bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atmospheric response to the North Pacific hotspot in idealized simulations: Application to explosive and binary cyclogenesis
Authors: Yamamoto Masaru
Published: July 2021

Marginal seas of the western North Pacific Ocean act as a hotspot in winter, warming the marine atmosphere. The atmospheric response to lower‐level (below 700 hPa altitude) heating localized around this hotspot was studied using an idealized general circulation model with an assumed triangular hotspot. As simulated in previous studies, localized atmospheric heating over the mid‐latitude hotspot enhances the westerly jet core, forming a stationary Rossby wave north of the core. This study found that the hotspot remotely influences the Rossby wave source (the sum of vortex stretching and vorticity advection caused by the divergent flow) and temperature deviations at upper levels (200–300 hPa). These results are qualitatively consistent with the winter climatology. The idealized experiment was applied to explosive and binary extratropical cyclones (pairs of surface cyclones located north and south of the main Japanese islands). The active area of transient eddies at lower levels splits into two in the hotspot, leading to regional explosive development and the formation of binary cyclones through an enhanced meridionally elongated trough. The hotspot is an essential factor driving the bifurcation of cyclone tracks into the southern and northern areas of Japan, leading to binary cyclones.
Nonprofit board culture: Intentional or dysfunctional?
Authors: Mueller James
Published: July 2021

Every board has a culture—either by default or intention. Even though culture has a direct effect on organizational performance, few boards address it. Whatever the reason, unless someone calls attention to the underlying habits, assumptions and ineffective practices, an organization risks being stymied by a dysfunctional culture.
Trends in cancer mortality in China from 2004 to 2018: A nationwide longitudinal study
Authors: Jiang Dongming , Zhang Lijuan , Liu Wenbin , Ding Yibo , Yin Jianhua , Ren Rongbing , Li Qi , Chen Yifan , Shen Jiaying , Tan Xiaojie , Zhang Hongwei , Cao Guangwen
Published: July 2021

Background

The long‐term trend in cancer death in a rapidly developing country provides information for cancer prophylaxis. Here, we aimed to identify the trends in cancer mortality in China during the 2004‐2018 period.

Methods

Using raw data from the national mortality surveillance system of China, we assessed the mortalities of all cancer and site‐specific cancers during the 2004‐2018 period. The participants were divided into three age groups: ≥65 years, 40‐64 years, and ≤39 years. Changing trends in cancer death by gender, residency, and tumor location were estimated using fitting joinpoint models to log‐transformed crude mortality rates (CMRs) and age‐standardized mortality rates (ASMRs).

Results

Cancer death accounted for 24% of all‐cause of death in China during 2014‐2018. The CMR of all cancer was 150.0 per 100,000 persons. Cancer was the leading cause of death in the population <65 years. The six major cancer types (lung/bronchus cancer, liver cancer, stomach cancer, esophagus cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreas cancer) accounted for 75.85% of all cancer deaths. The CMR of all cancer increased while the ASMR decreased during 2014‐2018 (P < 0.001). Lung/bronchus cancer and liver cancer were the leading causes of cancer death in the population <65 years, accounting for 45.31% (CMR) and 44.35% (ASMR) of all cancer death, respectively. The ASMR of liver cancer was higher in the 40‐64 years population than in the ≥65 years population, in contrast to the other five major cancers. The ASMRs of liver cancer, stomach cancer, and esophagus cancer decreased although they were higher in rural residents than in urban residents; the ASMRs of lung/bronchus cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreas cancer increased in rural residents although they were higher in urban residents than in rural residents during 2014‐2018.

Conclusion

Although the ASMR of all cancer decreased in China during 2004‐2018, lung/bronchus cancer and liver cancer remained the leading causes of cancer‐related premature death. Lung/bronchus cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreas cancer increased in rural residents.
Diagnostic and prognostic value of stem cell factor plasma level in glioblastoma multiforme patients
Authors: Kefayat Amirhosein , Amouheidari Alireza , Ghahremani Fatemeh , Alirezaei Zahra
Published: July 2021

Background

Investigation of novel blood‐circulating agents as potential biomarkers for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients’ diagnosis and monitoring has gained lots of attention, due to limitations of imaging modalities and invasive tissue biopsy procedures. The present study aims to assess the diagnostic and prognostic values of preoperative stem cell factor (SCF) plasma level in GBM patients.

Methods

Preoperative plasma samples from 58 GBM patients and 20 patients with nonglial tumors and 30 healthy controls were obtained. SCF levels were measured by employing the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay test and the values were compared between these three groups. Then, the association of SCF plasma level and tumor volume, progression‐free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) for the GBM patients were evaluated.

