bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance improvement potential of integrated process of urea‐adduction and distillation for separation of 1‐octene from F–T synthetic products
Authors: Ren Tongtong , Liu Suli , Li Hong , Chen Jiuzhou , Li Xingang , Zhang Angui , Gao Xin
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

C8 α‐olefins are regarded as top value‐added compounds from Fischer–Tropsch (F−T) products. However, the separation of purified C8 α‐olefins has proven to be a daunting challenge owing to their relative volatility. As the traditional methods for C8 α‐olefins purification are energy‐ and capital cost‐intensive, an efficient method for the separation of n‐hydrocarbons and iso‐hydrocarbons will provide a valuable and more sustainable alternative to address these challenges.

RESULTS

In the urea‐adduction method, the purity of 1‐octene was increased from 96.02 to 98.04 wt%, and the yield was 93.62 %, which broke the limitation of traditional distillation on the purification of 1‐octene. By combining the urea‐adduction method and distillation, a promising and energy‐efficient integrated separation process was proposed. First, it recovers C8 n‐hydrocarbons through adduction reactions. Second, 1‐octene and n‐octane are separated with integrated distillation technology. The results indicated that this process can be utilized to recover 1‐octene from the C8 fraction of F–T synthetic products with a recovery yield of 93.6 % and an increase in purity from 65.6 to 98.7 wt%. As shown in Fig. 6(b), process modeling demonstrates that it trims energy consumption to 50.1% and total TAC to 55.1% in comparison with the traditional separation process.

CONCLUSION

It was found that the integrated process can produce high‐purity 1‐octene, indicating that the integration process demonstrates clear potential advantages, such as reducing energy consumption and increasing economic value. This approach can be adopted on an industrial scale. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Unmet needs in the management of immune‐mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and the potential role of caplacizumab in the UK—A modified‐Delphi study
Authors: Scully Marie , Dutt Tina , Lester Will , Farrington Emily , Lockwood Stevie , Perry Richard , Holmes Steve
Published: April 2022

Immune‐mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) is an ultra‐rare, blood‐clotting disorder. Management historically relies on plasma exchange and immunosuppression; however, a 10%–20% mortality rate is still observed. Caplacizumab binds to von Willebrand factor and directly inhibits platelet aggregation; addition of caplacizumab to historical treatment induced faster resolution of platelet count in clinical trials. In 2019, a modified‐Delphi study was conducted with UK experts, to develop consensus statements on management of acute TTP and the potential role of caplacizumab. An unmet need was acknowledged, and areas requiring improvement included: time to diagnosis and treatment initiation; time to platelet normalisation (TTPN) during which patients remain at risk of persistent microvascular thrombosis and organ damage; and incidence of subsequent exacerbations and relapses. Caplacizumab addition to historical treatment within 24 h (after confirmatory ADAMTS13 [a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13] assay) would significantly reduce TTPN, which directly influences acute outcomes, with manageable bleeding risk and reduced burden on healthcare systems. Expert panellists agree that poor outcomes in iTTP largely result from failure to rapidly control microvascular thrombosis. Use of caplacizumab during a confirmed iTTP episode could offer better control and may plausibly improve long‐term outcomes. However, this consensus must be validated with further clinical trials and robust real‐world evidence.
Protein X0P338, a GntR‐type pleiotropic regulator for morphological differentiation and secondary metabolites production in Streptomyces diastatochromogenes 1628
Authors: Li Chouqiang , Wang Juan , Lin Hengyi , Zhang Yongyong , Ma Zheng , Bechthold Andreas , Yu Xiaoping
Published: April 2022

The nucleoside antibiotic, toyocamycin (TM) exhibits excellent potent activity against several phytopathogenic fungi. Despite its importance, little is known about key factors regulating TM biosynthesis and morphological differentiation in Streptomyces diastatochromogenes 1628. Based on proteomics data obtained from the analysis between wild‐type (WT) S. diastatochromogenes 1628 strain and mutant strain 1628‐T62 having a low yield of TM, we observed that the differentially expressed protein, X0P338, which was proposed to be a regulator of the GntR‐family, exhibited a higher expression level in S. diastatochromogenes 1628. Therefore, in this study, to explore whether protein X0P338 was involved in morphological differentiation and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, especially TM, the gene called the gntRsd‐encoding protein X0P338 was cloned and overexpressed in WT strain 1628 and mutant strain 1628‐T62, respectively. The results indicated that the overexpression of gntRsd enhanced TM production in both strain 1628 (120.6 mg/L vs. 306.6 mg/L) and strain 1628‐T62 (15.6 mg/L vs. 258.9 mg/L). Besides, the overexpression of gntRsd had positive and negative effects on morphological differentiation in strain 1628 and strain 1628‐T62, respectively. The results also showed opposite effects on tetraene macrolide production during the overexpression of gntRsd in strain 1628 and strain 1628‐T62. Moreover, transcription levels of genes involved in morphological differentiation and secondary metabolites production were affected by the overexpression of gntRsd gene, both in strain 1628 and strain 1628‐T62. These results confirm that X0P338 as a GntR‐type pleiotropic regulator that regulates the morphological differentiation and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, and especially has a positive effect on TM biosynthesis.
Near‐surface soil thermal regime and land–air temperature coupling: A case study over Spain
Authors: Melo‐Aguilar Camilo , González‐Rouco Fidel , Steinert Norman J. , Beltrami Hugo , Cuesta‐Valero Francisco José , García‐García Almudena , García‐Pereira Felix , García‐Bustamante Elena , Roldán‐Gómez Pedro José , Schmid Thomas , Navarro Jorge
Published: April 2022

