bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nutrition as a risk for mortality and functionality in critically ill older adults
Authors: Loss Sergio Henrique , Teichmann Pedro do Valle , Pedroso de Paula Tatiana , Gross Luiza de Azevedo , Costa Vicente Lobato , Lisboa Bernardo Oppermann , Sperb Luiza Ferreira , Viana Marina Verçoza , Viana Luciana Verçoza
Published: June 2022

Background

There is no specific recommendation for nutrition therapy for critically ill older adults. However, targeting energy and protein balance and avoiding fasting could improve outcomes in this population with high‐risk nutrition outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between nutrition and mortality/functionality in critically ill older patients.

Methods

A single‐center retrospective observational study of critically ill patients aged 65 years or older was conducted. We extracted data from the dietitian evaluations on energy, protein, and the type of diet (fasting, oral, enteral, or parenteral) prescribed in the first week of intensive care unit admission. Primary outcomes were intrahospital mortality and independence and functional capacity evaluated after hospital discharge.

Results

Of the 2043 patients screened, 533 were included in the study. Most patients were men (52.1%), with a median age of 73 (68–78) years. Overall, the intrahospital mortality rate was 53.8%. Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 (SAPS 3), serum albumin and C‐reactive protein levels, and surgical patients were independently associated with fasting in a multivariate analysis. The multivariate regression analyses showed that SAPS 3, serum albumin level, and fasting were independently associated with mortality. Each fasting day increases the risk of mortality by 16.7%. Also, independence and functional capacity were not related to nutrition prescription.

Conclusion

Older adults (65 years or older) constitute a fragile population in whom nutrition breaks were associated with increased hospital mortality. Furthermore, a prospective clinical trial is necessary to establish the best strategy to feed this population.
Raman Fourier transform imaging: Application to melamine and melamine‐milk powder mixtures analysis
Authors: Stevens François , Beghuin Didier , Delgrange Maxime , Arnould Quentin , Baeten Vincent , Fernández Pierna Juan Antonio
Published: June 2022

Melamine is a chemical compound generating a very characteristic Raman signature. This component is fraudulently added to milk to artificially increase its nitrogen content (and thereby its apparent protein content). In this paper, we evaluate the ability of a specific wide‐field Fourier‐based Raman imaging system to identify melamine. The melamine is studied in powder form or diluted and dried out on SERS (surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy) Cu2O‐Ag substrate, which enhances the Raman signature. In both forms, we show that the spatial content of the information is an asset to characterize the samples; on SERS, we demonstrate the inhomogeneity of the deposition, and in powder form, we identify melamine as individual grain mixed with milk powder. The specific wide‐field imaging technology features much higher laser excitation with lower local intensity than traditional point to point Raman measurement, thereby reducing the acquisition time for full data sets.
Raman spectroscopy of anhydrous and hydrated aluminum sulfates: Experience from burning coal heaps
Authors: Košek Filip , Culka Adam , Rousaki Anastasia , Vandenabeele Peter , Jehlička Jan
Published: June 2022

Hydrated aluminum‐rich sulfates belong to less widespread secondary minerals on Mars, which are probably connected with hydrothermal alterations. On Earth, such sulfates result from acidic weathering of aluminosilicates, and their formation is controlled by factors such as pH, temperature, or water activity. Physical–chemical conditions can be reconstructed if specific sulfate phases are detected, and therefore, the investigation of sulfate assemblages in high‐temperature settings is important for planetology and exobiology research. Raman spectroscopy is a powerful analytical tool for the discrimination of sulfates, and the degree of hydration, which is a sensitive marker of temperature conditions, can be tracked using this method. However, spectral similarities of sulfates and metastability and rapid transformations may hinder their correct identification. We take advantage of in situ and laboratory Raman spectroscopy to characterize uncommon anhydrous and hydrated Al‐NH4sulfate mineralogy which forms under elevated temperature at the Anna burning coal waste dump, Alsdorf, Germany, and can be considered as analogous to fumarolic environments. We detected a suite of hydrated Al sulfates (e.g. alunogen, khademite, and tschermigite) in the medium‐temperature zones (~50°C). To minimize possible rehydration processes, we deployed two miniaturized Raman spectrometers (532 and 1064 nm) for field investigations in the high‐temperature zone (~130°C to 150°C). Mixtures of anhydrous (godovikovite and millosevichite) and hydrated phases along with intermediate phases were detected in the field as well as in the laboratory. Such observations are consistent with the premise that the degree hydration of sulfates increase with decreasing temperature. These results confirm that Raman spectroscopy is, despite several analytical challenges, capable of distinguishing Al sulfates, and their hydration states, within complex aggregates and crusts, and future applications in planetary research are promising.
Development and validation of rapid ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectroscopic method for the quantification of N‐nitrosodimethyl amine and N‐nitrosodiethyl amine in sitagliptin and metformin hydrochloride immediate and extended‐release formulations
Authors: Mallavarapu Ravindra , Katari Naresh Kumar , Siddhani Vijaya Krishna , Marisetti Vishnu Murthy , Rekulapally Vijay Kumar , Vyas Govind , Jonnalagadda Sreekanth Babu
Published: June 2022