Results

Mean preoperative SCF plasma level of the GBM patients (2.80 ± 1.52 ng/ml) was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) than the healthy controls (0.80 ± 0.24 ng/ml) and patients with nonglial tumor (1.41 ± 0.76 ng/ml). Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that the preoperative SCF plasma level could distinguish the GBM patients from healthy controls and patients with nonglial tumors with the area under curve values of 0.915 and 0.790, respectively. However, no significant association was observed between the GBM patients’ preoperative SCF plasma levels and tumors’ volume (Spearman Rho correlation coefficient, 0.1847; 95% CI, p = 0.1652). The GBM patients were divided into two subgroups based on mean preoperative SCF plasma levels (2.80 ng/ml). No significant difference was observed between the patients’ PFS (p = 0.3792) and OS (p = 0.1469) at these two subgroups.

Conclusion

Taking together, the SCF plasma level can serve as a novel diagnostic blood‐circulating biomarker for patients with GBM. However, its plasma level is not correlated with GBM patients’ tumor volume, PFS, or OS.
The ethical–political dimension of social and community praxis: The case of Ecuador's early response to COVID‐19
Authors: Capella Manuel
Published: July 2021

Around the globe, millions of people have experienced suffering and death related to COVID‐19, an infectious disease caused by the SARS‐CoV2 virus. In Ecuador,the painful impact of the pandemic elicited early responses by the government and by local communities. This critical, positioned and exploratory case study analyses such responses, underscoring the fundamental ethical–political dimension of any academic and professional praxis aimed at the construction of healthier societies worldwide. While critical traditions are familiar with this stance, the inequalities and ideological mechanisms made visible by COVID‐19 responses may enable the wider community of researchers and practitioners to join ongoing collective ethical–political efforts. Findings from Ecuador underline the potentially harmful role of neoliberalism and issues of democratic legitimacy, significant problems before and during the pandemic shock, and official discourses, which blame communities for their own suffering and death. Neutrality and depoliticized notions of scientific evidence are notoriously insufficient in these scenarios. We need to engage more deeply with diverse forms of global and local community resistance, in times of COVID‐19, and beyond. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article'sCommunity and Social Impact Statement.
Insight into the Therapeutic Potential of a Bicyclic Hydroxypyridone Compound 2‐[(2,4‐Dichlorophenyl)methyl]‐7‐hydroxy‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐8H‐pyrido[1,2‐a]pyrazin‐8‐one as COMT Inhibitor in the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease: A Molecular Dynamic Simulation Approach
Authors: Subair Temitayo I. , Akawa Oluwole B. , Soremekun Opeyemi S. , Olotu Fisayo A. , Soliman Mahmoud E. S.
Published: July 2021

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most targeted neurodegenerative diseases in clinical research. Awareness of research is due to its increasing number of affected people worldwide. The pathology of PD has been linked to several key proteins upregulation such as the catechol O‐Methyltransferase (COMT). Hence, the synthesis of compounds possessing inhibitory capacity has been the frontline of research in recent years. Several compounds have been synthesized among which is the nitrocatechol. However, major limitations associated with the nitrocatechol scaffold include the inability to possess adequate CNS penetration properties and hepatic toxicity associated with the compounds. However, a series of bicyclic hydroxypyridones compounds were synthesized to evaluate their inhibitory potentials on COMT protein with compound 38 (c38) 2‐[(2,4‐dichlorophenyl)methyl]‐7‐hydroxy‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐8H‐pyrido[1,2‐a]pyrazin‐8‐one shown to have a 40 fold increase level coverage in its IC50 over brain exposure when compared to the other synthesized compound. The molecular dynamics method was employed to understand the nature of interaction exhibited by c38. Molecular mechanics of c38 revealed a disruptive effect on the secondary structure of COMT protein. Per residue decomposition analysis revealed similar crucial residues involved in the favorable binding of c38 and tolcapone implicated its increased inhibitory capacity on COMT in preventing PD. Free binding energy (ΔGbind) of c38 further revealed the inhibitory capacity towards COMT protein in comparison to the FDA approved tolcapone. Ligand mobility analysis of both compounds showed a timewise different mobility pattern across the simulation time frame at the active site pocket of the protein connoting the different inhibitory potency exhibited by c38 and tolcapone. Findings from this study revealed optimization of c38 could facilitate the discovery of new compounds with enhanced inhibitory properties towards COMT in treating PD.
Phenolic extract from nejayote flour: Bioactive properties and its potential use as an antimicrobial agent of alginate‐based edible coatings
Authors: Castañeda‐Ruelas Gloria M. , Ibarra‐Medina R. Karely , Niño‐Medina Guillermo , Mora‐Rochín Saraid , Montes‐Ávila Julio , Cuevas‐Rodríguez Edith O. , Jiménez‐Edeza Maribel
Published: July 2021

Background and objectives

The search for safe and effective natural sources of antioxidants and antimicrobials is a current trend. The corn nixtamalization industry involves the production of nejayote, a waste that offers a substrate for making value‐added products. This study evaluated the phytochemical content and certain bioactive properties of a hydroalcoholic extract from nejayote flour and its potential use as an antimicrobial agent of edible coating.

