bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inequalities in heart failure care in a tax‐financed universal healthcare system: a nationwide population‐based cohort study
Authors: Schjødt Inge , Johnsen Søren P. , Strömberg Anna , Valentin Jan B. , Løgstrup Brian B.
Published: August 2020

Aims

Data on socioeconomic‐related differences in heart failure (HF) care are sparse. Inequality in care may potentially contribute to a poor clinical outcome. We examined socioeconomic‐related differences in quality of HF care among patients with incident HF with reduced ejection fraction (EF) (HFrEF).

Methods and results

We conducted a nationwide population‐based cohort study among patients with HFrEF (EF ≤40%) registered from January 2008 to October 2015 in the Danish Heart Failure Registry, a nationwide registry of patients with a first‐time primary HF diagnosis. Associations between individual‐level socioeconomic factors (cohabitation status, education, and family income) and the quality of HF care defined by six guideline‐recommended process performance measures [New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification, treatment with angiotensin‐converting‐enzyme inhibitors (ACEI)/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), beta‐blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, exercise training, and patient education] were assessed using multiple imputation and multivariable logistic regression controlling for potential confounders. Among 17 122 HFrEF patients included, 15 290 patients had data on all six process performance measures. Living alone was associated with lower odds of NYHA classification [adjusted OR (aOR) 0.81; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.72–0.90], prescription of ACEI/ARB (aOR 0.76; 95% CI: 0.68–0.88) and beta‐blockers (aOR 0.84; 95% CI: 0.76–0.93), referral to exercise training (aOR 0.75; 95% CI: 0.69–0.81), and patient education (aOR 0.73; 95% CI: 0.67–0.80). Compared with high‐level education, low‐level education was associated with lower odds of NYHA classification (aOR 0.93; 95% CI: 0.79–1.11), treatment with ACEI/ARB (aOR 0.99; 95% CI: 0.81–1.20) and beta‐blockers (aOR 0.93; 95% CI: 0.79–1.09), referral to exercise training (aOR 0.73; 95% CI: 0.65–0.82), and patient education (aOR 0.86, 95% CI: 0.75–0.98). An income in the lowest tertile was associated with lower odds of NYHA classification (aOR 0.67; 95% CI: 0.58–0.79), prescription of ACEI/ARB (aOR 0.80, 95% CI: 0.67–0.95) and beta‐blockers (aOR 0.88, 95% CI: 0.86–1.01), referral to exercise training (aOR 0.59, 95% CI: 0.53–0.64), and patient education (aOR 0.66; 95% CI: 0.59–0.74) compared with an income in the highest tertile. Overall, no systematic differences were seen when the analyses were stratified by sex and age groups.

Conclusions

Living alone, low‐level education, and income in the lowest tertile were associated with reduced use of recommended processes of HF care among Danish HFrEF patients with a first‐time primary HF diagnosis. Efforts are warranted to ensure guideline‐recommended HF care to all HFrEF patients, irrespective of socioeconomic background.
Oxidation Kinetics of Magnesium‐Manganese Oxides for High‐Temperature Thermochemical Energy Storage
Authors: Randhir Kelvin , King Keith , Petrasch Joerg , Klausner James
Published: August 2020

In this article, the high‐temperature (≥1000 °C) oxidation kinetics of porous magnesium‐manganese oxide structures considered for large‐scale thermochemical energy storage are determined. For this analysis, oxides with Mn/Mg molar ratios of 2/3, 1/1, and 2/1 are synthesized via solid‐state reaction and crushed to a powder with particle sizes ranging from 125 to 180 μm. The powder is thermally reduced at 1500 °C inside a heated alumina tube under argon flow. Subsequently, the resulting porous bed is oxidized at temperatures between 1000 and 1500 °C with an oxygen to argon molar ratio of 1:4 (leading to an oxygen partial pressure of 0.2 atm). An Arrhenius‐type kinetic rate law is derived using the theory of internal oxidation assuming spherical particles. Subsequently, the kinetic rate law parameters are identified by comparing measured oxygen flow at the reactor outlet to the oxygen output computed using a 1D plug flow reactor model incorporating the postulated kinetic model. Results indicate that the derived bulk kinetic rate law describes the measured oxidation kinetics well and is suited for designing thermochemical energy storage modules based on magnesium‐manganese oxides.
Flexible High‐Efficiency Corrugated Monocrystalline Silicon Solar Cells for Application in Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Payload Transportation
Authors: El-Atab Nazek , Khan Sherjeel M. , Hussain Muhammad Mustafa
Published: August 2020

