logarithmic increasing trend with the increase of strain rate at room and high temperature. The latter shows a linear double logarithmic decrease trend with the increase of strain rate at the low temperature.
The co‐movements of faith‐based cryptocurrencies in periods of pandemics
Authors: Mnif Emna , Mouakhar Khaireddine , Jarboui Anis
Published: July 2022

In the recent coronavirus pandemic, several researchers have focused on the drivers of cryptocurrency behavior. In particular, this study provides insights into what can drive Islamic cryptocurrency markets and how do they react during the COVID‐19 pandemic. We explore the cryptocurrency volatility and the connectedness between the Islamic, conventional, and COVID‐19 confirmed cases and deaths using the wavelet approaches. The preliminary results show that faith‐based cryptocurrencies have reduced risk exposure than their conventional counterparts, in the long run, making them more appealing for investment, particularly for investors seeking low‐risk and Shariah‐compliant assets. Furthermore, the empirical results indicate that both Islamic and conventional cryptocurrencies are more sensitive to the death toll than the newly confirmed cases. We also observe significant positive co‐movements between Bitcoin and Islamic cryptocurrencies. Besides, Bitcoin exhibits a substantial response during various time scales while compared with Islamic cryptocurrencies. This study contributes to the literature by investigating the sensitivity and the vulnerability of a new category of cryptocurrencies backed by tangible assets to pandemic shocks. To the extent of the author's knowledge, this study is the first attempt that examines the co‐movement between Islamic and conventional cryptocurrencies using the wavelet approach. A viable, ethical, and alternative investment route for faith‐based investors can be provided by the Shariah‐Compliant cryptocurrencies as they are risk‐reduced and less sensitive to the pandemic than conventional benchmarks. Besides, this study creates opportunities in portfolio diversification for investors.
Organic Waste as Reducing and Capping Agents for Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles with Various Applications
Authors: Ureña‐Castillo Brenda , Morones‐Ramírez José Rubén , Rivera‐De la Rosa Javier , Alcalá‐Rodríguez Mónica María , Cerdán Pasarán Andrea Quetzalli , Díaz‐Barriga Castro Enrique , Escárcega‐González Carlos Enrique
Published: July 2022

Currently, the large amount of organic waste produced represents one of the leading environmental problems. According to United Nations, every year a third of all food produced ends up rotting and, therefore, becoming waste. Its use and revalorization represent an attractive alternative in the search for solutions to this situation. In this context, these residues can be used to obtain extracts beneficial for nanotechnology, acting as a reducing and stabilizing agent to produce metal nanomaterials such as silver nanoparticles by green synthesis, an ecofriendly and nontoxic method. Silver nanoparticles have been applied in applications as antibacterial, antifungal, and catalytic agents, as well as antioxidants, biosensors, and treatment of various diseases. Thus, this review contributes to fostering and promoting a sustainable environmental awareness through the reuse and revalorization of organic waste, which allows the sustainable biosynthesis of functional silver nanoparticles to be widely applied successfully in various fields of application.
Synthesis and Antifungal Activity of Some Novel Coumarin‐Amino Acid Conjugates
Authors: Tiwari Neha , Kumari Ankita , Uttam Gunjan , Singh Vineeta , Singh Karuna , Katiyar Diksha
Published: July 2022

A series of novel coumarin‐amino acid conjugates was synthesized and structural characterization was done by various spectroscopic methods. All the conjugates were screened for their antifungal activity against five fungal strains namely T. rubrum, A. niger, A. fumigatus, A. flavus and C. albicans by two‐fold serial microdilution method. Some of them showed significant activity with MIC values in the range of 6.25–25 μg/mL. Notably, compound 5 e showed potential antifungal effect against three tested strains with MIC's in the range of 6.25–12.5 μg/mL. The molecular docking studies showed that some conjugates possessed good binding affinity with the modelled receptor of integrin‐like protein of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii. Compounds 5 d and 5 e also exhibited good binding efficiency with the Candida spp. cell wall associated proteins in in vitro binding assay. Additionally, in silico physicochemical parameters such as lipophilicity and pharmacokinetic properties such as absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of the synthesized compounds were also evaluated.
Morphology and Functionalization Dependent Sensing of Dopamine on L‐Arginine Functionalized Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles
Authors: Saranya S. , Justin S. J. Samuel , Edwin Nimmy , Wilson P.
Published: July 2022

Hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles have been synthesized using L‐arginine as an organic growth modifier, in addition to serving as a functionalization agent by ultrasonically assisted chemical precipitation technique. The influence of Ca2+: arginine ratio and pH of the synthetic medium on the morphology and functionalization of L‐arginine on HA and their collective role in the selective electrochemical determination of dopamine (DA) has been elucidated. The electrochemical behavior of DA at L‐arginine functionalized HA (fHA) containing carbon paste electrodes was investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). fHA containing carbon paste electrode exhibits excellent sensing ability toward DA than their counterparts. The role of the morphology of HA and the nature of functionalization of L‐arginine on HA towards sensing DA is related to a plausible mechanism of interaction. The most proficient electrode was found to exhibit a wide linear current response in the concentration range of 5 μM‐ 200 μM, with 0.32 μM as a limit of detection. The practical application of the fabricated electrode was successfully confirmed by the real sample analyses carried out using DA injection as well as in human urine samples.
Hydrothermal Synthesis and Symmetrical Supercapacitor Study of 1D Ln‐H2PDA (Ln=La and Sm) Metal‐Organic Frameworks
Authors: Lata Singh Deep , Mishra Vineet , Kumar Ghosh Tapan , Ranga Rao G.
Published: July 2022

