bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Islamophobia and Antisemitism are Different in Their Potential for Globalization
Authors: Brekke Torkel ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: April 2021

A widespread assumption in research on prejudice and hate crime is that Islamophobia and antisemitism are analogous phenomena: both travel easily across national and cultural boundaries and adapt to new contexts. This article argues that this assumption is incorrect. Islamophobia works well in very different cultural contexts and shows highly diverse localized expressions. Antisemitism is linked to Christian theology even when expressed in Muslim societies and is not global to nearly the same extent as Islamophobia. The key question is this: how can we understand the cultural conditions for the globalization of antisemitism and Islamophobia? To answer this the article looks briefly at Islamophobia and antisemitism in Chinese and Hindu civilizations and then moves on to introduce the theory of cultural models. Islamophobia is a family of more or less similar cultural models belonging to a range of different cultures across time and space. This is the general answer to the question of why Islamophobia is an intensely globalizing prejudice. Islamophobia should be conceptualized as a number of overlapping cultural models found in various societies. Today, local varieties of Islamophobia seem to come into closer contact, to converge and sometimes to exchange elements as a result of intensifying transnational and global communication.
Specimen size and shape effects on strength of concrete in the absence and presence of steel fibers
Authors:   Bursa Uludag University (Turkey), Mardani Aghabaglou Ali , Husein Bayqra Sultan ,   Bursa Uludag University (Turkey), Nobakhtjoo Amir ,   Istanbul Technical University (Turkey)
Published: April 2021

In this research, the effects of size and shape on compressive and splitting tensile strength of fibrous and non-fibrous concrete specimens with different characteristic strength were investigated. With this aim, both fibrous and non-fibrous 10 different concrete mixtures with 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6 and 0. 7 Water/Cement ratio were prepared. In the fibrous mixture specimens, the total amount of steel fibers to 1% by total volume. In the entire specimens, 42.5 R type Portland cement were used as bonding elements while crushed lime stones in 3 sizes were added to the mixtures. Furthermore, to evaluate the influence of size and shapes over specimens’ strength, for each concrete mixtures two 10 cm and 15 cm cubic specimen beside two 10×20 cm and 15×30 cm cylindrical specimens were prepared as well. The prepared specimens were subjected to compressive and splitting tensile tests. The results showed that, regardless of the fiber amount and specimens’ shapes, the decrease in specimens’ size resulted in higher strength. But in the high ratio of Water/Cement and fibrous mixtures, the mentioned behavior was not observed.
Intrauterine Programming of Adult Disease: Identification of Cardinal Genes Associated with Hypertension, Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Acevedo Monterrosa Iván , Soria Damián A. , Tomat Analía , Elesgaray Rosana , Arranz Cristina , Caniffi Carolina
Published: April 2021

Background: Intrauterine growth restriction is an abnormal fetal development characterized by a fetal growth rate lower than the potential genetic growth for the gestational age. This condition represents a major burden for public health systems, as it increases short and long-term morbidity and mortality in the offspring, particularly because of its association with the development of cardiovascular and metabolic disease in adult life. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to identify possible cardinal genes involved in intrauterine growth restriction associated with the development of obesity, hypertension and metabolic syndrome using bioinformatics tools. Methods: A total of 343 genes involved in the phenotypes of interest were obtained and 20 genes were identified as significantly relevant in the interaction network analysis. Specifically, four of these identified genes encode for growth factors or their receptors, VEGFA, PDGFRB, IGF1R and EGFR. We also identified genes related to insulin and cardiovascular homeostasis as CTNNB1, APP, MYC and MDMD2. Cluster analysis provided the most significant gene ontology terms, including those related to the biological processes of proliferation and programmed cell death, intercellular communication, protein metabolism and development of the cardiovascular system. Conclusions: The genes found in this study could be useful as putative biomarkers for the presence of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders associated with intrauterine growth restriction, or as potential therapeutic targets for treatment strategies directed to the patient's genotype.
Activity-determined Steps on the Growth of Atmospheric CO2 Concentration Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) at the Country Level: Taiwan’s Empirical Evidence
Authors: Huang Wu-Jang
Published: April 2021

Taiwan’s atmospheric CO2 concentration is half in compliance on the formation of a environmental Kuznets curve (EKC), and the major contributor of direct CO2 emissions in Taiwan is from the power generation sector using coal and natural gas as fuel. Atmospheric CO2 concentration has been found to have the linear increment with stepwise fluctuations every five years during the period 2001-2018. Activity-determined steps were proposed noting that there is a proportion process for the increase of CO2 coming directly from the emission source of power plants and the source from the marginal sea sink to atmosphere sink due to memory delay-releasing. The alternative occurring events of EI Nino and La Nina in the West-Pacific region exactly match the fluctuations every five years, and the difference between the monitored atmospheric CO2 concentration with an empirical equation of calculated atmospheric CO2 concentration from the electricity structure in a single country level is a new indictor for the occurrences of EI Nino and La Nina phenomena in this region. Results also showed that the atmospheric CO2 concentration in Taiwan for the year 2035 is predicted to be as high as 430 ppm, due to a 50% natural gas energy policy. Our study provides a causal explanation for why atmospheric CO2 concentration has a linear increase shape with stepwise fluctuations for a single country. Our study has also proved that the linear increment with stepwise fluctuations also exhibits a EKC pattern.
Biodiversity in the Black Sea - ecological Study from the Perspective of Romanian philately
Authors: Cioruța Bogdan-Vasile , Pop Alexandru Leonard , Coman Mirela
Published: April 2021