A simple, effective LC–MS based method is developed and validated to determine N‐nitrosodimethylamine and N‐nitrosodiethylamine in pharmaceutical formulations of Sitagliptin and Metformin hydrochloride combination dosage forms. Atlantis T3 (100 × 3 mm, 3 μm) column, eluent‐A (0.1% formic acid in water), and eluent‐B (0.1% formic acid in methanol) were used to achieve chromatographic separation. A gradient program time (min)/%B: 0.01/3, 2/3, 4/55, 5/55, 5.5/90, 6.0/90, 6.5/3, and 7/3, and column flow rate: 0.75 mL/min was employed. The column oven and auto sample cooler temperatures were 40°C and 10°C, respectively. Atmospheric Pressure Ionisation positive mode with corona discharge potential as 4.0 V, drying gas (N2) flow as 110 mL/min, and nebulizer gas (N2) flow as 350 mL/min. Employing PerkinElmer triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, QSight 200 series, the source temperature was 450°C, and hot surface‐induced desolvation temperature was 250°C. Under optimized conditions, diluent‐1 and diluent‐2 offered better recovery and improved peak shapes. The required method sensitivity of nitrosodimethylamine (LOQ 0.74 ng/mL) and nitrosodiethylamine (LOQ 0.37 ng/mL) for the nitrosamine impurities were achieved using an optimized test concentration of Metformin hydrochloride at 45.7 mg/mL.
Simultaneous separation and determination of five chlorogenic acid isomers in Honeysuckle by capillary electrophoresis using self‐synthesized ionic liquid [N‐methylimidazole‐β‐cyclodextrin] [bromide] as separation selector
Authors: Xie Wenyu , Yu Yanping , Hou Meijuan , Zhang Yiqiong , Yu Haixia , Zhang Hongfen , Zhang Guangbin , Jing Huanwang , Chen Anjia
Published: June 2022

A simple, comprehensive, and efficient capillary electrophoresis method using a self‐synthesized ionic liquid [N‐methylimidazole‐β‐cyclodextrin] [bromide] as a separation selector was developed for the simultaneous separation and determination of five chlorogenic acid isomers (chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid A, isochlorogenic acid B). After optimization of separation conditions, the electrolyte solution was 50 mM ammonium acetate buffer containing 0.7% (w/w) ionic liquid [N‐methylimidazole‐β‐cyclodextrin] [bromide] (pH 4.8), 15 kV of the electric field was applied at 25°C, and the detection wavelength was at 237 nm. Under the optimal separation conditions, good linearities were obtained with linear correlation coefficients of the five analytes of 0.9994–0.9998, and the limits of detection and the limits of quantification were 0.6–2.8 and 2.2–9.5 μg/ml. Excellent accuracy and precision were obtained for the five analytes. The intraday and interday precision of standards ranged from 0.5 to 1.3% and from 1.2 to 1.9%. The intraday and interday precision of samples ranged from 1.0 to 1.9% and from 1.2 to 2.6%. The sample recovery rates were between 98.0 and 101.8%. This method was successfully applied for the analysis of five components in Honeysuckle Chinese medicinal preparations. The mechanisms involved in the separation of five analytes by [N‐methylimidazole‐β‐cyclodextrin] [bromide] were discussed.
Machine learning techniques to characterize functional traits of plankton from image data
Authors: Orenstein Eric C. , Ayata Sakina‐Dorothée , Maps Frédéric , Becker Érica C. , Benedetti Fabio , Biard Tristan , de Garidel‐Thoron Thibault , Ellen Jeffrey S. , Ferrario Filippo , Giering Sarah L. C. , Guy‐Haim Tamar , Hoebeke Laura , Iversen Morten Hvitfeldt , Kiørboe Thomas , Lalonde Jean‐François , Lana Arancha , Laviale Martin , Lombard Fabien , Lorimer Tom , Martini Séverine , Meyer Albin , Möller Klas Ove , Niehoff Barbara , Ohman Mark D. , Pradalier Cédric , Romagnan Jean‐Baptiste , Schröder Simon‐Martin , Sonnet Virginie , Sosik Heidi M. , Stemmann Lars S. , Stock Michiel , Terbiyik‐Kurt Tuba , Valcárcel‐Pérez Nerea , Vilgrain Laure , Wacquet Guillaume , Waite Anya M. , Irisson Jean‐Olivier
Published: June 2022

Plankton imaging systems supported by automated classification and analysis have improved ecologists' ability to observe aquatic ecosystems. Today, we are on the cusp of reliably tracking plankton populations with a suite of lab‐based and in situ tools, collecting imaging data at unprecedentedly fine spatial and temporal scales. But these data have potential well beyond examining the abundances of different taxa; the individual images themselves contain a wealth of information on functional traits. Here, we outline traits that could be measured from image data, suggest machine learning and computer vision approaches to extract functional trait information from the images, and discuss promising avenues for novel studies. The approaches we discuss are data agnostic and are broadly applicable to imagery of other aquatic or terrestrial organisms.
Molecular dynamics study on the effect of Ni atoms on the crack arrest performance of Fe–Ni alloy
Authors: Yang Chao , Deng Gonglin , Xing Xiao , Han Qing , Liu Haibo
Published: June 2022

Molecular dynamic simulations are applied to test the nickel's modification mechanism of Fe–Ni alloy. Mono displacement loading is applied to a perfect single crystal model, a single crystal model with vacancies, and a model with transgranular crack. Moreover, constant strain load is applied to the polycrystal model to test the Ni effect on intergranular crack initiation. The results elucidate that Ni atoms could decrease the free surface energy and the stacking fault energy simultaneously. However, Ni atoms have a more significant effect on the reduction of stacking fault energy. If the Ni concentration is above 0.03, the transgranular crack constantly emits dislocations under loading, thus, postponing the cleavage cracking. Particularly, as the Ni concentration is above 0.05, the recrystallization process could be a favorable energy‐releasing behavior compared with the intergranular cracking. The findings suggest that a low concentration of Ni might degrade the physical property of Fe–Ni alloy. Increasing the Ni atomic concentration above specific critical values, for example, 0.03 or 0.05, could enhance the fracture toughness.
Influence of dry sliding wear on the corrosion behavior of AISI 420
Authors: Gassner Andreas , Palkowski Heinz , Mozaffari‐Jovein Hadi
Published: June 2022