In recent years, small unmanned aerial vehicles (SUAVs) have proven to be exceptionally useful. However, most of the commercially available drones are electric powered and therefore have a short endurance. Solar‐powered UAVs have recently received increased attention due to their ability to fly continuously for several days using solar energy. For this purpose, solar cells must show high efficiency, lightweight, and ultraflexibility to be fully compliant with the drone wings/body and avoid degrading their aerodynamic characteristics. Nevertheless, previous demonstrations used rigid/semi‐flexible cells. Herein, corrugated ultraflexible silicon solar cells (19% efficiency) with a smaller specific weight (645 g m−2, encapsulated) are considered and used. A theoretical comparison between the performances of the corrugated versus commercial semiflexible cells is conducted in terms of flight endurance in “AtlantikSolar” UAV. The results show that due to the ultralightweight of corrugated cells and their ability to expand at higher temperatures without bowing, an enhancement in the flight time up to 19% is achieved compared with the commercial cells which enable heavier payload (7 lbs) transportation. Finally, the corrugated cells (12.5 by 4 cm) are experimentally tested on a small‐sized drone under different conditions indoors and a 10% extended flight is reported.
Evaluation of Acute and Chronic Toxicity of Nickel and Zinc to 2 Sensitive Freshwater Benthic Invertebrates Using Refined Testing Methods
Authors: Wang Ning , Kunz James L. , Cleveland Danielle M. , Steevens Jeffery A. , Hammer Edward J. , Van Genderen Eric , Ryan Adam C. , Schlekat Christian E.
Published: August 2020

The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is reviewing the protectiveness of the national ambient water quality criteria (WQC) for nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) and compiling toxicity databases to update the WQC. An amphipod (Hyalella azteca) and a unionid mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea) have shown high sensitivity to Ni and Zn in previous studies. However, there remained uncertainties regarding the influence of test duration (48 vs 96 h) and the presence and absence of food in acute exposures with the amphipod, and there were also concerns about poor control of amphipod growth and reproduction and mussel growth in chronic exposures. We conducted acute 48- and 96-h water-only toxicity tests to evaluate the influence of feeding and test durations on the toxicity of dissolved Ni and Zn to the amphipod; we also used recently refined test methods to conduct chronic Ni and Zn toxicity tests to evaluate the sensitivity of the amphipod (6-wk exposure) and the mussel (4- and 12-wk exposures). The 96-h 50% effect concentrations (EC50s) of 916 µg Ni/L and 99 µg Zn/L from acute amphipod tests without feeding decreased from the 48-h EC50s by 62 and 33%, respectively, whereas the 96-h EC50s of 2732 µg Ni/L and 194 µg Zn/L from the tests with feeding decreased from the 48-h EC50s by 10 and 26%, indicating that the presence or absence of food had apparent implications for the 96-h EC50. Our chronic 6-wk EC20s for the amphipod (4.5 µg Ni/L and 35 µg Zn/L) were 50 to 67% lower than the 6-wk EC20s from previous amphipod tests, and our chronic 4-wk EC20s for the mussel (41 µg Ni/L and 66 µg Zn/L) were similar to or up to 42% lower than the 4-wk EC20s from previous mussel tests. The lower EC20s from the present study likely reflect more accurate estimates of inherent sensitivity to Ni and Zn due to the refined test conditions. Finally, increasing the chronic test duration from 4 to 12 wk substantially increased the toxicity of Zn to the mussel, whereas the 4- and 12-wk Ni effect needs to be re-evaluated to understand the large degree of variation in organism responses observed in the present study. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:2256–2268. © 2020 SETAC
Modelling of geodynamic regimes of precious metal‐bearing porphyry deposits: Lazurnoe deposit (Sikhote–Alin Belt, Far East) case study
Authors: Shevyrev Sergei , Carranza Emmanuel John M.
Published: August 2020

The research site includes part of the East Asian region within areas of South‐East Russia and the boundary part of North‐East China. The region has abundant precious metal deposits: gold and platinum group elements. The spatial distribution of these deposits is controlled by details of crustal and mantle geodynamics including the presence of faults of different types and kinematics, active plume, as well as by the position of the region above a stagnant oceanic slab. Spatial analysis of position, geodynamics, and synchronous formation of the largest East Asian gold districts (e.g., Aldan, Baley, and Jiaodong) and platinum‐bearing massifs provide insights to their connection with mantle plumes and permeable zones at stagnant slabmargins. The occurrence of ore deposits and mineralization of precious metals inside the slab area is related to disjunctive structures of lower crust and upper mantle, such that their resources are considerably lower. This article considers numerical modeling of permeable tectonic structures exposed into mantle upwelling along active continental margins inside the slab area. Small‐scale structures of this type potentially hold two‐phase alkaline massifs, which control the positions of intra‐slab ore deposits, like the Lazurnoe Au–Mo–Cu porphyry deposit, situated in the southern part of the Sikhote–Alin belt. The small sizes of similar massifs impede their discovery, emphasizing the importance of the proposed prospective model for precious metal‐bearing porphyry deposits in Western Pacific mobile belts.
Culture from overseas and corporate transparency: Evidence from China
Authors: Hao Ying , Han Danni , Ning Chong , Liao Jianhui
Published: August 2020

We study how cultural norms from overseas affect corporate transparency. Using cultural background information on board directors, we document that corporations with directors with culture from overseas have greater corporate transparency. Specifically, we show that firms with directors with foreign cultural background have more voluntary information disclosure, more analyst coverage, more accurate earnings forecast and less earnings management. Moreover, these firms are more likely to choose Big 4 auditors. We also find that the relationship between culture from overseas and corporate transparency are more strongly positive when the directors have foreign experience from more incorruptible countries or districts. Our findings provide evidence on how directors spread transparency cultural norms rooted in their hearts to firms in developing countries.
Validation of the difficulties with emotion regulation scale in a sample of trauma‐exposed Black women
Authors: Mekawi Yara , Watson‐Singleton Natalie N. , Dixon Hayley D. , Fani Negar , Michopoulos Vasiliki , Powers Abigail
Published: August 2020

Background

The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) is commonly used to assess dimensions of emotion dysregulation, including emotion nonacceptance, limited strategies, and difficulty with goal‐directed behavior, impulse control, and emotional clarity. Despite considerable work examining the DERS' factor structure, reliability, and validity, there is limited psychometric support for its use with Black women.

