bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Legal Problems of Fulfillment of Conditions for Granting Subsidies (Grants) to Agricultural Producers
Authors: El'nikova Elena Vasil'evna
Published: December 2022

The article notes that some conditions for granting grants to agricultural producers initially contain significant risks of their non-fulfillment and, as a consequence, the onset of liability in the form of the obligation to return the funds received in full. In other cases, regional regulatory legal acts expand the list of conditions for granting grants in the form of subsidies without proper justification, which creates additional problems in the process of their use by grantees. In order to ensure the most effective legal regulation of relations in connection with the provision of budgetary funds to agricultural producers, the author proposes to qualify agreements on the provision of subsidies (grants) as a civil contract, which will make it possible to apply civil liability measures, general provisions on contracts and obligations, including the grounds for termination of obligations, ways to ensure and fulfill them, as well as the norms of hereditary legislation. Qualification of the agreement on the provision of subsidies (grants) as a civil contract, it would allow for a more relevant legal regulation of relations in connection with the provision of budgetary funds to agricultural producers due to the possibility of changing the agreement in question by concluding additional agreements, applying civil liability measures, general provisions on contracts and obligations, including the grounds for termination of obligations, ways to ensure and fulfill them, and also the norms of hereditary legislation.
Heterogeneous levels of delta-like 4 within a multinucleated niche cell maintains muscle stem cell diversity
Authors: Eliazer Susan , Sun Xuefeng , Barruet Emilie , Brack Andrew S
Published: December 2022

The quiescent muscle stem cell (QSC) pool is heterogeneous and generally characterized by the presence and levels of intrinsic myogenic transcription factors. Whether extrinsic factors maintain the diversity of states across the QSC pool remains unknown. The muscle fiber is a multinucleated syncytium that serves as a niche to QSCs, raising the possibility that the muscle fiber regulates the diversity of states across the QSC pool. Here, we show that the muscle fiber maintains a continuum of quiescent states, through a gradient of Notch ligand, Dll4, produced by the fiber and captured by QSCs. The abundance of Dll4 captured by the QSC correlates with the protein levels of the stem cell (SC) identity marker, Pax7. Niche-specific loss of Dll4 decreases QSC diversity and shifts the continuum to cell states that are biased toward more proliferative and committed fates. We reveal that fiber-derived Mindbomb1 (Mib1), an E3 ubiquitin ligase activates Dll4 and controls the heterogeneous levels of Dll4. In response to injury, with a Dll4-replenished niche, the normal continuum and diversity of the SC pool is restored, demonstrating bidirectionality within the SC continuum. Our data show that a post-translational mechanism controls heterogeneity of Notch ligands in a multinucleated niche cell to maintain a continuum of metastable states within the SC pool during tissue homeostasis.
LabNet hardware control software for the Raspberry Pi
Authors: Schatz Alexej , Winter York
Published: December 2022

Single-board computers such as the Raspberry Pi make it easy to control hardware setups for laboratory experiments. GPIOs and expansion boards (HATs) give access to a whole range of sensor and control hardware. However, controlling such hardware can be challenging, when many experimental setups run in parallel and the time component is critical. LabNet is a C++ optimized control layer software to give access to the Raspberry Pi connected hardware over a simple network protocol. LabNet was developed to be suitable for time-critical operations, and to be simple to expand. It leverages the actor model to simplify multithreading programming and to increase modularity. The message protocol is implemented in Protobuf and offers performance, small message size, and supports a large number of programming languages on the client side. It shows good performance compared to locally executed tools like Bpod, pyControl, or Autopilot and reaches sub-millisecond range in network communication latencies. LabNet can monitor and react simultaneously to up to 14 pairs of digital inputs, without increasing latencies. LabNet itself does not provide support for the design of experimental tasks. This is left to the client. LabNet can be used for general automation in experimental laboratories with its control PC located at some distance. LabNet is open source and under continuing development.
How (some) mammals lost their hair
Authors: Dean Matthew D
Published: December 2022

An approach that allows scientists to identify regions of the genome that evolved faster in hairless mammals reveals candidate genetic mechanisms that gave rise to hairlessness.
Short Introduction to DOAJ
Authors: Mitchell Dominic , Aspaas Per Pippin
Published: December 2022

The Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) was founded by Lars Bjørnshauge in 2003; the current managing director is Joanna Ball. A cornerstone in the global Open Science landscape, DOAJ currently lists more than 18,000 peer-reviewed, strictly open access journals (Gold or Diamond). Dominic Mitchell, who has worked for DOAJ for the last ten years, explains how the indexing process is managed by a combination of volunteers and salaried staff like himself, how they work to exclude predatory journals from the list, and how DOAJ is financed. Furthermore, DOAJ is involved in several collaborative projects promoting high-quality scholarly publishing, including The Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing (4th ed., 2022).
Recording made during the 17th Munin Conference on Scholarly Publishing. First published online: December 30, 2022.
Cool Nature
Authors: Albrektson Anna , Ahlund Mikael , Ekström Sara , Ethnersson Pontara Johanna , Mansén Elisabeth , Sundin Vera , Wagner Meike , Wallrup Erik
Published: December 2022

