bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alleviation of Cd-induced growth improvement by exogenous melatonin pre-treatment inAbutilon theophrastiMedicus
Authors: Gao Tianpeng , Fu Jingwen , Zuo Mingbo , Wang Haoming , Liu Xiao-Xiao , Li Hai-Juan , Shen Yuan-Yuan , Yang Yingli , Xu Dang-hui , He Yueqing
Published: July 2021

The present work was aimed to study the effect of melatonin pre-treatments on oxidative stress modulation, cadmium (Cd) accumulation, and tolerance inAbutilon theophrastiMedicus under the hydroponic system. Application of substances that can modulate the harmful effects of Cd on plant yield and reduce its accumulation in the edible parts is of particular importance. Therefore, the Abutilon pre-treated with 0.1mM melatonin were exposed to 200μM, 400μM, 800μM Cd. Our results showed that 0.1mM melatonin led to positive effects on 200μM and 400μM Cd tolerance, including a significant increase in root activity andperoxidase (POD) activity and a significant decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Withthe help of melatonin, the enrichment factor (BCF) significantly decreased, reducing the content in the ground and roots. At least in our experiment conditions, this information appears to be useful for healthy food production.
Toxicity of Cypermethrin-chlorpyrifos and Butachlor to Tadpole of Quasipaa boulengeri
Authors: Xiaoqin Zhang , Changju Zhao , Haoyang Wu
Published: July 2021

The tadpole of Quasipaa boulangeri was taken as the research object in this paper. The toxic effects of cypermethrin-chlorpyrifos and butachlor on tadpole of Q.boulangeri were studied by acute toxicity experiment and subchronic toxicity experiment in order to master the toxicity of different types of pesticides on tadpole of Q.boulangeri and provide scientific basis for amphibian protection. The results of acute toxicity experiment were analyzed by the method of probability unit regression analysis. The results of the acute toxicity experiment were analyzed by means of the probability-unit regression analysis method, and the LC50 of cypermethrin-chlorpyrifos and butachlor to the 2-month-old frog tadpoles at 24h, 48h, 72h and 96h were 0.419, 0.357, 0.346L, 0.332 and 1.183, 1.108, 0.925 and 0.876(mg/L), respectively. In the subchronic toxicity experiment, we observed the accumulation effect of different concentrations of pesticides on tadpoles through the statistics of the growth and development of tadpoles exposed to the drugs for a long time. The results suggested that the body length and body weight of tadpoles increased slowly with the increase of time and concentration of pesticide in the solution during the experiment.
Synthesis of free-metal composites g-CN/GQDs with enhanced photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline
Authors: Zheng Kai , Chen Jianan , Gao Xue , Cao Xiaoqing , Wu Shan , Su Jixin
Published: July 2021

Developing inexpensive and environmentally friendly no-metal photocatalyst is a promising strategy to addressing environmental issues. In this work, the metal-free catalyst g-CN/GQDs was synthesized through one-pot co-sintering method. The as-prepared photocatalysts showed enhanced photocatalytic activity for tetracycline (TC) degradation. Especially, the g-CN/GQDs-5 exhibited a nearly 30% improvement in TC degradation within 60 min of visible light irradiation compared to g-CN, and the kinetic constant was 1.8 times that of g-CN. The enhanced performance was attributed to the introduction of GQDs enhance the visible light absorption ability and suppress the recombination of photo-generated charges of g-CN. The capture experiment of active species showed that superoxide radicals played a major role in the degradation of TC in this system.
Summary of research on pretreatment methods of recycled aggregate
Authors: Yufeng Song , Enqiang Zhang
Published: July 2021

The recycled aggregate obtained by simple crushing and screening of waste concrete has a rough surface and many protruding edges and corners, and most of the aggregate surface is attached with old mortar, when directly used as aggregate in concrete, the water demand is large, the concrete strength and elastic modulus are low, and the durability is poor. Therefore, proper treatment of recycled aggregate is required.This article summarizes the research status of the pretreatment methods of mechanical strengthening, heating grinding, solution impregnation, cement slurry impregnation, carbonization treatment, nano-modification, microbial modification and water cleaning etc., and simply analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of various treatment methods, which provide a reference for the research of recycled aggregate processing methods.
Discussion and analysis of environmentally friendly refrigerant R404A as a substitute for R22 with different circuit number
Authors: Wang Xue , Zhang Yu , Wang Ruoyu
Published: July 2021

The refrigerant R22 has great damage to the ozone layer. R404A is currently the mainstream environmentally friendly refrigerant approved and recommended by most countries in the world, and has zero damage to the ozone layer. Based on this, the performance of heat exchangers of R22 and R404A with different inlet qualities with the circuit number were simulated and compared by EVAP-COND software. The results show that the capacity of the evaporator with R404A was greater than that with R22. Moreover, the difference in the capacity of the evaporator with R410A and R22 drops first, and then it rises. The flow path with the number of circuits 2 had the largest heat exchange rate. The heat exchange rates of R22 and R404A are 4.40kW and 4.50kW, respectively. The heat exchange amount of R404A was larger than that of R22, and the difference in heat exchange amount decreases first and then increases with the increase of branches, and the maximum difference was 4.41%. R404A can be used as a substitute for R22 and had a higher heat exchange rate. It is more environmentally friendly and saves energy.
Coupling and Coordination Analysis of Comprehensive Benefits of Water Conservancy Scenic: Taking Qingpu District of Shanghai as an Example
Authors: Xianyu Liu , Xuejun Yang , Jun Pan
Published: July 2021