Objectives

(1) Examine the factor structure of the DERS; (2) Compare fit of short‐form versions; and (3) Assess whether scores differ based on diagnoses.

Method

Sample consisted of Black women (n = 667) recruited in urban, community hospital setting.

Results

The DERS‐18 correlated traits model without awareness demonstrated the best fit,χ2 (80) = 261.09, root mean square error of approximation = 0.06 [0.05, 0.07], comparative fit index = 0.99, Tucker Lewis Index = 0.98, weighted root mean square residual = 0.89. Additionally, those with current diagnoses of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or major depressive disorder (MDD) reported higher dysregulation (vs. lifetime/no diagnoses). Further, women with comorbid PTSD/MDD reported greater dysregulation (vs. single disorder/no diagnoses).

Conclusions

This study provides evidence supporting the model fit, reliability, and validity of the DERS‐18 for Black women.
Neonatal presentation of COG6‐CDG with prominent skin phenotype
Authors: Komlosi Katalin , Gläser Selina , Kopp Julia , Hotz Alrun , Alter Svenja , Zimmer Andreas D. , Beger Carmela , Heinzel Stefan , Schmidt Christoph , Fischer Judith
Published: August 2020

Many of the genetic childhood disorders leading to death in the perinatal period follow autosomal recessive inheritance and bear specific challenges for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnostics. Often, affected children die before a genetic diagnosis can be established, thereby precluding targeted carrier testing in parents and prenatal or preimplantation genetic diagnosis in further pregnancies. The clinical phenotype of congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) is very heterogeneous and ranges from relatively mild symptoms to severe multisystem dysfunction and even a fatal course. A very rare subtype, COG6‐CDG, is caused by deficiency of subunit 6 of the conserved oligomeric Golgi complex and is usually characterized by growth retardation, developmental delay, microcephaly, liver and gastrointestinal disease, joint contractures and episodic fever. It has been proposed that a distinctive feature of COG6‐CDG can be ectodermal signs such as hypohidrosis/hyperthermia, hyperkeratosis and tooth anomalies. In a Greek family, who had lost two children in the neonatal period, with prominent skin features initially resembling restrictive dermopathy, severe arthrogryposis, respiratory insufficiency and a rapid fatal course trio whole‐exome sequencing revealed the homozygous nonsense mutation c.511C>T, p.(Arg171*) in the COG6 gene. Skin manifestations such as dry skin and hyperkeratosis have been reported in only five out of the 21 reported COG6‐CDG cases so far, including two patients with the c.511C>T variant in COG6 but with milder ectodermal symptoms. Our case adds to the phenotypic spectrum of COG6‐CDG with prominent ectodermal manifestations at birth and underlines the importance of considering CDG among the possible causes for congenital syndromic genodermatoses.
A systematic review and meta‐analysis of children with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19)
Authors: Cui Xiaojian , Zhao Zhihu , Zhang Tongqiang , Guo Wei , Guo Wenwei , Zheng Jiafeng , Zhang Jiayi , Dong Cuicui , Na Ren , Zheng Lisheng , Li Wenliang , Liu Zihui , Ma Jia , Wang Jinhu , He Sijia , Xu Yongsheng , Si Ping , Shen Yongming , Cai Chunquan
Published: August 2020

To provide a comprehensive and systematic analysis of demographic characteristics, clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, and imaging features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in pediatric patients. A meta‐analysis was carried out to identify studies on COVID‐19 from 25 December 2019 to 30 April 2020. A total of 48 studies with 5829 pediatric patients were included. Children of all ages were at risk for COVID‐19. The main illness classification ranged as: 20% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 14%‐26%; I2 = 91.4%) asymptomatic, 33% (95% CI: 23%‐43%; I2 = 95.6%) mild and 51% (95% CI: 42%‐61%; I2 = 93.4%) moderate. The typical clinical manifestations were fever 51% (95% CI: 45%‐57%; I2 = 78.9%) and cough 41% (95% CI: 35%‐47%, I2 = 81.0%). The common laboratory findings were normal white blood cell 69% (95% CI: 64%‐75%; I2 = 58.5%), lymphopenia 16% (95% CI: 11%‐21%; I2 = 76.9%) and elevated creatine‐kinase MB 37% (95% CI: 25%‐48%; I2 = 59.0%). The frequent imaging features were normal images 41% (95% CI: 30%‐52%; I2 = 93.4%) and ground‐glass opacity 36% (95% CI: 25%‐47%; I2 = 92.9%). Among children under 1 year old, critical cases account for 14% (95% CI: 13%‐34%; I2 = 37.3%) that should be of concern. In addition, vomiting occurred in 33% (95% CI: 18%‐67%; I2 = 0.0%) cases that may also need attention. Pediatric patients with COVID‐19 may experience milder illness with atypical clinical manifestations and rare lymphopenia. High incidence of critical illness and vomiting symptoms reward attention in children under 1 year old.
Adaptation and transcultural translation into Spanish of the Patient‐Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation Questionnaire
Authors: Gallego‐Izquierdo Tomás , Ruiz‐Vindel Juan , Ferragut‐Garcías Alejandro , Martínez‐Merinero Patricia , Montañez‐Aguilera Francisco J. , Noriega‐Matanza Concha , Achalandabaso‐Ochoa Alexander , Pecos‐Martín Daniel
Published: August 2020