Findings

Proximal composition of nejayote flour was 10.34% protein, 6.47% fat, and 76.72% carbohydrates. The total phenolic content of the hydroalcoholic extract was 68.62 mgGAE/100 g; ferulic acid, coumarins, tannins, triterpenes, and flavonoids were identified as major compounds. Antioxidant activity of the extract varied between the methods (p < .05): ORAC (1865.13 µmol TE/100 g) > ABTS•+ (1,670.02 µmol TE/100 g). Nejayote phenolic extract showed a moderate–high antimicrobial power depending on the bacteria (p < .05). The adding of nejayote phenolic extract (2.6%) in alginate coating improves physiochemical properties and exhibits a selective antimicrobial effect.

Conclusions

This research provides bases for the nutrimental and phytochemical content of nejayote flour and its bioactive properties.

Significance and novelty

The confinement and extraction of phytochemical compounds with biological activity from nejayote promote the technological innovation use and reduction of the environmental impact generated by this by‐product.
Affective association with and preference for flexible brace colors in older adults with spinal deformities
Authors: Chung Wing Yan Claire , Yip Joanne , Yick Kit Lun , Ng Sun Pui
Published: July 2021

Patients with adult spinal deformities, often suffer from the physical shortcomings of rigid braces and psychological hurdles of traditional rigid bracing treatment. The color of flexible braces is a physical element that influences user perception and treatment acceptance. This study aims to investigate the affective valence and preferences of patients with adult spinal deformities toward contextless colors and flexible brace colors, respectively, then understand their color requirements of flexible braces in terms of the color attributes (lightness and chroma). A total of 32 Chinese participants with adult spinal deformities (25 females and 7 males aged 61.9 ± 4.16) participated in the study. Participants are required to score 36 contextless and brace colors using the affective appraisal scale and the colors are measured using spectrophotometer. The experimental results showed that context is an important factor in influencing the affective perception but not the color preferences of participants. Adult spinal deformities patients have a more positive affective connotations toward the brace color with lighter achromatic shades. This study provides new insights for the choosing of colors during the design process of medical orthoses.
Characterization of data compression across CPU platforms and accelerators
Authors: Promberger Laura , Schwemmer Rainer , Fröning Holger
Published: July 2021

The ever increasing amount of generated data makes it more and more beneficial to utilize compression to trade computations for data movement and reduced storage requirements. Lately, dedicated accelerators have been introduced to offload compression tasks from the main processor. However, research is lacking when it comes to the system costs for incorporating compression. This is especially true for the influence of the CPU platform and accelerators on the compression. This work will show that for general‐purpose lossless compression algorithms following can be recommended: (1) snappy for high throughput, but low compression ratio; (2) zstandard level 2 for moderate throughput and compression ratio; (3) xz level 5 for low throughput, but high compression ratio. And it will show that the selected platforms (ARM, IBM or Intel) have no influence on the algorithm's performance. Furthermore, it will show that the accelerator's zlib implementation achieves a comparable compression ratio as zlib level 2 on a CPU, while having up to the throughput and utilizing over 80% less CPU resources. This suggests that the overhead of offloading compression is limited but present. Overall, this work will allow system designers to identify deployment opportunities for compression while considering integration constraints.
Improving smart grid security through 5G enabled IoT and edge computing
Authors: Borgaonkar Ravishankar , Anne Tøndel Inger , Zenebe Degefa Merkebu , Gilje Jaatun Martin
Published: July 2021

This article investigates and analyzes the security aspects of 5G specifications from the perspective of IoT‐based smart grids. As the smart grid requires high‐speed and reliable communication to enable real‐time grid monitoring via Internet of Things (IoT) devices, 5G can be considered a catalyst to transform the current power grid infrastructure into a smart grid. Thus, an understanding of what 5G can bring in terms of cyber security in IoT‐based smart grids is important for design decisions and future risk analysis efforts. In this article, we explore a smart grid use case on automatic voltage control—a use case utilizing 5G as a wireless communication infrastructure with edge support. We identify the benefits 5G brings to several security aspects, and show how 5G security techniques are applicable to the smart grid, thus providing a foundation for future security analysis of 5G enabled smart grid systems. Future research should extend this work to additional smart grid use cases.
Abstractive text summarization using deep learning with a new Turkish summarization benchmark dataset
Authors: Ertam Fatih , Aydin Galip
Published: July 2021

Exponential increase in the amount of textual data made available on the Internet results in new challenges in terms of accessing information accurately and quickly. Text summarization can be defined as reducing the dimensions of the expressions to be summarized without spoiling the meaning. Summarization can be performed as extractive and abstractive or using both together. In this study, we focus on abstractive summarization which can produce more human‐like summarization results. For the study we created a Turkish news summarization benchmark dataset from various news agency web portals by crawling the news title, short news, news content, and keywords for the last 5 years. The dataset is made publicly available for researchers. The deep learning network training was carried out by using the news headlines and short news contents from the prepared dataset and then the network was expected to create the news headline as the short news summary. To evaluate the performance of this study, Rouge‐1, Rouge‐2, and Rouge‐L were compared using precision, sensitivity and F1 measure scores. Performance values for the study were presented for each sentence as well as by averaging the results for 50 randomly selected sentences. The F1 Measure values are 0.4317, 0.2194, and 0.4334 for Rouge‐1, Rouge‐2, and Rouge‐L respectively. Performance results show that the approach is promising for Turkish text summarization studies and the prepared dataset will add value to the literature.
Behavioral treatments effective for children with ADHD
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: July 2021