Understanding the near‐surface soil thermal regime and its connection to the atmospheric state is important for the assessment of several climate‐related processes. However, the lack of in situ soil temperatures measurements limits the analysis of such processes. In this study, we have developed a quality‐controlled soil temperature database for Spain that consists of 39 sites spanning from 1987 to 2018. We have used this database to assess the near‐surface soil thermal regime. Likewise, we evaluate at seasonal to multidecadal timescales the land–air temperature coupling over Spain by analysing the structure of the surface air temperature (SAT) and the ground surface temperature (GST) covariance and also their long‐term evolution. In addition, we have employed the ERA5‐Land reanalysis to test the consistence between observations and reanalysis. The results show that the near‐surface soil thermal structure is dominated by conduction despite some influence of hydrology‐related processes. Regarding the land–air temperature coupling, we have found a strong connection between SAT and GST. However, in the summer months there is an offset in SAT–GST at some sites due to limited evaporation and enhanced sensible heat fluxes. Furthermore, multidecadal SAT–GST decoupling may exist over some sites as a response to decreasing precipitation. The ERA5‐Land represents the observations' climatology well, but it underestimates the summer soil temperature observations and the long‐term trends at some sites.
Not all management is equal: a comparison of methods to increase wood turtle population viability
Authors: Bougie Tiffany A. , Peery M. Zachariah , Lapin Carly N. , Woodford James E. , Pauli Jonathan N.
Published: April 2022

Management generally targets the most tractable life stage to rescue declining populations; however, that stage may not have the largest influence on recovery. Freshwater turtles are declining globally and early stages are frequently targeted for management, although the effectiveness of these actions on population growth are relatively unknown because of incomplete demographic data. We estimated the hatchling yearly survival rate for a freshwater turtle in the field usingin situenclosures to collect missing demographic information. We used these data to develop demographic models to calculate growth rate for a hypothetical, declining population of wood turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) in Wisconsin, USA, 2014–2019. We modeled growth for populations across a range of scenarios from no management to combinations of nest protection and head‐starting at varying levels of effort. Nest protection alone did not increase population growth rate, while head‐starting alone increased population growth by 0.07, with the largest increase in growth rate, 0.11, resulting from combinations of both approaches. No combination of nest protection and head‐starting, without an increase in adult survival rate from the observed 0.88 to ≥0.95, led to population stabilization or increase. Populations of freshwater turtles, like the wood turtle, will likely only recover with a multi‐faceted approach that targets multiple life stages simultaneously.
Evidence‐based program to match MH patients to psychotherapists' strengths
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: April 2022

Following a first‐of‐its‐kind randomized clinical trial revealing that evidence‐based matching improves patients' treatment outcomes, a University of Massachusetts Amherst psychologist and his team are slated to commence the evidence‐based match program with a large mental health network in Philadelphia.
Children's health providers in RI issue emergency call in mental health
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: April 2022

Citing the devastating impacts of COVID‐19 and racial inequities on the mental health of children and adolescents, two Rhode Island health facilities and two professional associations have jointly declared a “state of emergency” in the mental health of the state's young people.
The main reasons why clients discontinue medications
Authors: Greaney Thomas M.
Published: April 2022

The number‐one reason my clients have given for choosing to discontinue taking their medications as prescribed is, ironically, that they felt better. I see it as a shade of what's known as anosognosia — a lack of full awareness of one's illness. Despite my counsel, this feeling of normalcy often led to abrupt and unilateral decisions to cease taking their meds. This choice risked adverse withdrawal symptoms, including seizure, hospitalization and death. These harmful results were often exacerbated by a recurrence of substance use, accentuated by the challenges of reduced tolerance.
Study says antidepressants not as effective in the long term
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: April 2022

Although it is generally well known that depression has a significant impact on patients' health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) over the long term, using antidepressants is not associated with significantly better HRQoL compared with people with depression who do not take the drugs, say researchers of a new study published April 20 in the open‐access journal PLOS ONE.
Spritzguss: Glas wie Kunststoff formen
Authors: Helmer Dorothea
Published: April 2022

Das Verfahren des Freiburger Start‐ups Glassomer bietet neue Möglichkeiten, Quarzglas zu formen. Dabei sinkt zudem der Energiebedarf für die Glasherstellung.
„Das ganze komplexe System ändern“ – Interview mit Peter Seeberger
Authors: Zbikowski Frauke , Remenyi Christian
Published: April 2022

Als Teil des Strukturwandels für die Zeit nach dem Braunkohletagebau sollen in Sachsen zwei Großforschungszentren entstehen. Einer der Anträge in der engeren Auswahl stammt aus der Chemie: das Konzept Chemresilienz des Potsdamer Max‐Planck‐Direktors Peter Seeberger.
Borealis: Für Kunststoff und Recycling
Authors: Bulmahn Maren
Published: April 2022