The purpose of this study was to perform the translation and cross‐cultural adaptation of the Patient‐Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation Questionnaire to Spanish language and evaluate its reliability and validity. The translation and cultural adaptation into Spanish was done in accordance with the published guidelines. One‐hundred fifty Spanish‐speaking patients with unilateral chronic lateral epicondylalgia competed the questionnaire. Test‐retest reliability was established by the intraclass correlation coefficient. Internal consistency was established with Cronbach's α. To establish convergent validity, we used the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire using the Spearman's correlation coefficient. Error estimation in the measurements was calculated with the standard error of measurement. Our results showed a high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = .96) and high test‐retest reliability (intraclass coefficient = .9; .89‐.94; P < .001). The Spearman's correlation coefficient (r = .765; P < .001) showed a good relationship between the Spanish version of the Patient‐Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation Questionnaire and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire. The standard error of measurement (11.9%) showed little variability of measurements. In conclusion, the Spanish version of the Patient‐Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation Questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool that can be used to assess lateral epicondylalgia in Spanish‐speaking individuals in order to implement the best treatment and reduce time with pain and disability.
Frog leg lateral view is a reliable predictor of the prognosis in osteonecrosis of the femoral head
Authors: Cheng Weike , Xian Hang , Wang Lei , Luo Deqing , Huang Zemao , Lian Kejian , Lin Dasheng
Published: August 2020

The location and size of necrotic lesions are primary factors that predict the prognosis in osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). The Japanese Investigation Committee (JIC) classification system, based on the location of the necrotic lesion, has been widely accepted and applied around the world. However, there is no report about whether the location of the necrotic area in lateral view may affect the prognosis predicted initially by the JIC classification. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the location of the necrotic area in the frog leg lateral (FL) view would affect the prediction of prognosis for patients with ONFH. We retrospectively studied 90 hips in 76 patients with ONFH (Ficat stage I to II) after a mean follow‐up of 35.3 months. All patients received standard radiographs including an anteroposterior (AP) and a FL view of the affected hip. The percentage of the necrotic area (necrotic area/whole femoral head area) was measured and compared between AP and FL view. Hips with ONFH were categorized using the JIC classification and the FL view type system, and inter‐ and intraobserver reliability was compared between them. All patients underwent personalized hip physiotherapy, and the cumulative survival rate with subsequent collapse and/or requirement for further hip surgery as the endpoints was evaluated for the two classification systems. The percentage of the necrotic area was found to be significantly greater in the FL views (47.0 ± 1.5%) than that in the AP views (37.7 ± 1.7%, P < .01). Intraobserver reliability in the JIC classification (mean: 0.91, range: 0.85‐0.98) was higher than that in the FL view type (mean: 0.77, range: 0.63‐0.89; P < .01), as well as the interobserver reliability in the JIC classification (mean: 0.74, range: 0.38‐0.87) was higher than that in the FL view type (mean: 0.58, range: 0.31‐0.76; P < .01). Comparisons of survival curves showed that type III in FL view type had the worst prognosis than other two divisions, following the type II. The type I was likely to gain optimal outcomes. These findings provide evidence that the location to which necrosis extended in the FL view is a reliable indicator in predicting the prognosis of ONFH.
Snow microbiome functional analyses reveal novel aspects of microbial metabolism of complex organic compounds
Authors: Zhu Chengsheng , Miller Maximilian , Lusskin Nicholas , Bergk Pinto Benoît , Maccario Lorrie , Häggblom Max , Vogel Timothy , Larose Catherine , Bromberg Yana
Published: August 2020

Microbes active in extreme cold are not as well explored as those of other extreme environments. Studies have revealed a substantial microbial diversity and identified cold‐specific microbiome molecular functions. We analyzed the metagenomes and metatranscriptomes of 20 snow samples collected in early and late spring in Svalbard, Norway using mi‐faser, our read‐based computational microbiome function annotation tool. Our results reveal a more diverse microbiome functional capacity and activity in the early‐ vs. late‐spring samples. We also find that functional dissimilarity between the same‐sample metagenomes and metatranscriptomes is significantly higher in early than late spring samples. These findings suggest that early spring samples may contain a larger fraction of DNA of dormant (or dead) organisms, while late spring samples reflect a new, metabolically active community. We further show that the abundance of sequencing reads mapping to the fatty acid synthesis‐related microbial pathways in late spring metagenomes and metatranscriptomes is significantly correlated with the organic acid levels measured in these samples. Similarly, the organic acid levels correlate with the pathway read abundances of geraniol degradation and inversely correlate with those of styrene degradation, suggesting a possible nutrient change. Our study thus highlights the activity of microbial degradation pathways of complex organic compounds previously unreported at low temperatures.
Subcortical Myoclonus in Coronavirus Disease 2019: Comprehensive Evaluation of a Patient
Authors: Muccioli Lorenzo , Rondelli Francesca , Ferri Lorenzo , Rossini Giada , Cortelli Pietro , Guarino Maria
Published: August 2020