Behavioral treatments are effective for reducing the symptoms of attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well as behavioral problems and impairment, based on rater reports, according to a meta‐analysis from Dutch researchers. The meta‐analysis looked at individual participant data, including data from randomized controlled trials of behavioral interventions. All participants were under 18 years, and outcomes were ADHD symptoms, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD), and impairment.
OCD can be treated with internet‐CBT
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: July 2021

Treatment of obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) with internet‐delivered CBT followed by in‐person CBT — if necessary — is as effective as in‐person CBT alone, according to a recent study. The study, which followed 152 children and adolescents with OCD, found their symptoms were similar to those who received in‐person CBT at a 6‐month follow‐up. The model was based on stepped care, in which children who do well continue treatment via the internet, and those who do not received supplementary face‐to‐face treatment. The assessment was conducted at the 3‐month time point. Those children who didn't respond to the internet treatment received 16 weeks of CBT immediately. Aspvall K, Andersson E, Melin K, et al. Effect of an internet‐delivered stepped‐care program vs in‐person cognitive behavioral therapy on obsessive‐compulsive disorder symptoms in children and adolescents: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA 2021; 325(18):1863–1873; doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.3839.
Exploring Curated Conformational Ensembles of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins in the Protein Ensemble Database
Authors: Quaglia Federica , Lazar Tamas , Hatos András , Tompa Peter , Piovesan Damiano , Tosatto Silvio C. E.
Published: July 2021

The Protein Ensemble Database (PED; https://proteinensemble.org/) is the major repository of conformational ensembles of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). Conformational ensembles of IDPs are primarily provided by their authors or occasionally collected from literature, and are subsequently deposited in PED along with the corresponding structured, manually curated metadata. The modeling of conformational ensembles usually relies on experimental data from small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), NMR spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, or a combination of these techniques. The growing number of scientific studies based on these data, along with the astounding and swift progress in the field of protein intrinsic disorder, has required a significant update and upgrade of PED, first published in 2014. To this end, the database was entirely renewed in 2020 and now has a dedicated team of biocurators providing manually curated descriptions of the methods and conditions applied to generate the conformational ensembles and for checking consistency of the data.

Here, we present a detailed description on how to explore PED with its protein pages and experimental pages, and how to interpret entries of conformational ensembles. We describe how to efficiently search conformational ensembles deposited in PED by means of its web interface and API. We demonstrate how to make sense of the PED protein page and its associated experimental entry pages with reference to the yeast Sic1 use case. © 2021 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

[Correction added on May 17, 2022, after first online publication: CRUI‐CARE funding statement has been added.]

Basic Protocol 1: Performing a search in PED

Support Protocol 1: Programmatic access with the PED API

Basic Protocol 2: Interpreting the protein page and the experimental entry page—the Sic1 use case

Support Protocol 2: Downloading options

Support Protocol 3: Understanding the validation report—the Sic1 use case

Basic Protocol 3: Submitting new conformational ensembles to PED

Basic Protocol 4: Providing feedback in PED
Electron energy spectrum in the field‐ionized plasma
Authors: Khalilzadeh E. , Chakhmachi A. , Dehghani Z. , Rezaei S. , Jafari M. J.
Published: July 2021

In this article, the effect of ionization on the energy spectrum of electrons within the interaction of a laser pulse with hydrogen atoms is investigated using particle‐in‐cell simulation codes. The results show that the behaviour of electrons' energy distribution function in the field‐ionized plasma, which occurred due to the field ionization, compared with that in the pre‐plasma strongly depends on the pulse shape. For short rise‐time pulses (here 30 fs), due to the rapid enhancement of laser electric field, ionization occurs quickly, and as a result, there is not much difference in the electron energy in both the media. However, for pulses with rise time of 40 fs, in the pre‐plasma state, the electron population reaches higher energies compared with the field‐ionized plasma state. The main reason for this difference is the nonlinear wave breaking that happens earlier due to density inhomogeneity in the field‐ionized plasma. On the other hand, at longer rise‐time pulses (here 60 and 70 fs), electrons achieve higher energies in the field‐ionized plasma than those in the case of pre‐plasma. In this case, because of density fluctuations in the field‐ionized plasma, the Raman backscattered radiations are seeded by a strong initial noise at the earlier times and the Mendonca condition for chaos threshold is met sooner. Therefore, the electrons gain more energy through the stochastic mechanism that is in agreement with chaotic nature of the motion.
Quantitative analysis of different LED lamp configurations in indoor VLC system
Authors: Priyanka.  , Singh Maninder Lal , Singh Mandeep , Gill Harpuneet Singh , Kaur Sehajpal
Published: July 2021

