bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Syngas production employing nickel on alumina‐magnesia supported catalyst via dry methane reforming
Authors: Yusuf M. , Farooqi A.S. , Ying Y.X. , Keong L.K. , Alam M.A. , Hellgardt K. , Abdullah B.
Published: October 2021

Nickel supported on alumina‐magnesia bimetallic oxide support (Ni/Al2O3‐MgO) nano‐catalysts were prepared by the co‐precipitation followed by impregnation (two steps) method separately and tested for the dry methane reforming. The optimum bimetallic oxide catalyst support ratio (i. e., alumina: magnesia) is tested and it has been found that alumina:magnesia ratio of 1 : 2 showed the most stable results. The effect of nickel loading has been studied by impregnating the bimetallic oxide support with nickel as 10 wt.%, 12 wt.%, 14 wt.%, and 16 wt.%. It has been found that the catalyst containing 12 wt.% nickel showed the best activity in terms of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) percentage conversions, syngas (H2:CO) ratio, lowest coke formation and stability for dry methane reforming at 800 °C, 1 atm and methane: carbon dioxide ratio of unity. The Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller surface area and pore size analysis of fresh catalyst has been carried out. The x‐ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive x‐ray and elemental mapping analysis for fresh and spent catalysts has been obtained confirming the coke formation during the reaction.
Processing and characterization of chemically modified wood sawdust reinforced (diospyros, dialium) epoxy composites
Authors: Jayamani E. , Prashanth P.V.S.H. , Soon K.H. , Wong Y.C.
Published: October 2021

Polymer composite materials based on natural fiber such as wood had been widely used for research purposes and engineering interests. The interest in wood reinforced polymer composites had grown quickly due to their better performance in aspects of mechanical properties compared to pure wood. In this study, wood sawdust of diospyros (kayu malam) and dialium (keranji) were chosen to be incorporated into an epoxy‐based polymer composite. The wood is made into sawdust, which was treated with boric acid and hydrogen peroxide. Surface treatment with these reagents was used to improve the mechanical properties of the polymer composite compared to untreated wood polymer composite. Sawdust reinforced epoxy composite that was fabricated are with different weight percentages from 0 % (no wood), 5 %, 10 %, 15 % to 20 % wt % for comparison on their tensile, flexural, and impact strength properties. Tensile, flexural, and impact tests were performed to determine the changes in mechanical properties where it was found that tensile strength had increased by 34 percent with an optimum keranji and kayu malam fiber weight of 15 wt % for both boric acid and hydrogen peroxide treatments. For flexural strength, in both wood fibers, the optimum fiber weight was found to 15 wt %, and the addition of wood had increased the strength by 57 percent. As for impact strength, it decreased as the weight of fiber increased, where it was assumed that the addition of wood might have increased the crack initiation. Adhesive bonding between hydrophilic wood sawdust and the hydrophobic epoxy polymer was the phenomenon that was focused on this research. The range of optimum weight percentage of sawdust would be determined from the experiment result.
Interval analysis of mode shapes to identify damage in beam structures
Authors: Abdulkareem M. , Ganiyu A. , Nathaniel O. , Mallum I. , Dunu W.
Published: October 2021

Various damage detection methods have been proposed by several researchers in the past few decades. Amongst them, the efficiency of mode shapes in detecting damage has been demonstrated by many researchers when further processed. In most cases, the processing involves expansion or reduction of the mode shape data. However, vital information that are damage‐prints are often lost during processing of the mode shape data. In addition, most of these processes involve long and complex computation, thus, leading to inaccurate damage identification. In this study, a simple and fast damage identification technique is proposed to identify damage in beam structures. Interval analysis is applied to the mode shapes of a beam structure in the damaged and undamaged states. The interval situations of each of the beam's segment via mode shape are derived to obtain the upper and lower bounds and the derived bounds are compared. To establish a relationship for identify the damaged point, a possibility of damage existence is defined for each segment of the beam structure. The mode shape increment is defined as the increase in the mode shape value. Furthermore, a damage measure index that provide enhance damage information is obtained as the product of the possibility of damage existence and mode shape increment. A numerical model of a simply supported steel beam is applied to demonstrate this method by imposing damage through thickness reduction of elements in segments. In addition, a parametric analysis is carried out to evaluate noise effect by considering varying damage severities and different noise levels. The results showed that this method is simple and provides considerable accurate results.
Low expression of lncRNA SBF2‐AS1 regulates the miR‐302b‐3p/TGFBR2 axis, promoting metastasis in laryngeal cancer
Authors: Li Yun , Tang Bingjie , Lyu Kexing , Yue Huijun , Wei Fanqin , Xu Yang , Chen Siyu , Lin Yu , Cai Zhimou , Guo Xueqin , Li Chunwei , Lei Wenbin
Published: October 2021