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Penetrance of Glucocerebrosidase (GBA) Mutations in Parkinson's Disease: A Kin Cohort Study
Authors: Balestrino Roberta , Tunesi Sara , Tesei Silvana , Lopiano Leonardo , Zecchinelli Anna L. , Goldwurm Stefano
Published: August 2020

Background

Homozygous glucocerebrosidase mutations cause Gaucher disease, whereas heterozygous mutations are the most important genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD). The penetrance of heterozygous glucocerebrosidase mutations for PD is variable (10%–30%), depends on the population studied, and has only been assessed in Gaucher disease or familial PD. The aim of this study was to assess the penetrance of glucocerebrosidase mutations in PD in unselected PD patients.

Methods

The penetrance of glucocerebrosidase mutations was estimated using the kin‐cohort method.

Results

Data on family history were available for 63 of 123 PD glucocerebrosidase mutation carriers, identified among 2843 unrelated consecutive PD patients. Three hundred eighty‐one first‐degree relatives were analyzed. The risk of developing PD was 10% at 60 years, 16% at 70 years, and 19% at 80 years.

Conclusions

The estimated penetrance of glucocerebrosidase mutations in unselected PD patients is higher than that estimated in Gaucher disease cohorts and lower than that estimated in familial PD cohorts. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Customer‐centric category selection for mobile and print promotions in loyalty reward programs
Authors: von Mutius Bernhard , Huchzermeier Arnd
Published: August 2020

In their loyalty reward programs, large retailers adopt category‐specific targeted promotions as an effective means to increase shoppers' basket values. However, neither the literature nor observed marketing practice provides category selection methods that maximize the promotion's profitability. Hence, we provide a predictive customer‐centric category selection approach based on the return on marketing investment measure that accommodates both fixed and variable promotion costs, captures cherry‐picking effects, and encompasses the retailer's entire category assortment. We use a real‐world promotional data set from a leading German retailer to show that our approach predicts customer responses to these promotions with high out‐of‐sample accuracy tested over time and also across promotion frequencies. We find that the most promising categories in mobile promotions maximize cross‐category profits to curtail cherry‐picking and boost the sales of nonpromoted items—that is, the profitability‐driving part of the profit uplift. In contrast, the different cost structure of print promotions requires that categories achieve a high (but not too high) redemption rate, as cross‐category profit declines, in order to recoup customer contacting costs. Our benchmark analysis reveals that current marketing practice fails to hit the profitability functions' “sweet spot” and can even work against the retailer by producing negative returns.
Food Insecurity, the Home Food Environment, and Parent Feeding Practices in the Era of COVID‐19
Authors: Adams Elizabeth L. , Caccavale Laura J. , Smith Danyel , Bean Melanie K.
Published: August 2020

Objective

This study aimed to describe changes in families’ home food environment and parent feeding practices, from before to during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, and examine whether changes differed by food security status.

Methods

Parents (N = 584) in the US completed a single online survey, reporting on food security, home food availability, and feeding practices both retrospectively (considering before COVID‐19) and currently (during COVID‐19). χ2 and univariate regressions examined associations by food security status.

Results

The percent of families reporting very low food security increased by 20% from before to during COVID‐19 (P < 0.01). About one‐third of families increased the amount of high‐calorie snack foods, desserts/sweets, and fresh foods in their home; 47% increased nonperishable processed foods. Concern about child overweight increased during COVID‐19, with a greater increase for food‐insecure versus food‐secure parents (P < 0.01). Use of restriction, pressure to eat, and monitoring increased, with a greater increase in pressure to eat for parents with food insecurity compared with food‐secure parents (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

During COVID‐19, increases in very low food security and changes in the home food environment and parent feeding practices were observed. Results highlight the need to address negative impacts of COVID‐19 on children’s obesity risk, particularly among those facing health disparities.
Student impression management and academic performance: A moderated mediation model
Authors: Khizar Hafiz Muhammad Usman , Iqbal Muhammad Jawad , Khalid Junaid , Rasheed Hafiz Muhammad Wasif , Akhtar Kalsoom
Published: August 2020

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between students' impression management and their academic performance. Through two independent studies data were collected from 311 graduate students (study‐1), and 183 postgraduate research students and their research supervisors (study‐2) from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) situated in Punjab province of Pakistan. Findings of Study 1 revealed that students employ certain tactics and styles of impression management in their interpersonal interactions with teachers and fellows; moreover, it was found that exemplification, and self‐promotion tactics and authentic acting IM style are positively associated with their academic performance (i.e., GPA). Study 2 shows that research students' use of self‐promotion and exemplification IM tactics are positively associated with their supervisor rated performance through perceived competence. In addition, study 2 revealed that supervisor's perceptions of deceitfulness play the boundary condition role in the relationship between student impression management and its positive outcomes (i.e., perceived competence, and supervisor rated performance) in such a way that the relationships are weaker (vs. stronger) when supervisor perception of impression manager's deceitfulness is higher (vs. lower). Important implications for theory and practice, limitations, directions for future research, and policy guidelines are discussed.
Comparative computational analysis of dispersive mixing in extension‐dominated mixers for single‐screw extruders
Authors: Pandey Vivek , Maia João M.
Published: August 2020