Borealis aus Wien liefert Polyolefine, andere Kohlenwasserstoffe und Stickstoffprodukte. Im Jahr 2021 hat das Unternehmen vorbereitet, sich vom Stickstoffbereich zu trennen.
Wacker: Mit Silicium und Ethylen
Authors: Bulmahn Maren
Published: April 2022

Wacker Chemie aus München hat das Jahr 2021 mit Bestwerten bei Umsatz und Ergebnis abgeschlossen. Das Unternehmen will die Dividende um 6 Euro pro Aktie erhöhen.
Covestro: Polymerchemie für die Umwelt
Authors: Bulmahn Maren
Published: April 2022

Der Leverkusener Konzern Covestro hat im Jahr 2021 an die 50 Prozent mehr umgesetzt. Daraus folgt der höchste Dividendenvorschlag der Konzerngeschichte: 3,40 Euro je Aktie.
Evonik: Lacke, Klebstoffe und Biodiesel
Authors: Bulmahn Maren
Published: April 2022

Im Jahr 2021 ist beim Spezialchemieunternehmen Evonik mit Sitz in Essen der Umsatz zweistellig gewachsen. Es gibt mehr Chemikerinnen in Führungsetagen, und die Forschungsausgaben sind um 7 Prozent gestiegen.
Die gasanalytische Glasbürette und ihr Erfinder
Authors: Reschetilowski Wladimir
Published: April 2022

Ende des 17. Jahrhunderts begann sich Glas in Gestalt von Glasgeräten in der chemischen Laborpraxis durchzusetzen. Ab dieser Zeit gehörte die Kunst des Glasblasens bei der Entwicklung analytischer Messgeräte zu den Fertigkeiten praktisch arbeitender Chemiker. Einer von ihnen war der Dresdner technische Chemiker Walther Hempel (1851 – 1916).
Der richtige Dreh mit Licht
Authors: Pospech Jola , Mayer Thea S.
Published: April 2022

Lichtinduzierte radikalische Reaktionen helfen, organische Moleküle ressourcenschonend herzustellen. Aus Übergangsmetall‐ und Organokatalyse sind Mechanismen der Substrataktivierung und chiralen Induktion bekannt, die bei thermisch‐ionischen Prozessen zu hoher Enantioselektivität führen. Einige dieser Prozesse eignen sich dazu, Substrate mit Licht zu aktivieren und stereoselektive Produktbildungen zu kontrollieren.
Aspekte des Miteinanders
Authors: Karger Gerhard
Published: April 2022

Vorstandskommissionen und Fachgruppendiskussionen schärfen den Blick auf Zukünftiges.
Wirtschaft Österreich: Vorkrisenniveau überschritten
Authors: Hofinger Sylvia
Published: April 2022

Der Wirtschaftsbericht aus Österreich zeigt für das Jahr 2021 eine allgemein sich beruhigende Wirtschaftslage. Gleichzeitig verweist er auf Unwägbarkeiten der Zukunft.
Mechanically interlocked molecular architectures of valinomycin as cancer targeted prodrugs
Authors: Tachihara Yoshihiro , Nakagawa Yasuhiro , Miyazaki Takuya , Anraku Yasutaka , Cabral Horacio
Published: April 2022

Macrocyclic drugs are promising agents for treating a variety of diseases. However, these compounds usually present delivery limitations, such as low tissue selectivity and poor cellular uptake, which may impair efficacy and clinical translation. Here, we propose a molecular machine approach for delivering macrocyclic drugs based on their assembly into bioactive rotaxanes. To prove this concept, we use the extremely toxic macrocycle valinomycin (Val) as the host molecule, and identify dihydralazine (Dihyd) as a guest molecule after screening several guest compounds. The Val‐Dihyd complex is mechanically interlocked by capping one hydrazide group in Dihyd with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and the other with a Y‐shape branched poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) via a pH‐sensitive hydrazone bond. Thus, the Val‐loaded rotaxanes (Vrot) are stable at physiological pH, but release Val at mild acidic conditions mimicking intratumoral and endosomal environments. In vitro studies revealed Vrot is less cytotoxic than free Val in pancreatic cancer cells, while modifying Vrot with cyclic arginine‐glycine‐aspartic acid (cRGD) peptides promotes the cytotoxicity by enhancing cellular uptake. These results indicate the potential of rotaxanes of macrocyclic drugs for generating cancer targeted prodrugs.
On the effect of nonlinearity and Jacobian initialization on the convergence of the generalized Broyden quasi‐Newton method
Authors: Demeester Toon , Delaissé Nicolas , van Brummelen E. Harald , Haelterman Rob , Degroote Joris
Published: April 2022