In this essay, an interdisciplinary group of researchers sets out to address the period 1780–1840 in Sweden in a new way, by placing nature at its centre. With the help of ecocritical and transcultural theory, combined with renewed attention to the Swedish fine arts, learned discourses, and practices, we suggest a new approach to these revolutionary decades. The perceived dissonance, the interplay between climatic conditions and cultural template in early modern and modern Sweden, has not been fully addressed in current research, despite the fact that the relationship between humankind and the environment is a central issue in contemporary society and scholarship. Representations of nature situate the nation, they negotiate the relationship between a sensed reality and an ideal, between human and more-than-human beings. We suggest a focus on the unpredictable space created by negotiations of nature in Swedish representations during this crucial period, and, furthermore, on the ways in which this creative space is charged with utopian possibilities in the early Anthropocene. This is the background and the driving force of the planned research project ‘Cool Nature: Utopian Landscapes in Sweden 1780–1840’.
Characterizing Stream Reaches Occupied by Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis): Insights from A Previously Undocumented Western North Carolina Stream Population
Authors: Levine Alexander , Williams Lori A. , Gillette David
Published: December 2022

The Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) is a large aquatic salamander found in cool, highly oxygenated rivers and streams of the eastern United States. Hellbender populations have been steeply declining over the past century, and they are a protected species in many states, including North Carolina where they are listed as a species of special concern. North Carolina contains over 2,000 waterways that could potentially support hellbender populations. It is vital to survey these waterways to better understand the distribution of the Eastern Hellbender and the environmental factors necessary to support populations. Although small streams could potentially act as refugia for both larval and adult hellbenders, most surveys have focused on large rivers, generally using substrate composition and cover rock presence as site selection determinants. In early summer of 2013, we surveyed Bent Creek, a small (25.3 km2) catchment in the Pisgah National Forest beginning at the confluence with the French Broad River and concluding upstream to the Lake Powhatan dam. We documented four adult Eastern Hellbenders, including two captures and two tactile encounters/escapes. These represent the first records for C. a. alleganiensis in this catchment. In October 2013, we compared the number of cover rocks, water temperature, dissolved oxygen and substrate composition of three occupied and three unoccupied stream reaches. Although temperature and dissolved oxygen did not vary among reaches, occupied stream reaches had coarser substrates and a much higher occurrence of cover rocks than unoccupied reaches. Our findings suggest that commonly used surveying techniques relying on potential cover rocks and substrate composition are effective methods for selecting survey sites. Future research could examine whether the Eastern Hellbender population at Bent Creek is, or has the potential to become, a viable breeding population, as well as assessing population size upstream from Lake Powhatan. Suitability of stream conditions to consistent larval recruitment should also be evaluated. Our findings suggest that smaller streams such as Bent Creek can support viable populations of C. a. alleganiensis, and that restricting surveys to larger watersheds has the potential to miss important populations of this imperiled species.
«Denied in toto». Poesía documental y colectivización de archivos en Chile
Authors:   UNSAM, Dorfman Daniela
Published: December 2022

Este artículo estudia el uso de documentos de archivo en el arte chileno contemporáneo en un contexto social de demandas de acceso a los documentos de la dictadura en ese país. Partiendo del libro de poesía documental Chile Project: [Re-classified] (2013) que Carlos Soto Román realiza con los archivos desclasificados de la CIA, y poniéndolo en relación con la obra de Voluspa Jarpa y de Francisco Tapia Salinas, el artículo examina demandas artísticas y sociales de colectivización y desclasificación de archivos. Mediante el análisis de los modos en que, en contra de la prohibición estatal que clasifica esos documentos hasta el año 2054, artistas y organizaciones independientes intentan acceder “desde abajo” e intervenir los archivos, se propone que estas iniciativas ponen en cuestión la monopolización de información pública por el Estado y la construcción de una “verdad de archivo”, planteando así el problema de la formación, acceso y destrucción de información y documentos históricos. Finalmente, el artículo plantea que el arte y la literatura muestran un nuevo poder de crítica y de intervención y, junto con propuestas sociales para un archivo colectivo descentralizado, disputan el poder monopólico del Estado sobre los archivos y la información pública.
Stifters Dinge o la ópera tribunal
Authors:   Instituto de Literatura Hispanoamericana, Facultad de Filosofía y Letras, Universidad de Buenos Aires - Universidad Nacional de las Artes - CONICET, Cóccaro Victoria
Published: December 2022

A partir de Stifters Dinge del compositor alemán Heiner Goebbels, y considerando en particular su puesta en el Teatro Colón de Buenos Aires en febrero de 2016, se reflexionará sobre la ópera experimental como un marco posible de la interrupción de “lo humano” en tanto mito fundante de la modernidad, como erosión, entonces, de la metafísica occidental y de los binomios que la estructuran: naturaleza y cultura, sujeto y objeto, agente e inerte, acción y reposo e, incluso, vida y muerte. De este modo, analizaremos la desestabilización que la obra activa sobre el concepto de “naturaleza” entendida como aquel fondo de lo existente sobre el cual el hombre se recorta como excepción, dueño y soberano. Reflexionaremos, así, sobre la puesta en escena de agencias materiales, entidades que no están vivas pero que tienen efectos sobre la sensibilidad, y en torno a la huida de la primacía de la visión y la perspectiva como manera hegemónica de ordenar el entorno. Proponemos abordar a Stifters Dinge como una reelaboración del teatro musical y como una instalación de sitio específico con el fin de plantear que, en su presentación en Buenos Aires, abrió la posibilidad de recrear a la ópera como tribunal cosmopolítico y parlamento de las cosas.
Comportamento sustentável e inovador: estudo organizacional no terceiro setor
Authors: Castelo Joelma Leite , Lameu Eva Valeria Maia , De Lima Tereza Cristina Batista , Guimarães Daniel Barboza , Dos Santos Sandra Maria
Published: December 2022