In this study, the effect of various normal loads on the dry sliding wear, microstructure evolution, and resulting corrosion behavior of martensitic AISI 420 were investigated. The results revealed adhesion‐dominated wear with material transfer and particles, leading to the formation of a lamellar microstructure containing delamination and pores around partly broken carbides. The microstructure evolution resulted in a significant decrease of the local corrosion resistance in 0.15 M NaCl solution, which was accompanied by a high concentration of corrosion sites within the worn areas. Dissolution inside the wear tracks was concentrated on the deformed microstructure. As the normal load increased, the effects of the wear intensified, further reducing the local corrosion resistance.
A Highly Sensitive, Breathable, and Biocompatible Wearable Sensor Based on Nanofiber Membrane for Pressure and Humidity Monitoring
Authors: Ding Shanshan , Lou Yaoyuan , Niu Zehao , Wang Jie , Jin Xu , Ma Jiayu , Wang Bin , Li Xiuyan
Published: June 2022

With the advent of information technology, the progress of wound healing diagnosis and human health monitoring bring forward the need for sensitive humidity sensing. Simultaneously, developing a highly sensitive humidity sensor with multifunctional characteristics, especially pressure sensing, biosafety, and comfort, remains challenging so far. Herein, a wearable humidity‐pressure sensor based on an all‐nanofiber membrane with excellent sensitivity, breathability, and biosafety is fabricated by the combination of electrospinning and screen‐printing. The citric acid (CA) and sodium polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) are used as moisture‐sensitive materials to make thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanofiber membranes sensitive to water molecules. The synergistic effect of the uneven surface and microstructure of the electrospun TPU nanofiber membrane confers the sensor with high sensitivity to both humidity and pressure stimuli. The CA/TPU humidity‐pressure sensor exhibits remarkable breathability and high sensitivity (2.15%/RH in the range of 50–90%RH, 10.53 kPa−1 in the range of 0–2.25 kPa), as well as fast humidity response (3.8 s) with little hysteresis and rapid pressure response (88 ms). The high biosafety makes it applicable to skin and wounds. Furthermore, the sensor can detect various human activities in real‐time and offer a new sensing platform for respiratory monitoring and smart wound dressings.
Withaferin A mediated changes of miRNA expression in breast cancer‐derived mammospheres
Authors: Prajapati Kumari Sunita , Shuaib Mohd. , Gupta Sanjay , Kumar Shashank
Published: June 2022

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease consisting of atypical cell populations that share stem cell‐like characteristics associated with therapeutic resistance, disease relapse, and poor clinical outcome. MicroRNAs (miRNA), and small noncoding RNA, are pivotal in the regulation of self‐renewal, stemness, and cellular differentiation. Withaferin A (WA), a steroidal lactone, is a major bioactive constituent of Withania somnifera (Solanaceae) known for its anticancer properties. In this study, the effect of WA on modulation of miRNA expression in breast cancer‐derived mammosphere was assessed utilizing small RNA sequencing. Treatment with WA inhibited MCF‐7 and T47D cells derived mammosphere formation with a significant decrease in CD44, EpCAM, Nanog, OCT4, and SOX2 as markers of self‐renewal and stemness. Small RNA sequencing demonstrated a total of 395 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) including 194 upregulated and 201 downregulated miRNAs in WA‐treated MCF‐7 mammospheres. Bioinformatics analysis utilizing the KEGG pathway, Gene Ontology enrichment, protein−protein, and miRNA‐mRNA interaction network identified altered expression in a few hub genes viz. AKT1, PTEN, MYC, CCND1, VEGFA, NOTCH1, and IGFR1 associated with DEMs in WA‐treated mammospheres. Further quantitative RT‐PCR analysis validated the expression of DEMs including miR‐549a‐5p, miR‐1247‐5p, miR‐124‐5p, miR‐137‐5p, miR‐34a‐5p, miR‐146a‐5p, miR‐99a‐5p, miR‐181a‐5p, let‐7c‐5p, and let‐7a‐5p. In particular, let‐7c‐5p is designated as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer. An increase in miR‐let‐7c‐5p expression was noted after WA treatment, with a simultaneous decrease in CCND1 and c‐MYC at mRNA and protein levels. Taken together, our study demonstrated WA‐mediated miRNA expression, in particular, upregulation of miR‐let‐7c‐5p, leads to the inhibition of breast cancer cells derived mammospheres.
On an approach to the analysis of oscillatory solutions of nonlinear delay difference equations
Authors: Kılıç Nurten
Published: June 2022

The objective of this article is to establish an oscillation criterion for all solutions of nonlinear difference equation where is a sequence of nonnegative real numbers and is not necessarily monotone sequence. Also, an example is presented to illustrate the significance of the main result.
Stability of viscous shock wave under periodic perturbation for compressible Navier–Stokes–Korteweg system
Authors: Chang Lin
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we study the stability of a viscous shock wave for the isentropic Navier–Stokes–Korteweg (N‐S‐K) equations under space‐periodic perturbation. It is shown that if the initial perturbation around the shock and the amplitude of the shock are small, then the solution of the N‐S‐K equations tends to the viscous shock.
A wideband parallel‐plate waveguide design for FSS/FSR measurement
Authors: Cheng Erwei , Wang Xuemeng , Kong Xiangkun
Published: June 2022