Based on the domestic comprehensive evaluation methods for water conservancy scenic spots, water environment, and water resources, this paper constructs a comprehensive benefits evaluation index system for water conservancy scenic from both ecological and social benefits. Then, it takes the Qingpu District of Shanghai as the research object, using the entropy method to calculate the comprehensive benefits index of the two major subsystems of ecology and society from 2009 to 2019. Based on that, it concludes that the overall coupling and coordination level of the ecological and social benefits of water conservancy scenic slowly rises at this stage but remains the low-level coupling coordination stage. Finally, from the perspective of improving the comprehensive benefits of water conservancy scenic, it puts forwards the development of Qingpu District towards the beautiful prospect of the harmonious co-existence between human and nature.
A series of equivalent area circle yield criteria based on unified strength theory
Authors: Zhou Pei
Published: July 2021

Unified strength theory considering the influence of the intermediate principal stress is widely used in geotechnical engineering, but the singularities bring inconvenience to the numerical calculation. A series of equivalent area circle yield criteria based on unified strength theory are derived. The parameters of the new yield criteria and Drucker-Prager criteria are discussed, and the flow vector coefficients of the new yield criteria are given. The new series of yield criteria are very convenient for numerical calculation and can be served as reference for the evaluation of the effects of strength theory.
Screening and Preliminary Identification of Soil Potassium and Phosphorus-hydrolyzing Bacteria WP1-3
Authors: Yongmei Zhao , Panpan Wu
Published: July 2021

In order to screen the strains with Potassium and phosphorus-releasing bacteria from the soil, the potassium-dissolving medium was used for preliminary screening, and the transparent circle method was used for re-screening. The content of soluble potassium was determined by sodium tetraphenylborate method, and the content of phosphorus was determined by anticolorimetric method of molybdenum and antimony. The strains were identified by morphological, biochemical and molecular biology. The results showed that ten strains with potassium-solubilizing function were obtained by preliminary screening of potassium solubilizing medium. The re-screening by transparent circle method showed that WP1-3 strain had the strongest potassium-solubilizing ability, with D/d value of 1.33. WP1-3 strains of decomposition of soluble potassium content is 22.918 mg/L, decompose inorganic phosphorus and organic phosphorus ability is 4.443 mg/L and 22.408 mg/L, respectively. Identifying morphological and biochemical identification showed that WP1-3 strains was gram-negative bacteria, not produce spore, the nitrogen content of WP1-3 strain increased after detection and culture for 3d and 7d were 10.825 and 38.521 mg/L. The 16SrDNA size was 1351bp, the ribosomal database comparison showed that WP1-3 strain was 99.8% similar to Rhizobium. Therefore, the WP1-3 strain belongs to the rhizobia genus.
Reliability Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation based on construction monitoring long-span arch truss
Authors: Chen Kongliang , Yuan Guoqing , Wang Liankun
Published: July 2021

The steel roof of the West Stand structure in Jiangmen Sports Center is a super-span space steel tube truss arch structure. In this article, the simulation analysis, and construction monitoring process, and the arch foot deformation monitoring is researched systematically, and the fuzzy reliability analysis is established based on the construction monitoring process. The monitoring results show that the roof structure is in healthy state, and the arch foot deformation meets the design requirements, which means that detailed simulation calculation provides theoretical basis for construction monitoring, and the measured data agree well with the theoretical data. Reliability Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation of structural monitoring adopts a layered weighting method by dividing the entire structural monitoring into several types of key monitoring indicators, corresponding analysis is carried out according to the calculation formula of the weight of various indicators to solve the reliability problem of structural monitoring. It is shown through analysis that this method can provide an effective basis for on-site safety construction, and the above conclusions can provide references for related projects in the future.
Influence of waste calcareous rock powder on concrete transmission performance
Authors: Cheng Jianping
Published: July 2021

Reuse of stone powder formed in the production of manufactured sand is of great significance to environmental protection and resource utilization. In this paper, the waste calcareous rock powder formed in the manufactured sand production line was added into the concrete by 6%, 9%, 12% and 15%, and the total weight of manufactured sand and rock powder was controlled to be constant to prepare C30 and C40 environment-friendly manufactured sand concrete. The influence of rock powder on the compressive strength and transmission performance of concrete was analyzed. It was found that with the increase of stone powder content, the compressive strength of fresh paste and C30 concrete first increased and then decreased, while the concrete transmission performance and the compressive strength of C40 concrete continued to decline. It was suggested that the content of rock powder should not exceed 9%.
Influence of Kenyan phonolite manufactured sand on concrete performance
Authors: Jiao Xuxue , Liang Lifeng , Li Xin , Fan Guodong , Chen Xiaojun
Published: July 2021