The 5‐year survival rate of laryngeal cancer continues to decline, and the laryngeal particularity of the anatomy adversely affects the patient's quality of life. Emerging evidence suggests that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are closely correlated to key steps in the malignant progression of cancer cells. In this study, we report the role of lncRNA SBF2‐AS1/miR‐302b‐3p/TGFBR2 interactions in the metastasis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). We verified that SBF2‐AS1 was significantly downregulated in LSCC tissues and cell lines using qRT‐PCR analysis. Its low expression was correlated to lymph node metastasis and an advanced clinical stage. More importantly, LSCC patients with low expression of SBF2‐AS1 tended to have a poor prognosis. Based on this, we performed gain‐of‐function and loss‐of‐function experiments in LSCC cell lines. The results confirmed that knocking down SBF2‐AS1 can promote the metastasis of LSCC cells and enhance epithelial–mesenchymal transition phenotype, while the upregulation of SBF2‐AS1 expression resulted in the opposite. Our in vivo model verified that SBF2‐AS1 overexpression could inhibit LSCC cell metastasis. Subsequent mechanistic studies revealed that SBF2‐AS1 acted as a competing endogenous RNA that upregulated the expression of TGFBR2 by endogenous sponging for miR‐302b‐3p in LSCC cell lines. Moreover, miR‐302b‐3p overexpression reversed the inhibitory effects on LSCC metastasis induced by upregulation of SBF2‐AS1 expression, and inhibition of TGFBR2 expression reversed the effect of SBF2‐AS1 on metastasis. Our study proposes SBF2‐AS1 as a biomarker to predict the prognosis of LSCC patients and a novel potential therapeutic target.
Effects of radiation on tumor vasculature
Authors: Yamazaki Tomoko , Young Kristina H.
Published: October 2021

Radiation has been utilized as a direct cytotoxic tumorcidal modality, however, the effect of radiation on tumor vasculature influences response to anticancer therapies. Although numerous reports have demonstrated vascular changes in irradiated tumors, the findings and implications are extensive and at times contradictory depending on the radiation dose, timing, and models used. In this review, we focus on the radiation‐mediated effects on tumor vasculature with respect to doses used, timing postradiation, vasculogenesis, adhesion molecule expression, permeability, and pericyte coverage, including the latest findings.
Bee Venom Does Not Reduce the Risk for Parkinson's Disease: Epidemiological Study among Beekeepers
Authors: Klarendić Maja , Kirbiš Mojca , Mojsovska Emilija , Kavčič Martin , Sadikov Aleksander , Georgiev Dejan , Kojović Maja
Published: October 2021

Background

Based on the promising results from preclinical studies, bee venom has been investigated as a neuroprotective agent in Parkinson's disease.

Objective

To assess if longstanding exposure to bee venom is associated with decreased risk for Parkinson's disease among beekeepers.

Methods

Questionnaire gathering information about diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and exposure to bee stings was posted to 6500 members of Slovenian beekeepers' organisation.

Results

We received 1298 responses (response rate 20.1%). Twenty beekeepers, all older than 60 years, were diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The prevalence of Parkinson's disease in beekeepers aged ≥60 years was 3.9%, which is above the reported 0.6–1.3% prevalence of PD in this age group in European population. There was no difference in parameters reflecting bee venom exposure between beekeepers with and without Parkinson's disease.

Conclusions

Continuous exposure to bee venom does not affect neurodegeneration to the extent where it could prevent the expression of Parkinson's disease. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Reconstruction of recalcitrant pressure ulcers with latissimus dorsi muscle‐splitting free flaps
Authors: Chang Lan Sook , Hwang Kyu Tae , Park Seong Oh. , Kim Youn Hwan
Published: October 2021

Background

Reconstruction of recalcitrant pressure ulcers is very challenging because all available local tissues have been exhausted. Although occasionally suggested as reconstructive options in some reports, free flaps are still not favored for pressure ulcers because of the less available recipient vessels in buttock area and the need for position change. Here, we describe our experience with latissimus dorsi muscle‐splitting free flaps harvested in prone position for recalcitrant pressure ulcers.

Methods

Between January 2012 and January 2020, 10 patients of recalcitrant pressure ulcers underwent reconstruction using latissimus dorsi muscle‐splitting free flaps. To harvest flaps in the prone position, the curvilinear incision was made along the line connecting the lateral border of the scapula and the midaxillary line of the armpit and the latissimus dorsi muscle was split just below the skin incision. Only the required amount of muscle was harvested including the 5 × 3 cm sized muscle cuff around bifurcation points of the transverse and descending branches.

Results

Flap size ranged from 16 × 9 to 24 × 14 cm and the gluteal vessels were mainly used as recipients. The mean operation time was 170 mins. All the flaps survived but two patients suffered wound disruption and partial flap loss, respectively. During the mean follow‐up periods of 2.45 years, there were no recurrences at the reconstruction site, and no patient complained of donor site morbidity.