Enhanced dispersive mixing can be achieved by harnessing extension‐dominated flows, because they are more efficient in agglomerate/droplet breakup than shear‐dominated flows. Herein, we compare computationally the performance of two single‐screw extrusion mixing sections with significant extensional flow components, the Chris Rauwendaal dispersive (CRD) mixer and the extensional mixing element (EME), recently proposed by the authors. Tapered slots in the CRD and hyperbolic contractions in the EME attempt to create extensional stresses through significant velocity gradients. Our studies confirm that EMEs are a better dispersive mixer than the CRD mixer, as they impose more intense and uniformly distributed extensional flow in a higher volume fraction of the material, and with less specific mechanical energy consumption. Overall, the EME design with a biaxial contraction was found to be the best dispersive mixer for single‐screw extruders (SSE). The manuscript also summarizes all the existing dispersive mixers for SSE and ranks them relatively for their dispersive mixing capability.
Poison ivy hairy root cultures enable a stable transformation system suitable for detailed investigation of urushiol metabolism
Authors: Lott Aneirin A. , Freed Catherine P. , Dickinson Christopher C. , Whitehead Susan R. , Collakova Eva , Jelesko John G.
Published: August 2020

Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is best known for causing exasperating allergenic delayed‐contact dermatitis symptoms that last for weeks on persons who have contacted the plant. Urushiols are alkylcatechols produced by poison ivy responsible for causing this dermatitis. While urushiol chemical structures are well known, the metabolic intermediates and genes responsible for their biosynthesis have not been experimentally validated. A molecular genetic characterization of urushiol biosynthesis in poison ivy will require stable genetic transformation and subsequent regeneration of organs that retain the capacity synthesize urushiol. To this end, Agrobacterium rhizogenes was used to generate hormone‐independent poison ivy hairy root cultures. Optimal conditions for hairy root formation were skotomorphic poison ivy hypocotyls prick‐inoculated with A. rhizogenes, and preferential propagation of cultures with an atypical clumpy hairy root growth habit. The origin of the poison ivy accession used for A. rhizogenes prick‐inoculation did not affect the initial formation of calli/hairy root primordia, but rather significantly influenced the establishment of long‐term hormone‐independent hairy root growth. A. rhizogenes harboring a recombinant T‐DNA binary plasmid with an intron‐containing Firefly Luciferase gene produced stable transgenic hairy root lines expressing luciferase activity at high frequency. Poison ivy hairy root lines produced significantly lower steady‐state urushiol levels relative to wild‐type roots, but higher urushiol levels than a poison ivy undifferentiated callus line with undetectable urushiol levels, suggesting that urushiol biosynthesis requires intact poison ivy organs. The lower urushiol levels in poison ivy hairy root lines facilitated the first identification of anacardic acid metabolites initially in hairy roots, and subsequently in wild‐type roots as well. This study establishes a transformation hairy root regeneration protocol for poison ivy that can serve as a platform for future reverse‐genetic studies of urushiol biosynthesis in poison ivy hairy roots.
Sliding mode estimation and closed‐loop active flow control under actuator uncertainty
Authors: Bhavithavya Kidambi Krishna , MacKunis William , Drakunov Sergey V. , Golubev Vladimir
Published: August 2020

This article presents a nonlinear closed‐loop active flow control (AFC) method, which achieves asymptotic regulation of a fluid flow velocity field in the presence of actuator uncertainty and sensor measurement limitations. To achieve the result, a reduced‐order model of the flow dynamics is derived, which utilizes proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) to express the Navier‐Stokes equations as a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The reduced‐order model formally incorporates the actuation effects of synthetic jet actuators (SJA). Challenges inherent in the resulting POD‐based reduced‐order model include (1) the states are not directly measurable, (2) the measurement equation is in a nonstandard mathematical form, and (3) the SJA model contains parametric uncertainty. To address these challenges, a sliding mode observer (SMO) is designed to estimate the unmeasurable states in the reduced‐order model of the actuated flow field dynamics. A salient feature of the proposed SMO is that it formally compensates for the parametric uncertainty inherent in the SJA model. The SMO is rigorously proven to achieve local finite‐time estimation of the unmeasurable state in the presence of the parametric uncertainty in the SJA. The state estimates are then utilized in a nonlinear control law, which regulates the flow field velocity to a desired state. A Lyapunov‐based stability analysis is provided to prove local asymptotic regulation of the flow field velocity. To illustrate the performance of the proposed estimation and AFC method, comparative numerical simulation results are provided, which demonstrate the improved performance that is achieved by incorporating the uncertainty compensator.
Coculture techniques for modeling retinal development and disease, and enabling regenerative medicine
Authors: Ghareeb Ali E. , Lako Majlinda , Steel David H.
Published: August 2020