Examina aspectos comportamentais de sustentabilidade e inovação em uma Organização do Terceiro Setor (OTS) e relaciona o perfil sociodemográfico com os construtos comportamentais sustentáveis e inovadores. Com amostra correspondente a 886 funcionários do Instituto Nordeste Cidadania (INEC), os resultados evidenciaram quatro construtos comportamentais sustentáveis (Consumo engajado, Preocupação com o lixo, Mobilização e Ambiente doméstico) e três construtos comportamentais inovadores (Preferência ao dinamismo e à criatividade, Eficiência nos detalhes e Adequação à originalidade). As análises corroboraram para a formação de três clusters: (1) Engajados, Mobilizadores e Eficientes, (2) Conscientes, Dinâmicos e Criativos e (3) Não Sustentáveis, Inflexíveis e Originais. As mulheres de até 25 anos foram mais propensas ao perfil inovador e engajadas com a sustentabilidade. Já os homens com idade de 46 a 60 anos denotaram comportamento negativo em relação a sustentabilidade e baixo comportamento inovador. Os resultados ampliam o entendimento do comportamento organizacional nas dimensões de inovação e sustentabilidade.
Fatores que explicam índice de aprovação no exame de suficiência no Brasil
Authors: Lima Emanoel Marcos , Lima Jessica de Morais , Kaveski Itzhak David Simão
Published: December 2022

O objetivo deste artigo é verificar quais as variáveis que explicam o índice de aprovação dos estudantes de ciências contábeis no exame de suficiência no Brasil. A pesquisa descritiva foi realizada a partir de documentos, tendo como população cursos de Ciências Contábeis do Brasil. A população da pesquisa compreende 1.687 cursos de Ciências Contábeis em atividade, com base nos dados do Instituto Nacional de Estudos e Pesquisas Educacionais Anísio Teixeira (INEP), sendo que a amostra é composta 568 cursos de Ciências Contábeis do Brasil. Os resultados revelam que instituições que têm programa de stricto sensu possuem uma taxa de aprovação no exame de suficiência, notas do CPC e ENADE, maiores do que aquelas que não os têm, no nível de significância de 1%.
Análise das políticas públicas para a agricultura familiar no semiárido nordestino brasileiro
Authors: de Carvalho Diogo Augusto Frota , Gomes Jaíra Maria Alcobaça
Published: December 2022

As políticas públicas tem um papel fundamental na agricultura familiar do semiárido nordestino brasileiro, sendo uma forma de atuação do Estado para garantir o aporte necessário ao fomento dessas famílias. Entretanto, algumas dessas políticas são ineficientes por não considerarem as demandas sistêmicas dos agricultores, tornando-se assim um instrumento teórico válido, mas módico na prática. Objetivou-se avaliar as seguintes políticas públicas para a agricultura familiar no semiárido nordestino brasileiro: PRONAF, PNAPO, Luz para todos, Programa Cisternas e ATER, comparando-se os investimentos dessas políticas com alguns dados apontados no Censo Agro 2017. Observou-se que essas políticas públicas aplicadas nos estabelecimentos rurais da região, embora no geral tenham aumentado os investimentos nas últimas décadas, são ainda insuficientes, principalmente quando se constata uma baixa produção orgânica, quase ausência de assistência técnica nas propriedades, não universalização de energia elétrica, pouco acesso à irrigação e exclusão de grande parte dos agricultores a financiamento governamental, além de uma alta taxa de analfabetismo. Conclui-se então que esse quadro pode resultar em impactos negativos na renda das famílias, ocasionando insegurança alimentar, êxodo rural, movimento pendular bem como na perda do sentido de ruralidade e autossuficiência dos agricultores.
Conservacionismo internacional y problemas locales: las investigaciones sobre pingüinos en la Patagonia
Authors: Sosiuk Ezequiel
Published: December 2022

En Argentina, hasta la década de 1970, los pingüinos de Magallanes fueron investigados por científicos locales como especies de “interés comercial.” Poco tiempo después, la situación cambió drásticamente: los pingüinos pasaron a ser una especie “amenazada” que era necesario conservar. El presente artículo indaga el rol de Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), una de las ONGs más grandes del mundo, en el cambio de la forma de problematizar, investigar e intervenir sobre los pingüinos. A través del caso de estudio, dialogo con diversos estudios que indagan los efectos “neocolonizadores” de la internacionalización de las investigaciones orientadas a conservación en América Latina, en tanto región periférica. Discuto con estos estudios ya que solo observan que la cooperación internacional tiende a invisibilizar, subordinar y controlar las formas locales de pensar e intervenir sobre la naturaleza. Propongo, en cambio, que la cooperación internacional también permite recentralizar a nivel global las investigaciones desde territorios periféricos. Para ello, indago tres aspectos de las investigaciones sobre pingüinos: a) cómo fue posicionado desde la Patagonia como indicador del cambio climático como problemática global, b) cómo la diversificación del financiamiento científico internacional permitió el desarrollo de investigaciones novedosas para el campo de la conservación de pingüinos, c) cómo el movimiento conservacionista permitió posicionar al litoral patagónico como un centro mundial del turismo basado en fauna. La investigación utiliza diversas metodologías cualitativas en base a entrevistas, observaciones de campo, documentos institucionales, curriculums de investigadores y datos sobre financiamiento extraídos de Web of Science.
¿Por dónde crece la movilización social? Análisis de los nuevos manifestantes de la revuelta social chilena de octubre de 2019
Authors: Rozas Bugueño Joaquin , Plaza Reveco Alejandro , Retamales Ramirez Matias Franco , Cortinez Rojas Sebastián , Carrasco Alcayaga Pabla , Venegas Marquéz Martín
Published: December 2022