In this letter, a parallel‐plate waveguide (PPW)‐type transverse electromagnetic (TEM) transmission chamber covering 2–14 GHz is designed, analyzed, and fabricated, which consists of a feed structure and two metal cover plates. The feeding structure is made of a structure similar to a monoconical antenna, with a good impedance bandwidth. To reduce the edge radiation of the PPW structure, the TEM wave cell (TEM cell) is surrounded by absorbing foam. Moreover, to verify the testing effect of the designed TEM cell, a simple square frequency‐selective surface was tested in the TEM cell. The test results are in good agreement with the simulation results. It has been shown that the designed TEM cell can be used as an effective supplement to the transmission reflection test method for periodic structures.
General Assessment of Approaches to the Identification of Aquatic Bacterial Pathogens: A Methodological Review
Authors: Duman Muhammed , Altun Soner , Saticioglu Izzet Burcin
Published: June 2022

In the evolving biosphere, pathogenic microorganisms that cause disease may undergo phenotypic changes. While some of these changes result in new variants or mutants, others lead to the emergence of novel pathogens. Such phenotypic changes as well as advances in technology and analytical methods and the identification of genomic sequences of microbial DNA have brought about new methodological approaches in the diagnosis of bacterial diseases. Although bacterial identification was originally based on phenotypic characteristics, later researchers claimed that bacteria could be accurately identified by only gene sequencing and generally by the sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene region. Currently, there is still disagreement between classical microbiologists and those using new genomic sequence technology over the best method for identification. Fish are cold-blooded animals, and fish pathogens generally exhibit psychrophilic characteristics. Many bacterial identification systems that are used to identify mesophilic bacteria remain useless for identifying fish pathogens because the optimum incubation temperatures for mesophilic bacteria are 35–37°C. Bacteria that are pathogenic to piscine species require specific media for their cultivation at lower incubation temperatures (15–28°C), and this limits both their growth in culture and subsequent identification by phenotype-based methods. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the isolation and identification of bacterial fish pathogens by optimal culture conditions, biochemical tests, colorimetric methods for rapid identification systems, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and immunological and molecular methods, as well as an overview of the detection of uncultivable bacteria and the use of anamnesis. We conclude that the accurate identification of fish pathogens requires the use of different methods, including phenotype- and genotype-based tests, and the evaluation of anamnesis.
Chemiegeschichte: Vom Gen zum Produkt
Authors: Lang Siegmund , Rau Udo , Behrendt Ulrich , Syldatk Christoph , Hust Michael , Dübel Stefan
Published: June 2022

An den Forschungsschwerpunkten des Lehrstuhls für Biochemie und Biotechnologie an der TU Braunschweig lässt sich der historische Weg der Biotechnologie ablesen: Zuerst ging es darum, Prozesse im Bioreaktor zu verbessern. Heute entwickeln die Forscher unter anderem biologische Wirkstoffe für die Medizin. Eingerichtet wurde der Lehrstuhl vor 50 Jahren.
Trendbericht Biochemie 2022: Späte Funktionalisierung mit Biokatalysatoren aus Naturstoffsynthesen
Authors: Haslinger Kristina , Schmidt Sandy
Published: June 2022

Über spezialisierte Enzyme, Affinitätsselektionsmethoden, um bioaktive Substanzen zu entdecken, hochauflösende Strukturanalyse von Proteinkomplexen und die Kombination von Bio‐ und Photokatalyse.
Chemiegeschichte: Die erste Chemikerin bei der BASF
Authors: Boeck Gisela
Published: June 2022

Sie studierte und promovierte in Heidelberg: Lili Wachenheim (1893 – 1989). Die Chemikerin war die erste, die in einem Labor der BASF forschte. Ihre kurze Karriere begann im Jahr 1918.
Chemiestudium mit chronischer Krankheit: „Der Dauerschmerz ist nicht das Schlimmste"
Authors: Leusmann Eliza
Published: June 2022

Falk Seidel leidet unter Fibromyalgie, einer chronischen Krankheit, die Schmerzen im ganzen Körper verursacht. Trotzdem hat er Chemie studiert. Hier berichtet er, wie es ihm dabei ergangen ist.
Paläobiologie: Lebensspuren – oder chemischer Garten?
Authors: Groß Michael
Published: June 2022

Die vermutlich frühesten Spuren des Lebens auf der Erde sind zugleich auch die umstrittensten. Weiterführende Untersuchungen an den ältesten Fossilien demonstrieren biologisch aussehende Strukturen und chemische Hinweise auf urzeitlichen Stoffwechsel – doch der Verdacht, dass rein chemische Prozesse ähnliche Phänomene erzeugt haben könnten, ist noch nicht ausgeräumt.
The influence of Nd2O3 on the radiation shielding, physical, mechanical, and acoustic properties of the (75 − x)TeO2–15MgO–10Na2O–xNd2O3 glasses as a potent radiation shielding material
Authors: Boodaghi Malidarre Roya , Akkurt Iskender
Published: June 2022