Conclusions

Based on the results obtained from this consecutive series of patients, latissimus dorsi muscle‐splitting free flaps are valuable option for recalcitrant pressure ulcer reconstruction.
Mathematical modeling of bulk and directional crystallization with the moving phase transition layer
Authors: Toropova Liubov V. , Aseev Danil L. , Osipov Sergei I. , Ivanov Alexander A.
Published: October 2021

This paper is devoted to the mathematical modeling of a combined effect of directional and bulk crystallization in a phase transition layer with allowance for nucleation and evolution of newly born particles. We consider two models with and without fluctuations in crystal growth velocities, which are analytically solved using the saddle‐point technique. The particle‐size distribution function, solid‐phase fraction in a supercooled two‐phase layer, its thickness and permeability, solidification velocity, and desupercooling kinetics are defined. This solution enables us to characterize the mushy layer composition. We show that the region adjacent to the liquid phase is almost free of crystals and has a constant temperature gradient. Crystals undergo intense growth leading to fast mushy layer desupercooling in the middle of a two‐phase region. The mushy region adjacent to the solid material is filled with the growing solid‐phase structures and is almost desupercooled.
On the nonlocal Schrödinger‐poisson type system in the Heisenberg group
Authors: Liu Zeyi , Zhao Min , Zhang Deli , Liang Sihua
Published: October 2021

This paper is concerned with a class of nonlocal Schrödinger‐Poisson type system with sublinear term. With the aid of the Ekeland's variational principle and the mountain pass theorem, the existence of negative energy solution, positive energy solution, and positive ground state solution is obtained, respectively. Moreover, we also obtain the multiplicity of solutions by using the Clark theorem. The novelty of this paper is that the equation has not only nonlocal term but also nonlocal coefficient.
CAD‐based hardware attenuation correction in PET/MRI: First methodical investigations and clinical application of a 16‐channel RF breast coil
Authors: Lindemann Maike E. , Oehmigen Mark , Lanz Titus , Grafe Hong , Bruckmann Nils Martin , Umutlu Lale , Quick Harald H.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Aim of this study was to evaluate the use of computer‐aided design (CAD) models for attenuation correction (AC) of hardware components in positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance (PET/MR) imaging.

Methods

The technical feasibility and quantitative impact of CAD‐AC compared to computer tomography (CT)‐based AC (reference) was investigated on a modular phantom consisting of 19 different material samples (plastics and metals arranged around a cylindrical emission phantom) typically used in phantoms, patient tables, and radiofrequency (RF) coils in PET/MR. The clinical applicability of the CAD‐AC method was then evaluated on a 16‐channel RF breast coil in a PET/MR patient study. The RF breast coil in this study was specifically designed PET compatible. Using this RF breast coil, the impact on clinical PET/MR breast imaging was systematically evaluated in breast phantom measurements and, furthermore, in n = 10 PET/MR patients with breast cancer. PET data were reconstructed three times: (1) no AC (NAC), (2) established CT‐AC, and (3) CAD‐AC. For both phantom measurements, a scan without attenuating hardware components (material probes or RF breast coil) was acquired serving as reference. Relative differences in PET data were calculated for all experiments.

Results

In all phantom and patient measurements, significant gains in PET signal compared to NAC data were measurable with CT and CAD‐AC. In initial phantom experiments, mean relative differences of –0.2% for CT‐AC and 0.2% for CAD‐AC were calculated compared to reference measurements without the material probes. The application to a RF breast coil depicts that CAD‐AC results in significant gains compared to NAC data (10%) and a slight underestimation in PET signal of –1.3% in comparison to the no‐coil reference measurement. In the patient study, a total of 15 congruent lesions in all 10 patients with a mean relative difference of 14% (CT and CAD‐AC) in standardized uptake value compared to NAC data could be detected.

Conclusions

To ensure best possible PET image quality and accurate PET quantification in PET/MR imaging, the AC of hardware components such as phantoms and RF coils is important. In initial phantom experiments and in clinical application to an RF breast coil, it was found that CAD‐based AC results in significant gains in PET signal compared to NAC data and provides comparably good results to the established method of CT‐based AC.
Comparison of a contrast‐to‐noise ratio‐driven exposure control and a regular detector dose‐driven exposure control in abdominal imaging in a clinical angiography system
Authors: Werncke Thomas , Kemling Marius , Tashenov Stanislav , Hinrichs Jan B. , Meine Timo C. , Maschke Sabine K. , Kyriakou Yiannis , Wacker Frank K. , Meyer Bernhard C.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The first purpose of this phantom study was to verify whether a contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR)‐driven exposure control (CEC) can maintain target CNR in angiography more precisely compared to a conventional detector dose‐driven exposure control (DEC). The second purpose was to estimate the difference between incident air kerma produced by CEC and DEC when both exposure controls reach the same CNR.

Methods

A standardized 3D‐printed phantom with an iron foil and a cavity, filled with iodinated contrast material, was developed to measure CNR using different image acquisition settings. This phantom was placed into a stack of polymethylmethacrylate and aluminum plates, simulating a patient equivalent thickness (PET) of 2.5–40 cm. Images were acquired using fluoroscopy and digital radiography modes with CEC using one image quality level and four image quality gradients and DEC having three different detector dose levels. The spatial frequency weighted CNR and incident air kerma were determined. The differences in incident air kerma between DEC and CEC were estimated.

Results

When using DEC, CNR decreased continuously with increasing attenuation, while CEC within physical limits maintained a predefined CNR level. Furthermore, CEC could be parameterized to deliver the CNR as a predefined function of PET. To provide a given CNR level, CEC used equal or lower air kerma than DEC. The mean estimated incident air kerma of CEC compared to DEC was between 3% (PET 20 cm) and 40% (PET 27.5 cm) lower in fluoroscopy and between 1% (PET 20 cm) and 55% (PET 2.5 cm) lower in digital radiography while maintaining CNR.