As the concern for the management of protected areas is relatively new in Romania, and the information related to this topic is relatively scarce, especially those on marine ecosystems, we considered necessary this study on the management of marine protected areas with specific biodiversity illustrated by philately. Marine protected areas, in particular, delimited as areas where the main purpose is the protection of nature and cultural values, are important for all segments of society. Through this paper, we aimed to review several aspects, ecological and philatelic alike, regarding the specific biodiversity of the Black Sea ecosystem. Following the analyzes performed on account of the data from the consulted specialized literature (in the form of postage stamps, FDCs, occasional envelopes, and maximum postcards, but also other philatelic effects), as well as as a result of other observations (with catalogs and sites with philatelic content), we concluded that the biodiversity of the Black Sea, as well as the marine ecosystem itself, are relatively well represented in Romanian philately. The four philatelic issues illustrate crustaceans, mollusks, corals, and anemones, but also other species, all being to the liking of the general public in terms of information and promotion.
The Nutrient, Mineral and Anti-Nutrient Studies of Two Indigenous South African Spices
Authors: Asowata-Ayodele A. M. , Otunola G. A. , Afolayan A. J.
Published: April 2021

The two South African spices named Lippia javanica (Izinziniba) and Foeniculum vulgare (Imbambosi) were studied for its proximate principles, minerals, vitamins and anti-nutrients properties. The experiment shows that L. javanica had higher figure in its lipids, fibres and carbohydrates contents. This implies that L. javanica may help the body to maintain an internal distention for proper peristaltic movement of the intestinal tract than F. vulgare will do. While, the protein, ash, moisture contents were more in F. vulgare, this may be the reason, more elemental composition were observed in it because the level of ash, moisture and protein contents determines its minerals or inorganic components. Elements such as Nitrogen (N), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg) and Sodium (Na) were observed to be more to mentioned few, the Ca/P levels of both plants was observed to be more than 0.5 which is the minimum ratio required for favourable calcium absorption in the intestine for bone formation. Likewise both plants shows no significant differences in its anti-nutrients levels such as the phytate, oxalate and tannin contents, but L. javanica had more of Vitamin A and E levels, compared to F. vulgare with better Vitamin C, Cyanide and Saponin contents. In general, spices have been reported to contribute to the average requirement for different nutrients. Polyphenols such as tannins have anticancer properties, so beverages such as green tea that contain large amount of these compounds might also be good for maintenance of human health despite its anti-nutrient properties. Comparatively, L. javanica has a better nutrient composition than F. vulgare.
Viability and in vivo Hypocholesterolemic Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum 29V in Local Honey
Authors: Bemmo Ulrich Landry Kamdem , Kenfack Chancel Hector Momo , Bindzi Jean Marcel , Barry Raoul Borkeum , Ngoufack François Zambou
Published: April 2021

The conservation of probiotic products requires low temperatures and suitable equipment that are less available in developing countries. The challenge today is to find a local food matrix that can also carry probiotics (microorganisms with benefits for consumers) in the gastro-intestinal tract. The study mainly focus in the current research was to study the use of honey as a food matrix to carry probiotics in treating the cardiovascular disease, hypercholestreolemia. Thus, this study aimed to assess the viability of Lactobacillus plantarum 29V and its in vivo hypocholesterolemic properties when contained in honey. The strain L. plantarum 29V was added in pasteurized honey and was studied its viability in honey and its impact on the physicochemical parameters of honey.¶

For in vivo studies, 0.5 mL of the pasteurized honey containing approximately 108 CFU/mL of L. plantarum 29V were administered to rats fed on a cholesterol-enriched diet (control diet+ pure cholesterol solution (0.04 g/mL) per day per rat) using a feeding syringe; the treatment lasted 4 weeks. Serum lipids were analyzed during the experiment. The results have shown that the probiotic strain L. plantarum 29V can survive in honey for 28 days without affecting the honey’s qualities. Even present in honey, this strain continues to lower serum total cholesterol, (VLDL +LDL)-cholesterol and triglycerides levels of hypercholesterolemic rats. In addition, HDL-cholesterol levels significantly increased, and the atherosclerosis index was significantly lowered. The present study revealed that honey could be used as a food matrix to carry the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum 29V strain very well into the gastro-intestinal tract. Hence, a probiotic formulation made of pasteurized honey and L. plantarum 29V would be used to treat or prevent hypercholesterolemia if these effects are confirmed in Human beings.
Relationship between Facebook Usage and Academic Performance of College Students under the Royal University of Bhutan
Authors: Kelzang Ugyen , Lhendup Tshering
Published: April 2021