En octubre de 2019, Chile experimentó las movilizaciones sociales más importantes desde la vuelta a la democracia en 1990. El objetivo del artículo es caracterizar y discutir el perfil de los nuevos manifestantes de la revuelta social. Para abordar este objetivo analizamos los datos de la encuesta “Zona Cero” del Núcleo de Sociología Contingente, estimando modelos de probabilidad lineal para predecir la baja o nula participación en protestas de los últimos 10 años de un segmento relevante de manifestantes de la revuelta. Los resultados muestran que el perfil de los nuevos manifestantes es el de personas con un nivel educativo relativamente bajo, identificadas políticamente como de centro, que no asisten a las protestas solos ni con sus redes más cercanas, y que no participan en organizaciones sociales. El artículo contribuye al estudio de la participación en protesta y de la revuelta social de 2019 en Chile.
Métodos cuantitativos para estudiar a las élites: Aplicaciones prácticas, sesgos y potencialidades
Authors: González-Bustamante Bastián
Published: December 2022

Este trabajo metodológico discute aplicaciones prácticas, ventajas y desventajas del análisis histórico de eventos o de supervivencia en comparación con estrategias econométricas clásicas en ciencias sociales como las regresiones logísticas binarias. En consecuencia, se analiza cuándo el enfoque de supervivencia es conveniente en comparación con modelos logísticos y los riesgos de trabajar con datos observacionales y estimaciones potencialmente sesgadas. Para responder ambas preguntas se realizan dos demostraciones econométricas con técnicas de propensión y emparejamiento para analizar el efecto de la trayectoria y vínculos empresariales en el acceso y permanencia en posiciones políticas relevantes. Para esto se utiliza la Encuesta de Élites en Chile (1990-2010) y un conjunto de datos de ministros que desempeñaron su cargo entre 1990 y 2014. Los hallazgos evidencian que la trayectoria empresarial no tiene impacto significativo en el acceso a posiciones relevantes, sin embargo, si está asociada con un menor riesgo de ser removido del gabinete. Las demostraciones econométricas muestran que el análisis de supervivencia es útil para fenómenos que implican intervalos de tiempo, mientras que las regresiones logísticas resultan pertinentes para estudiar el acceso a posiciones siempre que el muestreo sea adecuado. También se evidencian diferencias significativas entre modelos sin ajustes o placebos y modelos con mejores especificaciones o estimados después de la aplicación del algoritmo de emparejamiento.
Youth and Zero Incidence, Zero Prevalence of Cancer in IndiaAn Achievable Goal?
Authors: Sreeshyla HS , Jaishankar HP , Shashidar Ra , Hegde Usha , Nitin Priyanka
Published: December 2022

Cancer is one of the main leading causes of high mortality and morbidity. It is also one of the preventable diseases with known risk factors in many of the cases. Youth are like double edged sword, by being the highly vulnerable group as well as the group with strong potential for disease prevention. Health education, creating strong awareness on the known avoidable risk factors among the young adults can prevent the occurrence of cancer. Simultaneously, using the educated young group to dissipate their knowledge to curb the cancer is the need of hour. Thought of zero incidence and prevalence of cancer in India looks unachievable. However, with the youth centred programmes, by the youth, for the youth and to the general public, such goals can be achieved.
Rare Antinuclear Antibody Patterns: Relevance in Routine Laboratory Reporting
Authors: Bhakta Vidya
Published: December 2022

Introduction: Uncommon patterns on Human Epithelial 2 (Hep 2) substrate during Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) screening by Indirect Immunofluorescence (IIF) microscopy are not routinely reported by many laboratories since their clinical relevance is not well established. Aim: To elucidate rare ANA patterns on Hep 2 and their possible association with clinical presentation. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on ANA reports in the duration January 2021 to March 2022 at the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group, Olaya Medical Complex, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to recognise rare ANA patterns. Gold standard method of IIF on Hep 2 was used for screening. Statistical evaluation was done to obtain frequencies of various ANA patterns. Those with frequency of less than 1% were classified as rare patterns. Results: Overall, 4207 consecutive ANA reports were evaluated out of which 1388 were positive and 210 (4.99%) demonstrated rare ANA patterns including nuclear, cytoplasmic and mitotic subtypes. Most commonly encountered among the rare ANA patterns was intercellular bridge (AC 27) with frequency of 0.78% (n=33). Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) (10/210) was the most often observed clinical association with rare cytoplasmic and mitotic patterns at titer ≥1:160. Conclusion: Uncommon ANA patterns may be useful in initial work-up of autoimmune illness hence, should be routinely reported. Further studies to enlighten the significance of these patterns, analogous antibodies could be of diagnostic relevance in autoimmune and other diseases.
Massive Right-sided Pleural Effusion due to Pancreaticopleural Fistula: A Rare Case Report
Authors: Chakravarti Chirag H , Patel Kaushani Hetalbhai , Patel Bhavesh M , Shah Arti D
Published: December 2022