In this article, an indoor environment of 5 × 5 × 3 m3dimensions is considered and a total of nine LED lamps are installed at the ceiling in a symmetrical pattern. The inter‐spatial separation between LED lamps is varied to achieve the dual purpose of lighting and communication services. The multipath channel impulse response for distinct receiver locations is also calculated under line‐of‐sight (LOS) and non‐line‐of‐sight (NLOS) channel conditions. Several performance parameters, that is, illumination uniformity, received power fluctuations, root‐mean‐delay spread (RMDS), are evaluated to estimate the performance of the proposed system. The results show that spatial separation of 1.5 m between the LED lamps outperforms the other considered spatial separations, and the error‐free data transmission rate for the proposed system comes out to be about 40 Mbps across the entire receiver plane. Furthermore, an RGB image is transmitted at 40 Mbps and the received image quality is estimated in terms of image quality parameter, that is, structure similarity index (SSIM) over the receiver plane. The results outlined that the received image shows 100% similarity with the transmitted image, and thus, the proposed system can be effectively deployed in practical indoor environments.
K‐2 principal knowledge (not leadership) matters for dyslexia intervention
Authors: Schraeder Missy , Fox James , Mohn Richard
Published: July 2021

Kindergarten through second‐grade elementary schools that best serve students with dyslexia have principals who are knowledgeable about dyslexia and understand the best practices for providing intervention for students with dyslexia. In this study, three styles of leadership were examined to understand the implication that leadership has on intervention for dyslexia: transformational, instructional, and integrated leadership. However, many students in elementary schools have difficulty learning to read despite good leadership by the principal, with 5–20% of students being diagnosed with dyslexia. While these students need phonetic, multisensory intervention to build necessary reading skills, this study found that many principals lack knowledge of this specialized instruction. The purpose of this research was to explore variables that determine the school‐based level of appropriate intervention for students with dyslexia. A questionnaire assessing leadership skills, knowledge, and beliefs about dyslexia, preparation in reading disorders and/or dyslexia received from degree programs and professional development, and services provided to students with dyslexia was given to K‐2 principals serving in schools across the United States. Results indicated that regardless of leadership style, principals who have greater knowledge and more correct beliefs about dyslexia provide more appropriate school‐based services for students with dyslexia. Eight detailed K‐2 principal/practitioner recommendations are included based upon this key finding.
Porous tal palm carbon nanosheets as a sensing material for simultaneous detection of hydroquinone and catechol
Authors: Nayem S. M. Abu , Sultana Nasrin , Islam Tamanna , Hasan Md. Mahedi , Awal Abdul , Roy Subrata Chandra , Aziz Md. Abdul , Ahammad A. J. Saleh
Published: July 2021

In this article, an electrochemical sensor was prepared for the simultaneous detection of hydroquinone (HQ) and catechol (CT) by incorporating porous tal palm carbon nanosheets (PTPCNS) as the modifier substance on the surface of glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were utilized to characterize the electrochemical properties of the designed (PTCNS/GCE) sensor. PTPCNS/GCE demonstrated excellent electro‐catalytic property toward resolving the individual voltametric signal of HQ and CT from their mixture. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was applied to quantify the lower limit of HQ and CT. The calculated limit of detection (LOD) was 0.15 µM for HQ with the linear range of 1–300 µM and 0.49 µM for CT with the corresponding linear range 5–225 µM obtained for the proposed sensor. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was found 0.51 µM and 1.63 µM for HQ and CT, respectively. Modified PTPCNS/GCE exhibited excellent selectivity towards HQ and CT even in presence of 10 folds potential interference. The practical applicability of the proposed sensor was analyzed in tap water sample with an excellent recovery of 98–104% for HQ and 99–102% for CT.
Metal single‐atom‐confined electrocatalysts to water oxidation: Development, innovation, and challenges
Authors: Zhang Ling , Shi Yuhe , Li Lin , Wang Ling , Han Jing Long , Wang Ai Jie
Published: July 2021

In this review, we address the progress of single‐atom‐confined electrocatalysts toward water oxidation in synthetic methods, catalytic mechanisms, and structural analysis. It emphasizes the vital role of special defective structures of transition metal hydroxide/oxide matrix materials in stabilizing the noble metal single atoms and the coordination role of metal single atoms with N, S atoms in a matrix in improving the catalytic activity toward water oxidation. In part 1, the development of single‐atom‐confined electrocatalysts is described. In part 2, noble metal single‐atom‐confined electrocatalysts with transition metal hydroxide/oxide, carbon materials, and noble metal alloy as the supports are detailed. In part 3, transition metal single‐atom‐confined carbon matrix electrocatalysts and transition metal complex composed crystal electrocatalysts are introduced. In part 4, the challenges in synthetic strategy, catalytic activity, and stability of varying metal single atoms catalysts are laid out.
Thermocline vs. two‐tank direct thermal storage system for concentrating solar power plants: A comparative techno‐economic assessment
Authors: Cascetta Mario , Petrollese Mario , Oyekale Joseph , Cau Giorgio
Published: July 2021