There is a shortage of river sand and a large number of phonolite deposits around Nairobi, Kenya, but the quality of manufactured sand made from phonolite is poor. In this paper, the effects of phonolite manufactured sand and river sand on the performance of C30 and C50 concrete are studied through the tests of mixture performance, mechanical properties and durability. The results showed that compared with the concrete prepared with river sand, the dosage required of superplasticizer in the preparation of concrete using phonolite manufactured sand was higher, the fluidity was slightly lower, the mechanical properties were basically unchanged, and the durability was slightly better. The above research results preliminarily indicate that it is feasible to use the manufactured sand produced by phonolite around Nairobi, instead of river sand, to prepare concrete. This will reduce the long-distance procurement and transportation of river sand and reduce project construction costs.
Experimental investigation on pump efficiency and cavitation performance of Huang-jin-xia hydro-junction
Authors: Luo Shaojiang , Dong Tao , Mou Yong , Li Chenhao
Published: July 2021

In this paper, the performance of A1515 centrifugal pump was studied on a high parameters and precision large general test platform in combination with the Huang-jin-xia hydro-junction in Hanjiang-to-Weihe River valley water diversion project. The efficiency characteristics and cavitation performance of the pump were tested and measured respectively. All measured parameters were collected and recorded through the acquisition system. The experimental results show that the optimal efficiency and weighted average efficiency of the pump is 92.46% and 92.18%, and the design point efficiency is 92.39%, all of which meet the design requirements. After conversion to the prototype pump, the efficiency value at each working point is higher than the guaranteed value. The pump hump margin is 3.03%, which is greater than 2% of the required value and meets the requirements. In the whole normal operating range, the cavitation performance of the model pump meets the design and test requirements. The comprehensive error of model test is less than ±0.2%. The research results provide reference for the design of large centrifugal pump.
Analysis on spatial distribution pattern of football fields: A case study in Wuhan, China
Authors: Wang Yuwei , Wu Kaicheng , Gao Wang
Published: July 2021

In order to promote the sustainable development of sports facilities, the statistical data of football fields in 13 districts of Wuhan city were selected. Based on geographic information system (GIS) and exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA) technology, this paper analyzed the global and local autocorrelation of the number of football fields per capita in Wuhan city. The results indicate that: (1) Comparing to the new districts in Wuhan, the number of football fields per capita in the central districts was relatively few. (2) In the global scale, the number of football fields per capita in Wuhan presented a spatial aggregation pattern. (3) In the local scale, the regional discrepancy and spatial clusters were confirmed in the local spatial autocorrelation analysis for football fields in Wuhan. At the same time, the research results could provide reasonable references for the planning of football field facilities.
Analysis on Space accessibility of Medical Service Facilities in Central Wuhan Based on Improvement of 2SFCA
Authors: Wang Yi , Shao Jun , Xu Miao , Wu Changyou , Li Yibang
Published: July 2021

Aiming at the current imperfect hierarchical diagnosis and treatment system and the unreasonable spatial distribution of medical facilities. This article introduces 2SFCA model improved by the Gaussian distance decay function and multiple stage radius to evaluate the accessibility of medical facilities in Wuhan. The results indicate that: firstly, compared with the traditional 2SFCA model, the improved 2SFCA model is more sensitive to the identification of spatial accessibility, and the transition effect of the identification results is more obvious, which can accurately reflect the spatial distribution characteristics of the accessibility of medical facilities in Wuhan. Secondly, the distribution of medical facilities in Wuhan is obvious and the main factors that affect the accessibility value in different urban areas are quite different. Thirdly, the high value areas of medical facilities in the main urban area of Wuhan are mainly concentrated within the second ring line, the transition effect between the second and third ring lines is obvious, and the low value areas are mainly concentrated outside the third ring line. In the end, the main reasons for the low accessibility of the area outside the Third Ring Road are the low service quantity and low service ability of the community health service institutions and the high traffic resistance. The research results can provide a reference for the layout and planning of medical institutions in the main urban area of Wuhan.
Study on water stability of asphalt binder with medium weathered igneous rock
Authors: Li Changgui , Tao Yuanhong , Xia Jingliang
Published: July 2021

Aiming at the problems of weak acidity of medium weathered igneous rock around Nairobi, Kenya, poor adhesion with asphalt and poor water stability of asphalt binder, the article studied the use of anti-stripping agent, cement, hydrated Lime and other technical measures to improve the water stability of asphalt binder with medium weathered igneous rock. The results showed that the 48h Marshall residual stability of the benchmark asphalt binder without any measures was 78.5%, which did not meet the standard requirements. The Marshall residual stability of medium weathered igneous rock can be significantly improved by adding anti stripping agent, cement and hydrated Lime. After freeze-thaw cycles, the splitting tensile strength of the asphalt binder with medium weathered igneous rock decreased obviously, and the TSR values of the asphalt binder with anti-spalling measures from small to large were K-4, K-3, K-2, K-6 and K-5. The water stability of the medium weathered igneous rock asphalt binder mixed with anti-stripping agent alone had relatively poor durability, and the medium weathered igneous rock asphalt binder mixed with cement and anti-stripping agent had the strongest ability to resist deformation when immersed in water.
Study on the compensating calcium ion method for existing concrete based on crystal infiltration waterproof materials
Authors: Dishan Yang , Tongyu Yan , Yubin Lin , Jiyu Li , Xiaofei Ruan , Hong Zhou , Jianguang Shi
Published: July 2021