Rare earth based metal‐organic frameworks (RE‐MOFs) are gaining importance in energy storage applications. Herein, we report the synthesis of two new RE‐MOFs (Ln‐H2PDA, Ln=La and Sm) under hydrothermal conditions using pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylic acid (H2PDA) linker. The single‐crystal analysis revealed that La‐H2PDA MOF crystallizes into monoclinic system with P 21/c space group. Sm‐H2PDA MOF also has the same crystal system, which is confirmed by powder X‐ray diffraction pattern. These MOFs are evaluated for their charge storage behaviour using conventional 3‐electrode system. Both La‐H2PDA and Sm‐H2PDA delivered high specific capacity of 220 C g−1 (488 F g−1) and 711 C g−1 (1580 F g−1) at a current density of 1 A g−1, respectively. Furthermore, a symmetric Swagelok device (Sm‐H2PDA∥Sm‐H2PDA) has been fabricated using Sm‐H2PDA MOF as working electrodes. The maximum energy density and power density delivered by this device are 18 Wh kg−1 and 3744 W kg−1.
Experimental study on the flexural tensile properties of aligned steel fiber–reinforced reactive powder concrete members
Authors: Yang Kejia , Su Hongzhi , Dai Tao , Li Kunliang , Lin Yiwei
Published: July 2022

To improve the tensile properties of steel fiber–reinforced reactive powder concrete (SFRPC), we prepared aligned steel fiber–reinforced reactive powder concrete (ASFRPC) members by controlling the fiber distribution under a magnetic field. Four‐point bending tests were carried out to examine the flexural tensile properties of the SFRPC and ASFRPC members. In comparison with SFRPC members under the same conditions, we found that the flexural capacity of ASFRPC members increased by 72.4%–149.5%. Moreover, the flexural toughness, residual strength coefficient, and residual load of ASFRPC members were greatly improved. The bearing capacity and toughness of both SFRPC and ASFRPC members were reduced to a certain extent with the increase in the water–binder ratio. The increase in the fiber length and content effectively improved the bending mechanical properties of the SFRPC and ASFRPC members; in particular, the increase in the fiber length significantly improved the deformation capacity of the members.
Hollow Structured Transition Metal Phosphates and Their Applications
Authors: Munkaila Samira , Dahal Rabin , Kokayi Manzili , Jackson Tatyana , Bastakoti Bishnu Prasad
Published: July 2022

Hollow nanostructures of transition metal phosphate are of immense interest in the existing and evolving areas of technology, due to their high surface area, presence of hollow void, and easy tuning of compositions and dimensions. Emerging synthesis methods such as template‐free methods, hard‐templating, and soft‐templating are discussed in this review. Applications of these hollow metal phosphates dominate in energy storage and conversions, with specific advantages as supercapacitor materials. Other applications, including drug delivery, water splitting, catalysis, and adsorption, are reviewed. Finally, additional perspectives on the progress of these nanostructures, and their existing challenges related to the current synthesis routes are covered. Therefore, with the strategic modifications of the unique properties of these hollow metal phosphates, broader application requirements are fulfilled.
Solar oxidation and removal of arsenic from water: An experimental study
Authors: Mohan Devendra , Verma Rahul , Kushwaha Rohit , Sonam
Published: July 2022

Arsenic poses a significant threat to both human health and the environment. Arsenic removal through solar oxidation has been investigated in a batch process. Arsenic was artificially added to both deionized and tap water to conduct the experiments. Clean, colorless, transparent, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles were used for Solar Oxidation and Removal of Arsenic (SORAS) experiments. Various parameters including concentration of arsenic, iron, and photo‐catalyst were varied during the experiments. The maximum arsenic removal efficiency obtained was 94% and 88% for deionized water and tap water respectively when ferrous ammonium sulphate and lemon juice were used. Maximum efficiency of 88% and 82% was obtained for deionized and tap water respectively when locally available ferrous alum and glacial acetic acid were used. The change in volume of the photo‐catalyst (lemon juice and glacial acetic acid) also did not affect the SORAS process significantly. Therefore, the recommended volume for the photo‐catalyst was 1–2 ml/L. SORAS can very well be used for areas contaminated with arsenic having concentrations less than 100 μg/L.
Impacts of the policy on exemption of irrigation service fee on irrigation performance, a case study in the Red River Basin, Vietnam
Authors: Van Le Chinh
Published: July 2022