Understanding the influence of rare‐earth ions in tellurite‐rich glass is vital for developing the technology. With this motivation, the present study analyzes the radiation shielding, physical, structural, mechanical, and acoustic features of the tellurite glasses added Nd2O3 rare earth material. Five different glasses coded as TMNd0.0–TMNd1.9 are simulated via MCNPX Monte Carlo code by varying the concentration of neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) and the related characteristics are evaluated between 0.01 and 10 MeV. The obtained results reveal that Nd2O3 has a favorable influence on the radiation shielding characteristics of the preferred glass sample. To assess the relation between Nd2O3 concentration in tellurite glass and corresponding structural and mechanical changes in candidate glasses, Makishima–Mackenzie theory is applied and mechanical moduli are extracted. The structure and dimensionality of the preferred samples are derived based on the Bergman and Kantor model for fluid and compositions with the help of the fractal bond connectivity. In addition, the longitudinal velocity (), transverse velocity (), mean velocity (), and acoustic impedance () related to the TMNd glasses are evaluated.
Natural rubber biocomposites reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals/lignin hybrid fillers
Authors: Kazemi Hossein , Mighri Frej , Park Keun Wan , Frikha Slim , Rodrigue Denis
Published: June 2022

In this study, a novel hybrid system containing lignin and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) is developed to reinforce natural rubber (NR) and produce high‐performance biocomposites. Firstly, the effect of lignin content in lignin/NR biocomposites is investigated. Despite lignin's advantages as an inexpensive biopolymer, its addition to NR results in longer cure time, reduced tensile strength and increased loss factor (tan δ); that is, lignin addition has a negligible reinforcing effect compared to conventional fillers, such as carbon black (CB). On the other hand, adding only 7.5 parts per hundred rubber (phr) of CNC to lignin/NR compounds decreased the curing time (14%) and loss factor (55% at 10% strain), while increasing the bound rubber content (37%), modulus at 100% strain (101%) and tensile strength (36%). CNC/lignin/NR bionanocomposites exhibited comparable mechanical properties and even better dynamical mechanical properties (53% lower loss factor at 10% strain) than conventional composites reinforced with CB. The optimum lignin content in the NR composite was 40 phr, while the percolation threshold for CNC was around 7 phr.
East‐facing Helianthus annuus has maximal number and mass of kernel‐filled seeds: Seed traits versus head orientation
Authors: Takács Péter , Slíz‐Balogh Judit , Száz Dénes , Horváth Gábor
Published: June 2022

After anthesis, the majority of mature sunflower (Helianthus annuus) inflorescences face constantly East, which direction ensures maximal light energy absorbed by the inflorescences in regions where afternoons are on average cloudier than mornings. Several theories have tried to explain the function(s) of this eastward orientation. Their common assumption is that eastward facing has certain advantages for sunflowers. In sunflower plantations, the capitulum of many plants can also face North, South, or upward. Large deviations from the conducive East direction can decrease the plant's reproductive fitness. A larger mass and number of seeds, for example, can guarantee safer seed germination and better early development of more offspring. Thus, our hypothesis was that the East facing of sunflower inflorescences ensures a larger seed number and mass compared to disoriented inflorescences. This idea was tested in a sunflower plantation, where we compared the number and mass of seeds in plants, the inflorescences of which were naturally or artificially oriented northward, eastward, southward, westward, or upward. Our study tested head diameter, seed weight, and seed number in a normal agronomic field setting being different from earlier investigations. The other difference was that we tested five head orientations and only East showed significantly increased seed weight and number. Using radiational computations, we showed that East facing ensures more absorbed light energy than other orientations, except upward. This finding can be one of the reasons for the maximal seed number and mass in East‐facing sunflower capitula. Although upward‐facing horizontal inflorescences absorbed maximal light energy, they had the fewest and lightest seeds probably because of the larger temperature and humidity as well as the too much sunlight, all three factors impairing the normal seed development. This study is the first that compares the seed traits of all head orientations of Helianthus annuus and proposes that the absorbed radiation could play a major role in the maximal seed number and mass of east‐facing heads.
Chemical and mechanical interfacial degradation in bifacial glass/glass and glass/transparent backsheet photovoltaic modules
Authors: Spinella Laura , Uličná Soňa , Sinha Archana , Sulas‐Kern Dana B. , Owen‐Bellini Michael , Johnston Steve , Schelhas Laura T.
Published: June 2022

Glass/glass (G/G) photovoltaic modules are quickly rising in popularity, but the durability of modern G/G packaging has not yet been established. In this work, we examine the interfacial degradation modes in G/G and glass/transparent backsheet modules under damp heat (DH) with and without system bias voltage, comparing emerging polyolefin elastomer (POE) and industry‐standard poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) (EVA) encapsulants. We investigate the transport of ionic species at cell/encapsulant interfaces, demonstrating that POE limits both sodium and silver ion migration compared with EVA. Changes to the chemical structures of the encapsulants at the cell/encapsulant interfaces demonstrate that both POE and EVA are more susceptible to degradation in modules with a transparent backsheet than in the G/G configuration. Adhesion testing reveals that POE and EVA have comparable critical debond energies after the DH exposures regardless of system bias polarity. The results of this study indicate that the interfacial degradation mechanisms of G/G appear to be similar to those of conventional glass/backsheet modules. For emerging materials, our results demonstrate that POE offers advantages over EVA but that transparent backsheets may accelerate encapsulant degradation due to increased moisture ingress when compared with the G/G structure.
Exploring the contributions of job resources, job demands, and job self‐efficacy to STEM teachers' job satisfaction: A commonality analysis
Authors: Liu Jiao , Wang Ke , Chen Zhuo , Pan Zilong
Published: June 2022