This article investigates two aspects of the generalized Broyden quasi‐Newton method that have a major impact on its convergence: the initial approximation of the Jacobian and the presence of nonlinearities in the secant conditions. After reformulating the common representation of generalized Broyden, a straightforward interpretation is given. This leads to a natural extension of the method in which an application‐dependent physics‐based surrogate model is used as initial approximation of the (inverse) Jacobian. A carefully chosen surrogate has the potential to greatly reduce the required number of iterations. The behavior of generalized Broyden depends strongly on the parameter that determines how many secant conditions are satisfied by the Jacobian approximation. Respecting all secant conditions reduces it to Anderson acceleration; a single one to Broyden's original method. An analysis demonstrates that these two variants behave very differently when nonlinearities are present in the secant conditions: they are ignored by Broyden, but can destabilize Anderson. On the other hand, the analysis shows that Broyden tends to neglect small linear information, possibly reducing convergence speed. To mitigate stability problems with Anderson acceleration, a practical method to detect and remove nonlinear secant information is introduced next. Finally, we solve a steady free‐surface‐flow problem using several generalized Broyden variants, testing the influence of the surrogate, the nonlinearities and the combination thereof. The results agree with the theoretical predictions, showing large differences in convergence behavior. Furthermore, the proposed method effectively negates the problems related to nonlinearities in this case.
Review of curing deformation control methods for carbon fiber reinforced resin composites
Authors: Zhang Ce , Zhang Guoli , Xu Jing , Shi Xiao Ping , Wang Xi
Published: April 2022

Under the influence of extrinsic curing conditions and intrinsic properties of carbon fiber reinforced resin composites, the formation of curing deformation is inevitable, which makes the shape of the manufactured components differ from the designed structure, and even exceeds the assembly tolerance, resulting in the scrap of parts. Therefore, it is very urgent and important to optimize the curing deformation of carbon fiber reinforced resin composites. In this paper, the mechanism of stress and curing deformation is reviewed firstly, and then the factors affecting the curing deformation are summarized. In particular, from the point of view of materials in curing process, three curing deformation control strategies, including (i) reinforcement structure optimization, (ii) resin modification and process optimization, (iii) die surface compensation and tool‐part contact optimization, were proposed. And with the development of curing deformation simulation technology, the (iv) inverse design strategy before curing and (v) hot sizing method from the view of after cured were further put forward, respectively. By analyzing the link between processing details and curing deformation, it is found that the dominant factor affecting deformation may change under different conditions, so the interaction between factors needs to be further discussed. Subsequently, the effect of these distortion control methods on curing deformation was analyzed and evaluated, and the shortcomings were pointed out. Finally, the challenges existed in curing deformation research were identified, in order to contribute to the development of curing deformation research.
Influence of calcium carbonate fillers on pine fiber reinforced polyester composites
Authors: Gapsari Femiana , A. Mudjib Sulaiman , Putri Thesya Marlia , Juliano Hans , Djakfar Ludfi , Handajani Rinawati P. , Budio Sugeng P. , Juwono Pitojo T. , Jagadeesh Praveenkumara , Mavinkere Rangappa Sanjay , Siengchin Suchart
Published: April 2022

In the current work, the influence of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) filler loadings on the physical, mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of pine fiber (PF) reinforced polyester composites were analyzed. The fillers loaded PF/polyester composites were fabricated using casting technique. The results revealed that the volume percentage voids in the filler‐loaded composites was less as compared to neat PF/polyester composites due to filler occupancy in the air gaps of fabricated composites. The tensile strength increment in neat PF reinforced composites (10–30 vol%) was prompted by the polyester's ability to wet PF perfectly thereby building a good and dense interfacial bond between the polyester and PFs. However, the elastic modulus and elongation values were higher for filler‐loaded PF/polyester composite (PF3/CCP10). The composite PF3/CCP10 also exhibited maximum flexural and impact strengths due to the ability of filler particles to support the stress transfer between matrix and fiber, also the strong interfacial bonding due to the chemical treatment of PFs. The fillers‐loaded composites exhibited an acceptable hardness value due to the resistance of filler particles against indentation force towards deformation. Fillers improved the thermal resistance of PF reinforced polyester composites, especially the PF3/CCP10 composite having a maximum amount of filers loading. Scanning electron microscopy morphological analysis reveals the strong interfacial adhesion in filler‐based composites with lower void contents, resulting in superior adhesion characteristics between fibers and polyester matrix.
Insurance and geographic variations in non‐invasive prenatal testing
Authors: Ellison Jacqueline , Wang Catharine , Yarrington Christina , Connors Philip , Hanchate Amresh
Published: April 2022

Key points

What is already known about this topic?

Single‐site studies suggest racial, ethnic, and insurance disparities in use of Non‐invasive prenatal testing (NIPT).

Population‐level research from outside the U.S. highlights significant geographic variations in NIPT uptake.

What does this study add?

Enrollees living in zip‐codes with a higher proportion of Black and Hispanic/Latino residents were significantly less likely to receive NIPT.

Enrollees living in zip‐codes with a higher proportion of people living below the federal poverty level (FPL) were significantly less likely to receive NIPT.

Birthing people with Medicaid were five times less likely to receive NIPT than those with commercial coverage.
Trends in antipsychotic use for youth with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder and disruptive behavior disorders
Authors: dosReis Susan , Saini Jannat , Hong Kyungwan , Reeves Gloria , Spence O' Mareen
Published: April 2022

Purpose

To examine trends in off‐label antipsychotic use for youth with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder with and without a comorbid disruptive behavior disorder.