Conclusion

Within physical and legislative limits, the CEC allows for a flexible adjustment of the CNR as a function of PET. Thus, the CEC enables task‐dependent examination protocols with predefined image quality in order to easier achieve the as low as reasonably achievable principle. CEC required equal or lower incident air kerma than DEC to provide similar CNR, which allows for a substantial reduction of skin radiation dose in these situations.
Decompose kV projection using neural network for improved motion tracking in paraspinal SBRT
Authors: He Xiuxiu , Cai Weixing , Li Feifei , Fan Qiyong , Zhang Pengpeng , Cuaron John J. , Cerviño Laura I. , Li Xiang , Li Tianfang
Published: October 2021

Purpose

 On‐treatment kV images have been used in tracking patient motion. One challenge of markerless motion tracking in paraspinal SBRT is the reduced contrast when the X‐ray beam needs to pass through a large portion of the patient's body, for example, from the lateral direction. Besides, due to the spine's overlapping with the surrounding moving organs in the X‐ray images, auto‐registration could lead to potential errors. This work aims to automatically extract the spine component from the conventional 2D X‐ray images, to achieve more robust and more accurate motion management.

Methods

 A ResNet generative adversarial network (ResNetGAN) consisting of one generator and one discriminator was developed to learn the mapping between 2D kV image and the reference spine digitally reconstructed radiograph (DRR). A tailored multi‐channel multi‐domain loss function was used to improve the quality of the decomposed spine image. The trained model took a 2D kV image as input and learned to generate the spine component of the X‐ray image. The training dataset included 1347 2D kV thoracic and lumbar region X‐ray images from 20 randomly selected patients, and the corresponding matched reference spine DRR. Another 226 2D kV images from the remaining four patients were used for evaluation. The resulted decomposed spine images and the original X‐ray images were registered to the reference spine DRRs, to compare the spine tracking accuracy.

Results

 The decomposed spine image had the mean peak signal‐to‐noise ratio (PSNR) and structural similarity index measure (SSIM) of 60.08 and 0.99, respectively, indicating the model retained and enhanced the spine structure information in the original 2D X‐ray image. The decomposed spine image matching with the reference spine DRR had submillimeter accuracy (in mm) with a mean error of 0.13, 0.12, and a maximum of 0.58, 0.49 in the ‐ and ‐directions (in the imager coordinates), respectively. The accuracy improvement is robust in all lateral and anteroposterior X‐ray beam angles.

Conclusion

 We developed a deep learning‐based approach to remove soft tissues in the kV image, leading to more accurate spine tracking in paraspinal SBRT.
Ecological momentary assessment of mood and movement with bipolar disorder over time: Participant recruitment and efficacy of study methods
Authors: O’Rourke Norm , Sixsmith Andrew ,   the BADAS Study Team
Published: October 2021

Objectives

Mobile technology and ambulatory research tools enable the study of human experience in vivo, when and where it occurs. This includes cognitive processes that cannot be directly measured or observed (e.g., emotion) but can be reported in the moment when prompted.

Methods

For the Bipolar Affective Disorder and older Adults (BADAS) Study, 50 participants were randomly prompted twice daily to complete brief smartphone questionnaires. This included the Bipolar Disorder Symptom Scale which was developed to briefly measure symptoms of both depression (cognitive and somatic) and hypo/mania (affrontive symptoms and elation/loss of insight). Participants could also submit voluntary or unsolicited app responses anytime; all were time‐ and GPS‐stamped. Herein, we describe BADAS study methods that enabled effective recruitment, adherence and retention.

Results

We collected 9600 app responses over 2 year, for an average response rate of 1.4×/day. Over an average of 145 consecutive days (range 2–435 days), BADAS participants reported depression and hypo/mania symptom levels (a.m. and p.m.), sleep quality (a.m.), medication adherence (a.m.) and any significant events of the day (p.m.). They received $1/day for the first 90 days after submitting both a.m. and p.m. questionnaires.

Conclusion

BADAS study methods demonstrates the utility of ecological momentary assessment in longitudinal psychiatric research.
Recycling augmented Lagrangian preconditioner in an incompressible fluid solver
Authors: Olshanskii Maxim A. , Zhiliakov Alexander
Published: October 2021

The paper discusses a reuse of matrix factorization as a building block in the Augmented Lagrangian (AL) and modified AL preconditioners for nonsymmetric saddle point linear algebraic systems. The strategy is applied to solve two‐dimensional incompressible fluid problems with efficiency rates independent of the Reynolds number. The solver is then tested to simulate motion of a surface fluid, an example of a two‐dimensional flow motivated by an interest in lateral fluidity of inextensible viscous membranes. Numerical examples include the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability problem posed on the sphere and on the torus. Some new eigenvalue estimates for the AL preconditioner are derived.
Anxiety due to COVID‐19 among healthcare providers during pandemic: A web‐based cross‐sectional survey in Iran
Authors: Kamali Mahsa , Moosazadeh Mahmood , Azizi Marzieh , Ghasemian Roya , Hasannezad Reskati Maryam , Elyasi Forouzan
Published: October 2021

Aim

The main purpose of this study was to assess the levels of anxiety, depression, and stress among healthcare providers in Iran.