The quality of the the existing concrete surface in its repairing and strengthening is the key factor affecting the together working performance. The effective method to solve this problem is to use permeable crystal waterproof material to strengthen the existing concrete surface. In view of the existing old concrete which lacks free Ca2+ in the interior, the method of compensating calcium ion strengthening is proposed based on the action mechanism of permeable crystalline waterproof material. On the basis of DPS, calcium ion compensating agent Ca (OH)2, Na2SiO3(sodium silicate) and Na2CO3(potassium carbonate) solutes are added to prepare composite reinforcement solution for impregnation strengthening of concrete. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the microstructure of the concrete before and after strengthening. It showed that after the entry of silicate ions, C-S-H colloid was formed by reaction with Ca (OH)2, and C-S-H gel blocked some pores, which made the inner microstructure more compact. The results of compressive strength before and after concrete strengthening show that the strengthening effect of calcium ion compensation method for low-strength concrete is better than that of permeable crystallization material strengthening method. The strength of C5 and C15 grade concrete is increased by 36.1% and 6% respectively, and the surface strength of 13.7 MPa concrete is increased by 16.7%.
Analysis method of cluster perforating tubing strings trafficability in horizontal wells for unconventional reservoirs
Authors: Guo Xiaoqiang , Liu Jun , Huang Xiang , Du Zhigang , Li Xiao
Published: July 2021

The feasibility of a normal perforating operation depends on the perforating tubing string, which is the main component of the cluster perforating tool for the exploration and development of unconventional oil&gas reservoirs. To improve the efficiency of cluster perforation in horizontal wells, a passing capability analysis model for the tubing string in a wellbore was established, thereby generating complex equations with coefficients that are solved via geometric analyses and the beam-column theory. This model was based on a comprehensive consideration of the friction between the downhole tools and the borehole wall, fluid resistance, wellbore geometric constraint, pump thrust, axial tension, tool variable cross-section, tension of cable head, and tool elastic deformation. Based on field test data, the pass-through capacity of “1 bridge plug + 4 cluster perforating gun string” in the X206 well and the main factors affecting pass-through ability were analyzed to test the validity of the model. The model presented in this paper can provide an effective tool for analyzing the design and operation of a cluster perforating string.
In-situ rock tests for fault gouge zone：A case in Fengman hydropower station, China
Authors: Xu Xinchuan , Yu Zhaoyue , Xue Fangfang , Long Xiaogang , Mao Xinyu , Ke Changyan , Wang Yuefei , Meng Huanyu
Published: July 2021

The existence of faults in the dam site area threatens the stability and safety of large-scale hydropower projects in China. The fault argillaceous zone is the worst kind of fault fracture zone, and the determination of its deformation and strength parameters is the key point of rock engineering investigation. In this study, the in-situ bearing plate test and direct shear test were carried out on the gouge zone of F67 fault in the dam site of Fengman Hydropower Station. The test results show that the deformation and shear law of each test point is good, which is basically consistent with the actual condition of the measured rock mass. However, due to the limited number of measurements, the results are limited in terms of macroscopic representation. The experimental results provide scientific basis for subsequent engineering design and further enhance the understanding of mechanical properties of fault gouges.
Experimental study on bending mechanical properties of moso bamboo
Authors: Deng Yousheng , Peng Chengpu
Published: July 2021

Moso bamboo, as an environmentally friendly material, has become a research hotspot in civil engineering circles, and its good mechanical properties make it have great potential in civil engineering applications. To take full advantage of moso bamboo, a series of bending tests were carried out on bamboo pipes (RBP), hollow bamboo pipes (HBP, without bamboo membrane) and bamboo pipes with concrete(BPC), and analyzed such as bending strength, flexural bearing capacity, deformation law, failure characteristics and other test results. The results showed that the smaller the diameter of moso bamboo is, the greater the bending strength and elastic modulus are; the maximum strain of BPC is 2.5 times the HBP, the distribution of strain along cross section is linear; RBP, HBP, and BPC show different failure pattern; there is a little difference between RBP and HBP that come from the same moso bamboo and have a similar diameter in limit capacity, bending strength, and elastic modulus; the flexural bearing capacity of BPC is 2.4 times the HBP, the bending strength is 1.7 times, the composite structure is effectively enhanced by concrete. The test results can provide references for the application of bamboo in landslide treatment, the supporting structure of the foundation, and other engineering.
Discussion on upgrading construction of environmental protection hotline driven by AI technology
Authors: Wang Bin , Li Jian , Sun Shengnan , Wang Lu , Wan Xiaoyuan , Yu Zheying
Published: July 2021