Method

This cross‐sectional study of annual trends from 2007 through 2015 used the IQVIA PharMetrics® Plus for Academics data. We identified 165 794 commercially‐insured youth 3–18‐year‐old who had a diagnosis of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder and classified them into subgroups with and without disruptive behavior disorders comorbidities. Antipsychotic use, with or without a stimulant, was the primary dependent outcome. Logistic regression estimated the odds of antipsychotic use associated with comorbid attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder and disruptive behavior disorders, adjusting for age, sex, study year, and other psychotropic use.

Results

Over 70% of the 165 794 youth with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder were 5–14‐year‐old and male, and 12% had disruptive behavior disorders. Antipsychotic prevalence, with or without a stimulant, was 4.4% in 2007 and 3.4% in 2015. Stimulants with antipsychotics increased significantly from 2007 to 2015 for females (19.5%–28.7%) and youth 15–18‐year‐old (25.9%–32.7%). Adjusting for age, sex, study year, and other psychotropic use, youth with a comorbid disruptive behavior had a 2.5 (95% CI: 2.3, 2.7) higher likelihood of receiving an antipsychotic than youth with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder and no comorbidities.

Conclusions

Antipsychotic use was associated with comorbid disruptive behaviors in youth with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Off‐label antipsychotic use has increased for females and older adolescents.
Iron tailings/ammonium polyphosphate system in rigid polyurethane foam composites to enhance fire safety: a novel strategy for utilization of metallurgical solid waste
Authors: Wang Hao , Xu Zicheng , Yang Yadong , Liu Mengru , Yang Sujie , Wang Bibo , Deng Dan , Liu Xiuyu , Tang Gang
Published: April 2022

Iron tailings (ITs) is a solid waste after mineral processing, but the high value utilization of ITs has always been a problem perplexing the industry. In order to broaden its application field, it was compounded with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) to make rigid polyurethane foam flame retardant. SEM, limiting oxygen index, UL‐94 vertical combustion, TGA, the cone calorimetry test (CCT), thermogravimetric analysis‐Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG‐FTIR) and Raman tests were used to characterize the bubble morphology, flame retardant properties, thermal stability, combustion performance, gas phase products and graphitization degree of the char layer. The TGA indicated that ITs/APP could effectively improve the thermal stability of the composites, and the T5wt% of the composites and the char residue rates at 700 °C were significantly improved. The CCT confirmed that ITs/APP could effectively reduce the thermal damage and non‐thermal damage of the composites, and the peak heat release rate, total heat release and smoke factor were reduced by 29.08%, 19.21% and 36.69%, respectively. The TG‐FTIR test implied that ITs/APP inhibited the release intensity of various gaseous products. The CCT, SEM and Raman tests showed that ITs/APP improved the compactness and graphitization degree of the char residue of the composites, thus improving their flame retardancy. This study provides a theoretical basis and experimental basis for the high value utilization of ITs. © 2022 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution of conducting coordination polymers based on 1,1,2,2‐ethenetetrathiolate
Authors: Chen Zhijun , Cui Yutao , Ye Chunhui , Sun Yong , Zhang Jiajia , Lv Haicai , Deng Liang , Xu Wei , Zhang Qichun , Chen Guangming
Published: April 2022

Electrocatalysis based on metal–organic coordination polymers (CPs) catalyst, especially metal‐1,1,2,2‐ethenetetrathiolate (ett), has received increasing attention due to their high‐electrical conductivity, unique morphology and excellent redox activity. Here, amorphous powder of CPs is synthesized and firmly coated on the surfaces of carbon fiber cloth (CFC), then serves as active electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The operating overpotentials of the poly[Kx(M‐ett)] (Co, Ni or Cu) are 0.43, 0.36, 0.45 V, respectively, at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 with pH = 0, along with the Tafel plot of 144, 153, 329 mV dec−1. Moreover, they show remarkable electrolysis stability under harsh acid conditions. This study extends the HER application of poly[Kx(M‐ett)] coating on CFC surfaces.
Effects of aphid‐induced semiochemicals from cover plants on Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)
Authors: Zhang Liu , Qin Zifang , Zhao Xinxin , Huang Xinzheng , Shi Wangpeng
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is an important natural enemy of aphids. Plant species and plant health conditions can affect the behavior of H. axyridis. To determine plant effects on this lady beetle, we examined beetle responses to four cover crops: coriander (Coriadrum sativum L., Apiales: Apiaceae), marigold (Tagetes erecta L., Asterales: Asteraceae), sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima L., Brassicales: Brassicaceae), and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L., Fabales: Fabaceae). Our goal was to better understand this predator's ovipositional behavior in response to different plants and its olfactory response to the aphid‐induced volatiles from these plants.

RESULTS

We found that this lady beetle did not have any significant oviposition preference among the four plant species, but H. axyridis preferred to lay eggs on the lower surface of leaves, regardless of the plant species. H. axyridis females had a significant preference for aphid‐infested marigolds, but were not attracted by any of the other three cover plants or marigolds without aphid damage. Compared to the uninfested marigold plants, the emission of 12 compounds significantly increased on the aphid‐infested marigolds, and two of them were attractive to H. axyridis under suitable concentrations.