The policy on irrigation service fee had been adopted in irrigated agriculture in Vietnam for decades but has changed to exemption since 2008. This study surveyed irrigation systems in the Red River basin and found that the ratio of irrigated area to cultivation command area of irrigation system increased from 85% to 91% for a period 2008–2014 thanks to increased maintenance fund for upgrading irrigation systems. Using the Difference in Difference method, the study assessed impact of the policy on on‐farm irrigation performance, agricultural productivity, and household economy at sites across the 44,600 ha of the Cau Son Irrigation System. The analysis found that the exemption policy had a negative and significant impact (p < 0.01) on on‐farm irrigation performance measured by flexibility, reliability, and equity indicators. We found the exemption caused no significant impact on agriculture productivity, cultivation labor, or rice yield in the study area. While net cultivation income of the sample households increased, total income and gross cultivation income of these households were not affected as irrigation service fee accounts for only 1–2% of the total annual household incomes. For improved irrigation performance, it is recommended to revise the current exemption policy and follow a cost recovery approach.
Postoccupancy evaluation of staff, visitors, and three species of animals in a zoo setting
Authors: Snyder Rebecca J. , Barrett Lisa P.
Published: July 2022

Postoccupancy evaluation (POE) was used to assess newly constructed zoo exhibits from the perspective of three user groups: zoo staff, zoo visitors, and the animals. Staff represents a generally understudied user group in zoo‐based POEs. We asked staff to rate the animals' space, the visitors' space, and the staff's space at previous and new exhibits. We also compared zoo visitors' ratings of the animals' behavior and environments, overall exhibit impressions, and the time visitors spent viewing previous and new exhibits. Lastly, we compared activity and space use of a Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), two red pandas (Ailurus fulgens), and one rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) in their previous and new exhibits. Staff rated animal, visitor, and staff areas higher at the new exhibits compared to the previous exhibits. Visitors also rated several factors higher and spent more time at the new exhibits. The most naturalistic exhibit received the most favorable ratings in all categories and animal activity increased visitor stay time. We found that red pandas were less active in their new exhibit, and the Komodo dragon and rhino showed no difference in activity. The red pandas and the Komodo dragon used more available space in their new exhibits; however, we recommend using Electivity index to examine resource preferences for these species, whose enclosure use has been less studied than large mammals. We emphasize the importance of including staff in zoo‐based POE, make other recommendations for future POE studies, and discuss various factors that could have influenced our results.
American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) weight gain in captivity and implications for captive reptile body condition
Authors: Kruis Faith , Wallwork Madison , Spain Marisa , Rosenblatt Adam E.
Published: July 2022

The body condition of an animal is an indicator of health status and is dependent upon many factors, some of which can vary between wild and captive settings. Despite this, there have not been many studies on how captivity affects body condition relative to wild animal populations. This study explores the body condition of captive and wild American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) because reptiles are frequently overlooked in studies of captive animal health and because alligators are well‐represented in captivity. We collected body condition data from 209 captive alligators and 935 wild alligators throughout Florida and southeastern Georgia and compared the relationships between body condition and body length for each group. We found that captive alligators exhibited significantly higher body condition values as they aged, and that this result was driven by the difference between captive and wild males. Body condition values for captive juveniles did not differ from wild juveniles, but they differed when comparing adults. Our results suggest that factors such as diet and movement rates play major roles in determining alligator body condition and that body condition may be an important metric for monitoring captive alligator health, especially for older adult males.
Web-Based Respondent-Driven Sampling in Research on Multiple Migrants: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Górny Agata , Salamońska Justyna
Published: July 2022

Internet surveys are the future of migration studies given that migrants engage more and more often in multidirectional movements and reside in multiple destination countries. The richness of the growing variety of geographical and temporal migrant trajectories pose particular challenges for quantitative researchers studying such spatially dispersed populations for which sampling frames are not available. The Web-based Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS) method addresses many of the challenges occurring in such a context. However, its implementation is not an easy task and does not succeed in all migratory settings. The goal of this chapter is to outline the opportunities and challenges associated with using Web-based RDS for researching migrant populations. While the RDS method can be powerful in fact-to-face interviews, its usefulness in Internet surveys is debatable. We examine this issue by using the example of a survey of Polish multiple migrants worldwide conducted in 2018–2019. We outline observations from the fieldwork (selection of seeds, formation of referral chains, etc.), and discuss the challenges of using Web-based RDS by focusing on the barriers to referral chain formation related to RDS assumptions and study design. The observed constraints relate to the definition of a target group, the management of incentives online, and the anonymity issues of online surveys.
Computer-Assisted Migration Research: What We Can Learn About Source Questionnaire Design and Translation from the Software Localization Field
Authors: Behr Dorothée
Published: July 2022

This chapter examines the technical challenges involved in translating and adapting measurement instruments, i.e., questionnaires, for migration research. The first part outlines good practices in questionnaire translation. In line with the technology-based focus of this book, the second part focuses on computerized surveys and on the interplay between technology, language, and culture. Frameworks from the software localization field are consulted and transferred to the context of computerized multilingual surveys with respect to their impact on source questionnaire design and on translation and adaptation. Real-life examples come from our own experiences in international and migration research, as well as from a review of existing reports and research articles. The main goal of this chapter is to raise awareness of the additional technology layer that impacts translation and adaptation, with an ultimate goal to improve translation and adaptation processes, and the outcomes of migration research.