Enhancing the public’s awareness of environmental protection is an important measure to achieve the goal of carbon peak and carbon neutrality. This article takes the improvement of public participation in environmental protection as the starting point, discusses the enthusiasm of the public in environmental protection and its legal channels for reporting and complaining of environmental pollution, summarizes the achievements and existing problems of the construction of complaint channels, and proposes to improve environmental protection reports. Channel countermeasures and suggestions, build a reporting channel of environmental protection with temperature through artificial intelligence technology, increase public awareness and willingness to participate, and promote the development of environmental protection.
Measurement and convergence analysis of agricultural green development level in China
Authors: Hui He , Xiumin Wu
Published: July 2021

Based on the panel data of 30 provinces and regions (except Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao and Tibet) from 2010 to 2019, this paper measures the green development level of agriculture in China by using critic-entropy weight combined weight method, and then uses σ convergence and absolute β convergence methods to test its change trend. Based on the research conclusions, countermeasures and suggestions were put forward to make up for the shortcomings, promote the exchange and cooperation between provinces and regions, and narrow the differences between provinces, in order to provide reference for policy formulation and promote the green development of agriculture in China.
Research on Green Energy Internet Planning Model
Authors: Pan Kan , Li Anrui , Yang Zheng , Nie Yongjie , Geng Zhenwei , Wen Junjie , Liu Wentao , Wang Shichen , Chen Hui , Huang Zuyuan
Published: July 2021

This paper intends to take power system planning as the main module, while considering the requirements and constraints of natural gas network and transportation network construction and use the energy hub model to analyse the energy transmission and transformation relationship between different networks, to realize the power system, natural gas network, and transportation. Integrated energy system planning for the network. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed PMIES planning method, an improved Garver test system is used for simulation. The system includes a 7-node natural gas network system and a 6-node electric test system. We optimized and analysed the simulated system for model research.
Research on electric vehicle ownership prediction based on BASS model: A case study of Yunnan Province
Authors: Su Shi , Jiang Jiaxin , Yin Chunlin , Hu Jian , Li Ting , Ye Xun , Zhang QiangJian , Ma Weiyun , Liu Siyang
Published: July 2021

In order to forecast the number of electric vehicles in Yunnan Province, based on BASS model, this paper uses extensive analogy method to explore the acquisition of m, p and q model parameters, forecasts the purchasing power of the market, and estimates the innovation coefficient and imitation coefficient from three aspects of high potential scenario, base potential scenario and low potential scenario. The number of new energy electric vehicles in Yunnan Province in three scenarios from 2022 to 2035 is predicted. The forecast results show that under the condition of high potential development, the number of new energy vehicles in Yunnan Province will reach 409,600 in 2022; in the case of benchmark potential development, the number of new energy vehicles will reach 291,400 in 2022; in the case of low potential development, the number of new energy vehicles in Yunnan Province will reach 155,400 in 2022.
A systematic review of sweet potato-derived nutritional products for athletes
Authors: Kostrakiewicz-Gierałt Kinga
Published: July 2021

The sweet potato (Ipomoea batatasL. Lamarck syn.Convolvulus batatasL.) is a perennial, herbaceous climber with tuberous edible roots, and is a major leguminous crop of global importance with widespread applicability and economic value of its products in the global market. The aim of the presented investigations was to review the experimental articles and patents referring to the application of sweet potato-based nutritional products for athletes published in the period 2000–2020. Altogether, 69 patents and 12 experimental articles were included in the analysis. The statistical analysis showed that similar number of inventions was patented in periods 2000–2005, 2006–2010, 2011–2015 and 2016–2020. Generally, the inventors patented food supplements in different forms (e.g.bars, beverages, powders, snacks, tablets). Other authors invented methods of extraction and application of sweet potato constituents such as carbohydrates (i.a.slowly digestible starch) and polyphenols (i.a.anthocyanins). The empirical articles evidenced wide acceptability of sweet potato products due to their beneficial effects on health and performance such as improvement of cardiopulmonatory functions, prolongation of physical performance and recovery from fatigue. Despite growing interest in the application of sweet potato constituents in nutritional products for athletes, further investigations are highly desirable.
Cultural Divergence in popular music: the increasing diversity of music consumption on Spotify across countries
Authors: Bello Pablo , Garcia David
Published: July 2021

The digitization of music has changed how we consume, produce, and distribute music. In this paper, we explore the effects of digitization and streaming on the globalization of popular music. While some argue that digitization has led to more diverse cultural markets, others consider that the increasing accessibility to international music would result in a globalized market where a few artists garner all the attention. We tackle this debate by looking at how cross-country diversity in music charts has evolved over 4 years in 39 countries. We analyze two large-scale datasets from Spotify, the most popular streaming platform at the moment, and iTunes, one of the pioneers in digital music distribution. Our analysis reveals an upward trend in music consumption diversity that started in 2017 and spans across platforms. There are now significantly more songs, artists, and record labels populating the top charts than just a few years ago, making national charts more diverse from a global perspective. Furthermore, this process started at the peaks of countries’ charts, where diversity increased at a faster pace than at their bases. We characterize these changes as a process of Cultural Divergence, in which countries are increasingly distinct in terms of the music populating their music charts.
3D bioprinting of stem cell-laden cardiac patch: A promising alternative for myocardial repair
Authors: Das Sanskrita , Nam Hyoryung , Jang Jinah
Published: July 2021