The development of social media like Facebook has changed the lives of many people principally the students. Several opinions are shared on how social media have a negative consequence on college students and lead to worsening their academic performance. Facebook usage is extremely prevalent among most undergraduates and approximately 85% of students use it particularly the first-year college students as it offers students a feeling of community and friendship. Of the total 365 students surveyed, 344 were Facebook users while 21 were non-users. Majority of respondents having Facebook account use mobile phones i.e., 48% of total respondents, 42% use their personal laptops and remaining 10% use college computer. Students are more often subjected to reading social media updates than reading academic-related books. Hence, it revealed that those who spent more time on social media spent less time studying i.e., users spent 0.33 to 1-hour studying per day and non-users spent 2 to 5 hours studying. Pearson's correlation test showed that the time spent on Facebook was negatively associated with students’ GPA (r = -.198, p = .000). More the time a student invests on Facebook, the lower the average grade point will be. However, blocking Facebook is not a solution since students can easily access it via their mobile phones.  As a result, rather than blocking the site, higher education institutions such as Universities and Colleges may encourage students to use Facebook for educational purposes by offering appropriate arrangements and training.
Weaving Indigenous knowledge systems and Western sciences in terrestrial research, monitoring and management in Canada: A protocol for a systematic map
Authors: Henri Dominique A. , Provencher Jennifer F. , Bowles Ella , Taylor Jessica J. , Steel Jade , Chelick Carmen , Popp Jesse N. , Cooke Steven J. , Rytwinski Trina , McGregor Deborah , Ford Adam T. , Alexander Steven M.
Published: April 2021

Human activities and development have contributed to declines in biodiversity across the globe. Understanding and addressing biodiversity loss will require the mobilization of diverse knowledge systems.

While calls for interdisciplinary practices in environmental research date back decades, there has been a more recent push for weaving multiple knowledge systems in environmental research and management, specifically Indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) and Western sciences.

The use of multiple knowledge systems in environmental research can improve understanding of socio‐ecological connections, build trust in research findings and help implement evidence‐based action towards biodiversity conservation. Mobilizing multiple types of knowledge in environmental research and management can be beneficial; however, challenges remain.

There is a need to understand how and where studies have woven IKS and Western sciences together in order to learn about frameworks and processes used, and identify best practices.

Here, we present a protocol for a systematic map that will examine the extent, range and nature of the published literature that weaves IKS and Western sciences in terrestrial ecosystems research, monitoring and management in Canada.

The systematic map will aim to capture all available and relevant studies found in the published academic and grey literature. The search will use standardized search terms across four publication databases, four specialized websites and one web‐based search engine. Bibliographies of relevant review articles captured by our search strategy will be cross‐checked to identify additional studies. Calls for evidence among professional networks will also complement the search strategy. All searches will be conducted in English. Search results will be reviewed in two stages: (1) title and abstract and (2) full text. All screening decisions at the full‐text stage will be included into the map database.

The systematic map will use a narrative synthesis approach employing descriptive tables, statistics and figures (including a map with geospatially referenced studies) to summarize findings.

Results from this mapping exercise can serve to support environmental research and management efforts working across IKS and Western sciences by highlighting best practices, as well as evidence gaps.
Contemporary authorship guidelines fail to recognize diverse contributions in conservation science research
Authors: Cooke Steven J. , Nguyen Vivian M. , Young Nathan , Reid Andrea J. , Roche Dominique G. , Bennett Nathan J. , Rytwinski Trina , Bennett Joseph R.
Published: April 2021

Authorship should acknowledge and reward those deserving of such credit. Moreover, being an author on a paper also means that one assumes ownership of the content.

Journals are increasingly requiring author roles to be specified at time of submission using schemes such as the contributor roles taxonomy (CRediT) system, which relies on 14 different roles. Yet, there are many other aspects of research that are not adequately captured by the list of roles, particularly in applied environmental disciplines such as conservation science, environmental science and applied ecology.

The growing recognition that authorship should reflect contributions that extend beyond the usual data collection, analysis and writing provides the ideal backdrop for rethinking contributions in conservation science. Here we propose a more inclusive approach to authorship that recognizes and values diverse contributions and contributors using an expanded list of CRediT roles.
1550 nm Compatible Ultrafast Photoconductive Material Based on a GaAs/ErAs/GaAs Heterostructure
Authors: Zhang Kedong , Li Yiwen , Ren Yifeng , Fan Xing , Li Chen , Li Jianfei , Meng Yafei , Deng Yu , Wang Fengqiu , Lu Hong , Chen Yan‐Feng
Published: April 2021

The sub‐bandgap absorption and ultrafast relaxation in a GaAs/ErAs/GaAs heterostructure are reported. The infrared absorption and 1550 nm‐excited ultrafast photo‐response are studied by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and time‐domain pump–probe technique. The two absorption peaks located at 2.0 (0.62 eV) and 2.7 µm (0.45 eV) are originated from the ErAs/GaAs interfacial Schottky states and the ErAs itself, respectively. The photo‐excited carrier lifetime, excited using 1550 nm light, is measured to be as low as 190 fs for the GaAs/ErAs/GaAs heterostructure, making it a promising material for 1550‐nm‐technology‐compatible, high critical‐breakdown‐field THz devices. The relaxation mechanism is proposed and the functionality of ErAs is revealed.
Over 30 000 h Device Lifetime in Deep Blue Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes with y Color Coordinate of 0.086 and Current Efficiency of 37.0 cd A−1
Authors: Chung Won Jae , Lee Kyung Hyung , Jung Mina , Lee Kang Mun , Park Ho Cheol , Eum Min‐Sik , Lee Jun Yeob
Published: April 2021