Methods

This descriptive cross‐sectional survey was performed on healthcare providers selected through the convenience sampling method from April 6 to May 19, 2020, during the COVID‐19 pandemic. To this end, a self‐report web‐based questionnaire made up of a sociodemographic characteristics information form, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS), and Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS) was distributed. Descriptive statistics, chi‐square test (χ2), and univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were accordingly practiced to analyze the data using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software.

Results

Of 1343 healthcare providers, 45.8% and 73.0% had moderate physical and psychological anxiety symptoms, respectively. The logistic regression model similarly demonstrated that anxiety caused by COVID‐19 was significantly correlated with the age ranges of 41‐50 (P = .007) and 51‐60 (P = .014) years as well as male participants (P < .001). In addition, the prevalence rates of depression and stress were, respectively, reported by 35.1% and 27.8%. There was correspondingly a significant relationship between depression and age as well as stress and gender.

Conclusions

It seems that healthcare managers need to focus more attention on psychological aspects in healthcare providers during this pandemic and plan to teach them about coping strategies.
Collision‐induced spin‐orbit relaxation of highly vibrationally excited NO near 1 K
Authors: Amarasinghe Chandika , Perera Chatura A. , Li Hongwei , Zuo Junxiang , Besemer Matthieu , van der Avoird Ad , Groenenboom Gerrit C. , Guo Hua , Suits Arthur G.
Published: October 2021

State‐to‐state scattering studies of vibrationally excited molecules in the cold regime extend inelastic scattering investigations into a new territory. Here, we present differential cross‐sections for superelastic scattering of spin‐orbit excited nitric oxide (NO) (v = 10, Ω = 1.5, j = 1.5) with argon near 1 K utilizing our recently developed near‐copropagating beam technique, and compare these to quantum scattering calculations on coupled cluster and multi‐reference potential energy surfaces. At these collision energies, the scattering is mainly governed by resonances and provides a platform to assess the accuracy of the attractive part of the difference potential for the NO–Ar system, which has remained untested. Quantum scattering calculations for such inelastic processes on high‐quality potential energy surfaces at thermal energies have largely been successful at reproducing the key features of experimental results, but cold spin‐orbit changing collisions are shown to test the limits of the current theoretical state‐of‐the‐art. The experimental results clearly exhibit backscattering centered around 3.5 cm−1 collision energy suggesting a scattering resonance; such resonances have never been detected for the well‐studied NO–Ar system. A partial wave analysis based on a multireference potential energy surface suggests the enhanced backscattering arises from overlapping resonances associated with the highest partial wave contributions.

Key points

We have achieved state‐to‐state spin‐orbit changing collisions of highly vibrationally excited NO with Ar near 1 K utilizing the near‐copropagating beam technique.

The experiment reveals the influence of quantum scattering resonances for the well‐studied NO–Ar system for the first time.

The results are found to challenge the current theoretical state‐of‐the‐art.
Optimal leader‐follower affine formation control of linear multi‐agent systems
Authors: Zhi Hui , Chen Liangming , Li Chuanjiang , Lv Yueyong
Published: October 2021

This article studies optimal leader‐follower affine formation control for linear multi‐agent systems, which has more formation flexibility due to the usage of stress matrices. First, based on the inverse optimality strategy, an affine formation control law is designed to drive the followers to their target positions, in which a corresponding performance index is minimized. Next, to minimize a prespecified performance index, another class of optimal affine formation control law is proposed by using a cooperative estimator. The design of the cooperative estimator is based on the proportional‐integral feedback which estimates the target position of each follower. Under the proposed control law, the followers achieve the target formation and the given performance indices are guaranteed to be optimal at the same time. Finally, the corresponding simulations are carried out to verify the effectiveness of the presented approaches.
Unknown input observer design for vehicle lateral dynamics described by Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy systems
Authors: El Youssfi Naoufal , El Bachtiri Rachid , Zoulagh Taha , El Aiss Hicham
Published: October 2021

This article discusses the problem of an unknown input observer for nonlinear lateral dynamic systems. Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy models have been used to represent the vehicle lateral system with parameters uncertain. The observer used is well suited to estimate the vehicle state and actuator/sensor faults, simultaneously. By using Finsler's lemma, the conditions obtained are expressed through linear matrix inequality constraints. Finally, the results of the simulation clearly show the importance and effectiveness of the proposed approaches.
Understanding changes to children's connection to nature during the COVID‐19 pandemic and implications for child well‐being
Authors: Friedman Samantha , Imrie Susan , Fink Elian , Gedikoglu Mina , Hughes Claire
Published: October 2021

While psychological connection to nature is known to be associated with both pro‐environmental behaviours and well‐being, there is an urgent need to extend this research to consider impacts from the COVID‐19 lockdown period. Examining whether children's connection to nature changed during this period, identifying the drivers of these changes and determining the links between connection to nature and child well‐being can each serve to guide post‐lockdown initiatives to promote children's connection to nature.