Stem cell-laden three-dimensional (3D) bioprinted cardiac patches offer an alternative and promising therapeutic and regenerative approach for ischemic cardiomyopathy by reversing scar formation and promoting myocardial regeneration. Numerous studies have reported using either multipotent or pluripotent stem cells or their combination for 3D bioprinting of a cardiac patch with the sole aim of restoring cardiac function by faithfully rejuvenating the cardiomyocytes and associated vasculatures that are lost to myocardial infarction. While many studies have demonstrated success in mimicking cardiomyocytes' behavior, improving cardiac function and providing new hope for regenerating heart post-myocardial infarction, some others have reported contradicting data in apparent ways. Nonetheless, all investigators in the field are speed racing toward determining a potential strategy to effectively treat losses due to myocardial infarction. This review discusses various types of candidate stem cells that possess cardiac regenerative potential, elucidating their applications and limitations. We also brief the challenges of and an update on the implementation of the state-of-the-art 3D bioprinting approach to fabricate cardiac patches and highlight different strategies to implement vascularization and augment cardiac functional properties with respect to electrophysiological similarities to native tissue.
Low noise, tunable silicon photonic lasers
Authors: Malik A. , Xiang C. , Chang L. , Jin W. , Guo J. , Tran M. , Bowers J.
Published: July 2021

Silicon photonics is a truly disruptive technology that has grown tremendously in the past two decades. It has now become a recognized leader in the next generation of consumer products. These future products require realizing complex optical functionalities—chief among which is an on-chip laser. Low noise and wide tuning range are the two main important characteristics of an on-chip laser as the components required to achieve these characteristics constitute the bulk of current benchtop lasers. In this paper, we review the impact of silicon photonic chips on dramatically improving the tuning range and the noise characteristics. Two different types of technologies are reviewed— heterogeneous integration by wafer bonding and hybrid integration by butt-coupling. We cover the two most important wavelength bands for optical communications—O-band for data communication applications and C-band for telecom applications.
Thermodynamic profile of mutual subunit control in a heteromeric receptor
Authors: Schirmeyer Jana , Hummert Sabine , Eick Thomas , Schulz Eckhard , Schwabe Tina , Ehrlich Gunter , Kukaj Taulant , Wiegand Melanie , Sattler Christian , Schmauder Ralf , Zimmer Thomas , Kosmalla Nisa , Münch Jan , Bonus Michele , Gohlke Holger , Benndorf Klaus
Published: July 2021

Significance

Membrane receptors control innumerous essential functions of living cells and are proven drug targets for pharmacological interventions. Many receptors are composed of a number of subunits and contain multiple binding sites for ligands, resulting in intricate mechanisms of subunit activation. To understand these mechanisms, the subunit action is usually modeled by allosteric schemes assuming a fixed subunit cooperativity. Here, we use subunit concatenation, binding-site mutations, and global mathematical analyses to study the interaction of the individual subunits in heterooligomeric olfactory cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels, which are composed of three types of subunits. Our analyses provide a detailed thermodynamic profile for these interactions upon channel activation, and they can be applied to any other oligomeric ion channel and receptor.
Coordinating, communicating, and combining languages in local immersion education policy reform in Finland
Authors: Bergroth Mari
Published: July 2021

The aim of this article is to examine local enactment of new curriculum policy, paying special attention to combining the language of instruction in the school (Finnish) and the immersion language (Swedish) in an early total one-way Swedish immersion programme in Finland at a programmatic level. The study combines ethnography with educational language policy by focusing on coordinative and communicative discourses surrounding local immersion curriculum. The participatory observation data consist of 36 hours of audio-recorded curriculum working group meetings with immersion teachers and researchers. The findings showed that the curriculum task assigned to municipalities and cities providing immersion education was extensive. They also revealed how discursively oriented policy research on immersion education opens up new ways to develop immersion education. The actual curriculum decisions implied that the Swedish portion of the immersion programme is multilingual and rich in connections between multiple languages, contesting the common belief of monolingual practices in immersion instruction.
Task engagement and comprehensibility in interaction
Authors: Trofimovich Pavel , Tekin Oguzhan , McDonough Kim
Published: July 2021