The development of highly efficient and long‐life deep blue devices has been an ongoing challenge in the field of organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) because of the short lifetime inherent to highly efficient blue devices. The efficiency and lifetime issues of the deep blue OLEDs are resolved in this work by engineering the device architecture by managing the triplet excitons of the phosphorescence and thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters. The CN‐modified imidazole type Ir emitter and boron‐based TADF emitter with similar emission energy are combined to develop an energy exchanging phosphorescence and TADF (EPHTADF) device. An emission mechanism inducing both forward and backward energy transfer concurrently between the Ir phosphor and TADF emitter shortens the triplet exciton lifetime of the two emitters, which dramatically enhances the device lifetime of the blue devices. Deep blue OLEDs triggering EPHTADF emission ultimately yields device performances including high current efficiency (CE) of 37.0 cd A−1, color‐coordinate corrected CE of 430.9 cd A−1, extrapolated device lifetime of more than 30 000 h, and deep blue color coordinates of (0.122, 0.086). This work demonstrates the potential of EPHTADF devices to serve as the solution to the problematic issues of the blue OLEDs.
Relay Cu(I)/Brønsted Base Catalysis for Phospha‐Michael Addition/5‐exo‐dig Cyclization/Isomerization of in situ Formed aza‐Alkynyl o‐quinone methides with P(O)−H compounds to C3‐Phosphorylated Indoles
Authors: Chen Long , Liu Xiao‐Yan , Zhang Jing , Duan Li , Wen Zhong , Ni Hai‐Liang
Published: April 2021

A relay Cu(I)/Brønsted base catalyzed one‐pot phospha‐Michael addition/5‐exo‐dig cyclization/isomerization of in situ generated aza‐alkynyl o‐quinone methides (N‐o‐AQMs) from 1‐(o‐aminophenyl)prop‐2‐ynols with P(O)‐compounds has been established to afford C3‐phosphorylated indoles. It demonstrates that the 1,4‐conjugate addition adduct from N‐o‐AQMs could undergo further cyclization with the tethered alkyne moiety to afford N‐heterocyclic compounds.

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Inverse Design of Diffractive Relativistic Meta‐Sails via Multi‐Objective Optimization
Authors: Salary Mohammad Mahdi , Mosallaei Hossein
Published: April 2021

Photonic propulsion of light sails using the radiation pressure of an intense laser beam is a promising route to achieve relativistic velocities for deep space exploration. A successful photonic design of such relativistic sails requires efficient acceleration and maintaining stability of the beam‐riding across a Doppler‐broadened propulsion band due to considerable red‐shift of the wavelength in the frame of the moving sail. While efficient acceleration of the sail requires maximizing the optical force along the beam propagation direction, the stability degree of the sail depends on the magnitude of lateral forces in the transverse plane of the beam. This establishes a trade‐off between these two requirements which calls for their synergistic engineering. In this work, an evolutionary multi‐objective optimization technique for the inverse design of diffractive relativistic meta‐sails with a genetic pixelated geometry is adopted. The goal is to identify a set of Pareto optimal solutions which provides the designer with an intuitive understanding of the ultimate trade‐off between acceleration and stability degree of the sail in a vast design space, and allows for a well‐informed decision on the best design given the requirements for the acceleration time and distance as well as the tolerance with respect to mispointings and misalignments.
Winter annual management to increase nutrient recovery and forage production on dairies
Authors: Binder J. M. , Karsten H. D. , Beegle D. B. , Dell C. J.
Published: April 2021

Management of manure and cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) has implications for crop production and nutrient cycling. This 1‐yr, full‐factorial experiment conducted in Pennsylvania quantified the effects of three management factors—(a) rye management (RyeM; early‐terminated cover crop [CC] vs. double crop harvested a week later [DC]), (b) manure application method (ManM; unincorporated broadcast manure [BM] vs. shallow disk injected manure [IM]), and (c) fall field operation prioritization (priority; manure priority [MP] manure application in late September with rye planting in mid‐October vs. rye priority [RP], rye planting in late September with manure application in early November)—on rye biomass, nutrient recovery, and forage yield and the effect of ManM and priority on DC forage nutritive value in a rye–corn (Zea mays L.) cropping sequence. This experiment was intended to be a repeated 2‐yr study, but due to MP treatment rye crop failure in the second year, the resulting 1‐yr dataset was analyzed to assess priority effects. Prioritizing rye planting in the fall with DC increased total forage production and apparent N recovery (ANR) when manure was broadcast. These results highlight the value of prioritizing fall rye planting in DC systems to increase rye spring biomass and nutrient recovery when manure is broadcast. More experiments should be conducted on fall field operation timing to develop reliable recommendations.
Vein‐to‐blade ratio is an allometric indicator of leaf size and plasticity
Authors: Chitwood Daniel H. , Mullins Joey , Migicovsky Zoë , Frank Margaret , VanBuren Robert , Londo Jason P.
Published: April 2021

Premise

As a leaf expands, its shape dynamically changes. Previously, we documented an allometric relationship between vein and blade area in grapevine leaves. Larger leaves have a smaller ratio of primary and secondary vein area relative to blade area compared to smaller leaves. We sought to use allometry as an indicator of leaf size and plasticity.