Three findings emerged from this UK sample of 376 families with young children. First, nearly two thirds of parents reported a change (most typically, an increase) in their child's connection to nature. Explanations for this increase included having more time, increased enjoyment of nature and increased awareness or interest in nature. Second, a third of children whose connection to nature decreased during the pandemic displayed increased problems of well‐being—manifest as either ‘acting out’ (externalising problems) or sadness/anxiety (internalising problems). Third, an increase in connection to nature during the pandemic was more evident for children from affluent families than for their less affluent peers.

While connecting to nature may be an effective means of addressing child problems of well‐being, the divergent findings for children from different family backgrounds indicate that efforts to enhance connection to nature should focus on the barriers experienced by children from less affluent families.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Approaching new biomaterials: copolymerization characteristics of vinyl esters with norbornenes, allyl esters and allyl ethers
Authors: Steinbauer Patrick , Liska Robert , Baudis Stefan
Published: October 2021

Vinyl ester‐based monomers for radical photopolymerization have recently been shown to be promising alternatives to (meth)acrylates through lower irritancy and cytotoxicity. Vinyl ester monomers are becoming increasingly important on account of new, more cost‐efficient synthetic production methods, not to forget their increased reactivity and improved material properties in combination with thiol–ene polymerization. Due to their biocompatibility and degradability, these monomers are more frequently used in tissue engineering. Nevertheless, the material properties can be improved by possible copolymerizations with other monomers. Therefore, the copolymerization behavior of vinyl ester with norbornene, allyl ether and allyl ester has been studied fundamentally in a photoreactor via free radical photopolymerization. Here, the consumption of double bonds of the monomers has been identified using NMR spectroscopy. Copolymerization parameters have been determined using the Kelen–Tüdös method. Results show equal consumption of vinyl ester and co‐monomer double bonds leading to alternating copolymerizations. The double bond conversion was confirmed via in situ real‐time near‐infrared photorheology. Mono‐ and difunctional vinyl esters with co‐monomers have also provided further insight into the polymer network of these copolymers. © 2021 The Authors. Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Examining the structural validity of the SSIS SEL brief scales—Teacher and student forms
Authors: Anthony Christopher J. , Brann Kristy L. , Elliott Stephen N. , Garis Elizabeth J.
Published: October 2021

Although interest in social‐emotional learning (SEL) is growing, there are few efficient measures of SEL constructs, especially those of the popular CASEL Framework. To address this need, the SSIS SEL Brief Scales (SSIS SELb) were developed. Initial evidence for the SSIS SELb is promising, but evidence is needed for its structural validity. The purpose of this study was to provide such evidence. We used confirmatory factor analysis to evaluate six plausible structures of the SSIS SELb‐Teacher (n = 643) and SSIS SELb‐Student (n = 530) forms with a large sample collected from two Midwestern private/parochial schools. Results indicated each of the models were defensible, but all models pointed to the conclusion that applied use should focus on the overall SEL Composite score. Findings provided support for the SSIS SELb Scales and indicated the need for future research better explicating the theoretical specifics of the CASEL Framework.
Brassinosteroids promote parenchyma cell and secondary xylem development in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) root
Authors: Wang Wei , Sun Yaqing , Li Guolong , Zhang Shaoying
Published: October 2021

Increasing crop yield has always been an important goal in agriculture. Brassinosteroids (BRs) are growth‐promoting steroid hormones with vital roles in many root developmental processes. Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is a root crop with a tertiary root structure. The differentiation of vascular bundles and the division of cambial cells increase root diameter. However, little is known about how BRs regulate the transverse growth of beetroot. Therefore, sugar beet with eight leaves was grown in medium containing epibrassinolide or brassinazole, an inhibitor of BR biosynthesis. BRs increased the spacing between the cambial rings by increasing the size of parenchyma cells between the rings and ultimately increasing root diameter. BRs also promoted secondary xylem differentiation. Moreover, the gene expression analysis of BvXTH33, BvSHV3, BvCESA6, BvPARVUS, and BvCEL1, which were related to the cell wall biosynthesis, indicated that BR could promote the growth of cell wall. These findings showed that BRs function in transverse development in beetroot.
Registration of tropical populations of maize selected in parallel for early flowering time across the United States
Authors: Weldekidan Teclemariam , Manching Heather , Choquette Nicole , de Leon Natalia , Flint‐Garcia Sherry , Holland James , Lauter Nick , Murray Seth C. , Xu Wenwei , Goodman Major M. , Wisser Randall J.
Published: October 2021