Stem cell-derived retinal organoids offer the opportunity to cure retinal degeneration of wide-ranging etiology either through the study of in vitro models or the generation of tissue for transplantation. However, despite much work in animals and several human pilot studies, satisfactory therapies have not been developed. Two major challenges for retinal regenerative medicine are (a) physical cell-cell interactions, which are critical to graft function, are not formed and (b) the host environment does not provide suitable queues for development. Several strategies offer to improve the delivery, integration, maturation, and functionality of cell transplantation. These include minimally invasive delivery, biocompatible material vehicles, retinal cell sheets, and optogenetics. Optimizing several variables in animal models is practically difficult, limited by anatomical and disease pathology which is often different to humans, and faces regulatory and ethical challenges. High-throughput methods are needed to experimentally optimize these variables. Retinal organoids will be important to the success of these models. In their current state, they do not incorporate a representative retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-photoreceptor interface nor vascular elements, which influence the neural retina phenotype directly and are known to be dysfunctional in common retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration. Advanced coculture techniques, which emulate the RPE-photoreceptor and RPE-Bruch’s-choriocapillaris interactions, can incorporate disease-specific, human retinal organoids and overcome these drawbacks. Herein, we review retinal coculture models of the neural retina, RPE, and choriocapillaris. We delineate the scientific need for such systems in the study of retinal organogenesis, disease modeling, and the optimization of regenerative cell therapies for retinal degeneration.

Significance statement The light-sensitive neural retina is nourished by the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), while the choriocapillaris, a dense capillary network, supplies oxygen and metabolites. Coculture of these tissues is therefore required to understand normal retinal development and disease. Transplanted retinal precursors fail to fully integrate within host tissues and form the normal RPE-photoreceptor and RPE-choriocapillaris interactions which sustain vision. Coculture techniques will enable in vitro optimization of regenerative cell therapies for degenerative retinal diseases, forming a step to successful in vivo transplant experiments. Furthermore, coculture of neural retina, RPE, and choriocapillaris will facilitate the development of transplantable multitissue sheets.
Simultaneously Regulating the Ion Distribution and Electric Field to Achieve Dendrite‐Free Zn Anode
Authors: Zhang Qi , Luan Jingyi , Huang Xiaobing , Zhu Lin , Tang Yougen , Ji Xiaobo , Wang Haiyan
Published: August 2020

Rechargeable aqueous Zn‐ion batteries are promising candidates for large‐scale energy storage systems. However, there are many unresolved problems in commercial Zn foils such as dendrite growth and structural collapse. Herein, Cu mesh modified with CuO nanowires is constructed to simultaneously coordinate the ion distribution and electric field during Zn nucleation and growth. Owing to the improved uniformity of Zn plating and the confined Zn growth in the 3D framework, the prepared Zn anodes can be operated steadily in symmetrical cells for 340 h with a low voltage hysteresis (20 mV). This work can provide a new strategy to design the dendrite‐free Zn anodes for practical application.
Layered Oxide Cathode for Potassium‐Ion Battery: Recent Progress and Prospective
Authors: Zhang Xinyuan , Wei Zhixuan , Dinh Khang Ngoc , Chen Nan , Chen Gang , Du Fei , Yan Qingyu
Published: August 2020

Rechargeable potassium‐ion batteries (KIBs) have demonstrated great potential as alternative technologies to the currently used lithium‐ion batteries on account of the competitive price and low redox potential of potassium which is advantageous to applications in the smart grid. As the critical component determining the energy density, appropriate cathode materials are of vital need for the realization of KIBs. Layered oxide cathodes are promising candidates for KIBs due to high reversible capacity, appropriate operating potential, and most importantly, facile and easily scalable synthesis. In light of this trend, the recent advancements and progress in layered oxides research for KIBs cathodes, covering material design, structural evolution, and electrochemical performance are comprehensively reviewed. The structure–performance correlation and some effective optimization strategies are also discussed. Furthermore, challenges and prospects of these layered cathodes are included, with the purpose of providing fresh impetus for future development of these materials for advanced energy storage systems.
Appearances can be deceptive: bizarre shell microanatomy and histology in a new Triassic turtle (Testudinata) from Argentina at the dawn of turtles
Authors: Sterli Juliana , Martínez Ricardo N. , Cerda Ignacio A. , Apaldetti Cecilia
Published: August 2020

The origin and homology of the turtle shell is one of the most captivating topics in amniote evolution. In this contribution, we present a new species of turtle from the Late Triassic of Argentina whose peripheral plates raise questions about the homology of these bones in turtles. The external morphology of the peripheral plates of Waluchelys cavitesta gen. et sp. nov. (Testudinata, Australochelyidae) is as in any other turtle, however, appearances can be deceptive. Internally, these plates have an unexpected internal cavity. The absence of structural similarities and of ontogenetic or phylogenetic transitional forms between the peripheral plates of W. cavitesta and other testudinatans might suggest that the periphery of turtles represents a case of deep homology. Furthermore, the present and recent findings suggest that the structure and ossification patterns of the periphery of the turtle shell were more plastic and subject to variation than other elements of the shell, at least in the earliest stages of turtle evolution. These findings also suggest that the typical mesochelydian turtle shell could have been acquired in a two‐stage process.
Effect of TiO2 and TiN on the Viscosity, Fluidity, and Crystallization of Fluorine‐Free Mold Fluxes for Casting Ti‐Bearing Steels
Authors: Wang Wanlin , Cai Dexiang , Zhang Lei , Sohn Il
Published: August 2020