Methods

We measured the ratio of vein‐to‐blade area from the same 208 vines across four growing seasons (2013, 2015, 2016, and 2017). Matching leaves by vine and node, we analyzed the correlation between the size and shape of grapevine leaves as repeated measures with climate variables across years.

Results

The proportion of leaf area occupied by vein and blade exponentially decreased and increased, respectively, during leaf expansion making their ratio a stronger indicator of leaf size than area itself. Total precipitation and leaf wetness hours of the previous year but not the current showed strong negative correlations with vein‐to‐blade ratio, whereas maximum air temperature from the previous year was positively correlated.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that vein‐to‐blade ratio is a strong allometric indicator of leaf size and plasticity in grapevines measured across years. Grapevine leaf primordia are initiated in buds the year before they emerge, and we found that total precipitation and maximum air temperature of the previous growing season exerted the largest statistically significant effects on leaf morphology. Vein‐to‐blade ratio is a promising allometric indicator of relationships between leaf morphology and climate, the robustness of which should be explored further.
Climate data and flowering times for 450 species from 1844 deepen the record of phenological change in southern Germany
Authors: Renner Susanne S. , Wesche Markus , Zohner Constantin M.
Published: April 2021

PREMISE

State‐sponsored weather stations became ubiquitous by the 1880s, yet many old climate data and phenological observations still need to be digitized and made accessible.

METHODS

We here make available flowering times for 450 species of herbs and shrubs gathered in 1844 by Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius (1794–1868), director of the Munich Botanical Garden. The data formed part of the world’s third‐oldest phenological monitoring network as we explain in a brief overview of the history of such networks. Using data from one of the world’s oldest continuously functioning weather stations, Hohenpeißenberg, we relate temperature to flowering in three species with short flowering times and herbarium collections made since 1844 within the city’s perimeter, namely, Anemone patens, A. pulsatilla, and Arum maculatum.

RESULTS

Mean advances in flowering dates were 1.3–2.1 days/decade or 3.2–4.2 days/1°C warming. These advances are in keeping with similar advances in other European herbs during more recent periods.

CONCLUSIONS

Future studies might use the 1844 flowering data made available here as a source of information on the availability of particular flowers for specialized pollinators including insects looking for oviposition sites, such as the Psychoda flies that become trapped in Arum inflorescences. Another use of Martius’s 1844 data would be their incorporation into larger‐scale analyses of flowering in southern‐central Europe.
Culturally Responsive Practices: Insights from a High‐Quality Math Afterschool Program Serving Underprivileged Latinx Youth
Authors: Yu Mark Vincent B. , Liu Yangyang , Soto‐Lara Stephanie , Puente Kayla , Carranza Perla , Pantano Alessandra , Simpkins Sandra D.
Published: April 2021

High‐quality afterschool programs (ASPs) are opportunities to diversify the ways that Latinx youth from economically underprivileged communities experience STEM learning. Utilizing qualitative methods, based on the experiences and perspectives of low‐income Latinx middle school participants of a math enrichment ASP in Southern California, we identified four culturally responsive practices: (1) the promotion of an inclusive, safe, and respectful program climate, (2) engaging in personal conversations, (3) facilitating opportunities for mutual and math learning across diverse cultures and perspectives, and (4) the promotion of math and a range of social‐emotional skills across contexts. These practices helped youth feel more connected to the program, their peers, and program staff (college mentors); provided a platform for youth voice and contribution to the processes of teaching and learning; facilitated opportunities for skill development and practice across the different contexts of youth’s lives; interrelated with Latinx cultural values; and helped to promote youth’s engagement and math learning. Importantly, youth’s relationships with their mentors was a significant aspect of their experiences and perceptions of these practices. We argue that culturally responsive practices are necessary to achieve high‐quality programs and provide specific implications for how ASPs can implement them in the design and implementation of their programs.
Long‐term results of low‐intensity chemotherapy with clofarabine or cladribine combined with low‐dose cytarabine alternating with decitabine in older patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Kadia Tapan M. , Ravandi Farhad , Borthakur Gautam , Konopleva Marina , DiNardo Courtney D. , Daver Naval , Pemmaraju Naveen , Kanagal‐Shamanna Rashmi , Wang Xuemei , Huang Xuelin , Pierce Sherry , Rausch Caitlin , Burger Jan , Ferrajoli Alessandra , Jain Nitin , Popat Uday , Estrov Zeev , Verstovsek Srdan , Jabbour Elias , Garcia‐Manero Guillermo , Kantarjian Hagop
Published: April 2021