Tropical strains of maize (Zea mays subsp. mays L.) flower very late in temperate environments. This is a barrier to maize diversification and improvement in regions where a large share of the world's corn production takes place. For investigating early flowering time adaptation, a tightly controlled parallel selection experiment spanning a 28° latitudinal range (∼3,100 km) across the United States was conducted. First, a tropical synthetic population (TropicS‐G0) (Reg. no. GP‐605, PI 698625) of maize was created from seven inbred parents. The molecular genetic diversity in TropicS‐G0 is representative of tropical inbreds that are differentiated from the prevailing germplasm used for hybrid production in the United States. Admixture analysis and genome simulation showed that breeding of TropicS‐G0 captured the parental genomes mostly at random, as intended prior to selection. With TropicS‐G0 as a common base population, a standardized protocol was used to recurrently select for early flowering time at eight locations for two generations, giving rise to location‐specific lineages (TropicS‐G1‐PR, Reg. no. GP‐621, PI 698641; TropicS‐G2‐PR, Reg. no. GP‐622, PI 698642; TropicS‐G2‐FL, Reg. no. GP‐620, PI 698640; TropicS‐G1‐cTX, Reg. no. GP‐618, PI 698638; TropicS‐G2‐cTX, Reg. no. GP‐619, PI 698639; TropicS‐G1‐nTX, Reg. no. GP‐616, PI 698636; TropicS‐G2‐nTX, Reg. no. GP‐617, PI 698637; TropicS‐G1‐NC, Reg. no. GP‐614, PI 698634; TropicS‐G2‐NC, Reg. no. GP‐615, PI 698635; TropicS‐G1‐DE, Reg. no. GP‐610, PI 698630; TropicS‐G1‐IA, Reg. no. GP‐608, PI 698628; TropicS‐G2‐IA, Reg. no. GP‐609, PI 698629; TropicS‐G1‐WI, Reg. no. GP‐606, PI 698626; TropicS‐G2‐WI, Reg. no. GP‐607, PI 698627). Additional generations of selection were performed for the DE lineage (TropicS‐G3‐DE, Reg. no. GP‐611, PI 698631; TropicS‐G4‐DE, Reg. no. GP‐612, PI 698632; TropicS‐G5‐DE, Reg. no. GP‐613, PI 698633). The parallel‐selected maize population is a novel resource for breeders and those seeking to investigate adaptation.
Registration of HA‐R14, HA‐R15, HA‐R16, and HA‐R17 oilseed sunflower germplasm with broad resistance to rust and downy mildew
Authors: Qi Lili , Ma Guojia , Seiler Gerald
Published: October 2021

Rust and downy mildew (DM) are two of the most important sunflower diseases in the world. The development of sunflower hybrids with enhanced levels of genetic resistance to both diseases is a goal for sunflower breeding. Four oilseed sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) germplasm lines, HA‐R14 (Reg. no. GP‐371, PI 698193), HA‐R15 (Reg. no. GP‐372, PI 698194), HA‐R16 (Reg. no. GP‐373, PI 698195), and HA‐R17 (Reg. no. GP‐374, PI 698196) are multiple rust‐ and DM‐resistant lines that were developed and released by the USDA‐ARS Sunflower and Plant Biology Research Unit in collaboration with the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station in January 2020. Three lines, HA‐R14 (R4R4/R12R12/PlArgPlArg), HA‐R15 (R5R5/R12R12/PlArgPlArg), and HA‐R16 (R13bR13b/R12R12/PlArgPlArg), stack two different rust genes with a common DM gene PlArg, and HA‐R17 (R13bR13b/R15R15) possesses two rust genes, R13b and R15. These germplasm lines will provide a broad spectrum of useful sources of resistance to all known races of rust and DM.
Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Time for a new paradigm?
Authors: Binns Emma , Koenraads Marianne , Hristeva Lidia , Flamant Alix , Baier‐Grabner Sebastian , Loi Mervin , Lempainen Johanna , Osterheld Elise , Ramly Bazlin , Chakakala‐Chaziya Jessica , Enaganthi Niveditha , Simó Nebot Silvia , Buonsenso Danilo
Published: October 2021

Seasonal epidemics of influenza and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are the cause of substantial morbidity and mortality among children. During the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, the epidemiology of these viruses seems to have changed dramatically. In Australia and New Zealand, a significant decrease in both influenza and bronchiolitis have been noticed during usual peak seasons. Data from early months of winter seasons in Europe are showing similar trends. This current scenario imposes a reconsideration of the paradigm that toddlers and young schoolchildren are the main drivers of seasonal RSV outbreaks and respiratory epidemics in general. In this article, we summarize current literature, address current knowledge or role of adults in the RSV epidemiology, describe the lessons learned from pertussis epidemics and call the international community to better understand the community transmission dynamics of respiratory infections in all age groups. This can allow the establishment of better and more affordable preventive measures in the whole population level, which can ultimately save millions of child lives.
The Meaning of “Participation” in Co‐Design with Children and Youth: Relationships, Roles, and Interactions
Authors: Bowler Leanne , Wang Karen , Lopatovska Irene , Rosin Mark
Published: October 2021

The paper examines the concept of participation in co‐design practices with children and youth. Rooted in Participatory Design and Participatory Action Research frameworks, the paper draws from multi‐disciplinary literature to survey existing definitions of the relationships, roles, and types of human interactions in participatory co‐design. The paper advocates for the active role of children and youth in the co‐design process and presents models of youth participation. The paper highlights the importance of understanding and clearly communicating various degrees of participation, with the ultimate goal of empowering youth and involving them in brainstorming, planning, decision‐making, and interpretation stages of the design process. We introduce the concept of conscious co‐design and the need to reflect on the design process at a meta level in Participatory Design and Participatory Action Research.
Predicting Surrogates' Health Information Seeking Behavior via Information Source and Information Evaluation
Authors: Chang Yung‐Sheng , Zhang Yan , Gwizdka Jacek
Published: October 2021