This paper concerns the ongoing studies on a Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plant in operation in Ottana (Italy), comprising a 629 kW organic Rankine cycle (ORC) unit fed by a linear Fresnel solar field. Hexamethyldisiloxane (MM) and “Therminol SP‐I” are used respectively as ORC working fluid and heat transfer fluid in the solar receivers. A two‐tank direct Thermal Energy Storage (TES) system is currently integrated in the CSP plant, serving as a direct interface between solar field and ORC. With the view of improving the solar facility, two alternative TES configurations were proposed in this study: a one‐tank packed‐bed TES system using silica as solid storage media and another similar one including encapsulated phase‐change material (molten salt). Comprehensive mathematical models were developed for simulating daily behaviour as well as for assessing yearly performance of the various TES technologies. Furthermore, a preliminary economic analysis was carried out. Results showed poorer response of the one‐tank TES system to large fluctuations in the ORC inlet fluid temperature, leading to reduction in the mean ORC efficiency (18.2% as against 19.7% obtained with the two‐tank TES). Conversely, higher energy storage density and lower thermal losses were obtained adopting the one‐tank TES, resulting in about 5% more annual solar energy yield. Invariably, equivalent annual ORC energy production of 0.92 GWh/year was obtained for the three TES configurations. Additionally, adopting a one‐tank TES system meant that the purchase costs of a second tank and its storage medium (thermal oil) could be saved, resulting in investment costs about 45% lower and, ultimately, levelized cost of storage about 48% lower than what obtains in the two‐tank TES system.
Challenges in regulating interfacial‐chemistry of the sodium‐metal anode for room‐temperature sodium‐sulfur batteries
Authors: Soni Chhail Bihari , Sungjemmenla  , Vineeth S. K. , Kumar Vipin
Published: July 2021

Post‐Li ion battery technologies are gaining importance due to their high theoretical energy density and high specific capacity of the electrode materials. Due to fundamental limitations, the existing Li‐ion batteries cannot fulfill rigorous requirements, like cost‐effectiveness and high storage capacities. Room‐temperature sodium‐sulfur battery (RT‐Na/S), in particular, is an emerging candidate with the high theoretical specific capacity of sodium (~1166 mAh/g) and sulfur (~1675 mAh/g) and naturally high abundance of both the electrode materials. Sodium metal, combined with sulfur, is a cheap and energy‐dense option to the existing battery technologies. In recent years, this has garnered much interest in the scientific community due to a wide range of possibilities for altering battery performance. With the invention of the high‐temperature sodium‐sulfur batteries, Na metal‐based chemistries remain in oblivion. However, due to increasing concerns over the safety of high‐temperature sodium‐sulfur batteries, Na metal anode is revived in recent years with the ever‐growing demands for high energy density and improved safety. Despite that current Na metal anode still lacks high‐reversibility, efficiency, and room‐temperature stability due to limited or no control over the interfacial chemistry of the Na metal anode. The electrochemical reduction of Na+ ions is accompanied by the inevitable reduction of organic species, which leads to the growth of the solid‐electrolyte interphase (SEI) with Na‐deposits. The SEI is inherently unstable due to the localized fluctuations in its chemical and physical properties. A deep understanding of challenges associated with the SEI's localized interfacial chemistry is of prime importance toward developing practical Na metal anodes for RT‐Na/S batteries. This minireview highlights critical challenges in developing a stable Na metal anode and further sheds light on its mechanistic aspects. In addition to that, novel approaches to precisely tune the interphase's physicochemical properties are highlighted to pave path for developing a stable and long‐life Na‐metal anode for RT‐Na/S batteries.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi alleviate salinity stress in peanut: Evidence from pot‐grown and field experiments
Authors: Qin Wenjie , Yan Hengyu , Zou Bingyin , Guo Runze , Ci Dunwei , Tang Zhaohui , Zou Xiaoxia , Zhang Xiaojun , Yu Xiaona , Wang Yuefu , Si Tong
Published: July 2021