The treatment of older patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) using intensive chemotherapy is associated with treatment intolerance and poor survival. We evaluated two new lower‐intensity regimens with clofarabine (n = 119) or cladribine (n = 129) combined with low‐dose cytarabine (LDAC) alternating with decitabine. We reviewed response rates by subgroup and long term outcomes of 248 patients with newly diagnosed non core‐binding‐factor AML treated on two clinical trials investigating double nucleoside‐analogue therapy (DNT) alternating with HMA from October, 2008 to April, 2018. Of 248 patients with a median age of 69 years (range, 49–85 years), 102 patients (41%) were ≥ 70 years, and 108 (44%) had adverse karyotype. Overall, 164 patients (66%) responded: 147 (59%) complete remission (CR) and 17 (7%) CR with incomplete count recovery (CRi). With a median follow up of 60 months, median relapse‐free and overall survival (OS) were 10.8 and 12.5 months, respectively. The 2‐year OS was 29%. Among patients with normal karyotype, the CR/CRi rate was 79% and the median OS 19.9 months. High response rates and OS were observed in patients with mutations in NPM1, FLT3, IDH2, and RUNX1. The 4‐ and 8‐week mortality rates were 2% and 11%, respectively. The backbone of clofarabine or cladribine and LDAC alternating with decitabine was effective and safe for the treatment of older patients with newly diagnosed AML. Incorporating targeted therapies could extend the efficacy of this approach and provide more curative therapeutic options in this AML population.
Age‐ and cognition‐related differences in the gray matter volume of the chimpanzee brain (Pan troglodytes): A voxel‐based morphometry and conjunction analysis
Authors: Mulholland Michele M. , Sherwood Chet C. , Schapiro Steven J. , Raghanti Mary Ann , Hopkins William D.
Published: April 2021

Several primate species have been shown to exhibit age‐related changes in cognition, brain, and behavior. However, severe neurodegenerative illnesses, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), were once thought to be uniquely human. Recently, some chimpanzees naturally were documented to develop both neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques, the main characteristics of AD pathology. In addition, like humans and other primates, chimpanzees show similar declines in cognition and motor function with age. Here, we used voxel‐based morphometry to examine the relationships among gray matter volume, age, and cognition using magnetic resonance imaging scans previously acquired from chimpanzees (N = 216). We first determined the relationship between age and gray matter volume, identifying the regions that declined with age. With a subset of our sample (N = 103), we also determined differences in gray matter volume between older chimpanzees with higher cognition scores than expected for their age, and older chimpanzees with lower than expected scores. Finally, we ran a conjunction analysis to determine any overlap in brain regions between these two analyses. We found that as chimpanzees age, they lose gray matter in regions associated with cognition. In addition, cognitively healthy older chimpanzees (those performing better for their age) have greater gray matter volume in many brain regions compared with chimpanzees who underperform for their age. Finally, the conjunction analysis revealed that regions of age‐related decline overlap with the regions that differ between cognitively healthy chimpanzees and those who underperform. This study provides further evidence that chimpanzees are an important model for research on the neurobiology of aging. Future studies should investigate the effects of cognitive stimulation on both cognitive performance and brain structure in aging nonhuman primates.
Antimicrobial activity of bleached cattail fibers (Typha domingensis) impregnated with silver nanoparticles and benzalkonium chloride
Authors: Koschevic Marivane Turim , de Araújo Renata Pires , dos Santos Garcia Vitor Augusto , Fakhouri Farayde Matta , de Oliveira Kelly Mari Pires , Arruda Eduardo José , Dufresne Alain , Martelli Sílvia Maria
Published: April 2021

Typha domingensis (Cattail) fiber is a significant natural resource, abundant in cellulose. The study reports the useful utilization of T. domingensis fiber for physicochemical impregnation of silver nanoparticles and benzalkonium chloride, in the development of a material with antimicrobial activity. The fibers were pre‐treated with alkaline hydrogen peroxide (bleaching) for partial removal of lignin, pectin and waxes. Subsequently treated in a solution of different concentrations of benzalkonium chloride and Tollens' reagent. The new materials obtained were carefully investigated for their structure and thermal stability, morphology and susceptibility to antimicrobials (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimuruim, and Salmonella enteritidis). Fourier transform infrared spectra showed the presence of benzalkonium chloride. The morphology analysis showed the silver nanoparticles on the surface of the bleached fibers. The susceptibility profile to antimicrobials was confirmed by the formation of inhibition halos (≅11.26 mm). Based on the properties of the materials obtained, it can be concluded that the modified cattail fibers have the potential to be used as a functional filler, or coating, in the development of antimicrobial composites.
Nonprecious Metal Bifunctional Catalysts for Oxygen Electrocatalysis Using a Metal‐Organic Framework
Authors: Kim Mi‐Ju , Shim Jaehyuk , Lee Kug‐Seung , Sung Yung‐Eun
Published: April 2021

Green energy devices such as Zn‐air batteries require a highly active bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst. In this study, heat‐treated (HT) FeNi‐alloy nanoparticles embedded on a porous carbon matrix (FeNi‐MOF‐HTs) are prepared by annealing Fe‐ and Ni‐based metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs). FeNi‐MOF‐HTs exhibit an improved oxygen catalytic performance when compared with that of the catalysts derived from Fe‐only MOFs. The enhanced activities of the FeNi‐MOF‐HTs are attributed to their nanoscale size and an electronic interaction between Fe and Ni in the FeNi alloy. An optimized annealing temperature of 800°C provides porosity and promotes graphitization of the carbon matrix in FeNi‐MOF‐HTs. This work describes an effective strategy for the design of highly active bifunctional electrocatalysts.
The role of ruthenium on the acidity of mixed alumina and silica phases and its impact on activity for ethanol dehydration
Authors: Kamsuwan Tanutporn , Jongsomjit Bunjerd , Herrera José E.
Published: April 2021