TiN inclusions are known to exacerbate slag rimming and nozzle clogging during continuous casting of Ti‐bearing steels. Herein, the effect of TiO2 and TiN on the viscosity and fluidity of a fluorine‐free (F‐free) mold flux, as well as the corresponding precipitated crystalline phase is studied. Higher TiO2 is found to lower the viscosity and increase the strip length of the molten slag at TiO2 contents less than 10 wt%, whereas the viscosity increases suddenly and the strip length decreases rapidly at TiO2 contents above 10 wt%, due to the precipitation of CaTiO3 crystals, resulting in a solid–liquid coexisting melt. TiN has a low solubility in F‐free mold fluxes without MnO additions, and TiN is distributed in the molten slag as solid particles. TiN addition significantly increases the viscosity and shortens the strip length of the molten slag. On the other hand, F‐free mold fluxes containing MnO dissolves TiN into the molten slag through the oxidization of TiN to TiO2. However, beyond the solubility limit of TiN in fluorine‐free mold fluxes containing 5 wt% MnO, excess TiN is not completely dissolved. Then, the precipitation of Ca2Ti2O6 crystals is promoted.
Local bond–slip model for plain surface reinforcement
Authors: Cairns John
Published: August 2020

Nowadays virtually all‐concrete construction uses reinforcement with deformations rolled or indented on the bar surface to improve bond between bar and concrete, but many older structures built with plain surface bars remain in service. The increasing need for assessment of existing construction means there is a continuing need for information on their performance. Research into plain surface bars essentially ceased when ribbed bars became established, and plain bars have consequently been bypassed in developments in understanding and modeling of bond since 1960. The profession's ability to numerically model behavior of concrete structures has expanded dramatically since plain surface reinforcement was discontinued. The option of numerically modeling may be particularly important for assessment of existing structures with noncompliant details. Although the fib Model Code 2010 includes a local bond–slip model for plain surface bars, information on the derivation of the model and supporting evidence of its validation are not available. The current paper analyses data on bond–slip behavior of plain surface bars and demonstrates shortcomings in the fib model. An improved model is proposed and verified against test data from an independent source.
Bilanguaging Love: Latina/o/x Bilingual Students’ Subjectivities and Sensitivities in Dual Language Immersion Contexts
Authors: Pacheco Mariana , Hamilton Colleen
Published: August 2020

Dual language immersion (DLI) education opens possibilities to leverage Latina/o/x bilingual students’ borderlands subjectivities and sensitivities. Yet persistent hegemonic discourses and the instantiation of linguistic and ideological borders in schools denigrate these sensibilities. By drawing on the concepts of bilanguaging and bilanguaging love (Mignolo, 2012), in this study the researchers examine the embodied epistemologies and knowledges a group of Latina/o/x students made visible as they participated in elementary two‐way DLI classrooms. Their analysis reveals first that bilingual students were aware of the linguistic, cultural, and racial and ethnic borders that shaped their Mexicana and Latina identities, but in reifying these borders these Latinas also embodied Spanish, English, and bilingualism in ways that their White peers did not. Second, the researchers analyze relationships, ways of being, and knowledges Latina/o/x bilingual students employed as they supported their peers through the challenges and discomfort around being between languages. These findings challenge views of bilingual students as Other, particularly those of Mexican and Latina/o/x backgrounds whose subjectivities are shaped by modern and colonial projects seeking to manage linguistic difference. Drawing on bilanguaging love as an equity‐oriented guiding principle, the authors argue that DLI can counter these oppressive conditions by elevating these students’ borderlands epistemologies and knowledges in schools.
Soil apparent electrical conductivity‐directed sampling design for advancing soil characterization in agricultural fields
Authors: Longo Matteo , Piccoli Ilaria , Minasny Budiman , Morari Francesco
Published: August 2020

The “4 per 1,000” initiative calls for land management practices that increase soil organic C (SOC). Despite an imperative for accurate SOC measurement, several methodological issues may complicate the verification of C sequestration. The aim of this work is to evaluate the potential advantages of using apparent electrical conductivity (ECa)‐directed sampling to deep (0–90 cm) SOC stock assessment. We compared simple random sampling (SRS) and stratified random sampling (StSRS), with either a fixed or optimized number of samples, in fields managed under conservation agriculture and conventional tillage. The stratification in StSRS was built from ECa maps that showed two different soil conditions—the presence or absence (high‐salinity conditions) of a strong correlation between ECa and soil properties. Treatment and sampling design effects on SOC estimates were tested through a mixed‐model approach. Sampling efficiency was calculated by classical and bootstrap methods. Results suggested that when ECa has a strong relationship with soil properties, StSRS was more efficient than SRS, especially when using an optimal number of samples per stratum. Stratification was based on ECa maps of the no‐till site, which allowed a smaller minimum sample size. When stratification failed due to the effect of salinity on ECa, StSRS efficiency was similar to SRS. These results suggest that ECa–directed sampling, regardless of knowing the relationships between ECa and soil properties, is a win‐win solution to advance soil characterization and SOC stock estimation in agricultural fields of the low Venetian plain. However, further research should investigate EC a–directed sampling where strong patterns not related to SOC could lead to inappropriate stratification or suboptimal sample allocation.