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) species are essential for sustainable agriculture of legume crops; however, the AMF response in legume crops, especially from the perspective of physiological and molecular mechanisms under salinity conditions, is largely unknown. In this study, peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) seeds were inoculated with AMF to investigate its salinity stress alleviation effects using the pot‐grown and 2‐year field experiments. Seeds from two peanut cultivars (HY22 and HY25) were inoculated with AMF Rhizophagus irregularis SA and Funneliformis mosseae BEG95 (1:1), and the physiological and transcriptional responses were compared between the AMF‐inoculated and non‐inoculated peanut plants. Under the salinity stress, compared with the control samples, the AMF‐inoculated plants showed higher net photosynthetic rate, leaf relative water content (RWC), plant height, osmolyte accumulation, but lower leaf relative electrolyte conductivity (REC). Also, the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was reduced while the antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (G‐POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were activated. Furthermore, transcriptome data revealed that AMF potentially alleviates salt stress by regulating redox processes, cell wall assembly, cell growth, and other similar processes. In the 2‐year field experiment, AMF‐inoculated peanut seeds of HY22 and HY25 were cultivated in both non‐saline and saline soils. Under salinity conditions, AMF inoculation induced the total protein concentration by 11.11 and 2.32% in kernels and further increased the peanut pod yield by 21.83 and 21.89% in HY22 and HY25, respectively. In non‐saline soil too, AMF increased the peanut pod yield by 11.47 and 23.98% in HY22 and HY25, respectively. Taken together, these results strongly demonstrate that the combination of AMF Rhizophagus irregularis SA and Funneliformis mosseae BEG95 (1:1) can alleviate salinity stress in peanuts by improving plant growth, photosystem, and antioxidant system. Additionally, it increases the peanut pod yield under both normal and salinity conditions.
Dyconnmap: Dynamic connectome mapping—A neuroimaging python module
Authors: Marimpis Avraam D. , Dimitriadis Stavros I. , Goebel Rainer
Published: July 2021

Despite recent progress in the analysis of neuroimaging data sets, our comprehension of the main mechanisms and principles which govern human brain cognition and function remains incomplete. Network neuroscience makes substantial efforts to manipulate these challenges and provide real answers. For the last decade, researchers have been modelling brain structure and function via a graph or network that comprises brain regions that are either anatomically connected via tracts or functionally via a more extensive repertoire of functional associations. Network neuroscience is a relatively new multidisciplinary scientific avenue of the study of complex systems by pursuing novel ways to analyze, map, store and model the essential elements and their interactions in complex neurobiological systems, particularly the human brain, the most complex system in nature. Due to a rapid expansion of neuroimaging data sets' size and complexity, it is essential to propose and adopt new empirical tools to track dynamic patterns between neurons and brain areas and create comprehensive maps. In recent years, there is a rapid growth of scientific interest in moving functional neuroimaging analysis beyond simplified group or time‐averaged approaches and sophisticated algorithms that can capture the time‐varying properties of functional connectivity. We describe algorithms and network metrics that can capture the dynamic evolution of functional connectivity under this perspective. We adopt the word ‘chronnectome’ (integration of the Greek word ‘Chronos’, which means time, and connectome) to describe this specific branch of network neuroscience that explores how mutually informed brain activity correlates across time and brain space in a functional way. We also describe how good temporal mining of temporally evolved dynamic functional networks could give rise to the detection of specific brain states over which our brain evolved. This characteristic supports our complex human mind. The temporal evolution of these brain states and well‐known network metrics could give rise to new analytic trends. Functional brain networks could also increase the multi‐faced nature of the dynamic networks revealing complementary information. Finally, we describe a python module (https://github.com/makism/dyconnmap) which accompanies this article and contains a collection of dynamic complex network analytics and measures and demonstrates its great promise for the study of a healthy subject's repeated fMRI scans.
Recreational cannabis laws and opioid‐related emergency department visit rates
Authors: Drake Coleman , Wen Jiebing , Hinde Jesse , Wen Hefei
Published: July 2021

The opioid epidemic in the United States has accelerated during the COVID‐19 pandemic. As of 2021, roughly a third of Americans now live in a state with a recreational cannabis law (RCL). Recent evidence indicates RCLs could be a harm reduction tool to address the opioid epidemic. Individuals may use cannabis to manage pain, as well as to relieve opioid withdrawal symptoms, though it does not directly treat opioid use disorder. It is thus unclear whether RCLs are an effective policy tool to reduce adverse opioid‐related health outcomes. In this study, we examine the impact of RCLs on a key opioid‐related adverse health outcome: opioid‐related emergency department (ED) visit rates. We estimate event study models using nearly comprehensive ED data from 29 states from 2011 to 2017. We find that RCLs reduce opioid‐related ED visit rates by roughly 7.6% for two quarters after implementation. These effects are driven by men and adults aged 25–44. These effects dissipate after 6 months. Our estimates indicate RCLs did not increase opioid‐related ED visits. We conclude that, while cannabis liberalization may offer some help in curbing the opioid epidemic, it is likely not a panacea.
The “Great Lockdown”: Inactive workers and mortality by Covid‐19
Authors: Borri Nicola , Drago Francesco , Santantonio Chiara , Sobbrio Francesco
Published: July 2021

In response to the Covid‐19 outbreak, the Italian Government imposed an economic lockdown on March 22, 2020, and ordered the closing of all non‐essential economic activities. This paper estimates the causal effects of this measure on mortality by Covid‐19 and on mobility patterns. The identification of the causal effects exploits the variation in the active population across municipalities induced by the economic lockdown. The difference‐in‐differences empirical design compares outcomes in municipalities above and below the median variation in the share of active population before and after the lockdown within a province, also controlling for municipality‐specific dynamics, daily shocks at the provincial level, and municipal unobserved characteristics. Our results show that the intensity of the economic lockdown is associated with a statistically significant reduction in mortality by Covid‐19 and, in particular, for age groups between 40 and 64 and older (with larger and more significant effects for individuals above 50). Back of the envelope calculations indicate that 4793 deaths were avoided, in the 26 days between April 5 and April 30, in the 3518 municipalities which experienced a more intense lockdown. Several robustness checks corroborate our empirical findings.
Birth weight and adult income: An examination of mediation through adult height and body mass
Authors: Pehkonen Jaakko , Viinikainen Jutta , Kari Jaana T. , Böckerman Petri , Lehtimäki Terho , Raitakari Olli
Published: July 2021