Ruthenium catalysts anchored on three distinct supports (γ‐Al2O3, γ‐χ‐Al2O3, and silica [SiO2]) are tested for ethanol dehydration at 250°C. The catalytic materials were characterized using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), N2 physisorption, ammonia temperature programmed desorption (NH3‐TPD), FTIR, UV‐Vis spectroscopy, in situ UV‐Vis spectroscopy, H2 temperature programmed reduction experiments (H2‐TPR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) after reaction. The activity was correlated to the number of acid sites present in the support. However, the addition of Ru increased the activity for alumina supported catalysts. Product selectivity depends on the nature of the acid sites present on the catalytic material, with ruthenium playing a critical role on the acid properties of the catalysts.
Novel Designed PEG‐Dicationic Imidazolium‐Based Ionic Liquids as Effective Plasticizers for Sustainable Polylactide
Authors: Zuo Huijie , Chen Xiangjian , Ding Yingli , Cui Liang , Fan Baomin , Pan Li , Zhang Kunyu
Published: April 2021

Main observation and conclusion

A series of novel polyethylene glycol‐dicationic imidazolium‐based ionic liquids (mPEG‐ILs) were synthesized by facile quaternization reaction from various elaborately designed di‐imidazoles and PEG, which were then studied as green plasticizers for sustainable polylactide (PLA) material. The influences of the chain structure, content, and molecular weight of the mPEG‐ILs on the plasticizing effect were systematically investigated by characterization of a series of PLA/mPEG‐ILs blending systems. FTIR results show there is combination of ion‐dipole interaction and hydrogen bonds interaction between PLA and mPEG‐ILs, which is beneficial for the compatibility. Thermal behaviors indicate that mPEG‐ILs have a significant plasticizing effect on PLA. Particularly, mPEG400‐amide‐IM can remarkably improve the mobility of PLA chain, leading to decreased glass transition temperature (Tg) and cold crystallization temperature (Tcc) of PLA. Tensile test results show that the ductility of plasticized PLA is greatly enhanced, and its elongation at break reaches 249.4%, which is 22 times that of neat PLA.
Ligand Accessibility Insights to the Dengue Virus NS3‐NS2B Protease Assessed by Long‐Timescale Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Kronenberger Thales , Sá Magalhães Serafim Mateus , Kumar Tonduru Arun , Gonçalves Maltarollo Vinícius , Poso Antti
Published: April 2021

Dengue is a tropical disease caused by the dengue virus (DENV), with an estimate of 300 million new cases every year. Due to the limited vaccine efficiency and absence of effective antiviral treatment, new drug candidates are urgently needed. DENV NS3‐NS2B protease complex is essential for viral post‐translational processing and maturation, and this enzyme has been extensively studied as a relevant drug target. Crystal structures often underestimate NS3‐NS2B flexibility, whereas they can adopt different conformational states depending on the bound substrate. We conducted molecular dynamics simulations (∼30 μs) with a non‐ and covalently bound inhibitor to understand the conformational changes in the DENV‐3 NS3‐NS2B complex. Our results show that the open‐closing movement of the protease exposes multiple druggable subpockets that can be investigated in later drug discovery efforts.
Thermal and Gas Adsorption Properties of Tröger's Base/Diaza‐cyclooctane Hybrid Ladder Polymers
Authors: Inoue Keiki , Selyanchyn Roman , Fujikawa Shigenori , Ishiwari Fumitaka , Fukushima Takanori
Published: April 2021

A polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM) consisting of Tröger's base (TB) undergoes ring opening of the bicyclic amine upon N‐methylation followed by alkaline hydrolysis, resulting in a hybrid ladder polymer that contains diazacyclooctane (DACO) units with tert‐ and sec‐amino groups. The hybrid ladder polymers with various TB/DACO ratios can be prepared depending on the reaction conditions. Here we report a systematic study on the effect of DACO content on the thermal and gas adsorption properties of the hybrid ladder polymer. Using a PIM derived from 2,5‐diamino‐p‐xylene, we prepared hybrid ladder polymers with a DACO content ranging from 19% to 55% while having a similar molecular weight. The thermal stability of the hybrid ladder polymers, evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis, is decreased with the increase in DACO content. Based on gas adsorption measurements, the increase in DACO content results in the decrease in the BET surface area but improves the gas adsorption selectivity for CO2 against N2, likely due to high basicity of the sec‐amino group of DACO unit. This result demonstrates that the partial TB‐to‐DACO conversion of the TB‐based PIM may provide a simple but useful strategy to design polymer materials that enable selective CO2 capture and/or separation.
Genetic gain in lint yield and its components of upland cotton released during 1963 to 2010 in Venezuela
Authors: Guzman Manuel A. , Vilain Luis A. , Rondon Tatiana M. , Sanchez Juan
Published: April 2021