Pancreaticopleural Fistula (PPF), a rare occurrence, is characterised by an abnormal connection between pleural and peritoneal cavity. It forms usually due to the rupture of pancreatic pseudocyst. Pancreatic pseudocyst is formed due to the repeated episodes of acute or chronic pancreatitis. Most pancreatic pathologies, such as acute and chronic pancreatitis, cause clinically insignificant effusions that resolve with disease control, whereas PPF causes massive effusion and is thus rarely considered as a cause of massive pleural effusion due to its low incidence. PPF are most common in middle-aged alcoholic males and typically present as massive recurrent left-sided pleural effusions. In the present case, a 50-year-old male presented to the Department of Respiratory Medicine with the complaint of right-sided chest pain, progressive breathlessness, abdominal pain and loss of appetite. Patient was labourer by occupation, chronic alcoholic, non diabetic. Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) thorax with abdomen showed massive right-sided pleural effusion and pancreatitis. A diagnosis of PPF was confirmed as its cause. Pleural fluid analysis for elevated amylase, confirms the diagnosis and investigations such as CECT thorax and abdomen, Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), or Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) may be used to establish the fistulous communication between the pancreas and the pleural cavity. PPF should always be considered as a differential diagnosis while finding a cause for right-sided pleural effusion.
Response Surface Modelling and Optimization Study of Transesterification of Castor Oil Using Calcined Anthill as Catalyst
Authors: Ayoola Babatunde, Kehinde , Salam Kazeem Kolapo , Ayobami Aworanti, Olufunmilola , Olu-Arotiowa Olusesan Abel , Alagbe Solomom Oluyemi , Oluwole Titilayo Deborah
Published: December 2022

The source of catalyst and feedstock used for transesterification of oil play a significant role in cost, and starvation of consumers of oil especially for edible oil sources. This investigation aimed at the transesterification of castor oil with the aid of calcined anthill as the catalyst support. Box Behnken Design (BBD) of the Response Surface methodology was employed to study the relationship among the variable of production such as time (1 – 3 h), temperature (40 – 60oC), catalyst loading (1 – 9 g), methanol volume (10 – 60 ml) and agitation rate (100 – 400 rpm) on yield of biodiesel produced. The synthesized catalyst was characterized using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) while biodiesel produced was characterized through determination of physicochemical characterized and function group applicable to biodiesel. The calcined anthill was found to contain some mixed basic oxides. The physicochemical properties of produced biodiesel are within the American Standard Test Methods (ASTM) range (except density that is higher), and the functional groups found in biodiesel are typical of vibrations presence in biodiesel. The optimum condition for a volume of 11.73 ml, agitation of 166.458 rpm, reaction time of 2.34375 hrs, temperature of 59.4552oC, catalyst loading of 1.14 g, and an optimal yield of 90.59 %.
Isolation and Identification of Fungi Associated with Avocado Pear (Persea americana Mill)
Authors: Frances Ejimofor, Chiamaka , Enoch Nwakoby, Nnamdi , Johnson Oledibe, Odira , Eziamaka Afam-Ezeaku, Chikaodili , Ann Mbaukwu, Onyinye
Published: December 2022

This study's objective is to separate and identify harmful fungus from spoiled avocado pears. Healthy avocado pear fruits were delivered to the lab and left to rot on a lab bench after being purchased from Awka, Nnewi, and Ihiala. Potato dextrose agar (PDA) and SDA agar were used to test the fruits for the presence of fungal infections that cause deterioration. According to the findings, PDA media exhibit greater growth than SDA, and ther45 x 102 CFU/g).e was no statistically significp > 0.005ference (p>0.005) between the fungal counts of the avocado and pear samples collected from the three different sites, with the Eke Awka market sample showing the highes48 x 102 CFUcount (48x102cfu/g), followed by the Total Market47 x 102 CFUample (47x102cfu/g), and the Nnewi market sample showing the lowest fungal count (45x102cf Based on their colonial and physical traits, the fungus responsible for the fruit deterioration was identified. The investigation also revealed that a total of 5 isolates of fungus from fruits, including Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., Rhizopus sp., Fusarium spp., and Candida spp., were collected. Of        them, isolates of Aspergillus niger species were found most commonly (36%). Rhizopus species and Candida were next, each with an infection incidence of 18%, while Fusarium solani and Penicillium digitatum were the least common (141%). Aspergillus niger, one of the identified fungi, was the least harmful and produced the least amount of fruit rot. R. stolonifer, Fusarium solani, Candida tropicalis, and Penicillium digitatum were the least pathogenic and caused the most fast disintegration of treated fruits in 3-5 days. This study has demonstrated that fungus is to blame for fruit rotting. This study has demonstrated that fungus is to blame for fruit rotting. Producing, preparing, and preserving foods like fruit salads must be done as quickly and hygienically as possible using high-quality tools, products, and materials since fruits are typically infested by harmful fungus.
Anticonvulsant Activity of Some Medicinal Plants: A Review
Authors: Asogwa Felix Keneolisa , Celestine Ugwu Obiora , Jude Ali Ibeabuchi
Published: December 2022