This study aims to examine how job resources, demands, and self‐efficacy affect American STEM teachers' job satisfaction by analyzing the US TALIS 2018 data. Multiple regression and commonality analysis were used to analyze factors' significant contributions and their detailed real unique and common contributions to STEM teachers' job satisfaction. The results show that the final model explains 29.6% of the variances of STEM teachers' job satisfaction. The commonality analysis further showed that job resources, job demands, and job self‐efficacy explained 23.5%, 8.6%, and 8.0% of variances of job satisfaction, respectively. However, these factor sets uniquely contributed 15.9%, 2.9%, and 2.1% of the variance, separately. This study confirms the validity of the revised job demands−resources model for STEM teachers' job satisfaction. Furthermore, the commonality analysis reveals the unique and independent contributions of job demands, resources, and self‐efficacy to job satisfaction. Results from the research identified the significance of job resources contributing to the improvement of STEM teachers' job satisfaction.
The joint hierarchical structure of psychopathology and dysfunctional personality domain indicators among community‐dwelling adults
Authors: Somma Antonella , Krueger Robert F. , Markon Kristian E. , Gialdi Giulia , Frau Claudia , Fossati Andrea
Published: June 2022

To examine the hierarchical structure of psychopathology and dysfunctional personality domains, 2416 Italian community‐dwelling adult volunteers were administered a set of psychometrically sound psychopathology measures and the Personality Inventory for DSM‐5 Brief Form+ (PID‐5‐BF+). Parallel analysis, minimum average partial, and very simple structure results suggested that 1–6 principal components (PCs) should be retained. Goldberg's bass‐ackwards model of the joint psychopathology measure and PID‐5‐BF+ ipsatized domain scale correlation matrix evidenced a hierarchical structure that was consistent with the working model proposed by the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) consortium. Hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis around latent variables of the psychopathology indicators and PID‐5‐BF+ domain scales recovered four latent dimensions, which were akin to the corresponding bass‐ackwards components and nicely reproduced the HiTOP Internalizing, Externalizing, Thought Disorder, and Eating Pathology dimensions.
Childhood emotional abuse and motor impulsiveness among male violent inmates with antisocial personality disorder
Authors: Chen Haocheng , Zhou Huabin , Zhang Min , Chen Chen , Liu Na , Wang Chun , Zhang Ning
Published: June 2022

This study aimed to explore the relationship among childhood maltreatment, impulsiveness and antisocial personality through a questionnaire survey of violent male inmates. We found that the scores of inmates with Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) in Childhood Trauma Questionnaire‐28 item Short Form (CTQ‐SF) and Barratt Impulsive Scale‐11 (BIS‐11) were higher than those in the Non‐Antisocial personality group, and there was a significant correlation between the scores of CTQ‐SF and BIS‐11. We found that the interaction between impulsivity and childhood abuse predicts ASPD levels. Moreover, motor and non‐planning impulsiveness played important roles in the observed differences in antisocial personality scores among the inmates who had experienced childhood maltreatment; motor impulsiveness was mainly related to emotional abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse, while non‐planning impulsiveness was mainly related to emotional neglect and physical neglect. These findings suggest that identifying and providing timely intervention for inmates with high impulsiveness who experienced maltreatment in childhood may also contribute to the prevention of violent behavior and to better prison management.
Nonselective beta‐blockers reduce mortality in patients with acute‐on‐chronic liver failure
Authors: Kulkarni Anand V. , Premkumar Madhumita , Kumar Karan , Khan Juned A. , Gora Baqar A. , Tirumalle Sowmya , Shaik Sameer , Sharma Mithun , Gupta Rajesh , Reddy Nageshwar D. , Rao Padaki N.
Published: June 2022

Aim

Nonselective beta‐blockers (NSBBs) can reduce the incidence of complications in patients with cirrhosis and prolong survival. The safety and efficacy of NSBBs in real‐world settings in patients with acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF) identified by the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of Liver criteria are unknown. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of NSBBs in patients with Asian Pacific Association for the Study of Liver (APASL)‐defined ACLF

Methods

In this retrospective, multicenter study, patients with ACLF with complete 30 days follow‐up from January 2019 to December 2021 were included. The primary objective was to compare 30‐day mortality among standard of care (SOC) and NSBB (+SOC) groups. The secondary objectives were to compare the incidence of infection, variceal bleed, and recompensation among both the groups.

Results

A total of 346 patients were included. Only 26% (n = 89) of them received NSBBs, while 74% (n = 257) received only SOC. On Kaplan–Meier analysis, the incidence of mortality was 21% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 16.20–26.50) in SOC group compared to only 8% (95% CI: 3.22–15.53) in NSBB group at Day 30 (p = 0.005). Similarly, mortality in SOC group was 63% (95% CI: 56.81–69.00) compared to 46% (95% CI: 35.44–57.00) in NSBB group at 1 year (p = 0.001). NSBB therapy could not reduce the incidence of infections or variceal bleed. Forty‐seven percent of patients in the SOC group and 73% of patients in the NSBB group (p < 0.001) recompensated. Carvedilol was prescribed in 77.5% and propranolol in 22.5% of patients.