To respond to the high demand for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fiber, constant enhancements by breeding or management are required. The study of the genetic progress shows the changes in traits over the years, providing information about the real contribution and benefits of breeding and management efforts. In order to estimate the genetic progress of nine upland cotton cultivars for the lowlands agroecology of Venezuela released from 1963 to 2010, evaluations were performed in three locations in Venezuela during 2012 and 2013. Lint yield (LY), boll weight (BW), number of seeds per boll (SB), seed index (SI), lint content or percent (LP), plant height (PH), and stem diameter (SD) were measured. Combined analysis of variance showed differences (P ≤ .01) among the cultivars, environments, and their interaction for all traits, except for SB and SI. All variables have increased for the period evaluated, except for PH that showed a gradual decrease of 0.12% yr–1. LY increased by 10.06 kg ha–1 yr–1 or 0.29% yr–1, which is a total of 503 kg ha–1 in 50 years. A reduction of PH (0.19 cm yr–1) was observed, meanwhile BW (0.0022 g yr–1), SB (0.0029 yr–1), SI (0.0038 g yr–1), SD (0.0013 cm yr–1), and LP (0.0071% yr–1) increased 0.04, 0.01, 0.04, 0.08 and 0.02% yr–1, respectively, in the same period. These results indicate that the introduction of genotypes with divergent backgrounds and development to specific agroecologies have contributed to constant genetic progress in cotton cultivated in Venezuela.
Graduate programs admissions: the whole person approach
Authors: Barksdale W. Kevin
Published: April 2021

The September 2020 issue featured commentary from Dr. Guillermo Prado, Vice Provost of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Graduate School at the University of Miami. He suggested the GMAT and GRE should be dropped as a graduate admission requirement to improve program and campus diversity. Dr. Prado ushered in a new season at the University of Miami this past fall without standardized tests in graduate programs after extensive planning. I extend his commentary and offer a “whole person approach” to admissions.
Test‐optional policies fast‐tracked by COVID‐19 increase admissions equity
Authors: Bannister Mary
Published: April 2021

Test‐optional admissions were front and center for Sonya K. Smith when she started as Vassar College's Dean of Admission and Student Financial Services in fall 2019. Data indicated that high school GPA is a much better indicator of success at Vassar than SAT and ACT scores, especially for students of color. Smith saw that, for many students, testing is a barrier that can cause institutions to overlook talented and diverse applicants.
Human NK cells, their receptors and function
Authors: Quatrini Linda , Della Chiesa Mariella , Sivori Simona , Mingari Maria Cristina , Pende Daniela , Moretta Lorenzo
Published: April 2021

NK cells are cytotoxic components of innate lymphoid cells (ILC) that provide a first line of defense against viral infections and contribute to control tumor growth and metastasis. Their function is finely regulated by an array of HLA‐specific and non‐HLA‐specific inhibitory and activating receptors which allow to discriminate between healthy and altered cells. Human NK cells gained a major attention in recent years because of the important progresses in understanding their biology and of some promising data in tumor therapy. In this review, we will outline well‐established issues of human NK cells and discuss some of the open questions, debates, and recent advances regarding their origin, differentiation, and tissue distribution. Newly defined NK cell specializations, including the impact of inhibitory checkpoints on their function, their crosstalk with other cell types, and the remarkable adaptive features acquired in response to certain virus infections will also be discussed.
KRanTi: Blockchain‐based farmer's credit scheme for agriculture‐food supply chain
Authors: Patel Nirav , Shukla Arpit , Tanwar Sudeep , Singh Dhananjay
Published: April 2021

The advent of agro‐industrialization has helped the agricultural food supply chain (AFSC) in introducing ease and innovation to other facets. In addition, Blockchain (BC) technology is revolutionizing each distributed data‐related application by adding authentication and trust among the system's stakeholders. Inspired by the above‐mentioned argument, this article proposes a system, KRanTi, to promote the supply chain of agricultural food by BC embedding across the 5G network. The 5G network upgrades the data connectivity by enhancing network infrastructure efficiency. In KRanTi, we present an efficient credit system that enables associated farmers to purchase the requisite agricultural raw product of higher quality without the pressure of instant payment. A score‐based farm‐food quality assurance system is then proposed, which guarantees optimal quality grading. Trust, transparency, and traceability are preserved through the implementation of Smart Contracts (SC) distributed across public Ethereum BC. The cost‐effective off‐line data storage service in AFSC is offered through the use of the Inter‐Planetary File System (IPFS), a shared storage system to hold all data from stakeholders. Results show that the efficiency of the proposed scheme KRanTi is improved compared with traditional schemes with metrics such as less than 1 millisecond latency with 99.99% reliability compared with LTE with 5G, scalability, packet failure ratio, BC performance, cost‐quality ratio, and data storage contrast.
Introduction to Relational Systems Evaluation
Authors: Urban Jennifer Brown , Archibald Thomas , Hargraves Monica , Buckley Jane , Hebbard Claire , Linver Miriam R. , Trochim William M.
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we introduce Relational Systems Evaluation (RSE), the focal topic of this volume. RSE is a framework for program planning and evaluation that is theoretically grounded, empirically tested and focused on building evaluation capacity. Theoretically, RSE is rooted in an evolutionary approach to program development and evaluation informed by systems thinking. The application of RSE involves a collaborative partnership approach pairing evaluators or researchers with program practitioners, the use of collaborative modeling and planning tools, and an emphasis on nurturing an Evaluative Thinking mindset. The goal of RSE is to produce more thoughtful and useful evaluations and, ultimately, better programs.