Epilepsy is a central nervous system (neurological) disorder characterized by a bizarre feelings, sensations, and behaviors. Muscle spasms, convulsions, and loss of consciousness occasionally from epileptic seizures. Neuronal dependent on neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. In this review, we discussed epilepsy and its therapies, placing particular emphasis on some medicinal plants and their mechanism of action. The majority of herbal remedies that are both tested for anticonvulsant activity and utilized in ethno medicine to treat epilepsy were reported. The findings demonstrate that active components extracted from medicinal plants can prevent and treat neuronal disorder.
Grammar in Foreign and Second Language Classes
Authors: Keßler Jörg‐U. , Lenzing Anke
Published: December 2022

The teaching of grammar plays a major role in any language classroom, and traditionally follows the (hidden) curriculum of the textbook used in the classroom. In the past, competing approaches to grammar teaching have been put forward, but the majority have not been inspired by a theory of language nor by findings from second language acquisition (SLA) research. As implicit learning of (interlanguage) grammar is crucial in any instructed setting, however, findings from SLA research contribute to making foreign and second language teaching more efficient. One core finding is that practice does not necessarily make perfect, as it is a vital but not a sufficient prerequisite for language acquisition.
Changing Principles and Practices in Teaching Language Skills
Authors: Marlina Roby
Published: December 2022

The outcomes of English being an international language have led to a reassessment of the ways in which receptive (listening and reading) and productive (speaking and writing) skills are taught. Since English is a heterogeneous language used predominantly by multilingual speakers of English, the teaching of listening and speaking skills should go beyond listening to and emulating how “native speakers” speak English. Learners should be exposed to different world Englishes and learn to develop intercultural pragmatic skills. In teaching writing, learners should learn to take into account the social contexts in which they operate and learn to shuttle between communities. Since many ELT texts are not always written using cultural values and semantic phrases with which learners of English are familiar, teachers are encouraged to engage their learners in learning to read “against the grain” as critical readers, as opposed to learning to be assimilated into what is written in the texts.
The Genre‐Based Approach to Teaching Writing in a Second Language
Authors: Boillos Mari Mar
Published: December 2022

Learning to communicate via writing in a second language (L2) involves mastering the standardized ways in which speakers of a discourse community communicate. Discourse genres have thus become a key element in the process of teaching writing. One current approach that supports this premise—the Sydney School—proposes a three‐phase model structure. In it, students identify the characteristics (linguistic, sociolinguistic, and pragmatic) of different genres collaboratively and learn to construct texts, first jointly and then individually, in which they respond to real communicative situations. The role of the teacher is essential to guide the whole process and to motivate the students. This entry presents the characteristics of this approach and reflects on its pedagogical implications.
Intercultural Interaction and English Language Learning in EFL Contexts
Authors: Aubrey Scott
Published: December 2022

Intercultural interaction, or engagement with members of different ethnolinguistic groups, plays an important role in shaping one's language‐learning experience. In EFL contexts, where English is rarely used in daily communication, intercultural encounters with English speakers are novel but can be a powerful stimulus for motivational change and a rich source of input for developing language skills. This entry discusses how intercultural interaction has been researched in EFL environments. Key studies and concepts are reviewed, including relevant psychological constructs related to EFL (e.g., international posture), types of intercultural interaction (e.g., face‐to‐face, online, imagined), and language learning as a result of task‐based intercultural interaction in EFL classrooms. The entry will close with a discussion of future research directions in areas that intersect with intercultural interaction and English language learning in EFL contexts.
Can‐Do Statements
Authors: Tigchelaar Magda
Published: December 2022

This entry describes can‐do statements for language learning, detailing some of the can‐do publications available, the contexts and types of language use the statements describe, and the audiences and purposes that have been defined for published can‐do descriptors. Research findings concerning different uses of can‐do statements, including proficiency assessment, placement testing, classroom assessment, and self‐assessment are presented. The entry concludes with recommendations for pedagogical applications for can‐do statements. These include considerations for selecting existing can‐do statements, writing curriculum‐aligned can‐do statements, and applications for English learners' use of can‐do statements in the classroom, such as self‐assessing language proficiency, monitoring gains, framing language portfolios, and communicating what learners can do in the target language to other stakeholders.
Inherent challenges in treating AUD temper hopes for major breakthrough
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: December 2022

ADAW asked a number of national leaders to reflect on the coming months and assess what they foresee in the treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD), and respondents took care to cast their responses in a positive light. But given the many challenges from a scientific and societal standpoint in achieving breakthroughs in AUD treatment, a comment from Rutgers Health Department of Emergency Medicine Chair Lewis S. Nelson, M.D., may have best summarized the complexity of the task ahead.
Designer Scaffolds for Interfacial Bioengineering
Authors: Hickey Ryan J. , Leblanc Latour Maxime , Harden James L. , Pelling Andrew E.
Published: December 2022