CONCLUSION

H. axyridis did not show any significant oviposition preference among the four cover crops. Aphid‐infested marigolds can attract H. axyridis. Indole and terpinen‐4‐ol mediated lady beetle attraction. These synomones have potential for manipulating populations of H. axyridis as a component of conservation biological control. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Exploring barriers and solutions to encouraging evidence‐into‐use within an embedded evaluation approach: Reflections from the field
Authors: Forbes Claire
Published: April 2022

Despite increasing pressure for policy and practice to adopt a more evidence‐based approach, transferring evidence into use remains a stubborn challenge. This is largely due to a number of researcher‐derived and user‐derived barriers at play within institutions, organisations and systems that constrain active engagement with evidence. This paper contributes to current debates on evidence‐use by suggesting that embedded evaluation approaches might overcome such barriers, through the creation of social capital that can be drawn upon by embedded evaluators to: (i) build trust, confidence and understanding around evaluation and evidence, on the part of local practitioners and policy makers; (ii) develop a co‐productive evidence infrastructure that might draw together diverse stakeholders, as well as encourage user‐engagement with varied forms of evaluation data (both numerical data and rich narrative accounts), to capture the richness of the unfolding story of complex educational initiatives. To illustrate this, this paper presents six reflective vignettes that ponder the barriers, and potential responses sought, within a two‐year exploratory case study that aimed to actively engage local education‐related stakeholders, leading a borough‐wide place‐based initiative, with evidence. Data reported within these vignettes were collected through a series of semi‐structured interviews, supplemented by an embedded evaluator's field notes and analysed thematically. Although more research is needed, this paper concludes that the embedded evaluation model might have potential to respond to the diverse challenges associated with evidence‐use, by positioning the evaluator in a relationally elastic way that might enable them to embed evidence‐into‐use pathways within policy and practice both actively and iteratively.

Context and implications

Rationale for this study

To present an empirical example of an embedded evaluation approach that has sought to overcome a range of barriers to evidence‐use.

Why the new findings matter

Responding to a lack of consensus around the most effective ways to implement evidence into educational practice, the findings suggest potentially significant solutions to established barriers to evidence‐use.

Implications for

This paper has implications for programme / project leads of place‐based education improvement strategies—both operationally and strategically—in demonstrating how embedded evaluation might enable more institutionally relevant and longitudinal evaluation agenda and designs to be co‐produced with a range of education‐related stakeholders, including young people.

This paper also has implications for university‐based researchers and evaluators. In particular, it demonstrates the possibilities that embedded research and evaluation might pose for bridging between the university as a world‐leading research hub and regional education systems and structures, in ways that place evidence at the heart of local policy and practice.
The microstructure and surface characteristics of fluorine‐based copolymer coatings deposited by the static breath method
Authors: Yang Xiaoyue , Liu Qun , Guan Jinping , Li Zhanxiong
Published: April 2022

We constructed a coating with controllable microstructure on the substrate by static breath figure (BF) method. In the atmosphere of water, when the fluorine‐containing 1H,1H,2H,2H‐perfluorooctyl polyacrylate‐block‐polystyrene copolymer (PTFOA‐b‐PS (4 h)) synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization for 4 h was dissolved in carbon disulfide (CS2) and then coated on the silicon wafer, the concentrated pore size and uniform micro‐pore structure was successfully constructed on the surface. However, the hydrophobicity of the resulting microporous coating was not so good. An interesting result is that when the copolymer solution of PTFOA‐b‐PS (2 h) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) was used under the MeOH/H2O atmosphere (the methanol content was 60% or 80%), the microsphere coating can be produced on the substrate surface to obtain the excellent hydrophobicity. The water contact angles (WCAs) were 148.8 ± 1.8° and 150.3 ± 1.8°, respectively. Energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometer (EDS) results showed that the fluorine element was enriched in the outerfield of the microsphere coating. The low surface energy of fluorine combined with the rough and complex structure of the microspheres can effectively improve the hydrophobicity of the coating.
Tracing the Active Phase and Dynamics for Carbon Nanofiber Growth on Nickel Catalyst Using Environmental Transmission Electron Microscopy
Authors: Lyu Yiqiang , Wang Peng , Liu Dongdong , Zhang Fan , Senftle Thomas P. , Zhang Guanghui , Zhang Zhenyu , Wang Jianmei , Liu Wei
Published: April 2022

Benefitting from outstanding ability of CC reforming and hydrogen activation, nickel is widely applied for heterogeneous catalysis or producing high‐quality carbon structures. This high activity simultaneously induces uncontrollable carbon formation, known as coking. However, the activity origin for growing carbon species remains in debate between the on metallic facets induction and nickel carbide segregation. Herein, carbon growth on Ni catalyst is tracked via in situ microscopy methods. Evidence derived from high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy imaging, diffraction, and energy loss spectroscopy unambiguously identifies Ni3C as the active phase, as opposed to metallic Ni nickel or surface carbides as traditionally believed. Specifically, Ni3C particle grows carbon nanofibers (CNF) layer‐by‐layer through synchronized oscillation of tip stretch and atomic step fluctuations. There is an anisotropic stress distribution in Ni3C that provides the lifting force during nanofiber growth. Density functional theory computations show that it is thermodynamically favorable for Ni3C to decompose into Ni and surface‐adsorbed carbon. Carbonaceous deposits aggregate asymmetrically round the particle because partial surface is exposed to the hydrocarbon environment whereas the bottom side is shielded by the support. This induces a carbon concentration gradient within the particle, which drives C migration through Ni3C phase before it exits as CNF growth.
Genetic dissection of seed characteristics in field pennycress via genome‐wide association mapping studies
Authors: Tandukar Zenith , Chopra Ratan , Frels Katherine , Heim Brett , Marks M. David , Anderson James A.
Published: April 2022