This study investigates surrogates' health information sharing behavior through information sources and information evaluation. A lab‐based experiment was conducted. Twenty‐five participants read five scenarios, each with three preselected webpages from a government, a commercial, and an online forum source. Participants had to decide whether to share the information with an imaginary friend of theirs and provide rationales (an indication of information evaluation). Content analysis and mixed effects logistic regression models were performed. Government websites were recommended for sharing the most, followed by commercial and online forum sources. Criteria predicting participants' intention to share information were different for each information source. The content's usefulness and trustworthiness were two criteria predicting participants' intention to share commercial websites. Source's trustworthiness and individual relevant criterion were two significant predictors for government sources. Source's trustworthiness had negative effects on sharing information from online forums. 13.3% of the information evaluation involved using both positive and negative criteria.
Racist Framing through Stigmatized Naming: A Topical and Geo‐locational Analysis of #Chinavirus and #Chinesevirus on Twitter
Authors: Chong Miyoung , Chen Haihua
Published: October 2021

During the COVID‐19 pandemic, racists remarks accompanied by racist hashtags were disseminated via social media. Particularly, Asian Americans in the U.S. have been suffered from racism and xenophobia, resulting in physical violence and mental harassment in many cases. Despite the major function of the social media as an open‐access platform for unedited and free speech for people with a diverse background, the global episodes of the soaring racism and xenophobia occurred in online public arenas reaffirmed that the platforms could be used for a nurturing ground of racism and xenophobia. This study examined the top influencers in the racist hashtag Twitter network and top shared neighboring hashtags with #Chinavirus or #Chinesevirus. We extracted topics from the racist hashtag Twitter network applying the state‐of‐the‐art BERTopic modeling technique and conducted a geo‐locational analysis of the participants of the network globally and by U.S. states. Trump was identified as the most influential actor in the #Chinavirus and #Chinesevirus Twitter network. This study confirmed previous literature that the political elite's public communication strategy to deviate the attention of the public suffered from the new disease and went through hardships under the epidemic crisis.
Youth Research under the Microscope: A Conceptual Analysis of Youth Information Interaction Studies
Authors: Figueiredo Vanessa , Meyers Eric M.
Published: October 2021

Youth information interaction (YII) research has focused on challenges youth encounter when interacting with information across different contexts. Although these studies have been fundamental to outline youth information behaviour, the absence of YII theoretical frameworks might limit our approach to contemporary issues, such as the increased use of apps and mobile devices for information searching. This paper presents a conceptual analysis of studies conducted between 1997–2020 to explore predominant epistemological stances and cognitive frameworks in YII. The conceptual analysis generated five typologies operationalizing YII studies in seven categories: epistemological stance, knowledge assumption, cognitive framework, study type, study design, theoretical framework, study outcomes, and applications. The findings suggest that YII research have converged to empiricist and rationalist stances supporting exploratory approaches. These findings elicit the urgency for the development of theoretical frameworks that support the validity of YII phenomena with the purpose of developing a new agenda for YII research.
The Library/Surveillance Interface
Authors: Floegel Diana , Doty Philip
Published: October 2021

Few topics are more often discussed than surveillance, particularly in the context of surveillance technologies that reflect structural inequities. There is space, however, to bring more discussion of surveillance tech into the library literature. At the same time, literature on digital surveillance and associated systems such as Big Data, surveillance capitalism, and platform capitalism often discuss these phenomena as if they are novel rather than iterations of long‐standing inequitable circumstances. We propose that a dialogue between surveillance literature and critical library literature will benefit both areas: theories from the surveillance domain can strengthen examinations of structural oppression in libraries while theories from critical library literature can strengthen acknowledgment of surveillance techs' historical roots. Moreover, overlap exists between concepts used in surveillance and library literature, including concerns about neutrality and classification practices. Therefore, after reviewing surveillance theories and their applicability to libraries, we demonstrate how these scholarly areas may strengthen each other, with three major consequences: (a) moving library literature beyond considerations of the panopticon in favor of the surveillant assemblage; (b) recognizing that surveillance tech is a hyper‐visible form of historical oppression; and (c) acknowledging that the library ethos is critical to any fight for justice within information science.
Analysis of Mapping Knowledge Domains for Privacy Issues in Data Ethics Research
Authors: Gao Yuan , He Jianping
Published: October 2021

This paper is based on the Web of Science database and takes advantage of CiteSpace, a scientometric software, to conduct visualization analyses. It is found that privacy issues in data ethics have reached the research peak in the past two years. The findings of this paper are that the current global research in this field is characterized by three different periods and multidisciplinary perspectives. And the hotspots of this field are relatively concentrated and gradually deepened. Besides, the research in this field has moved from the theoretical stage to the practical application stage. This paper attempts to present the scientific knowledge structure, patterns and distribution of privacy issues in data ethics, exploring the global frontier hotspots, providing inspiration and experience for Chinese academic research and industry practice in data ethics.