In regenerative medicine, the healing of the interfacial zone between tissues is a major challenge, yet approaches for studying the complex microenvironment of this interface remain lacking. Herein, these complex living interfaces by manufacturing modular “blocks” of naturally porous decellularized plant‐derived scaffolds with a computer numerical controlled mill are studied. How each scaffold can be seeded with different cell types and easily assembled in a manner akin to LEGO bricks to create an engineered tissue interface (ETI) is demonstrated. Cells migrate across the interface formed between an empty scaffold and a scaffold preseeded with cells. However, when both scaffolds contain cells, only a shallow cross‐over zone of cell infiltration forms at the interface. As a proof‐of‐concept study, ETIs to investigate the interaction between lab grown bone and connective tissues are used. Consistent with the above, a cross‐over zone of the two distinct cell types forms at the interface between scaffolds, otherwise the populations remain distinct. Finally, how ETIs are biocompatible in vivo are demonstrated, becoming vascularized and integrated into surrounding tissue after implantation. Herein, new tissue design avenues for understanding biological processes or the development of synthetic artificial tissues are created.
Analyzing the Phase Evolution, Microstructure and Wear Response of Spark Plasma Sintered Al0.5CoCrFeNi2 High Entropy Superalloy
Authors: Tikar Abhishek , Padwal Shubhankar , Chen Shih-Hsun , Harimkar Sandip P.
Published: December 2022

High entropy superalloys (HESA), an extension of high entropy alloys (HEAs), exhibit excellent high‐temperature properties with low density, making them a potential replacement for expensive and heavy superalloys. While multiple processing routes are available for HEAs, spark plasma sintering is becoming increasingly popular due to its ability to fabricate alloy powder in short period of time. Herein, the phase evolution and microstructural development of gas atomized Al0.5CoCrFeNi2 HESA powder fabricated using spark plasma sintering and the wear properties of the sintered specimen are reported. The alloy powder and all the specimen sintered in the range of 800–1050 °C show an extremely stable single‐phase face centered cubic structure. Relative density of 99% is achieved at 1000 °C and above with porosity pinning effect playing an important role in densification behavior and grain growth. In all the sintered specimen, a combination of adhesive, delamination, oxidation, and abrasive wear is observed, with the coefficient of friction lying in the range of 0.6–0.7.
Boosting the H2–D2 Exchange Activity of Dilute Nanoporous Ti–Cu Catalysts through Oxidation–Reduction Cycle–Induced Restructuring
Authors: Foucher Alexandre C. , Lee Jennifer D. , Qi Zhen , Li Gengnan , Ouyang Gaoyuan , Cui Jun , Boscoboinik Jorge Anibal , Friend Cynthia M. , Biener Juergen , Stach Eric A.
Published: December 2022

The use of nanoporous metals as catalysts has attracted significant interest in recent years. Their high‐curvature, nanoscale ligaments provide not only high surface area but also a high density of undercoordinated step edge and kink sites. However, their long‐term stability, especially at higher temperatures, is often limited by thermal coarsening and the associated loss of surface area. Herein, it is demonstrated that the nanoscale morphology of nanoporous Cu can be regenerated by applying oxidation/reduction cycles at 250 °C. Specifically, the morphological evolution and H2 dissociation activity of hierarchical nanoporous Cu catalysts doped with Ti during structural rearrangement triggered by oxidative and reductive atmospheres at elevated temperatures are studied. In addition to coarsening of the structure at elevated temperatures, oxidation at 400 °C causes an expansion of the ligaments. Subsequent reduction at 400 °C leads to the formation of particles and a drop in the H2 dissociation activity compared the fresh catalyst. However, performing the redox cycle at 250 °C reverses coarsening and boosts the H2 dissociation activity for the hydrogen–deuterium (H2–D2) reaction. Herein, the possibility to reverse coarsening is demonstrated, thereby mitigating the loss of activity frequently observed in nanoporous catalysts.
Pressure‐Tuning Photothermal Synergy to Optimize the Photoelectronic Properties in Amorphous Halide Perovskite Cs3Bi2I9
Authors: Li Zonglun , Jia Binxia , Fang Sixue , Li Quanjun , Tian Fuyu , Li Haiyan , Liu Ran , Liu Yucheng , Zhang Lijun , Liu Shengzhong (Frank) , Liu Bingbing
Published: December 2022

Effective modification of the structure and properties of halide perovskites via the pressure engineering strategy has attracted enormous interest in the past decade. However, sufficient effort and insights regarding the potential properties and applications of the high‐pressure amorphous phase are still lacking. Here, the superior and tunable photoelectric properties that occur in the pressure‐induced amorphization process of the halide perovskite Cs3Bi2I9 are demonstrated. With increasing pressure, the photocurrent with xenon lamp illumination exhibits a rapid increase and achieves an almost five orders of magnitude increment compared to its initial value. Impressively, a broadband photoresponse from 520 to 1650 nm with an optimal responsivity of 6.81 mA W−1 and fast response times of 95/96 ms at 1650 nm is achieved upon successive compression. The high‐gain, fast, broadband, and dramatically enhanced photoresponse properties of Cs3Bi2I9 are the result of comprehensive photoconductive and photothermoelectric mechanisms, which are associated with enhanced orbital coupling caused by an increase in BiI interactions in the [BiI6]3− cluster, even in the amorphous state. These findings provide new insights for further exploring the potential properties and applications of amorphous perovskites.
Design of N‐Type Textured Bi2Te3 with Robust Mechanical Properties for Thermoelectric Micro‐Refrigeration Application
Authors: Zhu Yu‐Ke , Jin Yifan , Zhu Jianbo , Dong Xingyan , Liu Ming , Sun Yuxin , Guo Muchun , Li Fushan , Guo Fengkai , Zhang Qian , Liu Zihang , Cai Wei , Sui Jiehe
Published: December 2022