This paper examines the causal links between early human endowments and socioeconomic outcomes in adulthood. We use a genotyped longitudinal survey (Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study) that is linked to the administrative registers of Statistics Finland. We focus on the effect of birth weight on income via two anthropometric mediators: body mass index (BMI) and height in adulthood. We find that (i) the genetic instruments for birth weight, adult height, and adult BMI are statistically powerful; (ii) there is a robust total effect of birth weight on income for men but not for women; (iii) the total effect of birth weight on income for men is partly mediated via height but not via BMI; and (iv) the share of the total effect mediated via height is substantial, of approximately 56%.
Does exposure of mass media associate with utilisation of ANC services? A trend analysis from Nepal demographic and health surveys
Authors: Acharya Devaraj , Adhikari Ramesh , Kreps Gary L.
Published: July 2021

The study analysed antenatal care (ANC) services usage trends related to exposure to mass media based upon data from three Nepal Demographic and Health Surveys [NDHS] conducted in 2006, 2011, and 2016. Total 12,212 women aged 15‐49 having live births within five years preceding each survey included in the study. Most independent variables were found to be associated with utilisation of ANC services. For example, exposure to TV illustrated an increasing services trend. Seventy‐three percent of the women had exposure to Radio followed by TV (65%), and newspaper (25%). All three media were significantly associated with ANC services in all surveys (p < 0.05). High exposure to Newspapers were (2.5 times, 95%CI: 1.93–3.19), Radio (1.3 times, 95%CI: 1.13–1.46), and TV (1.6 times, 95%CI: 1.36–1.76) more likely to result in adequate (≥4) ANC visits. Age and age at marriage; caste and educational status of women; place of residence; wealth status; and women's decision‐making autonomy were significant predictors for adequate ANC visits. ANC services utilisation trends increased gradually, but not satisfactory. Most socio‐demographic variables were also significant predictors for utilizing ANC services. All these predictors should be used to guide ANC services promotion policies and interventions.
The onset of Rayleigh–Bénard convection and heat transfer under two‐frequency rotation modulation
Authors: Mathew Ansa , Pranesh S.
Published: July 2021

The impact of 16 combinations of sinusoidal (sine) and nonsinusoidal (square, triangular, and sawtooth) time‐periodic Coriolis force (rotation modulation) on Rayleigh–Bénard convection in a Newtonian liquid is studied in this paper. This consideration is made to capture the possible effects of two‐frequency rotation modulation on stability, that is, the onset of convection and the simultaneous amount of heat transfer in the system. The Venezian approach has been asserted on the linearized Lorenz model to derive the correction Rayleigh number as a function of the two frequencies. The Lorenz model with nonlinearities is evaluated numerically to assess the quantity of heat transfer in the system. The present study states that in comparison with existing studies of no‐modulation and single‐frequency rotation modulation, two‐frequency rotation modulation yields higher stability bounds and thus diminishes the heat transfer. Heat transfer is found to be enhanced by a pair of coprime integers associated with the harmonics in the system.
Dynamic structure change of Cu nanoparticles on carbon supports for CO2 electro‐reduction toward multicarbon products
Authors: Li Qiang , Zhang Yehui , Shi Li , Wu Mingliang , Ouyang Yixin , Wang Jinlan
Published: July 2021

Cu nanoparticles with different sizes, morphology, and surface structures exhibit distinct activity and selectivity toward CO2 reduction reaction, while the reactive sites and reaction mechanisms are very controversial in experiments. In this study, we demonstrate the dynamic structure change of Cu clusters on graphite‐like carbon supports plays an important role in the multicarbon production by combining static calculations and ab‐initio molecular dynamic simulations. The mobility of Cu clusters on graphite is attributed to the near‐degenerate energies of various adsorption configurations, as the interaction between Cu atoms and surface C atoms is weaker than that of CuCu bonds in the tight cluster form. Such structure change of Cu clusters leads to step‐like irregular surface structures and appropriate interparticle distances, increasing the selectivity of multicarbon products by reducing the energy barriers of CC coupling effectively. In contrast, the large ratio of edge and corner sites on Cu clusters is responsible for the increased catalytic activity and selectivity for CO and H2 compared with Cu(100) surface, instead of hydrocarbon products like methane and ethylene. The detailed study reveals that the dynamic structure change of the catalysts results in roughened surface morphologies during catalytic reactions and plays an essential role in the selectivity of CO2 electro‐reduction, which should be paid more attention for studies on the reaction mechanisms.

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