Conclusions

NSBBs reduce mortality without any effect on infection or variceal bleed in patients with ACLF. However, only one in four ACLF patients are suitable for NSBB therapy.
Impact of endoscopic ultrasound examination for deep esophageal collateral veins evaluation in liver cirrhosis patients prior to endoscopic treatment: A case series
Authors: Lesmana Cosmas Rinaldi A. , Nababan Saut H. , Kalista Kemal F. , Kurniawan Juferdy , Jasirwan Chyntia O. M. , Sulaiman Andri S. , Hasan Irsan , Gani Rino A.
Published: June 2022

Aim

The presence of esophageal collateral veins (ECV) has been reported to be associated with the recurrence of esophageal varices (EV) and bleeding in liver cirrhotic (LC) patients. This study aimed to see the potential clinical value of deep collateral veins assessment using endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in liver cirrhotic patients with EV.

Methods

During 6 months period, a prospective study is conducted, where we identified LC patients who were admitted for esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) screening at the Department of Internal Medicine, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta. ECV was examined using EUS. Patients were excluded if they had (1) liver malignancy, (2) history of ligation or glue injection, or (3) portal or splenic vein thrombus. We collected demographic data, medical history, data pertaining to use of nonselective beta blocker (NSBB), and laboratory, imaging, and endoscopy results. EGD was performed using a gastroscope (EG29‐i10, 3.2 mm Pentax Medical) while EUS was performed using a linear array echoendoscope (EG‐3870UTK, 3.8 mm, Pentax Medical) before band ligation or glue injection.

Results

There were 20 LC patients included in this study, where 15 (75%) of patients were classified with Child–Pugh (CP)‐A and five (25%) of patients with CP‐B. The most common aetiologies were hepatitis B in seven (35%) patients and hepatitis C in nine (45%) patients. The EV with peri‐ or para‐esophageal veins (PEEV or PAEV) were detected in 65% of patients. None of the LC patients with no EV showed the presence of ECV. PEEV or PAEV were detected in grades 1–3 EV.

Conclusion

EUS examination can give a better evaluation before managing gastroesophageal varices through deep ECV detection in LC patients.
A New High Order Virial Equation of State and Its Application in the Chapman‐Jouguet Parameters Calculation of Explosives
Authors: Peng Yue , Long Xinping , Jiang Xiaohua , Zhang Zhiming
Published: June 2022

In this paper, in order to solve the deficiency of VLW (Virial‐Wu) equation of state (EOS) and VHL (Virial‐Han‐Long) EOS in describing thermodynamic relationship in high temperature region of gaseous detonation products. Based on the Mayer expansion theory of gas virial coefficients in statistical mechanics, the fourth‐order and fifth‐order dimensionless virial coefficients for Lennard‐Jones (L−J) 6–12 pair potential in a higher temperature range are calculated by using the orthogonal integral method which proposed by Barker. By fitting the theoretical calculation values, a new high order virial EOS: VPL (Virial‐Peng‐Long) EOS for gaseous detonation products is established. Implanting the VPL EOS with the properly introduced EOS of condensed carbon and condensed metal products into the detonation thermodynamic program, the Chapman‐Jouguet (CJ) detonation parameters including detonation velocity, detonation CJ pressure, and detonation temperature of some typical CHNO high explosives and some metal‐containing primary explosives are calculated and obtained. By comparing the calculated values with the experimental values, as well as the calculation values obtained by VLW EOS, VHL EOS, and EXPLO5 (using BKWG−S EOS) software, the accuracy and applicability of VPL EOS in CJ detonation parameters calaulation are analyzed and evaluated.
Optical Second Harmonic Generation in GaAs/Ga1−xAlxAs Quantum Dots with Screened Kratzer Potential
Authors: Li Xuechao , Duan Yiming
Published: June 2022

Herein, the second harmonic generation (SHG) associated with intersubband transitions in semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) is studied theoretically, with emphasis on the effects of the screened Kratzer (SK) potential parameters and regulating factors, such as temperature and the depth of potential. The Nikiforov–Uvarov Functional Analysis (NUFA) method is applied for solving the radial Schrödinger equation. Then, the formulae for the SHG coefficient are derived using the compact‐density‐matrix method. The results display that the SK potential parameters and the regulating factors play a key role in both the peak and position changes of the SHG in semiconductor QDs system.
Left‐truncated and right‐censored field failure data: Review of parametric analysis for reliability
Authors: Emura Takeshi , Michimae Hirofumi
Published: June 2022

In field reliability analyses, a data collection period is given to monitor the failure events from the field. Left‐truncation arises due to early failures occurring before the data collection period, and right‐censoring arises for late failures occurring beyond the monitoring period. Naïve analyses of left‐truncated and right‐censored data lead to biased estimation of the population lifetime of interest. A variety of models and methods have been developed to analyze the left‐truncated and right‐censored data for field reliability analyses. The goal of the paper is to review the existing models and methods for fitting left‐truncated and right‐censored data. Our review includes the existing statistical models, such as the exponential, Weibull, lognormal, gamma, Gompertz, Lomax, and spline models. We comprehensively review the statistical issues of maximum likelihood estimation, model selection, residual lifetime prediction, and Bayesian methods. Some of these methods are illustrated through the field reliability analysis of the electric power transformer dataset.
Predation preference of signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) on native and invasive bivalve species
Authors: Sanders Harry , Mills Daniel N
Published: June 2022