Field pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.) is a new winter annual cash cover crop with high oil content and seed yield, excellent winter hardiness, early maturation, and resistance to most pests and diseases. It provides living cover on fallow croplands between summer seasons, and in doing so reduces nutrient leaching into water sources, mitigates soil erosion, and suppresses weed growth. The first ever genome‐wide association study (GWAS) was conducted on a pennycress diversity panel to identify marker trait associations with important seed size and composition related traits. The entire population was phenotyped in three total environments over 2 yr, and seed area, length, width, thousand grain weight, total oil, and total protein were measured post‐harvest with specialized high‐throughput imaging and near‐infrared spectroscopy. Basic unbiased linear prediction values were calculated for each trait. Seed size traits tended to have higher entry mean reliabilities (0.76–0.79) compared with oil content (0.51) and protein content (0.37). Genotyping‐by‐sequencing identified 33,606 high quality genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) that were coupled with phenotypic data to perform GWAS for seed area, length, width, thousand grain weight, total oil, and total protein content. Fifty‐nine total marker–trait associations were identified revealing genomic regions controlling each trait. The significant SNPs explained 0.06–0.18% of the total variance for that trait in our population. A list of candidate genes was identified based on their functional annotations and characterization in other species. Our results confirm that GWAS is an efficient strategy to identify significant marker–trait associations that can be incorporated into marker‐assisted selection pipelines to accelerate pennycress breeding progress.
Evaluation of ocular surface parameters in dogs with and without meibomian gland dysfunction
Authors: Jeong Dajeong , Kang Seonmi , Shim Jaeho , Lee Eunji , Jeong Youngseok , Seo Kangmoon
Published: April 2022

Background

Interest in meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is growing in veterinary medicine. However, research on MGD in dogs is lacking. The aims of this study were to compare the interferometry grades, tear meniscus height (TMH) and non‐invasive tear break‐up time (NIBUT) grades between dogs with and without MGD.

Methods

Routine ophthalmic examination, interferometry, NIBUT assessment, TMH measurement and meibography were performed. Age and Schirmer tear test‐1 (STT‐1) results were compared between the control and MGD groups using Student's t‐test. Interferometry grades, NIBUT grades and TMH were compared between the two groups using Mann–Whitney U‐test.

Results

There was no significant difference in age between the two groups (p = 0.279). STT‐1 (p = 0.024), interferometry (p = 0.004) and NIBUT grades (p = 0.012) were significantly lower in the MGD group than in the control group. No significant difference in TMH values (p = 0.587) was observed between the two groups. While the control group included 18 and seven eyes in meiboscore 0 and 1, in MGD group, 12, eight, five and three eyes were included in meiboscore 0, 1, 2 and 3, respectively.

Conclusions

Low interferometry and NIBUT grades were associated with MGD, suggesting decreased meibum and disrupted tear film quality. TMH did not differ between the two groups. Meibography could aid in the diagnosis of MGD in severe cases, although it could not detect early MGD in the dogs in this study.
Sustainable approach toward novel poly(vinyl chloride) composite using calcite‐rich waste particulates
Authors: Chaturvedi Ranjan , Tyagi Prashant , Gupta Manoj Kumar , Pappu Asokan
Published: April 2022

In this study, flexible poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) composites with two different types of fillers, precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) and marble waste (MW) particulates, were prepared via melt processing. The MW collected from a dumping site, had a particle size of approximately 60 μm and high calcite content. The content of fillers and plasticizer was varied to study the effect on the properties of the composites. It was found that at higher plasticizer content (30 phr), MW afforded up to 9% higher tensile strength compared to PCC, indicating a better interfacial adhesion of MW particulates with the matrix. However, at lower plasticizer content (15 phr), composites with PCC exhibited slightly higher tensile strength. Additionally, at high plasticizer content, the addition of MW up to 10 phr afforded better tensile strength than pure PVC. When the composites were fully submerged in the water for 48 h at elevated temperature (60 °C), composite with MW had a slightly higher water absorption (0.4–1.4%) compared to PCC‐filled composites. Also, composite with higher plasticizer showed elevated water uptake at any particular filler content. The study categorically proves the potential of MW in flexible PVC formulations as a cost‐effective sustainable filler.
The role of zoological institutions in a changing world: A review of the ark and beyond: The evolution of zoo and aquarium conservationBen A.Minteer,JaneMaienschein, andJames B.CollinsChicago, IL.University of Chicago Press,2018,528pp., US$38.00, softcover, ISBN: 978‐0‐226‐53846‐4
Authors: Stadtländer Christian T. K.‐H.
Published: April 2022