This exploratory study examined the relationship between second language (L2) English speakers’ comprehensibility
and their interactional behaviors as they engaged in a conversation with fellow L2 speakers. Thirty-six pairs of L2 English
university students completed a 10-minute academic discussion task and subsequently rated each other’s comprehensibility.
Transcripts of their conversation were coded for eight measures of task engagement, including cognitive/behavioral engagement
(idea units, language-related episodes), social engagement (encouragement, responsiveness, task and time management,
backchanneling, nodding), and emotional engagement (positive affect). Speakers who showed more encouragement and nodding were
perceived as easier to understand, whereas those who produced more frequent language-focused episodes and demonstrated more
responsiveness were rated as harder to understand. These findings provide initial evidence for an association between L2 speakers’
interactional behaviors and peer-ratings of comprehensibility, highlighting L2 comprehensibility as a multifaceted and
interaction-driven construct.
Stylistic variation in Hebrew reading tasks
Authors: Gafter Roey J.
Published: July 2021

One of the core assumptions of the sociolinguistic interview methodology is that read speech tasks may be used to elicit more standard variants from a speaker. This link between reading and standardness, however, is a socially constructed relationship that may differ across cultures. Standard language ideologies in Israel differ from those in well-studied English speaking communities, and exhibit a complex tension between the notions of standardness and correctness. Drawing on a corpus of sociolinguistic interviews of 21 Hebrew speakers, this paper analyzes the variation in two Hebrew morpho-phonological variables. The results show a pattern of use that differs from the cline typically observed, which suggests that Hebrew speakers have a specialized reading register that recruits distinctive stylistic resources. These findings highlight the nature of reading as a stylistic performance that may manifest differently according to local language ideologies.
Flower structure and development in Pennantiaceae: uncovering diversity of pseudomonomerous gynoecia in the basal grade of the order Apiales
Authors: Karpunina Polina V , Ford Kerry A , Oskolski Alexei A , Nuraliev Maxim S , Sokoloff Dmitry D
Published: July 2021

Pseudomonomerous gynoecia with three (or four) carpels are unknown in the species-rich core group of Apiales, but this condition is shared by three species-poor families (Pennantiaceae, Torricelliaceae, Griseliniaceae) that form the basal grade of the order. Testing a hypothesis on the ancestral nature of carpel dimorphism in Apiales requires comparative data for all three lineages in this grade. We provide the first detailed description of flowers, including floral vasculature and gynoecium development, in a member of Pennantiaceae (Pennantia corymbosa). In contrast to many other Apiales, the inflorescence of Pennantia is paniculate and therefore has an unstable number of phyllomes in axes terminated by flowers. All phyllomes in the inflorescence are shifted onto lateral branches they subtend exhibiting recaulescence, a pattern that has not been reported elsewhere in Apiales. Plants are dioecious with functionally unisexual flowers. There are normally five stamens alternating with five petals. Anthers are present and produce pollen in stamens of male as well as female flowers, but ventral microsporangia are reduced in some anthers of female flowers. Anther morphology sometimes varies even among stamens of the same flower. Two types of synthecal anthers are recorded. Pollen dimorphism is confirmed: inaperturate pollen produced by stamens of female flowers supposedly acts as the only reward for pollinators in the absence of nectaries. The gynoecium of the female flower is syncarpous and pseudomonomerous: only one of three carpels is fertile. The gynoecium is initiated as three carpel primordia (future stigmas). One of them is smaller than the other two and occupies an alternistaminal (and antepetalous) position. The two large carpel primordia are located in the radii of stamens that are generally smaller (early in development) than the three other stamens. The carpel dimorphism is maintained at anthesis. The carpel with the smaller stigma is fertile, and those with larger stigmas are sterile. The carpels are congenitally united below the stigmas. The ovary is superior, unilocular (vs. inferior and plurilocular in Torricelliaceae and Griseliniaceae) and usually uniovulate with pendent ovule(s) inserted at the cross-zone level of the fertile carpel. As in most other Apiales, the short symplicate zone is sealed by postgenital fusion at anthesis and forms an internal compitum. The fertile carpel of the members of the basal grade of Apiales investigated so far is uniformly arranged in a petal radius. This is consistent with the idea that pseudomonomery is associated with stable patterns of flower groundplan in Apiales. Our data do not provide any clear structural or developmental evidence of independent origins of carpel dimorphism in Pennantiaceae, Torricelliaceae and Griseliniaceae.
The year 2020 in the European Heart Journal – Cardiovascular Imaging: part I
Authors: Edvardsen Thor , Donal Erwan , Marsan Nina A , Maurovich-Horvat Pál , Dweck Marc R , Maurer Gerald , Petersen Steffen E , Cosyns Bernard
Published: July 2021

The European Heart Journal – Cardiovascular Imaging was launched in 2012 and has during these 9 years become one of the leading multimodality cardiovascular imaging journals. The journal is currently ranked as number 20 among all cardiovascular journals. Our journal is well established as one of the top cardiovascular journals and is the most important cardiovascular imaging journal in Europe. The most important studies published in our Journal in 2020 will be highlighted in two reports. Part I of the review will focus on studies about myocardial function and risk prediction, myocardial ischaemia, and emerging techniques in cardiovascular imaging, while Part II will focus on valvular heart disease, heart failure, cardiomyopathies, and congenital heart disease.
“What Keeps Me Awake at Night”: Assisted Living Administrator Responses to COVID-19
Authors: Kyler-Yano Jason Z , Tunalilar Ozcan , Hasworth Serena , Kohon Jacklyn , Winfree Jaclyn , Wilton Riley , Tuttle Aliza , Carder Paula
Published: July 2021

Background and Objectives

Assisted living (AL) constitutes an important sector of residential long-term care, yet there has been limited research about the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in this setting. This qualitative study sought to understand the impact of the early stages of the pandemic (February–August 2020) from AL administrators’ perspectives.