Predatory, non‐native fauna can influence biodiversity and trophic dynamics in invaded ecosystems. Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) are a highly successful invader, which have altered freshwater benthic communities, including bivalve populations. Bivalves are a keystone freshwater group in global in decline, partly due to invasion by alien bivalve and crayfish species. However, little is known about the predatory impacts of invasive crayfish within co‐occurring native and invasive bivalve populations. Mesocosm predation choice experiments considered relative signal crayfish predation rates between paired native (Anodonta anatina and Unio tumidus) and invasive (Dreissena polymorpha, D. bugensis, and Corbicula fluminea) bivalves, and between paired invasive bivalves. All bivalves were actively predated, but there was no consistent difference in the biomass of invasive versus native bivalves consumed. However, the effects of consumption were consistently different; 18.2% of invasive bivalves were lethally predated, with 100% of surviving individuals remaining undamaged, whereas 1.1% of native bivalves were lethally predated, but 100% of surviving individuals received nonlethal damage in the form of shell chipping, which could reduce long‐term bivalve fitness in natural environments. In experiments considering paired invasive species, D. polymorpha was more resistant to predation when compared to other invasive taxa tested. The majority of field research considering aquatic invasions considers purely lethal predation effects inferred from invertebrate presence/absence. These experiments demonstrate the need to better understand both the processes and impacts of predation by invasive species, which may include substantial nonlethal effects on the fitness and life history of endangered taxa.
An Unbalanced Battle in Excellence: Revealing Effect of Ni/Co Occupancy on Water Splitting and Oxygen Reduction Reactions in Triple‐Conducting Oxides for Protonic Ceramic Electrochemical Cells
Authors: Tang Wei , Ding Hanping , Bian Wenjuan , Regalado Vera Clarita Y. , Gomez Joshua Y. , Dong Yanhao , Li Ju , Wu Wei , Fan WeiWei , Zhou Meng , Gore Colin , Blackburn Bryan M. , Luo Hongmei , Ding Dong
Published: June 2022

Porous electrodes that conduct electrons, protons, and oxygen ions with dramatically expanded catalytic active sites can replace conventional electrodes with sluggish kinetics in protonic ceramic electrochemical cells. In this work, a strategy is utilized to promote triple conduction by facilitating proton conduction in praseodymium cobaltite perovskite through engineering non‐equivalent B‐site Ni/Co occupancy. Surface infrared spectroscopy is used to study the dehydration behavior, which proves the existence of protons in the perovskite lattice. The proton mobility and proton stability are investigated by hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) isotope exchange and temperature‐programmed desorption. It is observed that the increased nickel replacement on the B‐site has a positive impact on proton defect stability, catalytic activity, and electrochemical performance. This doping strategy is demonstrated to be a promising pathway to increase catalytic activity toward the oxygen reduction and water splitting reactions. The chosen PrNi0.7Co0.3O3−δ oxygen electrode demonstrates excellent full‐cell performance with high electrolysis current density of −1.48 A cm−2 at 1.3 V and a peak fuel‐cell power density of 0.95 W cm−2 at 600 °C and also enables lower‐temperature operations down to 350 °C, and superior long‐term durability.
Core‐Shell Engineered WO3 Architectures: Recent Advances from Design to Applications
Authors: Adhikari Sangeeta , Murmu Manasi , Kim Do‐Heyoung
Published: June 2022

Ongoing efforts to design novel materials with efficient structure‐property‐performance relations prove challenging. Core‐shell structures have emerged as novel materials with controlled production routes and highly tailorable properties that offer extensive advantages in advanced oxidation processing, particularly in photocatalysis and photoelectrochemical applications. WO3, which is an optoelectronically active semiconductor material, is a popular material in current studies in the field of photo(electro)catalysis. Considerable progress has been made using core‐shell WO3 architectures, which warrants an evaluation in terms of processing and preparedness for their use in versatile catalytic and energy storage applications. This paper presents an in‐depth assessment of core‐shell WO3 architectures by highlighting the design challenges and protocols in powder and thin‐film chemical processing. The development of specific core‐shell designs for use in targeted applications, such as H2 production, CO2 reduction, wastewater treatment, batteries, supercapacitors, and sensing, is analyzed. The fundamental role of WO3 in core‐shell structures to enhance efficiency is also discussed, along with the limitations and improvement strategies. Further, the prospects of core‐shell WO3 architectures in energy conversion and environmental applications are suggested.
Biocompatible Antibacterial Denim Fabric Prepared via Green Synthesis of the Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Using Raw Sugar Molasses
Authors: Masoudi Ghazaleh , Montazer Majid , Ezazshahabi Nazanin , Mianehro Ali , Mahmoudirad Mahnaz
Published: June 2022

Microbial susceptibility of the denim fabric sized by starch raises some skin health concerns about this extensively used fabric. In this work, biocompatible antibacterial denim fabric is prepared by optimized green synthesis of the copper(I) oxide (Cu2O) nanoparticles on the cotton fibers. The copper oxide nanoparticles were synthesized without using any toxic chemical to reduce the copper salt. As an alternative, the waste of the sugar refinery factory, molasses, was used as eco‐friendly and cost‐efficient material. The antibacterial activity of the samples against Candida albicans as model fungus, Escherichia coli as Gram‐negative, and Staphylococcus aureus as Gram‐positive model bacteria is investigated besides cytotoxicity; also, the synthesis process is optimized regarding the most biocompatible and antibacterial nanocomposite. The characterizations prove the effectiveness of the molasses for reduction of the copper salt and formation of the copper(I) oxide (Cu2O) nanoparticles. Synthesis of the copper(I) oxide (Cu2O) nanoparticles has a positive effect on the mechanical properties of the nanocomposite. The results of this work introduce a green method for sustainable development of the fabric industry; it also presents a potential application for molasses and reutilizing it.