Thermoelectric refrigeration is one of the mature techniques used for cooling applications, with the great advantage of miniaturization over traditional compression refrigeration. Due to the anisotropic thermoelectric properties of n‐type bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) alloys, these two common methods, including the liquid phase hot deformation (LPHD) and traditional hot forging (HF) methods, are of considerable importance for texture engineering to enhance performance. However, their effects on thermoelectric and mechanical properties are still controversial and not clear yet. Moreover, there has been little documentation of mechanical properties related to micro‐refrigeration applications. In this work, the above‐mentioned methods are separately employed to control the macroscopic grain orientation for bulk n‐type Bi2Te3 samples. The HF method enabled the stabilization of both composition and carrier concentration, therefore yielding a higher quality factor to compare with that of LPHD samples, supported by DFT calculations. In addition to superior thermoelectric performance, the HF sample also exhibited robust mechanical properties due to the presence of nano‐scale distortion and dense dislocation, which is the prerequisite for realizing ultra‐precision machining. This work helps to pave the way for the utilization of n‐type Bi2Te3 for commercial micro‐refrigeration applications.
Elucidating mechanism of ethylbenzene oxidation catalyzed by carbon‐based catalysts with kinetic modeling
Authors: Su Yongzhao , Huang Jiangnan , Yang Guangxing , Wang Hongjuan , Yu Hao , Zhang Qiao , Cao Yonghai , Peng Feng
Published: December 2022

Ethylbenzene (EB) oxidation to oxygenated products catalyzed by carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and CNTs with confined cobalt nanoparticles (Co@C/CNTs) are conducted. Co@C/CNTs with enhanced interfacial charge transfer displays a unique activity. A kinetic model with the simplified network is established, in which seven elementary reactions with prominent features of EB oxidation are selected. The main parameters, reaction rate constant (k) and active energy (Ea) are obtained. Co@C/CNTs could speed up most elementary steps and reduce energy barriers, thus improving the overall activity. The homolytic cleavage of peroxide is confirmed to be the rate‐determining step (RDS). The k ratio (1.55) of acetophenone (AcPO)/1‐phenylethyl alcohol (PEA) is found to be close to the experimental result (rAcPO/rPEA, 1.30). The prediction of EB oxidation is simulated, showing that the synthesis of AcPO dominates the reaction route, while the addition of PEA would prohibit the reaction.
NHC‐Catalyzed Cascade Reactions for the Construction of Fused Cycles via LUMO Activation of α,β‐Unsaturated Carbonyls
Authors: Nie Guihua , Li Tingting
Published: December 2022

The facile syntheses of multicyclic molecules through multi‐step cascade reactions with N‐Heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐catalyzed LUMO activation strategies are summarized. The reaction mechanisms involved in these cascade catalytic transformations are also provided and discussed. The review article is arranged according to the reaction starting materials that are used for the NHC‐catalytic activation processes.
Dynamics and Proton Conduction of Heterogeneously Confined Imidazole in Porous Coordination Polymers
Authors: Cai Linkun , Yang Junsheng , Lai Yuyan , Liang Yuling , Zhang Rongchun , Gu Cheng , Kitagawa Susumu , Yin Panchao
Published: December 2022

The nanoconfinement of proton carrier molecules may contribute to the lowing of their proton dissociation energy. However, the free proton transportation does not occur as easily as in liquid due to the restricted molecular motion from surface attraction. To resolve the puzzle, herein, imidazole is confined in the channels of porous coordination polymers with tunable geometries, and their electric/structural relaxations are quantified. Imidazole confined in a square‐shape channels exhibits dynamics heterogeneity of core‐shell‐cylinder model. The core and shell layer possess faster and slower structural dynamics, respectively, when compared to the bulk imidazole. The dimensions and geometry of the nanochannels play an important role in both the shielding of the blocking effect from attractive surfaces and the frustration filling of the internal proton carrier molecules, ultimately contributing to the fast dynamics and enhanced proton conductivity.
Propargyl Alcohols as Bifunctional Reagents for Divergent Annulations of Biphenylamines via Dual C−H Functionalization/Dual Oxidative Cyclization
Authors: Dattatri  , Kumar Reddy Singam Maneesh , Vavilapalli Suresh , Babu Nanubolu Jagadeesh , Sridhar Reddy Maddi
Published: December 2022

The C−H functionalization strategy provides access to valuable molecules that previously required convoluted synthetic attempts. Dual C−H unsymmetrical functionalization, with a single bifunctional reagent, is an effective tactic. Propargyl alcohols (PAs), despite containing a reactive C≡C bond, have not been explored as building blocks via oxidative cleavage. Annulations via C−H activation are a versatile and synthetically attractive strategy. We disclose PA as a new bifunctional reagent for unsymmetrical dual C−H functionalization of biphenylamine for regioselectively annulated outcomes. On tuning the conditions, the annulation bifurcated towards an unusual dual oxidative cyclization. This method accommodates a wide range of PAs and showcases late‐stage diversification of some natural products.