Research Design and Methods

Semistructured phone interviews were conducted with 40 AL administrators in Oregon. A stratified sampling method emphasizing rurality, profit status, Medicaid acceptance, and memory care designation was used to maximize variation in perspectives. We asked 8 questions aimed at understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their roles and AL residents and their families, as well as AL operations, such as staffing and resource procurement. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and analyzed using an iterative thematic analysis.

Results

We identified 3 themes that characterize AL administrators’ response to COVID-19: emotion and burnout management, information management, and crisis management. Based on their experiences, administrators made suggestions for managing future crises.

Discussion and Implications

Our findings demonstrate the slow-burning but devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in AL communities similar to recent findings in nursing homes. Coupled with the limited resources, perceived external pressures, and the ongoing pandemic, many administrators were managing but not thriving in these domains. AL as a care setting, and the role of administrators, requires more scholarly and policy attention, especially regarding emergency preparedness and response.
Insecticide-treated net distribution in Western Kenya: impacts related to COVID-19 and health worker strikes
Authors: Suiyanka Laurissa , Alegana Victor A , Snow Robert W
Published: July 2021

We examined the impact of coronavirus disease (COVID) mitigation, supply and distribution interruptions on the delivery of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) in Western Kenya. The median monthly distribution of LLINs declined during COVID mitigation strategies (March–July 2020) and during the health worker strikes (December 2020–February 2021). Recovery periods followed initial declines, indicative of a ‘catching up’ on missed routine distribution. Mass community campaigns were delayed by 10 months. These observations offer encouragement for routine net distribution resilience, but complete interruptions of planned mass distributions require alternate strategies during pandemics.
Active neural networks to detect mentions of changes to medication treatment in social media
Authors: Weissenbacher Davy , Ge Suyu , Klein Ari , O’Connor Karen , Gross Robert , Hennessy Sean , Gonzalez-Hernandez Graciela
Published: July 2021

Objective

We address a first step toward using social media data to supplement current efforts in monitoring population-level medication nonadherence: detecting changes to medication treatment. Medication treatment changes, like changes to dosage or to frequency of intake, that are not overseen by physicians are, by that, nonadherence to medication. Despite the consequences, including worsening health conditions or death, 50% of patients are estimated to not take medications as indicated. Current methods to identify nonadherence have major limitations. Direct observation may be intrusive or expensive, and indirect observation through patient surveys relies heavily on patients’ memory and candor. Using social media data in these studies may address these limitations.

Methods

We annotated 9830 tweets mentioning medications and trained a convolutional neural network (CNN) to find mentions of medication treatment changes, regardless of whether the change was recommended by a physician. We used active and transfer learning from 12 972 reviews we annotated from WebMD to address the class imbalance of our Twitter corpus. To validate our CNN and explore future directions, we annotated 1956 positive tweets as to whether they reflect nonadherence and categorized the reasons given.

Results

Our CNN achieved 0.50 F1-score on this new corpus. The manual analysis of positive tweets revealed that nonadherence is evident in a subset with 9 categories of reasons for nonadherence.

Conclusion

We showed that social media users publicly discuss medication treatment changes and may explain their reasons including when it constitutes nonadherence. This approach may be useful to supplement current efforts in adherence monitoring.
Protein phosphatase 6 promotes neurite outgrowth by promoting mTORC2 activity in N2a cells
Authors: Kitamura Nao , Fujiwara Nobuyuki , Hayakawa Koji , Ohama Takashi , Sato Koichi
Published: July 2021

Understanding the molecular mechanism of neuronal differentiation is important to overcome the incurable diseases caused by nervous system damage. Neurite outgrowth is prerequisite for neuronal differentiation and regeneration, and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) is one of the major transcriptional factors positively regulating this process. Neuronal differentiation stimuli activate mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 2 (mTORC2)/Akt signalling to phosphorylate CREB; however, the precise molecular mechanism of this event has not been fully understood. In this manuscript, we show that neuronal differentiation stimuli increased a protein level of protein phosphatase 6 (PP6), a member of type 2A Ser/Thr protein phosphatases. PP6 knockdown suppressed mTORC2/Akt/CREB signalling and results in failure of neurite outgrowth. SIN1 is a unique component of mTORC2 that enhances mTORC2 activity towards Akt when it is in dephosphorylated form. We found PP6 knockdown increased SIN1 phosphorylation. These data suggest that PP6 may positively regulate neurite outgrowth by dephosphorylating SIN1 to activate mTORC2/Akt/CREB signalling.