Zoos and aquariums are perhaps best known in society for their exhibition of wildlife collections and live animal presentations. However, zoological institutions are involved in additional activities such as animal research and education, providing visitors a stronger connection to animals and nature, advocating for roles in environmental protection, and, last but not least, conservation of endangered species with the option, if feasible, to reintroduce them into the wild. This study provides information not only about the origin of zoos and aquariums but also about their changing role in society. The review is based on the book The Ark and Beyond: The Evolution of Zoo and Aquarium Conservation, edited by Ben A. Minteer, Jane Maienschein, and James B. Collins.
Semantic Interoperability Framework for Digital Finance Applications
Authors: Di Orio Giovanni , Brito Guilherme , Maló Pedro
Published: April 2022

This chapter outlines the theoretical foundation for the design and implementation of the Semantic Interoperability Framework of the INFINITECH project. It details a methodology for semantic models and ontology engineering and prototyping that defines the overall strategy used to design and specify semantic models for digital finance applications. The semantic models are organized hierarchically according to the domain and the specific application and linked to reference ontologies such as the Financial Industry Business Ontology (FIBO), the Financial Instrument Global Identifier (FIGI), and the Legal Knowledge Interchange Format (LKIF). The provided models establish the cornerstone for semantic interoperability within INFINITECH applications while enabling the distributed processing of semantically linked streams.
Heavy neutrino searches through double-bang events at Super-Kamiokande, DUNE, and Hyper-Kamiokande
Authors: Atkinson M. C. , Coloma Pilar , Martinez-Soler Ivan , Rocco Noemi , Shoemaker Ian M.
Published: April 2022

Abstract

A variety of new physics scenarios allows for neutrinos to up-scatter into a heavy neutral lepton state. For a range of couplings and neutrino energies, the heavy neutrino may travel some distance before decaying to visible final states. When both the up-scattering and decay occur within the detector volume, these “double bang” events produce distinctive phenomenology with very low background. In this work, we first consider the current sensitivity at Super-Kamiokande via the atmospheric neutrino flux, and find current data may already provide new constraints. We then examine projected future sensitivity at DUNE and Hyper-Kamiokande, including both atmospheric and beam flux contributions to double-bang signals.
The Siebeck–Marden–Northshield Theorem and the Real Roots of the Symbolic Cubic Equation
Authors: Prodanov Emil M.
Published: April 2022

The isolation intervals of the real roots of the symbolic monic cubic polynomial $$x^3 + a x^2 + b x + c$$

x
3

+
a

x
2

+
b
x
+
c

are determined, in terms of the coefficients of the polynomial, by solving the Siebeck–Marden–Northshield triangle—the equilateral triangle that projects onto the three real roots of the cubic polynomial and whose inscribed circle projects onto an interval with endpoints equal to stationary points of the polynomial.
On-call abdominal ultrasonography: the rate of negative examinations and incidentalomas in a European tertiary care center
Authors: Sluijter Tim E. , Yakar Derya , Kwee Thomas C.
Published: April 2022

Objectives

To determine the proportions of abdominal US examinations during on-call hours that are negative and that contain an incidentaloma, and to explore temporal changes and determinants.

Methods

This study included 1615 US examinations that were done during on-call hours at a tertiary care center between 2005 and 2017.

Results

The total proportion of negative US examinations was 49.2% (795/1615). The total proportion of US examinations with an incidentaloma was 8.0% (130/1615). There were no significant temporal changes in either one of these proportions. The likelihood of a negative US examination was significantly higher when requested by anesthesiology [odds ratio (OR) 2.609, P = 0.011], or when the indication for US was focused on gallbladder and biliary ducts (OR 1.556, P = 0.007), transplant (OR 2.371, P = 0.005), trauma (OR 3.274, P < 0.001), or urolithiasis/postrenal obstruction (OR 3.366, P < 0.001). In contrast, US examinations were significantly less likely to be negative when requested by urology (OR 0.423, P = 0.014), or when the indication for US was acute oncology (OR 0.207, P = 0.045) or appendicitis (OR 0.260, P < 0.001). The likelihood of an incidentaloma on US was significantly higher in older patients (OR 1.020 per year of age increase, P < 0.001) or when the liver was evaluated with US (OR 3.522, P < 0.001).

Discussion

Nearly 50% of abdominal US examinations during on-call hours are negative, and 8% reveal an incidentaloma. Requesting specialty and indication for US affect the likelihood of a negative examination, and higher patient age and liver evaluations increase the chance of detecting an incidentaloma in this setting. These data may potentially be used to improve clinical reasoning and restrain overutilization of imaging.
B cells in autoimmune hepatitis: bystanders or central players?
Authors: Schultheiß Christoph , Steinmann Silja , Lohse Ansgar W. , Binder Mascha
Published: April 2022

B cells are central for the adaptive immune system to mount successful immune responses not only as antibody producers but also as regulators of cellular immunity. These multifaceted features are also reflected in autoimmunity where autoreactive B cells can fuel disease by production of cytotoxic autoantibodies, presentation of autoantigens to autoreactive T cells, and secretion of cytokines and chemokines that either promote detrimental immune activation or impair regulatory T and B cells. The role of B cells and autoantibodies in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) have been controversially discussed, with typical autoantibodies and hypergammaglobulinemia indicating a key role, while strong HLA class II association suggests T cells as key players. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on B cells in AIH and how different B cell subpopulations may drive AIH progression beyond autoantibodies. We also discuss recent findings of B cell-directed therapies in AIH.